Interesting conversation in cabanas on the fantasy Saturday 9/7. Retiring the Magic?

[cvjw]

A table of DCL execs were sitting behind me in cabanas on the fantasy very early in the morning on 9/7. They were talking about all the new ships coming to DCL. Pricing, capacity, etc. Then they stated talking about the Disney magic. About how it won’t be cost efficient to keep her sailing with all the new ships. Heard the year 2028 mentioned as the last year.

Wish I could have stayed longer and heard more of their conversation, but we had to leave to make express walkoff.

Yes, this is just idle conversation among DCL execs. But I did think it was interesting that they were talking so openly about retiring the Magic.

 

[cruisehopeful]

So interesting, but also expected. Glad I'll be sailing next summer on the Magic for the first time. I've already been on the Wonder and the Dream, so I won't worry about missing out on those when they are retired.

 

[bedgraynexl]

It wouldn't really surprise me for them to retire both the Magic and the Wonder before the end of the decade. Personally, I love the classic ships but everything in this world has a finite lifespan. I've cruised on both of them. We can only hope the new ships will be every bit as iconic.

 

[nmoody1]

She will be 30 then. I wouldn't be a huge surprise. As I've said before, they will milk that farewell season and probably pay for an entire new ship in merchandise, room sales and selling off items

 

[towels]

Didn't they just make a big deal at D23 about a fleet of 13 by '31? I know convention talk is cheap, but I wouldn't think they'd have made the statement if they were having real conversations about retiring the Magic/Wonder.

 

[toontoy]

Didn't they just make a big deal at D23 about a fleet of 13 by '31? I know convention talk is cheap, but I wouldn't think they'd have made the statement if they were having real conversations about retiring the Magic/Wonder.

I think they want to stay positive and the hype of expansion and not focus on retirement of the ship. If the magic is slated to retire when she's 30 I think they will through a huge sailing away party to get the premium fares. Some ships last longer but I don't see Disney selling off the ship to another line since it has the dosney look and all the removal would be very costly. If I were betting she'll retire in 2035 after the new ships and within time to have a last call party

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

interesting. 2028 would put her at her next scheduled dry dock. Perhaps the hull is getting a little too thin? If thats the case I can only guess it would be expensive to get her past inspection. Maybe it's a wait and see approach?

 

[cvjw]

interesting. 2028 would put her at her next scheduled dry dock. Perhaps the hull is getting a little too thin? If thats the case I can only guess it would be expensive to get her past inspection.

Bet that would be expensive.

 

[MomOTwins]

Holy cow, if I was their lawyer I'd be chewing them out big time now. Completely unprofessional to discuss confidential nonpublic information such as planned pricing for a new product in a public place.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Holy cow, if I was their lawyer I'd be chewing them out big time now. Completely unprofessional to discuss confidential nonpublic information such as planned pricing for a new product in a public place.

Absolutely correct. But I have heard more confidential information in Public Places then should be possible. I was getting a pedicure and sharing crazy stories with they person next to me. She told me an insane one that reminded me of the lawsuit my brother-in-law was in. Gave him a call and he said "HOlY Shi** I am not supposed to know this." Asked where I heard it from and learned it was from the person he was suing fiancee.

 

[o&smom]

So glad we have 2026 WBPC cruise booked!

 

[nmoody1]

Didn't they just make a big deal at D23 about a fleet of 13 by '31? I know convention talk is cheap, but I wouldn't think they'd have made the statement if they were having real conversations about retiring the Magic/Wonder.

It wouldn't be D23 if they didn't announce something and not follow through with it

 

[Evil Queen 2]

It would be nice, IMO, if they would make one or two of the new ships the size of the Magic/Wonder. Personally I just don't care for the larger ships. Guess I'll just have to make sure to book cruises for next few years on Magic/Wonder before they sail off into the sunset.

 

[WinterSolider]

There are currently no plans to retire the Magic.

Whatever level "execs" you were sitting near were talking out of their backsides.

 

[cvjw]

There are currently no plans to retire the Magic.

Whatever level "execs" you were sitting near were talking out of their backsides.

Good chance!

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

So glad we have 2026 WBPC cruise booked!

My family of 4 will be there as well. It should be a great one.

 

[AquaDame]

Who were they..? How do you know they were DCL execs?

I'm certain they are spitballing and crunching numbers... especially as '28 is the next drydock year as someone else mentioned its an easy year to toss out there as a possible retirement date. I still feel like it would make the drydock last year a waste of capital... but shes also had major plumbing issues leading up to that one. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[DisneyPrince22]

I can promise you and real DCL exec wouldn’t be talking about these details on the ship. Execs with that information would be based in the corporate office, and not sharing that information publicly.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I can promise you and real DCL exec wouldn’t be talking about these details on the ship. Execs with that information would be based in the corporate office, and not sharing that information publicly.

You can’t promise that. For decades, the entertainment media has assembled a network of spies at all the major trendy restaurants in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, etc. because… well, people blab.

Disney selling off ABC would be an example of a closely guarded piece of information shared amongst as few people as possible and discussed only in private scheduled meetings. Disney retiring a cruise ship is much ado about nothing — information would could reasonably be shared amongst hundreds of midlevel managers who carelessly blab about it.

 

[MomOTwins]

I can promise you and real DCL exec wouldn’t be talking about these details on the ship. Execs with that information would be based in the corporate office, and not sharing that information publicly.

We were once on a cruise with Josh D’Amaro and saw him eating. Execs sometimes do go to the ships and theme parks. I agree wholeheartedly they shouldn’t talk publicly about work but it doesn’t terribly surprise me if some do. Plenty of newspaper scoops have been based on overheard dinner conversations at restaurants.