Disney Dream getting new spaces, including Star Wars play area

Posted on 5 May, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

When the Disney Dream emerges from a 20-day drydock in late October, the cruise ship will have new spaces, including a Star Wars play area in the Oceaneer Club and a sweet shop.

Star Wars: Millennium Falcon, a play area open to kids ages 3 to 12, is inspired by Han Solo’s spacecraft from the first three Star Wars films.

Upon entering the area, kids can “pilot the spaceship through hyperspace and trigger light-speed jumps to different locations around the galaxy,” Disney said.

Children also can do Star Wars-themed crafts, games and activities; watch episodes from the Disney XD animated series “Star Wars Rebels” on a large screen; and play video games.

The Disney Dream also will feature a shipboard version of the Jedi Training Academy, a popular activity at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Florida.

In the Disney Infinity Toy Box area, the complete set of Disney Infinity character figures will be on display and available for gameplay. Kids visiting the room will be able to unlock Disney Cruise Line content that they can continue to enjoy when playing Disney Infinity at home.

On a life-sized Disney Infinity Base, children take the place of character figures for a group gaming experience. An interactive floor will light up in response to gameplay on a large screen.

On the pool deck, Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats will resemble the whimsical candy land of the Sugar Rush race car game in the film “Wreck-It Ralph.” The sweet shop’s decor will feature nods to the film, including a race track and checkerboard patterned floor, gas pump-style gumball dispensers, Vanellope’s race car and King Candy’s throne.

Vanellope’s will serve gelato and ice cream and an assortment of candy and novelty treats for purchase.

Photo of Paige having her Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Experience.

Also, there will be a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at sea. The salon for kids, located on land in the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney, is known for pixie-dust makeovers.

Adults will have their own splash pool on the Dream, called Satellite Falls. It will have benches and a gently falling rain curtain.

The Dream sails three- and four-day cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship will make its debut with the new spaces on four-day voyage departing Oct. 26.

Disney Dream getting new spaces, including Star Wars play area

Posted on 23 April, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

Disney Dream’s young guests can pretend they’re on the Millennium Falcon. Photo Credit: Disney Enterprises

When the Disney Dream emerges from a 20-day drydock in late October, the cruise ship will have new spaces, including a Star Wars play area in the Oceaneer Club and a sweet shop.

Star Wars: Millennium Falcon, a play area open to kids ages 3 to 12, is inspired by Han Solo’s spacecraft from the first three Star Wars films.

Upon entering the area, kids can “pilot the spaceship through hyperspace and trigger light-speed jumps to different locations around the galaxy,” Disney said.

Children also can do Star Wars-themed crafts, games and activities; watch episodes from the Disney XD animated series “Star Wars Rebels” on a large screen; and play video games.

The Disney Dream also will feature a shipboard version of the Jedi Training Academy, a popular activity at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Florida.

On a life-sized Disney Infinity Base, children take the place of character figures for a group gaming experience. An interactive floor will light up in response to gameplay on a large screen.

Vanellope’s will serve gelato and ice cream and an assortment of candy and novelty treats for purchase.

Also, there will be a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at sea. The salon for kids, located on land in the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney, is known for pixie-dust makeovers.

Adults will have their own splash pool on the Dream, called Satellite Falls. It will have benches and a gently falling rain curtain.

The Dream sails three- and four-day cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship will make its debut with the new spaces on four-day voyage departing Oct. 26.

Caribbean Facts and Figures

Posted on 27 February, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

Interesting
Caribbean
facts & tidbits

Tourist count

Roughly two million tourists visit the Caribbean Islands per year.

World’s top cruise destination

The Caribbean accounts for nearly half of the industry’s passenger count. Most of the world’s major cruise ships winter here.

Economy

Tourism drives the economy of most Caribbean islands. And the United States is the chief trading partner in goods and raw materials.

Caribbean compared to the Atlantic

The Caribbean water is significantly warmer, calmer, clearer and less salty. These attributes draw tourists.

Size

The Caribbean Sea is the world’s second largest sea. The biggest, the Mediterranean, is only 9% larger.

Depth

The Caribbean Sea’s deepest point is 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) below sea level.

Number of Islands

The Caribbean officially has over 7,000 islands (but that figure includes small cays, reefs, and islets). Only about 150 islands are inhabited.

Population

When Columbus arrived in 1492, the Caribbean had an estimated population of 700,000. Today, the number is about 40 million. Most descend from African slaves.

Language

Creole, Dutch, English, French, and Spanish are the top five languages spoken in the Caribbean. The entrenched European language on any given island reflects the island’s colonial heritage.

Nautical link

The Caribbean Sea connects the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean (with the assistance of the Panama Canal).

Geographical origins

The rugged-mountain islands (think Jamaica) are mainly volcanic in origin. Flat islands (like Barbados) were formed by coral formation and rising sea beds.

Etymology

The Caribbean is named after the native Carib people who once dominated many of the islands.

Best Caribbean cruise lines

Best luxury

Silversea Cruises ships are modest sized and sport spiffy interiors. Passengers are sophisticated, congenial, and well-traveled. Food and service are highly regarded. Crew-to-passenger ratio is high.

Best luxury-upmarket

Azamara Club Cruises has two ships, each accommodating up to 644 passengers. Its price point is between upmarket and luxury. They provide vacationers with a needed niche between luxury and mid-priced fares.

to see my tip-and-photo pages on the Azamara Quest ship.

Best upmarket

Celebrity Cruises is upmarket, thus clearly superior to the mid-priced lines in many ways, including cabin space, service, entertainment, food, and passenger sophistication. Most ships carry about 2,000 passengers.

Best 20-something party boat

Carnival Cruise Line has a well-documented fun, party-boat reputation. Fare are mid-priced and ships are quite large (about several thousand passengers). Has glitzy Las Vegas style entertainment and decor.

Best for families

If your children
are 9 or younger

Disney Cruise Line has four ships, all family oriented. Pleasing kids is the prime focus, but there’s something for everyone. The Fantasy is the best and newest Disney ship.

If your children
are teens

Royal Caribbean International has specialized facilities and programs for teens. But there’s plenty going on to please parents and other adults. Passengers: About 3,000.

If your children
tweens ( to 12)

If 9 to 10, Disney Cruise Line is a better fit. If 11 to 12, Royal Caribbean is better.