Disney
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Disney Ships
Disney Information
About
Disney genuinely offers one of the most unique cruise experiences afloat. The two-ship Disney Cruise Line® is the ultimate family option. Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder® are sister ships that can carry 1,750 passengers each (that's a double occupancy figure, by the way; a truer head count is its maximum, which can handle up to 3,325 folks each, if every berth is occupied). The ships carry the same basic themes throughout, with different individual touches along the way. Disney Magic®, for instance, has an art deco theme, while Disney Wonder® is more art nouveau.
Both ships are based in Port Canaveral, Florida, but offer very different itinerary options. Disney Magic® sails seven-night Caribbean itineraries (alternating between Eastern and Western Caribbean), while Disney Wonder® handles three- and four-night trips, limiting its forays to the Bahamas. Both stop at Castaway Cay, Disney's fabulous private island, complete with family and adult-only beaches. Passengers have the option to include a land stay at the theme resort.
With these ships, Disney has introduced a number of innovations. Chief among them are the cabins, many with a bathroom and a half. Another innovation is the rotating dining room schedule, in which passengers eat at three different restaurants, albeit with the same tablemates and wait staff. Disney was the first cruise line to launch the "soda card concept," an idea which has been picked up by various competitors. Equally distinctive is what Disney ships don't have: Neither casinos nor libraries.
Disney has said that it plans to expand its line beyond the original two ships, and while rumors are constantly abuzz about when the company will make that commitment, as of now it has refused to comment on the topic.
Onboard Atmosphere
These ships may be geared to families but they sure are elegant, and quite user-friendly as well. Family-oriented features include the elaborate Walt Disney Theatre, which resembles a plush Broadway house; the Buena Vista Theatre, which features Disney Corporation flicks; and Studio Sea, styled like a television sound stage and offering a forum for G-rated floor shows.
There are three pools. In the center is the main event area, which is geared toward families. There's a younger kid-oriented pool, as well as one for adults only (it's quite tranquil), and an extensive array of sports options.
Older folks have more than just a pool in which to escape. Palo is a boutique eatery featuring Northern Italian cuisine; reserve the minute you get onboard because capacity is entirely too limited. The spa is also off-limits to the younger generation; one of its highlights is the rain forest steam room. ESPN® Skybox is a bar tucked away in a cosmetic smokestack; live satellite sports broadcasts are the main attraction. Somewhat less compelling is an adult-dedicated area of nightclubs, called Beat Street on Disney Magic® and Route 66 on Disney Wonder®. Among the options there are a club for jazz and one for dancing.
Family cabins hold six occupants, but most cabins can handle at least four. Forty-four percent of oceanview cabins have balconies. All cabins come with bathtubs, televisions, safes, and hair dryers.
Special Programs
Children's program
The children's program is organized and run by dozens of caring youth counselors, with scheduled character greetings (and many surprise visits too) throughout the day. The inclusion of the brand-new Flounder's Reef Nursery fills a void for parents looking for child care for their infants through age three.
Spanning nearly an entire deck, Disney's Oceaneer Club is a supervised program for children ages 37, split into age groups of 34 and 57. Disney's Oceaneer Lab is for children ages 8-12, and is split into age groups of 89 and 1012, where they will experience high-tech interactive programs, hands-on science experiments, and ship-wide treasure hunts. Children ages 1112 can compete in a marine biology knowledge quest game show and send digital postcards to friends. Teens ages 1317 have their own private club, Common Grounds, a New York-style coffeehouse, plus competitive sports and nighttime activities. Children's facilities are open 9 AM1 AM.
Flounder's Reef Nursery is for the infant set, with afternoon and nightly hours available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on babysitter availability. Rates are $6 per hour for the first child, and $5 per hour for each additional child.
Once signed in onboard, your children are automatically enrolled in the children's programs on Castaway Cay, offering bike riding and supervised games for the individual age groups. However, counselors do not take children swimming. Disney character appearances are scheduled several times daily to appear in the children's area on the private island.
Rates for children ages three and under are $99 for both three- and four-night sailings.
Our cruise line reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.
Cruise Critic ©2003, The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved.
As to Disney artwork, logos, and properties: ©Disney
Ships Registry: The Bahamas
Booking your cruise
The information below is from Disney Cruise Lines and is subject to change by Disney Cruise Lines at any time and without notice. The details shown are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors and/or omissions resulting in pricing, inventory, or content discrepancies.
DEPOSIT/PAYMENT INFORMATION: A deposit is required to confirm reservation. Deposit information is below:
- Deposits for suite categories for all cruises will be required within three days of booking
- Deposits for staterooms in categories 4-12 will be required in five days rather than seven days.
- For three- or four-night cruises, the deposit for suites is $400.
- For six- or seven-night cruises, the deposit for suites is $500.
- For cruises that are 10 or more nights in length, the deposit for suites is $700.
- The deposit for room categories 4-12 that are 10 or more nights will be $350.
- Final payment for suites will be 90 days, and final payments for staterooms in categories 4-12 will be 75 days for three to seven-night cruises, and 75 days for 10+ night cruises.
Vacation and cruise packages are subject to cancellation if full deposit is not received in our office within the option period specified at time of booking. Final payment in the form of a check or credit card (American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, Diner's Club, Japanese Credit Bureau or The Disney Credit Card) must be received at least 60 days prior to commencement of vacation package. Payment policy for group travel may vary.
EXCLUDED FROM VACATION FARE: The Resort portion of the fare does not include meals, beverages, or any other item of a personal nature. The cruise portion of the fare does not include shore excursions (including excursions to St. John), sightseeing or meals ashore in the ports of call, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, laundry or valet services, or any other items not specifically included. The fare also does not include airfare, ground or baggage transfers or Government Taxes and Fees, which consist of all taxes and fees imposed by U.S. and foreign governmental and quasi-governmental authorities, including without limitation U.S. customs and Immigration fees, ship passengers international departure tax, airport passenger facility charge, flight segment fees, and international arrival and departure taxes.
Canceling your cruise
The information below is from Disney Cruise Lines and is subject to change by Disney Cruise Lines at any time and without notice. The details shown are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors and/or omissions resulting in pricing, inventory, or content discrepancies.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: Cancellations must be made by telephone or in writing. A verbal cancellation must be confirmed in writing within ten (10) days. Changes to the vacation commencement date or changes of passenger names will be considered cancellations. If the cancellation request is received 60 or more days prior to the vacation commencement date, 100% of the amount of the vacation price paid will be refunded. Cancellation requests received less than 60 days prior to die vacation commencement date will be assessed cancellation fees as follows, regardless of resale of cabin or hotel room:
Disney Cruise Line cancellation charges (per person)
All cruises
Days Before Departure Charges per person89-45 days prior to commencement date (Cat 1-3)..........Deposit amount per guest
74-45 days prior to commencement date (Cat 4-12)........Deposit amount per guest
44-8 days prior to commencement date...........................50% vacation price per guest
7 days or less prior to commencement date...........No refundNo refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by the Passenger after vacation commencement date. All appropriate refunds will be made directly to the Passenger's credit card account or through the Passenger's travel agent if the reservation is made through a travel agent. Disney Cruise Vacations is not responsible for the receipt of refund money's by Passengers from their travel agents. All travel documents including airline tickets must be returned before refund processing can begin. Certain travel agents may withhold an agency cancellation fee. For your peace of mind, we recommend the purchase of Disney Cruise Vacations Protection Plan. Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to restrict any changes to a reservation. All changes are subject to availability. Please note that changes made to overall party size may result in a change to the rate.
SERVICE FEES: A US$25 per person service fee will be assessed for any reservation changes made within 30 days of vacation commencement date. Consult your travel agent for details.
Before you sail
CRUISE HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS: By boarding the Disney Magic® or Disney Wonder®, Passengers represent themselves as physically and otherwise fit to travel. If you have a medical condition which requires you to take prescription medication or may require you to obtain medical care during the course of your cruise vacation, please consult with your personal physician prior to traveling. For your convenience, a physician and nurse are on call 24-hours a day on every cruise to provide basic medical services. The physician and nurse are not employees or representatives of Disney Cruise Line and will charge their prevailing fees for services provided at your request. Decisions regarding medical care and treatment are personal and confidential and as such, are strictly between the Passenger and physician and nurse. Disney Cruise Line is not liable for any death, personal injury, illness or emotional distress caused by reason of any treatment, diagnosis, advice, examination, prescription or other service provided by such medical personnel or, by the failure of such medical personnel to provide any treatment, diagnosis, advice, examination, prescription or other service. The ship's Master has the right at any time to require any Passenger to disembark for medical reasons, and compliance is mandatory.For your convenience, a physician and nurse are on call 24 hours a day to provide basic medical services on every cruise. The physician and nurse are employed by a company independent from Disney Cruise Line. But please keep in mind that a child who shows symptoms of physical illness such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rashes or discharge from the nose or eyes may be excluded from participation in programming as well as from babysitting services in Flounder's Reef Nursery. Standard prevailing fees will be charged for all physician and nurse services. If you require any prescription drug, be sure to bring an adequate supply in its original container. You should keep it in your carry-on luggage so it is easily at hand.
Women who are past their 24th week of pregnancy will be refused passage due to safety concerns. In addition, Disney Cruise Line cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage. Infants under 12 weeks old will not be allowed to travel aboard Disney Cruise Line ships.
It is recommended that necessary items including: proof of citizenship, valuables, medications, (in their original container) and any other personal items or other items required for check-in or embarkation be packed in your day bag.
Shipboard life
PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIESWHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE STATEROOMS: Disney Cruise Line offers accessible cabins and suites, equipped for Passengers with disabilities. Features include: ramped bathroom thresholds, open bed frames, added phones in the bathroom/nightstand, bathroom and shower handrails, fold-down shower seats, hand-held shower heads, lowered towel and closet bars, and Emergency Call Buttons. All cabins are non-smoking.
Note: Passengers requiring a wheelchair throughout their cruise must make provisions for the use of that wheelchair prior to the cruise.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Transfer tiers are provided at one of our feature pools. Sand wheelchairs are available at Castaway Cay. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available in the shipboard common areas. Assistive Listening Systems are available in the main theaters and show rooms. Closed captioning is available for cabin televisions and selected onboard video monitors. American Sign Language interpretation is available for live performances on designated cruise dates. Cabin Communication Kits containing door knock and phone alerts, phone amplifier, bed shaker notification, a strobe light smoke detector, and a Text Typewriter (TTY) are available.
Terms and conditions
BAGGAGE, VALUABLES AND OTHER POSSESSIONS: Each Passenger may bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge, not to exceed two bags per person. All Passenger baggage must be stored in the Passenger's cabin and must be labeled with the Disney Cruise Line baggage tag. Dangerous or illegal articles such as weapons, explosives, oxygen, combustible substances or non-prescription controlled substances may not be brought to the Walt Disney World Resort or taken aboard the ship. Any such items shall be surrendered to the Master of the vessel at embarkation, and may be disposed of at the sole discretion of the Master. You should retain valuables such as cash, negotiable securities or other financial instruments, gold, silverware, jewelry, ornaments, works of art, photographic/ video/audio equipment or supplies, laptop computers, cellular phones or other valuables in your personal control as Disney Cruise Line is not responsible for damage to or loss of these items.
Cruise line reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.
Cruise Critic ©2004, The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved.