Does anyone miss cruising as much as I do? I perpetually feel like that scene in Emperor’s New Groove when Kuzco is sitting in the rain, crying. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but it’s hard! I’m SO happy that Disney Cruise Line has resumed operations and so many people are able to enjoy cruising again. But I wish I could be one of those people! The last time I cruised was in 2018 aboard the Disney Dream and I’ve been wishing I could go back ever since. Sometimes I just like to pretend that I’m back on board. A dream is a wish your heart makes, right? So come with me as I dream about the Dream once more! In this article I’ll take you on a perfect day with Disney Cruise Line.
Morning Ease
I wake up to the phone ringing and a nice Guest Services crew member greeting me: “Hello, Ms. Elias. This is your 8 am wake up call.” I don’t even mind how early it is because the person knocking on my cabin door is another crew member with a tray of chocolate croissants and coffee. I ask him to bring the tray to my veranda and thank him profusely. This is what every morning of my vacation looks like – a slow start, a quiet breakfast overlooking the never-ending ocean. It doesn’t get much better than this in my book.
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Afternoon Fun
After breakfast, my dad and I usually make our way up to deck 11 for second breakfast or maybe a snack at Flo’s. At this point I’ve changed into what my mom calls a “cruise uniform.” This means a bathing suit and a cover up with flip flops. This is all you really need to wear during the day on a Disney Cruise. My go-to early afternoon choice is to snag a spot in Quiet Cove with my book and soak up some sun. Even though I only woke up a few hours ago, I can’t help being lulled to sleep by the soothing music and the never-ending stretch of blue just past my chair. I love nap time, but I love drink of the day time even more. By now, a crew member has walked past my chair about a dozen times, but I can resist no longer. I order whatever special is available today and sit back and relax while they bring me my drink.
After my drink of the day, my mom and I probably head to a cooking demonstration down in D Lounge or maybe stop to watch Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash in the Atrium because it is so unbelievably adorable to watch those little babies race to the finish line. Walking back from the cooking demonstration, I run into Peter Pan on Deck 5. He’s looking for Tinkerbell. He’s bummed when I say I haven’t seen her, but he thanks me anyway and runs off. Just a typical afternoon. I have a little bit of downtime before my massage in the Vista Spa, so I check my Navigator to see what’s happening on board.
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I’m just in time to visit the Oceaneers Club and Lab’s Open House! Several time during your cruise, the kid’s clubs have open houses for adults to come in and see how cool everything is! This kid at heart is very thankful for that. I was fortunate enough to be a kid in these clubs years ago, so it’s especially fun to come back and see how much has changed. I love this deck of the ship. The thought and care that went into planning this space is on another level. I can’t believe that it’s already 4 o’clock, but that means it’s time for my massage at the Vista Spa! I head back up on deck and let the amazing crew completely pamper and treat me.
While I’m basically comatose from my incredible massage, I still have to go get ready for the evening! I make my way back to my cabin and get dressed and ready for dinner!
Evening Grandeur
My family and I have first seating on this cruise, which means that we have dinner at 5:45 before the show instead of the other way around. Dinner tonight is in the Enchanted Garden on Deck 2. I love this restaurant. The New Orleans inspired garden restaurant is absolutely stunning. The magical ceiling changes throughout the night to reflect the setting sun over the course of our meal. We love our servers who know exactly what to bring us and joke around with us. At the dinner table, the whole family recounts what they did during the day and shares the fun they experienced. But we are so full after our meal that we tell our servers that we want “nothing for dessert.” So instead, they bring us a plate that has the word “Nothing” spelled out in chocolate on it!
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After dinner, my family and I head up to the Walt Disney Theatre for tonight’s production of Beauty and the Beast. It’s one of my favorite DCL shows. This show is breathtaking. Between the background visuals to the phenomenal acting, it wins a Tony from us. I’m always sad when the show ends for the night, but thankfully I have another show to look forward to tomorrow night.
Even though we said we were too full for dessert a mere hour ago, my family and I head up on deck to grab one last ice cream and take a leisurely walk around the top deck. It’s quiet and peaceful and yummy. Heaven.
Back in our cabin, our room has been turned down for the night with a towel monkey hanging from the ceiling and chocolates on our pillows. A day aboard the Disney Dream is absolutely magical. And the best part? The entire thing repeats tomorrow.