new DCL ships?

[KYCruiseCrazy]

what new information has anyone heard or seen on DCL new ships? the prices on the cruise line are on the rise and some people are wanting to cruise but at the rate DCL is going up and familys are wanting to goto other cruise lines. if the prices are gfoing up as much as $1200 on a 7 day cruise i just need to hear from the rumor mill if there is any new information on the new ships being built and ready by 2005/2006. thanks

 

[tstobb]

There are no ships currently being built by or for Disney. While there has been much talk about new ships coming, no contracts have yet been written so that means 2-4 years at best before any new ships would be able to sail. Most believable rumor is that Disney is waiting for the exchange rate to improve and right now, it's going in the wrong direction for them.

 

[Another Voice]

The other whispers around are that Disney will move the Magic to the West Coast for 2005 as part of the theme park golden anniversary celebration. The intent is to test the market out of Southern California and to pressure the Port of Long Beach into funding a big new cruise terminal next the Queen Mary.

Further whispers are that hardest problem is finding a good destination for a three or four day cruise. Becasue of the labor laws, a Disney cruise ship would have to call on a foreign port. That means northern Baja which is a "challenge" as a family destination (but great for the other, more party-type crusie lines).

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

keep up the good news and if you find a internet link please post it here. thanks

 

[larry_poppins]

AV,
I heard the same rumour regarding the ships. The Magic will be coming to the west coast for Disneyland's 50th Birthday. I don't know the itinerary it will travel or the date of its arrival.

There should be a big announcement about it in late February. My guess is that they will also announce the rest of the "50th anniversary" non event. The buzz lightyear attraction will also be officially announced. Of course my sources could be wrong.

Larry

 

[Another Voice]

It's less a case that sources are wrong and more a case that Disney still doesn't have a clue what they're doing yet. Things can and will change a thousand times in the next 12 months.

Whispers are that another clone is in the works somewhere, somehow because they know 'Buzz' isn't going to be enough. The cruiseship is also half an attempt to plug the rather huge holes in the "Disneyland's Birthday celebration everywhere but Disneyland" planning.

 

[tstobb]

If there are plans to move either ship to the west coast, it would have to be later in the year as they are already booking thru the end of April 2005 for the current itineraries and even though they are raising prices while other cut theirs, moving their ships before or during the busiest summer season to an unknown is not a good financial move.
The port was also mentioned but remember, in addition to the port, Disney also has a very under utilized element on the east coast. Castaway Cay is currently only used 3 days of a 7 day week and further reducing that makes even less sense.

 

[Buzz2001]

The latest from the SpyNet claims that Disney may already be putting the plans for a 3rd ship in motion. If the rumors are true the craft has already been designed and they are currently searching bidding it out to the shipyards to get the best price. Once complete, the third ship is expected to be even larger than the previous two and may be used initially for a new 10 day cruise.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

i like the idea for a 10 day cruise but how many familys do you know that can keep there kids out of school for 2 weeks? i know they do have plans already drawn for 1 if not 2 cruise ships. the current plan is to be 2-3 decks taller. the kids area will compose of the whole deck. unlike current ships that use 70-75% of deck 5. thanks for the information and keep your eyes and ears open. thanks

 

[JimB.]

I agree that it does not make much sence to move the Magic.

I don't even think it will fit through the Canal, and it would take the ship out of service for about a 2-3 weeks to move it around the horn. It would also require the ship moving through the consistently worst weather on the planet, and frankly, it would probably beat the piss out of the ship.

Also, the ship(s) are both at or near capacity on a weekly basis, unlike the Fantasy, that had a grand total of 120 cars in it's parking lot when it sailed on the 18th.

To address another point, I LIKE it that the ship is relatively small compared to other ships. I don't have to fight for a chair at the pools, and even though full, never feels crowded.

I've had friends sail on the "mega-ships" of other lines, and they say you have to have a pool chair staked out by 8 a.m. and they feel packed like a fish in a can.

A bigger ship would probably make my "don't do" list. JMHO

 

[Euphscott]

Both the Wonder and Magic were built to be capable of a Panama Canal transit. They were built to Panamax standards.

That said, a cruise for abround 10 days could go from Port Canaveral to L.A. which would be a big sales opportunity. And then if you assume it is to back "home" to Port Canaveral, then another 10 day opportunity would be present.

Two very good points are made above, on the West Coast the cruising options are challenging when you have to throw in a foreign port and Castaway Cay is an underused asset. I would think any expansion plan would include another stop at Castaway Cay.

Should be fun to watch as I do believe DCL is one of the shining stars for the Disney company these days...

 

[plutospup]

When I toured the Queen Mary back in '02 there was talk of building a cruise terminal next to the ship, where the "Spruce Goose" dome was located. Was that ever built?

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by plutospup
When I toured the Queen Mary back in '02 there was talk of building a cruise terminal next to the ship, where the "Spruce Goose" dome was located. Was that ever built?

Yes. The new Long Beach Cruise Terminal makes use of the geodesic dome which once housed Howard Hughes’ sea plane, the Spruce Goose. Carnival uses the terminal three times each week.

For a picture and more information, see http://www.cruisediva.com/longbeach_terminal.htm

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

As I wrote in a smiliar thread in November, I wouldn't write off a temporary repositioning to the West Coast so quickly. In fact, I think there's a good chance that the Magic will spend part of 2005 in California, even if DCL doesn't go ahead with a fleet expansion any time soon. It will allow DCL to "test the waters." It will increase awareness of DCL by the people of the most populous state. And will allow DCL to sell staterooms at top dollar through a "6 months only and then the opportunity will be gone forever" marketing campaign. (And then a DCL ship can return to California a year or two later "due to overwhelming demand.")

At this point, DCL has not published any schedules beyond April 2005 on their official website.

As Euphscott noted, the repositioning cruises through the Panama Canal could be very successful. There are many past DCL passengers who would jump at the chance. (And, yes, both DCL ships were designed and built to fit through the Panama Canal.)

 

[Cap]

I, for one, would love to do a Disney Panama Canal Cruise, if they didn't make it exorbitantly expensive. I could also see doing a Disney West Coast Alaska cruise.

There are probably many people who have done the 3 day, 4 day, and 7 day cruises who would like to have some West coast cruises. Perhaps not enough for a full year, but I would think plenty for six months, and then another repositioning cruise.

 

[plutospup]

Thanks Werner for the Long Beach info. Much appreciated!

I know many people are interested in a West Coast positioned ship, but I still believe the Caribbean is a very lucrative market. There's money to be made! There is the southern caribbean, which could be tied to a Panama Canal cruise. DCL continues to explore other Caribbean ports including Costa Maya, as well as the announced San Juan, and Antigua. Disneyland's 50th is an opportunity to test the west coast market, but my money is still on another Caribbean cruise.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

keep up the great info.

 

[Another Voice]

The last time I was there, the check-in for the cruise ship is in a room actually on the Queen Mary. It just struck me as somewhat odd comparision between the glories of the past and the modern "fast food" cruise exeprience.

Another interesting point was that a cruise terminal was a central feature of the Port Disney concept - and sparked the idea of a Disney cruise line to begin with. Funny how things come full circle.

 

[floridaminnie]

Just got off the ship today. Talked to several CM aboard and there is suppose to be a big announcement in Feb about what is going to happen for the rest of 2005. Also when I was on the Wonder in July, talked to Captain Henry and he was telling us the three different plans that have already been drawn up for the 3rd ship. The 3rd ship, I don't see being ready for the 10 day cruise. That's less than a year away and it takes much longer than that to build a ship.

 

[houseofmouse]

I can't wait till Feb!!! I just gotta hear the news that DCL is coming to So Cal. Saving my points till then!!!