Disney Cruise Line is set to double in size soon with the addition of two new ships. The Disney Dream is scheduled to set sail in 2011 and the Disney Fantasy in 2012.  Disney has stated that the 2 new ships would be built along the lines of  their two existing ships the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder however the new ship are expected to be quite a bit larger  with 1250 staterooms and coming in at an estimated 128,000 GRT as opposed to 877 staterooms and  83,000 GRT for the existing ships.

The larger ships will of course necessitate the expansion of Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. Disney has announced that Castaway Family Beach will be extended by more than 700 feet  along with the addition of new island buffet, sand bar, and shops. Disney will add 2 new 2400-square foot water/play features, "Pelican Plunge" and "Spring-a-Leak", as well as a new water play area at "Scuttle's Cove" for the younger set.

A new game pavilion is being added as well a a new teen retreat "Hide Out". Disney is also adding 20 private rental cabanas and adding 3 massage cabanas to the adults-only Serenity Bay Beach. The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010

With the addition of 2 new ships what will Disney do with their existing ships? Well for starters, Disney will reposition the Disney Wonder to the west coast out of the port of Los Angeles for a series of 7 night Mexican Riviera cruises. But the BIG NEWS is that for the 2011 summer season the Disney Wonder will be heading to Alaska! Departing out of Vancouver, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 18 seven-night cruises to Alaska for the 2011 summer season, calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

The Disney magic is already scheduled to return to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe for the summer of 2010 and in 2011 she will once again return to Europe for the summer season for a series of 10 and 11 night cruises out of Barcelona.

Please call or email us if you would like more information regarding Disney' ships or sailing schedules or to book your next Disney cruise.

Miami   -    Jan 27, 2009   ---    Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced that it has selected the name for its new F3 ship: Norwegian Epic. Just as the name implies, the ship will be the largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date.

The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Caribbean from Miami, beginning in summer 2010. Following a series of inaugural events in Europe and the U.S., the ship will homeport in Miami and will sail year-round to the Caribbean offering alternating seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages through April 2011. These cruises are scheduled to go on sale to the public later this spring. NCL will open Norwegian Epic's sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners in mid-March 2009.

"The F3 experience will take our already successful Freestyle Cruising to the next level, affording our guests the ultimate freedom and flexibility. Norwegian Epic, denoting a ship that is very impressive on a grand scale, is the most fitting name," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president and CEO. "The combination of the ship's exciting new features, along with the tropical allure of these Caribbean destinations, will provide an extraordinary cruise vacation for our guests."

The ship's Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Norwegian Epic's Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

Norwegian Epic represents the next generation of Freestyle Cruising – a ship that incorporates a wide range of new features and amenities, including curved New Wave staterooms and unique nightlife options. To date, the company has revealed five unique nightlife venues that rival the experiences of Las Vegas, Ibiza, the Riviera and South Beach. The five venues include the industry's first true Ice Bar; POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting at the top of the ship; Halo, the Über Bar, a private bar and lounge in the ship-within-a-ship villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL's all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley; and Spice H20, an adults-only aft pool deck experience.

In addition, the ship will feature the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms that represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship accommodations with a completely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The New Wave stateroom's most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.

NCL plans to unveil additional details about Norwegian Epic in the near future.

The Celebrity Solstice, the highly anticipated new ship from Celebrity Cruises, entered service on November 23 with a Thanksgiving Week cruise of the Caribbean. The ship’s launch was moved up three weeks – an indication of the excitement that surrounded its debut. Guests on the 2,850-guest vessel will enjoy thoughtfully designed staterooms with sophisticated touches. Celebrity designed the staterooms with the help of a team of five women, and their input shows in well-designed storage spaces and more spacious bathrooms. An amazing 85% of staterooms have balconies where guests can relax and enjoy the view in private.

Public spaces on the Solstice feature some incredible industry firsts, including the fresh grass growing in the half-acre Lawn Club on the top deck. Next to the Lawn Club, the Hot Glass Show features a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass.

With 10 restaurants, delicious dining options abound on the Solstice. Dining choices include peppered bison filet at The Grand Épernay; Cesar salad prepared tableside at the Tuscan Grille; the flavors of Asian fusion at Silk Harvest; and mouthwatering specialty crepes at Bistro on Five.

Onboard diversions include the luxurious Boutique C, which will feature a 10-sided diamond with 86 sparkling facets, cut exclusively for Celebrity Cruises by Harding Brothers of London. Another enticing shop is The Artisan Store, where guests can talk with resident artists and browse their creations.

Celebrity has also entered an exclusive partnership with Poet Theatricals for productions that will provide evening entertainment on the Solstice. The curved stage in the ship’s state-of-the-art theater was designed to optimize sight lines and promises to bring guests closer to the entertainers.

During its inaugural year, the Celebrity Solstice will sail in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. For more information about how you can cruise on this stunning new ship, call me today.

With lofted suites, a handcrafted carousel, sculptured glass domes and the first zip line at sea, Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Oasis of the Seas, will make its debut for a Thanksgiving Week cruise of the Caribbean. The 5,400-passenger ship will introduce the cruise line’s "neighborhood" concept, which offers a variety of settings for relaxation, dining and entertainment.

There are seven special neighborhoods on board, including Central Park, Boardwalk and AquaTheater.

In Central Park, pathways wander through lush plantings of grass, flowers and trees, with two glass-domed canopies transferring sunlight to the decks below. The park also provides lovely views for more than 300 staterooms that rise six decks high on either side.

The Boardwalk provides old-fashioned fun. The centerpiece is a handcrafted carousel, the first at sea. Guests can select from a variety of dining spots, browse through shops and try their skill at carnival games.

The Boardwalk leads to the stunning AquaTheater, the first amphitheater at sea. Guests can swim and take SCUBA lessons in the AquaTheater’s large freshwater pool. At night, the pool becomes a performance venue for acrobatics, water ballet, professional high-diving and fountain shows.

Additional neighborhoods include Entertainment Place, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, plus an expanded version of the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade.

The sheer size of the Oasis of the Seas allows new types of accommodations, such as contemporary loft suites with double-height windows. Other surprises on board include not one, but two of the cruise line’s popular rock climbing walls, plus the first zip line at sea.

For more information about how you can sail on the Oasis of the Seas, call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245(sail). Royal Caribbean also expects to launch a sister ship, the Allure of the Seas, in 2010.