Sleuthing on the high seas with Disney Cruise Line

Mom, did the painting just move? LCDs spark to life with animated art aboard the new Disney Fantasy.

By Jill E. Cooper

Building upon the phenomenal popularity of the Midship Detective Agency game introduced onboard the Disney Dream during its inaugural sailing last year, the newest Disney Cruise Line beauty, the Disney Fantasy, will offer a similarly enchanting mystery game when it sets sail this March.  Although the game is called the Midship Detective Agency on both ships, the storylines are completely different.  In fact, on the Disney Fantasy, an extra dash of Muppet magic and mayhem has been added to the ‘Case of the Stolen Show’ mystery guests are asked to solve.

My favorite tip to fellow cruisers is to play the Midship Detective Agency on the first day of your Disney cruise.  Once you’ve had your first delectable meal onboard the ship, head to deck five near the atrium to volunteer your services as an amateur detective.  Not only will you be mystified by the seamless technology behind this interactive experience, you’ll very quickly become familiar with the layout of the ship that you will call home for the next few days.  The game will guide you to nearly a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art displayed throughout the ship.  As you approach each seemingly normal picture, it will come to life.  You’ll work your way from clue to clue, and as you do, you’ll discover the art gallery, restaurants, shops, theaters, pools, staterooms and a variety of other guest areas throughout the ship.  I guarantee you’ll feel more at home aboard your majestic aquatic playground once you’ve completed the satisfying task of helping Kermit locate the stolen props he and his friends need for their performance onboard the Disney Fantasy.

If you haven’t had enough interactive fun by the time you return to port at your cruise’s end, take the drive to Walt Disney World Resortwhere Disney villains are waiting to be conquered in Magic Kingdom.  Beginning early 2012, you’ll find a new experience called “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.”  You’ll cast spells on classic Disney villains like Yzma and Kronk to prevent them from gaining control of the most magical place on earth.  What are you waiting for? It looks like your services will be needed to keep order both on the high seas with Disney Cruise Line and back on land in Magic Kingdom.  Book your “surf and turf” Disney vacation today.

Related resources

• Cruise vacations
• Disney Cruise Line
• Disney vacations

Jill E. Cooper has been an aficionado of the Disney theme parks since age seven.  One of her fondest dreams came true when she was invited to join the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in 2011.  She and her small family have recently added Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney vacations to their portfolio of magical Disney travel experiences.

Tagged: Cruise, Family time