2007 Itinerary Survey from DCL

[AlexandNessa]

Wow, those itineraries look great, but I think it may be hard for us to justify the pricing. We just did a 10-day Mexican Riviera cruise (April 2005) in a deluxe suite (563 sq. feet with a super big verandah) that included concierge service, free laundry, dry cleaning and pressing, a boat load of VIP cocktail/brunch parties with the captain, among other perks for $2700 each, and that included travel insurance! Disney's prices are really high for their Mexican cruise -- I can't even fathom what they'd consider charging for a suite!

We love Disney, but are testing the waters with a 4-day to see if cruising their suite life is worth it. Europe does sound enticing though...

 

[CACruisin']

I have been to pretty much all of these places (Not cruises, but as land based travel) Here are my thoughts:

As much as I want to do an Alaskan Cruise, I probably wouldn't on either of the current Disney ships. People think it is cold sailing off the west coast of CA in the summer? As someone posted previously, Alaskan cruises need a lot of covered, indoor space. I have been to Anchorage twice in June (and worn shorts even!), but I would not want to just "hang out" by the pool or on an open verandah for any amount of time on a ship. The scenery is stunning, but it is cold. My in-laws did an Alaskan cruise a few summers ago. They had a blast, but their pictures are of them all bundled up in parkas. it was in the 40's!

Baltic is also fascinating, but the ships are not appropriate for the same above reasons.

The med looks very enticing, and in the summer the weather would be appropriate. Outside of June-August/Sept. though, it would again be too cold, I think. Unfortunately, these would be very $$$ for us from the west coast, but we can always dream ...

On one of the current ships, my first choice would still be Caribbean. Next would be a summer med trip. On a new disney ship "Disney Dream" that was built for colder climates, my first choice would be alaska, hands down!

Of course, this is just MHO ...

 

[Buddy Bear]

We have only cruised on DCL, but wanted to do something special for our 5th Anniversary in 2007. The choices were either Hawaii or Alaska, up till now it looked like we were going to book another cruiseline but I am hopeful that is not the case. Alaska in 2007 sounds good to us.

 

[mouseclick1]

The 10 Mediterranean cruise would be my first choice; Alaska would be my second. We have already decided that our next cruise will be in 2007, so it will be very interesting to see what our options will be!

 

[minnieandmickey]

Didn't they send out a similar survey when they were deciding the CA itinerary? It seems I recall something that was similar coming out a couple of years back.

 

[wide awake]

This sounds as if there is a 3rd ship already in the works...some Med or northern Europe cruises, then Alaska and Mexico.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

I do not know if disney could fill up several ships in europe over a summer...I don't know about most of you but the airfare alone would be VERY EXPENSIVE! I have a family of six, which means 2 cabins, and i would assume the cheapest airfare to europe would be about $3-4K plus almost $12K for the rooms....that would be the same as 3 7-day carribean cruises....i could not afford it but i guess there are alot of people out there where $$$ is no object?

That being said i would love to do a mediterannean cruise but it would have to be just me and my husband for the $$$$, and we probably would not do disney if there was a huge price difference...

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I do not know if disney could fill up several ships in europe over a summer...I don't know about most of you but the airfare alone would be VERY EXPENSIVE!

There are a lot of people in Europe for whom the airfare or trainfare to a European port of departure would be much cheaper than flying to Florida or California.

 

[BethA]

there goes my summer 07 cruise on the Magic--I wish if they did any of those the Wonder would do 7 day cruises.
How long til we know?

 

[txaggie94gigem]

Horace....

how big a european base does disney have? Enough to help fill 2-3 cruises? I kinda figured after the Euro Disney disaster that there are not as many disney fans willing to spend $$ on a more expensive cruise or am i wrong? I would be willing to be that the UK trip might get a little more interest since it seems i see alot more people from the UK than other countries on these boards....you never know...lots of people will want to be on a "once in a lifetime" disney cruise to exotic ports no matter what the cost...i'm all for going to these ports for the same price as the carribean!!!!

I am also assuming disney will not just cruise over there for a month and come back...maybe they will do a couple med cruises and a couple UK cruises before coming back...that makes the mose sense if they go to europe...

as far as alaska goes...i really thought the ships had to be specially fitted for those cruises...it does get cold...we were there in the summer and people were in shorts...however, 53 degrees was warm for them...i am from the south and we were wearing jackets...that being said, as long as you do not want to swim, the sights are to die for!!!

 

[txaggie94gigem]

wide awake....

i also wondered about this...i wondered if they are building a 3rd ship and trying to think of european cruises before bringing it here to the states...but i wonder if they can build it that quickly...and even if they had "secretly" started building it somewhere, i doubt it could be kept secret...but i guess we will all know July 16!

 

[pppiglet]

I agree with mmouse....those prices must be wrong for the Mexican Riviera. That's more money (for two) than we spent for three for our cruise next week! I want to go in 2007 for our anniversary, but I could never afford that. Guess I might have to do a 4day Wonder cruise. I prefer the warmer weather also, so Mexico or Carribean for me.

 

[ivanova]

This sounds as if there is a 3rd ship already in the works...some Med or northern Europe cruises, then Alaska and Mexico.

There isn't (so said the DCL Prez last Saturday)

 

[BethA]

I prefer the warm weather--would love to do Med cruise, but the cost would be too much--to think I just waitlisted for the Walt suite in 2007

 

[wide awake]

I know DCL is saying there isn't a 3rd ship in the works...and I've read the arguments about the Euro, about Disney being a public company and stockholders have to know...but why ask about an Alaska cruise for 2007 when you don't have a ship for it ? I also think Disney is pretty good at keeping secrets when it suits them...I didn't read anything about guests at the three DL hotels getting free passes to DL on May 4th till it happened...and I think if Disney wanted to keep a 3rd ship secret they'd have a way to do so. It was in Disney's interest to let info on the repo and Mexico cruises get out...that is why all of us knew...a new ship to be launched in 2007 wouldn't need to be announced till this summer.

 

[Buddy Bear]

...and I think if Disney wanted to keep a 3rd ship secret they'd have a way to do so.

I couldn't agree more. Having the Magic sit idle on July 16th in port, the eve of the 50th anniversary, the only day it is not part of a 7 day cruise is just too conspicuous for me.

I would lay big money that a major announcement by DCL is going to be made on July 16th and I have been saying it since May 5, 2004 when they announced the west coast itinerary.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

i agree...i think the only way they would be contemplating a european iteniary is to already have a ship over there!!!

 

[rsjj]

i wonder....

our 10th anniversary will be in 2007...it'd be nice to go to europe! can't wait for the big announcement! i guess we'll all be waiting...hmmm...

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I couldn't agree more. Having the Magic sit idle on July 16th in port, the eve of the 50th anniversary, the only day it is not part of a 7 day cruise is just too conspicuous for me.

I would lay big money that a major announcement by DCL is going to be made on July 16th and I have been saying it since May 5, 2004 when they announced the west coast itinerary.

On July 16, 2005, the Disney Magic in the Port of Los Angeles will be host to "An Evening of Magic -- Make-A-Wish Fundraiser." You can find this in the press release at http://www.thrillnetwork.com/stories_view.php/893

Since the summer 2005 West Coast schedule was announced, it's been my belief that on the night of July 16, the staterooms on the Disney Magic will be used as hotel rooms for visiting press and other guests at the July 17 celebration on Disneyland's 50th anniversary. (That way, Disney can operate their hotels in Anaheim without disruption during a week of peak occupancy and peak rates.)

I don't think that Disney signed a contract with a shipyard prior to May 2004, and is holding off an announcement for over 14 months until July 16, 2005. Nor do I believe that Disney had a crystal ball prior to May 2004, allowing them to predict that July 2005 would be the advantageous month to sign a contract with a shipyard and to announce a new ship.

Believe me, I would love to see a DCL fleet expansion announcement -- but I'm not expecting any such news on July 16.

 

[PizzieDuster]

To all Disney Execs out there reading this!

1. I would pick a Med. cruise over an Alaska cruise in a New York minute!

2. Anything different from the Magic and the Wonder would be good. A good move.

3. If you are going to build a ship, make it new, different and exciting. Make it something that we all want to take part of. New deck plans, etc.

4. State of the art in all cabins (internet).

5. You can only go up! And go big or go home!

6. And know that we are ready to pay for a change! Just give us a change. A "new attraction", keep the new sailings coming

7. Lots of loyal repeat cruisers (I'm going on my 3rd). Anything different and new. Makes it exciting. I mean, how many times can you ride the Pirates of Carribean.