Disney Annouces 2 New Cruise Ships!!!
Bob Iger announced today that the Disney Cruise Line will double its fleet by adding two new ships, in 2011 and 2012. Check out the Orlando Sentinel piece the covers this story rather extensively…
The company said it signed a letter of intent with German shipyard Meyer Werft to build new 122,000-ton liners that will be two decks taller than the two original ships known as the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Disney would not say how much the ships are expected to cost, but dropped the Italian builder it used in the past.
The Wonder and the Magic were both built in Italy, so these new ones are probably not going to be just a larger version of the existing vessels. I would expect some significant difference, but that is only speculation.
More speculation surrounds where the new ships will call home. Everyone assumed it would be the west coast, serving Alaska in the summer and the Mexican Riviera in the winter. But Europe is also a very good possibility…
Rasulo (chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts) said the European cruises have sold well and said the company would consider bundling cruise packages with stays at Disneyland Paris if they position a ship in Barcelona full time.
So one in Europe and one on the west coast? That seems to make sense. Don’t be shocked, however, if one stays on the east coast. Cruise out of New York City have become very popular recently, and Disney would certainly make a splash there.
Matt said,
February 23, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
I agree with you Dave on their likely roles. My first thought was “Great, more service to the Caribbean” but after some thought it seems clear they are going to the West Coast either/or Europe.
MJMcBride said,
February 23, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Makes sense to me, they are finally tapping into those markets. Although the caribbean is still a bigger cruise market then either of those two. I wish they would launce from NY more often
David said,
February 23, 2007 @ 9:15 pm
NY would be AWESOME!!!!!