“We are going to offer travel agents something they have never had before,” said John Severini, Vice President of Sales at Disney Cruise Line. “There has never been a Disney-branded cruise and land vacation before. It did not exist.
“We will give agents a totally new product to sell to people who have never bought a cruise before,” Severini added.
Severini was commenting on Disney Cruise Line’s recent announcement of its broad on-board entertainment program.
At the same time, Disney has also made it official that the new ships will not have casinos aboard. Gaming is inconsistent with the Disney experience, according to Severini.
The Disney Magic’s entertainment options will include:
– “Beat Street,” with three themed night clubs, the “Rockin’ Bar D,” where live bands will perform rock ‘n roll and country music; “Offbeat,” a comedy club; and “Sessions,” a lounge with live piano music.
– The Walt Disney Theater, which will showcase up to four different Broadway-style production shows on each cruise.
– The Buena Vista Theater, a cinema showing a variety of films every day.
– Studio Sea, a family lounge with high energy dance music, and other family-oriented entertainment.
– The Promenade Lounge, a casual lounge with a live trio.
– And an interactive Sports Club featuring multiple screens broadcasting the latest sports news.
In addition will be the largest dedicated area of children’s space and three pools.
Disney will also extend its creative design and entertainment talents to the company’s new out-island, Gorda Cay, where Disney will be the first cruise line to build its own private dock, providing easy access to and from the ships.
Gorda Cay is a 1,000-acre Bahamian island in the Abacos, which will be used for day-long stops for the line’s two ships.
There will be a half-mile-long beach area offering a wide range of water sports and beach activities for families as well as a secluded, mile-long pristine beach, for adult rest and relaxation. Development of Gorda Cay is scheduled to begin in Summer 1996.
The Disney Magic is scheduled to sail in early 1998 and Disney Cruise line will begin accepting reservations this summer.