Currently Port Canaveral’s Terminal 8 is home to the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, offering cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas respectively. By 2011, the terminal will have undergone major renovations in order to accommodate the new Disney Dream, also due out in 2011. Here is an overview of Disney Cruise Line’s Terminal 8 and the Disney cruises that are offered from Port Canaveral for 2010.
Disney Cruise Line Cruise Terminal 8
Cruise Terminal 8 at Port Canaveral was custom-designed for Disney Cruise Line featuring a 90-foot high glass tower with facilities that include a children’s play area and a cafe. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder currently offer cruises from this central Florida cruise terminal. The terminal is currently under construction in anticipation of the delivery of the new Disney Cruise Line ships
According to the Port Authority of Port Canaveral, renovations to Terminal 8 are expected to be completed by April 2010 and will cost over $5 million. The improvements will include a new deep water seawall and additional mooring in order to accommodate the new Disney Dream scheduled to arrive in 2011 and the Disney Fantasy scheduled to launch in 2012.
Disney Caribbean Cruises from Port Canaveral: Disney Magic Cruises
Eastern Caribbean Cruises from Port Canaveral – During the winter 2009/2010, Disney Magic cruises in the eastern Caribbean featuring a 7-night itinerary departing Saturdays. Select from three different itineraries each featuring St. Thomas, Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island) and three days at sea. The itinerary varies with the third port of call being a choice between Tortola, St. Croix or St. Maarten.
Western Caribbean Cruises from Port Canaveral – Until April 2010, Disney Magic cruises in the western Caribbean featuring a 7-night itinerary departing Saturdays. Ports of call include Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay and two days at sea.
Disney Bahamas Cruises from Port Canaveral: Disney Wonder Cruises
3-Night Bahamas Cruises – For 2010, the Disney Wonder cruises from Port Canaveral year-round on Thursdays, bound for the Bahamas. Ports of call include Nassau and Castaway Cay with no sea days.
4-Night Bahamas Cruises – For 2010, the Disney Wonder offers 4-night cruises year-round to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral. The itinerary includes Nassau and Castaway Cay and one day at sea.
5-Night Bahamas Cruises – Starting in May 2010, the Disney Wonder will start offering 5-night Bahamian cruises which will include two stops at Castaway Cay plus a stop at Nassau and one day at sea. A few select cruises in the summer of 2010 will feature a stop at Key West instead of the extra stop at Castaway Cay.
Although Disney Cruise Line has long been associated with Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, starting as early as April 2010, Disney will be offering some other itineraries. In the summers of 2010 and 2011, the Disney Magic will be in Europe. Alternatively, starting in 2011, the Disney Wonder will cruise out of Alaska during the summer and then cruise the Mexican Riviera for the remainder of the year.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
