Disney cruise line reviews - Cruise Line Reviewer

All about the Disney cruise line

We were a family of 11 including grandparents, parents, two in their early twenties, two teenagers, and a 7-year-old. Our family travels a lot. We have cruised with RCCL, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, MSC, and Costa, but this was our first Disney cruise. It was pleasant. The journey was a breeze – with the most pleasant staff we have ever encountered during the boarding process! Everyone was smiling and welcoming… read more

After boarding at the Port Canaveral terminal and exploring the ship a bit, we decided we’d head over to the adults-only area known as “The Cove.” To our surprise, we found the Cove deserted. We had both the lower and upper decks with pool, bar and lounge chairs. We cannot express enough how enjoyable it was to spend so much time at The Cove during our cruise. During our cruise, the cove bar and pool were our own private paradise. Disney Cruise Line really has a good balance of adults-only, teen clubs, kids clubs, and other activities to keep everyone happy. The Disney Dream’s Senses Fitness area on deck twelve, forward, offers the same state-of-the-art equipment you’ll find at Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts as well as Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The Senses Fitness area also offers a variety of free and a la carte fitness classes, along with complimentary ab and yoga classes during each of our morning visits, and these classes are sure to help you show your last night’s dinner who’s boss. Is! One thing to note is that we were completely unaware of the family-style dining on Disney Cruise Lines. Unfortunately, we were seated with a group who were not enjoying their time, to say the least. One of the lovely couples we met during our cruise advised us not to waste another second of our trip with unhappy diners. As a result, we went to Guest Relations where they made this change for us. For the rest of our cruise, we were seated at a private table which was a dream! Disney Cruise Line’s dinner service, at least in our experience, doesn’t involve any major production or fanfare during your meal. If you plan to eat at the Royal Palace to see the Disney princesses, you will be sorely disappointed. Unlike Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom, there were no characters, and none of our meals had any singing and dancing during dinner service. For us, it was a nice change from the norm on other cruise lines. The Buccaneer Blast Fireworks at Sea show is a perfect example of how Disney Cruise Line pulls out all the stops with its daily entertainment. From deck parties to Broadway-style shows that rival those at its parks, Disney sure knows how to put on a show. There really is nothing quite like Fireworks at Sea Show, and that alone is worth every penny. We believe the purchase and development of Castaway Cay is one of the best decisions The Walt Disney Company has ever made. We were so glad that our cruise itinerary included a stop at Castaway Cay. The island is perfectly laid out with endless activities, and a flawless balance between family and adults where one doesn’t get in the way of the other. The only downside was that we eventually had to leave this perfect island in the sun wanting to sign up as permanent residents by the end of our day! Although we have enjoyed our time on other cruise lines in the past, we can say without a doubt that the service we received, the number of amenities included onboard, the quality of the food offered, and the food with the excursions. Unique opportunities. . The Disney Dream has surpassed any of our experiences on other lines. Our Disney Cruise Line experience was truly a dream come true. For all these reasons and more, Disney Cruise Line has made us repeat cruisers and we look forward to our future cruises with DCL.

Traveling on a Disney Cruise is a truly magical experience. Disney takes the best advantage of what makes their theme parks massively popular and translates that across the ocean. It’s hard to put your finger on what makes Disney Cruises so much better than others in the same class, but you know it’s there. Across the board, everything is fantastic. The only problem – for some – is that there are too many children on board. During my sailing, there seemed to be a significantly higher number of 3 and 4-year-olds compared to sailings several years ago. Older children tend to stay in children’s programs, but younger children are too young to be separated from their parents for long periods of time that you will actually see. So if you’re not with a family with young children, this might be something to think about. Much of the entertainment is also Disney-related. Not a problem unless you’re expecting Broadway revue shows and lots of bingo games, which you won’t find on board. This is a great cruise line, and the dreams and imagination are certainly bigger, and dare I say better than magic and wonder.

First-time cruiser! Loved this experience in the dream for 3 nights. I was near the forward elevator, so I spent a lot of time hanging around by the current bar. It also provided a spectacular display of fireworks. This ship is misleading though because the walk from the forward elevators to the midship elevators is not nearly as long as the walk from the midship elevator to the aft elevators. The food at the cabanas was average. Quick service food by the main pool was fine. Dining rooms are hit or miss. Some things were great, other things were okay or not so great. Saw a bunch of characters, which was fun. Took martini tasting and mixology classes, which were fun. Tried the midship detective agency on deck 5 by the kids’ clubs, which was cute and fun. Overall I had a great experience and I think this may become an annual event now.

Pros:

The theme, decor, exceptional service, and low capacity made it comfortable.

CONS:

The dining room meal was hit or miss.

Pros: Service!

Disadvantages: Getting off the boat 🙁

Port of departure: Port Canaveral, FL

Territory Visited: Bahamas

Cabin Category: Balcony
Cabin No: 6632
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Teens: Yes

This vacation was amazing! From the moment we were welcomed onboard to the final day of departure, we were treated to unparalleled service, beautiful onboard amenities and fun activities. We were traveling with two small children who were very well looked after. While this is a great vacation for families, it will also be an exciting and relaxing vacation for adults traveling without children. There are many areas on board for adults to enjoy a relaxed or more mature atmosphere. If you go on a Disney cruise, we highly recommend reserving a night at Palo — don’t miss the chocolate soufflé for dessert!

I just took back-to-back cruises on Disney’s Dream November 12-19 and couldn’t be happier with my cruise experience. Disney has made great, thoughtful changes to ensure guest safety. One of my favorites is the new app where you can find everything at your fingertips, including everything you used to find on Daily Navigator and more. Another refreshing change is no longer required to collect for safety practice. You simply go to your mister station to check in and then watch the security video from the comfort of your stateroom. The unloading process has also improved considerably. There is now a virtual queue that you log into using the app and receive a notification when it’s your turn to get off. It is also much better to disembark on the last day of the cruise. Guests are given a time to attend breakfast and are then invited to choose an area on board to wait comfortably until their group is notified to disembark. This is such an improvement over previous large group gatherings that waited for notification to land. As always, the food, entertainment and service were all top notch. The Christmas decorations were absolutely beautiful and included a life size gingerbread house in the atrium which smelled so delicious! There are many character appearances throughout the ship, including Christmas carolers, and even a visit from Santa himself. If you’re looking for something safe and magical, this is the vacation for you! Well done Disney!

Pros:

Many new changes to ensure guest safety.

CONS:

None, it was a great experience. We will definitely be back for more tours.

Pros: Amazing, almost overbearing, friendly and helpful service.

Cons: You pay for it.
Cabin Category: Balcony
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Teens: Yes

From the get go, we were treated like the number one guest on board. As was all! Beautiful ship that was constantly maintained and cleaned. The room (concierge V) was big enough for two adults and two twins. All four beds were comfortable. Plenty of storage. Veranda big enough for four chairs. Only complaint is that you have to climb on the sofa if it is open to get to the veranda. The table service restaurants, all three, had a menu with something for everyone. If you are very picky, the servers will accommodate you. The buffet has a large variety of food for all three meals. Even miso soup for breakfast! And if you’re in the mood during the day, there are several counter-service places dotted around. The ponds are small. You may be disappointed. But there are a ton of activities on board throughout the day. Aquaduck is fun, but the line can be long and the rides are short. Skip Nassau, my husband regretted ever setting foot there, and enjoyed the ship instead!

I recently traveled on The Disney Dream for Halloween during Halloween weekend. The ship is beautiful, the food was great. The staff was very accommodating. Beauty and the Beast was high quality entertainment. The problem with this boat is that the ship’s wheels (props) are definitely out of balance. I have never been on a ship with such violent shaking at high speed. The water wasn’t so bad. 2 of the 3 nights the winds weren’t too bad. There was no reason for this ship to be so shaky. I’ve been on the Disney Magic when the seas were so rough everyone was in their rooms after dinner. So I know it shouldn’t sound like it did.

Pros:

Beautiful ship, great crew, great shows.

CONS:

Definitely needs to be balanced on the drive shaft or wheels. Too rough and I’m not talking about the oceans.

Pros: Brand new, production excellent, service and shows Castaway Cay excellent.
Cons: Food ok, adult pool small and not separate, long lines for AquaDuck.
Cruise Date: April 7, 2011
Port of departure: Port Canaveral
Territory Visited: Bahamas
Cabin Category: Inside
Cabin No: 9045
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Teens: No.

This was our seventh Disney cruise, first without kids. We have traveled on Wonder before and always had great experiences. The Dream is a larger version with three different named dining rooms. Animator’s Palate has the same name but is very different from Wonder’s, and it’s very entertaining. We had an inside cabin and the much-advanced “virtual porthole” was certainly different, but not all it was cracked up to be. The buffet was average and always overcrowded, even with multiple portions. The main disappointment for us was the adult pool area. While very small, it was not isolated at all. Crowds of people seemed to be passing in front and behind them all the time. The production shows were probably the highlight of our trip. Very professionally choreographed and extremely entertaining. Never disembarked in Nassau. Castaway Cay’s mature beach, Serenity Bay, was spectacular and the BBQ lunch was great, featuring ribeye steaks. Clean for renting bikes and exploring the island. The crowds on the other beaches reminded us of the Jersey Shore. Wall to wall people. Speaking of crowds, lines for the tube slide, AquaDuck, were always at least 40 minutes long. Fun ride once you get on board. The service of the cabin steward and dining room staff was top notch. In conclusion, we enjoyed our Disney cruise, but will probably consider future cruises only when our family is together.

I traveled on the Disney Dream for Halloween on the High Seas in September. While the entertainment was good, I was very disappointed with the guest services and food.

I have a dairy allergy, but wasn’t concerned before the trip, as I notified DCL in advance and have never had any problems at Disney World. However, this was not the case at all. The only time I managed to get dessert was the first night (which was a small piece of carrot cake). The option for the other 3 nights was chocolate (which I don’t have). I had to choose from the already available dairy free, or I could order spaghetti with tomato sauce.

Then for our first day on Castaway Cay, I was told by my waiter that I would only need to pre-order dessert, and I could order whatever I wanted on the island. That wasn’t the case, and they didn’t even have the dessert I ordered beforehand. “There weren’t a lot of options for me,” he said. I had to get back on the boat.

Another thing I should mention, for lunch on board you can go to cabanas or quick service places. After ordering you have to wait for 30-40 minutes, during which you have to stay seated.

I would not recommend a Disney cruise to anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions.

I should also add that during my time on Castaway Cay I got snorkel gear, my first set leaked around the glass, when I went back and got another pair and used them they also leaked. After that I had to go back. The boat cost me $34 per person the next day so I could actually try snorkelling. When I tried to explain the situation, it was avoided.

Pros:

entertainment

CONS:

Food customer service

Even after the pandemic, wishes still come true, and we have Disney Cruise Line (DCL) to thank for delivering its unparalleled brand — and fleet — of magic, wonder, dreams and fantasy to cruisers around the world. gives.

It’s been a decade since Disney Fantasy was introduced in 2012, and the new Disney Wish is set to carry the torch in a familiar and unexpected way.

At 144,000 gross tons and 4,000 guest capacity, Wish is larger than the 130,000-gross-ton Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, despite carrying the same number of passengers.

disneywishcruise

The Grand Hall sets the tone for the enchanting ship.

As on other DCL ships, a triple-decker atrium welcomes guests first. But rather than adopting an Art Deco or Art Nouveau style aesthetic, the Grand Hall features a castle-like architecture to convey the ship’s overall theme of “magic.”

First review of the year and good earnings. I will say that Disney Cruise Line was very careful when it came to safety. To board this cruise, vaccinations had to be proven and a rapid test performed prior to boarding. Fortunately, there was no problem. Upon arrival at the port our bags were promptly picked up, we were immediately greeted by the concierge and one of the first people to board the cruise. Our names were announced with a warm welcoming ceremony featuring Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie. We were then taken to the Royal Palace dining room for a reception lunch. After that, I indulged my will. Be it revolving dining, signature dining, dining hall, cabanas, room service, BBQ on Castaway Key and a nap in the cabana afterwards, the experience was amazing and indescribable. The shows were Broadway quality, the entertainment for the adults was separate from the kids and the service was excellent without a hitch. Hopefully the pictures speak for themselves because it was amazing. By the way I’m not a Disney adult.

We have taken multiple cruises every year for the past 7 years and were very excited for the new ship when we were able to book on Wish this year. Unfortunately we were quickly disappointed with the service that was given. The ship is beautiful, however the service is a different story. Out of 3 nights on board we only got dinner 1 night, the other 2 nights were cut short because dinner took 2 hours and last night the server gave my daughter the wrong salad with nuts in it which we had not eaten . Ordered a salad with nuts and it was so dark inside we didn’t see them. Very disappointing for a brand new ship!

We did the Disney Dream Cruise for my son’s 5th birthday and it was absolutely amazing. The service was great. Noravan was our room attendant and he was very sweet. Helwicio and Christian were our servers for dinner and they were absolutely fantastic!

The beaches were amazing. I think October is the best month, there weren’t too many people and the weather in the Bahamas was perfect, not too hot and not too cold.

However, the food on board was not good. You get your usual cheeseburger, hot dog, chicken nuggets and french fries for lunch. But for dinner, the servers tried to make it great and memorable for our boys! But will I come back? Heck yes!

The only line my fiancé and I travel on.

You always hear that Disney is for kids, but Disney Cruise Line really knows how to cater to the child-free cruiser. Right now, there are two classes of ships, the Magic Class, and the Dream Class. Magic had a sister named Wonder, and Dream and her sister were Fantasy. The Dream and Fantasy are the largest of the four ships currently in the fleet (the Wish will be the largest when it launches in 2022).

Magic/Wonder are such lovely ships. They’re actually my favorite because of the smaller size (meaning less people, shorter lines, etc.). Small ships slip is a small adult outdoor pool/lounge area. However, I like theme bars better on smaller ships.

Fantasy/Dream has larger facilities than smaller vessels can have, such as a raft water slide aquaduct. You can ride it as an adult or as a double. They have a large outdoor water area for adults only. It has a small upper deck with loungers and a wave pool, plus an adult pool with bar and hot tub. While larger ships have more adult bars, some are much smaller, and at peak times you may not be able to get in the door.

The service on both ships has been compared.

Fantasy/Dream has additional shopping areas with major retailers such as Bvulgari and Tiffany & Co.

I traveled on the Disney Wish from 7/10-7/13/2022. It was a special sale for the sweepstakes winners and some of the Cruising YouTubers and media. I was one of the winners but am giving my honest review.

I was surprised how many adults seemed so fascinated by the Disney characters on board. Most of them were more excited than the kids!! I’m not a huge Disney fan but apparently a lot of adults are. So Disney does cute things like announce your family/group as you board so the whole deck can hear…saying something like “Welcome to the Smith family aboard the Disney Wish!” , to give a wish-stick. “Welcome to the Smith Family” is the welcome back message on your TV in your living room. I love this. It makes me feel special.

They have a fun water slide that I went on multiple times. The Aqua Mouse was another really fun water ride that goes to the outside good part of the 12th deck. There are two more water slides on their private island on Castaway Cay. Lots of fun all around.

We had a balcony cabin and it was very spacious. I liked that the toilet was a separate room from the shower. You can order a Mickey Ice Cream Bar for room service anytime or at any restaurant.

There are three themed restaurants, Marvel, 1923 and Arendelle. Arendelle puts on an amazing show while you eat. Overall, they definitely try with food. The vegetables are unique and very fresh. The seafood was all delicious and of a very high quality. For some reason, none of the steaks we tried were good. I love steak so this was disappointing.

I would say if you have kids, this is a worthwhile ship to go on, but the cruises are only 3,4 and maybe 5 nights. It’s too short for me but works for many people’s schedules. And if you just love Disney, I wouldn’t feel ridiculous taking this cruise without kids.

On the three-day preview of Disney Cruise Line’s new 4,000-passenger Disney Wish, I was hoping for nostalgic reminders of classic characters and princesses. My 35-year-old tech executive son wanted Star Wars experiences. And my 5-year-old grandson was looking forward to encounters with Marvel characters.

Despite our diverse Disney leanings, we found it all on the ship’s 15 decks, appealing to anyone who likes anything in the company’s portfolio.

“Storylines,” as the company calls them—promotional opportunities, for the rest of us—are around every corner, even in (very comfortable) staterooms. Apart from the fact that almost all of them have balconies and large bathrooms with tubs, each room is themed. I had a gold wall of a scene from The Princess and the Frog behind the bed. Others may have Cinderella or Frozen. Some categories include bunk beds, and my grandson George was more than happy to climb into the upper berth.

It’s all about seeing the future of Disney, all aboard its newest cruise ship

Minnie is the official “captain” of the Disney Wish, and walks around the ship in a proper nautical uniform. Photographer: David Roark

Wish is the first ship that Walt Disney Co. has built over 10 years — during which time the onboard experience has evolved from a grand floating hotel into an immersive, five-star product with an insanely nerdy appeal. “From a storytelling standpoint, you’re seeing us lean even more into our franchises. You’re seeing more contemporary franchises come to life on board,” says Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s parks division, in Port Canaveral. Aboard ship, near Orlando

Bloomberg was hosted as part of a non-revenue preview cruise for invited guests. First paying guests board on July 14th.

It’s all about seeing the future of Disney, all aboard its newest cruise ship

Joyful Sweets, a dessert shop inspired by Pixar’s Inside Out. Photographer: Amy Smith

Leaning on Marvel (acquired in 2009) and Star Wars in particular (acquired in 2012), D’Amaro expects to attract a new crowd of cruising fans to consistently fill the ship to capacity. will attract Undisclosed sister ships are due in 2024 and 2025. As the fifth ship in the fleet, Disney Wish is the first to run on LNG (liquefied natural gas), which produces 20 percent less carbon emissions than conventional fuels.

Twins rained out, doubleheader Wednesday; Rizzo to IL

Thomas and Friends introduced the autistic character Bruno the Breaker

Former Chief Assistant Burt Reed will enter the application in the crash.

“It’s a clear investment,” D’Amaro says of how much the company is spending to build the ships. But at current shipbuilding rates, where it is often more economical to cut a ship in half and add a new part than to build a new one from scratch, the number is surely in the billions. Past profits will justify the nine-figure costs, though, as Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek cited a “double-digit” return on investment for the first ships.

Premium fares help increase profits. Prices for a three-night cruise to Nassau and Disney’s private Bahamas island, Castaway Key, in September start at about $3,900 for a cabin with a veranda for a family of four.

A Disney theme park at sea

It’s all about seeing the future of Disney, all aboard its newest cruise ship

The Grand Hall is like Cinderella’s castle, reborn for the high seas. Photographer: Amy Smith

Wish is built and operated more like a theme park than any previous Disney ship. The first place you see when you board is a three-deck grand hall, a scene from Cinderella’s castle filled with “magic” (read: tons of glowing fiber optics) and “real-life” princes. And full of princesses.

The various onboard experiences are courtesy of Disney’s Imagineers, who design the theme park’s most famous rides.

Take Uncharted Adventure, a multi-day interactive game that turns your smartphone into a “spy glass” that helps you join characters like Nemo and Tiana as they search for a missing wishing star. Gameplay unfolds over one of four distinct storylines and features 16 different choose-your-own-adventure-style settings. To participate, you set up your avatar and follow clues to points of interest around the ship. Exploring them reveals a multidimensional treasure trove of digital games, secret (physical) spaces, and augmented reality animations. The app logs your play history so that nothing is repeated. It’s stepping into the Disney Metaverse.

Imagineers have also created what the company is calling “the first Disney attraction at sea.” The Top Deck Aqua Mouse is a 760-foot, 2 ½-minute flume ride with more than 60 squirting devices, as well as twists and dramatic drops. It has animated visuals with Mickey and Minnie in the lead.

Disney Wish vs. Disney Cruise Line’s Other Ships

From there, the layout of the ship changed considerably from previous Disney ships. As clients discover, they will discover a stunningly beautiful ship that is more colorful and more sophisticated. Overall, massive gaps remain, as do predictable characters and sprinklings of consistent storytelling. However, Vish includes more intimate public spaces, which interrupt the ship with greater frequency.

Private staterooms continue to feature guest-favorite split bathrooms (shower and sink in one compartment, and toilet and sink in the other), and suites have become more luxurious. For the first time, there is now a 1,966-square-foot Concierge Wish Tower Suite (up to eight users) in the forward (false) ship’s smokestack.

RELATED: With new ships and onboard attractions, family cruises are better than ever in 2022

Of the total 1,254 cabins, there are 53 concierge staterooms and 23 concierge suites. With an expanded Concierge Lounge (a forward observation area above the navigation bridge) and Concierge Private Sun Deck and Pool, the exclusive suite of offerings is more of a ship-within-a-ship concept than ever before on a Disney ship. . .

For those not sleeping in the top category, there is still plenty to do. Like the ship’s watering holes, six pools dot the rooftop sun deck to eliminate the central crowd.

Onboard Adventures

The final two ships feature the new AquaMouse on the AquaDuck water coaster, which is considered Disney’s first full-scale attraction at sea. The narrative concept of having adventures with Mickey and Minnie atop a similar aqua blaster slide is cute, but half the show is basically an elevator climbing ramps with video screens and water sprays, in which one So only the back part remains. The real thrills are Slide-a-saurus Rex, Trixie’s Falls and the Toy Story Splash Zone’s kiddie pool area, as well as a tamer alternative.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club children’s facility has been moved below to deck two – accessible via a spiraling slide from the atrium. It features a fully-colored “It’s a Small World” Nursery, the stunning Fairy Tail Hall, the delightful Star Wars: Cargo Bay, the mighty Marvel Superhero Academy, as well as the new Walt Disney Imagining Lab.

disneywishcruisereview

Fairy Tail Hall is one of the children’s clubs.

Disney Cruise Line

The latter is a replacement for the former Disney’s Oceaneer Lab and offers fun, interactive activities inspired by the highly-design group responsible for developing Disney’s parks, resorts and ships around the world. (Individual spaces can be cleverly subdivided, should they ever be open to older children or adults.)

What’s in Store for Tweens and Teens

Again, tweens and teenagers get their niches with the bright edge and urban environment, respectively. But young adults no longer have access to the nested bow, which is instead reserved for the new exterior of the stunning Senses Spa Rainforest Room (Thermal Suite).

Ideal for kids and adults alike, the sports court is transformed into a two-level indoor hero zone, used for everything from basketball to a giant inflatable obstacle course themed from “The Incredibles” movies. can be done

So pretty and relaxing.

CONS:

Weather can make or break your trip.

Pros:

The ship is beautiful. Food all 5 stars (I would argue for 6). Service and entertainment excellent. We are DCL fans for life.

CONS:

No one. The dream is a cruise dream come true.

Disney Cruise Line ships – Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish (departing in June 2022) – for their kid-friendly atmosphere, sensational amenities and well-appointed staterooms. Received accolades from families and critics. The theme of a Disney cruise is so understated that sentimental adults looking to reconnect with their childhood fantasies will enjoy sailing just as much as kids. In fact, each ship boasts separate adults-only pools, restaurants and lounges (though still not as many as other cruise lines). Although Disney ships vary in size, each ship carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Disney Cruise Line itineraries depart from various ports – including Miami and Galveston, Texas – for sailings in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. Voyages last between two and 13 nights, with cruise lengths varying depending on the itinerary and destination. Shore excursions, known as Port Adventures, also vary depending on the itinerary and include everything from monkey encounters in Barbados to submarine expeditions in Cozumel, Mexico. Guests can also visit Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.

Back on board, you’ll find plenty of family-oriented amenities, including a themed pool, youth club and spa. You’ll also have the opportunity to dine in the cruise line’s Disney-themed main dining rooms and enjoy a variety of Disney-inspired entertainment, such as live shows, movies and character meet-and-greets.

Keep in mind, some excursions, dining options, onboard amenities and activities may not be available during the pandemic. Visit the CDC website for up-to-date COVID-19 travel guidance.

Good and evil

Meals, non-alcoholic beverages and onboard entertainment are covered in the cruise fare.
Florida residents are eligible to receive special cruise rates.
Spacious cabi
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of the cruise.
Additional fees are charged for shore excursions.
Fewer adults-only activities and amenities than other cruise lines

On the board

Disney cruises are designed for multi-generational families – especially those with young children. However, the cruise line also offers adult-only entertainment, specialty restaurants, tranquil pools and nightclubs on all of its ships. These less-crowded onboard facilities, along with the ships’ oversized staterooms, cater to singles, couples and honeymooners. Keep in mind that you are most likely to…

See details about the onboard experience »

at the beach

When docked in port, you can explore on your own or with Disney’s Port Adventures. These shore excursions are operated by independent contractors and vary by port, type of excursion, age range and activity level (light to moderate). Minimum age requirements vary by activity. When booking, check in online or with a Disney Cruise Line customer service representative…

See details about the Beach Experience »

Before booking

Note: To view Disney’s updated deposit, cancellation and rebooking policies due to COVID-19, visit its website.

A deposit is due at the time of booking. The full payment deadline for your cruise depends on your cruise length, stateroom category and ports of departure and arrival.

Cancellation fees vary depending on your cruise duration and accommodation type. For more information about the cancellation policy, visit the Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions page.

Disney offers a vacation protection plan that covers trip cancellations/interruptions, emergency medical services, baggage loss or delays and emergency medical transportation. The insurance plan also includes another benefit: If you cancel your cruise for any reason not listed above, you get a cruise credit of up to 75% of the cancellation fee to apply to a future Disney trip. Booking

We used the Cruise Compete website to start our cruise search, as it was an easy way to quickly compare multiple quotes with one application. It’s not all about price with cruises — it’s also about stateroom credits and other perks that can cost hundreds of dollars. Our decisions quickly came down to booking through Costco Travel or Small World Vacations. While we would have gotten a big total credit (in the form of a Costco gift card) through Costco, I went with Small World Vacations this time, purely based on recommendations from friends.

As first-time cruisers who are a touch claustrophobic, we booked connecting staterooms with balconies rather than cramming all into one room. Booking two rooms increased the price over sharing a stateroom, but only by 50%, which was worth it to us.

We made our booking directly with Small World Vacations, and the charge was coded as direct travel from Disney Cruise Line, so we could earn 3 points per dollar on the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Citi Premier® card. While I had no issues with how we booked the cruise or the service we received en route, our stateroom credits were less than I expected – only $50 per room, even though our final bill for both rooms The total was over $4,000. Minus tax, each room was $50 to $100 per room less than the $2,000 threshold. It was a lesson that fees do not count and the total bill for two rooms is not considered as a total for credit purposes.

In addition to the cost of the cruise, gratuities were $40.50 per person on our three-night cruise. You can pay them in advance and charge them to your account while on board.

To use points on a Disney cruise to keep some cash in your wallet, the easiest way is to pay with a card that uses fixed-value points that you can use for travel. . This includes the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (currently with a bonus of 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, valued at $600 in travel). Here are some additional tours to use points for when booking a cruise.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Booking Cruises

If you have a Disney Visa, it can save you discounts on spa treatments, castaway packages and photo packages on Disney Cruise Line. You can also get a promotional 0% APR for six months on Disney cruises charged to the card if you need a little breathing room to pay off the magic.

Contact Mouse Counselors, TPG’s Disney booking partner, for no-cost assistance in planning and booking your next Disney vacation.

Check in

Our first cruise adventure began in Port Canaveral, Florida, less than an hour from Orlando International Airport (MCO). To make things easier and reduce the stress of missing a cruise due to flight delays, we flew out the night before and spent the night at Terminal Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport using the annual Category 1-4 award from World. spent . credit card. The next morning, we picked up a car from Silvercar (with a car seat!) and had an easy drive to the port.

There are several ways to get from MCO to Port Canaveral, including a bus operated by Disney Cruise Line ($78 per person, round trip), but four people and more plan once the ship docks back in Florida. With, a carport rental with parking was our best option. A parking garage at the port was $68 for the length of the three-night cruise, or $88 in the nearest lot. There are cheaper off-site parking options, or you can book a family car service for less than the bus option.

When we got to the port, there were plenty of people available to help us with our bags (which had tags sent in advance by Disney Cruise Line). You should pack a day bag with the essentials for the afternoon, as your bulky bags show up in your stateroom a few hours after disembarking at port.

We had a port arrival time of 1:15pm when we completed our online paperwork, but when we arrived around 1pm, boarding seemed pretty open.

Boarding for this cruise runs from 11am to 3:45pm, with the earliest slots going to Disney elite cruisers and concierge guests, as most want as many minutes on board as possible. To board, we cleared security like an airport, had our documents checked by Disney, got the key to the World Card used throughout the cruise and then finally boarded the ship.

We even managed to get a picture with Mickey just before boarding, even though the characters seemed to come and go in the boarding terminal.

Once we got through the formal check-in process at Port Canaveral, the rest was easy. (To be honest, it was all too easy.) We were greeted by name when we boarded the ship and cheered as we went on our vacation. It was quite a welcome that every family gets!

There was nothing more to do once on board, so we h

For most sailings, Disney Cruise Line requires guests to be at least 6 months old, although some itineraries require guests to be 1 year or older. Pregnant women who will be traveling up to 24 weeks from their date of travel or during the cruise may not travel due to safety concerns.

Before the board

Visas and vaccinations may be required for travel to selected ports of call. For current visa and vaccine regulations for each country, see the US Department of State, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and World Health Organization websites. Disney may require passengers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the cruise line’s website.

Along with a passport or other proof of citizenship, you must bring a signed online check-in port of arrival form.

Online check-in is available; However, Disney Cruise Line requires that you submit passport information at least 75 days prior to the start of your trip.

Cruise terminals typically open at 11 a.m. Passengers will be checked in during their scheduled port arrival time, which can be selected online in advance. Cruisers who arrive after the guest onboard time listed on their cruise confirmation may not be allowed to board the ship.

75 days prior to your departure date (if you are a first-time passenger) to 120 days prior (if you are a Platinum Castaway Club member or a Concierge Stateroom or Concierge Suite guest). Meal reservations are also available on board on a first-come, first-served basis.

Right on point

Our first Disney cruise lived up to our expectations – for the most part. Pros: High-quality food, fun shows and lots of Disney magic to keep the little ones busy. Disadvantages: Crowds everywhere you turn, small pools and amazing stress on the private island.

Update: Some of the offers mentioned below are no longer available. Check out current offers here.

It’s safe to say that my family has become a Disney family. We go to Disney World at least every year (okay, maybe a few times a year), and have been to Disneyland and Disney’s Aulani in Hawaii. Yet we never went on a cruise.

You can guess where this is going.

After 38 years of setting foot on the ground (or in the sky), we booked our first family cruise for this year’s spring break. Given our Disney-themed travel patterns and the cruise line’s solid reputation, it’s probably a bit of a shock that our first cruise was booked on the Disney Dream. One of four on the Disney Cruise Line, she first sailed in 2011, has 1,250 staterooms and can accommodate 4,000 guests and about 1,500 crew members. In other words, it’s big.

While it took a while for our family to step into the world of cruising, once we committed to this trip, I was really excited for this new adventure—as it was our most anticipated trip of the year. With such high expectations, will our cruise go smoothly or will we end up rushing to the airport at our first port of call?

The room

Being the slightly nervous cruisers that we are, our family of four booked the Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms with Verandas on Deck 8. Each room was about 246 square feet, including the veranda.

Each had a queen bed, a sleeper sofa and a pull-down berth. I wasn’t sure the four of us would fit perfectly with this arrangement night after night, so we doubled the numbers with connecting and identical rooms. I’m so glad we made that choice, because space was tight for someone who wasn’t used to cruises when our real stuff was everywhere.

While space was predictably tight, the queen bed was extremely comfortable, with a Eurotop mattress and 300 thread count sheets. There was also a USB port on the nightstand, which helped keep devices charged.

While the sofa bed and pull-down bed weren’t as comfortable as a real bed, my brief tests of these sleeping areas were just fine, especially for the kids. (Ask the room host for character sheets for pull-down beds, if the kids want them!) One thing that really helped with the space was that the staff removed the sofa beds and bunk beds during the day. gave and brought them back to life. . at night.

Besides the beds, the room had a mini-fridge, wardrobe, desk and a small TV with Disney movies on demand.

Next to the door were two separate, small rooms, one with a toilet and sink and the other with a small tub shower and another sink.

The areas were narrow though, and anyone over 6 feet would have to scramble a bit to get a shower in this room. At least the spa and gym had full size showers.

Gym/spa showers.

The verandah rooms were a nice addition, but we didn’t really need two, as we never used more than one at a time.

Since our cruising fee included room service, it was a great place to enjoy a coffee as the ship pulled into port. Ports of call.

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida

All set for safety drill.

After the important safety formalities, we left Florida around 5pm and toasted our first cruise while the kids were already deep in the fun of the kids club.

Ships off Florida.

The best views for an off-board party were from the very front of the ship, and we enjoyed them with the pre-made frozen cocktails that were being sold around the deck.

Day 2: Nassau, Bahamas

On the morning of our first full day on the boat, we entered Nassau in the Bahamas. The Bahamian water was breathtakingly beautiful when we came ashore – which we fully expected, having been to Nassau a few times before.

View of Nassau from our stateroom

View of Nassau from our stateroom.

After being there first, we skipped the ship to the famous Atlantis Water Park (here’s the cheapest way to do it even if you haven’t been). Since our cruise was short, we wanted to spend the whole day taking advantage of the amenities on board while some people were hopefully on land.

Day 3: Castaway Cay, Bahamas

A hallmark of many Disney cruises is a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (pronounced “key”). Castaway Cay is in the Bahamas about 70 miles north of Nassau. Our ship docked at Castaway Cay shortly after sunrise, and streams of passengers began migrating ashore from the ship shortly thereafter. Note that Disney is reportedly acquiring a second private island in the Bahamas, which will be essential as its fleet grows.

View of Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

As soon as we landed on Castaway Cay, we could buy a cooler of water and ice. Now we wish we hadn’t missed the free bug spray station — we got some very itchy bites on the island.

Interestingly, although fountain sodas were free on the cruise, water can be scarce, so we bought a bag. Even though you didn’t have to spend a dime to play in the water on the island, relax on a beach chair or have lunch at Cookies or Cookies Two, we had already booked a package (at a great price ) that included snorkels, bikes and floats ($46 for an adult package, $34 for children). We booked two of these packages and then added an extra hour of bike rental ($13) when we arrived.

Deaner1313

10+ tours • Age 50s

It had been almost 9 years since we traveled on Disney and our first cruise in 2 years (since covid). We had an amazing time. We were worried about how it would go but in typical Disney fashion it exceeded our expectations. We reached the harbor at 11 o’clock. After dropping off our luggage, we were taken for covid testing. The entire staff roll of Covid testing modeled Disney… Read more

Sale Date: March 2022

Cabin Type: Deluxe Family Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda

Traveled with children.

A great cruise in general, but suffering from covid and logistics.

Disney Dream to Bahamas Review

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Flyboy Cruiser

10+ tours • Age 40s

This was my second Disney cruise, the first being on the Wonder in 2009. I had high hopes and expected many things after watching YouTube videos of recent flights in February 2022. . . Face masks were only required in the terminal during boarding and at the Walt Disney Theater. Unfortunately, this selling … read more

Sale Date: March 2022

Cabin Type: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda

Traveled with children.

Really family/guest focused Disney Dream to Bahamas Review

Mallory Travels

2-5 tours • Age 20s

It was a truly magical experience on the Disney Dream with my family of four (with a 3 year old and an 8 month old!) Every single staff member was absolutely phenomenal! Our cabin was very spacious and well maintained. One thing I particularly enjoyed is that this cruise line focuses on guests and families. Every night at dinner, multiple servers would wait on our table and play/entertain us… read more

Sale date: February 2022

Cabin Type: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda

Traveled with children.

Great cruise but limited entertainment Disney Dream to Bahamas Review

Peanuts 143

10+ tours • Age 60s

We are Gold status cruisers with Disney and have been on all 4 ships. Pre-cruise vaccination and online registration requirements were simple. Upon arrival at the port, we were assisted with a pre-boarding covid test. We were then instructed to wait in our car in the parking garage until the test results came back, which was about 45 minutes. We had to monitor our email for results to be sent… read more

Cabin Type: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda (Oversized Veranda)

Overall very good apart from the food experience

Disney Dream to Bahamas Review

This was our first Disney Cruise experience. Overall very good and we enjoyed our stateroom and room services very much. The room is larger than other cruise lines and well designed. The only concern was the dining experience and the quality of the food. We had previously traveled with Royal Caribbean and I would say that the quality of food and service was definitely not better (or worse) than Royal Caribbean even though the price .

Cabin Type: Deluxe Family Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda

Traveled with children.

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Fans of Star Wars and Marvel, Disney princesses, Pixar movies, and Mickey and Minnie won’t be disappointed if they choose to sail aboard the 4,000-passenger Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s first new cruise ship in 10 years. Many famous characters appear on board.

Those who love the Disney theme parks will likely be impressed as well. While the other four ships in Disney’s fleet—Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy—were envisioned as grand floating hotels, the Disney Wish is pure amusement park, the first Disney ride at sea. Completed with Just as the parks transport guests to the Disney universe, passengers on the upscale Disney Wish will feel immersed in a land of fairy tales, superheroes, Jedis and classic cartoon characters. From Rapunzel’s 60 footballs decorating the back end of the ship, to an animated Mickey and Minnie themed raft ride on an upper deck, the ship features Disney touches and encounters at every turn.

Traveling with my 35-year-old son and 5-year-old grandson on a three-night preview cruise last month ahead of the ship’s official debut on July 14, we all found attractions that were “wow” moments. Here are some of our favorite onboard experiences (and some potential pitfalls).

Disney Wish Grand Hall

The three-level Grand Hall sets the stage for an onboard experience filled with the magic of Disney. Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

The Grand Hall

The first thing passengers see when they walk aboard is the extraordinary three-deck atrium that sets the stage for the Disney Wish experience. Inspired by Cinderella’s castle at the Disney parks, the Grand Hall makes guests feel like they’ve stepped into a luxurious floating theme park—and in a way, they have. You can feel the excitement building as the children’s faces (and some grown-up faces, too) light up as they look up at the giant chandeliers, grand staircase, and Cinderella statue—and especially if they’re Cinderella, Belle. And watch other Disney characters wave at them. . , which occurs regularly throughout the cruise. Fiber optics allows for what Disney calls “magical moments,” including appearances by a Tinkerbell, accompanied by flashing lights and jingling bells to indicate his presence.

Disney Wish Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge

Adults can head to this Star Wars-themed bar for an intergalactic drinking experience. Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

“Star Wars”: Hyperspace Lounge

Personally, I got the biggest kick out of this little bar and lounge on the Disney Wish. While it’s no Mos Eisley Cantina, entering through a door that opens impressively is like boarding a “spaceship,” complete with a new-age bar where a cognac cocktail topped with tobacco Burned for smoking will set you back $20. High-definition screens hang above the bar, showing galaxies far, far away and the ever-recurring space moves—you’re not actually moving but can feel like you are, and each The crowd cheers with a hyperspace “leap.” Children can visit the lounge during the day (to experience space views); It’s for adults – only at night.

In case you’re wondering about the $5,000 drink on the menu here that’s gotten a lot of attention on social media: It’s actually several drinks and other perks, including one reportedly at Skywalker Ranch, Lucasfilm’s Calif. Also included is an invitation to a sound design facility.

Disney Wish Star Wars Cargo Bay

Kids can pretend they’re on the set of a Star Wars movie in the Kids’ Club Cargo Bay Room. Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Kids’ club with immersive “Star Wars,” “Marvel” and “Frozen” experiences

If you have little ones who are Star Wars fans, they’ll be thrilled to know that there’s an entire Star Wars room at the free Oceaneer Club, a drop-off program for kids ages 3-12. . On the Disney Wish, the club has prime real estate just below the Grand Hall and is accessible via a cool one-deck tube slide for kids (there’s also a ladder). The Star Wars room is a hit with the kids, including my grandson who hasn’t even seen the movies yet. The idea is that the children are in a spaceship cargo bay tending to seven tentacle “Dianuga” (trash monster) creatures in a jar and a “Porg” bird in a cage. Other club highlights include a Marvel-themed space and superhero academy, and an area focused on Disney royalty like Anna and Elsa from Frozen, with activities to match.

Adults can visit during open house hours to see what all the fuss is about. Disney Cruise Line requires families to register in advance for its onboard kids’ clubs, but you can also register once aboard. Across the Disney fleet, kids’ clubs are open from 9 a.m. to midnight, with tweens and teens having their own clubs. There is also a nursery with childcare (for a fee) for children aged 6 months to 3 years, which needs to be booked in advance.

“Frozen” themed dining

All Disney ships have a rotating dining system where you eat at a different themed restaurant each night. On DisneyWish, one of the most impressive is the fictional Arendelle .

Kick Us: What ship were you on? How big was it, and what was the vibe?

Disney Magic; We were on a five-night New Year’s Eve cruise to the Caribbean, calling in and out of Miami. I loved the itinerary: first day at sea, then a day in Grand Cayman, second day at sea, and New Year’s Day on Disney’s private island of Castaway Key. The ship is quite large, with a lot to do, and still not what I would consider a mega ship at all. Perfect for a mid-winter visit to sunny waters.

It looks great. Tell us more about the travelogue: Where did you go, what did you see?

The itinerary, as mentioned, was exemplary. I love alternating a day at sea with a port, and for the time of year and the destinations, we had great weather and were places you want to be at the end of the year. Our port days were good, although like all cruises, don’t forget you need to be back on board by 4pm. Be prepared to board and disembark early if you want to take advantage of the ports. (In this case, Castaway Cay had an easy day, because the ship docks alongside its island and you walk; in other ports, you have to tender, which takes time both ways.)

How about a great beach walk? Did you do the cruise line’s official tours, or did you DIY it?

What we did: In Grand Cayman, we spent the first half of the day (9am-1am) visiting the White House, lounging on the beach, getting some sun and sand, and before making our way. Enjoyed a leisurely lunch. behind. . It was fine, but I would say there was a lot of transportation involved for such a short amount of time. It took about 30 minutes or so to disembark the tender, then we waited in groups for another 30 minutes before transferring to the shuttle, and another 20 minutes to get to the destination (which is actually at Seven Mile Beach). (Not as advertised). By the time we got to the White House and settled in, we had about two hours left on the beach, plus lunch, before it was all over again to pack up and head back to the ship. I wish we had done something more immediate. That said, it was well organized and well executed, and in that sense didn’t feel like a waste of time or money.

What did you pack that you didn’t need? What should you have packed? Were there formal nights?

A big plus for Disney is that formal-formal isn’t all they do—they’re catering to families traveling with young children, and so the dress codes are more smart-casual/resort wear. There are A few exceptions: Palo, an adults-only restaurant, warrants a nice dress/slacks and shirt. Definitely book a meal or two there – it’s exceptional! Also, since we were on board on New Year’s Eve, quite a few guests had prepared for that night as well. A lot of people didn’t, though, and that was okay. You’re more likely to see people dressed up for theme nights, such as Pirate Night, than formal wear. Palo was the only place I felt happy to be in a dress.

got it. Now, tell us a little bit about the food—we want all the details.

The food is fantastic. Which is great, because I’m not a big fan of a la carte or rotating dining on cruise ships these days, but that’s exactly what you get on the Magic. Standouts include Palo, which is adults-only, requires reservations, and comes at an extra cost (well worth it). Exceptional Italian food and wine, and amazing service (don’t miss the gnocchi, osso bucco, or chocolate souffle). We marveled at the entire meal. We also love Rapunzel’s Royal Table, which is part of the rotating dining offering. Fine dining room — fashioned after a beer hall — with an entertainment program and what a menu! Didn’t expect high-end charcuterie or veal loin and filet, but we were glad we had it. I also loved the grab-and-go options: Daisy’s Delights, on the pool deck, had fresh fruit and sandwiches. Our whole family loved the pizza from Pinocchio’s, also by the pool. Finally, I’m not much of a buffet person but breakfast at Cabanas is such a joy — I had eggs benedict every day.

Were there any crazy amenities, and were they fun and interesting, or too much effort?

There are two large waterslides by the pools on the upper deck and they are both awesome. Part of the Aqua Dunk is cantilevered over the ocean (!) and plunges completely into a pool. I was very happy to see as many adults water slides as children. The spa is high-end, adults-only, and well worth the indulgence, though appointments are best made in advance — at least three days before your trip, ideally more. And many cruise lines have theaters these days, but the Buena Vista Movie Theater felt plush and old-school, and the theaters were playing movies at the time. The children were screaming. Finally, kids’ clubs deserve a nod. I didn’t want to leave the Oceaneer’s Club or the Lab because I was having so much fun. They are beautifully designed and the programming is top notch. Better than most schools. The children in our group (ages 4 and 7) .

The Disney entertainment empire knows how to treat people right, and Disney Cruises certainly lives up to the high expectations of decades of theme parks and media entertainment.

Yes, I had fun on Disney Cruise Line.

For families with young children, no other cruise line can touch Disney, which has custom-designed its ships, its onboard experience and even its shoreside programs for this exact demographic. To fulfill

In true Disney fashion, everything is arranged to create a certain sense of fantasy and wonder. Where Disney’s parks are centered around fairy-tale castles, Disney cruises are centered around its ships — Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy — inspired by the fairy tales of the first ocean liners of the 20th century. The world was designed to rise, with its sharp bows. . , art deco and art nouveau interiors, and even multiple funnels, although one of them is fake on every Disney ship — but they sure make for a cool place to hide youth clubs.

Disney Cruise Line for Kids

At the heart of the Disney Cruise experience are children’s and teen programs, unparalleled in the cruise business. Staffed by dozens of Disney-trained counselors, these programs cater to children ages 3 months to 17 years, with supervised activities available from 9 a.m. to midnight.

On board each ship, nearly half of the deck is dedicated to children’s play and learning, including a nursery for babies and toddlers and the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab for children ages 3 to 12, where kids can play with princesses and pirates. can participate in the theme of Activities Activities, listening to shows or storytelling sessions, At the heart of the Disney Cruise experience are children’s and teen programs, unparalleled in the cruise business. Staffed by dozens of Disney-trained counselors, these programs cater to children ages 3 months to 17 years, with supervised activities available from 9 a.m. to midnight.

On each ship, nearly half of the deck is dedicated to children’s play and learning, with a nursery for babies and toddlers and the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab for kids ages 3 to 12, where kids can dress up as princesses and pirates. can play with Activities can include listening to shows or storytelling sessions, watching movies, working on art and animation, doing fun science experiments, and just generally playing, in a theme of activities.

See also the four Wow! Six ships factor into the family-friendly cruise offering.

The dining experience on Disney ships is unlike any other line, in that guests automatically rotate through several different restaurants, bringing their own waiter with them. One night, guests are dining in the ship’s elegant main restaurant. Next time, they’ll be at a different, more whimsical restaurant with a tropical or magical garden theme. And the next night, they dine at Animator’s Palette, a kid-oriented restaurant themed around the movie Animator’s Studio. There’s also a romantic yet casual, adults-only restaurant called Palo, which serves Italian specialties. And, aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, is Remy, an upscale restaurant with French-inspired cuisine that exudes a chic, Parisian feel.

watching movies, working on art and animation, doing fun science experiments, and just generally playing.

See also the four Wow! Six ships factor in offering family-friendly cruises

Disney Cruise Line for Families

Outside of the kids’ areas, activities aboard Disney ships are mostly family-oriented. During the day, there are basketball games, trivia contests, drawing classes, backstage theater tours, Disney movie screenings, and more, as well as some adult-oriented activities like wine tasting and cooking classes. As you’d expect, Disney is one of the ocean’s best lines for family entertainment, staging a wide variety of shows that draw on beloved Disney characters and stories. There are movie screenings, meet-and-greets with Disney characters, and special deck parties like “Pirates IN the Caribbean,” in which Captain Hook and his crew swing from a funnel and lead the crowd in a round of dancing. Before they are rescued by Captain Mickey. The evening ends with fireworks from the ship – something no other cruise line does.

Dining on Disney Cruise Line

The dining experience on Disney ships is unlike any other line, in that guests automatically rotate through several different restaurants, bringing their own waiter with them. One night, guests dine in the ship’s elegant main restaurant. Next time, they’re at a different, more whimsical restaurant with a tropical or magical garden theme. And the next night, they dine at Animator’s Palette, a kid-oriented restaurant themed around the movie Animator’s Studio. There’s also a romantic yet casual, adults-only restaurant called Palo, which serves Italian specialties. And, aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, there’s Remy, an upscale eatery that goes for a chic, Parisian feel with French-inspired cuisine

Disney Cruise Line for Adults

At night, moms and dads can check their kids in at childcare centers and nurseries until midnight, and enjoy a break in the ships’ adults-only zones, which include dance, piano, and music. Offers music, jazz, comedy and other diversions. Lounges range from sports bars to chic cocktail clubs.

Disney Cruise Line Staterooms

When it’s time to hit the hay for everyone, Disney’s staterooms cater to families like no other in the world of cruises. Standard cabins have extra room, sleeping at least three or four via fold-out couches and bunks that drop down from the roof. The majority of staterooms come with two bathrooms – one with just a toilet and sink, the other with a bathtub and sink. There’s also a small fridge, lots of storage space, and subtle Disney themes worked into the decor nicely. If you need them, Disney will even provide cribs, playpens, strollers, bottle sterilizers and diapers. They really think about everything.

Disney Cruise Line Itineraries

Disney Cruise Line operates primarily Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries and to Europe and Alaska during the summer.

These people will love Disney Cruise Line.

Families with kids: It almost goes without saying with the name Disney, but a Disney cruise vacation clearly offers plenty of excitement and fun for kids.

For adults, too: Disney cruises aren’t just for kids, and there are sections of the ships, as well as activities, that are “adults only.”

Whatever he wants

The Disney entertainment empire knows how to treat people right, and Disney cruises certainly live up to the high expectations of decades of theme parks and media entertainment.

At Castaway Cay

Yes, I had fun on Disney Cruise Line.

For families with young children, no other cruise line can touch Disney, which has custom-designed its ships, its onboard experience and even its shore programs for this exact demographic. . to fulfil

In true Disney fashion, everything is arranged to create a certain sense of fantasy and wonder. Where Disney’s parks are centered around fairy-tale castles, Disney cruises are centered around its ships — Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy — inspired by the fairy tales of the first ocean liners of the 20th century. Inspired by stories. The world was designed to rise, with its sharp bows. . , art deco and art nouveau interiors, and even multiple funnels, although one of them is fake on every Disney ship — but they sure make for a cool place to hide youth clubs.

Disney Cruise Line operates itineraries primarily to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and to Europe and Alaska during the summer.

These people will love Disney Cruise Line.

Families with kids: It almost goes without saying with the name Disney, but a Disney cruise vacation clearly offers plenty of excitement and fun for kids.

Adults, too: Disney cruises aren’t just for kids, and there are sections of the ship, as well as activities, that are “adults only.”

Disney Cruise Line for Adults

At night, moms and dads can check their kids in at childcare centers and nurseries until midnight, and enjoy a break in the ship’s adults-only zone, which includes dancing, piano And includes music. Offers music, jazz, comedy and other diversions. Lounges range from sports bars to chic cocktail clubs.

How my son loved it.

My son kept saying, “This is the best vacation of my life!” Now, the baby is traveling all over France, Italy, England, Ireland, the Caribbean and the US – the best vacation of his life. Great! What exactly is it that makes it so winning? Could it be that everything is focused on children? Or, the fact that it was just him and me (his other 3 siblings were at home)? The novelty of the cruise? Definitely the food. Non-stop access to water slides and fun activities of course. My son isn’t that into Disney characters either, but he was impressed by the intricate design of the ship.

Quality of entertainment

Broadway on the High Seas, what can you say – it’s Disney! They revolutionized family entertainment and you get a big dose of it on board. With first-run movies and Broadway-quality musicals, Disney really rocks the entertainment factor. I’ve been wondering what the “ideal age” is for Disney and although it’s suitable for all ages for different reasons, I think the best time for kids to experience the magic of Disney entertainment is between 3 and 6 years old. is of age. That way, they can really get it. In all the characters and can even believe that they are real.

Exceptional service

From the moment they announce your arrival on board, the crew makes you feel like their only customer. We were escorted to our destination and greeted promptly by our wonderful wait staff. The wait staff stays constant for dinner, giving them a chance to get to know you. They remember your favorite drinks, what your child likes to eat, and are happy to cater to your every need.

My son has many allergies and this is where we saw that Disney went above and beyond to make sure he had safe and delicious food wherever he was. Even the room stewards were wonderful, bringing ice and folding towels in creative ways. I constantly felt that the staff was one step ahead of us. If you have forgetful children, don’t worry, Lost and Found is very organized. My son lost his only pair of shoes, but guest relations just looked at their computerized list and retrieved them right away. These little things really add up to great service!

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Disney Dream Teen Center

Aquatic

I have to say, this is the feature I was most excited about. How cool is it to have a water roller coaster on board? And believe me, it lives up to its hype. We had a lot of fun riding this slide and loved the warm water given the cool weather conditions.

Affected Children’s Club

Who knows kids better than Disney? So, you expect a lot. Even with that, I was blown away by the impressive design of the children’s spaces. The baby center is pretty straight forward and extremely primitive, but the Oceanaires (3-10), tween (11-13) and tween (14-17) centers are amazing. Oceaneer’s Club features cooking, science, an interactive gaming floor, group gaming computers led by counselors, DJ centers (my son’s favorite), movie screening centers, board games, and craft areas.

The Tween Center — called The Edge — has gaming stations, movie-making areas, a DJ station, a huge rock band area and fun group activities, like pajama parties. Now, the teen center, named Vibe, is just “sick” as my kids would say. From a design perspective, it is topped with a sleek modern design, creating a great atmosphere or “vibe”. Your youngsters who might be too cool to wear Mickey ears will love hanging out in the private gaming pods, dance studios, screening area, smoothie bar and private deck area with deck games, wading pools and shaded chaise lounge.

Plenty of adult spaces.

With Disney, you think of all the kids, all the time. But don’t worry, the boat’s design offers plenty of room for adults to soak up the sun, take some spa time, or even just relax quietly on deck. From fine dining to lively bars, Dream has you covered.

The luxurious quality of the Disney Dream

The Disney Dream is amazing! Elegant and well designed, it feels luxurious from the moment you step on board. Disney brought the best to design and build this gigantic ship (the length of 4 football fields). Even after two full days on the ship, I didn’t see everything. There are tons of fun things for families to enjoy — pools, aquaducts, splash zones, arcades, ongoing family and kid club activities, sports courts, and miniature golf and shows. Details like animated artwork (think paintings that come to life as you walk by) and Art Deco-inspired designs throughout the ship, give you a real sense of the sheer attention Disney put into the ship.

Thoughtful design of staterooms with extra storage, a split bathroom, a pull-down bunk, and a stunning curtain that separates the adult and children’s sections of the room with a TV.

Although our recent experience on the Disney Dream was a dream come true for our group, my husband and I (who have traveled many times with Holland America and Royal Caribbean Lines) will never again set foot on a Disney ship, nor will we. Would recommend it to anyone. Why? Our experience with Disney Cruise Line communications has been a frustrating and time-consuming nightmare.

The mass emails from DCL were too many and too long – and became too much. They seem to have been written by several different people in different departments, which explains their repetitive, inconsistent content. Instead of this flood, the focus should be on responding to customer emails in a timely manner. Three days after our cruise ended, a member of our party received a response to a question she emailed the week before the cruise regarding the required COVID “recovery letter” from her doctor. This information was needed to complete his application to the Safe Passage Portal to board the ship!

Online accounts had to be set up for each passenger. These included an initial Disney account and another on the Safe Passage portal. Each account requires a separate password and a separate email address, which is a big problem for couples and family members who share an email account. Without providing any instructions for setting up these accounts, our group members spent hours doing this.

Phone support from DCL was exceptional. Members of our party who called the help number were put on hold for hours. One person waited four hours with a question about getting these photos during the cruise. When a man finally answered her call, his response was, “Oh, that’s a question for guest communications,” and then he hung up on her!

Online chats that could help answer questions and set up accounts. It was impossible to reach anyone. Every time a member of our party tried to access the site, she couldn’t get in. Instead, this message immediately popped up: “We’re sorry, we’re busy right now. Please try again later.”

The shutters gallery staff member told us when we purchased the photos taken by the ship’s photographer that we would have 45 days after debarkation to access our digital copies. In the absence of any clear instructions to do so, our attempts to retrieve our images were unsuccessful. On July 10th, one of our party emailed his question to DCL, and did not receive a reply until July 27th. Meanwhile (as mentioned in the phone section above), on July 20 she called Disney’s help number with questions, hanging up. Was on hold for four hours, and then a man hung up on her. Another person in our party was on hold for two hours, then was told someone would return his call in 30 days! There were no step-by-step instructions on the site for accessing our digital photos. Instead of burdening travelers with jumping through multiple hoops, why can’t shutterbugs send our selections directly to our email addresses?

CASTWAY CLUB ID numbers are required to access images. Yet no one could tell us where those numbers would come from. It turns out that each WorldCard key has eight digits printed on it, which are issued to passengers during check-in. But these numbers are separate from Disney functions without any labeling or identification. Why aren’t the eight digits on the key cards as Castaway Club IDs?

I am hoping that I am contacting the appropriate office regarding my complaint. I sailed on the Disney Fantasy the week of 9/5/2015 which is a remarkable cruise liner.

On the fourth day of sailing, the night of the fireworks show, my sister was assaulted by a male guest, pushed and literally pushed over the railing while she was watching the fireworks show, the man said that we Standing here. Shocked, the wife said to her husband, “What are you doing with your hands on her?” My sister reported the incident to the ship’s officers after they let the man go and he kept pointing and laughing at my sister.

It was a magical vacation that turned into a nightmare during that cruise, my sister was terrified, looking over her shoulder thinking she was going to run into this man again, she stayed in her stateroom because She was so. Horrified I question Disney, would this incident have been handled properly, if it had been an assault on a child. what would have happened I’m still very upset because the magic that was supposed to happen didn’t happen. She couldn’t even get a simple apology. I think we just wasted money because of the fear she had after the incident.

This post takes a look at the Disney Dream presentation and review, photos, and some tips for those traveling on this Disney Cruise Line ship. As we’ve already covered many of the basics of cruising with Disney in our Top 10 First-Timer Disney Cruise Line Tips and Guide to Disney Cruise Lines posts (both of those links open in new tabs and we recommend reading them For planning purposes), we won’t spend as much time going over the high-level aspects of the Disney Dream that are already covered in these posts. Instead, we’ll highlight what’s unique about the Disney Dream, and contrast the boat with another ship we’ve sailed on: the Disney Magic.

In some ways, this post is a Disney Dream vs. Disney Magic cruise ship comparison, but the problem with that is that the matchup is more one-sided than Tatum vs. The Simpsons. Disney Dream will win across the board. Even after being reimagined, Disney Magic feels like a first-generation product that Disney learned a lot from. Don’t get me wrong, I really loved our first cruise on Magic, but it’s clear that early cruises taught Disney a lot, and they repeated it on subsequent ships to make the experience that much better.

To be sure, the Disney magic is no slouch. All of Disney’s ships bring a lot to the table in terms of style and detail, and have an unmistakable “Disney” feel about them, but Magic feels more suited to shorter cruises. If the Disney Dream is any indication, Magic’s younger siblings are a more compelling option for any trip that involves a day at sea or more time on a ship in general.

The biggest thing you need, well, is that. It’s big. The Disney Dream is significantly larger than the Disney Magic, which is 151 feet longer. While you’ll definitely notice the extra length as it gives the new ship a bit more breathing room, both ships have the same sense of intimacy. The difference isn’t the same as going from Disneyland to Walt Disney World (and not just because both cruise ships are well maintained), but the difference in size is significant.

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The Disney Magic is about 964 feet long, compared to the Disney Dream’s 1,115 feet. To give these numbers a bit of perspective, Magic is almost twice the height of a modern-day Godzilla, while the gap between the two ships is slightly greater than the 1954 Godzilla. (I’m sure this approach was incredibly helpful.) The only question left is, do the ships produce more than Godzilla’s 1 billion liters of urine per day? (With all that unlimited soda, my money’s on the cruise ship guests!)

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Another difference comes in terms of food. Across the board, we think both ships are very good in this department. Main table service and buffet options are Cabanas (buffet), Royal Palace, Enchanted Garden, and Animator’s Palette. If you haven’t sailed on the Disney Dream in a few years, some of these names may be new to you.

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Animator’s Palate is one of the best Disney restaurants on all Disney Cruise Line ships, the one you see in television specials and commercials, and the perfect example of Disney “magic.” I looked at the Disney Magic version of Animator’s Palate in my review, and all of that praise applies here as well. The Disney Dream Crush elevates the experience with real interaction a la Turtle Talk. This is an experience not to be missed, regardless of whether you have children or not.

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Of the other two “main” table service restaurants, we liked Enchanted Garden the best. It is speculated that the Palace of Versailles was inspired by the famous gardens, which are… an expanse. It looks like a Crystal Palace with an Art Nouveau flourish in place of a Victorian, plus more obvious horticultural references.

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After all, dining in a fancy Serrata greenhouse thing with moody lighting makes for a great atmosphere, and the food is great. In fact, we think food is good no matter where you go. Although the food at each of these restaurants is relatively safe and Americanized, safe and high quality are not mutually exclusive. Not only that, but the service (again, across the board) on the Disney Dream is exceptional.

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At the high end, the Disney Dream definitely has the edge. While we loved our experiences at Palo for dinner and brunch at the Disney Magic, Remy’s here takes fine dining to the next level with a terrific restaurant, with an $85 per person surcharge for dinner.

We were fine with the $25 (now $30) upcharge for Palo, justifying it because of the great crime on our first cruise.

Next is Aqua Duck, a 765-foot water slide that you ride on 1-2 person rafts. Do I really have to state the obvious here? this is awesome. While Disney Magic’s reimagining of these ships included the Aqua Dunk, this is a light replica that is much smaller. It’s both exciting and strangely satisfying. It’s like a tamer version of Crush ‘N’ Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon, but you can enjoy the view and the ride isn’t as rough. Recommended first thing in the morning.

Also, the pool scene is quite comparable on both ships. The Disney Dream includes Donald’s Pool, Mickey Pool, Nemo Reef, and the adult area, Quiet Cove. There are some differences in the layout of the pools, and we think it’s worth noting that the hot tubs at Quiet Cove offer ocean (or harbor) views that make them especially appealing.

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We found that the staterooms on the Disney Magic took up a lot of space, and the same is true for the staterooms on the Disney Dream. Previously, we had a veranda room and this time the room was an inside room (the virtual porthole is a nice touch for those who don’t want to be separated from the outside room), so it’s not really possible. –.head comparison (Also, the Disney Dream room was an ADA room.)

The rooms certainly don’t feel like you’re stuck in a sardine can, but your mileage depends on how much time you spend in your stateroom. With so much to do and see onboard, it’s hard to justify spending too much time in the cabin. Even “relaxing” activities like reading, working, or drinking a cup of coffee are best enjoyed in the common areas of the ship. In our experience, there are plenty of quiet corners and places to relax away from the crowds.

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Without question, my favorite element of Disney Cruise Line ships is the grand atrium lobby, complete with its magnificent chandeliers. The first time we stepped on the Disney Magic, it was like a time warp transported us to a Disneyfied version of the Titanic.

Its centerpiece is an Art Deco chandelier that was custom-designed for the Disney Dream in northern Italy and measures 22 feet in diameter at the ceiling plate and descends 13 feet from the ceiling. It is 24kt gold plated with a total of 88,680 Swarovski crystal beads. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of this thing, because this fancy chandelier costs about $26.89 for the life of the ship. (And you wonder why Disney cruises cost so much more than the competition).

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In terms of entertainment, you have the Walt Disney Theater, which offers 3 different shows, each running just under an hour. The Disney ballet, the ever-popular Golden Mickeys award show, and Villains Tonight feature a montage of characters with heartwarming moral lessons. You’ll want to make time for each of these shows — although we don’t think any of them have the greatest writing, they’re still worth checking out, especially if you’re a big Disney fan. are Those who want a theme park. “Fine” from Cruz.

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As for the highlights of the Disney Dream that differ from our past experience on the Disney Magic, that covers it. Of course, there’s more entertainment than we’ve covered – and much of it varies from cruise to cruise (consult your personal navigator for that).

If you want to see a first-run Disney movie during your trip, the Buena Vista Theater plays them throughout the day. Just remember that a cruise probably costs more of your waking hours than a movie ticket, which makes watching movies on a cruise about as worthwhile as paying $80 to “save money” on Mickey’s Scary Halloween Party tickets. of the. Trick or treat.

Apart from this, there are many other activities from shopping to spas to sports. From basketball to shuffleboard to ping pong to volleyball and more. There is also a robust fitness center with a variety of machines as well as aerobic and yoga classes.

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Shortly after our trip, the Oceanaire’s Club for kids was completely remodeled. The highlight of this redo is the Star Wars play area that looks like the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.

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Overall, there’s a lot to like about the Disney Dream, and it really feels like a second-generation cruise ship, with Disney learning from the Disney Magic and Wonder, and incorporating that into the Dream’s design. . what’s this? While many of these differences are subtle, everything about it just feels like a “2.0” experience. Again, we want to reiterate that this is in no way a knock on Disney Magic. We were blown away by our first experience traveling with Disney (and I wasn’t expecting it to suit my personality), and it’s not like the magic is rough around the edges or anything.

Conclusion:

Our recent cruise on the Disney Dream was great and we will cherish the memories. However, we will not travel on a DCL ship again or recommend it to anyone, due to Disney’s terrible communications over time, lack of phone and email support, and difficulty setting up accounts and accessing photos. Due to a lack of instructions for