Back in February, we set sail on a 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Dream to get a feel for the new Dream Class ships before our upcoming Disney Fantasy sailings. We originally booked ourselves into 5522 (a double porthole “mini-suite” style stateroom), but Florida Resident rates were released and for few hundred dollars less we decided to move to 9648. This stateroom on the Disney Dream, as well as the Disney Fantasy, is a Category 5A – Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. These staterooms are tailored for families of 3 or 4 with a queen sized bed, a pull out couch and a drop down bunk bed.
9648 is located on the starboard side of the ship steps away from the aft stairs and elevators providing quick access to Cabanas, the drink station, and the pools!
The hidden gem of all staterooms on the Dream & Fantasy are the elevated beds which provide a perfect place to store suitcases after unpacking. With additional storage in the sitting area, including the coffee table which the top opens up like a treasure chest, it is easy make the room feel like home.
These 5A staterooms feature a convenient split bath, which is great when we are trying to get ready for dinner!
Last, but certainly not least, the verandah. This private balcony is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the spectacular views and fresh sea air. The verandah has a plexiglass wall to discourage climbing, but this is somewhat negated if your child starts to climb on the chairs or table. To help keep your little ones save the sliding door is equipped with an out of reach child lock.
If you are in your room after the Sail Away Party, one cool thing about the location of this room is that you can watch the Pilot boat pick up the Port Canaveral Pilot as you head out into open water.
I found it a bit awkward standing at the railing looking down onto the deck 5 extended verandas. In a way, it feels like I was invading this guy’s privacy. A word to the wise if you are on deck 5, we can see you.
Finally, we always select staterooms on the starboard side of the ship to get a panoramic view of Castaway Cay!
Thanks for this review! How was the noise in this room? Looks like it’s pretty close to stairs/elevator.
We cannot recall any noise issues. The room was conveniently located to the aft stairs
Great review!! I was wondering if the coffee table in the middle moves, looks like it does by one of your pictures….. Am I right ??
Yes, the coffee table moves. It also opens up for additional storage.
Was it too cold to swim in the pools or ocean in feb?
I am not the best person to ask. I will not go in our pool if the water is below 80, I prefer at least 83. Needless to say, what is too cold for me may be fine for you or someone else. My daughter did swim for a little bit at Castaway Cay, and we rode the AquaDuck a few times while in Nassau.
Hi Scott,
We are doing this cruise in December. Are all the A-E Deluxe Family Staterooms Ocean-view w/Verandah essentially the same? We have 5 altogether (2 adults, 3 kids).
The deluxe family staterooms are Cat 4. Cats 4A-D are the same size staterooms. The A is midship, and they go out from there. Be aware that the Cat 4Ds are over lifeboats, so that’s what you see when peering down over your verandah. If you research closely, you can find staterooms that when you look down you look in between them. Cat 4E are the rooms on deck 5 with the longer extended verandahs. The size of the room is the size of a Cat 5; they were reclassified due to the size of the verandah. For a family of 5, you need to book a Cat 4A-D or two separate staterooms.
Hope this helps!
We are booked in this room next Spring! Do you have any pictures of how big the actual verandah is, any empty pictures of the chairs? Is the wall clear or solid? thanks!
Jill, how was your experience? We are booking this for a 2020 cruise and are interested in any newer comments.
Where was your muster station?
Our muster station was N.
We are looking at this room for a 2020 cruise. Any recent review updates or notes are appreciated.