Okay, we talked a few weeks ago about Disney Cruises out of Galveston. But I don't think I did the subject justice as I delve further into the "Wonderful World of Disney" as it were. So, you are going to have to read about it some more.
I am really intrigued by Disney. As a single person with no kids I never thought I would want to sail on one of their ships. I just never really felt like I wanted to spend my vacation on a floating amusement park. But I think I am coming around on the idea of a Disney cruise. Let me tell you why. First of all, Disney ships sail out of Galveston almost exclusively during the school year which will limit the number of kids on board. Second, as I have researched the ships, I have discovered that there are actually a number of adult only spots on board. Third, the ships are very beautiful and luxurious. Finally, they have some pretty cool itineraries. Let's take a look at those itineraries.
First of all, Disney is one of the few cruise lines that will now have a ship in Galveston most of the year. The Magic of Disney is there right now and running three different itineraries. There are two different Western Caribbean itineraries. The first is 7 nights and includes Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel. That is one of the typical itineraries that all cruise lines sail out of Galveston. The other is a 6 night that just skips Costa Maya. But the third itinerary is something that we don't normally see out of Galveston. It is an 8 night cruise that takes you to Key West, then Costa Maya and Cozumel. So the Key West stop kind of tricks things up a little. It is kind of cool because you don't get into Key West until 12:30 in the afternoon and you stay until 11:30 p.m. which means you can do a little Duvall Crawl that evening.
In January, it really gets interesting if you are a big Disney freak. They add another itinerary to the mix that I've never seen before. You leave Galveston on a Friday for an 8 night cruise, first stop is Castaway Cay which is the Disney owned island off of Florida, then you head to Port Canaveral which is the port closest to Orlando. You are there from 6:15 a.m. until 12:45 a.m. the next morning. So, you have a full day there and time to hit a Disney park. From there they take you to Key West which I suppose you could consider more of an "adult amusement park" although, they only give you about 4 hours in Key West and from there you head back to Galveston. They only run that itinerary once in January. Their other three trips out of Galveston in January are Western Caribbean trips. Two of them being the 6 night trips and one being the 8 night itinerary.
In February, they run that 8 night trip again that allows you to go to Disney. Additionally, they have added a 4 night cruise to the schedule which only stops in Cozumel. If you have never cruised before and worry that you will feel cooped up on a ship, a 4 night cruise might be a way to find out if this is for you. They also continue with two more 6 night Western Caribbean trips in February.
The Magic continues on with that sort of schedule until May. Then on May 18th is the big repositioning transatlantic cruise. If you ever wanted to do a transatlantic cruise, this could be the one for you. Since it leaves from Galveston, you could drive to Galveston and with a little creative planning only have to book a flight back from Barcelona making the trip quite a bit cheaper. Let's talk about the cruise itself. It is a 14 night cruise leaving Galveston on Saturday. Sunday and Monday are days at sea. Tuesday you stop at Castaway Cay (Disney's private island). You leave there at 3:30 in the afternoon and then you are at sea for the next 6 days making your crossing. Finally, on your 11th day of the cruise, you stop at Funchal (Madeira), Portugal for your first taste of Europe. After another day at sea you hit Gibraltar, UK and honestly, who hasn't wanted to visit the Rock of Gibraltar? Finally on June 1st you disembark at Barcelona, Spain which I can tell you from personal experience is one of the coolest places you will ever visit.
The price on this 14 night cruise, for two adults starts at the ridiculously low price of $2,362.16. That price includes your taxes and cruise fees. That means other than your flight back home and parking in Galveston, this trip costs two adults a mere $169 a night. I defy any of you to go on a vacation with all of your meals paid for and spend less than $169 a night. Of course that price is an inside cabin and who wants to spend all of those nights at sea with an inside cabin? Not me. So, the price of a balcony for two adults is.... are you ready for this? Can I get a drum roll, please???? A whopping $3,622.16 which is $258 a night. Again, two adults eating 3 meals a day plus a fairly luxurious cabin and people waiting on you hand and foot and it is your transportation to Spain all for $258 a night. You really can't beat the price. Additionally, Disney provides terrific accommodations for guests with disabilities.
Sadly, June through August there will be no Disney ship in Galveston. But in September, the Wonder of Disney will sail in on a repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal that I will tell you all about tomorrow. This is the one I want to do. But you will have to read tomorrow to find out exactly how wonderful it will be. Have a great Saturday and try not to OD on football this weekend!
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