[gatour]

Disney has announced that the new ships will be based in Orlando. The port will be expanding the terminal and building a 1000 car parking garage. Now for the bad news, they will be tacking on a $7 surcharge on each passenger.

[E&B's Mom]

Is that a fuel surcharge? Most of the cruise lines are doing it, and I don't understand why. They began by tacking them on to every one who had booked, but nor paid in full. Then the AG determined that was wrong and so they had to refund $ and apply the surcharge only to reservations made after a certain date. Why not just raise the price of the cruise?

[iluvwdw]

I read about the ships being based out of Port Canaveral. Now question is, where will they place the Magic and Wonder??

I'd LOVE for one to come to New York. HAH...wishful thinking.

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by E&B's Mom

Is that a fuel surcharge? Most of the cruise lines are doing it, and I don't understand why. They began by tacking them on to every one who had booked, but nor paid in full. Then the AG determined that was wrong and so they had to refund $ and apply the surcharge only to reservations made after a certain date. Why not just raise the price of the cruise?

Because then they'd have to pay tax on the "surcharge".

[gatour]

No the $7 is not a fuel surcharge. It is a surcharge to pay for the parking garage (not sure why $15/day parking charge wouldn't cover it). BTW. I don't think it is $7/day it is just one charge per passenger per cruise.

[BGHG2802]

BTW, Happy Birthday gatour! Hope it is great!

[rlcarmichael]

Ah, what if you don't park there?

[MickeyMcFizzle]

In the grand scheme of things, I'd have no prob paying a $7 surcharge, if it meant I was going on a cruise! lol

[gemdisney]

My Mom was watching a show and decided the best time to cruise would be the very first scheduled cruise b/c if they were late and our cruice got canceled they would change our dates so we'd still go on a cruise but also would give us free benefits and reimbursements. Anyone heard of this or have it happen? I would just be happy to go on the cruises. Do we know anything about the new cruise ships and cruises?

[4cmom]

Hello all. This has nothing to do with the new ships, but I do have a question about the cruise line. I was recently talking to someone who had been on a Disney cruise in Feb. She told me the seas were so rough that the pools were closed and they were handing out medicine. I thought the ship would try to divert. Has anyone else had this experience?

[gatour]

BGHG, thanks for the wishes. It was uneventful

rlcarmichael, the surcharge is per ticketed passenger, doesn't matter if you park there or not. They are also upgrading/expanding the terminal/dock to handle the larger ships

gemdisney, if they change your dates you MAY get some minimal on-board credit, I haven't heard anyone getting any windfalls. Also, the cruise experience may not be the best. I have heard stories where they were still working on the ship during the first cruise. Things like parts of decks being closed while they install carpeting etc. If that is an acceptable risks, then go for it.

4cmom, In general ships will divert, but sometimes the storm is too large, or the schedule won't permit. There are a couple of intneries where they have make good time between two ports to keep to the schedule. I have been on several cruises that were rough for one or two days. No big deal to me as I am not prone to motion sickness, but it definitely turned other people green.

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by gatour

rlcarmichael, the surcharge is per ticketed passenger, doesn't matter if you park there or not. They are also upgrading/expanding the terminal/dock to handle the larger ships.

That makes sense. It's REALLY not a parking charge. Just a way to make more $$$. I'm suprised that they didn't get the port to pay for the improvements. That's what all the major league sports do with stadiums...spend $30m for a new stadium and we'll grace you with our presence.

Of course we'd end up paying for it one way or another. Either DCL charges us or the port would add another charge. Like our local concert venue run by the city. They don't charge for parking when you attend the concert, but they add a $2 per ticket parking charge to every ticket.

[gatour]

Actually the port is paying for the upgrades. I believe the surcharge is directly from the port.

[MouseCruzr]

Originally Posted by 4cmom

Hello all. This has nothing to do with the new ships, but I do have a question about the cruise line. I was recently talking to someone who had been on a Disney cruise in Feb. She told me the seas were so rough that the pools were closed and they were handing out medicine. I thought the ship would try to divert. Has anyone else had this experience?

We were on the Magic in Feb 08, weather was very nice, did not hear about rough seas previously Been on a few cruises once the seas were rough. Huricane season is cheaper for a reason, it's the unknown weather conditions.

[gemdisney]

I think I'd rather wait until the kinks are worked out. I like having a smooth vacation and I would love to see ALL the ships rather than all but certain sections that were't finished. Do we know where they are headed to? What ports of call might be?