Year after year, Disney Cruise Line continues to show why it still ranks number 1 in cruising with the American public. After successfully bringing family travel to the cruise industry in 1998, they continue to be recognized for refining that product year after year. This year was no exception as Disney has won 8 more top awards, the latest being in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards back in September. The ranking was determined from answers given by readers when asked to rate cruise lines on cabins, food, service, itineraries, destinations, activities and value. The brings the total of awards won by Disney to almost 50 in its 9 years of existance. If you cruise with Disney after Thanksgiving this year for the holidays, you will see some of the extra touches that make them famous.
-A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where “snow” flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs.
-A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids.
-International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruises).
-Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.
-A reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Mrs. Claus.
-Traditional holiday feasts in Disney’s three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruises only).
-Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruises only).
-A ship-wide party to ring in 2008 and a New Year’s Day tailgate party.
Read on to hear amore about the Disney awards.

Just this year, Disney Cruise Line earned seven additional top honors including:

Conde Nast Traveler — Rated the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder in the top 10 of the “Top 80 Cruise Ships in the World” and named Disney Cruise Line on their “Gold List”, which recognizes the top 10 in overall best experience.
Conde Nast Traveler — Ranked the Vista Spa and Salon as the #3 cruise line spa.
Porthole Cruise — Awarded Disney Cruise Line with a Readers’ Choice Award.
TravelAge West — Recognized Disney Cruise Line with two Editor’s Pick WAVE awards for best overall spa facility and best onboard entertainment.
AAA — Awarded Disney Cruise Line with the “Preferred Partner of the Year” designation for surpassing excellence in providing products and services to AAA and its membership.
Disney Cruise Line established the family market within the cruise industry, providing a cruise experience for families to reconnect and recharge while creating vacation memories that will last a lifetime. From a theater featuring live musical spectaculars to a luxurious spa for adults and nearly an entire deck dedicated to children’s activities, the ships offer something for every member of the family. Disney Cruise Line continues to grow by attracting passengers who say they would not have cruised if it had not been for the Disney brand.
Just this spring, Disney announced the expansion of its cruise business, signing a contract with Meyer Werft shipyard, of Papenburg, Germany, to build two new ships, scheduled for delivery in 2011 and 2012.
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line ventured to Europe, offering 10- and 11-night Mediterranean itineraries to Spain, Italy and France this summer. The extremely successful itineraries created a brand new family cruise experience by combining the history and culture of Europe with the fun of a Disney cruise.
Next summer (2008), Disney Cruise Line will again return to the Port of Los Angeles for another stint of seven-night Mexican Riviera itineraries, following a wildly successful summer in 2005.