How in your face do you think Star wars will be?

Just looked up the prices for the SWDAS days, 4E Stateroom that the OP has.

Whilst some may prefer an Eastern or Western cruise, the rates do not look favorable for DCL to make a lot of money on the cruise fares.

EASTERN January 2 - $5736

SWDAS January 9 - $6136

EASTERN January 16 - $5708

SWDAS January 23 - $5807

EASTERN January 30 - $5295

SWDAS February 6 - $5982

EASTERN February 13 - $6751

SWDAS February 20 - $5723

EASTERN February 27 - $5918

SWDAS March 5 - $6185

EASTERN March 12 - $6779

SWDAS March 19 - $8194

EASTERN March 26 - $8109

SWDAS April 2 - $7599

EASTERN April 9 - $5218

SWDAS April 16 - $6374

EASTERN April 23 - $5330

I guess unless it's just that category of Stateroom or things pick up on the SWDAS cruises, they are spending a bucket load of money on the one day, and only making a couple of hundred dollars extra per Stateroom on some cruises.

ex techie

My understanding from fb posts is that this is a one time event for the posted dates only. However if it goes over well DSL might change their minds. My sister and I are on the first Star Wars cruise and we were assured that there would be a pirate night also, but fireworks will be Star Wars night only!

Where did you hear there would only be fireworks on the SW night?

ex techie

My stateroom has nearly doubled in cost since I booked it in February.

My stateroom has nearly doubled in cost since I booked it in February.

That isn't unusual as the ship fills up to capacity. First or early day bookings are usually cheaper unless that specific cruise isn't selling well.

ex techie

Just looked up the prices for the SWDAS days, 4E Stateroom that the OP has.

Whilst some may prefer an Eastern or Western cruise, the rates do not look favorable for DCL to make a lot of money on the cruise fares.

 

 

EASTERN January 2 - $5736

SWDAS January 9 - $6136

EASTERN January 16 - $5708

SWDAS January 23 - $5807

EASTERN January 30 - $5295

SWDAS February 6 - $5982

EASTERN February 13 - $6751

SWDAS February 20 - $5723

EASTERN February 27 - $5918

SWDAS March 5 - $6185

EASTERN March 12 - $6779

SWDAS March 19 - $8194

EASTERN March 26 - $8109

SWDAS April 2 - $7599

EASTERN April 9 - $5218

SWDAS April 16 - $6374

EASTERN April 23 - $5330

 

I guess unless it's just that category of Stateroom or things pick up on the SWDAS cruises, they are spending a bucket load of money on the one day, and only making a couple of hundred dollars extra per Stateroom on some cruises.

 

ex techie

I have no ability to check prices on these same dates in 2015...so since January is low season, I looked up Sept 5 as a reference. The same 4E cabin with 3 people is $4500, vs. $5700 for Jan. 2. Granted, there are a few fall cruises (non-holiday) as high as $5000. SO, while some of the Stars Wars cruises are only a few hundred dollars more in this cabin category, other cruises are $1200 and up more. And the dates early in the year often do not sell out until they are made available to travel agents and CMs at very low rates. If they sell only a few extra cabins, that's a big plus to DCL. There are 1250 guest cabins on the Fantasy. Even if the cost difference is only $200 per cabin, that's $250,000 per cruise!

I have no ability to check prices on these same dates in 2015...so since January is low season' date=' I looked up Sept 5 as a reference. The same 4E cabin with 3 people is $4500, vs. $5700 for Jan. 2. Granted, there are a few fall cruises (non-holiday) as high as $5000. SO, while some of the Stars Wars cruises are only a few hundred dollars more in this cabin category, other cruises are $1200 and up more. And the dates early in the year often do not sell out until they are made available to travel agents and CMs at very low rates. If they sell only a few extra cabins, that's a big plus to DCL. There are 1250 guest cabins on the Fantasy. Even if the cost difference is only $200 per cabin, that's $250,000 per cruise![/quote']

 

I agree $250,000 is a hell of a lot of money!

But I also know how much they spend on putting on a production like this.

Getting a pyro tech programmer from the parks to redesign the pyro show to music $$$$, A parks Lighting Designer and assistant to come aboard and redesign the lighting for the Deck Stage show $$$$, unless the Main Stage Cast are going to be trained in performing as Star Wars Characters, that removes some Guest Staterooms for the cruises before, licensing deals, cost of music recording, Costumes etc etc etc. They use the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London for a lot if not most of the recorded music for shows on the ship. Not cheap!

 

I was just pointing out that the difference between a Eastern and SWDAS cruise is not on average a $500 or $1k per Stateroom in difference to pay and make a big profit from it.

Hence why I think they will try to make it bigger and better as it goes on to hype this kind of "specialist" themed cruise up for the future.

 

ex techie

 

Edit to add:

It's why they may only do all of the celebratory things on that one day, however the hype leading up to that one day may be a bit much for those that just want a regular DCL Western cruise.

Agreed--there are a lot of costs involved. The licensing agreements are already in place. And interestingly, the dates do not interfere with Star Wars Weekends at Studios. That might lead one to speculate that the characters who appear in the parks for these weekends will be doing it on the ship. But as you said, the eliminates some cabins as they will be needed for extra CMs on board. And yes, the various divisions in the parks seriously overcharge the cruise line to use their services.

But...either they are making sufficient money to make it worth while or it will fade away. My guess is that it will grow, much as the events in the parks have.

The licensing agreement is between the Walt Disney Company and Lucas Films.

Not with Disney Cruise Line and Lucas Films.

DCL will have had to establish a licensing agreement for their production between The Walt Disney Company and Lucas Films and themselves in exactly the same way as the parks do to put on a "owned" production or representation of it and paid for it.

Each entity charges the other for EVERYTHING!

Lawyers to decide what is licensed and allowable and what is not, Which part of the brand is allowed and not, and creative designers to come up with the concept for the show, script writers, artistic directors. Then people to debate what cost benefit their is to having a certain Character in the show or should they be cut. All sourced from the parks as DCL has none in staff.

Even if it makes money for each other in the long run and is for the common good, all are different business units that charge each other exorbitantly for their services or goods.

ex techie

Makes me think of isn't there some weird licensing regarding Whinny the Pooh?

Whinny and co. are licenced for the parks and not the ships?

ex techie

Makes me think of isn't there some weird licensing regarding Whinny the Pooh?

Whinny and co. are licenced for the parks and not the ships?

 

ex techie

Yes, there is a very unusual licensing involving Winnie and all the Pooh characters. The family had licensed the characters to Sears stores for merchandising and then did something very strange--allowing him in Magic Kingdom only or something weird. This was all something cooked up by the surviving family of A.A. Milne, not the author himself.

Peter Pan is another.

Licenced to the Great Ormond Street Hospital GOSH by the author.

What was the deal with Disney?

Walt Disney Corporation were licensed exclusive animation rights by Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1939 and the animated film came out in 1953. Their own sequel, Return to Neverland, came out in 2002, also under licence from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

ex techie

Edited.

That should say the rights to Peter Pan were bequest to GOSH by the author, not licenced.

They have licenced them to generate income for the hospital.

Peter Pan is another.

Licenced to the Great Ormond Street Hospital GOSH by the author.

 

 

 

ex techie

 

Edited.

That should say the rights to Peter Pan were bequest to GOSH by the author, not licenced.

They have licenced them to generate income for the hospital.

Absolutely correct--and Peter Pan provides huge support to the hospital. Actually, the Disney licensing has been a huge benefit to them in another way. Disney continues to fight to extend the length of US copyright laws protecting their characters. Since they own the licensing agreement on Peter and crew, the hospital continues to benefit from Disney's legal maneuvering as well. While I am only familiar with the extensions in the US, I suspect that they also attempt to extend similar laws in other countries.

Where did you hear there would only be fireworks on the SW night?

 

ex techie

From DCL, we called DCL not too long after we found out about the Star Wars days to make sure they were still having a pirate night.

From DCL, we called DCL not too long after we found out about the Star Wars days to make sure they were still having a pirate night.

Thanks for the reply.

I was just enquiring whether that was something you had been told on a message board or from the horses mouth as it were.

There is a maximum limit of pyrotechnics they are certified and insured to sail with onboard, so it sounds like they have a delivery every week now and are not able to store two aerial shows worth for the sailing.

ex techie

Thanks for the reply.

I was just enquiring whether that was something you had been told on a message board or from the horses mouth as it were.

 

There is a maximum limit of pyrotechnics they are certified and insured to sail with onboard, so it sounds like they have a delivery every week now and are not able to store two aerial shows worth for the sailing.

 

ex techie

No problem! :)

Here's some more info in addition to that provided by Moki'smommy.

 

 

 

 

 

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/02/star-wars-day-at-sea-on-the-disney-fantasy-to-feature-deck-party-characters-film-screenings-celebrities-and-more/

 

 

 

I wonder if the regular Pirates deck party will be forfeited for the Star Wars deck party or if it is in addition?

 

 

 

ex techie

Thanks for posting this - we just booked one of these cruises, and I was curious about what to expect. Sounds like mini Comicom just for Star Wars! :)

While I can't specifically address the plans for the Star Wars deck party, the Frozen deck party on the Magic was in addition to the pirate deck party, not "instead of."

Have fun.

We are on the Jan 23 Western Caribbean on the Fantasy. This is the schedule:

Sat 1/23 - Sail Away Party at 4:15pm

Sun 1/24 - At Sea

Mon 1/25 - Cozumel 8:30am - 3:45pm

Tues 1/26 - Grand Cayman 10:30am - 5:30pm

Pirate Party and fireworks at 9:45pm

Wed 1/27 - At Sea - STAR WARS DAY!

Star Wars Party at 9:45pm

Thurs 1/28 - At Sea

Fri 1/29 - Castaway Cay 8:30am - 4:45pm

Sat 1/30 - Disembarkation

Thanks for posting this - we just booked one of these cruises, and I was curious about what to expect. Sounds like mini Comicom just for Star Wars! :)

No worries!

Hope you have an amazing cruise!

ex techie

I don't think that information is correct. The fireworks are set for the day of the Star Wars party per Disney.

"Star Wars Deck Party and Fireworks

There’s intergalactic fun when the Star Wars deck party blasts off to an exciting evening filled with music, dancing and games.

Star Wars characters converge on the deck stage for a celebration of the Star Wars saga in a show featuring special effects and guest participation.

The deck party culminates in a spectacular display of themed pyrotechnics, lighting, sound effects, lasers and Star Wars music."

You are correct. My info was faulty. While there will be a Pirate Party, the fireworks will only be at the Star Wars Party.

I have overpaid for this exciting cruise. As far as I am concerned, Darth Vader himself should be there to check me in at the terminal. There will be Star Wars showing every night in the theatre, Star Wars merchandise everyday. Star Wars nerds are worse than me, they will be everywhere and I am going to love it.

Hi Susiecruisey. This will be our first Disney cruise as well, 3rd overall. We are now hooked with a Celebrity (for us) and Carnival (for kids) cruise under our belts. We wanted to sail Disney first but they are so dang expensive that we basically are paying almost the same for this one as the previous 2 combined. Disney fans say it is worth it since so much is included but since we are more health conscious we drink water most of the time and we have no requirements for a casino even on no-mouse lines, so it took a little extra for us to bite the hook.

That being said we booked early too when the rates were a bit more reasonable and were drawn in from the theme. With two boys (11,14) that love Star Wars and a Disney+SW fan Dad, we are now looking forward to another cruise, and being Disney back by a lot or research through reviews I know it will be fun. I fully expect the ship to be at capacity but Disney excels at crowd control to ensure everyone has great memories, and they go to great lengths to ensure everyone has memories that will last a lifetime. I fully expect it to be your Disney Cruise first, with theme parties built in that can be fully avoided if one chooses. I also suggest you tell your cabin steward you are not big fans, as they are usually on of the most memorable people on any cruise and generally go further than anyone to customize service to your liking.

For the one day I fully expect to be extremely heavy in Star Wars and even as the others say I fully expect a lot of hype building up to it, but this is Disney so I really doubt they will stray too far from their core offerings everyone is accustom too. If you ask me the not so Star Wars enthusiasts will have some great stories to tell afterwards from people watching. Expect a lot of kids carrying glow sticks, just extra large ones they refer to as lightsabers. Also expect more kids in the 18-60 age range, but do not let that hinder your experience as with Disney they tend to bring out the kid in all of us, theme or not. The theme will just focus that service more into a particular area. I am curious about the pirate party as I can see that potentially not being as focused as if it were the only costume party, but again this one will be more more unique because of it.

Also expect the Episode 7 movie to be more of a reboot of the franchise, Abrams excels at that and Disney has a lot invested to refresh the mass audience appeal. You and your daughters may even like the new movie, for better or worse ;). I am not promoting anything here but I would suggest even if you are not a fan, you may want to see the newest movie with your family before the cruise, I expect more of a focus on it and even if you do not enjoy it, at least you will not be totally lost in conversation should you be near a conversation about it.

We will be on the March 19th sailing over our Spring Break as well.

I better stop here as I could go on forever.

Hi Susiecruisey. This will be our first Disney cruise as well, 3rd overall. We are now hooked with a Celebrity (for us) and Carnival (for kids) cruise under our belts. We wanted to sail Disney first but they are so dang expensive that we basically are paying almost the same for this one as the previous 2 combined. Disney fans say it is worth it since so much is included but since we are more health conscious we drink water most of the time and we have no requirements for a casino even on no-mouse lines, so it took a little extra for us to bite the hook.

 

That being said we booked early too when the rates were a bit more reasonable and were drawn in from the theme. With two boys (11,14) that love Star Wars and a Disney+SW fan Dad, we are now looking forward to another cruise, and being Disney back by a lot or research through reviews I know it will be fun. I fully expect the ship to be at capacity but Disney excels at crowd control to ensure everyone has great memories, and they go to great lengths to ensure everyone has memories that will last a lifetime. I fully expect it to be your Disney Cruise first, with theme parties built in that can be fully avoided if one chooses. I also suggest you tell your cabin steward you are not big fans, as they are usually on of the most memorable people on any cruise and generally go further than anyone to customize service to your liking.

 

For the one day I fully expect to be extremely heavy in Star Wars and even as the others say I fully expect a lot of hype building up to it, but this is Disney so I really doubt they will stray too far from their core offerings everyone is accustom too. If you ask me the not so Star Wars enthusiasts will have some great stories to tell afterwards from people watching. Expect a lot of kids carrying glow sticks, just extra large ones they refer to as lightsabers. Also expect more kids in the 18-60 age range, but do not let that hinder your experience as with Disney they tend to bring out the kid in all of us, theme or not. The theme will just focus that service more into a particular area. I am curious about the pirate party as I can see that potentially not being as focused as if it were the only costume party, but again this one will be more more unique because of it.

 

Also expect the Episode 7 movie to be more of a reboot of the franchise, Abrams excels at that and Disney has a lot invested to refresh the mass audience appeal. You and your daughters may even like the new movie, for better or worse ;). I am not promoting anything here but I would suggest even if you are not a fan, you may want to see the newest movie with your family before the cruise, I expect more of a focus on it and even if you do not enjoy it, at least you will not be totally lost in conversation should you be near a conversation about it.

 

We will be on the March 19th sailing over our Spring Break as well.

 

I better stop here as I could go on forever.

I hope your first DCL cruise lives up to your expectations and impression of how it will be.

ex techie

This email from DCL has been posted online for Guest's sailing on the Star Wars cruises:

We are truly excited that you will be joining us aboard the Disney Fantasy and want to take this opportunity to share with you some important information about Star Wars Day at Sea.

 

Guests on your sailing are invited to experience the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga during a brand-new, day-long celebration. This fun-filled day at sea will include themed events and activities for every member of the family, including a costume celebration, special film screenings, games, character meet and greets along with a version of the popular Jedi Training Academy. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their own stellar costumes to join in this day-long celebration that culminates with an intergalactic Star Wars deck party featuring spectacular fireworks at sea.

 

More information on themed events, times, and locations will be available onboard in the Personal Navigator that will be delivered to your stateroom.

 

Please remember that while all Guests are invited to wear costumes for both Pirate Night and this special Star Wars Day at Sea celebration, masks that completely cover a person’s face may only be worn when standing still at character photo locations and must be carried when moving around the ship. We also ask that you choose costumes that are not obstructive or offensive. To avoid any disappointment or delay in the boarding process, please refrain from bringing toys or props that resemble guns, knives or other related implements, as these items will not be allowed onboard.

 

Again, we look forward to sailing with you soon!

 

Sincerely,

 

The Cast and Crew

Disney Cruise Line

 

ex techie