Disney cruise returns to Port of L.A.

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Disney cruise returns to Port of L.A.

By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/24/2008 11:12:31 PM PDT

After a three-year absence, Disney Cruise Line is scheduled to return to the Port of Los Angeles today, offering a dozen seven-night summer cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

The Disney Magic cruise ship last stopped at the Port of Los Angeles in 2005, when it enjoyed a sold-out trial run that coincided with the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.

This time around, prices start at $1,449 per person with stops at ports in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, said Jason Lasecki, a spokesman for Disney Cruise Line, based just outside Orlando, Fla.

Although the trips are expected to sell out this season, a few spots are still available on the ship, which accommodates up to 2,700 passengers.

"I hate to sound clich , but you could say that it's back by popular demand," Lasecki said. "I think there's a significant fan base in the Los Angeles area because you have a lot of Disney heritage with the theme park and studios."

Like its theme parks, Disney Cruise Line boasts a "vacation experience" that caters to every family member. One deck on the Magic is dedicated to youth activities. Families can catch a live stage show at the Walt Disney Theater. A nursery is available for children under 3.

Children dress up as princesses and pirates for poolside parties, complete with a fireworks show. During the Los Angeles cruises, Disney will throw a Mexican-style fiesta, a pi ata party and offer classes on how to make churros.

Parents looking for some "alone time" can drop off the kids at a supervised activity and head to adult-exclusive areas of the ship, which include nightclubs and bars, a spa and a restaurant that serves up fine Italian cuisine.

To give it that extra Disney touch, the ship's horn blares a seven-note melody from "When You Wish Upon A Star" each time the cruise leaves port.

"It's all about paying attention to detail and providing tailor-made experiences," Lasecki said.

The cruise is no Mickey Mouse operation.

Each ship's call generates about $1 million in local economic spending, which includes purchases by the crew and passengers, according to figures provided by the Port of Los Angeles. In total, more than 1 million cruise passengers pass through the port annually.

"We're very excited about this, and we hope that Disney will eventually make L.A. a permanent home," said Camilla Townsend, chief executive of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

"It would be another way to introduce people to Los Angeles as a cruise destination, and it would also introduce more people to San Pedro," Townsend said. "When people think of places to visit in Los Angeles, they usually think of Hollywood, not San Pedro. More cruises will only help us become a major tourist destination."

Disney has no immediate plans to permanently berth at the Port of Los Angeles, but the option remains viable because the company's cruise line is expanding operations, Lasecki said.

"We're constantly in talks with various ports," he said. "So you never know what the future will bring."

Source: http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9374187