Disney Cruise ships have snow in forecast

Jason · December 26, 2004

Disney Cruise Line's ships aren't the only vessels in the Caribbean decked out for Christmas. But Disney is the only cruise line guaranteeing snow.

Well, artificial snow, and only flurries, but who besides Disney could pull off that kind of magic?

For Disney's holiday sailings, Castaway Cay, the line's private Bahamian island, will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Disney's two vessels, the Magic and Wonder, also will turn into Christmas playlands -- decked out with boughs of holly, and, by the line's own count, 25 Christmas trees, 25,000 Christmas tree lights, 1,260 feet of garland and 3,600 yards of ribbon.

According to Disney's announcement, holiday festivities -- which take place on Disney cruises that sail this month -- include:

A lighting ceremony of a nearly three-deck-tall tree in the atrium lobby, where snow magically falls.

Special time for families to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses together.

Disney Cruise Line's rendition of The Night Before Christmas, with a reading by Mrs. Claus and caroling by each ship's main-stage performers.

A New Year's Day tailgate party at Castaway Cay, if you're sailing into 2005.

Perhaps the greatest magic trick will be the forecast. It calls for snow flurries as passengers step off the gangway onto the line's Bahamian island, which typically basks year-round in balmy temperatures that average 73 degrees. That may not prove ideal weather, though, for Mr. and Mrs. Snowman who, sporting shell noses and tropical shirts, will greet the passengers.

Once you're deposited on the 1,000-acre Castaway Cay, look for Disney to deliver the Christmas spirit. According to Disney's plans, there will be carolers, a 40-foot-tall tropical Christmas tree, a sleigh full of presents and characters dressed for the holidays signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Another touch from Disney's creative team: the tram that transports passengers around the island is decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

Disney's three-night cruises depart every Thursday; four-night cruises depart every Sunday. Both call at Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $409 and $509, respectively. Seven-night cruises depart every Saturday and start at $829 alternating between a western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay and an eastern Caribbean itinerary to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay.

This year, Disney's first 10-night holiday cruise departs Saturday on the Magic at rates starting at $1,899.

The itinerary, from Port Canaveral, includes Key West, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas, and Castaway Cay, plus three days at sea to celebrate. For information, call 1-888-325-2500 or visit Disneycruise.com.

Buccaneer bash:

To further mix the real with the imagined, Disney brings a buccaneer bash called "Pirates in the Caribbean" to the briny. The extravaganza is inspired by the company's popular theme-park attraction and hit movie. Some pirate characters from Peter Pan also pop up.

Taking place during every seven-day Disney cruise, Pirates in the Caribbean is a no-holds-barred swashbuckler party on deck. Disney characters and passengers wear pirate attire, enjoy two themed dinner feasts with brigands and har-dee-har-har entertainment that would make Johnny Depp proud. While passengers dine with forks and knives, don't be surprised if there are others around (hint: servers dressed as pirates) who prefer to savor their vittles with a sword.

You can order such things as the Black Pearl's oven-roasted beef tenderloin and Black Beard's jumbo crab cakes straight from a parchment menu.

Not everything promises to be tame when Captain Hook and sidekick Smee and a boatload of buccaneers commandeer the vessel. According to the line, a worthy sea battle ensues and the deck party turns dark with black lighting -- replete with skull-and-crossbones projections -- when the pirates invade, some even rappelling from the ship's funnel.

Though the cruise line hasn't issued any warnings, I suggest parents and children allergic to hard rock tunes and heavy metal music put their hands over their ears when the ships' usual light and breezy pop tunes turn appropriately sinister with the appearance of Captain Hook.

And a word to the wise: When Captain Hook entreats you and your small fry to join his evil ranks, just say "No." It's a losing battle. After all, as with everything Disney, good always prevails -- and the ship will be restored to safe hands by morning.

[story by Arline Bleecker in care of the Orlando Sentinel]