Disney stay and cruise: our week in pictures (part three)

So after our 24 magical hours in Walt Disney World and boarding the gorgeous Disney Dream in Port Canaveral, it’s time to tell you about our shore adventures in the final part of our photo diary. From Port Canaveral, we cruised south east to Nassau and then back north towards Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. Here’s what we got up to:

For our first port of call, Nassau in the Bahamas, and we booked the Blue Lagoon Island beach day excursion. We hopped off the Disney Dream nice and early (and said hello to Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, docked next to us) and walked to a small ferry docked a little way away from the ship. Jumping on board, we cruised out into the small channel, past Atlantis and out into the blue, blue Atlantic ocean…

As we watched the shoreline, a little gap appeared and we steered towards it. Through the gap, the most gorgeous view awaited us: Blue Lagoon Island - a shallow lagoon surrounded by soft white sand and lush palms. We couldn’t quite believe our luck!

If you want to, there are all sorts of water activities: kayaking, inflatables, slides… but we just slobbed out, swam in the warm water, nibbled a delicious barbecue lunch, sipped cocktails and basked in the sunshine:

After a perfect day, glowing from the sun and lips salty with the spray, we caught the ferry back to the ship, saying hi to the dolphins on the way:

It really does go down as one of the most perfect days I’ve ever experienced. Heavenly.

Back on the Disney Dream, we waved goodbye to Nassau and set sail into the sunset, on towards Castaway Cay. In case you didn’t know, a cay is a very small island (less than 1 mile across), and Disney’s stunning island, strictly reserved for visitors arriving on Disney Cruise Line ships, is tiny but perfect, with beautiful white beaches, brightly painted wooden buildings and swaying palms. Wandering around the island, you’re likely to bump into Lilo and Stitch, and maybe even Captain Jack Sparrow!

Getting around is easy - there are walking trails, bike hire and a series of trams that can take you anywhere on the island. We made our way to Serenity Bay, the adults only area of the cay. Amy and I indulged in an amazing open air couples massage in one of the cabanas at Serenity Bay spa overlooking the beach. Our lovely ladies were so good, both of us fell asleep and woke up so relaxed it was all we could do to return to our sunbeds and flop down for a snooze!

Our lovely massage therapists

If you’re feeling energetic, there are all sorts of things to see and do: boat hire, water play areas, snorkelling and even jet skis. We did partake in a little light messing about with our inflatable ring, but apart from that, there were far more important things to indulge in:

Lunch is served beachside, at an open air barbecue, and of course, being Disney’s private island, there’s unlimited ice cream too. As the sun started to set, we took a leisurely walk back to the ship, just in time for a last swim at Quiet Cove before heading to our stateroom to get ready for dinner:

What a wonderful, wonderful trip. We so enjoyed our time at Walt Disney World, and the cruise was heavenly: relaxing, invigorating and so wonderful to have the chance to explore the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Massive thanks to Lydia and Nikki and everyone at Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World.

If you’d like to see more, why not check out our YouTube video featuring all the fun of our Disney stay and cruise experience.

Ten nights at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort including return flights and 4-night Bahamas Cruise on the Disney Dream – From £1546pp

10 nights in Orlando with Walt Disney Travel Company, including return economy flights with British Airways departing London Gatwick direct to Orlando, accommodation at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-Day Ticket and a 4-night cruise on Disney Dream costs from £1546 per person. Price is per person based on two adults and two children travelling on 9 September 2024 and sharing a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Movies and an inside cabin on a full-board basis on board Disney Dream. Includes transfer to and from Orlando International Airport as well as all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Walt Disney Travel Company is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. Prices are correct at the time of print. Prices shown are guide prices and may change at any time, price will be confirmed at time of booking. Please visit our website for current pricing, full terms and conditions and to book www.disneyholidays.co.uk or call 0800 16 90 730.

Also, be sure not to miss out on the amazing 14-day Ticket For the Price of 7 Offer which is available to book separately between 16th December 2015 – 30th June 2016, or combined with other offers available. For this time the 14 day ticket (Disney’s 14-day Ultimate Ticket) is available for the price of a 7 day ticket (Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate Ticket) for arrivals 1st Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2016.