Disney Dream Begins Journey to Completion During ‘Conveyance’ on River Ems

The Disney Dream cruise ship departed the Meyer Werft shipyard today on its conveyance down the River Ems, traveling from the ship’s inland birthplace in Papenburg, Germany to the North Sea at the port of Eemshaven, The Netherlands.  The journey began with a firework display as the ship passed through the first sea lock exiting the harbor, completing yet another milestone as the ship moves closer to its maiden voyage on Jan. 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The conveyance process is a unique maneuver for ships built by the Meyer Werft shipyard, the only place in the world where this process occurs. The journey involves moving the ship some 26 miles down the winding River Ems.  In some areas, railroad bridges have been dismantled with sections lifted out to allow the ship’s passage.

“With the conveyance of the Disney Dream, we have reached yet another milestone for the third ship in our fleet,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “It won’t be long before our guests finally experience the inspired innovation and extraordinary creative content that makes this ship so magnificent and so unique. From an exhilarating ride on the AquaDuck to dazzling stage shows and exquisite French cuisine at Remy, the incredible offerings on the Disney Dream will delight everyone who steps aboard.”

Tens of thousands of local residents lined the shore to see the Disney Dream and some of its new and innovative features, like the AquaDuck water coaster, which winds around the ship’s iconic funnels.

“All of us at Meyer Werft and throughout the community of Papenburg are very proud to see this ‘Dream’ ship through its historic conveyance,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft.  “As the largest ship this yard has built, our entire community feels a tremendous sense of achievement and a deep connection to this exceptional vessel.”

Prior to the conveyance, the Disney Dream underwent its float out on Oct. 30.  For the last two weeks, testing on the ship’s functional features has taken place in the Meyer Werft harbor, while work on the interior areas continued.  As the ship concludes the conveyance, it will move into what is known as the test-and-adjust period, departing Eemshaven for sea trials.  After sea trials, the ship will travel to Hamburg, Germany for a short final dry docking.  The ship then returns to Bremerhaven, Germany, for the delivery ceremony in which Meyer Werft will officially deliver the Disney Dream to Disney Cruise Line.  Here the ship will welcome its remaining crew members before departing for its home in Port Canaveral in Florida.

The Disney Dream is the first of two new Disney ships being built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.  The Disney Fantasy is also currently in production and is scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage on April 7, 2012.

Disney Dream Innovations
Known for establishing the family cruise market when the Disney Magic debuted in 1998, Disney Cruise Line continues to build upon this success with a focus on the legacy and heritage of The Walt Disney Company’s most known assets – master storytelling, world-class entertainment and legendary guest service. In addition to all of the features Disney Cruise Line is known for, the Disney Dream will have several new notable innovations for guests to enjoy.

• AquaDuck, a first-of-its-kind water coaster, is an exhilarating, high-speed thrill ride that combines all the ups and downs of a roller coaster with all the twists and turns of a water slide.
• Magical Portholes offer a “virtual window” to the world for inside staterooms, with a real-time view outside the ship where high-definition cameras feed live video to each stateroom.
• Enchanted Art immerses guests in Disney storytelling and looks like other hanging art pieces around the ship, but is actually a framed LCD screen with technology that recognizes a guest is present.
• Remy, an exquisite top-deck restaurant, only for adults, with incredible ocean views and French-inspired, gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs.

New Itineraries

With the addition of two new ships, Disney Cruise Line is able to more formally expand its itineraries to new destinations, including Alaska, while continuing to offer cruises to some of the line’s most popular itineraries.

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Fla., while sister ship Disney Fantasy, is set to sail seven-night alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral, beginning in 2012.  The Disney Magic will continue sailing seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises, before returning to the Mediterranean for another summer of cruising in this region in 2011.  The Disney Wonder will begin 2011 by repositioning to the West Coast of the U.S., sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles, while spending the summer sailing first-ever Alaskan itineraries from Vancouver.

Based in Celebration, Fla., the Disney Cruise Line experience is focused on providing a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.  Most recently, the company was recognized as the top cruise experience by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.  Disney Cruise Line was voted the No. 1 cruise experience in the magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards in the mega-ship category.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500.  Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

Related articles

• The Disney Dream Sails to the Sea (chipandco.com)
• Building the Disney Dream: Nemo’s Reef (chipandco.com)
• Photos: Disney Dream cruise ship makes first public appearance in Germany (chipandco.com)

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