Summer 2005/2006 Wise Decision By Dcl

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I know PRINCESS appear to move most/all of their ships out of the Caribbean during the summer, most west coast, some to Europe.

Their brochure says its because they only wish to sail in the best conditions in the Caribbean.

Other lines also seem to cut down or move ships out of the Caribbean at this time, but it is correct to say, some like Carnival now have year long operations in the Caribbean.

 

[georgina]

It would be interesting to see statistics regarding who sails on Disney cruises, and where they come from. Our kids are too old to take out of school, so we are hoping to do a 4 night Wonder cruise in the Caribbean in the summer of 2006. I would definitely not go to CA for it. We were in LA for 4 nights this summer, and did not go to DL. I guess if you've done a Caribbean cruise before, something different might be appealing. Our family associates Disney with Florida.

 

[LiserAnn]

Okay, okay, what's so bad about California? And before you jump all over me...I'm not a native-I'm a well traveled gal...born in NY, lived in Texas, Greece (I'm Greek) and spent much time in Philly for work year after year and I have to say, I love the climate in CA the best. I'll admit, not crazy about some of the people, but the climate and terrain of Southern California closely resemble Greece. True, it is expensive but so are a lot of other places in the US. As a vacation spot, it's not bad. Nice beaches, nice weather. I know, we have earthquakes (although I can't remember when the last one was...hope I didn't jinx myself). Yes, Disneyland doesn't compare to MK, AK, MGM and Epcot...but without Dland, there wouldn't have been a WDW...and Walt lived in CA, not FL. And I'll also own up to the fact I'd rather do the Caribbean than Mexico but like many have said, I'd cruise DCL even if it circled the Pacific (or Atlantic) Ocean. All I can say is us West Coast folks are thrilled at the possibility of having DCL in CA on a regular basis. The sell out response is evidence of that. It's nice to not have go far for a quality cruise, and who can beat DCL?

In the very end I'm sure DCL will keep at least 2 ships in FL and at least 1 in CA...what the west coast itinerary will be remains to be seen. JMHO.

 

[justmestace]

Very well said, LiserAnn! Thank you!!!

 

[02bBarbie]

Originally posted by mrsltg
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.

to the best of my knowledge, that is not true. Several Princess ships are registered in Bermuda and they *never* go to Bermuda. Several HAL ships are registerd in the Netherlands and only do US cruising

 

[pppiglet]

I'm with LiserAnn....I have lived in Calif all my life though. I hate to fly, so I will love it if Magic comes to CA for 2006! Don't think I would ever go to WDW. I know DL so well. Sometimes we just go for a hour and ride the train! I would probably get lost at WDW and Epcot and all that!

LiserAnn... I have been to Murrietta and I love it there. I go to a retreat there at the Hot Springs! It's beautiful.

So....looks like I may be able to book another future cruise while on board in June!

 

[LiserAnn]

pppiglet-Thanks we really love living in Murrieta. We lived in the Laguna Beach area for about 8 years and have really enjoyed the more "simple" family life that Murrieta offers...it was nice to get out of the rat race. Anyway, my DH went to high school in Anaheim and he actually worked at DL. For the most part, if you lived in Anaheim, you worked at DL.

You're doing Mexico in June then? We're going July 30th. I'm hoping we can book another trip onboard (meaning west coast 2006). With young children we're all about the all inclusive Disney vacation that allows us to enjoy it without having to get on an airplane and put yourself through torture. My DH travels a ton for work so he's looking forward to the drive to your vacation point as opposed to tackling an airport.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that DCL is going to make Los Angeles as one of their home ports...new ship or the Wonder or the Magic, doesn't matter to me, just as long as it's HERE!!!

 

[tezb]

As a Native Californian....I agree w/ the others from the West Coast. We have travelled 4 times now to FL so it's nice that the Magic is coming our way for a change. The airfare alone is well over 1200.00 for a family of 5! It gets very expensive not to mention the price of the cruise. My sister who doesn't like to fly is already booked for their first DCL cruise since you can drive instead...we are in No. Calif.

 

[ivanova]

Originally posted by 02bBarbie
to the best of my knowledge, that is not true. Several Princess ships are registered in Bermuda and they *never* go to Bermuda. Several HAL ships are registerd in the Netherlands and only do US cruising

Well, actually I think HAL goes to the ABC islands (Aruba, Curacao....) which are the Netherland Antilles ... so they ARE cruising to the Netherlands even though they are in the Caribbean.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Originally posted by georgina
It would be interesting to see statistics regarding who sails on Disney cruises, and where they come from.

I agree but I think they wouldn't be able to get a lot of good information from it, In the UK they basically have stopped advertising DCL and its out of most holiday brochures.

In fact they have made it very difficult to book and therefore I used a USA agency this time, and I am sure many UK people who want to cruise are going to other lines. Just not knowing about DCL.

Therefore lack of advertising, >lack of people from UK, >DCL thinks people from UK do not like DCL, >they do not order any advertising.

By the way, the last few posts appear to have gone well off subject, I know as the thread started I have been very balanced in the WEST/EAST Coast debate, and I am looking forward to going to the West coast for nine days before the LA cruise.

The original thread was a comment that it would be more likely DCL will go to CL again next summer due to bad weather in FL.

 

[Euphscott]

Getting back to the original point as Andrew pointed out..

I seriously doubt the weather plays a role in moving the ship out west at all. I frankly would be surprised to see the Magic back in 2006, unless as one other poster writes, it is to continue the 50th celebration. THAT would be the reason, not weather. Caribbean cruising goes on all the time throughout Hurricane season. This year was the perfect storm so to speak. We may go another 50 years before this set of circumstances returns.

And I am aware that the premium price for the sold out (nearly so anyhow) west coast sailings are nice. But put a ship out there all the time and the demand would lower, and with that those premium prices. I believe there is a market for west coast cruising, but year round? That may be a tough sell considering the competition out there and much lower rates available. There is a reason Caribbean is king and Disneyland alone will not change that.

We shall see - I am certain the DCL Marketing and Planning are looking at it from many different angles.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

August has been the cheapest time to cruise with DCL in the Caribbean, and they have been able to charge higher stateroom costs in CL, if as you say it is limited to summer again, they most likely will be able to charge higher again.

If in the unlikely event they went all year, the costs would come down.

Maybe however they will try somewhere else, different Caribbean cruises further south, or Costa maya where they had to visit recently, some reports say it was very good!

 

[mickeymom923]

I live in Philly and I'm not thrilled to fly so I usually drive to Florida in August to cruise. Did the Wonder August 03, August 04 and re-booked for August 05. I would not go to CA for a cruise because of the cost of flying for 4. Hope Disney comes back for Aug 06/

 

[zucchero]

Originally posted by 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.

I totally agree. I think Disney is testing the waters (no pun intended) to see if there is enough demand to keep a ship (or 2) full time on the left coast. Since LA/Orange County has oodles of money, I think it will happen.

John