Why are the ships so empty?

[xiphoid76]

We just booked July 28 Disney Dream at the 35% discounted price for the guaranteed verandah. It was a good deal. We decided to see what cabins were available and there were tons left. I called and they couldn’t give me an exact number but said it is around 25% sold right now. That seems very low. Are they still not sailing at full capacity or are people just not buying Disney cruises right now? We went on RCCL cruise last month and it was 100% full.

 

[princesscinderella]

I think it’s that the wish is the new kid on the block so people are booking it and now that the dream is sailing out of Miami it’s struggling for passengers because it’s no longer an hour drive from WDW.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Sounds like a great time to grab a deal and enjoy low crowds!

 

[Kwami]

We just booked July 28 Disney Dream at the 35% discounted price for the guaranteed verandah. It was a good deal. We decided to see what cabins were available and there were tons left. I called and they couldn’t give me an exact number but said it is around 25% sold right now. That seems very low. Are they still not sailing at full capacity or are people just not buying Disney cruises right now? We went on RCCL cruise last month and it was 100% full.

Recent reports here have capacity around 90%+ for sailings over the last couple of weeks. I'd be very surprised if any ship was only 25% full in July.

 

[xiphoid76]

That’s what I thought too, very surprising how empty this ship is. I miss the crowds - adds to the energy and fun on a cruise!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Still quite a few people who can’t (vax rules) or won’t cruise (testing/travel uncertainty) plus financial uncertainty so yeah

 

[Clarkson U]

I personally think it also has to do with moving to Miami! Plus many folks are in longer sailings right now on Disney, or Alaska trip or if they are doing a shorter cruise it is on the Wish!

I do agree with another poster that also no longer being an hour from WDW will hurt that ship.

 

[lanejudy]

I would take that report with a grain of salt -- phone CM's are notorious for mis-information. While I don't doubt that the move to Miami has impacted Dream reservations as well as the Wish's launch, the recent reports are much higher numbers of guests onboard and the Dream has been in Miami for at least a couple of weeks already. IF it's true, more likely a combination of location, excitement for the Wish, plus summer vacations waning.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Recent reports here have capacity around 90%+ for sailings over the last couple of weeks. I'd be very surprised if any ship was only 25% full in July.

Not the dream since it moved to Miami

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Still quite a few people who can’t (vax rules) or won’t cruise (testing/travel uncertainty) plus financial uncertainty so yeah

They are going to start running out of people to cruise since a huge amount won't due to what you listed and those that are now just cruised and the vast majority don't cruise even once a year. Yes some do but that is not the norm, Disney especially the short sailings always has a high percentage of new crusiers.

 

[auntlynne]

A recession (unofficially) and air travel concerns aren’t helping. But, seriously, a shining new ship.

 

[n2mm]

I personally think it also has to do with moving to Miami! Plus many folks are in longer sailings right now on Disney, or Alaska trip or if they are doing a shorter cruise it is on the Wish!

I do agree with another poster that also no longer being an hour from WDW will hurt that ship.

I agree. The ease of going out of port canaveral keeps me from sailing out of Miami.

also the OP mentioned all the availability on a cruise that’s over 3 weeks from sailing. Most of the restricted bookings are probably not assigned yet and with the prices being offered most folks would be booking the Vgt, OGT, etc rates over full price. I’ve been booking the *GT rates on the Fantasy. Right now you can do a 7 night for less than a 4 night wish cruise. my daughter gave up her 1 4E cabin and booked two OGT cabins on the fantasy September cruise so the teens could have more space. I’m booked on a OGT in November and October. If the Dream was still in PC it would be selling more cruises.

 

[mousefan73]

I agree. The ease of going out of port canaveral keeps me from sailing out of Miami.

You must live in Orlando or drive from the north to port. Or do WDC/ cruise combos.

Having FLOWN To both Miami and Orlando to cruise I have to say cruising out of Miami was a much better experience than Port Canaveral. The port and city are right there to the airport. Port Canaveral is still quite a distance from MCO compared to Miami. And we loved staying on Miami Beach pre-cruise. Cocoa beach is a dump compared in my opinion.

 

[n2mm]

You must live in Orlando or drive from the north to port. Or do WDC/ cruise combos.

Having FLOWN To both Miami and Orlando to cruise I have to say cruising out of Miami was a much better experience than Port Canaveral. The port and city are right there to the airport. Port Canaveral is still quite a distance from MCO compared to Miami. And we loved staying on Miami Beach pre-cruise. Cocoa beach is a dump compared in my opinion.

we live in the metro DC area—in WV, so have been driving lately, but use to fly and rent a car Before covid. Also dvc member and use our points for lodging the day before and at Hilton head SC on the way home. Thank you for sharing. We had considered flying to Fort Lauderdale and going out of miami. love reading your positive thoughts. We drive the same distance to go from home to the doctors in the same amount of time it takes us to go from WDW to PC. Those prices on the Dream are very tempting indeed. Though I’d most likely do a b2b… with those prices I’d love to convince my adult kids and ALL my grandkids to sail with us. My 7 year old grandson would love it. Other than him, all of my grandkids have sailed.

 

[holula]

I’ve sailed out of Miami a few times (twice on Disney and twice on NCL) and I agree that it’s so nice to have MIA so close to the port.

However for Disney a lot of people do the parks and the cruise in the same trip, so sailing from Miami will have less appeal. It wouldn’t deter me but if I’m going to cruise it’s maybe like, one or two nights at the parks pre cruise.

Honestly I think Disney would do better from Miami if they mixed up their itineraries more.

 

[goofy4prez]

I don't think there is one single thing that may be causing the Dream to have increased availability. I think the shiny new toy called the Wish is one. I personally think the itineraries are a bit stale with DCL. I do think that going out of Miami is another. covid protocols, hoops to jump through, the gamble of testing positive after months of planning, and lets not forget that big albatross we are all looking at right now, a recession that is hitting hard for many people.

Personally for me, going out of Miami is actually a nice thing. With all that Disney is doing or not doing in their parks (without getting into it), I just don't have an interest anymore (never thought possible). But I do still enjoy DCL. With no interest in the parks anymore, spending a few days on Biscayne Bay, or Miami Beach and being so close to the port has so much more appeal. I just booked a cruise for December 5th on the Dream and actually am a bit surprised by the availability.

 

[harleyquinn]

The Miami airport is gross and the shuttle situation is a mess, but I would totally do it again (Just back from the 6/25). The port is so close to the airport. Just don’t bother with any free shuttles and you’ll be fine. The actual port boarding was a breeze.

I want to try a different itinerary on a different ship, otherwise, I’d be really trying to talk DH into going again before he has to go back to school in August. We also have a Disney World trip that gets in the way!

The sailing before us had 1800, we had 2500, and the sailing after us has 3000.

 

[tvguy]

Still quite a few people who can’t (vax rules) or won’t cruise (testing/travel uncertainty) plus financial uncertainty so yeah

No question these are huge factors. My e-mail box is full of discount offers from cruise lines.

 

[jujubiee4]

I don't know about cruising but flying into Miami is easier for us because of more direct flights.
However it is hard to fly cross country to Florida and not add WDW or Universal even for a couple
of days for this family.

We booked the Dream for later in the year but after my husband saw the driving distance
to Orlando we canceled. Going on Fantasy instead. The rental car prices/gas prices helped make
that decision. We would consider Dream again if they ever went to 6 or 7 nights because it is a beautiful
ship.

 

[Kwami]

You must live in Orlando or drive from the north to port. Or do WDC/ cruise combos.

Having FLOWN To both Miami and Orlando to cruise I have to say cruising out of Miami was a much better experience than Port Canaveral. The port and city are right there to the airport. Port Canaveral is still quite a distance from MCO compared to Miami. And we loved staying on Miami Beach pre-cruise. Cocoa beach is a dump compared in my opinion.

I live in New England. I can fly direct to MCO from here on multiple airlines, just about any time of the day. There are no direct flights to MIA. Once I'm at MCO, there's a convenient hotel right in the airport that's actually quite nice. In the morning, Disney picks me up and takes me to the port. Disney has their own fun, clean terminal building at PC, but they have to share boring facilities at MIA.

It's just so convenient. Who cares about the 45-minute bus ride?