I can still feel the butterflies swirling in my stomach as we boarded the Disney Dream, the magnificent ship that would be our home for the next four nights. “Our First Cruise!” I kept saying to myself, hardly able to believe it. And not just any cruise—Disney!! It felt like a dream wrapped in pixie dust.
We had been planning it for months. I remember the night my parents announced it—after dinner, they handed us each a small box with a Disney Cruise Line pin inside. I shrieked so loud I think the neighbors heard. From that moment on, every conversation in our house somehow circled back to the trip. What would the ship look like? Would we meet Mickey? How big would the water slides be?
Now, standing in the grand atrium under the shimmering chandelier, everything was even more magical than I had imagined. Crew members clapped and cheered as they announced our family’s name over the loudspeaker: “Welcome aboard, the Johnson Family!” I felt like royalty.
The first thing we did was explore the ship. It felt like a floating city! There were pools with huge screens playing Disney movies, an ice cream station (that we would visit about twenty times a day), endless restaurants, and even a full-sized theater where Broadway-style shows would take place every night. And of course, there was the AquaDuck—the clear, spiraling water coaster that swooped over the side of the ship. I made it my mission to ride it at least a hundred times.
Our stateroom was like something out of a fairy tale. The beds were so comfy, and there was even a magical “porthole” that showed us real-time views of the ocean—with occasional visits from animated Disney characters. At night, our room steward would leave us little towel animals and chocolates. It was the kind of attention to detail that made the whole experience feel extra special.
That first evening, we attended the Sail Away Party on the top deck. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and the whole gang came out to dance and wave goodbye as we set sail. Music blasted, kids danced, and everyone sang along to Disney songs under the wide open sky. As the ship pulled away from the port, I watched the land get smaller and smaller until it disappeared into the sunset. I felt free, happy, and full of wonder.
Every day was packed with activities. My little sister loved the Oceaneer Club, where she got to do crafts, dress up like a pirate, and even play with life-size Toy Story characters. I was obsessed with the scavenger hunts that sent us all over the ship looking for clues, discovering hidden Mickeys, and solving mysteries.
The food—oh, the food! Every night we rotated to a different restaurant, but our servers traveled with us, so it felt like we had our own personal team. There was Animator’s Palate, where the walls came to life with sketches that magically turned into moving Disney characters. One night we even drew our own stick figures—and later, they appeared in a full animated show on the walls! I couldn’t believe it. I felt like a Disney animator for a day.
One of the best days was when we docked at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. It was like stepping into a postcard. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and colorful umbrellas everywhere. We spent the whole morning snorkeling and spotted a hidden Mickey statue underwater! Later, we biked around the island and cooled off with frozen lemonades and soft-serve ice cream. I remember thinking: This must be what paradise looks like.
That night, the ship hosted Pirate Night, a full evening of pirate-themed fun. Everyone dressed up—adults, kids, even the characters! We had a pirate dinner with turkey legs and Caribbean desserts, then headed to the deck for a special show. As the grand finale, fireworks exploded over the ocean, lighting up the night sky in a way I’d never seen before. Fireworks at sea! I just stood there with my mouth open, soaking in every second.
Meeting the characters was another highlight. Instead of waiting in endless lines like at the parks, the meet-and-greets felt easy and magical. Minnie Mouse gave me the biggest hug, and Captain Mickey signed my autograph book with a big, swirling signature. My brother loved meeting the Avengers during a Marvel Day at Sea, and my sister couldn’t stop talking about the princesses she met at the Royal Gathering.
The shows each night were beyond amazing. “The Golden Mickeys” felt like a real awards show, and “Beauty and the Beast” brought the animated movie to life with sets and costumes that made me forget I was even on a ship. But my absolute favorite was “Disney’s Believe,” a heartwarming story about a father reconnecting with his daughter through Disney magic. I cried. (Okay, maybe more than a little.)
On the last night, there was a special “See Ya Real Soon” farewell party. I felt a lump in my throat as we hugged Mickey and Minnie goodbye. It was hard to believe our adventure was ending. I didn’t want it to. I wanted to stay in that world of magic and wonder forever.
As we packed up the next morning, I realized something important: it wasn’t just about the incredible shows, the water slides, or the endless ice cream. It was about the memories we made together. Laughing with my brother while racing down the AquaDuck, holding my sister’s hand as she met Cinderella, eating way too many Mickey waffles at breakfast—it was all those little moments that made our first cruise so special.
Disney had created a world where we could just be together—without distractions, without stress, just pure joy. And even though the trip had to end, the memories would stay with us forever.
As we stepped off the ship, I looked back one last time at the beautiful Disney Dream. I knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning. Our first cruise wouldn’t be our last.
And next time? I’m riding the AquaDuck two hundred times.
