Disney Dream Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This was the eighteenth cruise my wife and I have been on together and the fifth time we brought our three year old son. We have been on Carnival, RCI, NCL, MSC, Princess and Holland America but this was our first time trying Disney. We live in Florida and have annual passes to all the Walt Disney World parks so I guess it was just a matter of time before we found ourselves aboard a Disney ship. Overall, we had a great time and I imagine that as long as our son doesn't grow up too fast, we probably cruise with Disney again. I should mention that my wife and son enjoyed themselves thoroughly more than I did. I love cruising and appreciated some of the differences associated with Disney but often found many things lacking on this cruise.
Embarkation took about an hour or perhaps a little more. Although Disney did keep lines moving, this was the longest embarkation that we ever encountered. We had an 11 am reservation. (Disney gives you a time when registering on line.) Somehow, we arrived at the port at exactly 11 am. The security line moved the fastest. After that, we waited in the line to check in. We were disappointed that they could not register our son and give him a bracelet when we checked in as other cruise lines do. Instead Disney sends you to another line. This line was the longest. After our son was set, you have to wait for them to call your boarding number. It was kind of like flying in coach. However, once they called our number the line to get on the ship was far longer that one to get on a plane but we finally made it aboard.
I have to say, the ship was worth the wait because my wife and I both found the ship to be magnificent. We have been on many new ships and some newer than the Dream but I don't think I have ever seen a ship in this condition. The carpeting literally looked like it had never been walked on. It was designed brilliantly and is very easy to navigate. The kid's area, I think was on deck 5, which is also the life boat deck. Porthole windows on this deck are lower to accommodate children. And of course these widows have views obstructed by the lifeboats, which didn't seem to bother the children at all. Deck four is the adult deck with plenty of bars and lounges as well as the promenade. All public rooms and for both kids and adults were very nice and well thought out.
Cabin Review
Our cabin was equally inviting. We loved having the bath tub for our son. There was a full size sofa which was also nice. I thought it was brilliant that the coffee table was also a storage chest and our son loved keeping his toys there. Our bed was very comfortable. Our balcony was pretty standard but also fine. My only gripe would be that the safe was on the bottom shelf in the closet so I had to squat or get on my knees every time I had to go in or out of our closet. By the second night I just decided that I trusted our cabin attendant.