The new Disney ship

[mbaidacoff]

Okay, these might just be rumors but someone I was talking to on the 3/13 Magic said they had twisted the arm of a CM and found out that Disney is building a new ship that will be 1 1/2 times the size of the Magic and the Wonder. Its name will be the Disney Dream. They will use this ship for the 10 day Mediterranean cruise and possibly a 10 day Alaskan cruise as well as Caribbean cruises. He said there will definitely be California/Mexican Riviera cruises in 2005, but wasn't too sure about cruises through the Panama canal (to get the ship to the other side of the country). As I said, these might just be rumors...

 

[mickeymo]

I was on 3/13 Magic and pointedly asked our server what was up for 2005. He said the same things you heard. Didn't hear about the bigger ship, though - he was very soft spoken, so I missed a lot of what he said - had to have dh who was sitting closer, fill in what I missed.

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I hope it isn't just rumors. That would be so nice.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

I hope it is true. On our first outing with DCL back in 00 we were told about the Disney Dream. I would love to take a DCL Mediterranean cruise!! I do know that the last time I looked, there is no order for a new ship from Disney yet. I have read that they are waiting for the $ to gain strenght against the Euro. As for the West Coast...I think that is in the bag already. They are just waiting to announce it during the big DL 50th press conference.


*daydreaming about the Disney Dream*

 

[outahere]

We need Rumor Control over here !!!!!!!!!!!!

Step away from the rumor and no one gets hurt...............

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

Don't need rumor control......just Disney Dreamin'


*leaving now*

 

[pfishgirl]

I was also told about the Disney Dream, but of course I heard it was about twice the size and Improved rooms. Even crew members are being screened/hired this year for it.

the 10 day alaska trip sounds wonderful and as long as I keep saving my pennies we will be on that ship.

 

[GenieDana]

Unfortunately, someone was "Dreaming." There are no orders for a new Disney ship before 2006 (unless Disney were to buy a hull already in the yards).

You can look at projected deliveries here:

http://www.cruisenewsdaily.com/newships.html

If there were a new order, it would be big industry news, and public knowledge within the hour of a contract signing (Disney is publicly traded, remember).

So far, Disney has announced a "concept" for a new ship. They do not have plans (construction plans) for one yet. Construction plans will be developed with the shipyards' naval architects and Disney Imagineers, but that won't happen until a contract is in place.

The dollar is not doing well agains Euro and Yen, so signing a contract and locking-in at current exchange rates would be foolish.

 

[inkkognito]

I can confirm that this is true, as I was told the same thing by the cousin of a friend of a CM's great aunt's stepsister.
Sometimes I think the CMs tell a different story every week and then toss some money into a pot on just how fast the latest "Disney Dream" will make it to the internet.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Barb - I'm with you - I think the CM's love to tell these "stories" to see how fast they can get them going!

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Originally posted by inkkognito:
as I was told the same thing by the cousin of a friend of a CM's great aunt's stepsister

That's a good one Barb!!

 

[mbaidacoff]

Oh phooey, shows how gullible (or wishful) I am!

Anyway, thanks for the cool site GenieDana. The cruise line industry is certainly booming.

mb

 

[goofyguy1958]

Well my brother actually works for travelocity selling cruises and he was told that indeed there will be a new Disney ship that will be larger than the Magic and Wonder. The diference with his story is that he stated the new ship will not be ready until 2007. I think this is a little more believable. He also told me that RC is coming out with a new ship in the 120,000 ton range to eclipse the new Queen Mary II. Next they will just plant an engine on an island and move it around the oceans.

 

[GenieDana]

Goofyguy1958,

I think you are referring to the RCCL "Ultra Voyager"

Estimated Inaugural: May, 2006
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Ship Name: unnamed
Size: GRT: 160,000 Capacity: 3600 lower berths
Builder: Kaverner Masa - Finland
The working name for this ship is "Ultra Voyager," because it will be a slightly larger version (15% larger) of the Voyager-class vessel.

The trend is for larger ships (less operating cost per passenger). Just look at the new vessles 21 of them. The average GRT is 104, 905. The $$$ (read profit) is in the Caribbean (that is why so many ships are stationed in the Caribbean). Sure there is market on the West Coast, but all lines make their lion's share in the Caribbean.

For that reason, I believe the announcemnt DCL will make in May will have more to do with additional Caribbean ports of call, and doing more 10-day (or longer) iteneraries (Southern Caribbean, Christmas cruises, etc. into the lineup). A short stint on the West Coast may be a "novelty" for the Disney anniversary; who knows how well it will sell? It certainly will not be as profitable for DCL, unless the rates that will be charged will be comensurate with the added expenses of transiting and sailing from California (which will not be good new$ for the cash-strapped like me).

We'll see (hear in May) for summer 2005. Maybe Disney will join the building bubble and get on with a new ship?

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Here's a thought -

What if Disney "rents" a ship from someone else for the summer to see how the market is out here?

It would be run the same way, characters and all - but just not the ship -

 

[MarkRG]

The last thing that I had heard, told in confidence, not from any anonymous castmember, but from one of the command crew after the captains table discussion was the following. This was last May.

The actual design(not a construction plan) had been finalized and that Disney was shopping around to the different shipyards to make a contract. The major thing they were holding back on was waiting for the Euro to be more favorable towards the US dollar.


Now, that was last May, but, that hasn't exactly happened yet, due to our soft economy. They obviously have a number in mind and are now waiting for the market to meet it.

 

[GenieDana]

KaitlinsMom,

Wouldn't be the first time - Big Red Boat!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

GenieDana -

See, that's what I was thinking!

They could keep the Magic and Wonder in routine - and then add to it and see how Southern Cal would react -


Being an annual passholder - I can tell you, it would work out greatly!

 

[gizfish]

JMHO, but I doubt Disney would ever rent another ship to try it out. They learned from being affiliated with the fiasco of the Big Red Boat, that the only way to do something Disney is to do it yourself. Disney is too into details and control to inherit another cruiselines problems, even for a season.

 

[jlp651]

If DCL does decide to do another itinerary (alaska or mediterain) would they buy another island too?
Grant it if they build a ship for Alaska-BF and I will be the first ones on it (ok or at least we will get on it sometime ) but I think one of the biggest selling points is Castaway Cay...its almost like going to a "secret club." Know what I mean? You get the opportunity to do things in places that all other cruise ships go to and then get to relax your last day at an amazing, magical place....
So, whats the thought there? New route-new ship-new island too???