Latest news with #DisneyFantasy
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Disney Cruise Line technical glitch creates boarding headaches
When my family and I took our first Disney cruise from Port Canaveral just a few weeks ago, the check-in and boarding experience gave us a wonderful first impression. Disney's expertise in queue management shined during both the embarkation and disembarkation process during our Disney Fantasy sailing.A sophisticated online check-in system and well-organized port arrival and boarding process minimized wait times and got us onto the ship and into relaxation mode more quickly than I expected, based on my past experiences sailing with other cruise lines. But occasionally, technology fails even the savviest of companies like Disney. Unfortunately for passengers on a few recent sailings, a technical glitch with Disney Cruise Line's online check-in system required some vital pieces of the process to be completed all over again in person at the cruise terminal, leading to wait times that were much longer than usual.'Due to a technical issue with Online Check-in for your sailing, we will need to verify all Guests' documentation during the check-in process at the terminal on embarkation day. This includes reviewing citizenship documentation and capturing photos for each Guest. Please be sure to bring all required identification and travel documents with you,' the cruise line wrote in an email to passengers on affected sailings. Cruises impacted by the technical glitch included the May 12 and May 16 sailings of the Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale and the May 16 sailing of the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral.'As a result, Guests may experience an extended wait during the check-in process. Please plan to arrive at your assigned Port Arrival Time, and travel with any convenience items you may need should you encounter a delay at the terminal,' the cruise line advised passengers. 'The entire process took 2 hours and 14 minutes from our assigned 12:30 port arrival time to walking onto the ship,' Browniegirl23 shared in the DCL community on Reddit about boarding the Disney Dream on May 12. Passengers reported that the issue led to a slight delay in the Disney Magic's departure from Port Canaveral on May 11, boarding the Disney Dream on May 16 reported much better boarding news, however. 'Just boarded the Dream and had no issues. Even though we received the email warning us [of] possible delays, we had no wait at all. Hopefully those arriving after us and future cruise passengers encounter the same flawless boarding experience,' Proud-Spite-5891 posted in the Reddit community. According to a Reddit user who appeared to be a Disney cast member, the cruise line's team had been working tirelessly to resolve the issue. 'We worked 16 hours yesterday until 2 a.m. to fix that issue because we really wanted you to have a smooth embarkation! Have a magical trip and thanks for posting this! It means a lot to see that we made a difference,' sonnyz the Reddit thread, passengers also took the opportunity to let sonnyz and the Disney Cruise Line team know that their efforts are much appreciated. 'The thanks should go to you and everyone involved for working so diligently to solve the problem! IT issues are tough to resolve. We know it wasn't your fault or the crews' fault. We appreciate all of you,' Proud-Spite-5891 replied. 'You're amazing! Thank you for your efforts. People may not thank you when things go smoothly but they certainly notice when they don't. I hope you know you and your team are appreciated,' 317ant added. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
I'm a travel editor who's been on 50 cruises – this is the best ship for cruise virgins and the one that's dirt cheap
I'VE been hooked on cruises since I stepped aboard my first ship more than 20 years ago – and with more than 50 trips under my belt, there's not much I don't know about life on the ocean wave. I never expected to love cruising as much as I did — my favourite holidays are spent camping. 11 Cruising, I wrongly assumed, would mean eating with strangers at a set time in the same restaurant wearing formal clothes. I couldn't have been further from the truth. With a big family, I soon discovered the joy of a cruise meant the kids were entertained and happy, I could relax without having to cook and, every day, there was a new, amazing destination to explore. And I'm not the only one. The sheer scale of choice — and size of ship — means there's now a cruise line and destination for every type of holidaymaker. More than 2MILLION Brits are now enjoying the suite life at sea every year, but which ship should you choose? And what's the one ship I'd always recommend for first-timers? Here's my ultimate guide to the best cruises for all. BEST FOR CRUISE VIRGINS 11 IF you've never cruised before, I think Marella Cruises' mid-size ships, designed specifically for the British market, are a great place to start. Owned by tour giant TUI, Marella's five ships sail from ports in the Mediterranean and Caribbean and come with flights from multiple UK airports and transfers included. For me, it's the chance to combine a few nights on land with your first cruise, and the all-inclusive nature of their sailings, that makes them ideal for first-timers. Unlike other ships, all your travel, food, drinks and tips are included in the price. The ships are not new but have been recently refurbished and have a relaxed and informal atmosphere, as well as great entertainment. A bucket-list river cruise through Egyptian waterways with TUI GO: Seven nights' all-inclusive on Marella Voyager's Treasures of the Mediterranean itinerary is from £933pp including flights from Gatwick to Majorca and calls in Italy, Sardinia, Corsica and Spain. See BEST FOR FAMILIES 11 ONE of the biggest changes in cruising has been the growth in facilities targeted at families. As well as children's clubs with tie-ins to big brands such as Lego, the size of ships now means a chance to spoil the little ones with everything from waterparks, dodgems and rollercoasters to fairground carousels. Royal Caribbean International, P&O and MSC are all stand-out lines for families — and with all offering sailings from the UK, the pricing can be very competitive. You can even test the waters with two-night mini cruises. And, of course, Disney is a dream for little ones. The Disney Fantasy cruise will be sailing the Mediterranean this summer, perfect for combining sun-drenched ports of call with Mickey Mouse fun. GO: Two nights' full-board on P&O Cruises' newest flagship, Iona, sailing from Southampton on October 23, is from £174pp, based on two adults and two children sharing an inside cabin. See BEST FOR MULTI-GEN HOLS 11 CRUISE holidays — particularly on larger ships — promise to keep everyone happy. Grandparents and mum and dad can enjoy time together with the kids onboard and in port, as well as time apart with sophisticated spaces and spas for grown-ups. Think everything from buzzing bars and speciality restaurants for adults to relaxed areas where the whole family can enjoy entertainment and fun kids' club facilities. Lines to explore include Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O and Royal Caribbean as well as Princess Cruises, whose latest ship Sun Princess has a whole deck at the top of the ship dedicated to family fun, plus some chic adult areas. And there's lots for families to explore on Sky Princess, which sails out of Southampton this summer and next. GO: Seven nights' full-board on Sky Princess is from £672pp, sailing from Southampton to Spain and France on March 23, 2026. Calls at La Coruna, Bilbao, Le Verdon for Bordeaux and Cherbourg. See . BEST FOR PARTY PEOPLE 11 11 WITH West End-style shows, live music and buzzing nightclubs ALL included in the price, a cruise is fabulous value. And the line that has taken partying to a new level is Virgin Voyages. With four adult-only ships — including Brilliant Lady, which launched this year — its cruise model is perfect for those who want to ramp up the excitement. Prices include tips, all dining, wifi and entertainment in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Carnival also offers a good value buzz in the Caribbean while Royal Caribbean's mega-ship Utopia of the Seas, with silent discos and Vegas-style pool parties, boasts 40 bars and restaurants. GO: Ten nights' full-board on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, sailing from Portsmouth on July 27 to Iceland and Norway, is from £987pp, calling at Amsterdam, Bergen, Lerwick/Shetland, Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Reykjavik. See BEST FOR NO-FLY VALUE ONE of the joys of a cruise is you can visit multiple destinations without having to keep unpacking. And with no air fares, ex-UK cruises - which sail directly from a British port - offer some great prices too. Ambassador Cruise Line has two smaller ships offering traditional cruising with modern touches. Known for their friendly staff and over-50s clientele, ships sail from London Tilbury, Bristol, Dundee, Falmouth, Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne making it easy for guests to board at a local port. Fred Olsen also offer similar ex-UK cruises on smaller ships. GO: Six nights' full-board on Ambassador Ambition's Channel Islands and the Netherlands Experience from Liverpool is from £499pp, departing July 13 and calling at Guernsey and Ijmuiden for Amsterdam. See BEST FOR EMPTY NESTERS 11 THE kids are grown and gone and you've got the freedom to head away when and where you fancy. A cruise is the perfect option and there are plenty of companies ready to offer those looking to meet like-minded fellow travellers. Holland America's mid-size ships offer the perfect mix, with lots of facilities and dining options without the crowds — and its ship Nieuw Statendam sails from Dover in summer 2025 and 2026. Saga's two impressive ships offer premium cruising with great extras, including chauffeur-driven cars to your UK port of departure and travel insurance. The likes of Fred Olsen and Ambassador Cruise Line both offer great value, longer cruises for retirees who don't need to dash back to work. GO: Enjoy 14 nights on Holland America Line's Viking Trails and Celtic Origins cruise on Nieuw Statendam, departing Dover on August 9 from £1,119pp with stops in the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and Scotland.
