Sail Away With Me

We just returned from our first Disney cruise and, honestly, I cannot say enough positive things about the whole experience. There’s too much to share without turning a blog into a novel so I will just highlight a few things that were real standouts for us.

Eat Like a King- you can eat well on pretty much every cruise but Disney was exceptional for our family. In particular, this was so because our youngest, Bennett, has life threatening food allergies. The thought of being out in the middle of the ocean with an anaphylactic could have been terrifying. It could have been…except I am an obsessive planner. Read: I’m crazy! #sorrynotsorry While planning our trip I specifically researched vacations that would be accommodating to people with severe food allergies and time and time again Disney was at the top of the list. My research also led me to know exactly what to do and who to speak to both in advance of and while onboard so that our boy could be kept safe. I asked about their cleaning protocol of staterooms, common areas, and the nursery. I spoke to our head server to evaluate how educated they were on food allergies and was even offered to have the chef himself talk with us so I could be reassured of food preparation practices to avoid any possibility of cross contamination. Disney blew my socks off with their allergy awareness. Hands down the most educated staff that made my boy a priority verses an accommodation.

Best of Both World’s- I know I’m going to have some critics that will judge me and my husband for saying this but this trip was particularly awesome because we were able to enjoy time together as a family AND time together as a couple. But you took your kids on a Disney vacation, how on earth did you get time together as a couple? Answer: The Oceaneer’s Lab. Disney offers a kid’s club with trained counselors and fun activities that the kids were nuts about. Literally, there were times we could not get our kids to leave the lab to come swimming with us in the pools or go down the water slides. They LOVED it! And this afforded us the opportunity to take a dip in the adults only pool or grab a nightcap together post-dinner. It was perfection. And as a bonus it made for a relaxing vacation we didn’t need to recover from. Honestly, amazing!

Red Carpet Treatment- nothing is impossible and no request was too great. From the time we boarded til we disembarked we were treated like royalty. Disney announces your family’s name and applauds you when walking on board. You can get Mickey Pops via room service any time day or night. The character meet and greets are memorable and unrushed. Your servers and room attendant call you and your children by name (this one is HUGE for me!). Just sooo pleased with the incredible service and hospitality that the cast members provided.

ARRRRyoukiddingme– Castaway Cay day was by far my favorite. A Caribbean beach day with the kiddos was nothing short of incredible and since it’s Disney’s private island it is EXQUISITE. Water slides in the middle of a turquoise sea, a delicious bbq lunch, amazing views in 85 degree sunshine, and character dance parties complete with shakin’ it down with my happy kiddos. And as if that isn’t already spectacular the day ended with an epic “Pirate Night” where the whole ship dressed in pirate garb and partied the night away under fireworks shot off at sea. So much fun!

In closing, I’ll say this. A few have asked us if the cost of DCL was worth it. Our answer is a resounding YES! It’s true Disney is more expensive than other cruises but the experience more than justifies the price tag. The memories made this last week will last a lifetime. When given the opportunity ALWAYS TAKE THE TRIP. You’ll never, ever regret it. Thank you Disney Dream for an incredible vacation with our boy crew!