Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
Deck 13 Forward on the Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line has finally returned to the waters after a long and difficult 17 months. Recently, I was invited to sail on a 3-Night Bahamian cruise aboard the Disney Dream with two stops at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. While it’s amazing that cruising has returned, it hasn’t been able to do so without challenges. Specifically, regarding the strict rules in place to step foot on board. These rules depend on your vaccination status, where you are traveling from and what ports of call your ship is making.
To add some sheer “fun” to the mix, these rules are continuously changing. For example, as a mixed dose recipient of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine, I was able to step on board with proof of a negative PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to my sailing. But as I’m writing this, not only are Guest’s with mixed doses such as mine currently unable to sail to the Bahamas (including Disney’s Castaway Cay), but negative PCR tests for the unvaccinated must now take place no more than 3 days prior to sailing.
While what I’m about to suggest may sound like nothing more than a shameless plug, I assure you it’s not. And that is how right now, it’s more important than ever to use a Travel Agent. As per TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario), it is the responsibility your Travel Agent who works for a TICO registered Travel Agency to be on top of and advise you of these ever-evolving rules and changes, so that you don’t have to be!
Regardless of the rules at the time of your sailing, you will deal with Safe Passage before being able to board your Disney Cruise. Safe Passage is a third-party company that Disney has hired to ensure the safety of all Guests before boarding the ships for the foreseeable future. And from first-hand experience, I can confidently tell you that Disney couldn’t have found a company with nicer staff to take care of this for them. They made the entire process so much easier than any of it sounds. Staff was super friendly and just as excited as us when we were given the ‘clear to sail’ notice following our rapid COVID tests.
Mickey and Minnie on Castaway Cay
The onboard experience has understandably changed to reflect the world during its slow return to normal. The biggest change is that masks are required at all indoor locations, except inside your stateroom or when actively eating or drinking. Which was not at all a big deal, as I must wear a mask here at home anyhow. And believe me, I would MUCH rather wear one on a Disney ship than at my local Walmart. What’s nice, is that Cast Members will allow you to slip your mask off to take an indoor photo.
Next is to social distance yourself from other parties. Luckily, Disney makes great effort to worry about this on your behalf. As an example, Cast Members are on hand at theatres to seat you in every other row and to leave three seats between you and the next party. And on Castaway Cay, you are asked not to move the beach chairs, as they have all been positioned to keep a minimum of 6 feet between you and other parties.
Little ones are not yet able to hug and obtain autographs from Disney characters. Rest assured that they can still chat, interact, and take a selfie with so many characters onboard the ship, but hugs will have to wait just a little bit longer.
Deck 3 on the Disney Dream
Currently the Small World Nursery (ages 6 months to 2 years) is not available. Additionally, time for children (ages 3-12) to spend at the Oceaneers Club is limited in advance, but more time can be reserved (based on availability) once on board.
If you’ve never cruised with Disney before, I doubt you would know anything else has changed. However, for those of you who have sailed with Disney in the past, there are some additional changes that you will more than likely recognize. For starters, there is no sail away party. That being said – in true Disney fashion – they have created a cute little socially distanced welcome on-board celebration as a replacement.
There is no more mandatory muster drill. Boo…that is so sad, right? Because every Guest who’s muster station was outside LOVED waiting in the heat, standing too close to other people and listening to the message that repeats the phrase “in the unlikely event of an emergency” about a zillion times. In case it wasn’t clear, that was my sarcastic voice. Good riddance muster drills!
Instead once on board, you simply proceed to your designed Assembly Station and check in with the Cast Member before setting sail. And…you’re DONE! I’d like to file this change under ‘good ideas regardless of what’s happened in the last year that probably should stick around forever’. Along with; no more self-serve for ice cream, at the soda station, during Cookies BBQ or for the food inside Cove Café.
View from our Verandah Stateroom
Your Key to the World Cards will now be waiting for you on the fish extender outside of your stateroom door. Speaking of your stateroom, during the closure, Disney Cruise Line upgraded the air filtration system in all staterooms onboard all four ships. As a result, the air in your stateroom is no longer being filtered through the hallways or next door.
Mickey Waffles are not available at Cabana’s for breakfast. What was odd is that I could opt for a breakfast at an à la carte style restaurant and order Mickey Waffles from the menu, so why weren’t they available at Cabanas? I decided to inquire, and the reason is due to social distancing for Guests. Now when you enter Cabanas, you are allocated to a station for food and each station offers the exact same items, so that they can easily spread Guests out. To be fair to everyone on board – if one food station is unable to make a particular menu item – then that item is not an option at any of the other stations. Simply put, not all stations have a Mickey waffle iron, so Cabanas is unable to offer them. But rest assured that the à la carte style restaurants still do!
We didn’t have the Pirates IN the Caribbean Deck Party. And, in order for Disney Cruise Line to still offer fireworks at sea while keeping with social distancing rules, they currently set off two sets of fireworks with the all-new fireworks show, Disney Ever After. I personally preferred these fireworks. And no matter how many times I witness it, there is something simply breathtaking about watching fireworks on a ship in the middle of the ocean.
Deck 4 on the Disney Dream
If Disney Cruise Line took my advice (which they don’t, but IF they did), I would strongly recommend that they allow Guests to use their app before boarding. While the app is very user friendly, I would have preferred to not waste time figuring out how to do things while at sea. This criticism has nothing to do with current the rules in place, as Disney Cruise Line has had this app for years. However, it is without a doubt needed a lot more now. The app acts as your daily navigator, allows you to tip your drink servers, book a virtual queue to disembark the ship at Castaway Cay and much, much more.
I welcomed these changes, as not only do they allow me to sail safely, but I felt that some of them streamlined things I would normally wait for. Which was FANTASTIC, because who doesn’t want more chill time on vacation? But with all of these changes and new rules, was it still possible to enjoy the magic and relaxation of a Disney Cruise? The answer for me is a resounding YES!
Chocolate soufflé at Palo
My return to the seas was as glorious as I had dreamt over the past year that it would be. I’ve sailed many times with Disney, but I will never cherish any of those sailings quite like this one.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the cruise was sailing with an extremely low Guest capacity due to social distancing. No wait for the AquaDuck, no need to make a beeline to a lounge chair at the pool and I could have swung a baseball bat and not hit anyone in the family pool.
I lost count of how many times I forgot to put my mask on before stepping outside of my stateroom. Which was such a great thing because clearly the magic of Disney was able to whisk me away from the reality we live in, relax, and enjoy some much needed vacation time.
The Disney Dream Docked at Castaway Cay
For the first time, I saw the Broadway style production of Beauty and the Beast (this live show is only performed on the Disney Dream). I now know why it’s the only production at sea to have received an IAAPA award. I enjoyed Jungle Cruise (Disney Cruise Line shows first run movies in their theatres), absorbed some much-needed vitamin sea and my scale tells me that I indulged in far too much good food.
Palo still has the most delicious chocolate soufflé you’ve ever tasted, walking on deck 4 is just as peaceful as ever and Castaway Cay still beacons you with its turquoise blue waters to explore it.
So I say take the cruise! You won’t be sorry that you did.
– Christine Fiorelli
Everyone Needs a Fairytale. Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations to Take Back the Magic Today!
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
Friday, June 18th, 2021
The magic of the holidays returns to Disney Cruise Line in the fall of 2022 with Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises across the fleet, including the first fall season on the all-new Disney Wish. With cruises departing from Florida, New York, Texas and California, Guests will have many opportunities to experience holidays at sea with Disney Cruise Line.
In fall 2022, the Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy will embark on Guest-favorite itineraries out of Port Canaveral, Florida, while the Disney Dream continues to sail from Miami.
The Disney Wish will continue its inaugural season with its first-ever fall and holiday sailings, offering a series of three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas, while the Disney Fantasy will offer six-, seven- and eight-night vacations to the eastern and western Caribbean.
The Disney Dream will take Guests on four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries and five-night Caribbean cruises to either Grand Cayman or Cozumel, Mexico.
All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.
The Disney Magic will sail out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for two special itineraries in early November. A seven-night southern Caribbean sailing will visit Antigua, St. Lucia, Aruba and Bonaire, while a following six-night voyage will feature stops in St. Thomas and Falmouth, Jamaica.
Spooktacular sailings return to California in late September with Halloween on the High Seas cruises to the Baja Peninsula from San Diego. The Disney Wonder will host three-, four-, five- and seven-night vacations from southern California, allowing Guests to celebrate the Halloween season at sea while taking in the mesmerizing beauty of Mexico.
The Disney Magic returns to New York in late September for a series of Halloween on the High Seas sailings to Bermuda and Canada. Guests can visit Bermuda’s pink sand beaches and colorful coral reefs on five-night vacations or set their sights for a special six-night cruise to the Canadian ports of New Brunswick and Halifax that includes a stop in Bar Harbor, Maine.
The Disney Magic will visit Galveston, Texas, in late November for a variety of five- and seven-night Very Merrytime Cruises. Guests can experience the magic of the holidays on western Caribbean itineraries with ports of call that include Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.
Booking InformationPlatinum, Gold or Silver Castaway Club members, can take advantage of the opportunity to book fall 2022 itineraries before they go on sale to the general public on June 24, 2021.
Everyone needs a fairytale. Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc. to begin dreaming about tomorrow, today.
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
Story adapted from the official Disney Travel Agents Website
Thursday, April 29th, 2021
Today was a special day for Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering, as they unveiled a first look at the incredible spaces and experiences coming to the Disney Wish. In case you missed it, you can watch the reveal event in the video below.
The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage — a five-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay — on June 9, 2022, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to the same destinations from Port Canaveral, Florida.
When the Disney Wish sets sail, Guests will be immersed in Disney’s rich legacy of enchanting storytelling. Disney is bringing to life the stories and characters of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures like never before.
Disney is taking fun in the sun to the next level on board the Disney Wish with a brand-new family water attraction and three themed districts that offer dedicated space for families, children and adults alike.
Guests will be immersed in “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” animated shorts aboard the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, AquaMouse. Complete with show scenes, lighting and special effects, and splashtacular surprises, this wild water ride is sure to delight everyone in the family as you zig, zag and zoom through 760 feet of winding tubes suspended high above the upper decks.
Families will have more pools, more deck space and more dining than ever before in an expansive district themed to Mickey and friends. In addition to AquaMouse, the area will feature six pools — spaciously staggered among tiered decks and surrounded by lounge chairs — and a fresh take on quick and casual fare with a festive character twist.
Little ones will delight in an all-new Toy Story-themed district designed especially for families with toddlers and young children. This whimsical water wonderland will include a splash zone, wading pool, family waterslide and smoothie bar.
Adults can indulge in sun-drenched serenity at Quiet Cove, a peaceful refuge dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. Set away from the bustle of family activities, this secluded adults-only district will feature a luxurious infinity pool, poolside bar and chic cafe.
With the debut of three brand-new family dining concepts ranging from theatrical entertainment to cinematic adventure to sophisticated elegance, dinner on board the Disney Wish will be so much more than a meal – it will be a chance to interact with favorite Disney stories in exciting new ways.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience that will bring the world of Arendelle to life through immersive live entertainment — featuring favorite characters like Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf — and world-class cuisine infused with Nordic influences.
Worlds of Marvel is the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where Guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them, complete with a worldly menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1923, named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, is an elegant celebration of the company’s legacy, paying homage to the golden age of animation and offering a tasteful tribute to its Californian heritage with dishes inspired by the state’s unique fusion of cultural flavors.
Disney Cruise Line is combining innovative design, technology and storytelling to create immersive entertainment environments that will surround guests in Disney stories in new and unexpected ways on board the Disney Wish.
The Grand Hall will evolve from a fairytale gathering space into an environmental theater through the magic of built-in special effects and the first-ever atrium stage on a Disney ship. Dedicated shows and interactive entertainment will come to life all around the hall, putting Guests front and centre as they play a special role in the magic.
Luna is a brand-new entertainment hub that will transition from a daytime setting for family fun into an elegant evening venue for adult-exclusive entertainment, offering a variety of live shows and interactive programming throughout the day.
Hero Zone is a futuristic sports arena where physical activity will blend with imagination during action-packed challenges and game show-style competitions for families to take on together.
The Walt Disney Theatre is an opulent show palace that will come alive with original Broadway-style stage productions developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line.
The Wonderland and Never Land Cinemas are intimate screening rooms that will provide Guests more options than ever to watch classic and first-run films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and more.
In true Disney Cruise Line fashion, the Disney Wish will offer a robust menu of world-class entertainment throughout every voyage, including spectacular stage shows, exhilarating deck parties, one-of-a-kind character experiences, fun family activities, contemporary cabarets and more.
Children ages 3 to 12 will enter the captivating worlds of favorite Disney stories in the reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club, a real-life wonderland featuring more spaces and stories than ever before.
For the littlest cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years, It’s a Small World Nursery will offer babysitting services in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name.
Edge (ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17) are trendy hangouts where tweens and teens will chill and play in their own way, with dedicated programming designed to engage the unique interests of these age groups.
For the first time on a Disney ship, guests will embark on a space-jumping tour of the Star Wars galaxy at Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, a high-end bar styled as a luxurious yacht-class spaceship. This richly themed, immersive experience will be reserved for adults every evening, offering interactive tasting experiences and signature beverages inspired by destinations such as Batuu, Tatooine and Mustafar.
Guests will savor gourmet meals and exceptional beverages at an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults, inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.”
Senses Spa is a tranquil oasis offering indulgent spa and beauty treatments, drawing on the serenity of natural elements to promote pampering and relaxation. The spa will feature private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas, and steam and aromatherapy rooms, while the reimagined Senses Fitness will offer state-of-the-art exercise and wellness facilities.
Other adult-exclusive spaces on board the Disney Wish will include the Quiet Cove pool district; a variety of gourmet cafes, relaxed bars and upscale lounges; and more.
With an all-new look and feel steeped in enchantment and inspired by dreamy Disney stories, every stateroom on board the Disney Wish will be a luxurious, peaceful retreat designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage and upscale amenities. Most will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bathroom concept for utmost comfort and function.
Most of the ship’s 1,254 staterooms will offer an ocean view — including 877 (70%) with a spacious verandah — and there will be 451 connecting doors that connect rooms to accommodate larger families.
The Disney Wish will elevate the concierge experience with more than double the number of premium concierge staterooms and suites, including Disney’s first-ever staterooms located above the bridge, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal breathtaking ocean views overlooking the bow of the ship. An exclusive lounge with private sun deck will be the perfect place for concierge guests to relax, sip a cocktail, and enjoy a premium level of dedicated service throughout the voyage.
The Disney Wish will also debut four royal suites – richly adorned, lavishly appointed suites that accommodate up to six guests and feature extravagant details and first-class amenities. These include a pair of two-story suites, the first of their kind within the Disney fleet, which will feature stunning statement pieces like an elegant spiral staircase and a spectacular two-deck-high stained-glass frieze.
Everyone needs a Fairytale. Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc. when you’re ready to dream about yours!
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
Tuesday, December 29th, 2020
In case you missed it, the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration shared a brand-new video of the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022.
This never-before-seen digital clip showcases new details of the dazzling Grand Hall and a first look at the stunning character statue at the base of the grand staircase, an iconic Disney princess whose faith in her dreams has inspired generations to believe in the power of their own.
Inspired by the beauty of a fairytale castle, the Grand Hall makes a bold welcoming statement, setting the tone for an enchanted family vacation from the moment you step onboard the Disney Wish. It is an idyllic setting for Cinderella, whose timeless story is the perfect example of magic transforming wishes into dreams and dreams into reality – very fitting for a vessel named the Disney Wish, don’t you think?
The Disney Wish is the first of three new ships joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet through 2025. All three ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc. today if you’d like to be among the first Guests to sail on the Disney Wish!
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
Story adapted from the official Disney Parks Blog
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
Did you know that Disney Cruise Line is not just for kids!? Have you been contemplating a voyage onboard one of Disney’s amazing ships, but not sure if it would be right for you? Keep on reading to learn why everyone can have fun on a Disney Cruise Line sailing, even without children!
