When Disney Cruise Line sent Disney Magic to Norway it was for a number of reasons, one of which no other cruise line can possibly share. Disney Magic arrived in Norway recently, sailing into the majestic fjord that served as inspiration for the fairytale kingdom of Arendelle in the animated hit Frozen.  Signaling the beginning of Disney Magic’s European season, the inaugural Norwegian Fjords itinerary is one of a number of offerings this year that will return for the summer of 2016.

Living in Florida, we commonly associate Disney Cruise Line with short sailings to the Bahamas that call at Nassau and Disney’s private island paradise of Castaway Cay.  Our friends on the west coast like their itineraries south to Mexico and north to Alaska too.  But Norway?  Not the first place that comes to mind for Mickey, Minnie and the gang to visit.  But roll the topic of Frozen into the thought pattern and all of the sudden the Magic flows naturally to Norway, for the first time in forever. Literally.

Disney Magic’s 2015 European is actually quite extensive and features a number of interesting ports including one we visited not long ago.

First-Ever Cruises to Norwegian Fjords and Iceland

Right now, on seven and nine-night sailings departing from Copenhagen, Disney Cruise Line guests are being immersed in the splendor and charm of Norway with exciting new ports, steeped in Viking history, a bit of which we saw made not long ago, in person. The season began with an 11-night Disney Magic sailing to Iceland for the very first time.

The Norwegian fjords are not exactly new but the attention they have been given lately since the release of  Frozen is undeniable . Visiting Norway not long ago for the debut of Viking Cruises new Viking Star, it is no mystery to me why cruise traveler would want to visit that unique part of the world.  The home to magnificent mountain ranges, massive glaciers, steaming geysers and majestic fjords, the attraction is beyond question.  The opportunity to engage the Scandinavian culture of the region is reason enough to visit.  In addition to magnificent natural attractions, local offerings include stunning architecture, storybook villages and historic city centers, one of which is Bergen, an enchanted city itself that we spent some time in before the Viking christening.

A sampling of what sending Disney Magic to Norway has brought to the world of cruise vacations:

NEW Nine-night Norwegian Fjords
Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Stavanger, Alesund, Geiranger, Molde, Olden and Bergen, Norway
Departure date: June 20

NEW 11-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland
Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger Norway; Akureyri and Reykjavik (overnight), Iceland; Kirkwall, Scotland; Dover, England
Departure date: June 29

NEW Seven-night Northern European
Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden
Departure dates: May 30, June 13

Northern Europe

On northern European cruises, Disney Magic will sail the Baltic waters exploring richly diverse cultures and national capitals including Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark and St. Petersburg – Russia’s second largest city known as the country’s cultural capital. These itineraries depart from Copenhagen, Denmark and Dover, England – just a quick jaunt from London.  We are scheduled to explore his area as well on an August sailing of Azamara Club Cruises aboard Azamara Journey. so this information is of particular interest here.

12-night Northern European
Ports: Dover, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany (July 10 cruise only); Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia
Departure dates: July 10 and 22

Mediterranean

Disney Magic returns to the Mediterranean, treating guests to popular European destinations. Departing from Barcelona, Spain, these sailings take guests on an exciting journey of cultures and locales, with romantic boulevards, iconic locations, mild climates and the brilliant blue Mediterranean Sea.

Five-night Mediterranean
Ports: Barcelona, Spain; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Departure date: Aug. 10

Seven-night Mediterranean
Ports: Barcelona, Spain; Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Nice (Villefranche), France
Departure dates: Aug. 15, 22 and 29

 

Alaska

In 2015, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska.

These cruises combine the grandeur, natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney ship. Disney Cruise Line works closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

Seven-night Alaska:
Ports: Vancouver, Tracy Arm (scenic cruising through fjord), Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan
Departure dates: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

 

Learn More- 

• Booking- To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit http://www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.
• Socially- Search Instagram for #fjordnorway to see some absolutely stunning photos

 

More On Norway

My visit to Norway was also a first-time occasion and one that will be remembered forever.  In addition to the launch of a Viking Cruises and Viking Star, a new cruise line and it’s first ship from the creators of Viking River Cruises, we spent some time in Bergen, an enchanting city with a warm, friendly people.  Here are some images from that journey

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Cover photo- Disney Cruise Line