Disney Dream Cruise: A New Port & Murder Rates in Nassau
No Disney Cruise is “typical” and this is no “typical” Disney Cruise review. Our family spent four nights on the Disney Dream which sailed out of its new home in Fort Lauderdale. We look at the good, the bad and the “Petroleum Port” ugly of that arrival experience. We then set sail only to arrive in Nassau, where the U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory after some 18 murders on that small island since January 1st. We look at the realities of that as well as talk about our family’s personal experience, where our two youngest children–both who deal with Autism–experienced their own ups and downs. Trust me, it really was a good cruise–but I’m ready for my vacation from my vacation. Find out more as we experience a cruise on the Disney Dream.
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Port Arrival & Embarkation
- Love Fort Lauderdale–Until This Trip
- Met My Brother at Lester’s Diner
- Other Restaurants People Have Had Cars Broken Into
- We Entered Through a Guard Gate and Through a Petroleum Port
- The Exterior of the Port Was Similar to Port Canaveral But Could Only Be Seen From the Water
- You Arrive Into a Car Garage–Parking is $20 a Day
- No Place For People Who are Ahead of Their Time–We Arrived as Others Were Leaving at 10:40 am
- Interior of the Actual Terminal Was Beautiful & Disney
- Process of Moving People Through was Efficient
- Marvel Day at Sea a Constant Reminder of What the Itinerary was Not
- Room Overlooked a Petroleum Holding Area and Was Ugly
- We had adjoining rooms. Balcony opened up but didn’t know
- The Veranda Railing was Chipped and the 6th Floor View Overlooked the Yellow Rescue Boats
- Missing the Covid Approach to Muster Drills–But Staff Was Supportive and Understanding
- Our Son Wanted to See the Boat Leave–More Staring at an Ugly Port
- Beautiful Homes Can be Seen As You Finally Go Out to Sea
- Port Comparisons–It’s Where First Impressions are Made
- Port Canaveral–Better Terminal Arrival Experience/Solid Disney Terminal
- Miami–Better Port Area/Okay Terminal
- San Diego–Better Port Area/Disappointing Terminal
- Vancouver–Better Port Area/Impressive Non-Disney Terminal
Navigator App
- Focus on identifying things you would love to do.
- No maps on the App
Entertainment
- Disney Characters were Solid!
- Costuming is Amazing
- Three Shows were Fantastic–Even if Seen Front Row Far Right
- Mickey Pirate Show Was Cute
- Fireworks are Great But was Missed
- Didn’t Do Adult Shows or Entertainment
Nassau
- Been to Nassau Some 7 Times Before
- Atlantis
- Our Own Rental Car
- A Dedicated Taxi Cab Driver
- The Pirate Museum
- Never Had Much Interest in Visiting Nassau
- No word on State Department Notification
- Bahamas Noted That Level 2 Was Typical For Most Travel Destinations
- The New Entry Port was an Improvement on the Past
Castaway Cay
- Getting Off the Ship You Could See Workers Scrubbing, Sanding, Welding and Painting
- Homage to Castaway Club Guests Having Sailed Over 50 Times
- There Are Many Details to Notice as Mentioned in the Upcoming DCL Podcast Show on the 19th
- Ship Sails Up to The Island–Docking Instead of Tendering
- Lots of Signage Recognizing Disney Leaders–Including Wing T. Chao
- Equipped First Aid Station
- Some of the Best Souvenirs Are On the Island
- Restaurant Locations Up and Ready to Go
- Palm Trees Everywhere
- The Water was Cold But it Was Sunny and Beautiful
- Driver’s License Was Required to Get Back on Board But Not Checked
- Our Daughter Ended Up With Something In Her Eye and Ultimately Spent time in the Infirmary
- The Infirmary Charges $60 a Visit
- Her Eye Ultimately Improved
Food & Beverage
- Why is the Menu Always the Same–Except on the Wish. Why?!
- A Better Attitude Through Salt & Pepper
- Trying Something New Every Meal
- Trying Restaurants and Not Cabanas at Lunch Time
- No Palo
- Chocolate Truffles as a Thank You Gift
- Specialty Cupcake from Dave & Leah Zanolla
- We Were Able to Change our Dining Time
- Two Nights Where Our Children Struggled with Dinner and Part of the Meal was Sent to the Bedroom.
- No Mickey Waffles on day of Debarkation
Debarkation
- Five Ships Were in Harbor
- Decided not to wait until our number was called–No final time in Artist’s Palette
- Walked from room to car in about 15 minutes
- Leaving, we found a better way to exit than through the security gate
Summary
- Like Most Parents, it Was About Our Children
- No Laptop–Volume II will be coming out Later
- That Means we Need a Vacation from our Vacation
- Need to Look Beyond the Chipped Paint and Yellow Boats to the Great Horizon
Want to visit Walt Disney World?
Hopefully this podcast has made you realize you need help and support in planning your next trip to Disney. David and Leah with Zanolla Travel know Disney in ways few do and they can make your next trip on land or sea an exciting one–or at least less stressful! Be sure to contact them as you explore your next vacation, whether it is a Disney theme park vacation, a cruise, or an Adventure by Disney. There is no charge to utilize their services, but it will save you enormous time getting all the details right, and with their insight you can be assured you’re going to experience the best trip possible. Contact them today!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
(309) 863-5469
A Century of Powerful Disney Insights Book
You can order my newest book, “A Century of Powerful Disney Insights” on Amazon. It’s a great way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. In over 100 years, The Walt Disney Company has emerged as one of the most successful entertainment entities across the globe. In this, the first of two volumes, we study the first 50 years of Disney, beginning with Walt and Roy. We look at major milestones and not only see the evolution of an organization begun in a garage, but how it truly became so beloved to millions around the world. From Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse through Snow White and Cinderella, from the Mouseketeers to Mary Poppins, and from Disneyland to Walt Disney World, we share stories and insights from 1923 to 1973. We hope you’ll be inspired with ideas and how you can apply these stories to your own life and work.
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