Limited Time Savings on the Disney Dream This Fall from Miami

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Darren Wittko 2/6/22 Darren Wittko 2/6/22

Disney Cruise Line: Disney Dream Sold Out for Summer, Fall 2022

Now is the time to book summer travel! Summer and fall Disney cruises from Port Canaveral are sold out, or out or nearly sold out. Contact me today for options.

If you have been trying to book a summer 2022 vacation you know how difficult it has been trying to find availability at popular destinations like Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

Demand for summer travel is soaring right now, I haven’t worked with this many clients, who are actively booking vacations in my entire career.

To this point, all 3 and 4 night Disney Cruise Line sailings from Port Canaveral are now unavailable from from mid-June through December 2022.

3 and 4 night cruises from Port Canaveral on Disney Cruise Line are no longer available.

Recently Disney Cruise Line announced that the Disney Wish was going to be delayed by a few weeks.

Disney Cruise Line availability — Searches for cruises on the Disney Cruise Line website are returning no results from summer and fall 2022 on Port Canaveral sailings.

Now the Disney Wish will begin sailing out of Port Canaveral in mid-July 2022. More details will be announced on February 8, 2022.

This complicated an already busy cruise season as guests on the Disney Wish were given priority to rebook or to receive a Future Cruise Credit.

The future of the Disney Dream is also uncertain. It was scheduled to begin sailing out of the Miami area once the Disney Wish arrived.

Now is the best time to book a summer cruise in order to get the best prices. If you’re a seasoned cruiser you already know this.

Fortunately Royal Caribbean Cruise Line still has availability out of Port Canaveral, Florida. RCCL also offers family-centered cruise vacations, similar to Disney Cruise Line, often for a lot less.

While I’m sure there is a lot of disappointment around this, I’d rather that Disney get it right rather than rush it. I’m sure it will be worth the wait.

But right now is the best time to book your Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas.

My clients enjoy great deals on Royal Caribbean and a generous onboard credit - to be used to almost anything you like while on your cruise.

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Back at Sea! Recap of My Post-COVID Cruise Onboard the Disney Dream

Back at sea with Disney Cruise Line! Join me as I recap my last Disney cruise onboard the Disney Dream.

Recently I had an opportunity to do a Land and Sea adventure between Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. I specialize in helping clients plan Land and Sea vacations here in Orlando, so be sure to contact me for more information!

We began with 2 nights at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, followed by a cruise to the Bahamas onboard the Disney Dream.

Usually I like doing the cruise first because I want to have Walt Disney World to look forward to. There are advantages of doing the cruise afterwards however, like being able to relax after a touring the parks.

What follows here is a recap of my Disney cruise in a post-COVID (or nearly post-COVID) world. Aside from wearing masks indoors and social distancing, there wasn’t too much that was different.

On this trip, my son came along with me. He was not vaccinated at the time because vaccines were not yet available to 11 year olds.

Disney Cruise Line walked me through the process to show proof of vaccination.

My son had to take a COVID test 3-days prior to the cruise and show a negative test. We ordered the home-test kit from Disney for $90 and sent in the sample via overnight mail. Disney provided the overnight shipping label as part of the kit.

I tracked the entire process online, it was very easy.

Upon arriving at Port Canaveral, we all had to take a COVID test before we were even allowed to get out of the car.

We entered Level 1 of the parking garage where we were greeted by a Cast Member. She explained the testing process and directed us to an available station.

We pulled into a parking spot and a medical professional took the time to review the entire test procedure. She was very knowledgeable and made sure we were comfortable with her performing the test.

It was a light nasal swab (not the brain swab) and it took all of 5 seconds.

We were then instructed to park on Level 2 of the garage and to remain in our car. The idea is that if someone were to test positive, they wouldn’t be walking around the garage mingling with other passengers. Disney things of everything!

Results came back within 20 minutes via email. We were then able to proceed to Level 3 in the garage and exit our car. Everyone on that level has tested negative so it was safe to exit our car and head to the cruise terminal building.

Guests who arrive at the port on a Disney Cruise Line bus will follow a similar process.

If someone tests positive, Disney Cruise Line agents will work with you to make other arrangements. You won’t be left stranded at the port!

It was very reassuring to know that everyone else on board the ship tested negative for COVID and were vaccinated. i don’t know of too many places that can ensure that level of protection.

We departed Port Canaveral in late afternoon. For the first few hours, we sailed with Royal Caribbean before parting ways.

I love when people come outside of the area restaurants to watch the Disney Dream pass through the channel. It’s a sight to see! She’s a beautiful ship. The ship’s horn plays short Disney melodies like “When you Wish Upon a Star.” It’s loud enough to wake the dead, but I think the locals probably enjoy hearing it again.

I’m a huge Disney fan, but one of my favorite things about Disney Cruise Line is that the ships are modeled after the ocean liners from the golden age of ship travel. A lot people say it feels like being on…well, I don’t want to say the name of the ship, but you know the one I’m talking about. Yes, it feels like being on that.

So, it’s not in-your-face Disney, though, there are plenty of Disney-themed activities onboard.

Our cruise was in October so the ship was decorated for Halloween on the High Seas. Some of the activities were scaled back to avoid large crowds from gathering.

October is a great time to cruise and cruise fares are a lot less compared to those in summer.

There are subtle reminders that you’re on a Disney ship, if you know where to look.

After the first day, you learn your way around the ship. The hallways are endless - the Disney Dream is massive ship.

Fun fact: the carpet in the hallways help tell guests and crew where they are, and where they are going. For example, if the map is facing you, you’re walking toward the front of the ship (forward). If the map is upside down, you’re walking towards the stern. See the signal flags? They signal flags spell out the name of the ship!

The top deck can retract to reveal two pools. This is a multipurpose area that is quickly transformed for swimming, sun bathing, dance parties, live performances and movies.

Aqua Duck water coaster is one of the highlights of the cruise. There were so few passengers on board, there was no wait to ride it. I think our record was 9 times in a row.

I love the promenade deck on the Disney Dream. It’s a great place to take a morning run or go for a walk during sunset. This was taken at sunrise over the Caribbean.

The family-friendly parties at night are not to be missed. This was Halloween on the High Seas party, led my Mickey and pals. Guests of all ages were encouraged to come in costume.

Pro Tip: If you’re an early riser, walk to the front of the ship with a hot coffee and watch the Disney Dream arrive at Castaway Cay. You’ll also enjoy a beautiful sunrise.

Castaway Cay coming into view.

The Dream backs in at Castaway. The captain maneuvers the ship like he’s backing into a parking space at the grocery store! Impressive!

After breakfast we were off to Castaway Cay for snorkeling and a bike ride.

On our bike ride around Castaway Cay, we were able to appreciate the natural beauty of the island. I wonder if there’s buried treasure here?

There are Disney characters and princesses throughout the ship. If you’re into meeting Disney characters, there’s no better place than a Disney Cruise. You won’t find long lines like in the theme parks and you get to spend more time with them.

Here we met Ariel. There were no other guests around so she pulled us over and chatted with us for about 5 minutes, in character of course. We were actually late for dinner, but how often do you get to talk one-on-one with a Disney Princess? My son got incredibly shy around her, it was awesome!

The Disney Dream travels through the night and arrives back at Port Canaveral before sunrise. When most people wake up, the ship is already back in Port Canaveral.

It was great to be back at sea. The cast and crew were so thankful to have us onboard and they went out of their way to ensure we were safe and having fun. I actually think cruising is the safest way to travel these days given all the procedures in place.

Of course this is a quick look back at our Disney Cruise. There was so much more that I didn’t get into like the Bingo tournaments, our awesome servers, the food (OMG the food!), Edge tween club, the 5K on Castaway and so much more. But I have to leave topics for my next article, so stay tuned.

Have questions about taking a Disney Cruise? Feel free to contact me . As a travel agent specializing in Disney Cruise Line, I’d be happy to help any way I can.

To get started on a quote, fill out my Quote Form. today!

Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 12 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a ***Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent***. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.

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What Disney Cruise Line is Doing to Help You Feel Safe Onboard

My experience preparing for our Disney Cruise in a post-COVID world.

I just completed a Land and Sea trip, starting with 2 nights Disney’s Contemporary Resort for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World followed by a 4-night cruise to The Bahamas on Disney Cruise Line.

On this particular cruise aboard the Disney Dream, we started with 1 day at sea followed by a double-dip at Disney Castaway Cay.

It’s great to be back at sea and although there’s some enhanced safety procedures in place, Disney made it very easy.

In the weeks prior to our cruise, Disney began sending alerts through its mobile app, breaking down the required steps into digestible bites and keeping me informed of my progress along the way.

Safe Passage and Disney Cruise Line keep you informed of your progress through the required steps.

My son, age 11, is not yet eligible to be vaccinated but he is still allowed on the cruise. He just needs 2 negative COVID tests.

I ordered a do-it-yourself PCR test from Disney Cruise Line’s partner “Safe Passage” for $95.

It’s a gentle nasal swab with simple directions. They include an envelope and an overnight shipping label.

I was able to track shipping and the results of the test online.

His test had to be taken within 3 days of sailing.

I was a little concerned because our cruise departed on Monday which meant the at-home test had to be taken and shipped on Friday.

We swabbed his nose before school and I dropped off the package at the UPS Store at 9:30 am.

Safe Passage had posted his test result online on Saturday afternoon.

Arrival at Port Canaveral.

We are Florida residents so we drove to Port Canaveral in our own vehicle along with our neighbors who were also on the same cruise!

If you’re arriving by Disney Cruise Line motorcoach or rideshare, you’ll be directed to the testing site by Disney Cruise Line staff.

Days before our cruise, Disney allowed us to select our port arrival time.

This prevents long lines and crowding at the terminal.

We arrived within our window and upon entering the parking garage, we were directed to one of several testing stations.

COVID testing is performed on the first floor of the Disney Cruise Line parking garage. Results come in about 20 minutes.

Everyone going on the cruise must be tested for COVID at this point, even if they have been vaccinated. Even my son, who was already tested at home had to be tested here once again.

There is no cost for this test, Disney Cruise Line picks up the tab.

As you might expect from Disney, everything was very organized and everyone we encountered at the testing site appeared to be very excited to see us. We felt very welcome and it was a very pleasant experience.

We remained in our vehicle and were instructed to put our masks on.

Our test provider took the time to explain how the test would be performed. We went one person at a time, and she was there to guide us through each step.

Once our swabs were collected, they were immediately sent testing.

Meanwhile, a Disney Cast Member came over with some witty jokes. He explained that we would need to move our vehicle to Level 2 and wait for the test results there.

He instructed us not to exit our vehicle so as to not come into contact with others who may have tested positive.

By keeping everyone distanced, there’s very little chance for spreading the virus here. Disney Cruise Line really thought this through.

On Level 2 we parked and had a nice view of the Disney Dream from our car. Everyone followed the rules, I didn’t see anyone out of their car.

After 20 minutes or so the email came and we were clear to board the ship.

At this time, we were instructed to park on Level 3 or above. The only people allowed on Level 3 are those who tested negative for COVID. See what they did there? Very well thought out.

The Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral.

From there we entered the terminal. Masks are required. We checked in and our boarding group had already been called, meaning we were able to board the ship immediately. Very cool!

We literally walked through the terminal, onto the gangway and onto the ship.

About to board the Disney Dream. This is the entrance to the gangway.

While there is some work involved compared to pre-COVID cruises, Disney Cruise Line really makes it easy.

There’s a lot of value in the peace of mind that you and everyone else onboard is negative for COVID.

Even my grocery store can’t guarantee that all adults have been vaccinated and that everyone has recently tested negative.

Could it be that cruise ships are actually the safest way to travel? Who would have ever thought we’d be saying that?

Now is a great time to catch a last-minute sailing or to plan your 2022 Disney cruise. View current offers here ▸

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