March 6, 2012 – The Disney Fantasy Arrives at Port Canaveral
“Welcome home, Disney Fantasy!”
On March 6, 2012, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet, the Disney Fantasy, pulled into its home port of Port Canaveral to prepare for its maiden voyage to the Caribbean at the end of the month. The ship sailed almost 5,000 miles from Bremerhaven, Germany, and was greeted with fireworks and a parade of guests.
January 26, 2011 – The Disney Dream Sets Off on Maiden Voyage
“Let your imagination set sail.”
On January 26, 2011, the third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Dream, set off on its maiden voyage, a week after its christening. The ship, at the time, was the biggest in the fleet, with 1,250 staterooms, 14 decks, and a ship length of 1,115 feet. The maiden voyage had the Disney Dream traveling to Nassau, the Bahamas, and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.
August 6, 2010 – The Disney Magic Cruise Ship Saves 18 People Lost at Sea
“The shipboard team heard crew members from two other vessels talking on the radio…the Disney Magic then joined the search and quickly spotted the small boat, which had lost power.”
On August 6, 2010, the crew aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship made the news for saving 18 Algerians who had been considered lost at sea almost five days prior. The Algerians had been voyaging in the Mediterranean, when their ship had lost power. The Disney Magic had heard the situation over the radio as they were sailing between Gibraltar and Barcelona, and spotted the ship. The crew managed to take the survivors onboard and give them meals and cabins, taking them to the final destination of Barcelona.
May 24, 2007 – The Disney Magic Arrives in Barcelona, Spain
“It was important to add new surprises for our guests during out first-ever European adventure.” – Jim Urry, Vice President of Entertainment and Shore Excursions
On May 24, 2007, the new cruise liner, the Disney Magic, pulled into the Port of Barcelona, which was to become the ship’s home port during its Mediterranean cruises. The ship, which had been operating since 1998, had already had lines to Castaway Cay and the Caribbean, and was now making its European debut. The ship was greeted in the port by over 2,000 fireworks and thousands of anxious greeters waiting to join in on the celebration. The first cruise in the area featured a carnival-style deck party called Party Paradiso, complete with special effects and special characters.
February 16, 2012 – The Newest Disney Cruise Line Ship, the Disney Fantasy, Sails on its Maiden Voyage
“…the Disney Fantasy is a masterpiece of design and engineering boasting Art Nouveau allure alongside modern technological advancements.”
On February 16, 2012, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Fantasy, set sail from Germany on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The ship sailed from Bremerhaven, Germany to New York for its christening ceremony. Only a year earlier, the keel was laid in Meyer Werft shipyard. Currently, the ship is used for cruises to the Caribbean.
February 12, 2010 – The Disney Cruise Line Exhibit Opens
“Starting today, another attraction is waiting for visitors to Meyer Werft.”
On February 12, 2010, the Disney Cruise Line exhibit opened in Meyer Werft’s newly built area of the Visitors Centre. Meyer Werft, one of the world’s leaders of building luxury passenger ships, started building Disney ships in 2007 when Disney awarded the company a shipbuilding contract. The exhibit gave guests an opportunity to see the covered building dock where the Disney Dream was being built. A two-and-a-half-hour tour and walkthrough was offered for special guests as well.
January 4, 2011 – The Disney Dream Arrives at Port Canaveral
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Disney Dream home to her expanded terminal facility.” – Port Canaveral CEO J. Stanley Payne
On January 4, 2011, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Dream, arrived at its home port of Port Canaveral, Florida, for the first time. The ship would take off on its maiden voyage a few weeks later on January 26, and would sail on cruises to the Bahamas. The creation of the ship necessitated an economic boost for the area, as almost 450 jobs would be created, along with the construction of new terminal and dock areas for the ship.
March 2, 2009 – Construction Begins on the Disney Dream
“With these new ships, we are continuing to build upon that vision of providing more families with an unforgettable cruise vacation and the chance to explore new destinations with Disney.” – Karl L. Holz, President of Disney Cruise Line
On March 2, 2009, a special steel-cutting ceremony was held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, for the new Disney Dream cruise ship. The first piece of steel that was cut for the ship was for the intricate scrollwork that is now found on the ship’s hull. The ship was given its name later that month, and the design was released on October 29, 2009. The ship is similar to its predecesors The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder in having a design reminiscent of the ocean liners of old, with an art deco elegance and a hint of Disney whimsicality in its overall design. The ship was completed in October of 2010, and went on its maiden voyage on January 26, 2011.
March 31, 2012 – The Disney Cruise Line Ship, The Disney Fantasy, Begins its Maiden Voyage
“Not only is the arrival of the Disney Fantasy an important milestone for our business, it will also have a positive impact on the Central Florida community.” – Karl Holz, President of the Disney Cruise Line
On March 31, 2012, the fourth ship in the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy, took its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, following an itinerary of the East and West Caribbean, and a stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay. The Disney Fantasy has 14 decks, and can hold up to 4,000 passengers, along with 1,450 crew members. In contrast to the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy features an art nouveau theme, with Dumbo as the ship’s mascot. The celebration of the maiden voyage featured fireworks and appearances by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Donald Duck.
July 28, 1998 – The First Disney Cruise Land Ship, the Disney Magic, is Christened
“The Disney Magic…is a cruise liner that blends classic beauty and grace with all the modern luxuries, technologies, and comforts that make cruising a pleasure.”
On July 28, 1998, the first ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, known as the Disney Magic, was christened. The christening with a bottle of champagne was done by Roy E. Disney’s wife Patty, who is known as the ship’s Godmother; also in attendance were actor Sidney Poitier, voice actress Jodi Benson, and then-CEO Michael Eisner. Its maiden voyage would take place two days later as it headed to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship was built by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with a cost of $400 million to build. The ship holds around 2,700 passengers in 875 cabins, and weighs 83,000 tons. The idea behind the Disney Magic was to bring back the days of the “golden age” of ocean travel with luxury liners, with an interior built in an Art Deco design. The statue in the lobby of the ship is of Mickey Mouse as a helmsman.
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