New Experiences Announced for the Disney Destiny
Disney Cruise Line provided some new details about the Disney Destiny. Here’s what we know so far.
Whether you’re Team Heroes or Team Villains, the Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, has epic magic in store. From a Cruella de Vil-inspired piano bar to a “Disney Hercules” stage show, you’ll find all-new adventures at sea plus plenty of returning guest favorites. (Photo above: Disney Destiny Grand Hall.)
Disney Destiny Grand Hall
Disney Destiny will debut on Nov. 20 in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale. The ship will sail four- and five-day itineraries that visit Nassau and Disney's two private islands in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and Castaway Cay.
As part of the media preview at the Disney Destiny Showcase, Disney offered a peek behind the scenes at some of the experiences onboard. Some are heroic, some are a little more nefarious, but all embrace the dynamic duality of every great Disney story. Here are a few of Disney Destiny’s must-dos.
Behind the Scenes at “Disney Hercules”
Disney offered a sneak peek at the all-new “Disney Hercules” show coming to the Disney Destiny. A panel of the creative team offered details on how this classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film is coming to life in the Walt Disney Theater. Show Director Kevin Wilson explained that “Disney Hercules” will feature all the same music and characters, but that “the music, we were able to make it a little more pop, contemporary.”
Disney Hercules show on the Disney Destiny
The show will also feature a new song, “Shooting Star,” which was originally supposed to be in the film but never made the final cut. The set, too, will juxtapose a modern aesthetic and a Grecian feel. Michael Serna, executive creative director, points out that staircases coming from stage right and stage left will propel scene transitions, lending a more modern touch. Meanwhile, there will be a Grecian aesthetic with pillars and a gazebo.
As for the costumes? Think fashion. Show Director Marcel Wilson shares that the gods and goddesses have “beautiful, enormous headpieces that are ornate, and dramatic draping. Even our Grecian townspeople, it’s not fashion, but it still gives a runway vibe, so we still have the Grecian aesthetic.” And of course, expect the Disney Destiny theme of light vs. darkness to appear here, too—some of the costumes will light up!
If you’ve seen “Disney The Tale of Moana” onboard the Disney Treasure, you’ll be familiar with the show’s puppets. Creative Director Jeff Conover explains: “We love puppetry. We love to play with scale. It brings the emotions to another level.” He shared a peek at a brand-new rendering showcasing Hercules battling the hydra, featuring puppets!
“The concept art here, for me, captures exactly what we’re trying to achieve,” said Conover. “Larger than life. We’re doing some really interesting stuff, not just with the hydra, but also with some of the titans from the film and utilizing some technology here at the Walt Disney Theater that has never been used before.”
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King
A new restaurant, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, will debut aboard the Disney Destiny. From windows overlooking different times of day on the savanna to tranquil instrumental music playing in the background, this restaurant will reflect the heart of the “Lion King” story. “When you step into this space, you’re transformed into the Pride Lands,” said Show Director Paul Bryant. “Can you guys hear the soundscape? We really wanted to dive into the authenticity of the musicians and their instruments.”
Pridelands: Feast of The Lion King
Disney also offered a peek at cast costumes, place settings, and even a hyena sipper featuring Ed and a Timon popcorn bucket! As for the food and drink, Disney offered two drinks coming to Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King—Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? and Smily Yet Satisfying (a sweet, gummy-inspired beverage perfect for the kids and the kids at heart). The food was inspired by the Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King menu.
De Vil’s Piano Lounge: No evening is complete without a devilish drink or two with Cruella De Vil herself. A preview of De Vil’s lounge featured the Hollywood Regency architecture, glamorous cocktails, and a spotted piano that will be onboard the Disney Destiny. And just like at the lounge itself, this evening’s guests were recruited for a little musical mischief.
The lounge will feature strawberry shortcake popcorn and specialty cocktails. The Fashionista consists of strawberry and banana-infused tequila. The zero-proof Fearless Sir Galahad has a syrupy sweet scent and spicy flavor profile.
The Sanctum: Guests will be able to venture into a world of powerful sorcerers inside The Sanctum, a lounge inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange.” Designers were inspired by the New York Sanctum, with some details from the film’s Chamber of Relics, plus suspended spell books and other enchanting Easter eggs.
While the drinks themselves are impressive, even more breathtaking are the interactive elements that give this space an otherworldly feel. Said Sophie Leroux, assistant cruise director: “The first time I saw this [Circle of the Cosmos], I thought, ‘Is that glass supposed to be upside down?’ It is. That’s one of the coolest parts!”
Grand Hall: Another Marvel Super Hero makes an appearance in the Grand Hall: T’Challa, aka Black Panther. While the Grand Hall statue is the bronze sculpture typical of all Disney Cruise Line Grand Halls, this is the first time the team is bringing in silver accents, reminiscent of the Black Panther’s suit. You can also see purple accents, which is the vibranium activating in the Black Panther’s suit.
“This is a whole new look and feel,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Beth Burkhardt says of the Grand Hall. “Lighting is used in a new way, so we can completely transform the space…It’s going to be changing to each hero or, very possibly, some villains making their way to the Grand Hall.” Expect epic shifts in lighting for our heroes and a more eerie transformation for certain villains, plus a breathtaking chandelier inspired by the meteorite that brought vibranium to Wakanda.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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Disney Magic - Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Magic sails from a variety of ports across the United States.
About the Disney Magic
The Disney Magic sails from a variety of ports across the United States, including voyages from South Florida, San Diego, Galveston, and the port of New Orleans. Select itineraries on the Disney Magic and make a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s tropical private island in the Bahamas.
Disney Magic - Disney Cruise Line
Why It’s Popular
Enchanting Entertainment: Broadway-caliber musicals, lively deck parties, and fireworks at sea (fireworks on most cruises).
Spacious Staterooms: Designed for Families: extra space and storage, sitting area, and split bath to allow more people to get ready simultaneously.
Variety of Dining Options: Upscale restaurants, buffets, poolside snacks, and 24-hour room service.
Imaginative Youth Clubs: Themed clubs for every age, staffed by specially trained Disney counselors.
Nightclubs & Lounges: Adults-only areas that include a variety of bars and pubs.
Pools & Recreation: Freshwater pools and waterslides at sea.
Entertainment
Disney Magic is designed to delight the entire family. Broadway-style stage spectaculars delight audiences in the lavish Walt Disney Theatre, two of which are exclusively presented aboard the Disney Magic.
Exclusive to the Disney Magic, “Tangled: The Musical” follows the adventure of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they face ruffians and a budding romance on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery.
“Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic” is a signature Disney Cruise Line show that tells a bedtime story featuring popular Disney characters who together teach a young girl the power of her dreams.
Exclusive to the Disney Magic, “Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story” immerses the audience in a story that begins where the original ended and features Cinderella, Prince Charming and other favorites from the animated fairy tale classic.
There are also movies shown in the Walt Disney Theatre, as well as up on deck by the family pool and in the Buena Vista Theatre, a cinema with plush stadium-style seats that screens first-run movies and digital 3-D films.
On select itineraries, there’s an evening brimming with buccaneer fun during the “Pirates IN the Caribbean” celebration. An interactive show featuring Jack Sparrow culminates in a fireworks spectacular choreographed to the dramatic musical score from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies.
As the night rolls on, guests unleash their inner pirate and dance their boots off during a swashbuckling deck party, a family-friendly bash featuring electrifying music, stunning visuals and special effects.
Animator's Palate on the DIsney Magic
Dining Onboard the Disney Magic
Enjoying the three uniquely themed family restaurants aboard the Disney Magic is convenient and hassle-free, as guests “rotate” through the restaurants each night accompanied by the same serving team for a variety of menus and cuisines and friendly, personalized service.
Rapunzel’s Royal Table, inspired by the beloved story of Disney’s “Tangled,” transports Disney Magic guests to the kingdom of Corona for an evening of music and interactive fun featuring Rapunzel and the mischievous Snuggly Duckling Thugs.
Animator’s Palate
Animator’s Palate, one of the most popular restaurants on Disney ships, features animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around. Animator’s Palate inspires creativity with “Drawn to Magic,” a black-and-white to-color animation show that surrounds guests in the swirling colors of animated classics and transports their dining experience into a dramatic story of heroes and villains.
Lumière’s invites passengers to “be our guest” in a grand dining room with French elegance, reminiscent of classic transatlantic ocean liners.
An adult-exclusive restaurant – Palo, specializing in modern Italian cuisine, features stunning ocean views and a formal, romantic ambiance.
Staterooms
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
The Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah is classified as Categories 4A, 4B and 4E and is located on Deck 8.
About Verandah Staterooms
Sleeps: 5
Size: 304 sq. ft., including verandah
Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed and upper berth pull-down bed
View: private verandah
Amenities
Custom Premium Plush Euro-top mattress
300-thread-count, 100% cotton linens
Premium bath towels
28" high-definition LCD flat-screen TV with remote control
Full-length mirror
Ample closet space
Refrigerator
Hair dryer
Individual climate control
Signature spa, bath and shower products
WiFi (additional fee required)
Stateroom Design
Disney Cruise Line has thought of everything to ensure first-rate comfort and convenience during your voyage. Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah design features include:
A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
A “split bath”: a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet (in all but accessible staterooms)
Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
Functional cabinetry in the living area
Verandahs on the Disney Magic
Airy and private, this is where you can watch the sunrise, bask in ocean breezes and enjoy your morning coffee or an evening nightcap.
Your private balcony comes equipped with:
Patio furniture
Deck lighting
Plexiglas or solid whitewall railings (in Category 4E staterooms)
Childproof locks
On most adjoining accommodations, the partition between verandahs can be opened to create a larger balcony for sharing, with access between rooms. Guests may contact their stateroom host to unlock the partitions.
Deluxe Oceanview Porthole Staterooms on Disney Magic
The same square footage as a Deluxe Inside Stateroom, this room type includes delightful porthole vistas. Be dazzled by incredible sunrises and stunning sunsets through 1 or 2 portholes, all from the plush comfort of your room.
Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms classifications and locations are as follows:
Category 9A: Decks 5, 6 and 7
Category 9B: Deck 2
Category 9C: Deck 2
Category 9D: Deck 1
Rooms on Decks 1 and 2 offer Guests convenient proximity to shipboard restaurants and nightclubs while Decks 5, 6, and 7 are upper decks with more commanding views.
Oceanview Stateroom Specifications
Sleeps: 3 to 4
Size: 214 sq. ft.
Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
View: One large porthole window or 2 small porthole windows (in Category 9D staterooms)
Oceanview Stateroom Amenities
Custom Premium Plush Euro-top mattress
Frette 300-thread-count, 100% cotton linens
Premium bath towels
28" high-definition LCD flat-screen TV with remote control
Full-length mirror
Ample closet space
Refrigerator
Hair dryer
Individual climate control
Signature spa, bath and shower products
WiFi (additional fee required)
Ocean View Stateroom Design
Disney Cruise Line has thought of everything to ensure first-rate comfort and convenience during your voyage. Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom design features include:
A sitting area with a couch, TV, and desk
A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
A “split bath”: a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower, and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink, and toilet (in all but accessible staterooms)
Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
Functional cabinetry in the living area
Standard Inside Staterooms on Disney Magic
With more space than you’d find in same-class rooms on most other cruise ships, our “Standard” is superior.
Standard Inside Staterooms classifications and locations are as follows:
Category 11A: Decks 6 and 7
Category 11B: Decks 5 and 6
Category 11C: Deck 2
Rooms on Deck 2 offer Guests convenient proximity to shipboard restaurants and nightclubs while Decks 5, 6, and 7 are upper decks. Please note that Category 11C sleeps 3 only.
Inside Stateroom Specifications on Disney Magic
Sleeps: 3 or 4
Size: 184 sq. ft.
Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
View: no exterior view
Inside Stateroom Amenities
Custom Premium Plush Euro-top mattress
Frette 300-thread-count, 100% cotton linens
Premium bath towels
28" high-definition LCD flat-screen TV with remote control
Full-length mirror
Ample closet space
Refrigerator
Hair dryer
Individual climate control
Porthole mirror
Signature spa, bath and shower products
WiFi (additional fee required)
Inside Stateroom Design
Disney Cruise Line has thought of everything to ensure first-rate comfort and convenience during your voyage. Standard Inside Stateroom design features include:
A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
A full bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub
Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
Functional cabinetry in the living area
Pool and Recreation
The Disney Magic began the Disney Cruise Line tradition of age-appropriate fun for kids of all ages in specially designated spaces just for them:
Disney’s Oceaneer Club transports kids ages 3 to 12 to the magical lands of Disney fairies, courageous superheroes, and adventuresome toys.
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is a nautical wonderland where children age 3 to 12 embark on a journey of discovery with arts and crafts, gaming, and counselor-led activities.
It’s a Small World Nursery is a whimsical world for infants and toddlers up to age 3 where they are safely cared for by trained Disney counselors.
Vibe (ages 14 to 17) and Edge (ages 11 to 14) are ultra-cool teens and tween hangouts with comfy couches, music, video games, and other chill-out necessities.
At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, aspiring young princesses and knights become Disney royalty with the help of a fairy godmother-in-training.
When the pirate deck party is on the evening schedule, the space transforms into The Pirate League, where young sailors can unleash their inner buccaneer with a piratical makeover.
Excitement and Relaxation for Adults
On the Disney Magic, guests step into a domain that’s all their own at After Hours, an extraordinary adult-exclusive nighttime entertainment neighborhood that features trendy and sophisticated bars and lounges.
Fathoms nightclub is a celebration of the sea, utilizing special effects, lighting, and sound to create a calm atmosphere early in the evening before turning up the excitement later at night.
Keys Piano Bar and Lounge is the perfect place for guests to relax with a signature Manhattan cocktail and the soft sounds of a piano, or “wind down” after an evening of dancing and revelry.
Keys provides a refined retreat with handcrafted cocktails that are finished tableside.
O’Gills Pub is an Irish pub and sports bar designed with rich green accents and dark woods.
Domestic draft beers and liquors offer countless libation options behind the bar while video screens and an updated sound system feature rollicking tunes and live televised athletic events.
At the luxurious Senses Spa & Salon, adults ages 18 and older can indulge spa treatments, massages, manicures, pedicures, and a rainforest-themed aromatherapy steam room and sauna.
The fitness center is well-appointed with state-of-the-art equipment and offers personal training sessions and instructional classes in yoga, Pilates, aerobics, and more.
Ship Details
Birthplace Fincantieri – Marghera & Ancona, Italy
Maiden Voyage: July 30, 1998
Ship’s Registry: Bahamas
Tonnage 84,000 gross tons
Length 984 feet
Speed 21.5 knots cruising speed (maximum 24 knots)
Crew 950
Passenger Decks 11
Capacity 2,713 passengers
Staterooms 875
262 Inside Staterooms (30 percent)
613 Outside Staterooms (70 percent)
229 ocean view
384 verandah (includes 22 suites)
Disney Magic’s Main Public Areas
Atrium Lobby – Deck 3 (atrium spans three decks)
Walt Disney Theatre (977 capacity; live original productions) – Deck 4
Buena Vista Theatre (278 capacity; cinema) – Deck 5
Preludes theatre concessions – Deck 4
Shutters photo gallery – Deck 4
Guest Services – Deck 3
Port Adventures – Deck 3
Family Areas on the Disney Magic
D Lounge – Deck 4
Wide World of Sports deck – Deck 10
AquaDunk – Deck 13 launch
Goofy’s Pool family pool – Deck 9
AquaLab – Deck 9
Nephews’ Splash Zone – Deck 9
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Deck 10
Sea Treasures retail shop – Deck 3
Mickey’s Mainsail, White Caps retail shops – Deck 4
Quack’s retail shop – Deck 9
Kids Clubs on Disney Magic
It’s a Small World Nursery – Deck 5
Disney’s Oceaneer Club – Deck 5
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab – Deck 5
Vibe Teen Club – Deck 11
Edge tween club – Deck 9
Chill Spa for teens at Senses Spa & Salon – Deck 9
Adult-Only Areas - Disney Magic
After Hours – Deck 3
O’Gills Pub
Fathoms
Keys
Senses Spa & Salon – Deck 9
Quiet Cove Pool – Deck 9
Cove Café – Deck 9
Signals – Deck 9
Promenade Lounge – Deck 3
Dining onboard the Disney Magic
Rapunzel’s Royal Table main dining (471 capacity) – Deck 3
Animator’s Palate main dining (471 capacity) – Deck 4
Lumiere’s main dining (471 capacity) – Deck 3
Palo adult-exclusive specialty dining (116 capacity) – Deck 10
Cabanas casual dining (503 capacity) – Deck 9
Duck-In Diner, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, and Daisy’s De-Lites quick service – Deck 9
Will I Get Seasick on a Cruise?
All first-time cruisers are worried about seasickness. I know where the concern comes from and I have answers.
One of the most common questions first-time cruisers have is “What if I get seasick on my cruise?” As someone who avoided going on a cruise vacation for this very reason, I understand where the concern comes from, and I have answers.
In this article:
Why you probably won’t get seasick at all
How to prevent seasickness
Professional advice in case it happens
Symphony of the Seas | Royal Caribbean
Why you probably won’t get seasick at all
Ships today sail with thousands of passengers onboard, most are not hearty seafaring people that can take whatever the sea throws at them. Cruising wouldn’t be as popular if getting seasick was a common occurrence.
The cruise lines know this too. They want you to be loyal customers and to return for future cruise vacations.
Newer ships are built for passenger comfort and safety above all. They use innovative design and engineering technology that helps keep the ship steady, like stabilizers and sophisticated weather technology.
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas compared to Titanic (photo credit: The Smithsonian Channel)
The sheer size of cruise ships today means that you’re not going to be bobbing around like a cork in the ocean. Cruise ships are floating cities, it takes a lot to move them.
Most of the time, I don’t even know the ship is moving unless I look out a window.
I like to use the water glass test - something I came up with while onboard, it’s the teacher in me.
While at dinner look at your glass of water. If the ship is rocking, you will see the water in your glass swaying back and forth, because water always tries to remain level. I have yet to see the water move, on any cruise I’ve been on.
How to prevent seasickness
Sometimes the best treatment is prevention.
Avoid excessive alcohol and overeating. Avoid reading small print as well. The only time I started to feel a little seasickness coming on was while I was trying to read a book. I put the book down and felt better right away.
“It’s best that guests who know they are prone to seasickness consult their doctor prior to departure,” says Dr. Shore, Chief Medical Advisor at Royal Caribbean.
If your personal physician thinks it’s appropriate, he or she can prescribe a patch that you can wear to prevent the onset of seasickness.
As a travel professional, I recommend a Bahamas cruise for your first journey out there. Waters between the coast of Florida and the Bahamas are known to be very calm. This is why cruising in the area is so popular.
Most Bahamian cruises are 3 or 4 nights, so it’s just the right amount of time to earn your sea legs.
What to do if you get seasick on your cruise
In the event that seasickness does develop, it’s unlikely to really interrupt your cruise.
Dr. Shore notes that there are lots of natural remedies that can help alleviate motion sickness.
“Anecdotally, ginger ale seems to be helpful, and some people find various aromas (like chamomile and peppermint) or eating dry crackers, even after the onset of seasickness, can help.”
If a few sips of ginger ale don’t do the trick, he also suggests going for a short walk to the center of the ship, the most balanced area onboard and therefore least likely to produce seasickness symptoms.
For this same reason, I recommend booking a midship room on a lower deck.
Cruise ships have motion sickness medications, like meclizine, readily available at the ship’s Medical Center.
“Additionally, for more troublesome seasickness, Royal Caribbean’s Medical Centers also carry promethazine and metoclopramide,” Dr. Shore says.
If you’re ready to plan your cruise with the care of a professional, click here to set sail on your next vacation.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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