Article: Disney Vacation CruisesDevonson Cruise Company, Limited
Subsidiary of a public corporation
Alaska and the Pacific Coast, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Europe
Karl Holz (president, DCL & New Vacation Operations)
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts(The Walt Disney Company)
Disney Cruise Line is a cruise line operation that is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The company was incorporated in 1996 as Magical Cruise Company Limited and is domiciled in London, England, with their operational headquarters located in Celebration, Florida. The President is Karl Holz.
Disney Cruise Line currently operates four ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy. Two as-yet-unnamed ships will join the fleet in 2021 and 2023. Disney Cruise Line also owns Castaway Cay, a private island in the Bahamas designed as an exclusive port of call for Disney's ships. Disney Cruise Line operates the Disney Cruise Line Terminal in Port Canaveral, Florida.
In 2015, Disney Cruise Lines had 2.8% share of the worldwide cruise market by passenger and 2.4% by revenue. While in 2011, the company held a 1.95 market share.
The line pioneered the rotational dining concept, in which guest would rotate with their wait staff through three different main dining rooms.
Background
In 1985, Premier Cruise Line became the licensed partner cruise line with Disney. This allowed Disney characters on their ships and combined cruise, hotel and theme park packages. In 1993, Premier ended the Disney character license for a license for Warner Brothers characters. Premier continued to over Disney land and sea packages while adding Universal Studios as an option. Thus Disney approached both Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines to replace Premier as an exclusive sea partner.
History
With Disney's negotiations with two major cruise lines, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, did not produce results, Disney had cruise ship designs drawn up by February 1994. Meanwhile Walt Disney Travel Company started signing up other cruise lines to offer packages that included Disney hotels and resorts. On May 3, 1994, the Disney Company announced that they intended to start its own cruise line with operations starting in 1998. Arthur Rodney was selected to serve as the first president of the cruise line tentatively called Disney Vacation Cruises. Disney Cruise Line in 1995 commissioned Disney Magic and Disney Wonder from Fincantieri in Italy. The cruise line was was incorporated as Devonson Cruise Company, Limited on February 6, 1996 in the United Kingdom, but soon was renamed Magical Cruise Company Limited on October 1, 1996. The cruise line cost as much a theme park to start up.
In 1996, Magical Cruise Company purchase Gorda Cay as the line's private island. The company spend $25 million over 18 months on the island and renamed it Castaway Cay.
The Disney Magic's first cruise was postponed twice which was original scheduled for March 1998 while the Disney Wonder was scheduled for December 1998. On July 30, 1998 with the first voyage of Magic, the Disney Cruise Line was operational. Also, a 10 year contract was signed with Port Canaveral for its home terminal. With the August 31, 1999 resignation of Rodney as cruise line president, senior operating officer Matt Ouimet was named as his replacement in July. By 2002, the line added seven day cruises and western Caribbean cruises.
In June 2005, Disney Magic moved its port for the summer cruise season to the Port of Los Angeles. This was temporary for the company's 50th anniversary celebration of Disneyland and as a test for California expansion. The transfer cruise sold out quicker than expected. Bookings from first time Disney cruisers were up for these cruises by at least 60%. While Disney has wanted additional ships, ship building cost have increased by at least 33% since it built its first two ships. A ship was transferred to the Mediterranean for an extended stay in 2007 to reviewers' acclaim.
In 2007, Disney announced the building of two new cruise ships. Disney Dream set sail in Jan 2011, followed closely by Disney Fantasy in 2012. Meyer Werft shipyard, based in Papenburg, Germany, built the new ships.
In February 2009, Tom McAlpin left the Disney Cruise Line presidency and was replaced by Karl Holz as president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations. In early 2009, Disney and Canaveral Port Authority extended their agreement to 2022 with expansion to the terminal to handle the new class of ships. A re-posting of the Disney Magic to Europe in 2010 adding DCL's first North European cruises with Mediterranean cruises.
With the arrival of Disney Dream in 2011, Disney Wonder was relocated to Los Angeles, and with the arrival of Disney Fantasy in 2012, Disney Magic was relocated to New York City in May 2012 for only the Summer season, before relocating to Galveston, Texas.
At the February 2016 Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards, three of Disney's ships won 11 category awards. On March 3, 2016 at the company annual meeting, Walt Disney Company Chairman Bob Iger announced that two new ships were planned to be built larger than the previous two ships. These ships are expected to join the line in 2021 and 2023.
Fleet Current
Disney Magic began operation July 30, 1998. Disney Wonder began operation in August 1999. They are long and wide. The ships each contain 875 staterooms and are not identical in their design, with a lot of variations in interior design, restaurants and entertainment venues. Both contain areas designed exclusively for various age groups, including children, teenagers, and adults. Current routes are Alaska, Bahamas, Caribbean and Europe, depending on the ship.
The ships are the first in the industry to be designed and built from the keel up as family cruise liners, with the goal of accommodating parents and children. Unlike most ships of their type, they do not include casinos. Disney ships also feature ship's horns which play the opening seven-note theme When You Wish Upon a Star from Disney's Pinocchio, in addition to the traditional horn.<ref>{{cite web|author= Aronson, Tara. |url= http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0925/p12s01-altr.html|title= Disney Magic grows up|publisher= Christian Science Monitor|date= September 25, 2002|accessdate= November 1, 2009}}</ref>Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy entered service in January 2011 and March 2012, respectively. These new 129,690-ton ships are long and wide. They are 2 decks taller than Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and have 1,250 staterooms each.
Ship Passenger capacity Entered service Godmother Homeport Gross Tonnage Notes Image Disney Magic 2,400 July 30, 1998 Patricia Disney Copenhagen, Denmark / Dover, England / Miami, FL / Barcelona, Spain / New York, NY / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Port Canaveral, FL Disney Wonder 2,400 August 15, 1999 Tinker Bell Vancouver, Canada / San Diego, CA / Galveston, TX / Miami, FL / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Port Canaveral, FL Disney Dream 4,000 January 26, 2011 Jennifer Hudson Port Canaveral, FL Disney Fantasy 4,000 March 31, 2012 Mariah Carey Port Canaveral, FL
Future
Two new ships have been announced and will join the Disney fleet in the next 5–7 years. The two ships, as yet unnamed, are described as larger than Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy but with an equivalent number of staterooms.
Ship Staterooms In-service date Gross Tonnage Notes Shipyard Unnamed 1,250 2021 Announced March 3, 2016 Meyer Werft Unnamed 1,250 2023 Announced March 3, 2016 Meyer Werft
Disney Cruise Line Terminal
Port Canaveral Terminal 8 (Disney Cruise Terminal) - Ship Side.JPG
A photo of the Disney Cruise Line Terminal from the Disney Wonder.
Canaveral Port Authority
The Disney Cruise Line Terminal or Port Canaveral's Cruise Terminal 8, is located in Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. It is used to transport passengers on and off of the Disney Cruise Line ships the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, and the Disney Fantasy.
The port, located in Port Canaveral, at cruise terminal A, is a large building, owned by Port Canaveral, and operated by the Walt Disney Company. At , this massive building includes is the base for Disney Cruise Line check-in, security, and boarding. The terminal was designed loosely on the old Ocean Terminal in Southampton.
Disney Cruise Line has negotiated with the Port Canaveral port authority and early 2009 has extended their contract until 2022. As part of this contract, the port authority expanded and upgraded the dock in order to accommodate the new ships (both of which will be home-ported there), the terminal will be enlarged to accommodate more passengers and luggage, and a parking garage was built. Both Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have departed from Port Canaveral.
In late 2012, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder began sailing cruises out of Galveston, Texas and Miami, Florida, respectively. In Summer 2013, Disney Magic relocated to Barcelona, Spain and Disney Wonder relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia. In Fall 2013, Magic and Wonder returned to the United States of America but switched home ports, with the Magic leaving out of Miami and Wonder leaving out of Galveston. In January 2014, Wonder took over for Magic in Miami and Magic joined Dream and Fantasy'' in Port Canaveral, placing all four ships in the state of Florida for the first time.
Facts
Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to have yellow lifeboats, instead of the traditional regulation orange. Disney was granted special permission from the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, to keep with the special colors of the ship.
Each ship has four captains: the actual Captain, Captain Mickey, Captain Hook, and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Castaway Cay is the only cruise line private island in the Caribbean with it's own dock, neglecting the need for guests to tender to land.
Disney Cruise Line ships were the first to have firework displays at sea.
References External links |
Source: 4 Disney Cruise Lines
Info on Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Cruises, Disney Cruise Ships and Disney Cruise Packages.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Disney Cruise Line Recognized As A Top Cruise Experience By Travel and Leisure Magazine
Disney Cruise Line Recognized as a Top Cruise Experience by Readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine
CELEBRATION, Fla., (Aug 5, 2008) --
Disney Cruise Line
continues to receive top honors in the cruise industry, most recently being recognized in Travel + Leisure magazine's "2008 World's Best" awards.
The “World’s Best” list, which is compiled annually, recognizes the best in travel for cities, hotels, islands, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, safari outfitters and car-rental agencies each year. This year,
Disney Cruise Line
ranked No. 3 in the "Large-Ship" cruise line category. The ranking was determined by readers asked to rate cruise lines on cabins, food, service, itineraries, destinations, activities and value.
Disney Cruise Line
has moved up on the Travel + Leisure World’s Best awards list each year, besting all other “mass market” cruise lines and further confirming a niche position as the ultimate family cruise vacation – a concept it pioneered and continues to refine with specifically designed areas and activities for each member of the family allowing for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences.
Disney Cruise Line
has received nearly 50 distinguished awards and honors since first setting sail in 1998. These awards have included all aspects of the operation from dining and entertainment to youth activities and spa facilities.
The Disney Cruise Line
family focus allows families to reconnect, adults to recharge their batteries and kids to immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create. From a theater featuring live musical spectaculars to a luxurious spa for adults and nearly an entire deck dedicated to children's activities, the Disney ships offer a unique vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created exclusively for them.
Disney Cruise Line
continues to grow by attracting passengers who say they would not have cruised if it had not been for the Disney brand.
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Trave and Leisure Magazine
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Disney Announces Expansion of Successful Cruise Business
Disney Announces Expansion of Successful Cruise Business
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Two new ships will more than double passenger capacity
BURBANK, Calif., (February 22, 2007) -- The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) plans to expand its successful cruise business by adding two new ocean liners, President and CEO Bob Iger announced today. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line to meet the sustained demand for Disney's family cruise vacations.
The company signed a letter of intent with Meyer Werft shipyard, based in Papenburg, Germany, to negotiate a contract to build the 122,000-ton new cruise liners, which will be two decks taller than the existing 83,000-ton ships, the
Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder
. Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms. Specific design plans and itineraries for the yet-unnamed ships are still in development and will be unveiled at a later date.
"Since our maiden voyage in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has been a huge success for our guests and for our shareholders alike," Iger said. "It has brought our unparalleled family vacation experience to the high seas, and has also generated high margins and double digit returns on invested capital. We're excited to announce the expansion of our fleet, which is a logical next step in what is a real growth business for us."
Disney Cruise Line established the family market within the cruise industry when the business launched in 1998. The first two ships were purpose built for families to reconnect and recharge while creating vacation memories that will last a lifetime. From a theater featuring live musical spectaculars to a luxurious spa for adults and nearly an entire deck dedicated to children's activities, the ships offer something for every member of the family. Disney Cruise Line continues to grow by attracting passengers who say they would not have cruised if it hadn't been for the Disney brand.
"Focusing on families has been smart business for us," said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "More than 95 percent of Disney Cruise Line guests rate their cruise experience as excellent or very good. Families know they can trust us to provide a quality, immersive Disney experience. As a result, Disney Cruise Line continually sets sail with the highest load factors in the industry of nearly 150 percent."
Similar to the original Disney Cruise Line ships, the new ships will be a modern interpretation of classic ocean liners of the 1930s. Disney Imagineers drew their inspiration from the original trans-Atlantic ships that featured a dramatic black hull with two funnels and porthole windows. The profile of the ships, with its gentle curves at the stern combined with sleek angles at the bow, are reminiscent of the art deco designs of the era. To add whimsy to the classic design, the Disney ships have the same exterior color palette as Mickey Mouse with black, white, red and yellow. The new ships will feature elegant, detailed Disney scrollwork at the bow and will evoke images of the glamour of the golden age of cruising.
Karl L. Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line, said, "This is an exciting time for Disney Cruise Line, and we are looking forward to working with Meyer Werft to blend our innovation and creativity with their fine craftsmanship. Meyer Werft has a long tradition of building magnificent ships. We are confident that the result will be ships that take the immersive Disney family-focused cruise experience to an entirely new level."
New itineraries
Disney Cruise Line, which traditionally offers 3-, 4- and 7-night Caribbean cruises, has also enjoyed strong demand for new itineraries. Trips to the Mediterranean and to the West Coast have recently set booking records within the company and booked 30-50 percent faster than the existing itineraries at higher prices.
"With a larger fleet, we'll have greater flexibility to offer a variety of itineraries," Rasulo said. "This is a business that our guests love, and we're pleased to give them more options to explore the world with Disney with two new ships."
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Saturday, November 27, 2010
Disney Cruise Line Commences New Ship Construction
Disney Cruise Line
Begins New Ship Construction
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PAPENBURG, GERMANY (March 2, 2009) –
Disney Cruise Line
began construction on two new ships today with a steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Scheduled for completion in 2011 and 2012, the new ocean liners will further advance the company’s one-of-a-kind guest experience and create more family cruise options with a brand guests know and trust.
“When we launched our business in 1998, we recognized a need in the marketplace for a cruise experience created just for families,” said Karl L. Holz, president of
Disney Cruise Line
and New Vacation Operations. “With these new ships, we are continuing to build upon that vision of providing more families with an unforgettable cruise vacation and the chance to explore new destinations with Disney.”
The first piece of steel cut for the new ships was part of the art deco inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on the Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the intricate pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s, designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising with added touches of Disney whimsy, such as the Mickey Mouse medallion in the center of the design.
Since finalizing a contract with the Meyer Werft shipyard to build the two new ships,
Disney Cruise Line
and Walt Disney Imagineering have created a truly distinctive design for the new ships. Over the next few years, construction will continue, bringing the design to reality. The design details will be unveiled at a later date.
Holz noted that the fleet expansion will more than double the passenger capacity for
Disney Cruise Line
. Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms and will weigh 128,000 tons. Similar to the existing ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the new ships will be purpose built with families in mind, with specially designed areas and activities for each member of the family to allow for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences. The focus is to provide a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.
Known for bringing family travel to the cruise market, Disney continues to be a leader in the industry and was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.” The Disney Wonder, which sails three- and four-night cruises to The Bahamas, was ranked as the No. 1 cruise ship in the “Large Ship” category. The Disney Magic was also ranked in the top five cruise experiences overall. The Disney Magic primarily sails seven-night cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean and, beginning in the spring of 2010, will embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Disney Announces Names For New Cruise Ships
Disney Announces Names for New Cruise Ships
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CELEBRATION, Fla. (March 10, 2009) – Today at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Walt Disney Company, Disney announced the names of the company’s two new cruise ships.
“Last week, steel cutting began on our next two Disney cruise ships. Today I’m pleased to announce their names,” said Robert A. Iger, Disney president and CEO. “The Disney Dream will set sail in 2011, while the Disney Fantasy will hit the high seas in 2012.”
Similar to the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the names were chosen to celebrate Disney’s unique heritage of creating enchanting places and stories where dreams really do come true.
“The names are very telling of our brand and are part of our history,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations. “Disney is known for making dreams come true, and for creating worlds of fantasy that go beyond the imagination. The names are a natural choice for our ships.”
As noted, Disney Cruise Line
began construction on the new ships with a steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The first piece of steel cut was part of the art deco inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on the existing Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder
,
the intricate pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s, with added touches of Disney whimsy.
Since finalizing a contract with the Meyer Werft shipyard to build the two new ships,
Disney Cruise Line
and Walt Disney Imagineering have created a truly distinctive design. Over the next few years, construction will continue, bringing the design to reality, with the Disney Dream scheduled for delivery in 2011 and the Disney Fantasy in 2012.
The new ships will be purpose built with families in mind, and specially designed areas and activities for each member of the family to allow for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences. The focus is to provide a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds only Disney can create.
The expansion will more than double the passenger capacity for
Disney Cruise Line
. Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms and will each be 128,000 tons.
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Thursday, November 25, 2010
Disney Dream Begins To Take Shape
Disney Dream Begins to Take Shape
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PAPENBURG, GERMANY (August 26, 2009) – Today,
Disney Cruise Line
celebrated the keel laying of the Disney Dream, the first of two newly-designed ships destined to expand family cruise options to more people in more places around the world.
“Since our inception, families have come to know and love
Disney Cruise Line
, and they are looking for additional ways to enjoy all that we have to offer,” Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz said during the ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. “Our fleet expansion will allow us to satisfy demand on both the East and West coasts of the United States while also giving us the flexibility to explore additional global destinations for our Guests.”
The keel laying ceremony is the first time the Disney Dream will begin to take shape after many years of design work. In the maritime industry, the ceremony marks a momentous occasion when the first block – or section – of the ship is lowered into the building dock and a coin is placed under the keel for good fortune.
Doing the honors of placing the coin was Captain Tom Forberg. With a distinguished maritime career aboard
Disney Cruise Line
, Forberg was the first crew member hired and the captain who launched the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Recently, Forberg was named as the future Master of the Disney Dream.
The ship will continue to take its form through a block construction process in which pre-fabricated complete hull sections are joined together in block units and are then brought together to form the ship. The Disney Dream will be made up of 80 blocks, with the first block weighing in at approximately 380 tons.
Designing the Disney Dream
The Disney Dream is scheduled to join the current fleet in 2011, followed by Disney’s second new ship, the Disney Fantasy in 2012. Together the two new ocean liners will more than double the capacity of
Disney Cruise Line
, each having 1,250 staterooms and a tonnage of 128,000.
Bringing together innovation in superb shipbuilding and creativity in imaginative storytelling,
Disney Cruise Line
and Walt Disney Imagineering, along with the Meyer Werft shipyard have created a truly distinctive design. Like the existing ships, these ocean liners were designed to deliver a unique vacation that every member of the family believes was created just for them. Design details will be revealed later this fall.
Synonymous with its name, the Disney Dream will evoke the unique heritage of the company’s ideals in creating enchanting places and stories where families’ vacation dreams come true.
Homeports
Both new ocean liners will call Port Canaveral, Fla., their home, where expansion efforts are underway to accommodate the larger ships and additional guests. In addition to an extension of the dock and enlargements to the one-of-a-kind Disney terminal building, a new multi-level parking structure will be built, complementing the design and storytelling elements of the ships. The new enhancements will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea during their vacation experience.
Disney Cruise Line
also recently announced that the Disney Wonder will operate from the Port of Los Angeles starting in 2011.
Future Itineraries
In addition to the new ships,
Disney Cruise Line
continues to expand itineraries, with plans to once again sail the Mediterranean region aboard the Disney Magic during the summer of 2010. In addition to the popular ports in Spain, Italy and France, the ship will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta and Corsica. Disney Magic will also visit the historic cities of Northern Europe for the first time calling on Warnemunde, Germany, the gateway to Berlin and St. Petersburg, Russia. Enchanting Scandinavian ports like Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm, will also be a first for Disney.
Holz noted that the company will begin to announce some itineraries for 2011 in September during the
D23 EXPO
, the ultimate fan experience where the entire world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Disney Cruise Lines Awards and Accolades
Disney Cruise Line Awards and Accolades
Disney Cruise Line
has received over 50 distinguished awards and recognitions from the travel industry, since first setting sail in 1998. These awards have included all aspects of the operation from dining and entertainment, to youth activities and spa facilities. Most recently,
Disney Cruise Line
has received top honors from the readers of
Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure . 2010 Condé Nast Traveler readers named Disney Cruise Line the
no. 1 cruise experience in the Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Condé Nast Traveler recognized Disney Cruise Line
in its 10th Annual Cruise Poll.
In the mega ship category,
the Disney Magic
was rated No. 1 for activities and facilities, and the
Disney Wonder
was No. 1 for crew and service.
Travel + Leisure named Disney Cruise Line
the Top Family-Friendly Large-Ship Cruise Line in the 2010 World’s Best Awards poll.
2009 Condé Nast Traveler
recognized Disney Cruise Line as the No. 1 cruise experience in the 9th Annual Cruise Poll. Disney Wonder was ranked No. 1, while Disney Magic was ranked No. 4.
Travel + Leisure
magazine recognized Disney Cruise Line as one of the top cruise lines in the industry in their annual reader’s choice awards. Disney Cruise Line placed No. 4 in the large cruise ship category.
Travel + Leisure
magazine recognized Disney Cruise Line as the No. 1 family-friendly cruise line in its 2009 “World’s Best Hotels and Cruises for Families” travel awards in the large ship category.
SpaFinder
named Disney Cruise Line Vista Spa as one of the top 10 spas in the “Best Spa on a Cruise Ship” category.
Travel + Leisure
magazine recognized Disney Cruise Line as one of the top cruise lines in the industry in the 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards. Disney Cruise Line placed No. 2 in the mega-ship category.
Zagat Survey
recognized Disney Cruise Line in its first cruise line survey for “Top Activities” in the large ship category.
Disney Cruise Line ranked top in the Live Entertainment and Nightlife categories, and was recognized as the Best for Kids, Best for Weekend Getaways and Best for Families.
2008 Porthole Cruise Magazine recognized
Disney Cruise Line with a “2007 Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Award” for Best Family-Oriented Line.
Travel + Leisure
magazine recognized Disney Cruise Line as one of the top cruise lines in the industry in their annual reader’s choice awards. Disney Cruise Line was No. 3 in the large cruise ship category.
Condé Nast Traveler
recognized Disney Cruise Line as a finalist in four categories of their World Savers Awards. Disney Cruise Line was a runner-up in the Wildlife category and received honorable mentions in the Poverty Alleviation, Education and Preservation categories.
SpaFinder
named the Disney Magic Vista Spa as one of the top 10 spas in the “Best Spa on a Cruise Ship” category.
Condé Nast Traveler
recognized Disney Cruise Line as No. 3 in the Large Cruise Ship category for the 2008 Reader’s Choice Awards
2007 Porthole Cruise Magazine
recognized Disney Cruise Line as one of the recipients of a “2006 Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Award.”
Condé Nast Traveler
rated the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder cruise ships in the top 10 in the "Top 80 Cruise Ships in the World" poll.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line in their annual “Gold List” for 2007 in the cruise category.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked the Vista Spa & Salon aboard Disney Cruise Line as the No. 3 cruise line spa in its Spa Poll, an annual guide to the Top Spas in North America, the Caribbean and at sea.
Travel Age West
awarded Disney Cruise Line two Editor’s Pick awards on “Best Overall Spa Facility” and “Best Onboard Entertainment” as part of the 2007 WAVE (Western Agents’ Vote of Excellence) Awards.
Travel + Leisure
magazine recognized Disney Cruise Line as one of the top cruise lines in the industry in their annual reader’s choice awards. Disney Cruise Line placed No. 4 in the large cruise ship category.
AAA awarded Disney Cruise Line the “Preferred Partner of the Year designation for continued excellence in providing products and services to AAA and its members.
2006 Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded
Disney Cruise Line the “2005 Readers’ Choice Award” for the Most Family-Oriented Line.
Cruise Critic
ranked the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder in the “Top 10 Overall Cruise Ships." Disney Magic was ranked second, while Disney Wonder was third.
Cruise Critic
also ranked the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the best onboard entertainment category.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked the Vista Spa & Salon aboard Disney Cruise Line as the No. 4 cruise line spa in its Spa Poll.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line in their “2006 Condé Nast Traveler Cruise Poll," ranking Disney Wonder in top categories for Crew/Service and Cabins.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line in their 12th annual 2006 “Gold List” in the transportation/cruise category.
2005 Travel + Leisure
magazine ranked Disney Cruise Line 4th in its “The World’s Best” travel awards in the Top 10 Cruise Lines large ship category.
AAA Travel
awarded Disney Cruise Line and The Walt Disney Travel Company with two out of its three “Preferred Partner of the Year” awards for AAA Vacations.
Disney Magazine’s
“Reader’s Choice Awards,” named seeing a show at the Walt Disney Theatre as the favorite shipboard activity while Animator’s Palate was named as the favorite shipboard restaurant.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line No. 5 in the “Readers’ Choice Awards” Top 25 Cruise Lines in the large ship category.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked the Vista Spa & Salon aboard Disney Cruise Line as No. 3 in its “World’s Best Spas at Sea” list.
2004 Porthole Cruise Magazine
ranked Disney Cruise Line in its “Readers’ Choice Awards” as Best Family-Oriented Line.
South Florida Parenting
magazine readers awarded Disney Cruise Line with the magazine’s “Kids Crown Award.”
Family Travel Forum
listed Disney Cruise Line in its “Top Ten Getaways for Tiny Travelers” list.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Wonder 8th and Disney Magic 19th in the “Best Cruise Ships in the World” large ship category.
Travel + Leisure
magazine ranked Disney Cruise Line 6th in “The World’s Best” travel awards for the large ship category.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line No. 5 in the “Readers’ Choice Awards” Top 25 Cruise Lines in the large ship category.
Cacique Award
(Bahamas) recognized Disney Cruise Line as the “Cruise Line of the Year” -- the highest honor for tourism in the Bahamas.
2003 Porthole Cruise Magazine
awarded Disney Cruise Line with the “Readers’ Choice Awards” as Best Family-Oriented Line.
AAA Travel
awarded Disney Cruise Line the “2002 Preferred Cruise Partner of the Year” award under the service, product and marketing areas of criteria.
Disney Cruise Line won the title of “Best Marketing” amongst all cruise suppliers from AAA. This award considers sales, training, promotional materials, support and brochures under the guidelines for evaluation.
Disney Cruise Line won the AAA award for achieving 100% satisfaction in the areas of Product Quality, Marketing Support and Overall Performance.
Cruise Reports
awarded Disney Cruise Line the “Head of the Class” award for the top value rating and top combined score in resort category.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line 6th in its “Readers’ Choice Awards” for the Top 25 Cruise Lines in the large ship category.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked the Disney Magic 8th and Disney Wonder 10th in the large ship category for the “Best Cruise Ships in the World.”
2002
Carlson Wagonlit Travel awarded the “Cruise Supplier of the Year” to Disney Cruise Line, under the criteria: quality, value, quality of brochure, reservations performance, sales and sales support.
The Travel Channel listed Disney Cruise Line as the best family cruise line in its “World’s Best Cruises” show.
The Discovery Channel listed Disney Wonder as the 7th Wonder of America in its “Seven Wonders of America” show.
Porthole Cruise Magazine
awarded Disney Cruise Line the Best Family-Oriented Line in its annual “Readers’ Choice Gold Award.”
Bridal Guide magazine
listed Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise, as the “Top American Honeymoon Destination.”
Daily Express Newspaper
awarded the Disney Magic as the “Best Family Ship,” in its cruise awards.
Condé Nast Traveler
ranked Disney Cruise Line 5th in its “Readers’ Choice Awards” Top 25 Cruise Lines large ship category.
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society named Disney Cruise Line “Best Cruise Value”
Travel + Leisure Magazine
ranked Disney Cruise Line in its “The World’s Best” Top 10 Cruise Lines large ship category.
2001 Porthole Cruise Magazine
ranked Disney Cruise Line in its “Readers’ Choice Gold Award” for Best Family-Oriented Line, the Most Innovative Dining Experience and Best Children’s Program.
Porthole Cruise Magazine
also awarded Disney Cruise Line with the “Editor-In-Chief” award for Most Innovative Dining Experience.
Onboard Service Magazine
awarded Disney Cruise Line the
Overall Onboard Services Award,
Tableware Diamond Award,
Amenities Diamond Award and
Equipment Sapphire Award. 2000
Sea Letter Cruise Magazine
recognized Disney Cruise Line in its “Readers’ Choice Awards” for Best Entertainment, Food, Midnight Buffet, Dining Room & Cabin Service, and Dance Clubs.
Onboard Services Magazine
honored the signature stage show “Disney Dreams” with the Diamond award for the best onboard entertainment.
1999 Cacique Award
(Bahamas) recognized Disney Cruise Line as the “Cruise Line of the Year” -- the highest honor for tourism in the Bahamas.
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Friday, November 19, 2010
Disney Cruise Line Firsts
Disney Cruise Line "Firsts"
Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line…
With 25% larger staterooms that include a family friendly bath-and-a-half.
To implement an innovative rotation dining concept, featuring three themed restaurants, where guests rotate to a different restaurant each evening, all the while keeping their same servers and tablemates.
To have a dock at the line's private island Castaway Cay, allowing guests the ease of walking on and off the ship at their leisure, thus eliminating the need to use tender boats for transporting guests back and forth to the island.
To have a firework display at sea, creating the perfect “kiss goodnight” for our Pirates IN the Caribbean celebration.
To offer movie premieres at sea where the night the movie debuts in theaters across the U.S., guests have the opportunity to see the premiere at sea onboard the ship.
With almost an entire deck dedicated to children’s areas and activities. From Flounder’s Reef Nursery to the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, kids from 12 weeks to 12 years have plenty of areas and activities to take their imaginations to new levels.
To offer a dedicated space just for teens. 13-17 year olds can hangout aboard the Disney Magic at The Stack, while teens aboard the Disney Wonder hang at Aloft, both high atop each ship on deck 11 in the (faux) funnel.
To apply a hull coating that is both non-toxic and innovative in reducing surface resistance in the water, allowing the ship to be more fuel efficient while sailing, in addition to being eco-friendly.
To have dedicated Human Resource officers onboard both ships and part of the ship’s Steering Committee.
To dedicate three days of shoreside training on safety and traditions for all new crew members prior to them embarking the ship.
To have yellow colored lifeboats, rather than the traditional regulation color of orange. Disney was granted special permission by the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, in order to keep with the special color theming of the ship -- the colors of Mickey Mouse himself.
To offer a free soda program, allowing guests to have access to a 24/7 beverage station offering soda, coffee, tea and water.
With no casinos onboard, which created even more space to dedicate to families, as well as age-specific areas for everyone to enjoy.
To have an animated character as the Godmother of a ship. Tinkerbell is the Godmother of the Disney Wonder.
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Disney Cruise Line - Fun Facts
Disney Cruise Line Fun Facts
Download Image Uniquely Disney
- The Disney ships are painted in Mickey Mouse-inspired colors – black hull, white superstructure, yellow trim and two giant red funnels, each with the Disney Cruise Line Mickey Mouse logo.
- Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to have yellow lifeboats, instead of the traditional regulation orange. Disney was granted special permission from the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, to keep with the special color theming of the ship.
- The Disney Magic was built in two halves… one hundred miles apart! Part of the ship was constructed in Ancona, Italy then towed 100 miles to meet the stern in Marghera (just outside Venice) to be perfectly joined and welded together.
- Disney Cruise Line ships use the iconic first seven notes of the “When You Wish Upon a Star” song melody as their horn signals.
- Disney ships are the only cruise ships to have four captains – the ship’s captain, Captain Mickey, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow.
- Measuring 964 feet in length, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are each longer than Main Street U.S.A at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.
- The anchor on the Disney Magic weighs 28,200 pounds – about the same as three full-grown elephants. Each ship weighs 90 million pounds.
- Taking place every cruise onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the “Pirates IN the Caribbean” deck party features the only fireworks display at sea.
Guest Experience
- Seventy-five percent of staterooms on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are outside, ocean view cabins. Of those, nearly half offer a private verandah.
- In a cruise industry first, most staterooms on Disney Cruise Line ships feature a split “bath-and-a-half” design, providing families the added convenience of a sink and tub/shower in one room and a sink and toilet in a separate room.
- Onboard each Disney Cruise Line ship, there are about 950 crew members representing more than 60 different nationalities. That is approximately one crew member for every three guests.
- Disney Cruise Line was named the top large cruise ship experience by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the ninth annual "Reader's Cruise Poll." In fact, Disney Cruise Line has won more than 50 different awards and accolades since launching in 1998.
Dining
- On an average seven-night Disney Cruise Line voyage, the following food items are consumed:
• Beef – 5,000 pounds
• Chicken – 10,000 pounds
• Salmon – 1,200 pounds
• Shrimp – 1,300 pounds
• Lobster Tail – 1,000 pounds
• Melon – 12,800 pounds
• Pineapple – 3,300 pounds
• Individual Eggs – 71,500
• Coffee – 57,820 cups
• Soda – 3,125 gallons
• Beer – 12,385 bottles/cans
• Wine and Champagne – 2,700 bottles
- In a single day, each Disney Cruise Line ship uses:
• 10,000 forks
• 5,000 cloth napkins
• 800 tablecloths
- Disney Cruise Line dining room Cast members represent, on average, 60 different nationalities.
- The décor and food of the Palo restaurant are inspired by Italy, the birthplace of both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
- Palo takes its name from the poles that line the canals of Venice. Palo’s extensive reserve wine list features selections that hail from some of the most mature vineyards in the world and highlight some of the greatest Super Tuscans like Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Tignanello.
Onboard Features
- The Disney Magic interior is in the art deco style, characterized by geometric designs and bold, solid colors. The interior on the Disney Wonder is in the art nouveau style, which is characterized by organic influences and curved patterns.
- A bronze statue of Helmsman Mickey adorns the lobby of the Disney Magic and was inspired by the famous “Man at the Wheel” statue in Gloucester, Mass. On the Disney Wonder, a bronze statue of Ariel from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” graces the lobby.
- The main atrium chandeliers on both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are each one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces created by celebrated glass artist Dale Chihuly. To meet cruise line safety standards, Chihuly worked within a new medium and fashioned the vibrant chandeliers out of acrylic plastic.
- The décor of the Buena Vista Theatre on both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder was designed to emulate the elegant movie houses of the 1920s and 1930s, the period when Walt Disney was producing the first Mickey Mouse animated films.
- The main showplace for entertainment onboard Disney Cruise Line ships, the Walt Disney Theatre spans three decks and can seat 977 guests.
- A leader in family entertainment, Disney is the only cruise line to feature first run films from the Walt Disney Pictures film banners, with movies premiering exclusively at sea on the same day that they are released in US theaters. Disney Cruise Line is also the industry leader in onboard enhanced digital entertainment with advanced Disney Digital 3-D technology in all shipboard theaters.
- With ships purpose built for family cruising, both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder boast nearly an entire deck of space dedicated to age-specific children's activities.
- Don’t worry about getting a chill! The swimming pools on Disney ships are heated when the water temperature drops below 75 degrees.
- A room with a view! 73% of staterooms onboard Disney ships have ocean views. Of those outside facing rooms, 60% boast private verandahs.
- Stay connected, even at sea! Disney ships feature Wi-Fi service in staterooms and public spaces, allowing guests to surf the web at sea from their wireless-ready personal laptop computers.
Castaway Cay
- Castaway Cay is the only private island in the cruise industry where the ship docks alongside so guests do not have to tender to land.
- Guests can mail a special souvenir message to family and friends back home by using the Castaway Cay Post Office. All postcards, letters and packages shipped from the island display an exclusive Castaway Cay postmark.
- Water is procured in Port Canaveral and delivered to Castaway Cay by the ships to an 80,000 gallon fresh water storage tank on the island.
- Feels like home? Approximately 60 Disney Cruise Line crew members live and work full-time on Castaway Cay.
Environmental Programs
- Each Disney ship has an onboard Environmental Officer dedicated to overseeing all environmental systems and procedures, along with shipboard recycling, waste minimization and water reclamation efforts.
- While cruising, Disney ships can convert sea water to fresh water for use onboard. An onboard desalinization plant produces nearly 500,000 gallons of fresh water every day.
- Disney Cruise Line made history by being the first cruise line to utilize an innovative hull coating that is both 100 percent non-toxic and effective in increasing fuel efficiency. The coating helps reduce the ships’ surface resistance in the water, decreasing the need for propulsion power as the ship glides through the sea.
- On Castaway Cay, an innovative recycling program repurposes used cooking oil from the ships’ galleys and combines it with diesel fuel to power machinery on the island. The program reduces waste and carbon dioxide emissions, saving up to 8,000 gallons of traditional fuel each year.
- Shipboard recycling systems help divert more than 405 tons of aluminum, plastics, paper and non-traditional recyclables from conventional waste streams each year. That's the equivalent of over 27 school buses or 12 humpback whales.
- Researchers at Castaway Cay are helping to restore the health of coral reefs through a unique research project transplanting native sea urchins in The Bahamas. The urchins help to control harmful algae levels that can choke out corals, and the project is providing vital research for rebuilding coral reef systems that serve as homes for tropical fish and marine life.
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail For Alaska in 2011
Disney Cruise Line
Sets Sail for Alaska in 2011
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Disney Wonder Bound for Alaska in 2011
Disney Wonder Also to Sail Mexican Riviera; Disney Magic to Spend Summer in Europe
CELEBRATION, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2009) – For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will offer Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder in summer 2011. Combining the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience provided by Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wonder will depart out of Vancouver, B.C., calling on popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.
Before and after the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.
In response to guest demand, the Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean in 2011 with seven, 10- and 11-night cruises sailing out of Barcelona. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis in northern Africa and the island nation of Malta.
“We’re excited to offer this incredible choice of itineraries for 2011, with cruise vacation options for every family – whether that’s outdoor adventure in Alaska, the beauty and culture of Europe, folklore and pageantry of Mexico or tropical fun in the Caribbean,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “The unique advantage of Disney Cruise Line is that we offer a customized ship experience that brings families together, while still catering to the personalized vacation needs of every guest who sails with us.”
Disney Cruise Line also will offer a number of repositioning cruises and special sailings in 2011, including a 15-night Panama Canal crossing, two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a five- and six-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and Vancouver to Los Angeles, with first-ever stops in San Francisco and Victoria, B.C., and 10- and 11-night holiday sailings to the Mexican Riviera and the eastern Caribbean.
Guests will be able to book Disney Wonder and Disney Magic itineraries for the 2011 season beginning Sept. 28, 2009.
Disney Wonder 2011 Schedule
Departing out of Vancouver, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 18 seven-night cruises to Alaska for the 2011 summer season, calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.
As part of the new Alaska itinerary, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to experience breathtaking natural vistas, an abundance of wildlife and the rich history and customs of Alaska’s native culture. On their Alaskan adventure, guests may catch a glimpse of a brown bear, bald eagle or humpback whale, and explore magnificent glaciers and fjords in Juneau. In Ketchikan, guests can fish for some of the largest wild salmon in the world and learn about local culture through hand-carved totem poles. In Skagway, Disney Cruise Line guests can traverse panoramic landscapes by railway, or pan for gold like miners from the famous Klondike gold rush.
The first-ever Disney cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at $939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
To prepare for the Alaska sailings, a brand-new venue called Outlook Café was added to the Disney Wonder during dry dock in October. Located high atop deck 10, the 2,500-square-foot Outlook Café is a stylish retreat for guests to relax and enjoy a beverage or cocktail as they peer out through floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows at breathtaking vistas. The design of Outlook Café is sophisticated with contemporary Art Deco inspiration. An elegant spiral staircase connects Outlook Café with the existing Cove Café one deck below. The 65-seat lounge has a granite-topped cocktail bar with comfortable seating throughout the space, all providing picture-perfect views of the surrounding landscapes.
Book-ending the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera. Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary start at $639 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Disney Wonder 2011 - Alaska and Mexican Riviera
Seven-Night Alaska 5/3 to 9/6 Seven-Night Mexican Riviera
1/23 to 4/17 and 9/25 to 12/18
Vancouver Los Angeles At Sea At Sea Tracy Arm At Sea Skagway Puerto Vallarta Juneau Mazatlán Ketchikan Cabo San Lucas At Sea At Sea Vancouver Los Angeles
Prior to repositioning to Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail a special 10-night Mexican Riviera voyage, including a stop at Manzanillo.
Disney Magic 2011 Schedule
Departing out of Barcelona, the Disney Magic will sail seven, 10- and 11-night Mediterranean itineraries for the 2011 summer season – a total of 11 sailings starting on May 28. Once again, guests will be able to explore the culture and beauty of Italy, France and Spain, with a family-friendly experience only Disney can deliver. This itinerary also includes visits to Tunis in northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Ajaccio, Corsica, an island oasis off the southern coast of France.
Rates for the seven-, 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises start at $1,739 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
For the majority of 2011, the Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel). Both itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created especially for them.
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Disney Cruise Line Creates Real Magic at Castaway Cay
Disney Cruise Line Creates More Magic at Castaway Cay
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Pixie dusting Disney’s private island provides more family fun, interactive play areas, upscale luxury and even greater convenience for guests
CELEBRATION, Fla. – Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, has received an extra dose of pixie dust. Enhancements provide guests with more water-based family-fun, additional conveniences and a slice of beachside luxury all designed to complement the idyllic island setting.
Castaway Cay is consistently rated by Disney Cruise Line guests as their favorite port of call – the ultimate private island escape for adventure, relaxation and quality time with the family.
“The numerous enhancements and additions at Castaway Cay take the already extraordinary guest experiences on our private island to the next level,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Whether our guests are seeking recreation or leisure – or a combination of both – they will find it at Castaway Cay, all complemented by unparalleled Disney service.”
Walt Disney Imagineers designed Castaway Cay with one-of-a-kind areas and activities for every member of the family, while celebrating the natural beauty of the 1,000-acre island. Among the crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees and lush landscapes, guests now will find an expanded family beach, a new water feature and water-play areas, new beach cabanas plus additional enhancements. Here are the details:
Expanded Family Beach The Castaway Family Beach
has been extended by more than 700 feet for families to enjoy the pristine white sand, build sand castles, relax in the shade under an umbrella and take a dip in the warm azure waters of the lagoon.
As an added convenience for guests, enhancements to this area of the island include:
New Cookies Too
family lunch buffet location serving mouth-watering, all-you-care-to-eat barbeque, island spiced rotisserie chicken, burgers, grilled fish, fresh salads, flatbreads, ice cream, complimentary soda and more, in a covered pavilion just steps away from the expanded family beach.
New Sand Bar
beach bar mixing up drinks like Castaway Cay’s signature Konk Kooler, other tropical concoctions, cold beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
New Flippers & Floats
beach rentals providing inner tubes, snorkels, masks and fins.
New
Buy the Sea Shore
merchandise location selling a variety of Castaway Cay-exclusive items along with towels, sunscreen and other beach essentials – a complement to the island’s other merchandise location, She Sells Sea Shells & Everything Else.
New Water Feature and Water-Play Areas
Guests can slide and splash at a new water feature called
Pelican Plunge
. The 2,400-square-foot floating platform, located within swimming distance from shore, celebrates the island’s native pelicans. Various flotsam and jetsam – such as nautical rope, cargo nets, buoys, signaling flags and starfish-like ornamentation – adorn the platform. Two exciting water slides – an enclosed corkscrew slide and a 140-foot-long open slide – take guests on a twisting ride, ending with a splash into the lagoon. A giant “bucket dump” delivers hundreds of gallons of water, soaking eagerly awaiting guests. Four water cannons provide sharp-shooting fun with floating nautical targets approximately 20 feet away.
On the island, a brand-new, 2,400-square-foot water play area called
Spring-a-Leak
helps guests cool off while immersing them in what appears to be the remnants of a washed-away beach dwelling leaning in the direction of the prevailing winds. The watery fun begins as guests enter the storm-ravaged structure, greeted by dripping pipes, broken plumbing and hissing misters, exposed and twisted by the tropical tempest that wiped out the original structure.
A “splash pad” is the focal point and gives the impression of water pooled on the ground. Water jets squirt, spray and saturate guests. Shade is provided by leftover pieces of the corrugated steel roof, aged and distressed fabric and the occasional palm tree growing up through the floor foundation. Parents can relax and have a seat – or, better yet, join in the fun – as kids frolic in the wet and whimsical setting.
The “hub” of youth activities on the island,
Scuttle’s Cove
, features a new water-play area for the youngest Disney Cruise Line guests to splash and enjoy as part of supervised youth activities on Castaway Cay. A 1,200-square-foot soft wet deck area provides fresh-water fun with an array of pop jets, geysers and bubblers. Overhead, shade sails circle the area like a compass while marine props – a captain’s wheel, boat oars, life preservers and nautical rope – complete the castaway theme.
New Beach Cabanas
Guests can have a little piece of paradise all to themselves at one of 20 new
private cabanas
. The premium rental cabanas provide the privacy and luxury of a deluxe beach retreat with an option to add the personalized service of a cabana host.
The majority of the exclusive 325-square-foot beach cabanas dot the far side of Castaway Family Beach, giving guests more privacy along with a spectacular view of their Disney cruise ship from the cabana’s large front patio deck. A handful of private cabanas are located on Serenity Bay Beach, exclusively for adults, providing the ultimate in upscale seclusion.
Each well-appointed cabana is furnished with comfortable cushioned chairs, luxurious chaise lounge chairs, stylish side tables and a dining table. Other convenient features include a refrigerator, lockable storage unit, outside fresh-water shower and sail cloth for shade on the deck.
Amenities included with a beach cabana rental include non-alcoholic beverages, suntan lotion and fluffy towels. A variety of a la carte services and packages are offered, including special food and beverage options.
Other Enhancements and Additions
The popular
Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure
has moved to a new location in the lagoon, giving guests an even larger area to swim and interact with the area’s native Southern Stingrays.
Teens have Hide Out
, an all-new secluded area on the island just for them. This retreat is a great place for teens to hang out and soak up the sun, just steps away from the beach, activities, food, ice cream and refreshments. Multi-colored deck chairs and sail cloth shades create the ideal getaway to gather, kick back, listen to music and watch the action at the nearby beach volleyball and soccer areas.
In Da Shade Game Pavilion
provides guests wanting to take a break out of the sun a place to play games such as table tennis, foosball, billiards and basketball. The new shaded structure is centrally located, near Castaway Family Beach.
To provide additional adult pampering, three
new massage cabanas
have been added to the adults-only Serenity Bay Beach. For unparalleled relaxation, adults can enjoy a therapeutic massage, or couples massage, at one of eight private cabanas overlooking the ocean.
Guest transportation is provided to and from various points on the island via tram. For greater convenience, additional tram paths have been created and a new
Pelican Point Tram Stop
is located farther down Castaway Family Beach, near many of the new additions to the island.
Marge’s Barges & Sea Charters Dock
has been expanded to accommodate additional excursion boats for parasailing, fishing tours and more.
The cruise ship dock
at Castaway Cay eliminates the need to tender, making the ship easily accessible throughout the day. To accommodate Disney Cruise Line’s new ships, additional mooring dolphins have been installed to lengthen the dock.
Disney Cruise Line sails to Castaway Cay on all itineraries originating from Port Canaveral, Fla., including three-, four-, five- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com. -
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Disney Dream's Creativity and Innovation Take The Helm
Creativity and Innovation Take the Helm Aboard Disney Dream
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New Disney Cruise Ship Setting Sail in 2011
CELEBRATION, Fla. – A first-of-its-kind water coaster that sends guests racing above the upper decks of the ship. An animated turtle that engages children in conversation about life in the ocean. A sophisticated lounge where the sun sets over the skyline of a different world-famous city each night. When the Disney Dream debuts on Jan. 26, 2011, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will bring to life these innovations and more.
The Disney Dream will take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the incomparable cruise of choice for families since 1998.
Disney Cruise Line revolutionized the cruise industry with ships designed especially for families. With the advent of the Disney Dream, preparations are underway to expand the one-of-a-kind family experience, utilizing technology to enhance the world-class entertainment and legendary guest services onboard. From stem to stern, the Disney Dream will offer a cruise experience that caters to each and every guest.
The Disney Dream features a remarkable interior design with a warm and welcoming feel throughout, providing the perfect blend of elegant art deco style and fun-filled Disney whimsy to create one of the most spectacular ships afloat. Distinctly Disney guest features aboard the ship include:
AquaDuck Water Coaster. . .
Disney Cruise Line debuts a cruise-industry first: a shipboard water coaster … AquaDuck! Guests aboard the Disney Dream will get swept away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.
AquaDuck stretches 765 feet in length – more than two and a half times the length of a football field – and spans four decks in height.
Guests slide 13 feet over the side of the ship in a translucent “swing out” loop allowing them to look down on the ocean 150 feet below.
Guests experience coaster-like thrills as high-powered water jets push them upwards and forwards at 20 feet per second.
AquaDuck continues through the forward funnel, encounters a 335-foot stretch of river rapids and splashes down to an end on Deck 12.
A Magical Porthole for Inside Staterooms. . .
Disney Cruise Line introduces another stateroom innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Magical Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Magical Porthole.
As guests observe the impressive outside views, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo,” the flying balloon house from “UP” or even Mickey Mouse.
A Magical Oasis for Children . .
Only on a Disney Cruise Line ship can children become immersed in their favorite Disney stories with the help of caring counselors, beloved Disney characters and a sprinkling of pixie dust. The celebration of children’s creativity rises to a new level on the Disney Dream with nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children ages three to 10.
At Disney’s Oceaneer Club , children can:
Play among larger-than-life characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” in Andy’s Room
Explore the Laugh Floor with lovable monsters Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.”
Dive under the sea with Nemo and friends or visit Tinker Bell’s fairy forest
At Disney’s Oceaneer Lab
, children feel as though they are embarking on a great seafaring adventure in a room filled with maps, maritime instruments and swashbuckling artifacts. Here, children can try their hand at animation, become a pop star or navigate ships through digital seas.
Both youth areas offer magical interactions with the animated characters such as Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo,” and Stitch, the mischievous alien from “Lilo and Stitch.” The characters chat, play and joke with children in live, unrehearsed conversations from their digital undersea and intergalactic environments via giant plasma screens.
Both venues also feature a Magic Playfloor, a cruise industry first that blends the latest in gaming technology with Disney’s panache for storytelling. The interactive floor allows children to engage in group activities where their movements control the action. Activities include controlling the pitch of a virtual tilt maze, flying over the streets of London with Peter Pan and riding the ocean waves with Crush.
Chill-Out Zones for Tweens and Teens. . .
Located inside the forward funnel of the Disney Dream is
Edge
– the lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13). This tween pad is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.
Teens have their own exclusive club with
Vibe
– a trendy, 9,000-square-foot club for guests ages 14 to 17. Teens can create videos, play computer games and try their hand at mixing dance tracks. Teens have a private outdoor area for sunbathing, deck games and cooling off with wading pools and water jets.
Personal Touches with Rotational Dining. . .
Disney Cruise Line continues its innovative rotational dining concept onboard the Disney Dream with elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine to create a magical dining experience. Throughout the cruise, guests visit different restaurants for dinner – with their servers accompanying them, providing friendly, personalized service each night. Restaurants include:
Animator’s Palate
, a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for an amazing experience that will captivate the entire family. The room is immersed in a vivid undersea environment and Crush, the surfer-dude sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” makes a special appearance, swimming around the restaurant and engaging in live impromptu interactions with guests. Crush asks guests about their experience onboard the ship and answers questions about his life under the sea. Other characters such as Nemo, Dory, Squirt and Bruce the shark swim by and visit with guests.
Royal Palace
, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
Enchanted Garden
, a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.
Just for Adults. . .
On the Disney Dream, while children are having the time of their lives in the elaborately themed youth areas, adults can look forward to incomparable indulgences and relaxation with exclusive areas and offerings designed exclusively for them.
Adults can escape into
The District
, a nighttime entertainment area on the Disney Dream with five unique venues. This playground for grownups features sophisticated lounges, each with its own unique design, look, feel, and palate-pleasing delights.
Senses Spa & Salon
offers adult tranquility with 17 private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas with indoor treatment rooms and private outdoor verandahs, and Rainforest, a special section of the spa offering the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy to relax the mind and body.
At Palo
, 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. Guests also may dine al fresco on Palo’s private outdoor deck.
Remy
debuts on the Disney Dream – Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever premier dining option. With French-inspired, gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs, Remy melds classic and contemporary styles in a sophisticated new dining concept exclusively for adults.
The Disney Dream will depart on her maiden voyage Jan. 26, 2011, and will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.
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Friday, November 12, 2010
Disney Cruise Line Allows Children to Customize Experience
Children Customize Their Cruise Experience with More Choices than Ever on Disney Cruise Line
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CELEBRATION, Fla. – Disney Cruise Line, the leader in family cruising, is once again reinventing onboard children’s experiences. Through an entirely new approach to youth activities, kids can let their imaginations set sail by customizing their cruise vacation. More youth activities than ever before are available and children choose experiences based on interest, not age.
Exciting new youth activities and dedicated children’s spaces are available now on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder and are coming to the Disney Dream beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage in January 2011.
“The changes within Disney Cruise Line youth activities will allow children freedom to create a customized experience onboard our ships,” said Disney Cruise Line Vice President of Entertainment Jim Urry. “Children can select their own adventures and immersive experiences for a truly personalized, memorable cruise vacation.”
Customized Experiences
On Disney Cruise Line, children can personalize their cruise vacation by selecting activities and events, regardless of age. Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are open to children age 3 to 12 on the Disney Wonder and age 3 to 10 on the Disney Magic.
While Disney Cruise Line will continue to recommend activities that appeal to specific maturity levels and ages, the entire menu of offerings is open to every child. With this evolutionary approach to shipboard youth activities, children and parents choose programs based on the specific interests of each child to create a customized and very personalized experience. Best of all, children of different ages -- siblings, extended family and friends -- can participate in youth activities together throughout their cruise.
The majority of children’s events and free-time activities occur within dedicated youth spaces on the ship and on Castaway Cay. As always, Disney Cruise Line youth activities are supervised by specially trained, experienced counselors.
Specific program information is available to guests on the day of check-in at the Youth Activities registration desk located in the Disney cruise ship terminal building prior to boarding, or onboard in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab.
A World of Youth Activities
With more than 100 activities, events and programs, and with all youth activities open to all ages, children have more choices than ever before on Disney Cruise Line.
Many experiences draw inspiration from classic Disney stories and popular Disney characters:
• During the new
Cinderella’s Royal Ball
, young guests can feel like royalty as Cinderella shows them how to be a prince or princess.
•
So You Want to be a Pirate
offers adventurous tales of the high seas, pirate training for young buccaneers, swashbuckling fun and a special appearance by Captain Hook.
• Children are immersed in the world of Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story” during
Toy Story Boot Camp
. Led by Corporal Green, toy recruits participate in interactive activities.
Hands-on activities appeal to children’s sense of creativity and invention:
• The next great celebrity chef could be discovered at
Ratatouille Cooking School
, where children work together to bake tasty chocolate chip cookies.
• During the new
Animal Tracking Series
, children discover that conservation can be fun as they learn about endangered animals, create an animal tracking device and locate (plush) cotton-top tamarin monkeys using telemetry tracking on Castaway Cay.
• In Flubber
, one of the most popular youth activities on Disney Cruise Line, children join Professor Goo in creating magical green goo and other interesting concoctions.
Other onboard youth activities include playful programs such as
Mouseketeer Training and Little Einsteins
for preschoolers; challenge-and solution-games like
Stitch’s Great Adventure and Detective School
with Goofy; high-action group activities such as
Kim Possible: Cruise Control
and
The Challenge of Davy Jones
; and unstructured free time to enjoy the youth areas, play on computers and spend time having fun with new friends.
The Most Family-Friendly Cruise
Along with this evolution in youth activities, Disney Cruise Line continues to provide the most family-friendly cruise experience available.
While children are enjoying the most extensive youth activity areas at sea, parents can enjoy the ship “worry-free,” thanks to an onboard paging service that allows kids to contact their parents anytime and anywhere on the ship. Plus, Disney Cruise Line has the industry’s longest operating hours for children’s activities, providing greater flexibility for parents and even more fun for kids.
Recently introduced, Dine and Play allows families to enjoy dinner together, then gives kids more time to enjoy youth activities while parents relax at the end of the meal. With Dine and Play, parents may check their children (age 3 to 12) into evening youth activities during second seating in all of the main dining rooms. Families enjoy dinner together, then youth counselors whisk children away to play so the grown-ups can savor some time together in the adult-exclusive areas of the ship.
Disney stage productions, family activities, special events, first-run films in digital 3-D, poolside movies, deck parties, a family club and the Castaway Cay Family Beach provide even more opportunities for families to experience a memorable cruise vacation together.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.
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