It’s Time To Cast Off With Magic

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Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Phil Davies

There’s always been something magical about cruising – the calm of the ocean, wind in your hair, sundowners on deck.

Now an extra sparkle of magic is being introduced with Disney Cruise Line setting sail from the UK for the first time next summer.

Oh no, I hear you say, it’ll be like a massive theme park at sea with hoards of over-excited children fighting over glimpses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Well, I can vouch for the fact that nothing could be further from the truth.

The 2,400-passenger ship Disney Magic, which is to run four 12-night Baltic cruises from Dover in a year’s time together with fly-cruises in the Med from Barcelona, is a class act.

You can expect publicity to build around the cruises following a major presentation to 600 travel agents at their annual UK Cruise Convention in the Kent port last week.

While aimed quite specifically at families, I believe Disney Magic appeals equally to couples and groups travelling together – it just helps if you’re into all things Disney.

Surprisingly, however, the Disney theme isn’t as in your face as you would expect from the king of US children’s entertainment.

Disney Magic has a dedicated adults-only pool, an extensive spa and fitness area and an alternative child-free Italian restaurant which is well worth the small supplement required for the extremely high quality food on offer. A night-time adults’ entertainment area covers a range of live music from jazz to rock and country and a comedy club. The only thing different from a standard cruise ship is the absence of a casino – so what, I say.

So there’s plenty of opportunity for the all important ‘me time’ while the children are kept entertained across the ship, whether that be in the four clubs aimed at different ages from 12 weeks to teenagers,

And this is where Disney excels. Just like the theme parks, no-one knows better how to keep children amused through a range of well-drilled fun activities either on deck, in the 13,000 sq ft children’s entertainment area, a Disney Digital 3-D cinema and 977-seat show lounge featuring original Disney musicals.

There’s even a pretend funnel called The Stack which acts as a dedicated space for teenagers with ample hi-tech gizmos.

A good variety of casual dining options suited to children are available in addition to three separately themed main dining rooms where passengers eat in rotation while keeping the same waiters throughout the cruise. And, to keep nagging children at bay, there’s the bonus of free soft drinks and water available 24/7.

Disney, which will be doubling the fleet size with the addition of two new ships, Disney Dream in 2011 and Disney Fantasy in 2012, has also set is ‘imagineers’ to work on the 12 different grades of cabin.

With families in mind, many have pull down beds and bathrooms designed with separate toilets all to help reduce the on board hassle-factor.

While 2010 isn’t the first time that Disney Cruise Line has sailed in Europe – the line made its debut in the region in 2007 – this will be its maiden season cruising from a UK port.

The four itineraries from Dover in June and July next year cover the Scandinavian cities of Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm in addition to an overnight stop in St Petersburg for the culturally-inclined and a call in Warnemunde, gateway to Berlin.

Disney Magic will also sail four 10-night and four 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean in April, May, August and September covering destinations in Italy, France, Spain, Tunisia, Malta and Corsica.
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Additionally, there will be a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover and an eight-night cruise from Dover back to Barcelona.

If you can’t face the prospect of a transatlantic flight or Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel with your offspring to Disney’s theme parks, I can’t think of a better and more convenient alternative. Let Disney bring the ship to you with all the associated fun and games to be found on board.

Phil Davies