UK agents have been identified as a key players in Disney Cruise Line’s plans to increase international sales following the launch of Disney Dream, their first new ship for more than a decade.
Speaking during a two-night inaugural cruise following the gala naming ceremony, Disney Cruise Line president Karl Holz said they are ready to work with UK agents now reservation and pricing systems are in place.
He said: “Over the past year we have laid the foundations to make bookings easier, including pricing in sterling and giving agents access to air fares.
“The UK is an ideal target for us as the British love Disneyland Resort Paris and have a high affinity with cruising, but awareness about the cruise line is not the greatest. We needed to invest in the trade.”
Since its launch in 1998, Disney has largely ignored overseas markets as it could fill its two existing ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder with Americans.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president worldwide operations Al Weiss said the sales office in London only started promoting the cruise line six months ago. He added: “The UK market is very important as they have longer holidays.”
Disney Dream, which is 50% bigger than the two existing ships, with capacity for up to 4,000 passengers, was named in Port Canaveral, Florida, last week. Sister ship Disney Fantasy launches in March 2012, giving the cruise line another 4,000 berths.
Holz said the extra capacity means they can take the Disney cruise experience to more places around the world.
This year, Disney Wonder will be sailing the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles either side of a debut season in Alaska, while Disney Magic is returning to Europe this summer, offering seven, 10 and 11-night Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona from May until September.
Disney Dream is sailing three, four and five-night cruises to Nassau in the Bahamas and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Caribbean, from Port Canaveral, Disney Fantasy will be sailing seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises also from Port Canaveral, when it launches next year.