summer 2005 dates

[Carlnne]

Will Port Canaveral authorities be upset to lose a major cruise ship for one summer? Will they lose revenue? I received a brochure that they are planning to build some type of new facility near the port. I would think they would be lobbying Disney not to make this move even if only temporary.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Carlnne
Will Port Canaveral authorities be upset to lose a major cruise ship for one summer? Will they lose revenue?

This is what makes me think that they aren't going to move the ship. I really do have a feeling that they'll just give alternate itineraries during the summer and maybe a July 4th 10-day cruise? I just can't imagine them justifying the loss of $$$ from PC.

Maybe the 'big' announcement will be not only new itineraries for the Magic, but a *new* West coast ship? Maybe one built for Alaska during some seasons and then Mexico during others.

 

[ThreeCircles]

There was actually an article in the St. Petersburg Times not too long ago about the relationship that Port Canaveral has with Disney. The article mentioned that the port is heavily "lobbying" Disney to station any additional ships at the port and to designate Port Canaveral as the "Home Port of Disney Cruise Line."

According to the article, Disney is very highly looked upon by the Port Authority and the revenu brought in by DCL is significant.

My thinking follows that of CRSNDSNY. With new rumors of two additional ships already floating, I have a feeling that the "big" announcement may be that Disney is going to build two new ships, stationed out of Port Canaveral, and that either the Magic or the Wonder is going to new itineraries for testing.

Castaway Cay is a jewel that Disney is not going to let go unused.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Carlnne
Will Port Canaveral authorities be upset to lose a major cruise ship for one summer? Will they lose revenue?

It's Disney's ship. And Disney can operate it where they want to.

Would my local dry cleaner be upset if I took my cleaning to another shop for four months? Perhaps. But the decision would be mine.

 

[Jestocost]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
It's Disney's ship. And Disney can operate it where they want to.

Would my local dry cleaner be upset if I took my cleaning to another shop for four months? Perhaps. But the decision would be mine.

Well, I'm pretty certain you don't have any contractual obligations to your local dry cleaner.

I'm not so sure that DCL doesn't have some kind of obligations to the Port Canaveral authorities. If the port funded any or all of the costs of building DCL's port, if they have agreed to share some of the port operating costs in exchange for the ships docking there and/or if they have agreed to provide DCL with lower costs, then they may indeed have extracted some kind of firm commitment from DCL.

If that's the case, DCL may be able to buy or negotiate their way out of some or all of that commitment, but they likely would have to give up something of value. I'm sure they can and will move the ship for the summer if they really want to, but only if it also makes economic sense to do so.

 

[CamColt]

Id been planning for years now to do our first 7 days cruise for our 10th anniversary which is in the summer of 2005. I couldnt take the waiting any longer so I booked a 4 day. I really wasnt excited at all about it after waiting for the 7 day for so long. So, last weekend I bit the bullet and changed our anniversary trip to October of 2005. The kids will miss 4 days of school, but it will be a lot cheaper for us than going in the summer(especially if its out of California, which we wouldnt want anyway) and we are getting exactly what we wanted. The only downside is I have 2 months longer to wait now.

 

[ilovemky]

one of the posters said "I hope it is NOT california" Well, personally I hope it is--I would be able to cruise like you easterners have had the luxury of doing for so many years without having to fly clear across the country and get hotels, cars etc. I think we can "share" the ships--then we will all be happy!

 

[AnnaS]

Yes, I am one of the posters that hopes it's not. My kids and husband hope it is. I am sure if it is out of CA we would cruise anyway - as long as financially possible. I say, I hope not because I hate, hate flying and don't want to be up in the air anymore than I have to. We fly to Floriday anyway - but like I said, I hate it. If we do come out there, I would hope we could spend a few days exploring. Yes, you guys out west should have the chance an opportunity too. No argument there. BTW, I have convinced my DH to drive down this August and we are taking autotrain back.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I read on one of the threads there is a Travel agents meeting this wekend and one of the 'posters' was going to 'pump' DCL as much as possible for news on Summer 2005.

I have seen Disneylands annoucements are 5th May, however if anyone else has more news please let us know.

I see there are now at least four threads on this!

Please keep posting!

 

[AnnaS]

With all the anticipation and excitement building up, I am afraid if we might be disappointed with the outcome/announcement/plans for DCL ('05). Just in case for whatever reason it does not work out for us, we are starting to think of different plans for '05.

 

[wide awake]

I'm from CA so I have my fingers crossed that DCL will be here in 2005. It would be a great move for them...it coincides with the Disneyland 50 year celebration, and it gives them some idea of what their numbers would look like from the west coast. Disney had the data from The Big Red Boat before they committed to DCL. The summer of 2005 would give them the same type of info for CA sailings...how much will people pay, how far are the majority of customers willing to travel, is there a different market and if so how should the ships be changed, etc...The numbers would be somewhat skewed because of the novelty...but those types of errors can be accounted for. As for the CC issue...I enjoyed our day there, but would have enjoyed other ports just as well.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Has anyone obtained any more news on this one, I read on one post that there was a Travel agents meeting with DCL in attendance last weekend and one poster was going to push for more information on Summer 05 Magic destinations.
Most interested in all of the views being posted.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Has anyone got any more news or views on this, And a further question I see some Internet Travel agencies say, send your request in advance and we will send to DCL, ( based on this years, trips, does that mean when the Magic itineries are annouced there will be a flood of bookings, or will it be safe to book direct.

I see some people are waitlisted for 6.30 dinner times etc? on other bookings.

 

[Yankee914]

We keep checking back with our AAA Travel Agent and she said that Disney just keeps telling her to check back. She had no information on rumors that the Magic will go to California for Summer '05. We were on the Magic last August and had plans of going again in August of '05. We are currently looking at other options in case Disney goes to California. We just don't want to spend the extra $$$ to do the cruise from the West Coast AND we don't want to lose our day at Castaway Cay. Hopefully they will just announce Alaska cruises out of California on a new ship that will be built and keep the Magic in Port Canaveral.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The most recent DCL press annoucement reported a couple of weeks ago included' Port Canaveral will be are year round home port' But you might see different length holidays not just 7 days.

My personal hope and view is it will stay in the Carribean and have some 10 and 11 day trips and include Jamcaia, or St Lucia, even Martinique or other ports such as Belize now opening up to Cruises on other lines.

Many people link it in with Disneylands 50th, and I can see the logic (and hope), but still the negatives for that are;-

Staff and support at Port Canaveral, what do you do with your current staff.
Casterway Cay, popular and would be under used.
The income in Carribean and out of PC is fat more predictable than and new venture.
Disney CL must obtain bulk discout rates for regular use of ports trips excursions etc,
There is new costs for any new trip plus costs of Panama Cannal if used.

My guess is we will see a number of different cruises, some 10 day some 11 day in the Carribean, east and West, all out of PC, plus possiblly a 11 day there, and 11 day back from CL through Panama for the start of Disneylands 50th.

All I hope is they make their minds up soon and annouce.

Here in the UK I have already seen the first 2005 Brouchure for Florida, and they only show DCL cruises up to April 2005, both for Magic and Wonder, and although their brochure is for the full year, nothing after April.

It is lilky other operators will be the same redcuing options for UK customers.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

This is the article I read:-

Disney Magic may alter course

By Laurin Sellers
Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer

February 27, 2004

PORT CANAVERAL -- Travelers hoping to book a cruise on the Disney Magic next summer will have to hold off awhile -- at least until it's determined just where the ship will be sailing.

Disney officials said this week they are considering changing the Magic's itinerary for the summer of 2005, which could include different ports of call, shorter or longer cruises and even another homeport during the three-month period.

"We're looking at all our options," said Mark Jaronski, spokesman for the Disney Cruise Line. "But leaving Port Canaveral permanently, that's not an option."

The Magic first set sail from the Brevard County port in 1998 and has been offering seven-day cruises to the Caribbean since 2000, the same year a second ship, the Disney Wonder, joined the fleet.

Questions about the Magic's future surfaced recently when travel agents tried to reserve group space on the ship next summer and were told space was not available due to itinerary changes. However, the agents were told space was available for next spring and fall.

An item about the changes in Cruise Week, an industry publication, prompted speculation that the Magic might be relocating to Southern California to tie in with the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Anaheim.

But if it does sail from the West Coast, it won't be for long, Jaronski said.

"We've invested a lot of money in Port Canaveral," he said. "As far into the future as we can see, Port Canaveral will be our year-round port."

Port officials said Thursday they would hate to see the Magic go, even for three months.

"You never like to lose income," spokeswoman Dixie Sansom said. "But if that should come about, we would know in advance in preparing next year's budget and would take it into consideration."

Sansom said it's not uncommon for cruise lines to check out other ports for future expansion.

Ships also can be out of commission up to a month for dry-docking, she added.

A few changes already have been made in the Magic's itinerary for this summer, Jaronski said.

Along with the usual seven-day cruises, three-day and four-day cruises to the Bahamas also are being offered. And, in December, the Magic will embark on a 10-day Caribbean cruise.

"We're 6 years old now and have a lot of repeat guests," Jaronski said. "The new itineraries give those guests an incentive to come back."

 

[bkline]

I'd like to see The Magic stay in Port Canaveral and add some new islands. Tortolo tops my list. I also wouldn't mind a 10 day cruise. Add me to the anxiously awaiting list.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you fro the reply, I think Ochio Rios, Puerto Rico, St Lucia Even Barbados and Tobago to the east, on a 10/11 day cruise, or West to River Maya, Belize Progreso/Merida, would all be nice!

However the thing I most agree with is make an annoucement soon!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Anyone herd anything more?

 

[rae519]

Can only hope that we are one of the first callers when the announcement is made!

Rae