New Ships?

[Cruise-Uh-holic]

i know disney has not let out any information on the new ships itinerary but i was wondering..

 

What do you thing the first cruise (with passengers) will be, will they stay in the med for a few cruises and than come to Port Canaveral,or just come straight from Europe to Port Canaveral (trans Atlantic).

 

i was hoping they would just come here and do there maiden voyage from Port Canaveral so it would be easier for us, and even if we didnt go on the cruise we could watch the fireworks (if they do any) and the ship leave for her 1st cruise

[PINEVIEW01]

I'm new to Disney Cruising. I cam here to lurk. But, I have heard they will be doing Europe

[Host Mick]

i know disney has not let out any information on the new ships itinerary but i was wondering..

 

What do you thing the first cruise (with passengers) will be, will they stay in the med for a few cruises and than come to Port Canaveral,or just come straight from Europe to Port Canaveral (trans Atlantic).

 

i was hoping they would just come here and do there maiden voyage from Port Canaveral so it would be easier for us, and even if we didnt go on the cruise we could watch the fireworks (if they do any) and the ship leave for her 1st cruise

 

When the magic was launched. She did her sea trials out in the Med then sailed for Port Canaveral as quickly as possible in that she was a couple of months late. She did a media and TA demonstration cruise as soon as she arrived before her maiden voyage. They weren't ready for prime time and the first cruises had problems but she was a new ship with a new company and with a new crew.

If you're hoping to get on a maiden voyage, the chances are pretty slim. The maiden voyages are usually filled with company people, media and TAs.

 

The next best thing would be to get aboard either the Magic or Wonder when the new ship arrives in Port Canaveral. When the Wonder arrived, the Magic was there to escort her in and there's some great shots of them sailing and berthed toghether. I'm sure that they'll do the same with eaither the Magic or wonder depending on their schedules.

[cruiserbryce]

initially there may be a couple med cruises...the summers that DCL has spent in Mex and the Med were likely viewed as tests for upcoming ships...I think theres a good chance that ships will end up in these regions...although its waytoo early to know

[Midwest Cruisers]

When we took our Disney cruise last year, I could have swore that it was a Disney person who stated that the Magic and Wonder were going to be placed in California and the new ships would be placed in Cape Canaveral. I am not sure how the maiden trip will be planned.

[eyesing2]

The rumor on the RCL board is that both new DCL ships will be based at Port Canaveral with the Freedom of the Seas replacing the Mariner for RCL. Disney will also be building a new COVERED parking structure. RCL is building a new terminal to handle 6,000 passengers, so speculation is that eventually they will be bringing in their new Genesis class ship there in the future to compete with Disney.

[poncho1973]

All local news reports indicate that Port Canaveral IN GENERAL is going to be busting at the seams soon... so expansion is on the horizon.

 

I have no connections to DCL, so I know nothing... but I do know that 3 ships is already possible... so keeping 3 would be likely. Expansion would make it possible to keep 4 here at least part of the year... with trips west and to the Med as needed.

 

I think keeping 4 full-time is most unlikely, though.

[owensjro]

A press release indicated that the two new ships would be based from Port Canaveral for at least the first few years of their service. In return PC is expanding the terminal facility including adding a parking deck.

 

One can expect the Magic and Wonder will be sent to the west coast and to the Med as those are the two areas DCL has been testing.

 

Jim

[Cruise-Uh-holic]

Do you think they will have a fireworks display?

[IvesGrandmama]

when are the new ships suppose to be out? thaks

[owensamo]

when are the new ships suppose to be out? thaks

 

The first ship should be delivered early in 2011, and the second ship in 2012.

[Amlee]

The rumor on the RCL board is that both new DCL ships will be based at Port Canaveral with the Freedom of the Seas replacing the Mariner for RCL. Disney will also be building a new COVERED parking structure. RCL is building a new terminal to handle 6,000 passengers, so speculation is that eventually they will be bringing in their new Genesis class ship there in the future to compete with Disney.

 

 

I can't tell you the rumor about Disney, but I can confirm via press release that the Freedom will be coming to Port Canaveral in 2009. I have also been told via my Port Canaveral rep that they have major construction to start at the port. I was also told when I asked why they didn't get the Solstice class from Celebrity, to look for a big announcement concerning them soon.

[gatour]

The new ships will be based in Port Canaveral. They have signed a contract with the port to expand the terminal and build a parking garage.

 

RCCL will be moving a Freedom class ship to Port Canaveral. The Sovereign is leaving the fleet and the other ship is being transferred to another port.

 

The first Genesis class ship will be homeported at Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale)

[owensjro]

Here is the DCL press release:

 

http://www.dclnews.com/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PressReleaseID=109427

 

 

Disney Cruise Line to Extend Agreement with Port Canaveral

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., (March 19, 2008) – Disney Cruise Line announced it has finalized an agreement with Port Canaveral to extend the company’s current contract 15 years through 2022. In addition, as part of its continuing commitment to the Central Florida area, the company will home port its two new ships in Port Canaveral. The new agreement between Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral was ratified today by Port Authority Commissioners.

As part of the new agreement, the Canaveral Port Authority will expand and modify the Disney Cruise Line port facility including an extension of the dock and enlargements and enhancements to the terminal building to allow for additional luggage and passenger capacity. A multi-level parking structure, scheduled to be completed by 2011, will also be built for Disney Cruise Line.

“We are very excited to call Port Canaveral our home and look forward to bringing our new ships here,” said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. “The new enhancements being made to our terminal will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea.”

Once completed, the enhancements to the already unique Disney terminal will provide for improved passenger flow and additional guest conveniences that together will contribute to the overall boarding experience. Disney Cruise Line will work with Port Canaveral to create a state of the art facility, which will contain several Disney touches that are certain to delight guests.

The terminal and dock enlargements are necessary to accommodate the new and larger Disney Cruise Line ships. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, they will be significantly larger than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer Stan Payne said, “Disney Cruise Line has been extremely successful in drawing a strong family market to Port Canaveral since its launch 10 years ago. We’re thrilled that Disney has committed to stay here long-term and are looking forward to the two new ships home porting here.”

Port Canaveral continues to be one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. More than 3.5 million Disney Cruise Line guests have sailed from Port Canaveral since the line’s beginning in 1998, adding to the economic and tourism growth of Brevard County. Future itinerary information for Disney Cruise Line ships beyond 2009 will be released at a later date.

[hooterville_mom]

Port Canaveral may be expanding their facilities, but what about the islands? I can't imagine double the passengers on St. Maarten or Grand Cayman. It's almost too much now as it is.

[gatour]

Jamaica is opening a new port to accomodate the Genesis class ships, now if it actually opens in time is another story.

 

Costa Maya is rumured to be expanding their docking facilites to accomidate Genesis class ships. This is work being done in conjuction with the port rebuild due to the hurricane.

 

The other thing to keep in mind is that while a particular cruise lines may add a 4000-5000 passenger ship to a particular market, they may be withdrawing two 2000-2500 passenger ships. The net amount of passengers could remain the same.

[Amlee]

Port Canaveral may be expanding their facilities, but what about the islands? I can't imagine double the passengers on St. Maarten or Grand Cayman. It's almost too much now as it is.

 

 

I have to agree with you 100%! In 2006 we were in St. Thomas (on the Mariner of the Seas) with about 7-8 other ships. It was a mad house. I was standing in downtown when I saw one of the Freedom class ships come into port. I hailed a taxi and went back to the ship.

[Host Mick]

Port Canaveral may be expanding their facilities, but what about the islands? I can't imagine double the passengers on St. Maarten or Grand Cayman. It's almost too much now as it is.

 

I was wondering the same about Castaway Cay. With one ship there now, it's not crowded but nearly so. With twice the number of guests and then beach staying the same, it will definitely be too crowded. I hope that they start buying beach loungers and hammocks in bulk.

[owensjro]

I was wondering the same about Castaway Cay. With one ship there now, it's not crowded but nearly so. With twice the number of guests and then beach staying the same, it will definitely be too crowded. I hope that they start buying beach loungers and hammocks in bulk.

 

I know they are beginning work on expanding the dock at CC for the new ships. I think everyone is assuming they will also be expanding the island facilities as well. Looking at the satellite view there is certainly plenty of room on the island. The problem is that the rest of the beach is unprotected so they either need to create another barrier or leave it open.

 

It will definitely be interesting to see how things pan out. We'll be there for a double dip at the beginning of June and then again in January and then hopefully again in Dec, 09 so we can see how the construction progresses.

 

Jim

[Goobergirl]

Does anyone know if the new Disney ships will offer round trip cruises from Port Canaveral to ports in Europe and then back?:D

Also, are there casinos on Disney ships? Thanks!!!

[cruise4kicks]

Does anyone know if the new Disney ships will offer round trip cruises from Port Canaveral to ports in Europe and then back?:D

Sure, you could sail on the east-bound trans-Atlantic, stay in Europe for several months, then bring the ship back on the west-bound T/A. :p

 

Also, are there casinos on Disney ships? Thanks!!!

Bring a deck of cards and you can make your own casino. :cool:

[poncho1973]

The general feeling is that due to the stance against casinos in Florida, they won't be adding them to the new ships either.

 

Works for me... I love to play cards... but I certainly didn't like the stinky smoker's pit of casinos on other ships.