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Today I’ve got some Disney cruise news that, unlike last time, isn’t just a little bit silly. The official Disney Parks blog, which really does seem to be more the official Disney vacation blog, announces some updates to the Disney European cruises.
This summer all travelers aboard the Disney Magic, the cruise line’s often Europe-bound vessel, get to participate in the pilot launch of the European Port Adventures. The word “Adventure” is a hint; this new program reminds me very much of operations on an Adventures by Disney vacation. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Disney’s putting its AbD connections to use here.
The European Port Adventures are guided tours of various sites and locations around some of the cities at which the Disney Magic docks. Guests are still free to tour the towns at their leisure, but now those who choose can sign up for exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences in a handful of European cities.
This summer the Disney Magic is stopping in Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Nice/The French Riviera, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Malta, Palermo, and Corsica. The latter four locations are only visited during the 10- or 11-night cruises. European Port Adventures are available during this tour in Barcelona, Villefranche, Naples, and (again only on the longer cruises) Palermo.
Cruise attendees have the most flexibility for attending the European Port Adventures in Barcelona, as the city is both the starting and ending point for the Disney Magic’s Journey. As such the port adventures options for the Barcelona are available at both points along the trip. Visit the Chocolate Museum where you’ll get to mold your own treat, attend a Flamenco concert while enjoying a tapas dinner, or take a driving tour of Antoni Gaudi architecture.
The European Port Adventures has two options in the French Riviera town of Villefranche, one for those who like a little action in their lives and another for those who instead enjoy flexing their creative muscles. Sweep down the white water rapids of the Var River, and/or tour the Fragonard perfume factory and concoct a specialized scent.
When the Disney Magic stops in Naples, just like on the AbD Mediterranean cruises guests can then travel to the scenic town of Sorrento. Options for the port adventures also include a tour of Pompeii, a hike up Mt. Vesuvius, and a pizza-making lesson for kids.
The 10-and 11-night Disney Magic Cruises will also stop at the Sicilian town of Palermo. There the port adventures offers another kiddie option in a children’s ceramics class, and a fun-for-the-whole-family marionette show.
Many of the European Port Adventures options are identical, or nearly so, to those for Adventures by Disney, especially the Mediterranean cruise vacation. That particular tour must have been popular, thus inspiring Disney to add a similar feature to its normal European cruise.
All of the details I could find released so far on the European Cruise Adventures are covered here. If you’re interested in or already booked for a Disney Magic trip this summer, however, check out the Disney Cruise website for more information as it becomes available.
Related Articles:
Adventures by Disney: The Natural North American Continent
*(This image by Seansie is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
