Contributed by Tara Ghiatis

Magical Memories!

“Please welcome aboard the Ghiatis family,” we heard as we walked onto the Disney Dream for the first time, passing smiling cast members and a waving Mickey. We had been on our first cruise a matter of only seconds, yet we knew that this was going to be something special.

Whether it was the deck party or a meet-and-greet, magical moments to engage with our favorite characters were abundant. We expected that. We did not expect to see Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters playing alongside our kids in the club. We did not expect Crush to come alive and interact with us through a porthole in Animator’s Palate. We did not expect a pirate to shoot fireworks over the waters of the Caribbean.

We expected magic – we experienced that magic coming to life!

We Found Paradise on Castaway Cay!

Castaway Cay has remained a favorite stop for our family since the first time we set foot on the island. As our children get older, we get to experience new things! Rated a 2017 Cruiser’s Choice top cruise line private island destination, there is something for everyone on Castaway Cay!

We have spent our days on the family beach, where the water is warm and the sand is powdery perfection. Whether your desire is a lounge chair in the sun or a hammock under a tree, this island is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Everything you need is right there at your disposal from life vests to inner tube rentals to snorkel equipment. Take a trip down one of two water slides on Pelican Plunge, a 2400 square-foot floating playground in the lagoon!

That isn’t even the best part, moms and dads. Maybe you need a little break. Maybe your little one, like mine, spent the morning crying on the beach because he wanted to go to Target. Disney Cruise Line has it covered! Castaway Cay offers a little vacation-from-your-vacation in the form of…wait for it…Scuttle’s
Cove, a place for your kids to play under the supervision of Disney counselors! After a little family time and a delicious barbecue lunch at Cookies, enjoy some adults-only time to try one of the island’s cocktails or visit Serenity Bay.

Next up on our Castaway to-do list? The Castaway 5K!

Fun On Deck!

The Aquaduck, an elevated waterslide that takes you around the ship on the Dream and the Fantasy, is our absolute favorite! When it is time to cool off, the kids take a dip in the Donald pool, where they can watch a movie on a jumbo LED screen known as Funnel Vision.

Unparalleled Service!

The many amenities and activities at our disposal on a Disney Cruise are too numerous to mention, but the one thing that consistently keeps us coming back is the exceptional service. DCL has thought of everything, and they do their best to ensure that each guest has a magical experience.

The dining rotations offer a variety of menu options, and DCL does an excellent job addressing food sensitivities and allergies. The wait staff stay with you through each dining room rotation, and they go above and beyond to make dining with little ones hassle free.

Our stateroom attendants have been marvelous, even sprinkling a little pixie dust from time to time. A day on a Disney Cruise is a great day!

Sea Ya Real Soon!