The first of two new ships of Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dream, completed the conveyance process last week at Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard, the only place in the world where this process takes place. From its inland birthplace in Papenburg, Germany to the North Sea at the port of Eemshaven, The Netherlands, the ship made the conveyance journey 26 miles down the twisting River Ems.
In anticipation of its maiden voyage, beginning January 26, 2011, tens of thousands of people attended the start of the journey to fireworks as the ship left the Meyer Werft shipyard through the first sea lock exiting the harbor. Along the river, railroad bridges have been dismantled with sections lifted out to allow the conveying ship to pass.
“As the largest ship this yard has built, our entire community feels a tremendous sense of achievement and a deep connection to this exceptional vessel,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft.
Prior to its conveyance, the ship underwent its float out on October 30 (pictured), a maritime event celebrating the ship's final stages of construction, during which exteriors are completed and final touches are assigned to interiors. Construction of the ship began 20 months prior, the last two weeks of which included testing on the ship’s functional features, alongside continued work on the ship's interior.
When it debuts, Disney Dream will feature AquaDuck, a water coaster, combining the ups and downs of a roller coaster and the twists and turns of a water slide around the ship's funnels, the first of its kind at sea. Inside staterooms will feature Magical Portholes with a "virtual window," with a real-time view outside the ship where high-definition cameras feed live video to each stateroom.
Passengers can examine ship's Enhanced Art, appearing like other hanging art pieces, while actually being a framed LCD screen that recognizes a guest is present. Dine at Remy, a top-deck restaurant, only for adults, with views of the ocean views and French-inspired, gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs.
Following its debut, Disney Dream will set out for three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas from Florida's Port Canaveral. In addition it will continue with seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises, before spending 2011's summer in the Mediterranean.
Beginning in 2012, its sister ship, Disney's second new ship, Disney Fantasy, also to be completed at Papenburg, will embark on seven-night sailings, alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral, following its maiden voyage on April 7, 2012.
Call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or visit http://disneytravelagents.com.