After 13 nights aboard the Disney Dream, three beautiful European ports, seven consecutive sea days, countless rounds of trivia, more mahjong than I can count, and a reunion with some of my favorite cruise friends, my transatlantic adventure has officially come to an end.
And honestly? I could have stayed for seven more sea days.
I loved this cruise even more than I expected. It may have edged out our South Pacific sailing as one of my favorite cruises ever—not because the itinerary was necessarily better, but because it reunited so many of the friends we made while sailing halfway around the world.
The South Pacific brought us together. The transatlantic let us do it all again.
Our Disney Dream Transatlantic Itinerary
Our adventure began with a couple of days in London before we boarded the Disney Dream in Southampton. From there, we visited three very different ports:
- Vigo, Spain, with an excursion to Santiago de Compostela
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Funchal, Madeira
- Seven glorious consecutive days at sea
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
All three ports were beautiful, and we had completely different experiences in each one.
In Vigo, we took a Disney Cruise Line excursion to Santiago de Compostela. We had gorgeous weather for our walking tour, enjoyed a light snack, and—obviously—did a little shopping.
In Lisbon, we created our own food and walking tour. Bifana, ginja, pastel de nata, charcuterie, sangria—we walked so we could eat and then walked some more so we could eat again. Lisbon understood the assignment.
But Madeira gave me the most memorable port experience of the cruise.
My Favorite Moment: Off-Roading Through Madeira
Our Madeira excursion took us around the island in a Land Rover, up and down roads so narrow that simply watching our driver navigate them was an adventure.
I was seated in the back of the 4x4, getting tossed around as we explored the island. Then it was time to go off-roading, and Kevin and I got to stand up in the back of the vehicle while we bounced along.
It was SO much fun.
If I had to choose one favorite moment from the entire trip, that would be it. It was exciting, hilarious, and completely different from anything else we did during the cruise.
All three ports were worth visiting, but Madeira was the most unique and memorable for me.
Seven Consecutive Sea Days—and I Wanted More
After Madeira, the actual crossing began: seven sea days in a row.
For some travelers, that might sound like too much time without a port. For me, it was divine.
I love sea days, and this stretch gave me time to settle into a routine that barely felt like a routine at all. There were early gym visits, coffee and breakfast in the concierge lounge, Good Morning Disney Dream, character photos, books on the sundeck or veranda, trivia, mahjong, dinners, and plenty of time with friends.
Eventually, the days started blending together.
What day was it? How many sea days did we have left? Had we already done trivia today?
Who cares? We lived there now.
By the end, I genuinely felt as though I could have done seven more. If you love busy port days and need a new destination every morning, a transatlantic may not be your ideal cruise. But if you love sea days, long stretches of relaxation, and the chance to enjoy the ship without constantly watching the clock, it is pretty hard to beat.
The Friends Made This Cruise
The ports were beautiful. The Disney Dream was wonderful. But the friends were what made this cruise so special.
Many of us first met during our South Pacific sailing. Those friendships started while we were sailing halfway around the world, and now we were crossing another ocean together.
We slipped right back into our routines: meeting in the lounge, going to activities together, losing trivia together, playing mahjong, sharing meals, and accumulating enough inside jokes to confuse everyone around us.
Our private group dinner at Palo was one of my favorite experiences of the cruise. Having everyone together in the private dining room made an already wonderful Palo dinner feel even more special.
The friendships extended beyond our original group, too. Longer cruises give you time to form real connections with fellow passengers and crew members. You aren’t simply recognizing familiar faces in the hallway. You’re developing routines together, saving seats for one another, and noticing when someone is late to the lounge.
Apparently, I now have an assigned arrival time and an assigned seat. My absence caused concern.
Even after leaving the ship, the connections continued. As I started writing this from the Admirals Club in Miami, I was still traveling with fellow concierge passengers who were also in the club with me.
We had technically left the Disney Dream, but the cruise gathering wasn’t quite over yet.
The Onboard Moments I’ll Remember Most
When I think back on this cruise, three onboard experiences immediately stand out.
The first was our private Palo dinner with the group. Amazing food, wonderful service, and some of my favorite people all gathered around the same table—it was exactly what I hoped it would be.
The second was watching Tony from Spain become an official assistant cruise director during our final Good Morning Disney Dream. After days of jokes, beverages, and assorted shenanigans, it was a highly prestigious and clearly well-deserved promotion.
The third wasn’t a single event. It was going to Good Morning Disney Dream every day.
Those mornings became part of the rhythm of the cruise. They were funny, familiar, and a reason for everyone to gather at the start of another very demanding day of reading, eating, trivia, mahjong, and lounging.
It is a strenuous lifestyle, but someone has to do it.
Is Concierge Worth It on a Long Disney Cruise?
For me, the answer is approximately 10,000,000% yes.
I enjoy sailing concierge on any Disney cruise, but the longer cruises are where it becomes especially valuable. The lounge, food, drinks, sundeck, and help from the concierge team are wonderful, but the connections are what make the experience extra special.
Over 13 nights, you have time to really get to know the concierge staff and your fellow passengers. The lounge becomes less like an amenity and more like a gathering place. You develop routines. You know who will be there early, where everyone sits, and who is ready for another game of mahjong.
For anyone considering whether concierge is worthwhile on a longer Disney sailing, that sense of community is a major part of the value.
Weather and Sea Conditions
Overall, we had gorgeous weather.
We encountered a little rocking when we were near Tropical Depression Faye, but it wasn’t bad. We only had one rainy day, and even that didn’t cause much trouble.
Naturally, the temperatures changed as we traveled from England toward Florida, but the crossing was far more pleasant than some people might imagine when they hear “North Atlantic.”
There was plenty of beautiful weather for relaxing outside, reading on the sundeck, enjoying the veranda, and taking character photos beneath a bright blue sky.
Sixteen Days With Carry-On Luggage
Yes, I traveled carry-on only.
That included London, a 13-night transatlantic cruise, three European ports, Palo dinners, gym clothes, character photos, shopping, and everything else I needed for 16 days.
I did buy a packable duffel at Harrods, which I used as my laundry bag during the trip. My backup plan was to check my suitcase for the flight home and use the duffel as my carry-on if I bought too much.
But I didn’t need to.
Everything fit back into my original luggage, and I still flew home to DFW carry-on only.
I will be accepting applause.
For this itinerary, my packing worked beautifully. Next year’s transatlantic will travel through cooler destinations, so I will probably add another pair of pants and a few more long-sleeved tops. But this trip proved that even a 16-day European and transatlantic adventure does not automatically require a giant suitcase.
Who Would Love a Disney Transatlantic Cruise?
A transatlantic cruise is perfect for someone who loves sea days and wants to visit unique ports.
It gives you two very different vacations in one trip. The first portion feels like a European adventure, with sightseeing, excursions, local food, and busy port days. Then the second portion slows everything down and lets you enjoy the ship.
You have time to try activities you might skip on a shorter cruise. You can attend trivia every day—even if your scores seem to get progressively worse. You can teach fellow passengers to play mahjong. You can read entire books, take naps, schedule a massage, see characters, and still feel as though you haven’t done everything.
If you need constant activity or become restless without a port every day, seven consecutive sea days may feel like a lot.
For me, they felt like freedom.
What I’ll Do Differently Next Time
Yes, there will be a next time.
Next September, I’ll sail on the Disney Wish from Europe to New York, with stops in Scotland, Iceland, and Canada. It will be a cooler itinerary, a new ship for a transatlantic crossing, and another chance to sail with some of my cruise friends.
I’ll also be traveling solo.
As much as I loved this trip, three adults in one stateroom was a lot for introvert me. Next time, I’m looking forward to having some space to myself—somewhere I can close the door, enjoy the quiet, and recharge before going back out to socialize.
Because apparently crossing an ocean with friends involves spending a LOT of time with a LOT of people.
Who knew?
Goodbye, Disney Dream
By the final day, I was caught between not wanting the cruise to end and being completely ready for home.
I was ready for Walt and Lilly cuddles. I was ready for my own bed, especially since I hadn’t slept particularly well during the entire trip. And after nearly two weeks surrounded by friends, fellow passengers, and activities, my introvert side was very ready for a little peace and quiet.
What I wasn’t ready for was saying goodbye to the people who made the trip so special—or returning to work immediately after getting home. That part feels especially rude.
This cruise brought together beautiful ports, seven perfect sea days, wonderful Disney service, memorable experiences, and friendships that somehow become stronger every time we cross another ocean together.
I left tired, grateful, slightly overstimulated, and very ready to see my dogs.
But I’m also already looking forward to next September, when some of us will board the Disney Wish and do it all again.
Until then, I’ll be dreaming about Madeira, morning coffee in the lounge, Good Morning Disney Dream, our hilariously unsuccessful trivia efforts, and those seven sea days that disappeared far too quickly.
Seven more would have been just about right.
Comments