Hello readers, its Carli again, here to kick off this week with an introduction on Disney’s Cruise Lines! Today just happens to be Mickey Mouse’s 85th birthday! To celebrate, Disney Channel will showing this year’s Mickey Mouse cartoons every half-hour. In addition, they will be airing a never before seen extended episode of “Potatoland”. Even though Mickey has been putting smiles on our face for decades, Disney’s Cruise Line has only been around for about 15 years. In 1998, The Disney Wonder set sail for the first time and then in 1999 they launched its sister ship, the Disney Magic.  Aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder you will find pools, nightclubs, dining, youth clubs and plenty of entertainment!

I myself went on a Disney Cruise a couple years ago, and I specifically remember how awkward the youth clubs were at first. But it wasn’t long before I was having a great time with all the new friends I met!  The ship traveled to multiple islands in the Bahamas as well as Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. This is where I experienced my first time on a jet ski! But I mostly remember the fun I had playing on the jungle gym that was built in the ocean off of the coast. It truly is a kid’s paradise.

Now that I am much older, I am able to appreciate all of the innovation and design that went into Disney Cruise Lines that made my experience aboard so memorable. Did I mention one pool was shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head? In fact, construction of the Disney Wonder took place in Fincantieri shipyards in Italy, known for excellent engineering, craftsmanship and ingenuity. As the Wonder’s sister ship, Disney Magic was built with the same innovative design, power, speed and beauty. Given both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise Line will transport approximately 10,000 suitcases per operating day.

The third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Dream was specially designed with families in mind. The new ocean liner features the same attention to detail Disney is known for, as well as the very first water coaster at sea, the splash-tacular AquaDuck.

The latest addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Fantasy is approximately 40% larger than the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. The design of this ship is very elegant and sophisticated with sparkling fixtures and furnishings. The Disney Dream really brought all of Disney’s stories to life with themed venues and character inspired aspects. The lobby features a bronze statue of Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse.

Clearly the Disney Cruise Line is known for creating the experience of a lifetime, but they are starting to shine in the world of Corporate Social Responsibility. Disney was the first to use an innovative, non-toxic hull coating that increases fuel efficiency by reducing surface resistance in open water. This action shows that Disney cares about the impact their ships have on the oceans environment. Not to mention, Disney Cruise Line eliminates more than 900 tons of metals, glass, plastic and paper from traditional waste streams each year through recycling, totaling more than 5,000 tons to date. It is important to mitigate any externalities of a business in order to preserve the environment. Disney has shown that they are focused on making the world a better place in more areas than one, because what is good for families is good for Disney too.