Our family eagerly anticipated a magical vacation aboard the Disney Dream, destined for Nassau and Castaway Cay. Unfortunately, the experience was far from enchanting, feeling more scheduled and transactional than magical. The reliance on the Disney Cruise App for managing every aspect of our day felt overly rigid and impersonal, stripping away the spontaneity and joy we had hoped for.

The financial aspect of the cruise was equally disheartening. The daily tax fees applied to every guest, including children, coupled with the additional taxes and a hefty 20% gratuity on drink purchases, made the trip financially burdensome. It seemed as though every opportunity to extract more money from guests was seized upon, from the unclear activity fees to the expensive, and quickly depleted, Disney bands for children.

The overall atmosphere on the ship was unexpectedly quiet, lacking the vibrant energy we anticipated. Our last morning was jarringly disrupted by loud noises as the ship docked, which felt like a deliberate attempt to hasten guests off the ship for an early breakfast - the only day it was not a buffet but a seated dining experience designed to expedite departure. Read more