Smart Move DCL!

Disney Dream in her home port of Pt. Canaveral, Florida.
Photo Credit: http://media.naplesnews.com/media/img/photos/2011/01/05/Disney_Dream_Ship_2_2_t607.jpg

January was a great month for the cruise line industry... and Mickey Mouse! Disney Cruise Line issued their latest vessel into service: Disney Dream! This ship has sparked the interest of many, and has become the newest attraction for family vacations.

Disney Dream will sail all-year-round from Pt. Canaveral Florida (closest to Orlando International Airport) to the Bahamas doing 3, 4, and 5 night voyages. On the 5 night voyages, you'll get to experience Castaway Cay (DCL's private island, in the Bahamas) twice! It's very rare to see a new cruise ship enter service doing shorter voyages, but Disney is known for being in a completely differnet league, when it comes to cruising (Personally, I like this idea of: new ship, short cruises).

Disney Dream features the AquaDuck, which is the first water coaster at sea, world class dining options, and even virtual port hole windows! When it comes to DCL, nothing less than the best is expected, and they out did themselves with Disney Dream! What can top this ship? Another one just like it; Disney Fantasy will be hitting the high seas in March 2012!

Make sure you book your cabin on this cruisetacular family destination! Mickey, Donald, and the whole Disney gang will be awaiting your arrival!

Mega Cruise Ship, Mega Crowds.

Nassau, Part Two

Welcome to Nassau!

Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Sky departing from Miami, Florida.

Issued into service in 1999, the Norwegian Sky has been a true crowd pleaser for over a decade now. In 2004, the Norwegian Sky was renovated and transformed into Pride of Aloha. While Pride of Aloha, she operated under NCL America Line, and sailed the Hawaiian Islands all year round. After servicing NCL America for four years, she was transferred back into the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and given her original name back, Norwegian Sky. Upon her return to Norwegian Cruise Line, she has been servicing the Bahamas from Miami alternating three and four night cruises.

Sister to the Norwegian Sun, the Norwegian Sky boast a very vibrant décor and sails with a vivacious and inviting staff and crew. When she returned to the Norwegian cruise Line fleet, she kept the design she acquired when she was Pride of Aloha, so the Hawaiian theme still remains all throughout the vessel (Including the hull work on the exterior of the ship which is a beautifully designed Leigh).

The Norwegian Sky offers ten dining options as well as ten bars and lounges. In addition to that, the Norwegian Sky has five hot tubs (Jacuzzis), two swimming pools, and even a separate children’s pool. Of all the ships that frequent the Bahamas, I rate the Norwegian Sky is the 2nd best, after the Disney Wonder which I rate as the best ship that voyages to the beautiful Bahamas Islands.

Prices on the Norwegian Sky are very reasonable. I have seen the price for a three night voyage, to the Bahamas, on this vessel as low as $109.00 per person (four night cruises have been priced as low as $129.00 per person)!  Yes, that is a definite deal that cannot be beat! Be sure to check out the Norwegian Cruise Line’s website (www.ncl.com) for the latest deals on this vessel.

To date, of the 23 cruises that I have been on, the Norwegian Sky ranks in my top five, as #3! The Disney Wonder ranks #1, and sister to the Norwegian Sky, the Norwegian Sun, ranks #2. The brand new Norwegian Epic ranks #4, and the Carnival Miracle ranks #5. Overall, the Norwegian Sky gets a 4.35 out of 5.00 from me and is one of my all-time favorites hands down. Take a cruise on this beautiful vessel to the Bahamas, and begin to enjoy nothing but sky!

Cruise Ship Review: Disney Wonder




Disney Wonder docked in Nassau, Bahamas
Photo Credit: Shon "Cruise Man 3000" Ford



The Disney Wonder is one of the best cruise ships that I have ever embarked on during my tenure in the cruise line industry, to date. This ship is remarkable inside and out and is a true crowd pleaser when it comes to the food, entertainment, and overall ship experience.

Issued into service in 1999, Disney Wonder has been gracing the high seas with the familiar characters from the Disney Corporation for more than a decade. To coordinate with the convenience of Disney World in Orlando, Disney Wonder sails from Port Canaveral, Florida to the Bahamas regularly with three, four, and special five night sailings. With Disney Cruise Line expanding with more vessels, Disney Wonder will be heading to the west coast (Los Angeles, California). There, she will offer itineraries to the Mexican Rivera, and a first for Disney Cruise Line: Alaska.



An identical replica of her sister, Disney Magic (launched in 1998), the Disney Wonder is truly the ultimate vacation destination for the entire family. There are certain portions of the ship that are reserved for every member of the family: kids, teens, and adults alike. The food onboard is phenomenal and keeps the pallette 100% satisfied! There are four restaurants onboard, of which you transition through three for the duration of your voyage. Each restaurant is different and specializes in certain cuisines from all over this world (The fourth restaurant, Palo, is not included with the cruise price and requires an additional cover charge).

There is an outdoor movie screen on the pool deck. The screen showcases Disney Channel shows and famous Disney's famous films throughout the cruise. There is also an indoor movie theatre that shows films from more of the contemporary Disney film library. The line to meet and greet the Disney characters, that come out and roam the ship, can be very lengthy at times; but Disney keeps the characters in heavy rotation. So, a picture with your favorite character can be possible before you disembark. One night on the ship, there is a guest interactive deck party. The production is awesome and it ends with a real live firework production off the aft (back) portion of the ship. Disney Cruise Line also does one of the best sail away celebrations I have ever witnessed in the industry.

Unlike many of the other leading main stream cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line offers FREE sodas on every one of their ships for the entirety of the voyage. They also have a cruise check-in at the Orlando International Airport; so in essence, when you get to Port Canaveral (where the ship is docked) you walk right onto the vessel. Disney Wonder provides nothing else but world class entertainment. Two of the shows that highlight any cruise on this cruise-liner are: “Disney Dreams” and “The Golden Mickey’s.” Note: Disney Cruise Line does not have a casino onboard any of their vessels.

The cruise prices for a three or four night cruise on the Disney Wonder can be very expensive, compared to the other main stream cruise lines that run the same cruise, but IT IS WROTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Disney Cruise Line cannot even be ranked with any other cruise line, for they are in a completely different league. On a scale from 1.0 to 5.0, I give the Disney Wonder a 4.7 (Making this the best cruise I have ever taken--rating wise, to date). This ship is definitely a must cruise for any cruiser or family. Book a Disney Cruise today, and experience the fun children of all ages can’t get enough of (Captain Mickey and his crew will be awaiting your arrival)! Your ship awaits, bon voyage!