New Disney ships?

[zulemara]

That is where a DVC ship comes in.

I don't think they have any interest in expanding the fleet and I don't think they should, both from the business and quality perspective. They get by on their name and unlike WDW, DCL upholds the Disney name quite well IMO. They can't sacrifice quality and still rely on the Disney name as they have been doing at WDW. My concern over any expansion is the quality control that gets lost with massive expansion. That's what happened to WDW in the late 80s/early 90s and DCL suffered a bit of it with the 2 new ships coming online, but I think most of it has leveled off now. I would be very concerned if they announced any immediate plans to build new ships. They would be better off taking the Magic and Wonder to a comprehensive dry dock. I hear the Magic is showing her age.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm doubting that they see a large enough market for another Disney ship right now. Their attempts at establishing new itineraries (Galveston, Med, Hawaii, Trans-canal) don't seem to be smash hits. Add to that the difficulties with Mexican ports for the west coast cruises and I suspect they will just try to absorb the current capacity a while.

 

[super mike b]

I don't think they have any interest in expanding the fleet.....

I wouldn't bet on that.

.....I hear the Magic is showing her age.

The Magic is getting a major overhaul next year.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't think they have any interest in expanding the fleet.....

I wouldn't bet on that.

The executives who control the purse strings of The Walt Disney Company might have an interest in expanding the fleet... but I don't think they have a willingness to invest another one or two billion dollars in the cruise line part of the Disney Parks & Resorts business sector any time soon.

 

[plutosdoghouse]

I'm doubting that they see a large enough market for another Disney ship right now. Their attempts at establishing new itineraries (Galveston, Med, Hawaii, Trans-canal) don't seem to be smash hits. Add to that the difficulties with Mexican ports for the west coast cruises and I suspect they will just try to absorb the current capacity a while.

That would be why I doubt they need another boat at this time as well. It is pretty much a mess on the western US cruises. While Hawaii sounds nice, the cruise mainly caters to people on the West Coast who often go to Hawaii to see the tropics and the cruise is less exotic. Also the West Coast Cruise from Southern California to Seatle or Vancouver also caters to people living on the coast who have likely been to the ships destinations.

While I think Disney needs another boat to do the 3/4 day Nassua and Casyaway Cay cruise it need to be a sister boat of the other not having a Dream vs Magic cruise. But with a ship on the West that only does well in the Alaska season it's hard to build another sister ship to run the opposite of the days to Nassua and CC.

 

[super mike b]

That would be why I doubt they need another boat at this time as well.

While I think Disney needs another boat to do the 3/4 day Nassua and Casyaway Cay cruise it need to be a sister boat of the other not having a Dream vs Magic cruise.

So, which one is it?

 

[disneydreaming92701]

I wouldn't bet on that.

The Magic is getting a major overhaul next year.

Yes heard also she is.

 

[cupcakefairy2u]

That is where a DVC ship comes in.

Please tell me they wont let "nonDVC" on our ship bawwhahahahaaa I am so posting this on the CB LOL they will flip at even the rumor of a DVC ship maybe throw in a mug that can be used at the parks

Ok Sorry I know this is a serious thread BUT ARTHUR started it

 

[arthuruscg]

Hummm,
Disney Wounder
Disney Magic
Disney Dream
Disney Fantasy
Now DVC Disney Imagination
When you buy 1,000 DVC points you will receive a Limited Edition Figment DVC PIN. When you buy 2,000 DVC points you will also receive 1 of 5 Limited Edition Mystery Pins.

 

[DCTooTall]

So what would the MF be like on the DVC ship? And do the MF's cover costs such as the docking fees and taxes, or will I be expected to pay fees with my DVC reservation?

 

[lilouisianagal]

Might actually be interested in DVC if they had a ship. Still don't understand why you can't rent points for use on DCL.

Magic and Wonder both need a serious overhaul. We sailed Wonder 3 years ago, and after doing Dream this spring DH doesn't want to "go back" to Wonder or Magic because they aren't as [awesome, big, nice, new] as the Dream/Fantasy.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Still don't understand why you can't rent points for use on DCL..

I'm trying to figure out what you mean here...?

 

[lilouisianagal]

Rather you can't use resale points on DCL (or Adventures or something else that I don't remember...Classic something or the other).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Rather you can't use resale points on DCL (or Adventures or something else that I don't remember...Classic something or the other).

Yes, there's a restriction on using DVC points purchased on the resale market this year and part of last year for "Disney Collection" vacations, including DCL. (Resale points purchased before then are grandfathered in.)

The bigger issue with renting points for a cruise is that the math usually does not work out favorably for cruises.

Let's suppose the same DCL cruise costs $3,000 or 400 DVC points. (These are made-up numbers for illustration only.) For a DVC owner, it might make sense to cruise on points. The money to buy into DVC and for annual maintenance is committed anyway. So why not take a cruise once every few years instead of visiting a DVC resort?

But now let's assume it costs a non-owner $10 per point to rent DVC points. Why pay $4,000 for a $3,000 cruise?

In comparison, renting points to stay at DVC villas can work out favorably when you look at what Disney CRO is charging for the same type of DVC villa.

People who want a DVC ship assume that their points would go much further than with the current "Disney Collection" options. I'm not so sure that would really be the case because the cost structure for operating a cruise ship is completely different than for operating vacation villas. If the business case for timeshare cruise ship were better, you'd see other companies in the business.

 

[tjkraz]

Magic and Wonder both need a serious overhaul. We sailed Wonder 3 years ago, and after doing Dream this spring DH doesn't want to "go back" to Wonder or Magic because they aren't as [awesome, big, nice, new] as the Dream/Fantasy.

I've heard plenty of people claim they prefer the smaller size of the older ships. Fewer guests competing for amenities such as pool space which were really not expanded on the newer vessels.

Perhaps they will add newer features over time but I don't think Disney is in any sort of panic / rush to refit those older ships. They have received plenty of TLC over the years.

 

[Q-man]

I'm doubting that they see a large enough market for another Disney ship right now. Their attempts at establishing new itineraries (Galveston, Med, Hawaii, Trans-canal) don't seem to be smash hits. Add to that the difficulties with Mexican ports for the west coast cruises and I suspect they will just try to absorb the current capacity a while.

I live in Houston and the DCL itineraries out of Galveston stink. Western Gulf ports are the places we Texans been going for 35 plus years. Give me a Bahamas itinerary without paying for a flight too and we'd be all over a DCL trip out of Galveston. If they stick to western gulf ports those are all less than 3 hours for a flight and then there are a number of great all inclusive properties available year round. Do you hear me Disney? 6 million people live within ~90 minute drive to Galveston and 15-20 million more live within 5 hours drive time of Galveston. Give us something different. You aren't differentiating your product you're adding to a saturated segment going to the same old places.

 

[lilouisianagal]

I live in Houston and the DCL itineraries out of Galveston stink. Western Gulf ports are the places we Texans been going for 35 plus years. Give me the Bahamas without paying for a flight too and we'd be all over a DCL trip out of Galveston. If they stick to western gulf ports those are all less than 3 hours for a flight and then there are some great all inclusive properties available year round. Do you hear me Disney? 6 million people live within ~90 minutes drive and 15-20 million more live within 5 hours drive time of Galveston. Give us something different. You aren't differentiating your product you're adding to a saturated segment going to the same old places.

I could deal with western ports, but no Castaway Cay??? Nope. Not happening. CC is one of the best parts of the cruise!

 

[islandtimect]

Yes CC is one of the big reasons we love Disney cruises. No CC on the itinerary, and our family wont go. Bring back the cruise with 2 stops at CC!!!!!!!

 

[timmac]

Yes, there's a restriction on using DVC points purchased on the resale market this year and part of last year for "Disney Collection" vacations, including DCL. (Resale points purchased before then are grandfathered in.)

The bigger issue with renting points for a cruise is that the math usually does not work out favorably for cruises.

Let's suppose the same DCL cruise costs $3,000 or 400 DVC points. (These are made-up numbers for illustration only.) For a DVC owner, it might make sense to cruise on points. The money to buy into DVC and for annual maintenance is committed anyway. So why not take a cruise once every few years instead of visiting a DVC resort?

But now let's assume it costs a non-owner $10 per point to rent DVC points. Why pay $4,000 for a $3,000 cruise?

The other side of the comparison to look at, is suppose you own DVC and want to take a cruise-- even more interesting if you're one of the "resale" owners who can't directly trade points for a cruise. Disney likes to use this as a selling point against buying resale, but, the math may not work out this way either.

As an owner, one could rent their 400 points out for $10pp, have $4000, purchase the cruise in cash for $3000, and come out $1000 ahead.

Unless you're booking extremely close to the date, or during an unusually busy season, using DVC points for a cruise is somewhat of a losing proposition anyway.

 

[Q-man]

I could deal with western ports, but no Castaway Cay??? Nope. Not happening. CC is one of the best parts of the cruise!

Which brings me to my ideal Galveston itinerary- Ferry service back and forth to WDW! Leave Galveston, a day at sea, then Key West/Nassau/CC for a day, wake up in Port Canaveral, and catch the Magic Express to WDW for X days until the ship returns. Return trip; Port Canaveral to CC/Nassau/Key West for a day and then on to Galveston.