Disney Fantasy Delivery Ceremony Holds Special Meaning
posted on February 9th, 2012 by Rebecca Peddie, Manager of Public Affairs at Disney Cruise Line
Being fairly new to Disney Cruise Line, I wasn’t there when the first “block” or section of the Disney Fantasy was lowered into the building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard, but I will never forget what an honor it was to be in Bremerhaven, Germany, today to witness Disney Cruise Line history, when we officially took possession of our fourth ship during a traditional maritime delivery ceremony onboard the Disney Fantasy.
Delivery is the final milestone in the ship’s construction journey and is particularly meaningful to everyone who has worked to bring the ship to life – no matter how long we have been on the project – and to the crew members who now call the Disney Fantasy their home.
Disney Fantasy crew members from all over the world, some who are new to Disney Cruise Line and some who have sailed with our other ships, joined the delivery celebration.
Their enthusiasm could only be matched by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who celebrated the occasion with (from left to right) Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, Captain Wolfgang Thos, also from Meyer Werft, Captain Tom Forberg, and Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line.
After 18 months of construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Disney took possession of its newest ship as we watched the Meyer Werft flag lower to the German national anthem and the Disney Cruise Line flag rise, transferring ownership from the shipbuilder to Disney.
Captain Tom will take the helm of the Disney Fantasy for its voyage home, which begins February 16 and culminates in a March 6 arrival in Port Canaveral, Florida. As part of the Disney Cruise Line ship construction team, Captain Tom was responsible for launching Disney’s first three ships, the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream.
Soon the Disney Fantasy will be ready to welcome guests on her maiden voyage on March 31. We can’t wait for guests to join us on this incredible ship and experience the magic themselves!
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A Mom’s Take: Cabo San Lucas Fun in the Sun with Disney Cruise Line
posted on February 8th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
Are you considering a Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera? Then hopefully you’ve been watching our new video series that gives you a mom’s point of view on Disney Cruise Line’s seven-night voyages to the Mexican Riviera.
Our Disney Cruise Line Mom, Andi, has shared how your family can experience the rich Mexican culture, both onboard and in the charming town of Puerto Vallarta. In this next video Andi shows the fun in the sun her family had in Cabo San Lucas!
A Mom’s Take: Exploring Puerto Vallarta with Disney Cruise Line
posted on February 6th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
Last week we introduced a new video series on sailing to the Mexican Riviera with Disney Cruise Line. These videos take you on the adventures of our Disney Cruise Line Mom, Andi, and her family as they sail aboard the Disney Wonder along the sun-kissed Baja Peninsula.
Here’s a look at the first stop in their journey, the culturally rich town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:
Next stop: sunny Cabo San Lucas!
Take 5: Disney Cruise Line Top Five Series
posted on February 4th, 2012 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Disney Cruise Line is setting sail for another season to the beautiful state of Alaska. These seven-night Alaska cruises are jam-packed with endless activities aboard the ship, unforgettable excursions on land, and breathtaking natural beauty at each port. Having trouble deciding which destination is best fit for you and your family? To help you decide, take a look at a new video series on the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Cruise Line Top Five.
Take 5: Disney Cruise Line Top Five Series
- Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Kid Activities on a Disney Ship – There are endless activities for children on a Disney Cruise, but where to begin when choosing which ones? Check out these five favorites.
- Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Adult Activities on a Disney Ship – Who said adults can’t have as much as the kids? Check out this video to see all the adult-exclusive activities aboard a Disney cruise ship.
- Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Family Activities on a Disney Ship – Disney Cruise Line fans show us their favorite experiences they shared as a family.
- Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Ketchikan, Alaska – It’s the perfect combination of a luxury vacation and outdoor adventure – Ketchikan, Alaska, or “The Salmon Capital of the World,” is a favorite of Disney Parks Blog author Jonathan Frontado.
- Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Exploring Juneau, Alaska – Cruises don’t always travel to tropical locations – check out these popular activities at the Juneau, Alaska, port of Disney Cruise Line.
Discover the Charm of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with Disney Cruise Line
posted on February 3rd, 2012 by Arnaldo Zanonato, Port Adventures Manager
Last year, I had the chance to travel to our new Canadian ports to develop and choose Port Adventures for guests to enjoy this summer on our five-night voyages from New York City. These trips are a favorite part of my job and a great opportunity to experience first-hand the best these destinations have to offer!
Today I want to tell you about Halifax, a place full of rich history. The most popular destinations are Peggy’s Cove, a famous fishing village renowned for its lighthouse, and the Citadel, a National Historic Site completed by the British in 1856 where children and adults alike can follow the steps of 78th Highlanders.
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Guests can truly tailor their visit to Halifax with signature experiences exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.
The Disney Exclusive 2-Day Overnight Cross-country Adventure is a private tour with an 18-passenger VIP Executive Coach, a driver and a tour guide for two days, plus an overnight stay at the golf-lover’s paradise, Fox Harb’r Hotel. It is a great option for golf lovers and families that want the flexibility to follow their own itinerary.
The Port Adventure Learn the Ropes Featuring Exclusive Youth Activity & Hop On Hop Off starts with a family-friendly visit to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. After the museum visit, children are accompanied by Disney Cruise Line counselors for a fun-filled activity to learn four basic knots every sailor must know while parents have the option to continue visiting the museum or take a break at the beautiful waterfront area. Then the entire family reunites to continue exploring Halifax with a full-day pass to the Hop On Hop Off bus, the best way to explore town at leisure.
Stay tuned for my next Disney Parks Blog post to get an inside look at Port Adventures in Saint John, New Brunswick!
400 Children in Germany Attend Disney Cruise Line Community Event
posted on February 2nd, 2012 by Rebecca Peddie, Manager of Public Affairs at Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Fantasy recently left the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, but not before nearly 400 children from three local schools got to experience Disney characters and a special screening of “The Lion King” in 3D. It was Disney Cruise Line’s special way of saying thanks to the community that many cast and crew members have called home while the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy were being built at the nearby Meyer-Werft shipyard.
As the children clamored to hug Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse in the lobby of the local theatre, it was clear that while most of us who were Disney VoluntEARS at the event could not speak German with the children, a smile – rather 400 of them – means the same thing in every language.
This is just one of the many ways in which Disney Cruise Line gives back to the community across our many ports of call, including The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Europe.
A Mom’s Take: Sailing to the Mexican Riviera with Disney Cruise Line
posted on February 1st, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
What can you expect on a Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera?
Through a series of videos, our Disney Cruise Line Mom Andi shows us her family’s experience on a seven-night voyage to the Mexican Riviera.
Check out the first video to see how Mexican culture comes aboard the Disney Wonder!
Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Adult Activities on a Disney Ship
posted on January 30th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
There’s no doubt that kids will have a blast on a Disney cruise, but a question we get often is “what about adults?”
For first-time Disney cruisers, that question is answered pretty quickly upon boarding. The adult-exclusive activities are abounding, so you can imagine it wasn’t an easy task to narrow down the “top five” adult activities on a Disney ship.
But here it is, a video showing the adult fan favorites for what to do when cruising with Disney. Check it out and let us know your favorite activities for grownups.
See more from Disney Cruise Line’s “Top Five” video series:
Disney Cruise Line Top Five: Kid Activities on a Disney Ship
posted on January 27th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
Continuing with the Disney Cruise Line “Top Five” video series, next I want to show you the favorite things that young cruisers like to do on a Disney ship.
Take a look at this video of the top five kid activities, as voted on by our fans, and add in the comments the things your kids like to do when cruising with Disney!
See more from Disney Cruise Line’s “Top Five” video series:
Disney Cruise Line Unveils New Itineraries and Ports for 2013
posted on January 24th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
The wait is over! Today Disney Cruise Line revealed the 2013 itineraries for the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Captain Mickey Mouse sends his regards from one of the new destinations…
That’s right, the Disney Magic is headed back to Europe, and Athens, Greece, is just one of the new destinations!
All European cruises depart from Barcelona, Spain, and guests have the option of four-, seven- and 12-night sailings. In addition to a wide variety of cruise lengths, we also have some Disney Cruise Line “firsts” on tap for the 2013 European season taking place onboard our 12-night sailings. Pick your pleasure… one 12-night itinerary includes an overnight stop in Venice, Italy, and a visit to Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and the other calls on Ephesus, Turkey, the Greek Isles and Athens.
Check out these photos from some of our new European ports of call…
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Now for the other big news…
Starting in December of this year, Disney Cruise Line will depart for the first time from Miami! The Disney Wonder will sail four- and five-night cruises from the Port of Miami to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.
Ports of call may include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West and Nassau, Bahamas, and many of the Caribbean voyages will include a stop at Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay.
What about Alaska?
The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska in May 2013, departing from Vancouver and sailing to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have their warm clothing ready!
Now that I’ve filled you in on the wide variety of Disney cruise options in 2013, which itinerary is at the top of your list?
