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Disney Cruise Line Voyage Report: Texas to Western Caribbean

posted on January 25th, 2013 by Holly Lail, Public Relations Manager, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney, Disney Vacation Club

After all of the excitement from the holidays, January can sometimes seem a tad boring, don’t you think?

Luckily for me, I have a fun getaway planned that I’ve been looking forward to all month. This weekend I’m saying “howdy” to Texas and setting sail for six glorious nights on a Disney cruise from Galveston!
“Disney

This is my first cruise from Texas, and my first time visiting the Western Caribbean, so I need your help finding the best things to do.

What are the must-do adventures in Grand Cayman and Cozumel? Any recommendations for what to check out in the Galveston/Houston area? And, of course, we can’t forget the shipboard fun…what are your favorite things to do on the Disney Magic?

I’d love to hear from you before I set sail — and throughout my voyage. I’ll be tweeting from @DisneyCruise with #DCLTexas starting tomorrow. And of course next week I’ll check back in on the Disney Parks Blog with photos and details about my trip.

What’s the next getaway you’re planning?


Check out these posts for more about Disney Cruise Line’s sailings from Galveston, Texas:

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Adventures in Miami with Disney Cruise Line

posted on January 8th, 2013 by Arnaldo Zanonato, Port Adventures Manager

Happy New Year, Disney Parks Blog fans! It’s going to be an exciting year for Disney Cruise Line with both the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic sailing from Miami for the first time. The Disney Wonder kicked off her season just before Christmas, and the Disney Magic will call South Florida home after her summer in Europe.
Explore Miami and South Florida with Disney Cruise Line

Since this is the first time ever that Disney Cruise Line has home-ported in Miami, I want to highlight some of the fun activities you can do in this vibrant city after your voyage. Disney Cruise Line offers special Port Adventures on debarkation day that pick you up from the ship and drop you off at the airport, after you have some fun of course! It’s a hassle-free way to explore the area without having to worry about where you’ll store your luggage between the ship and the airport.

South Florida is known for the vast and dense wetlands of the Everglades with abundant wildlife and unique flora and fauna. There is no better way to see this subtropical “River of Grass” than on an airboat adventure!
Explore Miami and South Florida with Disney Cruise Line

After the airboat ride and an interesting reptile show featuring the American alligator, you can use your free time at the Everglades National Park to explore the Jungle Trail, alligator farm and crocodile exhibits.
Explore Miami and South Florida with Disney Cruise Line

Another Miami Port Adventure I’d recommend is the Best of Miami by Land & Sea. This city highlights tour takes guests on a scenic drive and boat ride past iconic Miami locations. You’ll drive through Little Havana, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Beach and other well-known areas and cruise on the famous Miami waters past celebrity mansions, historical buildings and the striking city skyline.
Explore Miami and South Florida with Disney Cruise Line

To reserve your spot on one of the Miami tours, just stop by the Port Adventures desk onboard. As always, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore…it’s no different on debarkation day!

Disney Parks Blogger Jonathan Frontado will be sailing on his first-ever Disney cruise from Miami this Thursday. Stay tuned for his voyage report on the Disney Parks Blog and follow him on Twitter via @DisneyCruise to get an inside look at #DCLMiami!

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A Magical Halloween Onboard the Disney Magic

posted on October 31st, 2012 by Peter Hofer, Cruise Director, Disney Cruise Line

Happy Halloween from onboard the Disney Magic! I’m Cruise Director Peter, writing to tell you about all the spooky fun happening as we sail from Galveston, Texas, to the Western Caribbean. Today we’re docked in beautiful Costa Maya, Mexico, and the housekeeping team is busily preparing the staterooms with Halloween surprises for the children. Shh…don’t tell!

Before I share more about Halloween festivities onboard the Disney Magic, let me introduce myself, since this is my first time writing for the Disney Parks Blog. I have been with Disney Cruise Line since 2006, when I joined the Disney Wonder as Assistant Cruise Director. I later became Cruise Director, and in 2010, I transferred to the Disney Magic. I always look forward to Halloween, one of our biggest events of the year!

A Magical Halloween Onboard the Disney Magic

All week guests have enjoyed making Halloween-inspired family crafts and activities, including the chance to learn how to draw Minnie and Goofy in their Halloween finest, plus watching “Frankenweenie” in 3D in the Buena Vista Theatre. There have been plenty of spooktacular programs for the kids, like costume dance parties, goo-ey food challenges and spooky storytime.

This afternoon, Mickey and the gang (dressed in their Halloween costumes, of course) will continue the Halloween festivities with a spooktastic family deck party and costume parade. Families can keep the fun going in “Studio Scream” (Studio Sea) where, with the help of super hero Donald Duck, they must rescue the cruise staff from a pesky spook “forcing” them to dance!

Also, tonight in the Walt Disney Theatre is the second of our Broadway-style stage shows, and nothing could be more fitting than “Villains Tonight!” which is a comical look at the Disney Villains you love to boo. Later, adults can party at “Shockin’ Bar D” (Rockin’ Bar D), where there will be special Halloween performances by the cruise staff, along with a fun costume contest.

We wish you were here, but the good news for you is that you have an entire year to plan your costume so you can celebrate with us next year. Hope to see you then!


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Kids Sail Free with Disney Cruise Line from Texas

posted on October 8th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line

Yes, you read that headline right! Today, Disney Cruise Line announced that kids 17 and under sail free on select voyages from Galveston, Texas, with two full-fare guests in the same stateroom. It’s time to don your cowboy hat and saddle up for some family fun with Mickey!

“Kids

The offer is for most Disney Magic sailings from January 4 to March 1, 2013, making this the perfect holiday gift for your little cowboys and cowgirls! The offer is available for stateroom categories 4A-11B (government taxes and fees not included).

The hardest choice you’ll have to make is which cruise to take… Bahamas or Western Caribbean?

On the eight-night Bahamas voyage, you’ll stop at Castaway Cay, Key West and Port Canaveral (with the option to visit Walt Disney World Resort!). You can also explore the beautiful Western Caribbean for six nights (Grand Cayman, Cozumel) or eight nights (Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel).

Check out DisneyCruise.com for all the details, and let us know in the comments if you’ll be saying howdy to the Disney Magic in Texas next year!

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Disney Magic Saluted by Official Rodeo Drill Team of Texas

posted on September 24th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line

When the Disney Magic arrived to Galveston on Saturday with a Texas-sized cowboy hat on her funnel (check out my last post for photos!), the ship’s crew was greeted with more than just a great big “howdy” from locals and guests eager to sail.

Houston’s Ghostriders, the official rodeo drill team of Texas, also galloped nearby to salute the ship as she sailed into port.
Houston’s Ghostriders Greet the Disney Magic as She Sails into Galveston, Texas

The Disney Magic set sail that very same afternoon for her first 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston. This week she is visiting Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel, and I’m lucky enough to be writing you from the ship. Let me tell you, these Texans sure do know how to have a good time!

Wish you were here, but I’d still like your help to welcome Disney Cruise Line to the Lone Star State. Give us your best Texas-sized greeting in the comments!

Look below for more posts about Disney Cruise Line’s sailings from Galveston, Texas:

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Disney Magic Arrives to Lone Star State with Texas-sized Cowboy Hat

posted on September 22nd, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line

You’ve heard the saying, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and that rang true today when the Disney Magic said “howdy” to Galveston with a Texas-sized cowboy hat on the ship’s funnel!

Disney Magic Arrives to Lone Star State with Texas-sized Cowboy Hat

This hat is an astonishing 19-feet tall and 14-feet wide. To put it in perspective for you, if a real cowboy was to wear this hat he would need to be about 43 feet tall!

Amazingly, the hat was installed while the ship was at sea, just one mile out from the Port of Galveston. I can’t imagine it was simple to don a cowboy hat that large, so I did a little digging to find out how it was done…

Disney Magic Arrives to Lone Star State with Texas-sized Cowboy Hat

Here’s the engineering secret: The larger-than-life cowboy hat was actually printed on a polypoplene cover, and engineers created a frame for the hat that includes the shape of the funnel’s Mickey ears. Check out this behind-the-scenes shot as the riggers bolted the frame in place.

Disney Magic Arrives to Lone Star State with Texas-sized Cowboy Hat

And in the next shot of the cover in production, you see it includes faux Mickey ears, giving the illusion that the hat is sitting on top of the funnel’s Mickey ears. Pretty cool, huh?

The Disney Magic’s late afternoon departure from the Port of Galveston will kick off the Disney Cruise Line inaugural season sailing from Texas. Take a look back at Jason’s recent post to see all of the itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Galveston, including some cruises taking guests to Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay!

Which Disney cruise from Texas would your little cowboys and cowgirls enjoy most?



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Disney Cruise Line Offers Even More Vacation Options with New 2013 Itineraries from Texas

posted on September 5th, 2012 by Jason Lasecki, Public Relations Director, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney, Disney Vacation Club

What’s the next best thing to Disney Cruise Line coming to Texas? How about a Disney cruise from Texas that visits Walt Disney World Resort! Toss in a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and you have the ultimate Disney vacation!

Starting next year, you can hop onboard the Disney Magic in Galveston and sail away to Walt Disney World Resort. The new 8-night Bahamas sailings include a stop at Port Canaveral, Florida, where as part of your voyage, Disney will transport you from the ship to the resort with a Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket in hand!
Visit Walt Disney World Resort on a Disney Cruise from Texas

And, its gets even better! The ship will also stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, giving you the chance to soak up the sun in one of the most beautiful spots on earth, alongside your favorite Disney friends.
Visit Castaway Cay on a Disney Cruise from Texas

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, Disney Cruise Line has also added a 4-night Caribbean voyage from Texas. It’s the perfect way to show your family a little Disney magic with a short vacation getaway.

These sailings are in addition to next year’s 6-, 7- and 8-night Western Caribbean voyages and this year’s 7-night Western Caribbean cruises starting September 22. Take a look below at all of the options from Galveston, and let us know in the comments which one suits your family best.

  • 4-night Caribbean: Galveston, Cozumel
  • 6-night Western Caribbean: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
  • 7-night Western Caribbean: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel
  • 8-night Bahamas: Galveston, Castaway Cay, Port Canaveral, Key West
  • 8-night Western Caribbean: Galveston, Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel



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Getting Ready for the Disney Magic’s Arrival to Texas

posted on August 7th, 2012 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line

As the saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas!” If that’s true, I cannot wait to see the excitement of the Lonestar State when the Disney Magic arrives to Galveston in September.

Captain Mickey already received a Texas-sized welcome when he visited last week to get ready for the ship’s arrival. Check out these photos of him in Austin, joined by Cruise Director Clayton, in the KEYE-TV newsroom with anchors Erica Harpold, Mileka Lincoln and Hunter Ellis and meteorologist Allison Miller.

Captain Mickey and Disney Magic Cruise Director Clayton Receive a Texas-sized Welcome in Austin, Texas, from KEYE-TV's Erica Harpold, Mileka Lincoln, Hunter Ellis and Allison Miller

You saw how enthusiastically New Yorkers greeted the Disney Magic when she sailed into New York City – and we’re looking forward to an even bigger greeting from Texans next month! Plus, if the Disney Magic donned the world’s largest bumper sticker to show love for New York, I can only imagine how the ship will show love for Texas…

Texans, how will you welcome to the Disney Magic to your home?

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Three Ways to Splash in the Sun on a Disney Cruise from Texas

posted on August 3rd, 2012 by Arnaldo Zanonato, Port Adventures Manager

Starting in September, the Disney Magic will sail 7-night Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston, Texas. During those voyages, the ship will call on the popular destinations of Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Today, I want to tell you about three Port Adventures that highlight one of the main reasons why guests sail on Caribbean cruises: the beautiful waters and sunshine!

“Stingray

Grand Cayman – Stingray City Reef Sail & Snorkel – By far the most popular attraction in Grand Cayman, one of the few places in the world where you can swim and interact with wild stingrays in a sandbar in the middle of the ocean – quite a sight!

“Dolphin

Costa Maya – Dolphin Encounter – A popular choice amongst families and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. Learning about these friendly mammals may be the key to help protecting them!

“12-Metre

Cozumel – 12-Metre Regatta – Sail aboard an America’s Cup Yacht and race in the warm blue waters surrounding Cozumel.

These are just a few of the many options to soak up the sun and splash in Caribbean waters. Stay tuned for my next Disney Parks Blog post about Port Adventures offered on cruises sailing out of Galveston. And don’t forget, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore!

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Greek Adventures with Disney Cruise Line

posted on July 25th, 2012 by Jason Lasecki, Public Relations Director, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney, Disney Vacation Club

Which Mediterranean marvel would you like to see most on a Disney cruise next summer – the French Riviera, Amalfi Coast or Greek Isles?

We recently asked this question to Disney Cruise Line fans on Facebook and while there was great interest in all three spots, it was the Greek Isles – a brand new Disney Cruise Line Europe destination – that topped the poll.

Known for its white-washed buildings, golden beaches and bright blue waters, Mykonos, Greece, is sure to be a popular stop on select 12-night cruises from Barcelona aboard the Disney Magic.

Visit Mykonos, Greece, Aboard a Disney Cruise Line Ship

These same cruises also call on Piraeus (Athens), Greece, giving guests the opportunity to explore ancient ruins and see iconic landmarks like the Acropolis.

Visit Athens, Greece, Aboard a Disney Cruise Line Ship

I am counting down the days until I get to see views like these during a Disney cruise…are you?

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