Living the Dream on the Disney Dream: Ryan Bean’s Journey from De La Salle to the High Seas

When Ryan Bean ’20 stepped aboard the Disney Dream as a Third Officer, it was more than just his first day on the job. It was the moment he realized he was living the dream—literally. For Ryan, working on one of the world’s most recognized cruise ships wasn’t just a stroke of luck. It was the culmination of years of hard work, determination, and the solid foundation built during his time at De La Salle.

Ryan always knew he wanted to travel. In high school, he considered becoming an airline pilot, but the allure of the sea won out. “I always loved cruises,” he explains. “I thought, why not work on one?” That curiosity led him to the California Maritime Academy—now Cal Poly Maritime Academy—where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree and a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate Unlimited License, which allows him to sail any size ship, anywhere in the world. After an internship with Celebrity Cruises, Ryan set his sights on Disney. Landing the role wasn’t easy. “It’s the hardest company to get into,” he says. “So when they offered me the job, I couldn’t say no.”

Life aboard the Disney Dream is unique. With 1,400 crew members, the ship is both a workplace and a home. “You live where you work, and you work where you play,” Ryan says, noting how the atmosphere reminded him of his time at De La Salle. The sense of brotherhood he experienced on campus carries over to life at sea. “On the ship, just like at De La Salle, you’re part of a community. You’re each other’s support system. You celebrate the good days together, and you carry each other through the hard ones.”

That sense of connection has also shaped Ryan’s leadership style. As president of the Ski Club during his junior and senior years, he learned how to collaborate, communicate, and build relationships—skills that now serve him on the ship. But Ryan’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Math, he admits, wasn’t his strongest subject. At De La Salle, he spent long hours seeking extra help, arriving early, staying late, and taking advantage of tutoring. His persistence earned him the nickname “Captain Bean,” and the experience taught him a lesson that continues to guide him: hard work pays off. “Those moments at De La Salle gave me the confidence to tackle challenges head-on,” he reflects, adding that the discipline he developed with his studies prepared him for the rigorous coursework at the Maritime Academy.

“Knowing of his future maritime goals, I affectionately referred to Ryan as “Captain Bean” whenever he came to my classroom for tutoring,” said De La Salle Math epartment Chair Roselle Macariola. “Already dressed in his Chick-fil-A uniform before heading to work, he squeezed in precious tutoring time as he tirelessly reviewed and solved problems pertaining to the concepts covered that week.  Ryan knew how to balance work and school in order to reach his goals.  He has since moved onto wearing many other uniforms, but Ryan’s tenacity still serves as the core fabric from which he continues to pursue his other goals in life.”

Another lesson that carried forward was professionalism. “I’ve always wanted to wear a uniform,” Ryan says. “At De La Salle, we wore one every day. It was about respect and professionalism—things like making sure your belt was on, looking sharp for liturgy days, holding yourself to high standards.” He remembers the example set by former Dean Joe Aliotti, who insisted on discipline and respect. “That mindset stuck with me. On the ship, it’s the same—you’ve got to be sharp and do your job well.”

The work is demanding. Contracts run 10 weeks on, 10 weeks off, with long hours and no days off. “You have to be ready for anything—drills, emergencies, late-night calls,” Ryan explains. Yet even during tough stretches, he reminds himself of the bigger picture. “Sometimes I have to laugh at myself. I’ll be sitting on a beach in the Bahamas, thinking, ‘Why am I complaining about my job? I’m working for Disney. Life is good.’”

Ryan also sees how the Lasallian values continue to influence his life at sea. Community and integrity, especially, remain at the heart of his work. “Community is huge on the ship. We’re like a family, just like the brotherhood at De La Salle. You have to check in on people, be there for your team, and see things from different perspectives.” Integrity is just as important. “You’ve got to do your job and do it well. You can’t be afraid to ask for help or admit you don’t know something. That confidence—to seek support when you need it—came from my time at De La Salle.”

Looking back, Ryan says persistence and self-belief are what carried him through. “Keep going. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Keep your goals in mind, and don’t worry about what others think. Persistence pays off.” If he could talk to his high school self, he’d simply say: Believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to take chances. If you think something will be good for you, go for it.

Even as Ryan thrives at sea, he’s preparing for his next chapter. He has begun pursuing an MBA online with Baylor University, hoping to transition to leadership roles in shoreside operations in the future. “I know I won’t work on ships forever,” he says. “Eventually, I want to come back to land, start a family, and move into executive roles. The MBA will give me that leverage.”

For now, though, he’s exactly where he wants to be. When people ask Ryan what it’s like to work for Disney Cruise Line, his answer is simple: “I’m living the dream on the Dream.” From struggling through Algebra II with Trigonometry at De La Salle to commanding one of the world’s most magical ships, his story is proof that with hard work, persistence, and faith in yourself, dreams really do set sail.