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

[nikem3]

When this thread first started, I thought the top deck of the Global Dream was just a mess, too much going on with the theme park/slides/etc. Now that Royal has released the Icon of the Seas info, the Global Dream looks tame!

Icon:

View attachment 712228

Needs more slides.

 

[jrapps]

Needs more slides.

Yeah, can you imagine how they push the envelope past this?

Lets make a waterslide that goes down the side of a ship and under the water!

 

[nikem3]

Yeah, can you imagine how they push the envelope past this?

Lets make a waterslide that goes down the side of a ship and under the water!

Glass bottom cruise ship. That is the next step in progression. In all seriousness, I have no idea whats next. It seems like the whole "waterpark" or "themepark" vibe is the idea currently. I love to see more family oriented activities, but I'm also interested to see how this cruise feels to sail. 7 pools is awesome if they are decent size pools. Maybe with all of these activities, things will feel more spread out.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Sometimes... simpler it better.

I really prefer the AquaDuck to the AquaMouse... the long tunnel with screens in it, just didn't add much to the ride. Would have rather had a glass tube to see the ship and ocean. But that is an attraction that doesn't detract much from the "look" of the ship. Multicolored plastic slides or a giant crane that lefts an "elevator" into the air for sight seeing... detract.


But hey I'd go for a Captain Nemo styled "lounge" with large "glass" windows below the water line, and organ music.... But the reality is the ocean is a very empty place....

 

[Disneyfan754321]

What would Disney do with a ship this large?? Station it in Europe / Asia?

I think you are correct, because I read it was built with asians in mind.. they mentioned the average height is much lower than Americans so the beds were shorter.

 

[Scalemaster34]

I think you are correct, because I read it was built with asians in mind.. they mentioned the average height is much lower than Americans so the beds were shorter.

In the original article I saw on the rumored purchase, and one I read about the initial plans for the Global Dream. Nothing mentioned height or bed sizes, there was a mention of cabins being larger...

"With their high level of equipment in the latest digital technology, such as face and voice recognition or climate control and mood lighting via app, they are optimally geared to the progressive technical preferences of the Asian market. " That was the only description I could find to differentiate the design for the Asian Market... lot's of tech.

I don't know the makeup of most Asian Cruises... but I suspect you still have a good number of people with "taller genes" that would make building for a shorter group of people unwise.

 

[jrapps]

I think you are correct, because I read it was built with asians in mind.. they mentioned the average height is much lower than Americans so the beds were shorter.

There are several cruise ships that were built specifically for Asian Markets that were re-deployed to the US or Europe, including Norwegian Joy & Encore, Royal Ovation and Wonder of the Seas, Costa Venezia & Firenze....none of those to my knowledge had to swap out the beds to be re-deployed, leading me to believe cruise ships use somewhat standard mattress sizes globally.

 

[Scalemaster34]

There are several cruise ships that were built specifically for Asian Markets that were re-deployed to the US or Europe, including Norwegian Joy & Encore, Royal Ovation and Wonder of the Seas, Costa Venezia & Firenze....none of those to my knowledge had to swap out the beds to be re-deployed, leading me to believe cruise ships use somewhat standard mattress sizes globally.

Yeah that market collapsed worst, as many of those ports stayed closed longer....

It was seeing huge growth before COVID, with several "groups" opening new Cruise Lines most of which folded. The Chinese Billionaire behind the company that ordered the Global Dream, is actually looking to startup a new Cruise Line and has been in negotiations as well. Always a same when a company goes under, but the guy in charge comes away clean.

 

[jrapps]

Yeah that market collapsed worst, as many of those ports stayed closed longer....

It was seeing huge growth before COVID, with several "groups" opening new Cruise Lines most of which folded. The Chinese Billionaire behind the company that ordered the Global Dream, is actually looking to startup a new Cruise Line and has been in negotiations as well. Always a same when a company goes under, but the guy in charge comes away clean.

Yeah, that Billionaire wants to buy back his own cruise ship for pennies on the dollar while the banks take all the losses! Another reason why I hope Disney gets this ship instead of him.

 

[ChicosWife]

Here is a link to another article from Crew-Center.com:

https://crew-center.com/disney-cruise-line-potential-buyer-9000-passenger-mega-ship

"The unfinished mega cruise ship Global Dream, set to be the world’s biggest by capacity could be joining Disney Cruise Line. The German news agency NDR, reports that Disney Cruise Line has tied up a deal to buy the vessel, however, there has been no official confirmation."

"The Global Dream, differs fundamentally from other Disney Cruise Line ships. The latest Disney ship has a maximum capacity of 4000 guests and is significantly smaller than the Global Dream which can accommodate up to 9000 guests. Some industry sources say that DCL might use the vessel for entry into the Asian cruise market."

Certainly seems like if true will only be available to the Asian market. As others have mentioned because of it's size it is not something we would be interested in. We have no interest in sailing on any cruise line mega ship.

This doesn't sound like a good time.

 

[jrapps]

So it seems this is still happening...published on German news site on 11/8:

Disney and the "Global Dream": Talks are apparently on the home stretch

11/08/2022 1:12 p.m

The US company Disney is said to be in agreement with those involved in Germany on the further construction of the cruise ship "Global Dream" from MV Werften. Insiders expect the contract to be signed in the coming days.

Wismar. Mickey Mouse flirts with Wismar: According to OZ information, negotiations with the US company Disney for the possible takeover of the cruise ship “Global Dream” from MV Werft are about to be completed. Several reputable sources report that the signing of the contract could take place in the coming days - this week or next week.

https://www-ostsee--zeitung-de.tran...tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

 

[sethschroeder]

This is JUST starting with cruises.

Eh people are just not acknowledging what is occurring moving forward (you see "big business" tightening though already). Now that the election has past you will start to hear more stories regarding how the economy is in trouble.

You also don't have the record sell off of the national oil reserve that was done to lower gas prices. This will then put pressure on travel and transportation that will increase prices and just snowball the current issues in the economy.

Travel is going to take a hit as excess income that was saved during the pandemic is running out for many. You also have all the cruise credits running out as well with people booked.

This is also the reason that cruise companies are being super aggressive IMO in getting future cruises booked to lock you and your money in. Royal continues kids cruise free, NCL added a free 2nd guest to the promo of the 3rd and 4th guest being free, Carnival is raising incidentals instead of cruise prices. Heck Disney came out with the Disney+ promo as they likely are lean on early 2023 bookings already.

 

[sethschroeder]

Disney and the "Global Dream": Talks are apparently on the home stretch

This will be interesting to see how Disney would pivot with this ship.

 

[jrapps]

This will be interesting to see how Disney would pivot with this ship.

I still believe Disney is looking to deploy this primarily in Asia markets, but will make sure the ship is designed to be deployed globally if the pressure on Asian markets continues. But it's all speculation until we hear from DCL. I for one am excited to see what they plan to do with this, even if it's never coming to the US and i don't get to sail on it.

 

[Scalemaster34]

I still believe Disney is looking to deploy this primarily in Asia markets, but will make sure the ship is designed to be deployed globally if the pressure on Asian markets continues. But it's all speculation until we hear from DCL. I for one am excited to see what they plan to do with this, even if it's never coming to the US and i don't get to sail on it.

Asia's cruising recovery is going to be a much longer road...

Only think that really made it for the Asian market, was all the technology that was going to be built into the ship. Most of that would have been installed after construction, so likly not even part of this sale. Disney could spend the money to fit it out as designed, but my guess is they'll drop all that from the ship anyway.

My guess it Triton #3 will get the ax....

 

[JWelch62]

I still believe Disney is looking to deploy this primarily in Asia markets, but will make sure the ship is designed to be deployed globally if the pressure on Asian markets continues. But it's all speculation until we hear from DCL. I for one am excited to see what they plan to do with this, even if it's never coming to the US and i don't get to sail on it.

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out, if in fact DCL buys this ship. When I spoke with Cruise Director Darren a few years back he felt strongly that DCL would not home port a ship in Asia due to that market's demand for on-board Casinos. He mentioned, at the time, that NCL (I think it was NCL) was sending some ships over to Asia, and was in the process of doubling the casino floor space during the re-position.

I would bet (lol) that DCL would never put a casino on board.

 

[jrapps]

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out, if in fact DCL buys this ship. When I spoke with Cruise Director Darren a few years back he felt strongly that DCL would not home port a ship in Asia due to that market's demand for on-board Casinos. He mentioned, at the time, that NCL (I think it was NCL) was sending some ships over to Asia, and was in the process of doubling the casino floor space during the re-position.

I would bet (lol) that DCL would never put a casino on board.

I think this will be the defining factor....if they are serious about a ship designed for Asia, it really must have a casino. But would they ever build it, or if they did, would they ever deploy a DCL ship with a casino in North America? I doubt it.

I say to hedge bets, I agree with you, they would not do a casino. In fact, I'd bet the deck that is currently set aside for the casino (yes, a WHOLE DECK) would become the kids club.

 

[OKW Lover]

I still believe this is just a figment of somebody's imagination. Can't see why Disney would settle for a hull that was not constructed/fitted to their specifications. Especially when they have two more Wish class ships contracted for. The Wish class ships would have the benefit of being essentially the same as the Wish and would realize operational efficiencies. You'd have to save a LOT of money buying that hull to re-fit it to Disney standards.

 

[AquaDame]

...must they though? A lot of folks thought they were crazy for getting into cruise ships in the first place, much less kid focused ones without casinos or drink packages and yet here we are. I wouldn't put it past them to TRY and break the mold...

 

[Sykes]

You'd have to save a LOT of money buying that hull to re-fit it to Disney standards.

To be fair, Disney's standards seem a whole lot lower now than they were when the Dream and Fantasy were built.