All cruise ships are big but on the new Disney Dream ship (1,250 staterooms, 14 decks) if you want a break from the children as they play on deck 5, you can have a drink in Hong Kong. Or New York or Paris, depending on the day. A panaromic LCD screen at The Skyline bar (deck 4 aft) provides the vista; the knowledgeable young bartender pours the cocktails.
Among the other 4 bars and nightclub in “The District” area for over-18s are a champagne bar (the you-are-inside-the-flute bubble effects go live in February), a lounge with pianist and torch singer, and a disco with flashing floor lights (eat your heart out, Tony Manero).
At the other end of the age range and ship is the Oceaneer Club for kids up to age 10 (with playscapes, themed rooms, organised activities and an innovative interactive PlayFloor – more on that later) and Vibe, a teens-only area with groovy furniture, TV and games and a teens-only sundeck.
There are family musical theatre shows and casual restaurants as well as a spa, an adults-only pool – with swim-up bar of course – and high-end French and Continental dining.
To a “Disney virgin” like me (am I even allowed to say those two words together?), it’s a surprise that a cruise originated by the Mouse – the company’s first ship to launch in 10 years – is as adept at amusing adults as it is the kids. “It’s gotta be a great fun vacation but let’s not treat the family as a single unit,” is how Tom Stagg, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resort, describes the philosophy. Yet the ship’s real trick is that it feels friendly, cohesive and enjoyable no matter which demographic you fall under at any particular time.
Your parent self doesn’t have to exist on another planet from your adult self. Just, perhaps, on a different deck. That’s easier than ever on the Dream. It’s vastly larger than the company’s other ships – two decks taller and 1,900 beds bigger.
(This review comes after of a press trip* on the ship’s chistening voyage.)
Expect the kids to demand time on Deck 5 at the Oceaneer Club with its dazzling technology. The PlayFloor is amazing. Imagine a video game on the floor you control with a touch panel at your feet. It encourages kids to play video-style games in groups. Then there are themed play areas like a Toy Story one arranged like Andy’s room, and a “Pixie Hollow” themed around Tinkerbell’s world. Attached is the Oceaneer Lab, where kids can create art, crafts and music, play video games, and even eat lunch and snacks.
The two family pools are opposite one another on Deck 11, one with a twisty water slide; a Nemo-themed wet play area with spouting water is adjacent to the pools on one end.
Get familiar with this area. It’s also where loads of family activities take place. While we were there, peppy employees were leading kids in a hoop-shooting activity. On embarkation Mickey, Donald and, oh, just about every other character you can think of performs in a dancing, singing “Sailing Away” show, and at night they cover the pools with decking for family dance parties or a special pirate party night complete with fireworks at sea. Up a flight of stairs is outdoor mini-golf, basketball, and table football/foosball. It’s lively, but it lacks that “set your teeth on edge” quality that makes some family pools unbearable.
The piece de resistance in this family entertainment zone is the AquaDuck – a “water coaster” ride that winds around the deck above the children’s pools. It was packed with adult riders on the launch cruise and got high marks from all riders. When you go, try not to elbow aside the kiddies in line. It looks bad.
Once the kids are tucked up, exhausted, you can hit one of the aforementioned venues at The District (please, try to say this name with a straight face). Dress up to pop to Meridian, a clubby bar with the appeal of an old-school men’s club, with an outdoor teak seating area described as a “cigar bar” – dress shirt and jacket required for men; dress or pantsuits for women. Catch a film at the onboard theatre or, hey, why not visit the well-equipped gym staffed by eager personal trainers. After all, while Disney brings out the fun-loving kid in all of us, you’re not getting any younger, are you?
6 must-dos on a Disney Dream cruise
- Ride the AquaDuck – Plan to do it early in the trip because the “only shipboard water coaster” is popular. You can ride during daylight or do a ride under the stars during evening opening hours.
- See “Disney’s Believe” at the Walt Disney Theatre – Even if you think you aren’t a jazz-hands kind of person, this live show in sumptuous surroundings is first-rate, with good songs, a brisk narrative and impressive effects. Arrive early enough to sit in the area not covered by balcony seating to fully experience the “snow” and confetti.
- Take part in one of the upper deck shows. The Sailing Away ceremony was fun, with staff handing out complimentary champagne and colour steamers for people to wave. The fireworks during “Buccaneer Blast!” were impressive enough so that we didn’t stick around til the end of the pirate show.
- Split up. Sign the kids up for some of the organised children’s fun with highly motivated staff and have some adult time. Hit the spa, grab a sunlounger at the adults-only Quiet Cove Pool or sip a cocktail at the Skyline.
- Schedule in character photo ops. Often you’ll find yourself wandering through the atrium or strolling on deck and suddenly Disney characters appear with handlers and photographers for guest photo ops. Use the daily schedule to pinpoint the ones you want to catch so you don’t miss out or alternatively end up standing in a receiving line whenver you’re just on your way to the pool/restaurant/cinema. If you don’t want to unwittingly drop the university education fund on souvenir photos, bring your own camera as well. I bought one official photo for posterity’s sake and snapped all the others myself.
- Disembark early at Castaway Cay. All Disney Bahamian cruises stop at Disney’s private island. It has a wealth of activities in the safe, spic-and-span environment you’d expect from Disney. Ride bikes, pet stingrays, swim, play games – you know, all those authentic Bahamas activities.
Disney Cruise Line offers 3, 4 & 7 night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean out of Port Canaveral. Land/sea holiday packages that include a stay at Walt Disney Resort are also available. To find out more or book a holiday go to disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact your travel agent.
From the UK, Virgin Holidays Cruises is part of the Virgin Holidays family and offers customers fully packaged cruise holidays:
11-night Disney Dream Stay & Cruise from £1,249
After seven nights at Disney’s Pop Century in Walt Disney World Orlando, join ‘Disney Dream’ for four nights from Port Canaveral, Bahamas, Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis with direct flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick. Based on departure date 09 October 2011. Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Visit www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0871 781 9893 to book
11-night Disney Dream Stay & Cruise from £2,099
After seven nights at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, join ‘Disney Dream’ for four nights from Port Canaveral, Bahamas, Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis with direct flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick. Based on departure date 09 October 2011. Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Visit www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0871 781 9893 to book
7-night Disney Magic Cruise from £999
With the same entertainment, unique rotational dining, kid’s activities, adult-only areas and outstanding levels of service, the Disney Magic is back in the Mediterranean this summer. This means UK guests can enjoy the complete Disney Cruise experience with the convenience of short-haul flights and a new 7-night itinerary.
Join ‘Disney Magic’ for seven nights from Barcelona, Villefranche, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palma, and Barcelona. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes flights from a London airport. Based on departure date 27 August 2011. Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Visit www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0871 781 9893 to book
* I was a guest of Walt Disney Company and Virgin Holidays.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on
this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.