Since its launch in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has established itself as a leader in the cruise industry,
providing a setting on board where families can
reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) continues to expand its blueprint for family cruising. Its classic ships – »Disney Magic« and »Disney Wonder[ds_preview]« (85,000 GT each) – are now joined by a new class of ships constructed by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. »Disney Dream« (130,000 GT; Meyer’s hull no. 687) sailed her maiden voyage early in 2011, and sister ship »Disney Fantasy« follows these days. Meyer Werft delivered its hull no. 688 to DCL in Bremerhaven on
9 February 2012. The ship’s keel was laid on 11 February 2011. DCL’s President, Karl Holz, along with Minnie Mouse, officially placed a magic coin beneath the ship’s hull. The coin is almost identical to the one that was placed beneath »Disney Dream«, differing only in featuring the hull no. 688 and the date of her keel-laying. During the recent delivery act Karl Holz said: »Today we celebrate the culmination of a wonderful partnership, as we take possession of ›Disney Fantasy‹ and prepare for the journey home to Florida. This ship is the result of the superb craftsmanship from the master shipbuilders at Meyer Werft and the innovation, imagination and ingenuity of the Disney team, who have partnered together so beautifully to bring this ship to life. We are eagerly anticipating our guests, who will experience storytelling in enchanting new ways on board the ›Disney Fantasy‹, while making magical memories that will last a lifetime.«
Bernard Meyer, Managing Owner of Meyer Werft, answered proudly: »The ›Disney Fantasy‹, along with her sister ship, the ›Disney Dream‹, are the largest ships that Meyer Werft has ever built. Over the last five years we have developed an outstanding partnership working with Disney, and together, we have seen two magnificent ships become reality. The collaboration among DCL, Meyer and its suppliers has been exemplary«.
Main character Minnie Mouse
As with each DCL family resort ship launched before, »Disney Fantasy« has an atrium lobby statue celebrating a classic Disney character. Mickey at the helm, Ariel sitting pretty and Admiral Donald striking a pose have featured previously. The pièce de résistance of the »Fantasy« lobby is
Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse. Inspired by travels of the 1920s and 1930s, Minnie is cast in bronze and dressed in vintage fashion with parasol and steamer luggage at her side – posed for keepsake pictures with guests. Earlier, on the official DCL Facebook page, it was announced that the stern character on »Disney Fantasy« will be Dumbo, the flying elephant.
Hull no. 688 left the building dock in Papenburg on 8 January 2012. Due to bad weather forecasts, the vessel floated down the river Ems ahead of schedule on 20 January and reached Dutch port Eemshaven 15 hours later. After some further outfitting jobs the newbuilding started for first sea trials but returned to Bremerhaven due to a heavy storm. The following trials at sea lasted shorter than expected, so some time was saved for bringing on board all the things, furniture, linen, porcelain, glass, forks, knives and spoons etc. needed to celebrate good wining and dining. Moreover, the crew and staff on board had to be educated and trained for their jobs.
The yard delivered the ship to her owner DCL on 9 February 2012 and the newbuilding left Bremerhaven one week later. The naming ceremony was scheduled for 1 March in New York and the maiden voyage for 31 March 2012. Guests can sail out of all ports around the world on exciting itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera, among others. DCL’s homeport for all four ships now remains Port Canaveral, Florida, where it has its own specially designed cruise terminal close to the land-based Walt Disney Studios, Parks and Resorts in and around Orlando. Flag state of the vessels is the Bahamas. The company has also its own private island, Castaway Cay. »Disney Fantasy« starts seven-night cruises to the Eastern (Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas / St. John and Castaway Cay) as well as Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral, Key West, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay). »Disney Dream« does three-, four- and five-night cruises in Bahamian waters, whereas »Disney Wonder« began six- to even 15-night cruises in Pacific waters to Hawaii as well as up and down the US West Coast and »Disney Magic« four- to eight-night trips in the Atlantic up and down the US East Coast.
Fantastic »Disney Fantasy«
When the latest DCL family cruise resort ship was about to become a cruise vacation reality, it also became a high-water mark for Disney’s fantasy afloat in more ways than the name on her bow. This huge ship offers entertainment, activities and dining experiences purpose-planned for seven-night cruises from her maiden voyage forward. Disney’s creative team, aware this ship was bound for longer itineraries, had an opportunity to produce an extended portfolio of Disney fantasy offerings.
Here are some of several highlights of experiences adding to the fantasy fun in store:
• The launch of a new Disney ship includes the premiere of a new Broadway-style stage spectacular in the lavish »Walt Disney Theatre«. Aboard »Disney Fantasy«, two shows are a highlight of the live-entertainment series guests enjoy each evening. The signature show »Wishes« is a 45-minutes musical journey about three best friends who discover the secret of being grown-ups while staying connected to their inner child. Also new to DCL, »Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular« is a fast-paced musical comedy during which Aladdin is back as the »street rat« of Agrabah meeting a Genie who grants him three wishes, battling the evil Jafar, and falling in love with Princess Jasmine.
• The princess and pirate fantasies of young guests can be enlivened with DCL debut of the »Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique« and »The Pirates League« – popular landside retailers specializing in makeovers. Young princesses can »look the part« for dinner at »Royal Court«, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films »Cinderella«, »Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs«, »Beauty and the Beast« and »Sleeping Beauty«. When the hugely popular deck party »Mickey’s Pirates in the Caribbean« is on the evening schedule, young sailors’ piratical side can really come through via a »Pirates League« treatment.
• Nightlife for adult vacationers takes a fantasy spin with »Europe« – an entertainment district of high-energy, sophisticated and trendy clubs and lounges. Inspired by the night spots of Italy, France, Ireland and London, »Europe« is a continent of adult night-time fun without borders. »La Piazza« is a lounge that draws inspiration from stylish Italian plazas. »Skyline« is a chic bar that provides ever-changing bird-eye views of stunning European landscapes. »O’ Gills Pub« is a rollicking Irish bar and »Ooh La La« is an elegant French champagne bar. »The Tube« transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club reminiscent of swinging London.
• With special areas devoted to young children, tweens, teens, adults, families and recreation, an expanded schedule of activities is in development for »Fantasy« cruises.
New »Fantasy« twists »Dreamy« fun
The »Disney Fantasy« also puts some new twists on fun familiar to guests who have cruised on DCL sister ship »Disney Dream«: The Muppets are coming to »Disney Fantasy« in the context of an interactive adventure quest designed for guests aged nine and older. While playing »The Case of the Stolen Show«, guests move around the ship, uncovering clues to figure out the culprit behind the disappearance of Kermit’s banjo, Fozzie’s squirting flower, Gonzo’s crash helmet, Animal’s drum sticks and the Swedish Chef’s cleaver.
It’s a new spin on a self-paced game concept introduced on »Disney Dream« that hides the clues in pieces of enchanted art – wall hangings that are activated like magic when guests approach. »The Case of the Stolen Show« is just one of a trio of adventure detective games that may be played on the ship’s enchanted art. While dinner may be served twice at popular »Animator’s Palate«, the show accompanying the meal is different on the two evenings. All new guests’ cartoon creativity aboard comes alive during dinner in a show called »Animation Magic«. On another evening, the room is immersed in a vivid undersea environment and Crush makes a special appearance, swimming around the restaurant and engaging in live impromptu interactions with guests.
A sister ship, but »Disney Fantasy« is a fraternal twin to »Disney Dream« which started service in early 2011 (see HANSA 3/2011, page 30-34),. Both cruise ships are identical with nearly 340 m length, 37 m beam, 8.32 m draft, 130,000 GT tonnage and 2,500 passengers (lower beds) in 1,250 cabins and suites giving a maximum capacity of 4,000 passengers. Both are warm and welcoming, elegant and richly detailed – harkening to the golden age of ocean-liner travel of the 1930s.
But veteran Disney cruise vacationers will start recognizing differences the moment they enter the new vessel »Disney Fantasy«, coming into the atrium lobby. Its three-deck expanse is graced with sophisticated Art Nouveau inspired details and patterns in hues of vibrant blue, green, pink and gold. Glamorous and graceful design elements include a sweeping grand staircase, towering fluted columns, grand piano and an exquisite marble and stone inlay floor.
From the ceiling hangs a cascading chandelier, grand-yet-delicate, that flows downward from a massive stained-glass flourish on the ceiling in peacock hues of greens and blues. The chandelier itself is more then 3 m in diameter, a one-of-a-kind work of art evoking a peacock in stained glass and crystal beads. The whole effect is continued in the rich carpeting underfoot. As with each DCL ship that was launched before, the new-building has an atrium lobby statue celebrating a classic Disney character. As mentioned before, it is Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse.
Aquatic adventures
Beyond the lobby there are places and experiences, services, dining and entertainment concepts that are hallmarks of the DCL experience. Here is more of what is in store during a »Fantasy« cruise: When the »Disney Dream« was launched, it boasted the first water coaster at sea, called »Aqua Duck«. A 233 m long twisting-and-turning scream machine, the get-wet attraction has been a huge hit with guests. So »Disney Fantasy« has »Aqua Duck«, too. Plus something new: »Aqua Lab«, a water play area where families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers. There are also separate pools for children, families and adults – plus a special splash-and-play area for little ones. Outside the wet zone »Disney Fantasy« continues the DCL tradition of special, fun-filled clubs, labs and cafes for guests of all ages: »Disney’s Oceaneer Club« and »Disney’s Oceaneer Lab« for young children (ages three to ten), »Edge« for tweens (ages eleven to thirteen), »Vibe« for teens (ages fourteen to seventeen) and »Cove Café« for adults – plus the family club »D Lounge« and »It’s a Small World Nursery«. In all the youth and family areas there are activities and games supervised by crew members. In addition, »Edge« and »Vibe« are rendezvous spots for age-group games, quests and tours that take youth on adventures throughout the ship.
And there is much more to explore on board, but often this is similar to things one might have seen on sister ship »Disney Dream«, such as: exercise and fitness, fun and games, pampering and relaxation, family dining, adult dining, shows and deck parties, techno-wizardry, and other.
Thus the choice is tremendous and the variety is extreme large. It is up to everybody to get his maximum out of it.
Environmental stewardship
Like many other cruise operators nowadays, Disney Cruise Line is very much committed to minimizing its impact on the environment by implementing new technologies and ongoing programmes to increase fuel efficiency, reduce waste and promote conservation worldwide. Therefore, all DCL ships have dedicated Environmental Officers who are responsible for overseeing compliance with multiple regulations and onboard environmental programmes, including all shipboard recycling and sanitation efforts, as well as monitoring the ship’s overall water quality and supply. Shipboard recycling processes annually eliminate more than 405 t of metals, plastic, glass and paper from traditional waste streams. In addition, responsible construction methods have been utilized on the »Disney Dream« and »Disney Fantasy« to source flooring and carpeting that is made from sustainable, organic and recyclable alternatives.
Disney Cruise Line was the first in the industry to take advantage of an innovative hull coating on both vessels of the latest generation. This coating is 100 % non-toxic and increases fuel efficiency by reducing surface resistance in open water. Both vessels have been designed to be even more hydrodynamic than their predecessors, with optimized propulsion systems, using state-of-the-art diesel engines with common rail technology, and hulls for increased efficiency.
DCL ships utilize water collected from the onboard air-conditioning system to supply the ship’s laundry facilities and clean the outer decks, conserving tons of water on board each ship every day. Energy conservation is always used where possible, by heat-exchangers from all exhaust gases, from hot waters and even from hot air generated inside the ship or from the climate and sun offering it outside the vessel. This is all done to require less energy, still generated by burning petrol-fuels in diesel engines.
DCL/KN
