Saturday, December 11, 2010

Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure Adds to the Fun on Disney's Castaway Cay

Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure Adds to the Fun on Castaway Cay
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CELEBRATION, Fla. -- A popular shore excursion at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, provides Disney Cruise Line guests with an exciting opportunity to swim and interact with Southern Stingrays in a private lagoon. This up-close encounter with the rays is part of a one-hour experience aptly named, Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure, and is open to all guests 5-years of age or older.
Upon arrival, guests are engaged in a fun information session regarding stingrays, covering topics such as history, interesting facts and the biology of the animals. Once in the water, a marine specialist leads the group in an interaction experience, allowing guests to feed, touch and interact with the rays. Following the guided interaction, guests who want more time with the rays can snorkel in the approximately 40,000-square-foot area.

Disney Dream floats to North Sea

Disney Dream floats to North Sea

Disney Dream should be a great addition to the DCL fleet. Check out the linked blog post to get more great information on the Dream and to see some great pictures of it. I think they do a good job of discussing it's addition.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Castaway Cay - Disney's Private Island Paradise

Fun In (And Out Of!) The Sun at Castaway Cay, Disney's Private Island Paradise
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CELEBRATION, Fla. – Crystal-clear turquoise waters as far as the eye can see, powdery white sand beaches under foot, swaying palm trees and beautiful tropical flowers – this is what guests will encounter at Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay. Located in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, Castaway Cay provides the ultimate escape, whether a guest is seeking adventure, relaxation or quality time with the family.

The dock built at Castaway Cay eliminates the need to tender, making the ship extremely accessible throughout the day. Transportation is provided to and from various points on the 1,000-acre island, including a special tram to Serenity Bay – a beach area reserved exclusively for guests 18 years of age and older. A delicious all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet is served at Cookie’s BBQ, a covered pavilion located steps away from the main family beach.

Disney Imagineers designed Castaway Cay much like the Disney ships, with unique activities and areas for every age group, providing a sensational tropical experience for all guests. Disney Cruise Line sails to Castaway Cay on all itineraries originating from Port Canaveral, Fla.

For Families…
Flying high above the island on a parasail adventure, snorkeling in a 12-acre lagoon, building sand castles on the beach, bicycling around the island or playing foosball in the shade are just a few of the activities that every member of the family can enjoy. Other excursions and activities with family appeal include:

• Guests can swim and interact with Southern Stingrays in a private lagoon. This up-close encounter with the rays is part of a one-hour experience aptly named, Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, and is open to guests five years of age or older.

• For water sport enthusiasts there are water cycles, paddleboats, kayaks and sailboats for rent. The island features a 12-acre snorkel trail dotted with sunken treasures, including a submarine from the classic Disney attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and a statue of a certain familiar mouse.

Castaway Family Beach has plenty of umbrellas, chairs and hammocks, for a perfect day in the warm sun and comfortable shade. In the lagoon, children enjoy a water-based jungle gym.

• Nature-lovers rejoice: there are a number of paths to the island’s interior that can be explored either on foot or bicycle. A knowledgeable guide explains the ecological wonders found in the Bahamas during the Castaway Cay Walking and Kayak Nature Adventure.

• The Watercraft Ski Adventure gives guests a chance to drive a personal watercraft through intricate mangroves and other natural wonders around the island.

For Kids, Tweens and Teens…
Mirroring the youth activities on the ship, children ages 3-17 will find programs and activities designed specifically for them on the island. Scuttle’s Cove is the “hub” of youth activities on the island and features a dig site filled with artificial whale bones. Other activities and programs include:

• To cool off, kids can participate in wet and wild activities like Gotta Get Soaked, a team challenge with water balloons and buckets, and Water Mania, water play for younger kids.

Search for Atlantis is a quest around Castaway Cay in search of special crystals that are the life source of the mystical city – the only catch is that the directions on the ancient map are written in a lost language that has to be decoded.

• Teens explore Castaway Cay during The Wild Side excursion designed just for them. They’ll snorkel, bike and kayak through the island and cap off the tour with a hearty lunch.

• What do you get when you combine bamboo, rope and a group of determined teenagers? A raft, hopefully! Whatever Floats Your Boat has teens teamed together to design, build and race rafts in the lagoon at Castaway Cay. The first one to shore in one piece wins!

Just for Adults…
Located almost a mile from the main family beach, Serenity Bay is a pristine stretch of beach exclusively for adults. At Serenity Bay, sparkling turquoise waters meet pristine white sand, palm fronds sway in the breeze and comfortable lounge chairs and two-person hammocks dot the beach.

For the ultimate in relaxation, adults can enjoy a therapeutic massage at one of the nearby cabanas overlooking the ocean. And there is no need to head back to the main beach for refreshment – a delectable lunch buffet, Bahamian specialty drinks, beer and mixed drinks are served at the nearby Castaway Air Bar.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sail Away To A Magical Christmas With Disney Cruise Line

Sail Away to a Magical Winter Holiday with Disney Cruise Line
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CELEBRATION, Fla. (2010) – This holiday season, give a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a cruise on the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder, both decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer.

From Thanksgiving through the new year, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to both ships, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare to Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.

The spirit of the season surrounds guests the moment they arrive at Port Canaveral, Fla., with Disney characters in their finest holiday attire welcoming guests to the beautifully decorated Disney Cruise Line terminal.

Special stem-to-stern holiday events on both ships, beginning Nov. 20, include:
• Nightly “King Triton’s Tree Lighting” in the atrium lobby, where a young guest will help Disney characters light the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
• Family holiday crafts such as decorating stockings, building gingerbread houses, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
• Holiday storytellers sharing tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Plus, an all-new story just for Disney Cruise Line guests about the magical feeling of the holidays on a ship.
• Traditional holiday feasts in Disney’s three themed dining rooms.
• “‘Til We Meet Again,” a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

When cruises during the holiday period stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” decked-out Christmas trees, Disney character meet-and-greets, holiday carolers, and holiday-themed activities and crafts for children.

Disney Cruise Line will kick off the holiday cheer with special Thanksgiving voyages setting sail Nov. 20 with a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic and Nov. 24 with a 4-night Bahamian cruise onboard the Disney Wonder. Guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, with Mickey, Minnie and friends dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire.

Activities throughout the day include holiday crafts for youngsters and the big NFL football games broadcast live on Ariel View Television, the jumbo LED screen located above the Goofy Family Pool on deck 9.

The Disney Magic will host an 11-Night Southern Caribbean Holiday Cruise departing Dec. 18, with visits to St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Martinique, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder 7-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 23, with a Western Caribbean itinerary. On Christmas morning at the lobby tree, Santa Claus and his elves will have surprises for all the kids, along with cookies and milk. Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 1-9.

To celebrate the new year, Disney Magic departs on Dec. 29 for a 5-night Bahamian itinerary with two stops at Castaway Cay; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 30 for a 7-night Eastern Caribbean New Year’s cruise. These voyages will feature a special New Year’s Eve party to ring in 2011, complete with DJ music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes, and a midnight countdown with confetti and balloon drop.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Will Disney Start Home-Porting Out of Vancouver?

The future terminal cruise ship upright Campbell River has gone from bad to worse the disappearance of another potential cruise visitor.
Terminal, which took more than 19 million of public funding for construction has not seen a way to see the big cruise ships since 2008 and now a major player in pocket cruise ship industry is gone. Seattle-based Cruise West, which has a pocket cruiser of 44 meters from the terminal Campbell River British Spirit Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship in October 2008, terminated employees and ceased operations just over two months ago.
"Obviously that was another blow," said Darryl Anderson, Campbell River Indian Band cruise ship terminal sales representative. "They were well-managed company. Their occupation of their small ships had passed under the 60 percent mark due to the recession. This is an example of the cruise line had a key role in building the market not only in Alaska, but with the experience of small buildings and do some other unique itineraries. "
Given the difficulty of attracting large cruise ships at the terminal strip and the city were targeted pocket cruisers. Back in 2008, Cruise West said it was exploring opportunities to Campbell River, a regular stop.
This week, Anderson said the group is always re-evaluate its market of cruise plans and development in light of the crisis in the cruise industry. There were some bright spots, including tax reduction of tourism in Alaska last year.
"I think we will see Disney and Crystal Cruises return to the market, the home port of Vancouver, this is a dynamic market, but still very difficult," he said. "Demand has dropped significantly all lines and cruise ships continue to deploy in other markets."
With consumers more price sensitive than ever before, "Anderson said cruise lines are looking for profit potential on board." So it's not just a matter of joining the ship, but what can we do Campbell River to offer a range of tourism products covering the end of April to October, he said.


Monday, December 6, 2010

Frightfully Fun Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests This Halloween

A Frightfully Fun Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests this Halloween
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CELEBRATION, Fla. (Sept. 2010) – Disney Cruise Line will treat guests sailing during late-October to a spook-tacular good time as the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder transform into a ghoulish wonderland filled with hair-raising events and activities. Guests of all ages will delight with special decorations, unique menu items in the restaurants and themed dance parties on deck.

The Halloween happenings take place on the Disney Magic cruise departing Oct. 23 and 30 and on the Disney Wonder cruises departing Oct. 17, 21, 24, 28 and 31.

Here is a glimpse at the treats awaiting Disney Cruise Line guests this Halloween:

Trick-or-Treat Trail: Young guests are invited to participate in a trick-or-treat hunt exploring multiple decks of the ship and collecting candy from various stations.
Haunted Parties: Following the trick-or-treat hunt, families will gather at the Goofy Pool for a fun-filled Halloween costume party – Disney Cruise Line style. The world-famous Disney Characters will join in the fun, wearing special Halloween costumes just for the occasion. For adults, the nighttime entertainment district on the Disney ships becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and party sure to bring chills to everyone.
Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown in the Buena Vista Theatre, on the Ariel Vision screen by the family pool and in guest staterooms.
Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and “Witch’s Brew.”

Tiffany Thornton Sailed During The Disney Channel Summer At Sea

Tiffany Thornton was aboard a Disney Cruise ship on July 9 and 12 in 2009.

Here's what happened on this great cruise:

For a limited time from July 9 until August 2, soak up the star power with more than 20 Disney Channel stars for eight special cruises on the Disney Wonder.

* Star Autograph & Photo Sessions: Capture some incredible memories! Grab your opportunity to have your photo taken with top stars from popular Disney Channel shows and original movies.

* Onboard Party With The Stars: For one night on each cruise the stars come out for a fabulous party. Join them for a high-energy evening with shows and a special musical performance!

* Star Q&A Sessions and Special Disney Channel Sneak Peeks: Get the inside scoop during question & answer sessions and find out first hand what’s happening with your favorite Disney Channel stars. Also, be among the first to know what’s new, what’s hot and start making your list of what you can’t wait to see on Disney Channel!



Jason Earles' Summer At Sea Cruise

From what I can tell Jason Earles went on a Summer At Sea Cruise on July 16 and July 19 in 2009 for Disney.

"Disney Channel Summer Seas" adds to the fun family-friendly is aboard a Disney ship. Disney Cruise Line offers a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created just for them. Families enjoy the entertainment award winning Broadway-style at Walt Disney Theater, playing with high energy prices tires celebration featuring fireworks only ocean and eat in three uniquely themed restaurants. Kids delight in their own dedicated space and become immersed in Disney history with their favorite characters and hosted by youth counselors specially trained. While children are at stake, parents can slip away and relax in the spa, soak up rays on adult-only pool, dance the night away in clubs, or enjoy an exquisite Northern Italian meal at Palo.