How many ships at CC?

[wrighter]

I was just wondering if they ever cram more than one ship at CC? Or is it a rule that there can only be one at a time?

 

[shelleyr25]

one at a time

 

[tweis]

Only 1 at a time.

 

[jeppler]

Only 1 at a time.

Many years ago it appeared they were doing some earth moving work behind the present dock and might add another position. Turned out it was just routine housekeeping on the vegetation.

I imagine it would be very expensive, given the dredging of another channel, the expansion of the facilities on the island and all the rest needed to support a second ship docking. Probably not going to happen...

 

[Snurk71]

Being newbies on our first cruise (Dream) a couple years ago, I got very nervous when I saw the Fantasy pulling up to dock too (or so I thought). I remember thinking, there's no way there's enough room on the beach for another ship - it's going to be way too crowded.

It turned out the Fantasy was just sailing by, testing things out before its maiden voyage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-Note2 using DISBoards

 

[jdb in AZ]

Can you imagine the competition to reserve a cabana if both the Dream and the Fantasy were at CC the same time?

 

[SZ2016]

Only one, but if your really lucky one of the other Disney ship may just sail by and a horn battle will ensue! (From what I actually understand is that this doesn't happen often but it did happen when I visited CC on the Wonder last Oct as it was the Wonder's first visit back after being in Alaska all summer so naturally the Dream had to come and give her a proper welcome back)

 

[Ravenne]

Can you imagine the competition to reserve a cabana if both the Dream and the Fantasy were at CC the same time?

OMG
Then DCL will have to start a reservation system for chairs.

 

[cwdefouw]

Even with major expansion the facilities on the island could not support two ships there at one time.

They already had to expand the facilities for the Dream and Fantasy, because there are more passengers on those ships. Having been there a couple of times on sold out Dream cruises, it is pretty crowded with just one of the newer ships in port.

The beaches are not large enough to support what would be at least another 2000-2400 people. Plus, the water treatment and electrical plants wouldn't have enough capacity either. There is really nothing they could do to enlarge the beach and the $$ required to build another docking location, plus expand the water treatment and electrical infrastructure would cost an enormous amount. I just don't see it happening.

What I could see happening though, if they build more ships, is the schedule being restructured and some cruises only getting a half day there in the morning with a second ship arriving in the afternoon, for a half day. The first ship would have to arrive earlier and the second would have to leave later. It would not be ideal for passengers, but it could be done, particularily during the peak summer time cruises, when it gets light much earlier and gets dark much later.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Even with major expansion the facilities on the island could not support two ships there at one time.

They already had to expand the facilities for the Dream and Fantasy, because there are more passengers on those ships. Having been there a couple of times on sold out Dream cruises, it is pretty crowded with just one of the newer ships in port.

The beaches are not large enough to support what would be at least another 2000-2400 people. Plus, the water treatment and electrical plants wouldn't have enough capacity either. There is really nothing they could do to enlarge the beach and the $$ required to build another docking location, plus expand the water treatment and electrical infrastructure would cost an enormous amount. I just don't see it happening.

What I could see happening though, if they build more ships, is the schedule being restructured and some cruises only getting a half day there in the morning with a second ship arriving in the afternoon, for a half day. The first ship would have to arrive earlier and the second would have to leave later. It would not be ideal for passengers, but it could be done, particularily during the peak summer time cruises, when it gets light much earlier and gets dark much later.

If/when DCL builds more ships I hope they move them somewhere besides the Caribbean/Bahamas. Enough with the boring itineraries already!

 

[truck1]

What I could see happening though, if they build more ships, is the schedule being restructured and some cruises only getting a half day there in the morning with a second ship arriving in the afternoon, for a half day. The first ship would have to arrive earlier and the second would have to leave later. It would not be ideal for passengers, but it could be done, particularily during the peak summer time cruises, when it gets light much earlier and gets dark much later.

Looking at it this way at the most right now, the island is still being used on 5 out of 7 days. They could still get ships in on 2 more days. (Dream 2x, Magic 1-2x Fantasy 1x)

Assuming that DCL builds more ships, and they stay in the Atlantic area, The scheduled would be shuffled to accommodate the ships.
For example
Fantasy Fri (eastern only Itin Sat PC)
Magic Sat (western only itin Sun PC)
Dream Sun (3 day itin Fri PC)
Wonder Mon (7day itin from Miami)
Dream Thur (4 day itin Mon PC)
NB1Tues (7 day that leaves on weds)
NB2 Weds( 7 day that leaves on Thurs

 

[jeppler]

Looking at it this way at the most right now, the island is still being used on 5 out of 7 days. They could still get ships in on 2 more days. (Dream 2x, Magic 1-2x Fantasy 1x)

Assuming that DCL builds more ships, and they stay in the Atlantic area, The scheduled would be shuffled to accommodate the ships.
For example
Fantasy Fri (eastern only Itin Sat PC)
Magic Sat (western only itin Sun PC)
Dream Sun (3 day itin Fri PC)
Wonder Mon (7day itin from Miami)
Dream Thur (4 day itin Mon PC)
NB1Tues (7 day that leaves on weds)
NB2 Weds( 7 day that leaves on Thurs

It might not be that complicated. If there are new ships built it's also possible DCL will position 2 of the older ships in foreign ports. I also don't think they'd like having no free days to do heavy maintenance without guests around...

 

[truck1]

It might not be that complicated. If there are new ships built it's also possible DCL will position 2 of the older ships in foreign ports. I also don't think they'd like having no free days to do heavy maintenance without guests around...

True. What I was also thinking is that the current trend at PC is more ships. Carnival has 3 ships,(Sensation, Liberty and Sunshine) and with the popularity of the 3/4 and 7s, its only a matter of time before Disney adds a 3rd ship permanently to PC. Miami at least is holding its own if not doing well, and I wouldn't be surprised if one is put there on a regular if not permanent basis. Alaska and the Med are seasonal ports. Especially Alaska. the Magic and Wonder need somewhere to go in the off season.
If I were in charge, Id do this:

Leave the Dream and Fantasy where they are doing what they are doing.
Add the Magic when shes not in the Med doing Med trips, Doing 5 day double dips with a 4 day to keep things even. Basically back to back 5 day trips, then a 4 day. That puts the Magic in port on specific days avoiding the Dream and Fantasy.

Put the Wonder in Miami, doing 7 day or 10 day trips With different destinations.
Like Miami, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Aruba Bonaire or Curacao CC Miami.

If/when the new builds arrive, 1 would go to PC permanently to replace the Magic, the other to Miami Perm.

Reason is that PC is and most likely will be the most popular port. The ships there sail in the range of 90-100% full consistently. Adding cabins there only makes sense. Moving the 2 biggest ships out and replacing them with smaller doesn't make sense.

This would also free up the smaller ships to try out new ports with out much risk. Look at Galveston. DCL tried, not many booked, DCL cut it short. I don't see New Orleans working out too well in the long run. 2 reasons.
1 is the length of time it takes to get anywhere,(double it to get back) and the other is that Ive seen a bunch of ships trapped in the Gulf because of hurricanes that never made a port.

 

[rmcildw2m]

but wouldn't that be a neat thing to happen .