Disney adding two new ships?

[Magic3forme]

we heard this last May when we were on the Fantasy.

someone else said Disney needs permission first at the ship yard to build the ships... doesnt mean they actually will.

I hope they do, I enjoy sailing on different ships!!

 

[OrcaPotter]

Absolutely Not!! AT the risk of sounding elitist, keeping the prices where they are helps to ensure that the stereotypical booze cruise value crowd keeps to other lower-priced lines. I prefer the more refined, family-friendly clientele I usually see on DCL.

Problem is, that family clientele belongs to the upper-middle to upper class at Disney's current prices. And on both my Disney cruises, it didn't make them all that more "refined".

Competition is good for business and the consumer. It wouldn't hurt the company to broaden out. As it is, the lower prices on the classics--while not that much cheaper--seem to be allowing more folks who couldn't afford DCL the chance to try out the line. And impressed customers will come back for more, and will likely be willing to pay more for newer product. As it is, as much as I adore and prefer DCL, my family just can't afford the Fantasy. For the same itinerary on a relatively new ship on RCCL, I can get a jr. suite for $1K less on the same sail date. My family wants to treat my nephew for his HS graduation next year--but as much as we want it to be Disney, we can't afford it. We're going to Alaska this year for the same price.

 

[truck1]

we heard this last May when we were on the Fantasy.

someone else said Disney needs permission first at the ship yard to build the ships... doesnt mean they actually will.

I hope they do, I enjoy sailing on different ships!!

They won't need the shipyard permission. All DCL would have to do is to call and say we are exercising our option for 1 or 2 ships then take a number in line. Meyer has a few ships in the line now. I think at least 2 for NCL and 2 for RCL not counting Aida.

 

[maria-fan-22]

I think it may be possible that DCL has Imagineer designed plans and they may start talking with shipyards now. But even if they are starting the process now, it'll be about 5 years... I remember an interview right after the Fantasy was launched and they said that DCl has blueprints for more ships but were going to wait until they got a good feeling about the Fantasy before they build another...

Besides the magic and wonder, DCL uses Imagineers to design ships and interior spaces, then hands off the designs to the shipyard who will have an actual naval architect look at the designs and make changes as necessary, Moving a pole here, making the superstructure narrower, etc.

In short, I could see DCl starting conversations with shipyards, but ships are many years off...

 

[TDC Nala]

I remember reading that Disney had the OPTION to build 2 more ships at the shipyard where the Dream and Fantasy were built.

That doesn't mean they'll use the option.

 

[TXDCLfan]

I would be absolutely shocked (and as a stockholder, very upset) if Disney was ordering two new ships when they can not fill the ones they have now without resorting to multiple (and deep) discounts.

Unless, of course, they have found buyers for the Dream and Fantasty and are replacing them with smaller ships....but we all know thats not happening.

It is going to take them a while to pay for $2 Billion dollars worth of new ships, especially when they have to deeply discount all cruises except the summer and holiday ones to try to get close to capacity.

Also, I don't think Disney would 'release' this information through the Castmembers on the ships.

EXACTLY

 

[KashasMom]

Hope it's for big ships with new and great itineraries. Not a fan of the (tired) Magic at all - and would never sail the Wonder because of our experience on the Magic. Wish they'd hurry before my daughter outgrows the loving the princesses stage!

 

[Postal68]

I would be absolutely shocked (and as a stockholder, very upset) if Disney was ordering two new ships when they can not fill the ones they have now without resorting to multiple (and deep) discounts.

Where are these "multiple" and "deep" discounts that you speak of??

 

[Meghatron]

Where are these "multiple" and "deep" discounts that you speak of??

Kids Sail Free, IGT/OGT/VGT, FL resident rates, military family rates, plus the latest invention of added OBC offers on the Dream for booking certain sailings.

 

[Meghatron]

Hope it's for big ships with new and great itineraries. Not a fan of the (tired) Magic at all - and would never sail the Wonder because of our experience on the Magic. Wish they'd hurry before my daughter outgrows the loving the princesses stage!

Big new ships would be doing the same old reliable (tired?) itineraries out of PC to pay for themselves. So if you don't want the Magic class, you should get on the Dream class before you think your daughter will be "too old."

 

[Jenngoofys]

Absolutely Not!! AT the risk of sounding elitist, keeping the prices where they are helps to ensure that the stereotypical booze cruise value crowd keeps to other lower-priced lines. I prefer the more refined, family-friendly clientele I usually see on DCL.

I have seen this "booze" crowd on DCL it really has nothing to do with your income level it has more to do with Class, and appropriateness!!

 

[mickey2000]

Absolutely Not!! AT the risk of sounding elitist, keeping the prices where they are helps to ensure that the stereotypical booze cruise value crowd keeps to other lower-priced lines. I prefer the more refined, family-friendly clientele I usually see on DCL.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I heard a "rumour"from a cast mate on our last cruise that two new ships are coming out and they will be based in Asia. I would love to see Asian and maybe A ustralia/NewZealand itineraries.

 

[Rogillio]

With the high rate of repeat cruisers on DCL, they need to add ships to keep up with demand. There also billions of dollars to be made in Asia.

The fact that DCL can still fill ships during peak season despite their high prices suggests demand exceeds supply.

There is no doubt DCL will add more ships, the only question is when?

 

[KashasMom]

Big new ships would be doing the same old reliable (tired?) itineraries out of PC to pay for themselves. So if you don't want the Magic class, you should get on the Dream class before you think your daughter will be "too old."

We're already booked on the Fantasy - which doesn't have a very exciting itinerary. And although DCL's itineraries are very tired, I was saying that the Magic itself was tired. Definitely ready for that dry dock.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I heard a "rumour"from a cast mate on our last cruise that two new ships are coming out and they will be based in Asia. I would love to see Asian and maybe A ustralia/NewZealand itineraries.

If two new ships are built it would be the Magic and Wonder that are moved to Asia. The new ships will most likely take over the Bahamian and Caribbean sailings.

 

[mickey2000]

If two new ships are built it would be the Magic and Wonder that are moved to Asia. The new ships will most likely take over the Bahamian and Caribbean sailings.

Asia is usually where ships are sold and sent after they are old and replaced. Makes sense to me

 

[darwinsrule]

With the high rate of repeat cruisers on DCL, they need to add ships to keep up with demand. There also billions of dollars to be made in Asia.

The fact that DCL can still fill ships during peak season despite their high prices suggests demand exceeds supply.

There is no doubt DCL will add more ships, the only question is when?

Most of the cruise lines have issues in non-peak periods. Fares drop (significantly), weather limits where the ships can go (who wants to do Alaska in January after all), and we all know the impact of the school year on familes.

In many ways DCL is in a bind during peak season. The Dream and Fantasy sell during that period. Alaska sells. NY cruises sell. Europe, despite the airfare, sells. There is no doubt they would love to do cruises out of NY again given the prices they were getting. Problem is what do you drop?

 

[Buckeye218]

 

[Buckeye218]

I have seen this "booze" crowd on DCL it really has nothing to do with your income level it has more to do with Class, and appropriateness!!

Never said it didn't exist. I've seen it too, only to a much lesser extent. And in my opinion, income level does have some correlation to such behavior. Obviously this is painting with a broad brush and there are many exceptions, but that doesn't mean there isn't any correlation, either.