Browsing Posts in Disney Cruise Line

Cabanas is the self-service buffet restaurant on Deck 11 (aft) of the Disney Dream, and probably one of the first places you’ll visit on embarkation day. The Welcome Aboard buffet is served here as well as at Enchanted Garden. A buffet breakfast and lunch are served here daily, and dinner is table service, with a selection of items from the main restaurants.

You can enter Cabanas through either of two side entrances from the pool deck, or via the entrances in the center from the Aft elevators. As soon as you enter you’ll be given hand-sanitizing wipes (as in all on-board eateries) and be guided to a table.

continue reading…

There is no official list of Hidden Mickeys on the Disney Dream, or at least there wasn’t when I asked at Guest Services on our cruise. But, Disney Imagineers being Disney Imagineers there are sure to be many hidden around the ship. I took photos of the ones I noticed when we cruised, although I’m certain there are lots more that I missed.

These are in the scroll work on the elevators in the lobby atrium.

continue reading…

The Disney Dream is an enormous cruise ship, and even if you’ve cruised with Disney before on the Magic or Wonder, you’ll find the Dream a bit overwhelming and hard to navigate at first.

So, let us take you on a brief tour of the ship…

Just before we start, for anyone who hasn’t cruised before, there are three areas on each deck, Aft which is the back of the ship, Midship, and Forward, which is as obvious as it sounds.

continue reading…

One of the many great things about sailing on the Disney Dream is the abundance of characters you’ll find onboard.

Most characters make more than one appearance for meet and greets, and with a few exceptions, the lines don’t tend to get too long, meaning low wait times.

So how do you know when and where the characters will appear? A quick check of your Personal Navigator will reveal the times and locations for each character for that day. A screen in the lobby also displays meet and greet times for that day, or you can dial 7-PALS from your stateroom phone for a full schedule.

Along with individual character appearances, such as Mickey or Donald, characters also appear in groups all at the same time. On the last day, “See ya Real Soon,” is a group character event in the lobby, where you’ll find the likes of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto. At this meet and greet you’ll need to get in a new line to meet each character. But at the Princess gathering there’s just one line to meet all Princesses.

continue reading…

Following on from my last article about arriving at Port Canaveral, here I’ll cover what you can expect on your first day (or rather half day) on board the Disney Dream.

What you do when you first get on board will depend on a number of things. Firstly, what time you board will be a major factor in what you’re able to do. Also, if you’ve managed to book things like Palo, Remy, spa, etc online, and have the dining seating you want, you won’t need to go and book / change them.

The earlier you get onboard the better. The more you’ll get done on that first afternoon, and better chance you’ll have of getting the reservations you want. We took the DCL bus for the first time on our last cruise, and only got on board just before 2pm, which meant we’d missed out on a lot of things. So bear this in mind when deciding how you’ll get to port.

So let’s imagine you haven’t managed to book any of those things online and need to do them when you board. Times may vary, but on our cruise Senses Spa opened at 12pm; the Port Adventures desk (for booking shore excursions) opened at 12:30pm; and dining seating changes, Palo and Remy bookings began at 1pm. The earlier you get there, the better chance you have of getting the times you want, if indeed there are any at all left.

If you’ve never sailed on the Disney Dream before you might be interested in taking one of the tours of the ship, typically at 1pm and 2pm. It’s a huge ship, and takes some navigating, so an organised tour is a great way to get your bearings before sailing.

continue reading…

In our latest Disney Dream article we’ll look at what happens when you arrive at Port Canaveral, although the procedure will be the same, regardless of whether you’re sailing on the Dream, Magic or Wonder.

Whether you arrive at Port Canaveral by Disney bus, towncar or private car, the first thing you will see is the Port terminal building, dwarfed by the ship behind it.

If arriving by town car, limo, private car or shuttle bus you’ll need to show your photo ID to a Cast Member or security guard before being allowed into the terminal area. Once in there you can hand your luggage over to one of the porters, who will ensure it gets onto the ship. Make sure you’ve attached your DCL luggage tags!

continue reading…

The Disney Fantasy, the new Disney Cruise Line ship set to debut next spring, will bring to life many of the innovative features guests love on the recently launched Disney Dream including AquaDuck — the world’s first shipboard water coaster.  But new design elements and guest experiences will give the Fantasy an identity all its own.

The Disney Fantasy is the second of two newly designed Disney Cruise Line ships that take the family cruise experience to new heights. Sister ship to the Disney Dream, which entered service in January 2011, 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.

“Animation Magic” at Animator’s Palate

Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called “Animation Magic.”  The dinner show celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in a whole new way.

Like Animator’s Palate on the Disney Dream, the venue is wall-to-wall whimsy inspired by a classic animation studio. Throughout the restaurant, pillars are fashioned like huge pencils and brushes. Character sketches, maquettes (three-dimensional character models), film strips and other tools of the animation trade adorn the room.  As a special nod to Mickey Mouse, the dining room chairs feature red and yellow colors and a trademark design – Mickey Mouse pants with two bright yellow buttons.

continue reading…

We recently got back from a wonderful 4-night cruise on the Disney Dream. Over the coming weeks I’ll be writing a series of articles on everything from dining to kids’ clubs.

But I’ll start off looking at the main differences between the Dream and the Classic Ships (Magic & Wonder).

The first thing that strikes you is the size of the ship. The Disney Dream is 1,115 feet long, compared to the Magic and Wonder which are 964 feet long. The Dream has 1,458 crew for its maximum of 4,000 passengers, while the Classics have just 945 crew for up to 2,400 passengers. There are 1,250 staterooms on the Disney Dream, and 875 on the Classic ships. You really notice the difference in size when walking about onboard the ship!

continue reading…

Disney Cruise Line have just officially confirmed their 2012 itineraries. The press release we posted yesterday was correct.

For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line® will set sail from three new ports in 2012 – New York, Seattle and Galveston – making the Disney family cruise vacation more accessible to guests around the country. There are also more itinerary choices than ever before, including one special voyage to Hawai‘i.

As an exclusive benefit to guests who are Platinum/Gold Castaway Club Members, bookings will open via phone at 8 a.m. EDT on Thursday, April 7, 2011. All other Guests can book beginning at 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 8, 2011.

continue reading…

Rumors are circulating that Disney Cruise Line are set to announce new 2012 itineraries on April 6, with booking to start April 8.

It appears that a press release was accidentally posted too early on the Disney PR site, which was picked up by the Houston Chronicle, who subsequently passed the information to the www.dynamictravel.com website.

Here is the “press release”-

For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will set sail from three new ports in 2012 – New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas – making the Disney family cruise vacation more accessible to guests around the country. Additionally, the cruise line will offer more choices than ever before with several new itineraries planned.

“In 2012, we’re making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a Disney Cruise Line vacation by offering cruises from a variety of regional homeports,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Guests can now enjoy a magical, one-of-a-kind Disney cruise experience with the convenience of departures from their own backyard.”

2012 New York Schedule – Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada plus two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience over a weekend:

} The eight Bahamas cruises will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and a stop at Port Canaveral, Fla., giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort. As part of this itinerary, each guest will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between their Disney ship and the resort.

Rates for the new eight-night Bahamian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $1,240 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

} The nine five-night cruises up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. In these popular Canadian ports, guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and charming shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.

Rates for the new five-night Canadian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $715 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

} Three two-night cruises (June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10) out of New York are perfect for families looking for a quick getaway with a day at sea over a weekend. Rates for the new two-night cruises start at $370 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Magic 2012 – New York – Eight-Night Bahamas sailing on 5/25, 6/2, 6/22, 6/30, 7/20, 7/28, 8/17, 8/25, 2012

New York, At Sea for 2 Days, Nassau, Castaway Cay, Port Canaveral, At Sea for 2 Days, New York

Five-Night Canada sailing on 6/10, 6/17, 7/8, 7/15, 8/5, 8/12, 9/2, 9/7, 9/12, 2012

New York, At Sea, Halifax, Saint John, At Sea, New York

2012 Galveston Schedule - Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.

A Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic offers families a tropical getaway with world-class entertainment and impeccable guest service found only on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Guests will enjoy three magical days at sea to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Magic and three days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters or to shop to their heart’s content in exotic marketplaces.

Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston start at $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Magic 2012 – Galveston – Seven-Night Western Caribbean sailing on 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 2012

Galveston, 2 Days at Sea, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, A Day at Sea, Galveston

2012 Seattle Schedule – Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 14 seven-night cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia.

These cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney Cruise Line works closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

On their Alaskan adventure, guests may catch a glimpse of a brown bear, bald eagle or humpback whale. They can 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.

Rates for the seven-night Alaska cruise itinerary departing from Seattle start at $917 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Wonder 2012 – Seattle – Seven-Night Alaska sailing on 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27

Seattle, At Sea, Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle

2012 Los Angeles Schedule – The Disney Wonder is scheduled to continue sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of the year – throughout winter, spring and fall.

Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $707 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Additionally, the Disney Wonder will sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (on Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.

Rates for the new seven-night Pacific Coast itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $770 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

For the first time, the Disney Wonder will offer a special 15-night voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Hilo; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai and Ensenada, Mexico.

Rates for the 15-night Hawaiian itinerary (departing April 29, 2012) start at $1,800 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

2012 Port Canaveral Schedule – The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Rates for the seven-night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the Disney Fantasy start at $959 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay.

Rates for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream start at $471 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Until she is repositioned to New York, the Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries and four- and five-night Bahamian cruises.

All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government Taxes and Fees not included. Bookings for the entire 2012 schedule open April 8, 2011.

 

If it’s true it’s very exciting, especially the Hawaiian cruises, which despite their high cost are sure to be popular.

Remember this isn’t confirmed yet, so watch this space on April 6, when we’ll report all of the news coming from the Disney press event.