The Disney Fantasy, the fourth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, was christened yesterday (March 1, 2012)  during a star-studded christening celebration at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

On a night filled with celebrity performances from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Patrick Harris, Nick Cannon and Heather Headley, it was Disney Fantasy godmother, Mariah Carey, who took center stage for the christening moment. Similar to the famed New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, Carey led the audience in a countdown that triggered a 6-foot tall bottle of champagne in the Atrium Lobby to erupt and shower onlookers with confetti and streamers as a traditional bottle of champagne broke against the ship’s hull.

“The Disney Fantasy is a spectacular addition to our fleet and builds on the creativity, innovation and artistry that are hallmarks of the Disney Cruise Line,” said Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger. “Like her sister ship, the Dream, the Fantasy will connect guests to iconic Disney characters and storytelling, creating unforgettable, one-of-a-kind vacation experiences for the entire family.”

“At Disney Parks and Resorts, we strive to be the most trusted and highest quality provider of shared travel and leisure experiences in the world,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs. “From stem to stern, the Disney Fantasy was designed and built with the singular purpose of surprising and delighting our guests, helping them make memories to last a lifetime.”

When the Disney Fantasy begins sailing on March 31, 2012, it will continue the innovative approach Disney Cruise line brought to family cruise vacations with a collection of new guest experiences specifically developed for the ship’s seven-night itinerary.

Highlights include:

Technological Wizardry. . .

Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called “Animation Magic.” At dinner, families are encouraged to draw a character of their own on a specially designed placemat. Once the placemats are collected, the magic begins as Mickey takes to the screens and brings the guests’ characters to life as they march across screens around the dining room and even step into scenes from beloved Disney movies side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White.

The Muppets are coming to the Disney Fantasy! Guests can join the world-famous Muppets for interactive adventure quest to find missing show props by uncovering clues via more than a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art around the ship. Guided by a map and holding a unique game card in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil games and clues to find the missing items. “The Case of the Stolen Show” is a self-paced adventure game that features several possible endings and multiple randomized events – so each time a guest plays, they have a different game experience.

Splashtacular Family Fun. . .

Soaring above the upper decks of the Disney Fantasy, guests will find the AquaDuck a 765-foot long, twisting-and-turning water coaster that has been a huge hit with guests sailing on the Disney Dream. Several new water surprises are set to debut on the Disney Fantasy including AquaLab — a water play area on the upper deck filled with a variety of water “experiments,” created by Donald Duck’s nephews, designed to drench, soak and saturate guests. This fanciful 1,800-square-foot space features pop jets, geysers, bubblers, falling water, squirting walls and more.

On Deck 13 forward, guests 18-years of age and older will find a new relaxing respite. Satellite Falls is a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain that provides cool comfort and is surrounded by ample deck space where adult guests can soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy.

World-Class Entertainment. . .

The launch of a new Disney ship includes the premiere of two new Broadway-style stage spectaculars in the lavish Walt Disney Theatre. The signature show “Wishes” is a 45-minute musical journey about three best friends who discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child. “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” is a fast-paced musical comedy where Aladdin, the “street rat” of Agrabah, meets a Genie who grants him three wishes, battles the evil Jafar and falls in love with Princess Jasmine.

Club Hopping Across Europe. . .

Nightlife takes a European twist with Europa – an entertainment district of high-energy, sophisticated clubs and lounges inspired by the night spots of Italy, France, Ireland and London. Europa is a continent of adult nighttime fun without borders. La Piazza is a lounge that draws inspiration from stylish Italian plazas. Skyline is a chic bar that provides ever-changing birds-eye views of European cityscapes. O’Gills Pub is a rollicking Irish bar and Ooh La La is an elegant French champagne bar. The Tube transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club reminiscent of swinging London.

The Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on seven-night Caribbean itineraries that alternate eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). All itineraries will include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.

Cruising alone doesn’t mean being alone.

Think about it: on some of the newest ships you may be cruising with 2,600, 3,600 …or even 5,400 fellow travelers – all of whom opted for the same ship and itinerary you did.   So even if you are traveling solo, you’re hardly alone.

The writers at AllThingsCruise often travel solo, either by choice or by assignment, and they have excellent advice on how to enjoy being on a trip by yourself.

Here are their tips for cruising solo:

1. A cruise – no matter the size of the vessel – can be as sociable as you want. You may occasionally opt for dinner in your cabin, but most often meal times are shared experiences- and those are the best experiences.  Whether the ship offers alternative dining options or the traditional fixed time and place dining, you can select to sit with as many as nine other people.

In the course of a cruise, it’s not unusual to develop friendships where you meet for a drink before dinner, attend a show or  even take a shore excursion together. Email addresses and phone numbers are often exchanged during a cruise; I still get holiday cards from a couple I met on a cruise in the 80s.

On a recent MSC Poesia cruise I sat with a man from Gdansk, Poland and his teenaged son, a couple in their 80s from Delray Beach, FL, and a retired policeman from Australia. After two days we were a forged group, and meals times became a time to share the day’s experiences and learn about life in other places while we enjoyed each other’s company.

Every sailing has a complimentary cocktail party or scheduled lectures – other popular places to meet shipmates. I once met a woman, as short as I, when we were lined up in front at a boat drill. She, too, was traveling alone and we had dinner together each night.

The thought of traveling alone is often daunting to people who have never done so. You might think your best company may be an e-book reader and an iPod, (and I never leave home without them,) but make an effort to meet other passengers. Often all you need to do that is a pleasant smile.  – Marcia Levin

2. Sail on small ships- the smaller the better. The passengers on these vessels are usually veteran travelers who are interested in the destination and good company rather than meeting their next spouse. They enjoy making new friends and don’t care if you are alone or with someone.

The open seating for meals on small ships lends itself to meeting new people. The shore excursions, usually included, mix everyone up. Any solo traveler can be comfortable on a small ship. – Cynthia Boal Janssens

3.For solo cruisers, the first issue is that dreaded single supplement (usually about 150 percent). It can be avoided on the Norwegian Epic by booking one of the studio cabins, which are stylish, well-designed, with the “perk” of a dedicated lounge.

Another option: shop around. If travel plans are flexible, you can sometimes find cruises where the supplement is waived. Also, the supplement can be gentler on luxury lines like Seabourn and Crystal. – Lillian Africano

 4. When I am alone on a ship, I usually choose to eat dinner at a group table in a dining room where I can eat whenever I want. I let the maître d’ in that dining room know that I’d like a large table and that I am looking for interesting people. Then, I just show up and see what happens. Some nights, I get a table full of boring people, but that is rare. Most of the time, each evening brings new conversations. On a long voyage, such as a trans-Atlantic cruise, I often see many of the same people each night, because most of us are creatures of habit and tend to eat at about the same time every day. – David Molyneaux

5. Meals can be tricky when you’re sailing solo. If you’re on a ship with flexible seatings and/or restaurants, you might ask a new friend from a tour excursion if you can join them for a meal? Not a huge commitment, but you might enjoy it. Or someone you meet at a lecture or in the spa. It takes a bit of courage if you’re not outgoing, but it often makes for a fun evening. Then move on the next day and meet new people.

Being a party of one can have its advantages. If a tour or lecture or spa treatment is wait listed, you have a much better chance of getting in as a single than if two people were waiting to be added. – Betsa Marsh

6. When I board, the first place I head is the dining room. I chat up the maitre d’ and let him know who I am and that I am traveling solo. I ask him to see if he can sit me with a group of compatible people, preferably a mix of couples and singles at a large table. That way I get to meet other singles but also couples in my age range who can be good company. Also, if you have a good relationship with that maitre d’, he may be more willing to help you change to another table if that one proves to be boring or uncomfortable.

Sign up for trivia, dance classes, cooking classes, all places where it feels very comfortable to be solo, and where you can meet new people.

I think that cruising is the best way to travel solo. It’s safe, there are many opportunities to meet other people, and there is no stigma to traveling solo. – Barbara Ramsay Orr

7. Sign up for shore excursions. Cruise ships now offer so many shore excursions that it is easy to find some activity that you really enjoy and want to do. That should give you something in common with others on the same excursion and will be a good conversation starter – while you are on the tour and after you return to the ship.

Many shore excursions start with a brief – or sometimes long – bus ride. That is another great place to meet people in a smaller group.

As a solo traveler, I have met so many wonderful people on interesting shore excursions. In Jamaica on a Ruby Princess cruise, for example, I signed up for a dog bobsled ride when the ship docked. The experience was fascinating. These dogs are adopted from shelters and they are now healthy and obviously loving what they do.

After the excursion, passengers who experienced the bobsled ride with me would stop to chat about it on the ship. Some passengers who didn’t take the excursion would ask me about it because they were thinking about doing it on a future cruise. I don’t know many people who don’t like dogs or don’t have dog stories so the bobsled ride was a definite ice breaker with strangers. – Jackie Sheckler Finch

 It is obvious that cruising solo can be comfortable, fun and interesting. Don’t pass up your chance to cruise because you fear going alone this WAVE season.

While Cunard ships have long served as a romantic backdrop to love stories across the globe, couples will soon be able to say “I do” during a luxury cruise aboard the most famous ocean liners in the world, for the first time in the Line’s 172-year history. Beginning in April 2012, guests will be able to celebrate an unforgettable wedding day at sea, conducted by the Captain, aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. This is the first time in Cunard’s history that it will be possible to marry on board, and demand is already high.

Couples wishing to wed at sea can choose from the full spectrum of Cunard’s worldwide voyages lasting seven nights or more and departing after April 2012. In addition to Crossings, destinations include the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Far East and Australia.

To maintain exclusivity, only one wedding will be arranged per day, at either 11:00 a.m. or 3:30 p.m., and the ceremonies will take place on days at sea. With a dedicated on board wedding coordinator, the bride and groom will find that all of their wedding needs can be met, from hairdressing, make-up and manicures in the spa, to the wedding ceremony itself, as well as photography and video, and the reception afterwards.

In addition, weddings can be tailored with Cunard’s “Finishing Touches” to reflect individual requests and preferences, from an accompaniment by the ship’s own harpist, to a beautiful ice sculpture.

“There is nothing quite as special as the setting of a Cunard ship,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “Saying ‘I do’ at sea aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria promises so much more than a land-based venue. With a backdrop of the world’s most exotic coastlines in the Mediterranean and across the world, or the extraordinary sense of timelessness that you only experience mid-Atlantic, a Cunard wedding promises the happy couple a ceremony of classic style and sumptuous luxury.”

Shanks continued, “And the ships are so much more than simply a setting for the ceremony itself – they are also honeymoon destinations, offering newlyweds a fresh view to wake up to each morning and a trousseau of unforgettable destinations to discover together ashore.”

Choosing to marry on one of the three largest Cunard ships ever built creates an exceptional setting for any style of celebration.  Various venues are available aboard each ship depending on the size of the wedding party, from elegant lounges to award-winning restaurants, including The Verandah on Queen Elizabeth and Todd English on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.  Under the guidance of Cunard’s global culinary ambassador, Chef Patron Jean-Marie Zimmermann, the ships’ world-class culinary teams will prepare wedding canapés, a delicious wedding lunch or an exquisite wedding dinner.

Cunard has created a Wedding Package – with an array of optional extras – to meet all requirements.  The main package includes the ceremony conducted by the Captain, traditional wedding music, a White Star Bellman escorting the bride, floral arrangements, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and, of course, the wedding cake as well as priority check-in and luggage delivery.

A never-to-be-forgotten day is available for $2,500 plus a marriage license fee of $575.  An array of Cunard’s “Finishing Touches” are also available for purchase and include items such as a Bride and Groom’s Champagne and Caviar Breakfast in Bed, or a three-tiered fruit cake.  In addition, wedding gifts of fine wines, champagne and spa treatments can be purchased in advance and arranged for on board.

What’s included in the Wedding Package:

• Priority luggage delivery
• Press service for bridal outfits
• Priority embarkation (and disembarkation) for the bridal couple
• Services of a wedding coordinator on board
• Two fresh floral arrangements for the ceremonial room
• Bridal bouquet and bridegroom’s boutonniere, with a choice of roses, lilies or exotic flowers
• One-tier wedding cake
• Traditional wedding music
• Elegant wedding ceremony venue
• White Star Bellman to escort the bride to the ceremonial room
• Ceremony at sea conducted by the Captain
• Commemorative wedding certificate
• Commemorative printed wedding menu
• Bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne
• Bride & Groom Breakfast in Bed
• Wedding invitations and Thank You cards for voyage guests

For more information about Cunard’s new Weddings Program or to book a voyage, consult your Travel Agent, call toll-free 1-800-728-6273 or go to www.cunard.com.

Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, has completed a $7 million renovation – the largest in the ship’s 14-year history.

The renovation took place during the ship’s 10-night crossing from Tahiti to Brisbane, Australia, as well as during the 11-night drydock that followed, when extensive enhancements were made to both the interiors and exteriors of The Gauguin.

Renovations throughout the ship include new flooring and replaced carpeting, elegant new furniture, new window treatments and decorative wall panels, and new signage, providing a lighter, brighter feel.

Additionally, all suites and staterooms feature new teak railings on the balconies and new bathroom flooring. On the culinary front, La Veranda offers guests a redesigned entrance, refinished indoor and outdoor furniture, and solar shades throughout. Le Grill boasts new decorative partitions and divider walls, as well as a new buffet area and new lighting. L’Etoile also features a redesigned entrance in addition to video equipment for conferences.

Promenade Deck 5 boasts a new built-in banquette and expanded casino in Le Casino, and Deck 6 received a new integrated display case for books and art. La Palette features a decorative stone band along the front of the bar and an updated lighting system, as well as new outdoor furniture. Le Grand Salon and La Palette offer refurbished dance floors to provide the perfect venue to dance the night away.

Guests now cruise aboard a vessel that has been thoroughly updated and redecorated for even greater luxury and comfort, reflecting Paul Gauguin Cruises’ level of commitment to the ship and the importance of the overall guest experience.

Thanks to our friends at  dealnews.com, who’ve provided this great reference guide for choosing your best cruise line.

Here are 10 considerations a vacationer might have, paired with the line that answers them best – from travel expert Jason Cochran.

“I want to feel like I’m in Titanic”

Sinking aside, the grand liner experience is one worth cherishing, and it lives on in just one brand: Cunard Line, which has been sailing since the 1830s.

“I want to see Europe”

Most of the major lines (including Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Disney) make summer forays into Europe, but my advice is to stick with ships that are on the smaller side.

“I wanna party!”

Belly up to the casino bar on a Carnival ship, my friend. Most of the vessels in the Carnival fleet, while jammed with opportunities to drink and eat yourself into a stupor, are fairly indistinguishable from each other thanks to being dominated by long-time designer Joe Farcus.

“I’m a foodie”

Holland America offers a Culinary Arts Center program, where passengers can learn hands-on cooking skills and delve into the local cuisine of the ports they visit. Oceania Cruises’ new ship, the Marina, has a Culinary Center with a similar experience, itself linked to Bon Appétit.

“I don’t want to cruise”

Seabourn Cruise Line is an ultra-luxury line that separates itself from the hoi polo. Two lines with a similar profile, but with slightly less tony standards, are Azamara Club Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

“I don’t want to fly far to cruise”

People around Florida’s East Coast and New York City have their pick of itineraries, but Carnival is the most conscientious about porting ships throughout the United States so that more passengers can drive to their vacations.

“I’m traveling solo”

The Norwegian Epic became the hero of the unwed in 2010 when it introduced a special category of single cabins for solo traveler.

“I have kids under 12″

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Disney Cruise Line is the top choice, and the reason doesn’t have as much do with the brand’s characters as you might think.

“My teen-agers get bored quickly”

For active kids, there’s Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The line has worked hard to set itself apart as a high-adrenaline product.

“I’m not going with kids, but I want to be busy”

Princess Cruises seems right for those who aren’t in the mood to be overwhelmed by gimmicks, but want to retain a little of the mall-inspired extravagance that prevails in today’s ships.

Over the years, we have seen a number of new ports develop. Enterprising folks in various countries have seen the opportunities to bring cruise ships to their area by developing cruise facilities.

Oftimes, these port ventures put new money into struggling communities. A recent new port development was in Falmouth, Jamaica.

Another such port is Icy Strait Point, Alaska. It was a small village and its main business was a cannery. When the cannery went out of business, the town was on the ropes. The native Alaskans in the area pulled together. Located 50 miles west of Juneau, today Icy Strait Point is a privately owned destination for cruise ship passengers and independent travelers.

Just over a mile from the native village of Hoonah, the wilderness port allows guests to experience Tlingit culture, Alaska-sized adventures and unspoiled wilderness.

This summer Icy Strait Point is planning a series of events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hoonah Packing Co. cannery, located at the heart of the Alaska Native-owned cruise ship destination.

A few special treats are in store for guests each day that a cruise ship is in port – that’s 46 days between May and September. The 100th guest to disembark the cruise ship in the morning will receive a prize. Later in the day, Icy Strait Point historian Johan Dybdahl will lead a complimentary tour of the cannery. Guests also will find salmon specials on the Cookhouse Restaurant menu. This is the same eatery that served Hoonah Packing Co. cannery workers as far back as 1912.

Celebratory events will take place on Icy Strait Pont’s Neighbor’s Days, offered twice a season to encourage Juneau or Gustavus residents and other locals to visit. On those days, Icy Strait Point offers packages that include transportation from Juneau or Gustavus and one excursion.

• The 100-year celebration kick-off event will take place on Saturday, June 23, which corresponds with the traditional start of the fishing season and will focus on the fishing history of the Icy Strait Point site and cannery. Many of the fishermen who delivered fish to the cannery or utilized the maintenance facility at the cannery will be on hand to share stories about their experiences.
  

• A second event on Saturday, August 18, will focus on the history of the cannery itself and the people who worked there. Many Hoonah community members had family who worked at the patch table, slime line or fish house, and most love telling stories about their experiences around the cannery grounds. The cannery was key in helping the community of Hoonah after the devastating fire of June 14, 1944, that destroyed most of the village.
  

Once the economic engine of the nearby village of Hoonah, the cannery is no longer used to process fish. Its facilities have been fully restored and guests can now take tours to find out how it operated in 1912 and enjoy a free museum that offers a historical look at the area and the commercial fishing industry in Southeast Alaska. Visitors can learn about the canning process from beginning to end through interpretive displays and may even “can” a souvenir. (Items are vacuum-sealed and then canned to mail home or to friends and relatives. Many of the original canning labels are on display.

The cannery is also home to 11 Alaskan-owned shops, offering a carefully curated selection of Alaska Native art and crafts, wild Alaska salmon, handmade soaps, candles and beads, local Native remedies and Icy Strait Point logo items. The shops are staffed by Alaskans, many of whom are from Hoonah, and the products are locally sourced.

For a look at the cannery today, please view Icy Strait Point’s video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax1s-u25deA&list=UUPeQJGQZ2corR9vQX4HBI1A&index=22&feature=plcp

Icy Strait Point is owned by Huna Totem Corporation, the Native village corporation for Hoonah. For more information, visit www.icystraitpoint.com.

SeaDream Yacht Club introduces the first of its kind at sea, a “Raw Food” menu option. A once-radical form of vegetarianism called the “raw foods” or “living foods” movement is creeping into mainstream. Aboard the luxurious twin mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, gourmet raw food is now offered in addition to the regular menu.

 “Raw” refers to a style of preparation in which all ingredients are raw, organic and vegan (no fish, meat, eggs or dairy), and nothing is heated above 118°F in order to retain all the healthy micro nutrients. SeaDream’s Norwegian owners, Linn and Atle Brynestad were excited by the health benefits they personally experienced while eating “raw”. After an extended stay at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Brynestads asked the Executive Chef, Renate Waller to bring her talents to SeaDream’s galley. Renate, a “Raw Food Chef” worked with SeaDream’s Corporate Chef, Sudesh Kishore to create a special, optional menu of delicious, gourmet raw food dishes. “Switching to a high percentage of raw, living plant based foods, enables people to reclaim feeling great and being well” says Hippocrates Chef, Renate.

The Hippocrates Health Institute was created over five decades ago. Over the years, it has developed the Life Transformation Program into the definitive blueprint for transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. The Institute helps people radically change their health by teaching them how to trade nutrient-deficient, “dead” foods to a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and plant-based proteins. The Hippocrates plan, replete with fresh sprout and vegetable juices, wheatgrass, colorful salads, nuts, seeds, and fruit, supplies the oxygen, enzymes, alkalinity, and bioelectrical charges vital to cellular and general health.

SeaDream’s reputation for providing a stellar culinary experience remains of utmost importance to the company. “The raw food menu is an added option. If you come aboard to enjoy filet mignon and double chocolate mousse, by all means it’s on the menu” said Kishore. He added “Nobody else at sea is offering this style of raw cuisine, and because we serve at most 112 guests, we can. One might assume raw food is boring or bland, but guests who chose to try it are in for a tasty surprise.”

SeaDream’s Chef shared several of the dishes being served from this optional, new raw food menu. Beverages such as Watercress Tang; a liquid mélange of watercress, Anjou pear, lime and pineapple; the Blood Apple Blaster; a blend of apple, ginger, red beet, lime juice and agave. Salad options include Asian style Cashew Curry Salad; crunchy and slightly spicy. An entrée such as Vegetable Lasagna uses pasta-like noodles made from spinach leaves and coconut meat, layered between a spicy cauliflower mash topped with a sun-dried tomato marinara.

SeaDream’s Pastry Chef is on board with raw food desserts. There is a tempting Cashew Lemon Cheese Cake with a crust made from almonds and dates and the filling’s main ingredients are cashews, lemon juice, almond milk and coconut butter. For those who prefer sugar free, we make that available too. You really can have your cake and eat it

In 2013, Disney Cruise Line will offer new itineraries, including an expanded portfolio of European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will utilize a second homeport in Florida, with Caribbean sailings departing from the Port of Miami for the first time.

With the addition of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy to the fleet of cruise ships, Disney Cruise Line is able to take more families to more destinations around the world. Disney Cruise Line has always catered to the unique vacation needs of families, and next year will be enhancing the cruise options for guests — whether it’s sun and sand in the Caribbean, outdoor adventures in Alaska or experiencing the wonders of Europe.

Highlights of the Disney Cruise Line 2013 schedule (which can be booked beginning Jan. 26, 2012) include…

Mediterranean from Barcelona

Beginning June 1, 2013, the Disney Magic returns to Europe with plenty of new twists to the Mediterranean itineraries, including a four-night option and special 12-night sailings in addition to seven-night itineraries that treat guests to the best of Europe during the three-month season.

The new 12-night sailings visit destinations such as Venice, Italy, and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast on one itinerary and Ephesus, Turkey and the Greek Isles including Athens, on another. Each itinerary will offer a sailing departing in June and another departing in July.

All itineraries depart from Barcelona, Spain, as the Disney Magic takes guests on an exciting journey of richly diverse cities, cultures and people. With romantic boulevards, bustling bazaars, iconic locations, mild climates, sun-drenched islands and the brilliant blue Mediterranean Sea, guests will enjoy a world-class family vacation with legendary Disney guest service.

Rates start at $796 per person for four-night cruises, $1,015 per person for seven-night cruises and $2,244 for 12-night cruises departing from Barcelona for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Four-night Mediterranean Getaway

Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Departure dates: July 9, Aug. 6

Seven-night Mediterranean Cruise

Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy

Departure dates: June 1, 8, Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31

12-night Mediterranean with Greece

Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Valetta, Malta

Departure dates: June 15, July 13

12-night Mediterranean with Venice

Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy; Venice, Italy (overnight); Dubrovnik, Croatia; Valetta, Malta

Departure dates: June 27, July 25

Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Miami

Disney Cruise Line will sail from Miami for the first time on Dec. 23, 2012. One six- and one seven-night Caribbean sailing aboard the Disney Wonder will set the stage for a schedule of four- and five-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean between Jan. 5, 2013, and May 2, 2013. The four- and five-night cruises have a variety of itineraries. Ports of call may include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West; Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

The itineraries offer families magical days at sea to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Wonder and days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters or to shop to their heart’s content in exotic marketplaces.

Rates for four- and five-night cruises departing from Miami start at $440 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Five-night Caribbean

Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

Departure dates: Jan. 5, 19, Feb, 2, 16, March 2, 16, 30, April 13, 27

Five-night Caribbean

Ports: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

Departure dates: Jan. 14, 28, Feb. 11, 25, March 11, 25, April 8, 22

Four-night Bahamas

Ports: Miami, Key West, Nassau, Castaway Cay

Departure dates: Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7, 21, March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2

Western Caribbean from Galveston

The Disney Magic, which will begin sailing from Texas in 2012, will continue to sail from the Port of Galveston through May 2013, to the Western Caribbean.

Rates start at $750 per person for six-night cruises and $920 per person for eight-night cruises departing from Galveston for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Six-night Caribbean:

Ports: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

Departure dates: Dec. 15 and 29, 2012, Jan. 12, 26, Feb. 9, 23, March 9, 23, April 6, 20. May 4

Eight-night Caribbean:

Ports: Galveston, Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel

Departure dates: Dec. 21, 2012, Jan. 4, 18, Feb. 1, 15, March 1, 15, 29, April 12, 26, May 10

Alaska from Vancouver

Beginning May 27, 2013, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska.

These cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney Cruise Line worked closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

Rates for seven-night Alaska cruises departing from Vancouver start at $1,015 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Seven-night Alaska:

Ports: Vancouver, Tracy Arm (scenic cruising through fjord), Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan

Departure dates: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, Sept. 2

Caribbean and Bahamas from Port Canaveral

The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings, January through April 2013, stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Rates for seven-night Caribbean cruises on the Disney Fantasy start at $1,085 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Rates for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Adventures By Disney

Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney will offer families unique land and sea experiences in the Mediterranean. Available on select departures, guests can maximize the magic with three-night or four-night pre-cruise Adventures by Disney vacation itineraries in Barcelona and Madrid. These immersive add-ons allow families to envelop themselves in the culture of the region with VIP access in the most-sought-after tourist destinations – such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona and the El Prado museum in Madrid – as well as hands-on lessons in archeology, flamenco dancing, local cuisine and stained glass crafting. Each Adventures by Disney departure is led by knowledgeable Adventure Guides who handle all the planning logistics so parents can relax and enjoy quality time with their family.

Families can also enhance seven-night and 12-night Mediterranean sailings with Adventures by Disney Onboard Experience packages. Throughout the voyage, guests will have access to exclusive Adventures by Disney activities and concierge service from dedicated Adventure Guides. These guides will also lead travelers at each port, helping them unlock the wonders of each destination through exclusive excursions and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Specific itinerary and pricing information for the 2013 Adventures by Disney experiences will be available in March 2012.

All Disney Cruise Line pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government Taxes and Fees not included. Bookings for the 2013 schedule open Jan. 26, 2012.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit http://www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.

Simple statistics point to an essential mode of transportation in and around Ilulissat, third-largest settlement in Greenland and a prime tourist destination. Population is around 4,500; sled dog population is at least 4,000.

Greenland is home to about 60,000 residents.  It’s a land of giant icebergs, wide fjords and colorful villages where friendly Greenlanders greet guests with warm hospitality. Popular pursuits are hiking, sailing, kayaking, viewing wildlife and soaking up the culture of the Inuit, who have lived in this ancient land through the millennia.

This coming summer, The Great Canadian Travel Company is offering a sea voyage on board a ship of the Arctic Umiaq Line. You will sail the length of the west coast of Greenland, and be offered an opportunity to witness Greenlandic village life during en route stops. This 10-day, 9-night “Classic Greenland Coastal Voyage” is priced at $3659 per person, double occupancy, with 12 departures during June, July and August 2012.

You begin this adventure with a flight to Reykjavik, Iceland, where you spend two nights. During your stay, a full day Golden Circle tour is featured, visiting some of Iceland’s iconic sights — the ancient parliament site of Thingvellir, the waterfall at Gullfoss and the dramatic hot springs at Geysir. You will also have a free day to explore Reykjavik, or perhaps book one of the many day tours that are available.

Then it’s off to Greenland, where you spend three nights in Ilulissat , north of the Arctic Circle, situated in Disko Bay. Magnificent icebergs fill the fjord right outside of town and can be best seen on an optional full day excursion to the Eqi glacier, to experience the sights and sounds of a calving glacier at close range.

You can also hike to small and remote settlements where “old world” Greenlandic traditions live on. Other options include boat cruises among the icebergs and a helicopter tour to the ice cap. Active options include fishing and whale-watching.

After your stay in Ilulissat, you board the 249-passenger M/S Sarfaq Ittuk for the sailing south to Nuuk. This ship, a vital link for the Greenlandic coast, will be your home for the next 36 hours. While not extravagant, the on-board restaurant and lounge offer good food, and the chance to mix with both local
travelers and others touring this remote land.

The ship stops en route at Aasiat, Manitsoq and Sisimiut, offering you the chance to disembark and explore these tiny communities, and catch a glimpse into the daily life of Greenlanders.

Arriving in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital, in the morning, you transfer to your hotel and have the balance of the day to explore the town. You may want to visit the Greenland National Museum, with its interesting collection of art and
archaeological artifacts. The next afternoon you will fly to Reykjavik where you connect to your homeward flight to North America.

The Classic Greenland Coastal Voyage includes round trip airfare between Iceland and Greenland, three nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Reykjavik and Ilulissat, one night’s accommodation with breakfast in Nuuk, arrival transfer and one local tour in Iceland, and accommodation on board the ship in a twin berth cabin. Airfare from North America to Iceland and meals other than breakfast daily are not included.

Reservations and additional information available from The Great Canadian Travel Company, 800-661-3830, www.greatcanadiantravel.com.

We at AllThingsCruise have received many calls and queries and requests for interviews since the Costa Concordia accident in Italy. So we put our heads together to and came up with this report:

1.      Bookings are still pouring in at a “Wave Season” Rate.  Our sister site, CruiseCompete, has encountered very few cancellations and we believe those that wish to travel via cruise ship will continue to do so.  Those we may be missing are those consumers new to cruising that this may affect as they may choose another type of vacation as they have in the past.

2.      Cruise prices may go down.  Not seeing that currently, but they may fall in the short term.

3.     Smaller ships and river ships, those that tend to hug the coastline, will become even more popular. Some cruisers will prefer sailing in vessels where they can “see the shore” most of the time.

4.     Carnival Corp. stock is taking a beating, but the loss of a large vessel would be damaging to any company, especially because of the deaths associated with it.

5.      Muster drills will be prioritized – Consumers say they will now pay more attention at muster drills, and ships will most probably schedule them immediately after all embarkations.

6.      Cruiser Comments - Very few comments from travelers

7.      Cancellations – Those that were queasy cancelled very quickly, it was a small number

8.      Safer time to travel – These next few months will be the safest time to travel, as all of the officers and crew will be looking very carefully at all policies and procedures.

9.      This is rare - Accidents such as this one are an extremely rare occurrence in the cruise industry, and cruising continues to be one of safest means of travel among all types of vacationing.

10.  Cruise insurance – May become more popular

11.  Cruise line changes to policy – We have not seen any of the lines change cancellation policies. But you can be sure that they will be closely scrutinizing their emergency and evacuation procedures.

12.  Cruise ship design – You can be sure that cruise ship architects will be looking closely at their top-heavy ship designs and the puzzling fact that the ship tilted away from the gash in its side, rather than toward it.