Disney Wonder

From dream-makers at Disney came the concept for bringing theme park magic to the seas, first with Disney Magic, and then Disney Wonder. In October, 2003, Disney made it official that DCL is on the expansion trail, seeking bids for at least one more ship, possibly for expansion beyond Florida and the Caribbean. Speculation on new itineraries has focused on California, the Mediterranean or Asia. Meanwhile, Disney Magic sails from Florida’s Port Canaveral on three- and four-day itineraries to the Bahamas, and Disney Wonder journeys from Port Canaveral into the Caribbean on alternating 7-day eastern and western itineraries. Western sailings, with two days at sea, call in Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. Eastern sailings, also with two days at sea, call in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay, with two days at sea. Departures are on Saturdays.

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Despite huge inevitable appeal for families with children, Disney ships are also sufficiently sophisticated to attract adults sailing without children. Since debut, Disney has expanded adult activity to include enrichment courses with guest lecturers, wine tastings, cooking classes and a champagne brunch. In fact, there are separate activity areas on board for adults, teens, and kids along with the family activities.

About Gratuities
Gratuities can be charged to shipboard accounts. Recommended guidelines per person, for a seven-night cruise are dining room server, $25.75; dining room asst. server, $18.75; dining room head server, $6.50; stateroom host/hostess $25.25. Dining Manager and Room Service tipping is at passenger discretion, and a 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs.

Disabled Access
Staterooms and suites for passengers with disabilities include ramped bathroom thresholds, shower handrails, hand-held shower heads, fold-down shower seats, and lowered towel racks. Other amenities include open bed frames, added phones in the bathroom/nightstand, lowered closet bars, and emergency call buttons. Also available are Stateroom Communication Kits with door knock and phone alerts, phone amplifier, bed shaker notification, a strobe light smoke detector, and a Text Typewriter (TTY). Passengers requiring a wheelchair throughout their cruise must make provisions for use of that wheelchair prior to the cruise. At one feature pool, transfer tiers are provided. At Castaway Cay, sand wheelchairs are available. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are in public areas. Assistive Listening Systems are in main theaters and show rooms. Closed captioning is available for stateroom televisions and selected onboard video monitors. American Sign Language interpretation is available for live performances on designated sailings.

Ship Features

An atrium lobby is anchored by a large bronze statue of Mickey garbed as a 19th century mariner, and Mickey’s image is reflected just about everywhere from the red funnels atop ship to atrium iron railings to stateroom wallpaper and bedspreads. Even so, the overall décor and lifestyle aboard is relatively (and perhaps surprisingly) sophisticated, with innovative, progressive dining and non-stop activities for adults and families Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, has even more activities. Family lounges are popular at night, and the Walt Disney Theater features Broadway-style Disney productions. Disney movies are screened in the Buena Vista Theater. Two boutiques sell Disney merchandise.

Staterooms
Standard amenities include color TV with CNN and Disney PG movies, bath and a half, hair dryer and ample storage for a short cruise. Standard inside and outside staterooms, which can accommodate three or four passengers, are 173 square feet, while those with private balconies are 253 square feet. Suites, accommodating up to five people, are 291 square feet they comfortably hold four or five people. One-bedroom suites are 591 square feet while deluxe suites have two bedrooms and private concierge service. All staterooms are non-smoking.

Stateroom amenities
Tub and shower, remote-control color TV, closet, in-room safe, hair dryer, phone with voice-mail messaging, and individual climate control.

Kid & Teen Stuff
All ages are entertained with extensive programs and teens have their own coffee house and disco. Disney's Oceaneer Club offers age-specific activities transporting young minds to edges of their imaginations under counselor guidance. Parents receive pagers so families are always in touch. Children ages 3-4 can train as Mouseketeers, practice marching, and watch a video of the 1950's Mouseketeer show opening. Mickey arrives to inspect new Mouseketeers and lead them in a march to the Lab. For ages 8-9, apprentices make their own batches of Flubber-like goo, and Disney animation secrets are unlocked as participants use classic animation tools. There’s also a chance to be part of the talented line-up of producers, directors, and stars in TV spots. For ages 10-12, there’s Science Scorcery with things that are not always as they seem and more opportunity to learn secrets of drawing the Disney character Goofy. Rookie news teams also produce a newscast.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
Passengers rotate each evening to different restaurants with different themes. Parrot’s Cay provides tropical fun while Lumiere’s setting is art deco. Animator’s Palate starts out in a black/white motif and transforms to glorious color during meals. Palo, a chic, reservations only alternative restaurant that is solely for adults, books up early. Topsider Buffet has casual fare and there is 24-hour room service.

Sports / Health / Fitness
An ESPN Sports Box has live broadcasts on TV screens throughout. Among three pools, one is adults-only, and one has a long water slide. Vista Spa and Salon has hydrotherapy and assorted massage and beauty services. There’s a well-equipped gym, and other sports activities include basketball, paddle tennis, volleyball, and a track for jogging.

Entertainment
The Walt Disney Theatre stages a different theatrical production each night. On Deck 3, Route 66 features clubs WaveBands, Barrel of Laughs, and The Cadillac Lounge. Studio Sea is an interactive family club with dancing.

Casino
Disney ships do not have casinos.

Bars
Country, western and rock music is featured at Rockin’ D Bar every evening and the adjacent Beat Street has comedy.