Just off Dream 3/24 any questions?

[ducklite]

That wasn't my point at all. I like the fact that you CAN get food 24 hours a day.

 

It's just that some people think that not only should you be able to get food 24 hours a day, but that the food should be within arm's reach of you all 24 of those hours.

 

Have you seen WALL-E? There was this lady on my last cruise on the Wonder who was so big, she was confined to one of those hoveround things and she sat through an entire show complaining that they didn't serve food in the theater. She wanted food in every part of the ship. All the time.

 

I understand some folks focus on the dining more than others of us, but seriously... they don't have to serve food in the elevators, the theater, the hallways, the pool, the bathrooms, the lifeboats, the spa, the hot tub... you can go to a dining room or the buffet and eat there. Having food less than 6 inches from your hands at any given place on the ship isn't vital to a good cruise.

 

 

If you are inferring that I'm overweight--hardly. I wear a size 6 and am 5'7".

 

On RCCL we found two choices for dining outside the hours that the dining rooms and buffets were open. One was to pay for Johnny Rockets, the other was to go to our suite and wait for room service. Neither was acceptable to us.

 

I don't expect there to be food everywhere, I'm not saying that at all. But I do expect more options then RCCL was offering, that's for sure.

 

I also expect the food to be at least palatable, which we found wasn't the case outside the alternate dining (extra charge) restaurants on RCCL.

[CookieBird]

 

Many of our complaints revolved around the lack of "free" food during non-dining room hours, the BAD food in the dining room (we cruised with major RCCL fans and even they thought it was bad on that cruise), and some very major service gaffes and maintenance issues with our stateroom. We had a similar stateroom on DCL with no problems, and overall the level of service was far superior on DCL.

 

I never really had a problem with a lack of free food on RCCL but I do agree with you on the quality. DCL had the best dining room food, followed by Carnival (the warm chocolate melting cake is enough to make me book a cruise on there) and lastly RCCL. While I didn't think it was horrible it for sure didn't rise above anything more than ok to eh.

[CookieBird]

Thanks cookiebird for all the great info! We have our first cruise coming up and we're debating an excursion in Nassau. Did you go to Atlantis thru Disney? If so how much time do you actually have to enjoy it??? Thanks

 

Hi, we did go thru Disney mainly because we didn't decide to go until about 5 min before the tour left. We got there at around 10:30 and they had busses running until after 5:00. I felt like it was enough time for the kids to have fun but we didn't do any of the other stuff other than the waterpark and even in that we didn't do most of the stuff. The resort is just huge and I don't think we would have been able to take advantage of everything even if we had been staying there. There is just too much.

[poncho1973]

If you are inferring that I'm overweight--hardly. I wear a size 6 and am 5'7".

 

On RCCL we found two choices for dining outside the hours that the dining rooms and buffets were open. One was to pay for Johnny Rockets, the other was to go to our suite and wait for room service. Neither was acceptable to us.

 

I don't expect there to be food everywhere, I'm not saying that at all. But I do expect more options then RCCL was offering, that's for sure.

 

I also expect the food to be at least palatable, which we found wasn't the case outside the alternate dining (extra charge) restaurants on RCCL.

 

I wasn't implying that you were overweight. I'm sorry you inferred that from my post.

 

It was just a weird personal experience I had where the lady almost got violent because she didn't have 24/7 access to food every single place on the ship, when she should've been enjoying the great show show in front of her.

 

DCL definitely has better food than RCCL. My comment was that knocking a cruiseline's pool because you can't have food 6" from your hands at all times seemed odd to me.

[preston120]

I have been told that you need to bring a plug converter on the Dream. Is this true? Also, I was told that the blow dryer didn't blow hot air and that you should bring your own. Thoughts?

[PopFla]

I have been told that you need to bring a plug converter on the Dream. Is this true? Also, I was told that the blow dryer didn't blow hot air and that you should bring your own. Thoughts?

 

First off - - Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

The need for a converter depends on where you're from - - the ship uses standard U.S. power (120V, 60 Hz) with standard US-style outlets.

 

The hair dryers on Magic and Wonder are pretty weak; don't know if the ones on Dream are any better.

[dexddd]

I have been told that you need to bring a plug converter on the Dream. Is this true? Also, I was told that the blow dryer didn't blow hot air and that you should bring your own. Thoughts?

 

In our room there at least three outlets (combo European/US). Not sure how you define hot, but I just tried it 1/4 inch from my hand and I'd say it is warm but not hot, didn't burn my hand.

[dexddd]

There is also one round European type plug.

[Host Mick]

I wasn't implying that you were overweight. I'm sorry you inferred that from my post.

 

It was just a weird personal experience I had where the lady almost got violent because she didn't have 24/7 access to food every single place on the ship, when she should've been enjoying the great show show in front of her.

 

DCL definitely has better food than RCCL. My comment was that knocking a cruiseline's pool because you can't have food 6" from your hands at all times seemed odd to me.

 

That seems almost reasonable compared to some of the things that I've seen here. A long time ago when Cruise Critic was AOL Keyword: Cruise there was a lady that went on one of the first Magic cruises posting a lot of queations and looking forward to it. When she came back, she had a fit, alost a full on tantrum that the Magic didn't have... and I swear on Sorceror Mickey's Hat to this... They didn't have an ice carving demonstration. It literally ruined her cruise. She had seen ice carving on every other cruise and apparently looked forward to it but was distraught when they didn't have it on the Magic. She wrote letters to Michael Eisner and Art Rodney but apparently never received a reply. I thought that it was some sort of strange shakedown but she never demanded anything, she just vented.

Perhaps it was some sort of satire but I missed that.

[ducklite]

That seems almost reasonable compared to some of the things that I've seen here. A long time ago when Cruise Critic was AOL Keyword: Cruise there was a lady that went on one of the first Magic cruises posting a lot of queations and looking forward to it. When she came back, she had a fit, alost a full on tantrum that the Magic didn't have... and I swear on Sorceror Mickey's Hat to this... They didn't have an ice carving demonstration. It literally ruined her cruise. She had seen ice carving on every other cruise and apparently looked forward to it but was distraught when they didn't have it on the Magic. She wrote letters to Michael Eisner and Art Rodney but apparently never received a reply. I thought that it was some sort of strange shakedown but she never demanded anything, she just vented.

Perhaps it was some sort of satire but I missed that.

 

Kind of like the one that went off the deep end when her Wonder cruise was cancelled due to the norovirus outbreak and demanded Disney remove the DCL model from the lobby of one of the resorts at WDW? Crazy!

[lovdisney]

I went on the Big Red Boat for my honeymoon in May 1991. We are returning for our 20th Anniversary on the Disney Dream 4/17/11 with two kids 17 & 12. Can't wait!

[jenseib]

DCL now assigns a show time to ensure seating for everyone.

 

Kid soup! :D

 

We have an assigned show time of 9:00.

 

That has since been changed on the Dream. They now have changed to 2 shows each night ...for now...I think they are 6:15 and 8:30...I could be wrong about the second show time.

[bsddsc]

Did you really just base your opinion on a pool deck on the proximity of food? Do you eat in the pool? There is food available 24 hours on the ships, not having it all 24 of those hours is probably a good thing.

 

there's more to it than that. And yes, we do eat by the pool on several days on a week long cruise. Why should I have to give up my seat, change my clothes, eat the buffet room, change again and try to find a seat at the pool. And what if I had kids, that would be a real nightmare.

 

Everyone should look at a ship's layout before they book. After a couple of cruises, you know what you like and don't like based on how you spend your day. We don't care to gamble, but we love movies and we love to relax by the jacuzzi on deck. Mariner was pretty and the shopping on board was better. But we were bored and annoyed that it was such a production just to get a snack.

 

I think the person who asked about the differences in the two ships needs to know that, especially if they have children with them.

[CookieBird]

there's more to it than that. And yes, we do eat by the pool on several days on a week long cruise. Why should I have to give up my seat, change my clothes, eat the buffet room, change again and try to find a seat at the pool. And what if I had kids, that would be a real nightmare.

 

Everyone should look at a ship's layout before they book. After a couple of cruises, you know what you like and don't like based on how you spend your day. We don't care to gamble, but we love movies and we love to relax by the jacuzzi on deck. Mariner was pretty and the shopping on board was better. But we were bored and annoyed that it was such a production just to get a snack.

 

I think the person who asked about the differences in the two ships needs to know that, especially if they have children with them.

 

I've been on a fair number of cruises and I dont think I have ever had to do what you describe to eat at the buffet. Obviously being soaking wet is one thing but we usually just leave our towels/books/sunglasses/sunscreen on our chairs and throw on our cover-ups and shoes and head to the buffet for lunch. And I don't mean leave our chairs for hours but I think it is perfectly acceptable to do so for the 30-45 min it takes to eat. And it seems as if most people do the same and dont change clothes to go to the buffet. I guess everyone has a different cruise style.

 

I DID notice that twice on the Dream there were people walking in the buffet getting food with only swimsuits on and NO SHOES! Barefeet. And no one said anything to them. That is completely gross. I dont expect people to totally change clothes but at least throw on a tshirt and gym shorts or something and some shoes for goodness sake. Yuck!!!

[fastpaks]

The hair dryers on Magic and Wonder are pretty weak; don't know if the ones on Dream are any better.

 

There is a bit of confusion about the hairdryers on the Dream. They are stored in the bathroom in a bag but the plug is at the "vanity" and blows pretty good. There is a 22v outlet there.

 

I'm curious to those that have traveled on both DCL and RCCL. We have only done DCL with 2 more their booked. We have a 7 year old now and like to travel in the October months. Are their a good amount of kids on the ships? He tends to be a socialite? Kid programs in comparison to DCL?

[Mrs. Chernabog]

That has since been changed on the Dream. They now have changed to 2 shows each night ...for now...I think they are 6:15 and 8:30...I could be wrong about the second show time.

 

Thanks for the info. :)

[jaimereneech]

We found that riding the Aquaduck right before close each night (it closed at 8:30 for us) was best. We never waited and would ride several times in a row. It was also cool because it was lit up at night. During the day, the lines ranged from 20-40 minutes. There is a sign at the entrance telling you how long the wait is.

[Progs]

We traveled on the DCL - Magic in November, 2008 and never had to change clothes for going to the buffet. There are so many "food court" type places around the pools that often we just went there. The thing that I don't like is the people who travel with several families (more than 8-10 people) who go to the buffet and grab tables and then have one person sit and wait while others go and get food. DCL did discourage this because the turnover is quick. When you come into the buffet, you get in line and then find a seat. Usually you can get near enough and if you don't, you will see your party right after lunch anyway so it isn't a big deal. We loved DCL so much that we have booked another cruise on the Fantasy in 2012.

[jenseib]

We traveled on the DCL - Magic in November, 2008 and never had to change clothes for going to the buffet. There are so many "food court" type places around the pools that often we just went there. The thing that I don't like is the people who travel with several families (more than 8-10 people) who go to the buffet and grab tables and then have one person sit and wait while others go and get food. DCL did discourage this because the turnover is quick. When you come into the buffet, you get in line and then find a seat. Usually you can get near enough and if you don't, you will see your party right after lunch anyway so it isn't a big deal. We loved DCL so much that we have booked another cruise on the Fantasy in 2012.

 

Actually on the Dream, they seat you at the buffet, then you go and get your food.

[lindalo5032]

Actually on the Dream, they seat you at the buffet, then you go and get your food.

 

Is this also true for lunch on embarkation day? I have read about the bad crowds on the Dream in the Cabanas area and people having trouble finding a place to sit? If there is someone to seat you, seems like finding a table wouldn't be a problem:confused:

[jenseib]

Is this also true for lunch on embarkation day? I have read about the bad crowds on the Dream in the Cabanas area and people having trouble finding a place to sit? If there is someone to seat you, seems like finding a table wouldn't be a problem:confused:

 

Yes. We were seated fairly fast, but there was a line out the door (the aft side). But it moved quickly.

[Host Mick]

We found that riding the Aquaduck right before close each night (it closed at 8:30 for us) was best. We never waited and would ride several times in a row. It was also cool because it was lit up at night. During the day, the lines ranged from 20-40 minutes. There is a sign at the entrance telling you how long the wait is.

 

I'm thinking that this would be a great place for a FastPass.

[GrandmaHofmann]

Lots of them! thanks!

1. Is the seating in the main theater, not the movie theater, child friendly in terms of seeing the stage?

2. Are the supervised children's activity places on Castaway Cay fenced in in any way or do young children have easy access to the water?

3. How late is it when you generally get out of late seating for dinner?

4. Are the main dining rooms open for lunch? Does Crush appear at lunch if the Animator's Palette is open?

5. How easy is it for the kids to get autographs around the ship?

6. Is popcorn offered in the movie theater? Is there a cost?

7. Is hard ice cream free?

8. How early were the stores in Nassau open?

9. Are the shops on Castaway Cay good or just the usual Caribbean trashy souvenir things?

[progs2]

I've heard that Disney has changed the policy on moving tables together for large groups on the new ships (Dream and Fantasy). Did you notice any large groups? We are going on Fantasy next year with 12 and there is no good way to split the group so we would like to sit as one.

[moonlightgraham]

Lots of them! thanks!

1. Is the seating in the main theater, not the movie theater, child friendly in terms of seeing the stage?

2. Are the supervised children's activity places on Castaway Cay fenced in in any way or do young children have easy access to the water?

3. How late is it when you generally get out of late seating for dinner?

4. Are the main dining rooms open for lunch? Does Crush appear at lunch if the Animator's Palette is open?

5. How easy is it for the kids to get autographs around the ship?

6. Is popcorn offered in the movie theater? Is there a cost?

7. Is hard ice cream free?

8. How early were the stores in Nassau open?

9. Are the shops on Castaway Cay good or just the usual Caribbean trashy souvenir things?

 

Just back from the April 3rd sailing so I can help with some of these.

1. Seating is typical theater style so it all depends on who is seated right in front you.

2. The area is supervised very well and away from the beach area.

3. We had late seating and were generally finished by 9:30. If you have kids, the counselors will come around by 9pm to escort the kids to the Oceaneers Club if they want. That lets you finish your dinner in peace and then on to the adult venues if you like.

4.Yes, there will always be at least one restaurant open for breakfast and lunch seatings. Not sure on Crush, but I doubt it. I think he's a dinner-only performance.

5. There are tons of character greeting opportunities during the cruise and they are posted in the daily Navigator. Now, some will have pretty good lines, but you'll have plenty of chances for autographs nonetheless and sometimes you'll just happen upon them in the halls and they will always oblige for a quick pic and autograph.

6. Yes popcorn and other typical offerings are available. I think popcorn was free, but not sure on this.

7. Don't know, just saw the soft serve variety.

8. They'll be open by the time you're allowed off the ship. We didn't dock until mid-morning so they'll be waiting for you!

9. Mostly the usual t-shirts, etc..