Category: Disney Cruise Line

Celebrate Fall and Winter Holidays on Disney Wonder Cruises from California and Texas

The Disney Wonder is about to make it final Alaska sailing of the year next week, but there is still so much to look forward to in the months ahead! Beginning in September, the Disney Wonder is heading back to San Diego, California, and Galveston, Texas, for a limited time each, and guests sailing from these two ports will enjoy special holiday celebrations in addition to sun-soaked beaches, onboard relaxation and all the magic that makes a Disney cruise vacation so “Wonder”-ful!

Fun in the Sun from San Diego
In September and October, the Disney Wonder will sail to Baja and the Mexican Riviera from beautiful San Diego. Baja sailings visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, while Mexican Riviera cruises feature stops at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas. All of these destinations offer stunning beaches and exhilarating water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking.

During this time, all Disney ships will undergo ghoulish makeovers for Halloween on the High Seas, and the Disney Wonder is no exception! If you’re planning to join one of these voyages, get ready for spooky parties, lively entertainment, elaborate décor and tons of tasty treats. Oh, and don’t forget your costumes!

And for the ultimate Disney land-and-sea experience, guests can pair a cruise from San Diego with an Adventures by Disney Short Escape to Disneyland and Southern California. This guided group vacation provides a behind-the-scenes look at places where Disney magic is made, including private tours of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, VIP experiences at Disneyland Resort and an exclusive visit to Walt Disney’s Disneyland apartment!

Tropical Holiday Celebrations from Galveston
In November and December, the Disney Wonder will return to Galveston for a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries. Caribbean cruises include stops at iconic tropical destinations like Cozumel, Mexico, and the islands of Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Bahamian sailings stop at Nassau, Bahamas, and Key West, Florida, and every one of these voyages includes a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay!

As part of our fleetwide Very Merrytime Cruises celebrations, most sailings from Galveston will feature fun-filled winter holiday events, themed parties, family activities, stem-to-stern decorations and more! Even Castaway Cay is all decked out for the holidays during these extra-special sailings. Here’s another tip: If you’re coming onboard during the winter holiday season, make sure to have your list for Santa ready… he’ll be here too!

With incredible home ports, dazzling destinations and fun holiday festivities added to all signature Disney Cruise Line entertainment, dining and relaxation, guests are in for a real treat this fall and winter.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

August 28, 2018
Castaway Cay Named the Best Cruise Line Private Island for the Third Year in a Row

For the third year in a row Cruise Critic members have recognized Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, as the “Best Cruise Line Private Island” for its 2018 Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.

Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards are given based exclusively on consumer ratings and reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website over the past year. Castaway Cay was also voted the Top Rated Overall island in all of the Caribbean.

One Cruise Critic member said: “They have done such a nice job of making the island a special place for everyone. It was our first time over at the adult-only beach, and that was even more awesome.”

Castaway Cay is a tropical island paradise exclusively reserved for Disney Cruise Line guests. With activities for everyone in the family, from animal encounters and snorkeling, to bike rentals and private cabanas, your family will have countless ways to create amazing vacation memories. Luckily, the year-round Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida, all include a full day at Castaway Cay!

August 1, 2018
New Design and Enhanced Features For Disney Cruise Line Onboard Mobile App
If you’re going on a Disney Cruise, you’re going to want to keep your smartphone handy for selfies and countless family photos, but also for the The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. The app keeps you informed of the fun happening all cruise long and lets you stay in touch with family and friends onboard and it just got a major upgrade!

Now, you can enjoy a brand-new design and enhanced features of this incredibly handy mobile app, making it more convenient and even easier to use. Here are some highlights:
- Horizontal Scrollable Menu – This new design gives you quicker access to learn what’s happening when and where each day. You can view the day’s activities all at once or filter to narrow down what you want to see.
- Quick Access to Cruise Details – The Disney Cruise Line button at the bottom of the screen instantly takes you to your personalized plans and other important cruise information.
- My Plans – Once you link your cruise reservation, your dining schedule, Port Adventures and onboard reservations (Palo, Senses Spa & Salon, beverage tastings, etc.), plus activities you “favorite” in the app, will magically appear.
- Ship Tips – Get helpful tips for your voyage, like safety reminders and information for guests with disabilities.
- Spotlight at Sea – This section includes information about offerings such as Senses Spa & Salon, Palo, Remy, Shutters photo packages, onboard merchandise and more.
All these new features are in addition to what you already love about the app: individual and group chats with friends and family onboard, deck plans of the ship, a map of Castaway Cay, plus information about dining, entertainment, shopping, youth clubs, character experiences, ports of call and more.

Our printed Personal Navigator, a quick glance at the day’s activities, has always been a great way to plan your family’s cruise agenda. We raised that to a new level when we introduced our mobile app, the electronic version of the Navigator, giving you the chance to see what’s happening during the entire cruise at once. I love how you can save your favorites to one convenient list and receive notifications when your selected activities are about to begin. Now, we’re excited to bring you even more great features!

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is available for Apple and Android smartphones and is free to download and use. Be sure to download the latest update before you leave home, and stay tuned for even more enhancements coming soon.
July 24, 2018
Minnie Van Service Extending to Port Canaveral For Disney Cruise Line

The Minnie van service which transports guests to locations on Disney property is expanding yet again and will soon be offering guests transportation from Disney World to Port Canaveral.

It was recently announced that Disney had expanded it’s Minnie Van service to Orlando International Airport and now they are looking expand it even further by giving guests who like to combine a cruise with their Disney trip an alternate and convenient way to get to Port Canaveral.

Adding Minnie van service to the port has been rumored for months, but we now know Disney will begin transporting guests to the port starting September 1st. The service is only one way and will not offer return transportation.

Through a collaboration with the rideshare service, Lyft, guests at select resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then pick you up and take you to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando International Airport and now soon Port Canaveral.

Currently point-to-point trips on Walt Disney World property cost $25, but Disney hasn’t released any info on price points for the trips to Port Canaveral.

July 23, 2018
Disney Cruise Line Setting Sail for Magical Winter Holidays This Year

‘Tis the season… to come aboard! This winter, get ready to unwrap some holiday magic with Disney Cruise Line.

Beginning in early November, the Disney cruise ships will transform into glittering wonderlands as they are “decked out” for another season of Very Merrytime Cruises, these special holiday sailings packed with festive events for the whole family!

During the most wonderful time of the year, you can join us for a jolly lineup of winter parties and themed entertainment unlike anything else on land or at sea. Special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic, where Mickey and his pals lead carols and the lighting of the ship’s three-deck-tall Christmas tree.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, a magical welcome party for the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, featuring Broadway-style entertainment and favorite Disney characters… including a pair of royal sisters whose appearance causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium!

Deck the Deck Holiday Party, a tropical celebration up on deck where Disney friends lead hula hooping, limbo under oversized candy canes and high-energy family dances like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.

Holiday activities for the whole family, like building gingerbread houses, meeting Santa Claus and singing along with Dickens-inspired carolers. Plus, special activities just for kids include decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

Sea-sun’s greetings ashore at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, where the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and merry island music.

And guests sailing on each holiday will have even more festivities to enjoy, like Thanksgiving Day feasts and football games on the ship’s jumbo screen, Christmas morning surprises from Santa Claus and daily Hanukkah services.

So give your family a gift that can’t fit under the tree this year — and set sail for a different kind of holiday celebration with Disney Cruise Line!

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

July 18, 2018
Get Lost in a Mediterranean Daydream and Choose Your Cruise for 2019

Walt Disney once said: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

In the spirit of that wisdom, take a moment right now…close our eyes…and dream of a magical voyage on the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea…

Et voilà! Now that we’ve dreamed it, we can make it happen!

A Mediterranean cruise vacation really is a dream come true — just ask the lucky guests who are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure aboard the Disney Magic this summer. For those of us who aren’t cruising the Med this year, now’s the time to get a head start on planning a trip of our own in 2019.

We’ve already taken a closer look at the brand-new, roundtrip voyage from Rome debuting next summer, but the Disney Magic has plenty of amazing Mediterranean sailings to choose from… Which one are you dreaming into reality?

Ultimate Mediterranean Tour from Barcelona
Next year, the Disney Magic will sail a single 10-night voyage from Barcelona to seven remarkable destinations in Italy and France. With everything from breathtaking seaside vistas to unbelievable historic landmarks to mouthwatering authentic cuisines and so much more… let’s just say, you’ll want to free memory space in your phone to make room for the outrageous number of pictures you’re going to take. Instagram feed, level up!

Weeklong Mediterranean Getaways from Barcelona
Two seven-night Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona feature stops in Villefranche, France, and Naples, Civitavecchia and Livorno, Italy, between two days at sea. From these postcard-worthy ports of call, you will explore iconic cities like Monte Carlo, Nice, Florence, Pisa and Rome. A shorter five-night journey transports you to the same ports in France and Italy, plus a day at sea that gives you the chance to enjoy the lively entertainment, themed dining and family activities aboard the Disney Magic. I recommend a few turns on the AquaDunk to kick off the day!

Open-Ended Sailings Between Barcelona and Rome
Can’t decide which homeport you prefer? Check out our two special sailings that start in one country and end in the other. There’s a six-night from Barcelona to Rome, as well as a seven-night from Rome to Barcelona that includes a day ashore in Toulon, France, a new port of call for 2019.

Planning Tip: Both Barcelona and Rome are truly incredible cities that should not be missed in transit! Consider adding a few days before or after your cruise to explore all that your homeport has to offer. If you’re not up for working out the logistics, Adventures by Disney put together stellar three-night packages in both cities that take the hassle out of planning a pre-cruise adventure.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

June 20, 2018
Experience Disney Magic on a Seven-Night Caribbean Cruise

What makes a Disney cruise extra special? That might depend on who you ask! For kids, tweens and teens, nowhere else on the high seas offers such a range of immersive, age-specific activities and themed spaces. Likewise, adults love the exclusive fine dining, entertainment, nightlife and spaces reserved just for them.

But no matter who you ask, everyone in the family agrees that it’s the magical Disney touches that truly sets this vacation apart, as families enjoy deck parties with fireworks at sea, Broadway-quality stage shows and imaginative dining like only Disney can create. Add world-class tropical destinations and the ease of a cruise to all that magic, and you’ve got three vacations in one!

During our seven-night Caribbean itineraries, families have even more time to explore vibrant islands, relax on sun-kissed beaches and make memories together. Take a look at the video below for a glimpse of all that’s in store aboard a weeklong Caribbean getaway.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

May 29, 2018
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” Will Premiere on the High Seas with Disney Cruise Line

As Star Wars fans around the world prepare themselves for the release of “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” Disney Cruise Line joining in on the action.

Disney Cruise Line, is known to feature movie premieres at sea on the same day that they premiere on land. This means that you can see”Solo: A Star Wars Story” on May 25 aboard all of their ships and stay caught up on all of the excitement!

For those who are looking to take their Jedi training to the next level, there will be an exciting event that will give you the chance to prove yourself against the dark side. Returning in 2019, Star Wars Day at Sea aboard Disney Cruise Line is an adventure-filled day where all of your favorite characters and stories from Star Wars take over your cruise.

From January through March 2019, select Disney Fantasy sailings from Port Canaveral will feature a full day transporting guests to a galaxy far, far away. From an epic deck celebration, “Summon the Force,” to themed activities and entertainment with all of your favorite Jedi, droids and Wookiees, Star Wars Day at Sea is a Star Wars fan’s dream come true!

Kids will especially love harnessing the power of the Force at Disney’s Oceaneer Club in Star Wars: Command Post on the Disney Fantasy and in Star Wars: Millennium Falcon on the Disney Dream.

With all of these exciting ways to celebrate Star Wars onboard Disney Cruise Line, you will become so skilled in the ways of the Force that even Yoda will be impressed!

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

May 25, 2018
Disney Cruise Line Debuts 2019 Fall Lineup of Itineraries and Home Ports
Disney Cruise Line has announced an exciting lineup of vacations for fall 2019, including returns to captivating destinations like Bermuda, Bahamas, Baja, Canada and the Caribbean on a variety of itineraries from home ports in New York, California, Texas and Florida.

With cruises ranging from two-night getaways to weeklong vacations and beyond, this season of sailings offers countless opportunities for families to delight in Disney magic, explore exotic locales and make lifelong memories together.

Read on to discover all the ways your family can embark on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in fall 2019.

Sailings to Bermuda, Bahamas and Canada from New York
The Disney Magic will return to New York in September 2019 for an exclusive selection of departures to a diverse collection of destinations, including luxurious Bermuda, sun-kissed Bahamas and historic New Brunswick, Canada.

Three special five-night cruises feature two days in Bermuda, allowing extra time for guests to indulge in the island nation’s famous pink-sand beaches, world-class shopping, abundant water activities and distinctive blend of British and Caribbean culture.

A single five-night cruise to Canada will transport guests from New York to charming Saint John, New Brunswick with a stop in Bar Harbor, Maine. Saint John is the home of majestic natural phenomena like the renowned Reversing Falls and the world’s highest tides, located where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy.

And during two seven-night sailings from New York to the Bahamas, cruisers will be treated to a double-dose of pixie dust. We are pairing a stop at Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay, with a magical day at Port Canaveral, Florida… where every guest receives a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and round-trip transportation to the theme parks in nearby Orlando!

Baja and Mexican Riviera Voyages from California
Also in September 2019, the Disney Wonder will set sail for a limited engagement in San Diego, where guests can embark on adventures to Baja and the Mexican Riviera. Baja itineraries highlight the region’s famous beaches and exciting water activities with calls on Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. Two exclusive seven-night Mexican Riviera sailings feature the snorkeling and scuba diving hot spots Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.

Disney Cruise Line guests can add even more magic to these vacations by combining select San Diego-based cruises with a pre-cruise package from Adventures by Disney. During this three-night itinerary, guests will embark on a rare behind-the-magic visit to The Walt Disney Studios and Disney Archives, a private tour of Walt Disney Imagineering and a visit to the place where it all began — the Disneyland Resort!

Vacations to Bahamas and Caribbean from Texas
Beginning late November 2019, the Disney Wonder will make Galveston its home port for a special series of sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas, with itinerary options at four, six and seven nights.

Caribbean cruises include stops in Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Falmouth, Jamaica. Bahamian itineraries feature stops in Castaway Cay and Key West, Florida. Two of the Bahamian sailings also take guests to Nassau, Bahamas, while another includes an exclusive second day on Castaway Cay.

Tropical Escapes from Florida
The Disney Magic will return to Miami in November 2019 with a diverse lineup of cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, with most itineraries featuring a day ashore at Castaway Cay.

The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will continue sailing guest-favorite itineraries out of Port Canaveral, and every sailing includes a stop at Castaway Cay. The Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises, while the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

The Disney Fantasy will also sail a selection of special itineraries in fall 2019:
- In October, an eight-night voyage transports guests south to St. Kitts, Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico. A six-night Western Caribbean itinerary in October includes calls on Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Both itineraries are capped off with a day at Castaway Cay.
- In December, two unique seven-night itineraries on the Disney Fantasy include one cruise to San Juan, Tortola and Castaway Cay, and another voyage featuring two days on Disney’s private island after visits to Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
Disney Vacation Club Charter Cruises for 2019
Today, Disney Vacation Club announced the dates for two special members-only Disney Cruise Line charter cruises: a five-night Pacific Coast sailing aboard the Disney Wonder on May 15 and a seven-night cruise to Bermuda aboard the Disney Magic on October 5. Bookings for both cruises open to Disney Vacation Club members on June 23, 2018.

Which cruise will you choose? Bookings for fall 2019 sailings open May 24, 2018. If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!
May 18, 2018
Broadway Stars Take Center Stage During Select Disney Cruise Line Sailings
Guests aboard select Disney Magic, Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy sailings are in for a special treat when “Stars Set Sail” returns this year. This live concert series presented by Disney Theatrical Productions brings the magic of Disney’s renowned Broadway and international shows to the Walt Disney Theatre as some of the most prodigious Broadway performers join cruisers for an evening onstage.

The program features a world-class lineup of theatrical talent. Fans of “The Lion King” will recall Alton Fitzgerald White from his record-breaking 4,308 performances as the longest-running Mufasa on Broadway. And whether you’re a Broadway connoisseur or a theatre newbie, you’ll certainly recognize Jonathan Freeman when you hear him … After voicing the evil vizier Jafar in the animated film “Aladdin,” he currently portrays the iconic character in the Broadway show!

Other exciting names on our roster include Steve Blanchard, the longest-running Beast in “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway, and Kara Lindsay, star of the original cast of “Newsies” on Broadway and the “Newsies” film.

Every “Stars Set Sail” performance uniquely highlights the headliner’s theatrical repertoire and personal journey to Broadway. These extra-special sailings may also include meet-and-greets with the stars during exclusive Q&A sessions, plus adults-only shows in the evening and theater classes for teens and tweens.

Are you sailing with a star this year? Check out the full schedule of performers below.

Disney Magic
- May 13: Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
- July 7: Susan Egan (“Beauty and the Beast”)
- July 29: Jonathan Freeman (“Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast”)
- Aug.16: Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”)
- Sept. 9: Michelle Mallardi (“Beauty and the Beast”)
Disney Wonder
- April 8: Steve Blanchard (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Newsies”) & Meredith Inglesby (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Newsies”)
- July 9: Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”)
- Oct. 19: Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
Disney Fantasy
- June 30: Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid”)
- Dec. 29: Susan Egan (“Beauty and the Beast”)
If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!
May 7, 2018