Our Sincere Disney Dream Cruise Ship Overview

Debuting in 2011, the Disney Dream is the primary of two ships within the Dream Class, with the Disney Fantasy as its sister ship. This 4,000-passenger capability cruise ship gives one thing for all ages, making it a trip appropriate for generational households and even adult-only getaways. After simply coming back from a 4-night crusing on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas, we’re prepared to provide you our trustworthy evaluate of what we cherished, hated, and all the pieces in between from our trip. Learn on for our Disney Dream cruise ship evaluate.

Our Sincere Disney Dream Cruise Ship Overview

Eating on Disney Dream

Disney Dream gives quite a lot of eating choices. From the principle eating rooms, to different informal choices just like the buffet or pool deck eats, to adult-only eating, you definitely gained’t go hungry throughout your cruise.

Rotational Eating

Disney Cruise Line approaches its predominant eating room expertise in a different way than another cruise line, which I fortunately embrace. Disney implements a rotational eating expertise, with friends rotating between three themed eating rooms all through the crusing.

Not solely do the friends rotate between eating rooms every night time, however so do the wait workers. The servers get to know you and your preferences, constructing relationships with cruisers by the top of the cruise and including a heightened consideration to element.

There are three predominant eating rooms on the Disney Dream: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Backyard, and Royal Palace. Every restaurant gives totally different menus, with appetizers, soups and salads, predominant programs, and desserts. Choices vary from French specialties like escargot and duck breast to lighter fare choices similar to ahi tuna and avocado towers and pan-seared sea bass.

We loved all our meals within the three predominant eating rooms. All the pieces was contemporary, heat, and properly introduced whereas packing nice flavors.

Whereas I do know that almost all cruise traces don’t present leisure throughout dinner, Disney is, effectively, Disney. Having been on different DCL ships, I do know this does happen, such because the Frozen present within the Arendelle eating room on the Disney Want or the Rapunzel dinner present on the Disney Magic. So, we had been bummed to seek out out that these eating rooms didn’t provide leisure throughout dinner.

Dinners in these eating places are lengthy, and whereas some cruisers might benefit from the “normal” eating expertise, the shortage of leisure left for an impatient toddler by the point we had been prepared for dessert.

Different Complimentary Eating Choices

Apart from the three rotational predominant eating rooms, Disney Dream does provide just a few different choices which are included within the cruise fare.

Sadly although, for cruisers who don’t want to attend the lengthy predominant eating room dinner, Cabana’s, the buffet venue positioned on Deck 11, shouldn’t be open for dinner. The one different dinner choices accessible on the ship can be room service (complimentary) or Tow Mater’s Grill. This part of the pool deck meals choices inside Flo’s Cafe gives rooster tenders, burgers, and sizzling canine. 

Cabana’s is a superb possibility for breakfast and lunch. Any seafood lover shouldn’t miss the each day all-you-can-eat crab claws and peel-and-eat shrimp on the lunch buffet. Contemporary, made-to-order omelets can be found throughout breakfast hours, and the cruise workers will even convey them to your desk after they’re prepared.

Nevertheless, Cabanas’ format could be irritating, as it’s one lengthy buffet line on both aspect of the venue as a substitute of particular stations. This led to lengthy traces, generally out to the pool deck throughout peak hours. We didn’t have an issue discovering a desk throughout our cruise, however I may see this being an issue throughout well-liked eating hours.

For cruisers who wish to keep of their bathing fits all day, Flo’s Cafe can be your lunch spot. Providing pizzas, rooster, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and fruit, everyone seems to be certain to seek out one thing right here. Nothing at Flo’s Cafe blew us away. Whereas there was nothing unsuitable with the meals right here, we had been left lacking Mickey’s Competition of Meals, which debuted on the Disney Want.

Tender drinks similar to coke merchandise, ginger ale, and vitamin water are included in your cruise fare on Disney Cruise Line. And yow will discover 24/7 stations, together with tea, espresso, and water on both aspect of the pool deck, in addition to in Cabanas throughout open hours.

Eye Scream gives poolside comfortable serve ice cream, with chocolate and vanilla served each day along with rotational flavors. We grabbed an ice cream cone each time we walked by as a result of who doesn’t love ice cream?

Specialty Eating

Palo and Remy are the 2 specialty eating choices onboard the Disney Dream, each adult-exclusive. Each are positioned on Deck 12, Aft, and the views from these venues are unbeatable, as is the service. In case you assume Disney Cruise Line service, on the whole, is a step above the remainder, put together to be blown away at Palo and Remy.

Palo gives brunch and dinner. I’d argue that Palo Brunch would be the greatest $50 you spend throughout your trip. Brunch gives an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu with choices starting from egg varieties, pancakes and waffles, soups, pizzas, and predominant entrees similar to lasagna or sirloin steak.

Brunch is simply provided on choose days of your crusing, sometimes your sea day. I extremely advocate snagging a reservation if attainable; you’ll not remorse it! Most significantly, remember to include an empty abdomen. You’ll be stuffed by the top! The ahi tuna, eggs benedict, and the parmesan-crusted rooster breast had been the highlights of our meal.

Palo Dinner gives a $50 prix-fixe 4-course meal or a la carte ordering. Palo focuses on Italian fare. We didn’t dine at Palo for dinner this crusing, however we have now on earlier sailings. If brunch isn’t your factor, I can guarantee you that dinner can be simply nearly as good! The preferred Palo dish is the chocolate souffle, which you should order early to provide time for preparation.

Remy, the second specialty eating venue on Disney Dream, gives two set menus designed by two extremely accredited cooks of Michelin Star caliber. Each menus price $135 per individual, with elective wine pairings accessible. For cruisers searching for that beautiful fine-dining expertise, look no additional than Remy.

Moreover, Cove Cafe on Deck 11 and Vista Cafe on Deck 4 provide specialty coffees for buy and complimentary pastries. Espresso drinkers ought to plan to seek out themselves in these cafes, because the complimentary espresso falls flat. After one cup of the offered espresso, I went to Vista Cafe each morning for a latte. Remember to get the espresso punch card and get it stamped; your sixth espresso can be free!

Lastly, Pub 687, an adults-only venue inside The District on Deck 4, additionally gives snacks and small bites for buy at an reasonably priced worth. Typical bar meals similar to buffalo wings and pretzels can be found. I like to recommend the buffalo wings, that are $4 for five wings and really tasty! 

Total, we loved the meals on the Disney Dream, with standouts being Palo Brunch and Royal Palace. Subsequent time, I’d skip the burgers from Flo’s Cafe, and also you’ll by no means see me ingesting the complimentary espresso once more.

Pool Deck

Disney’s give attention to leisure shines with theater exhibits and onboard actions, however the pool deck leaves one thing to be desired. You gained’t discover poolside leisure similar to stomach flop contests, high-energy music, and dance events onboard the Disney Dream.

As a substitute, you’ll discover Funnel Imaginative and prescient, a large display on DCL’s iconic funnel enjoying an array of Disney motion pictures from dawn to effectively into the night time. There’s additionally quiet areas with loungers to loosen up and browse a ebook.

The Mickey and Donald’s Swimming pools on Deck 11 midship are the 2 predominant swimming pools onboard. These aren’t very large or deep and find yourself simply being a splash zone full of kids. This isn’t the spot for a calming day within the pool. There are loungers round each swimming pools, however cruisers searching for a selected spot ought to plan to reach on the pool deck early, particularly on sea days. Deck 12 does have extra chairs and loungers as effectively.

Additional, each swimming pools have retractable covers, changing them into a part of the pool deck for all deck get together leisure. It is a nice option to create area throughout deck events, however it additionally leaves the swimming pools with bizarre working hours. A sizzling tub is located towards the floor-to-ceiling glass home windows of the pool deck, however once more, will probably be full of kids.

Nemo’s Reef Splash Pad is the proper spot for households with little cruisers, even permitting youngsters to put on swim diapers. Whereas increasingly cruise ships are incorporating an space for non-potty-trained infants and toddlers, this can be a enormous promoting level for Disney Cruise Line.

All the splash pad can be coated, preserving the youngsters out of the solar—an enormous bonus! We spent 80% of our pool deck time within the splash pad with our two-year-old, and he’s nonetheless speaking about it each day.

The Quiet Cove Pool is positioned within the adults-only space of the pool deck, Deck 11 ahead. This space options two sizzling tubs, a pool, and a sitting space with swim-up entry to 1 half of the Cove Bar. We love this adults-only pool space, as we felt it was a lot large and by no means crowded. Nevertheless, we did sail throughout a well-liked spring break week, with many passengers being households with younger youngsters.

Adults searching for a quiet area ought to select to loosen up on this space, because the loungers are comfortable and cushioned when in comparison with the typical patio chair on the principle pool deck. Plus, there gained’t be any youngsters right here.

Different Pool Deck Sights

Mickey’s Slide can be positioned on Deck 11, adjoining to the principle swimming pools. This physique slide is offered to youngsters ages 4-14 with a minimal top of 38” and a most top of 64”.

The AquaDuck, the principle pool deck attraction, is on Deck 12 and has a top requirement of 42”, or 54” for single riders. Board the raft on this water coaster designed by Huey, Duey, and Louie for a thrill and a 360-degree view of the ocean.

The AquaDuck is enjoyable, however the wait occasions on sea day generally had been over an hour lengthy. It took three makes an attempt for us to journey the AquaDuck with a brief wait time. This was after we received again onboard from Castaway Cay early to an almost empty ship.

Just like the pool, the AquaDuck had odd hours. There have been days it didn’t open till midday. For these with late eating, I recommend attempting to journey the AquaDuck round 5 PM, when early dinner friends are preparing for dinner. For early dinner friends, be the primary in line when the queue opens, or attempt to journey the water coaster throughout a port day. If this attraction is a precedence for you, remember to verify the occasions in your each day navigator.

Goofy’s Sports activities Deck on Deck 13 Aft is an open-air sports activities court docket that includes basketball hoops and an area for organized pickleball video games. A nine-hole mini golf course designed by Goofy and his son Max wraps across the aft of the ship and is enjoyable for the entire household! Two sports activities simulators provide soccer, golf, hockey, and baseball simulations for 30 or 60-minute classes. These is an extra price for these simulators, and friends should reserve prematurely.

Total, the assorted pool areas on Disney Dream have one thing for everybody.

Onboard Actions

The Disney Cruise Line app holds your each day navigator, offering occasions and areas for all onboard actions. Customary cruise actions fill in these time slots, however after all with a bit Disney flare to them. A stand-out for Disney Cruise Line is there aren’t any casinos onboard any DCL ships.

Character meet-and-greets are positioned across the ship at virtually any level all through the day. Characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy can be found each day, whereas different characters like Ariel, Belle, Princess Tiana, and Captain Hook are solely accessible on choose days.

Company can both ebook the Royal Gathering (a free cross for line entry to fulfill all of the princesses directly), pay for the Royal Tea Social gathering to fulfill the princesses, or just wait in line on the character’s scheduled time.

If you’re used to Disney theme park traces like we’re, these traces might not appear so dangerous. However traces can and can get lengthy, particularly for well-liked characters. Plan to spend 20 to half-hour ready in line to fulfill every character, and remember to arrive earlier than the scheduled time. The cruise workers will reduce off line entry at a sure level.

Procuring onboard combines luxurious gadgets with well-liked Disney souvenirs. Disney cruisers take their merchandise severely, and there’s no restocking whereas out at sea. In case you see one thing you want, remember to purchase it as it could be gone if you return. Mickey’s Mainsail was crowded on embarkation night time, however crowd ranges eased up as the times went on.

A number of trivia classes happen all through the day as effectively. Whereas most are Disney-themed, there are some common trivia choices similar to sports activities, many years, or music. Craft classes are additionally accessible each day, creating souvenirs similar to postcards, reminiscence pages, ornaments, and drink koozies. Each crafts and trivia provide classes for households and adults solely. We embellished drink koozies throughout an adults-only craft and at last obtained a medallion for profitable Star Wars trivia!

The Midship Detective Company is a family-friendly journey placing you in the midst of the motion. Hubs are centrally positioned on Deck 5 and Deck 2, the place friends will seize a pamphlet and a pencil and observe the directions to unravel clues across the ship. My son was lastly sufficiently old to assist with this, and we had a good time!

On Deck 4, The Buena Vista Theater exhibits the latest Disney motion pictures which are in theaters at residence. Films like Ms. Marvel, The Little Mermaid, and Elemental had been enjoying throughout our crusing.

Beverage tasting seminars and mixology lessons can be found all through the cruise at varied areas for an extra payment as effectively. Whiskey, beer, wine, and tequila tastings are simply a number of the choices.

Senses Spa on Deck 12 gives a complimentary gymnasium, in addition to extra charged companies similar to manicures, pedicures, haircuts, facials, massages, and the extremely wanted Rainforest Room expertise. In our Rainforest Room evaluate, we go into element about all the pieces there may be to supply. Spoiler alert: we cherished it!

Household and grownup sport exhibits, bingo, dance events, cooking demonstrations, and towel-folding lessons spherical out the each day actions. I’d guess to say that nobody in your get together can be bored on this ship!

Youngsters’ Golf equipment

The youngsters’ golf equipment onboard Disney Cruise Line are undoubtedly the very best at sea. Better of all, they’re free for kids 3 and up! These are wonderful methods for the youngsters to have enjoyable so the adults can have some enjoyable of their very own (I’m referring to you, Palo Brunch!). The youngsters’ golf equipment are sometimes open till midnight, later, with choose deliberate actions.

Youngsters ages 3-10 will go to the Oceaneers Membership, the place they’ll play in Andy’s Room from Toy Story, fly the Millennium Falcon, do crafts in Pixie Hole, or play Disney’s Infinity. Three- and four-year-olds have set counselors with organized actions, whereas the older children have entry to no matter they need! All youngsters should be potty skilled to attend the Oceaneers Membership.

Ages 11-14 will attend Edge, an area inside the well-known Disney Cruise Line funnel, permitting tweens to hang around, play board video games and video video games, or take part in group actions similar to scavenger hunts.

Teenagers ages 14-17 hand around in Vibe, a half-club, half-pool deck space they may by no means wish to depart. Two sizzling tubs and outside loungers are accessible on the outside, whereas the inside gives video video games, TV, a dance flooring, and arranged actions.

All venues do have open home hours, that means that adults and children can make the most of the areas. I extremely advocate attending the open homes on embarkation day to familiarize your youngsters with the golf equipment. It will make them much less hesitant to attend the golf equipment if you plan adult-only actions! We attended open homes for all of the venues, and the youth actions workers couldn’t have been higher!

Lastly, there may be the It’s a Small World Nursery. Youngsters aged 6 months to three years can attend the nursery, however there’s a cost. For $9 an hour, this was our greatest cash spent onboard. Nursery workers will play, feed, change diapers, and put even the littlest cruisers to sleep, so mother and father don’t have to fret.

Our nursery workers was improbable, sending us messages via the app for all updates, similar to when my son fell asleep, awoke, ate, or had a diaper change.

Nightly Leisure

The nightly leisure onboard the Disney Dream shouldn’t be missed. Broadway-style exhibits happen within the Walt Disney Theater on Deck 3, and there’s reside music nightly within the atrium. All through our crusing there have been vocalists, pianists, and violinists, all improbable!

Disney Cruise Line’s authentic productions, The Golden Mickeys and Consider, pay tribute to traditional Disney film favorites whereas telling heartwarming tales alongside the way in which. Additional, Disney’s Magnificence and the Beast adaptation is the very best present I’ve seen at sea. Don’t miss this present!

Remember to get there early for these exhibits. The Walt Disney Theater is a big theater, however fills up shortly. The doorways opened roughly half-hour earlier than showtime. We arrived 25 minutes earlier than every present and all the time discovered good seats. There can be a queue ready exterior the theater for the doorways to open; use this time to have somebody stand in line when you seize popcorn from Preludes!

The pirate night time deck get together takes place exterior on Deck 11. Mickey and the gang tackle Captain Hook and Mr. Smee on this enjoyable, quirky deck present. Whereas seen from Deck 12 as effectively, viewing spot can be laborious to come back by for those who don’t get there early. A big part within the entrance of the stage is roped off only for the youngsters to take a seat, which is guarded by youth actions workers.

In case you’ve sailed different cruise traces, Disney Dream’s nightlife could seem lackluster, aside from the exhibits. You gained’t discover raunchy comedians or late-night membership scenes on this ship.

Although, there are adults-only sport exhibits, late-night completely happy hours on the bars and lounges, and actions like adults-only trivia and silent disco events taking place nightly. Nevertheless, they aren’t all the time essentially the most attended actions. Many of those occasions happen between 9 PM and midnight, additionally prime time for households to place their children to mattress.

I perceive why Disney doesn’t put ample effort into late-night adults-only leisure, however it could be a turn-off for kid-less cruisers.

Bars and Lounges on Disney Dream

The District on Deck 4, Aft, is residence to many of the bars and lounges onboard the Disney Dream.

As avid sports activities followers and primarily beer drinkers, we discovered ourselves navigating to Pub 687 incessantly. The 687 Pale Ale is brewed solely for the cruise line, and we loved it! Pub 687 gives over 10 beers on faucet, whereas all different bars across the ship will solely have 2 or 3 faucets to select from.

For any beer drinkers, the memento beer mug is well worth the funding. The mug is offered to buy for $16.50. Then all through the cruise, you should purchase 21 oz. beers in it for the worth of a 16 oz. beer. This additionally works throughout completely happy hours for double the financial savings!

Pink Wine and Champagne Bar gives elegant cocktails, most tasting lessons, and reside music. It’s a must-stop for any wine drinker! Evolution, the nightclub venue, gives a full bar and some specialty cocktails. I ordered a strawberry margarita whereas in Evolution for bingo, and it was refreshing however nothing particular. Skyline Bar and District Lounge are additionally positioned inside the District.

Waves Bar and Currents are the pool deck bars, however you should stroll away from the pool to seek out them. You gained’t discover any swim-up bars or poolside drinks right here. However, there are crew members strolling round consistently taking drink orders from anybody in a pool lounger.

D Lounge is the principle exercise lounge on Deck 4, midship. Trivia, crafts, sport exhibits, and even a cooking demonstration had been simply a number of the actions that occurred within the D Lounge.

Staterooms

For this Disney Dream cruise ship evaluate, we stayed in stateroom 9079. This deluxe inside cabin was positioned simply aft of the midship elevators.

Our stateroom was giant when in comparison with many mega-ships’ inside rooms, however it did lack cupboard space. Two closets to hold garments and three small drawers had been the one choices for placing gadgets out of sight. For our four-night crusing, this was high quality, however it may pose an issue for longer sailings.

Instantly coming into the stateroom, the doorways to the break up rest room are on the best. One rest room consists of a bathe and sink, whereas the second rest room has a bathroom and sink. That is my favourite half about Disney Cruise Line staterooms. They definitely targeted on households when designing these loos. This setup was extraordinarily useful to have when my toddler wanted to make use of the lavatory whereas somebody was within the bathe.

Past the lavatory are the desk and couch, which converts right into a twin mattress at night time. One step additional was the queen dimension mattress up towards the far wall. The desk was spacious sufficient to take a seat our belongings on high whereas additionally leaving area for me to prepare. It additionally has two 110V retailers and two 220V retailers.

Above the mattress was the magical porthole. This porthole introduced exterior views to this inside stateroom by way of a webcam exterior the ship. Disney characters even made shock appearances all through the day. The mattress was comfy; we slept nice! The couch mattress was good for my toddler however definitely too small for my 6-foot husband.

Disney Cruise Line beds don’t separate into two twin-sized beds like many different main cruise traces, so maintain that in thoughts when reserving. Both aspect of the mattress had two very small cabinets. This was giant sufficient for an iPad to take a seat atop it, however not a lot else. Moreover, a 110V and 220V outlet was beneath every shelf.

We had been comfy in our room throughout our crusing. The room was immaculate and spacious sufficient for our household. Its nautical decor actually immerses you within the being at sea feeling. Our stateroom attendant was improbable as effectively. He even lined up my son’s stuffed animals on his mattress each night time, folded his garments, and left him goodies.

Total Disney Dream Cruise Ship Overview

The Disney Dream is a superb ship for households or adults searching for a calming trip with white glove service and a contact of Disney. Although, this will not be the ship for adults seeking to let free on a weekend getaway. There aren’t any casinos, drink packages, or late-night golf equipment.

For us, Disney Dream gives the holiday of a lifetime. It’s the proper mixture of Disney and rest with out the hustle and bustle of the parks.

At the moment, the Disney Dream sails out of Fort Lauderdale, FL, providing a mixture of 3-, 4-, and 5-night sailings to the Bahamas and Disney’s Castaway Cay. In the summertime, the Disney Dream heads throughout the Atlantic to sail European itineraries.

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