Disney Blog at Magical Kingdoms

So, you’ve decided you’re going to book a Disney Cruise, and after much deliberating have also chosen which itinerary you’re going to do. But what about staterooms? There are so many different categories, where do you begin?

Well, the first decision is concierge or non-concierge? Concierge rooms come with several added benefits, the first of which is pre-arrival planning help. A Concierge Service Specialist will help you plan shore excursions and other reservations including Palo / Remy dining, and for the nursery. Once at port, concierge guests are given priority boarding, and can attend a private welcome reception once on-board. Concierge crew members are there to assist with on-board reservations and dining changes, celebration planning, and can help arrange for concierge guests to eat in their rooms instead of the rotation restaurants each evening. There’s also the private concierge lounge, which serves up complimentary snacks and drinks.

Royal Suite on the Disney Dream

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The newest Disney Cruise Line ship, Disney Fantasy, floated out of the enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard yesterday as fireworks filled the sky. This symbolizes one of the final stages of this ship’s construction and marks a significant milestone towards the March 31, 2012 maiden voyage.

The Disney Fantasy features many of the innovations found on her sister ship, Disney Dream, with several new guest experiences exclusive to the ship that are sure to delight every member of the family. New experiences found on the Disney Fantasy include two Broadway-style musical spectaculars for the Walt Disney Theatre, a dining experience at Animator’s Palate where guests’ own drawings magically come to life, an interactive adventure quest starring the Muppets, a splashtacular water play area called AquaLab, a sophisticated nighttime entertainment area for adults inspired by European travel and much more .

The Disney Fantasy will sail seven-night alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. All voyages will depart from Port Canaveral, Fla. and include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, or click here.

Like never before, Disney Cruise Line takes cruise ship entertainment to new heights: Performers soar and surf over the stage in aerial maneuvers … Pirates rappel from atop the ship’s funnel during a swashbuckling adventure … The evening sky lights up with a dazzling display of sound and color.

On the Disney Fantasy, entertainment is designed to charm and bedazzle the entire family. Guests delight to some of the most elaborate original musicals presented at sea, over-the-top deck parties and, bursting above it all, the largest fireworks spectacular aboard a cruise ship.

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The Muppets make their debut on Disney Cruise Line in a new adventure game aboard the Disney Fantasy, the new Disney ship setting sail in March 2012.

Throughout the Disney Fantasy, guests will discover creative and whimsical technical innovations – whether it’s mealtime, playtime or bedtime. “Paintings” spring to life. Guests’ own drawings dance with Disney characters. Interior staterooms have a porthole view of the sea outside. Animated characters chat with guests. The floor beneath children comes alive to movements. Among the highlights:

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An array of wet and wonderful new surprises help guests cool off as they enjoy soaking up the sun aboard the Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship scheduled to set sail in March 2012.

AquaLab Debuts on the Disney Fantasy

On the Disney Fantasy, guests can splash and play in the AquaLab – a brand-new water play area on deck 12, near the entrance to the AquaDuck water coaster. Families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful 1,800-square-foot space. As the story goes, AquaLab was created by Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, and features a variety of water “experiments” designed to drench the whole family.

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As you’d expect from a Disney Cruise ship, the Dream is truly a dream for children!

From the moment you arrive at Port Canaveral you’ll realise that this isn’t going to be any ordinary cruise!Providing you don’t arrive too late, you’ll find Mickey or Minnie posing for photographs in the terminal building, giving a small taste of what’s to come.

If you have an oceanview stateroom, kids will enjoy sitting in the over-sized porthole window. Verandah staterooms offer them the opportunity to sit outside, although little ones shouldn’t be allowed out unsupervised, and ensure that all kids know not to climb on the table and chairs. Even if you have an inside stateroom, kids will love having visits from their favorite Disney friends on the virtual porthole in every room. Infants are catered for with pak ‘n’ play cribs, highchairs and diaper bins, all available free of charge from your stateroom host(ess).

On-board fun begins soon after boarding with the Sailing Away deck party, which we’ve covered in more detail here.

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If you’re planning a Disney trip, or just want to earn a bit of extra money for something else, you can earn some by taking part in online surveys, research and writing reviews. While you’re not going to become a millionnaire by doing this, every little bit helps!

Some of the sites below pay in gift vouchers rather than cash, but you can use these to buy things for your trip, or just to use for Christmas presents or such like.

Obviously, some sites are better than others, so I’ve reviewed the ones that I’ve used to save you wasting time. I can only review UK sites, being UK based.

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Disney Cruise Line have revealed which characters will adorn the stern of the new Disney Fantasy ship. Dumbo and Timothy Mouse will feature on the new ship, in the location which was taken by Sorcerer Mickey on the Disney Dream.

The 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy will sail week-long Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla. with its maiden voyage scheduled for March 31, 2012.

Images © Disney Cruise Line

So, you’ve made in on board the Disney Dream, had lunch, seen your stateroom for the first time, what’s next? Sailing Away of course! And it being Disney, you don’t just sail out of port quietly. Oh no. It’s done in style!

Iiiiittttt’s party time!

The Sailing Away party usually starts at around 4:30pm, shortly after the mandatory lifeboat drill.

The family pool on Deck 11 is covered over, and the action happens on the stage in front of the big screen. If you want to be up close, go straight to Deck 11 from the lifeboat drill. To look down on all of the action, go up to Deck 12 where you’ll be able to see it all from above. Make sure you pick up a streamer from one of the Crew Members who are usually handing them out on the covered part of Deck 11.

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Palo is the adults only restaurant on board the Disney Dream. It can also be found on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, albeit it with different decor. Named after the colorful poles that line the canals of Venice, the signature Italian-themed restaurant serves brunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Guests are invited to indulge in a menu of Northern Italian cuisine, paired with classic reserve wines, and superior service. Unlike the regular rotational dining restaurants on board, there is a cover charge here, and you won’t have the same servers you have in your main dining rooms.

Next door to Palo, separating it from the premium restaurant Remy, is the Meridian Lounge. Perfect for a pre-or post-dinner drink, the lounge offers comfortable seating and ocean vistas.

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