New Disney cruise ship launches in January

Donald Duck and the captain of the Disney Dream lay the keel for the new ship.

By Kate Schwartz

What makes the new Disney Dream cruise ship unique? Magic, of course! Like all Disney Cruise Line ships, the Dream combines state-of-the-art technology with a hint of enchantment.

If you’ve never taken a Disney cruise, throw stereotypes to the wind. This isn’t a kid-filled, in-your-face Disney experience; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The “Disney” is in the subtleties — perhaps you’ll notice a glass slipper chandelier while enjoying a fine dinner at one of the many on-board restaurants, or maybe you’ll spot an oil painting that comesto life when you walk by. Hints of magic are in the details — only the beginnings of which are captured here.

The Disney Imagineers spent years perfecting every piece of this new Disney Cruise Line ship, and the finished product is nothing short of extraordinary. The first thing you’ll notice when boarding the Disney Dream is the glass water coaster that twists and turns over the deck of the ship. Shooting out over the open seas, riders are meant to feel like they are flying. Below the coaster you’ll find one of the ship’s many pools. Like so many other things on this Disney Cruise Line ship, there are pools tailored for every age group — from a kid-friendly pool to an adults-only oasis. The Disney Dream has everything — even has a teens-only deck.

A culinary concierge with hisdining guest.

Once you venture inside, the fun really begins. Every room on this Disney Cruise Line ship has a view of the ocean. How is this possible, you ask? Rooms that don’t have a natural view of the ocean have a virtual porthole, which streams a live video feed of the ocean as you would see from your exact location on the ship. What’s more, when you least expect it, you might see a Disney character sailing outside your window, or a cartoon starfish hanging on for a ride. In addition to the virtual portholes, enchanted art and an onboard water coaster, there are many other features that make this Disney Cruise Line ship unique:

Dedicated culinary concierge: During your first meal, you are assigned a dedicated server that will rotate with you throughout all meals. This server is charged with getting to know the likes and dislikes of your party and anticipating all of your culinary needs.

Teen and tween sanctuaries: Teens and tweens can be hard to please, so the Disney Dream has spaces designed just for them. From dedicated pools to video game and social media rooms, this Disney Cruise Line ship provides the technology kids want along with the chance to connect with their peers.

"It's a Small World" nursery

“It’s a Small World” nursery: The nursery, for children ages three months to three years, is designed to create a comfortable atmosphere that helps children transition from being with their parents to being in the nursery. There is a transition room where parents and kids can play, a “peek-a-boo” window for parents to check in on their children, and of course, a dedicated staff of child care professionals.

Adult-friendly fun: A Disney cruise isn’t just fun for kids. Parents can spend the day at the spa, watch sports at the pub, relax at the adults-only pool, bust a move at the New York-style nightclub or dine at the adults-only restaurant.

Entertainment: Nightly entertainment includes Broadway shows, free movie screenings, dance clubs, bars and more. Want to go out without the kids? The Disney Dream offers in-room babysitting services from $6/hour.

The Imagineer Studio

Endless activities for kids: The Disney Dream features several kids clubs, movie theaters, group gaming facilities, dress-up rooms, and even an Imagineer studio where kids can learn to animate Disney characters.

Disney Cruise Line sailings on the Disney Dream start in January, 2011. The ship will set sail on three-night and four-night Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Disney Cruise Line Cruises
• Disney three-night Bahamas cruise
• Disney four-night Bahamas cruise
• Disneyland and Disney World discount tickets

Kate Schwartz is a marketing coordinator for Orbitz. When she’s not searching for the best travel deals, she’s out taking advantage of them!  From hiking the Rockies to lounging on the beaches of Barcelona, Kate is always looking for adventure.

Tagged: Caribbean, Cruise, Disney, Family time