New Ships - What could you do WITHOUT?

[belac]

Royal Tea that would make it more inclusive to boys.

They do actually give the boys swords and a knight shield and a stuffed Duffy bear in lieu of the doll and crown. The chef was a gentleman on our last Fantasy cruise, but yes the characters were still all the Princesses.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

The extra length and amount of people.

 

[Skiton]

They do actually give the boys swords and a knight shield and a stuffed Duffy bear in lieu of the doll and crown. The chef was a gentleman on our last Fantasy cruise, but yes the characters were still all the Princesses.

I know they do that, and I was trying to sell them on it, but they were like, "Mom, that is so lame." Sigh.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

I could do without smoking being allowed on both sides of the ship. It should be moved to an aft location so that smoke doesn't flow by so many passengers' balconies.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Well lets say I am glad most of you are not in charge of DCL! Most of you are taking away all the things I love about the line. We swim in the pools, play on the basketball courts, use the kids clubs, use the adult clubs, eat in Palo, been to the spa, look at our pictures in Shutters, enjoy the Mickey art, shop in the stores.....wonder what would be left if many of you were in charge? A cabin and dining? lol

 

[Expatriat]

The extra length and amount of people.

I am glad you said this, and I would add the extra height as another thing to remove.

Now for the most UNpopular opinion: I shall go one step further and state that what I could happily do without is the new ships . . completely. While I am sure they will be nice and have a boatload of interesting features and amusements for families, I do not necessarily think newer is better or that bigger is better, including an expanded fleet. I have sailed DCL since its early days, when the Magic and Wonder were new, the service was amazing and impeccable, and the prices were only "pretty high compared to others" but still doable. I was in awe every time I stepped aboard. With the addition of the Dream and Fantasy, I have seen prices steadily soar, service become unpredictable (sometimes excellent yet sometimes appalling), pixie dust become a rarity, perks and amenities cut back, and glitches galore both ashore and aboard. Even on land, they can't even manage to have a fully functional, reliable website anymore, yet they expect most interactions with DCL to take place on that website, including reservations and check-ins.

When some higher-ups at DCL tentatively talked awhile back of new ships that would be mid-sized between the Magic and Dream class, I thought it was very wise of them. But now they will join the big ship bandwagon, where these floating cities compete by adding innovative theme park type attractions to try to outdo their competition, personal space grows smaller and smaller, cutbacks continue, extra-fee offerings multiply, and prices continue to climb to keep profits high while paying for all this. Sure, expanding the fleet is what other popular lines do, but DCL was not like other lines, until now. I fully understand that it is now "just business" and that is why it makes sense to them, but considering that they have not even been able to maintain their previous level of service quality with only 4 ships, it is my unpopular opinion that they should not devote their time, effort and finances into expanding at this time. This is why what I could do without is the two new ships they have planned. No flames, please. Just throwing in my lengthy 2 cents!

For all those who kept asking (ever since the completion of the Fantasy) when DCL would be building new ships, I am happy for you.

 

[RedSox68]

^^This. We still attend the show and fireworks. I like the Pirate menu, and we always dress up.

The pirate menu is actually one of our favorite menus of all of them! And I still love the show and fireworks and think it adds something different that other cruises don't have.

 

[RedSox68]

I am glad you said this, and I would add the extra height as another thing to remove.

Now for the most UNpopular opinion: I shall go one step further and state that what I could happily do without is the new ships . . completely. While I am sure they will be nice and have a boatload of interesting features and amusements for families, I do not necessarily think newer is better or that bigger is better, including an expanded fleet. I have sailed DCL since its early days, when the Magic and Wonder were new, the service was amazing and impeccable, and the prices were only "pretty high compared to others" but still doable. I was in awe every time I stepped aboard. With the addition of the Dream and Fantasy, I have seen prices steadily soar, service become unpredictable (sometimes excellent yet sometimes appalling), pixie dust become a rarity, perks and amenities cut back, and glitches galore both ashore and aboard. Even on land, they can't even manage to have a fully functional, reliable website anymore, yet they expect most interactions with DCL to take place on that website, including reservations and check-ins.

When some higher-ups at DCL tentatively talked awhile back of new ships that would be mid-sized between the Magic and Dream class, I thought it was very wise of them. But now they will join the big ship bandwagon, where these floating cities compete by adding innovative theme park type attractions to try to outdo their competition, personal space grows smaller and smaller, cutbacks continue, extra-fee offerings multiply, and prices continue to climb to keep profits high while paying for all this. Sure, expanding the fleet is what other popular lines do, but DCL was not like other lines, until now. I fully understand that it is now "just business" and that is why it makes sense to them, but considering that they have not even been able to maintain their previous level of service quality with only 4 ships, it is my unpopular opinion that they should not devote their time, effort and finances into expanding at this time. This is why what I could do without is the two new ships they have planned. No flames, please. Just throwing in my lengthy 2 cents!

For all those who kept asking (ever since the completion of the Fantasy) when DCL would be building new ships, I am happy for you.

I agree. I am most disappointed that Disney is making them LARGER instead of scaling back to more of a midsize -- something between the Magic and Fantasy. Bigger is causing Disney not to go to Key west, the Panama Canal, etc. and I don't think we need another 4,000 passenger ship on the seas. If I could take one thing away -- I too agree it should be the size. Bring it back to the classics!

 

[MUN]

I agree. I am most disappointed that Disney is making them LARGER instead of scaling back to more of a midsize -- something between the Magic and Fantasy. Bigger is causing Disney not to go to Key west, the Panama Canal, etc. and I don't think we need another 4,000 passenger ship on the seas. If I could take one thing away -- I too agree it should be the size. Bring it back to the classics!

I went to Key West on a DCL ship. DCL also offers Panama Canal cruises.

MUN

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Anything Frozen related.

If I had to guess, I'd say we're going to see either a dining room, water area, or quick service area, themed to Frozen on the new ships.

 

[RedSox68]

I went to Key West on a DCL ship. DCL also offers Panama Canal cruises.

MUN

Yes, I know -- we've done 10 Disney cruises and one of them was the PC. Was told that Key West and PC can never be part of the itinerary of the new ships as they are too big, and the PC widening project stalled. So they are limiting themselves once again to building ships that will be restricted as to where they can go -- and which will probably require more tendering at ports!

 

[MUN]

Yes, I know -- we've done 10 Disney cruises and one of them was the PC. Was told that Key West and PC can never be part of the itinerary of the new ships as they are too big, and the PC widening project stalled. So they are limiting themselves once again to building ships that will be restricted as to where they can go -- and which will probably require more tendering at ports!

But you wrote that Disney can't go to Key West and the Panama Canal. And as you admit, that is clearly not true. I guess I didn't take the time to count up all of your cruises before I corrected you error. Also, I would expect the Panama Canal expansion to be finished long before the new ships are ready to sail.

MUN

 

[RedSox68]

But you wrote that Disney can't go to Key West and the Panama Canal. And as you admit, that is clearly not true. I guess I didn't take the time to count up all of your cruises before I corrected you error. Also, I would expect the Panama Canal expansion to be finished long before the new ships are ready to sail.

MUN

Oh for goodness sake, I meant that Disney keeps adding ships that can't go. Yes, the two older ships can go -- obviously. Sorry my wording wasn't exact enough, but I think the gist was there. So they are pinning themselves to only two ships that can sail those ports out of six. Is that better?

 

[RedSox68]

Anything Frozen related.

If I had to guess, I'd say we're going to see either a dining room, water area, or quick service area, themed to Frozen on the new ships.

That would make a lot of sense - one of their biggest hits in years and they could do so much with that theme. Wonder who will be on the back of the ship this time around?

 

[RedSox68]

Oh drat -- I just realized we are going to have to do the new ships if we want to say we did all of them LOL. Just finished the fourth one in 2014. So I could do without any more Disney ships to sail (not).

 

[cgolf]

What I would like to see is less visible technology on one of the ships. We love the classics because of this, it just seems like we have a more relaxing trip. I see enough screens during the week now, it is kinda nice to get way from tech stuff. The second ship can have all the bells and whistles they can cram in it. The non tech ship could be a mega sized classic liner and the second could compete with the other ugly ships lol. I know limiting the tech stuff won't happen, but one can dream.

Torn on Pirates night, the fireworks are still cool, but it has been a long time since we watched the deck party, for us it could go or at least be refreshed.

 

[CM Dad]

Oh for goodness sake, I meant that Disney keeps adding ships that can't go. Yes, the two older ships can go -- obviously. Sorry my wording wasn't exact enough, but I think the gist was there. So they are pinning themselves to only two ships that can sail those ports out of six. Is that better?

The Wonder is the only Disney ship that can currently sail through the Panama Canal. After it major dry dock, the Magic no longer fits due to the duck tail.

I can't imagine there will be that many more delays to the PC widening and wold think that by the time the first of the new ships was delivered ALL of the Disney fleet would be able to transit the canal.

 

[phinz]

They've been testing the new Panama Canal locks over the last few months. Panamax won't be the limit for very long. They're expecting an opening to commercial traffic sometime later this year. Latest news is that they are 96% done, though they won't be opening in April, 2016, as originally estimated.

http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/

And I, for one, am glad that the people of Key West voted down the proposal to widen the channel and allow larger cruise ships. The current port load of up to three ships a day has destroyed much of the character of the place as it is. More cruise ships would only make it worse.

 

[Expatriat]

And I, for one, am glad that the people of Key West voted down the proposal to widen the channel and allow larger cruise ships. The current port load of up to three ships a day has destroyed much of the character of the place as it is. More cruise ships would only make it worse.

Agreed. Mega-ships are ruining the "escape" or getaway feeling of cruising. When visiting ports, I don't like to feel like I am in a crowded theme park. The thing you get away TO at sea and on land now is an abundance of PEOPLE. With all the new shipbuilding and basically shared itineraries, in the not-so-distant future even the ocean may feel crowded (comparatively). I enjoy spotting another ship in the distance, but not so much when there are multiple ships, especially when "floating cities."

 

[MUN]

Oh for goodness sake, I meant that Disney keeps adding ships that can't go. Yes, the two older ships can go -- obviously. Sorry my wording wasn't exact enough, but I think the gist was there. So they are pinning themselves to only two ships that can sail those ports out of six. Is that better?

Actually with the Panama Canal expansion being finished soon, I would expect the new ships would be able to fit through the canal.