The only trouble with a three night cruise is it just feels too darn short! I’m back today with a recap of our last full day and then waking up back at Port Canaveral for debarkation.
Disney Cruise Line Returns to the High Seas
Pre-Arrival And Embarkation
Embarkation, Ship & Stateroom Tour, Palo Dinner
Castaway Cay, Ship Life & Remy Dinner
Castaway Cay Cabanas, Ship Life & Debarkation
Palo Adult Dining Review
Remy Adult Dining Review
Everything Disney Cruise Line
Day in Review: Castaway Cay, Ship Life and Debarkation
I put together one final day in review video! Press play to step inside the Disney Dream with me:
Vista Cafe
My Disney Dream days always start at Vista Cafe with a large cappuccino. I choose a seat by a porthole and soak it all in.
Safety Check
- Seating in cafe is available at every other table.
- Bill goes direct to your app.
On-board Activities
Since we had two full days at Castaway Cay, we didn’t feel pressure to rush off the ship. Today started with a few on-board activities.
First things first, we put on our gumshoe hats and solved a little mystery via the Mid Ship Detective Agency. This is an activity that never gets old and is fun for all ages. Simply head to deck 2 outside of Enchanted Garden to get started.
We also took an animation class where we learned to draw Captain Minnie. This is a quintessential activity that I highly recommend on each and every cruise.
Finally, we relaxed on deck 4 with a book for a while. It is such a calm quiet place on port days, and with plenty of shade too.
Cabanas Buffet Dining
Before heading to Castaway, we dined in Cabanas. As mentioned yesterday, I prefer the food here over Cookies. Since we were getting a late start, we took advantage of lunch being open on ship. I enjoyed having extra cast member assistance at the buffet and drink stations too! Cabanas is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, and offers wonderful views of ports and the sea.
Safety Check
- Hand washing is required on entry. It always was, but wasn’t strongly enforced.
- Blue dots on the floor facilitate physical distancing.
- Cast members direct each party to a section of the buffet. It flows much more smoothly than before.
- Cast members fill drinks.
- Tables are appropriately spaced.
- Cast members wear face coverings.
Debarkation at Castaway Cay
Once again, it was time to disembark for Castaway Cay! The new process is flawless and so easy. In the DCL app, you request a debarkation time and are notified when it is your turn to leave. (Photo from yesterday)
Safety Check
- New debarkation ticket limits crowds gathering at gangway.
Castaway Cay Cabanas
Our BIG treat today was spending the day in the Grand Family Cabana at Castaway Cay with friends! These cabanas are SO hard to secure and you really must sail concierge for a glimmer of hope at getting one. Wrist bands allow you to enter the gated cabana area.
The Grand Family Cabana is located at the end of the boardwalk with the most perfect views all around.
It is the ultimate in beach luxury and I will do a full post with the details!
We spent our whole afternoon relaxing and soaking in the sun from the cabana and private cabana beach. What a wonderful experience.
Main Dining Rooms
The main dining rooms feature the same entertainment, menus and service you know and love onboard the Disney Dream. Since we did adult dining at Remy and Palo on the first two nights, this was our only night in the main dining room. Luckily it was my favorite – Animator’s Palate!
The menu is unchanged from 2020 and still so yummy.
But the star of the show here is the SHOW! Interacting with Crush and seeing Bruce swim by never get old.
Safety Check
- Dining times are staggered and your arrival time will be noted in the Disney Cruise Line app.
- Hand wipes are given as you enter the restaurant. (This is not new.)
- Dining tables are appropriately spaced.
- Small parties will no longer be combined at random for dining.
- QR Code menus are used, however paper menus are available on request.
- All cast members in dining rooms wear face coverings. Guests wear face coverings when they enter, leave or head to the bathroom.
Characters
You can now meet more characters than ever before!!! The character interactions were absolutely incredible, personal and intimate. You still just show up at the noted times – no need for an appointment or anything. While the characters are a little distanced, you can still get close enough to have a full and detailed conversation with each and every one. You are also allowed to remove your face covering for indoor photos, which is sweet! You’ll find characters in the main atrium, but also wandering all of the ship and on Castaway Cay.
Safety Check
- Characters are safely distanced, but still close enough for wonderful conversations and photos.
- Face coverings can be removed at indoor character meets for a photo.
Sweet “Dreams”
We ended our night taking a stroll around the ship. It’s beautiful, fun and magical. And, now more than ever, felt safe and happy.
Debarkation
We woke up docked in Port Canaveral. We chose to do the express walk off, which was flawless. We enjoyed breakfast in Cabanas and then walked off with our luggage at about 7:45 AM. We were taking the Magical Express to the airport, and busses were lined up. As soon as one filled, it departed. Leaving the ship is always SO sad and makes me wish I had just one more day.
My entire family sails on the new Disney Wish in Summer 2022. There are a *few* staterooms available for the maiden season and I’d love to talk with YOU about getting your family onboard.
Let’s Sail and My Services
With the reopening after covid-19, some aspects of planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation will look different and the experience itself may be different too. You can book with confidence, knowing that your deposit is completely refundable up until the final payment deadline. Now, more than ever, it will be crucial to have the most current, up to date information based on personal experience to plan your vacation!
I can hardly find the words to convey how special it felt to be back at sea with Disney Cruise Line. Extensive thought and planning went into reopening in a safe and comfortable way, while keeping the magic and wonder that Disney is known for. All of the activities, dining, shows, characters and more are here. Magic is here.
While I charge for my concierge vacation services at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, ALL of my services for Disney Cruise Line are complimentary. The cost of the cruise will not be any more expensive than if you booked it on your own!
Learn more about the reopening here: Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go
See ya real soon!
As Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Aulani Hawaii, Universal, Sea World and to over 40 countries on 7 continents through Adventures by Disney® and National Geographic Expeditions.
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