New Cruise Iteneiry for 2004

[DVCindy]

I also received the e-mail and just finished the survey. I was also asked if I'd be interested in a 14 day Transatlantic repositioning cruise. The survey was very detailed and interesting. I'd love to do the European Cruise !!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by DVCindy
I was also asked if I'd be interested in a 14 day Transatlantic repositioning cruise.

Interesting! My survey did not include the question about the a 14 day Transatlantic repositioning cruise.

Getting back to an earlier point, did anyone's survey actually specify summer 2004? Or was 2004 just conjecture based on earlier rumors and on the fact the current DCL bookings are only be taken through April 2004?

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm trying to take a deep breath Michelle but it's hard when I'm hyperventilating!! LOL! I'm not a DCL vetern (yet) so I don't receive any of these interesting surveys. Michelle, will you please post something when you here definitive dates, itineraries, and prices?? I would be tempted to cancel my 2003 just to be able to do the 2004. Although by that time we may have enough British Airway miles for several roundtrip tickets so that would save on a big expense!! My fingers just can't keep up with my head right now!! 'Must be lack of oxygen! Thanks for all the info...I just love you guys!!!

 

[tstobb]

My question is which ship will they reposition? Are the Magic & Wonder not filling to the point that they need for them to be profitable? Repositioning is an expensive undertaking (thus the higher rates). 2004 is most certainly not enough time to have a new ship ready, considering that there is nothing on any of the major ship builders calendars for DCL.
I, for one, have no interest in a Mediterranean cruise but would be 1st in line for a Panama Canal trip on either ship.
Maybe Pressler had to pay Disney severance and they're using it to rush a new ship thru construction!

 

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by WebmasterMichelle

It looks interesting but EXPENSIVE, especially when you factor in airfare to Europe.

Michelle -- My last airfare to Europe cost less than my last airfare to Florida! It all depends on the season, where in Europe, etc... Today I almost booked a weekend to London for dd8 and myself - the r/t fare from Boston was $248 on US Airways. Too bad she has too many activities next weekend!

 

[ktharris]

Yes, I too got the e-mail inviting me to take the survey.

While the itinerary looks great and I would love to do it, I will be needing to win lotto in order to take this vacation. Just way too much money for this family.

I can't imagine paying in excess of $2,000 for each of my children...never mind the adults....

oh well!!!!

 

[CRUZFAN]

Sorry I'm late in the game, but I had to get activated! I also received an invitation to the survey (THANK GOODNESS) and I think their opening was key:
"Disney Cruise Line is considering a variety of new itineraries
for future cruises. As a past Guest with DCL, your opinions and
preferences are very important. You have been randomly selected from a list of DCL past Guests to participate in a brief survey about one potential itinerary." This tells me it's tentative, not confirmed - and that they might be considering other things as well. The survey specified 'Summer 2004', but nothing beyond that. I would bet that they are simply testing the waters before making a firm decision. Hope this helps!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I agree mcnuss but have you ever flown British Airways? They would put any US carrier to shame and I will never fly anyone else transatlantic. They also have some really great rates right now!

 

[KMovies]

I find it hard that they could redeploy a ship until they get one or two more ships - because, as is, they are selling out most of the time. The three and four day cruises are important to both the cruise line and to WDW. The seven day cruises are great for the repeat customers. Maybe the surveys are just really meant to finally justify another ship or two. I suspect one out of California would be more viable to start with (because of the DL resort).

 

[ucralum]

My survey did specify summer 2004, and the repositioning cruises were described as 12 day, not 14 as in someone else's. With regard to pricing, I was shown one set of prices and asked a few questions, then another set of "discounted" prices.

I agree, it was a very sophisticated survey!

 

[kendall]

Sounds terrific! Unfortunately the high price of airfare to Europe in summer will be tremendous - that is indeed high tourist season in Europe so the crowds will be present too. Hmmm, don't know that I would pay that much for a cruise - I could probably travel Europe cheaper. (I know, the *magic* would be missing, but how much would I be on the ship given those fabulous ports of call!)

The repositioning cruise could be interesting...wonder how we can find out more about that! Now there is a relaxing vacation!

Unfortunately, the European price per person price, plus air, tips, excursions - wow - Alaska is looking quite good in comparison.

I think I would choose to travel on our own in Europe and take a cruise to Alaska.

tstobb - I'm with you on a Panama Canal cruise- that would be a neat one to do!

 

[SueEllen]

I got the survey too. Here is where is said 2004 for the cruise:

Dates: Sunday departures in Summer 2004

Itinerary: Sunday Barcelona, Spain
Monday Cannes, France
Tuesday Livorno (Florence), Italy
Wednesday Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Thursday Naples, Italy
Friday At sea
Saturday Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Sunday Barcelona, Spain

And for the point schedule:

Stateroom Type
Cruise Fare per Person
(Vacation Points)*: Inside ^^Outside^^ Verandah
1st/2nd Person 218^^ 242^^ 331
3rd/4th Person Age 13+ 173 ^^173^^ 173
3rd/4th Person Age 3-12 141^^ 141^^ 141

*Prices do not include airfare, transfers, taxes or gratuities. Vacation points are approximate and are subject to change. Fares are comparable to Disney's 7-night Caribbean cruises during the summer months.

Sounds interesting. I too wonder if they plan on alternating the cruises--3/4 day one week, Eastern Caribbean one week, Western Caribbean one week. Should be interesting to see how this plays out.

It did say that they WILL be relocating one of the ships, not *might* be.

Sue Ellen

 

[Michelle]

So far the folks at DCL are NOT able to confirm anything other than this is "under consideration".

It seems like everyone who got the survey was a DVC member!

 

[RRB]

I also received the survey and it could be one of two things -

1 - allot of cruisers are expressing their desire for destinations other than Nassau (yuk) and also for a longer cruise.

2 - Cast Members in DCL have said the third ship is closer to becoming a reality. There have been preliminary designs done and progress is being made.

the following email was sent on May 9th, 2002 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear friends, Disney enthusiasts and Disney Cruise lovers -

I just heard some awesome news that I wanted to share with all of you. It is definitely from the "inside" and not official, but it is very exciting so I wanted to share it.

We have all heard the rumors about a new cruise ship being considered by DCL to take the fleet from 2 to 3. Well, I was just told yesterday that Disney has now taken a big step in making that a reality.

Disney Imagineers have now completed the prelimanry initial design for their third ship. The ship's design reflects the following changes and similarities;

It is 10% larger than the Wonder and Magic and will have a third smokestack.

The Topsider Buffet will be at least twice as big as it is now.

The main atrium lobby will be enhanced and enlarged

There will be refinements to the existing design to eliminate the noise problem on the lower decks.

The new ship will be able to navigate the Panama Canal like the Wonder and Magic.

The overall design of the ship will stay in keeping with the Wonder and Magic.

No name has been given for the new ship yet.

The design is now out for pricing with the ship builders. I am told that the ship could be on line in 2004 or 2005.

What might be the most exciting news is that the itineraries will be much different from the current Caribbean cruises. DCL will try to offer cruises to locations such as the Mediterranean, Alaska and Hawaii. This would mean that the ship would sail from California as well as Florida.

There are obviously many details to be worked out but this is really exciting. Cathie and I have decided to sign up for the Inaugural cruise no matter where it leaves from and where it goes !!! Who's with us ???????

Any additional information anybody has on this would be welcome. I'll send more as I get it.

How about some suggestions regarding the name !!!????
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then, on May 1st, another email was sent -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello everybody !! I just received confirming information regarding the new Disney Cruise Line ship. A second source from inside Disney Cruise Line Co has verified most of the information I received from my first source. The only difference that I was told is that there will not be 3 smoke stacks as previously reported, just 2 as the current ships have. All other information seems to be good at this time.

The destinations were one of the best things that were confirmed. Of course, they have not been selected yet but they will be looking to "expand their horizons" for the next cruises.

As new and additional information is received, it will be forwarded !!!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just this month, I spoke to a DCL Cast Member who said the next step in the process would be for approval for the design which would occur in December, 2002.

We might be looking at a new ship in the fleet folks !!!!

Randy

 

[tstobb]

It is 10% larger than the Wonder and Magic and will have a third smokestack.

The new ship will be able to navigate the Panama Canal like the Wonder and Magic.

Further proof that this is indeed, a rumor - the Magic & Wonder were built to be the largest possible & still fit thru the Panama Canal (Panamax) - anything bigger will not fit.

 

[RRB]

10% larger doesn't mean wider. It can mean longer too. You apparently missed the quote - "The new ship will be able to navigate the Panama Canal like the Wonder and Magic. "

Randy

 

[saturday97]

Should the European itinerary take place, I am sooooooo there!!

Tenative or not, it's fun to fantasize!!

Wonder if they'll do a land and sea deal with DL Paris???

 

[tstobb]

No, I didn't miss it - Magic & Wonder are 964 feet long and the max allowed thru the canal is 965'.


from http://www.unece.org/trans/new_tir/wp24/documents/wp24-00-1e.pdf
3.11 PANAMAX:
Ship with dimensions that allow it to pass through the Panama canal: maximum length 295 m,
maximum beam overall 32.25 m, maximum draught 13.50 m.

from http://www.orbi.net/pancanal/public/operat/dimen/dimensio.htm (for people like me that can't do the math!)

Maximum Allowable Dimension (for Regular Transits)

Beam.................................. 32.31 meters (106 feet)
Length................................ 294.13 meters (965 feet)
(depending on type of ship)
Draft................................. 12.04 meters (39.5 feet)

 

[RRB]

When I received this information from 2 different sources inside the Disney Cruise Line Company (not Cast members on the Wonder or Magic but actual administrative employees within the company that I personally know), I didn't ask for dimensions of the new ship. I believed what they told me was true.

Until the official press release of the third vessel is announced, it will be considered a "rumor".

 

[tezb]

castawayfan....We will also be 20 yrs married in 2004...July!