Disney Dream 28/8 - 31/8/14 Concierge 12508 and 11004

[Lottie2004]

Hi, we have been home for a few days and we still can't quite believe how fantastic the 3 night cruise was on the Disney Dream. There are 5 of us me, DH, DS (12), DD (9) and my mum. We had two concierge rooms ... We were in 12508 and my mum and DD in 11004, these are both cat V rooms and were lovely we both had the bump out balcony with my mums being slightly bigger ! But we were on the starboard side and had amazing views of Atlantis and Castaway !

28/8/14
After 8 nights at OKW it's time to say a sad goodbye and head to Port Canaveral .. We set off just after 09.30 .. We were all very excited but apprehensive about what the next 3 nights will bring ! None of us are very good on boats and will NEVER set foot on a cross channel ferry ever again ! Lol ... So maybe we are mad to even contemplate a cruise but many people have said that cruising is completely different .. So armed with sturgeon we set off !
The drive is very easy .. A straight road, which was the Martin Anderson Beachline Express way (528) this is part Toll road .. Can't remember how many tolls we went through but cost no more then $6 and took approx 45 mins !
As we got near to the port we had our first sighting of the Dream .. Wow ! And as we got nearer it became clear that the ship is enormous ... Our excitement levels increased and we all couldn't wait to get on board !
We followed the signs for port parking .. Stopped at security were our passports were checked and we were directed to the passenger drop off zone ... We unloaded the car and a porter collected our bags ! My hubby went to park and we continued into the terminal !
There seemed to be people everywhere .. Really busy and lots of queuing but we just headed towards the Concierge sign ... We were greeted and only had one family in front of us and were soon checked in ! Photos done, keys issued and we were taken to a seperate waiting area. There was access to an outside viewing area .. Which enabled us to appreciate the sheer size of the ship .. Enormous but looked beautiful ... We didn't have to wait very long before being escorted onto the ship, we were asked our family name and welcomed onboard by crew members .. I was overwhelmed by the size of main atrium and felt really emotional that we were actually on the Dream !
We were met by crew member and taken to the Concierge lounge where a welcome reception was taking place .. There was a lovely buffet and an open bar .. We were introduced to the Concierge hosts .. Andy, Danny and Ashley ! Danny came and sat with us and explained how the lounge and Concierge worked ! Danny told us that they were here to ensure that our cruise was stress free and relaxing .. And that they would take care of anything we wanted .. Danny also explained that twice in the evenings there was a open bar .. 17.00- 17.45 and 19.30- 20.15 he told us that he expected to see us at both ! This worked brilliantly with our early dinner time. Abby the barman was fantastic and always ensured we had drinks to take to dinner (17.45) and to the shows (20.30).
Also the lounge always had soft drinks, water, coffee etc and snacks available all day .. In fact we choose to eat breakfast in the lounge each morning as it was quiet and relaxing ..
During the welcome reception a rep from the kids club introduced herself to my children and issued my DDwith her magic band .. My DS did not need one as he was able to come and go as he pleased in the Edge club ! But my DD would need signing in and out of the Oceaneers club/lab !
We went and had a look around the clubs ... Well eventually we found the Edge after going up and down in the lifts numerous times with me getting cross that the lift would not go to level 13 even though I was pressing the button ! I eventually asked some children who directed us to a stair case that took us up to the club ! We then found out that DS needed to use his key and swipe it to enable the lift to access deck 13 .. Lol ...
DS took himself off to explore and DD went in the pool .. Myself, DH and mum used the adults only pool which was lovely ... It seemed very chaotic around the family pools but really peaceful in the adults only area . My DD swims competively so I have no concerns with her and water .. We kept popping out to make sure she was ok but she was busy making new friends ... My DH also went on the Aquaduck with her numerous times as well !
It was soon time for the mandatory lifeboat drill and we all made our way down to the Walt Disney Theatre on level 4 ! This was over with very quickly and we made our way back to our stateroom and then up to deck 12 to watch the sail away party ! It was amazing waving to the people on the shore and boats as we passed, I did have a tear in my eye .. We also saw 2 dolphins ... Wow !
We dressed for dinner and then went for drinks in the lounge before dinner .. I had 2 Maitai's very very strong but lovely .. Abby made sure I had a glass of red wine to take to dinner !
Tonight we dinned in The Royal
palace ... Barry and Alexandra were our servers the food was amazing DH and Mum had the lamb, DS and myself had beef and DD had chicken .. She wasn't feeling very well at this point and we spent ages trying to get her to take a seasickness tablet ( the rest of us had already done this) our efforts did not work ! But the guys in concierge supplied her with green apples, Ginger ale and dry crackers which seemed to help !
After dinner we returned to the lounge for more Maitai's ... I dropped DD off at the kids club and we went to watch the first show .. The Golden Mickey's ! The ship was moving slightly as we could see the curtains on the stage moving side to side ! But to be honest it wasn't too bad .. Maybe the tablets were working !
During the show we had a call from the kids club as DD wasn't feeling very well .. More green apples and eventually a tablet was taken .. Mum took DD back to their room, DS was somewhere on the ship ? So DH and myself went for a swim in the adults pool .. Got some pizza and chilled ! Absolute heaven ...
Tomorrow ... Nassau !

[Leec]

We were on this cruise Lottie, lovely to hear how you enjoyed it from your perspective, I'm currently watching the video footage we recorded of our boys in golden mickey show as little dwarves! Very proud mummy! Ha ha

[Helenr]

Interesting to know how you all got on with the sea sickness.

We did a Bahamas Cruise on Dream in 2011 and I thought it was rough, I felt really ill, but I put it down to a tropical storm in the Atlantic. One night all the hangers in the wardrobes were bashing about.

Anyway we were thinking of trying again, but I'd hate to feel that sick again! Lol

Helen x

[Leec]

I felt really poorly the first night, it was a little rocky but I'm normally ill on a LILO! Ha ha
I went to bed and took sickness pills from then on and was ok.

[Lottie2004]

Apart from DD we all felt ok, we took the tablets before we sailed and didn't suffer at all .. We were told by some crew members that once you start feeling sick there is no use taking the tablets ... The advice was the green apples, ginger ale and dry crackers ! Once DD felt better, we managed to convince her that taking a tablet was better then feeling ill !
It was a bit rocky on the Thursday night but it was really calm on the Friday and Saturday ! Not sure if it was the tablets or the amount of Maitai's consumed that helped .. Lol x

[Helenr]

You took the tablets before you sailed?

I swore I'd never go on another cruise but I'd really like our Daughter to go to Castaway Cay, so I'm tempted...

H x

[Lottie2004]

Hi, we took them 2 hours before sailing .. So took them while onboard .. About 14.30ish ! DD refused to take any and she suffered but honestly the green apples and ginger ale really seemed to help ! We were worried before the cruise as we all get really sea sick and none of us would ever set foot on a cross channel ferry again ! But our first introduction to cruising was amazing and will definitely be booking another one !