How many wishes will come true with the launch of the newest Disney Cruise ship?
The 4,000-passenger Disney Dream, to be named in Florida in January, was floated out of a giant construction shed this week. It will take a generous sprinkling of pixie dust just to get it the 25 miles down the River Ems from Papenburg to the North Sea next week.
The 128,000 ship – largest ever built in Germany – is half as big again as Disney’s two existing ships, the Magic and the Wonder. A fourth vessel, the Fantasy, is already being built, and will launch in 2012.
Dream has a unique 765-ft AquaDuck water coaster circling the top deck and – as you would expect from Disney – children’s facilities second to none.
Tiny tots can be left in the Small World nursery, older kids have their own areas in the Oceaneer Club and Edge tween club, while 14-17-year olds have their own Vibe club and open deck area in the ship’s elegant – and very pointy – bow. Wherever they are there will be endless opportunities to meet their favourite Disney characters.
Mums and dads have not been forgotten. There’s an extensive spa plus discos, nightclubs and bars, including Pink, for which Taittinger have created a cuvee prestige which will sell for $70 a bottle.
Families will eat together in a different restaurant each night, rotating from the Enchanted Garden to the Royal Palace and the Animator’s Palate. No children are allowed in Palo, the Italian speciality restaurant, or Remy, inspired by the movie Ratatouille and with $75-a-head menus created by two-star Michelin chef Arnaud Lallement and Disney’s own Scott Hunnel.
Disney Dream will start sailing three, four and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, including Disney’s own resort of Castaway Cay, from January 26 and there are some great deals available.
Start with a seven-night stay at the Disney Pop Century Hotel at Walt Disney World, Orlando, before joining the Dream for a four-night sailing to Nassau and Castaway Cay. Fares for a departure on October 16 start at £1,249 per person for two sharing an inside cabin. Go to www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0871 781 9893.
Book the same cruise itinerary on its own for £999 for a February 20 departure, or £429 for October 22. Go to www.iglucruise.com or call 0208 544 6639.
Closer to home, Disney Magic will be back in the Mediterranean next summer. Take an 11-night cruise sailing on May 28 from Barcelona to Malta, Tunis, Naples, La Spezia, Ajaccio and Villefranche. Fares from £970 (cruise-only). Go to www.readeroffers.travel or call 0845 458 8909.
Sister ship Disney Wonder will be sailing Alaskan waters for the first time next year. For a departure on August 30 from Vancouver, sailing for seven nights to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, cruise-only fares start at £639. Go to www.iglucruise.com or call 0208 544 6639.
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