Disney Dreams Panic!

[Macman]

Hi All

It's been a long time since I was on the DIBB but I had some news today and need to get planning ASAP.

My Darling Daughter has been working in Disneyland Paris on and off for the last 2 years but today she has been offered an 8 month contract to work on the Disney Dreams cruise ship and we all want to go a visit her onboard.

Problem, both my wife and other daughter work in schools so can only get time off during school Holidays, ideally we'd like to go in October Half term.

Has anyone been at this time of the year and what is it like, also we are not sure if it would be cheaper to try and book with her discount (never worked out cheaper to go to DLP) or look for deals online, can anyone recommend good sites to start looking?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Macman]

Hi All

Sorry I now realise this is in the wrong Forum, does anyone know how to move it?

Thanks

[Majik]

How very exciting for you all!
The crew discount only applies to specific usually last minute dates for cruises that have not sold so well.
Our son is crew, we took five Disney cruises last year and only one had a crew discount. We have three more booked all at full rate.
The Disney Cruise line web site is your first place to start.
Good luck I hope you find what you are looking for and enjoy the beautiful Disney Dream.

[HiddenMickey35]

oh wow that is excellent...hope you manage to get times off for cruise

[Macman]

Hi Majik

Thanks for the update, I had the feeling the discount wouldn't be very good after our experiences with DLP.

Out of curiosity have you even been in February, that;s another half term we are thinking about.

Thanks

[Macman]

Originally Posted by scottishwee35

oh wow that is excellent...hope you manage to get times off for cruise

See more...

I know, my DD is over the moon, her mum is not quite so happy as she will be gone for nearly 9 months. At least when she when she was in Paris we could visit every couple of months but The Bahamas is a different kettle of fish!

[Majik]

Hi Maxman
Yes we hate the cold weather so have cruised January/February for the last few years. We have occasionally had crew discount but have not cruised for a while on The Dream as we like the longer cruises when possible.

[Twentyyears]

I would say October would probably be cheaper as Feb is the start of breaks for the USA.
The tips most do is book with a USA travel agent as the deposit is refundable and I think they have better access to specific cabins.
We use Deb at Travel on Dream and others use Dreams Unlimited. You are subject to fluctuations of the dollar but as Bats says here too their service is fabulous and they really know their stuff re cruising.
There is no harm looking on line at the Disney Cruise Line ( DCL) website and pricing up and asking one or the US TAs for a quote too.
I found ringing Deb the first time the best and since then we converse by email.

[Bats]

Congratulations to your DD. An 8 month contract is very unusual, most are 4-6 months with the rest of the time as vacation. When you finish one contract, you can ask for another but some people are auto signed up for 2 which is what you may have there.

I've not heard of anyone ever doing 8 months solid.

Like Majik says, late bookings are generally good ones for crew discounts and the Dream has a big share of these apparently.

What position is she filling? Most of the Brits work in areas away from the food and beverage team.

[Macman]

Originally Posted by Bats

Congratulations to your DD. An 8 month contract is very unusual, most are 4-6 months with the rest of the time as vacation. When you finish one contract, you can ask for another but some people are auto signed up for 2 which is what you may have there.

I've not heard of anyone ever doing 8 months solid.

Like Majik says, late bookings are generally good ones for crew discounts and the Dream has a big share of these apparently.

What position is she filling? Most of the Brits work in areas away from the food and beverage team.

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Hi she will be working in the Entertainment area, she has to fly to Toronto in July for rehearsals but doesn't get to go on-board until mid August so probably only 6 months on the ship itself.

She has friends from DLP who have done the cruises and she's been told it's a very hard contract on the Disney Dreams, her contract is 7 days a week, 55-70 hours a week for 6 months!

She's also been told because of this they don't normally go straight into a second contract but recommend at least a couple of months break.

Her friends normally do a couple of contracts then go back to DLP where they have a more normal life, if you can call working in Disney everyday normal.