Dec 16

A Winter Wonderland on the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog

Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Florida any more…

A Winter Wonderland on the Disney Dream

So how cold IS it in Bremerhaven, Germany? Pretty darn cold as it turns out. I woke up aboard the Disney Dream recently to the strange sight of crew members clearing snow off the deck of a Disney Cruise Line ship.

A Winter Wonderland on the Disney Dream

Now you may not believe this, but I don’t get a chance to play in the snow very often in Orlando, Florida, so I wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity. I rolled, patted and smoothed my frozen masterpiece, but when I got the snowball head put on I couldn’t help feeling something was missing.

Ears, anyone?

A Winter Wonderland on the Disney Dream

via A Winter Wonderland on the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Dec 14

The District is Zoned for Nighttime Fun Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog

Here’s an early look at Evolution, the premier nightclub coming to the Disney Dream.

Construction on Evolution Aboard the Disney Dream

Guess what inspired the striking décor? The evolution of the butterfly!

The club is one of five stylish spaces that make up The District, a nighttime playground for Disney Cruise Line guests 18 and older at the aft end of Deck 4. The interconnected areas continue to, well, evolve, as workers make final preparations for the first passengers to board the brand new ship in Florida next month.

Want an even closer look? Here’s Michael Davie of Walt Disney Imagineering with a recent tour of three of the adults-only venues in The District – Evolution, Pink and Skyline. Included are a few computer renderings that show how each space will look when finished.

Click the images below for a construction photo from a couple weeks ago, followed by, left to right, computer-created views of Evolution, Pink and Skyline.

Construction on The District Aboard the Disney Dream Computer-Generated View of Evolution Aboard the Disney Dream Computer-Generated View of Pink Aboard the Disney Dream Computer-Generated View of Skyline Aboard the Disney Dream

Elsewhere in The District are 687, a modern interpretation of a traditional pub, and District Lounge, which will feature live entertainment nightly.

In just a few days, the Disney Dream starts the transatlantic voyage that will finally bring her to Florida early next month. I’ll be aboard and will continue sharing exclusive sneak peeks as the ship draws closer to her inaugural cruise from Port Canaveral on January 26.

via The District is Zoned for Nighttime Fun Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Dec 10

Disney Cruise Line Takes Helm of Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog

Raising of the Disney Cruise Line Flag

Disney Cruise Line took delivery of its newest ship, Disney Dream, from the Meyer Werft shipyard this week in Bremerhaven, Germany. The traditional maritime ceremony included the lowering of the Meyer Werft flag and raising of the Disney Cruise Line flag on the mast of the ship. Captain Mickey, Donald Duck and the crew members of the Disney Dream joined the celebration.

Captain Mickey, Donald Duck and the Crew Members of the Disney Dream

As part of the event, president of Disney Cruise Line, Karl Holz, and managing partner of Meyer Werft, Bernard Meyer, signed the official documents transferring ownership of the Disney Dream from the shipbuilder to Disney.

President of Disney Cruise Line, Karl Holz and Managing Partner of Meyer Werft, Bernard Meyer

The milestone officially closes the book on the ship’s construction journey, and signals its readiness to welcome guests on its maiden voyage, set for January 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Fla.

Captain Mickey and Donald Duck with Managing Partner of Meyer Werft, Bernard Meyer, and President of Disney Cruise Line, Karl Holz

Captain Tom Forberg will now take the helm of the Disney Dream for Disney Cruise Line. Soon the ship will set sail from Bremerhaven on a transatlantic voyage, and will arrive at its home in Port Canaveral on January 4, 2011.

via Disney Cruise Line Takes Helm of Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Dec 08

Disney Dream Restaurants Promise Magic on the Plate and on the Walls

I know, I know. Two weeks ago I said I’d give you an exclusive preview of the three rotational restaurants that will debut next month aboard the Disney Dream, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Thanks for waiting, now here’s the dish!

Recently one of our photographers snapped this shot of Enchanted Garden, a casual restaurant on Deck 2 inspired by the gardens of Versailles in France.

Enchanted Garden Aboard the Disney Dream

At the center of the dining room will be a seven-foot-tall terrace fountain topped by a whimsical statue of Mickey Mouse as a cherub. But that’s not all.

The restaurant will magically transform from day to night as the sky overhead changes from a brilliant blue to a dazzling sunset and finally, a twinkling field of stars. The light-fixture flowers will “bloom” with color, wall sconces will open to become folding fans and artwork around the room will glow with nighttime views.

At the aft end of Deck 3 is a re-imagined version of Animator’s Palate, the signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that immerses guests in the magic of Disney animation. Floor-to-ceiling paint brush pillars, pencil columns, character sketches and tools of the artist’s trade are scattered throughout the dining room, along with some high-tech magic that will entertain guests during dinner.

Royal Palace is an elegant restaurant inspired by classic Disney films like “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Guests will enter from the ship’s Deck 3 atrium and marvel at décor including a hand-blown chandelier decorated with glass slippers (of course!) and portraits of Disney princesses and their princes.

Here’s a video shot over the past several weeks that shows how the restaurants are progressing, plus computer-generated renderings that depict what they’ll look like when complete.

Unfortunately, what I haven’t been able to show you are the terrific servers who’ll accompany guests as they rotate through these restaurants for dinner night by night, or the deliciously creative cuisine they’ll present. I know you have your favorites and are probably anxious to know if they’ll be on the Disney Dream!

Animator's Palate Aboard the Disney Dream Enchanted Garden Aboard the Disney Dream Royal Palace Aboard the Disney Dream Royal Palace Aboard the Disney Dream
Animator's Palate Aboard the Disney Dream Enchanted Garden Aboard the Disney Dream Enchanted Garden Aboard the Disney Dream Royal Palace Aboard the Disney Dream

Meanwhile, in just 50 days, the Disney Dream will sail her maiden cruise from Port Canaveral in Florida. Who’s counting down like me?

via Disney Dream Restaurants Promise Magic on the Plate and on the Walls « Disney Parks Blog.

Dec 08

Celebrity Cruises to present more avant-garde industry firsts on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection

Miami – (December 08, 2010 ) – How do you make the best even better? Celebrity Cruises believes you break the rules, stay ahead of the curve, and provide what vacationers want most – often before they even say they want it. That belief is vividly reflected in the distinctive, luxurious, vacation-enhancing venues Celebrity will introduce on the fourth and fifth ships in its award-winning Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection.

“We recognize that consumers’ vacation time is precious, and that’s what drives us to continually create new and unique experiences that enhance their rare time away,” said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “The host of honors our Solstice Class and Millennium Class have won have been incredible validation of that commitment, and on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection, we’re capitalizing on the opportunity to further elevate our onboard offerings, particularly in our Solstice Class’ iconic Lawn Club, and with our wildly popular AquaClass category of accommodations and its exclusive specialty restaurant, Blu. Initially, we planned to introduce these exciting new enhancements only on Celebrity Reflection, but to our delight, our outstanding partners at Meyer Werft were able to also deliver every new feature with the exception of AquaClass Suites on Celebrity Silhouette.”

New Aquaclass Sky suites highlight expanded accommodations

Driven by high demand for Celebrity’s industry-first AquaClass category of spa-inspired accommodations, and by way of an additional deck being added to Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity will introduce on that ship the line’s first AquaClass Suites, each offering 251 square feet of luxurious interior space and spacious 57-square-foot verandas, and all the amenities associated with Celebrity’s AquaClass accommodations, including exclusive and complimentary access to the highly-rated specialty restaurant, “Blu,” noted for inviting, modern design and flavorful, healthy, clean cuisine. The new suites also will offer the luxurious 24/7 butler service that is a hallmark of every suite across the Celebrity fleet. In addition to the 34 new AquaClass Suites, Celebrity Reflection also will present an additional eight luxurious new Sky Suites, 19 additional plush ConciergeClass staterooms, and 11 additional inside staterooms, bringing the stateroom/suite total to 1,515.

Maintaining Celebrity’s best-in-class, premium space ratio and lauded traffic flow, Celebrity Reflection will offer an additional 245 loungers on the expanded pool deck to suit the increased overall guest capacity, as well as 45 additional seats in the Celebrity Theater, 118 in Oceanview Café, 24 additional seats each in Blu and in Tuscan Grille, four more in Qsine, and 40 additional seats in the main dining room, where Celebrity also offers Celebrity Select DiningSM, the industry’s first flexible dining option allowing guests to choose when they wish to dine on a flexible, day-by-day basis.


The Lawn Club

Inspired by the popularity of its iconic, industry-first Lawn Club, Celebrity will leverage its brand pillars of outstanding dining experiences, enriching activities, relaxation and pampering, and modern design to offer vacationers on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection significantly expanded opportunities to eat and drink, relax and lounge, and participate and socialize within the inviting space.

The Lawn Club Grill

Both Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection will present “The Lawn Club Grill,” the industry’s first outdoor, interactive grill venue. A new, exceptionally social specialty dining option overlooking the lush lawn and soothing sea, The Lawn Club Grill will boast a design likely to be the envy of novice and experienced chefs alike, with gleaming stainless steel grills and other appliances, custom pizza-making tables and large ovens.
By day, in addition to a casual lunch menu highlighted by a variety of high-end burgers, the venue will present interactive demonstrations and classes focused on pizza-making – including the art of dough-tossing – grilling secrets, mouth-watering marinades and more, led by Celebrity’s own chefs, as well as guest chefs participating in Celebrity’s “Savor Your Destination” program.

By night, in a particularly unique twist, guests will have their choice from an array of top-quality meats to either grill themselves, side-by-side with Celebrity’s chefs, or have grilled to order. A nominal surcharge will apply. Complementing the dinner experience will be libations ranging from wines, beer and sangria, all consistent with the casual nature of the 56-seat restaurant.

The Porch

With its chic, Hamptons-style design, modern furnishings, and creative use of natural light, all complemented by the enticing aroma of fresh-baked breads and pastries, The Porch will be the idyllic spot for quick, simple, casual and complimentary breakfasts and lunches. The intimate, 48-seat venue will be the perfect place to enjoy complimentary fresh pastries, salads, paninis and other sandwiches, in addition to specialty coffees, beer and wine, all enhanced by views of the lawn and sea.

The Art Studio

With one of the world’s largest corporate collections of contemporary art exhibited across its fleet, and given the enthusiasm guests expressed when the line introduced the industry’s first art tours to be offered on an iPad®, Celebrity will further appeal to its guests’ love of art in “The Art Studio” within the area of The Lawn Club. There, experienced and novice artists alike can participate in intimate, hands-on instruction from experts in drawing, painting and beading, as well as the art of food, with plating, tastings, mixology and other culinary-themed classes.

The Art Studio also will present exclusive, intimate pairing dinners hosted by guest chefs participating in Celebrity’s Savor Your Destination program.

The Alcoves

For a private retreat overlooking the lawn, ocean and coastlines, Celebrity also will present within The Lawn Club “The Alcoves,” eight exclusive, cabana-style settings, each designed for two to four guests. Each of The Alcoves on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection will offer WiFi for guests who want to stay connected while relaxing, themed picnic baskets and an a la carte beverage menu. The Alcoves will be available as partial or all-day rentals.

Adjacent to The Alcoves, guests will find eight inviting hammocks and two whimsical, oversized Adirondack chairs, each offering complimentary, additional opportunities to relax amidst the atmosphere of the lawn and sea.

Michael’s Club

Celebrity’s history and future will converge in Michael’s Club – a venue found on every Celebrity ship – where the line will present on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection a restyled, casually elegant bar where vacationers can sit back and enjoy the comfortably sophisticated atmosphere while watching the World Cup games and sipping a Chimay Blue.

Across the Celebrity fleet, Michael’s Club offers an impressive selection of rare malts, whiskies and scotches. Building on that tradition, the “new” Michael’s Club on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection will add an equally impressive selection of more than 50 beers, including flavorful craft beers, and will allow guests to participate in engaging experiences such as ideal food and beer pairings, how to pour the perfect draft, or how to select the proper beer glass, all while snacking on homemade, gourmet potato chips and bread sticks, and fresh, lightly-spiced caramel popcorn, amidst a vibe of live music and cool playlists, or major international sporting events airing on the venue’s large, 46″ TV screens.

The Hideway

Guests seeking a particularly quiet spot to get away from it all can do so in a new venue inspired precisely by that interest. “The Hideaway” on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection will provide a high-tech escape for vacationers relaxing with their iPads or perhaps trying out a new Apple product from the Celebrity iLounge, or a low-tech retreat for reading a good book. Inspired by the live trees suspended within the Grand Foyer of every Solstice Class ship, the design of The Hideaway reflects that of an upscale, avant-garde tree house, with cozy, intimate lounging “nests,” or niches.

The Solstice Class Difference

“We are constantly dedicated to building every aspect of the Celebrity vacation experience around what vacationers want most during their precious time away, and the greatest validation of that commitment has been the response to our stunning Solstice Class,” said Hanrahan. “We’re eager to have our guests continue to experience all the distinctive attributes of those stunning ships, as well as the new offerings they have inspired on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection. We are confident all of this will further solidify our leadership role in the industry and keep vacationers coming back.”

In addition to the innovative new venues and experiences, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection will join sister ships Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse in offering:

  • The hip “Celebrity iLounge” that made Celebrity Cruises the industry’s first Authorized Apple Reseller
  • Uniquely unordinary “Qsine,” the first seagoing restaurant to feature a menu and wine list on an iPad®, and an engaging food-as-theater dining experience
  • Ten unrivaled restaurants – in addition to “The Lawn Club Grill” and “The Porch”
  • Modern, stylish interiors designed by some of the world’s best architects and designers, including Adam Tihany
  • Cool nightclubs and lounges, including CellarMasters, complete with the industry’s first installation of the innovative Enomatic wine serving system
  • One of the broadest and best wine offerings in the industry, served by one of the world’s largest staffs of certified sommeliers
  • One of the world’s largest permanent collections of original contemporary art, and the industry’s first self-guided art tours to be presented on an iPad®
  • Top-tier entertainment, including custom aerial production shows and live music
  • The extensive array of fun, entertaining and enriching onboard programming offered through “Celebrity Life,” including games, instruction on the latest iPods®, MacBooks® and iLife® classes; language learning through Rosetta Stone®; comparative wine tastings with Riedel Crystal, and enrichment presentations with Smithsonian Journeys

Dec 01

Touring the bridge on Allure of the Seas | Travel Smart: Florida vacations, staycations, beaches, resorts, attractions, tourism & more | The Palm Beach Post

Touring the bridge on Allure of the Seas

by Travel Smart

Captain Hernan Zini on the bridge of Allure of the Seas. Photo: Gerry Barker

Captain Hernan Zini on the bridge of Allure of the Seas. Photo: Gerry Barker

Editor’s Note: One of a series of posts from a preview sailing on the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. 

By Gerry Barker

ONBOARD THE ALLURE OF THE SEAS — It is Day Two of our preview sailing on Allure of the Seas and we have been invited to get a tour of the bridge, led by Allure’s captain, Hernan Zini. Here, perched high atop this massive floating city, is where Captain Zini and his staff oversee all of Allure’s 225,000 tons as it glides through the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Click here for a photo tour of the Allure bridge.

The ship’s command center occupies a surprisingly small space in the center of a large, curved expanse of glass. Even more amazing, the Allure’s four, 7,500-horsepower bow thrusters are manuvered by joysticks that could belong on a video game. In this case, a $1.5 billion video game.

 

“We can go port to port just using the computer,” said Captain Zini. Just the day before, Captain Zini announced over the ship’s PA system we were ready to depart Port Everglades “if I can just find the keys. Now where did I put those keys?” The affable captain would be right at home in the comedy club.

But here, in the ship’s nerve center, it’s all business. And a big part of what goes on is insuring the safety of the passengers, which, when fully loaded, numbers 6,318 guests and 2,384 crew. Like I said, a floating city.

To that end, the room behind the control console features double rows of flat screens monitoring every aspect of the ship’s operation. There are 1,309 cameras placed around the ship in all the public areas.

For a ship the size of an aircraft carrier, the cruise is remarkably smooth. Captain Zini explained how crucial it was to maintain an even ride, in part to accomodate the various entertainment venues, such as the high dive act at the Aqua Theater. “A variance of one degree” would not be a good thing for high divers he said.

At the time of our sailing a Hollywood film crew was aboard filming scenes for the 2011 movie, “Jack and Jill,” starring Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino. The captain had to keep moving the ship so the wind and light would be right for shooting.

Just another day at sea for Captain Zini.

Below is an a Q&A with Captain Zini from the Royal Caribbean web site:

“It was the spirit of San Fernando, the nautical capital of Argentina, that inspired Captain Zini to take up sailing and rowing as a child. Today, his passion for nautical adventures continues as captain of some of the most innovative ships in the industry.”

What inspired you to become a ship captain?

My love of sailing and rowing. I was born next to the river, and entered the Navy boarding school at age 12. After high school, I became a merchant marine. I worked on cargo ships and then moved to Miami. Nordic Empress was my first ship with Royal Caribbean. Then I was staff captain on Viking Serenade through the Panama Canal and Alaska. Then Vision of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. It’s been an amazing experience.

If you could be any explorer from history, who would it be?

I’d like to be Columbus – the first person to discover so many places.

If you could have discovered some place on Earth, what would it be?

Antarctica.

What do you like most about navigating the Caribbean?

All the open space – and the weather, of course, is a big bonus.

Do you have a favorite Caribbean island?

Puerto Rico. It has a great mixture of history and Spanish heritage – from its forts to shopping to dining. St. Thomas is another favorite because of the beautiful beaches.

What do you like best about your job?

Getting to work with different people – the crew and the guests – and getting to interact with so many different cultures.

What do you do when you’re not the “Captain” onboard?

Spend quality time with my family and my wife’s family. We alternate avoiding the winters in Argentina and England. I never use a cell phone or a pager while on vacation. Only e-mail and that too is limited. I think it’s important to spend quality time with one’s family on vacation. I also enjoy sailing, playing squash, and swimming.

Who are the most interesting people you meet onboard?

The past guests that sail with Royal Caribbean time and time again. They’re so important to us. Each of them brings a different experience to the voyage. They’re part of our

via Touring the bridge on Allure of the Seas | Travel Smart: Florida vacations, staycations, beaches, resorts, attractions, tourism & more | The Palm Beach Post.

Dec 01

Creativity & Whimsy Await Disney Cruise Line Guests Aboard the Disney Dream

posted on December 1st, 2010 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line

 

Last week I took you inside the Disney Dream for an exclusive look at some of the areas you asked to see aboard our newest ship, which is nearing completion in Germany.

Today I’ve got more terrific photos that show a small sample of the creativity and fun Disney Cruise Line guests will discover on every deck. These are a few of the spaces you asked to see in recent blog comments so keep the requests coming and we’ll do our best to deliver.

Recognize this familiar face? Eye do!

Mike Wazowski from the Disney?Pixar film “Monsters, Inc.”

It’s Mike Wazowski from the Disney?Pixar film “Monsters, Inc.” He’s got a starring role in Monsters Academy, an interactive space for kids inside Disney’s Oceaneer Club on Deck 5.

The wisecracking monster reminds me that much of the Disney Dream still requires hard hats as workers continue putting the finishing touches on the ship’s 14 decks. Fortunately, photographers in hard hats have been there too, chronicling the day-by-day progress that brings us closer to her maiden voyage from Florida early next year.

'Andy's Room' Aboard the Disney Dream 'Pixie Hollow' Aboard the Disney Dream Walt Disney Theatre Aboard the Disney Dream Buena Vista Theatre Aboard the Disney Dream
Elegantly Decorated Public Areas Aboard the Disney Dream Elegantly Decorated Public Areas Aboard the Disney Dream Elegantly Decorated Public Areas Aboard the Disney Dream Palo Restaurant Aboard the Disney Dream

Today’s photos include sneak peeks at Andy’s Room and Pixie Hollow, two of the other fun spaces awaiting children ages 3 to 10 in Disney’s Oceaneer Club, and a glimpse inside the magnificent Walt Disney Theatre, which will present the brand-new musical “Disney’s Believe,” along with “The Golden Mickeys” and “Villains Tonight!”

Rounding out today’s gallery are pictures of the Buena Vista Theatre, some of the ship’s elegantly decorated public areas and a taste of Palo, a redesigned version of Disney Cruise Line’s signature specialty restaurant for adults.

I promised a closer look at the three rotational restaurants aboard the Disney Dream last time but you’ll have to wait until next week for that. We’ve got something else planned to share with you later this week.

Based on what we’ve shown so far, what are you most excited to see in person?

via Creativity & Whimsy Await Disney Cruise Line Guests Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Nov 23

Inside the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog

Can you believe it’s only been a few weeks since the Disney Dream made her public debut? So much has happened since then.

After the ship floated out from the dry dock where she was built in Papenburg, Germany, work has continued taking place all throughout her interior to prepare for the first Disney Cruise Line guests early next year.

In a couple of recent blog posts we asked what you wanted to see inside the Disney Dream so I’m thrilled to offer an exclusive peek at some of the fantastic spaces coming to life aboard the ship.

Here’s a view of the three-deck atrium lobby taken earlier this month. It’s the first sight that will greet guests when they board at Florida’s Port Canaveral.

The Art Deco Chandelier in the Lobby of the Disney Dream

Wow, huh? Now imagine what it will look like when finished.

The Art Deco chandelier was custom designed for the Disney Dream and measures seven meters in diameter. Decorated with Swarovski crystals, it’s covered with 24-karat gold plating and cascades four meters down from the atrium ceiling.

Some of the areas you asked to see are featured in today’s video and photo gallery, including a few nearly finished staterooms, the pools on Deck 11, the Deck 3 atrium, Animator’s Palate, the Vibe club for teens on Deck 5, the Pink champagne bar for adults on Deck 4 and the Senses Spa and Salon on Deck 11. Enjoy!

Stateroom on the Disney Dream Stateroom on the Disney Dream Pool on Deck 11 of the Disney Dream Nemo's Reef on Deck 11 of the Disney Dream
The Deck 3 Atrium on the Disney Dream The Animator's Palate on the Disney Dream The Senses Spa & Salon of the Disney Dream The Senses Spa & Salon on the Disney Dream

I’ll have more photos to share next week, including a look at Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden, two of the rotational restaurants guests will enjoy on every cruise.

Meanwhile, the Disney Dream arrived in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday after completing sea trials on Europe’s North Sea. She’s undergoing a final dry dock before her delivery ceremony early next month at Bremerhaven, Germany.

Tell us if you like what you see and we’ll keep sharing more sneak peeks with you.

via Inside the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog

Nov 16

YouTube – The Disney Dream Sails to the Sea

via YouTube – The Disney Dream Sails to the Sea.

Nov 16

Allure of the Seas meets Oasis Of The Seas

Allure of the Seas | Oasis Of The Seas.