The Disney Wonder cruise ship arrived at the Port of Los Angeles this morning, where the ship is scheduled to sail West Coast cruises year-round and first-ever Alaskan itineraries during the summer. As Disney Cruise Line expands its fleet with the addition of two new ships in the next two years, the line is able to offer more variety of itineraries and sail to more destinations around the world, including a reposition of the Disney Wonder to the West Coast.
“We are pleased to once again return to the Port of Los Angeles,” said Karl Holz, Disney Cruise Line president. “We’ve seen great success with this market in the past, and we can’t wait to finally be able to take our guests to Alaska, which is a destination they’ve been requesting to visit for years. With the Disney Wonder operating on the West Coast, our guests have even more itinerary options to choose from than ever before.”
Disney Cruise Line has successfully tested the West Coast market with two summer seasons from the Port of Los Angeles, both in 2005 and 2008 with the Disney Magic.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who oversees the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, noted that this will provide a significant impact for the local economy by generating business and tourism revenue in San Pedro and throughout the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
“Returning to the Port of Los Angeles is not only a huge vote of confidence in our ability to attract world-class cruise lines, it will also generate revenue and jobs for our city by increasing tourism ,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “I am proud to welcome back the renowned family cruise line to our great city.”
Known for its proximity to area attractions, including Disneyland Resort, and ease of convenience for transportation and nearby airports, the Port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest cruise ports on the West Coast.
West Coast Itineraries
The Disney Wonder begins sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera itineraries on January 23. In addition to sailing Mexican Riviera itineraries, the Disney Wonder will spend the summer in Alaska beginning May 3, and sailing from the Port of Vancouver to Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. The last cruise of the season is scheduled for Aug. 30.
To prepare for the Alaska sailings, a brand-new venue called Outlook Café was added to the Disney Wonder during dry dock in October. Located high atop deck 10, the 2,500-square-foot Outlook Café is a stylish retreat for guests to relax and enjoy a beverage or cocktail as they peer out through floor-to-ceiling, curved glass windows at breathtaking vistas. The design of Outlook Café is sophisticated with contemporary Art Deco inspiration. An elegant spiral staircase connects Outlook Café with the existing Cove Café one deck below. The 65-seat lounge has a granite-topped cocktail bar with comfortable seating throughout the space, all providing picture-perfect views of the surrounding landscapes.
At the end of the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will return to Los Angeles to continue sailing seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera.
Meanwhile, the Disney Magic will continue sailing seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, with plans to once again return to Europe in the summer.
The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of an overall expansion plan that will provide even more options to guests sailing to more destinations around the world. In 2011, Disney Cruise Line is rolling out the first of two new ships. The Disney Dream sets sail on its maiden voyage on Jan. 26, from Port Canaveral, Fla., sailing three-, four- and five- night itineraries to the Bahamas. The Disney Fantasy, is now under construction at the Meyer Werft ship yard in Germany and will come online in early 2012 and is scheduled to sail Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral.
Known for establishing the family cruise market when the Disney Magic debuted in 1998, Disney Cruise Line continues to build upon this success with a focus on the legacy and heritage of The Walt Disney Company’s most known assets – master storytelling, world-class entertainment and legendary guest service. Disney cruises provide a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.
