Here is an thought about Possible ship retirement plans. With a poll.

[Snowwhyt]

What if the Magic were retired? We have spoken in the past about this possibility, but what if this pandemic was enough to make that happen?

We don’t want to lose the original. But what if lack of income and age of ship are enough to push the CFO to say it’s time to retire? “The Wish is on the way and two others behind her, and unemployment is way up taking away disposable income from our patrons”. From a business standpoint I can see this comment being said. But no clue what would follow.

Many of us love the Magic she has a place in our hearts and European market. But on the other hand many people only want “new or bigger and better” or need the “new car smell and feel”. The average ship is retired after 30 years. She’s only 23ish, so too young especially after the new fuel engines installation.

I don’t think they will retire her and we will see her exceed the current record as longest ship in service which is 78 years. Or made into a Disney hotel(maybe at the Disney ports? ) But then will they retire the Wonder instead? Perhaps after 3rd new ship comes? Maybe, but at much later date I think.
Maybe make a land and sea package at the new Disney port?
I’m making this post because I just want to feel some Disney excitement and at least if I talk about sailing future I get some feeling.

 

[JM_97]

I don't think it would be sold to another company because there's too many things inside that make it obvious it's Disney. I think the Magic and Wonder will be around for a while but I could see them somehow using parts of the ship and incorporating it into a resort at Disney World. Either at a current one (Beach/Yacht Club makes the most sense) or make a totally new one

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don’t think they will retire her and we will see her exceed the current record as longest ship in service which is 78 years. Or made into a Disney hotel(maybe at the Disney ports? ) But then will they retire the Wonder instead?

I hope they don't retire both of them (or, indeed, either of them). There are ports in the world that the larger ships can't access. Having a fleet of 5 ships, all the same (large) size will limit some itineraries.

 

[JM_97]

I will say that when/if Disney has enough large ships to do the Bahamas/Caribbean/Mexico trips, the Magic and Wonder will slowly stop doing those and focus on places that those larger ships can't do as well.

 

[JM23457]

The Magic is in great shape. I don't see retirement in her foreseeable future.

Decades from now, when she is retired, she will probably be scrapped, not sold to another line, as her appearance is distinctly DCL & that's a branding issue.

 

[LTJoeFlo]

I agree with the others. The ship is still fairly new when it comes to larger boats.

When I was in the navy, I was on a ship that was preparing for decommissioning. I can say with a high level of confidence that it will not be turned into a fish sanctuary. I was shocked by all the considerations that go into sinking a ship. Every square inch has to be decontaminated and that costs a ton of money. All the paint has to be stripped from the hull and interior spaces. Holes are drilled throughout to promote coral growth and improve access for sea life. It also has to be inspected by environmental agencies. Then you have to deal with the environmentalists that are against the process. There are some irresponsible companies that skip all these steps but I don't think Disney would be able to do that, even if the wanted to.

When the time does come, it will most likely be sold for scrap

 

[Snowwhyt]

The Magic is in great shape. I don't see retirement in her foreseeable future.

Decades from now, when she is retired, she will probably be scrapped, not sold to another line, as her appearance is distinctly DCL & that's a branding issue.

I’m thinking that if they scraped it here at home(well the US anyway) they could probably sell each piece with enough money made from its pictures, curtains, the theather chairs, and even carpets. But only one item to a customer so they don’t capitalize on the brand.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I like the idea of it becoming a hotel, maybe on that new Bahamanian island... many years from now? Or maybe even off the west coast to supplement the Anaheim parks?

 

[JM23457]

I’m thinking that if they scraped it here at home(well the US anyway) they could probably sell each piece with enough money made from its pictures, curtains, the theather chairs, and even carpets. But only one item to a customer so they don’t capitalize on the brand.

That might be nice but they don't seem to do this kind of thing when refurbishing their hotels, for example. I wish they did, but I've never heard of it. Please correct me if you have heard of it.

 

[TestingH2O]

They should decommission the Fantasy. That’s the one that has actual issues in terms of operation. The classic ships look great, run well, and have unique offerings not available anywhere else.

I know there is 0% chance of this happening, so feel free to flame away.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

They should decommission the Fantasy. That’s the one that has actual issues in terms of operation. The classic ships look great, run well, and have unique offerings not available anywhere else.

I know there is 0% chance of this happening, so feel free to flame away.

Hmmmm..... not a bad option. If they have to cut back, the Fantasy would be my first choice.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Hmmmm..... not a bad option. If they have to cut back, the Fantasy would be my first choice.

I certainly would not miss the shows on the Fantasy. I realize a huge effort goes into each show but unlike the other 3 ships, the shows on the Fantasy did nothing for me. I even gave them another chance on a 2nd cruise. Still awful. It's as if they're all out of ideas anymore. I'd rather watch Golden Mickeys or Disney Dreams for the 25th time. Twice Charmed is a special treat. We'll always love the Magic and I hope it's a VERY long time before she stops sailing for Disney.

 

[BartmanLA]

Honestly while the Magic and the Wonder are both over 20 yrs old, many cruise lines continue sailing ships long past that time, the meticulous effort that DCL goes to in order to keep the Magic & Wonder in top notch form, clean, safe, and up to date in systems and safety could very well lead them to keep sailing them for many more years. I can't believe that at this point that anyone would suggest that they get rid of 2 of the line's classic ships, one's that are favorites of not just myself, but many many other cruisers too. There still is a massive market for smaller less crowded ships as noted by the continued construction of them for lines like Fred Olsen, Seven Seas Regent, Silver Seas, Ponant etc.. many of these lines continue (in the recent past prior to Covid-19) to see a surge in booking and popularity The Magic & Wonder maybe be smaller but they're still mighty and desired by a very significant segment of Disney Cruise guests.

 

[DietCokeMommy]

I can't see them getting rid of the Wonder until they have a viable option to take its place. They modified that ship specifically for Alaska cruises by glassing in the concierge lounge. They make a ton of their money off the Alaska sailings, I can't see them doing anything to put that in jeopardy. It would seem pretty short sighted to make any changes to the fleet just yet. Even NCL reconsolidated their financials so that they could go another year without sailing and still stay afloat. Disney is in a much better position.

 

[JM_97]

They should decommission the Fantasy. That’s the one that has actual issues in terms of operation. The classic ships look great, run well, and have unique offerings not available anywhere else.

I know there is 0% chance of this happening, so feel free to flame away.

I remember reading on here a few months ago a conspiracy theory that the Fantasy is haunted because they didn't do a traditional christening ceremony

 

[brentm77]

It's not going to happen. First, Disney has alternative revenue sources that can keep their cruise company afloat for a very long time. The parks' revenues are coming back online soon too. One analyst says the parks stop losing money at 25% capacity. I think all parks will be profitable by the end of the year.

Second, I guarantee they can fill all four ships when the reopen. Even with limited destinations. Even if the pandemic is still bubbling. There will be enough people willing to cruise on Disney. I don't even see them needing to discount. But, worst case scenario, they drop prices a bit and people will come flocking, making running all four ships still very profitable.

Third, it is a valuable asset still with lots of life left. Even parking it for a year or two would be more economical then scraping an asset of that value.

 

[jrabbit]

..., as her appearance is distinctly DCL & that's a branding issue.

Cut off the "fake funnel" (the non operational one), Paint the ship white, paint the life boats the "standard" color, rip out the kids club and put in a casino, and remove the Disney decor and presto change-o it's the NCL Jade / Pearl / Gem or most any other ship of it's era and size.

Can't really do anything with the sweeping bow or "squaring up" the aft, so the profile still will be better looking than most ships. Oh yea, I also forgot that the staterooms are WAY TOO Big for other cruise lines.

But yea, she will head to the breakers yard at the end of her life.

 

[TestingH2O]

I remember reading on here a few months ago a conspiracy theory that the Fantasy is haunted because they didn't do a traditional christening ceremony

I hadn’t heard that. That’s a good story!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I remember reading on here a few months ago a conspiracy theory that the Fantasy is haunted because they didn't do a traditional christening ceremony

Wasn’t Mariah Carey named Godmother of the Fantasy? Why wouldn’t they have done a traditional christening?

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

I remember reading on here a few months ago a conspiracy theory that the Fantasy is haunted because they didn't do a traditional christening ceremony

I said to someone that making Mariah Carey the Fairy Godmother doomed the ship from the get go. The ship seems to have mimicked her career...

In the spirit of full disclosure I have been on the Fantasy once and don't really feel the need to go on the ship again. (Or be aggressively shook by her either.) I overwhelmingly prefer the Dream.

I wouldn't be surprised if, in the next 10 years or so once all the other 3 ships are running, we see plans or announcements to retire the Magic and the Wonder. Eventually, it will probably end up that maintenance on the old ships costs more than just building a new ship. At that point we may see some final voyages and what not. I think they still have some good years with the ships left.

As to what they do with the ships? I can see them creating a reef with the ships, but that's about it. I hesitate to think they would sell them to another line but it will probably boil down to how badly they need money at the time.