Latest news with #DisneyWonder
Business Journals
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Journals
Disney to bring new cruise ship to Galveston in 2027
The cruise ship Disney Wonder prepares to depart the Texas Cruise Terminal I, at the Port of Galveston in November 2015. The Wonder began a seven-day cruise from the Port of Galveston to various destinations including Key West, Nassau, the Bahamas and Disney's private Island, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder has 11 public decks and can accommodate 2,400 passengers in 875 staterooms. It has a crew of 945. Activities onboard are separated into areas for children, teenagers and adults. Wonder has three main restaurants, one specialty restaurant and three pools. The ship's horn sounds the first seven notes of "When You Wish Upon A Star." The vessel is 964 feet long.
Buzz Feed
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Expert-Level Disney Trivia
I went on the Disney Wonder last week, because Disney cruises are the one vacation my son can eat as much watermelon as he wants and then go meet Pluto. My whole family went on a four-day cruise up the Pacific with no port stops, which meant we stayed on the ship and played A LOT of trivia (and did a lot of crafts). Since trivia is basically what my brain is made out of, I thought I'd be a ringer. I am sad to report that the ship was filled with so many die-hard Disney fans; if you didn't get 20/20, you could kiss your chances of a little rubber medal that said "winner!" goodbye. I looked up this picture on eBay and then stared at it longingly. FOUR DAYS I SPENT doing trivia, and I didn't win once, only missing a question or two each time. Some of them I shamefully missed, and some were, quite frankly, impossible. Can you correctly guess the ones I got wrong?
Telegraph
27-03-2025
- Telegraph
The 10 greatest North American cruises to book now
Cruising in North America is commonly associated with Alaska and the eastern seaboard ports of New York, Boston and Halifax in Atlantic Canada. Look at a map, however, and you'll see that the choice of the scenery, waterways and type of ship to take you there is much more diverse. There are the volcanic islands of Hawaii, lapped by the teal waters of the Pacific, rivers whose scenic calling points showcase culture, music, wine and settler heritage, cities that combine culture with scenic sailing and five gargantuan lakes. The five Great Lakes collectively form the planet's largest body of fresh water. Rich in birdlife, the lakes skirt seven US states and the province of Ontario in Canada. Here, too, is the lock-straddled St Lawrence Seaway and the St Lawrence River, which connects the regions of Upper and Lower Canada. On the west coast, you'll find the cities of Seattle and Vancouver, both gateways to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, and San Francisco, where you can get on the Redwood Trail and go dolphin watching. Whichever of these wildly different itineraries you choose, don't leave it too long to book – some cruises are already sold out for 2025. Alaska APT's new Rockies and Alaska land and cruise holiday takes guests from Victoria in British Columbia to Fairbanks (Alaska) over 25 days and includes a seven-night Inside Passage cruise with Holland America Line and a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper. The rail route takes in some of the Rockies' tallest peaks and travels alongside the Coast Mountains, Fraser Canyon, Albreda Glacier and Pyramid Falls. How to do it From £13,095pp with departures from May to August 2025, including GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer, accommodation at McKinley Chalet Resort and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, a week's cruise, transfers and tips with APT (0800 012 6683). Disney Cruise Line Sails to Alaska Inspire the kids with glaciers, look out for porpoises and try gold panning and maybe zip lining on a Disney Wonder Alaskan cruise. Itineraries range from five to nine nights and some visit Icy Strait Point, for whale watching, or a ride on the world's largest zip line. Expect character breakfasts, children's clubs, fireworks and first-run movies on board. How to do it A seven-night Alaska from Vancouver cruise on board Disney Wonder costs from £5,128 for a family of four sharing a cabin. Departs roundtrip from Vancouver departing August 25, 2025 with Iglu Cruise (020 3514 3637). Excludes flights. Hawaii Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America is the only ship to sail year-round from Honolulu, with stops at four different islands and overnights in port at the islands of Kauai and Maui. The ship has adult and children's swimming pools, a jogging track and volleyball courts and the spacious Mandara Spa. Lei making and cultural workshops on board are led by a Hawaiian ambassador. How to do it A 10-night cruise-and-stay holiday to Hawaii, including a four-night hotel stay in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, a tour of Pearl Harbour and seven nights on NCL's Pride of America, visiting Oahu, Maui, Island of Hawaii and Kauai, costs from £4,795pp, departing September through November and including flights from London, Manchester or Glasgow with Bon Voyage (023 80 24 8248). Transatlantic Cross the Atlantic in style on a Cunard liner, watch abridged plays performed by actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, pamper yourself at the Mareel Spa, perhaps try a new activity (fencing or yoga?) and then explore port towns and cities in New England. The 21-day trip includes overnights in New York and Boston and full days in Newport and Halifax. How to do it A Transatlantic Crossing, New England And Canada cruise costs from £3,639pp roundtrip from Southampton and departing on June 24, 2025 with Cunard (0344 338 8641). Great Lakes Explore the Great Lakes and more, during an extended cruise from Chicago to Halifax on the 230-passenger expedition ship, Hanseatic Inspiration. Highlights include Parry Sound, located within the Georgian Bay Unesco Biosphere Reserve, Forillon National Park (home to moose and bears), the French Canadian city of Montreal and car-free Mackinac Island, on the straits between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. How to do it A 17-night Great Lakes And St Lawrence River - Unlocking The American Dream cruise costs from £10,960pp departing on October 8, 2025 with Mundy Adventures (020 7399 7630). Excludes flights. US West Coast Sip and taste your way around vineyards in Sonoma County while soaking up the spring sunshine on a week-long cruise from San Diego to Victoria, in British Columbia. There's an excellent line-up of excursions from the ship, including dolphin watching of the Catalina coast, a visit to the redwood trail at Muir Woods near San Francisco and a scenic cycle along the historic waterfront in Astoria, in the state of Oregon. How to do it A seven-day Wine Country and Pacific Northwest Cruise costs from £734pp departing on April 4, 2026 with Holland America (0344 338 8607). Excludes flights. Canadian Maritimes This interesting itinerary on the National Geographic Explorer lingers in Canada's Maritime Provinces, with ample opportunity to spot cetaceans and wildlife. A cruise along the St Lawrence seaway to the fortified French Canadian jewel, Quebec City, is one of many highlights. There are visits to the ruggedly beautiful Côte-Nord region, the dunes, beaches and sandstone cliffs of the Îles de la Madeleine and the Saguenay River, where seals and porpoises and minke, blue and fin whales can be seen at different times of the year. How to do it An 11-day Sailing the St Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes cruise, roundtrip from St John's in Newfoundland, costs from £10,232pp departing on September 2, 2026 with National Geographic Expeditions (0800 098 1496). Excludes flights to Canada Mississippi river This year marks the 190th anniversary of the birth of Mark Twain, the writer and steamboat pilot who brought the 2,340-mile long Ol' Muddy to life in his Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn novels. Viking's itinerary dips into America's French, Acadian and Cajun heritage and there are visits to music-infused Memphis and New Orleans at the beginning and end of the cruise. On board, guests enjoy views of the Lower Mississippi's lush wetlands, fertile farmlands and birdlife, from a luxurious balcony suite. How to do it A seven-night Mississippi Delta Explorer cruise from New Orleans to Memphis costs from £3,995pp including flights, beer, wine and soft drinks with on-board meals. Departs February 7, 2026 with Viking (0800 319 66 60). Great United States If you've got no time constraints and want to properly explore, this cruise and land holiday with American Cruise Lines visiting 15 states is hard to beat. It kicks off in Portland with a cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers and then heads south to the Mississippi, before switching to a small ocean ship for a cruise around the harbours of New England. In between there are visits to towns, cities and national parks including Yellowstone and Grand Teton and the cruise culminates in Boston. How to do it A 52-day Great United States Cruise costs from £39,500pp, including daily excursions, tips, Wi-Fi, domestic flights and hotels in between cruise segments, departing on May 29, 2025 (and May 29, 2026) with American Cruise Lines (001800 460 4518). Excludes international flights. The Gulf Coast Most cruise lines sail from Florida's cruise hubs to the Caribbean or the Bahamas, rather than exploring the state. This itinerary on the 130-passenger American Maverick features a visit to the mangrove forests at Marco Island, a tour of Hemingway's former home in Key West, and a day at the waterfront town of Punta Gorda. Founded in 1884, the town is located at the junction of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor and is known for its well-preserved Victorian homes. As you cruise around the turquoise waters of the Sunshine State keep an eye out for manatees, dolphins and sea turtles. How to do it A nine-night Florida Gulf Coast and Keys Cruise costs from £7,199pp, including flights, transfers and a pre-cruise hotel night, departing on January 9, 2026 with Fred Holidays (0800 988 3369)
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposed tax on foreign ships could increase costs in Hawaii
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ The Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wonder, above left, which sails under the flag of the Bahamas, was moored Monday at piers 10 and 11 at Hono lulu Harbor. The ship was preparing to sail to Vancouver, British Columbia. 1 /2 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ The Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wonder, above left, which sails under the flag of the Bahamas, was moored Monday at piers 10 and 11 at Hono lulu Harbor. The ship was preparing to sail to Vancouver, British Columbia. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Above, passengers prepared to board as luggage was marshaled about. 2 /2 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Above, passengers prepared to board as luggage was marshaled about. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ The Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wonder, above left, which sails under the flag of the Bahamas, was moored Monday at piers 10 and 11 at Hono lulu Harbor. The ship was preparing to sail to Vancouver, British Columbia. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Above, passengers prepared to board as luggage was marshaled about. RELATED PHOTO GALLERY President Donald Trump's new secretary of commerce has vowed to tax foreign-flagged ships making calls to U.S. ports. As many Hawaii businesses are already weighing the potential impacts tariffs proposed by Trump could have on them, some are now bracing for even more potential economic consequences if foreign ships visiting the islands have to pay extra for pulling into our harbors—potentially passing those costs on to the consumer, or prompting the ships to avoid Hawaii altogether. In a Thursday interview televised on Fox, newly confirmed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said 'Donald Trump has announced the External Revenue Service, and his goal is very simple : to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and let all the outsiders pay.' 'I'll give you an example : cruise ships. You ever see a cruise ship with an American flag on the back ? They have flags of Liberia or Panama. None of them pays taxes. Every supertanker—none of them pays taxes, ' Lutnick said. 'This is going to end under Donald Trump. Those taxes are going to be paid.' According to Lloyd's List, a publication that covers the international shipping industry, cruise line stocks plummeted just moments after Lutnick's remarks. At their lowest on Thursday morning, the aggregate market capitalization of the four U.S.-listed cruise companies—Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking—was down $15.4 billion, or an average of 10 %. The stocks gradually traded back as other investors saw an opportunity, but it offers a look into the uncertainty that oceangoing companies see in the American market. Cruise ship passengers make up just 2 % of Hawaii's annual visitors, but foreign ships delivering oil and other goods commonly stop in the islands. Ships delivering fuel in particular have become central to how Hawaii's economic, energy and transportation systems function—more than 80 % of oil is imported from foreign sources. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'If he's going to start imposing a surcharge or a tax on any foreign vessel that comes to America, in this case this would really affect our oil supplies, the cost of our energy, ' said Mark Coleman of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a libertarian -leaning think tank. In Hawaii two companies—Matson Inc. and the Pasha Group—largely dominate shipping between the islands and the mainland. They have maintained their regional dominance in part with the help of the 1920 Jones Act, which requires that trade between U.S. ports be limited to ships that are American-flagged, American-built and crewed mostly by American sailors. Before World War I the U.S. relied on a combination of U.S.-and foreign-flagged vessels for both international and domestic shipping. But when the war broke out, foreign ships withdrew from American routes to aid war efforts in their own countries. The sudden shortfall sent shock waves across U.S. ports and domestic trade routes. Congress enacted the Jones Act in hopes of reducing America's reliance on foreign mariners. In theory it was meant to ensure stable supply lines within the United States and bolster domestic shipbuilding to ensure an inventory of U.S. merchant marine vessels and trained American mariners that could be tapped to support U.S. operations in the event of another conflict. But today there are fewer than 100 Jones Act-compliant vessels in the country, with most oil tankers in particular committed to routes that don't include Hawaii. That has meant Hawaii has mostly relied on foreign tankers, which cannot legally transport oil between American ports and are limited to only delivering oil from overseas in the islands. The tankers offload crude oil into storage tanks in West Oahu through offshore mooring systems and load refined products at Honolulu Harbor terminals onto fuel barges to be taken to neighbor islands. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the majority of crude oil that currently comes to Hawaii is from Libya, Argentina and Brazil. That crude oil goes to Par Hawaii Refining LLC in Kapolei, which operates the only refinery in the state and refines it to meet Hawaii's demands—including powering most of the state's electrical grid. Hawaii also imports pre-refined petroleum products, including jet fuel, propane, low-sulfur diesel fuel and motor gasoline from countries in Asia, the Caribbean and South America. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the transportation sector uses almost two-thirds of all petroleum consumed in Hawaii, power plants use about 25 % and the combined industrial, commercial and residential sectors make up the remaining 10 % of petroleum use. 'It is too early for us to know how this particular requirement will affect Hawaii until there are more details and parameters are set from the administration, ' said Par Hawaii spokesman Marc Inouye. 'We are closely monitoring this and other proposed taxes and tariffs that may impact energy security and assurance for our islands.' In 2015, Hawaii became the first state to pledge to work toward powering the state with 100 % renewable energy by 2045, both to fight climate change and make the islands more self-sufficient—but that has come with challenges of its own. Planned solar farm and battery storage projects have faced delays or cancellation. Trump has been outspoken in his opposition to solar and wind farms and promised to increase oil production and consumption. Among his first actions as president was an executive order that stopped further consideration of leasing federal waters, at least temporarily, for wind energy projects nationwide pending a comprehensive review by his administration. That has indefinitely stalled a controversial plan for an offshore wind farm off Oahu. The state is also looking into the potential of using liquefied natural gas as a 'bridge fuel ' to lower emissions during the shift to renewable sources, potentially building a new facility where Oahu's demolished coal plant had been. It would require significant infrastructure investments and faces logistical hurdles—including shipping. 'Even if they shift it over to LNG, that's not going to lessen our dependence on foreign fuel sources either, because there's no LNG carriers in the Jones Act fleet, ' Coleman said. 'That would definitely have to come from foreign suppliers, like they do for New England and Puerto Rico. I mean, we would be able to buy it, but we wouldn't be able to buy it from American sources. Even though America is (one of the ) largest exporters right now of fuels, oil and LNG … none of it comes to Hawaii.' Supporters of the Jones Act maintain that it guarantees reliable shipping lanes from the mainland to Hawaii and helps to support jobs both in ports and on ships for American workers—including Hawaii residents—and protects those jobs from predatory practices that would undercut American companies and merchant mariners. Many maritime companies are known to register their ships in other countries, making the operations of the boats subject to the laws and regulations of the flag state—a practice known as using 'flags of convenience.' International shipping companies and cruise line operators commonly register their ships with flag states that have weaker labor, safety and environmental regulations—or with governments willing to look the other way when they cut corners or break the law. This often allows them to cut costs even as they face accusations of labor abuse and reckless behavior around the world. But even goods arriving in Hawaii on Jones Act-compliant ships could get more expensive if the Trump administration decides to tax foreign-flagged ships, warns Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. 'Remember, even the goods shipped to Hawaii by Matson and Pasha, or for that matter air cargo at some point, involved goods shipped to U.S. ports on foreign-flagged vessels, ' Bonham said. 'For example, a Hyundai car made in South Korea would likely get shipped to the U.S. on ships owned by Hyundai or any number of other foreign-owned vessels. When those cars come to Hawaii on a U.S.-flagged ship, the tax costs would still come with them if they are not absorbed by the original manufacturer or shipper.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disney Cruise Line to send two ships to Alaska in summer 2026
Disney Cruise Line's expanding fleet is opening up new opportunities for families to explore bucket-list destinations in magical style. As families plan their summer 2026 cruise vacations, they can choose from double the Disney adventures in Alaska, as well as a new destination in Europe, plenty of sunny Caribbean getaways, and sailings in Singapore on Disney Cruise Line's biggest ship in May 2026, both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder will embark on seven-night Alaska cruises from Vancouver, Canada. Itineraries will vary and include ports of call such as Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, all famous for their prehistoric glaciers, rich histories and eclectic shopping. Most Alaska sailings will also visit Dawes Glacier, a majestic tidewater glacier that towers over 600-feet tall. Itineraries on the Disney Magic will feature a stop at Icy Strait Point, known for its unique Disney Dream will return to Europe for the summer 2026 season, offering families the opportunity to cruise to picturesque ports in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Malta, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. For the first time, the Disney Dream will call on the island city of Cagliari, located in Sardinia, Italy, a brand-new destination for Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Dream will kick off summer 2026 with a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. Departing from Barcelona or Civitavecchia, Italy, the ship will then sail seven- to twelve-night Mediterranean cruises. The Disney Dream will end the season with three-, four-, and seven-night sailings out of Southampton, United Kingdom to Northern Europe and the Norwegian Port Canaveral, Florida, three different Disney cruise ships will sail to destinations in The Bahamas and Eastern or Western Caribbean, including stops at Disney's private destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish will both offer Bahamian itineraries while the Disney Treasure sails seven-night sailings to the Eastern or Western Disney Destiny, the cruise line's new heroes- and villains-themed ship launching in November 2025, will sail four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale in summer 2026 visiting Nassau, The Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay and/or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The ship will also offer two seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western cruise line's biggest ship yet, the Disney Adventure, which sets sail in December 2025, will offer a new type of Disney cruise in 2026. The ship will sail three- and four-night itineraries with only magical days at sea from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore from April through summer 2026. The ship will feature three brand-new, Marvel-themed attractions at sea, an array of dining options, and Broadway-style musical spectaculars including 'Remember,' developed exclusively for the Disney Adventure. Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members can book the new summer 2026 itineraries before the general public during an early booking window that begins on Feb. 10, 2025. Bookings will open to the public on Feb. 17, 2025. Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one?
