Planning 2023 Disney Dream Southampton England to Bilbao Spain

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Its now 23 days to my second Disney Cruise, the Disney Dream to Bilbao Spain 4 night cruise. If anyone is on this cruise, hi, maybe we might see each other in a few weeks.

I booked this cruise in opening week April 2022 as soon as general booking opened. When I booked the cruise I had not gone on my first cruise to Norway yet, so I had to wait until general booking opened.

I'm now Silver Castaway Club level which has made a big difference to this years planning and being able to book various things. It also means I will get the Silver Anniversary at Sea gifts when I get on the ship.

This cruise is round trip from Southampton, England, with 2 days at sea and one port.

I didnt start planning for this cruise until October 2022, after my Norway cruise.

 

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Travel To England and Southampton Planning

December 2022

Im travelling from Dublin and Aer Lingus have direct flights from Dublin to Southampton Airport with their regional service Emerald Airlines. The planes are the small 72 seater propeller planes. This means I have to have a very small carry on bag, as the overhead bins are smaller than normal planes and will only have 15kg for checked bag.

There is a train from Southampton Airport to the main train station in the city centre.

As our cruise leaves on a Wednesday, I thinking about a few days in Southampton before the cruise. Southampton is a Titanic town and somewhere I have always wanted to visit as I an a Titanic fan. I need to do some more research to see what Titanic things like a walking tour or museums are available.

I have also been checking out hotels near the train station. The train station is about 10 minutes drive from the cruise port, so it will be easy to get a taxi there on embarkation day.

I decided to book an IBIS hotel as I am in their loyalty program and I got 10% off the general public rate. I booked for a few days before the cruise, bed and breakfast , cancel at no extra charge, pay at the hotel rate for before the cruise. This means I can have a day to do Titanic stuff before the cruise. I also booked a night for the day cruise returns. I again booked bed and breakfast , cancel at no extra charge, pay at the hotel rate and I also added early check in. We will be off the ship the latest 9am so its easier to just pay for early check in and get a taxi straight to the hotel. And then I have another day to chill and see more Titanic stuff if I want to before going home the next day.

I havent booked flights yet but I did check out the times. Theres just one flight each way with Aer Lingus, which is an afternoon flight. Booking an extra day in a hotel in Southampton means I dont have to waste a day waiting at the airport for the afternoon flight on the day the cruise returns.

Ive been watching some of the Disney Magic at Sea YouTube Vlogs from 2021. The Disney Magic was at Horizon Terminal in Southampton port in 2021, so its likely that The Dream will be at the same terminal.

There is a Titanic Museum called SeaCity Museum which I will defiantly book.

I have also looked at walking Titanic tours. I found there are two types, a self guided and a tour guide.

I had a look on YouTube and found a video about the self guided tour. Its called The Titanic Trail. You download the map of Titanic Memorials around Southampton from the various Southampton Tourist websites and you walk to each one yourself. Theres no audio guide, just a map. It seems that many of the memorials are in buildings which may or may not be open and some are hard to find and and some are not accessable to general public. This does not seem to be worth it.

The other Titanic Tour I found is with a tour guide and this is the one I will book. Its called Walk the Secrets of the Titanic and is run by Walsh Tours. You meet a guide at designated place and they take you on a 2 hour walking tour. This to me is far better then just wandering around Southampton on your own with a piece of paper. At least with a tour guide, you will get to hear information and stories about the places and buildings.

April 2023
I had to renew my passport this year so I decided to use the online service. I took my new photo at home, using a white sheet over a door.
There are 3 options
Passport Book = €75
Passport Card = €25
Passport Book and Card = €100

I decided to apply for the Passport Book and Passport Card. The Passport Card is valid for travel to all EU Member States, the members of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

I have never had one before but as I use my passport for identification purposes as well as travel, I thought it might be better than carrying my Passport Book everywhere.

I got a confirmation email with a tracking number as soon as I made the payment. The tracking number was for the Passport Book only. I would get another email and tracking number for the Passport Card as they would be sent separately. The turnaround time was only 3 days which surprised me.

May 2023

I have now booked my flights with Aer Lingus to Southampton. As I had previously found out, this route is operated by Aer Lingus Regional Emerald Airlines and is on the small propeller 72 person plane. As a result I have a smaller carry on luggage allowance. To fit in the overhead bins my bag has to be 7kg or under and no bigger than than 48 x 33 x 20cm. I can also have a small personal item to fit under the seat.

July 2023
I have now booked my train tickets from Southampton Airport to Southampton Central Train Station. I booked direct with South Western Railway on their website. I paid in UK Pounds Sterling as I have a UK bank account. I booked an Anytime Single for Southampton Airport to Southampton Central and an Anytime Single from Southampton Central back to Southampton Airport. Both tickets cost £4.70 so it was £9.40 total. I selected E Ticket and was sent an email booking confirmation and the tickets on a PDF attachment. I also downloaded the App and logged in and the tickets are on the App as well.

I tried to book the Titanic Walking tour for Tuesday 29 August but it is not available for that day. I also tried to book it for Monday 28 August, my arrival day but I was unable to book for 1 person on the website. I sent an email asking about this. They replied that they only accepted bookings for 2 or more people on their website. I will email in a few weeks and see if I can get on the Monday tour without using the website booking form.

August 10 2023
I have now pre booked a taxi on embarkation day to bring me from my hotel to the cruise terminal. I originally booked this hotel as it is walking distance to Horizon Terminal, which Disney usually use. But Southampton port now list The Dream being at Queen Elizabeth II Terminal for my cruise. I'm thinking that on Embarkation day, taxis will be in big demand, probably more than expected, so at least now with the pre booking it will take a bit of the stress away. I booked for 11.15am for a 12pm PAT. This allows time if the taxi is late and for traffic queues at the terminal drop off location.

I downloaded Google Map of Southampton so that I can book mark all the Titanic places and do my own version of a walking tour. I have also book marked The Titanic Museum and West Quay Shopping Centre.

 

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On Board The Disney Dream Planning

November 2022
Disney Cruise Line Casting Call Searching for Mainstage Vocalists

This week Disney Auditions put out a casting call for Mainstage vocalists to audition for the Disney Dream, and the Disney Wish. Disney Cruise Line is seeking trained, experienced musical theatre actors to bring various roles to life

Positions On The Dream are mainly for Beauty and The Beast Show, and will be for the summer 2023 season in Europe.

According to the casting notice, rehearsal will take place in Toronto, Canada beginning March 2023. Typical contract includes up to 8 weeks rehearsal and 6 months onboard. Contract includes competitive pay, travel, room and board – single performance cabin, guest sailing privileges, significant contract completion bonus and some guest dining privileges.

April 2023
Ive paid the last of my cruise balance. Im now paid in full and all set for June 1 which is Silver Castaway Club members activities booking day. Then comes the fun part, the activities. Im going to try for Palo brunch but I might have to wait until onboard as I am solo. Last year of the Norway cruise the system wouldn't let me book for one but I had no issue onboard on embarkation day getting a reservation.

June 1 is also the official paid in full date.

Im also going to try for one of the alcohol tastings. Last year I was a first time cruiser and they were all sold out by the time I could book activities.

Ive been finding out various bits and pieces about the cruise wherever I can.

As the is going to Spain and not any of the Northern Europe countries it is classed as a Mediterranean cruise. This means we will have Pirate Night and Fireworks and not Freezin The Night Away Deck Party. Most likely Pirates Night will be Friday 1st September, Bilboa port day. As we are in Europe, sunset will be around 10pm, so most likely the Pirates Show and Fireworks will be around 10.15pm.

We may also have a second firework show as our cruise is one of the limited Silver Anniversary cruises.

Also I am seeing that alcohol tastings have had a price increase. People currently able to book activities for cruises have noted the following

• Whiskey Tasting = $50
• Beer Tasting = $45
• Champagne Tasting = $70
• Chocolate and Liquor Tasting = $60
• Cognac Tasting = $60
• Martini Tasting = $50
• Mixology = $45
• Mojito and Caipirinha Tasting = $50
• Stem To Stern Wine Tasting = $50
• Tequila and Margarita Tasting = $45

On embarkation day dining changes such as Remy or Palo Booking or Change your MDR dining time the dining team will be set up at Enchanted Garden. They are usually there between 12.30pm and 2pm.

There are also guest services CM available at the same place, Enchanted Garden for the alcohol tastings bookings.

Embarkation Day Lunch will be at Animators Palate

Shows

1. Wednesday 30 August Embarkation Day : Golden Mickeys
2. Thursday 31 August Day At Sea : Beauty and The Beast
3. Friday 1 September Bilboa Port Day : Pirates Night and Fireworks
4. Saturday 2 September Day At Sea : Disney's Believe

I have asked my travel agent to put in a request for the same MDR server that I had on The Magic last year. I had her name from my notes from the cruise.

This is just a request, she may not be still working for DCL and she may not be on The Dream, as Disney do not give out cm employment information.

However, you can request an MDR server you had previously and it will be noted on your cruise profile.

When DCL are assigning you a table and dining rotation, they will see the request information.

You can also request a specific dining rotation. Each ship has a set combination of dining rotations and passengers are just assigned one of the combinations. So while you can not request the order of the restaurants, you can request that on embarkation day your first MDR is a specific restaurant.

However it is only advisable to either request a server OR request an embarkation day MDR. DCL will not change a servers schedule to fit your embarkation day MDR.

As always these are just requests, and depending on so many factors, so people should manage expectations and not be THAT person arguing with the Head server.

May 2022

The first cruise of the Silver Anniversary A Sea cruises has started

There are new Castaway Club Member gifts,

• Pearl = Tumbler
• Platinum = Beach Towel
• Gold = Wet/ Dry Bag
• Silver = Tote Bag

There are new design Castaway Club Member Lanyards and Key To The World cards.

Now that Pearl CastAway Club Club membership has been activated the online check in dates have now been changed to according to CastAway Club membership levels.

Check in opens at 12 midnight Florida time, which is 5 am for me in Ireland.

Online check-in process open for
Pearl 40-days prior to the sail date = July 21 2023
Platinum 38-days prior to the sail date = July 23 2023
Gold 35-days prior to the sail date = 26 July 2023
Silver 33-days prior to the sail date = 28 July 2023
First time cruisers may begin check-in 30 prior to the sail date = July 31 2023

June 2023
My activity booking just opened and I booked Chocolate and Liquor tasting for my first day at sea and Martini Tasting for my second day at sea. This is my first time as Silver and my first time doing any of the alcohol tastings, as last year I was a first time cruisers and everything was sold out by the time my booking window opened. I did try for Palo brunch but it was sold out. I did Palo brunch last year on The Magic by going to Promenade Lounge on embarkation day and getting on the waitlist. This year I'm on The Dream, so I'm going to try again for Palo brunch on embarkation day.

July 2023
Online Check In
I did my online on July 28 as for me was at 33-days prior to the sail date. I got a 12pm PAT and Boarding group 11. Last year on my first cruise I managed to get 11.30am, so Im fine with the 12pm PAT. That should mean that I will be onboard around 12.40pm. My plan is to go to Enchanted Garden and get on Palo brunch wait list and then go to the MDR for lunch.

I booked my cruise through Dreams Unlimited. I originally chose Dreams for many reasons. Irish / UK travel agents are not Disney specific, and dont have a lot of knowledge about DCL.I wanted to use an American Disney Specialist travel agent and Dreams seemed to have the better extras, onboard credit for all customers and a gift basket. The onboard credit last year was a great bonus. As I'm from Ireland, Dreams dont ship the gift basket international. So I gave my California friends address as the shipping address. Somehow last year I never got the gift basket. But this year it did arrive at my friends house. We did an online unboxing and they are going to send me the items.

August 2023
My luggage tags have arrived. Last year I waited and waited and they arrived during my cruise and were there when I came home. Now I dont have to faff about at the terminal and get into a separate line to get new ones.
Also the terminal information is wrong. I checked on Southampton Port website for the ship schedules and the Dream is listed as being at QE2 Terminal for our sailing but at Horizon for previous sailings. I guess Southampton Port Authorities changed our terminal after Disney printed the letters.

 

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Bilbao Port Day Planning

October 2022

We can get off the ship from around 8.30am and have to be back by 4.45pm, so I am planning to DIY in the port, the same as I did in Norway.

The cruise ship terminal is in Getxo, which is about 20 to 30 minutes from Bilbao main city cente. I found the port website
https://www.bilbaoport.eus/en/the-port/cruises/ which says that shuttle buses are available for the beach and nearby World Heritage Puente Bizkaia and for Bilbao city centre.

I also checked out the Metro. The nearest station to the cruise terminal is Aiboa but thats about a 2km / 30 minute walk from the ship.

There is a beach Ereaga Beach which is about 20 minutes walk from the ship.

November 2022

I found information about the Hop On Hop Off Bus I'm not sure if I will do this but its handy to have the information.

I found some great YouTube Vlogs about DIY port days in Bilbao. I'll use these to make a things to do and see list.

May 2023
It is now 120 Days before the cruise. Pearl and Platinum CastAway Club Members can book on board activities and port excursions.

The Bilbao Port Excursions Page on Disney Cruise Website lists 14 possible port excursions. However Pearl and Platinum CastAway Club Members are only seeing 5 available excursions.

Scenic Highlights of Bilbao and Pintxos tour (BIO01)
Prices
$105.00 (ages 10 and up)
$85.00 (ages 3 to 9)
$0.00 (ages 0 to 2)

Explore Gernika & Berroja Winery (BIO05)
Prices
$135.00 (ages 18 and up)

Highlights of Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum (BIO06)
Prices
$139.00 (ages 10 and up)
$119.00 (ages 3 to 9)
$0.00 (ages 0 to 2)

A Local Basque Country Tour (BIO08)
Prices
$215.00 (ages 10 and up)
$185.00 (ages 3 to 9)
$0.00 (ages 0 to 2)

Torre Loizaga & Pozalagua Caves (BIO10)
Prices
$149.00 (ages 10 and up)
$129.00 (ages 8 to 9)
$0.00 (ages 0 to 2)

August 10 2023
I have booked a 2 hour walking tour of Bilbao. It cost €30 which I'm ok with. As the port is about 20 minutes drive from the city centre I need transport from the ship. I rang the port information centre and they confirmed there will be a local shuttle from the ship into the city centre but they are not sure how much it will cost. I also downloaded Google Maps of Bilbao, as I need to walk from the shuttle drop off point to the start location of the walking tour. My plan is to be off the ship by 9am and back on the ship by 2pm.

 

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Packing and Other Bits and Pieces

July 202
This year I decided to join the magnet exchange and the ornament exchange. I have created a magnet design and used an online print website. Total cost for 10 magnets is €12 including shipping

For the ornaments I went to one of the big tourist shops in Dublin and found a box of 4 Christmas ornaments with Disney and Ireland images for €15, so I bought 2, total cost €30.

So between the magnets and the ornaments I spent €42, thats 7 cabins for the magnets and 7 cabins for the ornaments.
I would have loved to do the FE but all the groups are 8 cabins, which to me is too big. Not just from an expense side, but from an actual amount of stuff that is needed for 7 FE exchanges and the amount of potential stuff I would get. I'm flying from Ireland to Southampton and have a weight limit on my checked luggage. And really I would rather save the weight allowance for things I actually want, like DCL merchandise and shopping in Southampton.

 

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August 10 Southampton and Bilbao planning updated

 

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Packing and Other Bits and Pieces

Our one port day on this cruise is in Spain. Spain is a EU country and has the same currency as my country, the Euro.

I will be taking some Euro cash and coins with me for my day in Bilbao. When I travel to America I use a pre loaded currency card. This card can be used in multiple countries, it automatically recognizes different currencies. I had added Euros to this currency card for my day in Bilbao, so that I don't have to use my regular bank card.

I have also printed up "business cards" with my stateroom number, my Instagram and the cruise details. This is a handy way to give my contact info to people I meet on the cruise. I have a small metal business card holder to put them in.

My flight back to Ireland is the day after the cruise returns to Southampton. On debarkation day I have added early check in to my hotel reservation. I'm expecting to be at the hotel by about 9.30am. My sister lives about an hours train journey from Southampton, so once I get sorted at the hotel, I'm planning to get the train and visit my sister. I'm not going to book train tickets just yet, as there may be a train company strike on that day.

 

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UPDATE
Its now 1 week until I travel to England. I am arriving 2 days before my cruise and staying 1 day after my cruise in Southampton.

I'm a big Titanic fan and Southampton is a bucket list place for me, as its where Titanic sailed from. I have now booked a Titanic walking tour of Southampton for the day before my cruise and got a ticket for Sea City Museum for the day after my cruise.

As we have to leave the ship by 9am the latest on disembarkation day, I have booked a train ticket to visit my sister for the day. My sister lives about 2 hours from Southampton but Ive been hesitant up until now to buy train tickets due to all the train strikes in England. The dates for the next strikes have been announced and none is planned for the day I want to visit my sister. I went online and bought a day return off peak ticket for £29. Hopefully I wont have any train issues.