Mickey goes to sea

The 83,000 tonne cruise ship Disney Magic made its maiden call at Malta yesterday.

The ship, owned and operated by Disney Cruise Line, was launched in 1998 and offers unique cruise activities for children and families, but with adult-only hideaways.

There are 945 crew members looking after the 2,700 passengers the ship can accommodate at full capacity.

Disney Magic, which measures 294 metres in length and is 32 metres wide, will berth in Valletta eight times over a five-month summer season of Mediterranean and northern European cruises.

Compared to other large cruise liners, the ship has a distinctly classical exterior look, with a black hull, white upper decks and two funnels.

From its inception, Disney Cruise Line wanted to be different. On a Disney cruise, adults find relaxation and indulgence while children engage in magical adventures with favourite characters.

There is entertainment for all ages, day and night, including original theatrical productions, adventurous deck parties, fireworks at sea, movies on the deck's giant screen, first-run films (including some in digital 3-D for the first time at sea), exclusive Disney character interactions and much more. Broadway-style musicals are shown nightly at the magnificent 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre.

Home-porting in Barcelona, the ship's 10- and 11-night Mediterranean itineraries cover Malta, Tunisia and Corsica for the first time, returning to Naples, Civitavecchia and La Spezia in Italy and Villefranche in France.