Disney Wonder Hosts First-Call Ceremony in Costa Maya

Ship Repositions to New Regional Homeport in Miami

COSTA MAYA, Mexico (December 21, 2012) – Disney Cruise Line Captain Thord Haugen and his shipboard officers will host local port officials and community leaders aboard the 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder for a plaque exchange ceremony in celebration of the inaugural call on Costa Maya, in accordance with maritime tradition. Although other Disney ships have visited Costa Maya previously, it is a port of call for the first time for the Disney Wonder, as the ship repositions to its new regional homeport in Miami.

“Costa Maya has been a favorite destination for our guests who have sailed on the Disney Magic and the Disney Fantasy, so we are extremely pleased to bring the Disney Wonder here,” said Disney Cruise Line Captain Haugen. “Just as families reconnect and recharge onboard our ships, they can choose to relax in the sun on picture-perfect white sand beaches or seek adventure by diving one of the largest reefs in the world while in Costa Maya.”

While in port, families can explore Costa Maya’s most famous landmark, the ruins at Chacchoben.  Constructed by the Mayans around 350 A.D., the site includes awe-inspiring stone temples and pyramids and is still undergoing excavation. Banco Chinchorro, the largest natural reef in Mexico and the second largest in the world, is home to a vast array of underwater wildlife and holds great appeal for snorkelers and divers.

After the Disney Wonder departs Costa Maya, the ship will sail to Miami to begin a new series of itineraries. This is the first time a Disney ship will have a regional homeport in Southern Florida, allowing families from this area to take advantage of departing from a port close to their own backyard. The Disney Wonder’s first sailing from Miami will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Christmas holiday cruise on December 23, followed by a 6-night Western Caribbean New Year’s cruise departing December 30. In 2013, guests may sail 4-night Bahamian and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries onboard the Disney Wonder until the end of April, when the ship returns to the West Coast and resumes Alaskan sailings from Vancouver.

Disney Cruise Line
Based in Celebration, Fla., Disney Cruise Line is focused on providing a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and children can experience all Disney has to offer. The company was most recently recognized by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine as the No. 1 Cruise Line in the Large-Ship category in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Travel + Leisure recognized Disney Cruise Line the No. 1 Cruise Line for Families for the fourth consecutive year. 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.