2010 news from the Magic

[Justthe8ofus]

Ouch! Thats pretty steep for just 2 of you. My $900 flight to Barcelona really was a deal then. At least the exchange rate is in your favor, and you can plan to do some good shopping while you're in the states. Which cruise are you doing?

Jodie

don't forget that 3000 pounds is about $1500

Airfare to AK may be doable for my large family but, airfare to Europe was not going to happen. I will be happy with AK. DH has always wanted to go there and with DCL we can go as a family.

We probably can't do either repo because our kids will be in school for both. They start in Aug and get out in early June. Taking them out for 1 week is one thing but 2 weeks--no.

 

[pillow]

don't forget that 3000 pounds is about $1500

Oops. I was thinking Euros, not pounds.

Are there 8 in your family? Thats a lot of people to fly to AK!!

Jodie

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Oops. I was thinking Euros, not pounds.

Are there 8 in your family? Thats a lot of people to fly to AK!!

Jodie

yes and I know!! Plus we have to get 2 cabins. But, at least the exchange rate will be a little better than going to Europe.

 

[CustardTart]

don't forget that 3000 pounds is about $1500

Actually £3k is currently $5,468.25...

 

[MrsJobba1]

Actually £3k is currently $5,468.25...

you beat me to it, I was going to mention that

 

[NancyIL]

Wow! Those are fabulous prices!! I think the Panama EB was tough to fill since the kids were still in school. I would have LOVED to have gone, but I just couldn't take the kids out.

I think you mean the EB Transatlantic cruise, because the EB Panama Canal cruise (currently sailing) sold out immediately.

 

[pillow]

I think you mean the EB Transatlantic cruise, because the EB Panama Canal cruise (currently sailing) sold out immediately.

Yes, you're right. I'm getting my trips confused. On the May Panama Canal cruise, what did everyone do about school for those 2 weeks? Just take the kids out? Or maybe the ship fills up with home schoolers? Or was their just a higher percentage of adults for that trip? I just can't imagine taking a middle schooler out for 2 entire weeks!

Jodie

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

So has the speculation shifted from going back to Europe to going to Alaska? I heard nothing about Alaska on my Wonder cruises.

It did seem like a given that the Magic would go back to Europe - it was just a question of where in Europe.

 

[granmaz]

I think they are playing a game with us!!! But I'm enjoying it.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

I think they are playing a game with us!!! But I'm enjoying it.

I'm enjoying it, too.

 

[pillow]

So has the speculation shifted from going back to Europe to going to Alaska? I heard nothing about Alaska on my Wonder cruises.

It did seem like a given that the Magic would go back to Europe - it was just a question of where in Europe.

Its the Glacier Bay permits that Disney applied for that have changed the tune. Can't imagine why they would apply for permits if Alaska wasn't high on the list. If they're making an announcement in October, I'm sure the decision is made. Who knows though - maybe the permits will be used in 2011+. Fun to speculate, but what the heck do I know??!!

Some people are saying that one of the 2 new ships will be ready in late 2010. I thought it was 2011 and 2012 - never heard 2010 mentioned before. Someone else on the boards said something about 3 new ships - not sure where that comes from either??? Guess we'll find out in October.

Jodie

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

If they're making an announcement in October, I'm sure the decision is made. Who knows though - maybe the permits will be used in 2011+. Fun to speculate, but what the heck do I know??!!

Some people are saying that one of the 2 new ships will be ready in late 2010. I thought it was 2011 and 2012 - never heard 2010 mentioned before. Guess we'll find out in October.

Jodie

I'm thinking along the same lines - Europe in 2010 and Alaska for 2011. Captain Henry told me special itineraries take 18 months to prepare so I can't imagine DCL waiting so late to put in application if they are releasing the itineraries very shortly.

Regarding when the new ships will be ready....Captain Henry said the first new ship will be "finished" in late 2010 but won't start sailing until early 2011. So we won't be able sail the new ships until 2011.

Captain Henry also said both new ships will be based in Port Canaveral (initially) and the Magic and Wonder will go elsewhere.

Other things I heard while on the Wonder... the port building in Port Canaveral will be expanded and changes to Castaway Cay will be made to accommodate the bigger ships....possibly a new family beach area to be built.

 

[awoltoday]

I'm thinking along the same lines - Europe in 2010 and Alaska for 2011. Captain Henry told me special itineraries take 18 months to prepare so I can't imagine DCL waiting so late to put in application if they are releasing the itineraries very shortly.

They had no choice in when to put in the application. The applications are a government bid for concession for years 2010-2019. The last time bidding was open was 1998.

 

[Princess Giselle]

I agree w/ Ski-and-Sea. I heard from DCL CM that both Wonder and Magic are not designed for Alaska. So 2010 Med and 2011 Alaska?

 

[NancyIL]

I agree w/ Ski-and-Sea. I heard from DCL CM that both Wonder and Magic are not designed for Alaska. So 2010 Med and 2011 Alaska?

The Magic and the Wonder would do just fine in Alaska.

The new ships will be too big to fit through the Panama Canal. They are also too big for Alaska - in that they would overrun the ports. Royal Caribbean has the largest cruise ships, but their largest ships in Alaska are the Radiance class at ~ 90,000 gross tons.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

They had no choice in when to put in the application. The applications are a government bid for concession for years 2010-2019. The last time bidding was open was 1998.

Wow - did not know that.

Boy, all this will keep us guessing until the itineraries come out. Otherwise what would we all do to keep busy?????

 

[gydell]

Yes, you're right. I'm getting my trips confused. On the May Panama Canal cruise, what did everyone do about school for those 2 weeks? Just take the kids out? Or maybe the ship fills up with home schoolers? Or was their just a higher percentage of adults for that trip? I just can't imagine taking a middle schooler out for 2 entire weeks!

Jodie

My grandson missed school for the Trans Atlantic and the Panama Canal cruises that were in May. There was a HIGHER percent of adults on both of these. Less than 400 kids on both. We loved it!

 

[CustardTart]

you beat me to it, I was going to mention that

We-ell, we just got back from the last Mexican Riviera cruise so I know exactly how the $ shapes up with the £...

I think they are playing a game with us!!! But I'm enjoying it.

Me too!!! My DH and DS would love Alaska - I'd love Europe and if they did the whole West Coast/Repo thing all over again, we'd all love that!! So it's all good - bring it on DCL...

 

[Justthe8ofus]

you beat me to it, I was going to mention that

what did I reverse it? LOL sorry about that.

 

[taysmom]

Yes, you're right. I'm getting my trips confused. On the May Panama Canal cruise, what did everyone do about school for those 2 weeks? Just take the kids out? Or maybe the ship fills up with home schoolers? Or was their just a higher percentage of adults for that trip? I just can't imagine taking a middle schooler out for 2 entire weeks!

Jodie

Well you know I pulled my dd from school. She's in private school though so it wasn't that big of a deal. Many people on the ship who had children in public school just worked out independant school contracts for the time they were missing. It wasn't such a big deal. I could do it again if the ship goes thru in 2010 as there are no finals for 6th grades so no big but anything after that and she'll have finals. Guess I'll just have to go w/o her and have a mommy vacation!