The Ocean Escape Awards (Mid-Year Recap)

Wind Surf is the sixth ship awarded top honors for 2011!
Photo Credit: http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-articles-reviews-caribbean-windstar-cruises-2.html 

Wow, 2011 is cruising by! Here we are in June, meaning we are half way finished with "The Year of Luxury!" I made it my goal to highlight more of the luxury cruising scene this year, with a few exceptions, and I I hope you all have been enjoying the posts thus far (I promise to bring more of the luxury cruising world closer to you as the year progresses). It's truly been a great year to cruise! We've been dazzled by a new Dream, found a some high-energy and "froggy" Magic, witnessed a Silhouette be floated out to sea, and learned what a true Marina should look like (mentioning only a few of the new ships gracing the seven seas)!

Just in case you've forgotten The Ocean Escape's monthly award winners, I have got you covered--here is your mid-year recap:

Month	Cruise Ship Award Winner	Cruise Line Award Winner
January 2011	Costa Luminosa (Costa Cruises)	Oceania Cruises
February 2011	Norwegian Jade  (Norwegian Cruise Line)	Windstar Cruises
March 2011	Sapphire Princess (Princess Cruises)	Regent Seven Sea Cruises
April 2011	Crystal Serenity  (Crystal Cruises)	The Yachts of Seabourn
May 2011	Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line)	Silversea Cruises
June 2011	Wind Surf (Windstar Cruises)	Crystal Cruises

Be sure to take a second look at the cruise ships and lines listed above--they are the best of the the best on the high seas! What are you waiting for? Your ship awaits, Bon Voyage!

A Smart 'Dream!'

Disney Dream in her home port of Pt. Canaveral, Florida.
Photo Credit: http://media.naplesnews.com/media/img/photos/2011/01/05/Disney_Dream_Ship_2_2_t607.jpg

January was a great month for the cruise line industry... and Mickey Mouse! Disney Cruise Line issued their latest vessel into service: Disney Dream! This ship has sparked the interest of many, and has become the newest attraction for family vacations.

Disney Dream will sail all-year-round from Pt. Canaveral Florida (closest to Orlando International Airport) to the Bahamas doing 3, 4, and 5 night voyages. On the 5 night voyages, you'll get to experience Castaway Cay (DCL's private island, in the Bahamas) twice! It's very rare to see a new cruise ship enter service doing shorter voyages, but Disney is known for being in a completely differnet league, when it comes to cruising (Personally, I like this idea of: new ship, short cruises).

Disney Dream features the AquaDuck, which is the first water coaster at sea, world class dining options, and even virtual port hole windows! When it comes to DCL, nothing less than the best is expected, and they out did themselves with Disney Dream! What can top this ship? Another one just like it; Disney Fantasy will be hitting the high seas in March 2012!

Make sure you book your cabin on this cruisetacular family destination! Mickey, Donald, and the whole Disney gang will be awaiting your arrival!

The Disney Dream's AquaDuck

On January 26, 2011 the Disney Dream will join the Disney Cruise Line Fleet. She is one of the largest cruise liners on the high seas, and will feature the first ever water coaster at sea, the AquaDuck. Check out the Video below!

Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

The Disney Dream's AquaDuck Video