Return to New York
By Ed Curtis
Once the most glamorous cruise port in the world, New York City lost considerable business and luster as the West Side piers became aged and deteriorated. Other ports that had the foresight to modernize picked up the slack.
The great ocean-going liners, the family vacations to the Bahamas and Caribbean slowed to a trickle. The port had even been host to a Russian liner, the Maxim Gorky.
A major facelift and a concerted effort to draw cruise ships back to New York began some years ago. The success of that effort can easily be seen, primarily on weekends when ships arrive, disgorge thousands of passengers and then load up and head back out to sea.
Floating palaces make New York their home port, enticing visitors from around the world to begin their seaborne trek in the Big Apple. That means millions of dollars to hotels, restaurants, theaters and much more.
Now Mickey Mouse has set his sights on New York.
In the fall of 2016, Disney Cruise Line will return to New York for a limited time with sailings to the Bahamas that include a visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. New seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami and a return to Galveston, Texas round out the season.
On Oct. 15, 22 and 29, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on seven-night cruises that stop at Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral.
Adding to the magic on each of these Bahamian cruises will be the opportunity to visit the Walt Disney World Resort when the ship stops at nearby Port Canaveral. Each guest on these sailings will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and round-trip transportation for the short trip between the ship and the resort.
On Oct. 2, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on a five-night cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. In these charming Canadian ports, guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.
New Seven-night Cruises from Miami For the first time, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to enjoy a season of seven-night voyages from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. On Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from Miami to the Western Caribbean including Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay.
Bookings for the new itineraries became available May 20, 2015. More details can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2016 page of www.disneycruise.com
Additional Miami sailings include a four-night Bahamas cruise departing on Nov. 16, a five-night Bahamas cruise departing on Dec. 18, and a six-night Western Caribbean cruise departing on Dec. 30, 2016. Each sailing will include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Return to Galveston In late 2016, Disney Cruise Line returns to Texas with a line up of seven-night itineraries, including Bahamian sailings that stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On Nov. 18, Nov. 25, Dec. 9, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 2016, the Disney Wonder will sail on a seven-night Bahamian itinerary from Galveston to Key West, Castaway Cay and Nassau.
On Dec. 2, the Disney Wonder will sail on a seven-night Caribbean itinerary from Galveston to Falmouth, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. On Dec. 16, the Disney Wonder will sail from Galveston on a seven-night cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman. Two four-night sailings to Cozumel on Nov. 10 and Nov. 14, round up the sailings from Galveston.
Most of the late 2016 cruises include either Halloween or winter-holiday events that bring special entertainment, activities and décor to the Disney Cruise Line ships.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.