This Boat Rules!

Our 3-night itinerary on The Dream had us visiting Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay (Disney's own little island). However, before I get to those posts, let me share a few more tidbits of what to find on the boat.

We came prepared for Pirate Night! Arrrhh! I bought all of us in our party foam eye patches and hat from the dollar spot at Target. It was a seasonal item, but so appropriate for what we needed. I knew that Disney distributed bandanas while you're at dinner for Pirate Night, but brought some of my own in case (I already had them from a party I did for my son). My kids also brought their own foam swashbuckling swords from the dollar spot. I packed all of us (except the mister) striped shirts so we can look Pirate enough. There are fireworks after the show and a dance party. All the kids had a blast. 

Just a few more tidbits to note while on the cruise. Going to the themed restaurants is optional. Though you have a designated dinner time (we had first seating, which meant 5:45 p.m. dining time), you can opt to eat at Cabanas (the buffet on the pool deck) or make reservations and pay additional for their fancier restaurants. I would suggest if it's your first time to cruise with Disney to not stray from your dining itinerary. You get a chance to try out all three of their themed restaurants which serve different foods. Our favorite was Animator's Palate. Our kids truly enjoyed seeing Crush from "Finding Nemo". It was pretty amazing as you can talk to him if you're seated by one of their animation windows. He talks right back to you. He said "hi" personally to each of the kids in our party.

I did quite a bit of research before our cruise about what to expect and unexpected things to do. Four of us did the 5k Castaway Cay. The medals are plastic and nothing to write home about, but it's a free race and anyone 10 years old and older can sign up onboard. Since I hadn't really had a good run before the cruise, the 4th deck came in handy with the running/walking track. The morning before the race, I ran 10 laps around the boat which is about 4 miles. If you get an early start, it's breezy, cool, and quiet. Quite relaxing to see the open water and pulling into Nassau port. 

My kids used the Oceaneer's Club only once. With so much to do on the boat, it was hard for them to go back. Still a good idea to enroll them in if you want some down time to yourself. Our first night on the boat, around 10:30 p.m., my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, the mister, and myself all did the Aqua Duck twice, while the kids were at the Oceaneer's Club. 

Below are some more photos. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.

These two beauties really are something else.

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She found her mini-me!

Disney Dream-ING

Our adventure on the Disney Dream was nothing short of magical. It exceeded our expectations and we were so fortunate to have celebrated my father-in-law's 70th aboard a very cool boat.

I've only been on one other cruise besides this one. It was ages ago with my family and we took a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Western Caribbean for my 18th birthday/graduation gift. This time, I get to enjoy cruising through a much different perspective. It's the first cruise for my family and we couldn't have had a much better experience.

We were a party of 10 people traveling together. We came from different parts of the U.S. and we all met up in Florida a day before departure to take a shuttle from the airport down to Port Canaveral. I saw Disney Cruise line buses picking passengers up from MCO, but not sure where they were going.
We stayed at the Radisson Resort at The Port, which was conveniently located nearby the port to board the boat. On the day of departure, a shuttle came to pick us up. The representatives from the cruise line were very organized and made sure they picked up all their passengers (note that there are other cruise lines departing from Port Canaveral). Our shuttle driver gave us some shopping tips for when we dock at Nassau and was incredibly jovial.

Check-in on The Dream was very easy. A porter took care of all our luggage (make sure you put the luggage tags that came with your cruise docs for all the gear you want delivered to your room on the boat), with the exception of our carry-on that held our swimsuits, passports, wallets, and some liquor/water. That's right! Alcohol is permitted onboard The Dream so long as it's in your carry-on and unopened. I had two bottles of sparkling wine shipped to the hotel from a local winery that my in-laws like and picked it up and brought it with me. Other members of our party brought some other alcohol and bottles of water (onboard the boat it costs about $4/bottle) to stash in our staterooms.

I did majority of check-in online upon receiving the disney cruise documents. They give you detailed instructions and information (like, there's Pirate Night) about your entire trip. I really recommend reading it before your cruise to help with preparations for what you'll bring/need on the trip. A credit card is attached to your Keys To The World Card, which also acts as your room key and credit card aboard the boat and on Castaway Cay. DO NOT LOSE THIS. Use a lanyard if need be. Even your kids will have their own cards. Each card has your room number and some additional information about where you dine each night and what group you're in for emergency evacuation.

There is one line after another, but everything moved smoothly and fairly quickly. After you receive keys, you line up for photos before boarding the boat. Of course this is optional, but c'mon, enjoy yourself. Taking 5 minutes to take a few photos for a memorable trip is worth it...unless this is your 3rd or 20th Disney cruise.

As you board the boat there is a greeting line and they announce your family welcoming you to The Dream. A representative will come to escort you aside and you give you information about what to do next. We opted to eat since our boarding time was between 11:30-1:30 p.m. and we got on the boat shortly after 12:20 p.m. We had our carry-on bags that included our swimsuits in the event, we wanted to go use the pool and water slides immediately. This is a smart idea to do because you can take advantage of using their amenities right away without having to wait for your room and luggage to be delivered. Rooms may get done on time, but delivering luggage to your rooms may take awhile. However, luckily after we ate lunch, we headed to our staterooms and most of our luggage was already delivered and waiting in front of our door. 

Below are some pictures on the boat throughout the trip. If you want a more detailed narrative, please visit here. *warning: picture heavy post

We are extremely grateful for our generous in-laws who got connecting staterooms with a HUGE verandah for us to enjoy!

During the daytime, this is a sofa, but at night our housekeeper turns it into a bunk bed. I gladly would've slept on it too!

Disney movies while you swim all day long!

Love! Love! Love! The Aqua Duck!!!!!!!

It's her birthday and

she can party how she wants to. My littlest ray of sunshine turns 4 today! She is a force to reckon with. And I am so honored that she is a part of my life. 

Micron loves all things pink, is into princess things, loves the monkey bars, believes candy and chocolate really ARE healthy, and is equally balanced with a healthy appetite for wrestling her brother, and watching Jake and The Neverland Pirates. 

The years go by too fast. I still remember thinking that there will never be an end to the late night feedings, countless diaper changes, the constant whining (ok, that might take a few years more), but it's so quick. She changed in a blink of an eye. Her hair is much longer than it was a month ago, her limbs are stretching out as little traces of baby fat are slowly disappearing. The glimmer in her eyes still shines bright when she grins so wide that all her teeth show. I LOVE that smile.


Happy Birthday my smart, talented little girl, who has the most infectious laugh ever. Mama, Daddy, Micro, & Mo love you to bits. We are incredibly blessed that you are in our lives and the joy you bring to each of us is immeasureable. We love you.