Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line Beds are AMAZING!

Published on June 16, 2023 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

We LOVE our new bed!!

If you want an AMAZING bed too, reach out to Sydney Murray at Orlando Furniture Expo & Mattress / 407-801-3658.

SPECIAL OFFER

When you reach out to Sydney give him the code
DCLC5 and get 5% off your purchase!!

The Disney Cruise Line bed is the Biscayne Bedding Calmness Euro Top.

Sydney took great care of us and made the process so easy! From initial contact to ordering to delivery – everything was seamless – and it was even delivered 2 days earlier than he promised!

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The Disney Wish

Published on September 2, 2022 in Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Disney Destinations/Disney Wish/Travel/Travel Agent by Crystal Boston

I have now experienced all five Disney ships – Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, and the NEW Disney Wish!

If you have experienced the other ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, drop all comparisons when you cruise onboard the Disney Wish because she definitely has a personality all her own! She’s a beautiful ship with some familiar experiences and a whole lot of new experiences and imaginative surprises too.

Let’s start with the food…

Marceline Market is the buffet option onboard the Disney Wish and it was so good that I forgot to go to the sit-down breakfast at least one morning during our cruise, which is something I always do.

The buffet offered my favorite peel and eat shrimp, which is how I always start my cruise, and made-to-order omelets for breakfast as well as many other delicious selections for breakfast and lunch.

The quick service dining options at Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods were similar as well with a few new options – such as Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue which was a favorite for my husband – he was so excited to dig in he forgot to take photos of the food so we will get some during out next cruise!

For dinner service, the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line is still included but is called ‘Signature Dining’ onboard the Disney Wish. We enjoyed all three dining experiences and, as adults only, 1923 was our favorite. We even wore our 1920’s attire.

There are many lounge areas to explore…

The lounge areas on the Disney Wish can be found throughout the ship – small venues all with their own theming. My personal favorite was The Rose which is located at the entrance to Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The ocean view is amazing as you experience creative beverages that are full of special surprises too! We enjoyed some favorite activities in the lounges such as Match Your Mate and the Silent DJ party as well as Trivia.

We also were able to secure a reservation for the Star Wars themed Hyperspace Lounge. This was an interesting venue with Star Wars themed beverages and, currently, you are limited to a 45-minute experience.

One of the specialty beverages at The Rose.

Pools and more for everyone…

The Disney Wish also offers many small pool areas, for families, kids and adults only. While I explored these pools, my favorite was the infinity pool at the AFT of the ship and I can’t wait to enjoy this location onboard again during our next cruise. The main family pool area is where they do the “Set Sail on a Wish” sail-away party and Pirate Night fun! You can also see many movies on the Funnel Vision screen during the day and evening.

The Disney Wish also offers the Senses Spa and Fitness Center and laundry room as well as the kids clubs with a slide from the Grand Hall for access to the kids clubs! I plan to explore these areas more on futures sailings, except for the laundry room…

And, of course, the characters!

We were able to reserve a spot for the Royal Gathering and now HUGS ARE BACK so we will get a bit more personal with the characters during our next cruise!

Stateroom theming…

Again, while all Disney ships offer stateroom theming, the Disney Wish is a bit different. Each deck has a theme and then the staterooms on each deck have different princess themes. This time we had the Sleeping Beauty theme and our friends in the connecting stateroom had Princess & the Frog. We are excited to see the other stateroom themes on future sailings onboard the Disney Wish!

The Grand Hall…

One final little tip, be sure to go to the Grand Hall at least one evening of your cruise for the Kiss Goodnight! It is currently happening at 10 pm, 11 pm and midnight each night [TIP: Pirate Night is a bit different].

And, remember, you can cruise with your Travel Agent! Check my events page for dates.

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My Experience Back Onboard Disney Ships

Published on September 30, 2021 in Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Travel/Travel Agent by Crystal Boston

Can I just say, it’s been a [really] long 18 months for someone that had become somewhat addicted to cruising! It was so exciting to be back onboard, especially on a Disney ship!

Disney Cruise Line has implemented many new protocols to insure a safe and healthy return to sailing and I felt incredibly comfortable onboard. While there are some changes that I hope remain and some I hope return to a more normal onboard experience, overall, it was a very positive experience. I did experience a back-to-back sailing [2 separate sailings, one immediately following the other] and there were a few protocol changes as I transitioned from my first cruise to my second so many things are still being evaluated and modified for optimum efficiency and experience.

Port arrival times are staggered to insure physical distancing can be maintained during the arrival and pre-cruise testing process so the port terminal is quite empty most of the time.

Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie are onboard and waiting to welcome you! There are large “Mickey” circles on the floor for each family to stand in together while you wait for the welcome show. Following your welcome, you can then head to your stateroom to drop anything you have carried onboard with you or go straight to your assembly station for your mandatory safety drill. Everyone in your stateroom must check in for the safety drill, it’s a good idea to plan to do this first thing so you can get on with your FUN!

The changes with the safety drill are changes I hope will stay in place because it’s a much quicker process now and the whole ship is no longer required to wait together in lines while those still enjoying their pool time etc. get to their assembly stations. The new way allows you to get it done and then go enjoy your first day onboard!

Your staterooms are the same as they have always been, and daily service is still in place as well as nightly turndown service – with towel art surprises! If you do need anything, you can easily us the chat feature in your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. It was super easy, and Crew Members responded quickly.

On the pool decks, chairs are spaced to promote physical distancing and you sign up for virtual queues for the family pool area. The adult pool area is open and no virtual queues are required.

Virtual queues are also required for disembarking the ship at ports of call.

The food offered on a Disney cruise is still exceptional and the service is the same, or even better, as I have experienced before! The Crew Members are all very happy to be back onboard and working again and they are very happy to see YOU!

For quick service dining options and beverage stations, Crew Members now serve you, it’s no longer self-serve. This is a good change, in my opinion, and, while I don’t think this will be the way forever, I do think it will be the way for some time.

Although still challenging reservations to confirm, Palo and Remy are also still offered for brunch and dinner. Be sure to check your Disney Cruise line Navigator app for availability before and during your cruise.

The nightly dinner rotation is still in place and your service team will still follow you each evening to your dining location. A good change that I hope remains is that characters have been added to Enchanted Garden [Mickey, Minnie & Goofy] and Royal Palace [Disney Princesses]. At Animator’s Palate, Crush remains as the character experience.

In addition, characters can be experienced throughout your sailing in the atrium area as well as other areas onboard and at Castaway Cay. You can easily check where and when to find characters via your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app but I normally was just surprised [and happy] when I came across characters and Princesses!

While I, personally, did not experience many of the adult venues onboard this sailing, most experiences were available but with limited capacity – tastings, trivia, musicians, movies, live entertainment, karaoke. However, the evening adult area, known as The District, was not as “hopping” as normal and I did miss the silent DJ Party. Hopefully this is something that will return in the near future.

Castaway Cay definitely did not disappoint, it is my favorite port of call with Disney Cruise Line and I truly enjoyed my three days on this private island!

Our group rented a cabana for the first time and, even though the island was quiet due to lower capacity, it was a nice little space to gather and relax while enjoying the amazing view.

The Castaway Cay 5k is still offered but it is a self-guided experience now and, if earning a medal for your run is important to you, you do need to check with Port Adventures before your Castaway Cay day to see if medals are available. If you have not participated in the Castaway Cay 5k previously, I suggest you wait until this experience returns as a planned event because the route can be a bit tricky [but who wouldn’t love to get lost and be left behind on the island??!!].

While the first part of my back-to-back sailing was in a stateroom type I had experienced before, the second part of my back-to-back was a first for me – Concierge! Oh my, the experience was amazing, there is so much included, and cruising Concierge just ups the magic on a Disney cruise!

And, of course, one of my other favorite experiences on a Disney ship is fireworks at sea – Disney is the only cruise line permitted to display fireworks and, while the experience is a bit different now, it was still an amazing display!

I can’t wait to be back onboard again real soon! And, if you are thinking about a Disney Cruise Line vacation, with ships about half capacity [or less], now is the perfect time to cruise, reach out to me and I will help you make the most of your magical cruise experience!

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Travel – FACTS not Rumors…

Published on April 1, 2020 in Airlines/Aulani/Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Disneyland/International Travel/Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

As a Travel Agent specializing in Disney and Universal vacations, I have been working to take care of my Guests directly affected by resort and park closures as well as cruise itinerary cancellations for Disney Cruise Line.

While working with my Guests I have received many questions related to rumors posted on other blogs and social media pages. I am here today to explain the current situation with information direct from Disney and Universal – this is not rumor, this is FACT!

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

UPDATE – MAY 24, 2020 – Plans Unveiled for the Phased Reopening of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, Resort Hotels and Disney Stores

I have advised all my Guests with upcoming travel plans of the current situation and offered the options available to them at this time. Each Guest must choose how to move forward with what works best for them and their family. I can help you book now.

Disneyland Resort in California:

UPDATE – April 2, 2021 – Disneyland Resort Reopening on April 30, 2021
I have advised all my Guests with upcoming travel plans of the current situation and offered the options available to them at this time. Each Guest must choose how to move forward with what works best for them and their family. I can help you book now.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa:

UPDATE: September 24, 2020 – Aulani Resort will plan to begin a phased reopening on November 1, 2020
I have advised all my Guests with upcoming travel plans of the current situation and offered the options available to them at this time. Each Guest must choose how to move forward with what works best for them and their family. I can help you book now.

Disney Cruise Line:

UPDATE: July 23, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Resumes Sailings on the Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line announced plans for a return to service, beginning with the Disney Dream, which will depart Port Canaveral starting August 9, 2021. New health & safety updates will be in effect for all sailings. I can help answer any questions you may have or assist you with booking your next cruise now.

UPDATE: June 8, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Extends Suspension of Sailings
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings.

Disney Dream departures through 8/6/21
Disney Fantasy departures through 8/28/21
Disney Wonder departures through 9/19/21
Disney Magic departures in the U.S. through 11/4/21

UPDATE: May 14, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through July 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings for all Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings through July 2021, and all Disney Wonder sailings through July 12, 2021.

UPDATE: April 6, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through June 2021, and Disney Magic European sailings through Sept. 19, 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings.

UPDATE: February 24, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through May 2021 and Disney Magic Sailings thru August 10, 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings. Sailings are cancelled aboard the Disney Fantasy, Dream and Wonder through May 2021; and Disney Magic through Augsut 10, 2021. Additionally, based on the conditional sail order provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line must cancel sailings longer than 7 nights.

UPDATE: January 27, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Departures through April 2021 and Select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder Sailings in May 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of additional 2021 sailings. Sailings are cancelled aboard the Disney Fantasy through April 24; the Disney Dream through April 30; the Disney Magic through May 6 and Disney Wonder through May 12. Additionally, based on the conditional sail order provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line must cancel sailings longer than 7 nights.

UPDATE: January 12, 2021 – Disney Cruise Line Sailings Suspended Through March 2021
As Disney Cruise Line continues to refine protocols for an eventual return to service, they have announced the cancellation of all sailings through March 2021.

Adventures by Disney:

UPDATE – April 1, 2021 – Adventures by Disney Departures Suspended Through April 2021
With the well-being of our Guests and Guides as our top priority and in line with direction from health experts and government officials, Adventures by Disney has decided to suspend most of our adventures through the end of April.

Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations (Florida & California):

Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations in California will reopen on April 16, 2021

UPDATE: June 5, 2020 – Universal Orlando Resort Hotels and Parks are open and welcoming Guests again!

Other Cruise and Land Vacation Destinations:

While I do specialize in Disney and Universal vacations, I also help book and plan other cruise and land vacation destinations and I have been keeping my clients that have been directly affected by closures and cancellations updated about their options.

Cruise Lines:

UPDATE: April 6, 2021 – Currently, many cruise lines have suspended all sailings each with different dates to resume sailing. Please check with your Travel Agent or whoever you booked thru for specific details about your specific reservations.

Land Destinations:

As for land vacation destinations, it depends on the destination, please check with your Travel Agent or whoever you booked thru for specific details about your specific reservations.

Airlines:

Airlines are still operating but on a limited schedule and are adjusting travel dates and times based on occupancy of certain itineraries. Please check with your Travel Agent or whoever you booked thru for specific details about your specific reservations.

If you booked your travel plans thru a Travel Agent and they have not yet reached out to you this is likely because your travel dates are not yet directly affected and they are working to take care of their clients with travel plans that are currently directly affected by closures and cancellations, April and some May travel dates. Please be patient, in this type of situation, it is typically in your best interest to wait until your trip is cancelled by the supplier before making any decisions about cancelling or rebooking your future travel plans.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or if you would like more information about anything. I will share as much as I know and can share. I will also post updates as they become available on my social media platforms, please see the links to each below.

(i.e.: If you are not my client I cannot legally or professionally advise you about your current travel plans, you will need to reach out to whoever you booked thru. But, if you are not yet booked for future travel and wish to discuss future travel plans, I can assist and advise to the best of my ability with the information I have available).

While the White House has issued an April 30, 2020 social distancing guideline, please follow this or the guidelines set by your local state or county. If you are not an essential employee, please stay home. These guidelines are being implemented for the safety and well-being of everyone and the more of us that follow the guidelines the better off we will all be in 14 – 30 days and we will then [hopefully] be able to get back to a more normal way of life again very soon!

Stay healthy, stay home and practice social distancing!

CDC / WHO

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The Disney Dream – Very Merrytime Cruise

Published on January 17, 2019 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

The Disney Dream was the very first cruise ship I sailed on in 2012 and then again in 2014. I wasn’t a Travel Agent in 2012 yet and still learning my way as a Travel Agent in 2014 so I haven’t written a blog about my experience on the Disney Dream…

The Disney Dream’s first voyage was in January 2011 and it was last refurbished October 2015. As the first of the larger Disney cruise ships to set sail, the Disney Dream is still just as magical as her sister ship, the Disney Fantasy.

So, here you go! I actually sailed on the Disney Dream early November 2018, this was a regular Disney cruise experience, and then again early December 2018 which was a Very Merrytime cruise experience.

The Very Merrytime sailings offer many fun holiday activities in addition to the normal onboard fun! This was my second Very Merrytime Disney Cruise experience, my first was on the Disney Magic out of the port of Miami. This time we sailed out of Port Canaveral for both November and December. On a Very Merrytime cruise, you experience the magic of the holidays before even boarding the ship!

And remember to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app before you sail away! The Navigator app will help you locate experiences while onboard, check out dining menus and the drink of the day and stay in touch with your fellow cruisers via the messaging feature.

The holidays seem to make anything more magical, even a Disney Cruise! The ship was all decked out for the holidays and there was a tree lighting ceremony, a gingerbread house as well as gingerbread house making classes, even Castaway Cay was decorated for the holidays, and Santa and Mrs. Claus sailed with us too! And, as a special touch, many of the characters were also dressed in their holiday themed costumes.

Once onboard I always head straight to Cabanas for lunch and I get a big plate full of fresh peel ‘n’ eat shrimp and then dessert – what can I say, it’s vacation!

Around 1:30 pm my stateroom is ready, and I head there to unpack and then go explore the ship – catching up with crew members that I have come to know from my previous sailings on the Disney Dream and meeting new crew members too. This is time for you and your family to also start enjoying the pools and water slide onboard and check out the kids clubs and other activity areas. And if you would like to make any changes to your dining rotation you can do this now as well.

After the safety drill (which is required attendance for all cruisers), we head to the upper decks for the Sail-Away Party. Our favorite location to view from is the deck just above the pool area/stage on the port side of the ship.

Once we set sail the shops open and I can check out the Disney Cruise Line souvenirs – I like to get a new Tervis cup with each cruise. And then it’s time to get ready for the evening activities – Broadway-like musical productions, dinner and other fun activities for adults and children. And there is even a move theater onboard – movies are free to watch and they always show the most recent Disney movie – while the movie is included with your cruise, popcorn, snacks and beverages for your movie are available for a fee.

My husband was cruising with me and we always choose a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah or Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. We enjoy going out on our verandah to “feel” the ocean and we always choose the Starboard side because we love seeing Castaway Cay as we enter the port!

Disney Cruise Line has thought of everything to ensure first-rate comfort and convenience during your cruise. We have never felt cramped or crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney. The Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah design features include:
      A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
      A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
      A “split bath” (in most) that includes a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and       a half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet
      A leather-upholstered ottoman with hollow inside storage
      Cabinets with storage space in the living area
      And my favorite feature – Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of       suitcases and other large items
For the kids (or kids at heart), a mural of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her brothers soaring through a starry sky reveals itself when the upper-berth bed is pulled down!

And don’t forget about the fun and amazing towel art that the talented crew leave in your stateroom – you can also sometimes find towel art around the pool area too!

The itinerary for both November and December were 2 ports of call – Nassau and Castaway Cay – with the December itinerary offering an additional day at sea as well.

My preference for Nassau is to stay onboard and enjoy the ship – movies, pools, water slides, games, dining, entertainment and all the soft serve ice cream you want – IT’S ALL INCLUDED!

Every Disney cruise that departs from Port Canaveral or Miami stops at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call – and MY favorite port of call when cruising with Disney!! And, as I mentioned previously, the island was decked for the holidays with a large Christmas tree greeting you on arrival.

Castaway Cay is reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers and the ship will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing and bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails. While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go.

Your “Key to the World” card will work for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.70 USD each. Dining on the island is also included as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers “adult only” areas at Castaway Cay – Serenity Bay is a secluded beach exclusively for adults (where you just might encounter Captain Jack Sparrow strolling the beach!) and families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach. Cabanas are also offered for rent in both beach areas but it’s best to reserve in advance during your online check-in as they are very popular and sell out quickly!

I am a runner and since I have started cruising with Disney Cruise Line they have offered a 5K on Castaway Cay – IT’S INCLUDED. It’s very informal and you can run or walk. You also receive a race bib and medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services when you board your cruise and your registration ticket will be added to your onboard activities. Your “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly – open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am, and the runners are the first group to disembark the ship. The vibe of the event is casual, a fun experience worth the early wake-up!

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wear comfortable dresses and flip flops while my husband wears shorts and polos – even to dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dining experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes. And, unlimited room service is also included!!

I enjoy the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, experiencing a different restaurant and menu with the same servers each evening – my favorite is Animator’s Palate on all 4 Disney ships.

It’s fun to get to know your servers and I requested the same service team for my December cruise that I had for my November cruise and, even though it was a month later and they had served many Guests since me, they remembered everything about my likes and dislikes! Amazing service is just one of the things that keeps me coming back to Disney for my vacations – land or sea!

In addition to Castaway Cay and exceptional dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers many entertainment options including Broadway-like musical productions, viewings of recently released Disney movies, character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, deck parties, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia and so much more – be sure to say hi to Tony from Spain when you cruise on the Disney Dream!

Some experiences are included, and some are offered for a fee. There is definitely enough to keep everyone – adults and children – busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type. And Disney is the only cruise line allowed to display fireworks at sea!

There are also “adult only” experiences and areas on the ships, so if you are traveling without children, which we normally do, you will be able to find adult spaces.

And be sure to purchase your photo package in advance for the best price – you can then just pick up your photo prints or digital images from Shutters on your final morning.

There is so much more I could share about cruising with Disney but then this would be a very long blog… If you are thinking about a Disney Cruise Line vacation, reach out to me and I will help you make the most of your magical experience!

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The Disney Wonder

Published on March 26, 2018 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I recently returned from my first experience on the Disney Wonder, this was my final new Disney Cruise ship experience until the new ships debut in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

There are so many things that I enjoy about sailing with Disney Cruise Line… large staterooms with under-bed space, exceptional dining experiences, friendly and accommodating crew, brilliant Broadway-like entertainment, Castaway Cay and I can’t forget the Towel Art – a fun treat when you return to your stateroom each evening!
On a Disney Cruise, you experience rotational dining. I enjoy getting to know the dining team while also being able to experience different dining options. As this was my first experience on the Disney Wonder, I also enjoyed 2 new dining experiences – Triton’s and Tiana’s Place. While Animator’s Palette is still my favorite of the rotational dining options, Triton’s and Tiana’s Place did not disappoint. I dined at Animator’s Palette on my final night so breakfast on disembark day was also at Animator’s Palette.
While I have toured the other stateroom types, we have always chosen a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and we prefer the starboard side so that we have a great view of the island when we arrive at Castaway Cay. The staterooms are good sized with under-bed storage for your luggage. We have never felt crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney – and the Disney Wonder was no exception. This was a 3-night cruise, but I still enjoyed 2 ports of call – Nassau and Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay is always my favorite port of call and I especially love the “double-dip” sailings that offer 2 full days at Castaway Cay – I will need to get back on one of those sailings soon! And, if you have read some of my other blogs, fireworks are a big deal to me, Disney is the only cruise line that is granted permission to display fireworks at sea.

While I did not have a day at sea during this cruise, I was still able to enjoy the ship – character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, recently released movies, pools, water slides, walk up dining, entertainment, deck parties, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia, unlimited room service – it’s all included!! The onboard Pub even offers a buffet of light snacks early evening with another buffet for late night snacks later each night. There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type and you won’t go hungry!

As I mentioned, Castaway Cay is my favorite port of call when cruising with Disney and it was a perfect island day – not too hot, sunny skies and low wind!! The tide even washed out a bit to create a sand bar that was easily reachable by walking into the ocean and we were able to see beautiful starfish and stingray there!
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and is consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call and it’s reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. The ships will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing. Bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails. While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go. Dining is also included at Castaway Cay as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. And there are even some special character meet & greets on the island too!
I am a runner and, weather permitting, Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on every stop at Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services once onboard your cruise. Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am, and participants are the first Guests off the ship at Castaway Cay This is a very casual fun experience worth the early wake-up!
Families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers a secluded beach exclusively for adults – Serenity Bay. Your “Key to the World” card works for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each.

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wear sun dresses and flip flops while my husband wears shorts and polos – we do dress up a bit for dinner but “cruise casual” attire is appropriate for dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dining experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes.

Are you ready for YOUR Disney Cruise experience?

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Disney Magic– Marvel Day at Sea

Published on March 5, 2018 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I recently returned from my first experience on a Marvel Day at Sea cruise on the Disney Magic.

This was my second experience on the Disney Magic and I cruised just before the ship goes in to dry dock for a few updates – most notable, reimagining Carioca’s into Rapunzel’s Royal Table! But more about that once I cruise on the refurbished Disney Magic…

This was also my first 5-night itinerary, with 2 days at sea and a first visit to Cozumel – lots of firsts with this cruise experience!

Since we had just sailed on the Disney Magic in December, we knew our way around the ship and, even though we did not have the same stateroom as December, we were lucky enough to have the services of our same stateroom Hostess, Esther. She was always so friendly and accommodating, taking care of our every need – even things we didn’t know we needed – and she creates the best Towel Art!
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One of the things we love about a Disney Cruise is the rotational dining. It’s fun to get to know your server team but to also be able to experience different dining options. As this was a 5-night cruise, we were able to experience Animator’s Palette twice – it’s my favorite in the rotational dining options. And, this time, we dined at Lumiere’s on our final night so our breakfast on disembark day was also at Lumiere’s.

While I have toured the other stateroom types, we have always chosen a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and we prefer the starboard side so that we have a great view of the island when we arrive at Castaway Cay. The staterooms are good sized with under-bed storage for your luggage and we have never felt crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney, even on the smaller ships. My favorite feature is the elevated bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items.

This Marvel Day at Sea sailing offered Marvel Character Meet & Greets and entertainment in addition to the normal onboard fun! We signed up in advance for meet & greets with several characters – including Black Panther – and then met some without “reservations”. [Rich_Web_Slider id=”10″] There were also characters roaming about the ship during our Marvel Day at Sea and an evening show with fireworks – Disney is the only cruise line that is granted permission to display fireworks at sea. [if you have read some of my other blogs, fireworks are a big deal to me!]

Even though this was a 5-night cruise, we only had 2 ports of call – Castaway Cay and Cozumel. While Castaway Cay is always my favorite port of call, Cozumel was a new experience for us. We were able to check out some “local” shops and also found a restaurant chain that we frequent back home.
While our Marvel Day at Sea was filled with lots of Marvel fun, on our second day at sea we were more able to enjoy the ship – movies, pools, water slides, games, dining, entertainment – it’s all included.

We also signed up in advance for the Mixology session during our second day at sea. It was a very fun and informative session and, for $20.00 per person, the price was great as it included the 5 adult beverages that were featured during the session. I highly recommend any of the adult beverage sessions offered during a Disney Cruise.
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Castaway Cay is my favorite port of call when cruising with Disney!! Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and is consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call and it’s reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. The ships will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing. Bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails. While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go.

We are runners and, weather permitting, Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on every stop at Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services once onboard your cruise. Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am, and participants are the first Guests off the ship at Castaway Cay. This is a very casual fun experience worth the early wake-up!

Your “Key to the World” card works for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each. Dining is also included as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers “adult only” areas at Castaway Cay – Serenity Bay, a secluded beach exclusively for adults. After our 5K and lunch I spent my afternoon on Castaway Cay laying in a hammock on Serenity Bay – it was a simply amazing day and a great way to kick off our cruise!

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wore sun dresses and flip flops while my husband wore shorts and polos – we did dress up a bit for dinner but “cruise casual” attire is appropriate for dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dining experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes. We enjoy the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, experiencing a different restaurant and menu with the same servers each evening. And, unlimited room service is also included!!
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In addition to exceptional dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers many entertainment options including Broadway-like musical productions, viewings of recently released Disney movies, character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, deck parties, water slides and pools, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia and so much more! O’Gills Pub even offers a buffet of light snacks early evening with another buffet for late night snacks later each night. There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type and you won’t go hungry!

And be sure to give a big wave to Goofy as you disembark, he’s busy helping the crew prepare the ship for the next cruise…

From January to early March, 2019, 10 special five-night Disney Magic sailings will take Guests to the Caribbean and Bahamas, along with an action-packed, day-long celebration of the Marvel Universe during Marvel Day at Sea.

The event features all-day entertainment including interactions with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes who oppose them, an extraordinary deck show spectacular, Marvel-themed youth activities, special merchandise and unique food and beverage offerings.

Marvel Day at Sea 2019 will only be on Disney Magic five-night Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Miami, departing Jan. 6, 11, 20, 25, Feb. 3, 8, 17, 22, March 3 and 8.

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The Disney Magic Very Merrytime Cruise

Published on December 18, 2017 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I just returned from my first experience on the Disney Magic and also my very first Very Merrytime Cruise!

It had been a couple years since my last cruise and once we booked on the Disney Fantasy in May we got the “cruise bug”! It’s a good bug to have…

On this 4-night itinerary, not only was this my first experience on the Disney Magic and a Very Merrytime Cruise, it was also our first experience in Key West – and, YES, Key West is open for business and ready for you!!

The Disney Magic is one of their smaller ships and we learned our way around quickly. Our dining experiences were also new to us – we enjoyed Carioca’s and Lumiere’s for dinner and, of course, we always enjoy Animator’s Palette – it’s my favorite in the rotational dining options. We dined at Animator’s Palette on our final night so our breakfast on disembark day was also at Animator’s Palette.
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On the Disney Magic the kids clubs are intermingled on the common area decks rather than separate from the main areas as on the larger ships. We did notice the children more on this Disney cruise than when we have sailed on the Disney Dream or the Disney Fantasy.

My husband was cruising with me and we chose a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah for our first Disney Magic experience – we prefer the starboard side so that we can see our ports of call on arrival. The staterooms are good sized with under-bed storage for your luggage and we have never felt crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney, even on this smaller ship.
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The Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah design features include:
A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
A “split bath” (in most) that includes a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet
Cabinets with abundant storage space in the living area
And my favorite feature – Elevated bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items

This Very Merrytime sailing offered many fun holiday activities in addition to the normal onboard fun! There was a gingerbread house, Santa, Christmas trees, holiday music throughout the ship and more. As a special touch, many of the characters were also dressed in their holiday themed costumes.
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We had 3 ports of call – Key West, Nassau and Castaway Cay. While Castaway Cay is always my favorite port of call, we chose this cruise itinerary because of the stop in Key West. This was our first experience in Key West and we enjoyed a beautiful day – seeing the Southernmost Point with lunch at Gas Monkey Bar & Grill and then met up with friends that were also cruising with us at Bourbon Street Pub. The locals were friendly and we definitely plan to go back to Key West!
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Our preference for our Nassau port of call is to stay onboard and enjoy the ship – movies, pools, water slides, games, dining, entertainment – it’s all included.

Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call – and MY favorite port of call when cruising with Disney!! Castaway Cay is reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers and the ship will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing and bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails. While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go.

Your “Key to the World” card works for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each. Dining is also included as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers “adult only” areas at Castaway Cay – Serenity Bay is a secluded beach exclusively for adults and families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach.
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We are runners and weather permitting, Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on every stop at Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services when you board your cruise. Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am. The vibe of the event is casual, a fun experience worth the early wake-up!

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wore sun dresses and flip flops while my husband wore shorts and polos – even to dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dining experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes. We enjoy the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, experiencing a different restaurant and menu with the same servers each evening. And, unlimited room service is also included!!
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In addition to exceptional dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers many entertainment options including Broadway-like musical productions, viewings of recently released Disney movies, character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, deck parties, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia and so much more! O’Gills Pub even offered a buffet of light snacks early evening with another buffet for late night snacks later each night of our sailing. There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type.

And don’t miss Goofy as you disembark, he’s busy helping the crew prepare the ship for the next cruise…

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Disney Cruise Line – Holiday Cruises

Published on June 5, 2017 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

It’s never too early for holiday shopping and I can help you give the perfect gift this year!

Now is the time to book YOUR holiday cruise with Disney!

Itineraries now available through January 2019.

Stay up to date with all Disney Destinations as well as other travel destinations!
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The Disney Fantasy – A Disney Cruise Line Ship

Published on May 29, 2017 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I just returned from my Disney Cruise Line vacation on the inaugural sailing of the Disney Fantasy after dry dock and WOW – the Disney Fantasy is a magical ship!

It’s been 2 ½ years since my last cruise and I was ready! This was my first experience on the Disney Fantasy and I was excited to experience the ship and learn about everything new.

My husband was cruising with me and we chose a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah for our first Disney Fantasy experience.

Disney Cruise Line has thought of everything to ensure first-rate comfort and convenience during your voyage. The verandah is a private sanctuary where you can watch the sun rise, bask in ocean breezes and enjoy your morning coffee or an evening beverage. We have never felt cramped or crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney. The Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah design features include:
– A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
– A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
– A “split bath” (in most) that includes a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet
– A leather-upholstered ottoman with hollow inside storage
– Cabinets with storage space in the living area
– And my favorite feature – Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
For the kids (or kids at heart), a mural of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her brothers soaring through a starry sky reveals itself when the upper-berth bed is pulled down!

This inaugural sailing included 2 full days on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call – and MY favorite port of call when cruising with Disney!! Castaway Cay is reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers and the ship will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing and bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails.

While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go.

Your “Key to the World” card will work for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each.
Dining is also included as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers “adult only” areas at Castaway Cay – Serenity Bay is a secluded beach exclusively for adults (where you just might encounter Captain Jack Sparrow strolling the beach!) and families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach.

We are runners and Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services when you board your cruise.

Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am. The vibe of the event is casual, a fun experience worth the early wake-up!

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wore simple dresses and flip flops while my husband wore shorts and polos – even to dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dinging experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes. We enjoy the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, experiencing a different restaurant and menu with the same servers each evening. And, unlimited room service is also included!!

In addition to exceptional dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers many entertainment options including Broadway-like musical productions, viewings of recently released Disney movies, character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, deck parties, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia and so much more!

A few new experiences now offered on the Disney Fantasy include Sweet on You, Tiffany & Co., and something just for kids, Star Wars: Command Post and Marvel Super Hero Academy.

Indulge in frozen desserts that satisfy your confectionary cravings at Sweet on You, a specialty ice cream emporium located just outside Cabana’s featuring 20 hand-crafted gelatos, 16 ice cream flavors, 32 toppings, homemade chocolate, truffles, a large selection of candy and more!

Disney Cruise Line now hosts the world’s premier jewelry and iconic American luxury brand, Tiffany & Co., with an exclusive store aboard the Disney Fantasy. Indulge your most dazzling fantasies and peruse Tiffany’s timeless designs and discover why that little blue box is known around the globe!

At Disney’s Oceaneer Club young cruisers can experience Star Wars: Command Post and Marvel Super Hero Academy.

There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type.

Stay up to date with all Disney Destinations as well as other travel destinations!
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