Disney's Magical Holiday Cruises!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Disney Cruise Line and thought
it would be of interest. This was the big surprise. If you have
missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Disney Cruise Line Magical Holiday Cruises: Something for Everyone on
Santa's List

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 22
With a first-ever 10-night holiday cruise, a private island
transformed into a 'winter wonderland' and two Disney cruise ships
full of holiday magic, Disney Cruise Line has a pixie- dusted
celebration lined up for all December cruise vacations this
season.(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031208/FLM023 )

Beginning at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla.,
festive holiday decor and Disney characters dressed in their season's
best await all who board a Magical Holiday sailing. On board the
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests find the ships decked with
boughs of holly and filled with holiday-themed entertainment and
activities for the entire family.

On Board

Complete with 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260
feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon, Magical Holidays
activities, entertainment and dining continue the magic at sea with:

* A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium
lobby, where "snow" magically falls
* A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all
the kids
* Special family time, when families join together to design and
decorate their own gingerbread houses
* A Disney Cruise Line rendition of "T'was the Night Before
Christmas" with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by the main stage
performers
* Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms
* Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services
* A ship-wide party to ring in 2005 and a New Year's Day tailgate
party

At Castaway Cay

Additionally, Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay, located
in the Bahamas, is literally a magical wonderland, where a new themed
decor package has transformed the sandy island into a "snowy" holiday
hideaway.

At a balmy 73 degrees, the forecast calls for snow flurries, ideal for
Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts) who greet
guests as they step off the gangway onto the island. Guests will also
find a 40-foot tall tropical Christmas tree, carolers and a sleigh
full of presents in the middle of this Bahamian paradise. Disney
characters, dressed in holiday island styles, sign autographs and pose
for photos to the beat of holiday tunes while the island's tram that
transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to
resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Rates, Dates & Itineraries

Three-night cruises depart every Thursday (Dec. 2 ,9, 16, 23 & 30),
while four-night cruises depart every Sunday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26)
with calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409
and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruise vacations depart every
Saturday (Dec. 4, 11 & 28) and start at $829, alternating between a
western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman,
Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls
at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Disney's first-ever
10-night cruise vacation departs Saturday, Dec. 18 with rates starting
at $1899.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and
activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of
the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable
cruise experience not found anywhere else. During the summer of 2005,
Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to
the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a
pre- or post-stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun
and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a
Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern
California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely
blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line
vacation, guests can contact their travel agent.

Princess has a 3 week cruise visiting South America and Africa this
month for less than the Disney Xmas cruise..Could this Xmas Disney
cruise really be worth it?


On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 11:09:37 -0800, Ray Goldenberg
wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Disney Cruise Line and thought
it would be of interest. This was the big surprise. If you have
missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Disney Cruise Line Magical Holiday Cruises: Something for Everyone on
Santa's List

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 22
With a first-ever 10-night holiday cruise, a private island
transformed into a 'winter wonderland' and two Disney cruise ships
full of holiday magic, Disney Cruise Line has a pixie- dusted
celebration lined up for all December cruise vacations this
season.(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031208/FLM023 )

Beginning at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla.,
festive holiday decor and Disney characters dressed in their season's
best await all who board a Magical Holiday sailing. On board the
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests find the ships decked with
boughs of holly and filled with holiday-themed entertainment and
activities for the entire family.

On Board

Complete with 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260
feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon, Magical Holidays
activities, entertainment and dining continue the magic at sea with:

* A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium
lobby, where "snow" magically falls
* A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all
the kids
* Special family time, when families join together to design and
decorate their own gingerbread houses
* A Disney Cruise Line rendition of "T'was the Night Before
Christmas" with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by the main stage
performers
* Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms
* Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services
* A ship-wide party to ring in 2005 and a New Year's Day tailgate
party

At Castaway Cay

Additionally, Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay, located
in the Bahamas, is literally a magical wonderland, where a new themed
decor package has transformed the sandy island into a "snowy" holiday
hideaway.

At a balmy 73 degrees, the forecast calls for snow flurries, ideal for
Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts) who greet
guests as they step off the gangway onto the island. Guests will also
find a 40-foot tall tropical Christmas tree, carolers and a sleigh
full of presents in the middle of this Bahamian paradise. Disney
characters, dressed in holiday island styles, sign autographs and pose
for photos to the beat of holiday tunes while the island's tram that
transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to
resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Rates, Dates & Itineraries

Three-night cruises depart every Thursday (Dec. 2 ,9, 16, 23 & 30),
while four-night cruises depart every Sunday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26)
with calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409
and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruise vacations depart every
Saturday (Dec. 4, 11 & 28) and start at $829, alternating between a
western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman,
Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls
at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Disney's first-ever
10-night cruise vacation departs Saturday, Dec. 18 with rates starting
at $1899.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and
activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of
the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable
cruise experience not found anywhere else. During the summer of 2005,
Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to
the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a
pre- or post-stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun
and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a
Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern
California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely
blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line
vacation, guests can contact their travel agent.


Carnival Tropicale 1982
NCL Dawn 2004
HAL Noordam 2004

Buddy Romaine wrote:
Princess has a 3 week cruise visiting South America and Africa this
month for less than the Disney Xmas cruise..Could this Xmas Disney
cruise really be worth it?

You would be amazed at how many people are willing to pay any price to
cruise Disney. That is why they can charge so much for their cruises.

sue

Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Disney Cruise Line and thought
it would be of interest. This was the big surprise. If you have
missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

The 10 day cruise is all but sold out. The California cruises are all
but sold out. The repo cruises were sold out two days after they
became available.

I haven't checked on any of the holiday cruises, but I'll bet that
they are close to full.

Balconies and suites normally sell out 12-18 months in advance.


Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Disney Cruise Line Magical Holiday Cruises: Something for Everyone on
Santa's List

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 22
With a first-ever 10-night holiday cruise, a private island
transformed into a 'winter wonderland' and two Disney cruise ships
full of holiday magic, Disney Cruise Line has a pixie- dusted
celebration lined up for all December cruise vacations this
season.(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031208/FLM023 )

Beginning at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla.,
festive holiday decor and Disney characters dressed in their season's
best await all who board a Magical Holiday sailing. On board the
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests find the ships decked with
boughs of holly and filled with holiday-themed entertainment and
activities for the entire family.

On Board

Complete with 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260
feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon, Magical Holidays
activities, entertainment and dining continue the magic at sea with:

* A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium
lobby, where "snow" magically falls
* A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all
the kids
* Special family time, when families join together to design and
decorate their own gingerbread houses
* A Disney Cruise Line rendition of "T'was the Night Before
Christmas" with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by the main stage
performers
* Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms
* Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services
* A ship-wide party to ring in 2005 and a New Year's Day tailgate
party

At Castaway Cay

Additionally, Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay, located
in the Bahamas, is literally a magical wonderland, where a new themed
decor package has transformed the sandy island into a "snowy" holiday
hideaway.

At a balmy 73 degrees, the forecast calls for snow flurries, ideal for
Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts) who greet
guests as they step off the gangway onto the island. Guests will also
find a 40-foot tall tropical Christmas tree, carolers and a sleigh
full of presents in the middle of this Bahamian paradise. Disney
characters, dressed in holiday island styles, sign autographs and pose
for photos to the beat of holiday tunes while the island's tram that
transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to
resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Rates, Dates & Itineraries

Three-night cruises depart every Thursday (Dec. 2 ,9, 16, 23 & 30),
while four-night cruises depart every Sunday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26)
with calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409
and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruise vacations depart every
Saturday (Dec. 4, 11 & 28) and start at $829, alternating between a
western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman,
Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls
at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Disney's first-ever
10-night cruise vacation departs Saturday, Dec. 18 with rates starting
at $1899.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and
activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of
the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable
cruise experience not found anywhere else. During the summer of 2005,
Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to
the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a
pre- or post-stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun
and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a
Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern
California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely
blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line
vacation, guests can contact their travel agent.

--
dillon

"When the French are against it, you know we can't
be far wrong." - Adm. Bobbie Ray Inman

Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Disney Cruise Line and thought
it would be of interest. This was the big surprise. If you have
missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

The 10 day cruise is all but sold out. The California cruises are all
but sold out. The repo cruises were sold out two days after they
became available.

I haven't checked on any of the holiday cruises, but I'll bet that
they are close to full.

Balconies and suites normally sell out 12-18 months in advance.


Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Disney Cruise Line Magical Holiday Cruises: Something for Everyone on
Santa's List

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 22
With a first-ever 10-night holiday cruise, a private island
transformed into a 'winter wonderland' and two Disney cruise ships
full of holiday magic, Disney Cruise Line has a pixie- dusted
celebration lined up for all December cruise vacations this
season.(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031208/FLM023 )

Beginning at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla.,
festive holiday decor and Disney characters dressed in their season's
best await all who board a Magical Holiday sailing. On board the
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests find the ships decked with
boughs of holly and filled with holiday-themed entertainment and
activities for the entire family.

On Board

Complete with 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260
feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon, Magical Holidays
activities, entertainment and dining continue the magic at sea with:

* A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium
lobby, where "snow" magically falls
* A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all
the kids
* Special family time, when families join together to design and
decorate their own gingerbread houses
* A Disney Cruise Line rendition of "T'was the Night Before
Christmas" with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by the main stage
performers
* Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms
* Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services
* A ship-wide party to ring in 2005 and a New Year's Day tailgate
party

At Castaway Cay

Additionally, Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay, located
in the Bahamas, is literally a magical wonderland, where a new themed
decor package has transformed the sandy island into a "snowy" holiday
hideaway.

At a balmy 73 degrees, the forecast calls for snow flurries, ideal for
Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts) who greet
guests as they step off the gangway onto the island. Guests will also
find a 40-foot tall tropical Christmas tree, carolers and a sleigh
full of presents in the middle of this Bahamian paradise. Disney
characters, dressed in holiday island styles, sign autographs and pose
for photos to the beat of holiday tunes while the island's tram that
transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to
resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Rates, Dates & Itineraries

Three-night cruises depart every Thursday (Dec. 2 ,9, 16, 23 & 30),
while four-night cruises depart every Sunday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26)
with calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409
and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruise vacations depart every
Saturday (Dec. 4, 11 & 28) and start at $829, alternating between a
western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman,
Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls
at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. Disney's first-ever
10-night cruise vacation departs Saturday, Dec. 18 with rates starting
at $1899.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and
activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of
the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable
cruise experience not found anywhere else. During the summer of 2005,
Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to
the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a
pre- or post-stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun
and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a
Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern
California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely
blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line
vacation, guests can contact their travel agent.

--
dillon

"When the French are against it, you know we can't
be far wrong." - Adm. Bobbie Ray Inman

Sue and Kevin Mullen wrote in news:30ftqlF2v98llU1
@uni-berlin.de:



Buddy Romaine wrote:
Princess has a 3 week cruise visiting South America and Africa this
month for less than the Disney Xmas cruise..Could this Xmas Disney
cruise really be worth it?

You would be amazed at how many people are willing to pay any price to
cruise Disney. That is why they can charge so much for their cruises.

I've yet to meet someone who's been on a Disney cruise who doesn't
recomended it over any of the other mass market lines. All have said they
got their money's worth too.

On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 14:16:00 -0600, Tony Rice
wrote:

Sue and Kevin Mullen wrote in news:30ftqlF2v98llU1
:

Buddy Romaine wrote:
Princess has a 3 week cruise visiting South America and Africa this
month for less than the Disney Xmas cruise..Could this Xmas Disney
cruise really be worth it?

You would be amazed at how many people are willing to pay any price to
cruise Disney. That is why they can charge so much for their cruises.

I've yet to meet someone who's been on a Disney cruise who doesn't
recomended it over any of the other mass market lines. All have said they
got their money's worth too.

I know..The reviews are always fantastic..It just means that I'll have
to miss this 2005's vacation to be able to afford a Disney Cruise in
2006...I wish I really understood why Disney was so much better.




Carnival Tropicale 1982
NCL Dawn 2004
HAL Noordam 2004

"Buddy Romaine" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 14:16:00 -0600, Tony Rice
wrote:

Sue and Kevin Mullen wrote in news:30ftqlF2v98llU1
:

Buddy Romaine wrote:
Princess has a 3 week cruise visiting South America and Africa this
month for less than the Disney Xmas cruise..Could this Xmas Disney
cruise really be worth it?

You would be amazed at how many people are willing to pay any price to
cruise Disney. That is why they can charge so much for their cruises.

I've yet to meet someone who's been on a Disney cruise who doesn't
recomended it over any of the other mass market lines. All have said
they
got their money's worth too.

I know..The reviews are always fantastic..It just means that I'll have
to miss this 2005's vacation to be able to afford a Disney Cruise in
2006...I wish I really understood why Disney was so much better.

My first cruise was a Disney 3 day cruise. Since then I've been on
a few HAL cruises, with another coming up this summer. Here's
the differences I've seen. With HAL you get good service at dinner.
You get what you ordered, sometimes they remember what drinks
you like from the night before, usually dinner arrives in a timely manner,
if the kids order something without the sauce or whatever they almost
always can accomodate that. On Disney I didn't even translate what
the kids wanted, one waiter dealt with the adult end of the table, the
other dealt with the kids. The waiters even cut the kids food for them.
So not only do you get the HAL service, you get one better, you get
waiters that know how to deal with kids so you aren't dealing with kids.

On HAL ships you occasionally see rowdy kids with nothing to do, my
kids hand around me. On the Disney cruise I never saw any kids
wandering around alone, and usually the kids on the ship were in the
kids program, even mine. Disney knows what to do with kids so they
have fun, and aren't in the way of the passengers who are happy not
seeing the kids, including their parents. The adult only entertainment
on the ship is in the adult only area, you don't see kids at raunchy shows,
and you don't accidently take kids to shows that aren't appropriate for
kids.
All venues, even the private island, had adult only areas. And there were
no kids there, not in the adult only Paolo restaurant, not on the adult
beach,
not in the adult pool, not in the adult nightclubs. Mostly because kids had
better places to hang out. They didn't make rules that kids weren't allowed
in the only hot tubs, they made a more kid friendly hot tub for kids.

HAL is very orderly in getting folks on and off the ship. They are good
at crowd control. Lines for tendering are long, but move quickly. The
Disney
ship didn't go to one port that required tendering. Never a line. They
just
made crowd control unnecessary.

If Disney had the iternaries I wanted to go on I would choose Disney, hands
down.

Cathy Kearns wrote:

My first cruise was a Disney 3 day cruise. Since then I've been on
a few HAL cruises, with another coming up this summer. Here's
the differences I've seen. With HAL you get good service at dinner.
You get what you ordered, sometimes they remember what drinks
you like from the night before, usually dinner arrives in a timely manner,
if the kids order something without the sauce or whatever they almost
always can accomodate that. On Disney I didn't even translate what
the kids wanted, one waiter dealt with the adult end of the table, the
other dealt with the kids. The waiters even cut the kids food for them.
So not only do you get the HAL service, you get one better, you get
waiters that know how to deal with kids so you aren't dealing with kids.

On HAL ships you occasionally see rowdy kids with nothing to do, my
kids hand around me. On the Disney cruise I never saw any kids
wandering around alone, and usually the kids on the ship were in the
kids program, even mine. Disney knows what to do with kids so they
have fun, and aren't in the way of the passengers who are happy not
seeing the kids, including their parents. The adult only entertainment
on the ship is in the adult only area, you don't see kids at raunchy shows,
and you don't accidently take kids to shows that aren't appropriate for
kids.
All venues, even the private island, had adult only areas. And there were
no kids there, not in the adult only Paolo restaurant, not on the adult
beach,
not in the adult pool, not in the adult nightclubs. Mostly because kids had
better places to hang out. They didn't make rules that kids weren't allowed
in the only hot tubs, they made a more kid friendly hot tub for kids.

HAL is very orderly in getting folks on and off the ship. They are good
at crowd control. Lines for tendering are long, but move quickly. The
Disney
ship didn't go to one port that required tendering. Never a line. They
just
made crowd control unnecessary.

When we were on the magic we had to tender in St. Thomas, but that
doesn't happen very often. I want to add that at Disney's private
island, you "dock", you do not have to tender. It is the only private
island that has a dock.

If Disney had the iternaries I wanted to go on I would choose Disney, hands
down.

We will sail Disney again, but like you wish they had other itins on a
regular basis.

sue