New Ship

[TeensMom]

I wonder if a ship can be built that is "convertible" for cold weather and warm weather. Maybe retractible plexiglass top on top deck that retracts into an awning of sorts around the stacks. That way the ship could be used for Alaska in the summer and southern Cal/Mexico in the winter. I'd love to be in the room when the Disney Imagineers are working on this one!

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by akterrye
I wonder if Disney would offer Alaska Resident Rates like they do for Florida residents. *crossing fingers*

Terrye!!!

I would hate to see a West-coast 3rd ship, but I'd take it just to come see you!

{{BIG Texas-size hugs}}

-gina-

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by TeensMom
I wonder if a ship can be built that is "convertible" for cold weather and warm weather. Maybe retractible plexiglass top on top deck that retracts into an awning of sorts around the stacks. That way the ship could be used for Alaska in the summer and southern Cal/Mexico in the winter. I'd love to be in the room when the Disney Imagineers are working on this one!

Many ships are built just this way. RCCL's Radiance and Brilliance are built to summer in Alaska and winter in the Caribbean. Princess and Celebrity have several ships that do the same. Most of these have a retractable roof over the main pool, and many indoor common areas with lots of windows. Radiance and Brilliance have floor-to-ceiling windows on one deck, I think.

The problem with sailing the Magic or Wonder to Alaska is that there aren't enough of these covered common areas, which would be a problem, especially in May and August in Alaska.

 

[alexandrew]

I hope Disney builds a "big brother" ship vs a sister ship....something colossal and mind blowing....a ship that will dwarf the RCCL Voyager class....not so much in size, but in decor and amenities....

 

[tecdavidt]

I think a third ship out of CA makes sense but I would skip an Alaskan cruise. The midwest winters are so long and COLD that when summer finally arrives I want to enjoy the heat. Alaskan cruises are during our warm months. I also know our children could care less about Alaska but they love the beach so we will stick to the warm Caribbean cruises. Kathy

 

[Mjasp]

Kathy...I have to agree with you there. Alaska would not interest my kids either.

Joanna

 

[Favorite Auntie]

On my January 2003 cruise we went to the talk with the capt. (Tom) He asked if people would be interested in a Mediterean cruise and everyone went crazy....maybe not Alaska after all????

 

[budwmn]

My 7 year old son is eager to go to Alaska. He can't wait to see whales, bears, and glaciers. He also wants to see the Lumberjack show and pan for gold. I think it sounds great.

Then again, I'd do a Mediterranean cruise in a heart beat! (Or the west coast of Mexico, Hawaii, the list goes on and on).

 

[TnRobin]

I still say Summer in Alaska and Winter in Hawaii. (Keep in mind, she will have to dock in either Vancouver or Mexico since she is not a US vessel.)

 

[rae519]

If Disney builds it, we will come!

Regardless!
Rae

 

[DisneyBill]

DCL appears to be sticking to the no comment policy. Below is a response to an email seeking a source for more information on the article.

8/26/03

Thank you for your e-mail.

We are always looking to build on the great Disney Cruise Line experience that
we have today. We continue to evaluate all of our options in regards to fleet
expansion and new itineraries, but no decisions have been made at this point in
time. Despite speculation that we have, we have not contracted to build a third
ship, nor can we forecast the schedule of any possible future ships. The
mobility of cruise ships opens up lots of possibilities over time, yet there are
no definite plans to alter our existing itineraries.

We look forward to the chance to sail with you.

Sincerely,

Tracey, Guest Communications
Disney Cruise Line

 

[rae519]

Hey, I know that policy - it's taken from the military!!!!

Rae

 

[jlp651]

this may sound ridiculous...but in order the have a 10 day alaskan cruise (believe you me-alaska has my vote too!) wouldnt it have to come out of some place out west? Is it possible to do a 10 day cruise out of port canaveral?

 

[Worldtraveler777]

More than likely an Alaskan itinerary would be out of Vancouver or Seattle. As a TA, I've seen both the Mediterranean and Alaska as the 2 most likely destinations. My feeling is they will go for Alaska to get the Disneyland air/sea connection and garner more west coast business.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by jlp651
this may sound ridiculous...but in order the have a 10 day alaskan cruise (believe you me-alaska has my vote too!) wouldnt it have to come out of some place out west? Is it possible to do a 10 day cruise out of port canaveral?

It would take much longer than 10 days to sail from Port Canaveral into Alaska. Alaskan itineraries typically sail either rount-trip from Vancouver or Seattle, or one way between one of these ports and Seward. Cruises that originate in Seattle will probably have a call in Vancouver or Victoria, BC, as a foreign-flagged ship must call at a foreign port.

I think it's likely they could package the Disneyland resort with a cruise originating from the Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach, but a package with an Alaskan cruise would be kind of a stretch for a land/sea vacation to anyone who's not within driving distance of either the DL Resort or the Alaskan cruise port of origination. Flying to DL and then to Alaska/Vancouver and then back again seems like a lot of work to me, whereas it's probably less than an hour's drive from DL to the Port of LA. Much easier to do, logistically, IMHO.

 

[snowiit]

Just back from an August 17th Wonder trip and Captain Henry made some mention of them shopping around for a new ship at the return cruisers get together. Said that they were looking and that it would probably cost "a bit" more than $400 million.... is that what it cost to build the Wonder or Magic? He said it in a way that sounded like it would be more expensive now...
They did have several trips on the comment card that you could say you were or were not interested in. They ran the gamut from Alaska to Mexico... I think Mediteranian too.

Nancy

 

[Dreamer04]

I just recieved an offer for a Disney Visa and along with that, they sent a survey. The last question asked about additional ports of call. The Mediteranian(sic) and Alaska were among the choices.

For the record, I chose Alaska.

Let's go Disney Dreams.

Ursula

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Dreamer04
I just recieved an offer for a Disney Visa and along with that, they sent a survey. The last question asked about additional ports of call. The Mediteranian(sic) and Alaska were among the choices.
Ursula

What other choices did they give?

 

[plutospup]

Any votes for Southern Caribbean? It appears that Disney is looking at other Caribbean stops i.e. San Juan, Antigua, Costa Maya.
DCL exec told me new ship will be the same length as the Magic, and Wonder so they will be able to pass through the Panama Canal. However, more decks will be added. As of early May, the engineers were still working on structural design regarding the added height and weight.

 

[Worldtraveler777]

Here are the choices DCL is giving guests when they fill out the guest information card at the end of their cruise:

Itineraries not yet available:

3 or 4 night Mexican cruise(out of California).

7 night cruise(Mexican Riviera out of California)

7 night cruise(Alaska)

7 night cruise(Mediterranean)

7 night cruise(Bermuda)