Disney sets sail from Dover

by Graham Tutthill

Dover enjoyed a touch of Disney Magic on Saturday June 12
when the cruise liner of that name called in at the port.

It was the first time a Disney cruise ship had visited Dover,
and was the culmination of years of negotiations between Dover
Harbour Board and the Disney organisation.

And, of course, "Captain" Mickey Mouse was there to celebrate
the event.

The ship was making the first of five visits to the port at the
start of 12-night round-trip cruises from Dover to ports in
Scandinavia, Germany and Russia.

The
liner is 295 metres long, has more than 900 crew members and can
accommodate 2,700 passengers.

"We are thrilled to begin this new itinerary and call the Port
of Dover home for the next few weeks," said Karl Holz, president of
Disney Cruise Line.

"This region of the world holds great appeal and we are very
excited to finally give our guests the opportunity to combine an
authentic Northern European experience with a fun, family-friendly
cruise that only Disney can deliver."

Gifts were exchanged between Capt John Barwis, representatives
from the port of Dover and the town and district councils.

And many local people were on the Prince of Wales Pier and
seafront to watch the ship set sail at the end of the day.

For full story and more pictures see this week's Dover
Mercury.