Should/will DCL make capacity limits public?

[sethschroeder]

As to your last comment....that's kind of the point. Tell us capacity, so either we are prepared for that hour long wait in line for the pool....or so we can choose not to go. That's the point of releasing capacity information, so people know what they are getting themselves into.

They don't have the capacity to handle a high capacity cruise from the looks of it on vlogs.

I can't buy they are allowing 75-100% capacity.

I have looked at other cruise lines they are not limiting things like Disney seems to be. Maybe Disney doesn't care about bad PR though anymore and will run DCL brand in to the ground?

Want to add this is a dumb way to measure but my December 2019 cruise was at like 85% of rooms full or something (which was low for the time I think). We had over 500 people in the Facebook group but my groups now sit around 200 and 150. Not scientific but seems to spell less people.

 

[diablodancer]

I wish they would but don’t think it’s likely. They sold the UK sailings on the basis of reduced capacity and originally told people it was 50% as well, this has creeped up as the sailings have gone on which has left many people feeling less safe and like they were miss-sold. If DCL would just be upfront about capacities it would allow people to make informed decisions and therefore improve guest satisfaction IMO, but like many things they’ve done during the pandemic that doesn’t seem to be a worry for them.

 

[Donna3271]

I'm willing to trade giving up certain amenities for a lower crowd, regardless of experience, so I think publishing that number and stating what the changes are would be informative to someone like me. I could accept not having Fantasmic or hotel dining when I went in June because I knew crowds would be lower across property. It was an informed decision. Heck, I bought "better" tickets to an MLB game in May because of reduced crowds and I could see what the spacing was. Maybe I'm a weirdo.

I agree! (no you are not weirdo!)

 

[mmackeymouse]

I talked with 3 Disney cruise specialists including someone from the leadership team, every one of them stated that Disney is not releasing the %, I highly doubt its 50% as that is 2/3rd of what other cruise lines are doing, and Disney sure as heck didnt limit park capacity to 50% when they reopened, so I dont know why they would do it for the cruise line.

That's simply not true.

They opened at 15%, and are currently only even up to 35%.

Now, like I said before, arguments could be made on that number. Max capacity vs average capacity. And, with certain attractions closed thus not being able to absorb the crowds....it's hard to even claim max capacity as 100K.

But, still. It wasn't 50%.

 

[Donna3271]

Hi Y'all,
What ever happened to that website that listed capacity of the cruise and what rooms were available....

 

[OKW Lover]

Disney won't release capacity info or park attendance info. Its competitively sensitive information. They have a long, long history of keeping this information confidential.

 

[OKW Lover]

Hi Y'all,
What ever happened to that website that listed capacity of the cruise and what rooms were available....

That info was never correct. It merely showed the availability of certain types of rooms, not how many were available.

 

[Donna3271]

That info was never correct. It merely showed the availability of certain types of rooms, not how many were available.

TU! I always wondered how they would be able to accurately predict.

 

[Sleepyluke]

I think the reason they don't release a % is that it is a fluid number. What is the goal this week is not the goal 2 weeks from now. Can you image how confusing it would be for anyone the 9/6 is 34%, the 9.14 is 40%, etc. I think alot of it is that they don't want to limit themselves if they can sell more, but I think if they see that the numbers warrant it, by Oct 1, they can get 85090% onboard they will.

When they opened the parks there was a number, but it was adjusted quickly and very debated when it was increased and what that number really was. Disney have never been one to release any numbers, so that is not something I really expect to ever see from them. A guesstimate afterwards, yes, but not on the front.

 

[sethschroeder]

I think the reason they don't release a % is that it is a fluid number. What is the goal this week is not the goal 2 weeks from now. Can you image how confusing it would be for anyone the 9/6 is 34%, the 9.14 is 40%, etc. I think alot of it is that they don't want to limit themselves if they can sell more, but I think if they see that the numbers warrant it, by Oct 1, they can get 85090% onboard they will.

When they opened the parks there was a number, but it was adjusted quickly and very debated when it was increased and what that number really was. Disney have never been one to release any numbers, so that is not something I really expect to ever see from them. A guesstimate afterwards, yes, but not on the front.

Eh thats easy just give the range. The Royal CEO gave a range of 30-50%.

You don't need a specific number just what they are thinking as a ballpark.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I think the reason they don't release a % is that it is a fluid number. What is the goal this week is not the goal 2 weeks from now. Can you image how confusing it would be for anyone the 9/6 is 34%, the 9.14 is 40%, etc. I think alot of it is that they don't want to limit themselves if they can sell more, but I think if they see that the numbers warrant it, by Oct 1, they can get 85090% onboard they will.

When they opened the parks there was a number, but it was adjusted quickly and very debated when it was increased and what that number really was. Disney have never been one to release any numbers, so that is not something I really expect to ever see from them. A guesstimate afterwards, yes, but not on the front.

Sure, but the problem is that by their own stated protocol, they are sailing at reduced capacity. Well....90% could be considered reduced capacity, technically. So, like Seth said below....a general range would be helpful. Otherwise, people have to assume...they may sail with 1,000 other guests. They may sail with 3500 other guests. How is that at all helpful?

And, I don't expect that fair-minded people would hold them to anything. But a range, or a projection, would be the decent thing to do. "Our goal is to be at 70% by the end of the year" or whatever the case may be.

And yes, while the parks were, in fact, debated greatly....heck, the capacity is still debated. I still have questions myself about some of those numbers....they still put out a concrete percentage in the beginning, and periodically updated that percentage as necessary. Chapek himself announced the CA parks would start out at 15%. So, it wouldn't be unthinkable for DCL to throw people a bone...at least a starting number, a goal number, etc.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Also...I think part of the matter is.....people are less concerned about Disney coming out and saying, "This cruise will have this number." "This cruise will have that number."

They want the max. They want DCL to come out and say, "We will not book more than x%" Whether that's 35%. Or 50%. Or whatever. They just want to know that Disney has a number. And will be faithful to that number.

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't understand how knowing what percentage capacity the ship may be at now, or some point in the future, has on deciding to cruise.

 

[Person9976]

I don't understand how knowing what percentage capacity the ship may be at now, or some point in the future, has on deciding to cruise.

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? Or would you pay full price for a ship with 2000 passenger and greatly reduced amenities? That is where the percentage capacity comes in handy, it allows for consumers to be informed on the kind of experience they will get while paying full price for a cruise. Since Disney wont share their capacity and other major cruise lines are running 70+% capacity (e.g. Carnival and Celebrity both started off at 70% capacity with their voyages), why would I want to pay a Disney premium for a potentially overcrowded boat where my kids would have to wait an hour to spend 10 minutes in the pool?

 

[g_ppetto]

I would love to know capacity levels, but I don't think it will happen. We're scheduled for a cruise on the Fantasy in October and I expect it to be rather full.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I don't understand how knowing what percentage capacity the ship may be at now, or some point in the future, has on deciding to cruise.

This post confuses me...you really can't see how capacity would be a determining factor on whether to cruise? Really?

One side of it is exactly what the previous poster said. If offerings are to be reduced, it would be helpful to know if the capacity would be worth it to make up for a lesser experience. Or..that you are not going to be paying a premium for an overcrowded ship, long lines, AND lack of offerings. I think it is helpful for people to be able to weight out the pros and cons that way.

The other side of it, and this is where we land, there are people who are...cautious about traveling, but not fearful. Meaning, they are willing to travel, as long as a certain amount of reasonable caution can be maintained. So...if the capacity of the ship is such that dining rooms aren't full, space can be easily maintained, space is available in the theaters, etc etc....then, that is an educated risk they are willing to take.

Would I go to my local theater to see a movie if I know they are limiting it to 50 people? Probably. Would I go to my local theater, knowing that "reducing capacity" could be me and 400 other people? Probably not.

 

[OKW Lover]

This post confuses me...you really can't see how capacity would be a determining factor on whether to cruise? Really?

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.

 

[Person9976]

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.

You're right, and BC kids never had to wait in line to use the pool for 10 minutes nor did you ever have to wait in a virtual queue to get off the boat to go to CC, kids could come and go to the kids club as they pleased and didn't need to reserve a slot in advance. The new Disney experience is greatly reduced for families with young children, and capacity means a great deal for using amenities such as the pools and kids clubs as the greater the capacity the less access families will have to these amenities. Why would a family want to pay full price to sit on an overcrowded ship where kids really can't do much other than stay in their stateroom because everything is booked/lines are too long?

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

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.

True, I've always assumed my cruises would be nearly full, and I think they mostly have been. But right now, I would not be comfortable on a full ship. Currently there is no crowding in the dining rooms or theaters and seems like there are no bottlenecks of shoulder-to-shoulder people (like around the shops or waiting to get into Animators). Those are things that would not have bothered me pre-Covid, but do bother me right now. I'm sailing in September, and if suddenly the ship was full, that would not meet my expectations.

For those with kids, the limits on how many can be in the clubs means that there needs to be reduced capacity on the ship to accommodate those kids that are sailing.

I don't think we need Disney to tell us a number, but some statement that the number of passengers matches the reduced capacity of stuff is reasonable.

 

[mmackeymouse]

True, I've always assumed my cruises would be nearly full, and I think they mostly have been. But right now, I would not be comfortable on a full ship. Currently there is no crowding in the dining rooms or theaters and seems like there are no bottlenecks of shoulder-to-shoulder people (like around the shops or waiting to get into Animators). Those are things that would not have bothered me pre-Covid, but do bother me right now. I'm sailing in September, and if suddenly the ship was full, that would not meet my expectations.

For those with kids, the limits on how many can be in the clubs means that there needs to be reduced capacity on the ship to accommodate those kids that are sailing.

I don't think we need Disney to tell us a number, but some statement that the number of passengers matches the reduced capacity of stuff is reasonable.

Exactly.

The fact is....if they are only letting 30 kids (or whatever the number is) into the Kids clubs at a time...then yes capacity determines a great deal.

If they have a certain number of entertainment showings, capacity determines a great deal.

And exactly what you said....some of those bottlenecks that wouldn't bother me before WOULD bother me now.