New Ship?????

[Moosysmom]

Was chatting with a Cast Member at MGM Studios yesterday (Waiting for Lilo and Stitch to arrive), and I noticed a cool pin and started talking pins and cruises. He stated that the new ship is being built and will be west coast. I also heard the same thing on a recent Backstage Magic tour. Can Disney just tell us what is up with the new ship???? I want to cruise Disney and Alaska for my 50th.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Several years ago, DCL began planning a fleet expansion. However, it's never gotten to the point where Disney has contracted with a shipyard to build one or more additional ships.

So, for the time being, the "new ship" exists on paper only. There won't be a new ship until and unless Disney executive management decides it's a good business decision to spend $350-400 million per ship. Once there's a contract, it won't be a secret.

Until then, it's cast member rumor that keeps being repeated because it sounds plausible.

 

[rae519]

Lynn - Are you going to join us on our 50th Birthday Cruise?! Maybe we can get Roger to join us with his daughter?!!!

I don't care where the new ship is as long as I get to have an Inaugural trip on it!!!!

Rae

 

[GenieDana]

There is also the issue of exchange rate - US Dollar versus Euro. Of course Disney <i>could</i> contract with an American shipyard to build it..., but it seems like all the cruisers built recently are all continental built. What seems like a break in British tradition - Cunard - is the QM2 is being built in France.

Unfortunately, I think, our "labor" situation has made it financially impossible to build ships domestically, except perhaps military vessels where the price is not as much a concern (and security is).

I also read where RCCL has just contracted to build an Ultra-Voyager, something like 160,000 tons for delivery in 2006. Carnival/Princess are also building an Ultimate Caribbean Princess in the 170,000-180,000 tons range and carry approximately 3,600-4,000 passengers, slated for 2006 or 2007. The Caribbean business is there, but I do not know what the West Coast outlook is like - I guess one could compare how many ships are arriving on the East Coast versus the West Coast and come to our own conclusions.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Here's a list of new ship orders. (The list doesn't include some of the most recent orders yet.)

http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/other/new_build.asp

Alas, DCL isn't represented.

The list shows that the cruise industry, in general, still has faith that the cruise market will continue to increase. A statistic that keeps being repeated is that only 5% of Americans have ever taken a cruise. And, even so, Americans cruise in far larger numbers and citizens of any other country.

 

[Moosysmom]

I'm already planning on yours and Andy's 50th, maybe mine can be next in 2007. LOL. I sure hope that we can get Roger and Daughter to join us.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Werner.... Thanks for the great posts. Informative.

I'll just keep my fingers crossed they will build another ship sometime in the near future.

For those discussing ship building, neither the Disney Wonder, nor the Disney Magic was built in the United States.

I could be wrong, but I think they were built in Italy.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Doug Wolfe
I could be wrong, but I think they were built in Italy.

You're absolutely correct. The Disney Wonder and Disney Magic were both built by Fincantieri in Italy. Actually, the Disney Magic was built at two different Fincantieri shipyards &#151; one for the back half, and one for the front half. The two halves were then joined. Here's the description from http://www.marinelink.com/tod0497.html :
<blockquote>4/16/97

Fincantieri Joins Bow And Stern Of Disney Ship

The bow section of Disney Magic was launched and tugged 100 miles up the east coast of Italy this week to be joined with its stern outside of Venice. The sections of the ship were built simultaneously at Fincantieri yards in Ancona and Marghera in eight months' time.

"The construction of the hull in two different yards is one example of the many innovations which we are introducing to the cruise industry through the launch of the Disney Magic," said Disney Cruise Line President Arthur Rodney.

This process has previously been used in building tankers and aircraft carriers, but this is reportedly the first time it has been applied to cruise ship construction.

The bow was launched from its building berth in the Ancona Shipyard on April 12, accompanied by three oceangoing barges, and then embarked on a 42-hour transport to Marghera.

Through the use of underwater cameras and mechanical guides, the bow was methodically guided in and the two sections were welded together to form the entire hull of the ship. Disney Magic is scheduled to enter service next March. </blockquote>

 

[rae519]

Lynn - can't wait to see you! And yes, Roger has to be there too!

Rae

 

[Moosysmom]

Have you heard from him? Hope all is well. I sent him and e-card, but it hasn't been received yet (they send me a notice when it's opened.)

 

[rae519]

Went to Rio with Rebecca - vacation! When we spoke, he said that he was planning to do nothing but "eat, drink and speak Rebecca!" - I can plainly see that!! He'll get back in touch with us when he gets back to Sao Paulo. I still have his birthday gift to send down there!!!!

Rae

 

[Moosysmom]

I see a future for one very spoiled young lady. She must be so excited to be with Dad.

 

[rae519]

He needs to be with her more than just a few weeks every 6 months, so this will be good for both. He was so upset one night because when he called her she started to cry for him.

I really feel for our cast members who get homesick or have small children. Yes, they take the jobs knowing but it's one thing to know that you will be gone for the duration of your contract but it's another to "feel" it. I know when I was active duty, I enjoyed my remote tours, but I did get homesick at times. It was the people around me who helped, just like it's us who treat our CM's as we would our own family who help them get through the tough times.

If Disney does build that third ship, I am sure that we will have plenty of opporunity to make more friends and "family". I do so hope it's West Coast - a nice change of pace.

Rae

 

[CRSNDSNY]

It seems so common that a spouse is working on the ship and sending home money for their family. I hope they get paid well. I don't know how they do it!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We were just on the wonder last week (sob!) and a couple of counselors in the Oceaneers Lab told my DDs there was going to be another ship named Dream or Dreams. I don't know how reliable that info is based on the other stuff in this thread, but thought I would mention it.
Anyhow, if you are ever on deck 4 of the Wonder, there are some cool photos of them building the ship in different stages. It is on the side of the deck that Shutters is on but closer to midship.
Robin M.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by CRSNDSNY
It seems so common that a spouse is working on the ship and sending home money for their family. I hope they get paid well. I don't know how they do it!

Melody - it's mostly tips since they get "room and board, medical, and a few other benefits". If they have the right personality and work very, very hard, they can make some decent money - of course, that is dependent upon the generosity of the cruisers. They do get stiffed - and that's pretty tacky and low class, especially if they have done a good job. I can understand some being better than others but unless you have made a complaint about service or seating, then that's no reason to stiff the servers.

Ohhh, I got on that "high horse" again, didn't I?! Okay, for those who disagree - no offense is meant. It's just a sore spot with me!
So if you do disagree, please disregard my ranting and ravings!!!

Melody, I hope more people visit your link about the "cat man" - if people just turn away and don't watch, he will eventually stop torturing the animals. Yes, I feel it is torture.

Rae

 

[paulmc80]

Rae .... You're not ranting at all.

It is only appropriate, and very commonly accepted, to be tipping the crew members as pointed out. Darn ... those guys work hard and I would think it is the very rare case that they do not provide exceptional service on purpose. No one is perfect, but when you just let them know, 99.9% of the time they are sure to fix it and plus some.

Gotta figure doing right by others can only make you a better person, or at least make you feel better for being a decent person. Can't imagine anything else.

 

[Moosysmom]

Rae, you are not ranting. I used to work as a cocktail waitress and I know how important those tips can be. I had customer's who would order lots of dollars and think a quarter was a big tip at the end of the night. The Cast Members work very hard to make sure everyone is happy so a tip is the least you can do to say Thanks for helping me on my vacation.
Of course on the flip side, because I used to be a waitress, I tend to overtip, but if you deserve it, you deserve it.

 

[AnnMorin]

I love the new shot of Michael on his horse Rae.. he is such a cutie!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by rae519


Melody, I hope more people visit your link about the "cat man" - if people just turn away and don't watch, he will eventually stop torturing the animals. Yes, I feel it is torture.

Rae

I just wish that more people felt this way. Thank you for your thoughts.

It makes me crazy when people say to me, "Well, the animals enjoy it or else they wouldn't do it!" I say, "They do it because they're sick of getting beat and tortured!" Besides, do you think some guy was walking through the woods one day and said, "HEY! Look at that bear over there balancing on a ball! Cool!" I don't think so!

Okay, that's my 'rant' for the evening. Someone needs to be a voice for these poor creatures. No wonder why some snap back and end up killing their trainer.