DCL Buys Unfinished Mega Cruise Ship - Genting Golden Dream ???

[CaptainAmerica]

3- and 4-night voyages are extremely disappointing and communicate quite clearly that this "isn't for me."

Asia is an intimidating travel destination for Americans, especially with children. If they had thrown in some 10+ night itineraries with stops in several different countries, they could have drawn a more affluent Western audience who use this ship as a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience Asia like they would an Adventures by Disney itinerary. 3- and 4-night voyages mark this as a locals-only experience that gives Americans and Europeans zero reason to fly halfway around the world.

 

[DCLcruiser]

3- and 4-night voyages are extremely disappointing and communicate quite clearly that this "isn't for me."

Asia is an intimidating travel destination for Americans, especially with children. If they had thrown in some 10+ night itineraries with stops in several different countries, they could have drawn a more affluent Western audience who use this ship as a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience Asia like they would an Adventures by Disney itinerary. 3- and 4-night voyages mark this as a locals-only experience that gives Americans and Europeans zero reason to fly halfway around the world.

I don't think a ship docked in Singapore was meant for US tourists.

 

[networkpro]

While the ship was originally designed for the East Asian market based on her sister ship, this is going to be a first of its kind experience and really going to see how DCL's typically higher cost more family friendly experiences do. Especially on a boat that doesn't have a casino. The safe bet would have been to stick it in the US cruise market, where it would have certainly commanded a premium $$.

Port that out of the NYC or Los Angeles market and you would basically print money.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Port that out of the NYC or Los Angeles market and you would basically print money.

Not if it sucks.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don't think a ship docked in Singapore was meant for US tourists.

Pay attention, Sven.

I'm not saying the whole ship should have been for US tourists. I'm saying the ship running EXCLUSIVELY 3 and 4 night itineraries means there's no reason for US tourists to EVER experience it.

They could have absolutely run "seasons" where the local market was primarily served with shorter itineraries while they ran a handful of longer "destination" type itineraries a few times each year.

 

[monothingie]

3- and 4-night voyages are extremely disappointing and communicate quite clearly that this "isn't for me."

Asia is an intimidating travel destination for Americans, especially with children. If they had thrown in some 10+ night itineraries with stops in several different countries, they could have drawn a more affluent Western audience who use this ship as a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience Asia like they would an Adventures by Disney itinerary. 3- and 4-night voyages mark this as a locals-only experience that gives Americans and Europeans zero reason to fly halfway around the world.

Just a couple of thoughts.

This is not geared to Western cruisers.

RCCL learned the hard way that "Americanized" ships don't work for East Asian markets. There are too many cultural differences that lend an American style cruise to not resinate locally. The major part of that starts with the actual ship layout and design. Family cruises tend to be large family group events. This tends to favor more connected smaller cabins. Dining and shows and the Casinos are also modified to be less "Western". Indoor activities are more favored than outdoor activities, so expect less open outdoor pool decks and water features and more enclosed spaces.

The 3-4 night sailings seem to indicate that Disney is dipping their toes in the water first with this, especially for a cruise market that is not as matured as the US Domestic and European markets.

The last wild card is cost. Given Disney's typical premium cruise fares over other brands, starting with longer cruises might present sticker shock to a lot of potential guests. Shorter cruises dampen the upfront costs and can make it more palatable for new cruisers.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Just a couple of thoughts.

This is not geared to Western cruisers.

RCCL learned the hard way that "Americanized" ships don't work for East Asian markets. There are too many cultural differences that lend an American style cruise to not resinate locally. The major part of that starts with the actual ship layout and design. Family cruises tend to be large family group events. This tends to favor more connected smaller cabins. Dining and shows and the Casinos are also modified to be less "Western". Indoor activities are more favored than outdoor activities, so expect less open outdoor pool decks and water features and more enclosed spaces.

The 3-4 night sailings seem to indicate that Disney is dipping their toes in the water first with this, especially for a cruise market that is not as matured as the US Domestic and European markets.

The last wild card is cost. Given Disney's typical premium cruise fares over other brands, starting with longer cruises might present sticker shock to a lot of potential guests. Shorter cruises dampen the upfront costs and can make it more palatable for new cruisers.

Yep, I agree with all of that. The only part that really popped out at me was the absolute-ness of it. There's no "primarily" or "mainly" or "geared-towards." It's "exclusively, 100% only, without exception" 3 and 4 night itineraries for 5 years. That just strikes me as severe.

 

[monothingie]

Yep, I agree with all of that. The only part that really popped out at me was the absolute-ness of it. There's no "primarily" or "mainly" or "geared-towards." It's "exclusively, 100% only, without exception" 3 and 4 night itineraries for 5 years. That just strikes me as severe.

The name of the game is turnover. Shorter-length cruises are more profitable.

The downside is that the itineraries become stale and repetitive.

But I guess if Disney feels that most of their guests will be first-timers, then it makes sense.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The downside is that the itineraries become stale and repetitive.

Which to me becomes a huge downside when you don't have access to the private islands. I could go on 5-night double-dips twice a year and never get bored because I'm going on those to relax, not to see new places.

 

[Disone]

Yep, I agree with all of that. The only part that really popped out at me was the absolute-ness of it. There's no "primarily" or "mainly" or "geared-towards." It's "exclusively, 100% only, without exception" 3 and 4 night itineraries for 5 years. That just strikes me as severe.

Me too!!!

I was totally thinking I would fly out to Singapore, on my first Asian adventure, and do a 7-night cruise on this thing. I still might do a back-to-back but this put a huge dent in the consideration of those plans. A back-to-back with a three and a four night just isn't as attractive as a genuine 7 night Cruise.

I believe was part of the point you were making earlier which someone else completely missed.

No it's not geared to me the US tourist but by doing what they're doing they're not going to get me as extra income on top of all the locals that they are hopefully going to get.

Great posts Cap! I think it will be force to do more then 3 or 4 after a couple of years. My memory is a little fuzzy on the timing but the same thing happened to the magic into wonder back when they were the only two ships and still knew. They were both doing three and four but the guest feedback was they wanted some longer and eventually the magic switched to seven night cruises while the Wonder continued to do three and fours.

 

[Disone]

Me too!!!

I was totally thinking I would fly out to Singapore, on my first Asian adventure, and do a 7-night cruise on this thing. I still might do a back-to-back but this put a huge dent in the consideration of those plans. A back-to-back with a three and a four night just isn't as attractive as a genuine 7 night Cruise.

I believe was part of the point you were making earlier which someone else completely missed.

No it's not geared to me the US tourist but by doing what they're doing they're not going to get me as extra income on top of all the locals that they are hopefully going to get.

Great posts Cap! I think it will be force to do more then 3 or 4 after a couple of years. My memory is a little fuzzy on the timing but the same thing happened to the magic into wonder back when they were the only two ships and still knew. They were both doing three and four but the guest feedback was they wanted some longer and eventually the magic switched to seven night cruises while the Wonder continued to do three and fours.

Minor correction.

I did go to Japan for 10 nights in 2019 so I guess that was my first Asian adventure. So this would have been my second adventure into Asia.

It was about 4 years later and the magic started 7 night cruises.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Pay attention, Sven.

I'm not saying the whole ship should have been for US tourists. I'm saying the ship running EXCLUSIVELY 3 and 4 night itineraries means there's no reason for US tourists to EVER experience it.

They could have absolutely run "seasons" where the local market was primarily served with shorter itineraries while they ran a handful of longer "destination" type itineraries a few times each year.

I am not sure where you see that they will never offer a longer itinerary. Typically, the new ships run short trips to offer lower prices, and increased volume of both passengers and sailings. If I am paying thousands to fly to Singapore, then perhaps I can only afford a 4 night cruise. 7+ might be exorbitant.

Eventually they can offer longer, premium, itineraries.

Also, as stated above, the ship is not designed for Americans. We don't know exactly how much was changed to westernize it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I am not sure where you see that they will never offer a longer itinerary.

Is that not what this says?

"The Disney Adventure cruise will set sail from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre beginning in 2025, for three- and four-night voyages, for at least five years, announced Disney Cruise Line on Wednesday (Jun 26)."

 

[DCLcruiser]

Is that not what this says?

"The Disney Adventure cruise will set sail from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre beginning in 2025, for three- and four-night voyages, for at least five years, announced Disney Cruise Line on Wednesday (Jun 26)."

I am only using the official information:

Also, the "at least five years" probably refers to the contract with Marina Bay Cruise Centre, not the itineraries.

Come Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s All-New Adventure at Sea - Disney Parks Blog

Beginning next year, families can embark on an epic vacation at sea when the Disney Adventure sets sail out of Singapore.

disneyparksblog.com

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I am only using the official information:

Also, the "at least five years" probably refers to the contract with Marina Bay Cruise Centre, not the itineraries.

Come Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s All-New Adventure at Sea - Disney Parks Blog

Beginning next year, families can embark on an epic vacation at sea when the Disney Adventure sets sail out of Singapore.

disneyparksblog.com

Okay, I guess it was just sloppy comma usage by the site that wrote-up the summary.

But the original press release raises a different question. It makes it sound like these itineraries will only have sea days? Like no ports of call? What's even the point of making this thing float?

 

[Indy_UK]

I get why they are doing 3 and 4 night cruises because the demand for a Disney ship there is high. 7 nights would be cool but maybe once they add a 2nd ship.

In the next years 10 years I still plan to do all the Asian parks and will try and add a cruise onto that trip too

 

[Stitch's Grandfather]

Pay attention, Sven.

I'm not saying the whole ship should have been for US tourists. I'm saying the ship running EXCLUSIVELY 3 and 4 night itineraries means there's no reason for US tourists to EVER experience it.

They could have absolutely run "seasons" where the local market was primarily served with shorter itineraries while they ran a handful of longer "destination" type itineraries a few times each year.

It feels like even the North America itineraries seem to echo the same thought: the ship is the destination, not the port stops. It's almost like DCL thinks they're worried they're just a tour guide and they need to be something vaguely more.

So it's quite frustrating. The Adventure was the one ship I really thought I'd be booking, but there's zero chance if they dole out exclusively uninspiring itineraries.

 

[Stitch's Grandfather]

7 nights would be cool but maybe once they add a 2nd ship.

Given how much DCL concentrates on the Bahamas, in order for DCL to actually branch out a bit, it seems they'd need 15+ ships. Which I don't think they'll ever hit. So I don't believe they'll ever have a 2nd ship in the region.

 

[Disone]

I get why they are doing 3 and 4 night cruises because the demand for a Disney ship there is high. 7 nights would be cool but maybe once they add a 2nd ship.

In the next years 10 years I still plan to do all the Asian parks and will try and add a cruise onto that trip too

Idk. Both Royal Caribbean with Quantum of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise line with the Norwegian Joy thought the same thing.

Both Built those ships specifically for the Asian market only to pull them out of that market fairly quickly.

The Disney adventure is even bigger than both of those ships.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Okay, I guess it was just sloppy comma usage by the site that wrote-up the summary.

But the original press release raises a different question. It makes it sound like these itineraries will only have sea days? Like no ports of call? What's even the point of making this thing float?

The language makes it sound like a cruise to nowhere. Then again, the best days on a DCL itinerary are the Days at Sea.

I am not really sure where they could go. Thailand? Indonesia isn't safe, the South China Sea is a mine field, Vietnam is communist, Cambodia is a political powder keg. Not that the Caribbean is really that great (besides Grand Cayman).