LIFE
How about experiencing a century-old legacy of storytelling—combined with live shows, delectable cuisines, luxury accommodation, spa and shopping— while undergoing an epic vacation at sea? For lovers of the popular characters from the world of Disney, Pixar and Marvel, it will be a dream come true as Disney Cruise Line (DCL), a cruise line operation and subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, has just unveiled new details about Disney Adventure, a luxury cruise that will set sail for the first time from Asia, specifically Singapore, next year. Interestingly, the cruise will have many innovative ‘firsts’. For instance, Disney Adventure will be the first Asia-based ship to feature regional Indian delicacies with a special Disney twist. The highlight, of course, is the Disney Imagination Garden, an enchanted ‘valley’ inspired by 100 years of Disney stories and adventures. The open-air garden will be set against a three-deck-tall, stunning storybook castle art piece, a first-of-its-kind, onboard a DCL ship. While Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Black Panther will perform stunts at the state-of-the-art theatrical stage, the ship will be divided into seven themed areas as star attractions, which include Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, Town Square and Wayfinder Bay. “Right from its decor to the inspiration of restaurants and experiences, it’s a Disney-rich ship. Dining is one of our core pillars besides fun, relaxation and world-class entertainment,” says Sarah Fox, VP and regional GM, Asia, DCL, who has spent 31 years with the company. While the luxury cruising consumer is evolving with time, Fox feels it is important to remain on the pulse of trends. “It’s about the Disney difference that is an important aspect on the cruise and how we deliver our vacation experience. So when making a decision to bring your family or multi-generational family, you want to make sure that you pick that vacation where you’re going to be more than satisfied, and have fantastic memories,” adds Fox. Highlighting how critical a design concept for a cruise line is, Fox says Disney has brought in complex changes to the cruise line making it Disney-inspired in many ways like bringing the stories and characters of Disney, Pixar and Marvel to life in immersive and engaging experiences. “Mowgli’s Eatery will serve Indian cuisine, including vegetarian and regional dishes. This casual eatery will be inspired by Mowgli’s epic journey in The Jungle Book. The restaurant will draw on both early concept art from the film and authentic regional design influences. Another QSR dining space is Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, which reflects the vibrant scenery and island flair of Moana. Here the decor is inspired by the Pacific Islands, as well as art and backgrounds based on the film, and will set the stage for an imaginative menu showcasing the diverse flavours found throughout the Pacific and Asia,” she adds. While food is an integral part of Asian culture, the ship will include the rotational dining concept—where one is transported every night into a different restaurant experience—a USP of the cruise industry . “You could be a part of the show, or the show could come to you. There will be bountiful buffets and quick-service bites to accommodate special dietary requests and diverse dietary needs—including halal and vegetarian. The garden view staterooms will have verandahs overlooking the Disney Imagination Garden,” adds Lloyd Machado, director of Hotel, New Build & Dry Dock Operations, DCL. The cruise will set sail from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore as part of the collaboration between DCL and Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The ship is estimated to have a passenger capacity of 6,700, apart from 2,500 crew members. Even though STB is an important partner for DCL to drive inbound tourism to Singapore, Fox says, “ India is an incredibly important market for us. We will focus on travellers and groups from tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.” DCL is yet to decide on the pricing but, like all Disney cruises, there will be a broader array on offer, depending on party size and cabin choice, among others, adds Fox. None
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