The Royal Palace is one of the three main restaurants on the new Disney Dream,  located just off the wonderful lobby mid-ship on deck 3. The Royal Palace is beautiful, and features classic french cuisine in a restaurant inspired by the Disney classics Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

One of the most popular entrees in the Royal Palace is the Avocado-Citrus salad, very light and tasty, a must for me when it is on the menu. And now, you can make it at home!

Avocado-Citrus Salad

Serves 4

Citrus Dressing
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 lime, juiced
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Avocado-Citrus Salad
4 navel oranges
3 ripe Hass avocados, halved and pitted
6 cups mixed baby lettuce

For the citrus dressing:

1. Combine orange juice and lime juice in a medium bowl. Slowly drizzle in oil, salt and pepper, whisking vigorously until combined. If making in advance, re-whisk before serving.

For the avocado-citrus salad:

1. Cut peel, including the white pith, from the oranges with a small knife. Cut segments free from membranes; set segments aside and discard membranes.
2. Cut avocadoes into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
3. Divide mixed greens among 4 salad bowls. Top with 5 avocado slices and 5 to 8 orange segments; drizzle lightly with dressing. Serve immediately.

We recently updated My Online Check-In at disneycruise.com, making it especially simple for you to complete the required paperwork from the comfort and convenience of your own home prior to your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Not only is this easier than filling out forms at the port, it also expedites the embarkation process. We’ve also added some extra-special elements of entertainment to this seemingly routine task to get you excited about your upcoming voyage!

You can even expect to be delighted by some classic Disney storytelling when you access the check-in page. In fact, you’ll be greeted with an original animated short starring Goofy. Whether you’re preparing for a cruise or not, you’ll love this informative and inspirational video. Check it out!

This new functionality is engaging and intuitive – what more could you ask for? We know you’ll enjoy it, and that’s only the beginning of the loads of fun you’ll have on your Disney cruise!

Castawaves Take:

When we recently cruised on the Disney Dream, we completed our paperwork online with the new system. Our check-in at the terminal was quick and painless, just time enough to take our photos and hand us our stateroom keys. Take the time to check-in online before you leave home, it is worth it.

Ok, probably the best idea Disney Cruise has ever had, after Castaway Cay of course. On the Magic and Wonder, the inside staterooms are boring, and booked only because they are the cheapest on board, and there are a ton of them. On the Dream, Disney built very few inside staterooms, but added the Virtual Porthole to each room, giving guests a live view of what is going on outside, plus fantastic Disney characters showing up from time to time to entertain you.

Go ahead, read the article, some really great stuff: Disney Top 10 Improvements on the Disney Dream

These deluxe adventures ashore were designed in conjunction with local tour operators to showcase the rich history and culture of Alaska while also incorporating distinctly Disney touches. In fact, one Port Adventure includes a scavenger hunt in Skagway through the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp, coupled with a gold-panning expedition where Donald Duck may even waddle by to join in the fun!

Also while docked in Ketchikan, you can learn the art of traditional totem carving from a native carver at Totem Bight State Park. Here, children can leave their mark by painting a wooden feather that will be added to a special totem pole exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.

We also have an extraordinary excursion where you can fly high over the massive Juneau Icefield by helicopter before touring a sled dog camp. This memorable dog-mushing experience concludes with an exhilarating sled trip on a snow-capped glacier. You might even make some new furry friends.

In Skagway, you can board a vintage railroad car for a family-friendly, riveting railroad ride. This journey climbs nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass, where the picturesque surroundings provide plenty of photo ops. On the return trip down the mountain, children can ride in a private, kids-only car filled with sing-alongs, games and storytelling, while adults can celebrate the fun with a champagne or cider toast. Cheers!

With a range of options designed for all members of the family, some other excursions include trekking the terrain of rugged glaciers, feasting on fresh Alaskan salmon and dropping a line in a derby-style fishing competition.

These are only a small sampling of the fun-filled Port Adventures available to guests of all ages during our Alaska itineraries. And, the great part is – you can spend a day exploring the port of call and return to the comfort, amenities and entertainment aboard the Disney Wonder.

To see more Disney Shore Excursions for each city, look here:

• Skagway
• Ketchikan
• Juneau

From traveling to Alaska myself, I can tell you this trip is a must! The opportunities to marvel at the breathtaking landscapes, get a glimpse of rare wildlife and explore the heritage of America’s 49th state are endless and make for an unforgettable family vacation.

We hope to see you in Alaska this summer…

The answer was the Magical Porthole, a real-time view outside the ship from four high-definition video cameras that correspond to each stateroom’s location – forward, aft, port or starboard. As they say on late-night television… But wait, there’s more!

Here’s Imagineer Bob Zalk with the story of how an already terrific idea was plussed into something uniquely Disney by adding an extra dash of pixie dust.

Approximately three dozen animated characters and objects will pass by the Magical Porthole throughout the day. Familiar faces include Peach the starfish from “Finding Nemo,” Dumbo the flying elephant, the floating house from “Up” and even Mickey Mouse.

Castawaves Take: I have had the personal privilege of touring one of these fantastic interior staterooms on the Disney Dream. A few of my insights:

1. The rooms seem large, relative to their size and other staterooms. Much of this has to do with the layout, with the bed at the back of the cabin. I have stayed in inside rooms on the Magic and Wonder, and they feel cramped and dark. These rooms seemed fun!
2. The virtual porthole is fantastic. We were in port in Nassau when I spent time in the room. The cameras are live, and actually face the way the window faces. So, the staterooms we were in faced the back of the ship, and the camera we were watching was out of the back of the ship, and live to boot! The characters are wonderful. They do not appear often, which would be a good thing if you were staying in the room. The portholes also bring daylight into the room, even if by LCD.
3. These rooms are popular! There are very few of them onboard relative to the size of the ship. I have seen several cruises where the inside rooms are actually more expensive than the outside ocean view staterooms, even though they are smaller.

This was possibly the best idea/addition to the Disney Dream. It takes less popular/less expensive rooms and turns them into something that is coveted and fun for guests. I see Disney adding these to the Wonder/Magic sometime in the future. Those boats have considerably more inside rooms, it would really raise the bookings on those rooms.

If I had to pick a month? December, hands down, great weather, low prices and you just can’t beat the Christmas music on the islands, even if it is 80 and the music is being played on steel drums.

Quick Service Restaurants

During the day, there are plenty of places to each onboard the Disney Dream, including many of the Table Service Restaurants listed below. But, if you just want something quick, check out these great Quick Service Restaurants:

Flo’s Cafe

Location: Deck 11, Midship (by Donald’s Family Pool)

Guests looking for a quick bite to eat can visit Flo’s Café, located near the Donald Family Pool on Deck 11. Themed to popular characters from the Disney•Pixar film “Cars” – Luigi’s Pizza, Doc’s Grill and Fillmore’s Favorites – this quick-service option serves snacks such as burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, fresh fruit, salads and sandwich wraps.

Eye Scream, Frozone Treats

Location: Deck 11, Midship (between Donald’s Family Pool and Mickey’s Pool)

Frozen sweet treats are available from two quick-service venues conveniently located near the Donald Family Pool on Deck 11. Frozone Treats – named after the ice-creating superhero in the Disney•Pixar movie “The Incredibles” – mixes delicious fruit smoothies. Eye Scream – inspired by the friendly, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski from the Disney•Pixar animated feature “Monsters, Inc.” – offers soft-serve ice cream with plenty of favorite sundae toppings.

Table Service Restaurants

On the Disney Cruise, you are assigned a restaurant, in rotation, for each night of your cruise. The restaurants rotate between Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden and Royal Palace. Not only does this get you a reserved seat and time in each restaurants aboard the ship, but your waiter follows you around too!

Animator’s Palate

Location: Deck 3, Aft

Cuisine: Pacific Rim/American

Meals: Dinner Only

Animator’s Palette currently exists on the two Disney ships, but will be expanded and changed in it’s appearance on the Disney Dream. Inspired by a classic animator’s studios, the venue is filled with character sketches, maquettes, paint brushes, colored pencils, computer work stations, film strips and other tools of the animation trade. Scenes and characters from popular Disney and Disney•Pixar films adorn the walls.

Spanning from floor to ceiling are “paint brush” pillars and “pencil” columns. Depicted in relief on the ceiling are abstract, oversize artist’s palettes and light boxes. During dinner, sparkling lights travel up the columns, through fiber optic brushes to “paint” the artist’s palettes with vibrant colors. The cuisine will match the character of the restaurant, creatively combining fresh flavors with culinary flair to please guests’ palates. Wines from California and the Pacific Rim will complement the menu.

Dinner at Animator’s Palate is part of the reserved Rotational Dining that occurs nightly during your cruise.

Enchanted Garden

Location: Deck 2, Midship

Cuisine: Continental

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The Enchanted Garden is a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.

Upon entering Enchanted Garden, guests will feel as though they’ve arrived at a lovely conservatory, with white trellises, original artwork depicting lush greenery, and the image of a beautiful blue sky on the ceiling above. Abundant, custom glass “flower” light fixtures suspend from the canopy overhead, ornamental light posts line the restaurant’s center promenade and a charming terrace fountain is the focal point of the room. The cascading fountain rises seven feet tall and at its pinnacle stands a fanciful cherub Mickey Mouse statue.

During the meal, the restaurant transforms into an enchanting evening scene. The sky overhead becomes a glorious sunset, with dazzling colors and shades of light that change into a twinkling field of stars. The light-fixture flowers “bloom” and become infused with color, wall sconces open to become beautiful folding fans, paintings are illuminated in a nighttime perspective and the centerpiece fountain is basked in shimmering light.

The cuisine will match the crisp and airy feel of the restaurant with a seasonal menu featuring market-fresh ingredients. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style and dinner is a full-service, plated affair. A scrumptious selection of desserts includes a selection of gelatos during the day and a grand finale chocolate display with infused truffles and hand-made confections at night.

Dinner at Enchanted Garden is part of the reserved Rotational Dining that occurs nightly during your cruise.

Royal Palace

Location: Deck 2, Aft

Cuisine: Continental

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Royal Palace is the “main” restaurant aboard the Disney Dream, located in the main lobby of the Dream, and will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, though only dinner will have assigned tables, other meals are open seating and you can arrive at any time.

an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Décor includes ornate marble floors and luxurious carpets plus a magnificent, hand-blown chandelier made of glass slippers, with essential elements from each fairy tale such as royal crests, roses and tiaras. Chair backs are embellished with gilded emblems in the same motifs. The custom carpet is a pattern of flourishing roses in regal tones.

Grand, hand-painted portraits of the princesses – Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) – and their princes grace the far wall. Portholes providing spectacular views of the ocean are framed with majestic, tiara-topped window valances. With meticulous attention to detail, many of the restaurant’s features are modeled precisely from the inspirational films. The Royal Palace’s circular floor plan, fluted columns and iron railing work are all recreated from the “Cinderella” ballroom scene. Wall sconces are fashioned after those seen in “Beauty and the Beast.”

At Royal Palace, guests will feast on a world-class continental cuisine. The menu will include dishes fit for a monarch, including beef Wellington, crowned rack of lamb, king salmon and princess cake. The wine list will feature an excellent selection of Old World wines. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at this restaurant.

Dinner at Royal Palace is part of the reserved Rotational Dining that occurs nightly during your cruise.

Cabanas

Location: Deck 11, Aft

Cuisine: Casual Dining

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The Disney Cruise Line will introduce a new concept in casual dining with Cabanas food court, a free-flow restaurant featuring a variety of food and beverage stations. Inspired by California beaches with uniquely Disney touches, Cabanas offers indoor and outdoor dining on Deck 11 aft with incredible ocean views. Across the beach-themed dining room, tables are sheltered under palm trees and beach umbrellas. Surfboards, sun umbrellas, kites, teak Adirondack chairs and clam-shell table tops add to the sunny seaside décor. Disney details also decorate the area, including a familiar flock of seagulls from the Disney•Pixar animated film “Finding Nemo.” A 30-foot-long, hand-crafted mosaic tile wall depicts a whimsical underwater scene from “Finding Nemo.” Guests can partake in an eclectic array of cuisine served from 16 specialized food stations, each designed like a beach cabana with colorful awnings and providing delicious offerings. Dishes freshly prepared include American classics, comfort foods such as pizza and pasta, grilled specialties, stir-fry, savory soups and fresh salads. One cabana will feature a skilled sushi chef preparing bite-sized sushi delicacies. To satisfy a sweet tooth, another station will showcase an artful display of decadent desserts. Each morning, Cabanas will feature numerous flavorful ways to start the day with assorted breakfast foods and made-to-order omelets. In the evenings, the restaurant transforms into a table-service casual dining experience, where dinner entrees are cooked to order.

Signature Restaurants

In addition to the many restaurants on board, Disney offers two adult only restaurants, Palo and Remy’s, both located up on deck 12. While included in your cruise, there is an extra charge at each restaurant to take care of additional gratuities.

Palo

Location: Deck 12, Aft

Cuisine: Northern Italian

Meals: Brunch and Dinner

Additional Charge: $20 per person for Brunch and Dinner

Sweeping ocean views, rich décor and epicurean excellence create the setting for a romantic escape aboard the Disney Dream in a redesigned version of Disney Cruise Line’s signature specialty restaurant, Palo.

Named after the colorful poles that line the canals of Venice, Disney Cruise Line’s signature restaurant invites adults to indulge in a menu of delectable Northern Italian cuisine, an extensive wine list and superior service.

Every seat at Palo offers a beautiful ocean vista. A pianist softly serenades guests. Stylish furnishings are accompanied by custom art, warm wood tones and a color palate of rich red, green and gold jewel tones to create an intimate, refined, Italian-inspired décor.

For an entirely new Palo experience on the Disney Dream, guests may dine al fresco on Palo’s private outdoor teak deck, with picturesque views and warm ocean breezes further tantalizing the senses.

Palo’s nightly culinary journey includes starters to tempt the taste buds, tantalizing antipasti, hand-made pastas, succulent seafood and prime meats. Diners saving room for a delicious finale can indulge in Palo’s signature dessert, chocolate soufflé with vanilla bean and chocolate sauce.

The sommelier is pleased to recommend the perfect wine pairings to make an extra-special meal extraordinary. Palo’s extensive reserve wine list features award-winning selections from some of the most esteemed vineyards in the world.

In addition to romantic dinners, Palo offers an exquisite adult-only champagne brunch featuring made-to-order entrées, seafood, a selection of international cheeses, fresh breads and pastries, desserts, champagne and mimosas.

New on the Disney Dream and located next to Palo is Meridian. With décor inspired by the early days of sea travel, this adult-exclusive lounge has inside seating and an exclusive outside deck. At Meridian, guests can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif or an after-dinner cocktail. Meridian’s outside teak deck is the perfect place to watch a romantic sunset or relax with a cigar selected from a fine assortment available at the bar.

Please note, reservations are required for Palo. Reservations can be made 75 days in advance of your cruise date, unless you are a Castaway Club member, in which case they can be made up to 120 days in advance, depending on your level of membership.

Remy’s

Location: Deck 12, Aft

Cuisine: French

Meals: Dinner Only

Additional Charge: $75 per person for Dinner

Remy on the Disney Dream is an intimate Adult Exclusive restaurant located on Deck 12, Aft that serves the finest in French-inspired cuisine for dinner. Offering the most upscale dining experience on board, Remy features spectacular ocean views and a warm, sophisticated décor—the perfect romantic setting for Guests 18 years of age and older.

Dining at Remy is like being transported to an authentic fine-dining restaurant in France. The luxurious dining room is softly lit and designed in a timeless Art Nouveau style featuring soft greens, rich reds, and gold tones. Graceful, sinuous lines adorn the chair backs, glass and wall etchings, as sweeping floral and leaf designs ornament the carpet and lighting. Adding to the refined ambience, tables are set with Frette linens, Riedel glassware, Christofle silverware, and china created exclusively for the restaurant. The adorable Remy character appears in artful ways throughout the restaurant’s design for a touch of Disney magic.

Boasting a French-inspired menu featuring superior seasonal ingredients from around the globe, dining at Remy is a leisurely affair. Beginning with a complimentary chilled Champagne cocktail that is prepared at your table, dinner is comprised of multiple courses. For an extra charge, Remy offers a stellar wine list in addition to a wine pairing option. Elegant touches include a tableside trolley for international cheeses, decanting stations for wines, and an after-dinner coffee service.

Remy’s gourmet menu was created by Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise—a Michelin 2-star restaurant just outside Reims, France—and Chef Scott Hunnel from award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World Resort.

Once dinner is booked and Guests are on board, they are invited to meet with a sommelier in Remy’s wine room to taste and pre-select their wines for the evening. Please note, alcoholic beverages are available at an extra charge.

For an even more memorable dining experience, Remy boasts a special Chef’s Table dining room where Guests can enjoy a unique multi-course menu while interacting with the head chef. This special room features elegant, Ratatouille-inspired décor that includes bold red chairs and drapes, shimmering chandeliers and inviting scenes of Paris on the walls.

The Wine Room is a luxurious glass-walled room with marble flooring amid more than 900 bottles of wine, including a rare selection of Old World wines balanced with a solid selection of New World wines.

Please note, reservations are required for Remy’s. Reservations can be made 75 days in advance of your cruise date, unless you are a Castaway Club member, in which case they can be made up to 120 days in advance, depending on your level of membership.

For more information, just check out the great Disney Cruise Jobs website to see openings and find other information. Good luck!