Disney Dream Cruise: Wishing We Were Here

    

   Cold weather in the Northeast has us wishing we were in the tropics.  What better way to enjoy the sun and warmth than via a cruise?  We’ve been investigating some of the newest cruise options that cater to families with teens and tweens and the soon to launch Disney Dream is looking pretty fine.

    Years in development, the Disney Dream’s first voyage begins January 26, 2011.  During the winter of 2011, the ship will take 3 and 4 night cruises from Florida to the Bahamas and Disney’s private Castaway Cay island.  With the introduction of the Dream, Disney is promising to take its service and its use of technology on the high seas to a new level. 

     One of the most original innovations is an industry first – the AquaDuck water coaster.  It stretches 765 feet in length and spans four decks in height.  It includes a loop out over the side of the ship, 150 above the ocean below!

    The Dream also features Disney’s rotational dining program that cycles guests and waitstaff through a different dining room experience each night.  Adult gourmet restaurant and evening entertainment options are available and of course, spa and salon services are provided as well.

      Cabins are designed for families with split bathrooms.  The design of the staterooms is Art Deco inspired.  Most (88%) of the Disney Dream’s 1,250 staterooms are outside rooms, and of those, 90%  have a private verandah.

Teens and Tweens Get VIP Treatment

     Disney is well known for its Oceaneer Club and Lab for kids ages 3 to 10 but they didn’t forget about teens and tweens when designing the Dream.  Forward of the funnel is the Edge lounge for tweens (ages 11 to 13). It is full of hi-tech entertainment including tools to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.  Activities  such as dance parties, trivia games and sports contests are also frequently organized.

     Teens ages 14-17  have their own club – Vibe – which Disney describes as a trendy, 9,000-square-foot club where teens can create videos, play computer games and try their hand at mixing dance tracks. Teens also get a private outdoor area for sunbathing, deck games and cooling off with wading pools and water jets.  Parents may not see their teens for the whole trip with this set-up!

Disclosure

     As with all the articles in our “Wishing We Were Here” series, we received no compensation or incentive to write this article.   We just wish we here here!  Visit the link to see some of the other cruises on our wish list.

     Photos courtesy of Disney Cruise Line