Disney Cruise Line news and updates

 Upper Deck Activities Unveiled on the Disney Dream

An elaborately themed interactive sports deck, whimsical water play area and relaxing poolside oasis for adults join the first-ever shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – to provide fun in the sun for Guests sailing on the newest Disney Cruise Line® ship, the Disney Dream™. These additions offer new experiences for Guests of all ages.

Goofy’s Sports Deck

The magic tees off on Goofy’s Sports Deck, located on Deck 13, with Goofy’s Golf – a miniature golf course where “lessons” featuring Goofy and his son, Max, lead you through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Each hole offers special golf instructions – with a goofy twist.

Guests can choose to use the Goofy or Max tee on each hole, offering twice the fun. Family-friendly competitions and tournaments will keep the excitement on par while quirky golf clubs, some crooked and bent, will challenge golfers to stay on course. Goofy and Max may even swing by to interact with you and offer some tips on club selection, stance or just goofing around.

Also on Goofy’s Sports Deck, two digital sports simulators provide a variety of virtual game experiences such as soccer, tennis, basketball and more. With the simulators, you can kick, swing and throw, participating in favorite high-action sports without the hassle of chasing the ball.

Max’s Courts are two, mini-sized sports courts for little ones to enjoy soccer, basketball or group play. There’s full-court basketball that may also be transformed into a mini soccer pitch or volleyball court, plus, table tennis and foosball tables. A walking track rings Goofy’s Sports Deck.

Nemo’s Reef

Little ones discover oceans of fun at this fanciful water-play area overflowing with pop jets, bubblers and lovable underwater friends like Nemo, Dory, Marlin and other favorites from the Disney-Pixar film, “Finding Nemo.”

Shaded for protection from the sun and featuring a soft wet deck surface, the 1,500-square-foot Nemo’s Reef is a place for children to cool off and play among colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water. Children will delight as they splash alongside Nemo swimming in a sea anemone, glide down a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray and frolic near Pearl the octopus who “inks” herself with a mist of water. Kids can even get soaked in a water curtain that undulates back and forth like the EAC (East Australian Current).

Nemo’s Reef is surrounded by a glass enclosure, with a main entrance and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Quiet Cove and Pool Bar

Reserved exclusively for Guests 18 and older, the Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar form a retreat for adults to sunbathe and swim, indulge in a cool drink or enjoy a relaxing dip in a nearby hot tub overlooking the ocean.

One of three fresh-water pools on the Disney Dream, Quiet Cove Pool features varying depths for taking a dip, sunbathing in comfort and enjoying a poolside cocktail. Featuring a series of connected circular pools, this area includes a four-foot-deep plunge pool, and a six-inch-deep sunbathing pool with built-in loungers and a mister. Guests also can splash up to Cove Bar, which is part of the pool, and sip a refreshing beverage.

Nearby, on the sides of Deck 11, you can soak in a whirlpool hot tub while overlooking the ocean. Four “infinity” whirlpool hot tubs – two for families and two just for adults – provide spectacular views of the ocean beyond.

AquaDuck and More!

The Disney Dream will feature the world’s first shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – which will sweep Guests away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.

The Donald Pool is the place for families to gather and enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking the Donald Pool is the giant Funnel Vision LED screen – more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high – showing Disney films and other live broadcast events. A retractable floor extends over the pool, providing an ideal dance floor for deck parties.

Continuing a favorite feature of the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder®, the Disney Dream will also have a Mickey Pool for children. The shape of the Mickey Pool resembles the beloved Disney character, and an oversized version of Mickey’s hand supports a yellow winding slide that splashes down near the pool.

As an added convenience for parents with children of different ages, the Donald Pool, Mickey Pool and Nemo’s Reef are all located within the same vicinity, on Deck 11 between the forward and aft funnel.

Kids Can Choose Their Own Adventure on Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line® is once again reinventing onboard children’s experiences. Through an entirely new approach to youth activities, kids can let their imaginations set sail by customizing their cruise vacation. More youth activities than ever before are available, and children choose experiences based on their interests, not their age.

Exciting new youth activities and dedicated children’s spaces are available now on the Disney Magic® and the Disney Wonder®, and are coming to the Disney Dream™ beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage in January 2011.

While Disney Cruise Line will continue to recommend activities that appeal to specific maturity levels and ages, the entire menu of offerings is open to every child. With this revolutionary approach to shipboard youth activities, children and parents choose programs based on the specific interests of each child to create a customized and very personalized experience. Best of all, children of different ages — siblings, extended family and friends — can participate in youth activities together throughout their cruise.

The majority of children’s events and free-time activities occur within dedicated youth spaces on the ship and on Castaway Cay. As always, Disney Cruise Line youth activities are supervised by specially trained, experienced counselors.

Specific program information is available on the day of check-in at the Youth Activities registration desk located in the Disney Cruise Line terminal building prior to boarding, or onboard in Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab.

With more than 100 activities, events and programs, and with all youth activities open to all ages, children have more choices than ever before on Disney Cruise Line.

Port Adventures Are Distinctly Disney

Attend a royal ball in St. Petersburg, Russia, or embark on a treasure hunt in Sidi Bou Said, Tunis. Those are just two of the family-friendly Port Adventures awaiting you when you set sail on a Disney Cruise Line® vacation during the 2010 European season.

Each Mediterranean and Northern European itinerary will include at least one tour that features distinctly Disney touches, beloved characters and rich storytelling to help bring local culture and customs to life.

For example, the majestic Catherine Palace provides the setting for an elaborate Royal Ball in St. Petersburg. Arriving by horse-drawn carriages, Disney princesses and princes will entertain you in the gilded Grand Ballroom. Live musicians and royal courtiers resplendent in period costumes and powdered wigs add to the ambiance and lead the group in regal revelry.

Something for Everyone 
At many ports of call, at least one Port Adventure will bring youth counselors from the Disney Magic® ashore to join the tour and direct special activities for children. While kids are enjoying “mini adventures” designed just for them, adults can continue on with a more in-depth exploration of the destination.

During a tour of Florence, Italy, families experience city highlights together then divide into separate groups for their own style of fun. Children create their own traditional Italian fresco painting. Parents are free to explore the rest of the impressive Palazzo Vecchio and take a deeper dive into the masterpieces of this city.

Family Adventures 
Unique to Disney Cruise Line, one-of-kind family adventures will be offered at select ports of call. These immersive, interactive tours allow families to experience the sites and culture of the destination in a fun and entertaining way while spending quality time together.

In Sidi Bou Said, Tunis, families follow clues in a treasure hunt that brings to life the culture, sites, sounds and flavors of the city. Families also visit a traditional Tunisian house, listen to a local storyteller, receive a hand-painted henna tattoo, bargain with local merchants for a keepsake water vessel, sip freshly prepared mint tea and get their name written in Arabic as a souvenir.

Signature Collection 
These exclusive tours are customized for Guests who are seeking a deluxe experience ashore in intimate, upscale settings.

In Florence, Italy, the Tuscan Cooking School and Wine Tasting takes you on a northern Italian culinary journey. An authentic Tuscan farmhouse is the venue where you can learn how to create delectable Tuscan cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. An Italian chef provides one-on-one instruction and guides the hands-on participation. A sampling of wines bottled onsite provides the perfect pairing to the regional feast.

Disney Service
All Port Adventures offer you impeccable Disney service. Added touches such as more scheduled breaks, complimentary snacks and beverages, and fun port journals for kids are provided on all Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures.

Creativity and Innovation Take the Helm Aboard Disney Dream

New Disney Cruise Ship Setting Sail in 2011

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2009) – A first-of-its kind water coaster that sends guests racing above the upper decks of the ship.  An animated turtle that engages children in conversation about life in the ocean.  A sophisticated lounge where the sun sets over the skyline of a different world-famous city each night.  When the Disney Dream debuts in early 2011, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will bring to life these innovations and more. 

The Disney Dream will take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the preeminent cruise of choice for families since 1998.   
 

Disney Cruise Line revolutionized the cruise industry with purpose-built ships designed just for families.  With the Disney Dream setting sail on Jan. 26, 2011, preparations are underway to expand the one-of-a-kind family experience, utilizing technology to enhance the world-class entertainment and legendary guest services onboard.  From stem to stern, the Disney Dream will offer a cruise experience that caters to the preferences of the whole family.

 

 The Disney Dream features a remarkable interior design which provides guests with a warm and welcoming feel throughout.  The ship’s design offers guests a perfect blend of elegant Art Deco style and fun-filled Disney whimsy to create one of the most spectacular ships afloat.  Distinctly Disney guest features aboard the Disney Dream include: AquaDuck Water Coaster. . . 

• AquaDuck stretches 765 feet in length – more than two and a half times the length of a football field – and spans four decks in height.
• Guests slide 13 feet over the side of the ship in a translucent “swing out” loop allowing them to look down on the ocean 150 feet below.
• Guests experience coaster-like thrills as high-powered water jets push them upwards and forwards at 20 feet per second.
• AquaDuck continues through the forward funnel, encounters a 335 foot stretch of river rapids and splashes down to an end on Deck 12.

A Virtual Porthole for Inside Staterooms. . .Disney Cruise Line introduces another stateroom innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Virtual Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship.  High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Virtual Porthole.
 As guests observe the impressive outside views, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney•Pixar hit film “Finding Nemo,” or Mickey Mouse may pop by the Virtual Porthole.

  A Magical Oasis for Children. . .

Only on a Disney Cruise Line ship can children become immersed in their favorite Disney stories with the help of caring counselors, beloved Disney characters and a sprinkling of pixie dust.  The celebration of children’s creativity rises to a new level on the Disney Dream with nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children.  There are two main spaces for children ages three to 10: 

At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, children can:  

•  Play among larger-than-life characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” in Andy’s Room

• Explore the Laugh Floor with loveable monsters Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.”
• Dive under the sea with Nemo and friends or visit Tinker Bell’s fairy forest 

At Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, children feel as though they are embarking on a great seafaring adventure in a room filled with maps, maritime instruments and swashbuckling artifacts.  Here, children can try their hand at animation, become a pop star or navigate ships through digital seas. Both venues offer magical interactions with the animated characters such as Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo” and Stitch, the mischievous alien from “Lilo and Stitch.”  The characters chat, play and joke with children in live, unrehearsed conversations from their digital undersea and intergalactic environments via 103-inch plasma screens.     

Chill-Out Zones for Tweens and Teens. . .

Located inside the forward funnel is Edge – the lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13).  This tween pad is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.

Teens have their own exclusive club aboard the Disney Dream with Vibe – a trendy and inviting indoor/outdoor space created especially for guests ages 14 to 17.  A “teen-only” swipe card provides access to the nearly 9,000-square-foot club.

Teens can create and edit videos, play computer games, access the onboard social media application or try their hand at spinning and mixing dance tracks.  Teens have their own private outdoor deck area with chaise lounges for sunbathing, two wading pools, misters and pop jets for cooling off, and deck games such as ping-pong and foosball.

Personal Touches with Rotational Dining. . .

Disney Cruise Line continues its innovative rotational dining concept onboard the Disney Dream with elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine to create a magical dining experience.  Throughout the cruise, guests “rotate” through three different restaurants for dinner – with their servers accompanying them, providing guests with friendly, familiar, personalized service each night.  The rotational dining restaurants include:  

•  Animator’s Palate, a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for a unique experience that will captivate the entire family.

• Royal Palace, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” ” Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
• Enchanted Garden, a whimsical casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.

 Just for Adults. . .On the Disney Dream, while children are having the time of their lives in the elaborately themed youth areas, adults can look forward to incomparable indulgences and relaxation with exclusive areas and offerings designed exclusively for them.Adults can escape in to The District, a nighttime entertainment area on the Disney Dream with five unique venues.  This playground for grownups features sophisticated lounges, each with its own unique design, look, feel and palate-pleaseing delights.

Magic in the Mediterranean

From ancient ruins to idyllic coastlines, you will marvel at the amazing European ports of call offered on 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings when the Disney Magic® Cruise Ship returns to the region in 2010.Families especially will love one more thing about these voyages. Kids sail free on select Mediterranean cruises!Here are some of the destinations you can explore on these itineraries:Ajaccio, Corsica Discover a tranquil coastal setting that harkens back to a time when life was a little simpler.Barcelona, Spain This ancient and beautiful city serves as the home port of Disney Cruise Line® in the Mediterranean. You may want to spend extra time here before or after their cruise.Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) This ancient Roman seaport is a gateway into a region renowned for crowning architectural achievements.La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) A shopping and sightseeing mecca, this historic area is known for being the cradle of the Italian Renaissance.Naples, Italy (Pompeii) With a 2,500-year history, Naples offers immense romance and immersive culture.Tunis, Tunisia In this ancient capital, you will find exotic charm, otherworldly treasures and feasts for the senses.Valletta, Malta Dating back 7,000 years to the dawn of civilization, this port city holds marvels that predate the pyramids of Egypt.Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice) This port is a leisure-lover’s dream, with some of the loveliest views along the French Riviera. Contact The Mouse Your Way Travel for quotes or to book a Mediterranean cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line! (800) 883-1535, ext. 24 or info@themouseyourway.com

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail for Alaska

It’s a Disney Cruise Line® first! The Disney Wonder® Cruise Ship is sailing to Alaska for a four-month season of 7-night cruises in 2011. Departing out of Vancouver, B.C., the ship will call on popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.The first Alaskan cruise sets sail on May 3, 2011, with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30, 2011.Bookings open to the general public on Sept. 28, 2009.  If you are a Castaway Club member who has completed five or more sailings with Disney Cruise Line, you can book as early as Sept. 21, 2009.   7-Night Alaska Cruise Itinerary   Announcing maiden voyages to Alaska – the land of the mid-night sun. It’s all the natural wonders of fjords, icebergs and glaciers and all the enchantment of Disney. Disney Wonder® 7-Night Alaska Cruise Ports of Call: Vancouver, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan 2011 Sail Dates: May 3 - August 30 Cruise Itinerary Day Port Tuesday Vancouver Wednesday At Sea Thursday Tracy Arm Fjord Friday Skagway Saturday Juneau Sunday Ketchikan Monday At Sea Tuesday Vancouver Itinerary information (days, times and ports of call) subject to change. Mexican Riviera Cruises Book-ending the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship will sail 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Mediterranean Cruises In response to Guest demand, the Disney Magic® Cruise Ship will once again return to the Mediterranean in 2011 with 10- and 11-night cruises sailing out of Barcelona, Spain. You can explore the culture and beauty of Italy, France and Spain, with a family-friendly experience only Disney can deliver. This itinerary also includes visits to Tunis in Northern Africa; the island nation of Malta; and Ajaccio, Corsica. Repositioning Cruises Disney Cruise Line will offer a number of repositioning cruises and special sailings in 2011, including a 15-night Panama Canal crossing; two 14-night transatlantic voyages; a 6-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, B.C.; a 5-night cruise from Vancouver, B.C., to Los Angeles; and 10- and 11-night holiday sailings to the Mexican Riviera and the eastern Caribbean. Contact us today for quotes or to book: (800) 883-1535, ext. 24 or info@themouseyourway.com ~ More Magic at Castaway Cay   Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust! New enhancements include an expanded family beach, new water features and play areas, private beach cabanas and more. Completion is scheduled for summer 2010.Castaway Cay is consistently rated by Disney Cruise Line® Guests as their favorite port of call – the ultimate private island escape for adventure, relaxation and quality time with family.Expanded Family Beach This popular area is being extended by more than 700 feet so that your family has more room to enjoy the pristine white sand, relax under an umbrella or take a dip in the warm, azure waters of the lagoon. As an added convenience, the area also will include a new family lunch-buffet location, a new beach bar, and additional beach rental and merchandise locations. New Water Areas You can slide, splash and plunge at a new water feature called Pelican Plunge. The 2,400-square-foot floating platform, located within swimming distance of shore, features two corkscrew water slides. A new water play area called Spring-a-Leak lets parents and kids cool off. There’s also a new water play area just for the youngsters at Scuttle’s Cove. New Beach Cabanas You can have a little piece of paradise all to yourself at one of 20 new private cabanas. The premium rental cabanas provide the privacy and luxury of a deluxe beach retreat with an option to add the personalized service of a cabana host. Most private cabanas are located on the far side of the Family Beach, but a handful of private cabanas are situated on Serenity Bay Beach, exclusively for adults. Disney Cruise Line sails to Castaway Cay on all itineraries originating from Port Canaveral, Fla. Disney Dream Begins to Take Shape   Disney Cruise Line® is celebrating the keel laying of the Disney Dream Cruise Ship, the first of two newly designed ships destined to expand family cruise options to more places around the world.The Disney Dream Cruise Ship is scheduled to set sail in 2011.    Shipyard Ceremony In the maritime industry, the keel-laying ceremony marks a momentous occasion when the first block – or section – of the ship is lowered into the building dock and a coin is placed under the keel for good fortune. Captain Tom Forberg had the honor of placing the coin. With a distinguished maritime career, Forberg was the first crew member hired and the captain who launched the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder® Cruise Ships. Recently, he was named as the future Master of the Disney Dream Cruise Ship. The ship will continue to take its form through a block-construction process at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Designing the Disney Dream The Disney Dream Cruise Ship is scheduled to join the current fleet in 2011, followed by the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship in 2012. Together, the two new ocean liners will more than double the capacity of Disney Cruise Line, each having 1,250 staterooms and a tonnage of 128,000. Bringing together innovation in superb shipbuilding and creativity in imaginative storytelling, Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering, along with the Meyer Werft shipyard, have created a truly distinctive design. Like the existing ships, these ocean liners are designed to deliver a unique vacation that every member of the family believes was created just for them. Design details will be revealed later this fall. Homeports Both new ocean liners will homeport in Port Canaveral, Fla. Expansion efforts are underway to accommodate the larger ships and additional Guests. In addition to an extension of the dock and enlargements to the one-of-a-kind Disney terminal building, a new multi-level parking structure is being built, complementing the design and storytelling elements of the ships. 2010 Walt Disney World® Add-On Options Replaces Previous Land & Sea packages New! Resort Add-On Options For travel beginning in 2010, Guests sailing on a Disney cruise can book pre- and post-nights for any length of stay at 18 select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels. Ticket options are flexible too!Here are more details about the new Walt Disney World Resort Add-On Options:Pre- and Post-Nights Available for any length of stay in conjunction with a Disney Cruise Line® vacation Choice of 18 select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels (Deluxe, Moderate and Value) Resorts not included: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground or the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels Disney Cruise Line will continue to offer Guests the opportunity to check-in for their cruise at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel as long as a minimum 2-night stay is confirmed on the reservation. Ticket Options Add a 1- to 5-day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper® Option to your resort reservation as long as a one night stay is confirmed on the reservation. Tickets must be purchased for all Guests on the reservation ages 3 and up. Ground Transfers Resort-to-port transportation available for a fee from all 18 select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. Contact us today for quotes or to book: (800) 883-1535, ext. 24 or info@themouseyourway.com ~ New Option: Dine and Play   Here’s a great new offering for families assigned to second dining! The Dine and Play program allows children to get their meals quicker and adults to check-in a child for Youth Activities without leaving the dining room.Dine and Play Available on both the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder® Cruise Ship. Offered during second dining in any of the main dining rooms – Animator’s Palate, Lumieres, Tritons and Parrot Cay. Open to children ages 3-12. Here’s how it works: Your family arrives in the dining room and informs the server that your children would like to participate in Dine and Play. The dining room team brings the children’s meals first while serving the adults at a more leisurely pace. About 45 minutes after seating begins, Youth Activities Counselors arrive in the dining room and sign in the children to their respective groups in Disney’s Oceaneer Club or Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, eliminating the need for you to escort the child to Deck 5. Adults are then able to enjoy the full dining experience with the knowledge that their child is having a great time in a safe, fun and comfortable environment. Disney Wonder Getting New Home at Port of Los Angeles   Disney Cruise Line® has announced plans to reposition the Disney Wonder® Cruise Ship from its base in Port Canaveral, Fla., to the West Coast in 2011.A two-year agreement, with a three-year extension option, will be considered by the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on April 2, 2009.With the port’s proximity to the Disneyland® Resort, you’ll be able to enjoy even more magical Disney vacation choices – both on land and sea!The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Port Canaveral, Fla., in 2011 and 2012, respectively.“We are looking forward to returning to the Port of Los Angeles and offering our special brand of family cruises on the West Coast,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo.  “Having a Disney Cruise Line ship based in this region is something families on the West Coast have wanted for a long time, and we’re pleased to bring the Disney Wonder to Southern California in 2011.”Disney Cruise Line successfully tested the West Coast market with two summer seasons of Mexican Riviera cruises in 2005 and 2008. Disney Cruise Line has not yet announced the details of its itineraries for 2011.Known for establishing family travel in the cruise market, Disney Cruise Line continues to be a leader in the industry. The Disney Wonder was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.”The Disney Magic Cruise Ship, which was also ranked in the top five cruise experiences in the poll, will embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Mediterranean in 2010. Introducing Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy   It’s official! The newest ships in the Disney Cruise Line® fleet now have names – Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.Bob Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced the official names today at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Oakland, Calif. The Disney Dream is scheduled to launch in 2011, with the Disney Fantasy following soon after in 2012.Like the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder® Cruise Ships before them, the names of the two new ships were chosen with care to celebrate Disney’s unique heritage – creating incredible worlds of fantasy where your dreams really do come true.The new ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line and create even more family cruise options for you and your family! New Ship Construction Begins   Disney Cruise Line® began construction on two new ships with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Scheduled for completion in 2011 and 2012, the new ocean liners will create even more family cruise options for your Clients.“When we launched our business in 1998, we recognized a need in the marketplace for a cruise experience created just for families,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations. “With these new ships, we are continuing to build upon that vision of providing more families with an unforgettable cruise vacation and the chance to explore new destinations with Disney.”The first piece of steel cut for the new ships was part of the art deco-inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on the Disney Magic® and the Disney Wonder® Cruise Ships, the intricate pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s, designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising with added touches of Disney whimsy, such as the Mickey Mouse medallion in the center of the design.Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering have created a truly distinctive design for the new ships. Over the next few years, construction will continue, bringing the design to reality. As details are unveiled, you’ll find updates here. Fun Facts The new ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line. Each 128,000 ton ship will have 1,250 staterooms. Similar to existing ships, the new ships will be purpose built with families in mind, with specifically designed areas and activities for each member of the family to allow for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences. Disney Cruise Line was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.” Cruising with Little Ones is Child’s Play Onboard Disney Cruise Line CELEBRATION, Fla. (Jan 29, 2009) — Traveling with infants and toddlers on Disney Cruise Line will soon be easier than ever thanks to a cruise industry-first service that delivers baby supplies directly to guest staterooms and a host of child-friendly offerings onboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Beginning March 15, families preparing to sail on Disney Cruise Line with little ones will have access to an online service that allows them to order baby supplies in advance of their cruise and have them delivered to their stateroom.  The new service is exclusive for Disney Cruise Line guests and provided by Babies Travel Lite, an online retailer offering more than 1,000 brand-name baby products including diapers, baby food, infant formula and specialty travel items. By visiting disneycruise.com, guests will be able to access a special section of the Babies Travel Lite Web site where they can create orders for familiar brands in quantities customized to the duration of their cruise. The new delivery service is just one of the many products and services available to families traveling with children under 3.  Guests also have access to a host of onboard services to facilitate traveling with toddlers in tow: Diaper Genie units, cribs and playpens are available complimentary upon request from the stateroom host/hostess for use during the cruise. Bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers and strollers are available complimentary at Guest Services for use during the cruise. At Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, wagons are available to facilitate navigating the island’s sandy beaches. Baby supplies are available for purchase on the ships. These amenities are the perfect complement to Disney’s infant-care center at sea, Flounder’s Reef Nursery.  The nursery features an “under the sea” soft play area themed to Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” where children 12 weeks to 36 months can enjoy themselves under the watchful eyes of trained Disney caregivers.  Even Mickey Mouse or another Disney pal might swing by for a surprise visit involving fun and games. Also for infants and toddlers is Mickey’s Splash Zone, a water playground inspired by The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Disney’s “Fantasia.”  This extension to the Mickey Pool features 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. Guests sailing on seven-night cruises can enjoy some ‘together’ time with their little ones during Family Time Sessions at Flounder’s Reef Nursery.  Families have the opportunity to explore the nursery and meet the team of counselors who supervise the children. Also on seven-night cruises, guests can enjoy Toddler Time at the Oceaneer Club and at Mickey’s Splash Zone.  Families can join their little ones and explore the world together as they participate in musical games and fine motor skills exercises led by Disney’s youth activities counselors. First-Ever 3-D at Sea   Disney Cruise Line® is revolutionizing movie entertainment at sea with the debut of Disney Digital 3-D, a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience premiering exclusively onboard the Disney Magic® and the Disney Wonder®.You will delight as first-run Disney films leap off the silver screen and take on a whole new dimension thanks to Disney Digital 3-D technology being added to both the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista Theatre.Disney Cruise Line is the first cruise line to introduce 3-D entertainment onboard its ships. Leveraging this new technology, Disney Cruise Line will take 3-D into uncharted waters in early 2009 with the debut of an exciting new cinematic experience that combines Disney Digital 3-D films with in-theatre effects.3-D images will combine with lasers, fog, streamers, and special lighting effects to create an immersive movie-going experience like no other at sea. During these once-a-cruise special engagements, you will feel the rush of being part of the hottest show in town as in-theatre effects enhance 3-D films featuring popular Disney popstars in concert.To celebrate the debut, Disney Cruise Line is hosting special screenings for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature, “Bolt,” onboard the ships.Disney Digital 3-D is the latest enhancement to join the robust menu of premium guest experiences and amenities included with a Disney Cruise vacation. Dazzling Broadway-style musical spectaculars, over-the-top deck parties with the only fireworks display at sea, a unique rotational dining concept, first-run movie releases and fantastic kids programming are just some of the advantages of cruising with Disney. Picture This!   You have a new way to bring your memories home with you from a Disney Cruise Line® vacation. Now, you can browse through their onboard professional portraits at electronic photo kiosks on the Disney Magic® or Disney Wonder®.Using the kiosks, you may view your portraits at any time during your voyage, 24 hours a day. In addition, you can edit your photos; apply different templates; and order prints or greeting cards. Your orders then will be available for purchase onboard the ship just 24 hours later. Fuel Surcharge Eliminated on New Bookings   Disney Cruise Line® is eliminating fuel surcharges for all new bookings, effective Dec. 1, 2008. The decision comes as a result of decreasing fuel price trends within the marketplace.If you have already booked a cruise, the following guidelines have been established for the refund of fuel supplements paid: If the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $70 a barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel surcharges paid in the form of an onboard credit. The quarter that the cruise falls in will be based solely on the sailing date. The entire cruise will be considered to be part of the quarter that the sailing date originates in. Fuel Price Determination Date Quarter of Possible Fuel Surcharge Refund December 18, 2008 First Quarter 2009 March 18, 2009 Second Quarter 2009 June 17, 2009 Third Quarter 2009 September 17, 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009 December 18, 2009 First Quarter 2010 March 18, 2010 Second Quarter 2010 June 17, 2010 Third Quarter 2010 September 17, 2010 Fourth Quarter 2010 The elimination of the fuel surcharge for new bookings applies to sail dates through the end of 2010.The company will continue to closely monitor fuel prices. Reinstatement of a fuel surcharge may be necessary in the future. Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail for Russia, Northern Europe, Mediterranean in 2010   Disney Cruise Line® will reposition one of its ships to Europe for an unprecedented, five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises in 2010. The voyages sail from late April through mid-September and allow you to explore exotic and unfamiliar destinations with the safety and comfort of traveling with Disney Cruise Line.Northern European Cruises For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will offer a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, where you 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 you time to experience the city known as the “Cultural Capital of Russia” or use the second day to book a shore excursion to Moscow.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.Mediterranean Cruises Book-ending the summer season in Northern Europe, the Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10-night and 11-night cruises, but with three new ports of call not offered when Disney Cruise Line last sailed the region in 2007. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the ship 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.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.Repositioning Cruises Disney Cruise Line is also offering four repositioning cruises including two 14-night transatlantic voyages, a 7-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, England and an 8-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.New Disney Wonder Itineraries 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 4- and 5-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 while children are enjoying their summer break.Rates for the special 5-night voyages to Key West or two stops at Castaway Cay start at $899 per person. The 4-night voyage begins at $849 per person for a category 11 stateroom. Contact Tim and Jenny for quotes or to book today! . Tipping Guidelines Disney Cruise Line has modified the recommended tipping guidelines for any Disney Cruise sailing beginning July 13, 2008: Voyage Length 3-night 4-night 5-night 7-night 15-night Dining Room Server $12 $16 $20 $28 $60 Asst. Dining Room Server $9 $12 $15 $21 $45 Dining Room Head Server $3 $4 $5 $7 $15 Stateroom Host / Hostess $12 $16 $20 $28 $60 TOTALS PER GUEST $36 $48 $60 $84 $180 The 15% gratuity added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service remains the same.