Remember when Disney Cruise Line had only two ships – Disney Magic and Disney Wonder? Well, those days are long over with the addition of Disney Dream, a 128,000-ton vessel, and the 128,000-ton Disney Fantasy. Disney Dream, the cruise lines third ship, made her first commercial voyage on January 26, 2011. The ship features early 20th century design, 14 decks, 1,250 staterooms, and room for 4,000 passengers plus 1,458 crew members. Although the focus is family and kids, Disney Dream features adults only restaurants, adult pools, and a number of adult only nightclubs and lounges. Of course the ship also has youth clubs, 3-D movies for kids, kids only pools, and more. Disney Fantasy will make her first voyage in April 2012 and she is nearly identical to Disney Dream.
Disney’s two original vessels are much, much smaller than her new big sisters, but they are still popular for traveler’s that prefer a cozier environment. Nearly identical in design and space, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder feature spacious staterooms. Disney Magic has 875 staterooms and Disney Wonder has 874 staterooms — themed dining rooms and unique areas (of each ship) that cater to every age group including: toddlers, young children, tweens, teens, and adults. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a small child or an adult, a Disney cruise has something for everyone.
Disney cruises offer a wide variety of itineraries that will appeal to the couple seeking a fun getaway to the family seeking an extended vacation. Disney Wonder, which makes frequent sailings to Nassau, Bahamas is a popular choice for families and couples alike. Passengers have the option to choose from 3-day and 4-day cruises and packages that include either a 3 or 4 day stay at the Walt Disney World Resort prior to voyage. There are currently two special 10-day and 11-day voyages.
Disney Magic offers several itineraries including Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean cruises or special cruises that sail to Disney’s private island paradise — Castaway Cay.
While a Disney cruise offers a wide variety of exciting onboard features and amenities, one of the biggest attractions aboard Disney cruise ships is the Walt Disney Theater. Broadway caliber shows are offered nightly as well as blockbuster Disney movies, variety shows and surprise appearances by some of the most popular Disney characters today. In addition, Disney cruises feature the Buena Vista movie-theater, themed deck parties, shopping galore, ping pong, shuffleboard, lounges, basketball courts, Studio Sea and even Internet service!
Pricing and Reservations
Prices for Disney cruises tend to fluctuate, so it is nearly impossible to predict exactly how much a Disney cruise will cost. One of the most important things to consider first is the time of year as this will affect how much or how little passengers will spend. The busiest time of the year is of course, summer. During the summer months expect to pay more and during spring and fall, expect to find killer deals on Disney Cruises.
Disney cruise prices are typically based on 2 adults (shared room). Passengers traveling with a child will still pay the price for two adults. After the initial two-adult price, 3rd and 4th passengers will pay a lower rate. If passengers over the initial two are under 13, the rate may range from $229 – $429 for a 3-day cruise, $329-$529 for a 4-day cruise and $349 – $749 for a 7-day cruise. This price includes land/sea vacations and varies greatly based on season.
If you are planning to book a Disney cruise, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible. Several months in advance is your best bet as the full amount for a Disney cruise is due 90 days prior to sailing. In addition, the further in advance you book, the better the deals and discounts will be.
To book a Disney cruise aboard a Disney cruise ship, visit the Disney Cruise Line website, contact your local cruise travel agent or visit any of the following discount booking search engines to shop and compare!
For discounts and deals, try:
Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com