Disney Vacation Club Cruises
DVC member cruises are only open to Disney Vacation Club members who have purchased at least some of their vacation points directly from Disney . Members can use their vacation points to book the cruise or can pay cash rates. Typically DVC cruises are significantly more expensive than similar cruises for the general public, but guests will be given a wide variety of DVC special gifts and will get to experience some exclusive member events including talks by special guests including artists, imagineers and/or actors from classic Disney movies.
Whether the DVC member cruise is worth booking is a personal judgment call. The extra events are difficult or impossible to experience any other way. The various DVC gifts are usually a mix of the usual kinds of tote bags, pens, and so forth you can get by attending a DVC meeting or buying a new DVC contract, plus at least a few special and unique items. Some people love the DVC member cruises and try to go on each one. Others go once and feel its not worth the extra money.
Dcl Announces Onboard Credit Offer For Sailings Aboard Disney Wonder Out Of Galveston
The Disney Wonder is set to resume sailing on November 19, 2021, from Galveston, Texas, with a variety of Western Caribbean cruises, including stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
There are some itinerary changes to note as follows:
6-night sailings on November 23, December 7, and 31, 2021 will now visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico instead of Key West, Florida and Disney Castaway Cay.
Additionally, the 6-night sailing on December 21, 2021 will now visit Progreso, Mexico, instead of George Town, Grand Cayman.
Finally, the 6-night sailing on January 14, 2022 will now visit Cozumel, Mexico, and George Town, Grand Cayman, instead of Key West, Florida, and Disney Castaway Cay.
As a thank you for sailing with Disney Cruise Line on the 11/23/21, 12/7/21, 12/31/21, and 1/14/22 Disney Wonder Sailings, each stateroom will receive a $400 non-refundable onboard credit that can be used toward onboard purchases. If the guests move or cancel their sailing, they forfeit the onboard credit.
| If the guest moves their sailing : |
| Voyage fare is adjusted to new sailing |
| No onboard credit/discount will be offered |
| Vacation Protection Plan adjusted to new sailing |
| If the guest decides to cancel : |
| Full refund of voyage fare |
| No onboard credit/discount will be offered |
| Guest is responsible for any fees associated with airfare and Vacation Protection Plan |
Port Of Departure Galveston Texas
Galveston, The Oleander CityGalveston Cruise Ship TerminalsCruise Terminal 1Cruise Terminal 2Cruises From GalvestonThings To Do Near Galveston Cruise PortOcean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and MuseumTexas Seaport MuseumBishops PalaceStewart BeachMoody GardensGetting To The Cruise PortFrom George Bush International Airport or Hobby Airport Cruise Port MapCruise Port LocationGalveston Cruise PortPort AuthorityCurrent Marine TrafficGalveston Marine TrafficCurrency
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Disney Private Island Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay is a Bahamian private island leased by Disney Cruises. It serves as an exclusive port of call for Disney ships. Castaway Cay is located close to Great Abaco Island. In 1997, Walt Disney Company bought a 99-year island lease from the Bahamian Government , giving the company substantial control over the cruise ship passenger experience on the island.
In early August 2017 was announced that Disney is looking to buy a second Caribbean private island to be developed as an exclusive port of call for the company’s new cruise ships. The reason for a new private island destination is that Castaway Cay has the capacity to handle ships with capacity up to 875 cabins, otherwise it becomes too crowded. Such a “private island” option emerged in 2016 with Egg Island . However, those plans were abolished after some environmental studies showing that the island’s ecosystem would not sustain the planned development.
Cruise Lines Serving Galveston And Houston
And that figure is likely to rise as more cruise ships depart from Galveston. Currently, four major cruise lines call the Port of Galveston home Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, and Princess.
Even better, in 2008 Houston completed the Bayport Cruise Terminal. The $108 million terminal has contracted with two lines Princess and Norwegian Cruise Line to offer even more sailings from the Texas Gulf Coast.
Because of the number of cruise lines, passengers can find a departure date year-round. However, the most options are during the winter and spring, when all four lines sail from Galveston. During the summer months, many of the ships stop sailing from Galveston, limiting service. Passengers will find year-round service from Carnival. The other lines all have limited schedules that dont include summer sailings . To learn more about the cruises that sail from Galveston, visit this link.
The Bayport Cruise Terminal will commence sailings in late 2013 and add more departures in 2014. While the scheduling is not definite yet, the sailings will likely be seasonal adding more options for those looking for a getaway during the colder months. To learn more about the sailings from Houston , visit this link.
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Galveston And Houston Cruising
Whether youre an experienced cruiser or a first-timer, there is still plenty to learn about cruising from the Port of Galveston or the Bayport Terminal.
Located on the Texas Gulf Coast, approximately 50 miles from downtown Houston, cruising from Galveston is a convenient way to unwind, relax, and see the world without the hassles of air travel.
Galvestons proximity to Houston means more than six million potential passengers live within an hours drive. But when you combine the populations of Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio as well, more than 30 million people live within a 5-hour drive of Galveston. That makes the port an ever-growing option for individuals, couples, and families looking for an easy getaway. In fact, an estimated 1.1 million passengers pass through the Port of Galveston every year.
Disney Cruise Lines Returns To Galveston
After a year away the Mouse is coming back to Galveston beginning in the fall of 2016.
DCL announced the move in a video . The line is also going to be offering cruises out of Miami and New York City.
DCL currently has four ships, the older Magic and Wonder along with the newer Dream and Fantasy class ships that include considerably more bells and whistles than the older vessels.
Its not clear from the announcement whether or not one of the Fantasy Class ships will call on Galveston.
Matt Patterson has been with The Oklahoman since 2006. Prior to joining the news staff in 2010, Patterson worked in The Oklahoman’s sports department for five years. He previously worked at The Lawton Constitution and The Edmond Sun….
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Cruise Destinations From Galveston And Houston
When it comes to destinations, the most popular cruising area by far is the Caribbean. Currently, all the lines offer Caribbean trips. Specific ports include Falmouth Georgetown Roatan Belize City Cozumel , and Progreso . Cruises to the Bahamas are also served by several of the lines.
While the vast majority of passengers sailing out of Galveston and Houston will visit the Caribbean or Bahamas, there is a little-known secret for those interested in going a little farther from home. During the spring, many ships that serve the Galveston and Bayport terminals are relocated to Europe. The result? An opportunity to cruise to many European destinations including England, Spain, Portugal, and the Azores with the convenience of a Texas departure.
Itinerary Of Disney Cruise Line
By 2025, DCL-Disney Cruise Line’s fleet will double its size following the introduction of two newbuilds . To be deployed mainly in the USA-Caribbean, the new boats will be homeported in Miami and Port Canaveral .
DCL operates “Disney Cruise Line Terminal” in Port Canaveral Florida – the homeport for the liners Fantasy and Dream. Disney Magic is homeported in Miami Florida, Disney Wonder is homeported in Galveston Texas and San Diego California plus Vancouver BC Canada .
DCL offers various destinations, including Europe, the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Panama Canal, Canada, and New England, Alaska, Pacific Coast USA, as well as Transatlantic crossings on repositioning. Most itineraries are roundtrips to The Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. During summer, Disney Wonder operates on Alaskan cruises from Vancouver. All DCL cruise itineraries to The Bahamas visit DCL’s private Caribbean island CASTAWAY CAY as an exclusive port of call.
For summer 2021 , Disney Magic has scheduled cruises-to-nowhere from the UK homeports London-Tilbury, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Southampton. These unique for DCL itineraries are for UK residents-only and without any call ports. Bookings opened in April 2021.
In 2021, Disney Magic sails 3-4-5-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean voyages, Disney Fantasy sails 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, Disney Dream sails 3-4-night Bahamian voyages.
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Cruise Ship Terminals 1 And 2
- Terminal 1 address – “2502 Harborside Dr., Galveston, TX 77550”
- Terminal 2 address – “2702 Harborside Dr., Galveston, TX 77550”
- Terminal 1 is for docking of Princess and Carnival ships.
- Terminal 2 is for docking of Disney and Royal Caribbean ships.
- location – some 40 mi / 70 km from Houston Hobby International Airport , some 70 mi / 110 km from Houston Intercontinental Airport
- GPS coordinates – pending
- Embarkation: luggage must be unloaded at the terminal curbside prior to parking. Shuttles don’t handle luggage during embarkation.
On November 30, 2016, the port completed a USD 13 million project that expanded the passenger area at “Cruise Terminal 2”. Terminal’s both buildings are now connected by an enclosed, air-conditioned walkway. The passenger area was increased from around 90,000 to 150,000 ft2 . Seating was increased from 500 to 2000 seats, baggage holding-, customs- and waiting areas were expanded, and 16 more check-in booths were installed.
Terminal 2’s expansion works started in 2014, financed by Royal Caribbean. However, construction roadblocks delayed the project with roughly a year. The expansion also included longer docking pier with extra bollards . The dock project cost around USD 3,5 million and was completed in 2017. The expanded Terminal 2 now has capacity to handle up to 5,000 passengers at a time.
Cruise Ship Terminal Directions And Parking
From East – take Highway 87. Board a Port Bolivar vehicle ferry. Exit the ferry onto Ferry Road . Turn right onto Harborside Drive, then continue to Kempner – some 20 city blocks. Turn right onto Kempner and follow the signs to the terminal .
From North or West – take Interstate 45 South, then Exit 1C, Follow the feeder road to Harborside Drive , then turn left onto Harborside Drive and for ~5 mi / 8 km to Kempner . Turn left onto Kempner and follow the signs to the terminal .
Cruise Parking Rates – USD 45 , USD 50 , USD 70 . Parking is guarded, lighted, with 24-hour surveillance and police patrol. Phone number 409 766-6100.
Debarkation: go directly to the Parking Lot to retrieve your car . Then pick up passengers and luggage at the terminal curbside. Depart the terminal via shuttles. The service is provided only in parking lots with luggage drop-off signs.
If you plan to fly to Galveston, you will arrive at either Hobby Airport, HOU, or George Bush International Airport, IAH, you have to rent a car or take a cruise line shuttle. There is no public transportation to Galveston from the airports in Huston. Galveston Limousine offers service to Galveston cruise ship terminal for USD 30. Taxi fares are USD 100 from George Bush Intercontinental and USD 75 from Hobby Airport.
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Dcl Cruise Itineraries 2022 Europe
In late-March 2021, DCL announced its summer 2022 ship deployments and scheduled itineraries in Europe Alaska and the Caribbean. DCL’s first-ever summer departures from Miami Florida visit Castaway Cay. Bookings opened on March 25.
European itineraries are part of a new program scheduled for MS Disney Magic. DCL has planned 5 maiden ports in Europe – Leixoes-Oporto Portugal, Chania Crete, Riga Latvia, Maloy Norway, Nynashamn Sweden.
From homeport Civitavecchia-Rome, the ship offers 8-9-12-night roundtrips to Piraeus-Athens and the Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos. A 9-night sailing marks Disneyâs first call to Port Chania . Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona visit popular ports like Naples and Rome, plus French Riviera’s coastal towns Cannes and Villefranche. During the 7-night relocation voyage from Barcelona to Dover, Disney Magic makes a maiden visit to Oporto via Port Leixoes.
In Alaska. MS Disney Wonder‘s 2022 summer season is based on homeporting in Vancouver, BC Canada, and 7-night roundtrips to Skagway, , Ketchikan, Dawes Glacier. Two Alaskan cruises visit Icy Strait Point instead of Skagway.
Throughout 2022 summer, from homeport Port Canaveral, MS Disney Fantasy visits Castaway Cay along with Eastern and Western Caribbean ports on 7-night itineraries plus a special 5-night and an extended 9-night roundtrip .
The newbuild MS Disney Wish starts an Inaugural Cruise program also in summer 2022, but itineraries will be released at a later date.
The Faroe Islands Cruise Boycott
In 2014, Disney was the first of all three cruise ship companies that banned Faroe Islands as destination part of their North European itineraries.
The boycott is due to the island nation’s traditional mass slaughter of pilot whales each year. The protected by Denmark gruesome practice of killing whales is called âGrindadrap Grind”. Locals use motorboats to drive a pod of whales into a harbor. The defenseless animals are dragged to the shallow water and brutally slaughtered by locals armed with knives while their families cheer them on. The killing party even rip out baby whales from their mothers.
The Faroe Islands have a population of ~50,000 and kill each year 1000+ pilot whales. You can see the cruise ship schedule of Torshavn – Faroe’s most visited port. All cruise lines with scheduled visits to the Faroes are accused of supporting the brutal whaling practices. Whaling is still officially approved and carried out by the “civilized” countries Japan, Norway, and Iceland, killing over 2000 whales each year and trading in whale products.
Disney’s response was to the “Faroese Pilot Whaling Act” by the local government, which continues to allow pilot whales to be culled or massacred. It also empowers local authorities to imprison people found guilty of impeding these whaling activities – despite all the international condemnations.
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Norwegian Prima Will Have Largest Racetrack On The Ocean
GALVESTON, Texas A new Norwegian Cruise ship with the largest racetrack on the ocean is going to be sailing from Galveston in late 2023.
The Norwegian Prima is the first of six ships in the Norwegian Cruise Lines Prima Class and its set to embark on its maiden voyage next summer.
The massive boat is 965 feet long and can accommodate 3,215 guests at double occupancy, according to a press release.
In addition to the ships three-level racetrack, there will also be a 10-story, freefall dry slide called The Drop where guests will reach the highest G-forces of any cruise line, NCL officials said.
Two escape rooms, a Topgolf Swing Suite, mini-golf course, aqua park with Tidal Wave waterslide and infinity hot tubs will also be featured on the Norwegian Prima.
NCL officials report that the Norwegian Prima will be the only vessel offering 7-day voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston during the winter 2023-2024 season.
Ports of call for the Galveston voyages include Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, Harvest Caye in Belize and Roatan in the Bay Islands.
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New Disney Private Island In The Bahamas
On October 19, 2018, The Bahamas officially issued a tentative preliminary approval of Disney Cruise Line’s plan to build and exclusively operate a private cruise port on Eleuthera Island’s southern tip. Project’s developer will be the Walt Disney Company subsidiary Disney Parks and Resorts. The plan is for developing a land sized 746 acres that Disney agreed to purchase. The new Disney ships-only port will have a dedicated pier , boat marina, shops, restaurants, passenger walkways through forests and around salt ponds.
Disney’s new port project will create around 150 permanent local jobs plus various entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamian residents. However, The Bahamas Parliament must officially agree to the plan once all terms and conditions are agreed and proper environmental testing is conducted.
In early-March 9, 2019, Bahamas allowed Walt Disney to acquire the resort property Lighthouse Pointe from Meritage Hospitality Group Inc . The property will serve as Disney’s new cruise port that also doubles as “entertainment facility” . By this project, Disney will invest between USD 250-400 million to develop the property as Castaway Cay. As part of the deal, Disney agreed to donate property’s southernmost point to the Bahamas Government for a national park.
Currently, on Eleuthera island is located the Carnival Corporation-owned private island resort Princess Cays.
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Disney Cruises Things To Do
- A Disney Cruise Line cruise is designed primarily for families and makes planning a family vacation super easy. Therefore, Disney Cruise Line vacations are directed to multigenerational families, particularly families with young children. However, that does not mean the cruise line forgets the adults, as it features adult-only specialty restaurants, nightclubs, and quiet pools on all its four ships. While the large staterooms attract families, they also invite interest from a small number of honeymooners, couples, and singles. Anyone who wants a more peaceful cruise vacation should choose sailing outside the summer months, as cruise-goers begin to subside and the pace is therefore slower. The people on a Disney cruise enjoy its youthful vibe, as is evidenced by the cruise line’s sail-away dance parties each of which connect some of Disney’s most lovable characters with Disney cruise guests. Pools are also designed for kid-friendly activities and adults who want to relive their childhood once again. If you love activities, such as miniature golf, ping-pong, or similar kid-friendly pastimes, you will feel right at home on a Disney cruise ship. In fact, anyone who loves Disney will also love a Disney cruise ship vacation.