interesting conversation with DCL today..

[dznyacct]

I just got off the phone with DCL asking about when booking June 2004 would be available. The CM that I spoke with said that summer 2004 for the Wonder just opened up this morning, but the 7 day Magic was still through April 2004. His speculation from rumors that he heard was that DCL may be using the Magic for "select" test cruises in the Mediterranean (sp?) during the summer of 2004. Also, he said that he had heard that there may be a change in the pricing structure for the 7 day cruises. Interesting, huh?!

 

[tecdavidt]

I don't know how others would respond but my opinion of DCL moving the Magic to the Mediterranean over the summer would be a huge mistake for DCL. The summer is the time the ship is always full because that is when the children are out of school. We always go on one 7 day either in March or August. If the ship is in the Mediterranean we would not go DCL. We would choose another cruiseline.

We would not do a 3 day land/ 4 day cruise on the Wonder. We have no desire to do a four day cruise or even a back to back cruise to make it into a 7 day. DCL would just lose our business.

I really do hope they are just changing how they charge for the rooms. Cruises to the Mediterranean are expensive and the long flight over! I could understand a third ship for that market. The cost of Europeans coming over here is huge. I am always surprised at the number of Brit's on our cruises. They would probably enjoy having the a DCL ship close to them. Just like Disney built a theme park over there, adding a third ship for that market makes more sense than removing a ship from here. Kathy

 

[CamColt]

I sure hope they dont do this in the summer of 2005. Ive been planning my 10th anniversary cruise for about 2 years now. I would be so bummed if I cant do that.

 

[prymsu]

At the return castaway club reception, the captain did indeed confirm that they are looking at the seven day mediterrain itinerary, but nothing has been set in stone yet...

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

If DCL does move the Magic over to the Mediterranean - than the wonder could do alternating weeks with the 4 day / 3 day cruise one week and the next week do the 7 day cruise - and they could also alternate even more than that doing 4 day / 3 day cruise one week, the next week do the 7 day eastern caribbean and the week after that do the western caribbean.

Just a thought.

Lisa

 

[DisneyKids]

Last week, on the Wonder, I was told by one of the CM's in the spa that the Wonder would be doing 7 day cruises next year. That was all the detail she had but it seems to fall in with this converstation. A Med. cruise would be very cool but just harder to do for many people (in the US).

Also, at the Castaway Club party, it was discussed that they are looking into options and that there seems to be market support for a 3rd or 4th ship, different itineraries, etc. Keep our ears opened!

 

[noahsmom]

since they have now released the 2004 dates. Would they change the dates after people have booked them? I too hope they do not go to Europe. We are hoping for a 7 night cruise July 2004, we will be very sad if it doesn't happen. My dh is a teacher so summer is really our only travel time.

 

[westjones]

I sure hope they get back to 'normal' by September 2004. I just learned that the Wonder will be in Dry Dock during my twins' birthday and so our only hope for a birthday cruise in 2004!

Debra

 

[CRB#33]

I'm with tecdavidt. If DCL goes to Europe, I will be finding another cruise line. I have been planning on a 7 night on DCL in 2004 for such a long time, the disappointment is making me sick at heart.

It was to be a 16th birthday present for DD and the four or three night just won't do.

Darn them.

 

[tstobb]

Please let DCL know what your opinion is regarding a Med cruise at http://studio.go.com/cgi-bin/gmail/generic_mail.cgi?template=disneycruiseline/form.tpl
DCL has sent out surveys so it is beyond the "rumor" stage and they (DCL) should have as much input as possible regarding this matter.

 

[KMovies]

Since all of the cruise dates are out through 2004 for the Wonder and April 2003 for Magic - don't think that the Wonder would be able to switch to 7 day cruises until 2005.

 

[kmoore]

If the US market is left with just the Wonder, couldn't someone wanting a 7 day cruise book back to back on the 3 and 4 day? I know it limits port options, but means a double Castaway Cay!

Selfishly, for those of us "stuck" in Europe, the rumours are almost too good to be true, I must admit.

 

[markey]

I was originally booked for the 4 day Magic when it switched to the 7 day. Granted they only had to move the people from the Magic to the Wonder, but it does go to show that they will change the schedule with people booked. It was a nightmare, as I had to give up my secret porthole cabin. Booked a CAT 9 and after complaining I did get the upgrade free, plus everybody got a $50 on board credit.

 

[ppiew]

Personally, I would look forward to a Mediterranean cruise in 2004. Plenty of time to plan and to have the DCL ship would be a big plus for me. We had been considering a trip to Europe in 2004 and two of the stops are included in the proposed DCL route. Super! Can't wait until the official confirmation of this is out!!!!!! I will be right in line!!!!!

 

[LarryGadget]

Does anyone really believe that Disney would move the Magic without having a 3rd ship ready to fill in for the current 7 days? It just wouldn't make good business sense. Too many loyal repeat cruisers already planning for 2004. I am of the opinion that a 3rd ship is secretly in the works planned for rollout when the Magic moves to the Mediterranian. JMHO.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by LarryGadget
Does anyone really believe that Disney would move the Magic without having a 3rd ship ready to fill in for the current 7 days?

Yes, I believe it. It would be good business for DCL:

• It would introduce new passengers who live in Europe to DCL.
• It would be a way for DCL management to prove to Disney Parks & Resorts management and to senior Disney management in Burbank that a DCL ship based in Europe can attract passengers.
• It would give those previous DCL passengers who can afford it a compelling reason to book a DCL cruise for summer 2004.

Originally posted by LarryGadget
I am of the opinion that a 3rd ship is secretly in the works planned for rollout when the Magic moves to the Mediterranian.

I wish it were true.

But it would be illegal for the public corporation in the US to enter into a half billion dollar capital investment contract without disclosing this fact to the shareholders. And it would be impossible to swear thousands of shipyard workers to secrecy; the word would get out, and it would be reported by the business press worldwide.

It is very likely that DCL has plans fully drawn up, and that they've done extensive preparation to begin construction of a new ship. I'm still not convinced that Mr. Eisner has agreed to take on a half billion dollar debt for another ship at a time when Disney's bond ratings are falling due to the debt that Disney took on buying Fox Family Network.

 

[LarryGadget]

Do you think that Disney would bank on the Mediterranean, without a third ship, considering the world economy and the threat of terrorism? I buy many of the points you are arguing, however, I just don't think it would be prudent to make that move without some way to compensate for the 7 days.

Do you think they would abandon the 3 and 4 day cruises?

 

[tstobb]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
Yes, I believe it. It would be good business for DCL:

• It would introduce new passengers who live in Europe to DCL.
• It would be a way for DCL management to prove to Disney Parks & Resorts management and to senior Disney management in Burbank that a DCL ship based in Europe can attract passengers.
• It would give those previous DCL passengers who can afford it a compelling reason to book a DCL cruise for summer 2004.

I'm still not convinced that Mr. Eisner has agreed to take on a half billion dollar debt for another ship at a time when Disney's bond ratings are falling due to the debt that Disney took on buying Fox Family Network.

I think there is more of a financial risk in moving a ship from a route that is already filled to an unknown and as a stockholder, I would be EXTREMLY upset if they didn't continue the 7 day route (either with the Magic or another ship). While the #s for DCL are not available (they're bundled in with Parks & Resorts in the financial reports), cruise lines in general (at least the larger ones) have done quite well in spite of the current economy.

While the actual construction of an additional ship(s) would not be able to be kept a secret, the design would be.

Me, my vote goes to a DCL Panama Canal cruise to reposition the ship for the west coast of the US - can you say west coast 7 day land & sea?!

 

[ppiew]

I am with Horace. I think it would be extremely prudent to explore the European market BEFORE final commitment to $350M. Also, with EuroDisney - a similar land/sea pkg. could be offered to European tourists as is in the Florida market now. I think that the original DCL plan was for 6 ships anyway, so expanding now and seeing what the demand was like before the huge capital outlay would make good business sense. No reason the other ship couldn't do 3,4 day and 7 day alternating weeks. I am happy to see the company isn't content to maintain the status quo and is looking for new guest experiences to enhance the bottom line. And since the cruise line has proven to be profitable, I think they would be derelict in their duties NOT to reasonably explore expansion.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by tstobb
I think there is more of a financial risk in moving a ship from a route that is already filled to an unknown and as a stockholder, I would be EXTREMLY upset if they didn't continue the 7 day route (either with the Magic or another ship).

It would be a temporary move. The financial risk would be minimal. DCL should be able to generate as much or more revenue with 7-night cruises out of Barcelona as out of Port Canaveral. The Atlantic crossings should attract a lot of previous DCL passengers.

I imagine that Wonder's 3- and 4-night cruises are more profitable that the Magic's 7-night cruises because the Wonder's cruises are typically sold as part of WDW land-sea packages (generating money at WDW), whereas passengers on the Magic may, in many cases, be taking the cruise instead of visiting WDW.

Originally posted by tstobb
While the actual construction of an additional ship(s) would not be able to be kept a secret, the design would be.

Me, my vote goes to a DCL Panama Canal cruise to reposition the ship for the west coast of the US - can you say west coast 7 day land & sea?!

It's not a secret that DCL has been working on designs, doing business planning, and talking to shipyards for about two years. They announced it in the press (before Sept. 11, 2001) and captains have confirmed it when speaking to passengers (even after Sept. 11, 2001).

But for a new ship to be ready for Summer 2004, construction would need to start almost immediately. Cruise ships take about 18-24 months to build. The rumors have said that any new ship would be larger than the Magic or Wonder, so we're not talking about a trivial shipbuilding effort. Nor a trivial amount of money. A ship like the Magic or Wonder costs around $350-400 million. A new 110,000 GRT ship would cost around $500 million.

I agree that a Disney ship on the West Coast makes a lot of sense.

If Disney management goes a ahead with a DCL fleet expansion, I would consider it a real possibility that the expansion would involve two new ships built from the same plans. But I also consider it a real possibility that DCL will not be allowed to expand beyond the two current ships, and that DCL will try to maximize revenue by temporarily moving the Magic or Wonder to different waters.