Had to finally book with NCL because Disney wanted me to sell my house... lol

[sweetpee_1993]

Enjoy your cruise, sweetpea! Keeping my fingers crossed for you the weather is good. The Dream is the one DCL ship I haven't been on, didn't realize it didn't have Satellite Falls.
Perditax, sorry if all our naysaying has you worried, you will enjoy the cruise I'm sure of it, the first time on any cruise line there is that wow factor, and the Disney ships are beautiful. And you can escape the crowds, I do it every cruise!
Just avoid any desserts that have a glossy gel look to them!

It's all good!

OMGosh do I agree on the desserts. Hubby has learned to just ask for scoops of ice cream. LOL!

 

[momof2n2]

Funny how recent threads + realizing the price difference makes me want to try so many cruise lines now (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity, Holland, Cunard, etc.) !!!

Don't forget Princess. I loved Princess last year!

 

[mevelandry]

Don't forget Princess. I loved Princess last year!

I did not have the chance to get there yet. It's the next cruise line I'm going to investigate.

 

[momof2n2]

This is terrible to have to admit, but there's a new tropical system forming off Africa, and part of me kind of wishes that it would roll up just in time to cancel my DCL cruise mid-September in some way that allowed me to get some of my money back via cruise insurance, and then I'd just re-book something on Celebrity. >.>

(Backstory is I booked this DCL cruise a long time ago now (Feb) when I hardly knew anything about cruising but knew a lot about the Disney park product. I don't have kids, and a lot more reading since then, plus a cruise on another line, has made me realize I would prefer a more sedate/adult and less crowded cruise.)

No. You'll have a great time. Ok. I admit. I've never done the Dream. But it won't be bad. I'm positive. I'm looking forward to your report, too. Will you do it from onboard again? You are going with your boyfriend this time, right?
You & sweetpea have to meet up at some point! And send s pic to those of us stuck at home!

 

[momof2n2]

I did not have the chance to get there yet. It's the next cruise line I'm going to investigate.

 

[JimmyV]

Don't forget Princess. I loved Princess last year!

I did not have the chance to get there yet. It's the next cruise line I'm going to investigate.

Yes and yes!

 

[perdidobay]

It's all good!

OMGosh do I agree on the desserts. Hubby has learned to just ask for scoops of ice cream. LOL!

I order a Mickey bar!

 

[momof2n2]

Hey - for those of you considering NCL for Alaska, jenseib (a frequent DCL cruiser) is working on a trip report over there.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2247368

You'll find lots of CC snark there, although some is getting moderated away. Jen's had some serious SNAFUs but her good attitude prevailed and I'm loving her pictures. And I don't even have an Alaskan cruise on the radar.
@jenseib

LOL!!!! She's also doing one here. I am so slow...
http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-alaskan-jewel-welcome-aboard…-you-don’t-exist.3438831/

 

[perditax]

Aw, thank you guys for all the responses. I will be the first to admit I have done WAY WAY more whining about this than is called for in the last couple of weeks, as sweetpee knows. I shouldn't have made that post this morning. I really am looking forward to the Dream cruise. And yeah, the boyfriend is coming along, and he always has a much better attitude than I do about almost anything, so that part won't be a problem. =D And really, I swear I'm not the type of person who looks for things to be unhappy about it, and I already know I like cruising. Something would have to go seriously seriously wrong for me to not have a good time. This is probably equal parts RL/work stress, those pre-trip jitters you get when you've been planning something too long, and the fact that I keep reading about the Celebrity Eclipse on the side and longing to hang out in their big funky library. Plus Cozumel seems like more fun than Nassau.

TL;DR Sorry for complaining about a TRUE first world problem, and thank you for the encouragement.

EDIT: I know what you guys mean about the gelatin-based desserts. Some restaurants here do it too, but they do it for 'artsy' reasons. I had one like that in the NCL MDR, it was like 'milk chocolate mousse cake', and at first I was pretty eh on it, because that gelatin stuff doesn't exactly hold a lot of flavor, but by the end it had grown on me, like eating a light 'milky way' bar pie.

My plan on Dream was to go for the sundae type stuff. E.g., if Enchanted Garden still has that bananas foster sundae on the website, that'll be me.

 

[Ofinn]

You absolutely want to look into a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay National Park. The single biggest downside to a DCL cruise to Alaska (aside from the price) is the fact that Disney does not have permission to sail into Glacier Bay, and Princess, Holland and NCL do. All of the cruise lines will get you to the "usual suspects" of ports, like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. So when comparing cruises, try to look for ones that add in Glacier Bay. It is the visual highlight of the cruise. Here is a sample of pictures

Great pictures. What cruiseline were you on? What month? I cancelled the wonder to alaska next year. I havent rebooked anything. Im not really sure what were going to do next year. It does look better than the tracy arm photos Ive seen.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Aw, thank you guys for all the responses. I will be the first to admit I have done WAY WAY more whining about this than is called for in the last couple of weeks, as sweetpee knows. I shouldn't have made that post this morning. I really am looking forward to the Dream cruise. And yeah, the boyfriend is coming along, and he always has a much better attitude than I do about almost anything, so that part won't be a problem. =D And really, I swear I'm not the type of person who looks for things to be unhappy about it, and I already know I like cruising. Something would have to go seriously seriously wrong for me to not have a good time. This is probably equal parts RL/work stress, those pre-trip jitters you get when you've been planning something too long, and the fact that I keep reading about the Celebrity Eclipse on the side and longing to hang out in their big funky library. Plus Cozumel seems like more fun than Nassau.

TL;DR Sorry for complaining about a TRUE first world problem, and thank you for the encouragement.

EDIT: I know what you guys mean about the gelatin-based desserts. Some restaurants here do it too, but they do it for 'artsy' reasons. I had one like that in the NCL MDR, it was like 'milk chocolate mousse cake', and at first I was pretty eh on it, because that gelatin stuff doesn't exactly hold a lot of flavor, but by the end it had grown on me, like eating a light 'milky way' bar pie.

My plan on Dream was to go for the sundae type stuff. E.g., if Enchanted Garden still has that bananas foster sundae on the website, that'll be me.

You aren't whining. Expectations do run high especially with the price tag. I know you'll have a perfectly famous time once you get there. It's all that pre-cruise, new-to-you stuff compounded by your work stress. You'll be away from work with your man. That's a straight guarantee for a happy time. My presence is just the nuts on top of the sundae (was going to say icing on the cake but I'm more nutty than sweet, LOL). Just don't psych yourself out or over-think things. Go along for the ride. Relax. It's all going to be fine. I don't peg you for a Debbie-downer so you won't be picking things apart until you're miserable.

**edit**
Cozumel is way better than Nassau IMO but Nassau isn't the pointless slum some make it out to be either. I have enjoyed stops in Nassau. Like most things, it's what you make it.

 

[momof2n2]

Aw, thank you guys for all the responses. I will be the first to admit I have done WAY WAY more whining about this than is called for in the last couple of weeks, as sweetpee knows. I shouldn't have made that post this morning. I really am looking forward to the Dream cruise. And yeah, the boyfriend is coming along, and he always has a much better attitude than I do about almost anything, so that part won't be a problem. =D And really, I swear I'm not the type of person who looks for things to be unhappy about it, and I already know I like cruising. Something would have to go seriously seriously wrong for me to not have a good time. This is probably equal parts RL/work stress, those pre-trip jitters you get when you've been planning something too long, and the fact that I keep reading about the Celebrity Eclipse on the side and longing to hang out in their big funky library. Plus Cozumel seems like more fun than Nassau.

TL;DR Sorry for complaining about a TRUE first world problem, and thank you for the encouragement.

EDIT: I know what you guys mean about the gelatin-based desserts. Some restaurants here do it too, but they do it for 'artsy' reasons. I had one like that in the NCL MDR, it was like 'milk chocolate mousse cake', and at first I was pretty eh on it, because that gelatin stuff doesn't exactly hold a lot of flavor, but by the end it had grown on me, like eating a light 'milky way' bar pie.

My plan on Dream was to go for the sundae type stuff. E.g., if Enchanted Garden still has that bananas foster sundae on the website, that'll be me.

Will you do another TR?

 

[Pens Fan]

You absolutely want to look into a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay National Park. The single biggest downside to a DCL cruise to Alaska (aside from the price) is the fact that Disney does not have permission to sail into Glacier Bay, and Princess, Holland and NCL do. All of the cruise lines will get you to the "usual suspects" of ports, like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. So when comparing cruises, try to look for ones that add in Glacier Bay. It is the visual highlight of the cruise. Here is a sample of pictures:



Wow! Thanks for the beautiful pictures. We loved Tracy Arm, but after sailing through there on two separate vacations, I really want our next Alaska trip to include Glacier Bay.

Aw, thank you guys for all the responses. I will be the first to admit I have done WAY WAY more whining about this than is called for in the last couple of weeks, as sweetpee knows. I shouldn't have made that post this morning. I really am looking forward to the Dream cruise. And yeah, the boyfriend is coming along, and he always has a much better attitude than I do about almost anything, so that part won't be a problem. =D And really, I swear I'm not the type of person who looks for things to be unhappy about it, and I already know I like cruising. Something would have to go seriously seriously wrong for me to not have a good time. This is probably equal parts RL/work stress, those pre-trip jitters you get when you've been planning something too long, and the fact that I keep reading about the Celebrity Eclipse on the side and longing to hang out in their big funky library. Plus Cozumel seems like more fun than Nassau.

TL;DR Sorry for complaining about a TRUE first world problem, and thank you for the encouragement.

EDIT: I know what you guys mean about the gelatin-based desserts. Some restaurants here do it too, but they do it for 'artsy' reasons. I had one like that in the NCL MDR, it was like 'milk chocolate mousse cake', and at first I was pretty eh on it, because that gelatin stuff doesn't exactly hold a lot of flavor, but by the end it had grown on me, like eating a light 'milky way' bar pie.

My plan on Dream was to go for the sundae type stuff. E.g., if Enchanted Garden still has that bananas foster sundae on the website, that'll be me.

Here is my DCL dessert tip for the day:

On our last cruise (Magic), there was always at least one of us that was too full when dessert time came around, and just said "no thanks". The first time we did that our server brought out the most delicious bowl of raspberry sorbet for that person. It wasn't on the menu, but they must make it every night. After we raved so much about it each night from then on he would bring us out some type of fruit sorbet after the meal, whether or not anyone ordered dessert. They were excellent - refreshing and light and not overly sweet. I never saw them on the menu, but they just kept appearing!We still talk about how good they were. I don't know if you can get them on the Dream, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[JimmyV]

Great pictures. What cruiseline were you on? What month? I cancelled the wonder to alaska next year. I havent rebooked anything. Im not really sure what were going to do next year. It does look better than the tracy arm photos Ive seen.

Sapphire Princess. Second week of August, 2013. Honestly, Tracy Arm cannot compare.

 

[Ofinn]

Sapphire Princess. Second week of August, 2013. Honestly, Tracy Arm cannot compare.

Thanks when we do go to Alaska Im going to look for a ship that goes to glacier bay. It looks amazing. I dont think I'll get my boys on any ship with the name princess in it. I have explained to them that disney is the only cruise line with princesses on it. They dont believe me. I think they have this vision of a ship full of little princesses.

 

[momof2n2]

Thanks when we do go to Alaska Im going to look for a ship that goes to glacier bay. It looks amazing. I dont think I'll get my boys on any ship with the name princess in it. I have explained to them that disney is the only cruise line with princesses on it. They dont believe me. I think they have this vision of a ship full of little princesses.

Ofinn - what about just pulling up a bunch of photos from trip reports. You and I both know the name means zilch.
Granted - I don't know how exciting the kids' programming is. But in Alaska, I'm guessing the great outdoors is the key.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Aw, thank you guys for all the responses. I will be the first to admit I have done WAY WAY more whining about this than is called for in the last couple of weeks, as sweetpee knows. I shouldn't have made that post this morning. I really am looking forward to the Dream cruise. And yeah, the boyfriend is coming along, and he always has a much better attitude than I do about almost anything, so that part won't be a problem. =D And really, I swear I'm not the type of person who looks for things to be unhappy about it, and I already know I like cruising. Something would have to go seriously seriously wrong for me to not have a good time. This is probably equal parts RL/work stress, those pre-trip jitters you get when you've been planning something too long, and the fact that I keep reading about the Celebrity Eclipse on the side and longing to hang out in their big funky library. Plus Cozumel seems like more fun than Nassau.

TL;DR Sorry for complaining about a TRUE first world problem, and thank you for the encouragement.

EDIT: I know what you guys mean about the gelatin-based desserts. Some restaurants here do it too, but they do it for 'artsy' reasons. I had one like that in the NCL MDR, it was like 'milk chocolate mousse cake', and at first I was pretty eh on it, because that gelatin stuff doesn't exactly hold a lot of flavor, but by the end it had grown on me, like eating a light 'milky way' bar pie.

My plan on Dream was to go for the sundae type stuff. E.g., if Enchanted Garden still has that bananas foster sundae on the website, that'll be me.

On such a short cruise I would not get off in Nassau. There is so much to do and explore on the ship and you have so little time. We did 7 days on the Fantasy and only got off at CC...

 

[Ofinn]

Ofinn - what about just pulling up a bunch of photos from trip reports. You and I both know the name means zilch.
Granted - I don't know how exciting the kids' programming is. But in Alaska, I'm guessing the great outdoors is the key.

NCl and RCI also go to glacier bay. Im hoping to see the other ships when were in Vancouver next weekend. Maybe talk to some people get some fresh reviews. A lot of cruiselines discount their inside rooms last minute. I know people say you need a verandah for Alaska, but for us its about getting out of the heat and seeing the great outdoors. Its not a cruise I want to spend a ton of money on...certainly not dcl prices. My inlaws have gotten great last minute rates on HAL inside rooms, but they love it. They do it almost every Summer.

 

[goNDmay9]

Would love to hear some experiences of NCL with toddlers. We have a 3 and 2 y/o. I think NCL has a similar policy to DCL where the club starts at 3 but we can do the "nursery" for the 2 y/o. Celebrity and Princesses' only options seem to be babysitting - which I think would be really boring from our 2y/o. Honestly - i am kind of worried about her being too old for the nursery on our October DCL cruise.

 

[Ofinn]

r