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May 13, 2023

“A dream come true” is the headline on the Disney Cruise Line website in the section dedicated to their ships. I must say that this is not a misleading advertisement: sailing on Mickey’s ships is always an emotional experience, immersing young and old alike in a special atmosphere of fantasy on the one hand, and quality and excellent service on the other.

Disney Dream is a nearly 130,000-ton ship built by Meyer Werft that entered service in 2011. A twin of Disney Fantasy, it is one of the two newest ships in the fleet until the recent arrival of Disney Wish. The grandeur of the ship can already be felt in the atrium, a large space of extreme sophistication that puts us in a fairytale castle, ready to meet some princesses.

The environments that amaze are many others as well. The charm of Disney ships is in the details, in the touches of retro elegance that transport us back to the Belle Epoque or turn-of-the-century Main Street. There is a common thread in Disney products that runs from the parks to the sea. Soft tones, celebratory angles, golden touches, but never over the top. The combination of magic and elegance is what truly distinguishes the fleet, which manages to combine an incredible amount of entertainment and attractions for young and old with environments that are among the most beautiful in the cruise ship arena.

Disney Dream’s itinerary for this short 4-night experience is the classic Miami-Nassau-Castaway Cay with a day of sailing before disembarking. A really short taste, but most Disney Cruise Line itineraries are less than a week long. We already know the ports of call, so this is an opportunity to get to know the Fantasy class better after enjoying a back-to-back on Disney Magic in 2020.

What makes this fleet so special? Undoubtedly, the structure and design of the ships contribute a great deal, thanks to the elegant features described above and the wide range of environments and amenities they can offer. There are so many elements that together are capable of truly delighting both the youngest and the oldest. Happy, the latter, to see their children happy or, like my experience, to relive the magic that everyone has breathed since a gentleman named Walt penned unforgettable characters.

People often associate Mickey Mouse ships with “characters”. It is certainly true that a few short lines to hug your favorite character will do the trick, and that a photo with Goofy or Pluto is a must in the end-of-cruise album. But it is also true that there is much, much more.

For kids, Disney Dream has everything you could possibly want. Starting with the entertainment, which is divided into several age groups, each with its own club and plenty of space. Even among the outdoor attractions, there are pools, slides and water parks reserved for them. In the restaurant, there are special menus and incredible events reserved for little princesses or daring knights. Their joy is everywhere, making you feel light-hearted and eager to be little again.

Onboard dining offers many choices. Rotating Dining ensures that you can dine at all the main restaurants during your cruise, which on Disney Dream are Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden and Royal Palace. Cabanas is the open buffet for each meal and is located in the aft area of the Lido Deck. Several stations around the pool area offer sandwiches, hamburgers, and other quick meals. Fine dining can be enjoyed in elegant surroundings at Palo, inspired by Italian cuisine, and Remy, dedicated to the French tradition.

Wellness onboard is provided by the Senses Spa, equipped with a variety of saunas, whirlpools, steam rooms, and treatments that are available for a fee, but at truly affordable prices. The gym is well-equipped and modern, with beautiful ocean views for those who find time to work out on such a short and intense cruise.

The ships of the Disney fleet have large areas reserved for adults, and this is what makes them unique, ensuring a true paradise for the little ones, but also dedicating numerous services and rooms to parents or childless travelers. Disney Dream has an even larger area than Magic Class, The District, which includes as many as five different venues, from the Pub to the sophisticated Pink, dedicated to champagne. It’s a ship-within-a-ship where you can leave the livelier environments for a few hours to enjoy the allure of refined and relaxing lounges. Similar private areas can be found outside, including the scenic Currents Bar, the forward pool and the beautiful upper deck area, the Satellite Sun Deck.

Also noteworthy are the shops and the theatrical performances. The former is reminiscent of the charm of Main Street in Paris or Orlando, where we would buy anything within reach. The theater, with two shows a night, offers truly enchanting musicals and shows that bring us the charm of characters from great Disney stories, accompanied by captivating and famous music.

Among the highlights of a short cruise, I would highlight at least two that are unfailing and always incredibly fascinating. The first is the stop at Castaway Cay. The Caribbean and the Bahamian archipelago contain countless islands of extraordinary beauty. I have visited Disney’s private island three times now, and I must admit that the fascination it holds for me can only be felt on this small, partly still wild handkerchief. It is not easy to find explanations for something that fascinates you so much. I could list many: the ocean at Serenity Beach, Donald or Minnie Duck posing on the beach, the sense of relaxation among Serenity’s cabanas, lunch at the island’s barbecues. Or when the sun goes down and it’s time to return to the ship, the simple melancholy that inevitably sets in.

Another unforgettable moment is undoubtedly Pirate Night. As you listen to “A Pirate’s Life for Me” onboard in the afternoon, everything revolves around the charm of this iconic Disney Parks attraction. Yes, the tradition of Disney and pirates predates the now famous Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Onboard, adults and children alike dress up in costumes, and almost everyone has a bandana on their head. There is dancing and singing, admiring Disney characters, until the grand finale: fireworks on the open sea, a truly incredible thrill.

Disney Dream reminded me that sailing again on Disney Cruise Line ships does not change the excitement you felt the first time. Whether it’s having a drink with the notes of Beauty and the Beast instead of admiring Snow White in the theater, or feeling like a pirate for a few moments, it never gets old. Strolling through the corridors, admiring the decorations on the cabin doors, and perhaps leaving candy and small gadgets for the children who place the appropriate containers to receive surprises is certainly not something that is done often on ships. But every once in a while we like to go back and forget the “adult” stuff.

Don’t miss more updates, news, the Castaway Cay article, and Cruising Journal reviews of Disney Cruise Line with photos, videos, and cruise deals.

Gabriele Bassi

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