The Imaginative Debut Vessel from Disney Cruise Line Is Now Set To Sail Seven-Day Cruises
It wasn't until July 1998, some three years after Disney had committed to joining the cruise-industry wars, that the Disney Cruise Line's eagerly awaited initial entry finally showed at home base in Port Canaveral, Florida. The delivery delay of several months at Italy's Fincantieri shipyards, meanwhile, had added fodder for questions as to whether the vaunted Disney magic would rub off on the new Disney Magic. These negative Nellies already had been asking where profits would come from without a revenue-generating casino, a Disney no-no. They also wondered if enough adults would want to cruise on a "kids-oriented" ship.
It appears, however, not to have turned out as these "experts" figured. The line contends that the 83,338-gross-register-ton/1,750-passenger (double occupancy) beauty offers fares competitive with the Disney resort experience, and is in the black--even as her twin sister, the Disney Wonder, new as of last August, does about as well offering a similar product.
On our cruise last September (we earlier were on two preview cruises), Captain Hans Matebor (a Holland America Line veteran) explained that the Disney Magic runs at near full capacity (2,400) during season; other times it's upwards of 1,800. Collectively, some 70 percent aboard are middle-income family groups, mostly first. time cruisers, who bought a weeklong, package consisting of a three- or four-day roundtrip cruise to the Bahamas that calls at Nassau and the line's island gem, Castaway Cay, tied in with a three- or four-day stay at a Disney World resort in Orlando that includes free admission to the Disney parks and transportation between the resort and the port. Disney recently announced that the Disney Magic will soon sail seven-day roundtrip, with calls at St. Maarten and St. Thomas, plus a daylong call at Castaway Cay. The change, the line said, is a direct result of guests asking, for more or the Disney cruise experience.
Early reviews, though, were not exactly sterling. Stunning exterior lines and striking inferiors were loudly lauded, but many felt the shipboard experience was somewhat underwhelming. Complaints focused mainly on spotty food and service and limited adult programming. Never settling for second-rate, Disney revamped menus, recruited more experienced cruise people, and staffed two originally unfilled key posts--one with longtime Cunard Line hotel manager Victor Savage, the other will, highly regarded Holland America Line cruise director Rick Spath, who reinvigorated adult programming.
Some 20 top European and American architectural and design groups were charged with specific elements creating an innovative, family-friendly, ultra-modern vessel, which Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner suggested should also mirror the tradition of the renowned ocean queens of yore. The $380-million Disney Magic sports a powerful, rakish bow, traditional stem, and two red and black, sweptback funnels jutting from a white superstructure. Each stack is adorned with the Disney logo--an outline of a famous mouse's ears and face, in white. The black-and-blue-blend painted hull, scrolled with golden filagree fore and aft, is obvious Disney style.
Keeping family comfort in mind, hotel manager Savage told us that the cabins are sized to provide up to 25 percent more space than the industry standard.
Large posh suites and special family units, among other categories, berth as many as five people. Others accommodate from two to three. Three-quarters of the 875 rooms face the sea, and half of these have verandas. Most also boast an enormously welcome cruise-ship first, a bathroom-and-a-half--one with a full tub/ shower combination, vanity, and sink; the other houses the toilet and another vanity and sink. A supply of Mickey's branded soap and toiletries come with them.
Creative themes set apart the entertainment and dining venues from the quiet elegance of the open public areas, which, in the main lobby, for one, showcases "moderne"-influenced architecture, finishes, and furnishings touched with Art Deco. Standout appointments here are an unusual chandelier, grand marble staircases, glass elevators, balcony views, and oversized portholes. A bronze "Helmsman Mickey" statue is the centerpiece. (Prized Disney lore, all over the ship, make for intriguing viewing.)
As an aside, a non-traditional "Two Captains" welcome aboard dress-up party (informal) is hosted in the lobby by Captain Hans and "Co-Captain Mickey," joined by their Disney character friends in greeting and posing with guests. (All the characters pop-up regularly for frolic and photos.) On the new, longer sailing, the captain plans to also host a black-tie optional dinner.
An abundance of togetherness events more than fulfill the family-friendly spirit, but adults also have lots of space. For instance, kids splash in their own pool, another is for families, and a third is just for grownups. Adults, too, have a private beach on Castaway Cay. Youngsters are also banned from bar areas and the adults-only entertainment zone.
This section begins off the lobby, forward, at funky Beat Street, a darkened thoroughfare leading to three night spots. Sessions, softly appointed and intimate, spotlights a piano stylist and serves liqueurs, gourmet caviar, and coffees. Rockin' Bar D, a large, rough-hewn room, hosts roaring evening dance parties and disco. In Off Beat, it's improvisational comedy by sharp pros. There's touch dancing, too, in the Promenade Lounge, on the other side of the lobby.
We were hardly aware that more than 600 young people were aboard. Separated by age groups, some 50 counselors can keep them happily active with a plethora of ship and shore programs. A recently installed nursery for tots, from 12 weeks to three years, asks only a modest hourly fee. Younger kids' parents needn't worry, though--they get a pager. Teens hang out at Common Grounds, an organized lido-deck sanctuary in the mode of a trendy coffee bar. A section of Topsider Buffet is even set aside for kids to take meals as a group. Among the newly announced program enhancements, children and their families will be able to enjoy the Disney characters at special dinners and an afternoon tea. With all that goes on, parents looking for family togetherness may find it hard luring offspring from their fun, even for dinner.
Tops among the amusement venues are the lovely Buena Vista Theatre, which screens Disney animated films and first-run features, and the majestic Walt Disney Theatre, a totally viewer-friendly showcase for three costly, typically warm and fuzzy Disney original musicals--each with a cast of more than 20 fresh-faced entertainers, like those performing at the theme parks. Disney classics inspired the shows--"Hercules," "Disney Dreams," and "Voyage of the Ghost Ship." Added for the weeklong cruise is a fast-paced, one-hour show that will bring to life a 19th century magician who mysteriously reappears in modern times.
Innovation, paramount in the gestation of the Disney Magic, is probably best reflected at evening mealtime, at both seatings, by a unique rotation dining program that has each assigned table group, on consecutive evenings, dining together in three totally different (in concept and menu), 442-seat main dining rooms, attended by the same servers and supervisors. On a fourth night, the meal is taken where guests ate last, choosing from a "Master Chef Menu" of signature dishes, from appetizers to desserts, created by executive chefs at Disney's prime hotel and park restaurants. To complete the seven-day program, a captain's gala welcome dinner and two additional theme dinners will become part of the rotation dining concept. The first evening of our four-day sailing, our Navigator (personalized schedule) had us in subtly elegant Lumiere's, designed specifically to convey a sense of the fine dining experience associated with the halcyon days of cruising. Five-course meals prepared French-continental style are graciously served.
On the next night, stark black and white, with decorative pieces shaped like artist palettes and paint brushes, set the initial tone for a singular mealtime experience in Animator's Palate. But the atmosphere changes as the meal progresses. Lights fade and the room gradually is transformed into a beaming, full-color showplace, with the focus on rapidly changing images of Disney characters projected on wall panels throughout the room. The dramatic mix of sight and sound turns even more festive when Mickey Mouse himself bounces in to a roar of cheers, leading a parade. It's a set menu here, except for a selection of popular main courses. Oh, yes --crayons on the table are for doodling on paper placemats.
