Is this totally crazy???

[Kairi_7378]

So awesome that you decided to go! (But I am sorry to read about the deployment.)

[TinkerbellT421]

Yay!!!!! awesome!!! I'm totally jealous!

[Ed]

You're gonna love it, especially the two stops at Castaway Cay! That's been the highlight of our 6 DCL cruises.

Now......Please don't shoot the messenger.....only making sure you are aware of a possible pitfall.

Regarding passports... It's true that you don't have to have them on a closed loop cruise. However, if (God forbid) something was to happen that you needed to fly back into the US, you are in for a major hassle and delay without passports. This could include a medical emergency, not getting back to the ship before it leaves Nassau or CC (no, they won't wait for you! ), or any number of other problems.

Maybe I need to take a major dose of optimism pills, but personally I don't leave the US without my passport.

[BrerGnat]

I know, Ed. But, we really are going to just have to take the chance. There just isn't enough time to get them done at this point, and if we don't go on this cruise now, it seems like we never will.

We have already decided we are not even getting off the ship in Nassau. We'd like to enjoy the ship with fewer people onboard for an afternoon.

We did purchase the vacation insurance.

We will just hope to God that no one has a medical emergency, but even in the event of that, we are aware of Emergency Medical Repatriation as an option. We have no reason to have to fly home early from the trip (no sick relatives, etc.).

We will take our chances this time, and pray that luck is on our side.

[Ed]

You're not alone, Natalie; literally millions take the same gamble annually with no negative consequences. I'm just not one of them.

I added that info primarily for everyone else who reads the forum. I hang on a cruising-related website, and every time the passport topic comes up, it results in a huge and often heated discussion. Definitely makes for interesting lurking.

The last few times we've been to Nassau, we did the same thing - - stayed onboard. It's a great opportunity to explore the ship, enjoy the pool, ride AquaDuck, etc. with fewer people competing for the same things.

[BrerGnat]

You're not alone, Natalie; literally millions take the same gamble annually with no negative consequences. I'm just not one of them.

I'm usually not one to gamble either, Ed. But, just this once...

If this trip were 2 months away, we'd be getting the passports for sure. I am always a "better safe than sorry" person.

I am kicking myself now because we were talking about getting our passports a few months back, and we never got around to doing it.

[AgentC]

I am so jealous. Have a wonderful trip!

[ElenitaB]

Natalie, that is the best news! Cruising is now by far my most favorite form of vacationing. So relaxing! I hope your boys enjoy the kids' clubs.

BTW, I'm with Ed re: passports but crossing my fingers that it won't be a concern for you.

[wildernesslady]

You will absolutely love Castaway. We were on the Dream two weeks ago and had two stops there. Loved it. We feel it's the main reason to go on a Disney cruise.

Enjoy your first cruise. The ship is wonderful. All of our dinners were fabulous. Have a great time.

[Dopey's Girl]

So cool Natalie! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

[robnadina]

So glad you get the cahnce to sail on the DREAM! I have been dying to see this ship but just cant afford it. I am sailing on the Magic out of Galveston in October and the Dream was double the price for almost the same itinerary.
Lets just call this opportunity what it is...meant to be.
Have fun planning and we cant wait to hear your review

[Disdude]

OMG...We're going to GO!!!

DH got the leave approved.

Welcome aboard. We are on the same sailing. We were originally scheduled for a June to Alaska that we booked onboard the Wonder last year. We had to change to October on the Magic out of Galveston but had to cancel that too. I need my DCL fix so we got the GTY rate on this one. It will be our 4th DCL cruise and second on the Dream.

I worry about everything but I would not travel without passport if I didn't have to. The state department says 2-3 weeks door to door right now for expedited service. I would think you could get it in time.

You will have a great time. I don't believe you'll be missing much staying onboard in Nassau. Been there, done that, never going back.

[BrerGnat]

I worry about everything but I would not travel without passport if I didn't have to. The state department says 2-3 weeks door to door right now for expedited service. I would think you could get it in time.

The problem is, we are all needing passports for the first time. And, we have two minors. So, that means we have to apply IN PERSON at a passport agency (i.e. USPS office location) in order to apply. I called around to at least 10 different post offices. None have appointments any sooner than 3 weeks from now.

Our other option is wait until we have 2 weeks or less before our travel date, and then apply in person in Washington D.C. However, they charge EVEN MORE for that. And, it's also by appointment only. So, I'd have to wait another week, then call and try to get squeezed in sometime in the next two weeks.

It's just too much. And, trying to coordinate a time when DH and I can both be there together to get this done with the kids. Not going to happen in the next 3 weeks.

So, we are going to cross all our fingers and toes and hope nothing goes wrong. All our family is aware we are traveling without passports and in the event of an emergency situation with one of them, they know that we will NOT be able to get off the ship early. They are all okay with this.

And, in the event that something happens to one of us, well, then we will just be spending some time in the nearest US Embassy, I suppose. Hopefully, DH's military status and his State Dept. connections in D.C. will help us out if it comes to that.

We got the travel insurance. So, we are at least covered financially if something bad happens.

[Disdude]

You've done your homework for sure. I'm sure you'll be fine. It's getting close. Just over 20 days to go. I know we're excited.

Be sure to do your online checkin. When we checked in a week ago, all of the times were still available except 11-11:30. I don't think it will be a full ship.

[BrerGnat]

You've done your homework for sure. I'm sure you'll be fine. It's getting close. Just over 20 days to go. I know we're excited.

Be sure to do your online checkin. When we checked in a week ago, all of the times were still available except 11-11:30. I don't think it will be a full ship.

I think I've done everything online that I can. I registered the kids for the club, made some Palo reservations (dinner and brunch) for DH and I, did the online check in, and called to request a private table for dinner. We have a 12:00-12:30 port arrival time which will work out well for us, as we are staying in a hotel in Cocoa Sat night. We can sleep in, take our time in the morning, park the car at our leisure, etc.

I don't think the ship is anywhere close to full. If you go online like you want to book that date, EVERY category of cabin is still available, with multiple cabins in the inventory. That's great news for us!!! I'm especially concerned that the kid's clubs not be too overcrowded as our boys are on the Autism spectrum and don't like to be in places where there is mass chaos going on, and they won't want to stay there if that's the case. Hopefully, with the start of many schools around the country happening in the next couple weeks, we will enjoy a less than full cruise.

[Disdude]

Wow!

You really do have it worked out. I hope you have a great time.

...and called to request a private table for dinner.

We always request this too and so far it's always been accommodated. I'm sure it's unnecessary but we always go to where they are set up to do dining changes (probably Royal Palace according to recent navigators) to verify our seating. That way there is still time to change plans before dinner. We have main dinning but do not mind switching if it helps to ensure a private table.

[joanna71985]

Have a great time!

[Lindsey310]

Please book this ASAP!!! We were like you; had never cruised before and wanted to try a shorter cruise. (def had to get my "sea legs" it's quite an experience.)

You will love the Disney dream!!! It is phenomenal!!!!!! Everything is perfect from the food to the cabins to the ship to the shows!! It's a great way to get your feet wet on cruising! It was the perfect amount of time. You will adore castaway cay! The only downside: Disney is so spectacular, you will probably never want to cruise with another line. I know we don't! Spoiled rotten by DCL!

[Christine]

FANTASTIC!!! Enjoy!

For closed loop you can do it with just a birth certificate- we did that last year. So no worried on the passports!!

Have a SUPER time!!

[ElenitaB]

So how was it, Natalie?