True the Dream class being tied to PC initially was due to the contract. This was so the port would forgive the 400000 fine that
DCL was facing for missing out on port calls at PC and also so the port would pay the lions share of the upgrades at the port. That part of the contract stipulated by name for only 5 years and ran out in 16 for the Dream and 17 for the Fantasy. From March of 17 the contract reads at least 2 ships with a minimum of 150 sailings per year. Other wise they get fined again.
DCL tried Europe, came home, fine tuned, went back 2 or 3 years later, and over time, now go over every year. Its part of what got them in trouble with the port.
They did the same thing with California, which added to the port fine. They went over, went back 2years later, now expanded into Alaska.Now the Wonder Lives at least part time in Alaska. The thing is, is that the Wonder was specifically modified for Alaska, no only enclosing Outlook but other modifications required to sail up there.
DCL has been trying out different ports, in the off seasons when the Magic and Wonder aren't in Europe and Alaska. Magic has done several years ( at least 2 if not more) in NYC since the Dream class arrived, doing northerly Nova Scotia trips,and south bound trips stopping in PC andother places along the way. Wonder has been doing the same thing. Wonder has done 3 southern trips out of San Juan, doing different islands in the ABCs, and has spent time in Miami, and Galveston. Magic has also left out of SJ if Im not mistaken, and the Fantasy did a trip the relate last year I think. I know she did at least 1 if not 2 trips to SJ. So yes, DCL is trying different ports and different routes.
The Magic and the Wonder have both spent time at PC as the 3rd ship. (They both have been in Galveston also )Most notably this year. The Wonder did 3/4s that the Dream was doing, along with the Dream and the Fantasy stayed on the alternating 7s. Magics in Miami for a little bit. Friend of ours is on her right now. Last year I think the Magic was the 3rd ship, and was doing 7s with the Fantasy, except 1 did easts the other wests before mixing things up. So yes, DCL is testing different things here in FL and the Caribbean. In my opinion not nearly as soon as they should have, or routes they should be trying but they are putting ships indifferent places. Looking at the cruise industry as a whole, and the patterns, DCL is almost always behind the other lines. A lack of ships has handicapped them.
The trend for any given line, trying something out and Ill use Baltimore as a neutral port is this. First they send a smaller ship, usually 1 of the older ones to gauge interest so to speak. This way, the ship is usually paid off, and its easier to fill a ship with 800 cabins vs a ship with 1500. If that particular route works,and the ship is sailing at a given percentage, they move a slightly larger ship in and bump the smaller ship some where else. And the process goes on,either swapping ships or adding ships. Which is the trend out of PC. RC and Carnival started with 1, then 2, and now either have 3, or the worlds largest ship and ship 2 sizes down. I can count on 1 hand and probably have fingers to spare, the number of times that any line has sent brand new ships to try out brand new ports and routes. I can only think of 2 examples off hand, because it simply doesn't happen.
To date, DCL has shown no real interest in going back to Hawaii, or going over to Asia. Im not saying that they'll never go over there, it may be farther down the list then whats staring them in the face.
The signs are there.
Heres 1 more thing to take into consideration on the new ships homeports. The new ships are lng and theres only a handful of ports worldwide that can accommodate them. East coast I think there is 3 ports. Closest is Jacksonville. Its 1 thing to berth a ship in a port, its a different story if the port cant fuel them. PC is adding infrastructure to handle lng ships and expects to be done by 2021 I believe.
