wdw cruise news

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Category Archives: News

Special Offers on Disney Cruise Line Sailings as of September 16, 2024

This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include dates from late-September into March 2025. Currently, there are 26 unique sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet Continue Reading →

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Disney Cruise Line Donates School Supplies Across Abaco and Eleuthera

As the new school year gets underway in The Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line provided students with essential resources and tools they need to be successful as part of the cruise Continue Reading →

Disney Cruise Line Corkage Fee Increased to $29

Recently, Disney Cruise Line made a change to their onboard alcohol policy increasing the corkage fee from $25 to $29 per bottle uniformly across the fleet. A corkage fee or Continue Reading →

Special Offers on Disney Cruise Line Sailings as of September 9, 2024

This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include dates from mid-September into March 2025. Currently, there are 26 unique sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet Continue Reading →

Trip Log Day 8: 9-Night Alaskan Cruise on Disney Wonder – At Sea – July 22, 2024

Trip log, day eight. At Sea.9-Night Alaskan Cruise on Disney WonderJuly 22, 2024Personal Navigator – Day 8 A quiet morning at sea on the Disney Wonder started out in French Continue Reading →

Disney Treasure: Everything We Know About This Disney Cruise Line Ship

by Heather Adams | Jul 25, 2024 | Disney Cruise Line , Disney Treasure

Here’s a look at all the facts, figures, and information we know about the Disney Treasure, the latest addition to the Disney Cruise lineup.

The Disney Cruise Line is expanding yet again! Disney has been busy adding exciting new offerings for those who set sail aboard the Disney Cruise Line fleet, from thrilling at-sea experiences to unique excursions on land. But most exciting of all is the announcement of a brand-new ship: the Disney Treasure.

Back in 2017 , Disney revealed that it was welcoming not one, but three all-new cruise ships. First to set sail was the Disney Wish , which began its voyages in 2022. The Disney Treasure is the second of the bunch, and it’s scheduled to set sail in 2024. So, what’s in store for this particular ship? We’re breaking down everything we know about the Disney Treasure below.

The Disney Treasure is a Triton-Class Ship

Like the Disney Wish before it, the Disney Treasure is one of three Triton-class ships joining the original Disney Cruise Line fleet, which includes the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy.

The Triton class of cruise ships is new to Disney Cruise Line since the Disney Wish was launched in 2022. These ships weigh 140,000 tons, and they’re a bit bigger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Step onboard, however, and the magic is seriously amplified! With specially themed lounges and dining options to incredible cabins, it’s an elevated take on cruising.

Because the Disney Treasure and Disney Wish are similar in class and size, the two will share a similar layout. However, we already know that the theming will be quite different – thanks to its adventure-centric focus, it’ll feature more of Disney’s adventurous stories and characters.

The Theming of the Disney Treasure

Image courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

We’ve already gotten a sneak peek at what the interior of Disney’s newest cruise ship will look like. Based on artist renderings, the interior of the Disney Treasure will feature a Grand Hall with hues of deep blues, turquoise, and gold. Inspired by the palaces of faraway destinations, it’ll take some inspiration from the city of Agrabah in Aladdin – and the statue in the Grand Hall will feature Jasmine, Aladdin, and the Magic Carpet.

Disney Treasure Stern Characters

In keeping with the spirit of adventure – and a bit of mischievousness! – the two stern characters who’ll adorn the Disney Treasure are Peter Pan and Captain Hook . 

Photo Courtesy of Disney

The sculptures were built in California, and sent to Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany where the ship is being constructed. For scale of the characters, Peter Pan is over 9 feet tall with a size 36.5 shoe. Captain Hook and Peter Pan are characters that complement the ship’s theme of adventure!

Onboard the Disney Treasure: Rooms, Restaurants, and More

If you’re ready to book a cruise aboard the Disney Treasure ASAP, we’re right there with you! What can you expect onboard? Here’s a look at the details of this incredible adventure-driven ship, and what’s in store for its Guests.

Disney Treasure Staterooms

An artist rendering of the staterooms planned for the Disney Treasure. Photo courtesy of Disney

With the theme of adventure running through every detail of the Disney Treasure, you can expect the accommodations to carry this through, too. And when you step into the bright and airy staterooms of this new cruise ship, you’ll find the stories of Disney tales like  Aladdin , The Lion King , Luca , The Jungle Book , and more come to life. Depending on which class of stateroom you choose to stay in, you’ll be able to experience different theming.

Because the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure are similar in both their class and their layouts, the Treasure will share similarly-designed and spacious staterooms of varying sizes, including extra-luxurious options that stretch two stories, like seen aboard the Wish. 

And if you’re looking for a truly magical experience aboard the Treasure, you’ll find plenty of special options. From concierge level stateroom suites to the incredible Tomorrow Tower Suite sitting in the forward funnel, there’s something for every kind of cruise enthusiast. You can learn more about the different staterooms and get a first look here .

Disney Treasure Dining

On board Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, the vibrant town of Santa Cecilia awakens at Plaza De Coco, the world’s first theatrical dining experience themed to the Disney and Pixar film, Coco . Photo courtesy of Disney

On the Disney Treasure, you can expect a wide range of different dining options, from rotational dining restaurants to dinner experiences complete with entertainment to poolside dining to character dining. Want to know which amazing restaurants, exactly, will be found onboard the ship? You can read our overview of the dining options on the Disney Treasure here . 

On this new Disney cruise ship, Guests will have the opportunity to experience restaurants, bars, lounges, and more all themed around different stories and characters around adventure. From the Periscope Club, which will take you 20,000 leagues under the sea, to an all-new  Coco themed dining experience to the first-ever Haunted Mansion themed bar , you’ll be immersed in different environments and theming whether you’re grabbing a drink, picking up quick service meals, or stepping into a Disney Cruise Line classic restaurant. 

Disney Treasure Entertainment

Onboard the Disney Treasure, you’ll find a wealth of entertainment options. From classic character encounters to immersive, Broadway-style theatrical shows, it’s all possible on this new cruise ship. 

Inside the Grand Hall of the Disney Treasure, Guests will find a host of entertainment taking place throughout sailings. Here, character encounters, dedicated shows, and musical performances will take place. Sarabi will also become a central hub onboard for daytime activities for all ages and adult-exclusive entertainment in the evenings. This two-story space will be home to DCL classics like “Match Your Mate” and “Family Time Game Show.”

Over in the Walt Disney Theatre, the Disney Treasure will offer Broadway-style productions developed just for Disney Cruise Line. Two DCL favorites,  Beauty and the Beast and  Disney Seas the Adventure , will return and wow Guests of all ages. A third show – one that’ll be all-new to Disney Cruise Line – exclusive to the Disney Treasure will also be coming to life. We’re still waiting on the exciting news about what this show might entail.

When Will the Disney Treasure Set Sail?

Disney has already revealed that Disney fans and cruise enthusiasts looking for adventure will be able to look forward to booking a trip on the Disney Treasure soon. The new ship is planning to officially join the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 2024 – and the Treasure will embark on its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024!

Book Your Sailing on the Disney Treasure

Ready to book your sailing on the Disney Treasure? We recommend doing so with our trusted travel agent partner who can help make your trip planning smooth sailing. All you need to do is fill out the quick form, and you’ll hear back from an agent straightaway so you can get to planning your trip. They’ll help you find the best deals, and add everything for your trip that you need to make it particularly magical.

Latest Posts

Disney Destiny Maiden Voyage Date Announced

Everything we know about the disney destiny, everything we know about the disney destiny’s dining options, deadpool coming to disney cruise line for the first time, everything we know about the disney adventure, the most surprising disney announcements from d23, posts by heather adams, authored by heather adams.

• Search forums
• Media New media

DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

Disney trip planning forums these forums focus on topics important to planning your walt disney world vacation, including strategies, resorts, discounts, and more, welcome to the dis.

• Yesterday at 9:41 PM
• supercarrie

Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies

• Theme Parks Community
• Doing the Happy Dance!

• 35 minutes ago

Disney Trip Reports

• Pre-Trip Reports and Plans
• Completed Trip Reports

• 24 minutes ago
• StarWarsMomofGirls!
• Disney Resorts
• Disney Discount Codes and Rates
• Countdowns and Live Reports
• Resorts Community Board
• 15 minutes ago
• MicheyMouse

Disney Restaurants

• Disney Dining Plan
• Disney Dining Reviews
• Disney Dining Reservations

• 34 minutes ago

Budget Board

• Today at 5:47 AM
• havaneselover

Disney for Families

• 32 minutes ago

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

• Yesterday at 8:05 PM

Orlando Hotels and Attractions

• Hotel & Accommodations Reviews
• Yesterday at 8:24 PM

Adventures By Disney

• Yesterday at 10:17 PM
• FairyGodmother00
• Disney Rumors and News

• A moment ago

Disney World Tips

• Yesterday at 5:22 PM
• Anthony1971

Disney for Adults and Solo Travelers

• Today at 1:51 AM
• Transportation

• 5 minutes ago

Disney Weddings and Honeymoons

• Completed trip reports and planning journals
• Sep 7, 2024
• Mouseforward

disABILITIES!

• disABILITIES Community Board
• Today at 1:55 AM

Camping at Disney World

• Camping Community Board

• 25 minutes ago
• 2goofycampers

The College Board

• Sep 9, 2024

LGBTQ at Disney

• Sunday at 8:46 PM
• disneymerlady

DIS Unlimited Podcast / YouTube

Sponsored by dreams unlimited travel.

• Saturday at 6:32 PM

Disney Cruise Line If you are considering a Disney Cruise, this is a great place to ask questions and share tips. Be sure to check out the Disney Cruise Line area of our site for more information. Sponsored by Dreams Unlimited Travel

• Disney Cruise Line Forum

Disney Cruise Line Information

• Disney Cruise Meets
• Disney Cruise Line Pre-Trip Reports

• 4 minutes ago
• Dive Bar Casanova

Disneyland These forums focus on Disneyland in Southern California. Sponsored by Dreams Unlimited Travel

• Disneyland (California)
• Disneyland Community Board

• 3 minutes ago
• TigerlilyAJ

California & the West

• Southern California

• Sunday at 9:51 PM

Disneyland Trip Reports

• California & the West Trip Reports

• Sep 10, 2024

Disney Vacation Club These forums are specifically for Disney Vacation Club members and those interested in information about joining. Sponsored by DVC Resale Market

• Purchasing DVC

Sponsored by DVC Resale Market

• 7 minutes ago
• vdangelo239

DVC Member Services

• Today at 5:44 AM

DVC Resorts

• Yesterday at 9:50 PM

DVC-Mousecellaneous

• Today at 5:22 AM

DVC Trip Reports

DVC-Rent/Transfer

• Yesterday at 6:22 PM

Global Neighbours

Uk trip planning forum.

• UK Trip Reports Board

• Yesterday at 10:53 PM

UK Community Board

• Today at 3:43 AM
• Bad Pink Tink 2.0

Disneyland Paris Trip Planning & Community Board

• Disneyland Paris Trip Reports Board

• Yesterday at 1:18 AM

Canadian Trip Planning & Community Board

• Yesterday at 10:48 PM
• Donald - my hero

Other Lands

• Tokyo Disneyland
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Yesterday at 11:42 PM

UK DVC Discussion

• Aug 7, 2024

Royal Caribbean A place to discuss Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Royal caribbean.

• Yesterday at 10:25 PM

Universal Studios/Sea World Interested in some of Orlando's other theme parks? This is the perfect place to ask questions and discover what lies beyond Disney's borders, including Universal Studios and Island of Adventure! Sponsored by Dreams Unlimited Travel

Universal studios/islands of adventure forums.

• Yesterday at 10:28 PM

Universal Orlando Resorts & Hotels

• Yesterday at 10:34 AM

Universal Studios Trip Reports

• Yesterday at 5:53 PM

Sea World / Discovery Cove

• Yesterday at 9:00 AM
• Phatscott25

Just for Fun These forums are a great place to share your mutual interests with other Disney fans!

• Community Board
• Congratulations & Birthday Wishes

• 17 minutes ago
• Eating Healthy
• runDisney/Events/Comp (Obsolete, read-only)
• WISH Journals

• Today at 5:54 AM
• PollyannaMom

Photography Board

• Today at 3:50 AM
• goopysolelady
• Training Journals

• Yesterday at 10:41 PM
• GollyGadget

Disney Rewards Programs

• Yesterday at 1:53 PM

Disney Collectors Board

• Yesterday at 4:23 AM

Disney Online Games

• Non-Disney Online Games
• Virtual Traders Market
• Online Gaming Community Board
• VMK Creations

• Yesterday at 7:54 PM

Disney+, Books and Music

• Today at 4:41 AM

Creative Community

• Creative DISigns
• Arts and Crafts
• Flower & Garden Forum
• Scrapbooking

• Thursday at 6:00 PM
• M_I_C_K_E_Y

Coping and Compassion

• Yesterday at 7:29 AM
• Sunday at 5:11 PM

Just Say Thanks

• Jul 27, 2024
• Team Wendy and Nana

In Memoriam

• Aug 9, 2024

Technical Support These forums are for testing out the various features of the boards, and for asking technical questions regarding their use.

Technical support.

• New Board Issues
• Saturday at 8:21 PM

• Walt Disney World News
• Walt Disney World Articles
• Disney Cruise Line News
• Disneyland News
• General Disney News

DIS NEWS & UPDATES

• See NEW Mickey's Pumpkin Patch Backdrops at Disney's PhotoPass Studio
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary PARTY EXCLUSIVE FOOD at Cosmic Ray's
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort Standard Hotel Room Tour in 3D/VR at WDW
• Disney's Holiday Shop Is OPEN With New Homewares
• NEW Magic Shots at Disney World to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Forum statistics

• Mar 28, 2021

• Jun 1, 2024
• Sep 4, 2024
• Oct 15, 2023

• May 10, 2024

• Aug 10, 2015

• #1hoosierfan
• Jan 19, 2022
• Yesterday at 9:16 AM

• Wednesday at 3:28 PM

Accommodations

Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, news & updates for walt disney world, jump to news for: uncategorized gallery dining disneyland resort    disneyland accommodations    disneyland dining    disneyland theme park    disney california adventure    disneyland park    wandering the land theme park menu recipe planning history walt disney world    wandering the world accommodation tips allears events epcot    epcot flower & garden festival    epcot food & wine festival    epcot festival of the arts    epcot festival of the holidays animal kingdom news disney cruise line tokyo disneyland magic kingdom disney springs disneyland paris sea world photo of the week universal studios disney vacation club newsletter allears tv beyond the theme parks holidays at large disney’s hollywood studios shopping 0) { location.href = "https://allears.net/cat=" + dropdown.options[dropdown.selectedindex].value; } } dropdown.onchange = oncatchange; -->   showing all: show only news -->.

Disney Menu Updates: 58 Restaurants Hit With CHANGES Including the Return of Popular Snacks!

A Popular Ride Was Closed All Day in Disney World (AGAIN). Should We Be Concerned?!

REVIEW: Forget Magic Kingdom. We’re Eating at This POPULAR Hotel Restaurant Instead!

Why Disney Needs New Rules for Toy Story Mania

A Popular Character Is Now in the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT for a VERY Limited Time!

AllEars TV: EVERYTHING in Disney World in 100 Days – Episode 27: RIP Tom Sawyer Island

People Spent $185 on a Disney World Meal…and It Was “Not Worth It”

5 Need-To-Know Secrets About Disney World Hotels Everyone Should Read

Only Experts Know This Secret in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion

We Have Been Studying Disney World Wait Times for Years, and We’re STILL Impressed by This September Trend

Follow us on social, trending now.

We have good news for those who didn't get one of the first 2024 'Nightmare...

Miss Maelstrom in EPCOT? I get it, but did you know about this secret that...

We're worried about a Hollywood Studios ride...and for good reason!

Should you spend time dining at this quick service location at Disney's Polynesian Resort? Here's...

There are a couple of need-to-know secrets about Disney World hotels that you need to...

Target just dropped a new Haunted Mansion-inspired makeup collection and we're obsessed!

It really is about time for Disney to implement a couple of new rules for...

Listen, we LOVE Disney World, but we also understand that it can be a little…stressful....

Booking a dinner dining reservation on a Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party night? Here's why you...

If you are planning to fly Allegiant Airlines to Disney World, we have three unspoken...

New Disney Hallmark ornaments are HERE and we could not be more obsessed!

A new Disney Visa Cardmember perk is now available at Disneyland Resort!

This NEW Disney Haunted Mansion souvenir is gonna be popular!

A villains Halloween Advent Calendar? Yes, we bought it!

Yes, the shoes you wear to Disney World matter.

We've gotta go over the things that Disney experts say 99% of people get wrong...

Luckily, her favorite ride generally has a short wait, so you can ride it whenever...

I've flown Spirit Airlines TONS of times, and here are the 3 things you really...

For a limited time, you can catch a special appearance during Mariachi Cobre's performances at...

Been thinking about finally taking that trip to Aulani in 2025? These are some savings...

Shop the Disney Store | AllEars® Merchandise | Shop Amazon | Press Room | Contact Us

Read more About us or Advertise with us . We respect your right to privacy. Please take a moment to review our privacy policy and terms of use .

Copyright ©1996-2024 AllEarsNet, LLC, All Rights Reserved. AllEars.Net, AllEars® Newsletter and any other properties owned by AllEarsNet, LLC are not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. All Disney artwork, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to Disney Enterprises, Inc. or, its subsidiary, affiliated and related companies. For official Disney information, visit http://www.disneyworld.com

More From Forbes

Revealed: disney cruise line overstated its emissions by 35 times.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Disney overstated the emissions of its cruise ships by 35 times (Photo by David Roark/Disney via ... [+] Getty Images)

Disney has revealed that its cruise line repeatedly overstated its emissions in company filings due to a systematic error which led to the results being as much as 35 times higher than they actually were.

Disney's cruise line launched in 1998 but it first dipped its toe in the water in the mid-1980s. It began by signing a partnership which allowed the now-defunct Premier Cruise Lines to sell combined cruise, hotel and theme park packages and offer onboard appearances from Disney characters.

In 1993 Premier decided to partner with Warner Bros. instead and although it continued to offer land and sea packages with Disney's parks, it also added Universal Studios as an option.

This led Disney to approach Carnival and Royal Caribbean about becoming its exclusive sea partner. However, the talks went nowhere so Disney took the plunge and launched its own cruise line. Although its fleet of five ships are owned by The Walt Disney Company in Burbank, they are run by its Magical Cruise Company subsidiary in the United Kingdom where it files annual financial statements which lift the lid on its environmental impact.

In 2018 the UK government introduced new legislation requiring large companies using more than 40,000 kilowatt-hours of energy in the UK to make detailed emissions disclosures from April 1, 2019. Known as the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations, it is mandatory for companies with two or more of the following criteria: revenue of at least $47.6 million (£36 million), balance sheet assets of at least $23.8 million (£18 million) or at least 250 employees. Disney's cruise line meets all three criteria.

As we recently revealed in UK business newspaper City AM , Magical Cruise Company's revenue surged by a staggering 90.6% to $2.2 billion in the year to September 30, 2023 and it had $686.9 million of assets as well as 7,576 staff. The cruise line is part of Disney's Experiences segment which also includes its theme parks. Some Disney executives like to boast that Experiences has delivered record profit and revenue for multiple quarters but the company recently signalled that dark clouds have gathered over it.

The 9 Best Memory Foam Mattresses, Tested By Our Editors

Hackers force chrome users to hand over google passwords. here’s how, google chrome deadline—you have 72 hours to update your browser.

As we reported , on last month's earnings call for the three months to June 29, 2024, Disney's chief financial officer Hugh Johnston said that "we saw attendance flat in the quarter" with a "flattish revenue number" forecast for the fourth quarter and a slowdown expected for "a few quarters." Its earnings release added that "we expect Q4 Experiences segment operating income to decline by mid single digits versus the prior year."

The cruise line is one of the bright spots of the Experiences division as its operating income swelled to $193.6 million in 2023, up from a $323 million loss, whilst occupancy hit 97% in December last year.

However, the entire cruise industry is coming under pressure due to torrents of criticism from environmentalists so clear communication of its emissions is crucial if operators want to stay on the crest of the wave. Friends of the Earth awarded Disney an 'A' rating in transparency so the error in its reporting is surprising, especially as it is contained in official filings.

The cruise industry is under pressure from environmental campaigners (Photo by Horacio ... [+] Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

It emerged in the Magical Cruise Company financial statements which cover the period of almost a year to October 1, 2022. They revealed that "the 2021 and 2020 emissions have been recalculated" and this led to a sea change in the results.

The 2021 financial statements showed that the energy consumption used to calculate emissions was 5,046,135,433 kilowatt-hours for the period to October 2, 2021. However, the 2022 financial statements revealed that the figure for this period had been retrospectively reduced to just 170,763,841 kilowatt-hours which is a staggering 30 times lower.

Likewise, the 2021 financial statements showed that the energy consumption used to calculate emissions was 2,043,627,827 kilowatt-hours for the period to October 3, 2020. However, this was reduced by 36 times to 56,583,468 kilowatt-hours in the 2022 filings.

The same goes for the key emissions metric of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). The 2021 financial statements claimed that the company generated 1,302,416 total gross tCO2e for the period to October 2, 2021. However, the following year this had been reduced to just 46,000 total gross tCO2e. Ditto for the previous year as the 2021 financial statements show that 527,992 total gross tCO2e was generated in the period to October 3, 2020 whereas the 2022 filings state that it only came to 15,242 total gross tCO2e, which is 35 times lower.

Disney's UK cruise operator, Magical Cruise Company, had to restate its financial report in 2022

No reason is given for these huge reductions to previous years as the document simply says "please see the methodology notes on page 15 for more details on the calculation above." The methodology notes on page 15 are identical in the 2021 and 2022 financial statements so that doesn't explain the reason for the gulf of a difference between the years.

Disney declined to give an official statement but provided detailed background guidance on this. Last year the company discovered that prior year emission figures had been miscalculated so they needed to be recalculated according to the SECR regulations. The emissions were originally calculated based on fuel used in UK waters as well as fuel remaining unused on the ships when they left and re-entered the area. This led to unused fuel being counted on multiple occasions, resulting in a huge overstatement of carbon emissions in the figures which were originally reported.

Disney addressed this error by only reporting the fuel used while the vessels were in UK waters in accordance with SECR regulations. It explains the sharp reduction in the numbers which was compounded by there being a higher level of cruise activity in UK waters in 2021 than the previous year due to the pandemic.

The fact that a company as large as Disney made an error like this shows how complex the legislation is. It reflects the results of a recent survey by facilities management giant Mitie which revealed that more than half of UK-based sustainability professionals found reporting requirements too complex.

Accuracy in reporting will become increasingly important for Disney over the coming years as Disney is greatly expanding its fleet to cater for growing demand. In July, we revealed that more ships were on the way and just 11 days later Disney announced that over the coming years it will add a further four to its fleet. It will bring the total to 13 along with two destinations for them to dock at in the Bahamas – Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.

Castaway Cay is a private island which opened with Disney's cruise line in 1998 and was so successful that the Mouse began to consider buying other sites in the Bahamas such as Egg Island, Morgan’s Bluff and West End, the oldest town on Grand Bahama. However, all of these plans sunk without a trace due to opposition from residents, environmental issues or operational constraints. Disney navigated these choppy waters and ended up buying a 758-acre parcel of land known as Lighthouse Point.

Disney recently added a second private island in the Bahamas to its roster © Disney

Unlike Castaway Cay, Lighthouse Point isn't a private island. Instead, it is a peninsula on the island of Eleuthera and the rest of the land there does not belong to Disney. Even though Disney didn't ask for all the land it still took more than a wave of its magic wand to do the deal.

In order to get the green light from the government in the Bahamas, Disney committed to creating approximately 150 permanent jobs for Bahamians on the development. It also agreed that Bahamian vendors will get space there, at a minimal rent, to sell authentic, high quality local souvenirs and services on the days that a Disney Cruise Line ship is in port. Disney's filings state that it expects its cruise ships to call 138 times at Lighthouse Point this year, with a further 48 next year and 52 more from 2026 onwards.

The estimated weekly volume of passengers ranges from 11,400 to 26,600 and, according to forecasts from Oxford Economics, over the next 25 years Lighthouse Point is expected to boost Bahamian Gross Domestic Product by $805.1 million and increase Bahamian government revenues by $357.5 million. Disney is pushing out the boat to make the most of it.

In addition to buying the land, it has leased the surrounding seabed from the Bahamian government at an annual rent of $1,000 per acre for the first ten years with a review due after that. Disney also spent between $250 million and $400 million on developing the land with one key caveat. To pacify protestors, it committed to developing just 16% of the total land that it purchased at Lighthouse Point with the remainder to be left undisturbed or donated to the public. Unlike the SECR reporting, locals can use their own eyes to see whether Disney is sticking to these terms.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

Is Disney World’s Jungle Cruise closing? Here’s what to know before your next trip to Magic Kingdom

Planning a trip to see the 8th Wonder of the World? You might want to hold off until the holiday season.

Disney World announced that its Jungle Cruise attraction at Magic Kingdom will be closed because of refurbishments starting Aug. 26.

Why is Jungle Cruise closed at Disney World in Orlando?

The exact reasons for the refurbishment has not been released. WDW Magic does share that several permits were recently filed for the attraction, including one with contractor Underwater Engineering Services Inc.

Theme parks fans know the ride has gone through different "reimaginings," adding new animatronics and details to its backstory. It has not been closed to refurbishment since 2017.

When will Jungle Cruise reopen at Disney World in Orlando?

While the company has not announced a specific reopening date, it has shared on its website that the attraction is scheduled to reopen before the winter holidays begin at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

However, the ride has been removed from the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party attraction lists.

Is there a 'Jungle Cruise' movie? How to stream movie starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Emily Blunt

For those who already have a trip to Disney's Magic Kingdom set for fall 2024, you can still get your Jungle Cruise fix.

Disney turned its iconic rides into a movie in 2021, joining the ranks of "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Haunted Mansion" and "Tower of Terror."

Set in 1917 during World War I , USA TODAY wrote that the Jungle Cruise movie stars Emily Blunt as Lily Houghton, a British botanist in search of a legendary ancient tree that has petals with amazing healing properties and the potential to change medicine forever. She needs a way to get to it, though, and she heads down to South America where she meets Frank Wolff (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), a financially strapped riverboat captain who gives tourists jungle rides chock full of groan-worthy jokes and the occasional factoid.

More: Emily Blunt, Dwayne Johnson reveal most awkward 'Jungle Cruise' kiss, dirty jokes cut by Disney

Lily hires Frank and set sail in his dilapidated vessel to find their treasure, dealing with pesky natives, rocky waterfalls and other various obstacles on the way. 

The movie also stars Jesse Plemons, Edgar Ramírez and Jack Whitehall.

What other ride, attraction closures are at Disney World resorts in Orlando?

As of July 15, here are the refurbishment closures announced for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida:

• World Premiere Food Court , EPCOT - until July 31, 2024
• Peter Pan's Flight , Magic Kingdom - until Aug. 20, 2024
• Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool , Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort - TBA
• Fantasia Pool , Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort - TBA

Disney Tourist Blog also notes that permits have been filed for Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom, saying it's an "open secret that the roller coaster is closing for roughly one-year." There has not been any announcements from Disney World.

Where Magic Meets the Sea

• Leaving Any Date
• Sailing to Any Destination
• Departing from Any Port
• More Filters

Discover Disney Cruise Line

What's Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise

From the moment you step on board to your last wave goodbye, a Disney cruise includes almost everything you could hope for—larger-than-life entertainment, delicious dining, action-packed kids clubs, spacious accommodations, dazzling destinations and more—all delivered with our legendary service and attention to detail.

View What’s Included

Check Availability

Announcing the Disney Treasure

Adventure meets the daring tales of classic Disney films and Disney park attractions on the newest ship to join our fleet—sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning December 2024.

See Details

Plan & Save

Guest Testimonials

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Pay at Your Own Pace

Can't Miss Experiences

New Disney Cruise Line Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Itineraries

Set Sail on a Halloween Scare-a-bration

Embrace the Natural Wonders of Jamaica

Delight in Seasonal Magic at Sea

Cruise embarkation day guide: How to start your sailing off smoothly

• Cruise lines typically notify guests via email or their app that they can check in and choose from several arrival times.
• Once on board, the first thing to do is go to your muster station, a designated meeting point for guests and crew in the event of an emergency.
• Staterooms on major cruise lines are typically available around 1 p.m. after crew members finish turning them over from the previous sailing.

Get more news like this delivered to your inbox by signing up for our Travel newsletter here . 

When Mike Smith takes a cruise , he doesn’t waste any time. Cabins often aren’t ready for guests until early afternoon, so the 35-year-old brings a swimsuit in his backpack and changes in one of the public bathrooms after boarding. Then he grabs a drink and sits by the pool.

“I really want to use my two hours to relax, enjoy,” said Smith, who teaches American Sign Language and makes travel content on his Instagram account . “I don't want to have to idly walk around and wait for my luggage.”

While Smith – who has taken nearly 10 cruises just in the past two years – has his embarkation day routine down, first-time passengers may find themselves wondering what parts of the ship are open, when their luggage will arrive and more.

Here’s what to expect.

How do I prepare for cruise embarkation day?

Smith starts getting ready to board well before his departure date.

Cruise lines typically notify guests via email or their app that they can check in and choose from several arrival times. Smith said he tries to get the “earliest boarding time possible.”

“I'll try my very best to do it that day when they (say) you can,” he said. Cruise lines encourage guests to check in ahead of time.

“Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise,” Royal Caribbean International said on its website , for example. “If you do not complete check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time.”

Smith also likes to look over the deck plans for the ship, which are usually available online, to familiarize himself with the layout. 

“Otherwise, sometimes day one becomes, like, walking to one end of the ship and going, ‘Oh, wait, it's not over here, it's over there,’ and then turning around,” he said. “And I think mitigating any kind of frustration is always a good way to start a cruise.”

What happens on cruise embarkation day?

At the port, passengers can check luggage with a porter and go through security before getting on the ship.

Once on board, Smith said the “first, first, first, first” thing he does is go to his muster station, a designated meeting point for guests and crew in the event of an emergency. Muster drills used to be more involved , but the process can usually now be completed by watching a safety video and checking in at the assigned locale. All guests must do so before the ship sets sail.

“I think a lot of people, especially people who haven’t cruised in a long time, they might have my childhood trauma, which was putting on that life jacket and standing outside by the lifeboats and listening to the horn blow and going through all those instructions,” he said. “And every cruise I've been on now for the past two years, everything's in the app.”

In Smith’s experience, staterooms on major cruise lines are typically available around 1 p.m. after crew members finish turning them over from the previous sailing.

Checked luggage is left outside guests’ cabins, but delivery times can vary. Smith tries to bring enough items in his backpack – which he carries with him during boarding – that he doesn’t need anything from his suitcase until the evening.

Once his bags arrive, he “1000%” unpacks everything that day. “I like to do it; my boyfriend is adamant about it,” he said. “He's the driving force.”

Once the suitcases are empty, they slide them under the bed, which can create some extra room for guests in the sometimes tight quarters of cruise cabins.

What’s open on embarkation day?

Smith has found that many onboard amenities are accessible to guests on embarkation day.

But there is one he likes to avoid just after boarding: the buffet. Many passengers tend to go straight there, causing it to get packed.

He prefers to eat before getting on the ship, so he doesn't have to worry about grabbing food right away.

Other venues, like specialty restaurants, may also not be open until dinner on the first day of a cruise.

From cell service to Wi-Fi: How to stay connected on a cruise ship

And while large cruise ships often have a range of retail stores, they generally aren’t open while in port. Smith recommended that guests bring items like sunscreen and any medications they might need in case the shops are closed or they don’t have what they’re looking for.

He also uses time after embarkation to make reservations for specialty dining and peruse the entertainment schedule, making notes on his phone of the activities and shows he and his boyfriend want to attend.

“And then I just put whatever we're doing there so we don't have to really think about anything because the last thing I really want to do on vacation is think a lot,” Smith said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

TikTokers Matt Howard and Abby Howard Slammed for Leaving Toddlers in Cruise Ship Cabin

Social media influencers matt howard and abby howard faced criticism after  sharing  they left their sons alone in their cruise ship room while they ate dinner..

Matt Howard  and  Abby Howard  are cruising into a new controversy.  

The married  TikTokers , who post under the  joint account Matt & Abby , shared that on a recent cruise with their sons  Griffin , 2, and  August , 13 months, they left the boys asleep in their stateroom while the two of them went to dinner, adding they were monitoring them via FaceTime.

"So we ended up taking them for 5 nights," Abby wrote in  a since expired Instagram Story , "and it became apparent that they weren't enjoying it and therefore we weren't either."

She  explained that the couple— who married in 2019  during their sophomore year of college—switched their dining time to after their children's bedtime and "FaceTimed the monitors while we ate."

The 25-year-old noted that, "Baby monitors don't work on board unless you're only like 10 feet away."

And she was happy with the decision she and her 26-year-old husband made, writing, "That worked out muchhhh better for everyone! :)"

However, soon after sharing the update, the  Unplanned Podcast  cohosts found themselves the subject the criticism around the internet.

"Obviously not enough people take true crime seriously," TikToker yourfinestpardon said in a video  posted Sept. 15 . "It's terrifying. Like, what happens if you come back from eating dinner and you have no idea how your kids are doing? How long—if there was an emergency—would it take you to get back to the room?"

And users were just as outraged in the comments  of her video,  with one writing, "They would legitimately be in jail right now for abandonment if this was on land."

Another wrote,  "I'm just saying, what other situations do they leave their kid alone," while one TikToker added, "AND TO ANNOUNCE YOU LEFT THEM ALONE ON THE CRUISE."

In response to the backlash, a source close to the couple told E! News that the pair were traveling with Abby’s family members, who had rooms right next door to each other on the ship. According to the insider, they were taking turns being with the kids, and the boys were never alone. The source added that the use of baby monitors was an additional precaution.

E! News has reached out to Matt and Abby for comment .

This is not the first time the podcasters have made headlines with a controversial decision. Earlier this year, Matt and Abby declared that they would not be celebrating Father's Day, because the annual holiday always fell around Matt's birthday, making celebrations feel redundant.

"Last year was June 18, which is Matt's birthday," Abby explained on  a May episode of their podcast , "so he had Father's Day and his birthday on the same day and I will say, I did kind of combine the holidays."

Matt noted that having the joint celebrations was "kind of was a bummer."

"Hey, but you know what?" he continued. "This year we're boycotting Father's Day for the month of June, and celebrating it three months after my birthday."

'Larger than life': Creve Coeur honors late beloved founder of cruise-in fundraiser

Friends and family say Dan Jones of Creve Coeur had a personality that was “larger than life."

“He was definitely a person who loved to help and serve others,” said Mickey, Jones’ wife. “He loved God, his family, and his friends. He was a family man through and through.”

Jones, 62, died on Aug. 30. He was the former owner of the Tri-County Sports Shop in Creve Coeur, where he was known as a go-to vendor for local schools, studios and sports teams. When the shop closed 11 years ago, Jones worked at Costco in East Peoria as a gas station supervisor. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter and founded a still-active fundraising event called the Sweet Kids Cruise-In & Car Show , which benefits the Pediatric Diabetes Resource Center .

Jones' love for his community manifested in his willingness to socialize with customers and give back. His community clearly loved him back, because Mickey estimated that between 700 and 800 people attended his visitation earlier this month at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home.

“It showed how special a man he was,” Mickey said. “To see so many people he impacted came to pay their respects and honor him was overwhelming.”

Jones’ lifelong friend Tom Schatsiek of Creve Coeur attended elementary school with him. Even though they went on to attend different high schools, Schatsiek asserted that it was no deterrent to their friendship. They also went on to both serve as volunteer firefighters in Creve Coeur. “When we got to be teenagers, we’d cruise Main Street (in Peoria) in his Camaro,” he said. “That was probably every Friday and Saturday night.”

Mickey said Jones also was a fixture at all his childrens’ sporting events, dance recitals, school plays and band concerts.

“I only remember him missing one event, and that was when his grandmother was in the (Intensive Care Unit),” she said. “Other than that, we went to every one of our kids’ events, and they did a multitude of things. ... We went to Florida twice for cheerleading competitions, and we went to Texas twice for soccer games when our son was in college.”

'Funny, caring, wholesome': East Peoria man celebrated after death from brain cancer

Jones was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 14; his daughter Emily Thigpen was diagnosed as a teenager. Both had a love of classic cars and combined that passion with a desire to help children newly diagnosed with diabetes into the Sweet Kids Cruise In. Since its inception in 2011, the Cruise In has raised over $100,000.

“We thought it would be a one-year thing,” Thigpen said. “But we raised five or six thousand dollars and we had so much fun doing it that when people asked if we were going to make it annual event, it seemed like a no-brainer.”

“The Cruise In was always a great fellowship event,” said Jones' sister, Diane Hemp. “Sometimes there would be more than 100 cars there, and people would talk and text. There would be silent auctions for baskets and a 50/50 raffle.”

In the spare time, Jones enjoyed hunting, cooking, his assortment of smokers and vacations at Lake of the Ozarks. He also loved rock music from the 1970s and 1980s — particularly Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Aerosmith and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

“There was always music on,” Thigpen said. “There was a stereo system inside. There was a stereo system in the garage. There was a stereo system in the shop where he worked. Wherever he was, a stereo was always on, and it was always loud.”

Thigpen’s favorite memories of her father include impromptu after-school dance parties and traditional family vacations that often included a party of friends.

“It will be difficult to return to Lake of the Ozarks without him, because he was part of every single memory,” she said. “Whether it was skiing, teaching people how to ski, riding the Jet Ski, or fishing off the dock; he was there, just like he was there for us pretty much every day of our lives.”

In addition to Mickey, he is survived by his parents, Jerry and Pat Jones of Creve Coeur; his brother, Tom; his sister Hemp of Metamora; daughters Marisa Bollinger of East Peoria, Danielle Keen of Tremont, and Emily Thigpen of Creve Coeur; son Rob Jones of Groveland; 12 grandchildren; and a veritable army of friends.

Mickey said she had many fond memories of her life with Jones, but her single favorite was their wedding day, which occurred just eight months after they met. Their 25th wedding anniversary celebration with family and friends likely ranks a close second, she added.

Business, family and baseball: Remembering beloved Peorian, author and son of comedian

“Our family and friends sent us on a belated honeymoon/anniversary trip to Hawaii,” said Mickey. “That was probably the most peaceful, relaxing vacation we ever had. The fact that our family and friends had planned it for us made it even more special.”