Walt Disney Co.’s Disney Cruise Line division is moving most of its Alaska-bound cruises from Vancouver to Seattle next year.
The entertainment conglomerate (NYSE:DIS) plans to sail 20 times to Alaska from Vancouver in 2011, which is its inaugural season.
But it’s not clear if Vancouver will have any Disney sailings in 2012, given that the company did not mention Vancouver in a release detailing its 2012 cruises.
However, rumours are that Vancouver could keep at least two cruise sailings.
The Disney release said that, starting May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will offer seven-night cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria.
No one from Disney was available for comment, but Disney Cruise Line president Karl Hotz said in the release: “In 2012, we’re making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a Disney Cruise Line vacation by offering cruises from a variety of regional homeports.
“Guests can now enjoy a magical, one-of-a-kind Disney cruise experience with the convenience of departures from their own backyard.”
Tourism officials in Vancouver estimate that each Disney cruise is worth about $2 million to the Vancouver economy.
Business in Vancouver has reported that fares for the Disney cruises that will stop in Vancouver in 2011 start at US$939 per person for a standard inside stateroom based on double occupancy. (See “Disney to bring new cruise ship to town starting in 2011” – issue 1038; September 15-21, 2009.)