eJourna » cruises

Kids Sail Free on Seven-Night Mexican Riviera Cruises Aboard the Disney Wonder

Tonia — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:06 +0000

Disney Cruise Line is making it easier to experience the magic of Disney Cruise Line on the West Coast with a special “Kids Free” offer on seven-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera starting January 2011.

Disney Cruise Ship

Guests 17 and under can sail free on seven-night voyages aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanied by two full-fare paying guests occupying the same stateroom (government taxes and fees excluded). This offer is valid for most sailings from Jan. 23 to March 20, 2011, and covers a variety of stateroom categories, ranging from deluxe family staterooms with verandas to standard inside staterooms (categories 4 to 11). However, there are a limited number of staterooms available for this special offer. Guests can book through July 31, 2010.

Guests sailing to the Mexican Riviera aboard the Disney Wonder will experience exciting ports of call combined with a family-friendly cruise only Disney can deliver. The seven-night cruises include visits to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta coupled with three fun-filled days at sea. Onboard, guests will enjoy dazzling stage spectaculars, including “Toy Story-The Musical,” inspired by the Disney Pixar films; over-the-top deck parties, featuring the only fireworks display at sea; nearly an entire deck dedicated to youth activities; sophisticated offerings for adults and fun experiences for the entire family.

Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary start at $639 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

To book a vacation or to get complete details on the “Kids Free” special offer, guests can visit disneycruise.com/kidsfree, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. Guests should mention or input booking code “KFMR” when making the reservation.

Photo by davecobb

Nickelodeon and Norwegian Cruise Line Hit the Open Sea with Nickelodeon” All Access Cruises

Tonia — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:00:11 +0000

Norwegian Cruise Line and Nickelodeon announced the dates and itineraries for the two 2011 “Nickelodeon All Access Cruises.” These special Nickelodeon-themed cruises will give guests exclusive access to a fun-filled, seven-day itinerary of Nickelodeon-themed entertainment all day, every day on board Norwegian Jewel from New York on February 20, 2011, and on the cruise line’s newest ship, Norwegian Epic, from Barcelona on July 24, 2011.

Family Fun on Norwegian Cruise Lines

“‘Nickelodeon All Access Cruises’ only on Norwegian Cruise Line will provide families with the ultimate vacation experience at sea,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “These immersive cruises offer the freedom and flexibility that Freestyle Cruising provides with the ability for families to get up close and personal with Nickelodeon.”.

“We are very excited to offer families unique and exclusive Nickelodeon entertainment programs on two world-class vessels, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Epic,” said Howard Smith, executive vice president, Nickelodeon Recreation. “‘Nickelodeon All Access Cruises’ offer the ultimate cruise experience with a thrilling line up of Nickelodeon entertainment combined with Norwegian’s world-class ships and exciting itineraries.”

The inaugural “Nickelodeon All Access Cruise” on board Norwegian Jewel sets sail on February 20, 2011, with a round-trip seven-day itinerary from New York sailing to Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island. Norwegian Epic’s “Nickelodeon All Access Cruise” departs on July 24, 2011, from Barcelona on a seven-day Western Mediterranean cruise to Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.

Cruises are priced from $1,349 per person, based on double occupancy. Travel partners and guests should call 866–234-5610 to book one of these immersive cruises.

These two specialty cruises will include access to exclusive meet and greets with Nickelodeon stars; screenings of never-before-seen episodes of hit Nick shows; interactive game shows for the entire family; Nick-themed Sailaway; Club Nick parties; and the opportunity for every family to get slimed.

To learn more about “Nickelodeon All Access Cruises” or “Nickelodeon at Sea” year-round programming, visit www.ncl.com/nickelodeon.

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines

Just Two Days Left to Cruise Wisconsin’s Lake Geneva

Tonia — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:49 +0000

Lake Geneva Cruise, Wisconsin. Photo by Opacity.

Winter is fast approaching the Midwest, but there’s still time to get in that cruise on Wisconsin’s beautiful Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva Cruise Line will cruise the lake for the final weekend November 14th and 15th, before shutting down for the winter.

Each day they’ll be offering two cruises: Saturday 11/14 & Sunday 11/15: 11:00–12:00 Geneva Bay Tour and from 1:00–3:00 Full Lake Tour.

Lake Geneva Cruise Lines is also offering great end of season discounts. Ask for the EOS discount and receive $10 off per person on all reservations booked before 10 am on the day of the tour. After 10 am, on the day of the tour, ask for the EOS discount when buying tickets and receive a $5 per person discount.

Contact Lake Geneva Cruise Line for advanced reservations 262–248-6206. Tour schedule is weather permitting. Check their website for more details: www.cruiselakegeneva.com.

Photo by Opacity

Disney’s New “Water Coaster” Cruise Ship Setting Sail in 2011

Ron — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:45:16 +0000

Disney Cruise Line The Disney Dream

CELEBRATION, Fla., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ — A first-of-its kind water coaster that sends guests racing above the upper decks of the ship. An animated turtle that engages children in conversation about life in the ocean. A sophisticated lounge where the sun sets over the skyline of a different world-famous city each night. When the Disney Dream debuts in early 2011, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will bring to life these innovations and more.

The Disney Dream will take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the preeminent cruise of choice for families since 1998.

Disney Cruise Line revolutionized the cruise industry with purpose-built ships designed just for families. With the Disney Dream setting sail on Jan. 26, 2011, preparations are underway to expand the one-of-a-kind family experience, utilizing technology to enhance the world-class entertainment and legendary guest services onboard. From stem to stern, the Disney Dream will offer a cruise experience that caters to the preferences of the whole family.

“For more than a decade, passengers have filled their passports with memories sailing around the world with Disney Cruise Line,” said Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. “With the Disney Dream joining our fleet, we’ll be able to take families to even more places they never imagined they could visit — in true Disney style.”

The Disney Dream features a remarkable interior design which provides guests with a warm and welcoming feel throughout. The ship’s design offers guests a perfect blend of elegant Art Deco style and fun-filled Disney whimsy to create one of the most spectacular ships afloat. Distinctly Disney guest features aboard the Disney Dream include:

Disney Cruise Line Aquaduck

AquaDuck Water Coaster

Disney Cruise Line debuts a cruise-industry first: a shipboard water coaster … AquaDuck! Guests aboard the Disney Dream will get swept away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids — all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.

AquaDuck stretches 765 feet in length — more than two and a half times the length of a football field — and spans four decks in height.
Guests slide 13 feet over the side of the ship in a translucent “swing out” loop allowing them to look down on the ocean 150 feet below.
Guests experience coaster-like thrills as high-powered water jets push them upwards and forwards at 20 feet per second.
AquaDuck continues through the forward funnel, encounters a 335 foot stretch of river rapids and splashes down to an end on Deck 12.

A Virtual Porthole for Inside Staterooms

Disney Cruise Line introduces another stateroom innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Virtual Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Virtual Porthole.

As guests observe the impressive outside views, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney-Pixar hit film “Finding Nemo,” or Mickey Mouse may pop by the Virtual Porthole.

A Magical Oasis for Children

Only on a Disney Cruise Line ship can children become immersed in their favorite Disney stories with the help of caring counselors, beloved Disney characters and a sprinkling of pixie dust. The celebration of children’s creativity rises to a new level on the Disney Dream with nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children. There are two main spaces for children ages three to 10:

At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, children can:

Play among larger-than-life characters from Disney–Pixar’s “Toy Story” in Andy’s Room
Explore the Laugh Floor with lovable monsters Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.”
Dive under the sea with Nemo and friends or visit Tinker Bell’s fairy forest

At Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, children feel as though they are embarking on a great seafaring adventure in a room filled with maps, maritime instruments and swashbuckling artifacts. Here, children can try their hand at animation, become a pop star or navigate ships through digital seas.

Both venues offer magical interactions with the animated characters such as Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney-Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo” and Stitch, the mischievous alien from “Lilo and Stitch.” The characters chat, play and joke with children in live, unrehearsed conversations from their digital undersea and intergalactic environments via 103-inch plasma screens.

Chill-Out Zones for Tweens and Teens

Located inside the forward funnel is Edge — the lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13). This tween pad is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology.

Teens have their own exclusive club aboard the Disney Dream with Vibe — a trendy and inviting indoor/outdoor space created especially for guests ages 14 to 17. A “teen-only” swipe card provides access to the nearly 9,000-square-foot club.

Teens can create and edit videos, play computer games, access the onboard social media application or try their hand at spinning and mixing dance tracks. Teens have their own private outdoor deck area with chaise lounges for sunbathing, two wading pools, misters and pop jets for cooling off, and deck games such as ping-pong and foosball.

Personal Touches with Rotational Dining

Disney Cruise Line continues its innovative rotational dining concept onboard the Disney Dream with elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine to create a magical dining experience. Throughout the cruise, guests “rotate” through three different restaurants for dinner — with their servers accompanying them, providing guests with friendly, familiar, personalized service each night. The rotational dining restaurants include:

Animator’s Palate, a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for a unique experience that will captivate the entire family.
Royal Palace, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
Enchanted Garden, a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.

Just for Adults

On the Disney Dream, while children are having the time of their lives in the elaborately themed youth areas, adults can look forward to incomparable indulgences and relaxation with exclusive areas and offerings designed exclusively for them.

Adults can escape into The District, a nighttime entertainment area on the Disney Dream with five unique venues. This playground for grownups features sophisticated lounges, each with its own unique design, look, feel, and palate-pleasing delights.
Senses Spa & Salon offers adult tranquility with 17 private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas with indoor treatment rooms and private outdoor verandahs, and Rainforest, a special section of the spa offering the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy to relax the mind and body.
At Palo, adult guests find epicurean excellence and an unforgettable dinner experience at sea. Every seat offers beautiful ocean vistas while a pianist softly serenades guests in an intimate restaurant setting.

The Disney Dream is scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage Jan. 26, 2011, and will sail alternating three– and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer months, the ship will alternate four– and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay. Guests can book their Disney Dream cruise beginning Nov. 9, 2009.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

Fall and Winter History and Architecture Tours of Chicago

Ron — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:04:31 +0000

Architectural River Cruise. Photo by Anne Evans.

If you find yourself in Chicago this holiday season, you might want to immerse yourself in the rich architectural history of this great city. There is no better way to do that than to take one of the Chicago Architectural Foundation’s (CAF) 80+ river, walking and bus tours.

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise

It’s not too late to go on CAF’s world-famous Official Architecture River Cruises aboard the heated cabin of the Chicago’s First Lady. Tours depart every day throughout the day through November 22.

See www.architecture.org for full schedule.

Bus Tours

Highlights by Bus

Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30am

This three and a half hour bus tour highlights Chicago’s wide range of architectural influence and design, exploring architectural landmarks such as the Mies van der Rohe’s IIT campus, the Rookery in downtown Chicago, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House. The tour covers over 30 miles of the city including: Barack Obama’s neighborhood, the Loop, Hyde Park, the Gold Coast, and historic neighborhoods and campuses.

Devil in the White City Bus Tour

Nov 3, 8, 12, 22 and Dec 1, 6, 17 at 10am.

This compelling bus tour and slide presentation is based upon Erik Larson’s bestselling novel that chronicles the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the emergence of America’s first mass murderer.

Downtown Walking Tours

Palmer House

Saturday, Nov 7 and Dec 5 at 10:30am. This new 45-minute walking tour goes behind the scenes of this remarkable Chicago landmark. One of the oldest continuously-operated hotels in the world, the restoration of this historic treasure is an inspiring tale of perseverance, talent, and vision.

*Tour meets in the WABASH AVENUE lobby (between Monroe and Adams)

Modern Wing Tours – Art Institute of Chicago

Nov 14 and 18, Dec 12 and 16, Jan 9 and 20 at 12pm. Docents examine the context for the Renzo Piano-designed addition and its incorporation into the campus’s overall design.

Preserving Chicago Landmarks

Nov 28 and Dec 26 at 12:30 pm. This tour explores why choices to preserve are made and how those decisions shape the future of Chicago.

Historic Downtown (South Loop): Rise of the Skyscraper

Daily at 10am

Chicago Old and New: Intersections

Mondays and Wednesdays at 11am through the end of November. Focusing on five intersections in the Loop, this tour looks at the architectural elements that create Chicago’s unique urban fabric.

Magnificent Mile

Nov 7 and 10, Dec 8 and 19 at 10am. Docents explain the area’s transformation from an industrial, vice ridden district to the grand shopping mecca that we know today while exploring the area’s eclectic mix of architecture design.

Modern Skyscrapers

Daily at 1pm. This tour examines many of the buildings that helped place Chicago on the forefront of the modern architectural movement, from Mies van der Rohe’s Federal Center to the Art Institute’s new Modern Wing.

Historic Downtown (North Loop): Treasures

Nov-Feb: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm

Downtown Deco

November-March Thursday, Saturday at 11am

Explore some of Chicago’s famous art deco interiors and exterior spaces.

Tiffany Treasures in Chicago

Wednesdays at 3pm. This tour looks at the magnificent work of the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company in four late-19th century buildings: the Art Institute of Chicago, the Marquette Building, the Chicago Cultural Center, and Macy’s on State Street.

Willis Tower and 311 S. Wacker Drive

First Tuesday of the Month at 12:15pm

For a full schedule and ticket prices, visit www.architecture.org.

Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights River Cruise and Other Special Offers

Ron — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:20:26 +0000

Join the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) for a special Chicago architecture river cruise on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 4pm to celebrate North Michigan Avenue’s Festival of Lights.

Santa and Reindeer, Magnificent Mile Holiday Lights Festival. Photo by Rex Libris.

For 50 years, the trees along North Michigan Avenue have been illuminated to signal the official kick-off of the holiday season in Chicago and around the nation. With the help of over 800 volunteers, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival encourages everyone to join in the spirit of the holiday season and enjoy a host of festive experiences along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

In addition to the river cruise, this year you can celebrate the magic of the Lights Festival with a book and a postcard series that highlights the past of this historic annual event. Written by Ellen S. Farrar, the book, titled The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, is part of Arcadia Publishing’s popular series Images of America and can be purchased through Amazon.

Tickets for the river cruise can be purchased online through Ticketmaster. For more information on the Chicago Architecture Foundation, visit their website.

Other Special Offers

Visitors can also take advantage of other special offers including:

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.: Free Garrett’s Popcorn & Free Hershey Bar

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.
November 1 – December 31

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Chicago from a famous Chicago Trolley or Double Decker bus. Free Garrett’s Popcorn and Hershey Bars for all ticketed passengers.

http://www.coachusa.com/chicagotrolley/

Best Western River North Hotel: Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar

Best Western River North Hotel
November 21–22

Enjoy complimentary gourmet hot chocolate and homemade cookies from 7–9 p.m.!

http://www.rivernorthhotel.com/

John Hancock Observatory: Santa’s Winter Wonderland More than a Thousand Feet Up!

John Hancock Observatory
November 1 — December 31

No better way to celebrate the holidays than for free from a thousand feet up! During November and December, one free youth (3–11) per full –fare paying adult. Check out www.hancockobservatory.com for our full schedule of Winter Wonderland events and for terms & conditions.

http://www.hancockobservatory.com/

The Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile: The Winter Wonderland Package

The Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile
November 22, 2009 – January 3, 2010

Package includes: One double queen room for two nights, in-door parking for one vehicle for two nights, two adult drink coupons redeemable at the lobby bar, two kids drink coupons redeemable at the lobby bar, four tickets to
view a movie of choice at the Navy Pier IMAX theater that includes “A Christmas Carol” in 3D.

http://www.doubletreemagmile.com/

For more details about Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, visit: http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

Photo by Rex Libris

Forever Resorts Launches “Bird and a Boat” Package with 40 Percent Discount for Thanksgiving Travelers

Tonia — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:42 +0000

Forever Resorts houseboat rentals

Not everyone wants to go home for the holidays – some prefer to get away and out into nature. Travelers looking to celebrate Turkey Day out of town and on a lake will give thanks for the Forever Resorts “Bird and a Boat” houseboating special.

The 2009 “Bird and a Boat” package, valid on houseboating adventures departing on Wednesday Nov. 25 from various Forever Resorts marinas, includes a free turkey and a 40 percent discount on houseboating vacations – which means houseboaters get to relish five days on the lake for the cost of three.

“This is an exceptional value as well as a wonderful opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to come together for Thanksgiving to enjoy each other’s company and the beauty and amenities of the great outdoors,” said John Schoppmann, executive vice president of Forever Resorts.

All Forever Resorts houseboats have fully equipped kitchens and outdoor barbecues, allowing adventurers the ability to customize their Thanksgiving meal to suit their traditions and tastes. There’s plenty of room on board to prepare, store and enjoy the fresh fixings of a Turkey Day feast (as well as the leftovers). Following their holiday meal, houseboaters have the option of watching movies or football on the satellite TV – or heading out of doors to enjoy the lake or surrounding landscape.

The “Bird and a Boat” package is available at the following Forever Resorts marinas:

Antelope Point Marina at Lake Powell – Arizona
Temple Bar Marina on Lake Mead – Arizona
Lake Don Pedro Marina at Don Pedro Lake – California
Lake Oroville Marina on Lake Oroville – California
Moccasin Point Marina at Don Pedro Lake – California
Pleasure Cove Marina at Lake Berryessa – California
Lake San Antonio Resort at Lake San Antonio — California
Callville Bay Resort & Marina on Lake Mead – Nevada
Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina on Lake Mohave – Nevada
Lake Amistad Resort & Marina at Lake Amistad – Texas

Boats in the Forever Houseboat fleet measure from 50 feet to 75 feet in length, and 14 feet to 18 feet in width — click here to take a tour. Most boats sleep 10 with a maximum capacity of 12. Houseboats are powered by dual engines and the floor plans are similar on each boat with the main living area, kitchen and dining all together. Typical setups include two to six staterooms and one to two full baths. All houseboats have luxury amenities such as a fully appointed kitchen, waterslide and barbecue grills. Operational training and a personal orientation by skilled marina staff teaches renters how to pilot, dock and beach a houseboat, as well as the boating safety rules of the lake. For reservations or questions regarding houseboat rentals at any of the marinas, call 800–255-5561 or visit www.foreverhouseboats.com.

Free Cruises to Military Personnel From Discovery

Tonia — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:15:27 +0000

Give a gift of a free cruise to Grand Bahama

For the past several years, Discovery Cruise Line has offered a special program for military personnel serving in the military overseas. To thank them for their service, Discovery offers those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan at any time during the preceding year a free Discovery day cruise to Grand Bahama Island.

Hanns J. Hahn, General Manager of Discovery, said, “We want to recognize our military personnel and remind their families that the program is on-going. They can give them a gift during the Holiday Season or anytime during the year.”

The offer, which is valid until December 31, 2011, is for one free roundtrip cruise to Grand Bahama on Discovery Cruise Line including the cost of all meals served, including a seven-course gourmet dinner in our Grand Bahama Grill on board, all service charges, taxes, and Bahamian departure fees. There are no additional costs involved.

To register a family member, friend or loved one for the free cruise, simply register that person’s name online at DiscoveryCruiseLine.com and Discovery will mail a receipt and a holiday card for them to pass on to the service man or woman. The receipt will entitle the person to his or her complimentary Discovery cruise. The receipt should be presented at the pier at the time of sailing, together with a Military ID and a letter from their unit confirming the places of service during the preceding year. Advanced reservations are required.

Discovery sails daily from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island, departing at 7:45 am and arriving back at the pier at 10 pm. Each year Discovery carries approximately 200,000 passengers between the two destinations.

The cruise features all the amenities of a longer cruise in one fun-filled day, including an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast as soon as you board and an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner on the return cruise. There’s also exciting casino action, live entertainment, outdoor games and activities, contests, spacious sun decks, a swimming pool, duty free shopping, and more.

For more information about this offer and for reservations call 1–800-93-SHIPS or visit Discovery’s web site at www.discoverycruiseline.com.

10 Reasons Why Your Family Should Go On A Disney Cruise

Ron — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:00:51 +0000

Disney Magic Cruise Ship in St. Thomas. Photo by Scott Ableman.

1. You have children age 12 and under

Every child should experience the magic of Disney at some point during their childhood. It is a special trip they will never forget and will cherish forever. The only way they’ll ever experience Castaway Cay is aboard a Disney vessel. A Disney cruise is an excellent way to experience everything Disney has to offer.

2. You have teenagers

Disney cruises realized long ago that small children grow older and developed programs for teenagers also. If you go on a cruise without your teens, you’ll worry about what they’re doing while you are away. So bring them along on a Disney cruise – they’ll love it.

3. You are planning a cruise without your children

Why leave the kids with grandma when you can take the kids along on a Disney cruise? Disney cruises plan itineraries for your children (all the way to midnight) no matter the age group. So, each of you can enjoy yourselves separately, and come together for meals, ports-of-call, etc. When the children are with you, all the worrying about their well-being is eliminated.

4. Away time for the parents

With the kids safely on-board and their fun-filled itineraries planned, Mom and Dad can enjoy some time on their own with the peace-of-mind that their children are safe. Should the need arise; an on-board paging system can make contact with parents at any time. Whether you want to go to an on-board coffee shop, health spa, or a nightclub – Disney cruises understands and can accommodate you.

5. Excellent dining

Opulent dining choices are always at or near the top of all cruisers’ lists of what they want in a cruise. Disney understands this and offers excellent cuisine for all. There is even an adults-only formal restaurant, the Palo, which specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. The kids will like Animator’s Palate where Disney scenes decorate the walls and change from black-and-white to vivid color before dinner is done.

6. On-board entertainment

30 foot “Ariel View” screen above the Goofy Pool on Deck 9. Photo by Scott Ableman.

Disney boats feature original productions at the Walt Disney Theatre. These area all live, Broadway-style productions with a cast of Disney characters the whole family is sure to recognize. Also, movies are featured in two locations on-board – at the state of the art Buena Vista Theatre, and under the night sky near the Goofy Pool on a jumbo LED screen. Plus, there’s more to the onboard entertainment than plays and movies – activities have been custom-tailored for all types of passengers. The Oceaneer Club is designed for the youngest sailors, ages 3–7 complete with a trained staff to help them enjoy the fun. For kids a little older, ages 8–12, there is the Oceaneer Lab with interactive games on a giant video wall. Also, kids can enjoy playing ship captain at Ocean Quest. Finally, for teens there are teen-only clubs designed to look like an apartment or dorm room where the tough-to-please can socialize with their age group. There are also activities designed for the whole family to enjoy together like the Studio Sea where Mom, Dad and the kids can participate in a live game show and sing karaoke together.

7. Locations visited by Disney Cruises

Disney Cruises feature a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. Other stops featured on the Caribbean cruises include Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John, Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Mexican Riviera cruise features a trip from Port Canaveral through the Panama Canal with stops at Castaway Cay, Aruba, Cartagena, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Capo San Lucas.

8. You want to do something different for Spring Break

It may be a little-known fact that Disney Cruises are a very popular choice for the college-age crowd during Spring Break, and it’s easy to understand why. A Disney cruise provides an alternative for those young adults not wishing to participate in the regular rites of debauchery in which so many other young adults partake.

9. You’ve never been to Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and it has features perfect for the whole family. Kids and teens can venture to Never Land and adults can go to Shangri-La. Of course, the whole family can relax together on the beach and take in some sun.

10. You’ve never been on a cruise

Disney Cruises is a great choice for those travelers who have never been on a cruise. Even if traveling without children the excursion will be a trip you will treasure forever. Disney cruises has many ship excursions planned no matter the season and there will surely be a trip that fits into your busy schedule.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0