New Disney Cruise ship

When Disney Cruise Line entered the cruise business in 1999, they made cruising a genuine "family" experience. Up until that point, most cruise lines focused mostly on adults, with very little consideration (in services or offerings) given to younger members of the family. When the Disney Wonder ship launched in August of 1999, it redefined the cruise industry and its impact over the last ten years has been evident.

Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line, for example, to offer a majority of balcony staterooms - something that has now become commonplace on new ships. Disney's staterooms were also substantially larger than on most ships at that time - also a trend the industry has adopted. Disney Cruise Line was the first line to include a bathtub in most every stateroom (a necessity when traveling with young children). And, while we're on the subject of children, Disney built ships with kids in mind - from Flounders Reef and It's A Small World Nurseries (for toddlers), to the Oceaneer's Club (for kids 3-7), Oceaneer's Lab (kids 8-12), Edge and Vibe - the 'teens only' hangouts, a Disney cruise had the younger set fully covered. And the industry followed suit with newer ships on lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean both trying to 'up the ante' when it comes to kid-specific areas. The fact is, that in the family market, anyone else is simply vying for second place. Your favorite Characters will make appearances through out the the entire cruise; even the Disney Cruise ship's horn gets in the spirit. Almost everything is inclusive on the Disney Cruise Line: meals, entertainment, most snacks and room service. They've thought of it all when it comes to experiencing a cruise with those special Disney touches.