The Disney Magic remains docked at its private island, Castaway Cay, due to 50 mph winds and high waves. The Magic was scheduled back in Port Canaveral Saturday morning, but it is not expected to dock until late Saturday night. Port Canaveral officials said it will take the ship 13 hours to reach the port because it will cruise into the heavy northwesterly wind.

The delay has impacted thousands of Disney Cruise Line passengers from the passengers who were scheduled to embark Saturday afternoon to the Disney Wonder passengers who may have to dock at another location or wait while the Disney Magic disembarks and embarks passengers.

It’s official – Disney is headed to Alaska in 2011. The line announced the news from the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California that the Disney Wonder will be sailing round trip from Vancouver.

Starting May 3 thru September 6, 2011, the Disney Wonder will do seven-night, round-trip Alaska itineraries out of Vancouver with stops at Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Fares will start at $939 per person, based on double occupancy.

Between January 23 and April 17, 2011, and again between September 25 and December 18, 2011, the Wonder will do seven-night, round-trip Mexico itineraries from Los Angeles with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Fares will begin at $639 per person, based on double occupancy.

Meanwhile, the Disney Magic will return to the Mediterranean in 2011, sailing 10- and 11-night itineraries out of Barcelona during the summer season. Fares will begin at $1,739 per person, based on double occupancy.

Adventures by Disney is teaming up with the cruise line for a number of neat tours. Stay tuned for more information.

Disney Cruise Line is expanding amenities and services at Castaway Cay, the line’s 1,000-acre private Bahamian island. Additions will include a 700-foot extension to the family beach, new deluxe private cabanas, new food and beverage outlets, a teen Hide Out and new water features. The new additions are scheduled to be in place by next summer, in time for special five-night cruises on Disney Wonder with two stops at Castaway Cay, and the new Disney Dream launching in early 2011.

The extended Family Beach area will add Cookies Two, a lunch buffet venue; Sand Bar which will serve specialty cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. For beach rentals, the new Flippers & Floats will provide inner tubes, snorkels, masks and fins. A new Buy the Sea Shore venue will sell Castaway Cay-exclusive items and beach essentials, complementing the existing merchandise location. The new Pelican Plunge water feature is a 2,400 square foot floating platform within swimming distance from shore that will offer two water slides, a giant ‘bucket dump’ and four water cannons to fire at floating targets. On the island, a 2,400 square foot water play area dubbed Spring-a-Leak will provide a new cooling-off spot that simulates a washed-away beach dwelling with dripping pipes, broken plumbing and hissing misters. Water jets will squirt, spray and saturate visitors. Scuttle’s Cove, the hub of the island’s youth activities, will feature a new water play area for the youngest visitors as part of the supervised youth activities on Castaway Cay. A 1,200 square foot soft wet deck area will provide pop jets, geysers and bubblers.

Twenty new private cabanas, for rent, will offer a deluxe beach retreat with included and a la carte services and the option of a cabana host. Most of the 325sq ft cabanas will dot the far side of Family Beach, but a handful will be located on Serenity Bay Beach, exclusively for adults. With all the new additions Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure will be moved to a different location in the lagoon, providing more space. Teens will get a new, secluded Hide Out with activities and refreshments. A new shaded game pavilion will be centrally located near Family Beach. Three new massage cabanas will be added to the adults-only beach for a total of eight. Sounds like family fun!

Janice Harding calls the blasting “boom boom music” from the Disney Magic’s Goofy Pool and Mickey Pool too much to take. “My kids love it, but I can only take so much before I feel a headache coming on,” says the Los Angeles native.

She is referring to the loud music, usually accompanied by overexcited children and adults that has become the hallmark of the majority of large cruise liner main pool decks. Although Harding loves her kids she tends to bolt from the loudness; after all she wants to truly relax on her cruise so she escapes to the adults-only area on the Disney Magic.

Adult-only areas are clearly needed on ships that are full of children. When Disney Cruise Line launched in 1998 it recognized the need for adult-only areas when it designed its ships. Both Disney vessels offer several spaces dedicated for adult activities, which includes a pool area, coffee bar and nightclub. “A lot of parents onboard appreciate the adults-only area. It’s our quiet space with no loud music or cell phones ringing. It’s a godsend as we can relax and get into vacation mode,” adds Harding.

No kids allowed

Harding is not alone, and a number of cruise lines are increasingly catering to passengers seeking tranquility with the introduction of quiet, adults-only areas on their ships. Long ago Royal Caribbean International recognized the need for these places when it introduced the adults-only Solarium areas on its Vision-class ships. These peaceful spaces lie under cover of a sliding roof and feature a large pool surrounded by chaise lounges and a hot tub or two, with exotic design motifs including bronze statues, stone reliefs, tile mosaics and tropical foliage. On the Freedom-class vessels there are two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship. Suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the hot tubs offer breathtaking, panoramic views. Guests willing to immerse themselves in the experience find music piped in underwater, a photo collage behind glass depicting a coral reef, and a glass wall that allows them to look into the atrium adjacent to the pool while submerged.

In 2006, Princess Cruises unveiled the Sanctuary on the Crown Princess. This adults-only, quiet retreat is located in uppermost forward deck of the ship and is covered by white awnings and populated with trees, abundant plush loungers and massage cabanas. But, this area is not free as Princess charges $15 for four-and-a-half-hour stays. The charge includes chilled face towels and Evian water atomizers dispensed by stewards while guests relax. For an additional charge, guests can order from a menu of healthy food options such as fruit skewers and lettuce-wrapped spring rolls, use an MP3 player loaded with what Princess calls “relaxation music” or get an alfresco massage in one of the private cabanas. The Sanctuary also can also be found onboard the Caribbean Princess, Dawn Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Ruby Princess, Sea Princess, Star Princess. “The Sanctuary has come to personify Princess’ essential philosophy of escape coupled with personal service,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. “Passengers have told us they love this opportunity to completely relax in such a peaceful and pampering environment, so we’re delighted to introduce this special Princess feature on all our vessels.”

Carnival Cruise Lines took notice of the success of Princess’ program and launched its own Serenity adults-only area on its newest ships and re-vamped older Fantasy-class vessels. Unlike Princess, Carnival does not charge for use of the area. Located in a secluded aft area of the ship the area features a bar, plush chaise lounges and chairs, oversize umbrellas, and two whirlpools. “Our Serenity areas have been an unqualified success since they were first introduced aboard the Carnival Inspiration in 2007. Although the Serenity retreats were originally intended as part of the renovations for our eight Fantasy class ships, they’ve proven so popular that we’ve added them to our newer ships,” said Carnival spokesperson Vance Gulliksen.

Bigger adult space on the horizon

It’s no surprise the biggest ships launching in the coming months will have the largest adult-only areas at sea.

When the 220,000-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas launches in November it will not only be the largest cruise ship, by far, in the world it will offer the most unique adults-only playground afloat. Adults looking for a retreat will find solace in the Oasis’ Solarium. Boasting a redefined layout, passengers will have the sensation of floating on air from the two-deck high, glass-paneled enclave designed with seating on various “islands” surrounded by water. The adults-only, open-air Solarium will offer a swimming pool, two whirlpools, and four cantilevered whirlpools suspended 136 feet above the ocean. The mezzanine level of the adult-dedicated area will overlook the pool deck below, offering additional chaise lounges and seating.

Launching in September, the 133,000-ton, 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream will be the largest “Fun Ship” in the fleet and will offer an amazing 11,250-square-foot Serenity area that will encompass two levels – a first for the line. The area will accommodate up to 200 guests who can select from seven different styles of seating, from plush chaise lounges and chairs to shaded sun loungers and even hammocks. Carnival Dream’s Serenity area will also feature a full bar on the lower level in a shaded area, while the upper level will offer two whirlpools providing magnificent sea views.

In late May of 2010, Norwegian Cruise Line will launch its biggest “Freestyle Cruising” vessel the 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic. Adults onboard are sure to like the party atmosphere at the POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting at the top of the ship.

Its clear guests really appreciate adults-only retreats, which offer a tranquil and peaceful environment for relaxing with a book or just enjoying the magnificent sea view. You can bet more lines will initiate and only increase the concept as it’s a great way to enhance a cruise vacation.