2 New Ships Coming To DCL!?!?

[mca]

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.

The Caribbean from November to April is the ultimate cruise market. All the cruise lines bring their ships to serve this huge market. I agree Disney has to be more creative in itineraries leaving from various ports like Ft Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa New Orleans and Galveston.

With 2 new ships they could do that, I for one after 12 Disney cruises have been looking at other lines lately because I want to see new places.

 

[truck1]

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.

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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.

Years ago, I asked a TA, on why DCL prices go up the closer a cruise gets, compared to other lines who seem to drop the closer. The basic reason I got was this. With DCL there is only say a 13000 passenger capacity fleet wide, compared to say Royal which may have closer to 100,000 passenger capacity fleet wide. (Im making the numbers up since I dont know for sure but for argument sake its close enough for goverment work) Where Royal can offer a significant discount to get people on their ships, they can make it up in other areas such as liquor sales, and on some lines the casinos. Disney doesnt have the option to get you into a casino, so they charge a higher premium, then a comparable sized ship from a different line.

 

[NancyIL]

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.

I cruised in Australia & New Zealand in January 2014 on Celebrity, have a Canada repo cruise booked for October 2015 on Royal Caribbean, and a South America cruise booked for Feb. 2016 on Princess (all 2-week cruises). Those cruises sail with very few children onboard. As interesting as those itineraries are - they aren't good vacation possibilities if you want to take school-age children along during the school year. People here complain about DCL's lack of new itineraries. Then when DCL offers good itineraries at times other than the usual summer, Christmas, or spring break periods - people complain that they can't go then because their kids are in school and/or a parent is a teacher. DCL can't win - as long as they are perceived as a cruise line for families with little kids. DCL needs a big PR campaign featuring singles and older couples enjoying their Disney cruises.

 

[NancyIL]

Years ago, I asked a TA, on why DCL prices go up the closer a cruise gets, compared to other lines who seem to drop the closer. The basic reason I got was this. With DCL there is only say a 13000 passenger capacity fleet wide, compared to say Royal which may have closer to 100,000 passenger capacity fleet wide. (Im making the numbers up since I dont know for sure but for argument sake its close enough for goverment work) Where Royal can offer a significant discount to get people on their ships, they can make it up in other areas such as liquor sales, and on some lines the casinos. Disney doesnt have the option to get you into a casino, so they charge a higher premium, then a comparable sized ship from a different line.

LOL! It's true that other cruise lines make a lot of money in the casinos, because as we know - the House always wins! I'm not a fan of casinos, but maybe DCL needs to rethink that if they hope to entice more adult-only cruisers to sail with them.

DCL could certainly increase their revenue from alcohol sales if they limited the amount they allowed people to bring onboard. Yes - those who benefitted the most from DCL's liberality will throw tantrums again - as they did a few years ago when DCL announced a change in policy...that lasted a day! I find it odd that a cruise line that markets itself as being so family-friendly (with no casino) should have an as much as you can carry onboard alcohol allowance.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

DCL needs a big PR campaign featuring singles and older couples enjoying their Disney cruises.

Until they do, no matter how much one tries to convince family and friends, we'll still hear, "that's for kids. I want to be with adults."

 

[Dug720]

Until they do, no matter how much one tries to convince family and friends, we'll still hear, "that's for kids. I want to be with adults."

I *was* just on an "adults" ship in Alaska a couple of weeks ago - Holland America's Westerdam. And while I guarantee you there were fewer children on there than on either of my two Disney Dream cruises (and I'd bet most - clearly not all when you count TA cruises and PC cruises), I was FAR more aware of them on HAL because they don't have the same kind of area Disney does. Yes, they have their kids' clubs, but a) from what I could tell the hours were very limited and b) when they were open, I still saw kids all over so the activities clearly weren't engaging (there may have been a charge as well...not having kids I didn't investigate that).

I will proudly state I am a solo-traveling adult who will actively choose Disney Cruise Line whenever I can. (Also, my parents - who are in their 70s - love cruising Disney as well.)

 

[mca]

I cruised in Australia & New Zealand in January 2014 on Celebrity, have a Canada repo cruise booked for October 2015 on Royal Caribbean, and a South America cruise booked for Feb. 2016 on Princess (all 2-week cruises). Those cruises sail with very few children onboard. As interesting as those itineraries are - they aren't good vacation possibilities if you want to take school-age children along during the school year. People here complain about DCL's lack of new itineraries. Then when DCL offers good itineraries at times other than the usual summer, Christmas, or spring break periods - people complain that they can't go then because their kids are in school and/or a parent is a teacher. DCL can't win - as long as they are perceived as a cruise line for families with little kids. DCL needs a big PR campaign featuring singles and older couples enjoying their Disney cruises.

I hear you Nancy,

but there is a growing number of adults only cruising with Disney like yourself and myself. I agree Disney needs to start marketing these off season cruises as more adult friendly to help fill the ships. Something they are going to have to learn if they continue to grow with more ships.

The one thing Disney has going for them is the cult culture that many of us have for all things Disney. I've tried to explain to my friends and family why and there is no explanation, we just love it. Many of us have grown up with them as children, have introduced our own family to them and now continue to enjoy them.

Every year there are more and more of us and soon we will take over the world where wearing Mickey ears will be mandatory!

 

[NYIceQueen]

What I'd love to see is an itinerary like Royal has out of NYC to the Caribbean. There are a lot of Canadian and Northern residents where an NYC departure gives us more flexibility. RC had a NYC to San Juan and other points in the Caribbean. I was tempted but the dates didn't work, and for ONCE, they gave discounts to NEW YORK residents. Seriously...the Florida folks that complain about how expensive it is....at least you guys get discounts to the parks and cruises. LOL

But yeah, it's incredibly hard for parents who need to take their kids out of school. However, Disney knows this, so it's not like they can't just increase the options/itineraries in those popular times...especially with more ships. They'd fill them just fine.

 

[momof2n2]

I don't know nearly what the pros on this board know, for sure. But I can't help but think there are a lot of other places in the world to depart from. Couldn't they have a ship out of Australia much of the year for residents of that area?

 

[NancyIL]

I don't know nearly what the pros on this board know, for sure. But I can't help but think there are a lot of other places in the world to depart from. Couldn't they have a ship out of Australia much of the year for residents of that area?

Of the mass market cruise lines, only Princess keeps some ships in Australia year round. Other cruise lines sail there from about late October - April.

DCL doesn't have a large enough base of adult-only cruisers to fill a ship that does more exotic itineraries when kids are in school. The ships that do those itineraries are usually full of older adults who have the time and money for such cruises.

 

[mmouse37]

We have been sailing with DCL since Day 1. We were on the Maiden Voyage of the Magic back on July 30, 1998. Way back then DCL had said that they planned on having 10 ships in their fleet. I remember reading literature about this back then and hearing the Captain comment on this onboard the MV.

It is no surprise that DCL would want more ships but timing is everything!!!

MJ

 

[momof2n2]

Of the mass market cruise lines, only Princess keeps some ships in Australia year round. Other cruise lines sail there from about late October - April. DCL doesn't have a large enough base of adult-only cruisers to fill a ship that does more exotic itineraries when kids are in school. The ships that do those itineraries are usually full of older adults who have the time and money for such cruises.

But with the school year different in foreign markets, couldn't they market themselves to other residents? Or would those populations not be able to support it?

 

[disprincess4ever]

Disney knows they want more ships, they know DCL is selling well now...the discounts are fewer and fewer. However; Iger may not green light new ships, or if he does it will be close to his retirement as CEO. Right now the new Disneyland in China is his focus, and he wants to go out with a bang with that. He could order 2 new ships, and release names maybe, but I don't think construction will begin till someone new is in charge.

 

[NancyIL]

But with the school year different in foreign markets, couldn't they market themselves to other residents? Or would those populations not be able to support it?

DCL has done a poor job of marketing itself in the US - outside of Florida. Although Australia is about the same size as the continental US, it has a population of 22.6 million to our 313.9 million. No - I don't think DCL could keep a ship year round anywhere outside the US.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

regardless of what a DCL cast member says there isn't most lily to be any new ships for awhile they don't have full time ports for the magic and wonder unless they move around to other ports.

 

[Beermam42]

If, if was a nickle we all be rich.

At 70 I am not going to worrie about it. Lots of really nice new ships to cruise on.

 

[Beermam42]

Competition has changed and its about to change again. Like Universal there are more players going after a limited number of cruisers and dollars.

Who's else is coming to PC? PCPA is not building new terminal for it's good healt. RCL has two mega ships coming. Were do they go?

I am going on Cruise with Princess out of Houston in Dec. Have a bunch of friends who highly recommend. GC in school DD is teaching.

I think Disney has to expand marketing approrch. That will include putting casino on some ships and raise adult entertainment levels.

One thing that has been said, in todays Disney Corp World it better make money and pay dividends or you are gone. PS no more golden parchutes either.

 

[su_A_ve]

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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Agree. And they still offer discounts. Years ago when FD was introduced, it was expected to disappear. However, it's still being offered. More beds keep being added.

The discounts are there to fill capacity. The *GT and FLR rates seem to work and attract those looking for a bargain during off season. Same as FD in the parks. Whatever fills capacity will do.

 

[truck1]

LOL! It's true that other cruise lines make a lot of money in the casinos, because as we know - the House always wins! I'm not a fan of casinos, but maybe DCL needs to rethink that if they hope to entice more adult-only cruisers to sail with them.

DCL could certainly increase their revenue from alcohol sales if they limited the amount they allowed people to bring onboard. Yes - those who benefitted the most from DCL's liberality will throw tantrums again - as they did a few years ago when DCL announced a change in policy...that lasted a day! I find it odd that a cruise line that markets itself as being so family-friendly (with no casino) should have an as much as you can carry onboard alcohol allowance.

Theres a show on CNBC that occasionally does episodes on cruise lines.Basically, the same guy that did the Queen Mary Birth of a Legend episode, did a show on I think it was Royal. When Royal ships leave the pier, they have a set quota. Usually about 1-2 million dollars if I remember correctly.He basically went onboard for a weeks cruise, from the time the ship ties up to the pier in either Miami or Ft Lauderdale, until it returns. They wouldn't discuss the actual number on camera, but the quota for liquor that was set, was not only met, but exceeded. And it changes from cruise to cruise.

 

[mcd2745]

Competition has changed and its about to change again. Like Universal there are more players going after a limited number of cruisers and dollars.

Who's else is coming to PC? PCPA is not building new terminal for it's good healt. RCL has two mega ships coming. Were do they go?

I am going on Cruise with Princess out of Houston in Dec. Have a bunch of friends who highly recommend. GC in school DD is teaching.

I think Disney has to expand marketing approrch. That will include putting casino on some ships and raise adult entertainment levels.

One thing that has been said, in todays Disney Corp World it better make money and pay dividends or you are gone. PS no more golden parchutes either.

I would love to see casinos on DCL, but I doubt we'll ever see it.

Others on here, particularly those who live in FL, would know a heck of a lot more about it than I do, but isn't Disney putting up a tremendous fight against casinos in FL? Even for a company like Disney, with all their resources, that contradiction would be a difficult PR situation to overcome - to block casinos in FLorida, but install them on their ships?

I have often suggested a good idea for DCL would be a 'Dave & Busters' type space. It can be open to everyone during the day (thus generating revenue at all times), but become adults-only at night that stays open until 3 or 4am. This would provide adults with a nighttime "play" area after the late dinner seating and the show for the main dinner folks. It can generate a lot of revenue - probably not as much as a casino, but a fair amount still. I believe the lack of fun, late night, activities really hurts DCL with the non-parents crowd.