DCL not returning to Australia/NZ

[asgur5]

I don't think the cruises are selling.

Cos they mismanaged it.

Lack of ports.

And the few ports they choose were woeful. I mean Eden? Seriously?

Not keeping brisbane/gold coast as a starting port (the main tourist state of the country and gateway to all the best tropical islands). Its like getting rid of florida from the cruise schedule.

Not getting rid of tips (australians despise tipping more then almost anywhere in the world)

Not swapping ships. Australians were going for the disney entertainment. They needed to switch to the magic to get repeat visits

 

[Cfabar1]

I wonder how having Wish/Treasure/Fantasy is doing, and if it might make more sense to do Wish/Treasure/Wonder and keep the Magic in California for a while.

 

[sponica]

I wonder how having Wish/Treasure/Fantasy is doing, and if it might make more sense to do Wish/Treasure/Wonder and keep the Magic in California for a while.

This summer PC is the Wish/Treasure/Magic. I think the Magic and Treasure are doing well....it's the Wish that's struggling. Part of that is the Wish is pricey and the Magic is running similar or better itineraries for about the same price or a little more.

Looking at cruises my February break week, just comparing the Wish and the Fantasy, the Wish is included in the 50% off for guests 3 and 4, the Fantasy isn't. Far more availability of rooms on the Wish compared to the Fantasy (at least in the category/location I like to book. Deck 8 midship deluxe family oceanview.)

The system imploded when I went to look at the Treasure's availability.

Just one anecdata point

 

[scroogie]

The magic at sea prices aren't much higher than 3 night Bahamas cruises, but I'm not sure how that translates to Australian standards.

A 3-night Bahamian cruise will have two port stops, one of which is Castaway Cay. A 3-night Magic at Sea cruise doesn't stop at all.

Nassau is famously "take it or leave it", but I will immediately question the value of a cruise costing more with no stops while one of similar length, and stopping at Castaway, is cheaper.

 

[Mommb]

A 3-night Bahamian cruise will have two port stops, one of which is Castaway Cay. A 3-night Magic at Sea cruise doesn't stop at all.

Nassau is famously "take it or leave it", but I will immediately question the value of a cruise costing more with no stops while one of similar length, and stopping at Castaway, is cheaper.

It makes sense to compare costs for ships leaving from the same or nearby ports. It makes less sense to compare the costs for ships in 2 different countries. The costs to get the port vary greatly, so for a given passenger, the costs to go one the 2 cruises would be different even if the fares were the same. Port fees, food costs, staffing costs in ports, and excursion costs may also differ considerably.

It is possible that the DCL Australian cruises are overpriced for the market, but that is based on the local market. I doubt many people in Australia are thinking “this cruise is comparable to the cost of a 3-night cruise from Florida, so I will fly to Florida for 3 days instead” any more than Americans who are considering a cruise from Florida are flying to England to take a 3 or 4 night cruise from Southampton instead.

 

[NZwade]

Last year on a cruise out of NZ we were talking to some senior officers on the wonder a they mentioned that the bookings in Australia were often below targets but the NZ ones were consistently doing well an selling out. Maybe due to the ship being in NZ for a shorter time? but it surprised me when they said that.

 

[Darren1969]

While not Disney official, NSW Port Authority show the Wonder in Sydney for Feb 1st 2027
https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au/cruise/sydney-harbour/sydney-harbour-cruise-schedule

OK, we'll know for sure when the next release hit (definitely next week...) the website.

 

[Flossbolna]

This doesn’t surprise me. We’d never go to Australia to sail DCL. So unless there is a big local DCL market in Australia. I’m not sure who’s booking. Same with Singapore, frankly. We’d never go there to sail DCL. The only thing DCL has going for it in Singapore is American and European expats. It will be interesting to see what happens with that ship. I won’t be surprised if that’s a flop too. I remember when Ncl built a specially designed ship for (I think it was) China. Joy. That ship was back in the US within something like a year. Retrofitted for the US market.

I follow a special official DCL Singapore account on instagram and they post a lot about mini exhibitions they are doing all over Asia: Malaysia, India, Hong Kong. There are definitely lots of people in a growing middle class in that region, it won’t have to rely on expats.

 

[DCLMP]

I follow a special official DCL Singapore account on instagram and they post a lot about mini exhibitions they are doing all over Asia: Malaysia, India, Hong Kong. There are definitely lots of people in a growing middle class in that region, it won’t have to rely on expats.

The middle class in the US can't afford a Disney cruise. Are you sure they can in Asia?