NCL Fireworks - Competition for DCL?

[emcclay]

NCL just posted a link to a video that shows off their new pyrotechnic display that will be featured on their Breakaway. Anyone else think this is a jab at taking business away from DCL?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

NCL just posted a link to a video that shows off their new pyrotechnic display that will be featured on their Breakaway. Anyone else think this is a jab at taking business away from DCL?

Sure! Other cruise lines have copied a lot of the things that Disney got right. Like rotational dining, split bathrooms, I'm sure virtual portholes are coming soon to another line.

But now Disney can no longer say they are the only line with fireworks at sea. It will change some marketing for sure!

 

[Phonedave]

I still don't understand what the big deal with "fireworks at sea" is. I assume that the ships have to log it with the Coast Guard or some other marine agency so that nobody thinks they are signal flares. I would also assume that the fireworks used must be environmentally sound. Somehow they burn completely or are otherwise consumed or break down. Other than that, is it really such a big deal to have "fireworks at sea"?

I am suprised that no other curise lines have not already done so.

Do they still do trap shooting off the fantail on some ships? I would think target clays and steel shot would also have to be environmentaly approved.

-dave

 

[TDF]

I’m surprised it took this long for another cruise company to start with fireworks. I thought the fun-ships would have this already. I look forward to seeing NCL’s ship and hopefully cruising on it one day. (I know I know.)

 

[ChuckElias]

I’m surprised it took this long for another cruise company to start with fireworks.

I actually agree completely

I look forward to seeing NCL’s ship and hopefully cruising on it one day. (I know I know.)

Me too, especially since the Breakaway will be docked 2 hours from me.

 

[5thGenTexan]

I am not sure that another line doing a little fireworks display on thier ship is going to take Disney people away from the Disney ships. There are MANY more reasons to go on a Disney cruise aside from 15 minutes of fireworks.

 

[ChuckElias]

I am not sure that another line doing a little fireworks display on thier ship is going to take Disney people away from the Disney ships. There are MANY more reasons to go on a Disney cruise aside from 15 minutes of fireworks.

Absolutely, but what it does, as Tammy pointed out, is it removes a popular marketing angle from DCL's arsenal. They can no longer say that they're the only cruise line with fireworks at sea.

But you're 100% right in saying that this fact will not dissuade DCL's core customers from repeat cruising.

 

[TDF]

No it will not take customers from DCL. It has the Disney name on it for goodness sakes. What it does do is as said take away marketing and also show that other cruise lines can do what Disney does.
- Justin

 

[5thGenTexan]

Our first Disney cruise was last year in October. We live near Dallas and we were excited that Disney was going to be leaving out of Galveston. We wouldn't have gone on any cruise last year if not for the Disney - Galveston combo. It was only after booking that we realized there were fireworks one night. While it was a plus, it was not a deciding factor. I'd be interested to know if that one aspect is really important to many people who are searching for a cruise.

 

[TheTexasKid]

As the previous poster said, fireworks at sea are a plus, but I doubt if it is the most important aspect in choosing what cruise line to sail with. What is important is service, and so far, Disney Cruise Line service is far superior to anything offered by Norwegian Cruise Line. Which is why, in most of the polls you see, DCL scores higher than NCL.

 

[ExRoadie]

If I'm correct, Disney patented a safe(earlier attempts by others had fatal flaws) way to launch fireworks via compressed air instead of using lift charges in 1992. The Disney exclusive would have run out in 2012.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

If I'm correct, Disney patented a safe(earlier attempts by others had fatal flaws) way to launch fireworks via compressed air instead of using lift charges in 1992. The Disney exclusive would have run out in 2012.

Interesting!

 

[DVCOwner]

If I'm correct, Disney patented a safe(earlier attempts by others had fatal flaws) way to launch fireworks via compressed air instead of using lift charges in 1992. The Disney exclusive would have run out in 2012.

I do not know when the patent runs out, but you are correct in that Disney uses compressed air to launch its fireworks. This was originally done to allow better control of the fireworks in the parks. With this increase in control, Disney was able to better time the fireworks with the music. It did also allow them to launch at sea, due to the Coast Guard approved this system for that purpose at the request of Disney.

 

[DVCOwner]

Here check out this artile form 7/13/2004 when the system was first used at Disneyland

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5431104/ns/business-local_business/t/future-theme-park-fireworks/

 

[EOD K9]

Also, the remnants of the combustibles, is food based, so it is safe when it lands in the water.