Episode #40: Disney Cruise with Kids: Our Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise Review and Best Tips
Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise Review: Our Honest Experience as a Family of 7
Is a Disney Cruise really worth the premium price?
After years of cruising on multiple cruise lines and taking our five kids on Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, we finally sailed on the Disney Dream for a 7-night Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona.
Spoiler alert: it exceeded our expectations.
From Broadway-quality entertainment and incredible kids clubs to magical character experiences and unforgettable ports in Italy, this cruise delivered memories our family will never forget.
In this post, I'm sharing our honest review of the Disney Dream, what we loved, what surprised us, and whether we'd book another Disney cruise in the future.
Our Disney Dream Mediterranean Itinerary
Our cruise included:
• Barcelona, Spain (Embarkation)
• Cagliari, Sardinia
• Naples, Italy
• Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
• Pisa (Livorno), Italy
• 2 Sea Days
For our family, this was the perfect combination of cruising and sightseeing. We got to enjoy all the Disney magic while also introducing our kids to Italy for the first time.
Arriving in Barcelona Before the Cruise
One of my biggest cruise tips is simple:
Always arrive at least one day before your cruise.
Flight delays, weather issues, and lost luggage happen. Missing your cruise ship is not how you want to start vacation.
We flew into Barcelona the day before and stayed at the AC Hotel Victoria Suites using Marriott points. The hotel had rooms that accommodated our family of seven, which is surprisingly hard to find in Europe.
The extra day also gave us time to adjust to the time zone before boarding.
Disney Dream Embarkation Day Tips
Our boarding time was 12:30 PM.
One thing we quickly learned about sailing out of Barcelona:
Don't arrive early.
The port was extremely busy, hot, crowded, and had very little shade. Disney strictly enforced boarding times, so arriving early would have just meant standing in the sun longer.
Another surprise?
The Barcelona port would not accept luggage without wheels.
Backpacks and duffel bags had to be carried onboard.
As a carry-on-only family, that caught us completely off guard.
Once we made it through security, though, Disney immediately worked its magic.
As we stepped aboard, the crew announced our family name and welcomed us with applause. It was such a simple touch, but it made the experience feel special from the very beginning.
Disney Dream Stateroom Review
We booked two connecting Deluxe Interior Staterooms.
One feature we absolutely loved was Disney's split bathroom design.
Each room included:
• Bathroom #1: Shower/tub and sink
• Bathroom #2: Toilet and sink
For a family, this setup was amazing because multiple people could get ready at the same time.
We also decorated our stateroom door, participated in pixie dusting, and discovered why Disney cruisers take door decorating very seriously.
Disney Kids Clubs: Best at Sea?
Without question.
The Disney Oceaneer Club was one of the highlights of the entire cruise.
The themed spaces included:
• Star Wars experiences
• Marvel activities
• Toy Story-themed play areas
• Interactive games
• Crafts
• Character visits
Our younger kids constantly asked to go back.
That never happened on previous cruises.
We've cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and while those kids clubs were perfectly fine, Disney's kids programming is on an entirely different level.
Disney Dream Dining Review
One of Disney Cruise Line's most unique features is rotational dining.
During our cruise we rotated between:
• Royal Palace (3 nights)
• Enchanted Garden (2 nights)
• Animator's Palate (2 nights)
The same serving team follows you throughout the cruise, so they quickly learn your family's preferences.
Animator's Palate was especially memorable because our kids got to create drawings that later appeared in an animated Disney show during dinner.
The food was consistently good throughout the cruise, and we appreciated that there weren't constant upcharges for premium menu items.
Disney Cruise Entertainment: Worth the Hype?
Absolutely.
The three main stage productions were phenomenal.
The Golden Mickeys
A high-energy celebration of Disney music and characters.
Disney's Believe
An emotional story about a father learning what matters most.
As a parent, this one hit especially hard.
Beauty and the Beast
Broadway quality.
The sets, costumes, singing, and production value were incredible.
It's honestly one of the best cruise ship productions we've ever seen.
Sea Day Highlights
Our family favorites included:
• Riding the AquaDuck water coaster
• Unlimited soft-serve ice cream
• Character meet-and-greets
• Pool time
• Movies on Funnel Vision
• Kids club activities
• Relaxing while the kids played
The AquaDuck quickly became our family's favorite attraction onboard.
Pirate Night on Disney Dream
Pirate Night was everything we hoped it would be.
We dressed up, attended the pirate deck party, and enjoyed seeing all the Disney characters in their pirate costumes.
The only disappointment?
No fireworks.
Because of European regulations, Disney does not offer fireworks during Mediterranean sailings.
If fireworks are a must-do for your family, you'll want to look at Caribbean or Bahamas itineraries instead.
Was the Disney Photo Package Worth It?
For us, 100% yes.
We ended up with nearly 200 professional photos.
Between character meet-and-greets, family photos, dining photos, and candid moments around the ship, the package paid for itself many times over.
One thing we loved was that our older kids could meet characters independently, and the photos would automatically appear in our account.
Mediterranean Ports
Our cruise visited:
• Cagliari
• Naples
• Rome
• Pisa
Each stop offered something completely different, and we'll be covering those adventures in a dedicated episode because there is so much to share.
From Pompeii and the Colosseum to pizza, gelato, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy absolutely delivered.
Would We Cruise Disney Again?
Yes.
Before disembarking, we purchased Disney's Placeholder Reservation.
This program allows you to:
• Pay a refundable deposit
• Lock in future cruise discounts
• Have up to two years to choose a sailing
For us, it was an easy decision.
Disney Cruise Line is expensive. There's no getting around that.
But after experiencing the service, entertainment, kids clubs, and overall atmosphere, we understand why families love Disney cruises.
Final Verdict
Disney Dream exceeded our expectations.
What Disney does best:
✓ Incredible kids clubs
✓ Broadway-quality entertainment
✓ Character experiences
✓ Family-focused service
✓ Magical atmosphere
✓ Rotational dining
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely.
But I'd also say this:
You don't need a Disney cruise to have an amazing family vacation.
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Princess all offer fantastic family experiences too.
Cruising itself is what makes family travel easier.
You unpack once, visit multiple destinations, enjoy built-in entertainment, and spend less time managing logistics.
And that's exactly why cruising remains one of my favorite ways to travel with kids.
Want Help Planning a Cruise with Kids?
Check out my guide, Cruise Smarter with Kids.
Inside, I share everything I've learned after 8 cruises and sailing Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival with five kids, including:
• Choosing the right cruise line
• Picking the best ship
• Finding the right itinerary
• Booking family-friendly excursions
• Packing strategies
• Embarkation day tips
• Money-saving tricks
• Kids club advice
• Cruise planning checklists
It's designed to help you skip the overwhelm and feel confident planning your next family cruise.p
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