Explanation to TA's why leaving Key West earlier

[ldb1030]

Disney Cruise Line

WHAT'S NEW




Disney Magic to Sail Earlier From Key West

Based on feedback from guests, Disney Cruise Line is
adjusting the departure time for its Key West port-of-call.
Effective Nov. 6, the Disney Magic will depart Key West at
7:30 p.m., instead of 10:15 p.m.

This early departure offers the opportunity for guests to
enjoy being on the open seas in the early evening and a
wonderful line-up of entertainment, including Hercules:
The Muse-ical.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Doesn't make any sense at all and typical of Disney, they always say its customers demand, however, if you want to see the show you will,come back early, or if they think is a problem they could move it to a sea day. They have three shows and time after Grand Cayman to do one and two sea days.

Enjoy the early evening seas? Well you can do that the next day as its a sea day. And if you did enjoy the seas you would miss the show or a meal??

They have done this at Nassau as well leaving early, could be port fees, some people said the deck party there made to much noise, but disney said it was customer request.

Could be an option to cut the speed and therefore fuel?

I remember being at WDW disney in 2001 when they said due to customer demand they cut early entry!! It came back the next year after, Customer demand!!!!!

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by Andrew DEREK UK
Could be an option to cut the speed and therefore fuel?

That's my guess with rising fuel prices. If I were cruising in the summer months, I would be disappointed to miss the sunset festival.

Sam

 

[ldb1030]

Yes, I am disappointed about the sunset activities when we sail again in July 06.

 

[paulmc80]

Really? Does anyone really thnk DCL bases their decisions for reason other "customer demand" or as stated? I've always thought of them as open and honest in that regard. But then again, I am a very trusting sort anyway.

 

[KEH]

Okay, Andrew, fess up. you just want another video of the naked people boat! lol.

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by paulmc80
Really? Does anyone really thnk DCL bases their decisions for reason other "customer demand" or as stated?

Of course Disney bases their decisions on customer demand. Just look at all the new monorail lines built at WDW over the last 20 years.

Sam

 

[paulmc80]

Of course Disney bases their decisions on customer demand. Just look at all the new monorail lines built at WDW over the last 20 years.

Oh yeah! I forgot about that. LOL

 

[music777.com]

Maybe we should start demanding that the prices go down.

JJ

 

[MarkRG]

This early departure offers the opportunity for guests to enjoy being on the open seas in the early evening and a wonderful line-up of entertainment, including Hercules: The Muse-ical.

Actually, I read this part to mean that nobody attends the shows on Key West night as they're all having fun at Mallory Square, and they'd like to see more people in seats.

 

[Kiki07]

Yes but our Key West day was Who want to be a Mousketeer! The audience was only ever packed even on sea Days when we played BINGO the final time.

Who knows.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

I'm personally disappointed with this move as well. Key West however has had a LOT of resident opposition to the cruise ships, and with the rebuilding of the navy pier area I think that resident pressure has increased even further. I'm wondering if resident pressure and Disney's desire to be a good neighbor (Boy did they learn from Disney's America) led to this change. It wouldn't surprise me though if they extend things back out during the summer.

The fuel questions is good, except you're talking 3 hours additional on a 30+ hour trip to the next port. It isn't a max speed run anyway, so I don't think the slight reduction in speed will be that big of a cost savings.

 

[Nfitzsimmons]

This is really disappointing. We are going on the Nov 6 cruise and I was really looking forward to watching the sunset in Mallory Square. Doubt I will be able to get it in now.

What's really hard to take is the reason tjey are giving. This is an old Disney fallback line. Was also the reason they gave when they temporarily suspended early entry in the parks.

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by Kiki07
Yes but our Key West day was Who want to be a Mousketeer! The audience was only ever packed even on sea Days when we played BINGO the final time.

Who knows.

Exactly. Now it's a 'sea night', there won't be anywhere to go except the onboard entertainment now.

 

[jlawall]

On my trip to KW, last summer, we had a blast all day and I really didn't care to go back out at night. We saw some sights during the day that were enough for us!!

 

[tvguy]

Like free soda, I'm sure the change regarding Key West is in response to passenger complaints.
I gather that basically all Disney cruises sell out, but I wonder if there is more demand for the Eastern or Western inteneraries.
We picked Eastern just because Florida isn't exactly the exotic port we were looking for on a cruise.

 

[budwmn]

This move makes DCL a lot of money. If people are on shore they're not buying drinks on board the ship. DCL makes a ton of money when people buy drinks/snacks for the shows and games, wine at dinner, shop on board, etc. I don't blame them, but I don't have to like it either.

 

[paulmc80]

This move makes DCL a lot of money. If people are on shore they're not buying drinks on board the ship. DCL makes a ton of money when people buy drinks/snacks for the shows and games, wine at dinner, shop on board, etc. I don't blame them, but I don't have to like it either.

Exactly!

Very realistic.

 

[KMovies]

With the time change on October 31, I bet this change is due to the fact that Sunset is so much earlier. We'll see if it goes back next Summer.

 

[DisneyWill]

For the folks that are worried about missing the sunset, please don't forget the time change. The sunset will happen between 5 & 6:30 p.m. We should be able to see the sunset and still get on the ship in enough time.