First cruise ever...some questions?

[wdwnutz]

Just booked our first cruise ever on the Dream for May 2013! And....I have a few questions. Since there are only 3 restaurants, and we are on a 4 night cruise, where do they place us for the 4th night? Do we need to bring beach towels for swimming on the ship and Castaway Cay? Is it ok for DS6 to wear khaki shorts & a polo for dinner? If we make our final payment before the due date can we book activities online or do we still wait until that date? And I read in a travel book that they leave bandanna & pirate eye patch in the rooms for each guest for the Pirate Party?Thanks!

[susie & perla's mom]

You will be repeating one of the restaurants but will have a different menu. No need to bring towels, they will hand you some as you get off the boat. I see no problem for your boy wearing khaki shorts and polo for dinner. They do leave bandanas on Pirate's night. And since this is your first cruise, I believe you are only allowed to book your activities 75 days prior to sailing.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

You're going to love it! We did our first and (so far) only Disney cruise a couple of years ago, and it was great!

Yes, for the last night you'll be repeating one of the restaurants (they decide, you just have to go like the other nights), but there will be a different menu.

No, no need for towels, they will provide them.

Yes, DS can wear khaki's and a polo. I would bring long pants for formal night, as some people really do get dressed up. Although they encourage "nice" clothes in the dining rooms, I've seen it all ... but a polo and nice shorts will be fine, especially for your son. DH forgot his long pants on our cruise, so other than formal nigtht when he wore his suit, he did the long shorts and polo thing, and no one said anything.

Even if you pay before the date, you'll have to wait until 75 days out for bookings. Since it is your first time, don't overbook - there is A LOT to do on the ship!

On our cruise they did leave bandanas, but no eye patches. Before our cruise we did a run to Party City and got some cheap pirate stuff to add to the "costumes".

Again, enjoy!

[JMTStone]

Just booked our first cruise ever on the Dream for May 2013! And....I have a few questions. Since there are only 3 restaurants, and we are on a 4 night cruise, where do they place us for the 4th night? Do we need to bring beach towels for swimming on the ship and Castaway Cay? Is it ok for DS6 to wear khaki shorts & a polo for dinner? If we make our final payment before the due date can we book activities online or do we still wait until that date? And I read in a travel book that they leave bandanna & pirate eye patch in the rooms for each guest for the Pirate Party?Thanks!

I loved the Dream!
Your dining schedule will repeat one of the restaurants (probably the first one you go to) for the 4th night of your cruise. I say probably because on our last 4 night they repeated the second night's cruise but every other one, it was the first night's restaurants.

They will provide beach towels for CC right as you get off the ship so you don't have to carry. There's towel bins around the island for exchanges too.

Even if you pay early, you have to wait until your date. Sorry.

I have no boys but on non-formal nights DH has worn long shorts (not swim trunks) to dinner. Disney is more casual than other lines, I find.

Pirate gifts have always been bandanas for me. I've never had a patch. But we dress up and bring our own. We're that crazy family where everyone is mostly dressed up.

[disneymom2000]

My first cruise ever was a Disney cruise and it has spoiled me for every cruise that I have been on since then. 75 days out to book your excursions is still plenty of time. From my experience, most people don't book until they are on the boat itself. Your smart to book before then.

[Lindsey310]

Just booked our first cruise ever on the Dream for May 2013! And....I have a few questions. Since there are only 3 restaurants, and we are on a 4 night cruise, where do they place us for the 4th night? Do we need to bring beach towels for swimming on the ship and Castaway Cay? Is it ok for DS6 to wear khaki shorts & a polo for dinner? If we make our final payment before the due date can we book activities online or do we still wait until that date? And I read in a travel book that they leave bandanna & pirate eye patch in the rooms for each guest for the Pirate Party?Thanks!

You will have a wonderful time!!! We did our first cruise ever on the dream in march 2012! It was fabulous!!! You repeat one of the restaurants (they choose) on the last night unless you make reservations for Palo or Remy (it was Palo for us).
My husband always wore khaki shorts and a polo to dinner (except at Palo) you will be very surprised what people actually wear to dinner. Think cutoff Jean shorts sometimes!!
We booked excursions online and it saved us a lot of time standing in line, they can get very very long!!
No need to bring towels to castaway cay, they give them to you as soon as you leave the ship!
Pirate night is a must do and is great!! We got the bandannas in our room but not the pirate patches.
You will love this cruise!! The food is outstanding, the ship is gorgeous and castaway cay's beach looks like it belongs on a postcard (serenity bay, the adults only one). we have been to many great beaches in the Caribbean, and this was one of our favorites!!!

[Christine]

You will LOVE DCL!! So happy for you!!

[wdwnutz]

Thank you everyone for the great information! I am sooo excited!