Disney Dream cruise ship review: Mostly magic with a bit of mayhem

Erica Silverstein

TPG's Erica Silverstein accepted a free trip from Disney Cruise Line to cruise on Disney Dream. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren't subject to review by the line.

A Disney Dream cruise is not just for families with young children who love Mickey Mouse and princesses. Disney lovers of all ages, including many couples who choose to get married on board or on the cruise line's private island, will appreciate setting sail in an immersive Disney atmosphere.

A Disney Dream sailing is also attractive to travelers who love a good show, as the ship offers stellar musicals, captivating deck parties and all the movies you can watch from the many Disney-owned production companies (Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and more). Cruisers seeking a more midsize ship, with attentive service and plenty of activities geared toward both kids and adults, will not be disappointed.

Unsurprisingly, Disney Cruise Line does themed sailings well. My five-night Western Caribbean cruise was a Very Merrytime sailing, complete with holiday decorations throughout the ship, seasonal shows and activities, and visits from Santa. Mickey and friends, as well as my fellow passengers, were sporting red and green attire, too. The ship gets equally passionate about Halloween and Marvel-themed sailings.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

A Disney cruise might be a magical experience for some, but Disney Dream isn't perfect. On my cruise, dining venues were crowded and loud, and the lobby atrium and pool deck did not have enough space for all the cruisers who wanted to watch the signature shows. Cruisers looking for varied nightlife might be disappointed that many adults are tied up with childcare at night and unable to venture out to the adults-only bars and lounges.

A cruise aboard Disney Dream is pricey, especially when compared with family-friendly lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line . Make sure that Disney Dream is the ship for you by learning everything you need to know about the ship — from its cabins to its restaurants, attractions and activities — as well as my take on where the ship excels and where it misses the mark.

Overview of Disney Dream

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The 130,000-ton Disney Dream contains 1,250 cabins and can carry 2,500 passengers at double occupancy and 4,000 at maximum capacity. That makes it small for a family ship when comparing it to Royal Caribbean's family favorite Oasis Class ships. The biggest Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas , for example, measures 236,857 tons — 82% bigger than Disney Dream — and carries 5,734 passengers at double occupancy or 6,988 passengers when full.

The ship also stands apart from competitors in that it defies categorization. The ship would be considered mass-market because it offers a range of cabins from windowless insides through suites, appeals to families, does not focus on gourmet food or high-end finishings, and does not offer all-inclusive fares.

Yet Disney Dream's sailings are priced higher than most family-friendly cruise ships because the Disney brand commands a premium. Plus, you could argue that the service levels are higher and the entertainment is of a higher quality than on Royal Caribbean, Carnival or Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

So who's on board? Obviously, families with young children make up a large fraction of Disney Dream's passenger base. You'll find babies, kids and teens, as well as three-generation groups and extended family or friend groups. Yet the ship also attracts adults who are Disney fans or appreciate Disney's entertainment and service. It is common for couples to plan onboard weddings or take their honeymoon on a Disney cruise.

Because Disney cruise fares are so high, most Disney Dream passengers are willing to spend money, either because they have a high vacation budget or have saved up for a special trip where they will pull out all the stops. I was surprised how many passengers were paying extra for princess makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, high-priced Disney paraphernalia from the onboard shops, and souvenir drink and popcorn containers.

The other thing to recognize about Disney Dream is that the kid activities are central and the adult amenities peripheral. The pool deck features several bars, but they are tucked away at the ends of the deck, not set out by the main pool. The sports pub, nightclub and other themed bars are hidden at the back end of Deck 4 in a warren of interconnected rooms that aren't always easy to find, and the adults-only specialty restaurants are relegated to a quiet corner at the top of the ship. There is no casino on board.

Because so many of the adults on board are traveling with children, not all are free to go out at night. So, some adult venues and evening activities can be sparsely populated. (Others generate a larger crowd, though.) On the upside, I did not encounter obviously inebriated folks on this cruise — though that could be because I, like so many adults, was traveling with a child and not often in the adult spaces.

What I loved about Disney Dream

The crew and waiters.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Every cruise line promotes the attentiveness of its crew, but the Disney Dream crew really shined, especially our waiters, who traveled with us from restaurant to restaurant. They quickly learned our preferences, bringing us our preferred drinks as we sat down, giving us butter in addition to the day's dip for the bread and remembering our tea preferences.

Our main waiter, Richard, always had a riddle or magic trick for the kids in his section, and Afandi, our assistant waiter, made origami for the kids each night. They would patiently listen as our 7-year-old companion told them jokes and stories, even though they were busy delivering meals and clearing plates.

Our room steward, Panca, left us towel animals every day and always inquired if there was anything we needed. The kids club counselors were always welcoming and ready to answer any parent questions. The entertainment staff did a great job involving as many kids as possible in the activities and were friendly and patient.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

I love a good Broadway show, but the song-and-dance revues featured on so many cruise lines often fall flat. The singing ranges from great to mediocre, and while the costume changes and high-tech effects are cool, the shows don't always have a strong thread connecting the various numbers.

Disney Cruise Line takes a different approach — a more Disney approach, if you will. Disney Dream offers three featured musicals, all with a clear story to tell. Adults can appreciate the strong performances and creative use of costumes and scenery, and kids enjoy seeing some of their favorite characters and stories come to life on stage.

This was especially true of the ship's version of "Beauty and the Beast," an abridged version of the story based on the live-action movie. Kids and adults alike were riveted in their seats for an hour and a half, and the performances were stellar, with some of the actors even hailing from Broadway.

The only downside to the shows being so good is that you never want to miss one. That meant my friend and I never sent her daughter to the kids club after dinner, which would have allowed us to enjoy one of the ship's bars and an after-dinner cocktail together.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Palo brunch

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

I'd heard from many people that brunch at Palo was amazing, and the experience did not disappoint. If you can sneak away for a couple hours, it's a lovely way to enjoy a relaxed, quiet, kid-free meal without missing one of the featured rotational restaurants. It's also good value, leading some people to claim it's the best $50 you can spend on a Disney cruise .

Our waiter, Victor, was as handsome and charming as any Disney prince. He brought us passionfruit mimosas when my friend said she didn't care for orange juice. We started the meal with a bread basket, and the almond croissants were the best I'd ever had, warm and flaky with a delicious almond filling that elevated the pastry.

The menu is so varied that it's hard to choose. Winners included poached eggs with spinach, asparagus and mornay sauce and the goat cheese flatbread. The mushroom ravioli fell flat, but that was OK because I was getting pretty full by then. The chocolate hazelnut dessert was thankfully small because I only had room for a few delectable bites.

My tip: Book an early brunch, and don't eat anything beforehand. You will definitely want to arrive hungry and with a very empty stomach.

Family-friendly cabins

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney really thought about what families need in a living space when it designed the cabins on its ships, including Disney Dream. As a mom who has cruised with kids since they were babies, I understand the unique challenges families face when sharing a small cabin together. Disney does, too, and has created cabins to eliminate some of those challenges.

It starts with the split bathrooms, one with sink and toilet and the other with sink and shower. That means two can brush their teeth at once, and if a little person suddenly has to go potty when Daddy is in the shower, it's not a problem.

The cabins have plentiful storage space with lots of drawers because little kid clothing does not fit on grown-up hangers. Our cabin host even left a kid-size bathrobe in the closet, along with the two adult-size ones.

There's a dim light on the ceiling of the room's living area where kids will sleep in sofabeds and pulldown bunks to serve as a nightlight. A floor-to-ceiling curtain can extend across the entire room to separate the kids' sleeping areas from the adults. This way, adults can have the lights on in their section of the room after bedtime.

Even the balconies have childproof locks high up on the door, so you can prevent kiddos from sneaking onto the veranda without adult supervision.

What I didn't love about Disney Dream

Crowds and queues.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney does not get everything magically right, unfortunately. One way its ships resemble its parks is in the crowds and wait times for nearly everything.

I was dismayed at how much time we spent on this cruise waiting around. Sometimes, it was waiting in the always-long lines for a meet-and-greet and photo opp with characters or to drop off or pick up kids at the Oceaneer Club. I waited 40 minutes on a sea-day afternoon to ride the AquaDuck, and there was no entertainment in that line, as there might be at a Disney park water attraction.

Any show we wanted to see involved arriving early to get seats, occasionally waiting in line to enter the theater. Show up late to one of the Pirate Night shows or any of the events in the atrium lobby, and you will have terrible sightlines and be unable to see much of the show.

The ship also felt small for the number of people it carried, possibly because of bad design and passenger flow. Unless you go very early or late, the pool deck and its two pools are insanely crowded. Even the dining rooms felt like tables were pushed extremely close together, and it was so loud that I often had to raise my voice or lean across the table to converse with my tablemates. Walking through crowded areas was also tricky since kids would veer unpredictably while ambling slowly, so it was hard to get by; both parents and kids would block stairwells or corridors.

The crowding did make the adult areas feel like a respite. Still, the Quiet Cove sun deck and pool area fill up.

Nightlife district

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The majority of Disney Dream's indoor bars and adult lounge areas are grouped together in a warren of interconnected rooms at the back of Deck 4. The District is meant to be a happening nightlife area, but I found it to be more of a dark, confusing afterthought.

I liked the vibe in the pub, with comfy seating and windows to the outside, and the whimsical Champagne bar Pink with its bubbles and corset theming. But the other bars were dark and not necessarily inviting. There was one bar, Skyline, that I could not find until I got turned around in a stairwell and happened upon it.

Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids

A member of the ship's entertainment team told me that evening adult events were hit or miss as far as attendance goes. It makes sense — I found that by the time I ate dinner and attended the show, it was time to put my friend's kid to bed. I could have ditched them to hang out in a bar on my own, but that wasn't an attractive option.

Disney Dream cabins and suites

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The cabins and suites on Disney Dream were designed with families in mind, more so than on nearly every other cruise ship afloat. Cabins come in various categories, with many that can sleep families of three or four. Most have a split bathroom design, with two half baths; one contains a toilet and sink, the other a sink and shower (or shower-tub combo).

My cabin was a balcony room that could accommodate three, with a queen-size bed and a sofa that flips into a twin bed. I was dismayed to discover that, unlike every other ocean-going cruise ship I've sailed, the queen bed did not split into two twins. This forced my friend and I to share a bed. (Cabins that can sleep four will have a pull-down bunk above the sofa bed.)

The room is split in two by a floor-to-ceiling height, full-width blackout curtain, so we could put my friend's daughter to bed on the couch, turn off the lights on her side of the room and then read in bed with the lights on. One downside of this arrangement is that the small flat-screen TV is in the living area, not the bedroom, so we couldn't watch a late-night movie. Another downside: The blackout curtains effectively turned the adult sleeping area into an inside cabin with no natural light.

In addition to the sofa bed, the cabin's living area features a desk with two 110V and one 220V outlets, three deep drawers (perfect for storing kid clothing), a minifridge, the aforementioned TV, an open cabinet with two narrow shelves, a closed cabinet with two tall shelves and a mirror. One of the many light switches by the desk turns on a dim overhead light that can be used as a nightlight. A low-backed chair can be positioned at the desk or turned around to face the coffee table when dining in your cabin.

The master bed is flanked by two small nightstands, each with one drawer, and reading lamps. Only one side of the bed has a 110V and 220V outlet; the other has the cabin's phone. The closet is divided into two sections, both with hanging space and some open shelves. Adjacent is a shelving unit with three deep drawers and a tall two-shelf open cabinet above. The bed is high enough for suitcases, or your small child, to fit underneath.

I found the storage perfectly adequate for two adults and a child on a five-night cruise, and the room could likely handle belongings for a seven-night or longer cruise, as well.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The narrow balcony features two metal and mesh upright chairs and a round metal drinks table. It has a childproof lock you can choose to use to prevent little cruisers from venturing out on the balcony unattended.

The bathroom with the toilet and sink offers three small glass shelves for storing toiletries; the shower room has two. Our bathroom had a tub/shower combo, and at 6 feet tall, I came close to hitting my head on the ceiling; I could not wash my hair without removing the wand showerhead from its holder and reaching it up as far its cord would go.

Each bathroom comes with a refillable hand soap dispenser; the shower room also offers bar soap and refillable containers of Disney brand shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in the tub. You'll find tissue dispensers in each. The shower room has a full-length mirror on the back of the door, which is useful, but this means there are no hooks on the door to hang extra items. There are, however, two retractable clotheslines in the shower and two large hooks on the wall between the bathroom and the sleeping area.

Less expensive cabins are either windowless insides with "magical portholes" (round video screens set in a window frame that display images from outside the ship with some cameos from animated characters) or ocean-view rooms with a round porthole window that does not open.

Higher-tier cabins include Concierge-level cabins and suites that grant you access to the exclusive Concierge lounge and sun deck on decks 12 and 13, respectively. These rooms come in three styles: a balcony cabin, a one-bedroom suite and a Royal Suite, all with private verandas. They come with upgraded amenities and privileges, such as included Wi-Fi, a pillow menu, feather duvets and priority for check-in and debarkation, tendering and reservations.

Wheelchair-accessible cabins come in nearly every cabin category except the Royal Suite.

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Disney Dream restaurants and bars

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The Disney dining experience is a bit different than what you might have experienced on other cruise ships . The line employs a "rotational dining" system in which you choose early or late seating (5:45 and 8:15 p.m. on my sailing). Then, each night, you are assigned to one of three restaurants each evening. You "rotate" through all the options during the course of your cruise, and your waiters move with you. This way, you can build a rapport, and they can get to know your dining preferences.

Disney Dream does not offer a buffet alternative at dinner, though you can order room service or pick up burgers and chicken tenders at Tow Mater's Grill on the pool deck. If you choose these options or if the adults in your party make a reservation at the adults-only specialty restaurants, Palo and Remy, you might miss out on one of the themed main dining room experiences.

Restaurants

Overall, the food on Disney is fine, but the emphasis is less on impressive food and more on creating an experience that children will enjoy. The waiters work hard, not only taking orders and serving food, but cutting up food for kids or entertaining them with riddles and origami.

Each of the three main restaurants serves its own menu, but on some nights, each menu will serve the same menu, such as the "welcome aboard" menu on night one and a Caribbean-themed menu on pirate night. Every menu is divided into appetizers, soups and salads, main courses, vegetarian options, lighter options and dessert (which always includes an ice cream sundae and a sugar-free option).

The kids menu varies nightly, but is the same at each restaurant on any given day. It's divided into appetizers (a different soup each night and a garden salad), mains (macaroni and cheese, mini burgers, pizza and a changing option such as kid-sized surf and turf) and Disney Check Meals (combo dinners served with a main such as baked cod or penne pasta, a vegetable and fruit).

Mickey ice cream bars are the favorite dessert here; ice cream is also available, as well as a changing dessert such as a chocolate brownie with ice cream or white chocolate cheesecake.

Related: Disney cruise tips, tricks, secrets and extra magic to unlock when setting sail with Mickey

Unlike the venues on Disney's newer ships, the three main restaurants on Disney Dream have less of a theatrical aspect to them, though all are themed.

The design of the Enchanted Garden restaurant on Deck 2 was inspired by the Gardens of Versailles, and its menu claims to be market-style and international. Try the ahi tuna and avocado tower as a starter and the scallops or the prime rib for your main. The signature pecan tart was a nod to Thanksgiving on a Christmas-themed cruise.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Right above the Enchanted Garden on Deck 3 is the Royal Palace, inspired by four princesses — Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). See if you can find iconic images from their stories around the dining room. Dinner here is the perfect time to wear your princess dress to dinner or dress up a little.

The menu is French, with starters like escargot and baked brie. Mains include duck breast, rack of lamb and Chateaubriand-roasted steak. For dessert, consider the grand marnier souffle or the apple tart tartin.

Royal Palace was also the sit-down option for breakfast and lunch on our cruise. Breakfast offers a nice selection of fruit and yogurt, breakfast pastries and egg and griddle options. A kids menu features fun-sized versions of eggs, pancakes, Mickey waffles and yogurt with fruit. Signature adult breakfasts include a savory power crepe, a plant-based hot breakfast for the vegans among us, southern hash and brioche French toast.

Most families stick to casual options for lunch, but if you want a sit-down, multicourse meal, the Royal Palace is there for you. The lunch menu is split into a choice of soups and salads, small plates (such as beef satay skewers or tomato and mozzarella bruschetta), chef's recommendations (churrasco steak, spiced cod fillet), burgers (including a turkey burger and Impossible burger), pasta, a handful of kid-friendly options and dessert (typically one is a sundae). Sit-down lunch is a great option on embarkation day when you don't want to drag your bags around a crowded buffet.

Animator's Palate, on Deck 3 aft (essentially behind the Royal Palace), is the night to experience dinner with a show. Video screens around the animation-themed restaurant come to life with characters from "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory," with a surprising interactive element. I enjoyed the butternut squash soup, ginger-teriyaki beef tenderloin and the cookies and cream sundae for dessert.

I generally found the three main restaurants loud, with tables spaced extremely close together. (At Animator's Palate, our table was separated from the next by the width of the ice bucket for our bottle of Prosecco.) Dinners are not relaxing events, even though the waiters are outstanding, keeping the kids entertained with riddles, magic tricks and origami.

Perhaps that is why Disney Dream's two specialty restaurants are exclusive to adults over 18. They offer a nice break for the grown-ups in the group to have a quieter, more upscale meal in a less crowded setting. Both the French Remy and Italian Palo are on Deck 12, separated by the Meridian Bar.

Palo is open for brunch on sea days and dinner daily, both for $50 per person. Brunch is a highlight and a great value for all the food they give you. The meal starts with a complimentary Prosecco or mimosa and a bread basket that includes not-to-be-missed warm almond croissants.

Then you can choose as many breakfast or lunch entrees as you'd like; the poached eggs with spinach, asparagus and mornay sauce and the goat cheese flatbread (pizza) were standouts from our brunch. You can also select from frittatas, waffles and pancakes, and mains like lasagna Bolognese, sirloin steak, veal and parmesan-crusted chicken breast.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

After you've completely stuffed yourself, the waiters have the audacity to offer dessert. We sampled the warm amaretto chocolate fondant and the limoncello torte; while tasty, they were definitely not necessary to complete your meal.

For dinner in Palo, choose from the $50 fixed-price menu (a four-course meal with limited options for each), upgrade to the wine-paired menu or order a la carte from the full menu. The chocolate souffle dessert is the signature sweet and should be ordered at the beginning of the meal.

Remy is one of the most expensive specialty restaurants at sea, with menus by acclaimed chefs Scott Hunnel (from Victoria & Albert's at Walt Disney World Resort) and Arnaud Lallement (of Michelin star fame). Disney Dream offers two set menus, one by each chef, for $135 per person, with wine and Champagne pairings for an additional $120 and $160, respectively. You can also order a la carte.

For casual dining, Disney Dream does offer a buffet option on the Deck 11 pool deck. Cabanas serves breakfast and lunch only. In the morning, you'll find all the staples: eggs, breakfast meat, pastries, cereal, yogurt, fruit, pancakes and the famous Mickey waffles. An omelet station is tucked away at the back.

At lunch, you can find pizza and burgers, an array of hot entrees, soup, premade salads, a huge stash of shrimp and crab legs, pasta, deli meat and desserts (including ice cream). Look for themed sections that change daily.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

I found Cabanas to have a nice variety of dishes (and the creamiest steam tray scrambled eggs I've had on a cruise to date). However, the layout is awful. The buffet is all one line, rather than station-based, and there is not a lot of room to walk around the venue. The result is that lines are long, and it's tricky to navigate through (say, if you're walking from the beverage station back to your table). This is especially true if you get stuck behind slow-moving, unpredictable small children who are somehow impossible to get around.

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Unlike other mass-market cruise ships, Disney Dream offers free soda with meals and from beverage stations along the pool deck sides and in Cabanas (where you'll also find water, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate). Bring your own refillable drink containers to avoid waste because the poolside stations only offer paper cups, not reusable glasses and mugs.

For a snack or simpler meal, a trio of food counters, collectively known as Flo's Cafe, on the opposite end of the pool deck from Cabanas offers all the kid favorites. Luigi's Pizza serves up five types of pie daily; Tow-Mater's Grill cooks up burgers, chicken, hot dogs and sausages, plus chicken tenders and French fries; and Fillmore's Favorites serves a range of paninis, wraps, salads and fruit bowls. Be aware that while these venues are open all afternoon, only Tow-Mater's is open for dinner; Luigi's Pizza opens again at 9 p.m. for late-night snacks.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Poolside treats include the Eye Scream station with three soft-serve machines pumping out multiple flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, banana and strawberry. Frozone Treats next door offers extra-fee smoothies and refreshing drinks with and without alcohol (such as Dole Whip with a shot of rum).

Room service is complimentary on Disney Dream. You can order continental breakfast items by marking off your selections on a tag and hanging it outside your door before bed. All-day room service is available for order via phone; the menu is on the Navigator app. Selections include soups, salads, American fare (buffalo wings, burgers, chicken tenders), pizza and pasta and dessert. Mickey bars are not on the official room service menu, but can be ordered to your cabin.

If the free treats on this ship aren't enough (which is a concept that's difficult to grasp), you can splurge at Vanellope's Sweet Treats. Indulge with extra-fee ice cream and gelato, crazy sundaes, cupcakes and other baked goods and candy.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Outside the Walt Disney Theatre on Deck 3 is Preludes, where you can buy snacks (popcorn, candy) and drinks to bring into the theater. A secondary outpost of Preludes is outside the Buena Vista Theater on Deck 4.

Parents, be prepared: The pervasive smell of popcorn will have your littles desperate for a snack, and the only way to access popcorn is by purchasing a souvenir popcorn bucket on the first night. The buckets range from $8 to more than $20, but refills are only $1.50.

On a ship where sodas and ice cream bars are complimentary, I was surprised the line charged for popcorn.

On a ship full of kids, it's understandable that adults might need a grown-up beverage or two. Disney Dream accommodates, but the bars are less front and center than perhaps you'd find on other cruise ships.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

On Deck 3, the Bon Voyage bar is tucked to one side of the midship elevator banks, between the Grand Lobby and the shopping area. It's in a crowded thoroughfare, so it lacks ambience.

Tucked into a corner on Deck 4 is the Vista Cafe for all your coffee drinks, regular or spiked. It also has a small case of snacks to go with your latte or mocha.

Related: Best cruise ship bars

The District, on Deck 4 aft, is the adult nightlife area, though it's used during the day to host events such as trivia. Grouped together are Pink, a wine and Champagne bar; Evolution, the nightclub and event space; Pub 687, the sports and game bar; Skyline, for bougie martinis with a changing cityscape behind the bar; and the District Lounge for hanging out, sometimes with live music. The District is a dark warren of interconnected rooms, so I only found the Skyline bar halfway through my cruise.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

You won't find crowds here, as many adults will be at the family activities in the evening or stuck in their cabins after their kids go to sleep. Fun competitive games, trivia contests, and karaoke in Evolution did get a good-sized audience, but you'll rarely need to search for a seat at any of the venues.

If you're interested in Disney Dream nightlife and are traveling with younger kids, I recommend cruising with extended family or friends; this way, each adult can take turns staying with sleeping children while the others go out. Alternatively, put your kids in Oceaneer Club after dinner and the show, but not every child wants to stay up that late or leave their family for the club.

A buffet of finger foods is put out for an hour each evening to help soak up all that alcohol.

On the upper decks, the Cove Cafe is half coffee shop, half bar by the Quiet Cove adult pool. Grownups don't have to get out of the water to order drinks at the swim-up Cove Bar adjacent to the pool. Forward of the adults area, a juice bar in the Senses Spa will kick start your day or refresh you after a workout with fresh juice blends.

Additional pool bars include the Waves Bar on Deck 12 and the Currents Bar on Deck 13.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Also on Deck 12, the Meridian bar is the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail before a meal in the adjacent Remy or Palo. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a lovely getaway from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the ship. Passengers booked into Concierge-level cabins can also get drinks at their exclusive Concierge Lounge also on Deck 12.

Disney Dream activities

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney cruise ships offer a mix of typical and unique-to-Disney activities. Perhaps the most Disney thing you can do on Disney Dream is meet your favorite Disney characters and princesses.

Families have three options: You can sign up for free Royal Gatherings, where you can meet multiple princesses at one time, or extra-fee events, such as the Royal Court Royal Tea. You can look up on the Navigator app when characters will be making appearances and line up for a photo opp and to get an autograph. You'll often find the characters posing in the Grand Lobby or on the balcony just above. Or, you can serendipitously run into a character wandering about the ship.

Even your kids who think they're too cool for Mickey or princess photos will likely become starstruck when they see the characters around the ship and ultimately want a photo or two.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Most kid-friendly activities occur in the multiple Disney cruise kids clubs on board. Most are clustered on Deck 4, where you'll find the It's a Small World Nursery for baby and toddler (up to age 3) daycare for an hourly rate. The Oceaneer Club and Lab offer complimentary drop-off activities for kids ages 3-10. Kids will love flying the Millennium Falcon, playing in Andy's Room, competing in Magic PlayFloor challenges and making crafts in Tinkerbell's Fairy Hollow.

Also on Deck 4 is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where families can pay for a range of princess, prince and pirate makeovers for young cruisers. If you decide to splurge, choose your salon times wisely. You might not want to get makeup and an updo at 9 a.m. and then be unable to go into the pool for the rest of the day.

Tweens (ages 11-14) have their own hangout called Edge with video games, movies, crafts and group activities in the fake forward funnel on Deck 13. Teens (14-17) can enjoy an indoor lounge with snack bar, video game and movie space, plus a teen-only outdoor sun deck with a plunge pool and hot tub. Vibe, as it's called, is all the way forward on Deck 5, with a secret entrance from the Deck 4 outdoor promenade.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

A range of family activities, from crafts to karaoke and dance parties, take place in the D Lounge on Deck 4. (Don't confuse it with the District Lounge next door, which is a bar in the adults-only area.) Some activities are held in the atrium lobby, including the hilarious Jack Jack's Diaper Dash (ie, crawling baby races). Evolution is the destination for evening adult activities, such as trivia, interactive competitions and karaoke.

The other major family-focused destination is, of course, the pool deck. Disney Dream has options for all ages and interests. Deck 11 midship is the main pool area with Mickey's pool and slide (the latter meant for ages 3-14) and the Goofy pool. Life jackets are available for kids who aren't strong swimmers.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

A giant poolside screen shows Disney movies during both daytime and evening. Pools are open late so you can watch the evening film from the water. The pool area stage is where the welcome/sailaway show and Pirate's Night shows take place.

The Nemo's Reef splash area is intended for supervised splashing for junior cruisers in swim diapers, though youngsters of all ages are welcome. There is a hot tub by the kids pool, but it's generally full of kids.

Don't worry, Mom and Dad: Adults have their own pool deck, forward on Deck 11. The Quiet Cove pool and hot tub are exclusive to adults over 18 and are surrounded by a swim-up bar, adults-only coffee shop and lounge spaces.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Two decks up, the Satellite Falls pool and sun deck provides additional sunbathing space and a wading pool with a circular rain curtain under the ship's satellite transmitter. A sun deck exclusive to Concierge-level guests is also found on Deck 13.

Between the two on Deck 12 forward is a small family area with the Funnel Puddle plunge pool.

The pool area's other main attraction is the AquaDuck two-person raft slide that circles the entire pool deck. You must be 42 inches to ride and 54 inches to ride alone or with a smaller person. The ride has some thrills but is fairly tame. Sea-day afternoon wait times can be long (upward of 40 minutes). Ride after dark, and you'll hardly wait at all.

The entrance and exit from the AquaDuck are adjacent to each other on Deck 12, right above Nemo's Reef. I say this so you won't loop the decks multiple times looking for it.

On the opposite side of the ship on Deck 13 is Goofy's Sports Deck for all your athletic or competitive pursuits. A central sports court with basketball hoops is surrounded by a wacky minigolf course, ping pong tables and foosball.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Your running and walking track, however, will be the Deck 4 promenade. You'll find padded wooden lounge chairs here, as well as shuffleboard courts.

If you need some serious pamper time, head to the Senses Spa and Salon on Deck 11 forward. A salon offers mani-pedis and hair styling, or you can book a massage or facial in one of the spa treatment rooms. Couples treatments include various massages as well as time in one of two couples' villas, and teen services are also available.

A fitness center is stocked with resistance machines, free weights, yoga mats and cardio machines with ocean views, plus group class space for spin and core classes. You can also book a pass to the Rainforest Room thermal suite for access to relaxing saunas and steam rooms.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

If retail therapy is more your style, you'll find an array of shops on decks 3 and 4, selling all kinds of character-based souvenirs and toys, Disney Cruise Line logo items, fine jewelry and sundries. The Whozits and Whatzits shop on Deck 11 sells swim and beach items in case you forgot something at home. If you plan on splurging, consider packing a foldable duffle that you can fill with all your souvenirs for the trip home.

Related: Tricks to save money on a Disney cruise

Disney Dream shows

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Cruise Line is known for its original Broadway-style musical shows. Disney Dream's trio of original productions include "The Golden Mickeys," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney's Believe." These are performed in the Walt Disney Theatre on decks 3 and 4. Your showtime is opposite your mealtime; if you have an early dinner, you'll see the late show and vice versa.

"The Golden Mickeys" is a Disney's version of an awards show, honoring the bravest heroes and the most dastardly villains. The show combines video clips with live performances of favorite songs from Disney movies.

"Disney Believe" is another original musical featuring a single dad who goes on a journey to regain his belief in magic. Along the way, he encounters characters from a wide selection of Disney movies, who guide him on his journey with song and dance.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The ship's marquee show, which runs 1 and 1/2 hours rather than an hour, is a stage adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast," based on the live-action movie. The show employs creative use of puppetry and high-tech scenery, and the performers are stellar. (Some even have Broadway backgrounds.) On our sailing, this show also has a matinee performance to accommodate more guests.

The Walt Disney Theatre has both orchestra and balcony seating. Be careful of poles and railings that can block views from the balcony. Sit in the front section of the orchestra if you want confetti to rain down on you during certain performances.

Disney Dream does not have just one theater. The Buena Vista Theatre on decks 4 and 5 is the ship's movie cinema, showing first-run movies from Disney-owned production studios. That means if the film is currently showing in the movie theaters on land, you can watch it for free while you're at sea.

Disney Cruise Line is also famous for its Pirate Night, a shipwide pirate-themed party, complete with pirate-themed games, trivia and kids activities; a special pirate-themed, island-inspired dinner menu in every restaurant; and two pirate shows on the pool deck stage. The early show stars Pirate Mickey and friends and is geared for younger cruisers; the later, all-ages show features Jack Sparrow and culminates in a fireworks display.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Nearly everyone on board, from babies to grandparents, gets into the pirate spirit, dressing up in looks ranging from simple DIY outfits with a few accessories to head-to-toe professional costumes, complete with wigs. Even if your kids think they're too cool, pack some pirate attire because you will feel left out of the fun if you're not in costume.

Another hot tip: The pool deck cannot handle the number of people who turn out for these shows. Arrive a good half hour early to stake out a spot with decent sightlines, and be prepared to potentially hold your child up the entire time if you're standing in the back. Also, plan for an afternoon nap, if your young kid wants to see fireworks. The show starts after 10 p.m.

On our five-night cruise, Pirate Night took place on a night when a performance one of the three musicals was not occurring. On that night, the main stage screened the newest Disney movie, so more people could watch. On the remaining night, a guest magician performed.

If you like shows, keep an eye out for short performances listed in the daily schedule on the app. Early in the sailing, Mickey and friends did a Christmas tree lighting event, complete with a Santa visit. One evening, the Broadway actor who plays Gaston in the ship's theater did a half-hour one-man show, performing numbers from the Disney songbook.

Disney Dream itineraries and pricing

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Dream will offer a series of three-, four- and five-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, through early May 2024. Ports of call in the Bahamas include Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney's longtime private island. Caribbean cruises include Grand Cayman or Cozumel, Mexico.

The ship then crosses the Atlantic for a summer season in Europe. From May through mid-July, it will offer five- to 11-night Mediterranean cruises out of Barcelona and Civitavecchia (the port for Rome), Italy.

It will then reposition to Southampton, England (near London), where it will sail two Scandinavian fjords cruises; several three- to seven-night Europe Coastal and southern Europe cruises to ports in Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands; and one British Isles cruise before crossing the Atlantic back to Florida.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Disney Cruise Line ship

The ship returns to Fort Lauderdale from October 2024 through May 2025, again offering three- to five-night Caribbean and Bahamas sailings. This time, certain itineraries include Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney's new private destination on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

Fares vary by season, cruise destination and theme, as well as cabin category. Expect the least expensive windowless inside cabins to start at more than $200 per person, per night, based on double occupancy.

On Disney's website, three-night Bahamas cruises start from $1,733 for a couple. Five-night Western Caribbean cruises start at $2,437 per couple, and a seven-night Western Europe cruise starts at $4,427 per couple. Fares increase from there for cabins with balconies or suites, as well as for adding additional guests sharing the cabin.

A family of four would pay upward of $5,859 for a Concierge-level cabin on a three-night Bahamas cruise, for example.

Related: I saved every receipt — here's how much it actually costs to go on a Disney cruise

What to know before you go

Required documents.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

U.S. citizens sailing Disney Dream from Port Canaveral will need either a passport or a government-issued photo ID and an original birth certificate. Children can sail with either a passport or a birth certificate. However, for Disney Dream's summer European sailings, including the transatlantic crossings, everyone traveling (including babies) will need a passport.

If you're sailing with a child who is not your own, you will need to fill out a form certifying that you have permission from their parents to travel with them. Passports, when required, must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Related: Tips for getting a child's passport

Disney Cruise Line charges a crew gratuity of $14.50 per person (including babies and children) per day for most cruisers and $15.50 per person for Concierge-level cabins and suites.

You can prepay this amount, or it will be added to your onboard bill. If you have not prepaid, you can adjust the amount up or down at guest services or give additional tips in cash. The hardworking crew relies on these gratuities; even if you have service snafus, we strongly encourage you to pay the full amount and express your dissatisfaction in another fashion.

To give an idea of the cost, a four-person family on a five-night cruise in a standard cabin would pay $290 in recommended tips. The amount is split among your team of dining room servers who kept your kids entertained at dinner and your cabin host who cleaned up your mess each day.

An 18% gratuity is added to onboard spa, bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. You can always add an additional gratuity for any of your services or servers.

While room service is free, it's customary to add a few dollars of tip when you sign the "bill."

A gratuity is added to bills at Palo and Remy because those servers are not included in the automatic gratuity. Leave an additional tip if you enjoyed the service. If you stay in a Concierge-level room or suite, it is customary to tip the Concierge Lounge hosts $8 per person, per day, at the end of your cruise.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Dream offers various Wi-Fi packages for a fee.

On my sailing, you could choose from three Wi-Fi packages and pay per 24 hours or per voyage. The Stay Connected package gives access to just Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It costs $18 for 24 hours for one device or $16/day for the full voyage (so $80 for a five-night sailing like mine).

The Classic Surf package gives access to the entire web, email and audio calling. The 24-hour price for one device is $28; the full-cruise cost is $24/day ($120 for a five-night sailing).

The Premium Surf package gives the same access as the Classic but with the addition of streaming services like YouTube, Snapchat and video calling. It costs $42 for 24 hours on one device or $34/day for the voyage ($170 for a five-night cruise).

For any of the plans, you can purchase full-cruise packages for up to four devices, with a 20% discount for each additional device. There is no discount for a multiple-device package for 24 hours. You can purchase a full-cruise package in the middle of your vacation, and the price will be prorated for the number of days left.

If you're deciding how many devices to add to your package, know that you can switch your plan from device to device throughout the cruise. For example, if you purchase a one-device plan, you can switch the service from your phone to your tablet then back to your phone. However, if you need a connection on your tablet and phone at the same time, you will need a two-device plan.

On my Caribbean cruise, I had no problems using the Navigator app or texting, and my travel companions made several Wi-Fi calls using our Premium Surf package. However, loading webpages and uploading photos on my laptop was often slow.

Carry-on drinks policy

Each passenger 21 years and older can bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 milliliters) or six beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board both at the beginning of the cruise and at each port of call. Not every cruise line allows you to bring drinks back from port without confiscating them, so take advantage of this generous alcohol policy .

On embarkation day, beverages must be packed in your carry-on (not checked) bags. You can keep drinks chilled in the small fridge in your cabin or ask your stateroom host for ice.

If you wish to consume wine or Champagne that you've brought on board in one of the dining rooms, you must pay a $26 corkage fee per bottle.

Smoking policy

Smoking is permitted in the following onboard locations only:

  • The portside outdoor area of the Meridian Lounge on Deck 12
  • The portside deck area on Deck 13 aft by the Currents Bar
  • The aft port side of the Deck 4 outdoor promenade, but only from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Passengers caught smoking in their cabins or on their cabin balconies will be charged a $250 cleaning fee.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Dream offers 24-hour, self-service guest laundry facilities on Decks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. They are not marked on the deck plans on the app, but they are shown on each floor's deck plan by the stairwell and signs in the cabin hallways point the way. On most decks, they are located all the way forward or aft.

Use your Key to the World cruise card to pay to operate the washers and dryers, as well as buy any detergent or dryer sheets you need. Laundry rooms are also stocked with irons and ironing boards for complimentary use; they are the only place on board where you're allowed to use an iron.

If you really don't want to do chores on your vacation, you can send out your dirty laundry for washing, pressing or dry cleaning for an additional fee. Use the laundry bag and form in your cabin and your cabin attendant will pick up and return your clothes.

Electrical outlets

All cabins are equipped with 110-volt outlets, which are standard in the U.S. and Canada, and 220-volt (European) outlets by the desk and on one side of the bed. A shaver-only outlet is located on the ceiling of the bathroom.

The currency on Disney Cruise Line ships is the U.S. dollar.

When you are on the ship, you will not need cash or a credit card — all incidentals, purchases and services will be charged to your cabin folio. Your Key to the World card serves as your onboard payment method. The only exception is if you want to tip a crew member in cash.

You will want to have some cash or a credit card for purchases in port. The exception is Castaway Cay, where cruisers can pay for all purchases at the shops and bars with their cruise cards; cash and credit cards are not accepted on Disney's private island.

Drinking age

The drinking age on board Disney Dream is 21. However, if you're sailing on one of Dream's round-trip cruises within Europe, where the drinking age is lower, parents and guardians can sign a form to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to drink on board when in the presence of an adult in their traveling party.

Daytime dress is casual; shorts, T-shirts and casual sundresses are the norm on Bahamas and Caribbean sailings. Many of your shipmates will be dressed in Mickey ears, Disney-themed attire, princess dresses or group T-shirts at all times.

During the evenings, dining attire in the three main dining restaurants is "cruise casual," meaning no swimwear or tank tops, but you don't have to dress up in anything fancy. That said, many guests do dress up in the evening, but it's not required unless you are dining in Palo or Remy. (Palo also asks that diners dress up a bit for brunch, so come prepared.)

Our five-night cruise had one optional dress-up night, and we were also told that it's fun to change into something a bit fancier (or perhaps a princess costume) when dining at the Royal Palace restaurant.

The dress code on Pirate Night is, of course, pirate casual. Bring your bandanas and eye patches, but leave your swords and pistols at home.

On Halloween and Very Merrytime Christmas cruises, costumes and holiday attire are encouraged — and make for great photos.

Related: The ultimate Disney cruise packing list

Bottom line

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Dream offers an amazing experience for families with children and Disney lovers of all ages. The ship stands out for its family-friendly cabins, attentive crew and stellar musical shows. You will be able to meet many of your favorite Disney characters and immerse yourself in the world of Disney.

However, you need to be prepared for crowds and queues, loud dinners, other people's children and myriad extra-fee events, treats and souvenirs that will tempt everyone in your travel party. Come with the right mindset, and you'll have a magical trip your family will remember fondly.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • Top ways cruisers waste money
  • The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

logo

Disney Dream European Mediterranean Cruise Review

This past June, I went on my first European Cruise and my first Disney cruise aboard the Disney Dream.   Today I’ll share an overview of the cruise and my experience, as well as my honest thoughts and recommendations as you think about booking a similar cruise.  

I was really excited to go on this cruise, not only to experience a new Disney Cruise Line ship but also to see some new cities throughout Europe that have been on my bucket list for a while.   The cruise departed from the Port of Civitavecchia, which is about an hour outside of Rome, Italy.   It was 7 nights and 8 days long and had stops in Naples (Italy), Santorini (Greece), Mykonos (Greece), and Chania (Crete).  

Let me start off by saying that I am a HUGE fan of Disney cruises.   Before this one, I had only been on two others (both on the Disney Wonder) but I had the most marvelous time and can’t stop recommending them to everyone I know.   That means that my expectations for this one were pretty high.  

Disney Dream Cruise Ship

The planning process for this cruise was very easy.  We did decide to only plan one excursion for this cruise because we were on a strict budget (something I actually never recommend doing – but   I’ll get into this more later).  

DISNEY DREAM FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The ship itself was beautiful and well-maintained.   It’s bigger than the Disney Wonder but not too big to navigate.   There are 14 decks and all of the amenities you expect on a Disney Cruise (pools, restaurants, lounges, coffee shops, entertainment spaces, theaters, kids clubs, and more). I especially liked the adults-only area on the top deck because it had tons of comfortable loungers (that aren’t available in the all-access areas).   

One of the things I find most appealing about a Disney Cruise are the intricate details sprinkled throughout the ship, and so I really like spending time exploring every nook and cranny while on my vacation.   This ship has no shortage.   (I also like doing an activity called “The Art of the Ship” on every cruise, which takes you on an hour-long tour of the ship to discuss various points of interest in its design.)  

We had a standard verandah room and it was quite spacious, just like on every Disney cruise.   (Read my full Disney Dream Verandah Room review here .)   I particularly liked having a verandah room on this cruise since the views were stunning.  

DAY 1 – DAY AT SEA / FIRST DAY ACTIVITIES

Once we got settled and were through some of the introductory activities, it was time for us to truly enjoy our first day at sea!  

On every Disney cruise there is a welcome party on the top deck and also one later in the night in the atrium.   Both are not to be missed.   It sets the tone for your vacation and they are just pure fun.  

Disney Dream Welcome Party

Our first dinner rotation was in the Enchanted Garden dining room, a beautifully themed room that harkens to the gardens of Versailles.   Our meal was really incredible (as are most meals on a Disney Cruise, you can order as much as you want so you and your party can try everything if that interests you!).    

All-in-all, we had the perfect day 1 and were off to a great start on our cruise!  

DAY 2 – PORT STOP IN NAPLES, ITALY

This is where things started to take a bit of a turn for me.   The next day was our first port stop.   This was in Naples, Italy which I had read isn’t that safe to tour alone.   It’s also VERY close to the Amalfi Coast which has been a dream of mine to see since I was in college.   We decided to do an excursion on this day so that we could see the Amalfi coast and stop in Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.  

We booked our excursion through Shore Excursions (a reputable company that I had used on my Alaskan cruise).   Long story short, they put us on the wrong tour. (We’re not sure how this happened and we still haven’t gotten our money back. The tour we were on only gave us about an hour in Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi (but by the time we parked and walked into the city center (and then walked back in order to get the bus on time) we had only about 30 minutes to actually do anything in each location. It was a lot of driving for very little reward and it cost $200/person.  

While I’m forever grateful to have seen the Amalfi coast (and snap some of those “iconic” photos).   I would never recommend this to anyone else going on this cruise.   I would recommend focusing on one activity (maybe just go to Positano) and book it through Disney Cruise Line.  

Once we got back on the ship, we were anxious to meet all of the Disney costume characters who were dressed in Italian outfits! (Are you kidding me?!)   Then we had dinner in the Royal Palace, a dining room themed after all of the Disney princesses!   Again, another incredible meal and is when we really started to bond with our serving staff.   We capped off the night with some music in “The District”, which is the 21-and-over area of the ship where there are a series of different bars you can enjoy.   We went to the District Lounge and listened to a husband/wife duo sing pop songs.  

The District Lounge

DAY 3 – DAY AT SEA

After the crazy day we had prior, we were so excited to have this day at sea.   It was filled with tons of relaxation, reading, character meet & greets, the “Art of the Ship” tour I previously mentioned, and more.  

On this night, we had “formal” night.   My friend and I REALLY decided to do it up, so we spent some time getting ready in our stateroom and taking photos on the top deck.   This is one of my favorite nights because all of the Disney characters come out for photos in their formal wear and it’s just so special.  

On this night there was another party in the atrium where the cruise gave out free drinks for an hour.   The drinks were actually really really good and we had such a great time.   It’s also the night where you can see your first Broadway level show, “The Golden Mickeys”.   I’ve actually seen this show on every single cruise at this point, and it’s honestly very dated.   BUT I love it anyway, because they have a red carpet outside and they really make it feel special for all the guests who dressed up in their formal attire for the night.  

This night we had our dining rotation in Animators Palette, which I was bummed about because it really didn’t seem like a great fit for formal night, but WOW, was I wrong.   They used all of the digital screens around the restaurant to make you feel like you were underwater and it was actually quite beautiful.  

We went to bed a bit earlier on this night to gear up for Day 4.  

Animator's Palette Dining Room

DAY 4 – PORT STOP IN MYKONOS, GREECE  

Our next stop was in Mykonos and we were pumped!   I’ve always wanted to go to Mykonos.   We were up and ready to get off of the ship the second we docked but for some reason there were some pretty substantial delays with disembarkment on this day.   This gave us about an hour to meet Chip and Dale in their Greek outfits (swoon) and get some character coffees from Cove Café (specialty coffees cost extra).  

When we were finally allowed to exit the ship, we had to take a small ferry to get to the main touristy area of Mykonos.   I highly recommend always being first to get off the ship.  In this case, when you get off the ship you also have to get in line for a ferry.   Our first two hours in Mykonos were HEAVEN.   The streets were quiet and empty.   It was peaceful and just STUNNING.  Worth getting off the ship first!

By around noon, the place was jam-packed.   Mykonos is a popular stop for many cruise ships and so the streets became so overrun with people that it definitely wasn’t as fun as when we first arrived.   We grabbed some lunch at a recommended restaurant and around 3pm decided we had seen enough and were ready to get back on this ship.  

Mykonos is small enough that you don’t need to plan an excursion on this day.   It’s super easy to walk around and very easy to get to and from the ship.   I imagine there is lots more to explore on the island itself but given that we were given such limited time at this port, it didn’t seem worth it to try and plan more.  

Back on board the ship, we got ready for the highly anticipated PIRATE NIGHT.   Everyone receives a Pirate Mickey bandana in their stateroom so you can participate even if you forgot (or didn’t know to) bring an outfit.   Each dining room serves the same pirate-themed meal (definitely order the jerk chicken, most delicious dish) and the staff all dress like pirates!  

At the end of the night there is a Pirate Party on the top deck where the cast members put on a show and then there is a full-on dance party! It’s the most fun. (Oh, and don’t forget to check out the characters in all of their pirate-themed outfits too!)

Disney Dream Pirate Night

DAY 5 – PORT STOP IN SANTORINI

Here’s where things REALLY took a turn for me.   Santorini is amazing.   I had actually spent 5 days here previously and loved every second.   There is much to explore and it’s a lot bigger than Mykonos.  

To get to Santorini, you need to take a tender boat to the main dock, and then a cable car up to the main town of Fira. This part is nuts!   As you can imagine, there are a lot of people trying to get off the boat to explore this port stop.   We were lucky and got off the ship as soon as we could so we didn’t have to wait long, but if you don’t do this, you will likely have to wait at least an hour or more just to get to the first town.  

  This was another stop where we didn’t have an excursion booked and I had grand plans of spending the day driving an ATV from town to town.   Renting an ATV is actually really easy and convenient in Santorini and is generally something I would highly recommend… if you are not visiting during high season, when all of the cruise ships are stopping here.   We ended up only going to Oai and it was a big hassle and waste of money to get the ATV.   (Although we loved the rental company and all of the guys who worked there, so again, if your visiting on an non-cruise day, I completely recommend doing this.)  

By the time we got to Oai, so many groups had beaten us to the punch, which was hard for me to understand since we were the first off of the cruise ship.   This is because Disney is not the only cruise ship to dock here.   It was literal “nuts-to-butts” as my friend likes to say, and we were miserable.   It was also the hottest day of the year on record for Santorini.  

We did make the best of it and had an incredible lunch with a view, and managed to find a few really special spots, but by the end of the day, we were both drained and frustrated.   We decided to just head back to Fira and get back on the cruise ship, only to discover the line for the cable car was wrapped around 5 town blocks.  

Oai, Santorini Views

We started to get really nervous about not making it back in time (and also standing in line for 2 hours baking in the sun).   So we decided to do the most foolish thing of all – hike down the “donkey path” to the port.   There is a reason why this is NOT recommended.   We knew this was not recommended before we did it – Disney makes it very clear before you get off of the ship.   Years and years of donkeys climbing up and down this 800-foot cobblestone path have worn down and smoothed all of the rocks, making each step incredibly slippery and dangerous.   The path is very steep, and it took us over an hour to walk down because we were slipping and sliding everywhere.   I was quite worried that one of us would be injured.  

We got back on the ship just in time for dinner and crawled our way to the dining room, where I’m not sure we even spoke to each other the whole meal.   Haha.   Exhaustion from the entire day took over us.  

We left dinner early and took our dessert back to the room with us (you can do that, by the way!) We were able to watch the sunset from our balcony, which was gorgeous and then we called it a night.

DAY 6 – PORT DAY IN CHANIA, GREECE

Our last port day was in Chania, which is technically part of Crete.   Because things went so poorly in Santorini the day before, my friend decided not to get off the ship this day.   I hate “wasting” an opportunity to see something new, so I forced myself off the ship even though I had no real plan.  

Here is where I deeply regret not booking an excursion.   I decided I wanted to have a “beach day”.   Crete is known for its stunning beaches and I was very tired from the day before.   I looked up the most beautiful beaches in the area on Google and started on my journey to take public transportation to the beach.   It looked to be about an hour drive away from Chania.  

Long story short, the beach I chose can only be reached by ferry and all of the ferries were basically all-day excursions so I would miss getting back on the cruise ship on time.   I found this out after sitting on a bus for 2 hours to get to the ferry port.   I ended up calling a cab and going to a random beach he recommended for 1 hour before heading back to Chania and getting on the cruise ship.  

I felt very sad like I had wasted the day.   So let my mistakes, be a lesson for you.   It pays to plan.   It also pays to just do an excursion.   Going the “cheap” route on a vacation like this is not the way, in my opinion.  

Back on the ship, we had our last dinner in Animators Palette.   This is a very special night that happens on all Disney cruise ships.   I won’t spoil it for you but let’s just say it’s magical, and your kids will love it!  

Then we headed to the main theater to see the stage performance of “Beauty and the Beast”.   This is the crown jewel of the Disney Dream onboard entertainment and is not to be missed.    

Animator's Palette

DAY 7 – DAY AT SEA

We concluded the cruise with our final day at sea.   I was sooo excited to spend this day laying out at the adults-only pool, relaxing.   What I did not take into account, is that on this last day, the cruise ship has to book it back to the Port of Civitavecchia, so it’s traveling a lot faster than on other days.   This meant it was actually quite cool to be outside and that the wind was crazy wild on the top decks.  

So I ended up spending most of the day exploring the ship, trying to see the characters in their 25 th anniversary outfits, shop, etc. It ended up being a great way to end the trip and I was so grateful to have one last day at sea.  

We had our last meal back in the Enchanted Garden, where we started our culinary journey.   The last meal is always a little bittersweet.   You start saying your goodbyes to the staff and you have to pack up your belongings for the last day.  

I actually ended up getting sick after dinner so this is where my trip essentially ends.   If I had been feeling better I would have gone to the final Broadway style show in the main theater and the farewell party in the atrium.   Two things that are such a great way to end your trip.

Disney Dream Lobby

FINAL THOUGHTS

Since I’ve been back, the question I get asked most is, “would you recommend this?”   Makes perfect sense, people want to know if it’s worth it to travel all the way to Europe just to get on a Disney Cruise.   My honest opinion is that, no, it’s not worth it.  

I absolutely love Disney cruising and I also love Europe.   What I didn’t love, were mixing the two.   I felt cheated on both.   I felt there wasn’t enough time to fully enjoy the Disney cruise because we were so tired every day after the ports, and I felt there wasn’t enough time to do any of the ports justice.   I think if you’re going to do a Disney cruise, do one somewhere more relaxing.   And if you want to go to Italy and Greece, then just go to Italy and Greece (in September when it’s cooler and off season).  

We definitely made the best of our trip though.   Just putting this review together took me back to all the great moments.   I’m so glad I was able to experience the Disney Dream but I don’t know if this particular cruise is the best for a first time cruise.   If you don’t really care about the ports and just want the cruise experience, then by all means, go on this cruise!   The theming on the ship was really fun and we were obsessed with the character outfits.   I would just make sure to go with the right expectations.  

I hope you found this review helpful. If the Disney Dream European Mediterranean Cruise has been on your bucket list, then hopefully understanding more of what to expect will go a long way in helping you decide what to do.   Let me know which Disney cruises have been your favorite.   It’s my new goal to start cruising a lot more over the upcoming years and can’t wait to share it all with you!  

Ranking My Top 10 Rides at Walt Disney World

previous post

Disney Dream Room Tour

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Restaurants
  • Things to do
  • Disney Cruises
  • Disney Cruises from California
  • Disney Cruises from Florida
  • Disney Cruises from Texas
  • Disney Cruises from Miami
  • Disney Cruises from Port Canaveral
  • Disney Cruises from Galveston
  • Disney Cruises from San Diego
  • Disney Cruises from New York City
  • Disney Cruises from New Orleans
  • Disney Cruises from San Juan
  • Disney Cruises from Vancouver
  • Disney Cruises from Dover
  • Disney Cruises from London
  • Disney Cruises from Barcelona
  • Disney Cruises from Copenhagen
  • Disney Cruises from Civitavecchia
  • Disney Cruises to St. Kitts
  • Disney Cruises to U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Disney Cruises to St. Thomas
  • Disney Cruises to Baja California
  • Disney Cruises to Los Cabos
  • Disney Cruises to Cabo San Lucas
  • Disney Cruises to British Columbia
  • Disney Cruises to Vancouver
  • Disney Cruises to Vancouver Island
  • Disney Cruises to Victoria
  • Disney Cruises to France
  • Disney Cruises to Spain
  • Disney Cruises to Catalonia
  • Disney Cruises to Barcelona
  • Disney Cruises to Taormina
  • Disney Cruises to Tuscany
  • Disney Cruises to Florence
  • Disney Cruises to Portugal
  • Disney Cruises to Central America
  • Disney Cruises to Colombia
  • Family Disney Cruises
  • Things to Do
  • Travel Stories
  • Rental Cars
  • Add a Place
  • Travel Forum
  • Travelers' Choice
  • Help Center

Disney Dream Deck Plans & Reviews

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Dream

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Activities & entertainment

  • Connect@Sea *
  • Disney's Oceaneer Club
  • Vibe Interior
  • Disney's Oceaneer Lab
  • It's A Small World Nursery
  • Nemo's Reef
  • Couples Villa *
  • Senses Fitness Area
  • Mickey Slide
  • Senses Spa & Salon *
  • Senses Treatment Salons *
  • Senses Rainforest Room *
  • Satellite Falls
  • Goofy's Sports Deck
  • Character Events
  • Fitness Classes
  • Arts and Crafts Classes
  • Deck Parties
  • Nightly Live Music
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • Dance Parties
  • Extensive Kids Programs
  • Pin Trading
  • Sing-Alongs
  • Video Game Competitions
  • Adults-Only Events
  • Hot Tubs (4)
  • Waterslides (2)
  • Walt Disney Theatre
  • Buena Vista Theatre
  • Disney Movies Onboard
  • Enchanted Garden - International
  • Preludes - Movie Snacks *
  • Royal Palace - French & American
  • Animator's Palate - West Coast Fusion
  • Pink - Wine & Champagne *
  • The District - Piano Bar *
  • Pub 687 - Sports bar *
  • Skyline - Cocktail Bar *
  • Vista Café - Coffee Bar *
  • District Lounge - Piano Bar *
  • Cove Bar - Coffee Bar *
  • Eye Scream /Frozone Treats - Ice Cream
  • Beverage Station - Soft Drinks
  • Vanellope's Sweets and Treats - Sweets *
  • Flo's Café: Luigi's Pizza /Tow-Mater's Grill /Fillmore's Favorites - Fast Food
  • Beverage Station
  • Cove Café - Coffee Bar *
  • Senses Juice Bar - Juices
  • Palo - Gourmet *
  • Waves Bar - Pool bar *
  • Remy - Gourmet French *
  • Meridian - Clubby Cocktails *
  • Currents Bar - Pool Bar *
  • Excellent 124
  • Very Good 21
  • Terrible 16
  • All languages ( 178 )
  • English ( 174 )
  • Spanish ( 3 )
  • French ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

The map for this itinerary is not available at this time.

Disney Insider Tips

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Guide

By: Author Kristi

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Guide

If you have kids and are looking for a great way to see parts of Europe with them, you should consider taking a Disney Mediterranean Cruise. Disney Cruise Line knows how to cater to families who love to travel and have great itineraries to allow you to see many different destinations on one trip!

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Guide

7 Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona

Disney Cruise Line has both 5 and 7 Night Mediterranean Cruises that take you on a voyage to several countries.

In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to see many different places in a week.

Disney Cruise to Mediterranean

We’ve taken the 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona and have to say that it was one of my family’s most favorite vacations ever. Here are the ports of call that we were able to experience:

Barcelona Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Your trip will start (and probably end) in Barcelona so you will want to make sure that you schedule some time here before (or after your stay) so you can fully take in this amazing city. 

We usually spend 2-3 days in Barcelona when we go.

Barcelona Port

The Barcelona Cruise Port is one of the largest in the Mediterranean.

You will find that there are many ships coming into the Barcelona cruise ship port at the same time.

This can make debarkation a little chaotic if you don’t know what you are doing or where to go.

Many people book a Barcelona Cruise excursion ahead of time, but if you don’t, you won’t have a hard time finding things to do on your own.

Getting to the city of Barcelona from the Cruise port is about a 15-minute walk.

Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get to Barcelona from the cruise terminals, but it can be also the most expensive way as well.

Another option to get into the city is the Port Bus.

This is a bus service that goes back and forth between the Cruise Terminals at the Adossat Quay & Columbus Monument that only works whenever cruises are arriving to Barcelona.

A one-way ticket costs about 3€.

Barcelona Spain

5 Top Things to See in Barcelona

  • La Rambla. These tree lined streets are like an open air market and pedestrian area. You can easily grab dinner, see street performers, and do a little shopping all in one stop.
  • Sagrada Familia. Probably one of the most beautiful cathedrals you will ever see. This magnificent church has been a work in progress since 1882. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, this Gothic Basilica is in the shape of a Latin cross and is filled with beautiful biblical imagery both inside & out.
  • Park Guell. Sitting high atop the city is a picturesque park designed by Antoni Gaudí. Plan for lots of walking up hill, but the view and the beautiful architecture will be well worth it!
  • Museu Picasso. This museum houses one of the most extensive collections of Picasso’s art. You will see the progression of his art from his youth, through his cubist period and beyond. If you can go on a Sunday do (it’s FREE on Sundays).
  • Columbus Monument. While not the most amazing of sites in Barcelona, Americans will find value in this statue of the man who is noted historically for his trip across the Atlantic to the Americas. The statue is located at the site where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage.

Naples (& Pompeii), Italy

On this cruise, you will spend a lot of time in Italy, but each port you stop at will be different.

While you will port in Naples and can spend time there, we chose to do an excursion through Disney Cruise Line that allowed us to visit both Pompeii and Sorrento.

Having visited Naples before, I have to say that my honest opinion is that the day is better spent visiting Pompeii and/or the Amalfi Coast.

Pompeii Disney Excursion

Our Disney Cruise excursion took us by bus to Pompeii where we had a guided tour then on to Sorrento where we visited a local farm where we had lunch and learned how to make Mozzarella.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The excursion also allowed us our own time to explore Sorrento.

If you do choose to do Naples & Pompeii on your own, it is easily doable. It is about a 10-minute walk from the cruise port into Naples.

From there, you can see many of the major sites on your own and take the train to Pompeii or Herculaneum.

If you are visiting Pompeii with the kids, I think you should be prepared to see a lot of sexually explicit items in the market just outside of the Pompeii Archeological site. The vendors will be selling everything from calendars to posters featuring visuals of corpses in sexual poses.

Rome, Italy

Civitavechhia (Rome), Italy

When you travel to Rome on a Disney Cruise, you actually dock in Civitavecchia so you will need to find a way to get into the Rome city center.

Disney offers several cruise excursion options, and some buses and taxis will take you into Rome.

Trevi Fountain in Rome

We decided that we wanted someone to actually take us from places to place instead of relying on buses and walking so we did a semi private tour.

This was nice for us because we were able to go in with another family (so a total of 8 people) for a MUCH CHEAPER rate than any of the bigger tours (through Disney or elsewhere) were charging (I’m talking 50% less).

We had a van with a driver (who spoke good English) and were able to pretty much plan our day according to what we wanted to see.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

We were able to visit The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Forum and the Vatican.

I would not have done it any other way!

If you are planning to see Rome on your own, you are going to want to make sure that you aren’t stuck standing in lines all day.

Buy whatever attraction tickets you can in advance. This can save you not only time but money!

Most of the places you visit in Rome will have an audio tour option. Typically, they are also in a separate line.

Opt out of the audio tour and use the FREE Rick Steve downloads instead. One of the best ones is for the Roman Forum.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy

When visiting Livorno, you will need to choose between visiting Florence and Pisa. You can do both, but in my opinion, it is not ideal.

This is because you don’t really get enough time in Florence and you don’t get to go inside the Uffizi which I think is an important museum to see.

Duomo in Florence

On our Disney Mediterranean Cruise to Livorno, we chose to spend the day in Florence on our own. There are guided tour options, but since everything is centrally located and we didn’t want to be on someone else’s schedule, we did it alone.

We began our day trip to Florence in the heart of Florence.

This is where you will find such important sites as Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (Duomo), Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery of St. John and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant before heading on to see the local squares and the Uffizi.

From the Uffizi balcony, you get a beautiful view of the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Villefranche (Monaco & Monte Carlo / Nice), France

Located on the French Riviera, this region includes Monte Carlo, Cannes, and Nice.

We choose to go on our own cruise excursion from Villefranche to Nice, Monte Carlo and Monaco.

There are two ways to get from Villefranche to Nice: Train or Bus.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Bus Trip from Villefranche to Nice

If you choose to take the bus from Villefranche to Nice, it will take about 15 minutes.

Once the tender brings you inland, walk up the hill to the bus stop. You will take Bus 100. This is a popular thing to do, so expect that you might have to wait for more than once bus. Buses run every 15 mins or so.

You purchase bus fare on the bus. Make sure you have Euros.

On the return trip, the bus is even more full and can take quite some time to make the journey back. You may want to take the train.

Train Trip from Villefranche to Nice

Just a 10-minute walk from where the tender lands, the train is the fastest way to get to Nice from Villefranche if the trains are running.

Be sure to check to make sure that they are not on strike (as this is known to happen quite a bit in France).

You can purchase your ticket at the train station. It is about 2 Euro each way. You will get off at the Nice Ville station and walk the rest of the way into Old Town.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Once in Nice, take the Little Train Tour which takes you to see the most important landmarks as well as gets you to Monaco to see the Prince’s Palace at the top of Castle Hill.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

It takes all the planning out of your trip and because of the audio guide, you will learn as you go.

View of French Riviera

The views from atop Castle Hill are stunning.

There are plenty of places to sit and observe the beauty of this region of France!

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Going from Nice to Monte Carlo

The bus ride from Nice to Monte Carlo (Bus #100) is a wonderful way to see the scenery. At only 1.50€ each way, you are going to find this the cheapest way to get around.

Grand Prix Track in Monte Carlo

Here you will be able to see The Monaco Grand Prix .

You can almost picture the cars zooming through these narrow hilly and quite curvy roads. I have no idea how they do it!

Because it is so hilly, you might want to take a local bus to get from one end of the town to the other. Tickets cost 2€ and can be purchased from the driver. Tickets are good for 30 minutes.

Monte Carlo

One of the sights you will want to see is the Monte Carlo Casino.

If you are without children, you can go inside and check it out or take your chances and play the tables. Those with kids can go no further than the foot of the stairs.

If you are looking to do some shopping, Monaco has many upscale shops and stores. Be aware that those will be closed on Sundays.

Tip: As you know if you’ve traveled to France, bathrooms are hard to find. You can find bathrooms in train stations and you will find there are places like Burger King on Jean Medecin Avenue where you can buy a soda and use a clean bathroom for free.

History of Wooden Puppets in Italy

Things to Know about Mediterranean Cruise Excursions

Local currency.

The currency in all ports of call on a Mediterranean cruise will be the Euro. There are 8 Euro Coins and 7 different Euro banknotes. 

While you can charge everything to your room while on the ship, you will want to make sure you get plenty of Euros prior to your trip for your excursions.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

You can use the exchange services on the ship (as well as at most airports, ports of call ATMs, and European banks) BUT you will want to make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck.

European exchange rates vary and fluctuate. Find the best deal you can prior to your cruise and get more than you think you will need.

Also, whether you plan to withdrawal Euros from a Credit Card while in Europe or not, make sure you know your PIN code just in case.

We had no idea what our pin code was and it caused us an unneeded headache when we needed more Euros.

Be prepared to be up early. Disney Cruise Line excursions seem to get priority in leaving the ship.

In Villefranche, it can take up to one hour to leave the ship because you have to terry off the ship by small boats.

If you are doing a non-Disney or on your own excursion, plan accordingly.

We did both Disney and Non-Disney excursions on our Disney Mediterranean Cruise. I do suggest you do your homework.

Excursions will not wait for you, so be sure that you are on time!

You will pay more for Disney excursions than you will if you book private tours, but you are guaranteed that Disney won’t leave you if your excursion runs late (traffic is an issue in some ports of call).

We did both Disney and non-Disney and I’m glad we did! 

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Language Barrier

You don’t need to speak Spanish, French or Italian.

We found that everyone we met spoke English, so it made communication very easy.

I was really hoping to use some of the Spanish I’ve mastered, but I hardly ever had the chance.

Dressing Appropriately for Rome

Dress Appropriately

If you plan on visiting houses of worship or other religious locations, you should make sure that your knees and shoulders are covered. 

Wear comfortable shoes. For me, it was Skechers Go Walk Shoes. These are my go-to shoes and I swear by them. I did see others wearing them too!

The kids love their Keen Newport H2 Shoes. They are flexible, breathe and keep their toes covered.

Best part is that no one got blisters or complained about how uncomfortable their shoes were.

Packing List for a Disney Cruise

Pack Smart for Excursions

Create a Mediterranean Cruise packing list and make sure you think about things you might need when you leave the ship.

Bring a money belt or small purse that can be carried across the body.

My husband carried the money belt (you will need to carry Passports with you and this is the safest way).

Make copies of your passport to keep on the ship.

I carried a small Vera Bradley Hipster Purse that held my small incidentals like phone and sunglasses. We also had a backpack for souvenirs, hats, sunblock and such.

Italian Gelato

Be Prepared

Most of your lunches will be on your own. If you sit down in a restaurant, you will pay more than if you take it to go.

There is no tap water. If you want water, you will have to pay for it.

Bottled water is cheapest~ 1-2 euros at small convenience stores (located just about everywhere).

You’ll pay twice as much (same as a soda) in a restaurant.

They serve both sparkling and “water natural” which is regular bottled water, so know what you are ordering.

Gratuities are generally already included in your bill at sit down restaurants.

Bathrooms are not always free, clean or big. Those with small children (or bladders) will want to know where “toilets” can be found while out and about.

Keep small change with you in case they charge a fee.

Bring a stack of napkins to dry your hands because most do not have ANY paper towels for when you wash your hands.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Guide

More about the Mediterranean ports:

  • If you plan on staying extra days in Europe prior or post cruise, be sure to get at least one converter for your electronics.
  • Trains are unpredictable. They will stop for no reason and can cause your trip to be off schedule.
  • Pickpockets will look just like you. Be wary of strangers and never ask one to take your picture. You might never see your camera again.
  • If you are handed a small card asking for money, don’t take the card. They will want it back… with some money.
  • Our go to book was Rick Steve’s Mediterranean Cruise Ports. I carried it with us to every stop we made and found it very informative!

Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Ship

  • The Mediterranean Cruise itself is just like any other cruise you would take with Disney. Same great staff, on board activities, accommodations and food.
  • Disney Characters will be dressed up in costumes based on port! Great photo opportunities.
  • There is one formal night (not all that formal, really) and a pirate night followed by fireworks.
  • They have movies in English and Spanish. Be sure to know which one you are going to (this information will be on your Disney Navigator! The theater is small, so get there early. Movies fill up fast, especially first-run movies. I’m talking, about people sitting on the stairs. Yes, it is that packed and they do not allow you to save seats.
  • Pack smart. Bring only what you need. Vary your luggage. We heard stories of airlines losing all luggage (those out of Heathrow were the worst), so make sure you have items like your camera, electronics, medications, and basic clothing in your carry-ons.
  • There are laundry rooms on the ship so you can wash your items as needed.
  • Disney Cruise Line provides shampoo, conditioner, and body wash along with body lotion in your stateroom bathrooms.
  • There will be a hairdryer in a desk drawer.
  • There are 2 FREE Disney Cruise Line postcards in the desk. Stamps can be found at post offices (and some convenience stores) at each port of call.

We had a fabulous time on our Disney Mediterranean Cruise! What questions do you have about sailing to Europe with Disney?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Travel Babbo

Travel Babbo

A Family Travel Blog

A Disney Mediterranean Cruise Review – Disney Magic

By Eric Stoen on January 23, 2015 • Last Updated March 20, 2023 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure here .

Disney Cruise Review: Leaving Venice

Disney Cruise Update s

This post was written after our first two Mediterranean Disney cruises. Our third cruise, in Northern Europe, wasn’t as good, mainly because the cold weather drove everyone inside which led to overcrowding and highlighted issues that we kind of glossed over on previous sailings. My open letter to Disney cruises on what they can improve is HERE .

Then in 2023 we took our forth Disney Cruise, on the Disney Fantasy, in the Caribbean. My review is HERE .

Planning for a Disney Cruise

January is a perfect time to think about not only doing a cruise with your kids this coming summer but doing a cruise with your kids next summer. Disney announces their summer cruise schedules roughly 16 months in advance and some of their popular and unique itineraries sell out quickly. If you’re interested in one of their sailings, grab a reservation before it’s too late.

So, that begs the question: should you be interested in one of their sailings? That depends on your family and your budget, but in general my answer is yes. It’s a great vacation for young and old alike, with some caveats.

We’ve now gone on two Disney Mediterranean cruises with our three kids. The first was to/from Barcelona, stopping in Malta, Palermo, Naples, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Corsica, and Villefranche. The second of our Disney Mediterranean cruises traveled from Venice to Barcelona, visiting Athens, Ephesus, Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, and Malta. Our kids were 1, 3 and 5 for the first cruise and 4, 6 and 8 for the second. After a total of 24 nights on the Disney Magic, here are my thoughts:

Best Ages for a Disney Cruise

I touched on this in my post about the best ages to travel everywhere . We’ve seen everyone from babies just a few months old to people in their 80s on the cruises. Disney cruises do a good job of entertaining everyone, but it always looks to me like the teenagers are having the most fun on the ship. I honestly don’t think that kids under two are going to get much out of Disney cruises. Any other age will be able to find things to do.

Disney Cruise Review: Walking around the Disney Magic

Disney Magic Kids Club

A lot of people ask me about the kids’ clubs on Disney cruises. Honestly, of all of the things to do on the ship, the kids club hasn’t been a top choice of my kids. The club is well organized and well supervised, and there is an ever-changing agenda of things going on (like fairy tale hours or science hours), but whenever our kids have chosen to spend some time there, they invariably get bored after half an hour or so and want to leave. That’s likely not representative of all kids though.

Disney Magic Ship Activities

There are activities on Disney cruises for every age beyond the kids club. Our default on our Disney Mediterranean cruises was always the pools. The pools are good and never seem overly crowded, even on days at sea with 1,000 captive kids on the ship. Our kids enjoyed the waterslides, but I would highly recommend waiting to go them. The line for the Aqua Dunk – the slide that drops suddenly and shoots you in a tube over the side of the ship and back – was over half an hour the first day of our most recent cruise. But by halfway through the trip, there was no line at all.

Disney Cruise Review: Waterslide

If you don’t feel like the pool on your Disney cruise, there’s shuffleboard. There’s a sports court. There are movies always showing, including new Disney releases. There are constant character appearances. There are classes on napkin and towel folding. There are cooking classes. There’s a spa. There’s a gym. There’s Bingo (the only gambling on the ship). There are decent-quality, Broadway-type shows. There are magicians for kids. The list goes on. I always kind of preferred to relax with a book, but I think I was in the minority.

Disney cruise review: Walking around the Disney Magic

Disney Magic Rooms / Cabins

We booked a two-room Concierge suite on the first of our Mediterranean Disney cruises. It came with a personal attendant who would do things like bring us DVDs and popcorn, and surprise the kids with stuffed animals. The setup of the room on our Disney cruise was nice, with a larger bathroom and a dining table, but it wasn’t worth the money. We didn’t really need the option to dine in our room, and we didn’t watch too many DVDs or eat too much popcorn.

So the second cruise we instead booked two connecting rooms with balconies. This was far less expensive, and although there was a little wasted space in that we didn’t really need four sinks or six beds, it worked out great. Disney even removed the balcony divider for us so that we had one long balcony instead of two smaller ones. Just another reason to book far in advance: there aren’t many connecting rooms, so if you’re a family of five or more, you need to reserve them quickly.

Disney cruise review: The suite on our first Disney cruise

Disney Magic Food

The food on our Mediterranean Disney cruises ranged from not good to very good. There are three restaurants that you rotate among, with the same servers at each. While my foodie wife was fairly disappointed in the food quality, I was decently happy most nights (except when I ordered fish – it was usually really dry). My kids were nicely adventurous, going for venison, Cornish game hen, duck, and other more unique entrees off the adult menu far more often than they ordered off the kids menu.

One of the biggest letdowns during our Disney Mediterranean cruises was Greek Night, but really how is a kitchen catering to 2,500 people going to compete with the lunches in the local tavernas on the islands that we were eating every day?

Disney cruise review: Our lunch at a beach taverna in Crete was better than Disney's Greek-themed meal.

Disney Mediterranean Port Excursions

On our first cruise we did three official Disney port excursions. One was good and uncrowded – to Montserrat in Spain. One was decent but very crowded – to Pompeii. And one was terrible and crowded – a pottery-painting workshop for kids in Palermo, Sicily. What we took away from this was: never book the cruise-sponsored excursions! On our second cruise we did research well in advance, determined where we wanted to roam around by ourselves (Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini) and where we wanted guided tours (Venice, Athens, Ephesus, and Malta), and then booked the tours with the top-rated guides on TripAdvisor.

All tours turned out to be far better than the previous Disney excursions, they were all at our pace, and they were all far less expensive than if we had booked through Disney. An added benefit was that each tour was timed to avoid the crowds from our ship and other ships. Every night on the ship when we were listening to other cruise-goers complain about their tours, we felt like we made the right decision.

My post on every one of our Disney cruise port stops, what we did and what we would recommend, is HERE .

Disney cruise review: Athens

The Disney Element

So obviously the cruise experience is largely Disney-themed. You’ll see characters walking around and posing for photos, hear a constant Disney soundtrack, and be very much surrounded by Disney while dining. What’s interesting is that the Disney experience is a bit of a time warp. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale – the old-school characters? They’re everywhere. And there’s a night dedicated to Pirates of the Caribbean – the 2003 movie more than the theme park ride.

But if you’re looking for characters from the most recent movies? Well, the younger passengers are dressed like them, but Disney largely ignores them. Frozen, the biggest animated movie of all time? There were a couple of character appearances, some screenings of the movie and a themed kids menu one night, but otherwise there was no sign of the movie – not at Animators Palate, the animation-themed restaurant, not on the soundtrack and and not in the shows. And we cruised a full eight months after the movie came out – plenty of time for Disney to have taken elements from it and incorporated them. Brave, Tangled, Up and Cars? Barely present. Yet if you’re a fan of the Emperor’s New Groove and Hercules, which not coincidently came out close to the Disney Magic’s maiden voyage, you’re set.

Disney cruise review: Frozen

My kids liked the overall Disney presence. I was fine with it. My wife by the end of the cruise very tired of the Disney theme and forced cheerfulness of all employees/cast members, feeling like she had been trapped in a theme park for 12 days. And even when you get off of the boat it’s not over – on the bus to the airport in Barcelona they were showing yet more Disney videos. Two weeks in Paris post-cruise worked nicely to remove us from a Disney mindset. And no, we didn’t go to Disneyland Paris or into the Disney store on the Champs-Elysees.

Disney cruise review: Lots of characters

Quality of the Experience

Having been subjected recently to a cruise on Royal Caribbean, I have to say that Disney cruises are far nicer, and Disney just does things better. On Royal Caribbean, there was a constant push by the cruise line to get you to spend more money – on alcohol, art, jewelry and gambling primarily. Disney cruises don’t hit you over the head with any of that. Sure there are the Disney Vacations desk and a few stores, but otherwise, there’s an overall appreciation that you paid in advance for the all-inclusive cruise experience and, other than wine, laundry and pirate costumes, there’s not much to add to the room tab.

Disney cruise review: Fireworks at the Pirates of the Caribbean deck party

Disney Magic Feedback / Summary

One thing that annoyed me on both of our Mediterranean Disney cruises is that there are plenty of areas in which Disney could improve, but they don’t seem to want to hear about them. There is a “comments and feedback” form at the end of the cruise that everyone is encouraged to return, but really it’s just a series of ratings and there’s no room for actual comments. And when I asked Disney about this on their web page, they quickly deleted the comment.

Despite that, I would recommend a Disney cruise if you want your kids to have fun in a safe environment for a week to two weeks, with (largely) interesting port stops. But definitely book in advance. When we took our Greek cruise in 2014, the following summer’s Norway cruises were already sold out. We booked our Summer 2016 cruise early in March 2015. Check Disney’s website ( http://disneycruise.disney.go.com /) for current availability.

Have you gone on a Disney cruise? What was your impression?

Disney cruise review: Sailing into Malta. A great reason to have a cabin with a balcony.

More from Travel Babbo

Qatar: Why You Want to Stop Over Instead of Flying Through

January 24, 2015 at 5:30 am

Kids or no kids I would certainly echo the point about organising your own excursions. I’ve only done one non National Geographic cruise, on Silversea in the Caribbean, and the organised tours were largely rubbish. I noticed that a number of people were hiring taxis and that was possibly a better option but now having searched for personal tour guides through Tripadvisor I would certainly do that if I was crazy enough to take another cruise. Another tip I discovered too late was a number of people left the ship at the last port stop (in USVI) and avoided the two days at sea to get to Port Lauderdale. If you’re time poor (or have better things to do, like flying to Rio 🙂 then cutting off a sea transit by flying out of the last port of call is something to consider.

' src=

January 24, 2015 at 2:48 pm

Good advice on leaving the ship early, but it really depends what your goal of the cruise is. If you’re just looking for transportation to ports, then absolutely, cut off the last couple days. But with Disney, as far as the kids are concerned, days at sea are more fun than the port stops. If you’re there to make your kids happy – which really is the main goal of booking Disney in the first place – you wouldn’t want to shorten the cruise at all. You’d just be throwing money away.

' src=

February 28, 2016 at 2:37 pm

Very informative and well written article! Thank you for sharing your adventure as we are very interested in exploring a Mediterranean cruise with Disney Cruise Lines. We just returned from our first Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream, and we are definitely hooked!

' src=

April 20, 2016 at 2:42 pm

I’ve just booked our first one – to the Caribbean in June. We are not cruisers and prefer more active holidays, but are so exhausted that we are trying a bit more of a “relaxing” holiday. Thanks for this well-balanced review.

April 20, 2016 at 2:54 pm

Your daughter will love it! We’re doing our third this summer. Future ones will depend on whether the kids still find them fun and whether there are new, interesting itineraries. Would love for them to add an Asian loop!

' src=

May 18, 2016 at 3:06 pm

Hi! We just booked the 7 day Meditteranean cruise for Sept. 2017 with my 7 year old and 9 year old. I don’t know the geography well of the ports so my concern is if we don’t book excursions in every place are there things to do in walking distance of the ports or would we need to get a taxi or other transportation. Thanks!

May 23, 2016 at 8:34 am

Hi KaraBeth. Once we’re back from our Disney cruise this summer, I’ll write up a blog post on what we did in all of the ports on our three cruises. In general it’s always fine to walk around where Disney docks. Civitavecchia isn’t interesting, but otherwise we’ve enjoyed exploring all of the places we’ve gone. Disney doesn’t provide much information on the ports on board, so do some research in advance – maybe print out city maps and figure out playground locations and good kid-friendly restaurants. Then you’re set. We’ve found that to be more enjoyable for the kids than joining excursions, and it gives you the flexibility to return to the ship whenever you want.

' src=

September 11, 2016 at 9:03 am

Hi We have also booked for sept 2017 I would be interested to know your plans for excursions We don’t want to get off at every port but feel Rome is a must visit although I don’t fancy being on a coach with a lot of people for a day

September 12, 2016 at 11:14 am

KaraBeth and Emma – I’ve just posted my breakdown of every one of our Disney ports, including Rome: https://travelbabbo.com/2016/09/disney-cruise-port-stops-and-excursions-in-europe/ .

' src=

December 16, 2016 at 4:34 am

Hello I’ve booked for Sept as well can’t wait I don’t know much on excursions either xx

December 16, 2016 at 8:54 am

Have a great time! My post on all of our port stops and what excursions we did is here .

' src=

June 15, 2016 at 12:12 pm

Hi! Can you please give me an inside scoop on how hard it is to get off and back on the ship for excursions?

I’m looking to book a Mediterranean cruise in 2016.

June 15, 2016 at 2:19 pm

In most ports you can walk off the ship and into town. In some you need to tender in. Regardless, it’s never taken us more than a few minutes to disembark or get back on the ship. In some places like Naples we went on and off the ship several times during the day since it was so easy and close to the center of town.

' src=

July 7, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Keep in mind that some ports do not let off in the “center of everything”. It all depends on what you’d like to see: Civitavecchia is a good two hours drive from Rome. Livorno is also about 1.5 hours from Florence and 30 minutes from Pisa. It is also about 30 mins to Pompeii from Naples.

July 7, 2016 at 10:57 pm

But those have been some of our favorite ports. Well, not Civitavecchia – there’s not much to see there. But we liked Naples a lot, just wandering around from where the ship docked. And when we stopped in La Spezia we spent the day in the small town and loved it. I’m not a fan at all of trying to see Florence or Rome in a day. A couple hours of driving each way to walk through one of the world’s great cities with 50 other people, take quick photos in front of a few major sites, and spend lots of time waiting for others during bathroom breaks? Nope, definitely not the way to experience an amazing destination. And crazy travel days like that aren’t kid-friendly either.

' src=

July 7, 2016 at 7:56 pm

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience . we are thinking about doing our first cruise with the kids this summer . Looking forward to read your review about Disney cruise , summer 2016 . by the way , did you have any problems with weather in the sea? strong wind for example ? and what about motion sickness , was it a problem ? wish you a pleasant vacation 🙂 and thanks again

July 7, 2016 at 10:49 pm

Hi Maha. On the two that we did so far, there was virtually no motion at all. Maybe once did we feel the ship rocking slightly? But that was in the Mediterranean. This time we’ll be in the north Atlantic, so it could be a little more exciting. Will keep you posted. When we traveled to Antarctica with NatGeo/Lindblad we had 32-foot seas – it felt like that scene in Frozen where the parents’ ship hits the huge storm! So anything less than that wouldn’t worry me too much. Others may be more sensitive.

' src=

July 11, 2016 at 6:41 pm

We just booked the 10 day Mediterranean cruise for 2017 summer. Are the excursions included or extra $$ If extra how much per person? Thanks

July 11, 2016 at 10:37 pm

Have a great time Lesha! Excursions are all extra, whether you book them through Disney or privately. I’ve found that with our family of five, private excursions can be comparable price-wise and offer a lot more flexibility. Excursions are anywhere between $50 and $200 per person depending on the activity. I usually budget $125 per person which is a reasonable average, for Disney or for private. The entire Disney list is at https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/europe/ .

' src=

December 19, 2016 at 10:37 pm

I enjoyed your article! There’s much less info about European Disney Cruises compared to their Castaway Cay ones. Thanks for the info!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter Signup

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what’s going on with Travel Babbo!

Privacy Overview

  • CruiseMapper
  • Disney Cruise Line

Disney Dream

Disney Dream cruise ship

Cruise line Disney Cruise Line

  • Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
  • Southampton (England)

Disney Dream current position

Disney Dream current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 41.35803 N / 2.17780 E) cruising en route to Barcelona. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Disney Dream

Disney Dream current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Mediterranean Cruise From Barcelona . Prices start from USD 4001 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 25 May, 2024 and ends on 01 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Disney Dream

  •   Itineraries
  •   Review
  •   Wiki

Disney Dream Itineraries

Disney dream review, review of disney dream.

The 2010-built MS Disney Dream cruise ship is Walt Disney 's third (Dream-class) liner with sistership Disney Fantasy (2012).

The vessel (IMO number 9434254) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311042900) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

DCL-Disney Cruise Line is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (shipowner). The company was incorporated in 1996 as "Magical Cruise Company Ltd". Walt Disney also owns the Bahamian private island Castaway Cay (exclusive port of call - for Disney ships only) and an exclusive Cruise Terminal at Port Canaveral (Orlando Florida) . Disney cruises are marketed as "family vacations" and feature unique and exclusive activities, such as costumed Disney Characters, adults-only deck areas, dedicated facilities for teens, kids and infants-toddlers, signature (trademarked) shipboard facilities and activities, themed live entertainment.

MS Disney Dream cruise ship

The 4000-passenger ship Disney Dream is among industry's best cruise liners for families with small kids (younger than 8). MS Disney Dream is almost 50% larger, 2-deck taller and with 44% bigger passenger capacity in comparison to the older fleet mates Magic and Wonder . The ship design is inspired by traditional 1920s ocean liners. The vessel features a navy blue hull, 2 bright red funnels, elegant Art Deco decorations and some of the most innovative technologies and fun ideas at sea, including:

  • 22 pieces of "Enchanted Art" adorning the walls of hallways - paintings and pictures that are actually framed LCD screens with a technology to recognize guests present and proceeding with one of several animations;
  • wave phones in every stateroom (used to call or text other guests) and effectively replacing the old onboard beeper system (now the counselors' messages come directly to the parents' phones);
  • the Magical Portholes on the walls of all Disney Dream Inside cabins (LED screens showing a real-time view of the ship).

The CLIENTELE consists almost entirely of North American travelers (the USA and Canada). The new Disney Lines approach to teens and young couples (by age-related activities and limited access onboard venues) adds a really strong appeal for multi-generational cruisers.

The DRESS CODE is similar to that of the Disney luxury resorts - day casual and evening resort casual (men - jackets (no ties) and pants, women - summer dresses). All Disney Dream sailings include one pirate and one semi-formal night. On 3-day Disney Dream cruises, one night is casual, 4-day sailings are with 2 casual evenings and on 5-day voyages 3 nights are casual.

Disney Dream TIPS (totaling the US $12 PP per day) are given to waiters (including the assistant waiters) and to cabin attendants. Additionally, a 15% gratuity on all drinks is automatically charged to guests' shipboard accounts.

Decks and Cabins

Most Disney Dream staterooms (1250 total, in 28 grades) are 205-255-ft2 Balconies. The ship has 21 Suites, 887 Balcony, 199 Oceanview and 150 Inside cabins. The largest accommodations are the Concierge Royal Suites (900 ft2 / 84 m2 plus 885 ft2 / 82 m2 terrace).

Disney Dream ship cabins are very well planned and equipped. Like on all Disney ships, Disney Dream staterooms are some of the industry's largest standard cabins, most of them designed to easily accommodate four passengers. Some of the best Disney cabins features are the ample closet space, the normal-sized living space and the split bathrooms (1 room with shower-bathtub-sink and a separate toilet and sink).

Beds on Dream are raised to allow storing 2 medium-sized suitcases underneath, staterooms also got 2 vanities, a 22-inches smart HDTV, an iPod docking station and 2 rechargeable "Wave Phones" to be used ship-wide. The Disney Dream Inside cabin has a most innovative feature (and the industry's first, for that matter) - the Magical Portholes, which are LCD screens (above the beds) in the shape of portholes, projecting a real-time view outside the ship (provided by cameras). Veranda cabins feature 2 chairs and a small table on the balcony. The Disney Dream suites. Concierge Suites and Concierge Family Cabins (Deck 11-12) are new for the line, offering direct access to the ship's concierge facilities (1 small lounge, a private sun deck area with chairs, free food and drinks).

Most 1-bedroom suites are with connecting doors (1 queen bed a sitting area with a double convertible sofa, 1 pull-down bed in the living rooms, a walk-in closet, 2 bathrooms (one with a hot-tub). The largest Disney Dream stateroom, the Royal Suite, adds to all previously mentioned a living room, a wet bar, a kitchenette, media library and a Jacuzzi on the balcony.

The boat has 14 decks , of which 9 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Disney Dream three themed main restaurants are called "Animator's Palate", "Enchanted Garden" and "Royal Palace". There are 2 adults-only specialty restaurants - "Remy" (named after the "Ratatouille" movie star, French cuisine) and "Palo" (Italian cuisine) as alternative dining options. The line's Rotational Dining system allows you to rotate to each of the three main restaurants each night while your servers follow you. The Animator's Palate has screens showing animated Disney characters and themes from "Finding Nemo" movie. The Enchanted Garden is a Versailles-inspired room, featuring lighting effects, transforming day into night. The Royal Palace is princesses-themed with numerous portraits of "Cinderella" and the "Sleeping Beauty" movie characters (even the bread baskets are shaped as Cinderella's coach). The food quality is very good, the service staff is amicable and timely.

MS Disney Dream cruise ship

The Remy specialty restaurant is a classy place to be on any special occasion, offering a marvelous French menu and charging serious prices - a service fee of $75 PP (reservations are required, along with the formal dress code), drinks and wine are additional. The Palo restaurant is an Italian (Mediterranean) eatery with $20 cover PP (serves dinner and on selected days - Champagne brunch). Superb fish and seafood entrees, a cold buffet (meats, cheese, shrimp, salads and desserts) and several hot made-to-order items. The "Cabanas" casual dining complex on Deck 11 has several food and drink stations for hot and cold buffet items (including made-to-order omelets and sandwiches). The "Flo's Cafe" offers burgers, chicken fingers, wraps, pizza, salads.

Follows the complete list of Disney Dream restaurants and food bars.

  • Enchanted Garden Restaurant (696-seat forward Dining Room, inspired by the gardens of Versailles; serves as a buffet for breakfast and lunch, full service for dinner 5:45-8:15 p.m.)
  • Royal Palace Restaurant (696-seat forward Dining Room, offers complimentary French cuisine; specialty coffees and drinks are extra)
  • Animator's Palate Restaurant (696- seat aft Dining Room, animator's studio design, features favorite Disney-character dinner shows; serves complimentary drinks; Rotational Dining with two fixed Dinner seatings - at 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.)
  • Flo's Cafe (quick service restaurant with 3 food stations: "Fillmore's Favorites" (lite lunch, complimentary), "Tow Mater's Grill" (burgers bar, complimentary) and "Luigi"s Pizza")
  • Cabanas (self-service complimentary restaurant with American cuisine, pasta, sushi)
  • Remy (reservations-only, adults-only French specialty restaurant for lunch and dinner; aft location, bookings via the Internet or onboard)
  • Palo (144-seat Italian specialty restaurant; adults-only, reservation-only; aft location; bookings via the Internet or on board).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Disney Dream kids cruise fun clubs are the main reason for the line's high loyalty passengers ratio. Besides all the Disney characters and most innovative technologies and fun attractions on ships, the Disney children counselors are a pretty big reason many families to repeat their visits. Always smiling and friendly, they are hugely experienced, all college educated, attentive and downright. The Oceaneer's "Club" and "Lab" facilities (ages 3-10) are connected, thus doubling the fun space. The "Oceaneer's Club" features the "Andy's Room" (with oversized Disney characters for kids to climb on) and the "Laugh Floor" (with its "laugh-o-meter" and Mike and Sully of "Monsters Inc"). The "Oceaneer's Lab" is maritime-themed, featuring an Animator's Studio and a small Sound Studio. The new Disney approach allows all kids ages 3-10 to access the same clubs with separate rooms and age-related activities.

MS Disney Dream cruise ship

The ship's children club is called "Edge" (ages 11-13) properly secluded on Deck 13 in the funnel. The best attractions here are the 18 ft (5,5 m) tall LCD wall, the video karaoke, and numerous interconnected PCs. The teen-only "Vibe" club (ages 14-17) is of 9,000 sq. foot (836 m2), with a fountain bar and its own sun deck and pools.

The list with adults-only entertainment venues includes a dozen different lounges and bars (cocktail places), like the "Pink's Champagne Bar", the "687" sports bar, the "Evolution" nightclub, the top-deck "Meridien" wine bar (between Palo and Remy). Public spaces are decorated in deep blue and red, with numerous "Mickeys" just about everywhere (cabin, artwork, dinnerware, railings). One of the ship's most memorable places is the 3-deck high Atrium lobby with its golden hue, the wide royalty-style winding staircase, and the Donald Duck bronze statue. The Dream Atrium is a hub area connecting restaurants, theaters, and shops. You may check emails in the Internet cafe, but there's also Wi-Fi coverage throughout the ship. Like all Disney ships, Dream has no casino.

  • Fun activities on board

All Disney stage shows feature intricate sets and Disney-themed captivating performances, and the big place for grand entertainment is the Disney Theater with goldies like the "Golden Mickeys" and "Villains Tonight", new amazing stage productions, like the "Disney's Believe" (directed by Gordon Greenberg) and all the best Disney movies in 3D. The themed Disney characters onboard have always been the greatest sensation of all, and there are countless opportunities to meet and greet Mickey and company around the ship - in contrast to Disneyland, here they all are accessible and will always stop for a hug and a photo with you. Another big success is the "Pirates in the Caribbean" kids party divided into two programs - the sing-along called "Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean" followed by the "Club Pirate" (with many special effects) and great Disney fireworks between the shows.

  • SPA and FITNESS, pools, waterslide, technology

The "Senses" Spa & Salon offers all the usual treatments (haircuts, manicures) and more exotic choices (hot-stone massages, mud baths). The "Chill" is a teen-only Spa within the facility. The Fitness Center along with the usual equipment offers at additional fee Yoga and Pilates classes. The Sports Deck has a small sports court, a mini-golf course, Ping-Pong tables, a walking/jogging track.

The pool deck has a large area for family fun water activities, featuring 2 hot tubs and 2 kids pools - "Donald's" (5 ft deep) and "Mickey's" (with a spiral slide). A big attraction here is the big LED screen mounted on the funnel. There's a toddler splash area (Nemo themed) located in the center on Deck 11 with huge glass panes for parents to monitor their kids.

Disney cruise water park slide Aquaduck

The AquaDuck waterslide - the ever first water-coaster at sea is located atop the ship, featuring a 765 ft (233 m) long 4-decks high transparent tube, reaching the incredible 150 ft (46 m) above the ocean (there's a 42-inch (107 cm) height requirement). The "Nemo's Reef" is a small kids waterpark. And while speaking of water and pools - the adults-only "Quiet Cove" pool area is a great place to hide from all the little angels and devils around the ship.

Follows the complete list of Disney Dream lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

  • Walt Disney Dream Theatre (1340-seat, offers live shows, aerial acrobatics performances, grand-style productions, 3D movies; with two evening shows - at 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.)
  • Dream's Atrium (3-deck high central ship area, featuring marble-carpet flooring, grand staircase, and panoramic glass elevators)
  • Mickey's Mainsail (Disney brand logo shop for postcards, souvenirs, DVDs, toys, clothes, games)
  • Sea Treasures (duty-free crystal, brand jewelry, watches, precious stones, Disney merchandise, underwear, sport, and swimming apparel)
  • Whitecaps (duty-free brand jewelry, perfumes, liquor, and tobaccos)
  • Bon Voyage Bar (adults-only, serving wine, beer, and cocktails)
  • Buena Vista Theatre (399-seat 4D cinema, features 3D movies, Dolby Surround 7.1 and Dolby 3D movie technology)
  • Preludes Bar (quick wait-service snacks & beverages bar)
  • Shutters PhotoShop (photo packages, accessories, photographic services)
  • Vista Cafe (atrium bar for specialty coffees and teas, dinner cocktails, complimentary snacks, and pastries; Wi-Fi spot)
  • D Lounge Bar & Nightclub; Evolution Disco & Nightclub; Vista Gallery
  • The District (adults only area including the District Lounge, Evolution night club, Pink Champagne Bar, 687 Sports Bar, Skyline Bar)
  • Pink (adults-only champagne bar; chocolate and alcohol tasting classes)
  • Skyline Lounge (adults only cocktails bar, with glass walls and 7 LED screens)
  • Vibe Disco & Club Lounge (teens only)
  • It's A Small World Nursery (for 3 months to 3 yo infants and toddlers; reservations required)
  • Dream's Oceaneer Club (kids 3-12 yo; with four play areas with themes from Disney films); Dream's Oceaneer Lab (play area for kids 3-12 yo)
  • Senses Spa & Fitness Complex (with 17 treatment rooms; 1 Whirlpool; "Rainforest Room"; "Relax Room"; Fitness Centre /health and wellbeing seminars; Beauty Salon)
  • Luxurious Spa Villas (two private suites with own hot tub, private verandah, Roman bed with canopy, open-air shower)
  • Quiet Cove Pool (adults only pool, served by Cove Bar; with 2 Whirlpools)
  • Chill Spa (teens only spa with separate relaxation area and treatment rooms)
  • Cove Cafe (adult-only, with big TV screen; Wi-Fi spot)
  • Eye Scream Treats Bar (complimentary ice cream, poolside)
  • Frozone Treats (iced fruit smoothies bar, poolside)
  • Whozits & Whatzits (pool shop for AquaDuck related stuff)
  • Donald's Pool; Mickey's Pool
  • Nemo's Reef (waterplay kids zone; features characters meetings and greetings)
  • Arr-cade (kids/teens video games arcade)
  • Waves Bar (family poolside bar)
  • Outdoor LED movie screen (24x14 ft)
  • Meridian Lounge & Bar (adults-only venue for dinner cocktails)
  • Currents Bar (outdoor bar for cold drinks, refreshments, cocktails)
  • Edge Lounge (11-14 yo teens-only club area, with a giant video wall, interactive games, Internet)
  • Goofy's Sports Deck (Walking Track, Jogging Track, 9-hole Mini Golf Course, Virtual sport games simulators, combined sports court, Ping Pong/Foosball tables)
  • Radio Studio (live radio programs for Disney Dream itinerary-related news and onboard events)
  • Outlook Bar (retreat area with a piano and full bar; hosts weddings receptions).

Itineraries

Between 2011-2022, Disney Dream's itinerary program was based on short-breaks (3-night and 4-night) roundtrips to The Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral/Orlando Florida . Call port destinations included Castaway Cay (DCL's private Bahamian island) and Nassau .

The ship's last voyage from Port Canaveral was on June 3, 2022 (3-day to Castaway Cay), while the last departure from Port Canaveral was on June 6st, leaving for the new homeport Miami . The first voyage from PortMiami departed on June 7th (4-day maiden voyage). Out of Miami, Disney Dream offers two itineraries: 4-day "Bahamian Cruise" (Nassau and Castaway Cay) and 5-day "Western Caribbean Cruise" ( Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay). Select 7-day Western Caribbean voyages visit Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman, Falmouth Jamaica).

In Port Canaveral, Disney Dream was replaced by the new Disney Wish , starting on July 22, 2022.

In 2023, Disney Dream will be homeported (for the first time) in Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) . The new homeporting (beginning November 2023) follows the European deployment (Mediterranean from Barcelona and Civitavecchia-Rome, and UK-Baltic from Southampton). The new 4- and 5-night itineraries visit ports in The Bahamas (Castaway Cay, Nassau) and Western Caribbean (Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman).

Disney Dream - user reviews and comments

Photos of disney dream.

MS Disney Dream cruise ship

Disney Dream ship related cruise news

DCL-Disney Cruise Line's summer 2025 fleet deployment (Europe & Caribbean itineraries)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line's summer 2025 fleet deployment (Europe & Caribbean itineraries)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has unveiled its summer 2025 itineraries, promising families unforgettable voyages to beloved destinations worldwide. Among...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line brings back Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Dream ship in 2025

DCL-Disney Cruise Line brings back Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Dream ship in 2025

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has announced the return of Marvel Day at Sea aboard the Disney Dream in 2025. Departing from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades...

Hamburg Port concludes 2023 cruise season with record-breaking visits from AIDAnova

Hamburg Port concludes 2023 cruise season with record-breaking visits from AIDAnova

Hamburg Port is concluding its 2023 cruise season with a notable finale featuring two visits from AIDA Cruises' AIDAnova during the Christmas holiday...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line opens new Port Everglades terminal (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line opens new Port Everglades terminal (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line celebrated the opening of its cruise terminal at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, November 13...

Germany's Port Kiel records busiest cruise season ever

Germany's Port Kiel records busiest cruise season ever

The conclusion of this year's cruise season for the Port of Kiel in Germany was marked by the arrival of AIDAnova on November 4. Since April, the...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line increases cost of dining

DCL-Disney Cruise Line increases cost of dining

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has recently implemented price increases for its optional adults-only restaurants, including Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Enchante...

Bilbao Port’s BilbOPS project deploys shore-power supply based on renewable energy

Bilbao Port’s BilbOPS project deploys shore-power supply based on renewable energy

Spain's Bilbao Port Authority is currently implementing the BilbOPS project, which aims to deploy Onshore Power Supply (OPS) technology based on...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line to sail to Hamburg (Germany) in 2024

DCL-Disney Cruise Line to sail to Hamburg (Germany) in 2024

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has announced that for the 2024 cruise season, it will include Hamburg (Germany) in its itinerary. MS Disney Dream ship will...

Belfast (Northern Ireland) expects GBP 20M boost in 2023 from 170 cruise ship calls (a record year)

Belfast (Northern Ireland) expects GBP 20M boost in 2023 from 170 cruise ship calls (a record year)

Belfast (Northern Ireland UK) can expect a  GBP 20 million boost to its economy in 2023 as it pulls in a total of 170 cruise ship calls over a...

DCL's ship Disney Dream rescues Cuban man floating in the Caribbean

DCL's ship Disney Dream rescues Cuban man floating in the Caribbean

According to passengers onboard MS Disney Dream ship, on Thursday (January 5th), during the voyage between Cozumel (Mexico) and Castaway Cay (Disney...

  •   show more news

Other Disney Cruise Line cruise ships

  • Disney Adventure
  • Disney Destiny
  • Disney Fantasy
  • Disney Magic
  • Disney Treasure
  • Disney Wish
  • Disney Wonder

Disney Dream Wiki

The Walt Disney ship Dream is company's third liner, with sistership Disney Fantasy . Each vessel is 40% larger in size than the oldest Disney ships ( Magic and Wonder ). While its capacity (at double occupancy) is 2500, the Dream-y ship of Disney can accommodate up to 4000 passengers at full/max occupancy (all berths).

The vessel (Mayer Neptun yard/hull number 687) is powered by MAN B&W marine diesel engines (3x 12-cyl, 2x 14-cyl) plus diesel generators (3x 14,4 MW, 2x 16,8 MW) with total power output 76,8 MW. The propulsion system is electric (based on two converteam propulsion motors) with total power output 26 MW, plus two FPPs (5-blade Fixed-Pitch Propellers/inward-turning).

The vessel was ordered on February 22, 2007. The design was announced on Oct 29, 2009. Vessel's construction started with the keel-laying ceremony on August 19, 2009. The exterior (hull and superstructure) was completed on June 1, 2010. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on October 30, 2010, and paid in full by the shipowner Walt Disney Company on December 8, 2010. Liner's first cruise/maiden voyage was on January 26, 2011. The Bahamian itinerary from homeport Canaveral-Orlando (Florida) visited Nassau and Castaway Island .

The Disney ship Dream has company's classic "ocean liner" design inspired by the 1920s-30s' passenger ships. The hull is painted in navy blue, both funnels are in bright red. The Art Deco-styled Atrium Lobby looks jazzy and elegant, with a huge glass chandelier and the bronze statue of Donald Duck - standing right in front of the marble stairway. Walt Disney's most famous character - Mickey Mouse - can be seen everywhere - in staterooms, artworks, on dinnerware, on railings. The swimming pools are small, but the AquaDuck has the craziest waterslide at sea, with a transparent tube spinning over the ocean. The ship provides numerous regularly scheduled activities for families, kids, teens and adults, and plenty of dining and entertainment options.

On November 6, 2017, on MS Disney Dream was the premiere of the "Beauty and the Beast" musical developed as an exclusive evening production show.

The vessel's last drydock (for regularly scheduled maintenance works) was in 2020 (at Damen Shiprepair Yard in Brest France ).

The Fitnessista

7-night Disney Dream Italy and Greece Mediterranean cruise

Sharing a recap of our 7-night Mediterranean cruise (Italy and Greece) on the Disney Dream! This is not sponsored (I wish, lol), but I’m excited to share our experience. 

They have a handy little trick when you’re on board a Disney cruise: you have the option to book a placeholder for a future cruise at a slight discount. This way, when you get off the ship, it’s slightly less depressing because you know you’ll be on another one soon. We got off the Disney Dream in Rome a few weeks ago, and already, we can’t wait for our next Disney cruise.

This was Disney cruise #4 (we’ve done Alaska , Bahamas , and Mexico ), and it was our favorite one. It was a combination of the destinations plus the larger ship, which was a literal Dream.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

(We also got to enjoy Rome on either side of our cruise! You can read about our Rome adventures here. )

7-night Disney Dream European cruise

We arrived at the Civitavecchia port via a private car that the hotel booked fo us, and it was the quickest and most seamless boarding experience. By 1:30pm, we were at the pool, watching the kiddos swim and drinking cocktails with friends. (A pro tip from one of our good friends: pack your swim gear in a tote bag and check everything else. Your room won’t be ready yet, so you can head straight to the pool. It’s the least busy it will be for the entire trip and after a couple of hours, your room will be ready with all of your luggage waiting for you outside the door.)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

We had lunch from Cabanas (the buffet) and ate it by the pool, checked out our room, and then got changed for the Muster Drill, Sail-A-Wave party and dinner.

On Disney cruises, you’re on a dining rotation. You get the early (6pm) or late (8pm) seating, and alternate restaurants each evening. You can opt out of your more formal dining to have a quick bite or room service instead, but no matter what, your table will be waiting for you. You also have the same server and assistant server each night. We had the early seating, and dined at all of the major restaurants. The menus were all very similar to previous cruises and was the beautifully-plated Disney fare we love. 🙂

You can also order whatever you want. You can pick from their 4-course menu, or if you’d like, order two appetizers, two entrees, etc. In a Disney Cruise Facebook group, a suggestion was to ask the server to ask the cooks if they’d mind making a family-style meal from their home country. They said they’ve had the best Indian food and curries of their lives this way, along with naan and rice. We haven’t tried this yet – I feel bad that we’d be inconveniencing them – but I’ve been curious about trying it.

Our favorite is Animator’s Palate, which they have on all of the ships we’ve seen (Dream, Wonder, and Magic). You draw a person on your placemat, and during the meal, they have a *show* in which all of animations come to life on large screens throughout the restaurant, dancing to the music, and added to famous Disney scenes.

On this particular cruise, we stopped in Naples, Mykonos, Santorini, and Chania, and we had planned excursions in Naples and Mykonos. The rest of the time we enjoying exploring the ports on our own and living our best cruise lives on the ship.

Excursion 1: Positano, Sorrento, and Pompeii

This was about a 10-hour excursion, which was definitely a long one for the kiddos, but so worth it. Also, in the middle, we were treated to an epic 4-course meal with wine pairings, overlooking the ocean.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Positano is one of my favorite places in the entire world, so of course, I couldn’t wait to show the girls. I only wish that we had more time there! We had the chance to get a chocolate croissant and coffee, put our feet in the ocean (it was so warm and lovely), and do a little bit of shopping. (Highly recommend Luisa Positano! Liv and I each got dresses from there and they’re so gorgeous and unique.) It was probably a good thing that we were on limited time, because I wanted to buy everything. 😉

After Positano, we were back on the bus for a longer stop in Sorrento. It was my first time in Sorrento and while it had the Positano feel, it was a bit more bustling, especially on the main street. We shopped and walked around, grabbed a gelato, and then met with our tour group for an Italian meal that I’ll never forget.

This is where we had the famous zucchini pasta, along with chicken, salad, bread, and a chocolate hazelnut mousse dessert.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The meal was paired with sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, and a dessert wine. Pretty much everyone in our tour group snoozed for the entire ride to Pompeii.

Pompeii was SO cool. It was fascinating to see such a well-preserved ancient city, in addition to the various aspects of life in Pompeii, like the bakery, bathhouses, etc. By this point, the kids were pretty tired, but they rallied! We learned a lot during the guided tour, and from here, it was only 45 minutes back to the cruise ship.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Excursion 2: Super Paradise Beach Day in Mykonos

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

This was our favorite excursion. Super Paradise Beach is a private beach club, with relaxing loungers, umbrellas, a full menu, and a peaceful beach with bright, turquoise waters. It’s also partially blocked from the intense winds that can affect Mykonos.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

We ended up being there for about 3 hours, which was the perfect amount of time. We all swam, the girls played in the sand and waves, and we proceeded to order half of the things on the menu.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

( My fave Vuori suit )

A sandwich was included with our excursion, but I’m petty sure our Greek friends would disown us if we ate a turkey sandwich in their homeland.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Before we left, they gave us a list of everything to order while we were in Greece. The Pilot wrote down everything phonetically so we’d be able to pronounce it, like, “Gotta lotta booty yo.” I think we made them proud; we tried almost everything they suggested between our time in Mykonos and Chania. The food was out of this world incredible. So fresh, vibrant, and delicious. I highly, highly recommend the pastitsio, which is like a spaghetti lasagna with cheesy foam on top.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

(We also had grilled octopus, salad, cooked garlicky greens, stuffed grape leaves, beef patties, and little doughnuts)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

In Santorini, we didn’t end up doing much. It’s where you can see the famous white buildings with the blue domes in Oia, but it was so hot, and the kids were melting. It’s kind of an unusual port, too. You take a smaller tender boat to the base of the port, where you take a cable car up the steep hill to the town of Fira (lots of shopping and restaurants). You can also walk up stairs to the top, but there are 400+, which may not be realistic for small children or those with mobility difficulties. Our plan was to take the cable car UP, but walk down the stairs at the end of the day.

The cable car line tends to be extremely long, without much shade. The line was easily 200+ when we got there and moving very slowly. The girls were wearing their neck fans and we were constantly pouring water on them, and they were too hot, so we ended up heading back.

If you’re stopping in Santorini in mid-June or July, I’d recommend booking an excursion with motor coach transfer so you don’t have to deal with the cable car line. Or bring lots of water + an umbrella, or brave the stairs!

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The owner also brought us shots of ouza with our bill, ice creams for everyone, and sent us back to the ship with a giant piece of baklava to-go.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

In Chania, we ended up exploring on our own, which was ideal. We followed a tour guide group into Old Town, which was lined with small shops, kiosks, restaurants, and a gorgeous view of the bay.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney Cruise Dream dining and activities

On the ship, we enjoyed all of the usual Disney cruise offerings: the live shows – Beauty and the Beast  was phenomenal – movies, character greetings, Bingo, gym, kid’s club, swimming, endless ice cream cones and Mickey bars, whiskey tastings, and all of the wonderful restaurants.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

The best part was that we traveled with friends. The girls had built-in buddies, and so did the adults 😉 It definitely makes the experience even more fun!

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Disney really goes above and beyond when it comes to guest experience, cleanliness, and food quality. If you guys have any questions about the Disney cruise experience, please let me know!

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

(the best cruise ship magnets are on Etsy! )

So, tell me, friends: are you a cruise fan or not-so-much? Have you done a Disney cruise??

Trying to figure out which one we should do next!!

*All of the dresses in this post are from Nuuly ! I’ve had hit and miss experiences with them, but the dresses for this trip were all great

You might also like:

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Post Navigation:

14 comments.

' src=

This looks incredible and gets me so excited! I booked my first cruise – Mediterranean Virgin Voyage – for September!!

Also, you didn’t really miss that much in Santorini 😉

' src=

hahah good to know! you’re going to have the BEST time 🙂

' src=

Literally have your santorini dress from Nuuly rented right now! I find that it gets better if you’re renting stuff that has a lot of comments, because I can look at height/weight/pictures and figure out how my body is going to fit in something better. Is there a kids club/babysitting on disney cruises? My in laws want to do an alaska cruise soon, and we will have a 2 year old. I do love disney and think it would be fun to do a disney cruise especially if there is childcare.

ahhh twins! i totally agree – i always lurk the comments and reviews and yes, they have amazing kids club!! the characters come and visit them and they always have fun things planned

' src=

Looks so amazing! We have a Disney cruise booked so I have a lot of questions. Does the ship feel crowded? Were you worried about covid spreading? Do the pools have lifeguards? Do you book excursions in advance or day-of? At dinner do you sit with strangers or just your family? Are most travelers on the ship American?

the ship didn’t feel crowded- we were on a larger ship and i don’t think it was at capacity no, we weren’t worried about covid spreading yes, the pools have lifeguards you can book excursions in advance via the app. i would check and see when your booking window begins! which one are you doing? at dinner, you sit with your own family most travelers on the ship are American but there were travelers from all over! you’ll love it 🙂

Thanks! We are doing the 7 day Mediterranean cruise on the Disney dream, Barcelona to Italy to France! Can’t wait!

You’ll have the best time- the Dream is amazing!

' src=

Do you remember the name / style of the white dress with blue and orange that you’re wearing on the balcony pic? I’d love to check it out on Nuuly to rent for an upcoming trip!

Yes! The boho midi dress by let me be Xo

' src=

I’m Greek and I laughed at Gotta lotta booty yo! That’s so clever. We also call galaktobouriko – booty call! I’m so glad you enjoyed your time in Greece and hopefully you can all visit again. It’s a small country but has so much to offer!

we will absolutely be back – we loved it so much!!

' src=

Hi Gina! My family just booked an Alaskan Disney cruise for next July! YAY! Didn’t you post a whole blog on how to make it the best experience? Or am I thinking of some other blog? Booking ahead or using an app….can you link me a post if this is true? Thanks! ❤️❤️❤️

hi! you’re going to have the best time!!! here are my posts about alaska: https://fitnessista.com/disney-wonder-alaska-cruise-recap/ https://fitnessista.com/alaska-cruise-packing-list-disney-alaska-excursions/

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Follow @ Instagram

As seen on:.

Greatist

Pin It on Pinterest

facebook_pixel

EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Disney Cruise Mediterranean 2023 – Where Do They Sail and How Much Do They Cost?

Sharing is caring!

A Mediterranean Cruise is a dream for many and now there is a chance to sail on one of the larger ships in the Disney Fleet for 2023.

The Disney Dream is sailing to the Mediterranean in 2023 for the first time.

In previous years Disney Magic has sailed the Mediterranean itineraries, but for 2023 the larger, newer Disney Dream will be sailing the very popular European cruises.

After sailing from Miami on a Transatlantic Cruise, Disney Dream will reposition to Barcelona to start her Mediterranean itineraries from May 20, 2023.

The Dream will sail a variety of different Mediterranean cruises before repositioning to Southampton on 15 July 2023.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Then she will sail a number of Nothern European and British Isles cruises before sailing to New York on 17 September 2023.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Ports 2023

Here are the cruise ports which you can visit on the Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruises:

  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Livorno (Florence, Pisa)
  • Civitavecchia (Rome) Italy
  • Naples (Pompeii) Italy
  • Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  • Marseilles France
  • Kefalonia Greece
  • Piraeus (Athens) Greece
  • Santorini Greece
  • Naples Italy
  • Mykonos, Greece
  • Chania, Greece
  • Toulon (Provence), France
  • Le Havre (Paris) France

Related Post: Disney Cruise Europe 2023 – See All Disney Sailings in Europe

Disney Mediterranean Cruise Itineraries 2023

All of the Disney Dream Mediterranean cruises in 2023 are at least 7 nights.

There are a number of different itineraries to choose from.

All Disney Mediterranean cruise prices are correct on 14 February 2023 . The cost is shown for 2 guests and includes port fees and taxes.

Each price shown is for the lowest-cost stateroom in that category.

7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona

  • Toulon, France

This sails on 5/20/23

This sails on 5/27/23

There is also sailing on 7/8/2023

Disney Dream 9 Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles from Barcelona to Civitavecchia

This is likely to be one of the most popular Disney Europe cruises

  • Barcelona Spain
  • Livorno Italy

This sailing is on 6/3/23

disneydreamrestaurants

Disney Dream Restaurants – Menus and Reviews

8-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome)

This sails on 6/12/23

7-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome)

This sails on 6/20/23

11-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) Ending in Barcelona

  • Messina (Sicily), Italy
  • Piraeus (Athens), Greece
  • Santorini, Greece
  • Naples (Pompeii), Italy
  • Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy

This sails on 27 June 2023

7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Barcelona ending in Southampton

  • Southampton

This sails on 7/15/23

Disney Fantasy to Start Sailing

What Should a Disney Cruise First Timer Know Before they Sail?

Disney Mediterranean Cruise 2024

The Disney Cruises for Summer 2024 have not yet been released. It is highly likely that there will be Disney Mediterranean Cruises in 2024.

Which Disney ship will sail to the Mediterranean in 2024? No one can confirm anything until the sailings have been released, but my guess is that the Disney Dream will sail to Europe again in 2024.

Want to Know More About Sailing on Disney Cruise Line?

Here are some guides to help you:

Disney Cruise Food – All You Need to Know

Is a Disney Cruise Balcony Worth the Upgrade?

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Disney Dream

A dream come true., onboard fun.

There’s an almost endless amount of one-of-a-kind entertainment, recreation and dining offerings on the Disney Dream to keep the entire family smiling from sun-up to well after sundown.

View All Onboard Activities on the Disney Dream

Entertainment

Laugh and cheer during original Disney musicals, watch a fireworks show under the stars or catch the newest Disney films. View More

Imaginative play in vivid settings for the kids, adults-only hotspots, 3 pools—around every corner, there’s fun for everyone. View More

Hungry for something different? Feast on gourmet delights and made-to-order casual fare at magically themed restaurants. View More

FIREWORKS AT SEA

Character greetings, first-run movies, daily activities.

View all Entertainment on the Disney Dream

FOR THE ADULTS

Youth clubs, sports and fitness.

View all Recreation on the Disney Dream

MAIN DINING

Casual dining, adult-exclusive dining.

View all Dining on the Disney Dream

SPOTLIGHT AT SEA

Set your sights on some of the newest onboard enhancements and must-see experiences designed to stir your family’s imagination and create memories to last a lifetime.

Animator’s Palate

Be drawn into the magic of Disney animation at this restaurant that serves up a unique dinner show starring Disney characters.

Marvel Day at Sea

Join some of Marvel’s mightiest heroes for a super day-long celebration—available on select cruises.

Star Wars : Millenium Falcon

Inside Disney’s Oceaneer Club, young rebels are invited to pilot Han Solo’s legendary spaceship through the Star Wars universe.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Step inside this enchanted beauty salon that offers magical, head-to-toe makeovers for young princesses, pirates and knights.

Beauty and the Beast

Fall in love—all over again! Belle, Beast and the enchanted kingdom comes alive in an amazing stage show that’ll have our Guests singing along.

Indulge in tantalizing French-gourmet fare at this adult-exclusive restaurant boasting sweeping sea views and a chic ambience.

Stay in a stateroom to fit your family’s need for style and comfort—from cozy private lodgings with extra space to grand and richly appointed suites boasting sweeping views.

Luxurious and spacious beyond compare, Concierge staterooms feature separate bedrooms, top-notch amenities and unparalleled service.

Breathe in the ocean air from these richly appointed accommodations designed for families of 3 to 5—featuring a private balcony and sweeping sea views.

Relax in roomy quarters bedecked in a charming nautical motif with Art Deco flourishes—plus one or 2 portholes for admiring the scenery.

Sail away in a spacious stateroom fitted with a Magical Porthole for real-time sea views—and surprise sightings of animated Disney characters! 

PORTS OF CALL

Chart a course for unforgettable adventure with the Disney Dream as your guide and drop anchor in some of the world’s most magical places, including the Bahamas and Disney’s very own Castaway Cay.

Castaway Cay

Lose yourself to swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and boating on this island paradise reserved for Disney Cruise Line Guests.

Tropical weather blankets this sun-kissed paradise, where the recreation is renowned and the landscapes are breathtaking.

Royal palaces, expansive museums and sumptuous gardens make this wondrous region beloved by all who visit.

DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

  • Search forums
  • Media New media
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Disney Cruise Line Forum

Review of Mediterranean Port Adventures

  • Thread starter rainythursdays
  • Start date Jun 6, 2022

rainythursdays

Earning my ears.

  • Jun 6, 2022

Just got off my first cruise on the Magic and it was absolutely fantastic!! I know I would have wanted to know this before the cruise (planner that I am) and would like to give a short review of each of the port adventures I was on. We did all Disney port adventures since it was our first time. Naples - Mt Vesuvius Hike, Wine Tasting and Pompeii (Adults Only) - This was the best tour! Our group was relatively small and the guide was phenomenal. We stopped at this place that sells Jewelry made of seashells (didn’t get anything), and hiked Mt Vesuvius in the morning (relatively steep, but paths were wide and not dangerous at all). We then went to this lovely vineyard when we had a decent lunch and wine tasting of several wines. Our guide then brought us to Pompeii and guided us through a section of the ruins (it’s impossible to see the whole thing in a day, but I believe we saw the highlights). Tour was not rushed at all and we made it with plenty of time to spare back on board. Highly recommend! There’s a similar tour for families as well which I believe should be the same without the wine tasting, but would be a much larger group. Civitavecchia (Rome) - Tarquinia and Olive Oil Tasting - Having been to Rome before, I knew I didn’t want to squeeze all of Rome in a day and therefore opted for this tour which was the only half day one that didn’t go to Rome. This was okay. We had a guided tour of Tarquinia which was a quaint little town, but being from Europe, was not a must see. We then had some free time in Tarquinia which in my opinion was a little too long as the guide did not really give any ideas on which are the best places to visit during our free time, and just recommended cafes you could sit in or for bathrooms, which is useful in its own way, but I‘m the type that likes to explore the best parts of the town rather than sit in a cafe for the whole hour. We didn’t want to get lost or run out of time so decided to sit in a cafe in the end. Olive oil tasting was disappointing - I was expecting a proper tasting with explanations but they just set up a buffet table with some bread, and four different types of olive oil for lunch and we had no explanations whatsoever. The farm we were at was picturesque and quite lovely though. An tour through the olive farm would have been nice. Disappointing tour for the price. Livorno (Florence/Pisa) - Easy Pisa - Skip this. We were originally booked on Pisa (with the guided walking tour) but it got moved to the afternoon which clashed with one of our other activities so we moved to this in the morning. All they did was to bring you to Pisa, give you some free time (which was not enough at all to see the sights), and then put you on an electric train and give you a short guided tour while driving. Tour by train was definitely not a good way to truly see and learn about the sights. Extremely expensive for what it is. I would recommend booking your own transfer to Pisa, the sights are concentrated around the miracle square anyway. If climbing the tower is important to you, go to the ticket counter first thing!!! (Also something our guide neglected to mention to us.) They have staggered times for climbing the tower. Cannes - Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze - Itinerary sounded great in theory, but it was so poorly organised for ours. We ran into bad traffic (which I’m not sure why it wasn’t anticipated considering they have ran this tours for ages), and we arrived late in Monaco and so the whole day was very rushed. Had a very very brief guided tour (maximum 10 minutes) which was just pointing out the sights as we passed them, then some free time (not long enough to see anything properly). We then drove to Monte Carlo where we got to see the casino and Cafe de Paris. Again, very short amount of free time to properly see anything. Note that the casino opens at 2 pm, and we are there for the morning, so if you want to try a hand at gambling, pick a tour that goes to Monte Carlo in the afternoon. Otherwise, it’s nice to see the inside of the casino when no one else was around. It’s €17 per person just to visit. Pricey, but worth it just to see it once in person in my opinion. Ran into some issues with the bus coming late in Monte Carlo which again wasted lots of precious time. We then had a very mediocre lunch which was disappointing, and took way too long (all the Disney tours congregated there for lunch and they couldn’t seem to handle the crowd despite, again, probably being used to this crowd). This cut into our Eze time, and after a while most people were fed up and just left lunch half way (honestly, no loss on their part) to explore the town alone. We decided to wait for our guide (mistake), and she ended up giving us only a brief 5 minute tour pointing out the sights as we walked up the village and we only had 15 minutes left to see the village on our own. Time would be much better spent if we walked on our own. Made it back to the port with time to spare though. Well this ended up longer than expected! Only thing I would recommend whole heartedly would be the Naples excursion. Cannes was in theory good but the planning was extremely poor that day - enough to put me off returning. Also open to answering any questions about the cruise!  

DCL Repeaters

DCL Repeaters

Dcl addicts.

Great report! What was the passenger count? Did you have your own dining table in the main dining rooms?  

DCL Repeaters said: Great report! What was the passenger count? Did you have your own dining table in the main dining rooms? Click to expand...

lorimay

Strolling along...

Thanks for your review! We sail July 6th. Can I ask what your port of arrival time was? I was on at midnight last night, as usual the website was finicky, it took me 45minutes to get it all uploaded. We ended up with an 11:30-11:45 arrival. Thanks.  

lorimay said: Thanks for your review! We sail July 6th. Can I ask what your port of arrival time was? I was on at midnight last night, as usual the website was finicky, it took me 45minutes to get it all uploaded. We ended up with an 11:30-11:45 arrival. Thanks. Click to expand...

Share this page

Dis news & updates.

  • Record-Breaking 'Moana 2' Trailer Reaches 178M Views On First Day
  • Have You Seen This Chef Mickey's Merch at Walt Disney World?
  • New Dishes Coming to Docking Bay 7 in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  • New PRIDE Menu Items Coming to Sprinkles at Disney Springs
  • Best Economical DVC Resorts to Purchase: Spring 2024

New DISboards Threads

rosegold:)

  • 25 minutes ago
  • Disneyland Paris Trip Planning & Community Board

bwvBound

  • 37 minutes ago
  • DVC-Mousecellaneous

Sandisw

  • Disney Restaurants

Chrislovesdisney

  • Chrislovesdisney
  • Today at 8:33 PM

katyringo

  • Today at 8:05 PM
  • Disneyland (California)

gardenrooms

  • Today at 7:47 PM
  • Disney Rumors and News

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  • Walt Disney World News
  • Walt Disney World Articles
  • Disney Cruise Line News
  • Disneyland News
  • General Disney News

GET UP TO A $1000 SHIPBOARD CREDIT AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIFT!

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Latest posts

lovingthemouse

  • Latest: lovingthemouse
  • 5 minutes ago

SugarSweetLee

  • Latest: SugarSweetLee
  • 7 minutes ago
  • Latest: longboard55
  • 8 minutes ago
  • Latest: KristaZ
  • 12 minutes ago
  • Latest: _19disnA

facebook

Costco Travel US homepage

  • Help Center
  • 1-866-921-7925

United States

Start Searching

  • Packages  
  • Hotels  
  • Cruises  
  • Rental Cars  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Europe and Mediterranean: Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise

11-night disney dream cruise.

From $4,048 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $110

Disney Cruise Line

Discover the ultimate way to explore seven dazzling destinations within Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta and Spain. Your vacation kicks off in historic Civitavecchia (Rome) and winds down in the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona. Along the way, call upon three stunning Greek islands and one stop in both Turkey and Italy. Discover a Mediterranean paradise of stunning beaches in Kusadasi and a mix of modern luxury and 16th-century mansions in Valetta.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

  Digital Costco Shop Card

Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card, courtesy of Costco Travel, with every Disney Cruise Line sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Rome/Civitavecchia

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Located about 80 kilometers northwest of Rome, the Port of Civitavecchia is the port of Rome and a busy ferry and cargo port serving Italy and southern Europe. Lying on Italy’s eastern shores on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Port of Civitavecchia has excellent direct connections to Rome. It is an important cruise and ferry port with regular passage to Sardinia, Malta, Sicily, Tunis, and Barcelona. Fishing is of secondary importance to the Port of Civitavecchia. In addition to ocean-going traffic, the Port of Civitavecchia also contains a thermoelectric center and metallurgical works. In 2006, over 51 thousand people called the Port of Civitavecchia home. The Port of Civitavecchia was built on an earlier Etruscan settlement. Emperor Trajan founded the Port of Civitavecchia in the early 2nd Century, calling it Centumcellae. Today, Trajan’s Port is preserved within today’s Port of Civitavecchia. A busy growing town during the late Roman era, the Port of Civitavecchia was attacked by Vandals and then destroyed by the Saracens in 828 AD. Residents escaped to the nearby Allumiere Mountains where Pope Leo IV built a walled town in 854. Eventually, the people returned to Civitavecchia (the name means “old city”). At the end of the 15th Century, the Port of Civitavecchia was under frequent attack by pirates. The naval arsenal was constructed in 1508. Pope Paul III commissioned the building of the keep, which was designed by Donato Bramante and then finished by Michelangelo in 1537, to protect the Port of Civitavecchia from the pirate attacks. In 1696, Civitavecchia became a free port under Pope Innocent XII. Because it was Rome’s main port, the French occupied the Port of Civitavecchia in 1849. The Port of Civitavecchia was linked to Rome by the Rome and Civitavecchia Rail Road in 1859. When the Port of Civitavecchia became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870, it was one of the Papal State’s most strongly-fortified towns when Papal troops welcomed General Nino Bixio on behalf of the Italian unification forces into the Port of Civitavecchia fortress. World War II brought destruction to as much as three-quarters of the Port of Civitavecchia. Reconstruction enlarged the Port of Civitavecchia beyond its pre-war area. The Autorita Portuale Civitavecchia (Port of Rome) is responsible for managing and operating the Port of Civitavecchia as well as the ports of Fiumicino and Gaeta. The modern Port of Civitavecchia is at the center of rail, road, and air networks that link it with central Italy and the world. The Port of Civitavecchia has capacity to handle about 11 million tons of cargo per year and over 1.5 million passengers. Cargoes include forest products, cereals, iron and steel, chemicals, automobiles, containers, and liquid bulk. In 2007, the Port of Civitavecchia welcomed 856 cruise vessels carrying 1.6 million passengers, and the total number of passengers using ferries and cruise vessels was 3.8 million. In 2007, the Port of Civitavecchia handled a total of 7.7 million tons of cargo. This total included 1.5 million tons of liquid bulk, 1.7 million tons of solid bulk, 4.6 million tons of packages, and 31.1 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo. The Port of Civitavecchia contains 28 berths of a total 5.6 thousand meters in length with alongside depths from 6 to 18 meters. Port properties include five warehouses containing 36 thousand square meters for handling and storing cargoes. The intermodal terminal includes seven thousand square meters of storage space and 12.5 thousand square meters for loading/unloading rail cars and parking. The Port of Civitavecchia is one of the busiest ferry ports in the world. Just 80 kilometers northwest of Rome, it is the main tourist destination for people traveling to the Eternal City. It is also a central port for ferries carrying passengers to more local destinations. The ferry terminal offers a complete line of amenities. Different ferry companies offer services to the various destinations. Moby Lines handles crossings to Olbia, Sardinia. Corsica Sardinia Ferries runs services to Golfo Aranci. Grimaldi Ferries carries passengers to Barcelona and Tunis, and Grand Navi Veloci operates a route to Tunis. Ferrovie dello Stato operates a combined rail-ferry service to Golfo Aranci.

Chania/Crete

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

This is the largest and most important town of western Crete, with a population of over 60,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the eastern shore of the bay of Chania, and is built on the neck of the peninsula, on the site of ancient Kydonia. Chania has, to a large degree, retained its local colour. It is one of the loveliest towns in Greece and the many vestiges of its past give it a particular charm. Entire Venetian, Turkish and Jewish neighbourhoods still survive, with well-preserved buildings, while the modern town, continuing to develop, is built according to well-designed plans, with parks and attractive edifices. It differs considerably from the tasteless big towns of today. Chania disposes of a large number of beds in hotels of various categories.There are also pensions and guest houses. There are many restaurants - some of them offering foreign specialities - tavernas, seafood restaurants, "ouzeries", pastry shops, coffee shops,pubs etc. in every neighbourhood and especially in the harbour area, which is lit up by the shop lights in the evenings and sparkles like a fairy-tale town.

Athens/Piraeus

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Today Piraeus is the home base of Greek shipping, the largest commercial fleet in the world, apace bound to the sea like few others. The harbours of Zea and Mikrolimano as well as Phaliro play host to countless yachts and sailing craft throughout the year. Piraeus was known in medieval times as Porto Leone, a name due to the enormous stone lion, which guarded the port's entrance. Today, the life of Piraeus is centred on its three ports: the main, central one and those of Zea and Mikrolimano. You can walk around the central harbour, shared by cargo and passenger ships alike, and watch the constant comings and goings of goods and people from around the world. Having completed your tour of the central harbour of Piraeus you will then head south traversing the peninsula and arrive at Peiraiki, one of the most picturesque neighbour hoods in the city. Here one finds the harbour of Zea, one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean. If the night finds you in the area, you can try one of the many bars found nearby. You can continue your tour along the waterfront heading towards Kastella but a small deviation toward the city centre will be useful for then you can visit the verdant square of the municipal Theatre with cafeterias and shops of all kinds surrounding it. The magnificent building housing the Municipal Theatre as well as the Town Hall and the Library complete the picture presented by the main square in the city. Piraeus's little natural harbours are among its busiest and most touristy areas: Mikrolimano, Passalimani, Zea, Freatida and Hatzikiriakio. Countless seaside tavernas provide delicious seafood washed down with the uniquely Greek drink, ouzo. The fresh smell of the sea and the sounds made by the assortment of caiques, yachts and sailing ships, which are moored next to the tables, complete the enjoyment of the food Beyond the port, the most impressive spots are the hills of Profitis Ilias and Kastela with their neoclassical mansions and modern buildings which look as they are hanging over the sea.

Thira/Santorini

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Fira is a comparatively modern town, with houses built mostly during the 19th century when the old Venetian capital at Skaros became untenable due to earthquakes. The architecture is a jumble of Cycladic and Venetian, side by side, the similarities between the two being the stark whiteness. The impact of Aegean tourism has made itself felt in Fira, judging from the abundance of taverns, hotels, discotheques and shops. It is the largest town on the island and has gained preference with travelers because it is central and access to other parts of Santorini is made easy by either taxi or bus. From there you can indulge in some inspiring coastal walks. Wandering through the white cobbled streets of Fira, a town of about 2,000 inhabitants, one gets the feel of the old-world charm blended in with the modern day comforts. The town's archaeological museum is crammed with finds from excavations at Akrotiri. But besides being so interesting archaeologically, Santorini is essentially a beauty spot, an island whose cliffs seem to glow under an exceptionally clear light all day, but which at sunset glow redly, evoking that vast explosion more than 3000 years ago.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Mykonos is world-famous. It is no coincidence that this, the most cosmopolitan of all Greek islands, attracts so many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals. Here, the steep mountains to be encountered in most of the Cyclades give way to low, rocky hills which combine with superb beaches to make up the landscape of the island. The capital, Hora (Chora), with its colourful harbour in which little fishingboats nestle happily side by side with luxury yachts, presents quite a different picture from the majority of Aegean island towns. While it is usual for island villages to be built on naturally amphitheatrical sites, Mykonos is spread out over a flat area and conveys an impression of lid aesthetic cohesion. Along the whitewashed streets stand brilliant white box-shaped houses with stepped walls for sitting on, wooden doors and windows and brightly-coloured balconies. These are interspersed with small but impressive churches, pretty little tavernas and shops selling souvenirs and other goods, and the overall sense is of being inside a film set. On the low Kastro hill is the complex of churches known collectively as Our Lady 'Paraportiani', a superb arrangement of whitewashed masses created over the centuries and now recognised as a national cultural monument. Of particular historical and aesthetic interest are the medieval houses in this district of the town, which stand like a wall above the sea protecting the west side of Hora. The Archaeological Museum of Hora contains finds from tombs on the nearby island of Rhenia, sculptures, vases and figurines. The Folklore Museum brings together a number of collections of furniture, icons, pieces of sculpture and folk musical instruments. Mykonos is also the home of the Nautical Museum of the Aegean, which has interest all of its own. The countryside of Mykonos is a mixture of grey-green rocks ringed by prickly pear plants and little fertile areas carpeted with wild flowers. Here and there are tiny whitewashed chapels and windmills. Ano Mera is, after Hora, the most important of the older villages on the island. Standing 8 km. to the east of the town, Ano Mera has the interesting monastery of Our Lady Tourliani, ornamented with fine wood-carvings. The church has a collection of valuable ecclesiastical vessels, vestments and embroideries. The courtyard contains an interesting bell-tower and a marble fountain. Here lovers of the sea will find outstanding golden beaches such as Agios Stefanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Platis Gialos, Ornos, Elia and Panormos. Miykonos is a busy island with all the amenities of a modern resort and with plenty to do - by day or night for those who want to have a lively time. Yet visitors fond of more peaceful holidays will still find quiet corners in which to relax.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It's a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, an active volcano with trails leading up to the summit. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell'Elefante statue and richly decorated Catania Cathedral. In the southwest corner of the square, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants.

Palma de Mallorca

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Palma is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca (Majorca), in the western Mediterranean. The massive Santa María cathedral, a Gothic landmark begun in the 13th century, overlooks the Bay of Palma. The adjacent Almudaina is a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape. Most of the major buildings and monuments in Palma were constructed during the "Golden Age," between 1276 and 1344 under the rule of the Kingdom of Aragon. Among the most impressive is the graceful Gothic Cathedral, which was commissioned by King Jaime I of Aragon in 1230. Legend has it that on his way to recapture Mallorca from the Moors, Jaime the First's ship was struck by a terrible storm, and he vowed at that moment, to the Virgin Mary, that if he survived he would erect a church in her honor. He made good on his promise but it took a while. The Cathedral wasn't completed until 1601! You will find the people of Mallorca are quite charming, as their experiences have allowed them to perfect the art of hospitality. So relax and enjoy this unique multicultural island — you're in the hands of professionals.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Barcelona is a charming, cosmopolitan port on the shores of the Mediterranean sea. This prosperous and bilingual (Spanish and Catalan) metropolis measures up to a city such as Madrid: its museums, theaters, art galleries and nightlife area of an impressive high standard. Besides that, this art and design centre has a lot of interesting sights to offer to its visitors. The best place to watch people go by, to stroll or simply relax, is 'Las Ramblas', a pedestrian street with dozens of outdoor cafes. Here, you’ll find flower-stands, book kiosks and small market stalls where they sell birds and small animals. You’ll also find an endlessly fascinating flowing receptacle of pageant-jugglers, singers, dancers, puppeteers, sidewalk artists, living statues and assorted oddballs on parade. Nearby is 'Plaça Real', with plenty of bars and restaurants, and 'Palau Guell', built by the Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudi in his undulating art-nouveau style. After having seen these sights, stroll the narrow winding streets of the 'Barri Gotic', the medieval Gothic quarter full of interesting tapas bars and cafes. Check out Picasso’s old hangout, 'Els Quatre Gats', which has been renovated without losing its bohemian charm. Or head for the old Barceloneta section on the waterfront. This working-class area, which was always slightly rundown and scruffy-looking, is now packed with paella restaurants. The new beach area, which runs from Barceloneta to the Olympic village, is much cleaner than the old beach area. Although some people believe that it has been cleaned up considerably, it might be a wise idea to stay out of the water. Fortunately, the beach itself is already a feast for the eyes (and ears), with its huge and roaring waves.

Onboard the Disney Dream

Cruise FPO 6

Disney Dream

Costco Member Reviews

4.7 of 5 stars

  • Year Built: 2011
  • Year Refurbished: 2015

Double Occupancy Capacity: 2500

As can be expected from Disney, the Disney Dream was specially designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts—like the splashtacular AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  • Disco/Nightclub
  • Game Arcade
  • Theater/Show Lounge
  • Fitness Center
  • Sauna/Steam Room
  • Pool - Adults Only
  • Pool - Children's
  • Pool - Outdoor
  • Sports Facilities
  • Water Slide
  • Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
  • Bars/Lounges
  • Children's Outdoor Play Area
  • Organized Age Specific Activities
  • Teen Center or Disco
  • Teen Programs
  • Concierge Desk
  • Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
  • Safe Deposit Boxes

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  • Beauty Salon
  • Full-Service Spa
  • Internet Center
  • Babysitting
  • Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
  • Infirmary/Medical Center
  • Self-Service Laundromat

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Animator's Palate

Main Dining

Rotational Dining:  The Disney Cruise Line method for making sure each guest experiences each themed dining environment onboard. Every evening you dine with the same tablemates and have the same servers as you "rotate" to one of the three main restaurants: Animator's Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace. You will be given your schedule when you board, so you'll know exactly when you'll enjoy the unique atmosphere of each restaurant.

Animator's Palate:  Animator's Palate is a Main Dining restaurant located on Deck 3, Aft aboard the Disney Dream that serves dinner. Inspired by the magic of Disney animation, Animator's Palate includes a unique dinner show starring some of your favorite Disney characters.

Enchanted Garden:  Enchanted Garden on the Disney Dream is a Main Dining restaurant located on Deck 2, Midship that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Inspired by the luxurious gardens of Versailles, Enchanted Garden magically transforms from day to night.

Royal Palace:  Royal Palace is a Main Dining restaurant located on Deck 3, Midship aboard the Disney Dream. Inspired by classic Disney films like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Royal Palace serves a mouthwatering menu of culinary delights—fit for a king or a queen—for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Specialty Dining

Palo:  Palo on the Disney Dream is an intimate Adult Exclusive restaurant located on Deck 12, Aft that boasts Northern Italian cuisine for dinner nightly. Along with its rich cuisine and upscale atmosphere, Palo offers sweeping ocean views and an elegant décor—a perfect romantic setting for Guests 18 years of age or older. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Remy:  Remy is a luxurious Adult Exclusive restaurant located on Deck 12, Aft aboard the Disney Dream. Offering the most upscale and romantic dining experience available onboard, the restaurant serves the finest in French-inspired cuisine for dinner. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats:  Race on down to this decadent dessert shop inspired by the super-sweet arcade game from Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph. Enjoy a “Sugar Rush” with hand-scooped gelato, fresh waffle cones, baked treats and candy in a wide variety of delicious flavors. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Senses Juice Bar:  Replenish and recharge at this nutritious refreshment haven near Senses Spa & Salon. Serving blended beverages bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables, Senses Juice Bar provides a vitamin-infused, protein-filled boost after a vigorous workout or massage. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Preludes:  Preludes, a snack bar located just outside the Walt Disney Theatre, serves beverages and snacks for purchase during live show performances and movies.

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Casual Dining

Cabanas:  Cabanas is an indoor/outdoor Casual Dining restaurant located on Deck 11, Aft on the Disney Dream that serves a culinary confection of fresh food favorites. At breakfast and lunch, Cabanas boasts the finest in made-to-order dining; at dinnertime, the restaurant is transformed into a table-service dining room serving Main Dining specialties.

Eye Scream Treats:  Inspired by the friendly, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski from the Disney·Pixar animated feature Monsters, Inc., Eye Scream Treats offers soft-serve ice cream with plenty of popular sundae toppings.

Flo's Cafe:  Grab a quick bite to eat at Flo's Café, located near Donald's Pool on Deck 11. Themed to popular characters from the Disney·Pixar film Cars, like Luigi's Pizza, Tow Mater's Grill and Fillmore's Favorites, this quick-service eatery serves burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, fresh fruit, salads and sandwich wraps.

Frozone Treats:  Named after the ice-creating superhero in the Disney·Pixar movie The Incredibles, Frozone Treats mixes delicious fruit smoothies.

Room Service:  Disney Cruise Line Room Service is available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Relax with a continental breakfast, grab a quick snack between meals or satisfy a late-night craving in the comfort of your room. Complimentary room service ensures that you can enjoy fresh, made-to-order dishes anytime, day or night.

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Features warm wood finishes, custom fabrics and carpeting, original artwork, crown moldings, genuine teak accents and a Magical Porthole for real-time views of the sea.

Standard Inside Stateroom (Category: 11C)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  • Category 11A: Decks 8, 9 and 10
  • Category 11B: Decks 5, 6 and 7
  • Category 11C: Deck 2
  • Sleeps: 3 to 4
  • Size: 169 sq. ft.
  • Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
  • View: Magical Porthole with real-time views
  • Custom Premium Plush Euro-top mattress
  • Frette® 300-thread-count, 100%-cotton linens
  • Premium bath towels
  • 22" LCD flat-screen TV on swivel arm, with remote control
  • iPod® docking station
  • Full-length mirror
  • Ample closet space
  • Refrigerator
  • In-room safe
  • Phone with voicemail messaging
  • Individual climate control
  • Signature spa, bath, and shower products
  • Wi-Fi (additional fee)
  • A sitting area with a couch, TV, and desk
  • A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
  • A full bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower, and tub
  • Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
  • A leather-upholstered ottoman with hollow inside storage
  • Attractive yet functional cabinetry in the living area

Be on the lookout for enchanting surprises; you never know who — or what — might float by. Perhaps a beloved Disney character or even a pirate ship! And when it's bedtime, you can turn off your Magical Porthole with the simple flip of a switch.

Standard Inside Stateroom (Category: 11B)

Standard inside stateroom (category: 11a), deluxe inside stateroom (category: 10a).

  • Size: 204 sq. ft.
  • 22" LCD flat-screen TV on swivel arm, with remote-control
  • A "split bath": a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet

Inside Stateroom with Restrictions (Category: IGT)

Category: IGT This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Enjoy a view of the ocean in this stunning stateroom. Well-designed interiors provide ample living space and a split bath.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Porthole (obstructed view) (Category: 09D)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  • Category 9A: Decks 5, 6, 7 and 8; 1 porthole window
  • Category 9B: Deck 2; 1 porthole window
  • Category 9C: Decks 7 and 8; 1 obstructed porthole
  • Category 9D: Decks 6, 7 and 8; 1 obstructed porthole with limited ocean views
  • View: 1 or 2 porthole windows, some with obstructed views
  • A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas (in most)
  • Seating and sleeping areas, separable with a heavy privacy curtain
  • A "split bath": a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet (in all but accessible staterooms)

And to kids' delight, a mural of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, and her brothers soaring through a starry sky reveals itself when the upper-berth bed is pulled down!

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Porthole (obstructed view) (Category: 09C)

Deluxe oceanview stateroom (category: 09b), deluxe oceanview stateroom (category: 09a), deluxe family oceanview stateroom (category: 08c).

  • Category 8A: Decks 5 and 6; 2 large porthole windows
  • Category 8B: Decks 7, 8 and 9; 1 large porthole window
  • Category 8C: Decks 5 and 6; 1 large porthole window
  • Sleeps: 3 to 5
  • Size: 241 sq. ft.
  • Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed (in most), or upper-berth pull-down bed (in some)
  • View: 1 to 2 porthole windows with built-in seating
  • A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas (in all but Category 8A staterooms, which have a privacy wall divider in rooms 5020, 5022, 5520 and 5522 and a vertical pole in rooms 6014, 6016, 6512 and 6514)
  • A "split bath": a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and round tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet (in all but the following: Category 8A staterooms; rooms 5020, 5022, 5520, 5522, 6016 and 6514, which feature a full bathroom with a rectangular tub; and rooms 5018, 5518, 6012, 6510 and 6512, which feature a bathroom with a shower only)

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom (Category: 08B)

Deluxe family oceanview stateroom (category: 08a), oceanview stateroom with restrictions (category: ogt).

Category: OGT This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Tasteful décor, an expansive view, plush bedding and a private balcony make this stateroom your home-away-from-home.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (undersized or obstructed verandah) (Category: 07A)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

Category: 07A Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), private verandah and split bath with tub and shower (in most).

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 06B)

Category: 06B Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), private verandah and split bath with tub and shower (in most).

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 06A)

Category: 06A Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), private verandah and split bath with tub and shower (in most).

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 05C)

Category: 05C Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), private verandah and split bath with tub and shower (in most).

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 05B)

Category: 05B Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), private verandah and split bath with tub and shower (in most).

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 05A)

Category: 05A Queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), private verandah and split bath with tub and shower (in most).

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (oversized verandah) (Category: 04E)

  • Category 4A: Decks 9 and 10
  • Category 4B: Decks 7 and 8
  • Category 4C: Deck 6
  • Category 4E: Decks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; oversized private verandah
  • Sleeps: 4 to 5, except Category 4E staterooms which sleep 3 to 4
  • Size: 299 sq. ft., including verandah
  • Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed (in most) and upper-berth pull-down bed (in some)
  • View: private verandah
  • A "split bath": a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and round tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet (in all but accessible rooms and Category 4E)
  • Patio furniture
  • Deck lighting
  • Plexiglas® or solid whitewall railings
  • Childproof locks

On most adjoining accommodations, the partition between verandahs can be opened to create a larger balcony for sharing, with access between rooms. Guests may contact their stateroom host to unlock the partitions.

Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category: 04C)

Deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 04b), deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 04a), verandah stateroom with restrictions (category: vgt).

Category: VGT This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Opulent suites feature a tasteful design, upgraded amenities, a private balcony, a whirlpool tub, a rain shower and a vanity mirror with a built-in TV.

Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (Category: 01A)

disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  • A separate bedroom
  • 2 bathrooms, including a main with double sinks, a rain-style shower, and whirlpool tub
  • A verandah with a whirlpool tub
  • Living room
  • Open dining salon
  • Pantry and wet bar stocked with water and sodas
  • Walk-in closet
  • Size: 1,781 sq. ft., including verandah
  • Room Configuration: 1 bedroom with queen bed; wall pull-down double bed and wall pull-down single bed in living room
  • View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows in main living space
  • Premium Frette® bath towels
  • 2 42" high-definition LCD flat-screen TVs (1 in the living room, 1 in the bedroom)
  • Sofa and sofa chairs
  • Dining table 
  • Elemis® Body Exotics bath, shower, and spa products
  • Down Duvets: Enjoy a superlative night's sleep with the softness of genuine feather duvets, featured in Concierge main bedrooms.
  • Guests of our Concierge Suites may choose from pillow options including hypoallergenic, feather, and therapeutic memory foam.
  • Personal Robe and Slippers: These plush comforts are yours to use for the duration of your cruise.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet Service: Enjoy the Premium Surf Wi-Fi package for each Guest in the suite for the length of the voyage at no extra charge.
  • A whirlpool tub
  • Plexiglas® railings and dividers
  • Port Adventures
  • Reservations for Palo or Remy , spa treatments, or nursery stays
  • Dining room seating requests
  • Special occasions and celebrations
  • Any other special requests, from pre-arrival to post-cruise
  • Reservations (Port Adventures, Palo and Remy dining, spa treatments, and nursery stays)
  • In-suite dining from our concierge in-suite dining menu
  • Dining reservation confirmations and changes
  • Priority tendering in ports of call
  • Updates to your personal itinerary
  • Special occasions and celebration planning

From the Lounge, Concierge Guests can access a sun deck via a private entrance. Soak up the sun at this VIP onboard oasis and savor tranquil breezes, cooling water misters, cushioned lounge chairs, and a bar stocked with water and refreshments.

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category: 02A)

  • Wet bar stocked with water and sodas
  • Size: 622 sq. ft., including verandah
  • Room Configuration: 1 bedroom with queen bed; double sleeper sofa and wall pull-down single bed in living room
  • 42" high-definition LCD flat-screen TV
  • Dining table
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet Service: Enjoy the Basic Surf Wi-Fi package for each Guest in the suite for the length of the voyage at no extra charge.
  • Reservations for Palo or Remy, spa treatments, or nursery stays

Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category: 02B)

Concierge family oceanview stateroom with verandah (category: 03a).

  • Size: 306 sq. ft., including verandah
  • Room Configuration: queen bed, double sleeper sofa and upper berth pull-down bed
  • View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Complimentary 24-Hour Wi-Fi Internet Service: Enjoy Basic Surf Wi-Fi for each Guest in the stateroom at no extra charge. (Usage fees apply after the 24-hour package expires.)

Deck 14

  • Ship Name: Disney Dream
  • Year Entered Present Fleet: 2011
  • Ship Class: Dream
  • Maximum Capacity: 4,000
  • Number of Passenger Decks: 14
  • Number of Crew: 1,458
  • Officers' Nationality: International
  • Ocean-View without Balcony: 199
  • Ocean-View with Balcony: 901
  • Total Inside Staterooms: 150
  • Tonnage (GRT): 130,000
  • Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,500
  • Country of Registry: The Bahamas
  • Total Staterooms: 1,250
  • Suites with Balcony: 21
  • Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 06/24/2024, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†This cruise includes a Digital Costco Shop Card that will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. To receive your Digital Costco Shop Card, bookings must be made directly through Costco Travel. Bookings made through Disney Cruise Line or the Disney onboard cruise consultant must be transferred to Costco Travel's reservation system to qualify for the Digital Costco Shop Card. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship's Registry: The Bahamas

As to artwork/properties: ©Disney

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

5 of 5 stars

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

4.0 of 5 stars

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

3.0 of 5 stars

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

2.0 of 5 stars

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

1.0 of 5 stars

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

0.5 of 5 stars

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

Special Offers on Disney Cruise Line Sailings as of May 20, 2024

This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line arrive with a similar batch of sail dates from late-May into January 2025 as last week. Currently, there are 37 unique sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Port Canaveral, Southampton, and Vancouver.

The Disney Wish features the most sailings at 26, the Disney Magic is next with 11, followed by the Disney Dream at 8, with the Disney Wonder holing at 3 dates, and the Disney Fantasy 1 date. Currently, there are no offers listed for the Disney Treasure.

Florida Residents rates are up 1 to 9 sail dates, the US Military Personnel dropped by 2 to 35 cruises, and the Canadian Resident dropped 2 to 5 sail dates.

In terms of general special offers, the IGT, OGT, and VGT offers valid on new bookings for up to an unadvertised percentage off prevailing rates for 2024 Disney Dream European sailings with multiple sail dates available across Europe this summer.

Last but not least, the general domestic offer for  select sailings with savings up to an undisclosed percentage off the prevailing rate remains available for select voyages.

The last two general special offers have recently been advertised as up to 25% off the prevailing rates, but this week the savings is not mentioned aside from the domestic offer which still has 25% in the page title you will spot in a browser tab.

The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.

Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel

Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel ( MTO ) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in  bold . To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide  Proof of Military Service . Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.

Disney Dream

11-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) Ending in Barcelona Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • At Sea • Chania, Greece • Piraeus (Athens), Greece • Kusadasi, Turkey • Mykonos, Greece • At Sea • Valletta, Malta • Catania (Sicily), Italy • Naples, Italy • At Sea

  • Monday June 24, 2024  (11A @ $343.00)

12-Night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Mekjarvik (Stavanger), Norway • Olden, Norway • Alesund, Norway • At Sea • Reykjavik, Iceland • Reykjavik, Iceland • Ísafjörður, Iceland • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea

  • Wednesday July 24, 2024  (4E @ $406.00)

5-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona Barcelona, Spain • Villefranche, France • Livorno, Italy • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • At Sea

  • Friday July 12, 2024  (11B @ $337.00)

7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • Naples, Italy • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Livorno, Italy • Villefranche, France • At Sea

  • Saturday May 25, 2024  (5A @ $331.00)

7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • Naples, Italy • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Livorno, Italy • Cannes, France • At Sea

  • Friday July 5, 2024  (11A @ $328.00)

7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Barcelona ending in Southampton Barcelona, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • At Sea • Lisbon, Portugal • Vigo, Spain • La Coruña, Spain • At Sea

  • Wednesday July 17, 2024  (9B @ $328.00)

7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Hamburg, Germany • Hamburg, Germany • At Sea • Rotterdam, Netherlands • Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium

  • Sunday September 1, 2024  (9B @ $221.00)

Disney Magic

4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea

  • Monday January 6, 2025  (10B @ $144.00)

5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay

  • Saturday June 1, 2024  (5C @ $287.00)
  • Sunday June 9, 2024  (10B @ $223.00)
  • Saturday June 22, 2024  (9B @ $256.00)
  • Saturday July 20, 2024  (10B @ $217.00)

5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea

  • Friday January 10, 2025  (10B @ $137.00)
  • Sunday January 19, 2025  (10B @ $146.00)
  • Friday January 24, 2025  (11B @ $138.00)

Disney Wish

3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay

  • Friday June 7, 2024  (11A @ $329.00)
  • Friday June 21, 2024  (11A @ $325.00)
  • Friday June 28, 2024  (11A @ $325.00)
  • Friday July 5, 2024  (11B @ $322.00)
  • Friday July 12, 2024  (11A @ $322.00)
  • Friday July 19, 2024  (11B @ $322.00)
  • Friday July 26, 2024  (11B @ $323.00)
  • Friday August 2, 2024  (11B @ $295.00)
  • Friday August 9, 2024  (11B @ $274.00)

3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas

  • Friday June 14, 2024  (11A @ $325.00)

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay

  • Monday June 3, 2024  (11A @ $354.00)

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea

  • Monday June 10, 2024  (11B @ $357.00)
  • Monday June 24, 2024  (11B @ $354.00)
  • Monday July 8, 2024  (11B @ $340.00)

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea

  • Monday July 15, 2024  (11B @ $342.00)
  • Monday July 29, 2024  (11B @ $334.00)

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay

  • Monday July 22, 2024  (11B @ $340.00)

Disney Wonder

10-Night Hawaiian Cruise from Vancouver ending in Honolulu Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • Hilo, Hawai’i

  • Monday September 23, 2024  (11A @ $169.00)

15-Night South Pacific Cruise from Honolulu ending in Sydney Honolulu, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Pago Pago, American Samoa • International Date Line (Lose Day) • At Sea • Suva, Fiji • At Sea • Nouméa, New Caledonia • At Sea • At Sea • Sydney, Australia

  • Thursday October 3, 2024  (11A @ $103.75)

7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Juneau, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea

  • Monday August 5, 2024  (11B @ $195.00)
Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel (or spouse), including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member (or spouse), per sailing. A U.S. Military service member (or spouse) is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members (or spouse) of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify). Government taxes will vary by itinerary and are in addition to the below rates. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. Valid for new bookings only.

Special Offers for Florida Residents

Special Rates for Florida Residents ( FLR ) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in  bold .  Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.

  • Friday June 7, 2024  (11B @ $353.00)
  • Friday June 21, 2024  (11B @ $348.00)
  • Friday June 28, 2024  (11B @ $348.00)
  • Friday July 12, 2024  (11C @ $345.00)
  • Friday July 19, 2024  (11C @ $345.00)
  • Friday July 26, 2024  (11C @ $346.00)
  • Friday August 2, 2024  (9B @ $342.00)
  • Friday June 14, 2024  (11B @ $348.00)
  • Monday July 15, 2024  (11C @ $366.00)
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail. Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following: •Florida Driver’s License •Florida Identification Card If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card): •Monthly mortgage statement •Renter’s lease agreement •Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill •Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill •Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water) •Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements •Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency. Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.

Canadian Resident Rates

Special Rates for  Canadian Residents  with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold.  Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code  CAN  when booking.  NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.

  • Wednesday July 24, 2024  (11A @ $351.75)

Disney Fantasy

6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • At Sea • Castaway Cay

  • Sunday August 4, 2024  (11B @ $258.75)

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea

  • Thursday July 25, 2024  (11B @ $261.00)
  • Sunday June 9, 2024  (11B @ $243.75)
  • Saturday July 20, 2024  (11B @ $237.75)
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN . Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.

Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

IMAGES

  1. 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona with Toulon

    disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  2. Disney Mediterranean Cruise Guide

    disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  3. Disney Dream Cruise Ship Review & Overview

    disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  4. A Disney Mediterranean Cruise Review

    disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  5. Summer 2023 Disney Cruise Itineraries Released

    disney dream mediterranean cruise review

  6. Disney Cruise Line

    disney dream mediterranean cruise review

VIDEO

  1. Day 1 on our Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream! 5-Night Caribbean cruise from Miami! #disneycruise

  2. Disney Dream SOLO Transatlantic: a good cruise that ended badly! AND: Thoughts on The Dream!

  3. 2023 Europe Disney Cruise

  4. Disney Cruise Line Vlog Day One

  5. Disney Mediterranean Cruise: Getting on the Disney Dream & First port stop in FRANCE!

  6. Walt Disney's "Mediterranean Cruise" Season 10 Ep 15

COMMENTS

  1. Disney Dream cruise ship review: Mostly magic with a bit of mayhem

    Disney Dream pool deck and AquaDuck. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY. The 130,000-ton Disney Dream contains 1,250 cabins and can carry 2,500 passengers at double occupancy and 4,000 at maximum capacity. That makes it small for a family ship when comparing it to Royal Caribbean's family favorite Oasis Class ships.

  2. Expert Review of Disney Dream Cruise Ship

    4.0. Very Good. Overall. Erica Silverstein. Contributor. Disney Dream was Disney's first new ship in 12 years when it debuted in 2011, and it represented the company's step into bigger, bolder and ...

  3. Disney Dream Reviews from Travelers

    Ship: Disney Dream. It may be cliche to say our cruise was magical, but it truly was. The Disney touch was everywhere and it was a dream come true. From the moment you walk on the ship the entire crew makes you feel special. Everyone is personal, helpful and a delight to be around even though they all work so hard.

  4. Disney Mediterranean Cruise Reviews

    1 - 10 of 73 Disney Mediterranean Cruise Reviews. That was .....disappointing. Review for a Europe - British Isles & Western Cruise on Disney Dream. Alex F. 6-10 Cruises • Age 60s. Read More.

  5. Disney Dream European Mediterranean Cruise Review

    This past June, I went on my first European Cruise and my first Disney cruise aboard the Disney Dream. Today I'll share an overview of the cruise and my experience, as well as my honest thoughts and recommendations as you think about booking a similar cruise. I was really excited to go on this cruise, not only to experience a new Disney Cruise Line ship but also to see some new cities ...

  6. Disney Dream

    Disney Dream. 177 reviews. 1-800-951-3532 Website. All photos (527) Traveler ( 510) Common Areas ( 191) Dining and Bars ( 73) Itineraries for this ship. Itinerary.

  7. Disney Mediterranean Cruise Guide

    7 Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona. Disney Cruise Line has both 5 and 7 Night Mediterranean Cruises that take you on a voyage to several countries. In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to see many different places in a week. We've taken the 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona and have to say that it was one of my family ...

  8. A Disney Mediterranean Cruise Review

    The second of our Disney Mediterranean cruises traveled from Venice to Barcelona, visiting Athens, Ephesus, Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, and Malta. Our kids were 1, 3 and 5 for the first cruise and 4, 6 and 8 for the second. After a total of 24 nights on the Disney Magic, here are my thoughts:

  9. Disney Dream Reviews, Ship Details & Photos

    Disney storytelling meets cruising luxury on Disney Dream.From restaurants that seamlessly blend animation with world-class food to full-scale stage productions of Beauty and the Beast and The Golden Mickeys at the Walt Disney Theater, Dream offers the kind of magical experience for children only Disney can provide. While younger kids will be thrilled to meet their favorite Disney characters ...

  10. Disney Dream Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    Current itinerary of Disney Dream. Disney Dream current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Mediterranean Cruise From Barcelona . Prices start from USD 4001 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 25 May, 2024 and ends on 01 Jun, 2024 . Date / Time.

  11. Personal Navigators: Disney Dream 8-Night Mediterranean with Greek

    Personal Navigators, and other details from the Silver Anniversary at Sea 8-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia. The Disney Dream set sail from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on June 12, 2023. During this cruise, the ship was under the control of Captain Damir Vukonic. The Cruise Director during the sailing was Lee Hawkins.

  12. Mediterranean Disney Magic Mediterranean Cruise Reviews

    1 - 10 of 70 Mediterranean Disney Magic Mediterranean Cruise Reviews. Horrible embarkation. Review for a Transatlantic Cruise on Disney Magic. Jerrobbin1. 10+ Cruises • Age 60s. Read More. Sail ...

  13. 7-night Disney Dream Italy and Greece Mediterranean cruise

    July 19, 2023 | 14. Sharing a recap of our 7-night Mediterranean cruise (Italy and Greece) on the Disney Dream! This is not sponsored (I wish, lol), but I'm excited to share our experience. They have a handy little trick when you're on board a Disney cruise: you have the option to book a placeholder for a future cruise at a slight discount.

  14. Disney Cruise Mediterranean 2023

    All of the Disney Dream Mediterranean cruises in 2023 are at least 7 nights. ... Cruise and Travel Blogger with over 40 cruises and more than 30 years of Disney travel experience. I share tips, reviews and videos so that you can have the best Disney travel experience. Expert Disney Tips. Get the latest Disney tips delivered to your inbox.

  15. Trip Log Day 1: 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise on Disney Magic

    Dining Reviews; Photography. Disney Cruise Inspired Wallpapers; Store; Weather. Tropical Weather Center. ... 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise on Disney Magic - Barcelona" Kathy June 4 ... We are about to go on the Dream in August and I've heard so much about the changes due to Beauty and the Beast but didn't realize this was sort of a fleet ...

  16. 5-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona

    5-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona View Staterooms . What's Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise ... Aboard the Disney Dream. A seemingly endless array of one-of-a-kind offerings to inspire and delight awaits you throughout the ship.

  17. Europe Disney Dream Europe Cruise Reviews

    1 - 7 of 7 Europe Disney Dream Europe Cruise Reviews. Loved the ship - just less than the Magic. Review for a Transatlantic Cruise on Disney Dream. giomosby. 6-10 Cruises • Age 30s. Read More.

  18. Disney Dream

    A Dream Come True. Let your imagination set sail. Be front-and-center at original Broadway-caliber live shows, dine on artfully prepared meals in wondrously themed restaurants and make a splash on the AquaDuck. Combining classic beauty and modern luxury with legendary Disney storytelling, the award-winning Disney Dream invites you to embark on ...

  19. Review of Mediterranean Port Adventures

    We did all Disney port adventures since it was our first time. Naples - Mt Vesuvius Hike, Wine Tasting and Pompeii (Adults Only) - This was the best tour! Our group was relatively small and the guide was phenomenal. We stopped at this place that sells Jewelry made of seashells (didn't get anything), and hiked Mt Vesuvius in the morning ...

  20. Disney Dream

    Home Cruises Disney Cruise Line Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise ... 11-night Disney Dream cruise From $4,048 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $110 Check Price & Availability Disney Cruise Line. Discover the ultimate way to explore seven dazzling destinations within Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta ...

  21. Personal Navigators: Disney Dream 11-Night Mediterranean with Greek

    Personal Navigators, and other details from the Silver Anniversary at Sea 11-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia to Barcelona. The Disney Dream set sail from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on June 27, 2023. Day 1 - June 27, 2023 - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Guests Onboard: 3:45 pm

  22. Disney Cruises to the Mediterranean

    Check out the latest deals and itineraries for the Mediterranean Disney cruises. Find a Cruise; Deals; Reviews; ... Disney Dream. 5 Night . Mediterranean Cruise Details. 786 Reviews. Leaving ...

  23. Five European Itineraries Altered For Disney Cruise Ship

    Guests planning to sail on one of Disney Fantasy's 2025 European cruises may have been notified by the family-friendly cruise line that their itinerary has been revised. Five different European ...

  24. Disney Europe Cruise Reviews

    1 - 10 of 107 Disney Europe Cruise Reviews. Loved the ship - just less than the Magic. Review for a Transatlantic Cruise on Disney Dream. giomosby. 6-10 Cruises • Age 30s. Read More. Sail Date ...

  25. Special Offers on Disney Cruise Line Sailings as of May 20, 2024

    Saturday May 25, 2024 (5A @ $331.00) 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • Naples, Italy • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Livorno, Italy • Cannes, France • At Sea. Friday July 5, 2024 (11A @ $328.00) 7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Barcelona ending in Southampton.

  26. Seabourn Cruise Reviews

    1 - 10 of 786 Seabourn Cruise Reviews. Gratified that service levels restored. Review for a Europe - Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Seabourn Encore. ara.Senna. 6-10 Cruises • Age 120s. Lovely ...