When Disney's newest cruise ship, the Disney Fantasy, sails into New York Harbor on Tuesday, it may look quite similar to the company's previous ship the Dream, its fraternal twin that debuted just over a year ago.
Together, Dream and Fantasy more than double passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line and the company is understandably excited.
Adding two new ships gives us the flexibility to provide guests with Disney cruise vacations to more parts of the world with a brand they have come to know and trust, Rebecca Peddie, manager of public affairs at Disney Cruise Line, told IBTimes. We're excited about the flexibility that our expanded fleet gives us to explore new destinations and react to market conditions and preferences.
Though the two megaships may share a common blueprint, the Fantasy has a wealth of new features -- on display at the New York christeningThursday -- created especially for its longer itineraries sailing from Florida's Port Canaveral.
New York Debut
Though the ship will depart from Port Canaveral, it will make its first stop in New York City.
New York has played an important role with our company's history and the christening of the Disney Fantasy is a continuation of our commitment to this area, Peddie explained. It's exciting to bring our new ship to an important market for Disney Cruise Line that is also a major media hub.
Though the main purpose of the stop is to showcase the new ship, it's also a chance for Disney to drum up interest for its other ship Disney Magic. Magic will commence trips from the Big Apple beginning in May.
New York is one of the most popular international travel destinations in the world and the opportunity to sail from here is very appealing to our guests, Peddie said. We've continually heard from guests that they would enjoy the opportunity to sail on a cruise vacation from destinations closer to home, and since many of our repeat guests hail from that region, New York offers a unique proximity.
Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas, five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada, plus two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience.
On the eight-night cruise to the Bahamas, one of the many port adventures offered in Central Florida is the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World during the ship's overnight call in Port Canaveral. Each guest on these itineraries will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between the ship and the resort.
Disney Fantasy
The Disney Fantasy is 40 percent larger than the Disney Magic at 1,115 feet long with room for 4,000 passengers. The $900 million ship will leave New York and arrive at its Port Canaveral base on March 6, taking its maiden voyage on March 31.
Fantasy features new twists on the fun familiar to guests who've cruised on its sister ship Disney Dream, offering entertainment, activities, and dining experiences purpose-planned for seven-night cruises.
The ship's signature show Wishes is a 45-minute musical journey about three best friends who discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child.
Also new to Disney Cruise Line, Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular is a fast-paced musical comedy during which Aladdin is back as the street rat of Agrabah meeting a Genie who grants him three wishes, battling the evil Jafar, and falling in love with Princess Jasmine.
Adults looking for nightlife can enjoy Europa - an entertainment district of high-energy sophisticated and trendy clubs and lounges inspired by the nightspots of Italy, France, Ireland, and London.
The Fantasy boasts heaps more fun on deck with features like the world's only shipboard water coaster, the AquaDuck. There's also a pool for outdoor film screenings, a Nemo's Reef water-play area, a nine-hole miniature golf course, a sports deck, digital sports simulators, and adults-only pools and bar areas.
Other features include the Muppet's interactive adventure game and the Animator's Palate restaurant where passengers draw figures on placemats that are later animated in a sequence alongside classic Disney characters during the Animation Magic show.
Press Start for a complete look at the new ship.
"The Disney Fantasy continues the Disney Cruise Line tradition of blending the elegant grace of early 20th century transatlantic ocean liners with contemporary design to create one of the most stylish and spectacular cruise ships afloat. Sister ship to the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy offers modern features, new innovations and unmistakable Disney touches."Disney Cruise LineAt AquaLab on the Disney Fantasy, families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful water play area. Located near the entrance to the AquaDuck water coaster on deck 12, AquaLab features a variety of water 'experiments' designed to drench the whole family. By turning wheels and moving levers at three wacky aqua stations guests 'control' the speed and temperature of AquaDuck. At a leaky wall, kids cover holes in squirting and spurting pipes with their hands. In another area, water leaks and sprays from the Ducky Dinghy, suspended overhead."Disney Cruise Line"On pirate party nights aboard the Disney Fantasy, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique transforms into the Pirate's League, where swashbuckling boys, girls and grownups can get ready for the pirate life. Each guest gets an official pirate name then it's off to Muster Station for applications of beards and bandanas, swords and scars, earrings and eye patches - all done with the savvy skill of a pirate master."Disney Cruise Line "The magnificent three-deck atrium lobby on the Disney Fantasy is reminiscent of grand ocean liners of the Golden Age. Art Nouveau-inspired details and patterns in hues of vibrant blue, green, pink and gold lend to the sophistication. Glamorous and graceful design elements include a sweeping grand staircase, towering fluted columns, grand piano and an exquisite marble and stone inlay floor. A focal point is a cascading chandelier of stained glass and crystal beads."Disney Cruise Line"La Piazza at Europa, the adult entertainment district on the Disney Fantasy, is a lounge that draws inspiration from Italian cities and their decorative outdoor plazas. The bar is modeled after a colorful vintage carousel. Venetian masks, romantic couples booths and a classic Vespa with a sidecar add Italian flair."Disney Cruise Line"O'Gill's Pub at Europa, the adult entertainment district on the Disney Fantasy, is a rollicking Irish bar with modern-day twists. Dark woods, brass accents and a selection of Irish beers create the perfect pub atmosphere where guests can sip a pint while watching live sporting events on one of several high-definition televisions."Disney Cruise Line"Skyline at Europa, the adult entertainment district on the Disney Fantasy, is a chic bar that provides ever-changing birds-eye views of stunning European city skylines that transform from day to night. Skyline's 'windows to the world' give guests a glimpse of locales in panorama such as Paris, London, Barcelona, Athens and St. Petersburg."Disney Cruise Line"The Tube at Europa, the adult entertainment district on the Disney Fantasy, transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club via the London Underground. Guests 'mind the gap' as they walk across a Tube route map, lounge among mod furniture, pose by a red English phone booth, dance atop an illuminated Union Jack dance floor and enjoy cocktails at a bar inspired by Big Ben and London's many train stations."Disney Cruise Line"Animator's Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called 'Animation Magic.' The dinner show celebrates the Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in a whole new way. Guests' drawings are magically animated to skip, skate and dance side-by-side with beloved Disney characters."Disney Cruise Line"'Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular' takes the stage on the Disney Fantasy. During this Broadway-style musical production, Aladdin is back as the 'street rat' of Agrabah meeting up with a Genie who grants him three wishes, battling the evil Jafar and falling in love with Princess Jasmine. Magic lamps, wise-cracking genies, princesses, evil wizards, a magic flying carpet scene and soaring music are all a part of this stage spectacular."Disney Cruise Line"Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and a cast of more than 20 Muppets make their debut on the Disney Fantasy in 'The Case of the Stolen Show,' an adventure game that takes guests on an interactive quest around the ship. The goal of the game is to help the Muppets find their missing props so they can take the stage for a big performance. Guided by a map and using a unique game card that is held up in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues that help find the missing props."Disney Cruise Line"'Wishes' is Disney Cruise Line's newest original stage show, presented exclusively aboard the Disney Fantasy. The stage spectacular, performed in the Walt Disney Theatre, combines an enchanting score, lavish production numbers and a heartfelt story about three best friends who discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child. Full-scale production numbers and special effects bring excitement to the stage as the cast of 'Wishes' performs original songs and classic Disney tunes with a contemporary twist, including 'I've Got No Strings' from 'Pinocchio' featuring Pinocchio and marionettes, shown in this concept art."Disney Cruise Line"At Royal Court restaurant on the Disney Fantasy, guests are immersed in the lavish surroundings of an elegant dining room fit for a grand palace. Royal Court takes design inspiration from the classic Disney films 'Cinderella,' 'Snow White,' "Beauty and the Beast,' and 'Sleeping Beauty.' Decor features ornate details and custom furnishings and fixtures that incorporate iconic symbols from the films: glass slippers, apples, roses and tiaras. Hand-crafted mosaic tile murals of the princesses grace the walls and many of the restaurant's features are modeled precisely from the films."Disney Cruise Line
