TWO of THE NEW DCL SHIPS WILL BE HOMEPORTED IN PORT CANAVERAL

[vacationer1954]

Have you seen the interiors of those cheap cruise ships?

Yes. While I prefer newer ships to old, it isn't hard to get a full appreciation for the interiors of ships from trip reviews and vlogs from other passengers. The interiors of a ship like Vision of the Seas is not the way you make them sound. It is perfectly fine, just like the interiors on the Disney Magic. This isn't about the finishes and appointments - regular rehabs address those concerns very effectively, for both newer ships and older.

What really begins to eat into the popularity of older ships is how they're missing features and capabilities of newer ships, features and capabilities that require not just rehab but reconstruction.

Search the web for Disney Cruise Line Comparison Guide and you can start to see a different developing between the Magic and Wonder, on the one hand, and Fantasy and Dream, on the other hand... things like the water coaster, the mini-golf course, etc. Keep in mind two things about that as you look at the comparison: First, we don't know what the comparison to the three new ships will look like - there will likely be even more differences and more significant differences, differences that may make the Magic and Wonder look even less by comparison. Second, and more importantly, other cruise lines have introduced ships with better features and capabilities. Disney may not "need" them to keep their ships full, but Disney still probably could bump their cruise fares even higher if they added those kinds of features and capabilities to these new ships, and bump those fares so much higher that it is worth doing so. That also may make the Magic and Wonder look even less by comparison.

So I can see the Magic and Wonder becoming the Pop Century and Art of Animation of the Disney Cruise Line. And that is all I'm saying. There is nothing wrong with Pop Century and Art of Animation, but the Grand Floridian is arguably better.

I can't see them having four ships home porting out of the same place.

One way they can do it is by utilizing the home port on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, when the Disney terminal in Port Canaveral is currently dark. That's sort of making them into Pop Century and Art of Animation itineraries, since they don't make best use of people's vacation weeks.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I could see DCL keeping four ships in PC even though I personally would be disappointed. WDW is probably the biggest draw still of the parks so why not convince more people to cruise before/after a trip to WDW. They could always run two Dream-type itineraries and two Fantasy-type itineraries, essentially doubling capacity - seems like there's always a demand.

 

[southerngirl528]

While I would love to see Asia as a market, especially if Australia and New Zealand were included at least part of the time, the more I read the less sure I am it will happen. Time will tell......

 

[dclpluto]

You have to imagine that DCL won't keep a 7 ship fleet forever, I mean Magic and Wonder have to eventually retire around the 30 year mark which seems to be standard on other cruise lines

My guess is when the 8th and 9th ship comes that’s when the magic and wonder will go bye bye. Than dcl will keep their 7 ship fleet. When the 8th and 9th ship comes yes they will be home ported in Port Canaveral.

 

[NZMUM]

While I would love to see Asia as a market, especially if Australia and New Zealand were included at least part of the time, the more I read the less sure I am it will happen. Time will tell......

I would love them to come down this way. We would be able to cruise more often if that happened. And we have mentioned it to any of the captains we talk to. But like you, I don't think it's likely to happen. Still we can still hope.

 

[southerngirl528]

Still we can still hope.

Yes, we CAN!!!

 

[dcassetta]

NCL's foray into Asia was a bust. Maybe Disney will fair better due to their following of fans for the parks and characters. I can't see it full time though unless it includes Australia.

There might be an Asian market because of the Disney brand, but I have read that casinos are essential on those cruises in East Asia, and I don't think Disney will have one.

Asia makes too much sense given the fact of Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney all being located there. Ship could be based out of Singapore and cover Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, China, maybe even a trek out as far to Hawaii.

Again all speculation

My dream cruise, and by this I mean on the Wonder, would start in Tokyo, so you could visit Tokyo Disneyland, and then travel to Shanghai and then to Hong Kong. All the Disneylands!

 

[mom4mad]

I can’t see Disney permanently placing a ship in Asia without testing the waters first. Ha! Pun intended. If DCL is considering, I think we will see a few sailings from there sometime in the next couple of years. Time will tell...But it sure is fun speculating!!

 

[matthew517]

All of the new ships are going to be stationed out of Port Canaveral. They have a 3 year commitment with the port for each new ship.

 

[RedSox68]

I can't see them having four ships home porting out of the same place. I think they will move Dream and Fantasy, or at least one of them somewhere else. I would love it if they sent two ships to Europe to give more itinerary options and people wouldn't be limited on where they could go because the one ship is there at a certain time.

I agree -- it would be a great disappointment if they kept four of their 7 ships in Florida. They could home port in so many other places, including the west coast year round, and maybe NYC for the summers. And more than one ship going to Europe would be awesome! They could really split their itineraries and expand on options over there for those who have done the cruises in the past.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

All of the new ships are going to be stationed out of Port Canaveral. They have a 3 year commitment with the port for each new ship.

Do you have a source for this? There has been no formal announcement and even the article quoted here indicated it is "expected" that the first 2 will homeport there and that negotiations are still ongoing.

 

[matthew517]

Do you have a source for this? There has been no formal announcement and even the article quoted here indicated it is "expected" that the first 2 will homeport there and that negotiations are still ongoing.

It is the agreement that DCL has had with the port. All new ships have and will be there for 3 years.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

It is the agreement that DCL has had with the port. All new ships have and will be there for 3 years.

Again, a source? I know an agreement was made for the Dream class but don't recall it being in perpetuity for all future ships. I don't see Disney making such a deal as it locks them in too much. Further, as the article here states...the people at Port Canaveral aren't even 100% sure at this point.

 

[RedSox68]

Again, a source? I know an agreement was made for the Dream class but don't recall it being in perpetuity for all future ships. I don't see Disney making such a deal as it locks them in too much. Further, as the article here states...the people at Port Canaveral aren't even 100% sure at this point.

I agree -- that contract for the Dream class may not include the next three ships. At least, I hope not! I thought it was a waste when the Dream and Fantasy were stuck in PC for three years and couldn't home port anywhere else. I hope the new ships have choices.

 

[hogie1]

I agree -- it would be a great disappointment if they kept four of their 7 ships in Florida. They could home port in so many other places, including the west coast year round, and maybe NYC for the summers. And more than one ship going to Europe would be awesome! They could really split their itineraries and expand on options over there for those who have done the cruises in the past.

I like the NYC, looking forward to our trip in Oct. I think there is room for growth in the Northeast, including NYC & Boston as ports to ship out of. We zeroed in on this cruise as we don't have to fly, that is saving us a ton for a family of 5.

 

[KashasMom]

Big yawn!! Disney needs new itineraries!

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I just saw this article about talks with PortMiami for new terminal: https://www.bizjournals.com/southfl...alks-with-portmiami.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I just saw this article about talks with PortMiami for new terminal: https://www.bizjournals.com/southfl...alks-with-portmiami.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

I'm so glad you posted this. My husband told me about it, and then he couldn't find the article.

My guess - the Dream & Fantasy will head to Miami after the new ships are in service.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I just saw this article about talks with PortMiami for new terminal: https://www.bizjournals.com/southfl...alks-with-portmiami.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

Thanks, I was just about to post this after DW sent the link to me.

I was even thinking that moving the Fantasy further south to Miami as home port would reduce the amount of time with the high speed cruising that accentuates the aft vibration issues by reducing the distances being traveled on first and last days of cruises.

 

[mike314]

I just saw this article about talks with PortMiami for new terminal: https://www.bizjournals.com/southfl...alks-with-portmiami.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

This is interesting, I guess DCL wants a strong hold on PC and Miami.