In a traditional maritime ceremony marks the final step of construction before the 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy makes her way across the Atlantic, eventually arriving to her homeport of Port Canaveral and inaugural voyage on March 31, the colors of German shipbuilder Meyer Werft were lowered and the Disney Cruise Line flag was raised over the world’s newest cruise ship.
“Today we celebrate the culmination of a wonderful partnership, as we take possession of the Disney Fantasy and prepare for the journey home to Florida. This ship is the result of the superb craftsmanship from the master shipbuilders at Meyer Werft and the innovation, imagination and ingenuity of the Disney team, who have partnered together so beautifully to bring this ship to life,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line, reports the Baltimore Sun. “We are eagerly anticipating our guests, who will experience storytelling in enchanting new ways onboard the Disney Fantasy while making magical memories that will last a lifetime.”
The Fantasy has been at sea trials in the North Sea for the last few weeks and now joins the Disney Dream that debuted in 2010 and Captain Tom Forberg, a 15 year Disney veteran, will officially take the helm of the Fantasy. Nothing new for Forberg, he launched Disney’s first three ships.
“The Disney Fantasy, along with her sister ship, the Disney Dream, are the largest ships that Meyer Werft has ever built,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft. “Over the last five years we have developed an outstanding partnership working with Disney, and together, we have seen two magnificent ships become reality. The collaboration among Disney Cruise Line, Meyer Werft and its suppliers has been exemplary.”
The ship still has another week in Bremerhaven, Germany while more crew arrive along with and supplies ahead of its transatlantic voyage on Feb. 16.
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