New DCL ship for the west coast

[dbm20th]

This is from Al Lutz...

The one bit of information that did get the crowd talking was Rasulo's rather blunt proclamation that an announcement of a third Disney Cruise Line ship based on the West Coast would come "sooner rather than later." Rasulo continued to explain that the new ship would offer summertime itineraries up to British Columbia and Alaska and wintertime itineraries down to the Mexican Riviera. He admitted that the third ship was something that will "cost a lot of money", but that the time had come for Disney to commit to expanding the cruises permanently to the West Coast. And that's yet another example of Anaheim's growing clout in Rasulo's empire.

This ship has been planned for quite some time, and held up due to cost differences since the Wonder and Magic were built. Nice to see this may happens soon. Now I may go to California!

 

[MJMcBride]

I say they call it the Disney Dream

 

[dbm20th]

I say they call it the Disney Dream

That would be my guess. Honestly, I am suprised that "Wonder" came before Dream

 

[Dsnyfam]

I heard they intend to send the MAGIC to Disneyland, and keep the new ship along with the Wonder in PC. This makes the most sense, as Disneyland is their flagship park (first) and the Magic is the same for their cruiseline. They are going to build a new terminal, etc., just for this ship. The new ship has been held-up due to the weak dollar in the overseas market. Once the green light is given, this will all happen. The magic came out to California last summer for some cruises (to mark the 50th anniversary). I think they all sold out and did very well. A CM informed me the Magic would return to California with loads of press and fanfare when the new terminal was completed. The new ship will anchor the East Coast division of the Disney Cruise line.

 

[Dr. DVC]

Sign me up.

 

[YoHo]

Where the Heck are they gonna build a new Terminal?

They lost the rights to the Land they were originally going to build Disney Seas on. I'm surprised the Cruise ships that use LA/Longbeach have access now. They're talking about putting in new rail corridors and all sorts of industry that makes billions more then the cruise ships do.

San Diego is desperate for additional cruises, they spent a ton on the port, but nobody besides Monarch of the Seas and another Royal Carib ship whose name escapes me pay call. Unfortunatly, San Diego would be way inconvient for a Disney cruise.

 

[DWatWDW]

I heard they intend to send the MAGIC to Disneyland, and keep the new ship along with the Wonder in PC. This makes the most sense

It actually does not fit with this rumor. The Magic is not outiftted for Alaskan travel. Alaskan ships tend to have enclosed viewing areas so people can enjoy the views without the freezing temperatures; most have retractable roofs to also alternately go to Mexico (like this rumor states). There tend to be covered pools and floor to cieling windows in the dining areas.

The logical thing would be to build a new ship with these aminities for the Alaskan/Mexico cruises.

 

[Dsnyfam]

It actually does not fit with this rumor. The Magic is not outiftted for Alaskan travel. Alaskan ships tend to have enclosed viewing areas so people can enjoy the views without the freezing temperatures; most have retractable roofs to also alternately go to Mexico (like this rumor states). There tend to be covered pools and floor to cieling windows in the dining areas.

The logical thing would be to build a new ship with these aminities for the Alaskan/Mexico cruises.

The Magic would only be used for the Southern itinerary, as I too understand only certain ships can withstand the cold of the north (especially the hull of the craft). There are enough cruises for the Alaskan interest, and more folks are interested in the "warmer" locations included in the Mexican Riviera Itinerary. Therefore, they will go where the $$ is. I just heard a rumor from a pretty good source they intended to send the Magic over when the time comes. The other new ship on the East Coast will only cruise warm waters as well.

I'm sure Disney has enough fan base (for the Mexican itinerary) to keep them afloat on the Magic out West. Their cruises of 2005 sold-out pretty quickly. This will also make for great 3-4 day hops, as it would not be practical for the Alaskan cruises (they usually take at least a week on most). They will leave the Alaskan Cruises to the other ships and cruise lines, and concentrate on the Mexican themed cruises. Only time will tell if this is truly correct. I have a date as well. They expect to be in the Golden State by the year 2010. Also, they are going to purchase a port building, tear it down--and rebuild. Which one? I have no clue!

Just as they are "testing" the European market this summer, I'm sure this will come to pass. The reviews from the summer of 2005 had the corporate office buzzing with renewed interest in expanding the cruiseline. I believe they will be building "2-3" new ships and christen them before the year 2010 arrives. The cruiseline has been in the green for some time now, and one of the most profitable ventures for the company.

 

[drag n' fly]

It would be awesome for anyone living on the "west side" to have this as flights to Orlando from Calgary are really expensive it essentially doubles our cost.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The Magic would only be used for the Southern itinerary, as I too understand only certain ships can withstand the cold of the north (especially the hull of the craft). There are enough cruises for the Alaskan interest, and more folks are interested in the "warmer" locations included in the Mexican Riviera Itinerary.

The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder do not have substandard hulls. They have modern cruise ship hulls, just like the ships from Princess, RCCL, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, and Holland America that sail to ports in Alaska during the summer months. The hulls are made of steel. They can "withstand the cold of the north." (We're talking about ships in the temperate inside passage during the summer, not about polar ice breakers!)

The Disney ships are as well-suited for Alaska cruises as many other cruise ships in those waters — but I agree that the Disney ships lack some of the features of the best ships, such as a retractable pool enclosure and a forward-facing lounge with large glass windows. Adding at least one pool enclosure during a dry deck seems quite feasible. However, the spa and exercise room are located in the ideal place for view lounge, and I don't think that the profitable spa would be moved or removed.

Alaska cruises are very popular. They command premium pricing. They only operate during the warmest months in Alaska, when the weather is very pleasant — highs in the 60s and 70s, with very little rain. (During this period, it gets quite hot in lower Baja California.) If Disney really gets a year-round ship on West Coast ship, I fully expect that ship to provide Alaska cruises in the summer.

 

[plutospup]

If Disney were to have a homeport on the west coast where do you think it would be? If it was in Long Beach, would Alaskan cruises be feasible? I really don't know, but would they have to be longer than 7 nights?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If Disney were to have a homeport on the west coast where do you think it would be? If it was in Long Beach, would Alaskan cruises be feasible? I really don't know, but would they have to be longer than 7 nights?

For Mexican Riviera cruises, cruise lines start the cruises in Los Angeles (San Pedro), Long Beach, or San Diego. For Alaska cruises, cruise lines start the cruises in Vancouver, BC, or Seattle, WA.

It's not uncommon for cruise lines to use the same ship for Alaska cruises (summer) and Mexican Riviera cruises (rest of year). In this case, they offer a northward repositioning cruise in May and a southward repositioning cruise in September.

I would expect DCL to do the same — not because they're copycats, but because it makes practical sense. No cruise line tries to operate roundtrip Alaska cruises from Southern California.

When the Disney Magic was on the West Coast previously, DCL used the World Cruise Center at Los Angeles Harbor (San Pedro) as the cruise terminal. The terminal adjacent to the Queen Mary in Long Beach is used by Carnival and cruise lines owned by Carnival. San Diego is less convenient for most Southern California residents, and San Diego is a longer drive from Disneyland than San Pedro or Long Beach.

 

[DVCconvert]

The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder do not have substandard hulls. They have modern cruise ship hulls, just like the ships from Princess, RCCL, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, and Holland America that sail to ports in Alaska during the summer months. The hulls are made of steel. They can "withstand the cold of the north." (We're talking about ships in the temperate inside passage during the summer, not about polar ice breakers!)

Agreed!

 

[KingofKamelot]

I agree with what some others said about multiple cruise ships. As has been stated, the DCL is a very profitable business. I believe that it's a possibilty we may see more than one ship in the next five years.

2 in Caribbean
1 on West Coast
1 in Mediteranean (depending on how next summer goes).
And possibly a second on the west coast.

One thing I hope is that it is a new ship from ground up. I like it better when cruises aren't all identical. When they're different there is more of a lure to try them all.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I agree with what some others said about multiple cruise ships. As has been stated, the DCL is a very profitable business. I believe that it's a possibilty we may see more than one ship in the next five years.

2 in Caribbean
1 on West Coast
1 in Mediteranean (depending on how next summer goes).
And possibly a second on the west coast.

One thing I hope is that it is a new ship from ground up. I like it better when cruises aren't all identical. When they're different there is more of a lure to try them all.

As far as I know, none of the major American cruiselines leave a ship in the Mediterranean year-round. Most commonly the ship does Med-summer and Carib-winter. So I'm not sure they need 2 in the Carib PLUS a third in the Carib in the winter.

 

[lillasmom]

Sign me up.

Me too!