All the magic of Mickey and more

THE adventure never stops aboard this floating funhouse off the US coast, writes Anthony Keane.

Disney

AS Captain Guus Verhulst introduces his three most senior officers in the Disney Dream's crowded theatre somewhere at sea near the Bermuda Triangle, he assures passengers that safe hands are still steering his ship.

There are plenty of other captains onboard, Captain Guus says. Capt Hook, Captain Jack Sparrow and, of course, Captain Mickey, he says, as the crowd full of families cheer.

Life on a Disney cruise ship is almost too entertaining.

In just three hours since leaving Port Canaveral in Florida, we have already watched Goofy dance in a deck party, explored giant Toy Story and Monsters Inc playrooms, enjoyed a four-course meal while animated characters from Finding Nemo chatted to diners through portholes, and are about to watch a Broadway-style stage show celebrating classic Disney characters.

In a four-night return voyage between Port Canaveral and the Bahamas capital Nassau, it feels as though our family of four only scratches the surface of entertainment options on board this ship.

The Disney Dream's maiden voyage sailed on Australia Day last year, and it is the third vessel in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.

It is one of the world's longest cruise ships at 340m and accommodates 4000 passengers and almost 1500 crew who, incidentally, work seven-day-a-week contracts for months at a time and are paid mostly in tips.

Almost 90 per cent of the cabins ahem, staterooms have balconies or views.

Just like Disney's resorts and theme parks, everything on the ship runs like clockwork such as the 20 minutes it took us to disembark, collect our luggage and pass through customs.

Also like the theme parks, there can be long queues. Like the 50 minutes we waited for photographs with six Disney princesses, although it was nice to knock them all off in one go.

Despite Disney's family-focused image, there's plenty on board for people of all ages, and many retirees and other couples sail with Disney Cruise Lines for the quality food, accommodation and entertainment.

There are the usual attractions, such as cinemas, restaurants, nightly bands and live shows, nightclubs, a walking track and a health club.

Add to that some special Disney touches, including pirates abseiling from funnels, fireworks at sea and the AquaDuck, a water coaster that propels guests 230m through a glass tube that extends over the side of the ship 12 storeys above the sea.

Water attractions cater for all ages, although the only real negative on the Disney Dream is its postage stamp-sized swimming pools.

Only two small pools are available for families and these resemble over-stuffed washing machines.

Apart from the pool problem, the other options for children are brilliant. At the kids clubs they can get messy making volcanoes with a mad scientist, have story time with a Disney character, make puppets, learn to cook, and enjoy countless crafts and computer games.

There are separate clubs for tweens and teens who have outgrown the buzz of Buzz Lightyear.

The Disney Dream's four-night cruise has two days in port. Our first visit is Nassau.

It's a place of contrasts, from the luxury Atlantis resort area, where suites can cost thousands of dollars, to run-down back streets where locals sell unappealing lobsters from steamy roadside stalls.

Nassau's 250,000 residents are about 70 per cent of the Bahamas' population. It has a pirate past but today the British influence is clear in the architecture, although many buildings are a bright pink like their national bird, the flamingo, they drive on the proper side of the road, and there's even a Princess Margaret Hospital.

Our second port visit is Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

It's a tropical paradise packed with activities and beautiful beaches.

Active families can go sailing, snorkelling, parasailing, swimming with stingrays, kayaking, take glass-bottom boat tours and enjoy other water sports.

For the less active, there's plenty of space beneath the palm trees, cocktail waiters serving you at the water's edge, and two children's swimming areas.

One stall right behind the beach has piles of fresh tropical fruit, others serve everything from a delicious barbecue to traditional American fare of hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries.

The island's free soft-serve ice-cream machine is a hit with the children, just like the free one on the ship.

Food on the Disney Dream is spectacular, with impressive four-course dinners served at its themed restaurants Animator's Palate, Enchanted Garden and Royal Palace.

There are also two fine-dining adults-only restaurants and casual dining options including all the pizza you can stomach.

While the Disney Dream is a memorable holiday in its own right, it is close to other iconic US attractions.

Florida's Kennedy Space Centre just up the road and Port Canaveral is about an hour from Orlando, home to the world's largest collection of theme parks.

Getting there has become cheaper and easier than ever, with new routes from Australia to Texas and Orlando, while the high Aussie dollar cushions much of the expense of travelling with a quality cruise operator.

Perhaps the best measure of the success of the Disney Dream is the fact it already has a twin sister, the Disney Fantasy, which is set to sail its maiden voyage on March 31.

Identical in size and almost identical in dining and entertainment options, it delivers a double dose of Disney and illustrates that the magic of Mickey does not look like fading any time soon.

CRUISE

The Disney Dream sails three and four-night Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral in Florida, all year round.

Room prices vary and the cheaper inside staterooms sell out quickly.

A deluxe family ocean-view stateroom with veranda costs about $900 or less for adults and $600 for children for the four-night cruise.

See disneycruise.disney.go.com