Life on board the Disney dream

From endless encounters with Donald Duck and co, to exploring Nemo’s Reef and seeing off Captain Hook as fireworks fill the sky - life on board the Disney Dream, which evokes liners of years gone by with its dark blue hull and gold detail, promises to be a full-scale fairy-tale adventure. But just how magical will the experience be if you’re setting sail with a baby in tow? To find out, we embarked on a four-day cruise from Florida’s Port Canaveral to the Bahamas - including a stop at Disney’s idyllic private island, Castaway Cay - with our 11-monthold daughter, Evie.

HERE’S HOW IT WENT... WERE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT TAKING YOUR BABY ON A CRUISE?

Admittedly, the week before setting off was full of trepidation for me and my wife, Carla. We’d never taken Evie abroad before, so couldn’t help worrying about a few things: How would she cope on the nine-and-a-half-hour flight? How would she be on the ship? Would she be OK with the low-30s temperatures we were set to encounter? What about her sleep routine - and how on earth would we prepare her food with no kitchen? But as soon as we stepped on board, Disney sprinkled its magic and our concerns disappeared.

WHAT’S THE SHIP LIKE?

Everywhere you turn, Disney’s ‘cast’ - as all the on-board crew are called - are one step ahead; everything you could possibly think of or wish for has been taken into consideration, even things you didn’t realise you might want! It’s the little things that make a big difference. In our stateroom, for example, our many suitcases, rucksacks and pushchair all tucked away neatly under the bed, leaving us with plenty of room to get around the cabin. A heavy curtain separated the travel cot from the rest of the room, meaning we could still have the lights on and chat after putting Evie to bed, and the bathroom and shower are separate to the toilet, making getting the family ready that little bit simpler.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT A DISNEY CRUISE?

Whether exploring Walt Disney World or cruising the Bahamas, the highlight of any Disney experience is meeting the characters, and this is easy and convenient on board with plenty of chances each day, meaning there was always a way to see Mickey, Minnie or Donald, regardless of what else we had planned. And when we bumped into Donald on one of the ship’s 14 decks, he was only too happy to stop and pose for photos.

AND WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE DAY AT SEA?

The next day, as we slowly cruise black to Florida, we make the most of the opportunity to explore the rest of the Disney Dream. It ends with us donning red and black bandanas, as Captain Jack Sparrow drops in for an impressive Pirate Night showdown with Captain Hook and his mateys. Everyone’s encouraged to join in, with cast members dotted around the deck at several points so children and adults alike could follow the moves, before a dazzling array of fireworks lights up the ship and the night sky over the Atlantic.

SO WHAT’S THE VERDICT - CAN YOU REALLY TAKE A BABY ON A CRUISE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME?

From a 6ft Mickey Mouse, to a dancing Donald Duck and more Disney princesses than you could ever wish to see, every moment on board was an incredible baby sensory experience in overdrive. Whether exploring the fountains of Nemo’s Reef (a water play area for babies next to the main pool on deck 11), playing on the quiet deck in the shade of the lifeboats, or being mesmerised by a s ning performance of Be And The Beast, which sa packed 1,340-capacity th tre transform into a floo ceiling library, Evie was rounded by bright, enga and interactive experien from morning ‘til night. She may have been to young to understand or preciate Disney - and it’s possible my wife and I en meeting Mickey, Minnie Donald more than Evie d - but there’s no doubt th forgettable sights, sound sensations were bigger a better than anything she experienced before. And every detail taken care o had a magical time too!