What permanent US port would you like one of the older Disney ships to call home after 2021?

[Dug720]

I think if you are talking a permanent (i.e. year-round) home, it's going to be somewhere where it doesn't typically snow. So Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean, California or Orient. Very few people are going to be interested in a January cruise from New York City where it's going to take two days before you get far enough south to use the pools. (And likewise, the pools essentially shut down two days before the end of the cruise.)

RCCL seems to have no issues filling a behemoth class ship...

 

[Husker Mike]

I stand corrected. Royal Caribbean sails 11 night cruises from Jersey in January...

 

[cgolf]

Port Everglades - With the airport being so close to the port, this is a super convenient setup on debarkation day. Lots of hotel options too.

 

[mab2012]

I'm another vote for a northeastern port. Boston would be better than New York, but also probably less likely. I'd like to see some slightly longer cruises from the north (maybe 10 nights?) to make up for the extra day or two it takes to get south. Especially in winter. Bermuda is also very nice.

Something like Asia would be nice to do once, but I can't see having the time or money to take advantage of it very often, so having a ship permanently stationed there just means that ship is basically inaccessible for us.

 

[MillauFr]

McMurdo Station

 

[mab2012]

I think if you are talking a permanent (i.e. year-round) home, it's going to be somewhere where it doesn't typically snow. So Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean, California or Orient. Very few people are going to be interested in a January cruise from New York City where it's going to take two days before you get far enough south to use the pools. (And likewise, the pools essentially shut down two days before the end of the cruise.)

Agreed that cruising in sub-freezing conditions isn't all that appealing, but I think you're underestimating the advantage of a drive-able port. Not just for the northern portion of the Eastern Seaboard, but further north: Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto are all within reasonable driving distance of New York or Boston. It generally costs me at least $2000 to fly my family of four to Florida or other southern ports, and by the time we factor in airport time, actual travel time, and contingency for delays, it takes the better part of a day. If I could replace that with a 6-8 hour drive, it would go a long way to offsetting the 30 -35% currency exchange markup that makes Disney cruises so painful for Canadians. I think there's a lot of people who would be willing to put up with a day or two of cooler weather for that convenience.

 

[anjuan]

Well I'm in Vancouver so I already get the Alaska cruises ;-)

I'd be down for San Diego having sailed out of there twice now but they need to make that port more efficient. They get two cruise ships in at once and everyone who works there loses their dang minds

Having just sailed out of San Diego and been there when there were 2 cruise ships in port I fully agree that they would need to do something to fix the drop off/luggage/check-in situation here. With that being said it was a beautiful port with a lot of great things to do nearby. I wouldn't mind going again!

But more than being at one set port I'm for ships going to more new locations internationally. Would love to see an Asia or Australia cruise.

 

[NaturalNine]

I’m hoping Wonder heads down to either Singapore, Or Brisbane - there is a massive international market which disney has huge market share in (for parks and other entertainment) outside of USA, cruise ships should follow also

There is greater profit for Disney to head outside USA and tap into new markets my money is on Brisbane or Singapore as home ports

 

[smmco]

San Diego with year round cruises to Panama, South America and Hawaii. Second choice would be Boston. I like cruising out of ports that are close to the airport. I also prefer cities where you can find reasonably priced hotels for families. It’s what make Miami such a great cruise port.
My last choice would be NYC. Hotels and transportation is expensive. Traffic is horrible. Galveston is also difficult to get to, but at least hotels and shuttles are reasonable.

 

[SamFaniam]

If I remember right they recently announced some sort of contract to increase traffic in Houston, wouldn't mind seeing that happen.

Was it actually Houston?

The Bayport terminal never really worked and no cruises have sailed from there in a couple of years.

I would not be surprised if Galveston wanted more Disney cruises.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Was it actually Houston?

The Bayport terminal never really worked and no cruises have sailed from there in a couple of years.

I would not be surprised if Galveston wanted more Disney cruises.

It's Galveston. They did recently renegotiate contract there and there will be more sail dates from Galveston, but I don't think anyone knows what that means yet.

 

[huey578]

Galveston

 

[n2mm]

I say Baltimore or Norfolk. It would be less time coming from the north, so possibly better port options, maybe key west, castaway cay, etc. I do believe one ship will move permanently to the west coast.