Disney Cruise Line introduces Frozen themed events

Frozen experiences are to be added to Disney Cruise Line ships this year

Disney Cruise Line is to add new experiences to its ships based on the hit movie Frozen.

A new Frozen themed deck party will debut this summer on select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings to Europe and Alaska. The ship will be transformed into a winter wonderland for a day of Frozen themed entertainment.

Character meet-and-greets will be offered with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf. A themed scavenger hunt will be offered, along with a snow and ice activity named "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" after one of the key songs from the film.

Families can learn a traditional Scandinavian dance spinning and braiding giant ribbons on a Maypole and there will also be a Frozen themed dining experience inspired by traditional Nordic cuisine.

A deck party will conclude the day’s events, complete with snowflakes, icicles and snow-covered rocks.

A new production show is also planned for the Disney Magic inspired by the movie. It will feature three songs from the movie - "Let it Go," "For the First Time in Forever" and "In Summer" – along with characters from the film in a new adventure.

For itineraries on-board aboard the Disney Magic to Norway there will be a selection of exclusive shore excursions that link the region to the film.

Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will also benefit from character meet-and-greets with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. Disney Cruise Line’s private island Castaway Cay will also experience a Frozen theme with the addition of Olaf's Summertime Freeze bar that will serve non-alcoholic specialty frozen drinks in souvenir cups.

During July this year two 12-night voyages on-board Disney Magic will sail from Dover to the Baltic region. On 3 August she will reposition to Barcelona for several seven-night Mediterranean cruises.

(Photo credit to Disney Cruise Line)

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Disney Cruise Line reveals ports and itineraries for 2016

Disney Cruise Line introduces two popular Caribbean destinations -- Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Martinique -- into the line-up of favourite tropical itineraries for early 2016. The return to the homeport of San Juan, Puerto Rico brings a new itinerary that includes Martinique.

From the warm Caribbean culture of Tortola, capital of the British Virgin Islands, to theFrench island of Martinique (above) , these destinations provide Disney Cruise Line guests the chance to relax on beaches, discover natural wonders and indulge in local shopping and cuisine.

Bookings opened to the public on 30 Oct. More details on 2016 itineraries can be found on Itineraries and Ports for 2016.

Port Canaveral to Eastern Caribbean, including Tortola

In 2016, Disney Cruise Line will sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on a seven-night itinerary to the Eastern Caribbean, including a call at Tortola and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

Ports: Port Canaveral; Tortola; St. Thomas; Castaway Cay

Departure dates: Disney Fantasy: 2, 16, 30  Jan;    13, 27 Feb;    2, 26 March;    9, 23 April ;  Disney Magic:  3, 17  April

Rates start at £699 per person for seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.

San Juan to Southern Caribbean, including Martinique

Disney Cruise Line returns to San Juan, Puerto Rico in early 2016 as the Disney Wonder sails four seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including a stop in Martinique on a new itinerary for Disney.

Ports: San Juan; Barbados; Grenada; Martinique; Antigua; St. Kitts

Departure dates: 10, 17, 24, 31  Jan

Rates start at £612 per person for seven-night cruises from San Juan for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.

Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean

In 2016, Disney Cruise Line will sail from Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean on a variety of itineraries. All of these cruises include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

From Port Canaveral, rates start at £234 per person for three-night cruises, £312 per person for four-night cruises and £699 per person for seven-night cruises for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.

From Miami, rates start at £220 per person for four-night cruises and £275 per person for five-night cruises for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Hot Caribbean offers for this winter.

           

The Caribbean is the hot destination for cruising this winter. Here are some of the latest deals we here at World of Cruising have found for you: 

 

Iglu Cruises have a new Eastern Caribbean Cruise offer with Carnival Cruises including a free Inside to Balcony upgrade, return UK Flights and a one night stay in Miami with interior cabins starting at £899 per person.

Carnival Breeze will leave Miami on 16 January 2015  for a ten night cruise and stay calling at Nassau, St Thomas, Antigua and San Juan before returning to Miami. Return flights from the UK are  included with a similar cruise being available on 27 February 2015 also for £899 per person.

Spend Christmas in nine exotic locations this year with BroadwayTravel onboard the P&O Azura. Caribbean Christmas Cruise, P&O Azura: Spend 14 days at sea sailing across the Caribbean, full board, from £1,199 per person. Starting (and ending) in Barbados and visiting St Lucia, (above)  Dominica, Antigua and Gran Turk.

Return flights depart London Gatwick on 13 December 2014.  Prices based on two sharing.

Virgin HolidaysCruises  Seven nights at the 3V+ Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort on a room only basis, before joining ‘Disney Fantasy’ for seven nights

from £1,799pp. Sailing from Port Canaveral calling at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay (Bahamas). Price is per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick and car hire. Offer is subject to availability and includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Based on departure date 22 November 2014.

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More Disney Magic - Pt 3, Adults Only

Continuing our look at the "newly re-imagined" (that's heavily refurbished) Disney Magic of Disney Cruise Line...

Having looked at the extensive children's facilities aboard the 84,000 Disney Magic, fresh from its 5-week dry-dock process at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, it is only fair to focus on all the wide-ranging alternatives for the grown-ups.

Just to start with, the former adults-only nightclub district of Beat Street has been converted to a slightly more sophisticated vibe as After Hours, with all three venues being given a complete makeover.

The live entertainment bar/lounge of Diversions has become O'Gills pub, imported directly

as a popular choice from the new Disney Fantasy, and offering a touch of Ireland as well as the obligatory sports bar.

Then the out-and-out nightclub of Rockin' Bar D has become the trendier and more atmospheric Fathoms, with a sea-going ambience that really comes to life at night.

And the piano lounge of Sessions has been given a polish and been converted to the even-more-glamorous Keys (below), with a fabulous bar and wonderful cocktails, all in a 1920s art deco style. This is now comfortably the most 'grown-up' space on board, and we can see this being the place for pre-dinner or late-night drinks, with great live music and a wonderful couples' romantic hang-out.

The Senses Spa has been given a bit of a facelift (ho, ho), and the adults-only restaurant, Palo, has all new furniture and few extra decor touches that underscore the elegant Italian theming.

Finally, the main restaurant choices - open to all the family - have all been freshened up or, in several cases, completely revamped.

As mentioned in Part One, the new Cabanas buffet restaurant (formerly Topsiders) has

undergone a total rebuild and is now much larger and more user-friendly than its previous cramped and badly laid-out incarnation. There is more space and the buffet lines are better ordered so people can actually get at them rather than get stuck in a big bottleneck.
 

Lumiere's, the most distinguished of the three 'rotational dining' system restaurants has new carpeting (as there is throughout) and furniture, while the Brazilian-style of Carioca's (part two of the rotation) replaces the former rather two-dimensional Parrot Cay.

The Latin theming is not overwhelming and is quite subtle, hence it may not be obvious to everyone who walks through the door, while the huge curtain that cordons off the breakfast buffet area looks rather odd instead of adding to the overall festival feeling. But the new-look menu here is quite superb and definitely one of the culinary highlights now.

The third part of the rotational dining is still provided by the spectacular Animator's Palate, which has long been one of Disney Cruise Line's true original gems. A wow when the ship first launched in 1998 as a black-and-white vista that turns into vivid colour during the course of the meal, Animator's has actually been rebuilt from the ground up.

What has happened is that a new ultra-high-tech package of lighting and LED screens has been built in, mostly behind the walls and in the ceiling, and it may not seem obvious at first

(although the extra sharpness of the look should be a giveaway). But, once the visuals begin on the series of screens right around the room, there is no doubt that this is now a major triumph of new technology.

There are two shows here (we only got to see the first, but the Animation Magic from the Disney Dream and Fantasy will be incorporated in all voyages of more than 3 days), and the one we saw, Drawn to Magic, was simply a feast for the eyes. This vibrant, heart-tugging extravaganza of Disney's greatest film hits is so utterly sharp and iconic it feels like 3-D even though it is only two-dimensional. It is aided by a dynamic lighting package throughout the room that is equally startling and it all adds up to a must-see experience aboard the new-look Disney Magic.

Tomorrow...even more Magic!

More info: Look up Disney Cruise line at http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ or, in the UK, see Virgin Holidays Cruises on www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk, or 0844 573 4398.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link! 

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Setting Sail For More Magic!

By Editor Simon Veness

It's time for us to set sail again, which means another 'live' cruise blog from Time Spent At Sea - and a chance to be the first to run the rule over the newly-refurbished Disney Magic of Disney Cruise Line.

We are heading down to Miami later this week where we will be taking a short preview cruise aboard the 15-year-old ship which is fresh from major renovations in the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz.

Having sailed on the maiden voyage of the Disney Magic back in 1998 after an unforgettable naming ceremony starring Tinker Bell (yes, they really did manage to pull off that trick!), I am keen to see how this big refresh has treated what was already a classic ship.

Unlike most cruise vessels built in the 1990s, Disney's newcomer avoided much of the monolithic, slab-sided look that was so prevalent then, and is still largely the case today. The Magic - and sister ship Disney Wonder a year later - boasted a more traditional profile, with a raked bow and two funnels (albeit the second one being fake, but then that was not uncommon even in the 1920s and 30s) and a distinct Art Deco period touch aboard.

And, while the duo were packed full of child-friendly facilities and amenities, Disney were also head of the pack in providing adults-only areas where parents could relax on their own or couples without children could benefit from a distinctly more 'grown-up' atmosphere, free

of Mickey and Co if they preferred.

Now, 15 years later, we will get another 'maiden voyage' as the new-look version showcases what should be some dramatic additions and upgrades to the original formula.

First among them is the AquaDunk - a 40ft freefall water slide (right) that goes out over the side of the ship and then back again to land riders with a pronounced swoosh on the pool deck.

More water features include the AquaLab outdoor play area for kids, where young 'uns can splash and slide to their hearts' content in a completely developed area that was the Mickey Pool. The indoor kids clubs have been totally transformed, too, with the Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab and Its A Small World nursery all getting dramatic new looks and facilities.

The adults-only area - formerly Beat Street - will become After Hours with three distinct but interconnecting elements, O'Gills Pub, Keys piano bar and Fathoms nightclub.

The unique Animator's Palate restaurant has been tweaked with some of the more recent technological advantages from recent duo Disney Fantasy and Dream to include the 'Animation of Parade' show, while the Parrot Cay restaurant has been transformed into Cariocas, a vibrant Brazilian-style dining room (picture, below) that is intended to be both elegant and fun,

and buffet restaurant Cabanas will have more buffet stations rather than the old single buffet line idea. 

Finally, all the staterooms have been refreshed with new linens and mattresses, and more underbed storage, while 44 cabins are now inter-connected to allow for larger family groups. 

So, there will be a LOT to report on in our preview experience - we will just have to hope there is enough time to fit it all in!

Be sure to follow along here at Time Spent At Sea this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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A Fantasy Photo Tour

OK, no words this time, just a handful of our best photos from last week's preview cruise aboard the new Disney Fantasy:

Bahamian idyll - the ship at Disney's private island of Castaway Cay

That Art Nouveau touch - a design style reminiscent of the Golden Age of cruising

You want fun - try the main pool deck, complete with the AquaDuck flume ride

Or for the grown-ups - the tranquility of the adults-only Cove area

Classic look - the proper wrap-around Promenade Deck, complete with steamer chairs

All this and princesses, too - the true Disney family touch with the Atrium meet-and-greets

More soon...!

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A True Cruise Fantasy

We are just back from a 3-day media preview cruise aboard the new Disney Fantasy, the fourth ship in the stylish Disney Cruise Line fleet.

A sister to last year's Disney Dream, the Fantasy is a slightly tweaked version to cater for the fact the newcomer will offer the line's 7-day Caribbean voyages out of their main base in Port Canaveral, Florida (just an hour from Walt Disney World).

There is an extra kids' water-play area, called the AquaLab, a new small-pool in the adults-only Cove area, a bigger version of the superb Skyline bar and a completely re-themed entertainment district, called Europa instead of The District.

The cabins remain larger than average and there are two exclusive new shows in the superb Walt Disney Theater - Dreams (which starts out like High School Musical but morphs into classic Disney musical territory in superb fashion) and Aladdin, a full-scale musical presentation. Both feature the theater's amazing technological variety and staging wizardry and have a young, vigorous cast that deliver with great verve and energy.

Dining quality seems to have been quietly kicked up a notch, too. We ate in each of the Royal Court, Animator's Palate and adults-only Palo and, while the latter remains a stand-out location, the other two were not left in the shade by any means.

(As a quick aside for non-Disney regulars, Disney Cruise Line operates a rotational evening dining system that goes through each of the three main dining rooms in turn, changing the style, mood and menu each time. Hugely imaginative and also great fun, especially for families)

The new show that goes with Animator's Palate is also every bit as impressive as advertised. It starts with every guest being able to 'draw' their own cartoon figure (on a standardized template that makes it easier than it sounds) and these are then incorporated into the dining room's big finale presentation in dramatic, eye-popping style. One of the cruise's 'Don't Miss' moments.

Fantasy is also decorated in 1930s Art Nouveau fashion (as opposed to Art Deco on Dream) and there are some genuinely beautiful and classic design touches throughout which really hark back to that Golden Age of cruising (while providing every mod con possible, like the interactive 'Enchanted Art' throughout the ship, which comes to life when a guest passes by). 

The current Disney mania for interactive games in its Walt Disney World theme parks is now extended to the ship, too, with the Muppets featuring in an adventure quest game using the Enchanted Art pieces in an interactive scavenger hunt/puzzle. Great fun for all ages.

We were also impressed, as we were with Dream, with the adults-only options and areas, which continue to make this a great proposition for couples as well as just families. Disney simply has THE most impressive children's facilities anywhere, but the 'grown-ups' are not left out at all, and, with the exception of the main dining rooms, the overt 'Disney-ness' is not all-pervading or at all off-putting. This is a genuinely sophisticated and engaging cruise experience that - most importantly - still harks back to cruising's maritime traditions, and does it very well for everyone aboard.

Finally - Castaway Cay, Disney's private Bahamian island (below) continues to get better and more feature-packed seemingly with every visit. There are SO many activities here now you would probably need a week to try them all, but just chilling out on the well-provisioned beach, surrounded by blissful views and the impossibly azure waters, remains one of THE great experiences in the cruise pantheon.

Three days is definitely too short a time to spend aboard - but the new alternating 7-day east and west Caribbean itineraries are well worth considering.

Be sure to order your Summer edition of World of Cruising magazine as we will have a full review, with extensive photos, from our preview.

For booking options, be sure to check out this link with the UK's leading cruise agent specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

It's A Fantasy Float-Out

Disney Cruise Line are now firmly on course for the arrival of their new Disney Fantasy vessel in March with the official float-out today of the 128,000-ton ship at the Meyer-Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

The second new ship in as many years, DCL will unveil the ship with inaugural events in both New York and Port Canaveral  (Florida) in March, when Fantasy will also start regular 7-day Caribbean voyages from the line's purpose-built terminal just 45 minutes from Walt Disney World.

Numerous bloggers and Tweeters were in Papenburg for the big event - which included the inevitable Disney speciality of fireworks - and you can see the best of them on the following links from Stewart Chiron (@CruiseGuy) and Chris Owen (@orlandoChris):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht7gemvtv2s&feature=youtu.be&a

http://www.chriscruises.net/2012/01/cruise-video-disney-fantasy-float-out-ceremony/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

You can also read the full report on Disney Cruise Line's own website, here: http://dclnews.com/galleries/2012/01/09/disney-fantasy-float-out/#photo-1

Don't forget you can also follow World of Cruising on Twitter at www.twitter.com/worldofcruising or just @WorldofCruising.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Disney Fantasy

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The Disney Fantasy, the second ship in Disney Cruise Line's new-build series, will sail her maiden voyage on April 7, 2012, bringing even more innovation, unique guest experiences and personalised service for which DCL is renowned. The sister to Disney Dream, Fantasy will also feature the amazing AquaDuck 'water coaster', magical children’s areas, world-class entertainment, delightful dining, retreats for adults and immersive experiences for guests of all ages, with Disney stories and characters.

Guests can now book for the initial part of the 2012 season. The Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida, on the popular seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern and western – including a stop at Disney’s wonderful private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

The Dream will continue to sail three, four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay, while the Wonder will remain on the west coast, sailing Mexican Riviera itineraries from the Port of Los Angeles. To start the 2012 season, the Magic will sail alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz explained: “The Disney Fantasy continues our tradition of sailing beautifully-designed vessels that offer innovations, world-class guest service and memorable family vacation experiences like only Disney can do. We are delighted to expand our offerings to provide guests with more options and more flexibility to enjoy a Disney family cruise.”

For more information, check out http://www.disneycruise.com/

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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