2010 news from the Magic

[kaseyC]

There isn't any work on the Magic since the Med last year, its what they will do in dry dock from Friday that will be of interest, for example if you were going to Alaska, they would need to add retractable pool covers.

To be fair, the climate in Alaska and Northern Europe are pretty similar during the summer. So it is not necessary for hull work or retractable pool covers for either itinerary.

 

[NancyIL]

In which month did you sail? What was the weather like?

Jodie

We sailed July 2-14, 2005, and we went to Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (for 2 days), and Talinn. It was in the 60's and 70's, with very little rain. We spent 1 night in London pre-cruise and 2-nights in London post-cruise. The bombings in London happened while we were cruising. We had been on the same bus route and in 2 of the 3 tube stations that were bombed!

 

[awoltoday]

Do I note some tension in your typing?

Jodie

No, that was disappointment! I have great respect and admiration for Andrew's posts here on the Dis - BTW, welcome back Andrew!

 

[pillow]

No, that was disappointment! I have great respect and admiration for Andrew's posts here on the Dis - BTW, welcome back Andrew!

I was laughing - as the frigid weather topic seems to come up quite frequently!!

And speaking of which, unlike the 07 Med, it doesn't sound like northern Europe will be a bask in the sun by the pool kind of itinerary??!!

J

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If you look at the Q&A for the glacier bay cruise ship prospectus, it is pretty clear that one of the newcomer applicants doesn't want to go Glacier Bay in 2010 (see question #3). And if you read into the response and suppose that the example given is relevant, then the applicant didn't necessarily want to go in 2011 either. And given that there are only 2 new applicants we have just about a 50% shot that the applicant question is from DCL. I think it is MUCH more likely than 50% that the question came from DCL.

Remember that the glacier bay day is really just a day at sea. I do not believe that it would be very difficult in 18 months to substitute a day at sea. I don't think you can compare the Glacier Bay day to a port visit. There are several very viable, as well as more profitable, alternatives to Glacier Bay as well (Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm are also very popular destinations).




No, they would not NEED to do that at all. Nor would they need to install reinforcements to the hull so that they could break ice. See http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27207564&postcount=73

Firstly could you QUOTE me where I posted they need ICE BREAKERS or reinforce the Hull, I didnt not post that at all. I feel you have misquoted me very badly.

My post said its would be an indication of where the Magic is going if it installed retractable pool covers, for COMFORT, it could well cruise there without them but as this is a Disney ship full of kids it would be advisable for comfort to have the option, -We would have like the option in the Panama canal as well!!

In my previous post I pointed out whereever DCL where going in Summer 2010 would have been planned for a very long time. I have seen 'private' memos on the Magic in the last two weeks, people have shown these to me so yes an application for Alaska is in.

 

[NancyIL]

I was laughing - as the frigid weather topic seems to come up quite frequently!!

And speaking of which, unlike the 07 Med, it doesn't sound like northern Europe will be a bask in the sun by the pool kind of itinerary??!!

Lots of sun, just not HOT.

 

[pillow]

Lots of sun, just not HOT.

That would be OK. So maybe a hot coffee drink and a light sweater while I sit by the pool and read my book.

Jodie

 

[awoltoday]

Firstly could you QUOTE me where I posted they need ICE BREAKERS or reinforce the Hull, I didnt not post that at all. I feel you have misquoted me very badly.

My post said its would be an indication of where the Magic is going if it installed retractable pool covers, for COMFORT, it could well cruise there without them but as this is a Disney ship full of kids it would be advisable for comfort to have the option, -We would have like the option in the Panama canal as well!!

In my previous post I pointed out whereever DCL where going in Summer 2010 would have been planned for a very long time. I have seen 'private' memos on the Magic in the last two weeks, people have shown these to me so yes an application for Alaska is in.

I apologize if you feel that I implied the ice breaker comment was directed at your quote. It was NOT. It is just the other silly thing that comes up when the non-covered pool thing comes up. But, I included your quote in my reply. It is clear to me that you said nothing about ice-breakers in your post (or anywhere else). However, I will defend my post. Your post clearly said, "... for example if you were going to Alaska, they would need to add retractable pool covers." You can see how I could think you believed that a roof would be necessary for going to Alaska. However, I will concede to your explanation if it gets us back to researching DCL's intentions for 2010 and beyond. And again, I apologize for any misquoting you think I did as it wasn't my intention AT ALL.

Was there anything you can share in the private memos that you saw that are not a matter of public record through the NPS?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I apologize if you feel that I implied the ice breaker comment was directed at your quote. It was NOT. It is just the other silly thing that comes up when the non-covered pool thing comes up. But, I included your quote in my reply. It is clear to me that you said nothing about ice-breakers in your post (or anywhere else). However, I will defend my post. Your post clearly said, "... for example if you were going to Alaska, they would need to add retractable pool covers." You can see how I could think you believed that a roof would be necessary for going to Alaska. However, I will concede to your explanation if it gets us back to researching DCL's intentions for 2010 and beyond. And again, I apologize for any misquoting you think I did as it wasn't my intention AT ALL.

Was there anything you can share in the private memos that you saw that are not a matter of public record through the NPS?

I have seen like you a number of posts over the years saying about the Hull and Ice breakers and have posted myself that this was not required. There was a thread said to be quoting a 'server' a few months back on this subject and I think I was first to post back ( hopefully in a polite way) that it wouldn't be required and it was untrue.

Yes the Magic could cruise Alaska as it is, we had this discussion a few times on board on this issue, over the last two weeks, I discussed with many people including some from Alaska and some who have cruised there.

The common view is that Disney ships represent a family vacation and Kids expectations are high on such things as Pools the mickey pool and slide etc.

We discussed this and all agreed for 'COMFORT' and to stay in keeping with the expectations of cruisers retractable pool covers would be a sensible addition if the ship was going there, and maybe for the Baltic as well, although that is slightly warmer.

In fact as posted before they would come in handy in many places we had a terrible storm in the Panama canal which closed all the pools.

What you must consider is other cruise lines have been going to Alaska for a long time, and their standards of facilities for that area are far above DCL, from pool covers, to inside pools to far larger shopping areas inside, So peoples expectations will be far higher considering what the competition already does.

Re memos, I wouldnt wish to add much more, maybe other dissers will post what they know, or even copies, they are out there but private, and maybe cannot be posted due to the private nature and tracing these, all I can say is 'at least three' people showed me some things on applications for Alaska, including some from DCL London office.

 

[NancyIL]

What you must consider is other cruise lines have been going to Alaska for a long time, and their standards of facilities for that area are far above DCL, from pool covers, to inside pools to far larger shopping areas inside, So peoples expectations will be far higher considering what the competition already does.

Not all criuse ships that sail to Alaska have covered pools. Also - if the "far larger shopping areas inside" refers to Royal Caribbean's Voyagar and Freedom-class ships - those ships do NOT sail to Alaska, because they're too big.

 

[smeecanada]

Some of the scuttle that we heard was:

1. Disney Vacation Club has not renewed their agreement with Holland American. Apparently the agreement is a 3 or 5 year term - cann't remember which at the moment. Reason for not renewing is that DCL intends to cruise to Alaska. When???? is anyone's guess.

2. Once new ships are here - DCL will have a ship on the Westcoast - most likely based out of San Diego.

3. They will be returning to the MED as it was quite profitable.

Can't wait until October and the new itinerary release.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

oh, good gravy. San Diego. I don't doubt that you heard that but I doubt that one is true. It's pretty small and the two ships I see there regularly do short trips to Mexico, I believe. I'm not saying it's not possible.

 

[ibouncetoo]

oh, good gravy. San Diego. I don't doubt that you heard that but I doubt that one is true. It's pretty small and the two ships I see there regularly do short trips to Mexico, I believe. I'm not saying it's not possible.

I can't imagine that they would do that either unless they can't get permanent space closer to Disneyland.

 

[pillow]

We sailed July 2-14, 2005, and we went to Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (for 2 days), and Talinn. It was in the 60's and 70's, with very little rain. We spent 1 night in London pre-cruise and 2-nights in London post-cruise. The bombings in London happened while we were cruising. We had been on the same bus route and in 2 of the 3 tube stations that were bombed!

Which port was your favorite? I have a friend who lived in Norway for a couple years - Bergen I think. She loved it!

Where is Talinn?

You know, spending a week in London and then doing a trans Atlantic back home sounds quite nice!!

Jodie

 

[mmouse37]

Count me in on a week in London then a transatlantic or baltic cruise....I LOVE LONDON!!!

 

[jfletcher]

I can't imagine that they would do that either unless they can't get permanent space closer to Disneyland.

SD to disneyland is the same as PC to Orlando. Maybe they can more easily build their own terminal in SD than LA.

 

[aan1701]

SD to disneyland is the same as PC to Orlando. Maybe they can more easily build their own terminal in SD than LA.

The port of SD to DL would be about 30 min longer asa trip. WDW to PC is aboout 60 miles. SD to Dl is 90 miles.

 

[tripodjw]

Which port was your favorite? I have a friend who lived in Norway for a couple years - Bergen I think. She loved it!

Where is Talinn?

You know, spending a week in London and then doing a trans Atlantic back home sounds quite nice!!

Jodie

Talinn is in Estonia.

My parents cruised the baltic a few yrs back and Talinn was their favourite port of call. V beautiful buildings and really nice atmosphere is what they said.

Its a fairly common stop on Baltic cruises.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Count me in on a week in London then a transatlantic or baltic cruise....I LOVE LONDON!!!

Now THAT is an international cruise I'd do. I wasn't much for the idea of the Med cruise when it was offered, mainly because I'm not sure how much my young children would have been able to do. But I wish we had looked further into the transatlantic. A Baltic might interest me, as well. It's just that FLIGHT....how do you keep young ones entertained that long??!!

 

[speakupjc]

Just found this article on cruisecritic. It is not really new information but rather confirms (in my opinion) what is being discussed on this thread. I thought you might find it interesting so I am posting it for your review.


Disney Contemplates Alaska Cruises
Mickey Moose, anyone? You might see just that in 2010 because Disney Cruise Line is investigating the possibility of cruising Alaska.

Disney Cruise Line has applied for a 10-year permit (valid from 2010 to 2019) to visit Glacier Bay, one of the most popular destinations for scenic cruising on Alaska itineraries. Current regulations restrict the number of vessels that can visit this national park, as well as the number of days lines can have ships there throughout the season. Disney's application for a permit is a clear sign that the line is considering offering Alaska cruises.

A spokeswoman for Disney Cruise Line confirms that Alaska cruises are in consideration, but says that the cruise line is always evaluating new itinerary possibilities. Indeed, Disney -- known for its Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries -- has tried out several new cruising regions over the past few years. Disney Magic tried out the Mediterranean in 2007 and the Mexican Riviera in 2005 and 2008. Next year, the ship will add two new Eastern Caribbean itineraries -- one featuring Tortola and the other St. Croix, both new ports for the cruise line.

Might Disney send Magic to Alaska in 2010? Or is it seeking options for its new, larger ships, which will debut in 2011 and 2012? Right now it's anyone's guess but we'll keep you posted as new developments occur.

--by Erica Silverstein, Associate Editor