NEW SHIP - Quote from Forbes article

[tstobb]

In the December 9th issue of Forbes, there is an article called Disney the Sequel that discusses Michael Eisner & Robert Iger. One section regards DCL:

At another meeting to discuss design plans for building a ship to add to Disney's successful cruise business, both Eisner & Iger are present, though this area had always been Eisner's domain. They try to assess the costs and whether to proceed. The last ship cost $350 million. "Is this going to be like the sequel to a movie, where the first movie cost $30 million and the next one costs $130 million because we tweak a few things?" Eisner asks, half-jokingly. Playing the straight man, Iger asks the ship's designers to explain why the new ship will need six engines; the last one had only five. After a lengthy answer, Eisner responds, "You know what? This is exactly like the sequel thing." The room crackles with laughter.

The article is online at Forbes.com and you do need to register (free) to access the article.

Back to speculating names!

 

[Hopkins]

Very interesting!!!

I can't wait for official info from DCL like an expected sail date and to where.

Tina

 

[hydster]

and we thought it was interesting. He told us that Disney is going to make a West Itinerary that included Alaska in the Summer and then alternated between 3,4 and 7 night cruises during the winter to the Mexican Riviera and Catalina, Ensenada. The 3 day would be from LA to Catalina, the 4 day would be LA to Catalina and Ensenada and the 7 day would be Puerto Vallarta,
Cabo San Lucas and one other stop that escapes me now. I thought it was interesting but wondered how true it was...now I think he must have known something!

Just thought I would add that in!
Heidi

 

[cyndilou01]

I was on the Wonder 17-23, and on the video they show on the TV does show Disney going to ALASKA... I found that very interesting. so when you are on your trip make sure to watch the show that is showing all the things Disney has to offer...When I so the video I was shouting for joy... Because my husband wants to go to Alaska ... so I am waiting on the announcement.

 

[tstobb]

Do they say it is Alaska or is it the ship traveling with the snowcaps in the background? Just wondering because the ships did some traveling thru Europe before coming across the Atlantic to get "home".

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by cyndilou01
I was on the Wonder 17-23, and on the video they show on the TV does show Disney going to ALASKA... I found that very interesting.

Disney Vacation Club allows members to use DVC points to take Alaska cruises on Holland America. Perhaps the footage that you saw on your little TV screen on the Disney Wonder was DVC promotional footage showing a Holland America ship in Alaskan waters. Holland America ships have dark hulls, like Disney, and in a quick shot on a small TV, a Holland America ship could easily be mistaken for a Disney ship -- especially if your eyes are focused on the grandeur surrounding the ship rather than on the ship itself. I believe I've seen the footage that you saw.

Neither Disney ship has been to Alaska, or anywhere else on the West Coast for that matter. The only way you could see a Disney ship in Alaskan waters would be if Disney did some digital special effects. Considering that Disney has never announced West Coast cruises, nor a third ship, I doubt they would be showing such special effects footage.

Originally posted by tstobb
Do they say it is Alaska or is it the ship traveling with the snowcaps in the background? Just wondering because the ships did some traveling thru Europe before coming across the Atlantic to get "home".

The route from the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy to Port Canaveral in Florida goes through the Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibralter, and then across the Atlantic Ocean. Such a route would not include any streches that could be mistaken for Alaska.

 

[Californiaamy]

I was on the 10/5 Magic and took one of the "backstage" tours that included a Q&A session with the executive committee, including Captain Tom. Captain Tom oversaw the building of the Magic for Disney.

One of the questions to him directly was did Disney have any plans for any new ships, and at that point he said directly no. I was disappointed as I had "heard" that there was plans for a third ship in the caribbean. (That way there always be a ship on an eastern rout, one on a western route, and one ship would continue to do the 3 and 4 day route. I hadn't heard anything on any Pacific routes.) While that doesn't mean Captain Tom is privy to what goes on in Eisner's office, maybe Forbes' info has more than Disney is ready to publicly say. Would love to see a West Coast Disney ship...

 

[dgsnj]

Perhaps the current circumstances with the MAGIC will have a negative financial impact on any future DCL plans.

It is interesting, however, that up to this point the 7 night Disney Cruises were only able to be booked through April of 2004 but the 3 and 4 night cruises were able to be booked for the entire year of 2004. Sounds like something was "afloat" (all puns intended!).

As for everyone who has been directly affected by the current cruise/virus circumstances please make the best of whatever you end up doing! It's a Disney Vacation - it will be fun if you let it be.

As for the rest of the disboarders I hope that you all had a safe, happy and blessed Thanksgiving in the company of loved ones!

 

[einswine]

Just got off the 4 day Wonder and the cruise director definitely mentioned something about a 3rd and a 4th Disney ship soon but said that was all he could say about it right now.

 

[tstobb]

Eisner has said that he wants a fleet of ten ships eventually.

 

[Dumbo]

Sounds like he plans on working for NCL when he leaves Disney!


Dumbo

 

[tstobb]

From reading the entire article, it doesn't sound like he wants to go anytime soon and for his detractors, remember that this is the cruise board and DCL was created by Eisner so at least give him credit for that!

 

[Entropy]

I found that article but they seemed to have removed that anecdote.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2002/1209/106.html

His comment is interesting in that it reveals that they're very far into the design process for him to know that the ship may have six engines. What if they are getting away from panamax and going mega like the RCI Explorer? Cool, I just started another rumor, feel free to spread it around as fact.

 

[tstobb]

It's on page 3 of the article.
Rumor is that the ship will be larger (at least taller)
Werner has a rendering posted here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=290834

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Originally posted by hydster
The 3 day would be from LA to Catalina, .....

I thought it was interesting but wondered how true it was...

A proposed 3-day cruise from Los Angeles would not be able to call only at Catalina. Since the ship is not of US registry, it must stop at a foreign port. Most 3-days from LA call also at Ensenada. The 4-days generally call at both ports and add a day at sea.

Originally posted by einswine
the cruise director definitely mentioned something about a 3rd and a 4th Disney ship soon

"Soon" must be a relative term, as no shipyard is currently claiming to be building a ship for DCL. If they began to lay the keel tomorrow, a ship wouldn't be in service until mid to late 2004.

I tend to take anything told to me by cast or crew members regarding a new ship with a large boulder of salt. I was told by one of the Magic's officers 2 years ago that a third ship was "in the works." Call me a pessimist, but I will believe a third ship is on the way when a deal with a shipyard is actually announced and a delivery date set. Until then, I think that anything you hear is pure speculation, and ill-informed speculation at that. Especially if it comes from a cast member.

Originally posted by dgsnj
It is interesting, however, that up to this point the 7 night Disney Cruises were only able to be booked through April of 2004 but the 3 and 4 night cruises were able to be booked for the entire year of 2004.

I believe that this is because DCL is considering re-postioning the Magic in the summer of 2004. There were reports of surveys asking about a proposed Mediteranean itinerary. My guess is that they have not decided where the ship will be at this time, and as such have not opened bookings for it. I doubt it has anything to do with a third ship.


Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.....

 

[tstobb]

Originally posted by Señor Ferrari
I believe that this is because DCL is considering re-postioning the Magic in the summer of 2004. There were reports of surveys asking about a proposed Mediteranean itinerary. My guess is that they have not decided where the ship will be at this time, and as such have not opened bookings for it. I doubt it has anything to do with a third ship.

There, I would tend to disagree that it has nothing to do with a 3rd ship - as an investor, I would go bezerk if they pulled one of the ships from it's route during the peak travel season when it is almost guaranteed to be filled & put it into an unknown. Then again, from past history, Disney mgmt. doesn't always go the sensible way, do they?