Dream not offering longer than 5-night?

[BlakeNJ]

I am looking around the DCL site and can't find a 7 night cruise on the Dream. Am I right or looking in the wrong place?

Seems odd that a new ship wouldn't have 7 night cruises. I have been holding out for the new ship but would rather cruise longer for 7 nights on Magic than 5 nights on Dream.

 

[kritter]

No nothing longer as of right now.

In a way it does make sense that they are only offering 5 night cruises. This way faster turn around which means more cruises and more profit!!

 

[BlakeNJ]

No nothing longer as of right now.

In a way it does make sense that they are only offering 5 night cruises. This way faster turn around which means more cruises and more profit!!

Interesting. From what I have read on the cruise line forum, most prefer the longer cruises.

 

[kcashner]

Rumor is that the Fantasy will take over the 7 night cruises, but the only thing we know for sure is that both ships will be based in Port Canaveral initially (per contract with port.) MANY rumors and hints about what Magic will do, but no official announcements yet.

Most of us who are DCL freaks do prefer longer cruises, but the line gets more "excess" revenue on the shorter cruises--more money in excursions, photos, spa, etc. over and above the cruise fare. The frequent cruisers among us might do one spa treatment on a 7 night cruise, while people on the shorter cruises may try to do one on their cruise, giving 2 for the week. Unfortunately for DCL, those of us who have sailed many times spend less in the gift shops, Shutters, etc. as we know what we want and where we find the best value. We're also more savvy about booking excursions on our own, etc.

Shorter cruises = more passengers = higher per day revenues.

In addition, many people will sail the Dream just because it is the new ship, not caring so much about what it is doing as just wanting to be on board the "new" one.

 

[jilljill]

In 2011 the Dream will be doing 3/4/5 day cruises, taking over the Wonder's old route. The 4/5 day cruises will only be offered in the summer when the Magic is in Europe and there will only be 1 ship sailing out of Port Canaveral. If you want a longer sailing in 2011 you will have to sail on the Magic for the limited time it will be sailing out of Port Canaveral or wait until 2012 when the Fantasy starts sailing, first cruise date is unknown at this time.

 

[karibritt01]

We decided to wait for the Fantasy because we wanted a 7 night cruise. I hate to wait an extra year... but it will be worth it!

 

[joksten2000]

We didn't want to wait an extra year so I booked us on a B2B 4 day then a 5 day. We much prefer a nine day cruise anyway when we take the whole family. Since were using points, the cost is really immaterial. After we did the math our vacations are only costing us 50% of the true cost. The numbers were like $765,000 worth of vacations for a cost of $305,000 ($80K plus $5K a year in upkeep).

I would probably sail another cruise line if I had to pay cash. DCL isn't bad if you have more people in a room. They give you a real break for 3rd & 4th person where as other lines don't discount much for the extra passengers.

 

[Tinkerbell.RN]

I'm sure money and profit played a part in it. But also consider the number of people chomping at the bit to sail on the Dream. Many more can make her first season with the 5 night cruises.

I also heard the Fantasy will have the 7 night runs, but we have to wait a little longer.

 

[Anal Annie]

I am looking around the DCL site and can't find a 7 night cruise on the Dream. Am I right or looking in the wrong place?

Seems odd that a new ship wouldn't have 7 night cruises. I have been holding out for the new ship but would rather cruise longer for 7 nights on Magic than 5 nights on Dream.

That's what we did. We booked a Med cruise on the Magic instead and will wait for the Fantasy to sail on a new ship...

 

[melc0305]

We can only afford to cruise every other year so we like to make it a 7 night. I, too was disappointed the new ship won't have 7 nt cruises. We ended up booking the NCL Epic for next year instead. We'll see if they live up to my Disney expectations!

 

[NancyIL]

If the Dream were to do 7-night cruises in 2011 - who would book Bahamas cruises on the Magic? In my opinion, not many - unless the cruises were dirt cheap. DCL did the smart thing by having the new ship do the less desirable itinerary, because people will book the Dream just to be on the ship.