Disney a threat to RCL?

[LittleMissMagic]

This announcement will probably have the opposite effect and increase business on every line BUT Disney. Over on the DIS boards (where everyone is thoroughly hopped up on pixie dust) there's a 4 page thread on their new itineraries out of Miami, and not a single post that likes them. IMO, once Disney people even look at cruising out of south Florida, they'll find a half-dozen lines that actually go where they wished Disney would have gone, and they'll jump ship.

 

For greedy personal reasons, I do wish that people wouldn't want to cruise Disney as much so that maybe the prices would go down.... but I'm afraid there are always going to be people wanting to take their kids on Disney cruises. Unless Disney's product seriously diminishes, those ships are going to be full - whether it's with the Disney-obsessed or the average folk that want to take their kids on a Mickey-filled ship.

[Friend100]

For greedy personal reasons, I do wish that people wouldn't want to cruise Disney as much so that maybe the prices would go down.... but I'm afraid there are always going to be people wanting to take their kids on Disney cruises. Unless Disney's product seriously diminishes, those ships are going to be full - whether it's with the Disney-obsessed or the average folk that want to take their kids on a Mickey-filled ship.

 

The perception of "DCL = $$$" is established very strongly to many cruisers and I am not going to do anything to attempt to change a thing.

 

BTW, we enjoyed the Disney theme on the ship, we have never been to Disneyland nor DisneyWorld (no immediate plan to go there yet) and are looking forward to our next cruise.

[Friend100]

This announcement will probably have the opposite effect and increase business on every line BUT Disney. Over on the DIS boards (where everyone is thoroughly hopped up on pixie dust) there's a 4 page thread on their new itineraries out of Miami, and not a single post that likes them. IMO, once Disney people even look at cruising out of south Florida, they'll find a half-dozen lines that actually go where they wished Disney would have gone, and they'll jump ship.

 

IMO, I think DCL was just evaluating which is the lesser of the 2 evils ... keeping the Wonder at LA doing Mexican Riveria and have to do kids sail free promotion in order to have a full boat, or take a gamble and load up the Bahamas/Caribbean market on the east coast.

[orville99]

For greedy personal reasons, I do wish that people wouldn't want to cruise Disney as much so that maybe the prices would go down.... but I'm afraid there are always going to be people wanting to take their kids on Disney cruises. Unless Disney's product seriously diminishes, those ships are going to be full - whether it's with the Disney-obsessed or the average folk that want to take their kids on a Mickey-filled ship.

 

 

Which is why Miami isn't going to work out for them. It is a South/Central America targeted port, and anyone from those areas that wants to experience Disney is going to fly into Orlando and combine WDW and a cruise. Anyone in (or within driving distance of Florida) who wants the Disney experience will do it the same way. I just can't fathom anyone driving by Port Canaveral to get to Miami to take a cruise that goes to the same places as the Disney ship they just passed by.

[LittleMissMagic]

Well, from the architectural standpoint, there is a lot of high-end development going up in Miami. It's really hot property - Disney might have their eye on that.

 

We'll see how they do - I'm not sure if I'm sold on the idea, yet. With only four ships, I don't really understand why they would have two separate port locations in Florida.

[jonbgd]

Well, from the architectural standpoint, there is a lot of high-end development going up in Miami. It's really hot property - Disney might have their eye on that.

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SO Disney would sail from POM because of all the empty condos that are foreclosed on??????????

[elephant98]

All I keep hearing is Disney is much more expensive. Is that true?

 

I guess it depends on when you are traveling. I tried comparing two similarly situated outside balcony cabins for a March 2013 7-night sailing on the Allure/Oasis and the Disney Fantasy. Party of 3 (2 adults, one child). The price was the same after taxes and port charges -- $3800.

[LittleMissMagic]

I was curious, so I looked at the itineraries:

 

5-Nights:

Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

 

5-Nights:

Ports: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

 

4-Nights:

Ports: Miami, Key West, Nassau, Castaway Cay

 

They also start at $440/person based on double occupancy - it seems less expensive than their PC cruises.

 

Personally, I like the Grand Cayman/Cozumel itinerary.... and Cozumel/Castaway Cay. They both seem like nice short cruise alternatives. I can actually see why Disney did this - more variety for short cruises.

[constantcruiser]

Since DCL attracts so many families with kids, but still boasts "adult only" areas aboard, I wonder how well they enforce the policy. It seems RCI would rather negatively impact dozens of other passengers than to directly confront the few who are violating rules. If DCL turns a blind eye to kids in adult venues, as RCI often does, I wouldn't want any part of that line.

[jonbgd]

I guess it depends on when you are traveling. I tried comparing two similarly situated outside balcony cabins for a March 2013 7-night sailing on the Allure/Oasis and the Disney Fantasy. Party of 3 (2 adults, one child). The price was the same after taxes and port charges -- $3800.

 

But wouldn it be better to compare it to a similar sized/style ship

 

The Oasis/Allure are one of a kind and tend to sell @ a premium

 

I dont know DCL but is the Fantasy closer to Voyager class??

[orville99]

But wouldn it be better to compare it to a similar sized/style ship

 

The Oasis/Allure are one of a kind and tend to sell @ a premium

 

I dont know DCL but is the Fantasy closer to Voyager class??

 

 

Probably closer to Freedom class - except without the public space. FOS and Fantasy are about the same length, have the same number of decks, hold the same number of pax, but FOS is 60 ft wider above the waterline than Fantasy, which gives you the promenade, more pools, etc.When I look at the Disney Dream, the only thing I can think of is that Disney built an FOS sized ship with Monarch sized ameneties;))

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I'm a HUGE fan of all things Disney, I'm going to Disneyland on Monday. I have always wanted to do a Disney Cruise, and for me it isn't the cost that kept me way, it's the absence of a casino. I just can't do it. They even went so far as to move a Disney ship to LA (it's leaving soon I see), but the no gambling thing kept my family away.

 

I agree that Disney has a rather small demo group and will not really be a threat to RCCL or anyone else.:)

[Friend100]

Probably closer to Freedom class - except without the public space. FOS and Fantasy are about the same length, have the same number of decks, hold the same number of pax, but FOS is 60 ft wider above the waterline than Fantasy, which gives you the promenade, more pools, etc.When I look at the Disney Dream, the only thing I can think of is that Disney built an FOS sized ship with Monarch sized ameneties;))

 

For ship hardware alone, I'll consider DCL Dream/Fantasy slightly above a Freedom class, but lower than Oasis class. I know i know, it is "smaller" than Freedom class.:) As far as I'm concern, size doesn't always correlate to price. You can disagree. But there are other "software" part of DCL ship that we value and if the price is right, we will consider them.

[karena1]

I have to say that the idea of being locked into a floating theme park filled to the gills with kids has zero appeal to me. I'd rather have a pap smear by captain hook then go on a Disney cruise.

 

I am pretty much with you! Not that I don't love kids, I do, just don't want to be packed on a ship with a bunch of them and have Mini and Mickey running around all day. I also don't cruise Royal during spring break for the same reasons! We lived in Orlando for 18 years, don't want to cruise with Disney also.

[temple1]

I do like the itenerary out of Miami, but I do enjoy the casino and I als have fears about being on a ship that is spring break and summer vacation - always.

 

On a short cruise I could overlook the absence of the casino - but don't know about the quality of adult venues.

[teajak]

I have to say that the idea of being locked into a floating theme park filled to the gills with kids has zero appeal to me. I'd rather have a pap smear by captain hook then go on a Disney cruise.

In addition,no casino,not for me,to each his own.

[orville99]

For ship hardware alone, I'll consider DCL Dream/Fantasy slightly above a Freedom class, but lower than Oasis class. I know i know, it is "smaller" than Freedom class.:) As far as I'm concern, size doesn't always correlate to price. You can disagree. But there are other "software" part of DCL ship that we value and if the price is right, we will consider them.

 

 

No problem. We're Platinum on Disney and Diamond on RCCL, so we sail both as well. We also hold stock in both companies, so as long as you're sailing either line we come out ahead. One quick question, though. I understand the differences in "software", but what exactly is "ship hardware"?

[grand isle joe]

Well, from the architectural standpoint, there is a lot of high-end development going up in Miami. It's really hot property - Disney might have their eye on that.

 

We'll see how they do - I'm not sure if I'm sold on the idea, yet. With only four ships, I don't really understand why they would have two separate port locations in Florida.

 

 

I would suspect tha Miami is an international airport hub that services both South America and Europe and travelers can access direct flights from their home countries to Miami and the port directly from the airport. Disney has been marketing heavily in the Hispanic countries as well as Brazil their theme park in Orlando so I suspect they are expending the "Disney experience" to their cruise ship(s). Brazil has a large middle class that is expanding with the deveolment of their country's natural resources as well as oil reserves. Having been in WDW during off vacation times we do notice large groups from South America through charters and family traveling together.

[tigger-ttfn]

Disney is really expensive.

 

And no gambling on board.

[Friend100]

No problem. We're Platinum on Disney and Diamond on RCCL, so we sail both as well. We also hold stock in both companies, so as long as you're sailing either line we come out ahead. One quick question, though. I understand the differences in "software", but what exactly is "ship hardware"?

 

The pool, theatre, restaurant, casino, atrium, etc.

 

Soft stuff are quality of service, quality of food, stylishness, etc.

[orville99]

The pool - edge would go to Freedom here - more pools; larger pools; water park for kids; cantilevered whirlpools; flowrider; adults only solarium wher you can actually find loungers, theatre - toss up on the room; disney productions are better, restaurant - I guess we'll have to agree to disagree here. I'll take a three story elegantly appointed dining room over one true dining room, one maritime poco loco themed room, and one cafeteria on steroids any day, casino - Only makes a difference if you have a moral aversion to gaming, otherwise you never even have to go anywhere near it to get anywhere you want to go, atrium - The royal promenade on Freedom with its six story atrium that runs the length of the ship makes the Disney atrium look like an ornate walk-in closet, etc.

 

Soft stuff are quality of service - true. On RCI staff are friendly because they're friendly; on Disney, staff are overly friendly because they'd be fired if they weren't always "in character" , quality of food - Personal preference, but I prefer food that actually has taste, and Disney dumbs down their prep so kids will eat it, stylishness - you have me there, but IMO Disney sacrifices function for form - Dream is a very pretty container, with no room to absorb its contents. Freedon has 1000 cubic feet more open space per passenger than Dream (the equivalent of a 10x10 room with a 10 foot ceiling), etc.

 

We still cruise on Disney - when we cruise with the grandkids - because they are still in awe of anything Mickey, and we like to watch them be happy.

[The Big Booper]

We have cruised with Disney on a 7 day Magic run in Dec 2005. 2 couples in their early 60's traveling with no kids and we had fun, hanging out at the adult pool and adult areas. Of course, both wives lined up with the "other" kids to have pictures taken with the characters and I have a picture of myself taken with Daisy Duck.;)

 

With our our penchant for matching tee shirts we will have interesting times on our 2 Disney cruises this year.

 

The Fantasy/Dream are long narrow ships which is why their GRT is less then the Freedom types.

[Friend100]

We still cruise on Disney - when we cruise with the grandkids - because they are still in awe of anything Mickey, and we like to watch them be happy.

Orville99,

While the intent of my last post was simply to give you examples of what I meant by software and hardware, I really appreciate your effort in detailing your thoughts for every items I have listed above.

 

We have only done once on Liberty of the Seas and once on Disney Dream. We liked the food and dining room services on LOS. We liked spending our time at the Royal Promenade. H2O Zone was great. We also liked the ice skating shows. For the Disney Dream, we liked the sail away party, firework at sea, the characters, Castaway Cay, the main lobby, the Aquaduck, the stateroom, the split bathroom, the Disney shows, the teak deck, and the overall Disney theme and the magical experience.

 

We spent most of our time enjoying. We didn't spend time in trying to tear things apart and to find out what we dislike.

[bus man]

I'm a HUGE fan of all things Disney, I'm going to Disneyland on Monday. I have always wanted to do a Disney Cruise, and for me it isn't the cost that kept me way, it's the absence of a casino. I just can't do it. They even went so far as to move a Disney ship to LA (it's leaving soon I see), but the no gambling thing kept my family away.

 

I mean no disrespect, but this seems odd to me. If you love Disney, and love cruising, I would think that a Disney cruise would be a natural fit for you. Why is the lack of a casino such a big deal? After all, Disneyland doesn't have a casino either, but apparently that's not stopping you from going there.

[orville99]

 

The Fantasy/Dream are long narrow ships which is why their GRT is less then the Freedom types.

 

True, and if the Fantasy/Dream sailed with 500-1000 fewer pax at capacity, the public ameneties and grt/pax ratio would be sized more appropriately. You've been on the Magic, which is our all-time favorite ship. The pool deck on Dream has the same number of pools (two are the same same size) as Magic, and the Cove pool is actually smaller than the one on Magic. Same number of pools + 1500 additional pax is not a good design, IMO.