Disney Fantasy Floats

As fireworks filled the sky and Minnie Mouse waved from an upper deck, the newest cruise ship for the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Fantasy, was slowly floated out of shipbuilder Meyer Werft’s covered building dock in Papenburg, Germany last Sunday. Now that the new ship is outside the covered hall, tests and trials are scheduled to be performed while the ship remains in the harbor.

Floatout symbolizes one of the final stages of Disney Fantasy’s construction and marks a significant milestone towards the March 31, 2012 maiden voyage. The remaining work on board will be completed while the ship is berthed alongside the yard’s pier. For example, the mast will be installed. Then there’s more to come before delivery to Disney Cruise Line as the new ship is scheduled to be conveyed to the North Sea in two weeks. The exact timing of passage on the river Ems is dependent upon the weather and tidal conditions.

The Disney Fantasy features many of the innovations introduced on her sister ship, Disney Dream, with several new onboard experiences exclusive to the new ship that are sure to delight every member of the family. New experiences found on the Disney Fantasy include two Broadway-style musical spectaculars for the Walt Disney Theatre, a dining experience at Animator’s Palate where guests’ own drawings magically come to life, an interactive adventure quest starring the Muppets, a splashtacular water play area called AquaLab, a sophisticated nighttime entertainment area for adults inspired by European travel, and much more.

Disney Fantasy will sail 7-night alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. All voyages will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida and include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Photos Courtesy of Meyer Werft; Video Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line