Disney Dream Bahamas Cruise Vs Disney Wonder to Mexico

[JoshF]

Hi Everyone!

I recently booked a Bahamas cruise the Dream to take with my 6 YO DS. I live in CA and that cruise leaves from Port Canaveral so I'd fly cross country before and after the trip. I just saw that there's a Disney Wonder cruise departing San Diego that goes to Mexico. It would save me 4 hours flying time each way so I am contemplating changing my reservation. I have a few questions:

1. What are the differences between the Dream and Wonder? Which do you like more and why?

2. I was excited about the destinations of the Bahamas cruise. I think he would really enjoy Castaway Cay and I was going to take him on a day trip to Atlantis as well. Are there comparable options in Cabo and Ensenada?

3. What would you choose?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi Everyone!

I recently booked a Bahamas cruise the Dream to take with my 6 YO DS. I live in CA and that cruise leaves from Port Canaveral so I'd fly cross country before and after the trip. I just saw that there's a Disney Wonder cruise departing San Diego that goes to Mexico. It would save me 4 hours flying time each way so I am contemplating changing my reservation. I have a few questions:

1. What are the differences between the Dream and Wonder? Which do you like more and why?

2. I was excited about the destinations of the Bahamas cruise. I think he would really enjoy Castaway Cay and I was going to take him on a day trip to Atlantis as well. Are there comparable options in Cabo and Ensenada?

3. What would you choose?

1. Wonder is smaller, but has less options for kids. I prefer the Magic class vs the Dream class ships because they are smaller (fewer people).

2. Cabo and Ensenada don't have the Atlantis type adventures. And neither has a Castaway Cay vibe.

3. I'd choose the Caribbean cruise. But that's me.

 

[ndog3rdtothefirst]

I'd do Wonder/Mexico. Bahamas & CC are nice but not worth the flights and hassle vs the nearer port. Overall CC is good but it's not stellar as it's crowded and the food isn't the best IMHO. When my kids think of the DCL cruises they've been on it's all about the ship things and while I haven't been on the Magic/Wonder I hear they are great so the little one will have the same good time and you'll have less stress about transportation malfunctions... but either way you can't go wrong really!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

The Wonder is our favorite because holds fewer cruisers. The Dream is very nice, more activities within the ship to do (because it holds cruisers), and has some modern amenities - or hassles - depending on your viewpoint. /For instance, you have to put your Key to the World Card (KTTW) in a slot in order for the lights/TV/etc. to come on and then remember to remove it before you leave your room and the door slams shut (it's your room key as well as other functions). The Dream also has the Detective game.

For a first cruise why not try the Wonder in San Diego and save the time and expense of flying to FL a whole day ahead of the cruise and spending more on a hotel. We're in NM and plan on at least a 7-night cruise plus one or two nights at WDW to make it worth the time to travel across the country.

Castaway Cay (CC) is a great destination (Nassau is OK but we stay on the ship - been there many times). Our next cruise - hopefully - is on the Wonder out of Galveston, 7 nights including Key West and CC. Much shorter flight for us.

 

[darwinsrule]

Depending upon how tall your 6 yr old is the Aquaduck may not be an option which is one of the big pluses of the Dream and Fantasy. We still need to get back on one of those ships for our 12 year old who has yet to experience the joy of the Duck. You may want to check the height requirement (sure someone else here has it memorized).

You also didn't mention how many nights the Wonder cruise is. More nights (almost) always win.

 

[JM_97]

I live on the East coast and if I were to take a Mexico cruise, it would have to be at least 7 nights. Once you fly across the country (with maybe a layover), plus getting a hotel the night before, plus a car rental or Uber, then to only be on a cruise that's 4 nights would just not be worth it. I'd feel like as soon as I did all that, I would be coming right back and doing it all over again.

I would keep that in mind when thinking about taking a Dream cruise to the Bahamas. Cruises on the Disney Dream are 3 or 4 nights, with a rare 5 night. 7 nights are extremely rare, and I don't even know if the Dream has even done one for that long. You could maybe spend a few days at Disney World to justify it though. Obviously up to you but that would be my thought process.

Castaway Cay is awesome but again, I'd have to be gone at least 7 days to justify flying and all of the logistics. BUT, You'll have a blast at CC if you end up making it. A lot of the activities are free included in your fare. Characters are around all day, there's an free included-in-your-fare lunch at the main beach and adult beach. And if you have kids there is a club for them to go to that's run by the club on the ship. You can do as little or as much as you want. Nassau is fun too, but there's only a handful of things to do and once you've done it once or twice, you've seen it all. We swam with dolphins which was cool and I know Atlantis is popular as well. It's not a bad destination but I wasn't blown away by it.

For ships, I took a 4 night Bahamas cruise on the Wonder when it was based in Florida, and it's an amazing ship. It's probably even better now that it's gone through some renovations. Big, clean staterooms and it's easy to navigate. I've never been on the Dream but I've heard very little complaints.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

sure someone else here has it memorized)

Don't have it memorized, but here it is from the DCL website:
Riders should note that:

• AquaDuck is designed for Guests 42" or taller
• Single riders must be 54" or taller
• Children under 7 must ride with someone 14 years of age or older, provided the child is at least 42" tall
• No snorkel equipment or swim masks are permitted

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

I love the Wonder, but very much enjoy the Dream as well.
I've been on both with the itineraries you are looking at.
My vote went to the Dream Bahamas cruise. The Dream for your 6-year-old son and the Bahamas since you won't find that experience on the West coast.
That said, if it is your first Disney cruise and money/travel distance is an issue, going to Mexico on the Wonder will be a wonderful experience as well.

 

[DCLDVC1]

A Disney cruise isn't a Disney cruise without a stop at Castaway Cay, especially for a 6 yo.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

A Disney cruise isn't a Disney cruise without a stop at Castaway Cay, especially for a 6 yo.

I doubt that a 6 year old (especially one who hasn't cruised before) would know the difference.

 

[mmmears]

I'm in CA, too, and I've been on both the Wonder and the Dream. Castaway Cay is really nice, but my Bahamas cruises all had a few days at WDW added before and after so it was worth the long plane flight. If I was going to just book a 4 night cruise and nothing else, I would sail out of San Diego. As for the ships, the Dream has more "bells and whistles" but everyone in my family prefers sailing on the Magic and the Wonder. There is plenty to do and it just doesn't feel as crowded on those ships.

 

[Joe Brig]

The Dream has the Midship Detective Agency which is fun for young kids. My son liked the Dream more when he was younger and now likes the smaller ships as a teen.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hi Everyone!

I recently booked a Bahamas cruise the Dream to take with my 6 YO DS. I live in CA and that cruise leaves from Port Canaveral so I'd fly cross country before and after the trip. I just saw that there's a Disney Wonder cruise departing San Diego that goes to Mexico. It would save me 4 hours flying time each way so I am contemplating changing my reservation. I have a few questions:

1. What are the differences between the Dream and Wonder? Which do you like more and why?

2. I was excited about the destinations of the Bahamas cruise. I think he would really enjoy Castaway Cay and I was going to take him on a day trip to Atlantis as well. Are there comparable options in Cabo and Ensenada?

3. What would you choose?

I’ve been on all 4 ships and the Wonder is my least favorite, not that she’s a bad ship, I just prefer the others. Also, I live in Phoenix, so it’s a 5 1/2 hour drive to San Diego or a full travel day flying to Orlando, catching shuttles, etc.

Having said that, it the cruises were the same number of nights, I would absolutely do the Wonder to Mexico, especially for a first cruise. I think Castaway Cay is overrated, it’s very nice, but I didn’t find it to be the “paradise” that I read about here. We also were not that impressed with Atlantis, that was on my list for land vacations for the family and I’m so glad we stopped there for a day on our Dream cruise, it saved me a lot of wasted money.

Overall, I don’t think a 6 year old will know the difference between the ships and for a first cruise I think not having to fly across the country is a huge advantage.

I would add, if your talking a 3 night cruise on the Wonder vs a 5 night on the Dream, it would be worth the flight to do theDream cruise.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

I'm in CA, too, and I've been on both the Wonder and the Dream. Castaway Cay is really nice, but my Bahamas cruises all had a few days at WDW added before and after so it was worth the long plane flight. If I was going to just book a 4 night cruise and nothing else, I would sail out of San Diego. As for the ships, the Dream has more "bells and whistles" but everyone in my family prefers sailing on the Magic and the Wonder. There is plenty to do and it just doesn't feel as crowded on those ships.

I recommend the Wonder sailing first before really investing in a trip to Canaveral on the Dream. Cost wise, it will save you a good chunk on travel and it will be easier to figure out if cruising is a good fit with the little one.

I personally can't see the benefit of sailing from Canaveral if the cost is a lot higher after travel expenses. Plus, the time difference here will throw you off a bit.

 

[shaunacb]

We have done both. Three kids under 8 years old. Though they loved the Aquaduck and Midship Detective Agency and Millenium Falcon in the kids club on the Dream, my kids say they prefer the Wonder! They can find their way to and from the kids club alone, and the kids club cast members are amazing. Though not CC, we liked two excursions from PV: Las Caletas and the Pirate Boat. Cabo we just took a water taxi to the beach for a couple of hours, cheap and fun. They also have a kids dolphin swim. I’d save the flight cost/time and start with the Wonder on the West Coast.

 

[JaimeInParker]

take the Caribbean over Mexico - you cannot compare the ports

 

[MomOTwins]

Caribbean definitely. You can explore "Port Adventures" on the Disney website and see for yourself what is available for the Mexico ports--but none of the options really appealed to me.

Castaway Cay definitely lived up to (very high) expectations for us--turquoise water, white sand, and you cannot beat the convenience of walking right off the ship and being at the beach. On our last cruise, we couldn't believe how much time we lost to transit on port excursions.

I note Castaway Cay also has a secure kids club area, just like on the ship, so you can drop off the kiddo for an hour and go relax on the beach for a bit. Definitely a big advantage when you are solo.

Another plus with the Caribbean cruises is you can stay at a Disney resort one or two nights before and either visit a park or just chill at the resort and enjoy the themed pool and restaurants and the "Disney" vibe a bit longer. You can book a shuttle bus directly from the resort to the port.

 

[auntlynne]

Your son won’t know what he is missing - and I am guessing you won’t either, as a new member of this forum.

I love the Magic and Wonder, perhaps since I started on them. Even as an adult, it seems like long hikes to get places on the Fantasy and Dream.

Food will be the same, cabins are not significantly different - an upper bunk if he wants it; the sofa back flips down to make a single and as has a real mattress, or he can cuddle up with you under comfortable sheets in a cozy bed.

Unless he has experience flying, that’s a long haul trip. Could be fun or meltdown / exhaustion time (For either of you).

I have done the Caribbean, including Atlantis, and the Mexican Riviera. Atlantis was not a good fit for my 12 yo niece; the lazy river is a Rapid river. She played in the pool and didn’t do any of the slides, either. The Blue Lagoon at the Nassau stop was better suited.

I have No idea what kids do in Mexico. Not sure I would take one there (but I only looked at adult activities on a child free cruise). I’m also not sure I would take a kid to Mexico. Last time I was there, cruiselines we’re rerouting from some ports due to violence.

Lots of time on the boat whichever itinerary you take is my recommendation. Kids’ clubs and pool time, movies on the large screen funnelvision, dad/son bonding, exploring the ship at a kid’s leisure.

Hope you have a great adventure.

 

[JoshF]

I made a decision! I'm going on the Dream. Thanks for all of your input here, a lot of good points and info. He likes to fly and has never been to Disney yet so I will spend the weekend before the cruise at WDW to make the flight worth it.

Knowing me we will have been on both sometime soon...

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

I made a decision! I'm going on the Dream. Thanks for all of your input here, a lot of good points and info. He likes to fly and has never been to Disney yet so I will spend the weekend before the cruise at WDW to make the flight worth it.

Knowing me we will have been on both sometime soon...

Have an amazing time! Making a stop at WDW For a few days will make better use out of your travel dollars too.