Tag: cruise

Set Sail for 2018

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Disney, Disney Cruise Line, family, family fun, Family Vacation, preschoolers, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World

 

disney-fantasy

Just this week Disney Cruise Lines recently unveiled up coming itinerary and new ports of call for 2018. (It is hard to believe that we are already looking ahead to 2018 right now.)

Beginning the summer of 2018 the cruise ships will explore new ports throughout Europe while continuing to visit favorite locations in the Caribbean and Alaska.

On June 16, 2018, the Disney Magic will set sail for a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia with stops to Marseilles and Villefranche, France; and Genoa (Milan), Livorno (Florence, Pisa) and Naples, Italy.

Genoa will also be visited during three special sailings from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome).

There will also be a 10-night Mediterranean itinerary sailing from Barcelona on July 7, 2018 that will make a stop in Genoa as well as other ports in Italy, France and Span.

For the first time the Disney Magic will make a port of call in Cork, Ireland during the cruise line’s first ever seven-night British Isles cruise on Sept. 2, 2018.

Additional ports visited during the cruise are Dublin, Ireland; Greenock, Scotland; and Liverpool, England.

Through out the summer, the Magic won’t be forgetting about favorite ports of call including the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, British Isles and Mediterranean.

The newly refurbished Disney Wonder will once again sail to Alaska for the summer for five, seven and nine-night cruises that depart from Vancouver, Canada, with ports at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Not to forget about the Fantasy, it will set sail on an 11-night southern Caribbean itinerary departing June 30, 2018. The cruise will visit the ports of call of Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico and, of course, Castaway Cay.

There will also be double-dip (where the ship stops at Castaway Cay twice on the cruise) on June 1, 10, 15, 24, 29 and July 8 on the Disney Dream.

Many exciting things are happening with the cruise line during 2018. Which itineraries sound the most interesting? Leave your comments below,

Playtime for Pre-Schoolers

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Disney, Disney Cruise Line, family, Family Vacation, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized

On Mousekatots we haven’t really talked a lot about the Disney Cruise Line, but there are a lot of opportunities available for cruisers of all ages.

A lot of people might think they have to wait until their child is older to take them on a Disney Cruise, but that is not the case.

Our Mousekatot went on her first cruise when she just had turned one and we had the best vacation.

While there is the Small World Nursery and Nemo’s Reef splash area for the littlest of Mousekatots, once your child turns three and is potty trained, it opens a whole new world (see what I did there) for them to enjoy.

The first area you will want to check out is the Disney Oceaneer Club.

This special kids club is just for kids, no adults allowed.

oceaneer-youth-club-00
Photo courtesy of DCL.

Kids ages 3 to 12 can join hang out at the club where they can rub elbows with some of their favorite characters and have fun doing counselor lead activities including storytelling sessions, playgrounds, dress-up, interactive activities and more.

The clubs are designed to let children be fully immersed into some of their favorite worlds like Andy’s room from “Toy Story,” “The Monster’s Inc.” laugh floor and more.

ocean-club-dcl
Photo courtesy of DCL.

Lunch and dinner can be served at the club, which is a nice benefit if Mom and Dad want to sneak away for some alone time at Palo.

One thing that is nice about the Oceaneer Club is that activities are based on the child’s interest and maturity and not necessarily the child’s age. This allows different age siblings to spend time together.

If you are anything like me, you might be a little apprehensive about leaving your child.

But, find comfort in knowing that Disney has a secure system in place to keep your child safe.

On Embarkation Day, both parents and child must check in at the front desk of the Oceaneer Club and you will be required to fill out final paperwork and your child will receive a special DCL Magicband. Which will let them into the Club and the Lab.

You can also tour the facility, meet the counselors and learn more about the activities.

The good news is that the cost of the club is included in your cruise, so you don’t have to pay anything extra, unlike the Small World Nursery.

Since your child is potty trained they will also be able to have access to all the different pools on the ship except for the adult only areas.

mickeys-pool-00
Photo courtesy of DCL.

This includes the family pool, the Mickey shaped pool and the family slide. Plus, they can also still play in Nemo’s Reef as well.

Another area to check out is the Aqualab that is a different splash area that is located on the ship where Huey, Dewy and Louie (Donald Duck’s nephews) have sprung a leak.

disney-aqualab
Photo courtesy of Cruise Critic.

No matter what activities you decide to do with your Mousekatot, you will have a wonderful time. The Disney Cruise Line is absolutely magical!

Have you been on a Disney Cruise with your family? If so, what was your favorite thing to do.