Thank you 'Verandah Man' I bet you will be first to post accurate news!
There is another 'option' to consider.
Many people have posted about hearing of two new
DCL ships, although Disney would not be able to 'hide' the cost of purchase, or even the commitment, and on website lists of new ships there isn't any schedule for DCL.
But there is another option and that's 'leasing' a ship.
DCL could lease a new ship for say a year or so, at the start fit it out which some changes to customise it for DCL.
It could operate on any new route and test it out say West coast, and DCL might have the option to buy in due course.
DCL I have read brings in $50 million a year for Disney, and they operate with all cruises nearly to full capacity, so without a capital outlay, they could 'lease a new ship' work out the income they would get, and cover the costs of the lease and make a tidy profit.
This would in a very short time allow them to increase the options on trips.
Finally the reason for not publishing dates would be some people might want to swap cruise ships or itineraries.
This has just happened in the UK, Airtours have sold its ships to a Greek company, and they have leased them to Thomson holidays and they will refit them before they go into service in spring 2005.