Posts Tagged ‘Disney Cruise Line’

Statuary – it’s everywherey!  Disney is in love with statues and guests will find them all over the parks, resorts, shops, and ships.

From a tiny finial to a larger-than-life likeness, Walt, Roy, and the cast of characters are recreated for the delight of visitors.  They hide in flowers, sit on benches, look up, peer down, wave, and welcome.

Among the most charming are the small bronzes surrounding the hub in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.

Here, we find the classic characters, Dumbo, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Br’er Rabbit; their personalities perfectly captured – an iconic pose, a special smile, a famous friendship.  They surround what is unquestionably the most well-loved bronze of all, Partners.

Dining; it’s one the great pleasures of the cruise experience.  Disney Cruise Line ships have several unique dining venues and their rotational dining system allows passengers to experience them all.  On embarkation day, you’ll find dining tickets with your assigned restaurant schedule, seating time, and table number.  You’ll see a string of letters which represent the different locations; for example APLAPL would be Animator’s Palate, Parrot Cay, and Lumiere’s on the first, second, and third nights, then repeated for the fourth, fifth, and sixth.  You will rotate through three of the main restaurants on your ship which may also include Triton’s, Royal Palace, or Enchanted Garden.

Each evening, you, your tablemates, and your wait staff will move to a different restaurant.  You’ll be able to enjoy the menus and themes of each dining room while retaining a familiar team of servers who will quickly learn your preferences.

Every effort is made to pair you with appropriate dinner companions.  Adults traveling alone will typically be seated with other adults, while families will find children in a similar age group joining their tables.  If you wish, you can arrange to share a table with other specified passengers onboard.

There are two dinner seatings:  the Main Seating and the Second Seating.  The earlier of the two begins at about 5:30 p.m., depending upon your ship, and is generally the first choice for families with younger children.  The Second Seating starts at approximately 8:00 p.m. and may be a bit more serene as it often includes a larger percentage of older children and adults.  However, the Second Seating often works out very well for those traveling from an earlier time zone since it may be more in line with their accustomed dinner hour.

A meal at Palo is an adults-only option for dinner or brunch, and guests can choose where they would like to have breakfast and lunch each day.  Continental breakfast is available from room service for stateroom categories 4 through 12, while Concierge categories 1 through 3 can arrange for in-room delivery of a full breakfast.  Other alternatives for breakfast and lunch include two of the main restaurants, a buffet, and poolside meals.

Three- and four-night cruises include one “dress-up” night when a jacket for men and dress or pantsuit for women is suggested.  The dress code for other evenings is “cruise casual” – no shorts, tank tops, or swimwear.

On cruises of seven nights and longer, there is generally a special themed dining event, such as Pirate’s Night.  You can also expect at least one “formal” evening for which formal or semi-formal attire is appropriate.  You can arrange for a formalwear rental to be delivered to your stateroom.  Often, you will find a greater number of guests in formal (rather than semi-formal) dress on the longer ten- to fourteen-night voyages  Those preferring to forego formal night entirely can choose an alternative venue such as a buffet or quick-service location.

Of course, room service is a popular option and Disney Cruise Line offers a nice menu of sandwiches, pizzas, salads, appetizers, and desserts to keep the munchies at bay.  Guests staying in Categories 1 through 3 may also arrange for meals delivered from any of the rotational dining venues.  Keep in mind that while most of the menu items are complimentary, a gratuity is expected.

Consider one of the wine packages if you enjoy wine with dinner.  The overall cost is less than purchasing the bottles separately and unfinished bottles can be recorked and brought to you on subsequent nights, or carried back to your stateroom.  You are also allowed to carry up to two bottles off the ship, and can order more than one of your bottles on a given night.

Unlike many cruise lines, Disney offers complimentary sodas not just at dinner but also from 24-hour beverage stations on the ship, and other selected locations onboard and on Castaway Cay.  You will still be charged for sodas ordered from bars and room service.  For alcoholic beverages, the onboard drinking age is 21 and a photo I.D. is required.

Don’t forget that guests with special dietary requirements can generally be accommodated.  Advise your Whimsical World Travel concierge of any allergies and special requests so that they can be noted on your reservation.

Looking to indulge in some onboard opulence for your next Disney cruise?  Consider concierge cruising in one of the top three stateroom categories.  Disney Cruise Line Suites offer the ultimate luxury with spacious accommodations and indulgent extras.

The Category 3 One-bedroom Suite with Verandah can sleep up to five guests in 614 square feet of space which includes a master bedroom with queen-sized bed, a sleep sofa in the living area, and a pull-down bed.  There are two bathrooms and generous walk-in closets.

The Two-Bedroom Suite with Verandah, Category 2, which accommodates up to seven guests, offers a substantial 945 square feet and a large living and dining area.  The rooms feature elegant wood accents, artwork, and abundant storage in large walk-in closets. Two separate bedrooms, wet bar, large living and dining areas, and expansive balconies give your group room to spread out.  There is one half-bath and two large full baths; the master bath includes a make-up area, double sinks and a wonderful jetted tub.

The finest accommodations onboard are the two Category 1 suites, the Roy O. Disney Suite and the Walter E. Disney Suite.  At 1,029 square feet, these Royal Suites have room for a dining area, living room, media library, pantry, two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, an enormous verandah, and up to seven guests.  They have luxurious finishes and are filled with Disney family memorabilia.

Concierge Services

All three categories have access to Disney Cruise Line’s Signature Concierge service.  A toll-free number connects you to a dedicated staff offering pre-arrival services which include early reservations for onboard activities, shore excursions, Palo dining, spa treatments, and childcare for children under three.  You can request a seating preference for dining and obtain assistance with planning for special occasions.  Suite guests can book reservations beginning 120 days prior to arrival, giving them a jump on other passengers.

You’ll discover that smooth sailing begins even before you board with an expedited embarkation process.  As a Concierge guest, you’ll receive priority check-in at a reserved station and then join your Concierge team at a private welcome reception, held exclusively for you and other Concierge passengers.

Throughout your voyage, you’ll enjoy a number of pampering perks including in-suite dining from the menus of any of the rotation dining venues, priority tendering at ports of call, and ongoing assistance with reservations and planning.

Upgraded Amenities
Concierge Suite guests enjoy some additional luxury amenities:

• H20 Plus Spa, Bath and Shower Products
  All stateroom baths are stocked with fine marine-nutrient enriched H20 Plus spa, bath and shower products—including Sea Marine Revitalizing Shampoo, Marine Collagen Conditioner and Hydrating Body Butter. Guests of the Concierge Suites are treated to an enhanced line, which adds the premium Sea Salt Body Wash and Solar Relief Gel.
• Fine Bedding from Sealy Posturpedic® and Frette
  All staterooms feature plush bath towels, bath sheets and 300-thread-count, 100% Egyptian cotton linens from Frette. Our Concierge Suites’ master bedrooms are further upgraded with Sealy Posturepedic® Premium Plush Euro-top mattresses and feather and down duvets.
• Pillow Talk Program
  Guests of the Concierge Suites have access to the Pillow Talk program, which allows you to choose from a selection of hypo-allergenic, feather and therapeutic memory-foam pillow options.
• Personal Robe and Slippers
  These plush comforts are provided for your use while you cruise.
• Special Treats Delivered
  While staying in a Concierge Suite, you benefit from daily delights delivered to your door, such as canapés, fruit and cookies.
• Media Library
  DVD players and an extensive library of music CDs and DVD titles are stocked for the enjoyment of you and your family, along with a selection of board games.

Not sure if Concierge cruising is right for you?  Contact Whimsical World Travel for more information about pricing and availability.  For many, a short three- or four-night voyage is an excellent way to sample Suite Sailing!

With the current holiday season upon us, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about next year’s festivities, and what could be more festive than a Disney Cruise vacation?  Early booking offers the best rates and choice of accommodations, and plenty of opportunity for dreaming and planning. The ships of the Disney Cruise Line are all “decked” out during this special time of year:

Embark on the most magical holiday ever; contact your Travel Concierge to get onboard!

In addition to the wonderful adults-only Palo mentioned in a previous post, Disney Dream offers creative new dining room themes and recreations of traditional favorites.

In the spectacular Royal Palace , elements from classic Disney movies set the stage for a regal repast.  Guests walk over inlaid marble and rose-strewn carpets to enter a fairytale, where they will dine in a splendid recreation of a famous ballroom under the shimmer of a glass-slipper chandelier.

Passengers can expect some exciting changes to the familiar Animator’s Palate.  Redesigned to incorporate the tools of animation, this imaginative venue will feature the flavors of the Pacific Rim.

Relax over breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the Enchanted Garden and enjoy the transformation from daylight to twilight as the bright surroundings magically begin to darken and glow with the onset of “evening.”

We invite you to spend some time touring the beautiful new Disney Dream on the dedicated website!

http://www.disneytravelagents.com/disneydream/minisite/

All images – Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art

If it’s true that dreams are today’s answers to tomorrow’s questions, then Disney Dream is certainly providing answers for future travelers with innovative elements throughout the ship.

One of the most exciting is the new AquaDuck, a water coaster offering guests a unique onboard experience. Riders glide through a transparent tube as it winds around the ship’s upper decks, over the side, even right through one of the funnels, twisting and turning, accelerating up hills and dropping down, before ending in a lazy river. It’s a thrilling ride for kids of all ages who are at least 48” tall!

Every stateroom will feel like an “outside” cabin thanks to the Virtual Portholes which offer live exterior views and special surprises.

In the Children’s Clubs, kids have the opportunity to chat with Crush and Stitch thanks to the technology, borrowed from EPCOT’s Turtle Talk with Crush, that brings them to life on the screen.

Passengers who stop to admire an example of Enchanted Art will be amazed when it comes magically to life, often in different ways for different guests.

Reservations open on November 9, 2009.  Contact Whimsical World Travel for more information and to book your dream cruise!

All images – Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art

It’s a dream come true for adults who want a grown-up experience while enjoying the quality and service they’ve come to expect from Disney; think Palo, private pool, pub, pampering!

A new entertainment area, The District, invites adults to relax and play at five unique venues:

• District Lounge entertains guests each evening with live piano and vocalists
• Featuring traditional wood and leather décor and intimate seating areas with LCD screens, Metro Pub has an additional ten screens as well as a 103” plasma screen for live-satellite sports
• Champagne-themed and sparkling with bubbles, Pink immerses patrons in an effervescent ambiance
• Visit some of the world’s great cities at Skyline where virtual windows transport visitors to a different locale each day
• A family venue by day, Evolution undergoes a transformation to become an adult dance club; the butterfly providing a stunning inspiration for this nightly metamorphosis

The spectacular two-deck Senses Spa and Salon offers an array of treatments and personal care services.  Seventeen treatment rooms and two spa villas beckon; the Relax Room and the Rainforest pamper.  A hair salon and barbershop, the Smile Spa for teeth-whitening, and a well-equipped fitness center with sweeping ocean views cater to the well-being of adult passengers.

A newly-designed Palo serves Northern Italian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere which now includes an al fresco dining option.

And, of course, an adults-only pool offers a serene spot for swimming and sunbathing!

For both families and adult groups, Disney Dream fulfills the wishes of all ages!

All images – Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art

Long renowned for its youth programs, Disney Cruise Line has reimagined the onboard experience for all ages with exciting new spaces and activities on Disney Dream.

For the smallest sailors from 3 months to 3 years old, It’s A Small World Nursery, inspired by the famous attraction in the Disney Parks, offers a safe and playful environment.

The central rotunda of Disney’s Oceaneer Club is not only an interactive stage, its ceiling sparkling with Disney constellations, but leads to other lands:

• Andy’s Room: kids can play with larger-than-life characters from Toy Story and even climb up on Andy’s bed to watch a movie
• Monster’s Academy: Mike and Sully host all of children’s favorite activities – climbing, dressing up in costumes, and playing computer games
• Pixie Hollow: Tinkerbell and friends invite kids to pull up a mushroom and enjoy crafts and storytelling, then play dress-up
• Disney’s Explorer Pod: the Nemo Sub is the centerpiece of this undersea-inspired land where virtual worlds come to life

Disney’s Oceaneer Lab offers supervised activities, toys, games, and movies with opportunities to learn some new skills in specially-designed areas for animation, gaming, music, exploration, crafts, and just kicking back.

The main hall connecting the Lab and the Club boasts a huge 102” plasma screen features Disney movies and interactive fun with Crush and Stitch.  It’s the place where kids can learn to be a pirate and be the star in a pirate play.

A workshop and laboratory are the venues for experimentation, both scientific and culinary.

Passengers from 11 to 13 years old will have access to Edge, the cool loft lounge in the forward funnel, where they can dance, socialize, enjoy the giant eighteen-foot video wall; even pose for spectacular photo postcards in three green-screen rooms.

There’s more than 9.000 square feet of  indoor and outdoor space for teens from 14 to 17 at Vibe, where key-card technology keeps it private; sunbathing areas, video games, a 103” plasma screen, even a juice/coffee/smoothie bar, keep it fun.

All images – Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art

Admiral Donald commands the magnificent atrium lobby of the new Disney Dream, set to sail on January 26, 2011.  This third ship in the Disney fleet will accommodate 4,000 guests in its 1250 staterooms.  Disney has just released exciting details of this brand new ship, which we’ll be sharing over the next few days!

Several new categories of stateroom will debut on the Disney Dream.  Interior staterooms will feature an amazing Virtual Porthole which connects to an onboard camera for high-definition, real-time outside views and possible surprise visits from certain VIC’s (very important characters).

In response to the needs of guests, there will be 500 connecting doors on the ship, bringing together larger families and groups in adjoining staterooms.  The concierge level which previously included only a handful of one- and two-bedroom suites will see the addition of 20 family ocean-view suites with verandah and a total of 19 one-bedroom suites.  The two Royal Suites will have spectacular panoramic verandahs.

Bookings open on November 9, 2009 to the general public.  Passengers who have completed at least five previous Disney Cruise Line voyages, Gold and Platinum Castaway Club members, will be able to make their reservations beginning November 2, 2009.  Only one stateroom will be available to each member.

Special booking terms will apply to the maiden voyage:

• $400 deposit per person
• Deposit must be paid by 11:59 p.m. on the day of booking
• Deposit is non-refundable
• Final payment is due 105 days prior to sailing

All images – Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art

Torn between a vacation to an exotic locale and a relaxing cruise?  Disney has the solution!  Book one of the selected Adventures by Disney departures and receive a FREE three-night Disney cruise.

Choose China, pick Peru, or travel closer to home with destinations in North America.  Explore the cities of Europe or safari in South Africa.  From Australia to Alaska, Adventures by Disney offers itineraries all over the world, and every one promises the quality and attention to detail that you’ve come to expect from a Disney vacation.

All-inclusive and hassle-free, these immersive experiences bring history to life as only Disney can.  Expect exceptional accommodations, unique dining, carefully-chosen activities and cultural programs for all age groups, VIP admissions and access, and special surprises.  Planning, transportation, luggage handling, gratuities; all the minutiae of travel are taken care of, leaving you to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Imagine the memories of snorkeling in the Galapagos or shearing sheep and snacking on scones in Ireland; shared by grandparents and grandchildren.

Best of all, choose from selected departures in 2010; book between October 26, 2009 and January 15, 2010, and enjoy a three-night Bahamian cruise in 2010 or 2011.  There are lots of sailings to choose from:

2010 Cruises
Scheduled departures between:
•  January 07, 2010 to May 20, 2010
•  August 26, 2010 to November 21, 2010
•  December 02, 2010 to December 16, 2010

2011 Cruises
Scheduled departures between:
•  March 03, 2011 to April 14, 2011
•  April 28, 2011 to May 26, 2011
•  August 25, 2011 to November 20, 2011
•  December 01, 2011 to December 15, 2011

Learn more about the Adventures by Disney program and start planning for some amazing travel in 2010!