When Disney Cruise Lines ventures out of its Florida comfort zone next year for its new European cruises, it will make a splash with a Prince and Princess Ball at the extravagant Catherine's Palace in Russia, a Tunisian treasure hunt and a fresco-painting lesson in Tuscany.

Disney is adding two European itineraries next summer -- the Baltic Sea, including Russia, and the Mediterranean, including Tunisia. But planning for shore excursions that go beyond the usual activities for grown-ups has been going on for two years.

During a trial run in the Mediterranean in 2007, the cruise line discovered that its passengers want to experience Europe, not just see it from the pool deck. To the guests, the places themselves ``are just as important as the ship bringing you there,'' says creative director David Duffy, who is in charge of making sure the line's shore excursions are Disney-esque.

This would seem like a no-brainer, but we're talking a Disney crowd that loves show productions and pirate parties and onboard character experiences. The cruise line's passengers, after all, are mostly families with kids.

``We originally put lots and lots of focus on the ship, and not as much focus on shore excursions,'' Duffy said. ``But we learned in 2007 on cruises like this, especially with multiple ports of call, that that's why guests are coming on the ship -- the ports.''

So for its second round in Europe in 2010, when the Disney Magic will cruise Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, the line is greatly expanding its shore offerings, while keeping the family crowd -- and kids in particular -- the focus.

CULTURE SHOCKS

Russia (on the Baltic cruise) and Tunisia (Mediterranean cruise) both present cultural challenges. The cruise line has charged its local tour operators in both destinations, as well as in other new ports, such as Stockholm and Oslo, with finding the right Disney angle. Pleasing the kids will be the first priority.

Duffy, part of the cruise line's entertainment department, was followed by a handful of American journalists this summer when he visited the European ports to check out some of the proposed tours and suggest others.

In Tunisia, the culture of the liberal Muslim country -- some women wearing veils, signs in Arabic, aggressive vendors -- will be unfamiliar to much of the line's American crowd, and visa versa. Disney understands this. On the ship, family-oriented lecturers will talk about Tunisian customs and traditions.

Onshore, Disney is offering creative activities aimed at kids. For instance, in the white-washed hillside town of Sidi Bou Said, right outside Tunis, Disney's tour operator took a standard tour and gave it the child-friendly spin of a treasure hunt, complete with a little book of clues and treasure map. The idea is to combine Tunisian culture with a little competition.

Families will visit key sights and can get temporary henna tattoos, watch belly dancing and drink mint tea. There's even some interaction with locals -- negotiating for a pot using Tunisian dinar (the currency is provided) and getting water from a communal fountain.

In Tunis, there are also plans for a beach outing, a visit to a re-created Berber village, and several tours of UNESCO World Heritage sites -- including Carthage, where kids will be able to play gladiators at the coliseum.

But some Mickey education may be in order. At the Bardo Museum in Tunis, famous for its Roman mosaics, a museum guide was asked if there were any depictions of mice. He responded that no, cats took care of that problem.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@