Disney Royal Balls a regal shore excursion

The Disney corporation has managed to obtain exclusive access to the famous Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. When the palace closes to tourists in the evenings, a series of Royal Balls for passengers taking Disney Cruise Line holidays will take place – featuring live musicians, courtiers in wigs and period costumes, formal dances and Disney Princesses such as Cinderella, Snow White and Belle, arriving in horse-drawn carriages to feature during the entertainment.

The Russian Palace adventure is only one of the many new trips and experiences being offered by the Disney line as it expands its sailings in Europe. The Mediterranean cruise, for example, will stop at Tunis and offer families a treasure hunt in which they will collect clues from several destinations on the excursion, including a traditional Tunisian dwelling, a session with a storyteller and a trip to the open market to bargain for souvenirs. And in Florence, children will get to try painting frescoes in the style of Michelangelo and Donatello while their parents have a more adult tour of the Palazzo Vecchio. The ten day cruise begins in Barcelona, before travelling to Valletta, then Tunis before continuing Naples, Civitavecchia and La Spezia in Italy and to Ajaccio on the picturesque island of Corsica the final port is Villefranche before returning to Barcelona.