Holiday Cruises Aboard Disney Cruise Line

A magical tree lighting ceremony with Disney characters, festive holiday decor, carolers, gingerbread house building and even "snow" that magically falls, await all those who board a Disney Cruise during the month of December.

Just in time for the holiday season, both Disney ships -- Disney Magic and Disney Wonder -- are decked with boughs of holly and filled with holiday themed entertainment and activities for the entire family.

It all starts at Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla., where holiday decorations and Disney characters dressed in their season's best await all who board a Magical Holidays sailing. Onboard, guests find highlights including:

• A nearly three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium lobby, where "snow" magically falls
• A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids
• International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe
• Special family time, when families join together to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses
• A reading of T'was the Night Before Christmas by Mrs. Claus
• Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms
• Multiple faith and inter-denominational holiday services
• A ship-wide party to ring in 2006 and a New Year's Day tailgate party

The last stop for all Disney Cruises is the line's private island -- Castaway Cay -- where guests are treated to a "Magical Wonderland," a themed decor package that has transformed the sandy Bahamian island into a "snowy" holiday hideaway.

In addition to "snow" flurries, guests enjoy seeing Christmas trees, Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (with shell noses and tropical shirts), carolers and a sleigh full of presents in the middle of the Bahamas. Even the island's tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island has been decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

At the beach, families learn the art of sand sculpting, while kids try their hand at holiday themed children's activities including making candy cane reindeers, paper plate angels and snowflake-mobiles.

Whether aboard or ashore, Disney Cruise Line guests will find the first class cruise experience that Disney is known for -- now with a touch of the holidays -- for every member of the family.

Rates for Magical Holiday sailings start at $429 (three-night), $499 (four-night) and $939 (seven-night) and are based on double occupancy.

Disney Cruise Line offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Land/sea vacation packages that include a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort are also available. Both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will embark on new itineraries in 2006, with the Disney Magic including a seven-night alternate Western Caribbean itinerary making two stops at Castaway Cay, while the Disney Wonder will sail two first-ever 10- and 11-night itineraries to the Southern Caribbean.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at (888) DCL-2500.

SOURCE Disney Cruise Line