2 New DCL Ships Announced!

[OneParticularHarbour 71]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/03/disney-planning-two-new-cruise-ships/

[bcakes]

I'm excited to see what the new ships will look like. (And also whether the extra capacity will put downward pressure on prices).

[eroller]

Very excited about this and also glad they didn't go too much bigger. I have no doubt the new ships will be spectacular and it will also enable DCL to expand into more diverse and interesting itineraries.

[TwoTimer81]

Yup, this was the line I was waiting for to do something to diversify the experience and (hopefully) lower prices some more (obviously now the two newer ships are slightly pricier than the older ones)

[eroller]

Don't know how much lower pricing will get. Disney likely feels they can expand with two ships while maintaining pricing integrity. No doubt they can do this by diversifying itineraries and continue to offer a superior product (IMO anyway).

 

Personally I don't want to see pricing like Carnival or NCL on Disney. There are usually consequences of cheap pricing and I don't want DCL to become another Carnival or NCL.

Edited March 3, 2016 by eroller

[toad455]

these have been in the waiting for a few years now. I guess Disney was just waiting to announce when they'll start building these & when their debuts will be. After all, by the time these two news ships debut, both the Magic & Wonder will be over 20 years old. Disney may need two more ships for 2026 & 2028.

[moki'smommy]

 

Personally I don't want to see pricing like Carnival or NCL on Disney. There are usually consequences of cheap pricing and I don't want DCL to become another Carnival or NCL.

 

Disney is already moving toward more on board pricing "add ons" similar to some of the other lines--such as the new ice cream outlet on the Dream (Vanillope's). And they haven't coupled it with discount pricing. They've also eliminated their "bring all you want" alcohol policy.

 

I believe that the goal of Carnival or NCL is to get people on board at a cheap price and then make their money on the add on items/upcharge restaurants, etc. after boarding.

[philpcruiser]

Any word or speculation as to where these new ships will be sailing to or from which port, or if the existing 4 ships will start new itineraries?

[moki'smommy]

Any word or speculation as to where these new ships will be sailing to or from which port, or if the existing 4 ships will start new itineraries?

 

No word officially. What we do know is that by the time the new ships are out, the Dream and Fantasy will have completed the contract that required them to be based solely at Port Canaveral which was tied to the expansion of the terminal at PC to allow space for the larger ships. This means that those ships will be free to port wherever DCL feels it will be most financially advantageous.

[Irene7]

I'm guessing either the Dream or Fantasy will be moved to China when the contract is up. Hopefully one ship will port in NY permanently.

[eroller]

I'm guessing either the Dream or Fantasy will be moved to China when the contract is up. Hopefully one ship will port in NY permanently.

 

 

While anything is possible, it would surprise me. Six ships is still very small to dedicate a ship to China, and there are already reports that China is getting saturated with ships. But in 5 years who knows what the market will be? I'm sure Disney doesn't even know at this point, just that they are ripe for expansion.

 

I'm going with DISNEY ENCHANTMENT as the name of the first newbuild!

[Irene7]

While anything is possible, it would surprise me. Six ships is still very small to dedicate a ship to China, and there are already reports that China is getting saturated with ships. But in 5 years who knows what the market will be? I'm sure Disney doesn't even know at this point, just that they are ripe for expansion.

 

I'm going with DISNEY ENCHANTMENT as the name of the first newbuild!

 

That would be a great name and maybe the Disney Wish for the second!

[eroller]

That would be a great name and maybe the Disney Wish for the second!

 

I like that!!

[FreestyleNovice]

Congrats on the new ships Disney folks here @ CC!

 

*gives eroller high five*

[eroller]

Congrats on the new ships Disney folks here @ CC!

 

*gives eroller high five*

 

 

I'm pretty excited about it!

[e2011]

I have been excited since Feb. when I heard the news! When I hinted about it no one seemed to think another ship was in the works.

[amscene1]

Calm down, it's 5 years away!!! Plenty on other ship to try till then, even a new line (virgin)

[Host Mick]

I'm excited to see what the new ships will look like. (And also whether the extra capacity will put downward pressure on prices).

That's what we said when they announced the Dream and the Fantasy. How'd that work out?

[FreestyleNovice]

A bit more pixels:

 

http://www.trbimg.com/img-56d87977/turbine/os-disney-cruise-line-to-build-two-new-ships-20160303

[poncho1973]

Wonderful news!

[jcerniglow]

I keep singing the song anticipation in my head. How will I wait?

[Got2GoGo]

I’ve always wanted to do an inaugural cruise. I’m thinking 2021 could be my year! :D

[ducklite]

Given the political tensions easing and the rapidly expanding personal financial growth in China, they are a potentially huge market for DCL, and I wouldn't be surprised if one ship is permanently sent to Asia, although I believe it will have rotating embarkation ports including Sydney, someplace in Japan, and someplace in China.

[eroller]

Bottom line is Disney will deploy the ships where they can make the most money. Right now two major factors which appeal to Chinese cruisers are luxury high end shopping with name brand boutiques, and gambling. Of course Disney ships have neither but this is something I suppose they could modify. Although the parks will probably be very successful in China (Hong Kong & Shanghai) I'm not sure the DCL cruise product will translate well. The Chinese cruise market is in its infancy so in five years who knows where it will be. Right now the Chinese can't even book direct with a cruise line. Several Chinese tour operators have to charter the ship, then all bookings go through the tour operators. It's an odd arrangement but one currently mandated by the Chinese government.

[karl_nj]

Right now two major factors which appeal to Chinese cruisers are luxury high end shopping with name brand boutiques, and gambling.

 

Ernie,

 

That's an excellent point... I was really assuming that DCL would jump on the China bandwagon, especially since they are moving in that direction with the Parks. But I don't really seem them customizing one ship for the Chinese market by shrinking the size of the kids club space on that ship, and adding a huge casino.

 

But you're right... 5 years is a long time for a new cruise market... things can certainly change. Maybe a huge casino won't be "required" for the Chinese market then. What did people think about the lack of a casino when DCL first launched the Magic? I don't gamble, and I wasn't really paying attention to the cruise industry at all when I was in my 20's. I don't even remember if there was a casino onboard NCL's Skyward when I took my first cruise back when I was a kid in the 80's.

 

-karl