Will the Magic return to San Diego?

[RedHead0186]

I would love to do a Panama Canal cruise on either the Dream or the Fantasy. I just don’t love the magic class of ships. The pool deck feels a little closed in to me on the Magic ships and my son much prefers vibe on the Dream class (it’s tiny on the Wish as well)

If the Fantasy (my favorite ship) ever does a Panama Canal cruise then DCL can have allllllllll of my money!

 

[holula]

If the Fantasy (my favorite ship) ever does a Panama Canal cruise then DCL can have allllllllll of my money!

Same, I’ll be like TAKE ALL THE MONEY RIGHT NOW.

 

[Flossbolna]

You’re right, they do fit. But this comes up often enough that I wish that they would send either the Dream or the Fantasy through the canal at least once, so that it is irrefutably established that they fit, and the confusion can be put to bed once and for all, lol.

I mean, would they really design a ship that they can’t put through the canal by a couple of feet? When the Dream and Fantasy were built, the new locks were already under construction, so it was obvious what the new limits were going to be. The Magic and the Wonder were designed to just so fit through the old locks.

 

[OpieDoodle]

Disney’s agreement with Port Everglades has a required number of annual cruise passengers. And it increases after the first couple of years. This is not like when they were trying to get a spot in Bermuda or Alaska. This is a commitment of 400,000 cruisers in year 1, then 450,000 in year 2, and 750,000 in years 3-15.

8K per week in the first year. That’s a big ship, nearly full, twice a week. Or a 7-night on Dream class + 2 sailings on fairly full ships. Makes me think the Wish is going to sail out of this port at some point, allowing guests to sail the Treasure out of PC.

Are West Coast sailings doing well? Capacity-wise?

Again, my thoughts. Some are facts, others just opinion. Some are based on old memories.

From what I've seen, aside from Alaska sailings because IMO that's its own beast and a very seasonal one, the cruises are usually a bit cheaper for the West coast versus the east coast. Not as many variations in itinerary AND no DCL island. On that same note tho, the only offerings for the West Coast during the peak summer is Alaska. If they offered the non Alaska ports during the summer could they be popular? Yeah maybe. With the new Australia sailing they cut back significantly on US west coast cruises so it may be possible they aren't worth it for DCL? (Just random thoughts, no real financial backing behind that statement)

I don't imagine they'll bring a bigger ship to the west coast just for it, if a second goes West I bet it'll be the Magic. Especially with you bringing up the capacity requirements out of PE.

Based on counting up ships capacity versus the commitment requirements you mention I'd assume there will be 2 short 3/4 night sailings out of PE and 1 longer sailing like a 7 night. So 3 total ships having their "home" port as PE. I completely agree that I could see them moving the Wish there at some point.

 

[Carohs]

I feel like DCL cruises from San Diego don't have as much general interest as Alaska or Caribbean ones. Several reasons for this, including short itineraries, Ensenada is generally boring, no private island, and no summer sailings. We could book winter or spring break but the cost skyrockets for these, and I imagine the ship is generally full anyway. I think that DCL does well no matter where they sail over school breaks, but I wish there were most west coast options in the summer than just Alaska.

 

[mlayton14]

I feel like DCL cruises from San Diego don't have as much general interest as Alaska or Caribbean ones. Several reasons for this, including short itineraries, Ensenada is generally boring, no private island, and no summer sailings. We could book winter or spring break but the cost skyrockets for these, and I imagine the ship is generally full anyway. I think that DCL does well no matter where they sail over school breaks, but I wish there were most west coast options in the summer than just Alaska.

Totally agree , why would anyone travel from the east coast to cruise to Baja California area when they have the Caribbean, a private island , and Europe approx the same distance away? Obviously these cater to more of a southwest US local market

 

[Warblade]

I would say that DCL needs an equivalent of Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point on the West Coast, but we just don't have tiny islands that Disney can buy and develop here. It's also much colder here on the West Coast in the Summer than the Gulf of Mexico and the waters in the Caribean/Bahamas.

 

[mlayton14]

I would say that DCL needs an equivalent of Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point on the West Coast, but we just don't have tiny islands that Disney can buy and develop here. It's also much colder here on the West Coast in the Summer than the Gulf of Mexico and the waters in the Caribean/Bahamas.

Or put simply - there is basically no where to sail. In fact , the nicest destination in the area is probably the embarkation port itself (San Diego)

 

[Carohs]

I would argue that the ports in the Mexican Riviera (Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta) are just as warm and nice destinations. Throw in La Paz too if you like. There's places to sail if they do longer than 3 day schedules, but it's up to Disney to decide if they're profitable enough.

 

[mamaburrito]

I would not be surprised if a future ship was designed with Alaska in mind. The sailings that have done from San Diego seem to have sell well. There isn’t much inventory left and room upgrades are never available.

 

[td002796]

We need more ports in the West Coast besides San Diego where Disney fans can sail out from on a Disney cruise ship period. Having to fly over to Florida would be cost prohibitive for some who live in the West Coast. A home port in Seattle or San Francisco perhaps?

 

[mlayton14]

We need more ports in the West Coast besides San Diego where Disney fans can sail out from on a Disney cruise ship period. Having to fly over to Florida would be cost prohibitive for some who live in the West Coast. A home port in Seattle or San Francisco perhaps?

Where would the ship visit? Assume 7 nights

 

[OpieDoodle]

We need more ports in the West Coast besides San Diego where Disney fans can sail out from on a Disney cruise ship period. Having to fly over to Florida would be cost prohibitive for some who live in the West Coast. A home port in Seattle or San Francisco perhaps?

Where would the ship visit? Assume 7 nights

This right here is my assumption as to why they don't have all that many West Coast cruises. There really isn't that many places on the West coast to go without a large number of days at sea. On top of that cruise regulations says they have to have at least one port that is NOT US or they have to employ an entirely US crew. I believe there is only one cruise ship that stays in the US from a big cruise line and thats the Norwegian Pride of America that sails around Hawaii exclusively.

While Seattle is a gorgeous place (I use to live there) 75% of the year its really not cruise weather at all and there's nowhere for it to go. Disney sails out of Vancouver I believe for Alaskan sailings as it is only about 2.5 hours from Seattle but then meets the one port outside the US requirements. Plus I've heard its a really gorgeous scenic passage from Vancouver vs. Seattle.

If DCL wanted to beef up the West Coast sailings they'd really need to be looking at places to travel south where its warmer for the winter months.

 

[randumb0]

This is my opinion and no one else's. The Magic and Wonder will be retired once the 3rd Triton ship comes online. DCL works well as a boutique cruise line. There's a chance that you reduce quality when you increase quantity

 

[OpieDoodle]

This is my opinion and no one else's. The Magic and Wonder will be retired once the 3rd Triton ship comes online. DCL works well as a boutique cruise line. There's a chance that you reduce quality when you increase quantity

This is my fear and why I am focused on getting on the Magic and Wonder ASAP. Although I thought I heard rumor that the Magic was getting Magic Band+ technology added to it recently. Hopefully that means they're not planning to remove them right away.

Plus something else is I doubt DCL would leave Alaska sailings as they're a good prime season cruise BUT I haven't seen an Alaska sailing sell out in a while. I just looked and there is probably 50 cabins available right now for this summer. While that isn't a large number it makes me curious tho what DCL would do with that space if they retired the magic and wonder as that would mean one of the larger ships would come take its place bringing an extra 375 cabins.

When I was counting based on the PE contract they're likely going to HAVE to have 3 ships there, I can't imagine they wouldn't keep 2-3 ships at PC too. So that's another cavieat is even when the 3rd ship comes online will they even have a ship available to replace the Wonder in Alaska?

 

[Bruce DCL Fan]

I am surprised that they haven't added a West Coast cruise. Holland has a cruise that leaves San Diego and goes up the coast stopping in Monterrey, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Astoria, Oregon. On the way back, it stops in Ensenada to satisfy the Jones act. We live in San Diego, and we'd take more cruises if the itineraries were more diverse.

 

[holula]

This is my opinion and no one else's. The Magic and Wonder will be retired once the 3rd Triton ship comes online. DCL works well as a boutique cruise line. There's a chance that you reduce quality when you increase quantity

If they plan to do this, why has Disney just spent a ton of money converting verandah rooms to concierge on the Magic?

If those Australia/NZ cruises sell well, I can maybe see them just having the Wonder out west and the Magic in Aus/NZ for short cruises to put less miles on them from this point on.

 

[randumb0]

If they plan to do this, why has Disney just spent a ton of money converting verandah rooms to concierge on the Magic?

If those Australia/NZ cruises sell well, I can maybe see them just having the Wonder out west and the Magic in Aus/NZ for short cruises to put less miles on them from this point on.

Because we're still a couple years away from the 3rd ship. By then the Magic will be a very old ship

 

[holula]

Because we're still a couple years away from the 3rd ship. By then the Magic will be a very old ship

My point is more, why do them at all if they’re just going to get rid of the ship in two years?

I can see the Magic and Wonder sailing another 5-10 years realistically.

 

[OpieDoodle]

My point is more, why do them at all if they’re just going to get rid of the ship in two years?

I can see the Magic and Wonder sailing another 5-10 years realistically.

I can see the Magic going another 5 years or so as well. I agree I don't think they'd put a bunch of money into upgrading their tech system for magic band + and do a big overhaul of extra rooms for 2 years.

I do fear we are nearing the retirement of the Magic and the Wonder but I'm betting it'll be another 5+ years.

In terms of cruise ship age, the Magic and Wonder are pretty old but unlike other cruise lines DCL takes such good care of them so while other ships retire they stick around.