Disney Dream

Disney Dream was Disney's first new ship in 12 years when it debuted in 2011, and it represented the company's step into bigger, bolder and smarter ships. So it's not surprising that the 128,690-ton, 2,500-passenger vessel (4,000 max occupancy) -- and its near-twin, Disney Fantasy -- is 40 percent larger and two decks taller than the company's previous ships, Magic and Wonder. And while Disney kept the same classic design inspired by the ocean liners of the 1920s and 1930s, this ship is far from the same-old; a closer look reveals many innovative features and spaces.

Advanced uses of technology throughout the ship include virtual portholes in inside cabins and "Enchanted Art," digital paintings that come to life as you admire them. Families can pick up a packet at the Midship Detective Agency and use the digital works to solve a mystery. Interactive Magic Play Floors, a ship-limited social network and a sound studio enhance the kids clubs, and "Wave Phones" in every cabin can be used to call or text other passengers, as well as receive messages from the youth staff.

A late-2015 refurbishment added even more impressive features, including spruced-up adults-only spaces, a spa juice bar, a "Wreck It Ralph"-themed sweet shop and high-tech kids club play areas that will amaze even the most tech-savvy adults.

If you're a huge Disney fan (or your kid is), you don't need to be convinced to sail with one of the best family entertainment enterprises around. If you're not -- or have never seen a Disney ship -- you might have the mistaken impression that this line is only for families with little kids who love Mickey Mouse and princesses. Sure, young Disney fans are the line's bread and butter, and they always have been. Princess meet-and-greets take place daily and are hugely popular, the shows feature character cameos and songs from the Disney movies, and the family pools are definitely overrun with splashing, shrieking young-uns.

The influence of the Mouse ranges from subtle to obnoxious. It's omnipresent but generally not overwhelming. "Hidden" Mickeys can be found just about everywhere on the ship: in artwork, on railings, on dinnerware, in cabins. What's endearing to some, though, might be overkill to others. And a few areas on the ship were definitely overlooked. The "sports" deck, for example, offers a cute nine-hole mini-golf course and a basketball court but nothing strikingly groundbreaking or athletic.

But, Dream does offer evidence that a Disney cruise is not only for kids or overgrown Mouse fans. The art deco decor onboard is elegant and jazzy and imparts an old-world luxury, mostly refined, but with a touch of glitz. The pioneering, tech-friendly kids clubs, with spaces themed on Pixar and Disney movies, have a huge amount of beanbag-chair- and videogame-filled real estate dedicated to tweens and teens, a noble effort to better cater to the older-than-8 crowd.

Entertaining dinner shows help keep fidgety youngsters occupied during long sit-down meals. Adults can appreciate high-quality, multicourse dining at Remy; the creative use of costuming and technology (and some mildly adult humor) in the shows; and grown-up activities, such as wine tastings and late-night games and dancing. They have access to a pool, a sun deck, bars and lounges, restaurants and even shore excursions where those younger than 18 are not allowed. That's good because, in the words of Walt himself, "You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."

Above all else, the line pays attention to details -- little things like putting lids on kids' drinks to minimize spills and pouring ketchup in the shape of Mickey's head in the dining rooms, and adding touches like a life preserver and pair of Donald Duck legs to the side of the funnel to make it look as if the loveable character has gotten himself stuck.

Disney Dream Fellow Passengers

Disney is strongly influenced by American and Canadian travelers, and its primary market, of course, is families (especially those with kids younger than 8). Its new approach to teen cruisers may help the line appeal to families with older kids. Beyond that, Disney has strong appeal for multigenerational travelers, and its superb spa, bar district and alternate dining facilities mean that adults of any age will find their own spaces onboard.

Disney Dream Dress Code

Disney Dream has two dress codes: Princess Formal and Pirate Casual. We're kidding, of course, but it's true that princess dresses and other costumes for kids (and fun-loving adults) are always in style.

The actual dress code is casual during the day and what we'd call "family resort casual" most evenings. Nice shorts and jeans are allowed in the dining rooms, but tank tops and swimwear are not. However, Disney cruisers love to dress up, and themed evenings -- whether formal-optional, Caribbean or pirate night -- are wholeheartedly embraced. Dream's three- to five-night cruises feature one night each of pirate/tropical and formal-optional dress, with the remainder of the evenings being cruise casual.

The dress code in Palo and Remy is fancier -- no shorts, capris, flip-flops or sneakers. Jeans are allowed in Palo but not Remy. A jacket (but not a tie) is required for men at Remy.

Disney Dream Gratuity

Gratuities, which are given to the waiters, assistant waiters, head waiters and stateroom attendants, are $12 per person, per day. You can prepay gratuities up to three days prior to sailing or add tips to your onboard bill. Envelopes are distributed on the final evening so you can personally thank your room steward and wait staff with cash if you choose, or use cards denoting the prepaid amount. An automatic 15 percent service charge is added to cocktail and other beverage purchases; an 18 percent charge is added to spa treatments.

Disney Dream Cabins 

Disney has some of the largest standard cabins at sea, and it's amazing how far a few extra square feet will go for four people sharing the typically tight space of a cruise ship stateroom. Ample closet space and plentiful drawers (including an ottoman with room for storage inside), the option to eat room service without bumping elbows on the couch and raised beds with room enough to store a pair of medium-sized suitcases underneath will please even those not traveling with kids. Cabins each have a 22-inch LCD TV, mini-fridge, safe and a pair of rechargeable "Wave Phones" that can be used throughout the ship. (Instructions for the phones could be clearer, especially for those used to touch-screen smartphones.) Some cabins also have combination alarm clocks/iPod docking stations.

Most standard cabins can sleep three or four via a pull-down bunk and single convertible couch. Look for the hidden Peter Pan-themed celestial mural hidden above top bunks. One annoyance is that the main beds in each cabin are queens, but they don't convert into twins. That means if two people are traveling together as friends, they either have to sleep in the same bed, or one person has to sleep in a pull-down bunk or on the pull-out sofa bed.

Heavy room-dividing curtains are a godsend to parents stuck in the cabin with sleeping children. (The only downside is that the TV and fridge are on the kids' side.) Connecting doors adjoin many cabins; if you're cruising next to members of your travel party, you can request that balconies be opened up to connect, as well. Twenty-five cabins across categories are wheelchair-accessible, including two suites.

The split bath setup -- which provides one room with a shower, small tub and sink, and another with a toilet and sink -- is a simple but ingenious concept that Disney pioneered on Magic and Wonder. Having two vanities is important, and it's nice to still be able to use the toilet if one of your travel companions is in the shower, but it's often annoying to have to move towels and toiletries between the two rooms. Also, while a bathtub is perfect for young children, the rounded tub bottom feels more slippery than the flat floors of typical cruise ship showers. The shower ceiling will also be a bit of a problem for taller cruisers. Two in-shower retractable clotheslines provide amble space for drying the swimsuits of a family of four. Toiletries include bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion.

As a fun aside, Pepe the King Prawn (of Muppets fame) now has his own shrimp-sized cabin aboard Disney Dream. You can find it on Deck 5, stateroom number 5148 1/2. (Tip: Dial cabin number 5148 from your stateroom phone, and Pepe will answer.)

Interior: Standard insides start at 169 square feet, and deluxe insides are 204 square feet. They're found on Decks 2 and 5 through 10. Those opting for an inside cabin can check out a nifty industry first: Magical Portholes. They're flat screens designed to look like portholes above the beds; they project a real-time view outside the ship by means of high-def cameras and a live video feed. Stare at the screen for long enough, and you might catch a dancing hippo or two.

Porthole/Oceanview: Outside staterooms start at 204 square feet and are found on Decks 2 and 5 through 8. They can also sleep up to four, but the porthole is a real round window, rather than simply a virtual one. The Deluxe Family Oceanview cabin, found on Decks 6 through 9, is a bit roomier at 241 square feet and can sleep up to five people. The portholes are larger and come with built-in seating.

Balcony: Veranda cabins are a roomy 246 square feet, including balcony, located on Decks 5 through 10. Cabins possessing a "navigator's veranda" will typically have a smaller balcony or one with an obstructed view. Veranda cabin balconies each feature two mesh-and-metal chairs and a small table, deck lights, railings covered in Plexiglas (or solid white walls) and childproof locks. If your family group books connecting balcony cabins, the partition can be opened to form one large balcony. Family balcony cabins measure 299 square feet (including veranda) and sleep up to five. Some have larger balconies with room for two mesh-and-metal chairs, a small table for drinks and two sun loungers with plenty of space to move around. Smoking is not permitted on balconies.

Suite: For those requiring more space, Disney has introduced Concierge Suites, as well as roomy Concierge Family Cabins, located on Decks 11 and 12. The decor focuses more on earth tones (browns and muted sea blues), versus the bright red-and-blue nautical hues of the standard cabins. Both offer access to Dream's concierge facilities, which -- even though they're not particularly noteworthy, comprising only a small lounge and a private sun deck area with some chairs -- do offer easy access to free food and drinks and coveted extra space. The concierge is on hand before and during your cruise to help with reservations, activity planning and other needs.

Concierge cabins start at 306 square feet and can sleep up to five. One-bedroom suites start at 622 square feet; most have connecting doors. These have queen-sized beds in separate bedrooms, sitting areas with double convertible sofas and a small table and chairs, single wall pull-down beds in the living rooms, walk-in closets and two bathrooms (with a whirlpool in the master).

Really want to spoil yourself? The 1,781-square-foot Royal Suite has all that, plus a wet bar, kitchenette, dining table for eight, media library and a hot tub, plus cushioned chairs and loungers on the veranda. It can also sleep five.