summer 2005 dates

[GenieDana]

Andy,

If the price is like it is for the 10 day 2004 Christmas cruise, I won't be going either!!!

If Disney wants to break-even, the prices will be significantly higher. Here's why:

The transit through the Panama Canal is not cheap, it is priced just under what it would cost going around the Horn. The incentive to use the canal is the time saved. A repositioning cruise would take at least 10 days, with few stops.

Once in LA, you have:

Higher fuel costs - at least 15% to 25% more.
Union Longshore/Entertainment Labor - Florida is Right to Work state, unions are far less of a concern. Ships crew isn't impacted either way.
Port charges are higher
Provisioining is higher (food costs more in CA than it does in FL)
No Castaway Cay, Disney would need to sustitute something? Maybe a day at Disney Land included?
Additional costs of a leased terminal CA, not so in Florida (the Terminal built by the port Authority would sit empty an additional day)
What do you do with the Florida staff (furloughed?).
Much greater distances to reach highly desirable ports of call. The ship would have to sail faster that its optimal cruising speed (more fuel consumption and structural fatigue) or sail slower and not reach those ports. Someone already mentioned the sea state (average 3) where Caribbean is average 1. The ride is generally rougher in the Pacific.


I think the Magic stays in the Caribbean, with itenerary changes. If Disney wanted to "test" the waters on the West coast, there are two almost new ships (Royal Olympic Voyager and her sister ship) available for charter.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Grumbo
Rae519 said.......

Geez thanks Rae... Another Kodak moment

Cheers,
Grumbo

I do so like to give visual experiences!!!!!

Hugs,
Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by GenieDana
Andy,



If Disney wants to break-even, the prices will be significantly higher. Here's why:

The transit through the Panama Canal is not cheap, it is priced just under what it would cost going around the Horn. The incentive to use the canal is the time saved. A repositioning cruise would take at least 10 days, with few stops.

Once in LA, you have:

Higher fuel costs - at least 15% to 25% more.
Union Longshore/Entertainment Labor - Florida is Right to Work state, unions are far less of a concern. Ships crew isn't impacted either way.
Port charges are higher
Provisioining is higher (food costs more in CA than it does in FL)
No Castaway Cay, Disney would need to sustitute something? Maybe a day at Disney Land included?
Additional costs of a leased terminal CA, not so in Florida (the Terminal built by the port Authority would sit empty an additional day)
What do you do with the Florida staff (furloughed?).
Much greater distances to reach highly desirable ports of call. The ship would have to sail faster that its optimal cruising speed (more fuel consumption and structural fatigue) or sail slower and not reach those ports. Someone already mentioned the sea state (average 3) where Caribbean is average 1. The ride is generally rougher in the Pacific.


I think the Magic stays in the Caribbean, with itenerary changes. If Disney wanted to "test" the waters on the West coast, there are two almost new ships (Royal Olympic Voyager and her sister ship) available for charter.

Sometimes reality really bites! (Is that okay to say?????)

Rae

 

[Otisp]

Well, gee willikers! While we're throwing around rumours, how about this one posted last week on Themeparkinsider:

"A friend of mine from Walt Disney World invited me to go on a cruise out of California early next year. She then let it slip that is was a DISNEY CRUISE. I then pressed her for more info (this was via e-mail). She told me she couldn't say any more at that time because if her name were attached to an outgoing e-mail from WDW about the info, then she could lose her job. So she e-mailed me from home tonight, and apparently the Cruise Line is putting together promotional video for its California cruises."

O.K., so it's another one of those "friend of mine" things. But, it is the first one I've seen that's got the video angle!

 

[moocow35]

A cruise "early" next year? Interesting!

Robin

 

[Otisp]

Originally posted by moocow35
A cruise "early" next year? Interesting!

Like I said....a rumour. And, I might add, a much less-informed rumour than the ones we've been circulating here (we "know" that the CA sailings can't start until May).....

 

[tap & dap]

To clarify the post, I was talking about a continuous loop of canal cruises to and from PC to California and back again, not just repositioning cruises. Doing those types of trips a day at CC could be had either at the beginning going to California or the end on the return to PC.

By doing these canal type cruises, they would dock in California only a few times in the 3 months and still utilize PC for every other cruise on that route.

Just not sure if the demand would be high enough to support the canal trips, as they would probably each have to last 10 days. For the 3 months that would equal about 9 or 10 cruises and they would only utilize California for 4 or 5 of those.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Canal transit cruises are rarely offered as regular itineraries. Typically they are only offered as repositioning cruises.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Its interesting how the debate goes one way and then back the other.

My personal hope is it will be in the Carribean with new ports both east and west like the routes RCCL and Carival are operating, Costa Maya, Belize have opened up this year, and DCL has experimented with other ports on the eastern route as well.

I have done the trip from Floridia to LA and didnt like the 2nd part.

Many people have put 2&2 together on the Magic time gap May to August, and tied this in with Disneylands 50th.

Other points, whilst the 3/4 day wonder trips are the most profitable, if the Magic went away for three months wouldnt the Wonder alternate between 3/4 & 7 day trips to keep people happy in the Carribean? Its dates are annouced already for the full year.

I have pointed out the loss of Casterway Cay and what do you do with the DCL support staff? You cannot move all the coaches to California, as the 'wonder' needs these as well and the staff whilst on reduced need (down 33%) couldnt be split.

This is all 'RISK' 'OVERHEADS' and there is the cost of Panama cannal, extra fuel, and the longer the trip the less profitable they are.

The pacific I find is more active and colder than the carribean.

I think possiblly the changes might not be as much as we all think.

Possibly some 10 day carrbean trips some possiblly fewer and new ports to keep regualr cruisers interested.

Disneylands 50th will be very popular so loads of crowds will go, Disney will need to keep interest in WDW Florida moving the ships will overload Disneyland and encourgage pepole to avoid WDW.

I bet DCL have consdiered all these options and thats why there is a delay.

There are other ships to charter or go into partnership in the Pacific but Disney did that before but didnt like not being fully in control.

Either way I hope they make an annoucement soon

 

[rae519]

Andy (verandahman) and I have given up waiting. We set our 50th Birthday Cruise for April 30, 2005 (Eastern) and invite anyone who wants to join us to come along!

For us, the wait is over.

Rae

 

[tap & dap]

Just talked to Disney Cruise Line, they tell me that they have a big "Town Hall Meeting" this week and that the announcements are typically made at those meetings, they told me they usually find out one day and it is anounced to the public the next.

But the meeting is suppose to be this week, so they felt all would be known later this week.

So keep your fingers crossed.

 

[bkline]

That sounds positive. I'll stay hopeful for theMagic staying in FL and adding new ports. Maybe we can all be writing about which week we will be sailing by next week.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It would be fantastic if they made an annoucement this or next week then we all will be a lot happier.

If it is annouced soon that would further 'uncouple' it from the Disneyland idea as I have read that annoucement is on the 5th May, and most people have connected the two together.

Can I ask if anyone finds anything out ,as soon as you know 'post' it so we all can rush to make a booking.

Final thoughts do you think pressure from these sites have made DCL think about making an annoucement quicker.

Or do you think they still have a laugh? (other thread)

 

[SandraLee]

I frankly don't think these chat boards have ANY influence on the DCL planning execs. They will fill the ships no matter when or where they go.

I *do* know someone who works for Disney. She did indicate to me that the Magic was moving to the West Coast, but she would not give any details.

I will be equally happy with a new itinerary on the East Coast. I will probably book the Memorial Day week, no matter where the ship goes.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We we hope they will make it all clear soon! I know if I was high up in DCL I would look at these boards and take notice as there is a lot of very useful inofrmation here.

Saves them undertaking lots of expensive market research, and i would say most people who post here are pro DCL and encourgage people to book.

 

[Greysword]

How about the thought of a world cruise from Disneyland to Tokyo Disney?

That and a return cruise through the Suez Canal would take a good part of the summer!

<evil thoughts>

 

[jlp651]

If Disney Exec's read these boards then they would see all the loops and stuff that we have saving money or ideas *exspecially in the parks*
if we could put together a board just for them that didnt have all the secrets it would work

if they were looking for a few ideas and didnt take away our "cheap or free souveniers" thats ok too...before you know it they would be charging for flyers from the parks!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Andrew DEREK UK
We we hope they will make it all clear soon! I know if I was high up in DCL I would look at these boards and take notice as there is a lot of very useful inofrmation here.

Saves them undertaking lots of expensive market research, and i would say most people who post here are pro DCL and encourgage people to book.

We found out that they do read these boards and become familiar with many of the posters from them. A lot of the ideas and suggestions are implimented and the comments noted (good and bad).

Rae

 

[KaitlinsMom]

OK - I thought I would never add to the rumor mill - but here it goes -

I have 2 close friends - One, her husband works pretty high up for Disney - The other - her husband works for Sherrifs dept that covers security in the Long Beach Port -

They both say that the Disney boat is coming for the special Disneyland celebration (50th) - It will share the terminal with Carnival Cruise Line in Long Beach -

I saw them last night - They both are trying to get me more detailed information -

There - I've added to the rumor mill....

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
OK - I thought I would never add to the rumor mill - but here it goes -

I have 2 close friends - One, her husband works pretty high up for Disney - The other - her husband works for Sherrifs dept that covers security in the Long Beach Port -

They both say that the Disney boat is coming for the special Disneyland celebration (50th) - It will share the terminal with Carnival Cruise Line in Long Beach -

I saw them last night - They both are trying to get me more detailed information -

There - I've added to the rumor mill....

Hmmmm....very interesting!