Rumor: More new ships

GrumpyFan

GrumpyFan

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Screamscape, a sometimes controversial theme park and entertainment industry news and rumors website, that sometimes gets it right, and sometimes not, reported on 5/13 that Disney is investigating the possibility of adding more ships to their fleet.

From Screamscape.com
Keep in mind that there is only talk at this point, but I’ve heard that the Disney Cruise Line may be checking into the feasibility of adding two more vessels to their fleet in the future. This does not mean they have approved anything… only that they are doing their homework about the possible costs and construction time-tables involved IF they were to approve two new ships, as well as studying their internal numbers over the next 12 months (occupancy / profits, etc) as the company has time to digest their last expansion. If the rooms on the existing four-vessel fleet are still selling out and the cost is right, perhaps we’ll see more ships added in about 3-5 years.
Click to expand...

I think the U.S. Market might be able to handle 1 or 2 more ships. Assuming they keep 3 ships on the East coast, and 1 in California, another in the Gulf of Mexico (Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston) might be the limit that the market will be able to handle. However, it would seem that the international market might be open for 2 or more ships.
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
GrumpyFan said:
Screamscape, a sometimes controversial theme park and entertainment industry news and rumors website, that sometimes gets it right, and sometimes not, reported on 5/13 that Disney is investigating the possibility of adding more ships to their fleet.



I think the U.S. Market might be able to handle 1 or 2 more ships. Assuming they keep 3 ships on the East coast, and 1 in California, another in the Gulf of Mexico (Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston) might be the limit that the market will be able to handle. However, it would seem that the international market might be open for 2 or more ships.
Click to expand...


Well I for one would be thrilled if Screamscape was correct this time! :)
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Interesting. While on the Magic this last week this was mentioned by one of the CMs we talked with at length. I know, CMs aren't the best info sources but its interesting that this came up again while it's fresh on my brain. Additional info in our conversation is the possibility/probability that any new additions to Disney's fleet would be the size of the classic ships if not smaller. Apparently the feedback on ship size would play a role. Supposedly the idea is to incorporate the amazing room layouts people love on the larger ships into a smaller nutshell to still capture the close-knit feel and lesser pool crowd issues, etc of the new ships. Further reiterating the size ships being considered would be the comment card I filled out just yesterday after we got in from CC. There were a few questions that referenced experience in relation to ship size.

It would make sense that Disney would add a couple more ships if for no other reason to alleviate demand while they each take turns in dry dock, etc. Smaller sizes mean easier to fill & cheaper to operate. It's a win/win, really.

Interesting indeed! :animwink:
 
GrumpyFan

GrumpyFan

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Agreed. The smaller ships would seem to be the better value with lots of plusses. They can take them to smaller markets where demand might not be as great, but they also make for a more intimate and perhaps even quieter experience depending on how many kids are on board.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
While I have now doubt that Disney is always weighing the pros and cons of adding more ships to the fleet, the 3-5 year time frame seems rather short. I could see them making the decision to expand in 3-5 years but I would net see them getting a boat in the water for close to a decade. The Dream and Fantasy took just shy of 3 years to build. To have a ship in the water in 3 years they would realistically need to start cutting steel today.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Absolutely. Won't be for a while yet. I'd say 5 years would be super fast. I'd bet more on further out. Definitely cool that there's a possibility of Disney is even thinking in the direction of expanding the fleet even more considering the Fantasy juuuust came into service. It's a neat thought in itself. Us being new cruise-converts ourselves, I think it's interesting... :)
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Bingo is as close to gambling as Disney will get, thankfully. No casino is part of what sets them apart from the rest. Need to gamble? Royal Caribbean has some amazing ships out there....:D
 
invader

invader

Well-Known Member
Doubt it, they've had enough troubles as it is with launching the Dream and the Fantasy. I'd imagine if you'd see any they'd be in about six to eight years time, as most shipyards are full right now. Frank de Heer, head WDI for DCI New Build, told us that there were no current plans to expand the fleet at all at the time he presented in March.
 

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