7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 4

[RJAYL]

To all...

I was careful in my postings on San Diego, as its one you could get egg on your face, I was a little surprised the 'confirming' newspaper article came out now, but it was nice to 'confirm' what some of the rumors were.

We have seen this before, a few years ago, DCL was 'seriously' thinking about moving its operations to Tampa, so serious that it was able to negotiate a great deal at PC, where PC pay a lot of the improvements.

Tampa would have added time travailing from WDW, two hours instead of one, and yes staff costs, registration costs etc, but PC took it seriously.

The same is true on SD, it could be a ply by DCL to hammer out a great deal, they are going to have the Magic there all year round so they need the best deal.

Its sensible to look at the options and no go with just one port. I do not know the area's problems on traffic as well as you guys but feel the situation on distance is exactly the same for SD as Tampa.

SD however helps the potential for trips to Hawaii, as the ships are Bahama registered so have to have one port outside USA,they can quickly call at Mexico before traveling across the pacific.

I would say its 50/50 at the moment.

Yeah Baby Lets go to Hawaii!

 

[bellelinus]

Yes, been to Acapulco three times and I agree, but... its shore trips and income, there is lots to do there, and lots of commission to be earnt, like the Dolphins at Cici water park etc.

Its not just the destination its the income, ie Europe in 2007 did very well because of a high take up on expensive shore trips which DCL takes a good commission on.

Nothing can be ruled in or out with a new boss and basically Disney Will Be looking for quick changes (income) but in reality unless you 'pull' 2010 Europe cruises, the earliest he can do anything is 2011. And with new ships he has more choice.

We know the new ships will go from PC, and with the economy as it is they will play safe, West coast is a 'banker' and its on the three year cycle so I cannot see the foundations on that changing.

In a strange way, the state dept. warning about Mexico could actually bring DCL more income if people choose to stay with DCL excursions rather than doing it on their own.

 

[bellelinus]

Yeah Baby Lets go to Hawaii!

I would do it, because i have had 6 sea days in a row on the transAtlantic and enjoyed it, but some may not care for how long it takes to get there and back . . .

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yeah Baby Lets go to Hawaii!

I think with Alaska no longer a favorite, Hawaii has gone up a little in the odds, but I personally think they would make a mistake going there more than a few times.

What people 'say' they will do and 'actually do' is to separate things, lots of people do say they want to Cruise DCL in Hawaii, they thing of the islands and many port of call, but they do not think of the Pacific ocean and loads of sea days in a row. That will put many off.

I have been to Honolulu and didn't like it.

 

[RJAYL]

I would do it, because i have had 6 sea days in a row on the transAtlantic and enjoyed it, but some may not care for how long it takes to get there and back . . .

I have been thinking that once the new DVc resort opens up in Hawaii, they would do cruises back & forth with a stop in Mexico to make it legal!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I have been thinking that once the new DVc resort opens up in Hawaii, they would do cruises back & forth with a stop in Mexico to make it legal!

They would not be able to 'dock' that that DVC resort, people link the two together, it has a port but it cannot accomodate cruise ships.

But a 'link' is possible.

 

[danfromca]

To all...

I was careful in my postings on San Diego, as its one you could get egg on your face, I was a little surprised the 'confirming' newspaper article came out now, but it was nice to 'confirm' what some of the rumors were.

We have seen this before, a few years ago, DCL was 'seriously' thinking about moving its operations to Tampa, so serious that it was able to negotiate a great deal at PC, where PC pay a lot of the improvements.

Tampa would have added time travailing from WDW, two hours instead of one, and yes staff costs, registration costs etc, but PC took it seriously.

The same is true on SD, it could be a ply by DCL to hammer out a great deal, they are going to have the Magic there all year round so they need the best deal.

Its sensible to look at the options and no go with just one port. I do not know the area's problems on traffic as well as you guys but feel the situation on distance is exactly the same for SD as Tampa.

SD however helps the potential for trips to Hawaii, as the ships are Bahama registered so have to have one port outside USA,they can quickly call at Mexico before traveling across the pacific.

I would say its 50/50 at the moment.

Personally I was terribly underwhelmed by Acapulco, but perhaps there are some other more southern ports they could use to make a nice 10/11 night itinerary . . .

It's going to be interesting. With the economy what it is, and a new CEO, they must be taking a second look at everything.

Yes, been to Acapulco three times and I agree, but... its shore trips and income, there is lots to do there, and lots of commission to be earnt, like the Dolphins at Cici water park etc.

Its not just the destination its the income, ie Europe in 2007 did very well because of a high take up on expensive shore trips which DCL takes a good commission on.

Nothing can be ruled in or out with a new boss and basically Disney Will Be looking for quick changes (income) but in reality unless you 'pull' 2010 Europe cruises, the earliest he can do anything is 2011. And with new ships he has more choice.

We know the new ships will go from PC, and with the economy as it is they will play safe, West coast is a 'banker' and its on the three year cycle so I cannot see the foundations on that changing.

I don't think they'll reinvent the wheel. Carnival and RC have a proven year round business model of 3/4 night cruises out of Long Beach. Visits to Mexico, Catalina, San Diego. DCL does the same 3/4 night gig out of PC on the Wonder.

I think that's most of what you'll see on the West Coast. Lots of package deals with Disneyland. Discounts for annual pass holders. They'll be able to draw not only on the tourist business, but the huge local market (Orlando metropolitan area has 2 million residents, vs 17 million L.A.). Basically treat the ship like a third theme park.

Regarding San Diego - traffic IS a big deal. A huge deal. One can't express in mere words the nature of traffic in the L.A. area. I used to live there, and every time I visit it's worse. Took me 90 minutes last week to get from Burbank to Buena Park (should have been 30 minutes).
Even Disneyland to Long Beach is a mess - San Diego is unimaginable.

Anyway, that's my guess. Wouldn't go against Andrew though - I'm sure he has DCL headquarters wired with hidden listening devices.

 

[jilljill]

Subscribing....


Now off to the hospital... looks like the doctors finally came in and are finally talking hospice. Its grey and rainy here in Sunny CA. What an oxymoron

Anyway, as I mentioned - just subscribing.

TTYL

More prayers to you and your family.

 

[jlawall]

Yeah Baby Lets go to Hawaii!

I'm in.

 

[jlawall]

I think with Alaska no longer a favorite, Hawaii has gone up a little in the odds, but I personally think they would make a mistake going there more than a few times.

What people 'say' they will do and 'actually do' is to separate things, lots of people do say they want to Cruise DCL in Hawaii, they thing of the islands and many port of call, but they do not think of the Pacific ocean and loads of sea days in a row. That will put many off.

I have been to Honolulu and didn't like it.

Honolulu is not the definite port to me........we've been to Maui and Kauai and not yet Big Island but all the islands are so amazing..........HAWAII IS MY DEFINITE NOT TO BE MISSED CRUISE local............

 

[jlawall]

I don't think they'll reinvent the wheel. Carnival and RC have a proven year round business model of 3/4 night cruises out of Long Beach. Visits to Mexico, Catalina, San Diego. DCL does the same 3/4 night gig out of PC on the Wonder.

I think that's most of what you'll see on the West Coast. Lots of package deals with Disneyland. Discounts for annual pass holders. They'll be able to draw not only on the tourist business, but the huge local market (Orlando metropolitan area has 2 million residents, vs 17 million L.A.). Basically treat the ship like a third theme park.

Regarding San Diego - traffic IS a big deal. A huge deal. One can't express in mere words the nature of traffic in the L.A. area. I used to live there, and every time I visit it's worse. Took me 90 minutes last week to get from Burbank to Buena Park (should have been 30 minutes).
Even Disneyland to Long Beach is a mess - San Diego is unimaginable.

Anyway, that's my guess. Wouldn't go against Andrew though - I'm sure he has DCL headquarters wired with hidden listening devices.

The traffic issue confirms my personal experience........

 

[Madisonznana]

Personally I was terribly underwhelmed by Acapulco, but perhaps there are some other more southern ports they could use to make a nice 10/11 night itinerary . . .

It's going to be interesting. With the economy what it is, and a new CEO, they must be taking a second look at everything.

I did not go with Disney, but I did go to the Mexican Riviera and I wasn't too impressed with any stop. I said I would never go again, but I might force myself to go on the Magic.

 

[Madisonznana]

Subscribing....


Now off to the hospital... looks like the doctors finally came in and are finally talking hospice. Its grey and rainy here in Sunny CA. What an oxymoron

Anyway, as I mentioned - just subscribing.

TTYL

Prayers for you and your family.

 

[jlawall]

Prayers for you and your family.

Yes, Laura, we are all thinking of you tonight...........

 

[Madisonznana]

I don't think they'll reinvent the wheel. Carnival and RC have a proven year round business model of 3/4 night cruises out of Long Beach. Visits to Mexico, Catalina, San Diego. DCL does the same 3/4 night gig out of PC on the Wonder.

Those are usually known as the booze cruise. People go for the long weekend to drink and party. They can be quite uncomfortable for families. I have only been on one but let me tell you some of the people to see` DCL would be a great change for those with families, no explaining to kids why that girl across the room can't walk straight and has no idea why her top is half off.

 

[Madisonznana]

The traffic issue confirms my personal experience........

Traffic?? What traffic?
I guess I am just to used to it.

 

[jlawall]

Traffic?? What traffic?
I guess I am just to used to it.

Well, despite the supremely better weather, I have never encountered the traffic of SoCal..........not even driving in NYC compares to that...........

 

[jlawall]

Things are much less exciting tonight..........

 

[Madisonznana]

I am happy about that, because I am not half the fluffer Izzi is!!

 

[jilljill]

Things are much less exciting tonight..........

Joann you could make it more exciting since you are only 4 away from 10000.