CALIF Itineraries - Did DCL 'miss the boat?'

[jlawall]

Could someone tell me the itinerary for the CA cruises next summer? I'm trying to decide if I should book!

 

[ivanova]

the 7 night itinerary is:

Sat Travel to Los Angeles to depart at 5 p.m.
Sun Enjoy relaxation and fun at sea
Mon Enjoy relaxation and fun at sea
Tue Arrive in Puerto Vallarta at 7 a.m., depart at 5:30 p.m.
Wed Arrive in Mazatlan at 7 a.m., depart at 8 p.m.
Thu Arrive in Cabo San Lucas at 6 a.m., depart at 4 p.m.
Fri Enjoy relaxation and fun at sea
Sat Arrive at Los Angeles at 6 a.m., debark the ship at 8:30 a.m.

 

[bogino]

Perhaps you don't care for the itinerary but it appears that there are a whole lot of people that do since the sale appears to be turning into a blow-out.

 

[LiserAnn]

We booked the Mexico cruise. We are not thrilled with the ports of call and would have preferred the "repo" cruises, but our oldest is in school in May and August, so that won't work for us.

Why did we book it even though the POC are less than thrilling to us? We live in So. Cal, about 1 1/2 hours from the port...with two small kids it's easier to get there than to get to FL and less exhausting on all of us. It's also cheaper. By the time you add airfare for 4 and a hotel stay the night before it will cost us way more than the Mexico cruise (granted the Caribbean POC are much more desirable). And the main reason to go is it's DISNEY!!!! Who can beat the Disney experience?! None of the other cruise lines appeal to me (not at this stage in life...with 2 small kids).

Lisa

 

[dreamflight99]

We booked our CA Cruise, without truly caring for/about the itinerary. Like many posting, we desired to take the "REPO" cruise, (reserved one) but DD graduates in MAY 2005 (W/Grad night at Disneyland!) and enters College in August, so we had to cancel the suite. We have never cruised the mexican riviera, even though we've resided in So. Cal nearly all of our lives. The ships/cruise lines simply do not appeal to us. We have taken both the Eastern/Western Disney Cruise...and enjoyed them immensely. So, when we read about the DCL coming to So. Cal, we just decided to book a trip. It's so convenient and close...and also very SPECIAL.

These cruises are celebration trips...commemorating the anniversary of the opening of DISNEYLAND! We would LOVE to see a Disney ship stationed here permanently, with perhaps a variety of itineraries such as Alaska, and Hawaii. We originally hail from Santa Barbara, (family still there & Ojai) and travel frequently to S.F. & Monterey. So, these ports would not interest us for cruise travel. I also lived in San Diego as a young girl, and have friends there we visit. So, we have the entire coast covered.

I hope everyone enjoys these cruises. We would take a cruise even if the MAGIC made circles in the ocean off the coast of CALI. For us...the true experience occurs onboard the ship.

TTFN...DF99

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by BEAV


So that brings up another question....are the new itineraries attracting a wide audience from all over the country, or are they merely a convenient alternative for West Coasters who don't want to fly transcontinental to experience a Disney cruise???

The CM I spoke with informed me most of the cruisers are REPEAT (Castaway C. members), whom happen to reside in Cali, or a neighboring state. I too...thought perhaps a lot of folks would travel to CALI to take the cruise. She said the folks on the Eastern Seaboard are steamed, as they intended to reserve the 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral. Now, they are left with the 3-4 night trips on the Wonder. I'm just elated the ship is coming here! It's long been our dream...and everyone knows, with DISNEY...DREAMS COME TRUE!

 

[el_tigre]

Just as 90%+ of Disneyland's guests hail from California, I would think a DCL ship in Los Angeles would be supported primarily by Californians. Like other natives of the Golden State, I would definitely be turned off by a larely in-state itinerary, especially since I worked in San Diego for four years, my high school sweetheart (now DW) went to school at UCSB and I always schedule a romantic get-away in the Bay Area once a year. In my way of thinking now, my family would take a Disney Mexican Riviera cruise at least once every other year, if not more. I probably wouldn't even cruise Disney with the itinerary the op suggested. I'd bet a lot of Californians would feel the same way. So while that itinerary may be more attractive to a few East Coasters willing to make the long trek west, I don't it's worth alienating Disney's target audience.

 

[BEAV]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
The CM I spoke with informed me most of the cruisers are REPEAT (Castaway C. members), whom happen to reside in Cali, or a neighboring state. I too...thought perhaps a lot of folks would travel to CALI to take the cruise. She said the folks on the Eastern Seaboard are steamed, as they intended to reserve the 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral. Now, they are left with the 3-4 night trips on the Wonder. I'm just elated the ship is coming here! It's long been our dream...and everyone knows, with DISNEY...DREAMS COME TRUE!

Interesting to learn that a large majority of CA cruisers are West Coasters. With that in mind, it's not surprising a CA dominated itinerary wouldn't be much of an attraction. As to East Coasters being "steamed" about the move, it's a general consensus on other cruise message boards that, by and large, East Coasters don't migrate West for cruises. West Coasters, however, are accustomed to traveling East since for years there was very little on the West Coast to choose from.

Great feedback...always fun to see what makes people tick!

 

[trishy]

The DCL itinerary itself doesn't disappoint me; it's the overpriced cost of sailing DCL vs. any one of the dozens of other sailings for the exact itinerary. $9,000+ for a family of 5 vs. $5,000 for the best of 2 staterooms for that same family of 5 on another line is outrageous. To me, it's just not worth it to pay that much more for sailing under the DCL flag. That is what is extremely disappointing to me - that DCL is completely overpriced. (note: I didn't say 'overvalued' - since so many people are willing to pay that price. ) I'm disappointed because I really did want to take another DCL cruise. Now I'm looking forward to an entirely new ship, new activities, new experiences, and a Casino!!!

 

[ivanova]

I'm hoping that if DCL does station a ship in LA permanently that the future cruises won't be so overpriced ... they'll be able to negotiate better pricing for the terminal lease, suppliers, etc.

 

[GrumpyMom1]

I wouldn't count on the cruises being any less expensive if Disney does permanently put a ship out here. DCL is always more than the other cruise line, even in FL and even in the off season. If you compare the prices for the Magic this summer to other cruise lines, Disney is 25 - 50% higher. And if you compare DCL to other cruise lines in October, even though DCL is only $899 for an inside room, that is still 25 - 50% than the other cruise lines for the same dates.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I didn't book one of the West Coast cruises as I didn't want to pay an inflated price for ports of call that would encourage me to stay onboard the entire week. We have visited the ports listed and do not care to return (especially with our kids in tow!).

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by GrumpyMom1
I wouldn't count on the cruises being any less expensive if Disney does permanently put a ship out here. DCL is always more than the other cruise line, even in FL and even in the off season. If you compare the prices for the Magic this summer to other cruise lines, Disney is 25 - 50% higher. And if you compare DCL to other cruise lines in October, even though DCL is only $899 for an inside room, that is still 25 - 50% than the other cruise lines for the same dates.

Here~Here!!" I agree...100%. A DC will always be more expensive than many other liners, for numerous reasons. Service, accomodations, and entertainment is TOP RATE. You get, what you pay for...and with a DISNEY CRUISE, I believe we even get MORE than we pay for! The ships are immaculate, the staff friendly and accomodating, the service is stellar. Our "memories" are absolutely PRICELESS. What I recall MOST about our first cruise...is all the OTHER cruise-ship guests asking me questions at each port, as they lamented over their inferior choice of travel. I was astounded by the number of "queries" we received, and was always happy to assist them. Yet, their faces all reflected the disappointment with their cruiseline. They stood, staring at the MAGIC...and repeating what a lovely liner it was, etc. They asked about the kids programs, and the rooms. They asked about the "private island" and the cost of the cruise. I am still floored by the number of people whom confronted us in each port.

The SUMMER 2005 cruises in California are "SPECIAL" (for the 50th anniversary of DL) and will prove to be memorable/wonderful for all onboard. Disney has to pay incredible PREMIUMS to bring the MAGIC to the WEST COAST, and rent space to "process" all the guests, luggage, etc. This explains the higher costs for the same 7-day out of Port Canaveral.

We are looking forward to the cruise, and the ports, etc. We have a Verandah cabin, cat. 5 reserved. We enjoy relaxing on the verandah, and could care less where the ship stops while in CA! Like I wrote previously...it could CIRCLE off the coast for 7-days, and we'd still have a GREAT time! We're just thrilled they are coming, and excited to see the MAGIC in port...in CALIF. I'm sure this ship is going to attract a TON of attention while she sits at the dock. Truthfully speaking, it's one of the most beautiful ships on the ocean.

Hope everyone enjoys the planning, anticipation and cruises on these PREMIER CALIFORNIA CRUISES!

 

[tvguy]

I don't think Disney had a choice but to head to Mexico since both the Wonder and Magic are designed as warm weather ships.
Almost all the ships that sail out of San Francisco and points north have a retractable roof over the pools and covered outdoor buffets.
For a lot of us, the ship is the big destination, ahead of the ports of call. We picked Eastern over Western on the Magic because Key West and Mexico don't do much for us. But, frankly, St. Thomas is not big deal to my wife and I. It was the first visit for our kids, so we did 2 excursions. But this was the 5th time my wife and I have been to St. Thomas, the first 2 we toured, the second 2 cruises we used the St. Thomas day to sleep in, and then wandered on our own at our leisure. Can't sleep in on the Magic now however because of the immigration situation in St. Thomas.

 

[LiserAnn]

Can't sleep in on the Magic now however because of the immigration situation in St. Thomas.

What does that mean...they won't let you stay on the ship?

 

[BEAV]

Everyone must go through US Immigrations inspection (aboard ship) in St Thomas. This is done fairly early in the morning (7:00-8:00am) so that people can disembark and get on with their day ashore. Unless things have changed recently, I believe everyone has to clear Immigrations regardless if they're staying aboard the ship. Makes it hard for those who want to sleep in and stay aboard ship while everyone else is ashore!

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

We were very happy to hear that we'd actually get to take another DCL cruise without the added cost of flying to FL. As others have stated, it's the cruise itself we were after, not the ports!

 

[invaderzim]

TO THIS CLOUD: Yeah for you -- in all the messages I have read over the past few days, your's is the first one that says exactly what I've been saying on several other threads.

I have heard too many "horror" stories about other cruise lines and since I'm not interested in casinos and such, the DCL is perfect for us. My husband won't even consider another cruise line.

The 14-day Eastbound was a no brainer for us -- especially because it is 14 days! Now if Disney would just do Alaska....