Disney Cruise Line invites families to explore the culturally rich and exotic locales of the Mediterranean with one-of-a-kind Port Adventures during its 2014 European sailings.
From May to August 2014, the newly re-imagined Disney Magic returns to the Mediterranean with exciting new ports and popular destinations, treating guests to the best of Europe with a variety of cruise lengths and ports of call. Guests will explore richly diverse destinations that showcase iconic locations, enchanting cultures, tantalizing cuisine and unrivaled experiences.
All Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures are designed to entertain and inspire both children and adults—in true Disney fashion—with added touches such as more scheduled breaks, complimentary snacks and beverages and fun port activity sheets for kids. For an extra dash of pixie dust, guests can choose an excursion from Disney Cruise Line’s Signature Collection, which offers families authentic cultural experiences and distinctly Disney storytelling.
Pearl of the Adriatic – Dubrovnik, Croatia
On the stunning coast of Croatia in Dubrovnik, Disney Cruise Line guests combine a guided tour of the historic walled city with an inside look at Croatia’s silk heritage and traditional customs from a celebrated local artist. After a demonstration of the ancient process of cultivating silk worms and processing silk threads, guests enjoy making their own keepsake craft during an exclusive family activity. Another tour of the old city of Dubrovnik ends with a Disney-exclusive performance by Lindjo, one of the area’s most renowned folkloric dance groups, for an immersive experience in Croatian culture.
City of Love – Venice, Italy
New for the European season, Disney Cruise Line will use Venice, Italy, as a homeport for select sailings. During these cruises, the Disney Magic will overnight in Venice, giving guests the opportunity to experience an evening in this spectacular city. A one-of-a-kind Port Adventure gives guests an exclusive after hours tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. When the doors close to the rest of the world, only Disney cruisers have access to revel in the oriental design, ornate mosaics and treasured relics of Venice’s most famous cathedral.
Also exclusive to Disney Cruise Line is a guided tour of the city followed by a chance for children to create a traditional Venetian mask with Disney Cruise Line youth counselors, while parents venture to the nearby shops and cafés. Another unique hands-on experience allows guests to pilot a gondola on the city’s lagoon, and a themed tour of Venice gives guests a new perspective of the “City of Trade” with special visits to a marble master, textile workshop and bustling marketplace.
La Dolce Vita – Italy
In Rome, families embark together on a guided tour of the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica. Then, children join youth counselors from the Disney Magic for an exclusive puppet show while parents have free time to explore the city on their own. An adults-only excursion takes guests to famous sites like the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica for an exclusive tour of the best of Rome.
A delicious adventure awaits guests in Tuscany from the picturesque province of La Spezia. Two Signature Collection Port Adventures take guests through the quintessential countryside to a welcoming estate, where they will don their aprons and learn the secrets of fine Tuscan cuisine. A trip to the wine cellars, a freshly-cooked meal and some free time to relax make this a truly memorable experience for adults and kids alike.
From Naples, guests travel to the seaside town of Sorrento, where Disney Cruise Line youth counselors engage children in a fun-filled pizza making lesson at a local restaurant. Meanwhile, adults enjoy a guided tour of the historical center or spend their time strolling the charming flower-lined streets at their leisure. A scenic drive through the quaint towns of the Amalfi Coast returns guests to their home away from home—the Disney Magic.
Islands of Paradise – Greek Isles
New for 2014, Disney Cruise Line will visit Corfu, “the Emerald Island,” where families are immersed in the epic legend of Achilles, the revered Trojan War hero, during a tour of the majestic Achillion Palace and gardens. During this adventure, children join youth counselors from the ship for an exclusive youth activity where they paint their own memento – a miniature statue of the fabled demi-god himself – while parents get some time to explore on their own.
An adults-only tour of Old Town Corfu gives guests the chance to indulge in delectable Greek cuisine, such as souvlaki, tzatziki and baklava, during a Disney-exclusive cooking demonstration and lunch at a beach-side villa overlooking the brilliant blue sea.
From the historic capital of Crete, another new destination, families head to the ancient capital of the Minoan Kingdom. Following a narrated tour of the magnificent Knossos Palace ruins, guests participate in a special family activity and create their own traditional beautiful stringed beads, known as kompoloi in Greece. A different tour of Knossos includes a unique behind-the-scenes look at the famed facilities and fascinating wildlife of the Thalassocosmos Aquarium.
On the sun-drenched island of Rhodes, a trip to the Lindos Acropolis makes this brand-new Disney Cruise Line port extra special for families. After a guided tour through picturesque villages, breathtaking mountain vistas and historic temple grounds, guests journey to a local ceramic factory for a fun family activity where they paint their own vases and plates with traditional Greek designs.
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line guests can discover the ancient history of Olympia, the extraordinary home of the original Olympic Games. An exclusive adults-only tour of remarkable sites like the Temple of Zeus and the city’s famous archeological museum is topped off with a trip to the lush vineyards of Mercouri for an elegant wine tasting experience.
Disney Cruise Line returns to the dazzling island of Mykonos during 2014 Greek Isles cruises. From here, families venture together to nearby Delos Island to visit one of the most important mythological and archaeological sites in Greece during a signature excursion. Once back in Mykonos, children join Disney Cruise Line youth counselors in a fun mosaic activity while parents enjoy a guided tour of the town or explore the local shops on their own.
The Glorious City – Athens, Greece
Disney Cruise Line enhances the experience of visiting the Acropolis, one of the most popular sites in Athens, with culturally immersive, hands-on adventures. For families, a visit to the Acropolis can be combined with an experience at the New Acropolis Museum for a glimpse into ancient Aegean and Cyprus cultures. While parents have free time to explore the museum, children join Disney Cruise Line youth counselors for a fun-filled workshop where they paint their very own miniature Greek statue. Another adventure to the Acropolis includes an archeological excavation activity where families come together to uncover ancient artifacts.
An adult-exclusive tour combines a visit to the Acropolis with a Greek culinary journey in the historical neighborhood of Plaka. A local chef demonstrates how to create authentic Greek cuisine such as tzatziki, cheese pie and yogurt with honey using fresh, local ingredients. Guests then enjoy the culinary creations before exploring the picturesque town and nearby Monastiraki.
City of Seismic History – Catania, Sicily
Another new port for 2014, Catania is a richly historic city nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe and the pinnacle of many ancient Greek myths. Here, a Disney-exclusive Port Adventure takes families to a local Puppet Lab, where a master puppeteer gives a rare glimpse into the process of building famous Sicilian puppets. An unforgettable day is complete when guests experience this folkloric art during an intimate theater-style presentation.
A Signature Collection tour for food-loving families provides the unique opportunity to join a local chef for an interactive cooking lesson, where guests make pasta al forno and the famous Italian cannoli. A different trip takes older teens and adults to a local home for a hands-on cooking demonstration in a resident chef’s personal kitchen. Guests learn to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes, then drink and dine as they savor their creations together.
The Ancient City – Ephesus, Turkey
From Kusadasi, Turkey, guests can venture to the ancient city of Ephesus, home to the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. On one family adventure, guests begin with a guided tour of St. John’s Basilica and join an adventure-seeking “archeologist” (storyteller guide) on his quest to locate the missing piece of an ancient tablet. Teams decode clues to find a piece of the tablet, finishing their expedition at the Ephesus archaeological site where a private guided tour of the remarkable ruins completes the experience.
On another adventure, families tour Ephesus before journeying to the countryside village of Sirince, where they explore the markets together before dividing into separate groups for their own style of fun. Children join Disney Cruise Line youth counselors for a Turkish bracelet making activity while parents explore the market, sample fruit wines and taste local delicacies.
Details on all Disney Cruise Line shore excursions can be found on the Port Adventures section of disneycruise.com.
By Disney Cruise Line
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