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| DCL President, Karl Holz reveals Disney's new ports of call at a press conference at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City |
In 2012, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) will sail from more ports than ever before in the history of the family-friendly cruise line. Next year, DCL will set sail from three new ports—New York, Seattle and Galveston, TX—and it will offer several new itineraries.
Bookings for the entire 2012 schedule will be open to travel agents on April 8, 2011.
"In 2012, we’re making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a Disney Cruise Line vacation by offering cruises from a variety of regional homeports,” said DCL President Karl Holz.
"Guests can now enjoy a magical, one-of-a-kind Disney cruise experience with the convenience of departures from their own backyard," Holz added during a press conference in New York City. "There will also be opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in native culture or pan for gold with Donald Duck in Skagway, Alaska."
NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta explained to the conference attendees that the travel and tourism industry has created more than 320,000 jobs in New York City this past year and that 45,000 "cruisers" would arrive over the course of the next year.
Seth Pinsky, President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) echoed this optimistic remarks, saying there has been a serious resurgence in the cruise market - $150 million was spent in 2010, a 54 percent increase from 2009 and NYC is anticipating an additional $11 million just from future Disney business.
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| Karl Holz, Captain Mickey, George Fertitta and Seth Pinsky |
New York
Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York, including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and 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 over a weekend.
The eight-night Bahamas cruises (sailing on May 25; June 2, 22 and 30; July 20 and 28; and Aug. 17 and 25) will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; and stops to Nassau, Bahamas and Port Canaveral, FL, giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort.
As part of this itinerary, each guest will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between the ship and the resort.
Rates for the new eight-night Bahamian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $1,240 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
The five-night cruises up the New England coast (sailing on June 10 and 17; July 8 and 15; Aug. 5 and 12; and Sept. 2, 7 and 12) will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. Rates for the new five-night Canadian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $715 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
The three two-night cruises (sailing on June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10) out of New York are priced from $370 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Galveston
Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean (sailing on Sept. 22 and 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24; and Dec. 1 and 8) . Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel. Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston are priced from $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Seattle
Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 14 seven-night cruises (sailing on May 28, June 4, 11, 18 and 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; and Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27) from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, AK, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. For these cruises, DCL worked closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history. Rates for the seven-night Alaska cruise itinerary departing from Seattle start at $917 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Los Angeles
In addition to sailing Alaska cruises, the Disney Wonder is scheduled to continue sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of 2012 throughout winter, spring and fall. Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $707 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Additionally, the Disney Wonder will sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (sailing on Sept. 16, 23 and 30 and on Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. Rates for the new seven-night Pacific Coast itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $770 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
For the first time, the Disney Wonder will also offer a special 15-night voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Hilo; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and Ensenada, Mexico. Rates for the 15-night Hawaiian itinerary (departing on April 29, 2012) start at $1,800 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Port Canaveral
The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral in 2012.
The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating between eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel) itineraries. Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 will stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries also include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates for the seven-night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the Disney Fantasy start at $959 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay in 2012. The five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay. Rates for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream start at $471 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Until she is repositioned to New York, the Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries and four- and five-night Bahamian cruises.
Visit www.disneycruise.com or call 888-325-2500.