Not quite a Dream...
Disney Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas
4 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: December 03, 2018
Ship: Disney Dream
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: 11008
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
Just returned from a 4-day Very Merrytime Bahamian cruise aboard the Disney Dream; this was our third cruise on the Dream and second using concierge. However this was our first 4-day cruise on Disney and compared to the 3-day, this cruise was packed with people. We were also celebrating 2 Birthdays. Although Disney cruises focus on kids, there are plenty of adult activities. The shows are top-notch; loved the Palo brunch; had fun playing the Midship Detective game; and the meet and greets with the various costumed actors was great. We did have a few hic-ups: our stateroom door stopped working on the first day right before the sail away party which we therefore missed (we enjoy this activity quite a bit). The repair took about an hour and was handled expertly; I do understand that things break. The second issue was with Senses: when buying our $170 Rainforest access pass, we were told there were a limited number of passes (80). Well, other than the first night, we weren’t able to use the hot-tubs or heated beds because of availability so apparently passes were not as “limited” as we were led to believe. Senses also provided a hair treatment (blow-out) and applied a “treatment” without discussing the price: what should have cost @ $65 was billed at $156. This up-charge was not approved but never-the-less charged. One positive with Senses was a $50 coupon given to 1 of the birthday ‘girls’ but it had expired the month prior to our sailing date. When the second birthday ‘girl’ asked for the coupon at Guest Services, she was told she had to have her birthday while on-board (her birthday was the day we got off the ship and therefore we were on-board). The other birthday was the day before we boarded so this explanation is wrong/inappropriate. Disney cruises are wonderful. However our experiences with Senses and Disney Guest Services was sub-par; no one’s birthday should be ignored and invalidated. Why did Disney not want to celebrate my daughter turning 25?Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Royal Palace
This is the second I've dined there. Very loud and busy servers. Food was fine and no complaints.
Palo
Eat at Palo! Dinner and lunch is not to be missed.
Remy
True dining experience. Wonderful!
Pink
Lacks a variety of champagne brands -just Moet Chandon.
Meridian
Great place for a drink. Quite and personal.
Enchanted Garden
Third time I ate there (was there on previous cruises) and this was the best experience I had there. It gets loud and the servers are very busy with multiple tables.
Cove Cafe
Fast service and great drinks for a nominal price.
Cabanas
had #9. Perfect location. It was great to have our own area to sit and relax.
Animator's Palate
Look at the props; there is a lot to see.
Onboard Activities
Guest Services / Shore Excursions
Only did one excursion at Castaway Cay -Stingray feeding. Highly recommend. Very educational to learn there are such a variety of rays and they all have different personalities.
Senses Rainforest
I've been there on 3 cruises. This past was the worst. Appears they over sold. Spent $170 to use all days and was so crowded I couldn't use. A waste of $170
Senses Salons
Daughter wasn't told the cost upfront and was surprised with an up-charge when presented the bill. Shame on Senses for #1 not providing the charge prior to performing services and #2 for not asking if she wanted the hair treatment (she went in the a 'blow-out').
Quiet Cove Adult Pool
This is truly adult. Good place to relax.
Concierge Private Sundeck
Private and quite. Relaxed in this area several times.
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Disney's Oceaneer Club
My granddaughter (almost 5) loved going and asked to go. Very attentive cast members.
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Avoid SENSES
Ports of call
Castaway Cay (Disney Private Island)