Capt. John's Comments About Re-location of Magic and Wonder

[logan1_2000]

Maybe it was already old news and I just wasn't aware--and thus that is why I do not see a thread about it--but I had not previously known that at least part of the puzzle of where the new ships will go was revealed by the decision that Capt. John announced at the Castaway Club reception that upon delivery of both new ships, the Magic and Wonder would both be permanently re-located to a new home port to be determined.

 

[OSUBuckly]

Interesting. Did he give any indication of what coast this new port might be located on?

 

[cruisinluver]

Asia will get one of the ships, possibly Tokyo (er the closet port). Huge untapped market.

 

[kend58]

Maybe it was already old news and I just wasn't aware--and thus that is why I do not see a thread about it--but I had not previously known that at least part of the puzzle of where the new ships will go was revealed by the decision that Capt. John announced at the Castaway Club reception that upon delivery of both new ships, the Magic and Wonder would both be permanently re-located to a new home port to be determined.

I don't think this has been officialy posted by DCL. What sailing were you on when you got the information? did he provide any other specifics?

 

[logan1_2000]

I don't think this has been officialy posted by DCL. What sailing were you on when you got the information? did he provide any other specifics?

Wonder, 4 night 5/27 embarkation. Sorry if I did not make it clear that he said no decisions had yet been made about what the new home ports would be for the Magic and the Wonder. He had some speculation, naming the west coast and the current location in the Med., and even speculated about whether a west coast deployment might end up being seasonal, to include Alaska in the summer. He even mentioned out loud southern caribbean out of san juan. But that is all it was--speculation--as to the new locations. He was quite clear that the fact of the relocation was NOT just speculation, and discussed how the DCL single dock at Port Canaveral really could not support more than one ship, and that there was a limit to the variety of itineraries from Port Canaveral, and how more variety in itinerary was something that DCL was looking to achieve as that is a frequent comment they receive from repeat cruisers. I'm not a CM, I'm just reporting what Captain John said on board the Wonder last Wednesday.

 

[kend58]

Wonder, 4 night 5/27 embarkation. Sorry if I did not make it clear that he said no decisions had yet been made about what the new home ports would be for the Magic and the Wonder. He had some speculation, naming the west coast and the current location in the Med., and even speculated about whether a west coast deployment might end up being seasonal, to include Alaska in the summer. He even mentioned out loud southern caribbean out of san juan. But that is all it was--speculation--as to the new locations. He was quite clear that the fact of the relocation was NOT just speculation, and discussed how the DCL single dock at Port Canaveral really could not support more than one ship, and that there was a limit to the variety of itineraries from Port Canaveral, and how more variety in itinerary was something that DCL was looking to achieve as that is a frequent comment they receive from repeat cruisers. I'm not a CM, I'm just reporting what Captain John said on board the Wonder last Wednesday.

The "fact" of the relocation i.e. make room for the larger ships at Port Canaveral inheriting the existing carribean itinieraries and the Majic and Wonder somewhere is still new news (seen lots of speculation but no DCL postings about that as of yet). I certainly don't consider the Captain just another CM but would be nice to hear it officially form DCL. Did he drop any hints at how soon official word was coming?

 

[zerog]

Pardon if I didn't read it clearly:

All in all, Disney will surely keep at least one ship at Port Canaveral. That way, some visitors can conveniently do the dual vacation (WDW + Cruise).

 

[logan1_2000]

Pardon if I didn't read it clearly:

All in all, Disney will surely keep at least one ship at Port Canaveral. That way, some visitors can conveniently do the dual vacation (WDW + Cruise).

the NEW ships will be there.

 

[ShannonRT]

The current ships cannot support the cold waters of Alaska, even in the summer. So if Alaska is planned at all, at least one new ship would have to go there.

I REALLY want to do Alaska, but I'm a Disney snob and just don't want to cruise on any other line if I can help it.

 

[captaincrash]

Now how is it that the Disney ships cannot sail in Alaska? We don't have to have ice breaking strength in the hulls... and as for cold water and weather... they COULD retrofit whatever is needed - I imagine.

At any rate... I was thinking that an obvious 1st choice for a ship would be the west coast. LA linking with DL is a no-brainer. And as for the 2nd ship ... I think an easy and logical next bet would be the MED. As that is where Disney has repositioned to twice now. Asia ... although a huge potential market ... is still receiving little in the way of redeployments from OTHER cruise lines with huge fleet capacity. SO... I think it's extrememly unlikely. Especially compared to Europe and the West Coast. And that's a shame as I would actually love to sail in Asian seas on a Disney ship.

In any event... some day I imagine they will test the waters. It would be pretty cool to see them do a round the world journey with one of the new ships. That would be pretty amazing... and all I can say is if the timing is right for my family we would try it. OR at least a hemisphere segment that is out of the way... IE, Asia, Indian Ocean or South America. Can't be sure we could swing an actual round the world journey... as the time and $ involved would be pretty stiff for 4. But MAN... what a trip- for- ones'- lifetime that would represent!

 

[cruisinluver]

The current ships cannot support the cold waters of Alaska, even in the summer. So if Alaska is planned at all, at least one new ship would have to go there.

Where on earth is this rumour coming from?

 

[ericamanda01]

The current ships cannot support the cold waters of Alaska, even in the summer. So if Alaska is planned at all, at least one new ship would have to go there.

I REALLY want to do Alaska, but I'm a Disney snob and just don't want to cruise on any other line if I can help it.

DH and I had cruised on DCL twice and we decided to take Princess cruise lines for a Alaskan cruise last June. I guess we shouldn't have compared Princess to DCL becuase is was such a let down. We loved Alaska but we will never cruise on another cruise lines, it's DCL all the way. Even my DH who isn't half the disney fan that I am, said that nothing compares to DCL. I really hope that disney has some Alaskan cruises, that would be wonderful!

 

[ShannonRT]

Where on earth is this rumour coming from?

It's been stated on these boards before actually. What I really mean is that the Magic or Wonder could not sail Alaska without being revised. Seems like they would prefer to build a larger, more-equipped ship right off the bat to send to Alaska.

 

[cruisinluver]

Ok so what was posted was not actual fact. There is nothing in the water that would keep the Magic or the Wonder from sailing in Alaskan waters. The pools are heated and the days are not that cold to begin with.

The problem is that Alaska is far too crowded with cruiseships to begin with. Their recent imposition of a $50 per head tax is going to come back to bite them as other ships start to redeploy.

The Caribbean market is going soft.

There is tremendous potential in the Med, but this is only DCL's first season.

Asia is a huge untapped market with tremendous growth posibilities. There is also Australia and Indonesia. Celebrity has just announced cruises of one of their M-class ships out of Australia. They also are sending their Azamara line to Asia with the Journey.

It would make sense to position either the M or W near Tokyo for TokyoDisney combined land/sea adventures.

 

[Amlee]

Ok so what was posted was not actual fact. There is nothing in the water that would keep the Magic or the Wonder from sailing in Alaskan waters. The pools are heated and the days are not that cold to begin with.

The problem is that Alaska is far too crowded with cruiseships to begin with. Their recent imposition of a $50 per head tax is going to come back to bite them as other ships start to redeploy.

The Caribbean market is going soft.

There is tremendous potential in the Med, but this is only DCL's first season.

Asia is a huge untapped market with tremendous growth posibilities. There is also Australia and Indonesia. Celebrity has just announced cruises of one of their M-class ships out of Australia. They also are sending their Azamara line to Asia with the Journey.

It would make sense to position either the M or W near Tokyo for TokyoDisney combined land/sea adventures.

Royal Caribbean is putting the Legend in Asia.

Royal Caribbean plans to send the “Legend of the Seas” to Asia for 25 cruises (as well as four longer repositioning cruises). The new Asia season starts Nov. 12, 2008 with a repositioning to Singapore, followed by 15 shorter sailings roundtrip from Singapore. Then, the ship shifts to three 14-night cruises between Singapore and Shanghai, five roundtrips from Shanghai, and a return sailing to Singapore.

They also will send the “Mariner of the Seas” to Los Angeles next February for 27 seven-day West Coast sailings to the Mexican Riviera. The cruises include calls in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta (along with a repositioning cruise from Florida to Los Angeles).

For some reason I don't think the Mariner can go through the Panama Canal. Anyone got the numbers on that? I think the Radiance class is the last class they have that will currently fit.

 

[travelgirl06]

I could easily see the new ships sailing out of PC and the older ships being sent to new markets. It makes good business sense, look at RCI, their newer ships (e.g Freedom) command much higher prices than their older ships on the same intineraries. Plus, those who have sailed out of PC frequently will have a new adventure when they get to do these "classic" cruises on a new ship.

With respect to the Magic or Wonder going to Alaska, I'm sure it is feasible. Other lines cut ships in half and insert new segments to lengthen the ship, adding a glass canopy over the pool and a few more windows (instead of open deck) can be accomplished in a dry-dock. Having one ship based in LA to partner with DL and spend summers in Alaska seems like good business sense. As to where the other current ship will go, I'm not sure, I could see it being a "floater" and spending time in various regions as the customers desire.

 

[cruisinluver]

RCCL is also sending "Rhapsody of the Seas" to Asia.

Mariner cannot fit through the Panama Canal, but can circumnavigate So. America. I would love to take that cruise!!!

 

[logan1_2000]

Royal Caribbean is putting the Legend in Asia.

Royal Caribbean plans to send the “Legend of the Seas” to Asia for 25 cruises (as well as four longer repositioning cruises). The new Asia season starts Nov. 12, 2008 with a repositioning to Singapore, followed by 15 shorter sailings roundtrip from Singapore. Then, the ship shifts to three 14-night cruises between Singapore and Shanghai, five roundtrips from Shanghai, and a return sailing to Singapore.

They also will send the “Mariner of the Seas” to Los Angeles next February for 27 seven-day West Coast sailings to the Mexican Riviera. The cruises include calls in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta (along with a repositioning cruise from Florida to Los Angeles).

For some reason I don't think the Mariner can go through the Panama Canal. Anyone got the numbers on that? I think the Radiance class is the last class they have that will currently fit.

I think it has been noted that the actual ship going to Asia is the Rhapsody, not the Legend. As for the Mariner going to the West Coast, it is indeed Post-Panamax, but I am booked on the Mariner out of Port Canaveral in March 2008, so are you referring to 2009?

 

[sk8ingmom]

I don't know enough to comment on the structural aspect of the ship, but I can tell you that parts of the Inside Passage (where most cruise ships sail Alaska) still have ice chunks in June. Juneau forecast this week: partly cloudy, chance of rain, highs in low 60's. Average temp in June, July & Aug are 53, 56 & 55 degrees.

I personally wouldn't want to sail the Inside Passage (Alaska) on Magic or Wonder without major changes to deck 9 & 10. They would need enclosures and heated viewing areas. Sure, the pools are heated, but is is still 50-60 degrees when you get out. I'm sure people will respond about their cloudless Alaskan cruise, but for the most part, southeast AK is cloudy & drizzle-y most of the summer. Imagine how small the rest of the ship will feel when very few people are hanging out on 9 & 10.

Can this be done during a major dry dock? Sure.

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

I don't know enough to comment on the structural aspect of the ship, but I can tell you that parts of the Inside Passage (where most cruise ships sail Alaska) still have ice chunks in June. Juneau forecast this week: partly cloudy, chance of rain, highs in low 60's. Average temp in June, July & Aug are 53, 56 & 55 degrees.

They just don't hit the ice chunks.

Ok so what was posted was not actual fact. There is nothing in the water that would keep the Magic or the Wonder from sailing in Alaskan waters. The pools are heated and the days are not that cold to begin with.

True. The current ships require nothing to cruise to Alaska. DCL may want to add a covered pool or an observation area if they go there, but these things are not necessities.

Asia is a huge untapped market with tremendous growth posibilities. There is also Australia and Indonesia. Celebrity has just announced cruises of one of their M-class ships out of Australia. They also are sending their Azamara line to Asia with the Journey.

It would make sense to position either the M or W near Tokyo for TokyoDisney combined land/sea adventures.

It would make sense to do Asia in a lot of ways; it just depends on who DCL wants to market to. Right now it looks like Americans. The cruise lines that are sending ships to Asia are much bigger than DCL and have lots of other itineraries covered. Nothing's stopping DCL from going, though.