What Do We Know About Disney Cruise Line West Coast and Alaska Expansion?

What Do We Know About Disney Cruise Line West Coast and Alaska Expansion?

There are people saying that DCL is not planning on continuing past 2031 or so sailing out of San Diego or the West Coast. Information I read shows DCL is committed until at least 2040 to sailing out of the West Coast and to Alaska.

 

Here is what we know for sure:

·       2025 DCL signed a contract with Avalon, Catalina Island, Ca for preferred portage that will include 2 stops at Catalina Island each week min-September to mid-May and 1 stop per week mid-May to mid-September. This starts mid-September 2027. The original contract expires in 2030 but can be extended with 2 five-year renewals until 2040. Magic and Wonder are specifically named but there is a clause for a unnamed ship(s) to be added. This shows a strong commitment to the West Coast, Baja and Southern California sailings.

·       2026 DCL signed a contract with the Port of San Diego, Ca to have up to 2 ships calling San Diego home port. This contract will expire in 2031 and has no stipulation for extension but that does not mean it could not be extended. This shows at least a limited commitment to San Diego that could be extended.

·       2026 DCL and Icey Straight, Alaska announced a contract had been signed that gave DCL preferred portage there once per week. This contract expires in 2040. This shows long term commitment to Alaska.

 

What does this mean for 2028 and beyond?

• ·       2027 & 2028 DCL will have Magic and Wonder do mid-September to mid-May, Mexico 3, 4, 5, & 7-Night cruises with stops at Catalina Island.
• ·       Summer 2028 is a question mark. This season is completely up for speculation. New Itineraries coming out soon may give some answers. For the past several years DCL has had both Magic and Wonder in Alaska. Mid-May to Mid-September we do know 1 ship MUST stay in San Diego. It will have to be Magic or Wonder. I am assuming it to be Magic due to the fact Wonder was retrofitted back in 2011 to make her more comfortable for guests in Alaska. They could bring a 3^rd ship from the East Coast and take it to Alaska, but it cannot port at San Diego. San Diego has a limit of 3,000 guests per cruise ship. It cannot handle a ship with 4,000+ guests unless it is an emergency. At this time, only Magic and Wonder are currently under 3,000 guests. They carry 2,400-2,600 depending on what source you look at.

With this information about San Diego limits on ship size, I see a couple options for 2029:

• ·       Only one ship goes to Alaska while the other stays in San Diego. I will assume Magic will stay in San Diego.
• ·       They bring a 3^rd ship from the East Coast through the Panama Canale and stop at Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach and sail from there to Alaska. They may or may not do a couple cruises out of the Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach while there. This could be either a Dream or Wish-Class ship. Magic would stay in San Diego and Wonder will go to Alaska. This would allow them to maintain 2 ships in Alaska and still have one in San Diego.

 

What could happen beyond 2029?

• ·       2029 the first 2 of the 5^th-Midsize-Class of ship will join the Disney fleet. I am assuming the first will be added before mid-May of 2029. I’m guessing this because there are 2 ships of the same class being released in 2029. The new ship can dock in San Diego or even go to Alaska. That means it is a toss up who stays in San Diego.
• ·       2030/31 may be a sad year for us DCL fans, especially those of us who love the Classic Ships, Magic and Wonder. A Cruise Ships expected lifespan is 30 years. Magic turns 30 in 2028 and Wonder in 2029. It is possible they will retire these ships from the fleet. To be honest I think Disney can keep them going until mid 2030’s. If they do retire then I think 2 of the newest ships being released in 2029 will take their place here in California with the 3^rd being here in the summer months. I’ll share more on this is another post.
• ·       2031 may have some new things happening. If DCL does not renew the contract with San Diego they may move the ships to the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach or even the Port of San Francisco. I’m opting for LA or Long Beach more than San Francisco. If they do this then any ship of the Disney Fleet can be here in California.
• ·       If my thoughts are right the West Coast Disney Cruise Fans will have BRAND new ships to sail!! West Coast may also have it’s first Christening and Maiden Voyage when the newest ships arrive. Only time will tell!! Maybe D23 will give us more information.