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Disney genuinely offers one of the most unique cruise experiences afloat. The two-ship Disney Cruise Line is the ultimate
family option. The 1,750-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder (that's a double occupancy figure, by the way; a truer head
count is its maximum, which can handle up to 3,325 folks if every berth is occupied) are sister ships and 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 trips (alternating Eastern and Western); Disney Wonder handles the three-and
four-day trips and limits 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 is its cabins with a bath-and-a-half, a rotating
dining room schedule in which passengers eat at three different restaurants, albeit with the same table-mates and wait-staff.
It was the first cruise line to launch the "soda card concept," an idea which has been picked up by competitors.
Equally
distinctive is what Disney ships don't have: neither a casino nor a library.
Disney has said 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.
These ships may be geared to families but they sure are elegant. And yet -- quite user-friendly, as well. Other family
oriented features include the elaborate Walt Disney Theater, which resembles a plush Broadway house, and the Buena Vista Cinema,
which features Disney Corp. flicks. Studio Sea is styled like a television sound stage and offers a forum for G-rated floor
shows.
There are three pools. In the center is the main event area and it's geared to 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 folk have
more than a pool in which to escape. Palo is a boutique eatery featuring northern Italian cuisine; reserve the minute you
get on board because capacity is entirely too limited. The spa is also off-limits to the younger generation and one of the
highlights is its rainforest steam room. ESPN Sportszone 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 night clubs called "Beat Street;"
among the options there are Sessions, for jazz, and Rockin' Bar D for dancing, particularly country-western style.
There
are family cabins that hold six but all staterooms can handle at least four. 44% of outside cabins have verandahs. All come
with bathtubs, television, minibar, safe, and hair dryer.
Children's Programs: The children's
program is organized and run by dozens of caring youth counselors, along with scheduled character greetings (and many surprise
visits too) throughout the day. The inclusion of a brand-new nursery, Flounder's Reef, fills a void for parents looking for
childcare for their infants through age three. Spanning nearly an entire deck, Disney's Oceaneer Club is a supervised programs
for children aged 3-7 spilt into age groups of 3-4 and kids 5-7. The Oceaneer Lab; split into groups for kids aged 8-9 and
kids 10-12, where they will expereience high-tech interactive programs, hands-on science experiments, and ship-wide treasure
hunts. Kids 11-12 can compete in a marine biology knowledge quest game show and send digital post cards to friends. Teens
(13-17) have their own private club, Common Grounds, a New York-style coffee house plus competitive sports and nighttime activities.
Children's facilities are open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Flounder's Reef Nursery is for the infant set, with afternoon and
nightly hours available on a first-come, first-served basis according to babysitter availability. Rates are $6.00 per hour
for the first child ($5.00 for additional children).
Once signed in onboard the ship, your children are automatically
enrolled in the children's programs on Castaway Cay. There are supervised games for the individual age groups and bike riding.
However, take note they do not take the children swimming. Disney character appearances are scheduled several times daily
to appear in children's area on the private Island.
Rates for children three and under are $99 on both 3- and 4-night
sailings.
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