News that the famous Disney Magic ship will be offering sailings from the North East is being welcomed as a boost to the area.
The spectacular 11-deck vessel is set to bring some much-needed Disney sparkle to a travel industry hard hit by the pandemic when it sails into the region this summer.
The star of the Disney Cruise Line, which features Mickey Mouse-inspired colours, is set to run a range of short cruises, if the road map out of lockdown goes according to plan, and these include departures from the Port of Tyne in North Shields.
Crowds turned out to greet the Disney Magic cruise on its 2017 visit to the region, when it docked for a day at Northumbrian Quay near the Royal Quays Marina as part of a 12-night tour of the British Isles.
Spectators gathered at Tynemouth Pier to watch the arrival of the striking 294m-long ship – which is operated by the Disney Cruise Line, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company – and as it sailed slowly to its berth they were keen to snap its instantly-recognisable black hull, white superstructure, yellow trim and two giant red funnels emblazoned with the Disney Cruise Line Mickey Mouse logo.
Back then its on-board attractions – including animated dining rooms and a Toy Story set plus four captains, with Captain Mickey, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow joining the real deal – were out of sight and its 2,700, mainly American, passengers on board were here only briefly for a visit to the likes of The Alnwick Garden, Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral.
This time around its arrival is set to spark far greater excitement with families no doubt keen to enjoy a post-lockdown holiday, with an option of two, three and limited four-night round trip sailings.
Besides North Shields – or Newcastle as the North East leg is described – there will be sailings from London Tilbury, Liverpool and Southampton – and passengers will remain on board the ship throughout the round-trips, which is unlikely to be any hardship given it boasts 875 staterooms and a 950-strong crew ready to cater for every demand.
