Why just a partial year in review? Well, that is quite simple… The site did not really get started until the end of May. So, for the sake of argument let’s just call it June and call this a even 6 month review with some extras.
January – April
The year started off with with a one two punch. The [Disney_Fantasy] floated out of the shipyard building at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Then just a few days later the [Disney_Dream] celebrated her first anniversary. In early February, we sailed on a 3-Night Bahamian cruise on the Dream.
The Fantasy soon regained the spotlight when she sailed into New York City at the end of February. In March, the Fantasy was christened by her godmother Mariah Carey before sailing south to Port Canaveral to begin alternating 7-night Eastern & Western Caribbean cruises.
May
- The Disney Magic began sailing out of New York City to Canada and the Bahamas.
- Rumors of a Disney ship sailing to Jamaica surfaced when the Port of Jamaica invited executives for a tour.
- The Castaway Club OBC benefit was reduced to $100 and $200 depending on your itinerary.
- The 7-Night California coast cruises were taken over by the Pixar gang.
June
- After months of waiting Disney Cruise Line released the rest of the 2013 Itineraries for the Magic and Wonder.
- The release of the 2013 itineraries revealed a major dry dock for the Magic during September & October 2013.
- We sailed on the Fantasy for the first time, and I fell in love with the atrium lobby.
July
- A Mystery ship, PAJ43-12, appeared on the Jamaica Port calendar further leading to the the speculation of a new port and itineraries.
- The [Disney_Magic] celebrated her 14th anniversary.
- Disney offered a sneak peek at this years decorations for the Disney Fantasy.
August
- Due to the overwhelming guest feedback, Disney Cruise Line modified select Galveston sailings from a Western Caribbean to a Bahamian itinerary to include stops at Key West, Port Canaveral, and Castaway Cay!
- The [Disney_Wonder] celebrated her 13th anniversary.
- Hurricane Ernesto forces itinerary change for the Fantasy as the storm makes a direct hit on Costa Maya.
September
- Remy Champagne Brunch is officially added as an adult dinning option on the Fantasy and longer cruises on the Dream.
- The Wonder made the first ever stop in San Diego.
- The Magic ended her stay in New York City and headed south to Galveston Texas with a big entrance.
- Disney Cruise Line Ranked #1 For Families for the Fourth Consecutive Year by Travel+Leisure
October
- Disney Cruise Line ranked #1 in the 2012 Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards
- Hurricane Sandy stirs up trouble for passengers on the Dream and Fantasy.
November
- The Jamaica speculation was finally confirmed when an itinerary map was updated on Disney’s website. A few days later Disney officially added Falmouth to select Western Caribbean sailings when 2013 Galveston itineraries were revised.
- The Disney Fantasy made her inaugural visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Porthole Magazine Cruise Readers Name Disney Cruise Line the Most Family-Oriented Cruise Line in 2012.
- Just before Thanksgiving PortMiami approved a 2-year contract to for sailings through 2014.
- Disney hosted a See You Real Soon event in Miami to start the countdown to the arrival of the Wonder. The event finished with 100 lucky families winning a Disney Cruise.
- Seatrade Insider’s honored Disney Cruise Line with it’s 2012 Environmental Initiative Award.
December
- A look back at an interesting Hurricane Season.
- Disney Cruise Line released itineraries for the first half of 2014. Notably missing were the summer sailings to Alaska and Europe on the Magic & Wonder.
- The Friends of Earth organization released their 2012 Cruise Ship Report Card. Disney Cruise Line became the first cruise line to earn an A grade, and secured a spot in the most improved category again this year.
- We sailed on a holiday cruise and shared some of the fantastic decorations from the Fantasy and Castaway Cay. An in depth look at the holiday merchandise, Gingerbread House Making and, King Triton’s Tree Lighting Decree.
- The Wonder arrived in Miami bringing 3 of the 4 ships back to Florida. In just over a year all 4 ships will be sailing from Florida. The Dream, Fantasy and Magic out of Port Canaveral with the Wonder in Miami.
2013
Thank you all for helping the site grow over the past 6 months. I hope you continue to enjoy the daily port schedule (in the upper right hand corner) with links to available port webcams, the detailed itinerary pages for each ship, and the 5-day weather forecasts for each ship.
Please let me know what you would like to see from us in 2013 by leaving a comment or sending us an email.
Great recap. Have found your blog to be very helpful before, during and after our recent cruise! Now I keep up to date as I wait for 2014 Magic & Wonder Summer itineraries. Thank you!
Thanks JC!
Scott, I’ve really been enjoying your blog since my daughter became a Youth Activities Conselor on the Dream this year. I love the detailed itineraries that help me know where she is each day. We love watching the webcam to view the ship as it leaves out of Port Canaveral usually every Sunday & Thursday. During Hurricane Sandy, I was able to keep track of the ship nearly the whole time. This was our first Christmas ever without her, so in her honor we made Remy’s ‘Colette’ drink that you included the recipe for.
FYI, she reports to me whenever she’s in port & always says to me “Mom, you just wouldn’t believe how strict Disney is about everything as far as safety & cleanliness”. She’s always telling me how they strive to make everyone’s experience a magical one.
Thanks so much!
Thank you! How did the drink turn out?
The drink turned out ok. It was more the fun of having something that’s served at Remy’s.
I forgot to say that besides using all the tools to keep track of my daughter, I’ve enjoyed reading many of your informative blogs too!