When you hear the name “Disney,” you might think of any number of things. Mickey Mouse, Steamboat Willie, and a number of other classic short cartoons of Walt Disney’s design. You might think of the full-length animated features– from classics like Cinderella and Snow White, to the revival of yearly animated features in the late 1980s and 1990s that produced such critically-acclaimed hits as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, to the computer-animated films Disney produced in conjunction with Pixar, like the Toy Story movies and Wall-E. Or you might think of the theme parks, Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.
One thing you may not have thought about is Disney’s cruise line. Disney offers a number of great options for families, and it’s not just because of the animation they’re associated with– these quality cruises have won awards. If you’re interested in planning a vacation with Disney, keep reading to learn more about Disney’s recent award wins, and what new offerings they have onboard their cruises.
Travel + Leisure has once again ranked Disney Cruise Line at the top. Disney finished as the number-one ranked Mega Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for Families 2013, the fifth consecutive year Disney finished atop those rankings. The award, given out based on the results of reader surveys, is reflective of the level of satisfaction Disney cruise-goers have with their vacations.
Disney’s not prepared to rest on their laurels with this award, though. The cruise line launched two new ships last year, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, to double the size of the Disney Cruise fleet. The extended fleet allows the company to offer more itineraries, opening destination cruises last year in Greece, Sicily, Spain, and Grenada, and more recently, adding new itineraries departing from Venice and San Juan this year.
In addition, the Disney Magic was recently renovated, to offer new amenities and a state of the art experience. Some of these upgrades include:
- A redesigned three-deck lobby.
- Newly reimagined areas for children. For the first time, the children’s area will include Super Hero icons of Marvel.
- Several new water rides have been added as attractions. AquaDunk is a three-story body slide that begins with a surprise launch. The Twist n’Spout is a water slide. The new water play areas for children have been described as “splashtacular.”
- The adults haven’t been left out. The Magic adds some new restaurants, as well as some new technology to familiar attractions. At night, the adults can head to After Hours for a fresh new lineup of late-night entertainment. And Senses Spa & Salon has received some enhancements to make the experience there more soothing than ever.
Disney Cruise Lines can be a great option for a family looking to vacation together, with something for everyone. If you’re interested in booking one of their award-winning family cruises, we’ll get you a good deal at AffordableTours.com.