By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
We recently returned from a four-night cruise on Disney Dream out of Fort Lauderdale, to Nassau and Lighthouse Cay private island on the southern tip of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
Based on my experience, the Disney cruise option may outweigh a parks visit for certain families with kids from 4-8, especially for multigenerational family vacations.
Here’s why. First, it’s easy to enjoy everything Disney has to offer: visits with characters are plentiful; kids clubs span every age group, from 6 months to teenagers; multiple pools exist for every age group; and there are activities throughout the day and night. This latter includes a shorter Broadway version of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” pool party complete with fireworks. Plus, there’s no dragging tired kids (and parents) all over the Disney parks in the heat.
Everything is included on the cruise: food and non-alcoholic drinks in three different restaurants, with your dining room rotating each night (along with your waitstaff). Convenient DIY restaurants for quick breakfasts and lunches are also included.
There’s a great aqua duck ride onboard the Disney Dream, the cruise version of the traditional log flume ride, plus multiple activities at the various pools, customized to different age groups.
Then there’s the new private island – Lighthouse Cay – which is an elevated experience compared to any other private island I’ve ever been to (six and counting). It all starts with a cool walkway to the island from the ship (imagine a curving half-mile walkway across the water), tram rides to different parts of the island, family games area, nature and biking trails, free lunch, and included lounge chairs, bean bags and umbrellas. There are adult-only areas on the island for grandparents (or parents who are getting an afternoon off).
Speaking of adults-only areas on the ship, there are two sundecks with pools, including Cove Café and a swim-up bar. At night, there is an adults-only area with some beautiful lounges, such as Pink Champagne and Wine Bar and Skyline Bar. This bar features digital skylines of world-class cities, which change into the next skyline every 10 minutes or so, preceded by a little fairy dust. There are three craft cocktails featured for each of these cities.
If you want the best views on the ship, there is the Meridian Bar on deck 12, which is located right between the two adults-only specialty restaurants – Palo for exceptional northern Italian cuisine, and Remy, a French restaurant with wine pairings.
Last, but definitely not least, is the family balcony cabins with two bathrooms perfectly suited for families. One has a sink/toilet, while the other has a sink/shower, making for easy mornings and evening bedtimes. The shower is round and doubles as a bath for young kids.
The only concern is that your kids may not want to leave the ship.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel in Milford.