By
Rebecca Gibson |
Disney Cruises’ Disney Magic set sail from the US’ PortMiami on 25 October, following an extensive refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain.
Renovated during a scheduled, 40-day drydock from 7 September to 10 October, Disney Magic now features a range of new dining and entertainment options, as well as improved staterooms, which have elevated bed frames to provide additional storage space and split-bath features.
“We have always been committed to reinvesting in our fleet and continuously making shipboard enhancements that elevate the guest experience,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “What we’ve done with the Disney Magic is yet another step forward in our commitment to delivering the absolute best family vacations at sea.”
Inspired by storytelling and the company’s film history, the ship’s three-deck grand atrium lobby has been redecorated to reflect the Art Deco era with new marble flooring, custom-made carpets and a new Austrian crystal chandelier. It also has a grand piano and portholes to recreate the early 20th century ocean liners, while the silver friezes of Disney characters have been painted gold. The bronze Helmsman Mickey statue, which has been in the atrium since the ship was launched in 1998, remains in the centre of the ship’s lobby.
“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do,” said Joe Lanzisero, senior creative vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Walt Disney was a master storyteller and knew how to engage people’s emotions into stories. Our job is to take what we learned from Walt and apply it to the experiences onboard our ships.”
Disney’s Oceaneer Club, which caters for children between the ages of three and 12, has been redesigned to include the first interactive Marvel Avengers Academy at sea, as well as the Mickey Mouse Club, Pixie Hollow, a pirate-themed Oceaneer Lab and the It’s a Small World nursery for toddlers. The children’s area also features the multi-level Andy’s Room, which enables children to interact with life-size characters from Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story. D Lounge has replaced Studio Sea and offers a variety of family-friendly games, shows, dances and activities designed for all ages.
The vessel’s upper decks feature AquaLab and Nephew’s Splash Zone, two interactive water playgrounds, as well as the 250-foot Twist n’ Spout water slide. Passengers can also ride on the translucent, three-storey body slide, AquaDunk, which extends 20 feet over the side of the ship.
“From small children to teens to adults, everyone will have a space to have fun in the sun and water,” said Lanzisero. “We added more water play areas, dynamic slides, interactive elements for the kids, and more shaded areas.”
Disney Magic also features a range of new dining and entertainment venues, such as the updated Animator’s Palate restaurant with its enhanced animation facilities and shows, Palo restaurant and the Rio de Janeiro-themed Carioca’s, which replaces Parrot Cay. Topsider Buffet will be expanded and replaced by the Australian-themed Cabanas, while After Hours, the new nighttime adult-only entertainment district, will offer various entertainment options including Fathoms nightclub, Keys piano bar and O’Gills Irish pub and sports bar.
Expanded by 725-sq ft, the ship’s Senses Spa and Salon now offers additional teeth whitening services, barbershop services and a new Chill Spa with treatments specifically designed for teenagers.