Our Trustworthy 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 gives one thing for all ages, making it a trip appropriate for generational households and even adult-only getaways. After simply getting back from a 4-night crusing on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas, we’re prepared to offer you our trustworthy assessment of what we liked, hated, and every thing in between from our trip. Learn on for our Disney Dream cruise ship assessment.

Our Trustworthy Disney Dream Cruise Ship Evaluate

Eating on Disney Dream

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

Rotational Eating

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

Not solely do the company 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 top of the cruise and including a heightened consideration to element.

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

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

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

Dinners in these eating places are lengthy, and whereas some cruisers might 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

In addition to the three rotational predominant eating rooms, Disney Dream does supply a number of different choices which can be included within the cruise fare.

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

Cabana’s is a superb possibility for breakfast and lunch. Any seafood lover shouldn’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.

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

For cruisers who need to keep of their bathing fits all day, Flo’s Cafe might 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 mistaken with the meals right here, we had been left lacking Mickey’s Competition of Meals, which debuted on the Disney Want.

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

Eye Scream gives poolside tender 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 remainder, put together to be blown away at Palo and Remy.

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

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

Palo Dinner gives a $50 prix-fixe 4-course meal or a la carte ordering. Palo makes a speciality of Italian fare. We didn’t dine at Palo for dinner this crusing, however we now have on earlier sailings. If brunch isn’t your factor, I can guarantee you that dinner might be simply pretty much as good! The most well-liked Palo dish is the chocolate souffle, which you will need to order early to offer time for preparation.

Remy, the second specialty eating venue on Disney Dream, gives two set menus designed by two extremely accredited cooks of Michelin Star caliber. Each menus price $135 per particular person, with elective wine pairings accessible. 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 supply 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 supplied espresso, I went to Vista Cafe each morning for a latte. You should definitely get the espresso punch card and get it stamped; your sixth espresso might be free!

Lastly, Pub 687, an adults-only venue inside The District on Deck 4, additionally gives snacks and small bites for buy at an inexpensive 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! 

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

Pool Deck

Disney’s give attention to leisure shines with theater reveals and onboard actions, however the pool deck leaves one thing to be desired. You gained’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 films from dawn to effectively into the evening. There’s additionally quiet areas with loungers to chill out and skim a ebook.

The Mickey and Donald’s Swimming pools on Deck 11 midship are the 2 predominant swimming pools onboard. These aren’t very large or deep and find yourself simply being a splash zone full of kids. This isn’t the spot for a calming day within the pool. There are loungers round each swimming pools, however cruisers in search of a particular 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 occasion leisure. It is a nice option to create house throughout deck events, nevertheless it additionally leaves the swimming pools with bizarre working hours. A sizzling tub is located towards the floor-to-ceiling glass home windows of the pool deck, however once more, will probably be full of kids.

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

The whole splash pad can be lined, conserving the children 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 sizzling tubs, a pool, and a sitting space with swim-up entry to at least one half of the Cove Bar. We love this adults-only pool space, as we felt it was a lot large and by no means crowded. Nonetheless, we did sail throughout a well-liked spring break week, with many passengers being households with younger kids.

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

Different Pool Deck Sights

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

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

The AquaDuck is enjoyable, however the wait instances on sea day generally 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 after we acquired again onboard from Castaway Cay early to an almost empty ship.

Just like the pool, the AquaDuck had odd hours. There have been days it didn’t open till midday. For these with late eating, I counsel making an attempt to trip the AquaDuck round 5 PM, when early dinner company are preparing for dinner. For early dinner company, 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, be sure you 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 supply soccer, golf, hockey, and baseball simulations for 30 or 60-minute classes. These is a further price for these simulators, and company should reserve prematurely.

Total, 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 places for all onboard actions. Commonplace cruise actions fill in these time slots, however in fact with a little bit Disney flare to them. A stand-out for Disney Cruise Line is there aren’t any casinos onboard any DCL ships.

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

Visitors can both ebook the Royal Gathering (a free cross for line entry to satisfy all of the princesses without delay), pay for the Royal Tea Get together to satisfy the princesses, or just wait in line on the character’s scheduled time.

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

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

A number of trivia classes happen all through the day as effectively. Whereas most are Disney-themed, there are some common trivia choices akin to sports activities, many years, or music. Craft classes are additionally accessible every day, creating souvenirs akin to postcards, reminiscence pages, ornaments, and drink koozies. Each crafts and trivia supply classes for households and adults solely. We adorned drink koozies throughout an adults-only craft and at last acquired 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 company will seize a pamphlet and a pencil and observe the directions to resolve 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 films which can be in theaters at house. Films like Ms. Marvel, The Little Mermaid, and Elemental had been enjoying throughout our crusing.

Beverage tasting seminars and mixology courses can be found all through the cruise at numerous places for a further price as effectively. Whiskey, beer, wine, and tequila tastings are simply a few of the choices.

Senses Spa on Deck 12 gives a complimentary health club, in addition to extra charged companies akin to manicures, pedicures, haircuts, facials, massages, and the extremely wanted Rainforest Room expertise. In our Rainforest Room assessment, we go into element about every thing there’s to supply. Spoiler alert: we liked it!

Household and grownup recreation reveals, bingo, dance events, cooking demonstrations, and towel-folding courses spherical out the every day actions. I’d wager to say that nobody in your occasion might be bored on this ship!

Children’ Golf equipment

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

Youngsters ages 3-10 will go to the Oceaneers Membership, the place they will 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 should be potty educated to attend the Oceaneers Membership.

Ages 11-14 will attend Edge, an area throughout 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’ll by no means need to depart. Two sizzling tubs and outside loungers are accessible on the outside, whereas the inside gives video video games, TV, a dance ground, and arranged actions.

All venues do have open home hours, that means that adults and children can make the most of the areas. I extremely advocate attending the open homes on embarkation day to familiarize your kids with the golf equipment. It will make them much less hesitant to attend the golf equipment whenever 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’s 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 dad and mom don’t have to fret.

Our nursery workers was implausible, sending us messages by means 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 reside 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 most effective present I’ve seen at sea. Don’t miss this present!

You should definitely get there early for these reveals. The Walt Disney Theater is a big theater, however fills up rapidly. 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 might 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 occasion 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, a very good viewing spot might be onerous to come back by should you don’t get there early. A big part within the entrance of the stage is roped off only for the children to take a seat, which is guarded by youth actions workers.

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

Although, there are adults-only recreation reveals, late-night joyful hours on the bars and lounges, and actions like adults-only trivia and silent disco events taking place nightly. Nonetheless, they aren’t at all times essentially 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 house 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 steadily. The 687 Pale Ale is brewed completely for the cruise line, and we loved it! Pub 687 gives over 10 beers on faucet, whereas all different bars across the ship will solely have 2 or 3 faucets to select from.

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

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

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

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

Staterooms

For this Disney Dream cruise ship assessment, 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, nevertheless it did lack cupboard space. 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 positive, nevertheless it might pose an issue for longer sailings.

Instantly coming into the stateroom, the doorways to the cut up lavatory are on the correct. One lavatory consists of a bathe and sink, whereas the second lavatory has a rest room and sink. That is my favourite half about Disney Cruise Line staterooms. They actually 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 house for me to prepare. It additionally has two 110V shops and two 220V shops.

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 snug; we slept nice! The couch mattress was good for my toddler however actually too small for my 6-foot husband.

Disney Cruise Line beds don’t separate into two twin-sized beds like many different main cruise traces, so maintain that in thoughts when reserving. Both facet 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 snug 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.

Total 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 is probably not the ship for adults trying to let unfastened on a weekend getaway. There aren’t any casinos, drink packages, or late-night golf equipment.

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