My First Disney Cruise! A PICTURE Review of Disney Dream!!

[jwalk03]

Ok, finally back to continue with the review! On to Day 2- Nassau!

[jwalk03]

Day 2- Nassau

 

We awoke before the ship docked, so this was the perfect chance to take advantage of having a balcony. One of the only times we really used the balcony, entering and exiting port.

 

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

 

 

[matondo]

You are bringing back a lot of great memories of our Dream cruise. I agree that 3 days is way too short. Hopefully, our next Disney cruise will be longer. I just have to wait for our 7 month old granddaughter to be old enough to really enjoy it:D

[jwalk03]

 

After we docked it was up to Cabanas for breakfast. Which was absolutely amazing. The buffet had a huge selection of breakfast items from fresh fruit to Eggs Benedict to french toast and mickey shaped waffles, and even Steak & Eggs! That's right steak and eggs on the breakfast buffet. It was very very good. I loved the Mickey shaped waffles!

 

 

There were quite a few people in Cabanas for breakfast but it went very quick, lines were never overly long. The only thing I missed from Carnival Breakfast that was not available on Disney was the omelet station. There were plenty of great other options though, so not a deal breaker by any means. Overall the Disney breakfast wins overall on quality and variety.

[ktt1977]

Loving your review! I wonder if you were on the same sailing we were on...4/10-13. There were cook to order omelets available, I had to ask someone to find the station.

[jwalk03]

I know from spending time on these boards that Nassau is probably the least loved cruise port in the Caribbean, but I think a lot of that unpopularity comes from people who have been there soooo many times because its such a frequent port on Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. I must admit I was pretty excited for Nassau. Even though I have been on 3 previous cruises this was actually my first trip to Nassau.

 

We considered doing Atlantis, but it is quite expensive, and since Allison is so little still she would not be able to do any of the water slides and such, so we decided against it. I am sure we will make it back to Nassau soon enough to check out Atlantis, which seems like it is a must do thing at least once, if you like big bad water slides of course!

 

 

This was a good opportunity to get some good pictures of the back of the Disney Dream as well, which is pretty darn cool.

 

 

First we decided to walk around in town for a few to see what kind of cool shopping and things they had since it was a first time here.

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

We were pretty unimpressed with the shopping in Nassau. Plenty of the usual t-shirts, and pictures frames, and shot glasses (which of course I had to buy a few of for my collection!) but nothing really great. The "duty-free" liquor prices seemed quite expensive compared to what we have found in other ports (especially compared to St. Thomas & St. Maarten, which are DIRT CHEAP!) though still cheaper than what we would pay at home for most stuff.

 

It was too early to visit the Hard Rock Cafe which is literally right outside of the cruise terminal, which was very convenient!, so we will get back to that on the way back to the ship.

 

We decided to spend the day at the British Colonial Hilton. We arranged day passes online in advance as we heard it sometimes sells out, but it was nowhere near sold out this day I'm sure, even though there were several other ships in port with us. Its a very easy walk from the port, and not difficult to find since you can see the Hilton from the ship when you dock, so just head in the right direction and you will find it very easily. (Turn right out of the cruise terminal)

 

Some pics of things that were along the way n our walk.

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

Senor Frogs is right on the water as well, and on the way to the Colonial Hilton, if you need to stop off for a cold one. We decided not to this time though.

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

The day passes to the Hilton were $50 per person, but that included like $40 per person food and drink credit, so really not too bad of deal at all. It was very easy to spend the full food and beverage credit as well. The frozen poolside cocktails were about $9 each, but they were quite good. The food was also on the pricier side, though pretty much what you would expect to pay at any Hilton or Marriott or similar type hotel.

 

Hilton Lobby

 

 

Hotel from the beach side

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

The beach

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

It was a pretty busy port day, with 2 Carnival ships, and a Norwegian ship in addition to the Disney Dream.

 

 

 

Enjoying the beach

 

[jwalk03]

Enjoying a fruity drink too! (Virgin of course)

 

 

 

enjoying the pool as well.

 

 

[jwalk03]

We enjoyed our day at the Colonial Hilton, and its a good choice for a very quiet relaxing day at the beach and pool. As a mentioned the food and drinks were a little expensive, but didn't seem too bad since we were just using our credit from the day passes. We used all of it easily. I do think on a return trip to Nassau I would try something else, as there are so many other options. I would rate it as a "good" but not "great" shore excursion day.

 

After the Hilton we decided to walk over to the nearby Fat Tuesday's. They serve wonderful frozen drinks to go and we absolutely love the souvenir water bottles with built in cozies. We have a few from the location in Key West that we always pack when we are going to the bench. Helps keep you drink cooler much longer in the hot sun! But we broke one of our water bottles in St. Thomas last year so we wanted to take the opportunity to get a couple more, plus a nice cold frozen cocktail to walk back toward town with was just what the doctor ordered!

 

 

[jwalk03]

As I mentioned in the beginning of my review one of the reasons I love to travel is to visit the Hard Rock Cafes around the globe. (Or at least around North America, as I haven't made it much farther than that YET!) The location in Nassau makes my 42nd different Hard Rock location. I am hoping to get to #50 by the end of next year, here's hoping!

 

The HR location in Nassau is just outside of the cruise terminal, just walk out and you can't miss it!

 

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

The Hard Rock is Nassau is like all of the other Caribbean locations I have been to with the Rock Shop located on the first level, and a cafe on the second level. Its an old school property as well, very different from the newer design of recent years. While a smaller, older property I would still say its a good property.

 

I understand that since my visit it has closed, at least temporarily due to some financial problems of the franchise holder. I did read that it may be re-opening very soon with a new franchise holder, lets hope. Nassau is definitely a solid location that needs a Hard Rock Cafe!

 

I would like this property much much better if it had a better view! The second floor balcony just overlooks a crowded street, no real view to speak of, other than of ship funnels in port I suppose. The cafe in St. Maarten is most definitely the best view I have seen of any of the 42 locations I have visited! I def recommend a visit there, if you have never been!

 

Pics from the 1st floor Rock Shop

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

The 2nd floor cafe

 

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

Last pics from Nassau of the other ships that were in port with us.

 

First up this freaking awesome yacht! I wonder how much this thing costs??

 

 

The Carnival Victory

 

 

 

 

[jwalk03]

The Norwegian Getaway

 

 

 

 

 

I've not been on a NCL cruise yet, but I must say the look of this ship makes me want to go! It looked really really awesome. I will certainly be checking it out next time I start planning a cruise.

 

I didn't get any pics of the 2nd Carnival ship that was also in port, it was definitely a Fantasy class ship. I am pretty sure it was the Sensation, which left Pt. Canaveral just before we did the day before.

[jwalk03]

Re-boarding was very quick and easy. There was almost no line at all!

 

Till next time Nassau...

 

[AF-1]

Jwalk03, looks like you guys had a great time; your daughter will enjoy the memories when she sees pictures of this cruise. I stay at that Hilton all time on business. I sit on my balcony or by the pool watching ships come and go.