The '' is a
Cruise Ship operated by
Disney Cruise Line since its launch in
1999 . Built by
Fincantieri in
Italy , she can hold a maximum of 2,400 passengers.
''Disney Wonder'' and sister ship ''
Disney Magic '' are the first vessels to be designed, from the keel up, as family cruise ships, with the precise goal of accommodating parents and children. Low tech things like the split bathrooms, even in small cabins, and high tech services like the parental
Pager s are two of the many design features that set them apart from other cruise ships.
The bulk of the clientele is made up of
Nuclear Families . It is also popular for family reunions of medium to large sizes. The ship also attracts
Honeymoon ers.
The general allure of the ship is the classic design, including the presence of two stacks instead of one (though one is false and houses a teen club). This gives a silhouette which is reminiscent of the golden age of the
Ocean Liner s. Other details, such as the large round portholes instead of the window-like openings common in other cruise ships, also show a desire to foster a nostalgic image of the luxury and prestige of sea travel of the past.
The interior is a mix of the opulent but clean
Art Noveau streamline style of the transatlantic liners of the 1940s and 1950s and the graphic signature of all the Disney movies of the last decades. The Disney characters are also there in abundance, though often represented subtly. There is no risk of having the impression for more than a short moment of being on the
''Normandie'' or the
''Queen Elizabeth'' , given such things as a large bronze statue of Ariel,
The Little Mermaid right in the middle of the entry foyer to the Triton restaurant. Also, the ship's horn plays ''
When You Wish Upon A Star ''.
The Disney Wonder and her sister ship serve also as supply vessels for
Castaway Cay , the private Disney island in the Bahamas. The ships even provide data services for the island when in port allowing guests to charge gift and other purchases to their cabins continuing their cashless vacation.
The Disney Wonder has some of the best designed childrens spaces at sea. For the 3-8 year olds, the Oceaneer's Club is a play space designed with a
Peter Pan theme with storytelling, climbing area, computers, dress-up area and other fun activities. For 8-12 year olds, the Oceaneer's Lab offers a distinctly fun, different environment with cool activities including science, video games and creativity. The teen guests also have their own dedicated space in the aft funnel atop the ship. Called "Aloft" it is modeled after a studio loft space, with comfortable couches, televisions, an internet cafe and games just for teens. When the ship calls at Castaway Cay, all three groups have activities and spaces designed just for them as well, including Scuttle's Cove and the Teen Beach.
The Disney Wonder and her sister ship introduced rotational dining through highly themed environments to cruising. The three main restaurants, Triton's, Parrot Cay and Animator's Palate each provide unique dinner experiences. There is also a buffet and an alternative, adults-only restaurant Palo.
- Gross Tonnage: 83,000
- Registry: Bahamas
- Length: 964 feet
- Beam: 106 feet
- Draft: 25.3 feet
- Cruising Speed: 21.5 knots
- Max speed: 24 knots
- Staterooms: 874
- Crew: 945
- Fuel storage capacity: 20,000 gallons
- Durand, Jean-François. ''Autour du Monde Paquebots / Cruise ships around the world'' Editions marines, 1996. text
- Schwartzman, M. T. ed.. ''Fodor's 99 the best cruises''. New York : Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc., c1998.
- Ward, Douglas ed.. ''Berlitz ocean cruising & cruise ships''. London : Berlitz, 2003.
