2 New Ships Coming To DCL!?!?

[The Sasquatch]

From Chip & Co...

Well, the rumors are taking to the high seas again, landlubbers.. It seems like there is talk of Disney Cruise Line adding 2 more ships to their grand fleet of beautiful ships. As a matter of fact, this news comes from a couple of DCL Cast Members that in conversation kinda let the info slip.
Now, if the rumors are true, and that’s a big IF… Disney Cruise Line will possibly start working on the plans to add the two new cruise ships possibly sometime within the next couple of years. The ships will reportedly be moderately sized, larger than the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, but smaller than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy and will have even more enhancements that we’ve come to expect from none other than the “Magic of Disney”.. So keep your eyes and ears open gang that as soon as we get confirmed information, we will bring it straight to you!

I think it's only inevitable that Disney adds ships but the idea that they would go to a smaller ship is interesting. I for one Hope one ship in the fleet comes to New England again!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I think this time frame is actually pretty realistic, but not as additional ships, but as replacement for the Magic and the Wonder. I know that DCL has previously stated that once the Magic and the Wonder have received their extensive make over, they would remain in service for another 10 years. So that would take us to 2023 for the Magic and 2026 for the Wonder.

Corinna

 

[truck1]

I dont think they are/will be replacements. Ships today are desigend to last 40 years or better. In 2023 the Magic would only be 25.

The size of the rumored class in question, was actually developed in 99/2000 shortly after the Wonder entered service. The class was quietly shelved after 9/11. When we were on the Fantasys Inaugural, I asked Joe Lanzisero about that class in relation to the Dream class, and his answer was that they took the best parts of the Magic class, the best of the new class, added some new, and made the Dream class. As far as I know those plans are still sitting on a shelf somewhere. The $64000 question is is it cheaper to design a new class to replace the shelved class, or to update the shelved class, since in between there has been several notable changes in SOLAS, IMO and a handfull of other organizations that regulate the building of new ships. That and how long before DCL pulls the trigger to act on a new class. From talking to several bridge crew that we know, they were saying they didnt think the wait was going to be as long inbetween new ships this time around.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you search I posted about a month ago that there in the early stages of considering ordering new ships.

Whilst the Magic 'could' go until 20>30 years, she does have issues that reoccur and that isnt a good image of the flagship.

Any order would take a long time.

Also expect within two years Dream or Fantasy to go off station from Port Canaveral at some point in the summer.

 

[JimGA]

I am no expert by any means and actually know notheing about the subject.

But speaking strictly as smart business decisions, it would be wise for DCL to sell their older ships, as the fleet ages, the quality of the product slips. So does the image and the price they can command.

 

[TitanBrett]

judging by the nearly constant use of *GT and FL resident rates I would wager that adding capacity would be a bad idea for the foreseeable future.

 

[mkmommy]

judging by the nearly constant use of *GT and FL resident rates I would wager that adding capacity would be a bad idea for the foreseeable future.

I would think they would be looking at new ships being based outside North America, seems like that is where the opportunities are.

 

[truck1]

Any order would take a long time.

All depends. If they go with the add on to the Dream( which probably expired but say 2 more Dream Class ships for argument sake) or the inbetween class, that got shelved, it may be simply a matter of dusting off the plans, upgrading here and there, and go from there. In which case you could shave a few years off the development. From there, you take a place in line at the ship yards. I did see something interetsing the other day, while playing around on the internet. Seems our friends at Meyer Werft have purchased the shipyard STX Finland(formerly Aker yards) which is where RCLs Freedom was built among others.

The tell tale key, on when DCL is ready to build and or design is to watch for the money trail. DCL will not move on anything other then talking about new ships with out money coming in from California to do so. It would be a line item in their budget specifially for the prelim work on a ship(s).

 

[truck1]

judging by the nearly constant use of *GT and FL resident rates I would wager that adding capacity would be a bad idea for the foreseeable future.

I dont think that capacity is an issue per se. What DCL keeps handicapping themselves on is itineraries. For example, they had the Dream, Magic and Wonder doing almost the exact same itins, 2 from the same port. At the same time. If they broaden there ports and lengths, say doing a 8 or 10 day trip out of Miami to places like Bonaire, or Aruba, St Kitts to name a few, youd probably see a difference.

 

[NancyIL]

judging by the nearly constant use of *GT and FL resident rates I would wager that adding capacity would be a bad idea for the foreseeable future.

I agree.

I dont think that capacity is an issue per se. What DCL keeps handicapping themselves on is itineraries. For example, they had the Dream, Magic and Wonder doing almost the exact same itins, 2 from the same port. At the same time. If they broaden there ports and lengths, say doing a 8 or 10 day trip out of Miami to places like Bonaire, or Aruba, St Kitts to name a few, youd probably see a difference.

DCL knows people want more interesting itineraries, However, I think the reason they moved their ships back to FL was because there wasn't enough demand for cruises out of other ports (like Galveston and LA) during the school year. DCL's strength (appeal to families with young kids) is also its handicap (not enough adult-only cruisers to fill the ships in the off season).

 

[truck1]

I agree.

DCL knows people want more interesting itineraries, However, I think the reason they moved their ships back to FL was because there wasn't enough demand for cruises out of other ports (like Galveston and LA) during the school year. DCL's strength (appeal to families with young kids) is also its handicap (not enough adult-only cruisers to fill the ships in the off season).

I wasnt looking at somewhere like Galveston, or LA anywhere like that. What I was looking at was comparing the way DCL had its fleet deployed vs say Carnival. Out of Miami Carnival does a 5 day to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. They also go deeper to the southern Carrib. for 7-10 day trips. Princess out of Ft Lauderdale does 10 day trips to the ABCs, and other islands along the way.
DCL lets do another Bahamas trip. It would have been a good time to try out alternative itins. The Wonder needed a temp home, people are asking for something different, and if it didnt work out it was only for a few months. They werent committed to Miami as they were Galveston.

 

[Silverfox97]

Seems our friends at Meyer Werft have purchased the shipyard STX Finland(formerly Aker yards)

Saw that. Meyer Werft is one busy shipyard that puts out good quality ships fastidiously!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Silverfox97]

To those of you that keep commenting on this 'full ship' stuff ~

Do you really think every other cruise ship sails at a near-full capacity? I highly doubt it. There is probably a number that they 'have' to sail at, let's say 70% capacity. DCL has been charging higher prices lately for peak season, but if they don't 'fill' the ship, out come the discounts (and in some ways, they are 'perceived' discounts). They are definitely charging enough to make a profit. I'm not complaining - I've got 5 more cruises booked & I'm sure will add more.

I booked the 10/11/14 Southern on opening day w/10% OBB, and for the first time, when FLR rates were released, it was not cheaper. I could upgrade and pay more, or downgrade to get a discount, which wasn't worth it.

DCL could certainly add ships.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mca]

I believe they have to be looking forward at building 2 new ships.

From the time they announced the Dream class in Feb 2007 it took 4 years for the Dream to start operating at Port Canaveral in 2011.

If they were to announce today by the time the ships come out the Classic ships would be 20 years old and the Dream class would be approaching their 10th birthday.

Back before the Dream class were sailing everyone were saying no way would Disney fill their ships especially with their large passenger load. They all said the prices would have to go down if they had any chance of filling them.

Seems like the 4 ships are sailing as full as any of their competition, prices are at an all time high and their service must be doing well with all the awards they have been getting from everywhere.

Not to say they have not had problems and growing pains but they adapt and grow. They do have some smart people working for them and very deep pockets. It's just a matter of timing and profitability.

 

[darwinsrule]

Saw that. Meyer Werft is one busy shipyard that puts out good quality ships fastidiously!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Explains why they are booked into 2019. Love the webcam and watching the float outs as well. Even for non-DCL ships

Seriously though. Something about watching a ship being built knowing you will be sailing on her. If/when DCL does do something I hope they document it like Mighty Ships did for the Norwegian Breakaway. It was awesome seeing it all come together.

 

[NancyIL]

To those of you that keep commenting on this 'full ship' stuff ~

Do you really think every other cruise ship sails at a near-full capacity? I highly doubt it. There is probably a number that they 'have' to sail at, let's say 70% capacity. DCL has been charging higher prices lately for peak season, but if they don't 'fill' the ship, out come the discounts (and in some ways, they are 'perceived' discounts). They are definitely charging enough to make a profit. I'm not complaining - I've got 5 more cruises booked & I'm sure will add more.

I booked the 10/11/14 Southern on opening day w/10% OBB, and for the first time, when FLR rates were released, it was not cheaper. I could upgrade and pay more, or downgrade to get a discount, which wasn't worth it.

DCL could certainly add ships.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

The other mass market cruise lines have many more ships to try to fill, and they do tend to fill them by offering discounts. DCL seems to have a hard time filling only 4 ships 8 months of the year unless they offer discounts.

 

[Silverfox97]

Seems like the 4 ships are sailing as full as any of their competition, prices are at an all time high and their service must be doing well with all the awards they have been getting from everywhere.

Agree! I doubt that ever RCI, Carnival, NCL, etc. ship sails 'full.' They sail where they need to be to make a profit.

Scott listens to every Disney quarterly earnings report w/Bob Iger and *every* quarter is a record profitable quarter. The parks are more expensive in every way - admission, food, etc. & take it from a local - they are still packed. I'm still an annual passholder. We still eat there & often. They are not bleeding out money; they are essentially printing it.

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[seidelhd]

I agree about adding itineraries. They are only doing 4 Southern Caribbean trips this year and none for 2015. This is the one my wife really wants, but we may end up going on RCL if nothing is announced for 2016 on DCL.

Personally, I'd love to see a Southern Caribbean cruise that left out of Port Canaveral or Miami, which are driving distance for us. The thought of adding plane tickets to San Juan does not excite me.

 

[Silverfox97]

The other mass market cruise lines have many more ships to try to fill, and they do tend to fill them by offering discounts. DCL seems to have a hard time filling only 4 ships 8 months of the year unless they offer discounts.

Ok. Yes. However, the 'discounts' are what prices should be, or what they used to start out at. I'm sorry, I wasn't paying $5800 for a 7n Eastern Caribbean cruise this summer I've taken 3 other times when I used to pay $3800 for the same room on the same ship. I will, however, pay a premium for my Norway/Iceland cruise, since we haven't sailed there before.

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[mca]

I would think they would be looking at new ships being based outside North America, seems like that is where the opportunities are.

I remember seeing the map of the 4 ships on the lampshades on the Dream with the Wonder on the west coat, Magic in Europe and the Dream and Fantasy in Florida.

Unfortunately the Mexican drug violence scared everyone out of the Riviera cruises, but lately they have been coming back so they are now testing more Mexican Riviera cruises. Disney is doing well in Alaska and the Hawaii market they could grow with Aulani as a marketing option. Adding 3 or 4 day Catalina and Ensenada land and sea cruises tied in with Disneyland. This could keep the Wonder busy all year.

As for Port Canaveral there will always be room for the two Dream class ships. The proximity to Orlando and Disneyworld will always draw business there.

The Magic could continue to be used as their flagship opening up new itineraries around the world. She is small enough to get in to many ports while large enough to offer comfortable ocean crossings.

That leaves us with so many places that Disney is missing out. Europe, Southern Caribbean, New England and Canada, Asia, etc...

It only makes sense to add more ships and grow.