Disney Dream: Some of Our Highlights

A few members of our team recently enjoyed the opportunity to sail onboard Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Dream for an incredible seven-night adventure through Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords, sailing from Southampton. Here, they share some of their dining, adult-only area and entertainment highlights as they reflect on a truly magical Disney adventure.

Dining – Katherine

The dining onboard Disney Dream really is an experience. The quality of the food is exceptional, with something to suit all tastes. The service of the waiting staff matches this; they’ll know your name and drink preferences by the end of the first night and will go above and beyond to make your dining experience as magical as possible.

Evening dining works on a rotational basis, allowing you to experience each of the three main dining rooms onboard, with your server staying with you as you do. Soft drinks, tea and coffee are all included in the cost and available all day. Soft service ice cream is also included and is available on the pool deck in a variety of flavours.

If you’re looking for an extra special dining experience, Disney Dream offers two adults-only specialised dining experiences. Palo provides northern Italian cuisine with a modern twist with views over the aft of the ship. I enjoyed a fresh Caprese salad, mouthwatering steak and a melt-in-the-mouth chocolate souffle whilst enjoying sunset views.

Remy brings upscale dining that’s known to be one of the best experiences at sea. Serving fine French cuisine designed by Chef Scott Hunnel, from Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World Resort, our evening started with a Champagne cocktail before selecting either the French or American-inspired prix fixe menus. We opted for the American and were treated to five courses of exceptional food including tuna, duck, wagyu beef and an incredible chocolate dessert. The service is outstanding and the table is yours for the night so you can sit and enjoy the dining experience for as long as you like. Following the meal, we were presented with a red rose and a box of handmade chocolates. This really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Adult-only areas – Gina

Disney Cruise Line is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, but did you know there are plenty of things to do for adults as well? From adults-only pools and bars to a luxurious spa, Disney has something for everyone. Each area is unique and has its own atmosphere, guaranteeing something for everyone.

For me, The District was one of the standout adults-only areas on board. The venues in this space range from a cosy and intimate music bar, the District Lounge, where you can sit, sip and listen to some of the incredibly talented musicians onboard, to a full-blown nightclub, Evolution.

Pub 687 plays live fixtures of any sports matches while you are onboard. We even put in a special request for the rugby to be shown and they made sure we had a TV showing all the live coverage. Pub 687 effortlessly creates a warm and comfortable vibe using dark woods, and plush seating to make to feel right at home.

The wine and Champagne bar, Pink, is a stylish and sophisticated lounge with chic and modern decor. A clear colour scheme of pink, grey and gold, along with the velvet upholstery, crystal chandeliers and back-lit glass bubbles on the wall make you feel like you are inside a bottle of bubbly. Pink’s speciality is Champagne, offering the broadest menu onboard, but they also serve sparkling wine, spirits and cocktails making it the perfect place to see the night through. You will also find a beautiful piano, pink of course, tucked away in the corner so you can sip and enjoy a show from the talented musicians who perform at this venue.

During our seven nights on Disney Dream, we had beautiful weather which meant we spent some time at the back of the ship at Satellite Falls, where there is a cascading waterfall into the pool, creating a tranquil water feature. This area was one of the most relaxing areas on the ship, second only to the Senses Spa & Salon. Here, you will find many spa and beauty treatments along with rainforest-themed steam rooms, showers, saunas, private luxury verandas, personal whirlpools and so much more. Don’t worry, the kids won’t miss out on the spa experience, as they have their own Chill Spa for teens aged 13 to 17.

If the thought of a Disney cruise has ever crossed your mind, but you were worried it would be too focused around kids, then fear no more as the adult Disney experience is just as magical and is only a ‘Dream’ away.

Shows and Entertainment – Libby

The entertainment onboard the Disney Dream combines legendary Disney storytelling, immersive experiences, and unforgettable performances. Prepare to be dazzled and entertained throughout your cruise!

You can enjoy world-class live shows such as The Golden Mickeys, a tribute to the movies of Walt Disney with wonderful performances. Disney’s Believe was a musical about a father who restores his connection with his daughter with a little Disney magic to help along the way.

We also had the pleasure to watch the ‘Shimmering Seas Reception’ in the atrium, which was hosted by the cruise director with brilliant cast members and, of course, characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip n Dale. They all appeared in their fabulous 25th Anniversary at Sea outfits. The performance featured the Shimmering Seas song for the special occasion and had all the characters dancing on the staircase in the atrium. Once the song had ended, all the characters made their way into the crowd dancing with the audience, whilst there were singers up by the Admiral Donald Statue keeping the party going. We had the great Goofy by us dancing and he was busting some moves! This was a great way to interact with the characters whilst celebrating Disney Cruise Line’s 25th Anniversary at Sea.

We also enjoyed Mickey’s Colour Spin Dance Party; this is available on the pool deck during selected sailings on the Disney Dream. It included all the main characters again and was a very special deck party from start to finish, with each spin of the colour wheel came each character and an iconic Disney song which everyone could sing and dance along to.

At the end of this magical week, we had the opportunity to say goodbye to the characters at their See Ya Real Soon show in the atrium of the Disney Dream. All the characters came out in their 25th Anniversary at Sea outfits and were introduced one by one then making their way down the staircase to the crowd. At the end of the event, the atrium was filled with Golden Mickey Confetti to finish the night with a fabulous bang.

Disney Dream will be sailing from Southampton in summer 2024. Take a look at the selection of cruises directly from the UK by clicking here.