Sunday Spotlight - Disney Magic

© Disney

Disney Cruise Line_® boasts four majestic, family-friendly ships in its’ fleet, which first set sail in July 1998. 

The Disney Magic, is the original ship in the fleet, and had its’ maiden voyage July 30, 1998.  It is a ship that takes guests of all ages to exotic destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Europe, as well as Canada and Mexico.

The ship blends the classic beauty and grace of the “golden era of ocean travel” with all the modern luxuries, technology and comforts that make cruising a pleasure.  This ship itself is 20 feet longer than the infamous Titanic, and can transport 2, 400 passengers.  Back in 1998 Disney Cruise Line received special permission from the government to allow it to have bright yellow lifeboats, a la Mickey Mouse’s shoes, instead of the normally required bright orange. 

© Disney

Onboard guests can delight to a wide array of dining and entertainment options.  The Magic incorporated a fun new, rotational dining system when it premiered, that allows guests to dine each of the themed dining rooms on board:  Lumiere's, Parrot Cay and Animator's Palate.  Each night, as guests rotate to another restaurant, their table mates and wait staff remain the same which allows for a greater deal of familiarity. The ship includes highly seasoned chefs, and the wait staff is very efficient and quick with their service. By keeping the same wait staff as guests rotate around, they are able to quickly learn guests names and remember beverage choices and whether you like coffee, tea or something else with dessert or not.

Like almost all of the large cruise ships, onboard entertainment includes shows in the beautifully appointed Walt Disney Theatre,  some of which, have been nominated, or have won, multiple awards.  There’s also a movie theater, The Buena Vista Theater, showing both first-run and classic Disney movies.  First-run films are typically the same Disney movies that are currently in theaters on land.  There’s also a large, 24x14 foot Jumbo LED screen on the ship’s forward funnel known as FunnelVision which is used in various ways during deck parties, such as the Sail Away Party.   Deck 10 features the Wide World of Sports deck, offering basketball, foosball, ping-pong and workouts.  And of course there are the pools.  Youth activities, nightclubs and lounges add a lot more fun to the entertainment offered onboard the Disney Magic.  And, weather permitting, Disney Cruise Line pioneered fireworks at sea, and is the only cruise line to do so, all starting on the Disney Magic.

Watch for more detailed information about the Disney Magic in blog entries yet to come.  Ahoy mateys!