April 6th dcl announcement

[cindy18]

We were talking about this thread over dinner. We are wondering if DCL was planning to test out Asia (with stops in Hawaii there and back) and is now stalling for time as they figure out a back up plan given the situation in Japan due to the earthquake

Again, this is all rumors, but what people are saying is that Disney had wanted to do Asia in 2012 (stopping in Hawaii on the way there and back) but that the HK port is not going to be finished until 2013, so they had to come up with Plan B, which would in part explain the delay. Who knows if this is true? A lot of people on the Baltic cruises last summer heard Asia 2012 from officers, so maybe it's true.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Again, this is all rumors, but what people are saying is that Disney had wanted to do Asia in 2012 (stopping in Hawaii on the way there and back) but that the HK port is not going to be finished until 2013, so they had to come up with Plan B, which would in part explain the delay. Who knows if this is true? A lot of people on the Baltic cruises last summer heard Asia 2012 from officers, so maybe it's true.

Even when they do fianlly announce something, we will probably never know the backstory and what plans may have been changed. It is fun to speculate though
They may have also been planning Eastern Med but be worried about those and looking at a plan B due to the instability in Northern Africa. It should not really affect cruises to Greece/Turkey/Venice but a lot of people have been canceling their trip on other lines in those areas for this spring (which makes for some great deals!).

 

[AlexandNessa]

We've become so spoiled, haven't we?! I am so used to having Disney cruises booked almost 2 years in advance. My 40th is next year, and I have zero interest in doing a standard Caribbean on the Fantasy. Looking forward to the announcement, whenever it is.

 

[mehaul]

I don't think DCL is out of the med. I think you'll see eastern med next. Maybe famous last words. Also heard there were many visa issues with Baltic cruisers who did not obtain visa for Russia.

I was on one of the Baltic cruises last summer, didn't hear about any visa problems. The only limitations of the Russian visa were that you couldn't do the port solely on your own. You had to either sign up for a Disney excursion or get a private tour guide. They announced this probably a 100x before we got to St. Petersburg. The only problem would have been if you were a former KGB agent.

 

[danjulia]

What ports would a likely eastern med call on as opposed to the western med they are doing this summer. We are looking at a graduation trip for ds in 2012.

 

[RedSox68]

We've become so spoiled, haven't we?! I am so used to having Disney cruises booked almost 2 years in advance. My 40th is next year, and I have zero interest in doing a standard Caribbean on the Fantasy. Looking forward to the announcement, whenever it is.

I so agree -- I'm used to having 2 cruises booked in advance over a two year period. One up side is I booked the Fantasy for Thanksgiving 2012 (liked the San Juan option), but would change it if the Magic is doing NYC to Bermuda.

We have to move our HAL ressie for Alaska from July 2011 to May 2012 and they haven't opened up those bookings yet either -- and probably won't until end of April. So spoiled -- I want more than a year to pay off the cruise

 

[jenerra11]

All the way....



The idea of not having to pay for airfare just makes it sweeter for us.

Time will tell.

I'm on Team Galveston also!! Just an hour drive to Galveston would be lovely.

 

[cindy18]

What ports would a likely eastern med call on as opposed to the western med they are doing this summer. We are looking at a graduation trip for ds in 2012.

Typical Eastern Med ports include southern Italy (think Capril, Sicily, etc), Greek Isles, Athens, one or more Turkish ports, etc. I suspect Egypt will be off the itinerary for now. Very exciting ports for us to do!

 

[MrsMa]

I may probably one of the few West Coasters here, but I'm still hoping for a LA--Hawaii itinerary. I was checking out other comparable Hawaii repositioning cruises on other lines...............so here is a thought: Just maybe (and this is really quite a wishful thinking) the Wonder will do the Hawaii repositioning in 2 short itineraries like: LA--Ensenada, and Ensenada--Hawaii and let people get off in Honolulu plus satisfy Jones' Act???? That way, people who want to go all the way from LA--Honolulu can just book b2b?

I saw that Celebrity has sailings from Ensenada, Mexico to Honolulu although I have no clues how easy it is to get to port in Ensenada or flying into Ensenada.

Another potential itinerary is Honolulu--Seattle or Vancouver, BC..........

<sigh> I so desperately want to go to Hawaii next year 'cause I've never been but yet at the same time want to have something "Disney" for my daughter. Waikiki beach is where I'm aiming for. Not the new Disney Aulani resort as it seems so secluded and quite expensive for its location. I'll have a new baby to our family by then and it'll be our first family vacation for 4. So, I so want an extra special 2 weeks away.

 

[aan1701]

I may probably one of the few West Coasters here, but I'm still hoping for a LA--Hawaii itinerary. I was checking out other comparable Hawaii repositioning cruises on other lines...............so here is a thought: Just maybe (and this is really quite a wishful thinking) the Wonder will do the Hawaii repositioning in 2 short itineraries like: LA--Ensenada, and Ensenada--Hawaii and let people get off in Honolulu plus satisfy Jones' Act???? That way, people who want to go all the way from LA--Honolulu can just book b2b?

I saw that Celebrity has sailings from Ensenada, Mexico to Honolulu although I have no clues how easy it is to get to port in Ensenada or flying into Ensenada.

Another potential itinerary is Honolulu--Seattle or Vancouver, BC..........

<sigh> I so desperately want to go to Hawaii next year 'cause I've never been but yet at the same time want to have something "Disney" for my daughter. Waikiki beach is where I'm aiming for. Not the new Disney Aulani resort as it seems so secluded and quite expensive for its location. I'll have a new baby to our family by then and it'll be our first family vacation for 4. So, I so want an extra special 2 weeks away.

I am with you. Of course some will argue that Ensanada will not satisfy the Jones act as it is not a Distant forgin port. My question us what defines distant? Sure seems far from Honolulu to me. The other question I have is why is Ensanada alright to stop at on a round trip from L.A. but not a one way? If the argument again is it is not a distant port, again I ask you for the legal definition of distant port of call. All I know is the Wonder, as of March 16, 2011 is listed to be in Honolulu overnight May 6-7, 2012 and then again for one day Sep. 16, 2012. After that it us a pure guess for me.

 

[CodyBoy]

while searching i found this old post:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2470288

hoping it is GALVESTON!!!

 

[Happy Goofy]

Does anyone know what time this announcement is taking place?

 

[Tower]

Does anyone know what time this announcement is taking place?

At this time, we're still speculating on the DATE! Never mind the time.

 

[nstem]

Does anyone know what time this announcement is taking place?

The invite is for 12:30 on April 6th per another board

 

[jdb in AZ]

12:30 in which time zone?

 

[CruznLexi]

I am not so patiently waiting on the new schedule to come out. But I find it odd that only Oahu is listed unless they are waiting for the announcement. One way air back from Hawaii is too pricy for us. Currently looking very hard at the Carnival Splendor for Jan 13 which is a round trip from Long Beach. NY, TX to W carribbean does not interest us.

 

[nstem]

12:30 in which time zone?

EST since it is in NYC

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I read on another thread today that someone called DCL yesterday and were told they could book both the Fantasy AND the Dream for fall 2012.

Again, why doesn't DCL announce these dates as being available for booking. The Fantasy has been booking for 6 weeks and still nothing on the website. Supposedly, the Dream is now available for booking for all of 2012.

Perhaps there will be no April 6th announcement, but instead, we will just have to call DCL randomly and begin asking about booking the Magic and Wonder for 2012. This way they don't have to extend early booking opportunities to Platinum and Gold CC members anymore.

 

[lbgraves]

I read on another thread today that someone called DCL yesterday and were told they could book both the Fantasy AND the Dream for fall 2012.

I just called DCL and the dates for the Dream are NOT available yet for the end of 2012. The CM did say that she was surprised about how they released the fall 2012 dates for the Fantasy. A memo was passed around with the calendar one day and that's when they were told. She said they are expecting an announcement for the other ships' dates.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I just called DCL and the dates for the Dream are NOT available yet for the end of 2012. The CM did say that she was surprised about how they released the fall 2012 dates for the Fantasy. A memo was passed around with the calendar one day and that's when they were told. She said they are expecting an announcement for the other ships' dates.

Thanks for calling to confirm. I did think it was strange that they'd do the same thing again. Your story confirms what the agent told me about the Fantasy release dates and how they were just told one morning via a memo. So I guess it's not only customer communication, but employee communication that is lacking with DCL this year.

I know it's very frustrating to have "secret" booking opportunities to those who don't follow discussion threads like this or who have a knowledgeable TA. Many of those individuals will have to pay a premium to book the fall/winter 2012 dates on the Fantasy. I'm glad they aren't doing that for the Dream.