Established in June 1994 as a division of the Walt Disney Company, Celebration, Florida-based Disney Cruise Line was created to offer a cruise experience as fun and exciting as its land-based resorts. The result, the 83,000-ton 2,400-guest Disney Magic, built in 1998, and her sister ship, Disney Wonder, which made her debut the following year, introduced innovative ideas to the cruise industry.
While family-oriented in design, these ships are definitely not just for children. As the first owned-and-operated cruise line by the legendary "dream makers" at Disney, the ships were specifically designed with areas and activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of adults and children. The innovative line designed its ships to provide the ultimate cruise vacation experience for all age groups. Both ships feature separate areas and activities specifically for adults, families, teens, and of course, children, who even have a 15,000-square-foot area dedicated just to them on both ships.
When the 83,000-ton, 2,400-passenger, Disney Magic made her debut in July 1998, she introduced many unique ideas to cruising, such as "rotation dining," and places reserved just for adults. While purpose-built for families, Disney Magic was also designed to cater to the specific needs of adults and children, to ensure the best possible cruise vacation experience for all.
Classic Design
At first glance, the ship's twin funnels and streamlined sculptural form reminds one of the legendary Queen Mary, and other great liners of the 1930s and 1940s. But in contrast, both the Disney Magic's and the Disney Wonder's 's bold colors, nautically inspired ornamentation and whimsical touches, are contemporary, while also being distinctly Disney. Their exterior color scheme features a dark hull, bold red funnels, yellow striping and nautically inspired ornamentation. It is no accident that these colors are also the colors of Disney's most famous character, Mickey Mouse. In fact, the lifeboats are yellow instead of the typical orange in order to tie in the colors on his big yellow shoes.
Interior spaces were created through the efforts of dozens of different design experts from all over the world, under the direction of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Entering the ships' three-story atrium lobby, there is an ambiance of "comfortable elegance," also reminiscent of the Transatlantic ocean liners of the early 20th-century. The opulent lobby on the Disney Magic is rich in color and boasts grand stairways. In contrast, interior's finishes and furnishings reflect a modern influence that marries an Art Deco style, popular in the late 1920s and 1930s, with classical Disney whimsy. The Disney Wonder features softer colors in the main atrium and has more of an Art Nouveau style.
Both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder boast 877 spacious staterooms that were designed to offer maximum storage and useable space. They can comfortably accommodate at least three people, while family staterooms can hold up to five. Almost 75 percent of these are outside staterooms, and 44 percent of these also have private verandahs. All deluxe inside, oceanview and verandah staterooms feature a bath and a half, making it especially convenient for families. Both ships also feature 18 one or two-bedroom suites and two royal suites. These sell out quickly, so you must plan ahead for these.
Age-Specific Areas
While the kids are having fun, adults can enjoy the many onboard amenities offered, as well as areas on the ship reserved exclusively for them. Adults can also look forward to romantic and fun-filled evenings. Disney offers the escape of dancing, cocktails, music and comedy, with more entertainment options that are "adults-only." Seven-night cruises offer a special series of enrichment programs categorized into 3 main areas of interest; "Disney's Art of Entertaining, Disney's Navigator Series, and Disney Behind-the-Scenes."
Areas reserved exclusively for adults include the Quiet Cove pool and the Vista Spa & Salon, featuring the latest Cybex equipment and a full range of spa treatments. In addition to the family beach, there is an adults-only mile-long beach aptly called Serenity Bay, on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
There is also an adult-only entertainment district on both ships named Beat Street on the Disney Magic and Route 66 on the Disney Wonder. They offer three different clubs for adults. Rockin' Bar D (Disney Magic) and WaveBands (Disney Wonder) are great for dancing to tunes from the 50s through the 90s. There is also a comical dueling piano club on each ship, Offbeat or Barrel of Laughs. A jazz club, Sessions or The Cadillac Lounge offers a comfortable, sophisticated and romantic setting. In addition to the three main restaurants through which guests rotate, both ships feature an elegant adults-only alternate dining option called Palo. This offers a quiet and romantic alternative featuring Northern Italian cuisine. Couples can enjoy an expansive 270-degree view of the sea while dining in an elegant, yet casual atmosphere.
Rotation Dining
With its launch in 1998, Disney Cruise Line introduced the cruise industry to an inventive new approach to shipboard dining, called "rotation dining." Aboard both ships, guests rotate each evening to one of three uniquely themed restaurants. This movable feast provides guests a memorable dining experience in a different setting each night. As guests rotate, their tablemates and servers join them to maintain an intimate dining experience. This rotation concept also enables families with children to be grouped in one rotation, while couples or singles traveling without children may be in another. The signature restaurant on both ships is Animator's Palate. While guests dine, their surroundings evolve from black and white to full-color as an expression of Disney's heritage.
New Children's Programs
Nobody does this better than Disney. Although specific programs change from time to time, some examples of age-specific programs and activities include the following:
These age-specific activities include: Mouseketeer Training at Disney's Oceaneer Club (ages 3-4); "Gases in Action," at Disney's Oceaneer Lab (ages 5-7); "Disney Game Show at Studio Sea" (ages 8-9); Splish and Splash pool party at Mickey's Pool (ages 10-12), and for teens, Spring Break Party at Castaway Cay. All are supervised by more than 40 counselors.
Enhancements have also been made to Flounder's Reef Nursery. It has been greatly expanded and improved upon aboard both ships. The main toddler area, called Flounder's Reef Nursery, has also doubled in size. It can now hold up to 30 children (10 infants and 20 toddlers). The child/counselor ratio is one babysitter to four children (ages 12 weeks to one year); one babysitter to six children (ages one to two years); and one babysitter to 11 children (two to three years of age).
In addition to a new reception area with Little Mermaid-themed bubble murals, new lighting was designed to create the look of being under the sea. The nursery also features all new toys from Disney's partners at Hasbro.
Flounder's Reef Nursery opens at for reservations for the cruise between 1:30pm and 3:30pm on embarkation day. Parents are asked to pick a first and second choice so that as many accommodations as possible can be made. This also helps in coordinating adult activities, such as reservations for Palo (the adult only restaurant) and spa appointments. Group babysitting requires a fee of $6 per child, per hour and $5 per additional child per hour. (A two-hour minimum is required.)
Disney also provides pagers, as it does in other programming areas, so parents are never more than a call away. There is also a special porthole that allows parents to check on their children, without the little ones seeing them.
On Castaway Cay there is an area named Scuttle's Cove dedicated to children's programming so the parents can relax on the beach while the kids play in programs supervised by the youth counselors.
Teens
To accommodate the growing number of teen cruisers, Disney offers those who are ages 13-17 a private getaway just for them. Resembling a trendy coffee bar, Common Grounds (on deck 9) is an area for teens only. Reminiscent of a New York-style coffee house, it offers them a place to "hang-out," dance and meet others the same age from around the world. It features laptop computers, magazines, a large-screen TV, music-listening stations and board games in a casual, comfortable setting. At Castaway Cay, teens can find challenge and adventure in "The Wild Side," a special excursion which takes them on an island-wide trek. They also have their own beach.
Itineraries
Disney's seven-night cruises on the Disney Magic (departing on Saturdays) alternate between the Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean. Both itineraries depart from Port Canaveral, Florida. Port Canaveral is less than a one-hour drive from the Orlando airport.
The Western Caribbean route includes Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Disney's Castaway Cay. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary makes port calls at St. Maarten, St. Thomas (excursions to St. John are also offered), and Disney's Castaway Cay.
Disney Wonder sets sail from Port Canaveral on 3-night cruises every Thursday and 4-night cruises every Sunday, which may be combined with a 3- or 4-night pre-stay at the Walt Disney World Resort for a seamless 7-night land and sea vacation.
The 3-night cruise goes to Nassau, Bahamas and Disney's Castaway Cay and the 4-night cruises do the same with the addition of either a day at sea or a visit to Grand Bahama on alternating weeks.
Castaway Cay
A very special feature of a Disney cruise includes a stop at Disney's very own private island, Castaway Cay. The 1,000-acre tropical oasis features miles of white sand beaches and activities for every member of the family. Castaway Cay exists exclusively for the use of Disney Cruise Line's guests. To offer them the utmost in convenience, the ship docks right at the island, so they can walk directly ashore.
Located 225 nautical miles from Disney's year-round homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida, Castaway Cay is a pristine island located in the string of Bahamian islands named the Abacos. Stretching 3.1 miles long and 2.2 miles wide, Disney has developed less than 10 percent of the island, allowing the natural beauty to surround guests at every turn during a day-long experience.
There is a choice of separate beaches: one for families and kids, one exclusively for teens, and Serenity Bay, a secluded beach just for adults. Several activities may be enjoyed by all guests, including swimming, snorkeling, sailing and sea kayaking. Additionally, there are boat, float/tube, bicycle and snorkel equipment rentals. Parasailing and banana boat rides are also offered. On Serenity Bay adult guests may also enjoy a separate barbecue lunch area and an open-air massage at the beachside cabanas overlooking the sea.
Grand Travel
Grand Travel is a growing trend in travel and as a destination, Disney Cruise Line is perfect for Grandparents traveling with their Grandchildren. Family reunions are also very popular on these ships. Family activities are offered as well as children's programs.
Counselors supervise activities for four different pre-teen age groups at two specially created kid clubs aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships -- as well as at Castaway Cay. The facilities and programs designed for children as young as three years of age.
Children are registered for participation in the clubs through a system of identification that includes computer-created ID bracelets and pager communication with adult guardians -- making the time apart from the kids worry-free for grandparents and parents alike.
Guests with Disabilities
Disney Cruise Line offers accessible staterooms and suites, equipped for guests with disabilities. Features include: ramped bathroom thresholds, open bed frames, added phones in the bathroom/nightstand, fold-down shower seats, hand-held shower heads, lowered towel and closet bars and Emergency Call Buttons. All staterooms are non-smoking. Guests requiring a wheelchair throughout the cruise, must make provisions for the use of the wheelchair prior to the cruise.
Additionally, transfer tiers are provided at one of the pools and sand wheelchairs are available at Castaway Cay. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available in the shipboard common areas.
Assistive Listening Systems are available in the main theaters and show rooms. Closed captioning is available for stateroom televisions and selected onboard video monitors. American Sign Language interpretation is available for live performances on designated cruise dates. Other features are also available in a Stateroom Communication Kit.
Dress Code
The dress code on board is similar to that at the Walt Disney World Resort. During the summer months, shorts, slacks, sundresses and jeans are recommended. During the winter months, a light jacket, sweater and socks may be necessary.
Shorts, T-shirts, and jeans are not recommended in any of the dining rooms or in public areas after 6 p.m. At Palo and in Lumière's (Disney Magic) and Triton's (Disney Wonder), jackets are recommended for men and dresses or pantsuits are recommended for women. Some guests on the 7-night cruises tend to bring somewhat dressier attire for select nights.
Established in June 1994 as a division of the Walt Disney Company, Celebration, Florida-based Disney Cruise Line was created to offer a cruise experience as fun and exciting as its land-based resorts. The result, the 83,000-ton 2,400-guest Disney Magic, built in 1998, and her sister ship, Disney Wonder, which made her debut the following year, introduced innovative ideas to the cruise industry.
