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The new Disney Wish cruise ship is taking dining to a whole new level. You will find places to grab a bite in the three themed districts with everything to quick casual fare to a smoothie bar to a poolside bar and chic café.

However, the true magic happens at dinner. The Wish will debut three new dining concepts that incorporate dinner into various Disney stories. There’s a reason they are called dining concepts – they go way beyond dining in a restaurant and instead offer an entertainment experience along with world-class
cuisine.

The first is Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. This first-ever Frozen-themed dining experience features all your favorite characters – Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf – in an immersive show while you enjoy a menu influenced by Nordic dishes.

The second venue, Worlds of Marvel, will appeal to Avengers fans as you play an interactive role in this cinematic adventure. The menu will feature worldly items inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The third experience, 1923, is named for the year that The Walt Disney Company was founded. Imagine
a celebration of this golden age of animation while choosing from a menu of fresh California-inspired
cuisine.

Each of these three new concepts promises to deliver its own unique experience with something to offer everyone in the family.

If you want to experience the new Disney Wish and these amazing staterooms, contact me today.

The Disney Wish, the newest ship with Disney Cruise line, will begin sailing in 2022, and in the usual Disney fashion, they are pulling out all the stops.

The AquaMouse, a two-seater aqua coaster, is the first Disney attraction at sea. It wouldn’t be a Disney ride without a story line, and on AquaMouse, Mickey and Minnie have started their own seaside excursion company named Port Misadventures.

At the beginning of the ride, you’ll cruise through a tunnel while enjoying an animated short with sea creatures, Disney characters, music and 60+ water effects.

Don’t get too comfortable! At the end of the tunnel, you’ll blast out for a ride around the upper decks, including a funnel with lighting effects, a quick dash through a dark tunnel, and up and down a series of speed blasters. Finish up with a loop over the edge of the ship (yes, you will see the ocean below you) and a splash landing with a parting message from Mickey and Minnie.

The AquaMouse promises to be a fun adventure for the entire family!

Book a cruise on the Disney Wish to experience AquaMouse for yourself!

What do you think of when someone mentions Disney Imagineers? You most likely think of the theme parks and the rides. However, Disney also employs imagineers to design their cruise ships, and they have been actively involved with the design of the staterooms on the newest ship, the Disney Wish.

The Wish Tower Suite is the first-ever suite that is in the funnel of the ship (the most iconic feature of a cruise ship, which was initially designed as a smokestack.) This incredible suite, which looks over the upper decks, has two master bedrooms, a children’s room with bunk beds, a library that can be converted to another bedroom and incredible views. It is comparable to the suite in Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom.

You’ll also find a handful of other suites themed after Moana, Tangled, The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. The four royal suites that celebrate Sleeping Beauty are available as 1- or 2-story suites, all of which include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an extensive living area, open dining room, pantry and hot tub on the private verandah. Seven of the oceanview rooms, with The Little Mermaid theme, have angled floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bow. Those who book one of the 76 concierge staterooms and suites will receive premium service and access to exclusive areas and amenities, including the Concierge Lounge, private sun deck, wading pool, bar and a dedicated pool deck host.

You don’t have to book a suite to enjoy all the magic and whimsy of the Disney stories. Each stateroom has just enough magic while still feeling comfortable, cozy and restful. These peaceful retreats were designed with families in mind, offering roomy closets, storage space under the beds, split bathrooms, and bathtubs for getting the little ones scrubby clean. Some of the staterooms have connecting doors for larger families along with partitions between verandahs that can be opened for a larger balcony. Speaking of verandahs, 70% of the staterooms will have them.

Regardless of which accommodations you choose on the Disney Wish, you and your family will be delighted with the amenities and magical Disney touches that are to be found in every inch of your room.

If you want to experience the new Disney Wish and these amazing staterooms, contact me today.

Two epic adventures at sea return to Disney Cruise Line in 2022 – Marvel Day at Sea (Disney Magic) and Star Wars Day at Sea (Disney Fantasy). 

Marvel Day at Sea – Disney Magic

You can combine the excitement of a Disney cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas with the thrills of renowned Marvel comics, films and animated series for an action-packed, day-long celebration of the Marvel Universe on the following special 5-night Disney Magic sailings out of Miami, Florida:

Sail DateItinerary
January 8, 20225-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
January 17, 20225-Night Bahamian Cruise
January 22, 20225-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
January 31, 20225-Night Bahamian Cruise
February 5, 20225-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
February 14, 20225-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
February 19, 20225-Night Bahamian Cruise
February 28, 20225-Night Bahamian Cruise
March 5, 20225-Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Star Wars Day at Sea – Disney Fantasy

Guests can celebrate the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga during a day at sea on the following 7-night Disney Fantasysailings from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Caribbean and a galaxy far, far away:

Sail DateItinerary
January 8, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
January 15, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
January 22, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
January 29, 20227-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
February 5, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
February 12, 20227-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
February 19, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
February 26, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
March 5, 20227-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Let’s get started planning your Star Wars Day at Sea or Marvel Day at Sea cruise now!

Having peace of mind if your travel plans are more important now more than ever. In response to this, Disney Cruise Line has made temporary modifications to their standard booking policy that allows your family to adjust their sail date should you need to.

For any Disney Cruises booked by August 31, 2020, for sailings through March 2021, you can rest assured knowing that you can change your sail date up to 15 days prior to departure.

Important Details

  • Guests who have booked before August 31, 2020 have the ability to change their sail date up to 15 days prior to embarkation.
  • Guests scheduled to sail on or before March 31, 2021 may take advantage of this offer.
  • Guests who wish to change their sail date must move to a future sailing that commences prior to April 1, 2022. Standard prevailing rates will apply.
  • Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this offer.
  • Should you cancel your new sail date, any cancellation fees applicable to the original sail date will be deferred and applied as a minimum cancellation fee to the future sailing.
  • Standard air cancellation fees apply for Guests who booked flights through Disney Cruise Line.

To plan your next Disney Cruse, contact me today!

As if sailing on a Disney Cruise wasn’t magical enough, chart a course for more magic as you share in special day-long celebrations on select Disney cruises. You can step into the epic saga of Star Wars or thrill to an amazing Marvel Day at Sea. As you sail, delight in enchanting entertainment and activities throughout the ship.

Star Wars Day at Sea

Celebrate the ways of The Force with a special deck party, photo opportunities with characters, and deck party with fireworks! Kids can take part in an onboard version of Jedi Training Academy and special food and beverages will be served. Each week a different guest presenter will share their stories.

Star Wars Cruises
2020 – Disney Fantasy: January 11 – February 29

Star Wars Day at Sea will only be offered on nine Disney Fantasy seven-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Port Canaveral:

  • Departing Jan. 11, Jan. 25 and Feb. 22, 2020, the eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Tortola, St. Thomas and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
  • Departing Feb. 8, 2020, the eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Tortola; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Castaway Cay.
  • Departing Jan. 4, Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 15 and Feb. 29, 2020, the western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica and Castaway Cay.

Marvel Day at Sea

Meet your favorite super heroes, including Black Panther, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, Loki, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, plus Star-Lord, Gamora and Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. Kids will take part in Marvel-themed games and activites, then the whole family is invited to see Doctor Strange host an interactive show that allows children train in the “fundamentals of the Mystic Arts,” and finally an action-packed deck party with fireworks closes out the day.

Marvel Cruises
2020 – Disney Magic: select sailings January 9 – March 9

Marvel Day at Sea will only be offered on nine Disney Magic Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Miami.

  • Departing Jan. 9, Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 9, 2020, the Bahamian itinerary includes Key West, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
  • Departing Feb. 1, Feb. 15 and Feb. 29, 2020, the western Caribbean itinerary includes George Town, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay.
  • Departing Jan. 18, 2020, the western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay.

To experience Star Wars Day at Sea or Marvel Day at Sea or any other Disney Cruise Line sailing, contact me here.

U.S. News & World Report rates more than 150 cruise ships based on an analysis of expert and user opinions that factor in traveler type, overall cruise ship quality, reputation in the industry, types of itineraries, approval ratings and more. To read more about their ranking system, click here.

Best Cruise Lines for the Money

#1 Royal Caribbean International

#2 Celebrity Cruises

#3 Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines for the Families

#1 Disney Cruise Line

#2 Royal Caribbean International

#3 Carnival Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines for Couples

#1 Viking Ocean Cruises

#2 Seabourn Cruise Line

#3 Crystal Cruises

Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

#1 Disney Cruise Line

#2 Royal Caribbean International

#3 Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean

#1 Seabourne Cruise Line

#2 Crystal Cruises

#3 Viking Ocean Cruises

Best Luxury Cruise Lines

#1 Viking Ocean Cruises

#2 Seabourne Cruise Line

#3 Crystal Cruises

To plan your next cruise and experience any of these cruise lines for yourself, contact me today!

In early 2021, Disney Cruise Line will return to New Orleans for a limited-time engagement with sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including visits to Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay. A lineup of popular itineraries will continue across the Disney fleet with cruises to tropical destinations from Texas, California and Florida.

Return to New Orleans

Back by popular demand, the Disney Wonder will return to the bayou from late January through February 2021 with a series of magical voyages. A pair of four- and five-night cruises to the Western Caribbean kick off the season from New Orleans. The five-night voyage includes a visit to Progreso, Mexico, a new port of call for Disney Cruise Line on the Yucatan Peninsula. This quaint town is filled with treasures for families to explore together, from ancient Mayan ruins to hidden swimming holes filled with crystal-clear water.

Three seven-night sailings to the Bahamas with a stop at Disney Castaway Cay, plus a 14-night Panama Canal cruise, round out the departures from the Crescent City in early 2021.

Guests sailing from New Orleans will experience the flavors and flair of the Big Easy both onboard the Disney Wonder and ashore. The sounds and sights of New Orleans come to life at Tiana’s Place restaurant, where families are transported to an era of southern charm, spirited jazz and street party celebrations with live music and other surprises inspired by the Disney animated film “The Princess and the Frog.” Before or after their cruise, your Clients can savor the city’s distinct cuisine, visit family-friendly museums and parks, and take in the sounds of world-renowned live jazz music. 

Popular Itineraries from Texas and California

The Disney Wonder will also return to the popular home ports of Galveston and San Diego in early 2021. Guests sailing from Texas can enjoy the white-sand beaches of the Western Caribbean on a series of four- and six-night cruises to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. One seven-night departure will feature stops at Key West, Nassau and Disney Castaway Cay.

Following the season in New Orleans, the Disney Wonder heads to the West Coast for a variety of sailings to Baja and the Mexican Riviera departing from San Diego. Families can hunt for gold aboard a pirate ship in Cabo San Lucas, embark on an off-road adventure in Ensenada or sunbathe on glittering sand beaches on cruises ranging from three to seven nights.

Bahamian and Caribbean Getaways from Florida

Disney Cruise Line will have three ships sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida in early 2021, and every cruise includes a day at Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay. This award-winning destination, reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line Guests, is the ultimate escape for everyone in the family.

  • From Miami, the Disney Magic will sail three-, four- and five-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises.
  • From Port Canaveral, the Disney Fantasy will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
  • From Port Canaveral, the Disney Dream will sail three- and four-night Bahamian cruises.

Platinum, Gold or Silver Castaway Club members, can take advantage of the opportunity to book early 2021 itineraries before they go on sale to the general public on Oct. 3, 2019.  You can book either online or by phone during the designated booking window:

  • Sept. 30, 2019: Platinum Members
  • Oct. 1, 2019: Platinum and Gold Members
  • Oct. 2, 2019: Platinum, Gold and Silver Members
  • Oct. 3, 2019: all Guests

Contact me today to start planning your next Disney Cruise!

Disembarkation day is the final day of your cruise as you leave the ship and the saddest day of all. Disembarkation day can be somewhat stressful and full of long lines and lots of waiting – waiting for an elevator, waiting for your disembarkation group to be called, waiting in the line to exit the ship, waiting to go through customs, waiting for transportation, waiting at the airport for your flight home.

Knowing the process of disembarkation and what to expect may help ease the stress on the last day of your cruise vacation. This process is very different than checking out of a hotel, you cannot just leave when you are ready. All passengers must pass through immigration and customs, and not everyone can be processed at once, so passengers are divided into groups.

A Few Days Before

Two to three days before your actual last day on the ship, the cruise line will ask you to complete a short disembarkation form with the details of your departure. This information is how the cruise line will assign you a disembarkation group. The assigned group will determine the time you will be permitted to leave the ship that will fit with your travel plans.

You must also complete a customs form to disembark the cruise ship because you have visited international ports, even if you didn’t make any purchases or never got off the ship. Only one form is needed per family. The form has questions about your activities while traveling, ports visited and items you are bringing back into the country. Fill out the form before debarkation but keep it easily accessible as you will need to present it to the customs agent when you leave the ship.

This is the time to review your onboard account. You may be able to access a copy of your bill on the television in your stateroom. You must settle your account before disembarking the ship. You probably presented a credit card when you checked in, so if everything on your bill looks correct, you don’t have to do anything. If you have an issue on your bill or want to pay with cash or gift card, this is the time to visit the Guest Services desk. The line at Guest Services on your last day on the ship will be long! The earlier you visit the Guest Services desk, the better. On some cruise lines, you can continue to use your cruise card on the morning of departure and all charges will be billed to the credit card you have on file.

The Day Before

At some point, your stateroom attendant will leave disembarkation information in your stateroom. This will include disembarkation instructions, a group number, colored luggage tags, estimated time your group will disembark, available breakfast options and where to wait for your disembarkation group to be called. If you see any problems with your assignment, visit Guest Services as soon as possible. If you need additional colored luggage tags, you can get them from your stateroom attendant.  

There will most likely also be a disembarkation video playing on one of the TV stations with detailed step-by-step information on the disembarkation process. If any information is unclear, visit the Guest Services desk and they will be able to answer any questions you have.

This is the time to visit the photo gallery if you want to purchase cruise photos or make one last stroll through the shops because they will not be open in port the next morning.

Unless you pre-paid your tips, they are automatically added to your shipboard account, but you will also have the option to provide additional individual cash gratuities to staff members who provided you with exemplary service. Stateroom attendants, main dining room attendants and bartenders are those most often given additional tips. You can pass them out on your last evening on the ship before disembarkation day. Guest Services often has small envelops for cash tips for your convenience, if there were none left in your stateroom.

Getting your luggage off of the ship is different than anything you may have experienced before and can be confusing for first-time cruisers. You can carry your luggage off without assistance or use general collection. Carrying your luggage off or self-disembarkation can sound like a good idea, but you must vacate your room early on disembarkation day and you must be able to handle all of your luggage with you through crowded hallways and elevators, up and down stairs and keep it with you while you have breakfast. This is a great option if you travel light and wish to get off the ship as soon as it clears customs. This is the first group allowed to disembark the cruise ship.

If you opt for general collection, you will attach the colored luggage tag to your luggage and place it outside your stateroom the night before disembarkation. The exact time will be in the disembarkation information your stateroom attendant left for you. Sometimes it is before dinner and other times it is by 11pm. You will not see your bags again until the next morning in the terminal, so it is important to pack a small carry-on. You will need your cruise card, passport, custom forms in addition to any valuables and medication. Don’t forget to leave out your toiletries and a change of clothes so you aren’t disembarking in your pajamas!

Some ships offer valet luggage programs and you will need to check with Guest Services after you board to see if your ship and the port where you disembark offer it. With this service, your luggage is taken from the cruise ship and checked in with your airline. You will not see your luggage again until your final destination. This service generally costs between $20-$25 per person.

Disembarkation Day

The ship will pull into port very early in the morning and begin being cleared by customs. The arrival time on your itinerary is the time the ship arrives in port and not the time you can exit the ship. Customs generally moves very quickly, but sometimes it can take longer. This is why it is advised you never book a flight before noon.

The entire ship must be prepared for a group of new passengers on the day you are leaving. You will most likely be asked to leave your stateroom before 8 am even if your disembarkation time isn’t until a few hours later. Be sure to check your disembarkation paperwork to see the hours and location for breakfast. After breakfast, you will have to wait in one of the lounges with your disembarkation group until you are called.

In general, early flight and loyalty passengers will disembark first, along with passengers who are carrying all their luggage. It is during this time that crew members are moving collected luggage from the ship to the claim area in the terminal. Once the first set of luggage has been sorted, disembarkation zones will begin to be called. Luggage is delivered to the customs area in colored groups that match up with your disembarkation group number. If you debark before your zone is called, your luggage may not yet be unloaded, and you will be waiting in the hot, crowded terminal.

Once your group is called, you will proceed to the gangway and disembark. Follow the signs and keep your group together. You will need to retrieve your luggage (if you didn’t valet it). It will not be on a carousel, like at the airport, but placed in rows grouped by the colored luggage tag for your disembarkation group. There may be several hundred bags in your luggage group, so it is best to mark your luggage so that it stands out against the rest. I have a hot pink luggage strap!

Once you have gathered your luggage you can enter the line for customs. You will want to have your customs form and passport handy. You will show it to the customs agent, and they may ask you some questions.

You should have a plan for transportation to the airport or hotel. There will be thousands of people disembarking during a relatively short period of time and you may even start to run into passengers arriving for the next cruise, so expect chaos. There will be a long line for cabs and the rideshare area will be congested.

You can use a car service, which is great if you have a lot of luggage. The cruise line will also offer a shuttle bus to the airport. You can book prior to your cruise or while onboard, but you will need to make reservations in advance. For more than a few people, a taxi, rideshare, or private car will be less expensive than the cruise line shuttle.

As you can see, disembarkation day can be hectic if you don’t know what is going on! Now that you know what to expect, you can hopefully have a more relaxing end to your cruise vacation. Now it is time to book your next cruise!

For more information on cruising, contact me here.