Our Sincere Disney Dream Cruise Ship Evaluate

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 affords 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 sincere overview of what we beloved, hated, and all the pieces in between from our trip. Learn on for our Disney Dream cruise ship overview.

Our Sincere Disney Dream Cruise Ship Evaluate

Eating on Disney Dream

Disney Dream affords a wide range of eating choices. From the primary eating rooms, to different informal choices just like the buffet or pool deck eats, to adult-only eating, you definitely received’t go hungry throughout your cruise.

Rotational Eating

Disney Cruise Line approaches its principal eating room expertise in another way than every other 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 evening, however so do the wait workers. The servers get to know you and your preferences, constructing relationships with cruisers by the tip of the cruise and including a heightened consideration to element.

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

We loved all our meals within the three principal eating rooms. Every thing was recent, heat, and properly offered whereas packing nice flavors.

Whereas I do know that the majority cruise strains 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 search out out that these eating rooms didn’t provide leisure throughout dinner.

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

Different Complimentary Eating Choices

Moreover the three rotational principal eating rooms, Disney Dream does provide just a few different choices which can be included within the cruise fare.

Sadly although, for cruisers who don’t want to attend the lengthy principal eating room dinner, Cabana’s, the buffet venue positioned on Deck 11, is just not open for dinner. The one different dinner choices out there on the ship will likely be room service (complimentary) or Tow Mater’s Grill. This part of the pool deck meals choices inside Flo’s Cafe affords hen tenders, burgers, and scorching canines. 

Cabana’s is a superb possibility for breakfast and lunch. Any seafood lover mustn’t miss the every 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 deliver them to your desk after they’re prepared.

Nevertheless, Cabanas’ structure 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 strains, typically out to the pool deck throughout peak hours. We didn’t have an issue discovering a desk throughout our cruise, however I might see this being an issue throughout in style eating hours.

For cruisers who wish to keep of their bathing fits all day, Flo’s Cafe will likely be your lunch spot. Providing pizzas, hen, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and fruit, everyone seems to be sure to search 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.

Gentle drinks akin to coke merchandise, ginger ale, and vitamin water are included in your cruise fare on Disney Cruise Line. And you could find 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 affords poolside smooth serve ice cream, with chocolate and vanilla served every 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. Should you suppose Disney Cruise Line service, normally, is a step above the remaining, put together to be blown away at Palo and Remy.

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

Brunch is just supplied on choose days of your crusing, usually your sea day. I extremely suggest snagging a reservation if potential; you’ll not remorse it! Most significantly, make sure to include an empty abdomen. You’ll be stuffed by the tip! The ahi tuna, eggs benedict, and the parmesan-crusted hen breast had been the highlights of our meal.

Palo Dinner affords 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’ve got on earlier sailings. If brunch isn’t your factor, I can guarantee you that dinner will likely be simply nearly as good! The preferred Palo dish is the chocolate souffle, which it’s essential to order early to provide time for preparation.

Remy, the second specialty eating venue on Disney Dream, affords two set menus designed by two extremely accredited cooks of Michelin Star caliber. Each menus price $135 per particular person, with non-obligatory wine pairings out there. For cruisers in search of 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 search 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. You’ll want to get the espresso punch card and get it stamped; your sixth espresso will likely be free!

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

General, 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 consuming the complimentary espresso once more.

Pool Deck

Disney’s give attention to leisure shines with theater reveals and onboard actions, however the pool deck leaves one thing to be desired. You received’t discover poolside leisure akin 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 evening. There’s additionally quiet areas with loungers to chill out and skim a e book.

The Mickey and Donald’s Swimming pools on Deck 11 midship are the 2 principal swimming pools onboard. These aren’t very huge 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 in search of 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 social gathering leisure. This can be a nice strategy to create area throughout deck events, however it additionally leaves the swimming pools with bizarre working hours. A scorching tub is located towards the floor-to-ceiling glass home windows of the pool deck, however once more, it is going to be full of kids.

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

The whole splash pad can be coated, holding 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 every day.

The Quiet Cove Pool is positioned within the adults-only space of the pool deck, Deck 11 ahead. This space options two scorching 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 loads huge and by no means crowded. Nevertheless, we did sail throughout a well-liked spring break week, with many passengers being households with younger kids.

Adults in search of a quiet area ought to select to chill out on this space, because the loungers are smooth and cushioned when in comparison with the common patio chair on the primary pool deck. Plus, there received’t be any kids right here.

Different Pool Deck Points of interest

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

The AquaDuck, the primary pool deck attraction, is on Deck 12 and has a peak 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 instances on sea day typically had been over an hour lengthy. It took three makes an attempt for us to trip the AquaDuck with a brief wait time. This was once we received again onboard from Castaway Cay early to a virtually empty ship.

Much 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 making an attempt to trip 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 trip the water coaster throughout a port day. If this attraction is a precedence for you, make sure to test the instances in your every day navigator.

Goofy’s Sports activities Deck on Deck 13 Aft is an open-air sports activities courtroom 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 periods. These is a further price for these simulators, and friends should reserve upfront.

General, the varied pool areas on Disney Dream have one thing for everybody.

Onboard Actions

The Disney Cruise Line app holds your every day navigator, offering instances 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 are not 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 every day, whereas different characters like Ariel, Belle, Princess Tiana, and Captain Hook are solely out there on choose days.

Friends can both e book the Royal Gathering (a free move for line entry to fulfill all of the princesses directly), pay for the Royal Tea Celebration to fulfill the princesses, or just wait in line on the character’s scheduled time.

In case you are used to Disney theme park strains like we’re, these strains could not appear so dangerous. However strains can and can get lengthy, particularly for in style characters. Plan to spend 20 to half-hour ready in line to fulfill every character, and make sure to arrive earlier than the scheduled time. The cruise workers will minimize off line entry at a sure level.

Procuring onboard combines luxurious objects with in style Disney souvenirs. Disney cruisers take their merchandise significantly, and there’s no restocking whereas out at sea. Should you see one thing you want, make sure to purchase it as it might be gone if you return. Mickey’s Mainsail was crowded on embarkation evening, however crowd ranges eased up as the times went on.

A number of trivia periods happen all through the day as effectively. Whereas most are Disney-themed, there are some normal trivia choices akin to sports activities, many years, or music. Craft periods are additionally out there every day, creating souvenirs akin to postcards, reminiscence pages, ornaments, and drink koozies. Each crafts and trivia provide periods for households and adults solely. We embellished drink koozies throughout an adults-only craft and eventually obtained a medallion for successful Star Wars trivia!

The Midship Detective Company is a family-friendly journey placing you in the course of the motion. Hubs are centrally positioned on Deck 5 and Deck 2, the place friends will seize a pamphlet and a pencil and comply with 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 reveals the latest Disney motion pictures which can be in theaters at dwelling. 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 a further price as effectively. Whiskey, beer, wine, and tequila tastings are simply a number of the choices.

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

Household and grownup sport reveals, bingo, dance events, cooking demonstrations, and towel-folding lessons spherical out the every day actions. I’d wager to say that nobody in your social gathering will likely be bored on this ship!

Youngsters’ Golf equipment

The children’ golf equipment onboard Disney Cruise Line are undoubtedly the perfect at sea. Better of all, they’re free for kids 3 and up! These are glorious 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 children’ golf equipment are usually 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 youngsters have entry to no matter they need! All kids have to 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 akin 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 go away. Two scorching tubs and out of doors loungers are accessible on the outside, whereas the inside affords video video games, TV, a dance flooring, and arranged actions.

All venues do have open home hours, that means that adults and youngsters can make the most of the areas. I extremely suggest attending the open homes on embarkation day to familiarize your kids with the golf equipment. This may 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 implausible, sending us messages by way of the app for all updates, akin 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 reveals happen within the Walt Disney Theater on Deck 3, and there’s stay music nightly within the atrium. All through our crusing there have been vocalists, pianists, and violinists, all implausible!

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

You’ll want to get there early for these reveals. 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 at all times discovered good seats. There will likely 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 evening deck social gathering 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 will likely be arduous to return by in the event you 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.

Should you’ve sailed different cruise strains, Disney Dream’s nightlife could seem lackluster, other than the reveals. You received’t discover raunchy comedians or late-night membership scenes on this ship.

Although, there are adults-only sport reveals, late-night pleased hours on the bars and lounges, and actions like adults-only trivia and silent disco events occurring nightly. Nevertheless, they aren’t at all times probably the most attended actions. Many of those occasions happen between 9 PM and midnight, additionally prime time for households to place their youngsters to mattress.

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

Bars and Lounges on Disney Dream

The District on Deck 4, Aft, is dwelling 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 regularly. The 687 Pale Ale is brewed solely for the cruise line, and we loved it! Pub 687 affords 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 definitely worth the funding. The mug is obtainable to buy for $16.50. Then all through the cruise, you should buy 21 oz. beers in it for the value of a 16 oz. beer. This additionally works throughout pleased hours for double the financial savings!

Pink Wine and Champagne Bar affords elegant cocktails, most tasting lessons, and stay music. It’s a must-stop for any wine drinker! Evolution, the nightclub venue, affords 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 it’s essential to stroll away from the pool to search out them. You received’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 primary exercise lounge on Deck 4, midship. Trivia, crafts, sport reveals, 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 overview, 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 space for storing. Two closets to hold garments and three small drawers had been the one choices for placing objects out of sight. For our four-night crusing, this was tremendous, however it might pose an issue for longer sailings.

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

Past the toilet are the desk and couch, which converts right into a twin mattress at evening. 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 through 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 excellent 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 strains, so preserve 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 under 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 implausible as effectively. He even lined up my son’s stuffed animals on his mattress each evening, folded his garments, and left him goodies.

General Disney Dream Cruise Ship Evaluate

The Disney Dream is a good ship for households or adults in search of a calming trip with white glove service and a contact of Disney. Although, this might not be the ship for adults trying to let free on a weekend getaway. There are not any casinos, drink packages, or late-night golf equipment.

For us, Disney Dream affords the holiday of a lifetime. It’s the right 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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