Disney Cruise Line is Heading to Europe
March 24, 2006
Disney Cruise Line is expanding Mickey.s "ears of influence." The highly-acclaimed and very passenger-oriented Disney Cruise Line is going farther than ever before, with new 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises. Cruise line officials announced Wednesday that Disney will sail to Italy, France, and Spain from May to August 2007 as part of a larger strategy to "chart new waters."
Although Disney only has two cruise ships, Magic and Wonder, their cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas have been wildly popular. Now, the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic cruise ship will begin offering Disney-lovers a chance for an amazing European vacation by offering eight alternating 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises, which depart from Barcelona, Spain, and stop in eight European cities.
Disney.s well-earned reputation as the perfect cruise line for families will no doubt make it appealing to those who are looking for a safe and stress-free European vacation. Families can cruise from Spain to the French Riviera to the beating heart of Italy without the hassle of worrying about travel or finding food and entertainment that the kids will like.
"People trust the Disney brand," said Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. "They know we're going to provide a safe and secure environment."
Disney Cruise Lines foray into the Mediterranean places it for potential expansion as well, though it would likely remain a small player compared with the cruising giant Carnival Corporation, which sails an 80-ship fleet and plans to add 16 new vessels in the coming years.
Still, although Disney is among the last of the major cruise lines to branch out into Europe, they offer something that no other does: a magical Disney experience. What other cruise line can evoke such a fun (and for parents, nostalgic) atmosphere as the Disney Cruise Line!
Albert Poggio, senior vice president of the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports in Barcelona, said Disney will plant the seed for the love of cruising and travel in younger passengers, who will develop a taste for Europe and continue to return as adults.
Disney Cruise Line Vice President Tom Wolber said the company is considering building a third ship. "When the time is right, when the Euro conversion rates are right, we certainly are going to grow the business," Wolber said.
Disney carries now about 262,000 cruise passengers a year. It started the cruise line, which is based in Port Canaveral, Florida, in 1998 with a focus on the Caribbean, where it owns a private island called Castaway Cay. What.s next? Look for cruise packages to include trips to Disney Europe.
