Does this mean no more Med or Baltic Cruises

[momoftwins]

With all of the port changes, does this mean DCL is out of the European markets?

 

[mmouse37]

With all of the port changes, does this mean DCL is out of the European markets?

At least for 2012.

MJ

 

[lbgraves]

With all the adjustments they had to make for the 2011 schedule it doesn't surprise me that DCL is looking elsewhere. From the posts by people who live in the region it sounds like the marketing plan was poorly planned in Europe. Also when someone mentioned that the Olympics would be occuring there in 2012 my first thought was what a nightmare travel would/could be. The capacity limits will be maxed out for all forms of travel so more chances for lost luggage, delayed/missed flights and less options for finding an alternate. Also, I would imagine that due to the demand during that time the costs for travel would increase. One of the complaints heard often on the boards is that regular cruisers are tired of the same itineraries. DCL could offer five new choices in 2012 along with its already established five [counting the 3/4/5 on Dream as one].

 

[fitnessmouse]

disappointed in no europe for 2012

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

So sad about no Europe in 2012 SOO disappointed - wish I didn't have to take my $$ elsewhere

 

[Anal Annie]

SUPER glad we booked our Med cruise for this summer now! I would imagine they'll go back EVENTUALLY. The first time they went was 2007 then they took 2 years "off" until 2010. I was actually surprised they went back again for 2011 so we jumped on it. You never know what & where they will go. I'd guess if the economy can improve they'll plan for Eastern Meds for 2013 or 2014...

I think there's still some room on most of the Meds this summer (the LAST one in August is pretty full tho). Some but not all of the categories are in GTY status on my date. But so there's still time to book fpr this summer now that you know they won't be there next summer!

 

[Kewz1]

When all this talk of Galveston/NY and no Med cruises started surfacing DH & I talked about changing our plans for DD's graduation next year. Just a few weeks ago we decided to go back to Ukraine with a stop in Italy on the way home instead.

We were a little sad to put away the idea of cruising but now I'm really glad we did.

Kristen

 

[emum]

We're bummed about it - we were hoping to do a Europe / TA B2B, but I'm hoping we may be able to swing the 15 nt HI trip instead. All appendages crossed for a European return sometime before Dd1 heads off to uni in 3.5 yrs' time !

Cheers,
Sally

 

[speakupjc]

Totally bummed.

 

[CandyMandy]

Part of this is the inevitable reality of market focus having to fall back to the middle as your fleet grows. There are only so many American housedholds that can spend the significant premiums involved in doing the European cruises and no, demand from the U.K. isn't big enough to make up that difference.

Now that Disney is adding large amounts of capacity, they have to focus on filling it - and that requires adding itineraries that are more affordable to larger markets. That means domestic sailings across a larger range of ports and possibly an increase in shorter sailings.

So don't look for Europe to come back soon, particularly if the economy stays flat.

 

[CastawayJP]

SUPER glad we booked our Med cruise for this summer now! I would imagine they'll go back EVENTUALLY. The first time they went was 2007 then they took 2 years "off" until 2010. I was actually surprised they went back again for 2011 so we jumped on it. You never know what & where they will go. I'd guess if the economy can improve they'll plan for Eastern Meds for 2013 or 2014...

I think there's still some room on most of the Meds this summer (the LAST one in August is pretty full tho). Some but not all of the categories are in GTY status on my date. But so there's still time to book fpr this summer now that you know they won't be there next summer!

If someone books my room because of this post I'm coming after you!

 

[sayhello]

We're bummed about it - we were hoping to do a Europe / TA B2B, but I'm hoping we may be able to swing the 15 nt HI trip instead. All appendages crossed for a European return sometime before Dd1 heads off to uni in 3.5 yrs' time !

Cheers,
Sally

15 night HI trip? Has this been announced? I've only seen stuff about the Magic sailing out of Galveston & NYC.

Sayhello

 

[MrsJobba1]

disappointed in no europe for 2012

Me too

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I'm REALLY disappointed that DCL won't be sailing the Med in 2012. I turn 40 next year and I had been hinting to DH that I wanted to go on a Disney cruise in Europe for my 40th birthday. I guess now I need to change hinting from a DCL Med cruise to an ABD Italy or Paris/London trip ...

Jennifer

 

[lbgraves]

15 night HI trip? Has this been announced? I've only seen stuff about the Magic sailing out of Galveston & NYC.

Sayhello

I thought that I saw someone post an article about that this morning. If not here it was on FB but should be out there online.

 

[venny]

Another disappointed cruiser here, although I'm glad we're taking advantage of the cruise this summer. I would definitely have liked to see a bit of a shake-up of the rather well travelled Western Med Cruises. I know a lot of people have been hoping for Eastern Med, in particular out of Venice. Such a shame we won't see the Magic next year. Fingers crossed for 2013!

I think the main problem DCL has in attracting cruisers to them in Europe, as opposed to the US, is that the public awareness is much less in Europe. Very few people in the UK even know Disney has a cruise line, let alone that they were cruising this year in Europe. Whilst I think there has been a slight improvement in marketing this year, as compared to 2010, there is still not enough information in the public domain. It seems that only Disney fans are clued up as to the DCL product. I believe there is a far greater presence and awareness of RCCL, Thomson, Cunard, NCL and even HAL or Celebrity, than there is of DCL. If Disney can change and improve their strategy, I believe that the cruises in Europe can be as popular as those from the US. Great product and service will always win people over.

 

[cindy18]

Very disappointed about no Eastern Med in 2012, and not interested in what's appears to be available (doing Alaska this summer and otherwise not interested in a return to Florida/Bahamas or a cruise to Canada). Will be booking Eastern Med on another cruise line for next summer, but with some trepidation and definite sadness.

On Hawaii, they did say that there would be at least one and maybe two cruises out of LA on the Wonder to Hawaii, the first being at the end of April. I think it's not a repo cruise up to Seattle but is a round-trip cruise with a stop in Ensenada to satisfy the foreign port requirement, but I could be wrong about that.

 

[MagicMe]

We're bummed about it - we were hoping to do a Europe / TA B2B, but I'm hoping we may be able to swing the 15 nt HI trip instead. All appendages crossed for a European return sometime before Dd1 heads off to uni in 3.5 yrs' time !

Cheers,
Sally

Unfortunately, you could also have ended up like cruisers this year. Those that booked the last med before the TA were left high and dry when they sold that last cruise and notified passengers that they either had to move their date or get their money back.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm not a DCL-only cruiser, and I'm looking forward to a Med cruise on Celebrity in 2012. (I'm also going on a Transatlantic cruise in 3 weeks on Princess. ) So far DCL's Europe itineraries have either been outrageously priced (2010 Baltic cruises), or they dropped the price too late in the game after I made alternate plans (April-May 2010 Med cruises).

 

[Anal Annie]

If someone books my room because of this post I'm coming after you!

You know I'm always trolling for new peeps! Hurry up & book already!!! The PIF date is next week!! Some cats are already in GTY status!! Hurry, hurry!!