Does Disney Cruise Line Have Plans to Purchase Abandoned Cruise Ship?

[o&smom]

^^ 100% agree, Gentring referred to it most often as 5000 capacity and ‘up to 9000’ if every pillow was filled.

The stateroom they have a video tour of has no bunks, just one king bed and a foldout king, so they only sleep 4 in double beds. Unlikely to ever hit 9000 capacity in that case.

Staterooms https://fb.watch/g4f42Ty_c5/

I assume the glass bathroom is for the display!

TBH I think the 9000 was to give it a “biggest in..” tag because it’s 20m shorter than the Oasis of the Seas.

After watching that video, I think there is even more possibility that DCL will do this...split bathrooms already installed. They can easily add the wall mounted bunk bed like they have in some staterooms instead of the ones that drop from the ceiling.

 

[jrapps]

I think the capacity would end up being reduced by quite a bit. DCL would need to remove many staterooms to put in all of the kid’s clubs at a minimum. They may even need more room to add main dining rooms if they plan to keep some form of rotational dining. I still think it would have more capacity than any other Disney ship, but much less than 9000.

Perhaps not....it already has 300-500 less cabins than the Wonder of the Seas, and that ship has plenty of room for a kids club, 3 dining rooms, 7 upscale restaurants, etc. I don't doubt they would need to do SOME massive retooling of the interior but it might not be quite that drastic.

It all really depends if they plan to make the ship look at all like the rest of the fleet.

Also don't forget the ship likely was built with a casino, so ripping that out would add a lot of space for a kids club

 

[Jocelynaus]

I think the capacity would end up being reduced by quite a bit. DCL would need to remove many staterooms to put in all of the kid’s clubs at a minimum. They may even need more room to add main dining rooms if they plan to keep some form of rotational dining. I still think it would have more capacity than any other Disney ship, but much less than 9000.

There are lots of dining options already, customers had assigned dining when the boarded, but it didn’t seem like they moved as a group, which suits an American culture a bit better than others. The main dining is shown here: https://latteluxurynews.com/2020/03/12/global-dreams-luxe-offering-spreads-across-four-levels/

This has more info on the design, what’s really sad about this article is they were in receivership four weeks later https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/this-dream-is-in-living-colour-62201

 

[happycamper47]

If the rumors ARE true, I really hope it isn't just Asia-based. I'd very much love a Disney-styled Oasis of the Seas sailing around the Caribbean at least for part of the year. Seems like it could have so much potential.

Being that large (tall) I doubt it would fit through the Panama Canal because of going under the Bridge of the Americas. So moving from the Pacific to the Atlantic would require a "very long and expensive" transition cruise.

 

[nikem3]

Being that large (tall) I doubt it would fit through the Panama Canal because of going under the Bridge of the Americas. So moving from the Pacific to the Atlantic would require a "very long and expensive" transition cruise.

Yeah, thats true. Would just kind of be sad/jealous if Asia got the best Disney cruise (they've already got the best Disneyland in my opinion!)

 

[o&smom]

There are lots of dining options already, customers had assigned dining when the boarded, but it didn’t seem like they moved as a group, which suits an American culture a bit better than others. The main dining is shown here: https://latteluxurynews.com/2020/03/12/global-dreams-luxe-offering-spreads-across-four-levels/

This has more info on the design, what’s really sad about this article is they were in receivership four weeks later https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/this-dream-is-in-living-colour-62201

Wow! 8 cinema theater!

 

[Snowwhyt]

9,000 passenger???? DCL would be crazy buying that. They had enough issues with 1500 passengers on Magic's transatlantic we just did. That number of passengers is mind boggling. Not for us!

TA in May or the one that just got back? What issues had you noticed?

I can't imagine Disney putting that ship with the others. If they buy it, I bet it'll be limited to Asian sailings, mostly for Chinese customers. That seems to have been the goal of the original design, anyway.

The extra bed space for multi generation families seems nice. Though head space might already be cut and ready for installation.

Not only that but you'd need several days in the parks. Perhaps an itinerary that started in Tokyo (so you could do their parks before embarking), stops at Shanghai for a couple of days and ends in Hong Kong so you could do the park there after getting off the ship? Then do the trip in reverse?

Does Disney get a cut of the park’s there? They don’t own the lion sharif those parks do they? I only ask because that plan would really be a draw I feel.

Being that large (tall) I doubt it would fit through the Panama Canal because of going under the Bridge of the Americas. So moving from the Pacific to the Atlantic would require a "very long and expensive" transition cruise.

They spend several weeks in trials right? Maybe since they are just testing stuff make the tests during the crossing?

Yeah, thats true. Would just kind of be sad/jealous if Asia got the best Disney cruise (they've already got the best Disneyland in my opinion!)

Love to hear which park is your favorite and why? Especially why.

Let me throw out a park-park-park idea for everyone.

Park A to Park B to Park C
Or
C - B - A
Or
Get on at park B and only go to park C
Or
B - C - B/ B - A - B
Each port (A, B, C) can load new clients or unload. Price points will vary. Slight discount for all 3 ports or just jack up the price of short hops. I know another line has this hop on-hop off option.
I’m sure someone has this thought at corporate. If not please at least give me a freebie for my family for the idea.

 

[happycamper47]

They spend several weeks in trials right? Maybe since they are just testing stuff make the tests during the crossing?

I think @nikem3 was hoping for it to do Asia 1/2 of the year and then Caribbean 1/2 of the year once it is in service. To go from Miami to Singapore would take close to 25 days of constant sailing (12,268 Nautical Miles @ 25 Knots). It looks like the only places to stop along the way are Madagascar, Cape Horn and someplace in Brazil. That's a lot of sea days and I don't think they would get many passengers for cruises like that, but you never know. I don't think there is a shorter route.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think @nikem3 was hoping for it to do Asia 1/2 of the year and then Caribbean 1/2 of the year once it is in service. To go from Miami to Singapore would take close to 25 days of constant sailing (12,268 Nautical Miles @ 25 Knots). It looks like the only places to stop along the way are Madagascar, Cape Horn and someplace in Brazil. That's a lot of sea days and I don't think they would get many passengers for cruises like that, but you never know.

I would say, for the most part, you'll not find enough passengers for that long a cruise in the Disney bunch of passengers.

 

[Jocelynaus]

The head height of the cabins is standard. There are several videos of the cabins including one posted here.

 

[Darren1969]

Put it in the Hawaii cruises. They always sell out on opening day* so even at 2 per cabin, there would be loads of capacity.
.
.
*only for the majority to cancel later on once the bragging rights expire.

 

[nikem3]

The head height of the cabins is standard. There are several videos of the cabins including one posted here.

If this is the case, and most of the cruise is fairly standard (beyond the boat having an Asian theme to its venues), I'd imagine this cruise would be in the US. While Asia cruising is growing, I can more imagine them moving an older ship over to Asia and then moving this new ship to the US. The wonder is already taking over Australia/New Zealand area so it would make sense for the Magic to be moved once the Treasure comes out. You'd then have 5 cruises in the US with an additional one on the way.

 

[jrapps]

If this is the case, and most of the cruise is fairly standard (beyond the boat having an Asian theme to its venues), I'd imagine this cruise would be in the US. While Asia cruising is growing, I can more imagine them moving an older ship over to Asia and then moving this new ship to the US. The wonder is already taking over Australia/New Zealand area so it would make sense for the Magic to be moved once the Treasure comes out. You'd then have 5 cruises in the US with an additional one on the way.

There are many factors to consider in this. If they intend it to be a US market ship, it would likely require a lot more rework (aka time and money) than if it was to be used for the asian market which it's already designed for.

Also, I do not think Castaway can accept a ship of this size, so it would be difficult to see Disney building an Oasis-sized flagship vessel that couldn't even visit it's premiere destination island. I wonder if Lighthouse Point could accept something of this size. They promised no dredging at Lighthouse but that was before hey had a ship of this size....

Edit: I looked up some numbers. The Disney Dream is 339m(1,112ft) long and 41m(134ft) wide, and a draft of 8m(26ft). Using the Oasis as an approximate, it is 360m long, 64m wide, and a draft of 9.3m, So its over 4 ft deeper, and 75ft wider. My bet is that can not dock at Castaway.

 

[nikem3]

There are many factors to consider in this. If they intend it to be a US market ship, it would likely require a lot more rework (aka time and money) than if it was to be used for the asian market which it's already designed for.

Also, I do not think Castaway can accept a ship of this size, so it would be difficult to see Disney building an Oasis-sized flagship vessel that couldn't even visit it's premiere destination island. I wonder if Lighthouse Point could accept something of this size. They promised no dredging at Lighthouse but that was before hey had a ship of this size....

Edit: I looked up some numbers. The Disney Dream is 339m(1,112ft) long and 41m(134ft) wide, and a draft of 8m(26ft). Using the Oasis as an approximate, it is 360m long, 64m wide, and a draft of 9.3m, So its over 4 ft deeper, and 75ft wider. My bet is that can not dock at Castaway.

Logistically, docking at Castaway Cay can be solved with tender services if they needed to (not ideal, but just indicating it could be solved for).

In terms of rework for US market, my understanding is that ceiling heights and other aspects are already standard sizes. I don't really know and can't find any other main differences for a ship designed for Asian market vs US market. An example of a ship designed for the Asian market that does perfectly fine in US markets is Ovation of the Seas. There was nothing I read about the cruise that made me feel it wouldn't work in a US market and I already anticipate that they would have some décor rehauls to give it a Disney feel. The only other aspect I can think of is maybe from a kitchen perspective they may need different cooking equipment if they aren't equipped for more Americanized foods, but I think that cost wouldn't be a huge deal to eat with the amount of money you are saving by purchasing this ship.

The only way I can see this ship being a strictly Asian cruise is if the deal when they purchase it requires it.

 

[Darren1969]

Lots of rumours out there on the internet being presented as facts.

If Disney did buy it, and it's a big if, the interior would need to be gutted with all traces of the original theming removed. Imagineers would then need to transform it with a massive amount of pixie dust while still working on Treasure and N.N. 2025. They then need to recruit the CMs for it and train them in the Disney way, another huge undertaking, especially when it comes to languages, with English most likely the common tongue.

China would need to lift their zero-COVID policy and there is no sign of that happening otherwise Disney risk the ship, crew and passengers being stranded in the event of a Shanghai-wide lockdown.

Would Disney break with their policy of not having a casino on board.
A 3-park cruise could work but you need 2 days for Shanghai. 2 days for Tokyo and 1 day for Hong Kong.
Could Disney even fill the ship enough to make it profitable in Asia, relying on the Asian market? 2500 cabins would mean around 5-6000 guests.

That all said, if the last 3 years have taught us anything, Never Say Never.

 

[jrapps]

Logistically, docking at Castaway Cay can be solved with tender services if they needed to (not ideal, but just indicating it could be solved for).

In terms of rework for US market, my understanding is that ceiling heights and other aspects are already standard sizes. I don't really know and can't find any other main differences for a ship designed for Asian market vs US market. An example of a ship designed for the Asian market that does perfectly fine in US markets is Ovation of the Seas. There was nothing I read about the cruise that made me feel it wouldn't work in a US market and I already anticipate that they would have some décor rehauls to give it a Disney feel. The only other aspect I can think of is maybe from a kitchen perspective they may need different cooking equipment if they aren't equipped for more Americanized foods, but I think that cost wouldn't be a huge deal to eat with the amount of money you are saving by purchasing this ship.

The only way I can see this ship being a strictly Asian cruise is if the deal when they purchase it requires it.

I mostly meant decor. I can see Disney leaving more of the current design elements if they intended to leave the ship in China, even if it wasn't quite the look and feel of the existing DCL fleet. I feel that if they want to bring it to the US, they would do a more extensive overhaul of the visual elements.

Thank said, they probably need an extensive overhaul either way so you are correct, there wouldn't be much different to do to the ship depending on the market and if they are smart they would make it more multi-purpose to hedge their bets on future deployments. Just as you mentioned the Ovation (and now also the Wonder of the seas) there are many ships originally intended for China that are now in the US, do DCL would be silly not to make this ship able to serve multiple markets.

I am eager to see if there is any truth to this, and how extensive of a gut/rework they decide to do. Also consider, this ship would be a one of a kind. Most lines build multiple of the same ship for a reason, save $$ on design costs. There would be an awful lot of theming, design, rework, etc that would only result in a single ship here. Unless..was the Global Dream 2 actually scrapped yet?

 

[jrapps]

Lots of rumours out there on the internet being presented as facts.

If Disney did buy it, and it's a big if, the interior would need to be gutted with all traces of the original theming removed. Imagineers would then need to transform it with a massive amount of pixie dust while still working on Treasure and N.N. 2025. They then need to recruit the CMs for it and train them in the Disney way, another huge undertaking, especially when it comes to languages, with English most likely the common tongue.

China would need to lift their zero-COVID policy and there is no sign of that happening otherwise Disney risk the ship, crew and passengers being stranded in the event of a Shanghai-wide lockdown.

Would Disney break with their policy of not having a casino on board.
A 3-park cruise could work but you need 2 days for Shanghai. 2 days for Tokyo and 1 day for Hong Kong.
Could Disney even fill the ship enough to make it profitable in Asia, relying on the Asian market? 2500 cabins would mean around 5-6000 guests.

That all said, if the last 3 years have taught us anything, Never Say Never.

IF (and yes big IF) this is all true, I would not be surprised to see Triton #3 bump from 2025 to a later date. This ship is already built and taking up space...there would be incentive to finish this one first and push out the 3rd Triton to 2026+

 

[nikem3]

I mostly meant decor. I can see Disney leaving more of the current design elements if they intended to leave the ship in China, even if it wasn't quite the look and feel of the existing DCL fleet. I feel that if they want to bring it to the US, they would do a more extensive overhaul of the visual elements.

Thank said, they probably need an extensive overhaul either way so you are correct, there wouldn't be much different to do to the ship depending on the market and if they are smart they would make it more multi-purpose to hedge their bets on future deployments. Just as you mentioned the Ovation (and now also the Wonder of the seas) there are many ships originally intended for China that are now in the US, do DCL would be silly not to make this ship able to serve multiple markets.

I am eager to see if there is any truth to this, and how extensive of a gut/rework they decide to do. Also consider, this ship would be a one of a kind. Most lines build multiple of the same ship for a reason, save $$ on design costs. There would be an awful lot of theming, design, rework, etc that would only result in a single ship here. Unless..was the Global Dream 2 actually scrapped yet?

Its unclear if the Global Dream 2 has been scrapped yet. My understanding is that they need to be removed by the end of 2023, so it could still be in existence and could be a part of a larger deal. Who knows though. Still a ton of money to be spent, but I'd imagine if they decided to buy one, they may consider buying the second.

 

[Kennywood]

Why buy just one, when you can buy two for twice the price?

 

[jrapps]

Why buy just one, when you can buy two for twice the price?

In this case, it might be MORE than twice the price. the Dream 1 is 90% built, Disney would be getting it for pennies on the $ as long as they pay more then it's worth as scrap, plus the investment to overhaul it. For the Dream 2, at most 20% of the hull was built so that one might be closer to full price to complete.