What ever happened to Mediterranean Cruise?

[DisneyBill]

A year or better ago, DCL did a widespread survey about the possibility of a Mediterranean cruise. Any new word on that happening?

 

[invaderzim]

I filled out an extensive survey in 2001 about my opinion if DCL were to leave out of NYC for Bermuda. I was all for it, but that was the last I heard of it. I think they are just exploring different ideas for ports.

 

[tvguy]

I think the West Coast was the overwhelming choice in the surveys, which is why they added those cruises.

 

[DisneyBill]

The survey I took, and refer to, was in late 2002. It never mentioned the west coast agenda slated for 2005.

 

[ivanova]

over time they've investigated west coast, mediterranean, Alaska, etc.

I don't think the surveys drove the 2005 west coast choice nearly as much as the DL 50th anniversary drove the decision.

Also, for now, DCL is sticking to itineraries that can be coupled with a "land" package at a Disney theme park. Not sure how well that will work with DLRP & a mediterranean cruise.

 

[jrabbit]

DCL did a widespread survey about the possibility of a Mediterranean cruise. Any new word on that happening?

9/11, the war on terror in Afganistan, finishing daddy's war in Iraq, and other world events. I believe that these have cause DCL to reconsider moving a ship to the mediterranean (especially since the Med is closer to the action than the caribbean). And Disney in general might be a target of terrorists.

 

[westjones]

It was my understanding that the plans were for the DCL to go to the Mediterranean this year (2004), but with the unrest in the world, they decided to stay over here. BUT they had given up their port positions, so that is why they had those 'special cruises' to Antigua and Puerto Rico (they couldn't get back in at St. Marrtin).

NOW, I could be wrong because this was 'buzzing' around the board a couple of years ago, but that is what my understanding was about the situation (I was interested because we had wanted a 7 night in September, and we thought the Magic would be gone at that time, and then we were able to go on the Antigua cruise).

Does anyone else remember what was said back a couple of years ago about this situation?

DJ

 

[HookedonMagic]

All I know is, IF DCL ever does go to the Europe, I'll be first in line to book!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Originally posted by jrabbit
9/11, the war on terror in Afganistan, finishing daddy's war in Iraq, and other world events. I believe that these have cause DCL to reconsider moving a ship to the mediterranean (especially since the Med is closer to the action than the caribbean). And Disney in general might be a target of terrorists.

Med is closer to the conflict TRUE
Disney would be a high profile target, ALSO TRUE

Safer in the Carribean or anywhere, other than the Med, not true.

I do not wish to spead doom, but the Med is as safe as anywhere else, a Disney cruise ship anywhere could be a target, but there again anything,is not just British, American French, Russain etc etc etc.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Back in September 2002 -- a full year after the tragic events of September 11, 2001 -- DCL was doing heavy duty market research regarding a Mediterranean cruise. DCL asked many former cruise passengers to take a survey about their interest in 7-night Disney cruises in Europe in Summer 2004.

Itinerary:
Sunday - Barcelona, Spain
Monday - Cannes, France
Tuesday - Livorno (Florence), Italy
Wednesday - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Thursday - Naples, Italy
Friday - Day at sea
Saturday - Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Sunday - Barcelona, Spain

For a long thread on this subject, see http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=269892

Obviously, DCL did not go ahead with the idea.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
Back in September 2002 -- a full year after the tragic events of September 11, 2001 -- DCL was doing heavy duty market research regarding a Mediterranean cruise. DCL asked many former cruise passengers to take a survey about their interest in 7-night Disney cruises in Europe in Summer 2004.

Itinerary:
Sunday - Barcelona, Spain
Monday - Cannes, France
Tuesday - Livorno (Florence), Italy
Wednesday - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Thursday - Naples, Italy
Friday - Day at sea
Saturday - Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Sunday - Barcelona, Spain


Obviously, DCL did not go ahead with the idea.

I am aware of 2/3 cruise ships doing this type of itinerary, possible they had too much competition, The other issue, you cannot tie it into a Disney park such as WDW or DL, Paris is a long way away.

Now if they had a couple more ships they could have a West coast and Alaska one, and a Europe one, but thats a long way off.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Andrew DEREK UK
I am aware of 2/3 cruise ships doing this type of itinerary, possible they had too much competition, The other issue, you cannot tie it into a Disney park such as WDW or DL, Paris is a long way away.

There's far more competition out of Florida. Depending on the time of year, there are cruises from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Princess, and others -- and most of those lines operate multiple ships out of various Florida ports. Disney successfully competes against those lines. In fact, Disney can and does charge a premium, yet Disney usually sails full or nearly full.

The park tie-in is only important for the land-sea packages offered by the Disney Wonder. Most Americans are unable to take vacations that are longer than a week, so most 7-night Disney cruises taken by Americans are unlikely to include any significant time at WDW. In fact, I've heard that the 7-night Disney Magic cruises have been criticized within Disney for attracting passengers who would otherwise have visited WDW.

Originally posted by Andrew DEREK UK
Now if they had a couple more ships they could have a West coast and Alaska one, and a Europe one, but thats a long way off.

Yes. DCL needs to expand the fleet. Despite rumors that pop up on this board now and then, Disney has not ordered and new ships since their initial two ships.

For a company that's looking for ways to restart their formerly impressive year-to-year growth, I know an easy way to double revenue in one part of The Walt Disney Company -- just double the DCL fleet.