Destinations for ships 5 & 6?

[truck1]

While I agree with you, I cannot help but wonder how many ships PC can ultimately handle? The New MSC ship will sail from Miami, as well as the first of 3 new ships from Virgin Voyages, the new Carnival Horizon, and the upcoming RCCL Symphony of the Seas. And those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. MSC, RCCL, CARNIVAL and VIRGIN all have additional ships in the pipeline after those I mentioned. I personally prefer PC, but it seams as though Miami is getting a LOT of the new ships coming online in the next few years. This then lead to the obvious question, how many ships can Miami Handle?

Theoretically, the port can handle 6 ships per day. That's what they have terminals for. Long term the port plans to add several more terminals to the port. PC wants the number 1 spot bad. There number 2 behind Miami and not by much. So in therory presently 42 ships per week.

Miami would have the same limitations. How many berths are available x 7 days.

One of the reasons Miami is getting more new ships is the headquarters for those lines are nearby.

 

[reimero]

My gut says the Dream will remain at PC and will continue to do the 3-4 night cruises. Alternately, the Dream may move to Miami and do 3-4 night cruises. It's been awhile since I've seen this discussed, but some of the way things are laid out - primarily adults-only areas and deck 11 - make it less than ideal for cruises with more than 1 sea day (these were basically fixed on the Fantasy.)

The other big question I have is whether the Panama Canal widening project expanded things enough for the Dream-class ships to make it through. If DCL were to expand into China (or southeast Asia or Hawaii, for that matter), they would actually have to be able to get the ship there. The Magic and Wonder are both capable of making that trip, but I honestly don't know if the Dream-class ships can do it.

If I had to guess, I'd say the new ships would probably take over the 7-night Caribbean sailings out of PC, and the Fantasy would either do 7-night Southern Caribbean out of San Juan or 10/11-night Southern Caribbean out of PC.

 

[kaseyC]

The other big question I have is whether the Panama Canal widening project expanded things enough for the Dream-class ships to make it through. If DCL were to expand into China (or southeast Asia or Hawaii, for that matter), they would actually have to be able to get the ship there. The Magic and Wonder are both capable of making that trip, but I honestly don't know if the Dream-class ships can do it.

It will be wide enough. The soon to be built NCL Bliss will be going through the canal while repositioning to the West Coast for it's Alaska sailings Spring of 2018 and it's as big if not bigger than the Dream class.

 

[Dug720]

While I agree with you, I cannot help but wonder how many ships PC can ultimately handle? The New MSC ship will sail from Miami, as well as the first of 3 new ships from Virgin Voyages, the new Carnival Horizon, and the upcoming RCCL Symphony of the Seas. And those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. MSC, RCCL, CARNIVAL and VIRGIN all have additional ships in the pipeline after those I mentioned. I personally prefer PC, but it seams as though Miami is getting a LOT of the new ships coming online in the next few years. This then lead to the obvious question, how many ships can Miami Handle?

As long as DCL has an open day on the schedule, it can port a ship at its terminal every day of the week, couldn't it?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

As long as DCL has an open day on the schedule, it can port a ship at its terminal every day of the week, couldn't it?

Yes. But, at least two of those days would be the same ship (for whichever ship winds up doing the 3/4 night cruises. And the other five days would have be worked out (unless they want to do only 7 night cruises from Port Canaveral with all other ships.

 

[Dug720]

Yes. But, at least two of those days would be the same ship (for whichever ship winds up doing the 3/4 night cruises. And the other five days would have be worked out (unless they want to do only 7 night cruises from Port Canaveral with all other ships.

Right. I know at least for a while next year (maybe going on this year) the Dream will be doing 3/4 nights, and the Fantasy and the Wonder will be doing 7 nights. That covers Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon. True, Tues, Wed, and Thurs are not traditional cruise days, but if I'm remembering correctly, the Dream used to leave for the 3-night on Thursday. So it's been done.

 

[truck1]

Yes. But, at least two of those days would be the same ship (for whichever ship winds up doing the 3/4 night cruises. And the other five days would have be worked out (unless they want to do only 7 night cruises from Port Canaveral with all other ships.

Right. I know at least for a while next year (maybe going on this year) the Dream will be doing 3/4 nights, and the Fantasy and the Wonder will be doing 7 nights. That covers Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon. True, Tues, Wed, and Thurs are not traditional cruise days, but if I'm remembering correctly, the Dream used to leave for the 3-night on Thursday. So it's been done.

The Wonder originally left on Sunday and Thurs for her 3/4 and only recently within the last 3 years or so DCL changed. And that was because the other lines moved. I think the 7 day cruises originally left on friday. Before moving to sat. DCL will follow what the other lines do. Eventually. Which is why I'm relatively certain, we'll see 3 ships our of PC and probably 1 in Miami.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The Wonder originally left on Sunday and Thurs for her 3/4 and only recently within the last 3 years or so DCL changed. And that was because the other lines moved. I think the 7 day cruises originally left on friday. Before moving to sat. DCL will follow what the other lines do. Eventually. Which is why I'm relatively certain, we'll see 3 ships our of PC and probably 1 in Miami.

The change from Sun/Thurs departures to Mon/Fri for the 3/4 night cruises happened after Sep 2014 (we were on a 4 night, Sunday departure that year).

 

[truck1]

The change from Sun/Thurs departures to Mon/Fri for the 3/4 night cruises happened after Sep 2014 (we were on a 4 night, Sunday departure that year).

I remember it was fairly recent I just don't remember when. It was probably less then a year from.when RCL and Carnival.made the same change.

 

[DisneyConvert]

The obvious destination market for at least one of the new ships (or a revamped Dream/Fantasy) will be Asia/China. The market is so large, it's growing, and the synergies with Disney's Parks in Hong Kong and now Singapore are compelling. One of the senior officers, on a recent DCL cruise, whom we know well alluded to the challenges RC had recently faced.
http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2...y-removed-royal-caribbean-quantum-of-the-seas

But I doubt this is game over. The market is too big and Disney's brand is unique. I would bet that they will learn a different kind of hospitality / business model from their theme park experiences.
No casino? Well, not every Asian gambles. Most of us seem to be fine with the higher-priced, more-wholesome, family-friendly service of DCL. Among a market of cruise-goers that is almost as big and prosperous as USA's (remember almost all of China's wealthiest cities are along their one Ocean coast), I guess there will be 140,000 passengers a year who will want a taste of Mickey Mouse.

 

[truck1]

The obvious destination market for at least one of the new ships (or a revamped Dream/Fantasy) will be Asia/China. The market is so large, it's growing, and the synergies with Disney's Parks in Hong Kong and now Singapore are compelling. One of the senior officers, on a recent DCL cruise, whom we know well alluded to the challenges RC had recently faced.
http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2...y-removed-royal-caribbean-quantum-of-the-seas

But I doubt this is game over. The market is too big and Disney's brand is unique. I would bet that they will learn a different kind of hospitality / business model from their theme park experiences.
No casino? Well, not every Asian gambles. Most of us seem to be fine with the higher-priced, more-wholesome, family-friendly service of DCL. Among a market of cruise-goers that is almost as big and prosperous as USA's (remember almost all of China's wealthiest cities are along their one Ocean coast), I guess there will be 140,000 passengers a year who will want a taste of Mickey Mouse.

Eventually DCL may make it there, but Id be willing to bet that youll see the Magic staying put in Europe, possibly replaced by the Dream, with the Magic experimenting in the Caribbean or other European ports first. The reason I say that is that DCL hasn't come anywhere near sending a ship to Asia to test the market. If you go back and look, DCL sent the Magic to Europe then skipped a year then went back and kept going more and more often. They have however been testing the Caribbean a lot recently. DCL is not going to send a brand new ship to Asia for a first time. They'll send the Magic or Wonder over once or twice to test the waters so to speak. The reason they'll use a Magic class is if things don't go as planned, the financial hit wont be as bad.

 

[Flossbolna]

Eventually DCL may make it there, but Id be willing to bet that youll see the Magic staying put in Europe, possibly replaced by the Dream, with the Magic experimenting in the Caribbean or other European ports first. The reason I say that is that DCL hasn't come anywhere near sending a ship to Asia to test the market. If you go back and look, DCL sent the Magic to Europe then skipped a year then went back and kept going more and more often. They have however been testing the Caribbean a lot recently. DCL is not going to send a brand new ship to Asia for a first time. They'll send the Magic or Wonder over once or twice to test the waters so to speak. The reason they'll use a Magic class is if things don't go as planned, the financial hit wont be as bad.

This is exactly my theory as well. Also, with the Shanghai DL opening there was a lot of discussion whether the Disney brand has the same standing in China as it has in the US, Europe and Japan (it has not, people did not grow up with Mickey there). Any ship in Asia will have to main,y draw passengers from the local market. And I very much suspect that the Chinese will be far less likely to pay for pixie dust. So, why should they book DCL for a higher fare when they can get on another cruise line for less. However, DCL is used to being able to charge a premium for pixie dust. That's why even in Europe they are heavily depending on US customers on their European cruises. Far fewer US passengers will be willing to cruise out of Shanghai than Barcelona.

 

[truck1]

My gut says the Dream will remain at PC and will continue to do the 3-4 night cruises. Alternately, the Dream may move to Miami and do 3-4 night cruises. It's been awhile since I've seen this discussed, but some of the way things are laid out - primarily adults-only areas and deck 11 - make it less than ideal for cruises with more than 1 sea day (these were basically fixed on the Fantasy.)

The other big question I have is whether the Panama Canal widening project expanded things enough for the Dream-class ships to make it through. If DCL were to expand into China (or southeast Asia or Hawaii, for that matter), they would actually have to be able to get the ship there. The Magic and Wonder are both capable of making that trip, but I honestly don't know if the Dream-class ships can do it.

If I had to guess, I'd say the new ships would probably take over the 7-night Caribbean sailings out of PC, and the Fantasy would either do 7-night Southern Caribbean out of San Juan or 10/11-night Southern Caribbean out of PC.

The only 2 true limiting factors in the new canal locks is the Bridge of America. I forget what it is off hand, but if ships are over a certain height, they wont be able to pass under the bridge. The Oasis Class for example is 1 of those ships that cant make it under. The only other limiting factor is a ships draft. If the draft is too deep, the ships wont be able transit the locks or channels.

Historically, DCLs new ships have been homeported at PC. The Dream class, because they were mentioned by name in the contract. But that part of the contract now says 2 ships at PC. Now heres a curve ball. The existing contract with PC expires in 2022. Conveniently in between the delivery of the new ships. I'm curious as to what PC will do to keep DCL there.

 

[hermhogwarts55]

First I think Disney would make a killing if they invested make an effort to have cruises out of Long Beach in California, they would be able to coincide it with the theme parks in California. Second they should try to find an island that is off of the West Coast... they would make soo much money by having one island for each end of the States. Plus it could be booked as a Land and Sea package which is easier for most, I know that if things are the same in 3-4 years (The only port on the West Coast is in San Diego) many opportunities will be missed. Hell I'm not looking forward to that vacation, we want to go to Disneyland/California Adventure then hop on a Disney Cruise which is about a 2 hour drive from Anaheim... and I get to drive it

 

[truck1]

I do agree that DL is a nice tie in to a cruise. Disney did go out of Long Beach at least once. What did happen was Mexico had issues and DCL.never went back. This is the first time.in about 5 years DCL is going back to Mexico. In time they may make a permanent home port out there but it's too early to tell.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Second they should try to find an island that is off of the West Coast

Unlike the Caribbean there's not a whole lot of islands that will lend themselves to being developed. Or, indeed, a whole lot of islands. Most are rocky, pointed masses. In the Caribbean the islands tend to be flatter to start with, and much easier to develop.

 

[Mark D.]

I could see the new ships taking over the current Dream/Fantasy itineraries. If DCL went that route, they would be able to pull back in all the prior cruisers who stopped sailing because they were tired of those itineraries, but wanted to experience the new ships. Then the Dream and Fantasy could take on new and different itineraries - most likely in the Caribbean. I don't see the Magic or Wonder changing too much, unless the Wonder is moved to the west coast permanently.

 

[Flossbolna]

If I remember correctly DCL had a contract with Long Beach for a whole winter season cruising to Mexico and then even for future years as well. Because of issues with the ports in Mexico, they brought the Wonder back to Florida early. I think Long Beach port was not amused by DCL just leaving despite having previously commited. They never wen back to Long Beach since. I suspect that they burned a few bridges and any contract with Long Beach would come with unfavourable terms now.

 

[DIS_Ag]

I'm hoping Galveston stays in the rotation

 

[Donathius]

If I remember correctly DCL had a contract with Long Beach for a whole winter season cruising to Mexico and then even for future years as well. Because of issues with the ports in Mexico, they brought the Wonder back to Florida early. I think Long Beach port was not amused by DCL just leaving despite having previously commited. They never wen back to Long Beach since. I suspect that they burned a few bridges and any contract with Long Beach would come with unfavourable terms now.

We were on a Mexico cruise a few years back and after booking the itinerary changed to exclude Mazatlan due to safety concerns. We ended up just doing Puerto Vallarta and two days in Cabo San Lucas (no complaints there!). That being said we booked a Mexico cruise May 2018 the day those bookings opened up. Living in Utah it's drivable for us to get to Long Beach/Los Angeles (San Pedro)/San Diego for a cruise. The cruise cost plus airfare to Florida just isn't feasible for my family of 4. They're liable to get a LOT of Utah cruisers with a southern California port considering how popular Disney is with the population here.