10 Cruising Tips for Adults on the Disney Dream
September 22, 2020
When I went on my first Disney cruise, I was with a majority adults-only group for most of the trip. As a Wishes Family Travel agency, we decided to sail for four nights on the Disney Dream. Afterall, we are trained, TRAVELED, and trusted, and strive to experience everything we are selling to our clients. Our recommendations really are based on firsthand experiences. While most of my clients for the Disney Cruise Line are families with children, I quickly learned that DCL is as much of an experience for adults as it is for kids.
The adult-only pool on Deck 11 was a great escape. I am not saying I do not like kids, but since I was not traveling with any, I really didn’t feel a need to hang out in the family pool. The adult-only pool section is called Quiet Cove. It is smaller, quieter, has a great pool bar, two hot tubs, and a multitude of seating options. Upstairs on Deck 13, is an additional adult-only seating area.
Cruise Tip #1: For NO line at the bar, head up to Deck 13 to that adult-only area just before or after the Sailing Away party to grab a drink. I got a margarita to enjoy while watching the show and got it in no time!
The adult-only pool is next to one of my favorite spots on the Disney Dream, Cove Café. Cove Café is home to specialty coffee orders and complimentary Danishes in the morning, and a delicious happy hour in the evening. While some of the menu items do cost a little extra, I went every day because it is just that good! I loved my Disney signature lattes with a surprise character on top.
Cruise Tip #2: Ask a cast member for a rewards card! You can get a stamp for each purchase and earn a free coffee before the end of the cruise. Are you a frequent cruiser? You can bring your card on your next cruise too!
In Café Cove, they also have cigars for sale. To be honest, seeing cigars for sale on the cruise surprised me until I learned that on Deck 13, Meridian Lounge is a cigar lounge. My father is an avid cigar smoker, so I had to check out the lounge and take pictures to show him. What a beautiful room filled with the most comfortable leather chairs. He would have really enjoyed this spot and I know other adults will too.
Deck 13 is also home to Remy and Palo. These are two adult-only restaurants on the ship. Both have very limited availability and are open for brunch and dinner on select nights during your sailing. The food is over the top delicious and the options are endless. There is an extra cost to dine here, but it is well worth it to dress up and go!
Cruise Tip #3: Reservations are a must and you should talk to your Concierge Agent about making them prior to your sailing date. These restaurants are just about impossible to get into without a reservation made well in advance.
There are other adult-only activities on board such as drink tasting. Everything you can think of is offered from bourbon to beer, chocolate and liquor to champagne, margaritas, martinis, mojitos, and more!
Cruise Tip #4: You can participate in an onboard tasting before the muster drill and your cruise officially begins! After you board, you can grab lunch and head to a champagne tasting to toast and begin your vacation!
The Senses Spa is also on Deck 11 and it can be accessed right off of the elevator or by going through the adult-only pool section. This is a unique spa experience and is mostly adults-only. There is a small section for kids to receive kids’ massage or mani/pedi packages, but that is it. The Senses Spa is known for its Rainforest room, where guests can experience tropical showers and aroma steam, steam rooms, saunas, and jacuzzies. My favorite part of the spa was the jacuzzies overlooking the ocean and the heated stone loungers also overlooking the ocean. I am not someone that normally can take a nap but falling asleep there was the best nap of my life. The spa also has a fitness center, rooms for different treatments, Senses Juice Bar for smoothies and healthy snacks, and much more.
Cruise Tip #5: My mom and I picked up a couples pass for the entire sailing. This is a great deal for 2 people, so even if you are not traveling with a significant other, bring your mom or bff to take advantage of the deal. After all, you are a couple of people! There is a limited number of these passes sold so I recommend purchasing soon after boarding the ship.
Cruise Tip #6: Check the Navigator App! Each day the Senses Spa has special classes, treatments, etc. Some are even complimentary!
The Navigator App will also point you in the direction for some late-night fun with a different schedule of activities each night! Skyline, Pink (a Champagne Bar), Evolution, District Lounge, Currents, and Pub 687 are all located in The District. My friends and I played family feud, sang karaoke, and danced in our favorite activity: the Silent DJ Dance Party! Everyone has their own set of headphones and can choose the music they want to dance to! Everyone is on the dance floor singing and dancing. And when you take your headphones off? You realize the room is actually completely silent with the exception of a few singing out loud. It is so much fun and equally hilarious.
Our 4-night cruise on the Dream made a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s Private Island, also known as my happy place. This beautiful island is reserved only for DCL guests. The island is huge with many offerings for people of all ages. For the adults, Serenity Bay is an option, which is a private beach on the island for adults only.
Cruise Tip #7: When you are at the Pink Bar, ask for the guest book! You can sign your name and leave a message for future guests. There are also older books to look through. I can’t wait to bring my family here one day and look for my note.
On this side of the island, there is a quiet beach filled with chairs for you to lounge in the sun or at the shore. There is Castaway Air Bar, a GREAT and fun beach bar, and Serenity Bay BBQ for a complimentary island BBQ lunch. It was delicious and included food right off the grill, fresh fruit and salad buffets, and that all you care for ice cream Disney Cruise Line is famous for!
A group of us went to Serenity Bay and enjoyed the quiet, floating in the water with our drinks. The water was crystal blue and we even saw a stingray swim by! It was the perfect day.
Cruise Tip #8: When you get to Castaway Cay, the walk to Serenity Bay is very long. We walked halfway so we could see the characters, different shops, and the family beach. Then, we hopped on the tram to Serenity Bay. I would not recommend walking the full route.
Excursions are available on all cruises and depending on where you sail, there are adult-only excursions. These become available on a set date depending on your Castaway Club level and when your cruise is paid in full. This is one important date that your Wishes Concierge Agent will go over with you.
Cruise Tip #9: Bring a large refillable water bottle to Castaway Cay so you can fill it up on your way to Serenity Bay. It is hot out there and you will want to stay hydrated!
Whether you are on the boat or on the island, alcohol is available for purchase. Disney Cruise Line does not sell drink packages, but all drinks can be purchased with your Key to the World card so make sure you bring that to any bar with you! Looking for a fun cocktail at a reasonable price? Checkout the drink of the day! This is a different cocktail each day for only $5 after you purchase a $15 DCL cup! This cup can be used throughout the entire cruise, so make sure to purchase on day one so you can get the most use out of it.
Cruise Tip #10: If you are looking for a great deal on draft beer, purchase the refillable beer mug as soon as you board the ship to get the most bang for your buck! As soon as you purchase this mug, for the remainder of the cruise you can receive a 21 oz refill for the price of a 16 oz refill.
Whether you are looking for a family or adult-only vacation, Disney Cruise Line is the vacation for you! If you are interested in a complimentary quote, please contact me at maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com or on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie