Contract 9: Working Onboard the Disney Dream in Northern Europe

My ninth contract working at sea was unlike anything I had ever experienced before – and honestly? It might have been the best one yet.

This was my shortest contract to date, just four weeks onboard the Disney Dream… but it was also my very first contract outside of the Caribbean. Sometimes, medical emergencies happen, and when the call came asking if I could step in to cover a month onboard – in Northern Europe – the answer was an immediate yes. First time working a season in Europe? No brainer.

What followed was a whirlwind of iconic cities, jaw-dropping landscapes, and some of the most unforgettable ports of my entire career.

Hand holding croissant with old buildings in background in La Rochelle, France

Girl looking out at mountains in Reykjavik, Iceland

Contract Log

Contract: 9
Year: 2024
Ship: Disney Dream
Itinerary: Northern Europe
Countries Visited: Spain, Portugal, Norway, Iceland, France, United Kingdom

Embarking in Barcelona

I boarded the Disney Dream in Barcelona at the very start of the repositioning crossing from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe – which already felt wildly special.

The day before embarkation, I met up with my best friend and we squeezed in a quick afternoon exploring Barcelona together. Sunshine, city streets, and that buzzing pre-adventure feeling – it was the perfect way to kick off a contract that already felt different from the rest.

Embarking together the next day made it even sweeter. From the very first moment onboard, I knew this contract was going to be something special.

Girl in summer dress smiling in old town of Barcelona, Spain

Two girls taking selfie in Barcelona, Spain

Falling Hard for Lisbon

Our first major port stop was Lisbon, Portugal – and wow. Easily one of my favorite ports I’ve ever visited.

I wandered through the city, soaked up the views, and completely fell in love with pastel de nata (a lifelong obsession was born). There’s something about Lisbon’s colors, hills, and relaxed pace that makes you want to stay forever. One day was simply not enough.

Hand holding a Pastel de Nata pastry in Lisbon, Portugal

The Triumphal Arch of Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal

Coastal Spain & Onward to Southampton

As we sailed north, we stopped in A Coruña and Vigo – two beautiful Spanish ports that only deepened my growing love affair with Europe. Cobblestone streets, ocean views, and that unmistakable old-world charm made every port feel like a postcard.

Colorful buildings in old town of A Coruna, Spain

Girl smiling in town square in A Coruna, Spain

Norway: A Frozen Dream Come True

Then came Norway – and nothing could have prepared me for it. Hands down, this was my favorite itinerary of my entire career.

We sailed through the Norwegian fjords, surrounded by towering cliffs, waterfalls, and landscapes so pristine they felt unreal. It was quiet. Powerful. Completely breathtaking.

Mirror reflection of Norwegian Fjords from a cruise ship

Highlights included:

Hiking Pulpit Rock (equal parts humbling and jaw-dropping)
Visiting Ålesund, straight out of a fairytale
Hiking to Briksdal Glacier
Trying school bread (life-changing)
Meeting trolls (as one does in Norway)

Sailing the fjords felt like stepping into a Frozen movie – peaceful, dramatic, and almost otherworldly. I’ve never experienced anything so serene in my life.

Girl standing on rock, looking out over blue lake towards Briksdal Glacier, Norway

Girl in pink jacket smiling in front of canals and cute norwegian buildings in Alesund, Norway

An Overnight in Reykjavík

One of the most surreal moments of the contract was our overnight stop in Reykjavík, Iceland. Just a month earlier, I’d been vacationing in Iceland so returning so soon felt strangely full-circle.

I joked that I felt like an Icelandic local at this point, wandering familiar streets with fresh eyes and a whole new appreciation for the country. Iceland has a way of stealing your heart – and I wasn’t mad about seeing it again.

Girl taking selfie on rainbow road in Reykjavik, Iceland

A Croissant-Filled Farewell in France

The final port of my short but mighty contract was La Rochelle, France. A charming seaside town and the perfect place for a farewell – complete with buttery croissants, of course.

It felt like a gentle exhale before the journey ended.

Favorite Moments from Disney Dream Contract #9:

🇪🇸 Embarking in Barcelona with my bestie
🇵🇹 Falling in love with Lisbon (and pastel de nata)
🇪🇸 Exploring A Coruña and Vigo
🏔️ Hiking Pulpit Rock in Norway
❄️ Sailing the Norwegian fjords
🍞 Discovering school bread
🇮🇸 Overnight in Reykjavík (local vibes activated)
🇫🇷 Croissants in La Rochelle

Disney Cruise Line officer looking out at view of Norwegian Fjords from deck on cruise ship

Short, Sweet, and Completely Unforgettable

Contract #9 may have been my shortest contract, but it packed more magic into four weeks than I ever thought possible. Northern Europe changed me and the Disney Dream gave me some of the most beautiful memories of my life at sea so far.

Best. Contract. Ever. 💙⚓️

Read about my first contract working on a cruise ship here!

Disclaimer: Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line I’ve worked for, so I can’t speak of the experience with other cruise lines. All opinions in this post are my own and not affiliated with Disney in any way.