Disney Cruise Line

Best For People Who Want:
More Disney! Bring it on, Goofy, Mickey, Tinkerbell; a family-oriented vacation with the focus on spoiling your kids to pieces with a lifetime experience they will never forget.

Should Be Avoided By People Who Want:
Adult oriented cruising including quiet time in the sun, a casino at night; a library; adult-oriented (rated PG-16 at least) entertainment and to be around as few children as possible.

	Article continues below

Onboard Experience:

Just like the older ships, Disney Dream abounds with Disney characters, and not just the ones walking aorund in character. There are subtle homages to everything Disney throughout the decor from the ship's horn, which can play six different Disney tunes, to the chair fabrics and bannisters with subtle Micky-ears in the patterns. Disney Dream has many of the same features as the smaller ships but they are bigger and more technically advanced. But the ship also has more - such as the AquaDuck water coaster and Remy's French Restaurant. There are three swimming pools onboard - one for kids, one for adults and one for families (all ages).

The "rotational" dining program is identical to the earlier ships in concept; you dine with the same dining companions and servers each evening, but in a different restaurant.

Technology takes center stage on Dream - including "interactive artwork" which are wall hangings that come to life for passers by. You may spot a nice drawing of Bambi from 10 feet awaym and as you approach she a butterfly lands on her nose and Thumper appears to laugh. Birds take flight and continue flying through the adjacent wall hanging.

The kid's area are a cornucopia of video-based games including two "Magic Floors" which are large squares of floor mounted video screens under durable glass. 16 people can stand in separate control areas around the square and control one game simultaneously. What appear to be windows are actually well disguised video screens where the view changes subtley over time. For example, the adult nightclub "Skylines" has a "Windows on the World" feel like a penthouse bar, but the scene outside the "windows" is a different major world city every night of the cruise.

Decor:
The ship has an opulent Art Deco fell throughout - in homage to the grand day of ocean liners. The three deck tall main lobby has a very dignified statue which works as a focal point for character pjhoto opportunities. Sumptuous fabrics, wood, and hand-woven carpets and furnishings - and the Disney logo - are ubiquitous. The cabins are decorated almost identically, combining modern design with nostalgic ocean-liner elements such as a steamer-trunk closet for kids, globe- and telescope-shaped lamps, map designs on the bedspreads, and a framed photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Walt Disney aboard the ocean liner Rex sometime in the 1930s.

Some of Disney's vast archive of animation cels, production sketches, costume studies, and inspirational artwork is displayed around the ship.

Public Rooms:
When passengers first arrive and enter the majestic Disney Dream atrium what do they behold but a large bronze statue Donald Duck as the ship's ambassador, somewhat reminicient of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square." From there you can procede to the beautiful Walt Disney movie theater which is one of the best mocern representations of an Art Deco movie theater anywhere.

Entertainment

Entertainment on the Disney Dream is spectacular. We saw a new stage show called "Believe" where a young girl wants her father to learn how to believe in magic. Somehow, he conjures Aladdin's Genie and his third wish, to believe in magic" is finally granted after much tribulation.

What makes Disney shows so special is that they are real theater - the kind that enchanted you as a child. They use real actors in speaking roles and there are story lines. These are not typical musical revues as you see on most cruise ships, they are actual stories that children will especially love. The Walt Disney Theater is the main showroom for live entertainment, and every show is a Disney production (they do not fly in comedians, for example).

click on pictures below for larger images:

A scene from "Believe"		Believe		The Buena Vista Theater

The Buena Vista Theater is the real movie cinema theater onboard. It is a full-fledge movie theater with state-of-the-art seating and even 3-D projection. All movies are 3-D and glasses are radily available inside. All movies are made by Disney, of course, and they even show first run movies onboard the same day they come out in movie theaters.

Cuisine:
Disney's cuisine has improved dramatically since the ship was introduced, to the point at which it can now be said to rival Princess's, with All-American and Continental fare likely to please all but the most sophisticated palate. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and pizza are available until 6 p.m., and late nights snacks are served in the adults-only lounges. Room service is available 24 hours. The exceptional adult-only Italian restaurant, Palo, has a refined and elegant atmosphere and levies only a $25 surcharge. Remy's an even more exclusive adult's only restaurant with a menu created by two renowned chef's one of them with two Michelin stars.

Restaurants:

Disney Dream has the same "rotational dining" concept as the earlier ships, but let's start with the two premier dining spots especially meant to appeal to adults.

The first is Palo's, a similar restaurant as to what is presented aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. There will also be a Palo's on Disney Dream, but it will be much larger to accommodate more patrons at once. The price will remain at $20 per person to serve up special steaks and seafood.

click on pictures below for larger images:

The three chefs of Remy		Langoustine in Remy		Smoked Bison with Fennel and Blood Orange
Private room in Remy		Champagne Cocktail		Picture of Ratatouille Kitchen
Wine List for Remy		Remy Table		Remy Wine Cellar

But brand new to Disney Dream - and a dining attraction many of the Disney designers are especially looking forward to is "Remy" based on the name of the culinary rodent from the recent Disney motion picture film hit, "Ratatouille." This very small, French themed bistro will feature exclusive French dishes designed by two chefs, one American and one French, the latter with two Michelin stars. The room is tiny and will only hold about 80 total diners every night. The cover charge to dine there is a dear $75 per person, wine pairings are available for an additional $99 per person.

Those are two of the finest dining establishments onboard. Regular dining rooms, included in the cruise fare, are equally enticing although the focus may be just bit more on the fun rather than the food.

The first is "The Enchanted Garden." In this room diners will feel as if the meal is starting as something like an outdoor picnic is one of the more exquisite portions of the gardens of Versailles, the royal palace once home to Marie Antoinette near Paris. But as the meal progresses this seemingly outdoor garden house magically transforms into nighttime as the twinkling stars come out all around, lamps suddenly open up, blossoming like flowers, and fireflies and tiny Tinkerbelle-like fairies start to dart through the night-time skies.

click on pictures below for larger images:

Cabanas Food Court		Enchanted Garden Fountain		Animator's Pallet

Next is an updated version of Animator's Pallet. This restaurant is also on the first two Disney ships, but it has a significant twist on the Disney Dream. On the first two ships this room first appears to be a typical cartoonist's studio where he might engage in sketching out a quick animation on a flip pad, or perhaps just sketch and color in a concept for a brand new character. As the meal progresses each of these basic sketches would come to life and soon the diners would be fully surrounded in a thriving animation studio with cartoon characters acting everywhere, in full color, doing and saying funny thing.

On Disney Dream this goes several dimensions further. Animator's Pallet begins with a simple sketching studio, as we described, but this time there is an underwater theme to all the sketches. As dinner progresses these water creatures not only start to move, the come to life in a real sense, where they are looking at you, watching you and soon asking you questions about what you may be having for dinner.

Crush, the cool surfer-turtle dude from the movie "Finding Nemo" becomes the star of the show as he finds a way to swim up to every table in the room (each has a window nearby) so he can find someone to interact with. Surprisingly, he already knows someone at each table by name, so he is ready to have a full conversation when he arrives. How an animated movie character could every get to be on first-name basis with anyone on the ship remains a mystery for the rest of the cruise.

Service:
As you might expect, it could hardly be more upbeat, especially in children's areas. There is a surprising numbers of Americans working onboard- especially in the children's areas where communication is vital.

Tipping:
Gratuities can be charged to your shipboard account. The recommended tipping guidelines per person (including children) are as follows: Dining Room Server $25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server $18.75
Dining Room Head Server $ 6.50
Stateroom Host/Hostess $25.25

Dining Manager and Room Service tipping is at the passenger's discretion on all cruises. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs.

Entertainment:

Entertainment

Entertainment on the Disney Dream is spectacular. We saw a new stage show called "Believe" where a young girl wants her father to learn how to believe in magic. Somehow, he conjures Aladdin's Genie and his third wish, to believe in magic" is finally granted after much tribulation.

What makes Disney shows so special is that they are real theater - the kind that enchanted you as a child. They use real actors in speaking roles and there are story lines. These are not typical musical revues as you see on most cruise ships, they are actual stories that children will especially love. The Walt Disney Theater is the main showroom for live entertainment, and every show is a Disney production (they do not fly in comedians, for example).

click on pictures below for larger images:

A scene from "Believe"		Believe		The Buena Vista Theater

The Buena Vista Theater is the real movie cinema theater onboard. It is a full-fledge movie theater with state-of-the-art seating and even 3-D projection. All movies are 3-D and glasses are radily available inside. All movies are made by Disney, of course, and they even show first run movies onboard the same day they come out in movie theaters.

Staterooms:
Disney Cruise Line staterooms are among the first in the industry to be designed especially for families. The categories designate the different types of rooms with options like private verandahs that look out onto the sea and scenery, deluxe rooms with expanded space, Magical Portholes for rooms without windows, and rooms with real window portholes�some with built-in seating. Each room is adorned from floor to ceiling with elegant Art Deco touches reminiscent of the glamorous 1920s and 1930s.

In all but the least expensive inside cabins, Dream's bathrooms are divided into a "bath and a half" configuration. One room has a toilet, sink and shelves for makeup and sundries; the other a shallow tub with shower and sink. All of the rooms have a queen-sized bed and sleep at least one extra (third) person in an extra bed. Some can accomodate two or even three extra people - perfect for families with smaller kids. Extra beds are sofa-beds or pull-downs from the ceiling or the wall.

Fitness/Spa:
There are three pools, one adults-only, one kids-only and one for everyone. Kids especially love the AquaDuck - the longest water slide on any cruise ship in the world at 765-feet. The slide pushes a water raft for two people through a transparent plastic tube starting from one of the smokestacks (a faux one) - out over the side of the ship with nothing below but a 100-ft drop to the open sea, then back and completely around the pool area.

The Vista Spa and Salon, operated by Steiner's of London, has hydrotherapy and all the usual massage and beauty treatments. Fitness-oriented passengers will love the gym, with sports activities including basketball, paddle tennis and volleyball. There is a quarter-mile separate track for jogging.

Children's Programs

It comes as no surprise that there is plenty of focus on kids on a Disney cruise. After all, Disney has always used the "world of wonder" of children's imaginations as the main theme for many of its most successful and popular attractions.

Disney Dream is a dreamboat for kids, with more space dedicated to ages 12 weeks to 17 years than any other cruise ship afloat - nearly an entire deck. There is the It's a Small World nursery facility for infants 12 weeks to toddlers of 36 months. Next is the Oceaneer Club for kids aged three to ten, the Oceaneer Lab is for kids three to ten, the Edge Tween Club is for 11 to 13 year olds and the Vibe Teen Club is for 14 to 17 year olds. But the categories are not written in stone.

Unlike other cruise lines, Disney has learned over the years that there are often good reasons to let kids cross the age boundaries. Kids develop at different rates, for example, or parents may want to keep certain siblings together. Basically, the age rules are there just in case Disney chooses to apply them (so the teens don't usurp the 10-year-old's Magic PlayFloor, for example), but under reasonable circumstances kids are allowed to go wherever they want. Age restrictions that are too strictly enforced is a complaint we hear fairly often about other cruise lines, so kudos to Disney for being flexible.

It's a Small World Nursery is located on deck five, amidships, and offers counselors to supervise infants and toddlers; three through 36 months. There is a one-way glass window where parents can peek in without disturbing the caretakers or the kids. The decor resembles the ride in the Magic Kingdom of the same name, with wooden puppets, small furry animals and kids represented. Hands-on activities for the toddlers include honking horns, spinning wheels and "magic" buttons. The soft surface floor has a river representation with a small boat (similar to the "Small Word" ride) surrounded by tables with crafts, books and games. There is also a separate, quiet area for napping.

The Oceaneer Club, for age three to ten, has various rooms including an undersea ocean theme, fairies and monsters. The main room is dedicated to Peter Pan and includes a stage where kids can create theatrical performances, listen to storytelling and even meet famous Disney characters. The focal point of the room is a 103-inch plasma screen movie theater with an added bonus; visits from animated Disney characters like "Crush" the sea turtle from "Finding Nemo." These characters will be able to see the audience and interact spontaneously with the kids in what will seem like their favorite movie stars coming to life and meeting them in person.

Also in the Oceaneer Club is one of two Magic PlayFloors. This is actually a very large interactive video game built into the floor where kids can play games and go on virtual journeys. The PlayFloor is like a large, virtual board game about 10 square feet, presenting a number of interactive games for kids to play.

Separate play rooms within the Oceaneer Club include Andy's Room, based on the Pixar movie Toy Story, where by making the toys in the room extra large the kids themselves become effectively toy-sized and can interact with proportionately-sized depictions of Rex the Dinosaur, RC Race Car, Hamm the Piggy Bank, a Slinky Dog big enough for kids to crawl through the slinkys and a super-size Mr. Potato Head with removable ears, eyes and noses.

Another room, Monster's Academy is based on the movie "Monsters Inc.," which combines video games with monster costumes for kids. Pixie Hollow is a magical forest with tiny fairy houses within the limbs of a pixie tree. Kids can dress up in fairy costumes and live the pixie life sitting on mushroom and acorn stools.

Monsters Inc.		Hamm the Piggy Bank		Pixie Hollow

Sure to please is a full-size bright blue and yellow submarine within the Explorer Pod, based on a vessel from the Disney movie "Finding Nemo." Inside the sub are 16 computer stations, with eight more outside, for kids to play interactive undersea-based games individually or challenging their friends.

Here is another stage for kids to re-enact pirate theme plays plus watch movies and hear stories. The animated star of this stage is the alien "Stitch" from the 2002 movie "Lilo and Stitch" and star of his own movie "Stitch! The Movie," once again able to see, speak and interact with children in unscripted conversation.

Close by is the other Magic PlayFloor - also with a variety of original video games. The Animator's Studio is for the most creative kids with movable models, a lightbox and a camera for kids to shoot action poses and create moving animations similar to "claymation." The Sound Studio is a karaoke-based recording studio where kids can record their own voices. Both of these complex but kid-tested projects come with adult guidance to help them achieve real results.

Nemo's Reef		Explorer Pod Submartine		Rex the Dinosaur - Andy's Room

Connecting the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are two workshops where a number of supervised "science experiments" will be conducted throughout the cruise involving food, crafts, and safe home products that can be combined for "explosive results." There are also pads of paper, paint, ink and other fun drawing tools.

Edge - the Tween Club: for that awkward age when youngsters want to feel grown up but are not too old to play. These kids get their own computer social network, for their exclusive use during the cruise, where they can post original blogs and public or private messages for their friends. There is a giant video screen five feet tall by 18-feet wide for interactive games, a dance floor and a 10-foot video screen for watching movies. This area takes karaoke a step further by adding a large "green screen video studio" where various backgrounds can set the mood for kids starring in their own music videos.

Vibe - The Teen Club: the most notoriously hard to please teen crowd has it good on Disney Dream. The special indoor/outdoor area on deck five forward is found at the end of long, winding corridor obscured enough to make younger kids retreat in fear before they reach the end. A special "swipe card" key is required to enter this nearly 9000-square-foot area anyway.

The décor is laid back, with easy to move modular furniture and a soda fountain offering juice, smoothies and even coffee drinks. There is a 103-inch LCD screen with digital surround sound as well as several individual seating "pods" built into the walls where a teen can plug in their personal iPod and listen at full volume. Computer stations offer video editing, games and another social media network just for this age group. In the dance club kids can take turns as the D.J.

The outside area is built into the ship's bow where one often finds the crew pool. This outside deck is surrounded by very high walls making it nearly impossible for other passengers to see inside or for teens to see over the edge. While working on a suntan they can cool off with water misters, swim in the small pool, or play in the pop jets and fountains. There are ping pong and foosball tables as well.

Teens have one more unique adventure - special spa treatments designed just for them, in the special Chill Spa for Teens area within the Senses Spa and Salon. Teens can order treatments like the "fabulously fruity facial," the "Hot Chocolate Wrap" - an instant tan from a special "bronzing" solution, and the "Ice Cream Manicure and Pedicure," where hands and feet are soaked in sweets.

Other Attractions for Kids and Grownups: The "D Lounge" is a special gathering place for families at night with dancing, group games and a selection of board game with plenty of sweet treats available for family fun before or after dinner.

As we mentioned last week, there are also all-ages pools for kids plus a pool where they can mix with the adults. Everyone is sure to love the AquaDuck water coaster as well as Goofy's Sports Deck with goofy-golf, virtual sports and a real basketball court. The "Arr-Cade" is a large "coin operated" game arcade with video games and table games like air hockey.

click on pictures below for larger images:

Nemo's Reef slide for kids up to 8 years old		smokestack with AquaDuck running through it		Micky's slide in main pool area

The Buena Vista Theater is a beautifully finished, state of the art movie theater done in pure Art Deco glory. This theater will show movies nearly around the clock, all of them from Disney, and will even feature first run movies opening on the ships the same day they arrive in theaters on land. With 399 of the best loge-style reclining chairs, this theater will make watching the 3-D technology and Dolby surround sound movies a first-class family film experience.

The Walt Disney Theater is the state-of-the-art production show stage facility where families can see original Disney stage plays created just for Disney Cruise Lines featuring casts of professional singers and dancers with all of the latest theater technology.

Adult's Only Areas

For the adults is the series of nightclubs known as "The District" where grownups can enjoy adult beverages in a number of settings designed to appeal to different moods. First there is "Pinks," with a bubbly champagne theme. Tall, crystalline bar stools emulate champagne glasses while blown-glass "bubbles" with iridescent pink LED lighting glow in the wall behind the bar.

Next is a nightspot called "Skyline" where large video screens emulate windows in a "top-of-the-world" urban night club that just happens to be located in a different world-class city every night of the cruise. One night the revelers may be watching the sun set and the night lights breathe too life in New York City, while the next night the same thing could be happening in Paris or possibly Tokyo.

Next is the sports bar, with large-screen televisions featuring different sports events every night broadcast live from the ESPN network (also owned by Disney). All ages are invited into this club until 9:00 when it becomes a real full-blown adults only sports bar.

But that time - many of the adults should be ready to rock on the depths of the District, the nightclub called Chrysalis. Where giant butterfly wings envelope the entire bar and urge each denizens to chrysalis into a newly metamorphosed self ready to spread your won wings and fly away over the ocean.

Attire:
With the exception of the Captain's Dinner, at which formal attire (dress or gown for women and dark suit or tux for men) is recommended, evening attire for gentlemen is pants and shirt, skirts or pants for women.