*Note: Disney announced at the D23 Expo on July 15, 2017 that there will be a 3rd ship built, due out in 2022.
Happy Mickey Monday! Because I am so excited about my upcoming cruise on the Disney Dream, I thought I would spotlight Disney Cruises today. Let’s look at the ships and learn why Disney Cruise Line is in a class all by itself!
I have sailed 20 times, starting with my high school senior week trip from Philadelphia to Bermuda in 1990. (Don’t do the math… I’m old!) I fell in love with Bermuda and sailed 14 more times to my favorite island, including my honeymoon. I also sailed numerous times in the Caribbean, mostly with my family, but I once cruised SOLO on a 10-day cruise! Yes, I love cruising, always have. I’ve sailed on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess. So far Princess has been my favorite line but I think that will change come October. That’s when I’ll finally be sailing on Disney Cruise Line!
Four of us from Five Star Travel Group are sailing the Disney Dream on October 13, 2017. (Travel agents do what travel agents have to do, right?) The Dream started sailing the seas in 2011. It is 128,000 tons and holds 4000 passengers so it’s going to be one of the largest ships I’ve ever been on. We are sharing a cabin with a verandah because it was only $175 more than ocean view. (That’s one thing that you’ll notice with Disney prices – it doesn’t jump as much when you change categories, like it tends to do with other lines.) The Dream typical sails short cruises out of Florida which is great for first time cruisers who are unsure of how they will handle the sea. (I’ve never gotten seasick, not once, but if you’re concerned I have tips for you!) It’s also very popular to combine a land package at Disney World and a short cruise. *Note, it’s always best to do Disney World FIRST, then cruise, so you can relax and unwind on board after being so busy at the parks. Combining a Disney World vacation and a post Disney cruise would make a fantasy vacation!
Speaking of fantasy, another Disney ship, the Disney Fantasy, is the sister ship to the Dream. She started sailing the seas a year later in 2012. By sister ship, I mean that the ships are similar in size and have many of the same amenities on board. Have an inside stateroom? Don’t worry, it has a “virtual” porthole showing rolling waves (current footage from a camera on deck) with occasional Disney characters swimming by, all in HD. Also keep in mind that Disney cabins are among the largest in the industry, no matter the category. One of the most popular features on the Dream and Fantasy is the first ever water roller coaster at sea known as the Aqua Duck. It is 250 yards of transparent tubing that sends guests soaring over the top decks and at one point even out over the ocean! It’s no wonder Disney Cruise Line is in a class all by itself!
Speaking of wonder, the third Disney ship, the Disney Wonder started sailing the seas in 1999. She is a classic, elegant ship that is smaller than the Dream and Fantasy. She carries 2400 passengers and weighs 85,000 tons. She has all the class you would expect to find on Disney. Disney characters appear all over the ships. You can get pictures and autographs relatively easily compared to the parks! All the Disney ships have rotational dining, meaning you eat in a different restaurant each night but your wait staff follows you. On longer cruises you would eat in some restaurants more than once, or you can dine in one of the specialty restaurants on board. You still have the same waiter/waitress each evening who knows what you like to drink, etc., just in different surroundings. One of the main restaurants called Animator’s Palate starts out in a black and white setting then gradually changes to color as you dine! Talk about magic!
So yes, speaking of magic, the fourth ship in the Disney fleet is the Disney Magic. It is the sister ship to the Wonder so it is smaller. She first sailed in 1998, holds 2400 passengers and is 83,000 tons. (Many of the ships I have been on were half her size, so she is still a large vessel!) The Magic is the ship that sails out of New York in the fall. So if you want to avoid flying, she is the one for you. There are 4 and 5-night sailings to Canada, 7 or more night cruises to the Bahamas and Florida, and starting in 2018, Disney Magic will visit BERMUDA during 5 or 6-nights sailings! And did you know that if you visit Port Canaveral during a Disney Cruise, and participate in the Disney World shore excursion… you get 3 special fast passes that you can use on just about any ride! (Currently, the only exemptions are the new rides in Pandora.) No advance reservations necessary! Then once you use those, you can make other fast pass reservations while you are in the park.
There are also special events at sea on Disney Cruises… they have a Pirate night with fireworks set off from the ship! There are Star Wars Days at Sea and Marvel Days at Sea on select cruises, as well as special Halloween on the High Sea and Very Merrytime sailings! So many exciting things to consider! Passengers also have the option of taking part in an on board FE gift exchange between cabins. We’re participating in the FE exchange on our cruise so if you’re curious about it, I can fill you in!
So much Disney magic sailing the seas right now, but that’s not all… Disney has 2 new ships on the horizon. One is being constructed right now in Germany and due for her inaugural sailing in 2021. And the second, her sister ship, is on order to be completed by 2023. These two ships will be 135,000 tons, so slightly larger than the Dream and Fantasy. Names and itineraries haven’t been released, although I did stumble across a Facebook group page for people who are interested in the “inaugural sailing of the Disney Imagination.” I searched and searched online but couldn’t confirm that name is correct. Guess we will wait and see!
If you are thinking about a Disney cruise, they say that the best prices are the day the sailings are released, when all cabin categories are available. Cruise categories do sell out, especially on cruises from NYC because there are only about 12 sailings per year heading to Canada, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. If you want to know more about Disney Cruises, let me know. I’m happy to explore itineraries with you, offer a free quote, and answer any questions you have about Disney Cruises or cruising in general! And if you decide to book with me, you’ll receive special “pixie dust” to enjoy on your cruise! When it comes to booking a Disney cruise, the only real thing you need to worry about is… the fact that you may get hooked!!
Happy Travels! ~Laurie
Contact me for a free travel consultation today!
215-435-4151 LaurieFiveStarTravel@gmail.com
Laurie at Five Star Travel Group 