Just returned from Dream's first Miami sailing (and first sailing with new Covid testing protocols)!

[kj2mom]

We had a fantastic time! Would be happy to try to answer any questions anyone may have about the new port and/or the new testing protocols.

The crew was soo happy to be making the change to Miami!!!

 

[shananigans]

Tell me EVERYTHING! We are taking my daughter, son in law, and granddaughter on the Dream out of Miami in October for a Halloween on the High Seas cruise!

We have NEVER sailed out of Miami and Port Canaveral is so easy! We did pay for Disney transportation to and from the port upon arrival and departure, but after reading on here, doesn’t sound like it was necessary … how did you get to and from the port?

Did you fly in ahead of time? If so, where did you stay?

How did testing go? I had read on another post here that the lines were a bit much. Hit any snags?

Any other details you care to share would be fabulous!

 

[kj2mom]

We flew into FLL and stayed overnight in FLL before our embarkation day as well as our debarkations day. We had a shuttle from our hotel to the port (then the same trip in return) that was seamless. We had a 10:45 PAT but we arrived around 10am (my time stamp on my first picture when we could see the ship was 10:06am). The porters immediately took our bags and we waited outside roughly in the order of our PAT times but honestly it doesn't matter because the employees walk down the line calling the PAT time that is cleared to enter. We entered the building, went through security. I had printed our check in forms for each room and we had our passports ready. After security we went into the next room which had numerous counters (we were at number 11 but there may have been 20 or so?). We showed our check in paperwork, our passports and then we were cleared to go into the terminal where there were rows of seats. We sat for short period of time then our boarding group was called and we made our way to the entrance. We had some photos taken then continued on to the ship. My first picture I took on the ship is time stamped 12:14pm so it took us roughly 2 hours from the moment we stepped foot at the port until we were on the ship. Once on we went to our muster station to check in then went to Cabanas for lunch. Our rooms were ready after lunch so we headed to our room where we found our bags waiting for us!

We tested 2 days prior using the eMed proctored home tests. It was super easy. They emailed our document within minutes of the test results which we uploaded to the Safe Passage site and were approved in about 12 hours.

Happy to help if you have any specific questions!

 

[shananigans]

We flew into FLL and stayed overnight in FLL before our embarkation day as well as our debarkations day. We had a shuttle from our hotel to the port (then the same trip in return) that was seamless. We had a 10:45 PAT but we arrived around 10am (my time stamp on my first picture when we could see the ship was 10:06am). The porters immediately took our bags and we waited outside roughly in the order of our PAT times but honestly it doesn't matter because the employees walk down the line calling the PAT time that is cleared to enter. We entered the building, went through security. I had printed our check in forms for each room and we had our passports ready. After security we went into the next room which had numerous counters (we were at number 11 but there may have been 20 or so?). We showed our check in paperwork, our passports and then we were cleared to go into the terminal where there were rows of seats. We sat for short period of time then our boarding group was called and we made our way to the entrance. We had some photos taken then continued on to the ship. My first picture I took on the ship is time stamped 12:14pm so it took us roughly 2 hours from the moment we stepped foot at the port until we were on the ship. Once on we went to our muster station to check in then went to Cabanas for lunch. Our rooms were ready after lunch so we headed to our room where we found our bags waiting for us!

We tested 2 days prior using the eMed proctored home tests. It was super easy. They emailed our document within minutes of the test results which we uploaded to the Safe Passage site and were approved in about 12 hours.

Happy to help if you have any specific questions!

Thank you so much!! I’m nervous sailing from Miami-because we never have! This makes me feel better!

 

[DCLMP]

Tell me EVERYTHING! We are taking my daughter, son in law, and granddaughter on the Dream out of Miami in October for a Halloween on the High Seas cruise!

We have NEVER sailed out of Miami and Port Canaveral is so easy! We did pay for Disney transportation to and from the port upon arrival and departure, but after reading on here, doesn’t sound like it was necessary … how did you get to and from the port?

Did you fly in ahead of time? If so, where did you stay?

How did testing go? I had read on another post here that the lines were a bit much. Hit any snags?

Any other details you care to share would be fabulous!

Miami is much easier.

 

[harleyquinn]

What did you do on Grand Cayman? We’re planning on just going to the museum and maybe to the library (I’m a librarian )

 

[n2mm]

Thank you for posting. Very helpful info. We’ve been thinking about it too. I like that there was a shuttle from the hotel.

 

[shananigans]

What did you do on Grand Cayman? We’re planning on just going to the museum and maybe to the library (I’m a librarian )

We went to Grand Cayman on the Fantasy and we’ll be doing the Dream to the Bahamas in October. I wasn’t aware that sailings out of Miami on the Dream were going to Grand Cayman, very cool!

We did the dolphin adventure/swim in Grand Cayman, but Grand Cayman had literally just opened back up and things were a bit hectic. They did their best to work through everything, but the lines were long and the wait times for swimming with the dolphins was pretty crazy and getting back to the ship was even crazier!

 

[harleyquinn]

We went to Grand Cayman on the Fantasy and we’ll be doing the Dream to the Bahamas in October. I wasn’t aware that sailings out of Miami on the Dream were going to Grand Cayman, very cool!

We did the dolphin adventure/swim in Grand Cayman, but Grand Cayman had literally just opened back up and things were a bit hectic. They did their best to work through everything, but the lines were long and the wait times for swimming with the dolphins was pretty crazy and getting back to the ship was even crazier!

Yes! We sail on June 25 and it goes to George Town and CC. We decided against the dolphins or the rays and that doesn’t leave much else to do! This is our first cruise and we all liked the idea of just walking to the museum (it’s like right at the port) and maybe the stores. Nothing too crazy. Just to get an idea about what the whole process is like. I think we’ll be happy to explore a tiny bit and get back on the ship, but we’ll see!!

 

[shananigans]

Yes! We sail on June 25 and it goes to George Town and CC. We decided against the dolphins or the rays and that doesn’t leave much else to do! This is our first cruise and we all liked the idea of just walking to the museum (it’s like right at the port) and maybe the stores. Nothing too crazy. Just to get an idea about what the whole process is like. I think we’ll be happy to explore a tiny bit and get back on the ship, but we’ll see!!

You’ll have a fabulous time no matter what you choose! Museum and library sound pretty fantastic to me! Sometimes we find not even getting off the ship is the best. Less people on board and you can get great spots by the pools! Enjoy your trip!

 

[mmouse37]

We are sailing the Dream out of Miami on July 4th. Is DCL still using terminal C for the Dream like the Magic did. We sailed a few times out of Miami this year and always used terminal C with the Magic.

Also, what time did boarding start? Was it at noon? You had an early PAT so what boarding group did you have?

We will be taking the DCL transfer from the airport but I booked the transfers after I checked in so we have boarding group 5 but don't know if that changes since we are taking the transfers.

Last question.....any idea how many guests were onboard?

Thanks!!

MJ

 

[tee11]

How much were the emed proctored tests per person (I assume both adults and children use them?)? I'm sorry if I missed this elsewhere. Also, two hours, wow! Quite long, and picture taking etc... we had to upload pictures before the cruise, was that changed, too? I actually liked spending only 30 minutes in the port terminal total (everything had to be done ahead of time).

 

[MomOTwins]

How much were the emed proctored tests per person (I assume both adults and children use them?)? I'm sorry if I missed this elsewhere. Also, two hours, wow! Quite long, and picture taking etc... we had to upload pictures before the cruise, was that changed, too? I actually liked spending only 30 minutes in the port terminal total (everything had to be done ahead of time).

We ended up waiting over 2 hours to board in Miami too when sailing on the Magic this year, and we also had a 10:30 PAT. There was a coast guard inspection so I assumed that was the main reason for the delay, but this post is making me wonder if it just not the easiest port. It was very complicated compared to PC I thought.

 

[anricat]

We ended up waiting over 2 hours to board in Miami too when sailing on the Magic this year, and we also had a 10:30 PAT. There was a coast guard inspection so I assumed that was the main reason for the delay, but this post is making me wonder if it just not the easiest port. It was very complicated compared to PC I thought.

We've sailed out of Miami twice and both times it was a HOT MESS. It's my least favorite of all the ports we've embarked from (and we've embarked from Port Canaveral, Miami, Puerto Rico, Barcelona, and Vancouver). I think that's just how it is.

 

[melissa723]

We sail out on Monday! Can't wait! We're also using eMed, which we used for Royal in March and it was super easy. So happy to hear that you had a great time!

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

We ended up waiting over 2 hours to board in Miami too when sailing on the Magic this year, and we also had a 10:30 PAT. There was a coast guard inspection so I assumed that was the main reason for the delay, but this post is making me wonder if it just not the easiest port. It was very complicated compared to PC I thought.

One of the things we were told on the Magic in November was that typically they don't open boarding til 12 in Miami but weren't given a specific reason. Usually boarding starts at Canaveral around 11 so the turn around is a lot faster.

 

[ShablamE]

We flew into FLL and stayed overnight in FLL before our embarkation day as well as our debarkations day. We had a shuttle from our hotel to the port (then the same trip in return) that was seamless. We had a 10:45 PAT but we arrived around 10am (my time stamp on my first picture when we could see the ship was 10:06am). The porters immediately took our bags and we waited outside roughly in the order of our PAT times but honestly it doesn't matter because the employees walk down the line calling the PAT time that is cleared to enter. We entered the building, went through security. I had printed our check in forms for each room and we had our passports ready. After security we went into the next room which had numerous counters (we were at number 11 but there may have been 20 or so?). We showed our check in paperwork, our passports and then we were cleared to go into the terminal where there were rows of seats. We sat for short period of time then our boarding group was called and we made our way to the entrance. We had some photos taken then continued on to the ship. My first picture I took on the ship is time stamped 12:14pm so it took us roughly 2 hours from the moment we stepped foot at the port until we were on the ship. Once on we went to our muster station to check in then went to Cabanas for lunch. Our rooms were ready after lunch so we headed to our room where we found our bags waiting for us!

We tested 2 days prior using the eMed proctored home tests. It was super easy. They emailed our document within minutes of the test results which we uploaded to the Safe Passage site and were approved in about 12 hours.

Happy to help if you have any specific questions!

Which hotel did you use? I've looked at a few that offer shuttle service and some have gotten mixed reviews on it stating that it was either late or never showed. I assume most hotels in this area are operating on a shared shuttle between them to reduce the overhead costs.

 

[shananigans]

Which hotel did you use? I've looked at a few that offer shuttle service and some have gotten mixed reviews on it stating that it was either late or never showed. I assume most hotels in this area are operating on a shared shuttle between them to reduce the overhead costs.

We have only sailed out of Port Canaveral - so we stay at the Hyatt at the airport - which is EXTREMELY convenient. I have heard that a lot of people like to fly into Fort Lauderdale, stay in a hotel and drive to the port from there. I am not sure what we're going to do for our October and November cruises out of Miami. I know there are many rec's on this board for hotels in Miami/Fort Lauderdale. We are going to check to see if the Miami airport has an onsite hotel and I am guessing if they do - we'll just stay there. I don't like traveling here there and everywhere once we land (we typically fly in late) so I am hoping we can find something close.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Just threw our hat into the ring! Sailing out of Miami on the Dream on Sept 5th. Booked a pre-cruise at the EB, which has very good reviews on TripAdvisor and a shuttle from airport. Disney transfers. Fingers crossed for good weather and negative tests! It has been 3 years-I really need this cruise!

 

[n2mm]

The prices out of Miami are crazy low for the fall.