Summer 2005/2006 Wise Decision By Dcl

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You have to think now what a wise decision DCL made moving the Magic to CL for next summer, after the bad weather in the Caribbean this year.

I bet now its odds on they will extend the Summer of 2006 to CL as well and not bring the Magic back to mid or late September that time.

It will save them a lot of work.

Next thoughts, move the Wonder as well, as other cruise line send all of their ships out of the Caribbean at this time, and some to Alaska.

If you think, the West coast cruises sold out quickly, it will boost DL's attendance, there, hopfully is less chance of bad weather their at that time, they put the prices up, and this year they are paying a lot extra, for extra ports, extra buses to Texas and Port everglades, compensation, discounts.

It must be odds on now for West coast 2006! late May to late September.

 

[markey]

Well then I'm glad I booked RC cruise for 2005, after 5 years straight on DCL. Guess that's goodbye to DCL for me if this would happen. An East coast person who has no desire to go to California. Been there 7 times, the only reason I went was because my daughter was stationed at El Tora, USMC. I love Florida, hurricanes and all.

 

[CruzNMom]

I'm sure the West Coast itinerary is a test to see if it will go. Also, some folks who cruise a lot might be getting bored with the Atlantic side offerings.

I'm surprised, however, that they are leaving only 3 and 4 day cruises out of Florida. I thought they might alternate - one week a 7 day and the next a 3-day/4day. We might have done a 7-day next summer but probably won't go west and it is too long a trip down there for a 4-day.

I wish the 14-day transition cruises were a week later (going) or a week earlier (coming back). I'd love to do one of those but kids would miss a week of school either way.

 

[mrsltg]

I'm surprised, however, that they are leaving only 3 and 4 day cruises out of Florida. I thought they might alternate - one week a 7 day and the next a 3-day/4day.

The have no choice from what I understand. They are flagged in the Bahamas so they have to make x number of stops in the bahamas each year.

Erin

 

[markey]

There would have been a way around that. We were on the 8/14 cruise that missed GC and went to the Bahamas instead on Thursday before CC. All they would have to do is stop there. We only left Coszumel at 4:30 on Wednesday and made it there. Just arrive a little later and you have your visit at the Bahamas. Someone who doesn't like that port can stay on the ship. Disney did not want to stop the Land and Sea packages.

 

[cindalu]

markey,
I am with you. I also live in PA and have no desire to see CA. If they do that in 2006 also I don't know when I will be able to cruise again since I have 3 in school.

By the way I was down at WDW on August 14. Where in Pa do you live. I live near Philly.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Originally posted by CruzNMom


I'm surprised, however, that they are leaving only 3 and 4 day cruises out of Florida. I thought they might alternate - one week a 7 day and the next a 3-day/4day. We might have done a 7-day next summer but probably won't go west and it is too long a trip down there for a 4-day.

I agree a mixture is best, also from the UK Florida is the best to get to, but, I feel the recent weather will be a good reason for DCL to move the Magic again to the West coast, after all of the hard work recently with extra costs to them.

The other factor is how soon casterway cay comes back!

 

[DVC4US]

Andrew - I know you know this but the move to the west coast was not because of the weather in the Caribbean. Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th with the most active months being Aug, Sept, Oct. So the move to the west coast would not really do them a whole lot of good unless they moved the ship during these months. Plus, there are hurricanes in the Pacific also, and although they do not tend to affect the port of LA to often, they do have an impact on the Mexician coast. In the some 6 years that DCL has been cruising out of PC this is the first time a hurricane has had such a major impact on the cruises.

LeiLani

 

[MBFergie]

Hurricanes are something people in Florida and the east coast of the US deal with. Thank god they don't come every year!! CA has it's share of mishaps to with earthquakes, at least a hurricane you can prepare for.

I don't think ships will be leaving the Florida ports during the summers due to the recent weather!

Especially DCL, I don't know for a fact but would assume Disney World, Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom have a much bigger draw then the CA parks!

Thankfully all I lost were a few trees and electricity for 2 days, but even if I lost more I'm still not leaving FLORIDA!!!

 

[webray]

yep..they moved the magic..but it comes back for hurricane season. Being gone in the summer doesn't help much.

 

[justmestace]

I'm always surprised at the amount of "East Coast" people who say they won't go "all the way to California" to cruise Disney.

I guess you don't truly love Disney Cruise Line, then.

Those of us who are on or near the west coast "go all the way to Florida" to cruise DCL. Because we love it, and it's worth it.

If you owned your own business, you'd know why DCL is taking the Magic to CA for Disneyland's 50th......Money.....look at how fast those cruises filled up, at much higher prices than they usually get. If I could get away with that in my business, I'd do it, too. Anyone would.

 

[starwood]

We're East Coast and booked the CA cruises as soon as they were announced. I prefer FL to CA but this is something new and different.

 

[paulcrsb]

Originally posted by justmestace
Those of us who are on or near the west coast "go all the way to Florida" to cruise DCL. Because we love it, and it's worth it.

I totally agree!

Paul

 

[markey]

cindalu We live in Northern Lancaster County, about 15 miles from Hershey.

 

[cindalu]

markay We live near Philly. We live in Lansdale. The reason I don't want to go all the way to CA is it is so expensive to fly. I am a family of 5 and it would cost as much as the cruise. That is why I am not going to Ca. I love Disney Cruise. When we go to WDW we drive down. It is so much easier with 3 girls.

 

[fodc8]

Hurricaines or not Disney's Bread and butter Cruises are the Land/Sea packages from WDW. Other cruise lines don't have this important land portion. DCL will always weather hurricaine season to keep these cruises.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for all the responses, quite a spread of views;-

I know the bread and butter business, the most profitable is the land and sea on the wonder, but you also can develop more land and sea from Disneyland.

I know the hurricane season is June to end Oct. and DCL didn't move the magic for 2005 for weather reasons, more for something different to offer cruises and to tie in with DL's 50th.

The comment was mainly, that I think the recent bad weather in the Caribbean will make it even more likely they will go again to CL.

West coast does have bad weather, but not as much as Florida has suffered recently, with another one possibly on the way for Key West.

I think they might go a bit latter to CL next year say end of may to end Sept to tie in with the Hurricane season more, and in common with a lot of cruise lines.

I love Florida and its easier to get to and cheaper from the UK, however I am looking forward to Las Vegas, Hollywood DL and the cruise in 2005!

 

[justmestace]

Sorry, Andrew, I guess we did get a little off subject.
I see what you're saying, and agree. I think it would be wise of DCL to continue with the west coast cruises, for one reason due to the weather.
But I think they really need to have a separate ship in California, so that they can continue in Florida as they have all along.

California has as much to offer as Florida does. Disneyland doesn't have as much as WDW, but it has it's own charm.
And there is something so magical about walking down Main Street knowing that Walt himself did this many, many times.
One of the VERY best things to do is to (try) and book the dessert buffet that is held on the balcony of the Disney Gallery, once Walt's apartment. You have a spread of desserts that are amazing, and get to sit on Walt's balcony over-looking New Orleans Square and watch Fantasmic and the fireworks.
You can go into Walt's living room, and the CM's there will tell you how the apartment was laid out before it was turned into the gallery.
You will love it!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

justmestace, agree, I started off with a comment that I personally think DCL will be more likely to go West again next year, and it got off subject EAST/WEST etc.

I have been to DL once before about 14 years ago, before kids, Florida for us is a 9 hour flight, LA 11 hours.

I love both Florida and CL, been to WDW many times because its easier to get to.

I am looking forward to going back to DL and the new DCA park. and it will make a change to WDW.

Until DCL obtains a 3rd ship, and that will be a few years, unless they lease one, then they will have to move ships around.

It would be nice to see, two ships in the Caribbean, one in Mexico, one in Alaska, and even one for us in Europe with London as its base! But that's money and investment.

However I still say the bad weather in Florida and peoples perception about how DCL coped with it, I feel very well, will swing the balance to CL next year.

 

[ivanova]

Originally posted by Andrew DEREK UK
as other cruise line send all of their ships out of the Caribbean at this time, and some to Alaska.

I'm not sure any cruise line moves ALL of their ships out of the Caribbean at the same time, since the Caribbean is still the #1 cruise destination.

I'm sure DCL is looking at building a 3rd ship, and once they've inked a deal it will be announced, and until a 3rd ship is in service they MIGHT consider repositioning the Magic or Wonder to CA for summer 2006 because that is still during the DL 50th 18 month celebration.

But this time they can move a ship and the ship remaining behind can do 3, 4 and 7 day cruises alternately (a 3 and 4 day one week, a 7 day the next week, etc.). So those that still want to cruise out of FL aren't stuck with limited options (like in summer 2005 where there is no 7-day DCL option out of FL while the Magic is sailing out of CA).