I have learned a lot of different things about cruising being that I have been on 4 Disney cruises already.  I have recently offered my help in being the group leader for both of our upcoming Disney Dream cruises.  I will be the person that organizes the spreadsheets, and comes up with the group pins for wearing around the boat.

I learned a valuable lesson on our second cruise.  That was to put a laptop in a laptop case, and not use things like briefcases.  I used a briefcase originally because I felt it was more structurally sound than a laptop case.  I was originally under the thought that a passport wasn’t needed.  According to the passport site you don’t need one for most cruises.  Disney wants passports for all their cruises.

When planning for Fish Extenders be sure to check over your groups spreadsheet.  Miscounting one person could be a bad thing.  Having a group t-shirt for your family is a good thing because you will be able to find your party easily.  For those that like to decorate their rooms there is some important information for you.  Disney has mentioned imposing fees for damaging stateroom doors.  Use magnets when possible.  They will not damage doors.

Thanks to a fellow cruiser that we have been talking to, Martin2611, these are photos of the Dream being worked on, and the concept model at the MeyerWerft facility.  Click on any of them for a larger view.

Thank you Martin2611.

On our first 2 cruises we saw these things hanging from the stateroom doors on the Disney Cruise.  Some of them had things inside of them.  We didn’t know what they were.  When we returned home we did some research, and found out that they are called “Fish Extenders.”  Fish Extenders are cloth items with pockets.  The pockets are for the people in the cruise group to exchange small gifts.  Our little one received cds, candy, toys, and more.  So on the next cruise my wife decided to make things, and sell them to other people.  She made the Fish Extenders.  I made T-Shirts, and Magnets.  Everything is proofed before final print.

We got together at the beginning of the cruise, and had a Yankee Trader.  This is a gift giving that is very unpredictable.  We were supposed to meet for dinner the night before, but never got that ironed out.  If you are going on a Disney Cruise then check out various sites, and look through the forums.  You will find many groups that are doing things.

If you, or anyone you know needs any of the above items, then just send me an email, and we will discuss what your needs are.

It is confirmed. We are going on the Disney Dream in April 2011. We are going to take the 4 night cruise, and then go immediatelly back out on the 3 night cruise.  We got lucky enough to get a bonus from our Disney Chase card, and they gave us 6 months “NO INTEREST.”  This will be nice because we paid for everything in full.  The added bonus is that we will earn Disney Points for using the card.  Now the only thing we need to do is get our passports.

We have been told by one of my brothers that he, and his girlfriend are going to go.  They just have to work out getting their deposit in.  It will be nice to have some time to spend with my brother.  We are hoping to meet with some really nice people like we did last time we cruised on Disney.

After this cruise we will need a lot of dieting because the food on the cruises is out of this world.  Maybe we should take some diet pills like lipozene with us to help out a bit.

Our “Dream” of being on the new Disney Cruise is looking like a reality now.  I have been watching the webcams weekly watching the boat take shape.  We can’t wait for 2011.  We have been on 4 Disney Cruises so far, but we are going to take 2 cruises back to back.  (A 3 night, and a 4 night)  Each of the Disney Cruises that we have been on were spectacular in almost every single way.  The only thing that happened on one of the first cruises we took was that the weather was so bad we didn’t get to dock in Castaway Cay.  We were understanding for the most part.

PAPENBURG, GERMANY (June 1, 2010) — The final building block for the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream, was placed today at the Meyer Werft shipyard signaling completion of a major milestone in the ship’s overall construction. On January 26, 2011, the Disney Dream will set sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on her maiden voyage and take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the preeminent choice for families since 1998.

The final block placed was a 260-ton portion of the ship’s bow, complete with the signature Disney Cruise Line golden filigree. With all 80 building blocks for the Disney Dream now in place, the focus shifts to outfitting the interiors spaces that include the whimsical, Disney-infused children’s spaces, dynamically chic adult nightclubs, spectacular restaurants and elaborate theatres.

Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and Captain Mickey Mouse were at the Meyer Werft shipyard to commemorate this important milestone.

“With the steel construction process complete, we’re now looking forward to exciting new milestones such as the installation of AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea,” said Holz. “Each day, the ship gets closer to its Maiden Voyage, and it is clear that the Disney Dream is destined to be one of the most spectacular ships afloat.”

The Disney Dream will expand the one-of-a-kind family experience guests enjoy while on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Some of the highlights:

• The ship will feature a first-of-its-kind water coaster that will send guests racing above and around the upper decks of the ship.
• Animator’s Palate restaurant will magically transform into an undersea wonderland with live, impromptu interactions with Crush, the animated sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.”
• Elaborately themed children’s spaces will immerse children in their favorite Disney stories and feature some of today’s most innovative technology.
• A nighttime entertainment district just for adults will be filled with sophisticated, trendy, fanciful and fun-filled venues.
• Inside staterooms will have a “special” view thanks to a cruise industry first virtual porthole concept.

The Disney Dream will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer 2011, the ship will sail four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a cruise vacation onboard the Disney Dream, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

I have also attached a photo of the funnel for the Dream being worked on.