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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Back from our first Disney cruise
We sailed on the Disney Dream 4 night cruise this week, and it was AMAZING!! We have never been on a cruise before, and everything went so smoothly. Seriously so luxurious, the staff was amazing, and the family and kids programs were awesome! We stayed on the ship at the Nassau port, but got off at Disney's private Island, Castaway Cay. It was beyond gorgeous.
The level of service was outstanding. I was not expecting them to clean our room twice a day, make elaborate towel animals, cut my children's food at dinner, or any of the other little extras. We will definitely be sailing again! We saw so many adults without children, and I was wondering why! But by the end of the cruise, you know why. They really do it right! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
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Posted 9/7/13 8:41 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Glad you had a good time! We felt the same way when we went back in April. It was the best vacation.
DS1 still talks about it almost daily and now all he talks about is wanting to go on the Fantasy!
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| Posted 9/7/13 9:13 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by Kelly9904
Glad you had a good time! We felt the same way when we went back in April. It was the best vacation.
DS1 still talks about it almost daily and now all he talks about is wanting to go on the Fantasy!
Now that we have 4 nights under our belt, I think we might book the Fantasy next time. I wasn't sure how we would all do, but no sickness, which was great!
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| Posted 9/7/13 12:05 PM |
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angelbear217
Mommy of 2
Member since 5/05 4313 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
We feel the same way. After sailing on other lines, nobody does it like Disney. We have a 7 night booked on the Fantasy for June. Can't wait.
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| Posted 9/8/13 11:22 AM |
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Megan1129
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 515 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Glad to hear it! We are going on the same cruise in November. I am counting down the days!
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| Posted 9/9/13 8:24 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by Megan1129
Glad to hear it! We are going on the same cruise in November. I am counting down the days!
Are you going on the Dream? I have some door magnets if you want them!
The hat in between the ears says our first cruise 2013, the round one that says Disney Dream with Mickey and Minnie, and the Chip & Dale one to the left that says our first cruise. Of course I'm assuming it's your first Disney cruise lol
Message edited 9/9/2013 12:49:20 PM.
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| Posted 9/9/13 12:48 PM |
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Megan1129
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 515 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
That is so cute! We are going on the Dream as well. I was telling my DH how people decorate the doors and he wasn't understanding! lol I think the mickey around the room number is adorable!
How much would you want for them?
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| Posted 9/9/13 1:45 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Back from our first Disney cruise
Oh my... You ladies are making me want to cruise on disney... Never been, but you had me at "they cut up my kids food"  I'm ready for real service 
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| Posted 9/9/13 1:52 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Fun!! Can't wait to go on our first Disney cruise.
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| Posted 9/9/13 2:03 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by Megan1129
That is so cute! We are going on the Dream as well. I was telling my DH how people decorate the doors and he wasn't understanding! lol I think the mickey around the room number is adorable!
How much would you want for them?
Free! I just want to see them go to good use. If you want them, I can mail them out just FM me your address. The Mickey parts I made with some templates on Disboards (Creative Disigns forum). We had pirate ears, and a whole Minnie ensemble as well. It was fun to decorate!
There are also Fish Extender groups you can join (look on Disboards under cruise thread). We booked last minute, so we weren't able to participate, but it looks fun!
There is sooo much to do on board, you are going to have a blast! I took photos of all of our Navigators, so if you are doing 4 nights, and want to have an idea of which things are scheduled which days, I can give you the link to them!
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| Posted 9/9/13 2:45 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Back from our first Disney cruise
Oh and to add some good tips that worked well for us!
Regardless of your port arrival time assigned to you, get to the port at 11am because you will want pictures with Mickey and Minnie in the terminal. Ours came out GREAT! Some will say they will refuse you, didn't happen and we got there at 11am and the line was a good 45 minutes long for pictures.
Once you board, instead of eating at the buffet on the top deck, eat at Enchanted Garden on Deck 2. Less congested!
Bring a hi-lighter because those navigators are packed full of fun, and it's easy to miss things you want to do.
Do NOT get off the boat at Castaway Cay right away. We did, and missed every single character on the island. We got off at 8:30, I think they come out at 9am. We went back to the ship p apt 3 and they were all in. Also, if you are mailing postcards from the Bahamas post office there (right when you get off ship), do them in the morning, they were closed when we got back to the ship.
Bring liquid hand soap for your stateroom! Easier to wash your hands than bar soap.
Don't bring a hairdryer, theirs is a Babybliss and works great. Just make sure you plug it into the right outlet at the desk (says hairdryer).
Bring a reusable water bottle for the water/soda. You have to use their cups, but then just pour from their cup into your bottle.
Get to the sail away party early!
Not sure how old your kid(s) are, but the Golden Mickey's' pre-show is cute on the red carpet outside the theater. They interview the kids and it streams on the screen in the theater. So have one parent in the theater, one waiting on the red carpet. It was just me, so I didn't get to see the big screen.
I'll add more if I think of them!
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| Posted 9/9/13 2:58 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Back from our first Disney cruise
How would you guys rate the food? (I know thats such a subjective topic) I've been on many cruise lines and I feel like the dining room food is always eh... Like they want you to pay for the specialty restaurants kwim? How does disney work? Do they have extra pay restaurants as well?
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| Posted 9/9/13 4:59 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Thanks for the info!!! Glad you had a great time. I always say never to a cruise but maybe just maybe one day I will try this.
Message edited 9/9/2013 6:52:18 PM.
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| Posted 9/9/13 6:52 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by MaZz
How would you guys rate the food? (I know thats such a subjective topic) I've been on many cruise lines and I feel like the dining room food is always eh... Like they want you to pay for the specialty restaurants kwim? How does disney work? Do they have extra pay restaurants as well?
I thought the food was good, but I'm not really a "foodie". It was fancier than we would normally eat, if that makes sense. They do offer pay restaurants, I believe 2, and I think they are geared toward adults. We did not eat in the main dining rooms each night though. We ordered room service two nights (included), and opted to go to the earlier shows (our seating was first for dinner). We thought the Animator's Palate restaurant was so fun and interactive! Breakfast was great, as was lunch.
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| Posted 9/9/13 7:46 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by Goobster
Thanks for the info!!! Glad you had a great time. I always say never to a cruise but maybe just maybe one day I will try this.
I used to say that as well, and totally booked this on a whim! So glad I did!
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| Posted 9/9/13 7:47 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
I thought the food was good. I had salmon with like a cauliflower mash one night that was so good. The buffet at cabanas has so much, and the variety is wonderful! ALso if you dont like what you order or are interested in more than one entree, ask, they will bring you more than one. We got multiple appetizers one night becuase we couldnt decide.
Also if you can go to Palo, the food was AMAZING! SOOOOO worth the up charge. ($20 per person, adults only) we had 6:30 reservations, fed our kids up a the fast food place on deck 11 before hand and were nicely seated facing the water having a glass of wine as the sun set! It was so wonderful!
We did the 4niht dream bc none of us had ever cruised before and with a 2yo and a 5yo we didnt know what to expect. However, all 4 of us had a great time and cant wait to book the 7night fantasy, hopefully soon!
ETA: Its rotational dining, your wait staff travels with you through the restaurants. Animators Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal palace. Then there is Cabanas near the pool which is buffet, great for breakfast, and lunch. THere is also a fast food area, with pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches chicken fingers etc. And finally 2 up charge restaurants, $20pp at Palo and $75pp at REmy. We did Palo simply to have a nice adult night out. And we had heard great things. Remy we heard mixed reviews so we skipped it. I thought the food was good (maybe not 5star but really good at all the regular restaurants, Palo was amazing IMO. One night they have a pirate night, complete with a deck party and fireworks, we skipped that night in the restaurnts for Palo so I am not sure what it entailed.
Message edited 9/9/2013 9:09:58 PM.
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| Posted 9/9/13 9:05 PM |
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Megan1129
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 515 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Megan1129
That is so cute! We are going on the Dream as well. I was telling my DH how people decorate the doors and he wasn't understanding! lol I think the mickey around the room number is adorable!
How much would you want for them?
Free! I just want to see them go to good use. If you want them, I can mail them out just FM me your address. The Mickey parts I made with some templates on Disboards (Creative Disigns forum). We had pirate ears, and a whole Minnie ensemble as well. It was fun to decorate!
There are also Fish Extender groups you can join (look on Disboards under cruise thread). We booked last minute, so we weren't able to participate, but it looks fun!
There is sooo much to do on board, you are going to have a blast! I took photos of all of our Navigators, so if you are doing 4 nights, and want to have an idea of which things are scheduled which days, I can give you the link to them!
Thank you so much! I will FM you my address! That is so sweet of you. We are doing the 4 nights so the link would be great!
I read about the fish extenders but DH doesn't "get" it. So I'm not going to do it this time, but maybe once he sees how cute it is, we'll do it next cruise.
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| Posted 9/11/13 9:17 AM |
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Megan1129
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 515 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by BargainMama
Oh and to add some good tips that worked well for us!
Regardless of your port arrival time assigned to you, get to the port at 11am because you will want pictures with Mickey and Minnie in the terminal. Ours came out GREAT! Some will say they will refuse you, didn't happen and we got there at 11am and the line was a good 45 minutes long for pictures.
Once you board, instead of eating at the buffet on the top deck, eat at Enchanted Garden on Deck 2. Less congested!
Bring a hi-lighter because those navigators are packed full of fun, and it's easy to miss things you want to do.
Do NOT get off the boat at Castaway Cay right away. We did, and missed every single character on the island. We got off at 8:30, I think they come out at 9am. We went back to the ship p apt 3 and they were all in. Also, if you are mailing postcards from the Bahamas post office there (right when you get off ship), do them in the morning, they were closed when we got back to the ship.
Bring liquid hand soap for your stateroom! Easier to wash your hands than bar soap.
Don't bring a hairdryer, theirs is a Babybliss and works great. Just make sure you plug it into the right outlet at the desk (says hairdryer).
Bring a reusable water bottle for the water/soda. You have to use their cups, but then just pour from their cup into your bottle.
Get to the sail away party early!
Not sure how old your kid(s) are, but the Golden Mickey's' pre-show is cute on the red carpet outside the theater. They interview the kids and it streams on the screen in the theater. So have one parent in the theater, one waiting on the red carpet. It was just me, so I didn't get to see the big screen.
I'll add more if I think of them!
Those are all really great tips! We land at MCO at 9:40, and our port time is 12. I am hoping to get there closer to 11 now!
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| Posted 9/11/13 9:20 AM |
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mommyof3girls
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2773 total posts
Name:
Sue
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
This is our next plan trip next year. This is the first cruise for my husband and girls. Do you think I should stick for a 3-4 days or should I do a 7 day one?? My husband is afraid but he's willing to try something new.
Was thinking about doing a 3-4 days on a cruise and then 3 days at the park but think that might be too expensive.
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| Posted 9/11/13 10:50 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by mommyof3girls
This is our next plan trip next year. This is the first cruise for my husband and girls. Do you think I should stick for a 3-4 days or should I do a 7 day one?? My husband is afraid but he's willing to try something new.
Was thinking about doing a 3-4 days on a cruise and then 3 days at the park but think that might be too expensive.
I would probably try the 4 night first just to see how they do. 3 nights is too short IMO.
I purposely booked a short cruise, and booked our stateroom on deck 2 mid ship to avoid feeling much movement to avoid sea sickness, and we didn't feel much at all. We really only noticed it when we were up high, or in the rear of the ship. Some people think Deck 2 is under water lol, but it's not. We had a nice beautiful porthole window that my kids could sit in. I knew I didn't want a balcony because I don't want to have to worry if someone is going to fall over (paranoid, I know!) It was also a great in terms of proximity to many of the fun things, and just a flight of stairs to the lobby. We didn't have to rely on the elevators much, which was nice, because they were busy. So in short, I would try out a lower deck if sickness is a concern.
I have read that the Dream and Fantasy have better stabilizers in their ships, so you feel less movement on them than you would on the Magic or Wonder.
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| Posted 9/11/13 11:11 AM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
We did the 4 night cruise after 3 days in the parks. In hindsight I wish we would have just booked 7 nights on hte fantasy from the start but no one in my family had cruised and we didnt know how we would all fair. He had a 5.5yo and a 2yo (turned 2 on the trip) we booked a balcony on the 6th floor. the cruise for us we soooo much more relaxing. Its more of a controlled setting than the parks and while my 5yo did fine in hte parks at 2, DS2 is more wild and it was just too much stimulation for him. So we have no plans to do the parks again with him until he is older but we do plan on doing another cruise hopefully in 2014!
Its up to you whether you feel you want to get your toes wet with the 4 nighter or just jump into the 7 night. There is plenty to do on the ship that you wont be bored, (I agree with PP, 3 nights is tooo short!)
If you are interested in $$ FM me and I can give you the basics of how much we paid. I think the cost of doing both was slightly more than we would have paid for 7 nights in a moderate hotel at disney world but probably not too much.
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| Posted 9/11/13 1:57 PM |
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EandF
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 1674 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
DD is still a peanut but can't wait to do this with her! I think we will cruise before we hit the park. Sounds like a blast.
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| Posted 9/11/13 3:06 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Back from our first Disney cruise
I never had an interest in Disney cruises but this thread just makes me want to go!
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| Posted 9/11/13 3:44 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
Posted by Megan1129
Posted by BargainMama
There is sooo much to do on board, you are going to have a blast! I took photos of all of our Navigators, so if you are doing 4 nights, and want to have an idea of which things are scheduled which days, I can give you the link to them!
Thank you so much! I will FM you my address! That is so sweet of you. We are doing the 4 nights so the link would be great!
Here is the link to the Navigators. Start with the Golden Mickey's one first (that is night one), you might have to sort them from oldest to newest to make them appear in order. The password is summerdream. Fall might be different stuff, but so you have an idea!
http://tinyurl.com/ldabplj
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| Posted 9/12/13 11:29 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Back from our first Disney cruise
If anyone is looking to book last minute, there is a GREAT rate for the Fantasy Guaranteed Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah room, 7 nights for $770 for each the first and 2nd passenger (3rd and 4th are less). October 12th sail date! Amazing deal! Half the price of normal fare! Must pay in full, and you get what you get in terms of room (don't think there is a bad one!). These rates come and go on their site. So if it's not there, keep checking. Too bad my kids have school!
Message edited 9/12/2013 1:23:26 PM.
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| Posted 9/12/13 1:23 PM |
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