Disney Planning Two New Cruise Ships

[Ian]

From the Disney Parks blog:

Thu, March 3, 2016Disney Planning Two New Cruise Ships

by Jonathan Frontado, Public Relations Manager, Disney Cruise Line

We have some big news to share here at Disney Cruise Line. Actually, the word “big” hardly begins to describe it. We’re talking about news that’s more than 1,000 feet long and more than 200 feet high – multiplied by two!

That’s right, Disney is again expanding its family cruise business with plans to build two new ships, each of them showcasing the immersive family entertainment, enchanting storytelling and unparalleled service that only Disney can deliver.

The company has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. The schedule calls for the new ships to be completed in 2021 and 2023.

“We pride ourselves on the unforgettable vacation experiences we deliver to our guests each and every day, and the expansion of our Disney fleet will allow us to create even more magical memories for families at sea and in incredible cruise destinations around the world,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

While design plans, ship names and itineraries are still in development, the Walt Disney Imagineering team is already dreaming up exciting new innovations that will be uniquely fun and distinctly Disney. Each new ship will be approximately 135,000 gross tons – slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy – and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms.

Since first setting sail in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has been an industry leader in innovation and game-changing creativity. For instance, with the launch of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships in 2011 and 2012, the company introduced several firsts for the industry, including a water coaster at sea (AquaDuck) and virtual portholes in interior staterooms (Magical Portholes) that provide real-time views of the sea as well as sightings of animated Disney characters.

“The expansion of Disney Cruise Line only adds to our excitement for the unprecedented growth taking place across our vacation destinations, from new Star Wars experiences coming to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts to the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris and the grand opening of our newest park, Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

More details about the Disney Cruise Line fleet expansion will be announced at a later date.

Full story here https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...20160303163800

[joonyer]

I "wonder" if these new ships will replace either of the older ships (Magic & Wonder) or if the DCL will be operating 6 ships once these new ones are in service.

[Ian]

It sounds to me like the plan on operating 6 ships. They just spent a small fortune refitting Magic and Wonder, so I'd be shocked if they retired them.

[joonyer]

It will be interesting to see where the new ships will be home-ported. Can they handle any more out of their Canaveral terminal?

[Tekneek]

This fits with the business plan. DVC and Cruise line investments plus increasing prices at the parks are the few things you can count on the Disney company doing no matter what.

[Ian]

Cruise line is a giant profit center for them. They charge a serious premium and their ships are always jam packed, so I would expect them to keep expanding to meet demand.

[Tekneek]

Cruise line is a giant profit center for them. They charge a serious premium and their ships are always jam packed, so I would expect them to keep expanding to meet demand.

No argument there. It wasn't a criticism, other than finding it to be boring & predictable.

[BrerGnat]

Finally! Hopefully this will bring their prices down to reasonably competitive rates. DCL rates are just out of control these days, but they get away with it due to limited supply. I wonder what new itineraries might we get out of this. Surely they won't just keep doing the same old same old (or will they?). I would love to see a ship permanently on the west coast alternating between Alaska and the Pacific Coast or Hawaii year round! I also would love to see a full time Southern Caribbean itinerary.

[Tink1]

I'll start packing.

N

[Ed]

I've got a hunch that one of the "classic" ships will be finding a permanent home on the West Coast, and possibly the other on the Gulf Coast. I also wouldn't be surprised if one of the Dream class ships ends up in China; several other lines are expanding their service there.

Canaveral can definitely handle more traffic if they build additional parking facilities; Dream and Fantasy only use the terminal on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. Magic uses the port sporadically, and is gone all summer to Europe.

[baldburke]

Personally, I'm a fan of the smaller ships. I don't see any need to be at sea with an air craft carrier crew.

Castaway Cay will definitely need rework to be able to accommodate over 1.2k people per visit. Maybe even a new island?

[Hammer]

I've got a hunch that one of the "classic" ships will be finding a permanent home on the West Coast, and possibly the other on the Gulf Coast. I also wouldn't be surprised if one of the Dream class ships ends up in China; several other lines are expanding their service there.

Canaveral can definitely handle more traffic if they build additional parking facilities; Dream and Fantasy only use the terminal on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. Magic uses the port sporadically, and is gone all summer to Europe.

I would love if they sailed out of the Port of Tampa!

[DizneyRox]

Finally! Hopefully this will bring their prices down to reasonably competitive rates. DCL rates are just out of control these days, but they get away with it due to limited supply...

Lol, lower prices? There's not a chance, I'm sure they turn away lots of people. We're currently booked on a Christmas cruise they expect to sell out in April. That will be our third in less than two years.

[Ed]

Personally, I'm a fan of the smaller ships. I don't see any need to be at sea with an air craft carrier crew.

Castaway Cay will definitely need rework to be able to accommodate over 1.2k people per visit. Maybe even a new island?

The island already accommodates that many guests and then some; Dream and Fantasy each have 1,250 staterooms, and a capacity of 4,000 guests. The new ships, though slightly larger, are reported to have the same number of staterooms and capacity.

[Ed]

I would love if they sailed out of the Port of Tampa!

I kinda doubt that would happen. DCL already operates out of two Florida ports - Canaveral and Miami - and I would think they would want to locate in another area rather than have 3 ports in one state.

[SgtTigger]

Well Ed I like the Gulf Coast idea if you know what I mean..... Home town and all.... I have asked about them coming out of New Orleans but Capt. Henry said he would never work a ship out of New Orleans. I know the Post Of New Orleans is trying hard to get them to come here......

[Ed]

Bret, I know you'd love that, but I seriously doubt DCL would homeport a ship in NOLA. They prefer ports with quick access to open waters, and I'd suspect that the area's experience with horrendous weather would be a factor also.
One of my sons worked a 350 foot offshore supply/service vessel out of Port Fourchon for a few years (before transferring to an icebreaker in Alaska) and he said they didn't like the trip up and down the river when they had to go to N'Awlins, so I can imagine why Captain Henry was not too keen on taking an 1,100+ footer along that route.