Disney Cruise Line: Earlier this year, during a three-week dry docking in Freeport, Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line added even more magic to its beloved Disney Magic ship, which this fall embarks on its inaugural season of sailings out of San Diego, Calif.
While the ship was in dry-dock, crews re-imagined and expanded its concierge lounge with a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palette inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, completely refurbished its concierge suites, introduced “An Encanto Celebration†(inspired, of course, by the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film), added shore power technology that allows the ship to “plug in†to the electrical grid while in port (reducing emissions) and, in the most visible change, transformed the former Promenade Lounge into the Soul Cat Lounge, inspired by the Disney∙Pixar film Soul.
Located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, the new-look lounge is reminiscent of the Half Note Lounge frequented by Joe Gardner in the Academy Award-winning film. Brick walls, wood accents and rich leather set the stage for live music while evoking the feel of a classic New York jazz club.
While exploring the new space, look for custom Pixar artwork with nods to the film (including record labels, concert posters, and portraits of jazz legend Dorothea Williams and her bandmates), along with physical props ranging from record players and musical instruments to Joe Gardner’s hat.
The lounge’s menu features an artful assortment of mocktails, specialty coffees and sodas, while grown ups may order from a melodic menu of native brews, crafted cocktails (with New York spirits) and, for added flair, table-side Manhattans and martinis. For a taste of New York City’s Little Italy, add an order of zeppoles, a classic Italian pastry similar to a fried donut.
The Soul Cat Lounge’s table-side Manhattans and martinis aim to strike just the right “note.â€
Zeppoles, a classic Italian fried pastry, add a taste of the Big Apple’s Little Italy to the lounge’s menu.
A sculpted tribute to “22,†the character famously voiced in the film by Tina Fey, is among the lounge’s Soul-ful details.
Marking the Madrigal’s high-seas debut, “An Encanto Celebration†is an all-new, immersive experience designed to engage families through music, crafts and storytelling, while also inviting families to meet and pose for photos with Mirabel and Bruno (the latter of whom we obviously don’t talk about), both appearing for the first time on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Families join a spirited sing-along of beloved Encanto songs, create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film and experience South American flavors with specialty sodas, film-inspired mocktails and, for those of age and so inclined, Colombian beers and crafted cocktails.
The entire Disney Cruise Line fleet recently refreshed the in-room assortment of special gifts for members of its Castaway Club, a program that recognizes returning guests with both at-home and onboard benefits, as well as commemorative in-room gifts. Silver Members (those who have completed at least one previous sailing) now receive a newly designed tote bag and Captain Mickey lanyard. That gift assortment expands to also include a wet-dry pouch for Gold Members (5+ previous sailings), Platinum Members (10+ previous sailings) receive that entire assortment along with a beach towel, and Pearl Members (25+ sailings) receive everything and a pair of beverage tumblers. By the way, did you know there’s a special lanyard onboard for Disney Vacation Club Members? If you don't receive yours onboard, ask a sailing Disney Vacation Club Cast Member, and add that Membership Magic memento to your commemorative collection.
