2 new ships - what must features should they plan into the design?

[eskimoinparadise]

The Meyer Werft Press Release:

The leader in family cruising will grow its award-winning fleet with imaginative innovations that are uniquely fun and distinctly Disney

The Walt Disney Company announced plans today to build two additional cruise ships, each of them showcasing the immersive family entertainment, enchanting storytelling and unparalleled service that only Disney can deliver.

The company has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. The schedule calls for the new ships to be completed in 2021 and 2023.

“We pride ourselves on the unforgettable vacation experiences we deliver to our guests each and every day, and the expansion of our Disney fleet will allow us to create even more magical memories for families at sea and in incredible cruise destinations around the world,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

Each new ship will be approximately 135,000 gross tons – slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy – and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. While design plans, ship names and itineraries are still in development, the Walt Disney Imagineering team is already dreaming up exciting new ways to create the world’s most magical oceangoing adventures.

Since first setting sail in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has provided a quintessential family cruise vacation experience that combines the magic of Disney with the thrill of exploring different parts of the world. Guests step aboard majestic and beautiful ocean liners to enjoy legendary Disney entertainment, exquisite dining, spacious and well-appointed staterooms and magnificent public spaces.

The company also has been an industry leader in innovation and game-changing creativity. With the launch of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy in 2011 and 2012, the company introduced several firsts for the industry, including a water coaster at sea (AquaDuck) and virtual portholes in interior staterooms (Magical Portholes) that provide real-time views of the sea as well as sightings of animated Disney characters.

Plans for the expansion of Disney Cruise Line come during a period of momentous growth and innovation for Disney properties around the globe.

“The expansion of Disney Cruise Line only adds to our excitement for the unprecedented growth taking place across our vacation destinations, from new Star Wars experiences coming to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts to the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris and the grand opening of our newest park, Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

More details about the Disney Cruise Line fleet expansion and onboard offerings will be announced at a later date.

 

[PortMickey]

From the first rendering, it looks like there is a new deck under the satellite falls deck. I bet they are putting in a new Concierge Deck not found on the Dream Class ships. It looks like it would be right off the Concierge Rooms and would not be visible or accessible to the rest of the passengers.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

My understanding is that larger pools present a problem for ship stability. I recall reading that large top-heavy water like that can cause problems for cruise ships, which is why they are kept smaller and more shallow.

Funny how that phenomenon only happens on Disney Ships - every other line that is Dream-sized or larger has pools that make Disney's pools look like oversized hot tubs.

 

[DHSbutcher]

I'm sure Disney will have some awesome plans, I'd love for them to perhaps include more theming from their classic characters and movies. A family friendly upscale or speciality dining would be fantastic, maybe one with special characters? hint hint. I would love some more activities/sports things for teens/adults maybe even a fitness course/obstacle source of some kind. I'd love a completely non-smoking ship(including outer decks). Some single cabins would be lovely as well like norwegian did. A top deck floor that somehow would stay cool in the sun would be a miracle, I love Celebrity's grassy area on top so that would be lovely on a disney ship too, bring back the arcade but make it free games for everyone to play with, hammocks to relax in on deck, more hot tubs, bathrooms you won't trip going into- seriously why aren't these level with the ground, some tables for 2 in the dining room :O, a swimming pool that looked out over the side of the ship- not just a hot tub, an amphitheater or show-theater outside, an asian/indian eatery- or something from the chef's home region, a real craft cocktail bar- please stop putting sour mix in everything disney!!, pool with retractable roof for those rainy/cool days, magic bands at sea, i'd love to some effect a virtual glass bottom boat- or at least where I could watch the ocean under the ship from my stateroom TV or something.

 

[TXDCLfan]

I would like to see things like water slides,flow rider,ropes course and rock walls...more things for middle age kids - adults to do.

Would also love to have a casino

 

[Dug720]

A Casino is a MUST and Transgender bathrooms need to be included!

A) Seriously doubt you will EVER see a casino on a Disney ship. Many people have made that clear that no casino is one of the reasons they choose DCL.

B) Why the need for separate bathrooms? If you identify and dress as a female you should be allowed to use female bathrooms. If you identify and dress as a male, you should be allowed to use male bathrooms. Simple.

 

[Dug720]

I'm sure Disney will have some awesome plans, I'd love for them to perhaps include more theming from their classic characters and movies. A family friendly upscale or speciality dining would be fantastic, maybe one with special characters? hint hint. I would love some more activities/sports things for teens/adults maybe even a fitness course/obstacle source of some kind. I'd love a completely non-smoking ship(including outer decks). Some single cabins would be lovely as well like norwegian did. A top deck floor that somehow would stay cool in the sun would be a miracle, I love Celebrity's grassy area on top so that would be lovely on a disney ship too, bring back the arcade but make it free games for everyone to play with, hammocks to relax in on deck, more hot tubs, bathrooms you won't trip going into- seriously why aren't these level with the ground, some tables for 2 in the dining room :O, a swimming pool that looked out over the side of the ship- not just a hot tub, an amphitheater or show-theater outside, an asian/indian eatery- or something from the chef's home region, a real craft cocktail bar- please stop putting sour mix in everything disney!!, pool with retractable roof for those rainy/cool days, magic bands at sea, i'd love to some effect a virtual glass bottom boat- or at least where I could watch the ocean under the ship from my stateroom TV or something.

Ew. I will GLADLY pay double for a regular cabin. Those closets are ridiculous.

 

[Quellman]

I expect innovation. It is long been an ideal of Walt, and to a large degree the resulting company. It started with the Silly Symphonies. He realized you can't churn the same product and expect equal or better results. I don't want to see rock walls, flo-riders, bumper cars, or an apparatus that hoists you into the air and over the side of the ship. I want new unique experiences that are industry leading, not industry following. They must also have a sense of repeatability.

I expect much better use of a forward funnel (if it remains).
A better adult deck area that doesn't allow for those underage to walk through (as happens on the Dream class).
I expect that Disney will have to come up with a new water slide concept. Maybe two slides that race out of one of the funnels side by side.
Better kids club spaces since they changed the rules with the lab and the club and how they mixed the ages and the spaces.
I expect better "sports" deck activities. Ping Pong is the saddest thing at sea since the ball just flies around. I would like to see better use for the ubiquitous basketball court as well. The mini-golf is an easy cheap thrill. I don't know how many people even know about goofy sports. That certainly needs a tech refresh.
This may be controversial, but "my time dining" in the MDRs might be a welcome change for those who want to do that. This is to say that half the dining room you have the same server team as you do now and a set dining time. The other half would be just for people who want to dine at any time, and then they would rotate the restaurant, but likely end up with different servers each night.
New stage shows for certain.
We have fireworks at sea, i wonder if lasers and water projection are next (might be a bit windy for the later).
Non-concierge mini-suites. With the ability to sleep 6 comfortably with a wall instead of the curtain.
A grander atrium. It is no substitute for the space of deck parties during in climate weather.

 

[mcd2745]

A Casino is a MUST

I would love a casino, but it's not going to happen - especially while they are aggressively fighting them in the state of Florida. It would be completely hypocritical. I've often thought a nice "compromise" for DCL would be a Dave & Buster's type space (or actually contracting with D&B) that became adults only after a certain time. I just feel that, whatever form it takes...something for adults to do at night (10pm and later) besides sit in a bar and drink (and still generates revenue - let's not be naive) would be very welcome. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the bars. However, on a 7-night cruise it can get redundant. So other options to mix it up would be ideal.

 

[Dug720]

I expect innovation. It is long been an ideal of Walt, and to a large degree the resulting company. It started with the Silly Symphonies. He realized you can't churn the same product and expect equal or better results. I don't want to see rock walls, flo-riders, bumper cars, or an apparatus that hoists you into the air and over the side of the ship. I want new unique experiences that are industry leading, not industry following. They must also have a sense of repeatability.

I expect much better use of a forward funnel (if it remains).
A better adult deck area that doesn't allow for those underage to walk through (as happens on the Dream class).
I expect that Disney will have to come up with a new water slide concept. Maybe two slides that race out of one of the funnels side by side.
Better kids club spaces since they changed the rules with the lab and the club and how they mixed the ages and the spaces.
I expect better "sports" deck activities. Ping Pong is the saddest thing at sea since the ball just flies around. I would like to see better use for the ubiquitous basketball court as well. The mini-golf is an easy cheap thrill. I don't know how many people even know about goofy sports. That certainly needs a tech refresh.
This may be controversial, but "my time dining" in the MDRs might be a welcome change for those who want to do that. This is to say that half the dining room you have the same server team as you do now and a set dining time. The other half would be just for people who want to dine at any time, and then they would rotate the restaurant, but likely end up with different servers each night.
New stage shows for certain.
We have fireworks at sea, i wonder if lasers and water projection are next (might be a bit windy for the later).
Non-concierge mini-suites. With the ability to sleep 6 comfortably with a wall instead of the curtain.
A grander atrium. It is no substitute for the space of deck parties during in climate weather.

Or just a dining room for those who want the MTD concept. Why upset the whole rotational thing that's already going strong and well on DCL by splitting them? Just add a fourth dining room that is exclusively MTD. No you don't see the different MDRs, but that is your choice by going MTD.

 

[scgustafson]

Or just a dining room for those who want the MTD concept. Why upset the whole rotational thing that's already going strong and well on DCL by splitting them? Just add a fourth dining room that is exclusively MTD. No you don't see the different MDRs, but that is your choice by going MTD.

Isn't that the concept of Cabanas at night?

 

[hubbard53]

bigger pools... please... please for the love of all that's holy and good, they need bigger pools

This is how I see DCL pools:

And other than that, I'd like to see a wider variety of dining options (asian, mexican, italian)

 

[Quellman]

Or just a dining room for those who want the MTD concept. Why upset the whole rotational thing that's already going strong and well on DCL by splitting them? Just add a fourth dining room that is exclusively MTD. No you don't see the different MDRs, but that is your choice by going MTD.

Isn't that kind of what Cabanas is for dinner? It's just a selection from each MDR if I know it right. We haven't done it.

 

[Endflag]

Isn't that kind of what Cabanas is for dinner? It's just a selection from each MDR if I know it right. We haven't done it.

Yep, you're correct. We used Cabanas a couple of times when we were on the Fantasy in January. True multi-course meals the in main dining rooms were never much fun with/for our two-year-old daughter.

 

[hubbard53]

Yep, you're correct. We used Cabanas a couple of times when we were on the Fantasy in January. True multi-course meals the in main dining rooms were never much fun with/for our two-year-old daughter.

yep, thats what we did when our son was younger. I truly believe the dinner service is better and food fresher in Cabanas

 

[dreadpiraterose]

Bigger pools and a cheaper adults only restaurant (15$/pp). (Asian???) We can afford Palo and Remy and will continue to dine there but I feel like other cruiselines have more specialty restaurants and that they are more affordable.

I also hope that the magical porthole will be in the inside staterooms.

YES. An Asian restaurant would be awesome.

 

[Frozen2014]

Very exciting. They could steal some ideas from other ships such as rope course, flowrider, etc

 

[momof2n2]

Flow-rider, ropes course, more water slides!
Everything else was perfect. ❤

 

[Dug720]

Isn't that kind of what Cabanas is for dinner? It's just a selection from each MDR if I know it right. We haven't done it.

Yes and no. Cabanas is not truly a "MTD MDR". It is more of a restaurant than dining room IMHO - there is a menu and you can go whenever, but it feels more like a restaurant than a Main Dining Room. (Granted, the one night I was going to try it I left because I swear they went through and picked out the things on each menu I find disgusting and put them all on the Cabanas menu.)

I see combining rotational dining and the MTD concept as a logistical nightmare. Would the MTD peeps be assigned a rotation or would it be free-form? If they get an assigned rotation, that takes away an element of the freedom they want. If they don't, I can see everyone trying to go to one of the three on the same night (due to themeing, AP is pretty popular on Pirate Night, for example) and chaos and anger ensuing. Easier just to have one extra dining room that is traditional MDR dining - perhaps all three menus (for the nights there is a difference) could be offered and you select. On Pirate Night and the like it doesn't matter because all three have the same.

 

[angelinaxox]

I am really excited. The Disney ship of my dreams would include some kind of Disney theme park ride/attraction. This is something that would be different than what other cruise lines could offer.