Interesting chatter about the Magic/Adventure

[Mags2002]

Probably why cast members are requesting to transfer back to US based ships and not wanting to move to the Adventure from a US based ship. Exactly what I was told by several cast member friends on the Fantasy last week.

Culture is just too different on the Adventure.

Yes it likely isn’t good for those in tipped roles.
However I do know of a lot of people who are begging to do a contract on the Adventure just to experience something totally different. I was offered a contract but turned it down. Life on land was calling! Maybe one day I’ll try it

Edit to add: be careful saying anything about culture. Culture has nothing to do with it. It is tipping culture that is the problem

 

[AquaDame]

Culture in what way?

Singaporeans are rule followers. Overly polite. Will always stand in queues. Never complain.

Sounds like the ideal culture to deal with service wise.

I've heard a few differences from folk... multi generational families that want to do everything together means there isn't as much interest in adult areas, the spa or health center, but there are daily open houses in the kids' clubs so the families can enjoy together. The pools aren't as popular. Long lines for pizza with folks getting 4 or 5 whole pies at a time. Intense shopping sprees. Hour + waits necessary to have prime spots for shows, including and especially spots in the shade. Character meet n' greets are quicker, more selfie and go than stay and chat for minutes at a time (some are the traditional style, but many are not).

Some snags are just the sheer number of folks on the ship... I've heard of queues to get into the buffets during normal hours and still trouble also trying to find a seat... but I've also heard folk are much better about eating and then moving on. Its not as common to hog a table after you're done eating and plan out your day.

This is all hearsay mind you. I have not sailed her myself. Nor do I think any of these differences are bad, or mean to shed them in a negative light. Its just different.

 

[asgur5]

I've heard a few differences from folk... multi generational families that want to do everything together means there isn't as much interest in adult areas, the spa or health center, but there are daily open houses in the kids' clubs so the families can enjoy together. The pools aren't as popular. Long lines for pizza with folks getting 4 or 5 whole pies at a time. Intense shopping sprees. Hour + waits necessary to have prime spots for shows, including and especially spots in the shade. Character meet n' greets are quicker, more selfie and go than stay and chat for minutes at a time (some are the traditional style, but many are not).

Some snags are just the sheer number of folks on the ship... I've heard of queues to get into the buffets during normal hours and still trouble also trying to find a seat... but I've also heard folk are much better about eating and then moving on. Its not as common to hog a table after you're done eating and plan out your day.

This is all hearsay mind you. I have not sailed her myself. Nor do I think any of these differences are bad, or mean to shed them in a negative light. Its just different.

Yep this sounds right. Not sure how it is a negative for the staff though. More a negative for us western guests.

 

[DCL58]

Yes it likely isn’t good for those in tipped roles.
However I do know of a lot of people who are begging to do a contract on the Adventure just to experience something totally different. I was offered a contract but turned it down. Life on land was calling! Maybe one day I’ll try it

Edit to add: be careful saying anything about culture. Culture has nothing to do with it. It is tipping culture that is the problem

Culture was the word told to me by people who are talking to current cast members on the ship. I am not going to get into the specific cultural differences that I was told. I will just leave it at cultural differences that some current cast members do not like. One of which was non tipping. And they wish to come back to the US.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

That’s so interesting. We will never sail on the Adventure, even if it was in the states based on the videos I’ve seen. It just doesn’t seem like we would enjoy it.

We were on the Fantasy last week and the only time anyone mentioned another ship was when our Palo server apologized that our view was of the Wish

 

[Mags2002]

That’s so interesting. We will never sail on the Adventure, even if it was in the states based on the videos I’ve seen. It just doesn’t seem like we would enjoy it.

We were on the Fantasy last week and the only time anyone mentioned another ship was when our Palo server apologized that our view was of the Wish

Crew could certainly get into trouble if management overheard them talking about operations or negatively about other ships. Most wouldn’t talk like that with guests anyway

 

[MalvernPa]

Interesting chatter from several cast members on the fantasy the last 10 days. Take with a grain of salt!

Magic is getting closer to retirement. After 30 years of sailing, the insurance required jumps tenfold.

Cast members are trying to get back to the Fantasy and other ships from the Adventure. They aren’t happy - the culture is too different from the US sailings. Having a hard time getting people to move to the adventure and bookings seem to be soft.

Again. Just rumors. Interesting though!

Why would insurance jump 10 fold?

There are plenty of cruise ships the same age or older sailing today with all major cruise companies. The capital costs of the Magic and Wonder have been recovered long ago, so as long as Disney can profit from these ships, they could be sailing for many more years to come. Plus, these ships have loyal following, I prefer Magic class over the Wish class any day. I hope DCL sends the Magic class ships to new markets, such as South America, or home port in Puerto Rico or NYC longer periods of time. Just hoping....

 

[Cfabar1]

my view is send one of the magic class back to FL... to do some easy cruises - maybe longer sailings with unique itineraries given its size... it would help test the market for then the new Meridien ships come online...

and maybe put one in Europe full time if they think that could work... I'm not sure how many transatlantic and transpacific they'll want to put those ships through...

 

[PinkPixel]

Not about the Adventure.. but on the subject of where crew go. The Wish in Europe next year. Is that whole summer one contract and is that one that is in demand for more seasoned staff?

 

[Mags2002]

Not about the Adventure.. but on the subject of where crew go. The Wish in Europe next year. Is that whole summer one contract and is that one that is in demand for more seasoned staff?

No, people’s contracts start and finish at different random times. The only team that comes and leaves at the same time is the Cast. They will likely try and time that to have one Cast for the entire Wish summer season, but sometimes it is just not possible.

Edit to add: Europe itineraries are always a great experience, so yes it is in demand

 

[Mle8308]

Maybe increase the fares for everyone on the Adventure so it includes tips and then not even bother to ask about adding tips or have them prepaid. If someone inquires, just respond that it is at their discretion.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Why would insurance jump 10 fold?

There are plenty of cruise ships the same age or older sailing today with all major cruise companies. The capital costs of the Magic and Wonder have been recovered long ago, so as long as Disney can profit from these ships, they could be sailing for many more years to come. Plus, these ships have loyal following, I prefer Magic class over the Wish class any day. I hope DCL sends the Magic class ships to new markets, such as South America, or home port in Puerto Rico or NYC longer periods of time. Just hoping....

Plenty?

Fact is average age of cruise ships now, is only 17.5 years and benchmark is set at 30 years. There are a exceptions that exceed this, but most of these are very small and cater to specific niches like expedition, US flagged ships or sailing vessels.

Out of the big names in cruising... looks like 1998 was the cutoff as no one is sailing a ship older than that. I though maybe a niche luxury line like Cunard might be sailing older ships... but their oldest is the Queen Mary 2 (2004).

COVID wiped out a lot of older ships and some of the smaller Lines that once utilized these older ships...

But I expect Disney will wait till after the three new ships are operational to announce anything.... doubt a server is in the know. (that's if we don't have another pandemic or a crash in the economy that put Magic and Wonder on the cutting block)

 

[DCL58]

Why would insurance jump 10 fold?

There are plenty of cruise ships the same age or older sailing today with all major cruise companies. The capital costs of the Magic and Wonder have been recovered long ago, so as long as Disney can profit from these ships, they could be sailing for many more years to come. Plus, these ships have loyal following, I prefer Magic class over the Wish class any day. I hope DCL sends the Magic class ships to new markets, such as South America, or home port in Puerto Rico or NYC longer periods of time. Just hoping....

No idea. I do not sell marine insurance or have any interest in researching it. Just passing along an interesting factoid that I heard on the Fantasy. Kinda makes sense though that a 30+ year old ship would cost more to operate. Probably why there is also talk of retiring the Magic.

 

[WeLoveABD]

I'm usually on the ABD disboard...but having booked the new Thiland trip for January 2018, and with D23 Asia in 2017-- any word re longer or more interesting trips on the Adventure?

 

[Mommb]

I'm usually on the ABD disboard...but having booked the new Thiland trip for January 2018, and with D23 Asia in 2017-- any word re longer or more interesting trips on the Adventure?

The Disney Adventure is planned to be doing 3- and 4-night cruises with no port stops for at least the next 5 years, based to a deal DCL made with the Singapore Tourism Board.

 

[WeLoveABD]

The Disney Adventure is planned to be doing 3- and 4-night cruises with no port stops for at least the next 5 years, based to a deal DCL made with the Singapore Tourism Board.

The Disney Adventure is planned to be doing 3- and 4-night cruises with no port stops for at least the next 5 years, based to a deal DCL made with the Singapore Tourism Board.

Bleah-- boring!

 

[happycamper47]

Fact is average age of cruise ships now, is only 17.5 years and benchmark is set at 30 years. There are a exceptions that exceed this, but most of these are very small and cater to specific niches like expedition, US flagged ships or sailing vessels.

The Navy has a 56 year old ship sailing out of Yokosuka Japan, so with proper maintenance they can easily go past 30.

 

[Joanna71985]

I personally don't see the Magic retiring anytime soon

 

[WeLoveABD]

I personally don't see the Magic retiring anytime soon

The Magic and the Wonder will be porting here in San Diego (one is home-porting here)- so hopefully those ships will be around for a while!

 

[jwalk03]

The Magic and the Wonder will be porting here in San Diego (one is home-porting here)- so hopefully those ships will be around for a while!

Neither is staying there year round. They both will continue to do Alaska in season and then spend the remainder of the year in San Diego.