WISH Disney Cruise to ALASKA - Summer 2009 - News maybe next week??

[princessmomma]

I few weeks ago I booked a cruise to the Southern Caribbean for Easter 2009 on RCCL. I was then informed by my MCM friends that Disney may be sending either the Wonder of the Magic to Alaska in the summer of 2009.

Since WISHers are the greatest! I thought it would be wonderful if we could start planning a WISH cruise for summer 2009.

If we start planning early, we could make this thing happen and then we would be right on the top of things if and when the announcement is made by Disney and dates and prices are released.

As I said earlier, nothing is official, but the possibility of Alaska was mentioned in a DIS podcast a few weeks ago.

Any interest?

 

[klh-or]

My family went on a cruise to Alaska last summer (2006). Without a doubt, it was one of the most spectacular experiences I've ever had. I'll be keeping an eye out with great interest for more information!

 

[TEK224]

I may be interested in this also. Did a cruise to Alaska 10 years ago and it was awesome!

Terri

 

[monte]

I LOVE Alaska! My Mother and I cruised there in 2003 and had a marvelous time, infact I want to live in Alaska, but DH refuses. Keep us posted.

 

[Jodi]

Colleen

You KNOW I'm in!!! Could we go mid to late August??

 

[princessmomma]

Karla, Terri, Monica and Jodeeee , thanks for responding!

We are from Canada so we have seen our fair share of bears, wolves, deer, elk, moose, etc., but since I love cruising, love Disney and love the folks on this board, I thought this could be a great event.

I don't know if Disney does group rates. You would think so, my sister booked a Disney cruise with themouseforless.com and she got a great discount because they had a special group rate for the sailing we were on.

I am sure the fares will be pretty high. I remember checking out the Mediterranean cruise fares when they first came out and they were high, especially when you add four tickets to cross the pond.

 

[Jodi]

Colleen - Yeh, the Med cruises were pricey, as I'm sure the AK ones will be, but hopefully they'll cruise out of Seattle - I suppose that'd be cheaper than somewhere in Canada, eh? . Hopefully this little "rumor" comes true!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I'm already saving for this one.

 

[ohMom]

oh man....oh MAN.....i want to GO!! i don't know if i could swing this......but oh MAN O MAN i want tooo!!!!

 

[Hockeychic]

We would definatley be in, we were planning an Alaskan cruise for 09 anyways so this fits.

Kim

 

[princessrunner]

I LOVE Alaska! My Mother and I cruised there in 2003 and had a marvelous time, infact I want to live in Alaska, but DH refuses. Keep us posted.

I hear you here...DH would NEVER do a cruise unless we could let him sleep in a chair on deck. I would LOVE to see Alaska and it can't be much colder than here!! I guess I have to hold out for a trip we can fly to......

 

[monte]

I know that the boards' chat line meets every Sunday(?) to discuss cruising with Disney, but I'm not sure what time they have it.

 

[corinnak]

Oh, I would love this. Crossing my fingers.....

 

[WDWFAN9]

Not a Disney cruise, but DH and I are doing the John Bingham Alaskan cruise in June 2008. Over the course of a week you do 26.2 miles - the longest at-one-time distance is a half-marathon, and because it is a penguin event slow pokes like me are welcome. The medal is awesome - a penguin on one side and a cruise ship with mountains behind it on the other!

I've heard nothing but good things about Alaskan cruises, and a Disney/Alaskan cruise sure is an awesome combination!

 

[princessmomma]

Here is a thread I have been watching a bit regarding DCL's 2009 itineraries.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1518461

Basically, no one knows yet, but dates for 2009 MAY be opening up the first week in December, which is next week!

Here is a good summary;

Originally Posted by Andrew DEREK UK
This thread is very popular and a lot has been discussed I know people find it hard to look back on posts to find what they want. So TO SUMMARIZE -what we know, from the posts on this thread.

One of the other talking points is the longer than usual dry dock for the magic in 2008.

2008 Dry-dock Plans
The Magic will be in dry-dock September 6-27, 2008.

Now some have mentioned including the Dispodacst team this longer dry-dock might be to assist with modifications to the pool areas for a possible Alaska trip.
DIS-PODCAST

A few months ago have said Alaska Summer 2009
They also said the Wonder would do 3-4 nights and 7 night cruises in the Caribbean if the Magic goes on its travels.
No one else has confirmed this.

DCL AGENTS ON BOARD

Say cruises will start to be released early December, -that’s just a week away now, and they the ship will be closer to its home than the previous two years. various Caribbean ports mentioned such as Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

RESPECTED TRAVEL AGENTS

Have sent e-mails saying they think is the Caribbean.

ALSO NEW. More t/a’s have said they are being invited onto the ships for a big announcement in early December.


RELEASE DATES

we are told first 2 weeks of December, not sure if all of 2009 or just the first part.

Historically they have usually have started releasing dates in November for the first part of the following year, say January to April standard 3/4 Wonder cruises, and standard Magic cruises for 7 nights.

We are overdue, conjecture; DCL is negotiating now with Port Canaveral, they are unhappy with costs and restrictions on the port calls to keep their pier exclusive to DCL. Miami port has said soon they will sign up a big cruise line, Would DCL move to Miami or Tampa, its this a reason for delay.

Also possible port changes on the current standard cruises maybe a reason.


Many Castaway club members in the USA have also received the email regarding Hosting a Disney Cruise Party. This is on January many speculate that this email has something to do with the 09 announcements? Maybe the release of special summer Magic cruises, around that time.

PAST YEARS
The Special summer cruises have come out later,

FOR 2005 May 5th 2004
FOR 2007 April 3rd 2006
FOR 2008 January 31st 2007.

The summer 2006 cruises were double dips in the Caribbean.

Front runner:-

Caribbean special trips .Either East or South.


Fuel Prices

will the rising fuel costs make cruises cost a lot more?

SO what are you recommended to do?

Well do not panic! But some release will be out soon, not all but the start of 09.

Standard cruises i.e. 3-4 nights Wonder and 7 night Magic ones will not have a problem. For any special cruises:-

Register now with a specialist quality DCL Disney authorised travel agent, or keep you eyes on this board. There has always been an announcement and a tip off here first.

Dreams unlimited the sponsor of this board is an option.

You can book yourself direct with DCL by phone or website, but on ‘special cruises’ they have had long waits on telephones and the website has been under pressure.

Please do not instruct multiple travel agencies as in past years this has pushed up all the prices to all cruises supply demand and the cruises tier price system.

Release date time is often 8am but there sometimes has been a press launch at WDW or Disneyland and bookings opened up after that at 1pm EST.