Should/will DCL make capacity limits public?

[mmackeymouse]

Yes really. BC (before covid) people went ahead and booked cruises without any thought what so ever about how many others would be on board. The assumption was always that the ship would be full. Or nearly so.

Even now you have no control over how full the ship is. You just want to sail on this particular ship/itinerary/sailing. So you go ahead and book it.

We have 4 cruises booked over the next year. Never even considered what the capacity levels would be on those sailings.

Well, it's kind of futile to mention BC in regards to this conversation, because it's not BC.


Sure, the assumption was always that the ship would be full. But, the assumption was also that everything would be functioning as normal. To expect a ship to sail full...or even at 70% with 30-40% functionality....that's a recipe for disaster.

As it is, we are not BC....we are on the (hopefully) tail end of a global pandemic. So, the assumption, isn't that the ship will be full, but rather that the ship will be limited to the point that safety and distancing are the #1 priority. And, it's not just an assumption....it's what they are telling us. They are actively saying, "reduced capacity." It's a vague term. It's one of those things that non-commitally straddles the fence. But, surely, they are aware that in the midst of a global pandemic...surely they know what people want/need from "reduced capacity."

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I wrote a letter to DCL asking what exactly is the % capacity. The answer wasn't helpful in the slightest. I can't say it here but my mother would have said, "Worthless as t**s on a bull."

Hi, I am considering moving our November cruise to late August. I was reading on your website that Disney has reduced capacity on the ships. Can you tell me what percent of capacity are they permitting?

When they reopened Walt Disney World, it was announced that they’d operate at 35% capacity so I assume that Disney knows exactly how many cabins they are intentionally keeping empty and are capable of expressing this as a percentage.

Thank you.
P______ B___________


R_____ (Disney Cruise Line)

Aug 9, 2021, 5:46 AM EDT

Dear P________ B__________,
Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I would be happy to assist you.

At Disney Cruise Line the health and safety of our Guests, Cast Members and Crew Members is our top priority. We have reduced the capacity of our ship. That percentage has not been announced.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further assistance with any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!

R_____
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

 

[jktmom]

I definitely think they should publish the maximum capacity percentages for these early sailings. If I could guarantee the ship would be less than 1/2 full it would majorly impact my decision to book. I don't think its fair to expect people to book a sailing during this time not knowing how many guests could potentially be onboard. Everywhere you go right now you know whether there are capacity limitations or not to assist you in making your decision on whether or not you feel safe. This should be no different. If the information deters you from going then that is a good thing. It means that for whatever reason there are too many or too few people to allow you to have a good cruise experience and if that is the case then you should not cruise right now.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Its the very reason we cancelled our 9/6 cruise after hundreds of families from the cancelled 9/4 Fantasy moved over and now the ship is practically booked to capacity (less than 50 rooms left). Why would you want to pay full price for a ship with 3500 passengers and greatly reduced amenities?

There are 60 verandah rooms available, no oceanview or concierge (inside rooms blocked off by default), this is out of 1250 total guest rooms on this ship, not sure what you would consider "totally booked", but when something shows 5% available capacity, most reasonable people would call that practically completely booked. You will be grossly disappointed when you get on the ship and see how crowded it is, and many kids have multiples days off Labor Day week, that is why it is a crowded and popular cruise. Disney isnt limiting their sailings to less than 1500 people, people just arent booking them, you will see this is different when you get on your 9/6 cruise, and dont say no one told you differently.

I am so sorry. You were correct. My 9/6 sailing on the Dream didn't have less than 1500. We sailed with around 1650 passengers. A whopping 41.25% of the 4,000 capacity of the ship. The waits of 10 minutes or less for the Aquaduck were brutal. It was terrible having empty tables all around us in the MDR and always having a choice of tables in Cabanas even when we went at peak meal times. I hated having so many choices for chairs and loungers in the family pool area. And don't even get me started on what a sacrifice it was to be on CC when you could select an almost totally isolated lounger on the family beach with no trouble despite not rushing off the ship right when all ashore opens up.

I'll probably never sail DCL again with such crowds, but always long for another experience like that. You were so totally right to cancel your cruise. I'm sure you couldn't have been happy on such a packed cruise.

 

[lanejudy]

I think the challenge with posting current capacity limits is people will expect that on future cruises whether that is next month or next year. Capacity will increase at some point, and those who booked thinking 35% capacity will no longer want to sail at 75% capacity. It happened with the parks as well. Yes they stayed low for quite a while, but then this spring the capacity started to increase and people were screaming about how they expected lower crowds when they booked. And the parks have a much closer PIF date with less cancellation penalty compared to a cruise. Everyone has to decide for themselves how they feel about 1) the current situation for capacity/activities/etc., 2) your risk for changes to the current -- better or worse.

 

[jktmom]

In my ideal world they would publish the capacity for the specific sailing when you went in to book that sailing. This might only be possible for these short term bookings people are making now during these crazy times. I am anticipating that all our 2022 would be near full capacity (although I sure hope not!).

 

[TheBigErn]

As some have said already, what difference does it make? For those concerned about capacity limits, perhaps it's too soon for them to cruise. For people like me, I'm ready to cruise at full capacity and don't care what the numbers are.

 

[DCLMP]

How do we even know there are capacity limits? The cruises are going out half full because people don't want to sail. My cruise was bookable up to sail date.

 

[diablodancer]

How do we even know there are capacity limits? The cruises are going out half full because people don't want to sail. My cruise was bookable up to sail date.

Because they’ve advertised them as reduced capacity. Rooms being available just means they haven’t yet reached whatever internal cap they’re going for. Some of the UK sailings ‘sold-out’ as they met that percentage/number but were still reduced capacity.

 

[erik3dis]

I am so sorry. You were correct. My 9/6 sailing on the Dream didn't have less than 1500. We sailed with around 1650 passengers. A whopping 41.25% of the 4,000 capacity of the ship. The waits of 10 minutes or less for the Aquaduck were brutal. It was terrible having empty tables all around us in the MDR and always having a choice of tables in Cabanas even when we went at peak meal times. I hated having so many choices for chairs and loungers in the family pool area. And don't even get me started on what a sacrifice it was to be on CC when you could select an almost totally isolated lounger on the family beach with no trouble despite not rushing off the ship right when all ashore opens up.

I'll probably never sail DCL again with such crowds, but always long for another experience like that. You were so totally right to cancel your cruise. I'm sure you couldn't have been happy on such a packed cruise.

How were you able to determine the number of people on the ship? Just curious, did the curtailment in services and activities impact your enjoyment at all or for you, was it just about being on a cruise?

We are cruising over Thanksgiving and the idea of what I expect will be a crowded ship, significant reduction is services and the need to wear a mask for much of the time while inside really has me questioning if it's worth it and why I should be paying full price.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

How were you able to determine the number of people on the ship? Just curious, did the curtailment in services and activities impact your enjoyment at all or for you, was it just about being on a cruise?

We are cruising over Thanksgiving and the idea of what I expect will be a crowded ship, significant reduction is services and the need to wear a mask for much of the time while inside really has me questioning if it's worth it and why I should be paying full price.

I asked a few crew members. Some just said less than 2000, but eventually I was told rhere were around 1650.

I loved the cruise and didn't find the curtailment in activities impacted me at all. But I was looking for a very relaxing vacation where I wasn't running all over the place, participating in various activities. My 17yo daughter was more impacted and definitely felt her enjoyment of the cruise was impacted by fewer activities both on the ship in general and in the Vibe. She was looking for a more active experience. Neither of us was bothered by the mask rules.

 

[Joe Brig]

I care about capacity limits but in the opposite direction. I've never thought DCL was too crowded even at full capacity. The muster drill and deck parties being the exception and those are changed. Recent cruise videos show an empty and boring looking ship, this makes me consider cancelling a November cruise. Hopefully DCL increases actives even if they keep the capacity low.

 

[Person9976]

I am so sorry. You were correct. My 9/6 sailing on the Dream didn't have less than 1500. We sailed with around 1650 passengers. A whopping 41.25% of the 4,000 capacity of the ship. The waits of 10 minutes or less for the Aquaduck were brutal. It was terrible having empty tables all around us in the MDR and always having a choice of tables in Cabanas even when we went at peak meal times. I hated having so many choices for chairs and loungers in the family pool area. And don't even get me started on what a sacrifice it was to be on CC when you could select an almost totally isolated lounger on the family beach with no trouble despite not rushing off the ship right when all ashore opens up.

I'll probably never sail DCL again with such crowds, but always long for another experience like that. You were so totally right to cancel your cruise. I'm sure you couldn't have been happy on such a packed cruise.

Congrats on paying full Disney prices for a limited experience for your family, that sounds like something a completely rational and reasonable person would do. I am sure the fact that the tables around you at Cabanas were empty due to the lack of passengers and not any other reason.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Congrats on paying full Disney prices for a limited experience for your family, that sounds like something a completely rational and reasonable person would do. I am sure the fact that the tables around you at Cabanas were empty due to the lack of passengers and not any other reason.

Thanks. But I booked with an OBB discount that had gotten moved 3 times due to cruises being cancelled, so I didn't pay full price, and double dips are usually a lot more expensive than cruises with one stop at CC, which is what I had booked. So I got an upgraded cruise from what I had paid for. Woohoo! I loved it and would book another just like it in a heartbeat. To me, the cruise was exactly what I wanted and thensome.

I'm not quite sure what you mean about the tables at Cabanas being empty due to so few passengers. That was precisely my point. It was wonderful to stroll in there, get our food, and be able to find a seat without trouble. Unless you are implying people were avoiding me. Which would be very presumptuous of you, as that wasn't the case.

I'm sorry you missed out on a great experience by making incorrect assumptions about the how full the cruise would be.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Our “empty” cruise was our best ever. It was sooo relaxing. Our kids are grown and they weren’t with us so limited children’s programming wasn’t a problem for us. We loved not having to compete with 3998 other people for every table, chair, beach umbrella, etc.
If it weren’t for the need to save vacation hours for our 14-nt WBPC cruise in March, I’d like to do one of these half empty sailings at least once per month while we still have the SWA Companion Pass.
With onboard booking discounts, we never pay full price for a Disney cruise.

 

[Husker Mike]

As some have said already, what difference does it make? For those concerned about capacity limits, perhaps it's too soon for them to cruise. For people like me, I'm ready to cruise at full capacity and don't care what the numbers are.

Capacity limits are one factor that I will use when it comes time to make a decision to PIF our next cruise. From my perspective, a full ship represents more risk than a ship sailing at 30%-40% of capacity. Whether it's safe or not isn't a binary yes/no decision. There is a continuum of risk that each person needs to evaluate and decide upon. Some people could not care less about COVID; others are super concerned. And still others are still a bit concerned but starting to carefully return back to a new normal. Capacity limits help calm the fears of those of us in the middle. And then there's this: There are certain aspects of a "socially distanced" cruise that are more appealing; perhaps a better shot at a Palo Brunch, less concern about being shut out of activities, fewer lines, more open deck chairs, etc. But I also get that some people like the hustle and bustle of big crowds.

One thing is clear. Capacity numbers don't matter to you; that's your decision. But even if you don't agree with others, at least accept that some people do have different opinions and perspectives.

 

[kps7795]

I am so sorry. You were correct. My 9/6 sailing on the Dream didn't have less than 1500. We sailed with around 1650 passengers. A whopping 41.25% of the 4,000 capacity of the ship. The waits of 10 minutes or less for the Aquaduck were brutal. It was terrible having empty tables all around us in the MDR and always having a choice of tables in Cabanas even when we went at peak meal times. I hated having so many choices for chairs and loungers in the family pool area. And don't even get me started on what a sacrifice it was to be on CC when you could select an almost totally isolated lounger on the family beach with no trouble despite not rushing off the ship right when all ashore opens up.

I'll probably never sail DCL again with such crowds, but always long for another experience like that. You were so totally right to cancel your cruise. I'm sure you couldn't have been happy on such a packed cruise.

I definitely appreciate the sarcasm. However, I am also sailing on the Dream next month. Was your cruise a Halloween cruise? If so, could you please tell me about the extent of Halloween things that were on the ship like in years past i.e. trick-or-treating, kids dressing up etc.

Thank you. It's nice to have realistic expectations.

 

[TheBigErn]

Capacity limits are one factor that I will use when it comes time to make a decision to PIF our next cruise. From my perspective, a full ship represents more risk than a ship sailing at 30%-40% of capacity. Whether it's safe or not isn't a binary yes/no decision. There is a continuum of risk that each person needs to evaluate and decide upon. Some people could not care less about COVID; others are super concerned. And still others are still a bit concerned but starting to carefully return back to a new normal. Capacity limits help calm the fears of those of us in the middle. And then there's this: There are certain aspects of a "socially distanced" cruise that are more appealing; perhaps a better shot at a Palo Brunch, less concern about being shut out of activities, fewer lines, more open deck chairs, etc. But I also get that some people like the hustle and bustle of big crowds.

One thing is clear. Capacity numbers don't matter to you; that's your decision. But even if you don't agree with others, at least accept that some people do have different opinions and perspectives.

Well DCL is never going to release those numbers so good luck.

 

[MomOTwins]

I definitely appreciate the sarcasm. However, I am also sailing on the Dream next month. Was your cruise a Halloween cruise? If so, could you please tell me about the extent of Halloween things that were on the ship like in years past i.e. trick-or-treating, kids dressing up etc.

Thank you. It's nice to have realistic expectations.

I read on another post that trick or treat is not happening, but plenty of people are dressing up (either as pirates or halloween), candy is distributed to staterooms, and they are having some halloween entertainment (e.g. nightmare before christmas sing a long, fireworks, characters in costumes, arts and crafts) but not the level of prior years. I haven't read any pumpkin tree ceremony reports for example. Basically the same thing as what's happening in the parks--look at Boo Bash, it is definitely not as much halloween as MNSSHP in past years, but still has elements of it.

Well DCL is never going to release those numbers so good luck.

Disney's fiscal year ends October 2. I would expect we will get quite a bit of information when they do earnings calls on the fourth quarter results, since this is the first fiscal quarter with a return to cruising in the U.S..

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well DCL is never going to release those numbers so good luck.

They did for the parks when they reopened. One would think that with all the bad press about cruising in the early days of the pandemic, that DCL would want to be transparent and show the world that it’s possible to safely cruise.