Disney buys ground at Cozumel?

[LAS2AMS]

Most North Americans Itineraries don’t touch a private port/island? I kinda doubt that is true at this point given the explosion of private ports and islands recently.

And it most certainly isn’t true for Disney cruises. Other than the obvious west coast departures (and Galveston) does Disney offer a single itinerary that DOESN’T include one of its private islands??

I wasn’t restricting this to Disney. Most itineraries today do not touch a cruise line owned port That’s especially true in Galveston, where only select 7/8 day itineraries offered by Carnival and Royal touch their (developed) ports. It’s less than a third of their total sailings.

Regardless, rationally suggests that this rumor is false. We have a pretty good idea of where Disney will deploy its new ships —not to mention its agreement with the Bahamas will see calls increase to that country.

Galveston takes 5-days to reach Cozumel. If DCL did nothing but 5-day itineraries, that’s 1.4 calls per week. If did they a weekly and every-other-week Western Carribean from Florida, that’s 1.5 calls per week.

There’s almost zero chance Disney is going to spend $1B for a private port that will see, at most, 3 (maybe 4 during the winter) calls per week. Calls will continue to grow at CC/LP., per its contractual agreement.

As I tried to imply earlier, a problem with creating a private port at Cozumel is that many people actually like visiting Cozumel. I get it - I rarely leave the ship, except for a quick walk - unless it’s to someplace new (or someplace I really enjoy, like Hawaii). And there’s a minority of DCL cruisers who want Disney fantasy experiences.

But when you’re making just a few calls into a private port that you spent up to $1B to build our, and the lion’s share of passengers went into town,, the economics just don’t work out. Maintaining these ports would be an enormous expense, especially in a place like Mexico that would require Disney to pay for a large daily security presence (even though the ships are there part time).

 

[jwalk03]

I wasn’t restricting this to Disney. Most itineraries today do not touch a cruise line owned port That’s especially true in Galveston, where only select 7/8 day itineraries offered by Carnival and Royal touch their (developed) ports. It’s less than a third of their total sailings.

Regardless, rationally suggests that this rumor is false. We have a pretty good idea of where Disney will deploy its new ships —not to mention its agreement with the Bahamas will see calls increase to that country.

Galveston takes 5-days to reach Cozumel. If DCL did nothing but 5-day itineraries, that’s 1.4 calls per week. If did they a weekly and every-other-week Western Carribean from Florida, that’s 1.5 calls per week.

There’s almost zero chance Disney is going to spend $1B for a private port that will see, at most, 3 (maybe 4 during the winter) calls per week. Calls will continue to grow at CC/LP., per its contractual agreement.

As I tried to imply earlier, a problem with creating a private port at Cozumel is that many people actually like visiting Cozumel. I get it - I rarely leave the ship, except for a quick walk - unless it’s to someplace new (or someplace I really enjoy, like Hawaii). And there’s a minority of DCL cruisers who want Disney fantasy experiences.

But when you’re making just a few calls into a private port that you spent up to $1B to build our, and the lion’s share of passengers went into town,, the economics just don’t work out. Maintaining these ports would be an enormous expense, especially in a place like Mexico that would require Disney to pay for a large daily security presence (even though the ships are there part time).

It certainly isn't true for Disney- but as I said I very much doubt it true for other lines anymore either. Just for fun I picked a month (March 2026) to see what the results would be for Bahamas/Caribbean cruises that do and do not visit a private port/island.

Carnival has 104 Caribbean/Bahamas cruises listed on their website for March 2026. 32 out of 104 visit zero private ports/islands (31%). So the other 69% of their cruises visit at least 1 private port/island destination. And of the 32 that don't 17 of those leave from Galveston or New Orleans.

Norwegian has 21 such departures and only 3 out of 21 don't go to a private island/port (14%).

I didn't have time to do Royal yet- but I imagine its 60/40 at best and likely to increase substantially once their new destinations come online as well.

And while these ports may cost a lot to develop they also generate substantial revenue for the cruise lines since they get to control everything and sell everything in the destination, and they are hugely popular so they are a big selling point. Disney could really separate itself in what is becoming a very crowded Galveston cruise market if they could regularly offer a unique private destination on their Galveston cruises.

 

[LAS2AMS]

It certainly isn't true for Disney- but as I said I very much doubt it true for other lines anymore either. Just for fun I picked a month (March 2026) to see what the results would be for Bahamas/Caribbean cruises that do and do not visit a private port/island.

Carnival has 104 Caribbean/Bahamas cruises listed on their website for March 2026. 32 out of 104 visit zero private ports/islands (31%). So the other 69% of their cruises visit at least 1 private port/island destination. And of the 32 that don't 17 of those leave from Galveston or New Orleans.

Norwegian has 21 such departures and only 3 out of 21 don't go to a private island/port (14%).

I didn't have time to do Royal yet- but I imagine its 60/40 at best and likely to increase substantially once their new destinations come online as well.

And while these ports may cost a lot to develop they also generate substantial revenue for the cruise lines since they get to control everything and sell everything in the destination, and they are hugely popular so they are a big selling point. Disney could really separate itself in what is becoming a very crowded Galveston cruise market if they could regularly offer a unique private destination on their Galveston cruises.

The majority of itineraries within NA do not visit a private port. Yes, the majority of itineraries that visit the Bahamas do - and that includes DCL. The lion’s share of itineraries to/from Galveston do not visit a private port - only select itineraries of 7+ days. I’m certain Disney will offer such itineraries as well, as they have in the past.

Disney doesn’t and will not have the economies of scale to receive sufficient ROI for a private port at Cozumel. You also continue to discount the fact that the majority of passengers actually want to explore Cozumel. That’s why RCL isn’t building port there - you’re not going to get upsells when your passengers are in town

This rumor is more wishful thinking than anything. Else.

 

[jwalk03]

The majority of itineraries within NA do not visit a private port. Yes, the majority of itineraries that visit the Bahamas do - and that includes DCL. The lion’s share of itineraries to/from Galveston do not visit a private port - only select itineraries of 7+ days. I’m certain Disney will offer such itineraries as well, as they have in the past.

Disney doesn’t and will not have the economies of scale to receive sufficient ROI for a private port at Cozumel. You also continue to discount the fact that the majority of passengers actually want to explore Cozumel. That’s why RCL isn’t building port there - you’re not going to get upsells when your passengers are in town

This rumor is more wishful thinking than anything. Else.

The numbers I just provided say otherwise. Even if you add in west coast, Bermuda, Alaska, etc that is not going to get you to a “majority” that don’t visit private ports. There are substantially more Bahamas & Caribbean cruises than other destinations in North America.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The numbers I just provided say otherwise. Even if you add in west coast & Alaska that is not going to get you to a “majority” that don’t visit private ports. There are substantially more Bahamas & Caribbean cruises than other destinations in North America.

While it’s not true if you include NA, it doesn’t matter.

How will it make DCL competitive against Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, etc. when none of those cruise lines have or will have private ports in Mexico?

 

[MrMagoo]

You also continue to discount the fact that the majority of passengers actually want to explore Cozumel. That’s why RCL isn’t building port there - you’re not going to get upsells when your passengers are in town

This rumor is more wishful thinking than anything. Else.

But Royal IS building a port at Cozumel.
You can see the crane in the picture I have provided.
All the operators on our catamaran said the same thing.
They were surprised to see the crane.
Apparently Royal just got started.

As for this being a rumor or wishful thinking, we won't know from Disney if this is true for a long time.
They will have to have drawings and plans drawn up before they announce anything and that will take some time.
And that will probably only come after they have the engineers and ecologists study the area completely to
see how they can build.

I am sure they have already had this done if it is true they bought the land but now this activity can really start
with a lot more people getting involved having to go into more detail.

 

[LAS2AMS]

But Royal IS building a port at Cozumel.
You can see the crane in the picture I have provided.
All the operators on our catamaran said the same thing.
They were surprised to see the crane.
Apparently Royal just got started.

As for this being a rumor or wishful thinking, we won't know from Disney if this is true for a long time.
They will have to have drawings and plans drawn up before they announce anything and that will take some time.
And that will probably only come after they have the engineers and ecologists study the area completely to
see how they can build.

I am sure they have already had this done if it is true they bought the land but now this activity can really start
with a lot more people getting involved having to go into more detail.

Royal Carribean is not building a private port at Cozumel. They plan to open numerous “beach clubs” at some more popular ports. These are small, low cost developments (Royal won’t even open the land) that will require a steep entry fee. No different than what’s offered (by third parties)) today. Hardly a game changer.

Disney lacks the economics of scale for these type of investments - they aren’t sailing multiple ships every day in which hundreds/ thousands of people collectively will pay a few hundred bucks to get it.

Just too much wishful thinking in this thread.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Royal Carribean is not building a private port at Cozumel. They plan to open numerous “beach clubs” at some more popular ports. These are small, low cost developments (Royal won’t even open the land) that will require a steep entry fee. No different than what’s offered (by third parties)) today. Hardly a game changer.

Disney lacks the economics of scale for these type of investments - they aren’t sailing multiple ships every day in which hundreds/ thousands of people collectively will pay a few hundred bucks to get it.

Just too much wishful thinking in this thread.

What were the economics when they had two boats and built Castaway Cay? At best they did three stops a week.

I file this under rumor only, if Disney were doing this... we wouldn't know about it, till they told us. But with the growth of the line over then next decade & all the issues with traditional port (crime, crowds, anti-tourism) , I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't thinking about finding another private port option, or like RC at least a "Disney Bubble" excursion.

We know Disney plans to put one ship in Galveston, but might there be two as the other ships come to market? Or it might be they add another Gulf Coast port at some point in the next six years?

Lookout Cay was a five year project - from purchase, design, permits and then construction. I expect before 2031 and the last of the smaller ships is delivered, that DCL will have put other new ships in the works (and yeah maybe retired two of them). So I'm not sure looking at today's economics of sale are what they use to make long reaching plans.

 

[jwalk03]

While it’s not true if you include NA, it doesn’t matter.

How will it make DCL competitive against Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, etc. when none of those cruise lines have or will have private ports in Mexico?

Having something unique that the other lines do not have is a competitive advantage- that is the entire point of having a private destination. That is why we have seen such an explosion in private port building recently- it is good business. They are very popular and very profitable for the cruise lines and as long as both of those things remains true we will continue to see even more of them as long as the cruise lines can continue to find suitable destinations to offer them.

 

[Dug720]

Having something unique that the other lines do not have is a competitive advantage- that is the entire point of having a private destination. That is why we have seen such an explosion in private port building recently- it is good business. They are very popular and very profitable for the cruise lines and as long as both of those things remains true we will continue to see even more of them as long as the cruise lines can continue to find suitable destinations to offer them.

But then private areas only go so far. If the rest of the experience is not up to par, all the beach clubs in the world won't help. Certainly doesn't make me want to give RCCL another chance.

 

[jwalk03]

But then private areas only go so far. If the rest of the experience is not up to par, all the beach clubs in the world won't help. Certainly doesn't make me want to give RCCL another chance.

Yes of course. Its all a package deal.

 

[gsdweller]

Cozumel is the Kmart of cruise locations. It would be throwing money away for Disney to buy there.

 

[jwalk03]

Cozumel is the Kmart of cruise locations. It would be throwing money away for Disney to buy there.

Cozumel is the 2nd busiest cruise port destination in the world- behind only Nassau. Location, location, location.

 

[gsdweller]

Cozumel is the 2nd busiest cruise port destination in the world- behind only Nassau. Location, location, location.

McDonalds is the busiest fast food chain in the world. And that actually matches some. You can think of Cozumel as the McDonalds of Cruise destinations. High volume, Low quality.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Having something unique that the other lines do not have is a competitive advantage- that is the entire point of having a private destination. That is why we have seen such an explosion in private port building recently- it is good business. They are very popular and very profitable for the cruise lines and as long as both of those things remains true we will continue to see even more of them as long as the cruise lines can continue to find suitable destinations to offer them.

Very profitable? Royal uses dynamic pricing for its Grand Bahama Island Beach Club. Prices start at $170pp. Per reports, they need to average a couple thousand people per day just to break even, and will be open to allowing non-Royal passengers if necessary (they’re only 49%) owners. Cozumel will be similar.

Realistically, Disney will visit Cozumel an average of less than 3 times per week. Royal is there every day, usually with multiple ships - their largest having more than double the cabins of the Wish Class.

Again… Disney does not have the economies of scale to make a “Beach Club” work, let alone a private port. This is more wishful thinking than rumor.

 

[jwalk03]

Very profitable? Royal uses dynamic pricing for its Grand Bahama Island Beach Club. Prices start at $170pp. Per reports, they need to average a couple thousand people per day just to break even, and will be open to allowing non-Royal passengers if necessary (they’re only 49%) owners. Cozumel will be similar.

Realistically, Disney will visit Cozumel an average of less than 3 times per week. Royal is there every day, usually with multiple ships - their largest having more than double the cabins of the Wish Class.

Again… Disney does not have the economies of scale to make a “Beach Club” work, let alone a private port. This is more wishful thinking than rumor.

Yes very profitable. They wouldn’t keep building more of them if they weren’t profitable.

 

[peder]

Probably my only other thought on this is that Disney will steer away from buying land at Cozumel specifically, but if they did anything in the area, they'd probably look north near Progreso or south toward Costa Maya.

Edit to add: maybe they'd look at a partnership with the Cuban government. Kinda wild from a risk perspective, but Disney actually does really well negotiating with governments (I really mean this as no joke, they've worked closely and very successfully with French, Chinese, and now UAE governments over the years). If they had a private "island" concept either on the western tip of Cuba or north coast of the Yucatan, they'd have a location that would work well even for cruises departing from Florida and would probably work very well with 5- or 6-night cruises from Galveston.

 

[jwalk03]

Probably my only other thought on this is that Disney will steer away from buying land at Cozumel specifically, but if they did anything in the area, they'd probably look north near Progreso or south toward Costa Maya.

This I agree with. It would make way more sense for them to develop something in a more undeveloped area and Progreso would be closer and thus easier to reach on shorter cruises

 

[LAS2AMS]

Yes very profitable. They wouldn’t keep building more of them if they weren’t profitable.

You keep ignoring economics of scale.

Royal = thousands of passengers everyday = very profitable

Disney = a few hundred passengers a few days a week = unprofitable

 

[jwalk03]

This I agree with. It would make way more sense for them to develop something in a more undeveloped area and Progreso would be closer and thus easier to reach on shorter cruises

I’m not ignoring anything. Disney made CC work for over a decade with only 2 ships. And is making LC work now averaging only 3-4 calls per week.

They are going to have ~10 different ships sailing in the Caribbean within the next few years. If they want to develop another private port destination they can certainly get to it 3-4 times per week and make it work.