Donald, in full sailor regalia, poses proudly with the statue that will greet guests on the Disney Dream when it is ready to sail in 2011.
Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz, in front of a boisterous crowd at the Storytellers Theater at the D23 Expo, announced on September 11 that Disney Cruise Line (DCL) will offer Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard Disney Wonder in 2011. The cruise ship will depart Vancouver, British Columbia, and weigh anchor in such popular ports as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. The new itinerararies will be offered after the Disney Wonder is repositioned on the West Coast in 2011, departing from Los Angeles harbor in addition to Vancouver.
Helped by a demonstrative Donald Duck and awash in a flurry of confetti, the assembled Disney fans roared upon hearing the great news. Karl also took the opportunity to unveil the new Donald Duck statue that will occupy the atrium of the new Disney Dream when it hits the high seas in 2011. It was hard to tell who was more pleased with the news — the crowd or one Donald Fauntleroy Duck!
“Our focus is on families and fun,” Karl said at the high-spirited announcement. “So whether you’re six, 16, or 60, you’ll feel that your Disney cruise was created just for you. And it was. Our guests expect the unexpected, and we deliver.” Karl then ticked off some of the differentiators that distinguish Disney Cruise Line from all other cruise ships, including fireworks, Broadway-styled shows, interactions with beloved Disney characters and more. “Disney Cruise Line has the finest ships afloat. I’m not just blowing our own horn,” he added. “Conde Nast said so in its yearly poll.”
Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and the 1,250-pound of ice spelling out the word "Alaska" at the announcement at the D23 Expo on September 11.
“At Disney Cruise Line, we love to listen to our guests,” Karl continued. “And we love to make their dreams come true.” Pointing to Donald, he then said: “Full speed ahead!” and our beloved squabbler then rolled out a 1,250-pound of ice that spelled out the word “Alaska” and the theater was showered in confetti snow. “We’ll be sailing out of the beautiful Vancouver, catchup in Ketchikan, we’ll jaunt to Juneau, and will skedaddle to Skagway. Disney Cruise Line will answer Jack London’s call of the wild.”
At the event, Karl also updated Disney fans with the latest news about DCL’s two new ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, which are currently being constructed in Papenburg, Germany and will offer 50% more capacity than the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, and will make their inaugural cruises in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
