Possible DCL/ABD for Hawaii?

[sayhello]

Well, according to this article I saw on the DCL forum,

http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20100613_The_Wonder_of_Disney.html

Disney has tentatively applied for bookings in May and September 2012 for Pier 2 in Honolulu Harbor. It looks like it's likely to be a repo sort of deal for the Wonder, between the Mexican Riviera and Alaska, perhaps, on the shoulder seasons in May & September. My guess would be, in May, leave Mexico, go to Hawaii, spend a bit of time in Hawaii, then leave Hawaii and go "back" to Vancouver, & then reverse it in September. I could easily see them pairing that with time at Aulani. If that's possible, then it's also possible they could pair it with a Hawaiian ABD. A person can hope, right???

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

Well, according to this article I saw on the DCL forum,

http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20100613_The_Wonder_of_Disney.html

Disney has tentatively applied for bookings in May and September 2012 for Pier 2 in Honolulu Harbor. It looks like it's likely to be a repo sort of deal for the Wonder, between the Mexican Riviera and Alaska, perhaps, on the shoulder seasons in May & September. My guess would be, in May, leave Mexico, go to Hawaii, spend a bit of time in Hawaii, then leave Hawaii and go "back" to Vancouver, & then reverse it in September. I could easily see them pairing that with time at Aulani. If that's possible, then it's also possible they could pair it with a Hawaiian ABD. A person can hope, right???

Sayhello

I'm hoping right along with you! Although what would be the typical sail time from LA to Honolulu? For me, as much as I enjoy the Disney Magic (and thus, its twin, the Wonder) that would be a loooong time on board without a port call---and when they did the short-lived Hawaii ABD, how many islands did they get to?

 

[sayhello]

I'm hoping right along with you! Although what would be the typical sail time from LA to Honolulu? For me, as much as I enjoy the Disney Magic (and thus, its twin, the Wonder) that would be a loooong time on board without a port call---and when they did the short-lived Hawaii ABD, how many islands did they get to?

I think it's about 4 to 5 days from LA to Honolulu. I agree, that's way too long for me, but there *are* folks who would do that! It's comparable to the Transatlantics. My main hope is for the ABD/Aulani part! Personally, I doubt I'd do it as a cruisetour because of the sea days, but if they did a land-based ABD including time at Aulani, I'd be all over it! A week with ABD and a week on my own in Maui? Heaven!

I'm going to have to look at the 2006 brochure when I get home, but I'm thinking they had 2 different itineraries, but I can't recall if they did multiple islands or not.

Sayhello

 

[ragtopday]

I think it's about 4 to 5 days from LA to Honolulu. I agree, that's way too long for me, but there *are* folks who would do that! It's comparable to the Transatlantics. My main hope is for the ABD/Aulani part! Personally, I doubt I'd do it as a cruisetour because of the sea days, but if they did a land-based ABD including time at Aulani, I'd be all over it! A week with ABD and a week on my own in Maui? Heaven!

I'm going to have to look at the 2006 brochure when I get home, but I'm thinking they had 2 different itineraries, but I can't recall if they did multiple islands or not.

Sayhello

I have to say I really like your thinking! My wallet probably can't even look at the brochure, but it sure is fun to think/drool over!

 

[sayhello]

I have to say I really like your thinking! My wallet probably can't even look at the brochure, but it sure is fun to think/drool over!

Ah, you never know. It *might* be reasonably priced!





OK, even I can't say that with a straight face!

And to answer WeLoveABD's question, I dug out the 2006 brochure, and they had 2 Hawaii ABD's:

"Escape to Paradise" was 6 nights/7 days and spent 3 days on Oahu, and 4 days on Kauai.

"Legends of the Islands" was also 6 nights/7days and spent 3 days on Oahu and 4 days on the big island of Hawaii.

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

Well, I could definately see doing a Hawaii ABD--maybe with a cruise, maybe not, but we do want to see the new resort (nice profile in the new D23 magazine of the resort, by the way). Thanks for the info SayHello--!

 

[crashbb]

Cruise ships are not allowed to do one way voyages between two US ports without stopping at a distant foreign port (so Canada/Mexico are out). Thus, I don't see them offering a "cruise to Hawaii and stay at our resort" trip - it would be a long time (you'd have to add the trip to Fanning Island, or somewhere similar).

ETA - Depending on where they are repositioning from, the cruises could leave from Vancouver or Mexico (depending on the direction) and do one-way trips without stopping elsewhere, but they'd still be long sea voyages.

 

[sayhello]

Cruise ships are not allowed to do one way voyages between two US ports without stopping at a distant foreign port (so Canada/Mexico are out). Thus, I don't see them offering a "cruise to Hawaii and stay at our resort" trip - it would be a long time (you'd have to add the trip to Fanning Island, or somewhere similar).

ETA - Depending on where they are repositioning from, the cruises could leave from Vancouver or Mexico (depending on the direction) and do one-way trips without stopping elsewhere, but they'd still be long sea voyages.

Yep. Most cruiselines use Ensenada or Vancouver as a launching place for their Hawaii cruises. Or as a stop on a round-trip. So, seeing as the Wonder would be repositioning from Southern California (really close to Ensenada) to Vancouver, they could either do 2 one-ways or a 2-legged cruise. But the 2-legged cruise does not take advantage of Aulani. (What some cruiselines do is bus folks from LA or San Diego to Ensenada.)

Until the Jones Act is repealed or ammended, Hawaii remains a difficult place to cruise to. You either put up with a dis-proportionate amount of time at sea, or register the ship in the US. NCL only has one USA registered ship still sailing in Hawaii. It seemed like a good idea, but they've had nothing but problems with turnover and the resultant quality (or lack thereof) of service. So yes, any Hawaiian cruise Disney did would likely be a specialty cruise, for people who love being on the ship, and would like to see Hawaii, too. I think they'd be more likely to have people willing to do a one-way *because* of Aulani, than a lot of other cruiselines would.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

Well, I could definately see doing a Hawaii ABD--maybe with a cruise, maybe not, but we do want to see the new resort (nice profile in the new D23 magazine of the resort, by the way). Thanks for the info SayHello--!

I agree! I would *love* a Hawaiian ABD. And if it didn't *include* the Aulani, maybe I could manage a day or two before or after the ABD...

Sayhello

 

[crashbb]

Yep. Most cruiselines use Ensenada or Vancouver as a launching place for their Hawaii cruises. Or as a stop on a round-trip. So, seeing as the Wonder would be repositioning from Southern California (really close to Ensenada) to Vancouver, they could either do 2 one-ways or a 2-legged cruise. But the 2-legged cruise does not take advantage of Aulani. (What some cruiselines do is bus folks from LA or San Diego to Ensenada.)

Until the Jones Act is repealed or ammended, Hawaii remains a difficult place to cruise to. You either put up with a dis-proportionate amount of time at sea, or register the ship in the US. NCL only has one USA registered ship still sailing in Hawaii. It seemed like a good idea, but they've had nothing but problems with turnover and the resultant quality (or lack thereof) of service. So yes, any Hawaiian cruise Disney did would likely be a specialty cruise, for people who love being on the ship, and would like to see Hawaii, too. I think they'd be more likely to have people willing to do a one-way *because* of Aulani, than a lot of other cruiselines would.

Sayhello

Yup. Since it sounds like the only have two bookings at the ports, they may be looking at two one-ways. Actually, four one-ways. Mexico to Hawaii/Hawaii to Vancouver in May and then Vancouver to Hawaii/Hawaii to Mexico in September. And people would stay in Hawaii either before or after their cruise, depending on which cruise they were one. If they did Vancouver and Mexico, they would avoid having to stop at the Fanning Islands.

While I think that Aulani (and DCL in general) would be a draw, I'm not sure that they'd be able to fill four ships (or, rather, one ship four times). People really interested in Aulani could just fly directly there. A cruise and land package would really require almost two weeks (rather than the one week that many people use).