LOS ANGELES: The Walt Disney Co. plans to expand its cruise business by adding two new ocean liners.
The company's president and chief executive officer Bob Iger said Friday the ships are scheduled for launch in 2011 or 2012 and will more than double the passenger capacity for the company's Disney Cruise Line and meet the increasing demand for its family cruise vacations.
The company has signed a letter of intent for the purpose with Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ships will be 122,000-ton vessels, with two decks taller than the existing 83,000-ton cruise liners of the company -- the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Each of the ships will have 1,250 staterooms.
Iger said, "Since our maiden voyage in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has been a huge success for our guests and for our shareholders alike. It has brought our unparalleled family vacation experience to the high seas, and has also generated high margins and double digit returns on invested capital. We're excited to announce the expansion of our fleet, which is a logical next step in what is a real growth business for us."
The existing ships have been very popular and had been able to create vacation memories for families that lasted for a lifetime. These ships have theater, spa and entire deck catering to children and offer something for every member of the family undertaking the vacation.
Disney Cruise Line traditionally offers 3-, 4- and 7-night Caribbean cruises. It also has very popular trips to the Mediterranean and to the West Coast.
Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said focusing on families has been smart business for the company and more than 95 per cent of Disney Cruise Line guests rate their cruise experience as excellent or very good.
He said with a larger fleet, the company will have greater flexibility to offer a variety of itineraries.
Besides operating the ocean liners, the Walt Disney Co. also runs Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, which includes the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios theme parks. It also has huge interests in the media industry.
