Dream Voyage Aboard Disney's Newest Ship-Disney Dream

The Disney Dream, the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line, will be taking to the seas with its 4,000 passengers for the first time Jan. 26, 2011. The Maiden Voyage is almost booked to capacity. The next available cruise date is Jan. 30, 2011, but cabin reservations are going fast. This is only the beginning. Disney Cruise Line is building a fourth cruise liner with its Maiden Voyage set for April, 2012. Disney Fantasy is accepting reservations now so you can be aboard for the first of its many voyages.

Disney Dream's contruction began in March 2009 at a world-renowned German shipyard in Papenburg. Don't know where Papenburg is? It is in the upper northwest corner of Germany on the river Ems bordering the Netherlands. The ship reflects the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930's. Although that means nothing to the little ones, the adults will appreciate the elegance and sophistication that was a part of the era incorporated into the ships decor. Comparing the Dream to its sister ships, Wonder and Magic, it is approximately 40% larger. Total number of beds on the Disney Dream is 5007, 1,900 more than Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder. All that additional space makes Disney Dream two decks taller and over 150 feet longer.

There is something for everyone onboard. An adults-only entertainment area called The District is home to 5 distinct lounges and nightclubs. Kids clubs, activity centers for tweens and teens, and a plethora of unique interactive programs and wondrously themed immersive spaces, musical live shows, first-run films, Digital 3-D movies and fun-filled family deck parties are all a part of the experience. To top it off, and your kids are going to love this, Disney Dream features the first water coaster at sea called "The AquaDuck". A 4-deck drop from the top of the ship that safely carries its riders over the side of the ship and back. How's that for a thrill. Not for the faint at heart or those who have a fear of heights.

So, grab those mouse ears and brush up on your Disney characters, your in for a wild ride of "can you buy me this Dad" and "let's go Mom" and "smile for the camera". At least you won't be worried about how much the food costs or trying to figure out what's left on your dining plan because it is all inclusive.

Disney Dream is scheduled to sail to Bremerhaven, where shipbuilder Meyer Werft will officially deliver the ship to Disney on Dec. 9. Final supplies will be loaded, and the remaining crew members will board the ship before it sets sail for its home in Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship is scheduled to arrive just after the New Year.
 
3 Night Bahamas from $372 Disney Dream
4 Night Bahamas from $628 Disney Dream
Slide show pictures of ships features. Disney Dream
Complete list of cruise dates and itineraries. Disney Cruise Lines
7 Night Eastern Caribbean Disney Adventure from $1,099 Disney Fantasy
7 Night Western Caribbean Disney Adventure from $1,099 Disney Fantasy

Check out everything Disney at Vacation Rick Travel.

To Cruise Or Not To Cruise-Carnival's Fantasy And Charleston Unite

Would you go on a cruise ship that holds over 6,000 passengers? Wow, that is alot of people in a confined space of 1184 feet and sixteen decks. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is a cruise ship of gargantuan proportions featuring seven distinct nieghborhoods and departs out of Fort Lauderdale. Yes, you heard it right, neighborhoods. Sounds like living in the burbs. The Allure of the Sea, its sister ship, will debut in 2010 with a capacity of over 5,000.

Disney will be releasing into service in 2011 its third ship called The Dream that will accommodate over 4,000 passengers departing out of Port Canaveral. It will feature the first water coaster at sea, called "The Aquaduck" and will have a 9 hole mini-golf course. The adult-only Quiet Cove Pool will include a swim up bar and a series of connecting pools with hot tubs for adults & families. Has your interest peaked with those little or should I say huge tidbits of information?

I have been on cruises with over 2,000 passengers and crowds have never been a problem until the last day when you are departing the ship, but over 6,000 passengers? Although, considering I have been to some sporting events with 60,000 to 70,000 spectators, 6,000 or 4,000 doesn't sound like alot and again the crowds were no problem until exiting at the end.

However you may answer the proposed question at the beginning of this article many will say yes or cruise lines would not be building bigger ships. The fact of the matter is cruising has become very popular and Charleston is on the list of cruise ports.

Carnival's Fantasy has made Charleston its home and is now sailing year-round from our beautiful port offering a variety of 5 to 7 night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Fantasy has been fully refurbished and ships capacity is over 2,000. Quite modest in comparison to 6,000, but emphasis is still on non-stop fun and excitement. Check out Fantasy's itineraries with destinations including Freeport, Nassau, Grand Turk, and Carnival Cruise Lines' own private island paradise, Half Moon Cay. Take a 360 degree virtual tour of the ship.

Kids Cruise Free on Disney Cruise Lines

Disney Cruise Lines features two ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Also featured is Disney's private port-of-call paradise, Castaway Cay, on Disney Cruise Line Bahamian and Caribbean cruise vacations and offers snorkeling, boating, swimming and old-fashioned sunbathing. Disney now gives you something else to think about. Kids age 17 and under can sail free on most 3 and 4 night Bahamian cruises from January 7 through April 15, 2010 and on select Mediterranean cruises from April 24 through May 26, 2010, when traveling with 2 full-fare guests in the same stateroom. Mediterranean cruises are 10 night or 11 night where you will explore some of the world's most esteemed cultural wonders amid timeless cities and ports of call. Government taxes and fees are not included. More information and book online at disneycruise.com, call (800) 951-3532 or visit Vacation Rick Travel Disney Cruises. Mediterranian ports-of-call include these cities:

• Ajaccio, Corsica
• Barcelona, Spain
• Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome)
• La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa)
• Naples, Italy
• Tunis, Tunisia
• Valletta, Malta
• Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice)

Win a Disney Cruise in the Summer at Sea Sweepstakes

Disney Cruise Line consists of two ships-Disney Wonder and Disney Magic. Castaway Cay is a private island or "out island" in the Bahamas which serves as an exclusive port of call for the Disney Cruise Line ships. Though family-oriented in design, these ships cater to adults just as much as they amuse kids. While the kids are playing, adults can enjoy a wide range of onboard amenities, activities, and areas reserved exclusively for them. Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay is dedicated to children's activities. Parents can relax on the beach all day while the kids enjoy nonstop supervised fun. You can check cruise itinerary details at Vacation Rick Travel Disney cruises. As a special bonus incentive Disney is having a sweepstakes contest where eight families can win a chance to cruise with Disney Channel stars in the Summer at Sea Sweepstakes. Plus you can win Kodak products. Join in the fun, check all the information out. It doesn't cost anything to enter. You have a Disney day.

Cruise Sales Boom-Try One!

In a year end report, Expedia CruiseShipCenters said it continues to ride the wave of cruising’s popularity, reporting year end growth of 18 percent on sales and bookings of $310 million. “Clearly, the popularity of cruise vacations continues to grow, especially in the first-time cruise market,” says Matthew Eichhorst, president of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “Cruising also offers the best value for the money and, for 2009, our client bookings are already ahead of this same time last year by 14 percent.”
The year saw the launch of more than 10 new ships including the much anticipated Celebrity Solstice, which featured among its many innovations a Lawn Club sporting freshly manicured real grass with a putting green and lawn bowling area.
The Caribbean remains the most popular cruise destination but, cruising to more exotic destinations is gaining popularity. Panama Canal, South America, South Pacific and World Cruises were 18 percent, Alaska was 16 percent and Europe 14 percent.

I thoroughly agree with the comment that cruising offers the best value for the money when considering a vacation. I like alot of activity and entertainment when taking a vacation and cruising gives you all of that. Just want to relax and unwind, cruising gives you that too. Bon Voyage.

To check cruise options go too Vacation Rick Travel.