Image courtesy Disney Cruise Line — Disney Dream is shown at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island oasis in the Bahamas. With the commissioning of Dream in January 2011 and Disney Fantasy in spring 2012, Disney Cruise Line is doubling its fleet, increasing capacity to two-and-a-half times that of Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and expanding itineraries to include Alaska, Europe, the Mexican Riviera and multiple stops at Castaway Cay.
By Michael Coleman
Disney’s pixie dust is spreading.
Disney Cruise Line has unveiled new itineraries and will set sail from three new ports in 2012 — New York, Seattle and Galveston — making the Disney family cruise vacation experience more accessible to potential passengers than ever before.
In Florida, sister-ships Disney Fantasy (to debut in March, 2012) and Disney Dream (unveiled earlier this year) will sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.
The 4,000-passenger Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries — alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a visit at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The 4,000-passenger Dream, meanwhile, will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay while five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay.
Beginning May 25, 2012, the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York — including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada plus three, two-night quick-getaway cruises (June 15, July 13, August 10). The eight Bahamas cruises will include a day at Castaway Cay and a stop at Port Canaveral, giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort. As part of this itinerary, each guest will receive one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between their Disney ship and the resort. The nine five-night New England/Canada cruises will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. In these popular Canadian ports, guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and charming shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.
Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.
Meanwhile, beginning May 28, 2012, the 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder is Alaska-bound as she will sail a total of 14 seven-night cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. She will then sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of the year — throughout winter, spring and fall. Look also for Wonder to sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.
And, for the first time, Wonder will offer a special 15-night voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Hilo; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai and Ensenada, Mexico. The Hawaiian departure begins April 29, 2012.
On the web: www.disneycruise.com
