Are you ready to sail the high seas again? As restrictions continue to lift all over the world, Disney is prepping for a summer of magical cruising in a big way––a new cruise ship!
The Disney Wish is designed around the concept of enchantment, and will boast plenty of new elements never been seen on a cruise ship. Want to see what the magic is all about? Keep reading!
Wonderful Water Attractions
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse animated shorts are brought alive in the AquaMouse, a splashtastic water ride that is made up of 760 feet of winding tubes suspended high above the upper decks! In addition to this one-of-a-kind attraction, families will have more pools, more deck space and more dining than ever, including six pools!
The Disney Wish will also have a Toy Story-themed district for toddlers and littles that includes a splash zone, wading pool, family waterslide and smoothie bar.
Need a break from all the fun? There's also a Quiet Cove, an adults only zone with an infinity pool, poolside bar and cafe.
Delectable Dining
Get ready for three amazing dinner experiences that include:
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure: “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience with immersive live entertainment, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf and Nordic-inspired cuisine.
Worlds of Marvel: First-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure. Guests will play an interactive role in an Avengers mission that unfolds around them, and enjoy a Marvel Cinematic Universe-themed menu.
1923: An elegant experience that honors the golden age of animation, bringing California's unique heritage to life with a variety of cultural dishes.
Cruisers will also have tons of casual dining, gourmet cafes, premium dining for adults and 24-hour room service options.
Plenty of Fun for Parents
Kids don't get all the fun! Adults will have plenty of options to relax and experience high quality entertainment. With spaces like Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, a high-end bar, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté, The Rose and Senses Spa, parents won't feel guilty at all when they drop their kiddos off to have their own fun.
The Disney Wish’s maiden voyage will take place on Jun. 9, 2022 on a five-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. After that, guests can hop aboard one of the three or four night cruises leaving from Port Canaveral, Florida when bookings open on May 27, 2021.
You can see all the offerings the luxurious cruise liner has to offer here.
Club Med’s brand new resort, La Rosière, is tucked away in the French Alps and boasts the first of it’s kind chocolate paradise. The specially designed room comes with chocolate orange printed bedding, a custom segment headboard and personalized stockings filled with chocolate, of course.
photo: Courtesy of Club Med
When you snag a night, you’ll also get room service that includes chocolate orange-themed treats (think chocolate orange hot chocolate and chocolate orange truffles), a real Christmas tree adorned with chocolate orange baubles, custom chocolate orange skis and even chocolate orange scented toilet paper!
The brand new resort has state-of-the-art facilities and restaurants starts at $331 AUD per person per night, and will be opening soon.
Disney fans have been getting their fix riding the rides virtually, whipping up park exclusive treats in the kitchen and binge watching their favorite movies. We are not sure what life looks like after social distancing norms begin to ease. Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force is also focused on putting a plan in place for reopening the state’s theme parks.
It is still unclear when it will be safe for the parks to reopen. During a meeting of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, mayor Jerry Demings predicts that a June reopening seems more realistic than May, but nothing is official yet. The task force laid out their initial guidelines for large theme parks including Walt Disney World.
Within the guidelines for reopening the country, the parks will reopen in phases. In the first phase, parks will be allowed to fill to 50 percent capacity, rising to 75 percent in phase two. Employees will be required to wear masks at all times, have their temperature taken before each shift and stay home if they are not feeling well or are 65 and older.
Touchless hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the parks, especially at ticket booths and ride entrances. Railings and surfaces will be wiped down after every use. Guidelines for large parks include putting down tape markings requiring guests to stand six feet apart on each attraction line.
Theme park hotels will also reopen in phases. During phase one, hotels will encourage patrons to utilize mobile check-ins if available, limit housekeeping, conduct contactless room service delivery and promote social distancing whenever possible. Touchless hand sanitizer stations will be located in common areas, highly trafficked areas will have their surfaces cleaned often and self-parking will be encouraged. Guest rooms may look a little different as items like glassware, coffee cups and coffee makers will be removed and minibars will not be stocked.
Similar to the theme parks, on-site restaurants will be able to fill to 50 percent capacity in phase one and 75 percent in phase two. Disposable paper menus will be encouraged as will takeout and delivery options. If you wish to dine-in, tables will be set up at least six feet apart. Restaurant employees will be required to wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be readily accessible and surfaces will be wiped down often.
Stores located in the parks will be required to have their entrance doors propped open. Hand sanitizer stations will be located at various points throughout the store and commonly touched surfaces will be wiped down regularly. Checkout lines will be marked to ensure shoppers stand six feet apart.
These are just the initial thoughts of Florida’s economic recovery task force and details are subject to change as more information about the virus and the country’s reopening plans become available.
Even if the parks look different initially, guests should not expect their visit to be any less magical.
Crack open the diary and write in a family vacation to The Exumas in the Bahamas. For future sun-and-sea-chasing escapes, the 365 islands that make up The Exumas are a well-kept secret reserved for a chosen few. Lucky for all, our Editors stumbled upon this gem. . . and they aren’t so great at keeping lips zipped. Read on for tips on where to stay and play in this heaven in the Atlantic.
photo: Maria Chambers
The Exumas’ Appeal
Besides the all-around loveliness of the Exumians, the biggest draw is obviously the ocean. We’d wager you haven’t experienced anything like the water that runs the gamut of clear as bath time to deep sapphire-blue, with tranquil turquoise hues layered in the mix. The mentally medicinal calming affect it has on the soul has to be the reason why celebrities like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry, Richard Branson, John Travolta and David Copperfield have thrown down millions to purchase private islands here. Adequate words do not exist to describe its beauty or the way it feels to be immersed in its charms.
photo: Grand Isle Resort
Where to Stay
Which brings us to the next topic. Where to lay your head at the end of the fun-packed days we’ll tell you about in a minute. If you can’t swing a week at magician David Copperfield’s $57,000 per night Musha Cay, then Grand Isle Resort is the place for you, and our packed-with-personality favorite.
Grand Isle Resort resides in the capital and largest city in The Exumas, George Town, located on Great Exuma. The cay is 37 miles in length and is joined to another island, Little Exuma, by a small bridge. Grand Isle Resort does not have the feel of your typical hotel, more like that of an upscale, but laidback, condo community. Each expansive one- to four-bedroom villa is owned by a person, some of which own many villas, but you wouldn’t know this because of the seamlessness of renting and staying on-property.
photo: Maria Chambers
The villas are designed with amenities you’d find at home, with bedrooms that have private bathrooms, full kitchens, dining and living areas and outdoor spaces, such as balconies or patios. And, a sure-to-be-favorite for the kids? For $20 per day, each villa comes with its own golf cart that’s parked in an insanely adorable private garage.
On-Property Entertainment
The overall theme in The Exumas is leave the stress at home. Leave the electronics at home, or at least in the room. Let the serenity of the island consume you and enjoy a peaceful unplugging with the family. Next to the infinity-edge pool, you’ll find Hummingbird Hut where team members are on hand daily from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to lead kids ages 5-12 years in beach and pool treasure hunts, horseshoes, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, boogie boarding and more. This is also where you can snag a beach towel, pick from a selection of books and games to borrow and swap chats with the friendly staff.
While the kids play, parents can experience SeaStar Spa’s seawater-infused experiences that promise to restore balance and allow you to relax and recharge.
After indulging in alone-time, come back together as a family for parent and child golf lessons with a PGA pro at Emerald Reef Golf Club or have the concierge arrange for a bonfire on the beach.
Tip: The selection of sunscreens is limited, so if you have a favorite or have kids with sensitive skin, consider bringing your own from home.
photo: Maria Chambers
Play Off-Property: Swim with Pigs, Sharks & Iguanas
Yes, you’re reading that correctly. This isn’t a metaphor. You can actually swim with pigs. A whole tiny island of them. They’ll swim right up to your boat and act as four-legged escorts to their private paradise. The Exumas is the only place in the world you can have this experience and, we can promise, it’s the memory kids will proudly drag back to their school’s show-and-tell.
Tip: While feeding the pigs is great fun, we’d actually recommend you, and definitely young kids, not participate in feeding them. Once they know you are a bearer of food, they stay on your heels waiting for the next bite. . . even when there are no more bites to be had. Not feeding them allows you to approach them at your leisure and snap some great pics.
photo: “Pigs of Paradise” coffee table book via Maria Chambers
Learn the history of these remarkable animals by picking up a copy of Pigs of Paradise, authored by T.R. Todd, who helped propel these pigs into wide-reaching stardom. Read, buy a copy for your friends and keep tabs on the Facebook page for updates on the book-inspired Pigs of Paradise documentary that premiered at the Bahamas International Film Festival, December 2018.
photo: Maria Chambers
A bit more expected than pigs, but no less exciting, is swimming with the nurse sharks that are common in the warm, shallow waters of the Bahamas. Once you dive in, you’ll notice these amazing ocean dwellers have a surprisingly sandpaper-like texture that enables them to move faster in the water. While the number of sharks in the water can be overwhelming, take comfort in knowing the sharks you’ll encounter on an excursion are well-fed and accustomed to swimming with humans. Just keep your hands on their backs and away from their mouths, don’t try to feed them while swimming and be kind. If provoked, like any living creature, they won’t be shy in protecting themselves.
photo: Maria Chambers
Lizard-loving family members rejoice! There’s an island for you, too. Your approaching boat which signals feeding time sends the island’s only residents swarming, giving Allen Cay a Jurrassic Park-like vibe—minus the terrifying carnivorous dinosaurs. You’ll have a chance to feed them fruits and veggies, and they’ll show the love by standing stoically for snaps.
Tip: If you plan on picking up the iguanas, be sure to bring a long sleeve something-or-another as their sharp claws can accidentally nick skin.
photo: Maria Chambers
Grand Isle’s concierge service can roll all these excursions—pigs, sharks, iguanas—up into one dreamy afternoon, floating in the middle of the Atlantic blues. Add in making stops along the way to ooh-and-aah over the celebrity-owned islands that dot the course, and you have all the ingredients needed for a pretty swell day. For a more customized experience, they can arrange for a crew to take your group to a private, uninhabited island for a fresh-caught lunch that’s spear-fished while you watch from the boat. There are also opportunities to snorkel, scuba, kite surf, feed stingrays in nearby Stocking Island and low-tide shelling on Coco Plum Beach.
photo: Grand Isle Resort
Where to Dine
Grand Isle Resort’s The Palapa Grill serves up an authentic taste of the Caribbean made special with tropical cocktails and fresh, local ingredients. They have nightly themes to keep things interesting, like Comfort Food Classics, Bahamian Dinner Night and an Island BBQ & Junkanoo Bonfire on the Beach. Other on-property dining options include room service, a private outdoor dining experience at The Overlook Palapa and Ocean View Terrace for up to 12 people, or an in-villa chef experience arranged by the concierge. Prior to arrival, you can also request groceries to be delivered to your villa to enjoy a home-cooked meal courtesy of you.
As a side, when you’re ready to head back home, The Palapa Grill will gladly have a to-go meal prepared for you to munch while you wait for your flight. Their pizzas are good options for this, as they are still appetizing when cold.
photo: Maria Chambers
When to Go
Take your pick of months and seasons. In terms of temperature, there’s no bad time to visit the Exumas. Summer temps typically reach average daily highs of 80-90 degrees, while winters rarely drop below 78 degrees. Hurricane season is July-October and high season is November to mid-April, making it a solid spring break contender.
Special Events on the Island
The George Town Cruising Regatta, held February 13-27, features 14 days of activities, including two days of sailing, conch-shell blowing contests, a variety show, softball competition and lots more family-centric activities.
Sailing fans, or anyone who likes to enjoy a warm day at the water’s edge, should mark their calendars for the 65th Annual National Family Island Regatta, April 24-28. More than 60 native sloops, a single mast sailboat with a fore-and-aft rig, converge at Elizabeth Harbour, to take part in various Series and Cup races.
Airport Information
George Town is located about an hour south of Miami via airplane and is serviced by the Exuma Airport, airport code GGT. Keep in mind this airport is tiny. Perhaps the smallest airport you’ll see in your travels—baggage claim is conducted via a single garage door-like opening in the wall—but it’s a well-oiled and friendly machine. However, the departure lounge is small and you’ll most likely be standing in cramped quarters waiting to head back home, so keep that in mind when traveling with small children. Be prepared to keep them entertained.
photo: Maria Chambers
Good to Know
US and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably across the islands.
Electric outlets are the same as in the US, so no need to worry about bringing adapters for all those electronics you won’t need because of all the unplugged-ness happening.
The Bahamas is in on Eastern Standard Time.
Just like in the U.S., it’s customary to tip 15% to waitstaff and taxi drivers.
The driver’s seat in cars sits on the left side, just like in the US, but British rules apply to the roads, so drive on the left side. This island is very easy to navigate and is extremely safe, so self-exploration is highly encouraged.
Yes, you can drink the tap water. The curse of Montezuma is not alive on these islands.
Folks, this is serious business when traveling abroad. This issue can cause great embarrassment when visiting a local in their home. It constantly perplexes my six-year-old. It confuses the foreigner who doesn’t read the local language. It delves into the issue of societal norms we take for granted at home, but are hesitant to discuss when traveling abroad.
Namely: where do you put used toilet paper?
To many, the obvious answer is “in the toilet.” But the white porcelain throne with modern sewage and three-ply-soft-as-cotton-toilet paper is not the global standard. Rule 1: when traveling abroad you must be prepared for the many variations of toilet paper etiquette you might encounter.
Staying overnight with guests in rural Romania, our host showed us around the house and mentioned we should not put toilet paper in their toilet. In Romania, that’s normal. Not a problem—until decades of habit kicked in and I just dropped the paper in the bowl and flushed. Moments later, the system backed up.
This is not a case of TMI. You need to know that even toilet paper used for going a little Number One can back up a system not designed for processed wood products. Just don’t do it! Follow the stated or written instructions. The owner of the toilet, if they have instructed you to put paper in the bin, is expecting to see dirty paper in the bin. Call it a cultural experience or whatever you need to call it, but put it in the bin so your host doesn’t have to perform the worse of two evils and clean up an overflowing toilet.
After months of living in Romania, my oldest asked, at a very nice hotel in Bucharest, if she could put the paper in the toilet. Yes, because Rule 2: unless there is a sign indicating otherwise, at very nice hotels you may put the toilet paper in the toilet. She was hesitant, however. The norm in Romania is toilet paper in the trash bin.
Alas, every morning before room service came, our little trash bin was loaded with used toilet paper. She couldn’t stop the habit of throwing the paper in the bin. Putting it in the toilet was strange.
This may disgust some readers, but let me remind you that an overflowing toilet is much more disgusting than used toilet paper in a trash bin. Use the trash bin provided! If toilet-goers consistently use trash bins, you retain the privilege of wiping with super-soft-mega-ply paper. After all, if the owner of the toilet knows the paper will not be put in the bowl, they aren’t forced to buy membrane-thin-insta-shred TP. This privilege can’t be abused.
In Romania, as in many other parts of the world, remember Rule 3: if you are visiting a home that provides luxurious toilet paper, unless the bathroom is equally luxurious, you can safely assume the paper is not intended to be put in the toilet. Use the bin provided. If the bin is already loaded with toilet paper, you know you’re making the right choice.
(Of course, there’s always the crazy outlier to the rule. Our friends in Romania, who always had very nice toilet paper, have this sign in their bathroom that reads “please put the paper in the toilet.” In this case, Rule 1 applies.)
Sometimes the throne is not porcelain, but a plywood box with a hole a short walking distance from the house (aka, an out-house). Same toilet paper rules apply. The pit in some outhouses is a receptacle for human waste only. It is not a trash can. If you put paper in the pit, it fills up faster and another hole would have to be dug sooner rather than later.
Rule 4: in outhouses, check the pit for paper. If there is no paper in the pit, you are not entitled to dispose of yours in the hole. Use the bin if one is provided.
Then there’s the roadside pit stop, frequently employed in rural areas where gas stations are infrequent or, more frequent than not, unfit for human use. A roadside bush must suffice. In these cases, you must of course bring your own toilet paper. I recommend you Rule 5: always stash a roll at all times in the glove box.
I recall a recent road trip in Namibia. Miles from nowhere, we stopped at a roadside picnic site. With no other option, we had to find a private spot behind a bush for personal business. The bush I selected had been the obvious choice of no less than 100 other people who had stopped by the rest area. Toilet paper fluttered in the bushes and human waste lay strewn about, uncovered and exposed. You can step it up.
While walking to your spot of choice, find a stick to use as a toilet-paper-burying device. Dig a small hole and, when your business is done, remember Rule 6: cover your toilet paper and business with brush, dirt and other natural organic material. You may think you’re in the middle of nowhere, but it is somewhere for someone. Of course, Rule 6 only applies in situations where strict pack-in, pack-out rules are irrelevant.
Recently in a public restroom in the United States, my daughter asked if she could put paper in the toilet. Yes, a thousand times yes. A printed sign on the door caused her confusion. These signs are found across public restrooms in the United States. It was apparent there is something that is not supposed to go in the toilet. If not paper, then what?
I’ll save that explanation for another time. For now, “in America, put paper in the toilet” will suffice.
With four kids ages nine and under, we are always on the move, but currently reside in southern California. I hope to never lose our sense of adventure and awe as we travel around our city and around the world, drinking coffee and discovering playgrounds.
