Disney leaps to the front of the cruise industry’s competition of who can build the world’s most exciting cruise ship: In New York yesterday, Disney Cruise Line execs announced that its newest ship, the 2500-passenger Disney Dream, will boast a 765-foot water coaster, “AquaDuck!,” a ride spanning four decks of the ship.

When she enters service in December, 2011, Disney Dream will feature additional innovative features such as inside staterooms with “virtual portholes” (images from cameras outside the ship are broadcast on the “window”) plus “Enchanted Art” that comes alive when passengers admire pieces and life-like interaction of Disney characters on a 103-inch plasma screen.

*** The “AquaDuck water coaster, which starts on Deck 16 includes 333 of river rapids and a track extending over the edge of the ship about 150 feet above the water. Boarding floatation devices, passengers are propelled through the attraction by high-powered water jets at a speed of 20 feet per second.

*** A separate adult “district” with a pub, piano bar, a champagne bar and the “sky bar”, with changing views of famous cities such as New York, London and Paris.

*** Disney is adding two new restaurants, the Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden, to the ship’s roster of themed dining rooms. Inspired by the gardens of Versailles, the Enchanted Garden has the atmosphere of a conservatory with a nighttime sky lit by sunsets and twinkling stars.

*** The new Cabanas restaurant with boasting casual fare will feature 16 specialized food stations including sushi, pizza, pasta, stir-fry, grilled specialties and desserts. During the day the restaurant is a self-service buffet; in the evenings, the space transforms into a table-service casual dining experience with entrees cooked to order.

STATEROOMS

Some 90% of Disney Dream’s staterooms will have private balconies and 500 cabins will have connecting doors adjoining staterooms for families who wish to stay connected. Standard inside and outside cabins will be 220 square feet and all will have a bath and a half, 22-inch LCD flat screen TV and iPod docking stations. The 22 suites will have two bathrooms, 42-inch high-definition LCD television and Blu-ray disc player.

ITINERARY

Disney Dream’s inaugural voyage is scheduled January 26, 2011 when the ship will commence three and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral. During the summer the ship will move to four and five-night voyages. Sister-ship Disney Fantasy will commence service in mid-2012 also sailing from Disney’s Florida port. All itineraries include a day at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private Bahamian island, which is being enlarged with expanded family beach, water platform and beach cabanas.