Rumor: More new ships

[DVCOwner]

On the original subject of is DCL looking at adding additional ships: if they where not exploring the possibility at all times they would not be doing there job. I would think that management of any cruise line is always looking at what will they do next. It is just part of everyday business. The real question has DCL by increasing its fleet to four ships now caused supply to equal or decrease below demand. DCL has had almost every ship leave port with almost every cabin filled and has not had to offer large discounts. If this continues with all four ship now sailing, than DCL has to be ready with plans to add additional ships.

 

[ncstate7991]

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.

Master Yoda, I agree with you. It will be 7+ years before we see a new Disney ship, UNLESS they build a copy of the Dream/Fantasy. They could order a Dream/Fantasy style ship today with slight modifications, and have it sailing in a little over 3 years. There might be enough demand for a third ship in Europe or on the West Coast (Mexico in the Winter and Alaska in the Summer).

 

[StageFrenzy]

I think they would go back to smaller ships as well, and use the large ships for high volume routes. Smaller ones for other routes

 

[SyracuseOrange]

Yes! Do 3! Faith, Trust, & Pixie Dust!

It'd be so cute if they did three smaller ships with these names.

 

[flavious27]

I can see them having a port of call and ship for every theme park as the long term goal. I don't see them adding any ships in the same size class as dream / fantasy, but more in the wonder / magic size class.

 

[fireworkz]

If the rumor is 3 to 5 years to start construction, with another 3 to 4 to finalize and build, were looking at 6 to 9 years out... Magic will be 20 to 23 years old. The oldest currently active cruise ships with the top cruise lines are 21-22 years old which are expected to be sold off and replaced within the next 1- 2 years. From what I understand DCL planned to keep Magic and Wonder around longer than what most other cruise lines would consider. After all one of the reasons for their classic-looking design was so they would age well. But things change, this rumor could be based on preparing for Magic and Wonder's replacements.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

^^^
Good points here. Maybe it is time to plan ahead for the Magic & Wonder to go out of service...

 

[jme]

I think they should add a ship to the asian market. They've got a huge following there including THREE parks (well four technically - shanghai, hong kong, tokyo dl and disneysea) Just make sure Duffy and Stitch are on board
There are a few cruise lines that operate in the area but I think it's an under-fulfilled market. I have no doubt they would do extremely well there.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Interesting idea. ABD is expanding their offerings in Asia, so they see the market for land based vacations. I wish I could see the numbers on the market because venturing into Asia, primarily with the cost of airfare, would most likely be at a higher cost to the cruiser than a Mediterranean cruise. While I'd be extremely tempted if they offered something like this, I don't think our bank account or vacation days would support my daydreams!