What to expect on Disney Cruise Line’s maiden voyage in New Zealand and Australia – Stuff

Mickey, Goofy, Minnie Mouse and all your favourite Disney characters are heading this way on a cruise ship! Yes, the much-vaunted Disney Cruise Lines (DCL) finally hits local waters in October 2023 and Stuff Travel got a sneak peek on what to expect at the Sydney Opera House last month.

Heres what we learnt: well be getting Disneys Wonder down under a mid-sized ship that can accommodate 2400 guests and has undergone many refurbishments since its debut in 1999. Wonder cruisers remark that the ship offers a more intimate atmosphere than some of its newer sister ships. Design wise its interiors reflect Art Nouveau touches that recall the grand transatlantic ocean liners of the past.

Thomas Mazloum, Disney president of new and signature experiences, believes that on these limited-time sailings the ship is the destination and the presence of a raft of Disney stars, along with their mates from Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, presents a huge selling point for families that other cruise lines cant compete with.

Mazloum had flown in especially for the launch announcement and is a big fan of this part of the world. He describes DCLs arrival down under as a match made in heaven and says that its strategy for expansion had gained impetus over Covid. The enforced downtime DCL endured (along with all other cruise lines) Mazloum describes as a time of opportunity.

READ MORE:* Watch: Disney's new cruise ship gets first taste of water * Disney Wish cruise behind-the-scenes: Star Wars space for adults a long time coming * Sneak peek at Disney's new ship

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Wonder can accommodate 2400 guests.

We thought, hey, are there other things we should be looking at now? We started to think beyond the shores where weve been very successful. We wanted to bring Disney, with its grand culture of storytelling to where the people live.

Mazloum also had numerous business acquaintances urging him to bring DCL down under.

We noticed that Australians and New Zealanders have a real affinity for Disney and we figured this is the perfect time to bring DCL to this part of the world, especially after the tough times Covid has wrought people need some joy in their lives.

That means families wanting a sprinkle of that Disney magic can now get it at a fraction of the cost of a long-haul theme park visit.

So, we thought, lets make the ship the destination and immerse people in all the things they love about Disney and the stories we tell. Its really about tapping into peoples emotions, their hearts and minds.

Mazloum reckons DCL which has five ships operating at the moment and three more on the way has cracked the code on family holidays with its unique mix of experiences that appeal to the whole family.

Onboard weve created an environment for kids, adults, groups, even singles, which means everyone can have a great time.

Matt Stroshane./Supplied

Disney Wonder sets sail down under in 2023.

Usually on a holiday someone has to make a little bit of a compromise; what makes us unique is that weve created an environment where everybody is allowed to have a great time, whether its in the kids clubs, the Broadway-style shows or the adult-only venues; each person can go and enjoy those experiences and then they can come together for dinner. Each person decides how much they want to immerse themselves in our stories.

But why only short cruises?

Because we wanted to bring this magic to as many people as possible and we wanted to make it as simple as we can for our guests. So, two, three or four days, while the kids are out of school, thats the sweet spot for us on these inaugural cruises and judging by the massive response weve had so far, it seems we got it right.

Mazloum points out the imaginative dining (breakfast waffles in the shape of Mickey Mouse), Broadway-style entertainment and those unforgettable character interactions as key to DCLs continued success.

Theres also as much ice cream and soda as the kids can tuck into! But Disney understands that keeping the grown-ups happy is what gets the return bookings. Palos adults-only Italian restaurant comes highly recommended for a special date night and theres also 24-hour room service on board.

Disney Cruise Line

The Cove Cafe is exclusive to adult guests 18 years of age and older and offers speciality coffees and drinks.

Further, part of the ship, called after hours, is set aside solely for adults; alternatively the whole family can enjoy pizza from Pinocchios by the pool or experience Tianas Place a New Orleans-styled supper club serving lots of southern classics that draws inspiration from the Disney film The Princess and the Frog. Theres also Animators Palate, an interactive dining experience that celebrates Disney animation.

One thing to be aware of is that Disney implements rotational dining on all its cruises, even these short Australasian ones. This means all guests experience each of the three themed dining venues while on board. Each evening, your party and servers will rotate to a different restaurant.

As you rotate, the same wait staff who know your preferences serve you each night while you get to experience the unique atmosphere of each dining venue. There are buffet and snack options available for breakfast and lunch.

While prices for Disney cruises are a little steeper than other comparable lines DCL fans contend that the quality of the food, service and one-of-a-kind themed entertainment is more than worth the extra outlay. After all, who can resist the pull of Disney, the brand that appeals to the kid in us all?

Disney Cruise Line

Sailings range from two to six nights.

As our interview time winds down I ask Mazloum about his favourite moment on a DCL cruise.

When you look at our ships, the classic design, the long funnels, the painted bow, thats all specially designed. When you see the ship the emotion starts, not just when you step on board. Then, as it departs, the ships horn plays When You Wish Upon A Star and on every cruise and I say this very sincerely thats my favourite moment.

Thatll also be sweet music to the thousands of Kiwi cruisers whore looking forward to experiencing some of that Disney Magic at Sea.

The sailings aboard the Disney Wonder range from two to six nights and will depart from four home ports: Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, Australia in October 2023. Bookings are open now, starting at $3233 for a three-night cruise from Auckland for two adults. See: disneycruise.disney.go.com

The writer was hosted in Sydney for the DCL launch event.

View original post here:

What to expect on Disney Cruise Line's maiden voyage in New Zealand and Australia - Stuff