Disneys 2010 Season

In response to guest demand, Disney Cruise Line will reposition one of its ships, Disney Magic, to Europe for an unprecedented five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises in 2010.

With a wide variety of European itineraries in 2010, families have the ability to explore exotic and unexpected destinations with the safety and comfort of traveling with Disney Cruise Line, the leader in family cruising.

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will offer a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, where guests can experience breathtaking fjords, historic city centers and Viking lore at enchanting Scandinavian ports such as Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm.  The ship will also sail to Warnemunde, Germany, gateway to Berlin, and to St. Petersburg, Russia.  The Disney Magic will overnight in St. Petersburg, allowing Disney Cruise Line guests time to experience the city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to book a shore excursion to Moscow.

“The Northern European Capitals itinerary provides our guests with an amazing collection of destinations to explore,” said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin.  “We’re excited to bring the rich history, culture and folklore these ports offer to life for our guests in a family-friendly way only Disney Cruise Line can deliver.”

Departing out of Dover, England, the Disney Magic will sail a total of four 12-night cruises to the Northern European capitals in June and July 2010.  Rates for the 12-night Northern European Capitals itinerary start at $3,649 per person for a category 11 stateroom.

Book-ending the summer season in Northern Europe, the Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports of call not offered when Disney Cruise Line last sailed the Mediterranean.  In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, an island oasis off the southern coast of France known as the birthplace of Napoleon.

“The response from guests who sailed on our Mediterranean voyages in 2007 was overwhelmingly positive,” said McAlpin.  “We’re thrilled to bring the ship back and look to make the 2010 season in the Mediterranean even better, with new destinations and more one-of-a-kind Disney experiences for our guests.”

Departing out of Barcelona, Spain, the Disney Magic will sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in April, May, August and September.  Rates for the 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises start at $2,529 per person for a category 11 stateroom.

Disney Cruise Line will also offer four repositioning cruises including two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, England, and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.   

The Disney Magic isn’t the only Disney ship embarking on new itineraries in 2010.  For the summer of 2010, the Disney Wonder will shift to four- and five-night cruises sailing to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  The shift is designed to accommodate guests looking for slightly longer cruises with Disney Cruise Line while children are enjoying their summer break.  Rates for the special five-night voyages to Key West or two stops at Castaway Cay start at $899 per person, while the four-night voyage begins at $849 per person for a category 11 stateroom.

Guests will be able to book all Disney Cruise Line itineraries for the 2010 season beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a cruise experience that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs.  To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500.  Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

Official Press Release (Abridged) dated 6th October 2008.

Disney Magic Upgrades

Disney Cruise Lines’ Disney Magic is currently in dry dock undergoing a collection of enhancements and upgrades.

She entered dry dock on September 6th 2008 and with remain there until September 24th 2008.

On her return to service you will expect to find many changes including:

Indulgence and Relaxation
Quiet Cove, the serene pool retreat reserved for the enjoyment of adults, will undergo a makeover including upgrades to Cove Café, the pool and the deck area. Cove Café, the ship’s sophisticated coffee lounge, will incorporate a new seating area with plush, comfortable chairs providing the perfect venue to relax while sipping a cup of gourmet coffee. Meanwhile, the adult pool will be outfitted with soothing, cascading waterfalls from the two hot tubs. Teak deck and lounge chairs with plush cushions will line the pool, creating an inviting, stylish ambiance in line with the Vista Spa and Salon.

Fun for the Little Ones
The Oceaneer Club, a Neverland-themed play space for 3-7 year olds, and the Oceaneer Lab, a whacky and interactive laboratory exclusively for 8-12 year olds, will be enhanced with new registration areas that make the check-in process more efficient and hassle-free. This sets the stage for incorporating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in the youth activity areas later this year, which will further enhance and streamline the check-in process. The technology uses RFID tags embedded on wristbands, allowing children to simply tap a sensor to check in and out of the clubs.
Even the youngest cruisers will have a splashtacular time in “Mickey’s Splash Zone,” a new toddler water playground inspired by Fantasia’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This 385-square-foot extension to the Mickey Pool on deck 9 will feature star- and moon-shaped interactive fountains, a soft play surface and whimsical splash zones; creating an inviting environment for children not yet toilet trained and in swim diapers.

New Conveniences
The guest staterooms onboard the Disney Magic are receiving an infusion of technology with the installation of flat-screen LCD television sets. The new 22-inch units will be mounted on a swivel arm to allow easy viewing from multiple locations within the stateroom.

Official Press Release (Abridged) Disney Cruise Line (undated).

Disney Cruise Line Recognized as a Top Cruise Experience

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. 
“We are delighted to be recognized in the Travel + Leisure magazine “2008 World’s Best” awards as one of the top three large-ship cruise lines and the highest ranked cruise line catering to the family market,” said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. “This recognition further enhances our position as the best cruise line for an unparalleled family vacation and motivates us to continue to elevate the Disney Cruise Line experience even higher.”
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.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

Official Press Release Disney Cruise Lines Dated 5th August 2008.

Disney Cruise Line Introduces Podcasting

 In a cruise industry first, Disney Cruise Line is reaching out to perspective guests through podcasts that offer a new way to get customized information about family-friendly Disney cruise vacations.

 Hosted by family travel expert Emily Kaufman, the podcast episodes showcase the unique experiences Disney offers on a cruise vacation, providing guests in-depth, portable information on specific areas of Disney Cruise Line. In each episode, Kaufman, also known as The Travel Mom, offers tips for parents looking to take a cruise vacation.

“The podcasts immerse guests in the Disney Cruise Line experience, bringing to life the way we cater to the specific needs of kids, adults, and the entire family,” said Joe Rand, Director of Marketing for Disney Cruise Line. “Each episode is three to five minutes long, making it easy for on-the-go parents to learn more about specific areas of the Disney cruise vacation experience.”

Emily Kaufman narrates the podcasts with expert advice for not only a Disney Cruise, but also for family vacations in general. Her expertise in family travel makes her a great fit for the official Disney Cruise Line podcast.

“I’m extremely pleased to partner with Disney Cruise Line on this podcast series and hope parents considering a cruise vacation find them to be a valuable resource,” explained Kaufman. “As the mother of two, I truly believe that Disney Cruise Line is a great getaway for families. I have taken both my teenagers and my toddler nieces on a Disney Cruise, and have seen first hand that they offer something for every age.”

Interested guests can find all of the videos on disneycruise.com. In addition to watching episodes on the website or downloading them directly to their computer or video iPod, guests also have the ability to share episodes with friends and family via email.

Official Press Release Disney Cruises dated 31st July 2008.

Disney Cruise Line to Extend Port Canaveral Agreement

Disney Cruise Line announced it has finalized an agreement with Port Canaveral to extend the company’s current contract 15 years through 2022. In addition, as part of its continuing commitment to the Central Florida area, the company will home port its two new ships in Port Canaveral. The new agreement between Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral was ratified today by Port Authority Commissioners.

As part of the new agreement, the Canaveral Port Authority will expand and modify the Disney Cruise Line port facility including an extension of the dock and enlargements and enhancements to the terminal building to allow for additional luggage and passenger capacity. A multi-level parking structure, scheduled to be completed by 2011, will also be built for Disney Cruise Line.

“We are very excited to call Port Canaveral our home and look forward to bringing our new ships here,” said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. “The new enhancements being made to our terminal will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea.”

Once completed, the enhancements to the already unique Disney terminal will provide for improved passenger flow and additional guest conveniences that together will contribute to the overall boarding experience. Disney Cruise Line will work with Port Canaveral to create a state of the art facility, which will contain several Disney touches that are certain to delight guests.

The terminal and dock enlargements are necessary to accommodate the new and larger Disney Cruise Line ships. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, they will be significantly larger than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer Stan Payne said, “Disney Cruise Line has been extremely successful in drawing a strong family market to Port Canaveral since its launch 10 years ago. We’re thrilled that Disney has committed to stay here long-term and are looking forward to the two new ships home porting here.”

Port Canaveral continues to be one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. More than 3.5 million Disney Cruise Line guests have sailed from Port Canaveral since the line’s beginning in 1998, adding to the economic and tourism growth of Brevard County. Future itinerary information for Disney Cruise Line ships beyond 2009 will be released at a later date.

Official Press Release Disney Cruises dated 19th March 2008.

Hercules Falls to Toy Story

News is comming through that Disney Wonder are replacing Hercules A Muse-ical, with Toy Story The Musical. The swap over will take place in April 2008.

Disney Cruises Plan Two New Builds

Disney is no longer just a company offering theme parks and a few films. They are determined to become a big player in the cruise industry. Already having two ships, Disney Cruise Line recently submitted plans to more than double in size with an order for two new 1,250-cabin ships. The new builds  due to enter service in 2011 and 2012 and at 122,000 tons, will be larger than the line’s current ships, Disney Wonder and Magic (each 83,000 tons).

Disney Magic returns to the West Coast

Disney, who recently announced their first furor into the Mediterranean for the summer of 2007, have now stated that Disney Magic will return to the West Coast and cruise from LA for the summer of 2008. This is not the first time Disney Magic has cruised from LA, the first time was in 2005.