Magical solo Disney Cruise. I will never go on another line but Disney!
Disney Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 67
4 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: February 24, 2020
Ship: Disney Dream
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 6070
Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Reviewed: 4 years ago
Review summary
This was my first cruise with Disney. I also went solo. Do not let anyone tell you that a Disney cruise isn't for solo travelers. This is false. I was not bothered at all by the kids (especially since I had PLENTY of adult places and activities to preoccupy my time) and they sit the single people together at dinner so you're not sitting awkwardly by yourself. My dinner companions were wonderful people and we had many a lively conversation. If you love Disney, or even want to just try them out but can't find someone willing to travel with you, screw it. Go anyway. I never had so much fun. I wasn't bored or lonely at all. I've already put money down for a placeholder on my next solo Disney cruise. I can't believe I waited so long to cruise with them! I previously cruised with Holland America, and while their ship was in excellent condition and their food delicious, that cruise simply was not memorable. From the moment they announce you on board the ship (yes they do this and they all clap), you will not be forgetting that breathtaking chandelier in the atrium anytime soon. The decor and detailing is simply the best.Embarkation
Embarking was quick and easy. I got on the ship right away, and I love how they announce your name on board and clapped for you. I didn't have to wait long for my room to be ready and their Sail-a-Wave party was so much fun. To hear that Disney horn brings chills down your spine. So sentimental.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
The rotational dining experience was unique and my waiters were amazing at knowing who we were and would joke and give us puzzles to solve. I also LOVED Remy. That restaurant is a 'must experience" at least once. Food was delicious, wait staff was delicious, restaurants were gorgeous and well themed, and we didn't have to wait long for our food. Excellent experience. Cabanas was their buffet, but only ate there a couple of times, but they had excellent variety. They coffee shops were excellent and gave free pastries. The adult coffee shop (Can't remember the name, but I believe the Cove?) by the adults only pool was well themed and the tea was delicious. Room service was also delivered on time (it's FREE!) and don't forget to ask for their famous Mickey ice cream bars!!! Right next to Cabanas is Venelope's, a candy store that also sells a wide selection of gelato, fudge, cakes, chocolate dipped strawberries, and the most beautiful cupcakes you will ever see. Those cupcakes are a straight up work of art. You also can get soft serve icecream whenever you want. No charge. For the most part, juice and soda is free (unless you go to a specialty place). In addition to the buffet, you also have the traditional pizza/hotdog/hamburger eateries. If you are vegan or vegetarian, Disney will absolutely make sure you get something tasty to eat.
Onboard Activities
The spa was gorgeous. I had a pass for the duration of cruise where I made good use of the heated stone chairs that overlooked the ocean. There were hot tubs that also overlooked the ocean. This is an adults only area so it was extremely relaxing and quiet. There is a separate spa for the teenagers so they can be pampered in their own spaces. I also booked a massage that was very restful and a pedicure. I was not heckled to death by any sales promotion. If you are interested in a product they are using, they will happily show it to you and describe it, but only if you show an interest in it. The fitness centers were open late and looked very high tech, but I simply could not find the time to actually work out. Next time I will! Don't let the "family cruise" intimidate you if you wish to cruise without kids. They had a fairly large adult pool with one size practically zero entry and a bar right there in the water so you could just sit on a seat with your feet in the water. They had plenty of adults only sections. In addition to the pool, and the big quantity of loungers around the pool and also under cover if you want shade, but the 14th deck was also all adults. Another specialty/bar place was up there (and I believe the only smoking section), and there was no issue of finding a seat to sunbath. They had seats and cute little tables, loungers and even a few of those big round seats you could curl up on. Down in the ship (4th deck) they had the D-lounge for family friendly fun, and after 9pm, the District becomes an adults only section with bars, pubs, champagne lounges. Food was available for snacking when I went through and they also had dancing, comedy, and live music. They had a TON of adult sections with a lot of variety. During our day at sea, I had booked a champagne/wine/chocolate pairing which was a lot of fun, a desert tasting at Remy (separate from dinner) and went to a drawing class. They have something for everyone. A class on how to make your own towel animal, princess and character meet and greets, Jack Jack's Diaper Dash (DO NOT MISS THIS), miniature golf, basketball courts, sports simulator, Bourbon/Whiskey tasting, Martini making classes, spa packages, hair dresser/barber shop/ facials...goodness there was so much to do I can't remember everything. I certainly did NOT get to do everything. They also had adult cooking classes. They have a splash pad for the littlest children, regular kiddie pools, movies showing on their Funnel Vision, a shorter water slide for the younger kids and an tube water ride that runs around the ship (Aquaduck, and there's even a depiction of Donald's butt after he crashes through the funnel; it's really cute).
Entertainment
The Dream has the Golden Mickeys, Beauty and the Beast, and Believe. I did not see Believe as I had a massage booked at that time, and my dinner reservation at the other time. They do the shows twice a night so both dinner seatings may attend. The Golden Mickeys was very unique and I loved it. You knew you were on a Disney ship with that show. Beauty and the Beast was just like their Broadway show on shore. It's amazing how well their shows were with the scenes, musicality and acting. That theater was HUGE, spanning three decks. I had no issue finding a seat even after showing up right when Beauty and the Beast started. It was like being in New York. I highly recommend seeing ALL of these shows. They are an absolutely must see. They also have a separate movie theater that shows first-run movies, for free. If you're cruising when a movie is released, you get to see it the same time as ashore (Disney/Pixar movies only). All movies are free. Pirate Night at Sea was super fun. They switched the music over to any kind of pirate themed music, played pirate movies on Funnel Vision, the waiters (and guests!) dressed in pirate costumes (even the Disney characters), and had a fireworks show after the pirates one. Plenty of dance parties on deck, and don't forget Marvel and Star Wars day at sea.
Children's Programs
I don't have any kids, but I did tour all four kids clubs. The "It's a Small World" nursery are for the kids under 3 years of age. They do charge $9/hour (the only kid places that charges a fee, the other clubs are free), but the nursery is the sweetest thing. The next age bracket goes to the Oceaneers Club, and my jaw dropped when I saw that place. It is HUGE! You kid gets a magic band so you know where your kid is at all times, and if they want to leave, you'll be notified no matter where on the ship you are. Each section of the club has a separate them (Star Wars with R2D2 in a corner, plus it looks like you're in Galaxy's Edge in the theme park), Andy's room from Toy Story, Tarzan, and the center of the club has this really cool light up dance floor. The ceiling has lights in the form of constellations. They even have a lab where they can create things both scientific experiment wise and they even have cooking classes for kids. If you have first seating for dining, they will also pick your kid up from the restaurant to take them to the club for you. This club I believe is for kids 4-10. The Edge is for the 11-14 age group if I remember right, and they have a ton of games, both board games and consoles of all types, and do dances/singing. The teenagers have The Vibe. They get their own pool and it's an awesome hangout place. Lots of activities there. Those kids clubs will stay open as late as 2:00 am. Disney has spared no expense or detail for the kids.
Service and Staff
My room steward was so thoughtful. I was given a beautiful, sweet smelling rose from Remy and wanted to keep it alive for as long as possible. I had put the rose in one of my sinks and left my cabin. When I came back later that night, I found he had procured a glass vase for me and had thoughtfully put the rose in it and placed it in the center of my table. He also made wonderful towel animals and left Godiva chocolates. His name was Ronald. The waiters in the rotational dining were fantastic. They had wonderful attitudes, joked around with us, gave us helpful advise and suggestions, remembered our names (they even knew my name even after skipping the first dinner at the Enchanted Garden for dinner at Remy. I loved how they ribbed each other too. All in good fun of course. All cast members on board were so friendly and helpful and I was very impressed with them. Even waiters who weren't mine would joke with me in passing and would engage in discussions with me.
Ship Quality
The layout was very efficient and after the first day I was navigating the ship like a pro. There's maps on every deck on every stairwell and elevator and outside all stores/activities, etc. The fish hangers on the state room doors also differed depending on port/starboard side and if you pay attention to the carpet you could also figure out if you were going forward or aft. All common areas were very clean. Just as in the parks if there was any trash they'd swoop in right away and clean it up. They also have people stationed at every entrance to the buffet and restaurants who require you to sanitize your hands before you're allowed to enter. The workers could also be seen before we left Port Canaveral, and at every single port, they'd be spraying the external part of the ship with fresh water to get that corrosive salt water off the side of the ship. They are very particular in how that ship looks, even to people who see it who are not on a Disney cruise. Everything functioned as advertised.
Cabin / Stateroom
My room had a queen sized bed. This bed was the most comfortable I've ever been on. I went solo on this cruise so the room was more than enough for my needs. The tv is adjustable for every angle and the room comes with wave phones so you can communicate with your family if you elected not to download Disney's free Navigator's App on your own phone. The room also had a split bathroom. One bathroom had the toilet and sink, and the one next to it held another sink and a shower tub combo, which works out great if you have others in your room and need to get ready. The tub is downright huge for a cruise ship. As an adult I was able to get in and straighten my legs. There was also a ton of storage space. The bed sits high enough to wear you could easily fit four large suitcases under the bed. There is also a large blackout curtain that you can pull if you want to go to bed and someone else wants to watch tv. My veranda was perfect for reading my book and relaxing. I had complete privacy from my neighbors. I heard nothing in the hallways, and I had a room near the stairs. It had a fridge and a hairdryer so women needn't bring their own. Do NOT bring power strips. I knew this already, but some don't and they WILL confiscate it. Every night they'd leave me a different towel animal and chocolate as part of their turn down service. The room was kept very clean.
Ship tip
The doors are magnetic!!!! I ordered some Disney magnets ahead of time and brought them in my backpack. While I was waiting for my luggage to be delivered I threw my magnets up. Seasoned Disney travelers do this, so if you like decorating, bring some with you and join the fun. Magnets only. They will take anything else taped up down. Also bring a backpack with whatever you need to get you through a few hours (arrive wearing a swimsuit) so you can jump into the pools right away without wasting time waiting for your luggage. If you want them to take your luggage off the ship for you, make sure you set aside some clothes the night before to wear getting off the ship the next day or you'll be walking off the ship in your pajamas.
Thumbs up
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Ports of call
Didn't stay long, but from the time I arrived to boarding the ship took me no more than 30 minutes. They were very efficient.
Castaway Cay (Disney Private Island)
This was a highlight of my trip. I didn't run the 5k marathon, but I did rent a bike that I rode all over the island, rent a raft and slept on the water, and enjoyed Serenity Bay, which is an adults only beach on the other side of the island that had hammocks, beach yoga, a separate BBQ place, and a bike rental. I did not go snorkeling, but they have some amazing places to snorkel, especially if you're on the family beach. They have theming on the ocean floor too. There's a kid's area where they can hang out too. I had booked a jet ski and banana boat excursion, but unfortunately the water was way too rough so that was cancelled. I honestly wasn't bothered at all. By the time I was done with the beach, riding my bike, eating and shopping at their cute little shops I was ready to get back on board. Even their bathrooms are cutely themed.
Disembarkation
They collected our luggage the night before (if you want to keep it in the room you'll carry your own luggage off) and were tagged so you could find them relatively easily at customs. Your breakfast on disembarkation morning is determined by which dinner seating you had so if you have the first dinner seating, your breakfast would be around 6:30. Second breakfast was around 8:30am. If you were flying out after lunch, and had second dinner you may just want to swing by Cabanas and grab breakfast there instead of doing a sit down breakfast. I would strongly advise booking any kind of flight before 1pm. I was catching the bus to WDW, but I've seen a fair amount of people who booked their flights within three hours of the ship arriving in port. Do NOT be that person. Not worth the stress. Book your flight much later in the day. They have buses (these are not free) that will take you back to the airport or to the park.
Traveler Photos
