This was our first cruise with my wife and two kids (2 and 5). Sail date was May 3rd on the Dream. Traveled to the port via park and ride service, it is a process but saved over $50 vs parking at the port. Check-in went well and they let us on board before our boarding time. Very nice welcome by staff as you board into the grand first floor (deck 3), a staff member right away directed us to where we could eat.

We did eat first the lunch at Cabanas was good not great but the selection was amazing. Then to our room 6584 with a veranda at 1:30p.m to change. They opened up the rooms exactly at 1:30 (no luggage until 4pm), but we carried bathing suits like the forums said. At the pools by 1:45 and actually found a few chairs at the front row by the kids pool so we could watch the kids. For the first hour the pool was okay but by 2:30p.m the kid pool was so full it was dangerous. By 2:30 p.m the line for the aquaduck was 30 min long and growing.

If I could do it again I would secure an earlier on board time and go right to the aquaduck and pool and get the kids quick snacks from Flo's and use the pool till 2:30p.m when it got crowded and then go eat lunch at Cabanas. Read more