Disney Cruising with Samantha Brown

Savvy cruisers: Me and Samantha Brown.
Photo: Lorenzo Bevilaqua

Yesterday, at a luncheon at Aquavit in New York, Disney Cruise Line announced several ambitious new itineraries for its 2010 season. Lest you thought it was all Caribbean and Mickey Mouse, think again: Disney is expanding its guests' horizons by organizing 12-night sails to northern European capitals like Oslo, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. Of course, Mickey will still put in an appearance, but he might be squeaking with a Scandinavian accent.

In addition, Disney's Mediterranean itineraries will expand to include Corsica, Tallinn, and even Tunis in northern Africa--that's a long way from the Bahamas, Disney's first port of call.

To help announce this big news, Disney invited Travel Channel guru Samantha Brown to the event. After dessert, I got to chat with Samantha about her travels. Here's what I learned:

Samantha is a serious cruise enthusiast. She had a ball aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, loved the elegance of Princess ships, and recommends the Carnival Inspiration for its excellent staff and affordable rates.

Her next trip? Santa Monica, California, to film another installment of Passport to Great Weekends. Travel wish list? Alaska and the Baltic countries. Travel must-haves? Ear plugs, energy bars, and peanut butter.

Comments

I love Samantha Brown!
did she have any good tips for beating jet lag?

Posted by: irisha18 | October 07, 2008 at 03:57 PM

Sadly, I didn't get a chance to pick Samantha's brain on this important matter. However, given the impeccable state of her skin, I'd say her main jet lag remedy is drinking lots of water.
-- Beata Loyfman

Posted by: CelebTracker | October 07, 2008 at 05:10 PM

I heart SB! - I never thought of a cruise as a good way to travel but if she thinks it's a good idea, I might give it a shot.

Posted by: meeflo | October 07, 2008 at 05:40 PM

I'd be down with hanging out with a Tunisian Mickey!

Although, I'd be curious to know more about the safety involved in the trips...leaving the Bahamas is one thing...having a bunch of americans go to some of these places is a whole other beast...

Posted by: ecolman | October 07, 2008 at 06:31 PM

Not to worry, Disney is organizing safe, English-speaking guided tours at each destination, so you won't ever feel lost at sea.
--Beata Loyfman

Posted by: CelebTracker | October 08, 2008 at 10:49 AM

I alwais thought that Disney cruises are for kids. But Tunis?!!

Posted by: myau | October 09, 2008 at 12:29 PM