Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences

From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. In addition to “Encanto”-themed entertainment and a “Soul”-inspired lounge, the ship’s concierge accommodations were enhanced with new theming and spacious refurbishments during a three-week dry dock project in Freeport, The Bahamas.

“An Encanto Celebration” Brings the Family Madrigal to the High Seas for the First Time

Guests can join the fantastical family Madrigal during an all-new immersive experience, “An Encanto Celebration,” designed to engage families through music, crafts and storytelling. The interactive experience gives guests an opportunity to meet and take photos with Mirabel and the family member we don’t talk about, Bruno, during their Disney Cruise Line debut. Families can also join a spirited sing-along of beloved “Encanto” songs and create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film. During the show, guests can experience a true taste of South America thanks to a selection of local Colombian beers, cocktails and sodas along with film-inspired mocktails.

New Soul Cat Lounge Hits the Right Note for Evening Entertainment

The heartfelt story of “Soul” was the inspiration for the brand-new Soul Cat Lounge designed to look like Joe Gardner’s favorite music spot from the film, the Half Note Lounge. The space, located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, instantly transports guests to a classic New York jazz club appointed with decorative details like brick walls, wood accents and plenty of rich leather seating around a stage set for live music, so guests can grab their partner and head to the dance floor for a swinging good time each evening.

The Soul Cat Lounge is adorned with custom artwork from Pixar featuring nods to the film including record labels, concert posters and portraits of jazz legend Dorothea Williams and her bandmates. Thoughtful “Soul”-inspired details are subtly layered throughout the design including record players, instruments and Joe’s hat.

Adults can enhance their big city experience with table-side Manhattans and martinis or choose from a selection of native brews and cocktails made with New York spirits. A fun collection of mocktails, specialty coffees and sodas are also on the menu. In addition to new drink options, guests can take a bite of Little Italy with an order of zeppoles, the classic Italian pastry similar to a fried doughnut, while enjoying the live music.

Redesigned Concierge Retreats Provide an Elevated Experience

For guests seeking the ultimate comfort and service at sea, the concierge spaces aboard the Disney Magic have been elevated and enhanced. The concierge lounge was reimagined and expanded to feature a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palate inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” and an additional outdoor covered seating area on deck 10 where guests can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying the ocean breeze. All concierge suites, including one- and two-bedroom accommodations and the two signature royal suites, have been completely refurbished with fresh fixtures, furniture and elegant artwork, further elevating the premium experience for concierge guests.

Shore power technology was also installed as part of the ship’s dry dock project, continuing Disney Cruise Line’s longtime dedication to minimizing its impact on the environment. When available at the port, this will allow the Disney Magic to “plug in” to the port’s electrical grid, reducing the ship’s emissions.

Health and Safety Protocols for Upcoming Disney Magic Sailings

Guests booked on upcoming Disney Magic sailings between May 21 and Sept. 18, 2022 will be receiving SeaMails today detailing current health and safety protocols.

Currently, Disney Cruise Line continues to require all vaccine-eligible Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, as defined by the CDC. This is a requirement for both U.S. and International Guests ages 5 and older.

Due to current vaccine eligibility, Guests from the UK with children ages 5 to 11 are unable to travel with Disney Cruise Line at this time. Guests booked on the Disney Magic between May 21 and Sept. 18, 2022 may modify their sail date or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees by May 4, 2022.

For more information, please visit the Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go page.

Patient Evacuated by Helicopter on the Disney Magic Cruise Ship

A patient was evacuated by helicopter from the Disney Magic cruise ship sailing in Wales, according to NorthWalesLive‘s Owen Evans.

The coastguard helicopter crew, based out of Caernarfon, were called to the ship sailing in the Irish Sea early Wednesday morning. Witnesses said that a crew member was winched onto the ship and remained there for roughly twenty minutes before the patient was evacuated. The patient was airlifted to a hospital in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said in a statement: “At 7.25am today (28 July), the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon was sent to transfer a casualty onboard a cruise ship in the Irish Sea to a hospital in Rhyl.” The cause of the incident, as well have the patient’s current status, have not been revealed as of the writing of this article.

The Disney Magic was sailing on a three-day “staycation” cruise from Liverpool around the United Kingdom, as was previously rumored back in March. Disney Cruise Line has slowly made its way back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida are scheduled to resume on August 9th.

Add Disney Virtual Backgrounds To Online Video Chats

With many of us at home, video conferencing has become a favorite way to connect with co-workers, classmates, friends and family.  Now, you can add a touch of Disney magic to your online video chats with a new series of virtual backgrounds featuring Disney Parks locations from around the world. Check out the backgrounds and details below from DisneyParksBlog:

The virtual backgrounds allow you to get creative and transform the backdrop of your home office, living room or bedroom to a favorite location from our parks and resorts.  Virtual backgrounds include:

It’s easy to add a Disney Parks background to your next video chat.  Simply right-click on the image and save it to your computer. Then, follow the conferencing platform’s instructions to add Disney magic to your video conferencing.  

Visit www.DisneyMagicMoments.com for more fun and engaging Disney content, stories and resources.

Disney Cruise Line “Youth Host” To Face Trial (Details Graphic)

A former Disney Cruise Line “youth host” is set to face trial this month over allegations that he fondled a young guest while working onboard the Disney Magic, according to the Miami Herald.

24 year-old Oliver Lovatt, of Manchester, England, was arrested earlier this year, and was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery on children under the age of 16. Lovatt’s trial is scheduled to begin October 28th in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

According to a police report, Lovatt worked in the ship’s Oceaneer Lab, an activity center that serves children ages 3-12. Detectives claim that back in April, while at sea, Lovatt placed a blindfold on a 10 year-old boy several times as a part of a game. During that time, according to the Miami-Dade police arrest report, he allegedly “fondled the victim’s penis outside of the clothing.” The victim then claims that Lovatt sat next to him as he attempted to build a house of cards. As he moved “his hand towards him,” the boy allegedly covered his genitals for fear Lovatt may fondle him a second time. It was then, according to the arrest report, that “the defendant proceed to place his hand over the victim’s hand, attempting to fondle his penis again.”

Police say the event was captured on security cameras, and Lovatt “confessed to fondling” the boy.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is currently appealing to the public in an attempt to find any more potential victims. “We hope if there are any other victims out there, that they contact our office,” the office said in a statement.

In a statement, Disney Cruise Line spokeswoman Kim Prunty said that the company has “zero tolerance for this type of unacceptable behavior.” Prunty added, “when we became aware of the allegation, it was reported to law enforcement and the crew member was removed from duty permanently.”

Lovatt remains in jail while awaiting his trial.