San Diego pitches for a Disney ship - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

G33 · 03-04-2009, 02:05 PM

San Diego is pitching for Disney Cruise Line’s homeport business, Rita Vandergaw, director of marketing for the port, confirmed to Seatrade Insider.

She said Disney has not confirmed timing or whether they will be operating from the West Coast again.
San Diego is vying with the Port of Los Angeles for a DCL ship in February 2011, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The first of two DCL newbuilds is scheduled to enter service in early 2011. But asked if San Diego seeks a newbuild or one of the existing ships, Vandergaw told Seatrade Insider only that the port is aware of the newbuilds and is being ‘proactive to make sure that San Diego is at the top of potential homeports.’
The Broadway Street pier was finished last year and construction on a new terminal is expected to begin by this summer, for completion in late 2010. In reporting on the DCL bid, the Union-Tribune cited a proposal by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. that includes up to $5m in funding from the regional airport authority to go toward potential upgrades at the B Street pier, where cruise passengers are currently processed in a tent structure.

sue miller · 03-04-2009, 02:09 PM

That would be great if it worked out, bring a lift to the economy in the area

Thanks for posting this Harry

G33 · 03-04-2009, 03:08 PM

No problem Sue.

canarymoon · 03-05-2009, 09:33 AM

The newbuilds will be homeported at Port Canaveral. (Both of them)
Disney already has an agreement with the port authority, and the contract for a multi-million dollar expaansion of the disney area (including parking) at the cruise terminal complex is a done deral.

The ship that would likely head west - if one does - would be the Wonder of the Magic.

Disney is not commenting.

canarymoon · 03-05-2009, 09:36 AM

http://www.cruiselinefans.com/port-c...canaveral.html (More GOOD News for Port Canaveral!!!)

Char · 03-05-2009, 09:39 AM

Disney will have to do something with the older ships. I doubt they would have all 4 sailing out of the same port, so it is logical that they would send a ship to the west coast to compliment Disneyland.

canarymoon · 03-05-2009, 10:19 AM

No, that's right,
I agree the Wonder and the Magic will probably leave PC.. or at least one of them, anyway. I suppose they could keep one here - at least seasonally - to do the Bahamas runs.
AFter all, the big ones will be doint other itineraries, I'm sure ... and they will probably still want to be able to offer a vacation package that includes days at DW combined with a short cruise.
And they will want to maximize their Castaway Cay investment AND their investment in the new facilities at the pier.

So, maybe it's wishful thinking, but I think they'll still want the option to offer 3 and 4 day cruises from Port Canabveral, and I can't see them using the bigger ships for that.

Let's face it - they just need to build more ships!

leah drummond · 03-15-2009, 03:24 AM

I think all the new cruise liners coming out this year would be existing to everyone who has an interest in ships like you.