Disney Cruise Line--Early 2014 Itineraries Announced

Speculation was rampant regarding Disney Cruise Line’s itineraries for 2014.  We weren’t alone waiting for the announcement and guests using DCL’s website had fewer and fewer cruises to choose from as the months marched on.  Most thought itineraries would be announced in October and then rumors spread indicating itineraries would be released after the first of the year.  The time frame narrowed to mid-December, so it was a pleasant surprise to receive the email on Tuesday announcing the news.

Guests wishing to sail on a Disney ship in 2014, or at least the early part of 2014, will need to make their way to Florida as all four ships will make Florida their home port.

The Disney Wonder will sail 4-night itineraries to the Bahamas and two different 5-night itineraries to the Caribbean out of Miami.  All of the 4-night itineraries and SOME of th3 5-night itineraries make a stop at Castaway Cay.

The Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy will make Port Canaveral their home port for either all or some of 2014.

The Disney Magic will alternate 3 and 4 night sailings with the 3 night itineraries departing Friday and returning Monday with the 4 night sailings departing Monday and returning Friday.

The Disney Dream will also alternate 3 and 4 night sailings with 3 night itineraries departing on Thursday and returning on Sunday while the 4 night sailings depart on Sunday and return on Thursday.

The Disney Fantasy will offer Saturday to Saturday 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with a new port of Falmouth, Jamaica being added in May of 2014.

Whew!  That’s a lot of Disney ships sailing near and around Florida and will make Castaway Cay the most visited port with a 100 stops in the first 120 days of 2014!

Part of the appeal of the 2014 itineraries is that guests may sail on a Disney ship leaving almost any day of the week other than Tuesdays when you take into consideration the Disney Wonder’s Wednesday departure schedule.  Guests wishing to extend their Disney vacation with a short cruise certainly have their choices with both the Disney Magic and Disney Dream offering shorter itineraries with varying departure days including a long week-end opportunity with a Friday to Monday itinerary.

Disney Cruise Line has done the math and is basing the itineraries on the fact that most Disney cruisers sail on two shorter cruises before booking a 7 night or longer cruise; sort of a 2 to 1 ratio.  Since DCL fares can “seem” more expensive than other cruise lines, value minded guests are willing to try it for a lesser amount with a shorter itinerary and realize the Disney difference.

We were just please to see the itineraries announced prior to our December 2012 sailing so that we can book our next cruise on board at a discount and larger on-board credit towards the next cruise.  Jamaica, here we come!