We’ve followed the construction of Disney Cruise Line’s new ship – the Disney Dream. We were on hand when she floated out for the first time in Papenburg, Germany. We watched her sail down the River Ems to her first trials in the North Sea. We cheered as she docked for the first time in her Florida home of Port Canaveral. Yesterday it was time to officially christen the ship, and Disney did it as only Disney can – big, showy, and spectacular! The DIS Unplugged was part of the media contingent invited to the christening ceremony for the Disney Dream. Continue after the break for photos and video of the event.
On Tuesday, January 18, the DIS team checked into Disney’s Polynesian Resort and picked up media information and credentials. The packet included an Admiral Donald USB flash drive along with an iPod Touch preloaded with the Disney Cruise Line app and images of the Dream. Tuesday night was the media event and private party inside the Magic Kingdom, and there was little time for sleep before the early start to the next day’s activities.
On Wednesday, January 19th media, travel agents, and dignitaries began arriving at Port Canaveral at 8:00 am. Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson was on hand to officially christen the ship and serve in the honorary role of the ship’s godmother. Disney continually emphasized that Jennifer Hudson’s singing career began in 2003 performing as one of the Muses in the Hercules show aboard the Disney Wonder.
A military band played the Star Spangled Banner, and it was time for the Christening Ceremony to begin.
The event was streamed live on both the DisneyParks blog and the Disney Cruise Line portion of the official Disney website. The 60 minute event contained songs, dancing, characters, and, of course, the cracking of a champagne bottle over the prow of the new ship. In the video below watch Jennifer Hudson, Godmother of the Disney Dream, perform and christen the ship.
Afterwards, it was time to enter the Disney Cruise Line terminal, check in, and board the ship. The terminal hopped and buzzed with excitement as guests waited to step onto the Dream for the first time.
There was plenty of time to explore the ship as all the guests boarded. There were celebrity sightings including: Whoopi Goldberg, Marlee Matlin, Samantha Brown, John Stamos, Disney Channel’s Kyle Massey and the dancers from ABC’s Dancing With The Stars: Cheryl Burke and Lacey Schwimmer. Once everyone was on board, it was time for the sail-away party complete with complimentary glasses of champagne, and the ship finally left port.
To see all 100+ photos of the Christening Ceremony plus photos taken inside the ship during the Christening Cruise, be sure to check out this live photo gallery with constant updates directly from the Disney Dream.
Next stop: Castaway Cay! Be sure to stay tuned for more coverage of the inaugural cruises of the Disney Dream.
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