isney Cruise Line celebrated its Middle East partners by hosting an edutainment party in Dubai, organised by its regional GSA, Al Tayer Holidays.
Asif Hussain, Manager, Outbound Leisure, Al Tayer Holidays, said at the event, “Compared to 2019 levels, we are just 9 per cent behind and we have a big summer season ahead, which is July and August. A special shoutout to American Express, Travel Counsellors and all our trade partners who helped us achieve these figures.”
Party host Dennis Hryvas, Sales Promotions Manager for the Middle East and India markets, Disney Destinations International, took the audience through a turbo-charged journey across all Disney Destinations products, including its resorts, hotels, theme parks and cruise portfolio.
“We have been the best cruise line for multiple years in a row – our awards prove that,” Hryvas says. “We truly stand for a product that is unique, in that we are not competing with any other cruise line – about 80 per cent of guests on board Disney Cruise Line are our theme park guests, people who are connected to the brand, not your average cruiser. They are people who regularly visit Disney Parks and just want a little change for one year and go and experience Disney Cruise Line with their families instead. That’s our target audience.”
The Disney Cruise Line fleet consists of Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish (its newest vessel). While features may differ, all five Disney Cruise ships offer an unforgettable experience you won’t find on any other vacation: world-famous Disney hospitality, enchantment and family fun in an environment of unmatched onboard comfort, convenience and safety.
You get full-board imaginative dining; unlimited snacks, soft drinks and coffee on board, with 24-hour room service included free of charge
Hryvas explains the Disney Cruise Line difference, “With us, you get full-board imaginative dining; unlimited snacks, soft drinks and coffee on board. The service is nothing short of legendary, with 24-hour room service included free of charge! The cabins are large and spacious, have inbuilt separations for kids and inner cabins also feature a digital ‘window’ display.
“We have immersive, themed kids and teens clubs on board Disney Cruise Line, which cater to all different ages of kids and even difficult age when you’re a teenager.”
Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to offer exclusive spaces just for tweens and teens: 11- to 13-year-olds hang out at Edge, while 14- to 17-year-olds have their own club, Vibe.
Disney Cruise Line was also, in fact, the first cruise line to feature nearly an entire deck dedicated to children’s activities, Hryvas tells us. From Flounder’s Reef and It’s a Small World Nursery to the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, kids from 12 weeks to 12 years have plenty of places to take their imaginations to new level.
“We have Broadway calibre musicals on board Disney Cruise Lines. For example, on Disney Wish, we have The Little Mermaid, which was shown in New York on Broadway and tickets were sold out in less than an hour at $1,200 per seat. We offer the exact same show, the same length, even same Broadway crew, on board Disney Wish for our cruise guests.
“Of course, we have these new characters on board to use the cruise line as any Disney destination.
“There are plenty of deck parties. We have a pirates themed party, which ends in fireworks at sea – we were the first cruise line that had fireworks on a moving ship.”
All the new Disney movies are available on board the vessels, sometimes even before they release to the public. And, of course, all the Disney classics run in the theatres. “We are also the first cruise line to offer movie premieres at sea on the same day a film debuts in theatres – including films in Disney Digital 3-D.”
Lastly, Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to have its own private island for guests to go enjoy. “Now we have two private islands – the new island will be unveiled the next season to our guests.”
In summer 2024, Disney Cruise Line will welcome guests to a one-of-a-kind island destination at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, for the first time. Disney’s new island destination is being thoughtfully designed to provide a hassle-free experience for families, including complimentary beach essentials (towels, chairs and umbrellas and lunch) and convenient tram transportation.