Going out to sea with a huge crowd of strangers has been a hard sell in the last two years. Now, companies like Disney are reaching out with guides to draw wary travelers back.
Cruise ships were particularly hard-hit by the pandemic and pandemic policies around the world. An entire year went forth in which cruise ships essentially sat empty. Now, companies are trying to find a way to drive customers back to the small confines of densely-populated floating hotels. It’s not an easy sell for a world that is weary and warned against coming into close contact with lots of strangers. On top of that, many of the big cruise ship companies are struggling with a forthcoming global recession — one that is already raging in Europe and likely here in North America.
Shares of Carnival Norwegian and Royal Caribbean fell this week after the Federal Reserve again hiked rates, raising worries about cruise companies’ huge debt loads and their ability to recover in a broader economic downturn.
The declines in cruise stocks come as the industry is working to recover from the pandemic, with bookings ticking up after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted Covid-19 guidelines from ships.
— Jack Stebbins, CNBC
Today, The Walt Disney Company released a memorandum for the public to cover the big bullet list of reasons they believe guests should be considering the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship in 2023. It’s an Alaskan Cruise, so a bit different than the other offerings out of Disney. Here’s what they’re pitching:
1. Greetings from Under the Sea
When you board the Disney Wonder, crew members will greet your party by name, and a bronze-sculpted Princess Ariel will welcome you into the atrium. The atrium is embellished with nautical colors and eye-catching murals from Disney’s animated classic, “The Little Mermaid.”
2. Signature Dining
Rotational dining ensures that all guests can enjoy all three themed dining experiences while on board. Your party and service team will rotate to a different table service restaurant each night. As part of your rotational dining experience on the Disney Wonder, you’ll dine under the sea at Triton’s, embrace your inner artist at Animator’s Palate, and enjoy Louisiana-inspired fare with live jazz music at Tiana’s Place!
3. Alaskan Itineraries
The Disney Wonder is the only ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet that embarks on Alaskan adventures. On select itineraries, you can experience breathtaking beauty at arctic ports of call featuring majestic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and rugged mountains. Learn about the rich history of Alaska while enjoying family-friendly entertainment and recreation.
4. Broadway-Quality Entertainment
Don’t miss the award-winning musicals onboard at the Walt Disney Theatre. Attend “The Golden Mickeys,” a Hollywood-style award show featuring dazzling performances that pay homage to the magic of Disney storytelling. Catch a showing of “Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic” for a new and exciting show featuring music and characters from your favorite films, or enjoy a heartwarming story about two sisters from Arendelle who discover that some people are worth melting for in “Frozen, A Musical Adventure.”
5. Adult-Exclusives
The Disney Wonder offers a collection of experiences that cater exclusively to adults on board. Indulge in a romantic evening at Palo, an elegant adult-exclusive dining experience that serves northern Italian fare with a modern twist. For late-night drinks, dancing and entertainment, adults can enjoy a variety of nightclubs and lounges: French Quarter Lounge, Crown & Fib Pub, Cadillac, and Azure.
To learn more about additional offerings and planDisney tips, be sure to swipe through our planDisney Pocket Guide:
So what do you think? After checking out the pocket guide for Disney Cruise Ships, is this something you might be willing to try once more… or even for the first time? And what about companies like Carnival? Are you interested in cruise adventures with non-Disney companies? Or is all of this just a little too soon after you were told to social distance like your life depended on it?
Let us know in the comments below. And, as always, keep reading That Park Place for all the latest news that should be fun!
