Cuervosar

You can kind of create a three tier approach and see where you think you might land.

For the high dollar crowd, a bit more sophistication, Celebrity & Princess could be good choices. Probably Holland America as well.

In the mid range, there is Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, & Carnival for their longer trips.

Below that are the shorter Carnival trips.

If you've just won the lottery, Cunard awaits, as well as Regent Seven Seas & Crystal. But those tend to be populated with people over the 40 year old bracket.

Activity wise, you should be able to hit the same excursions on any line, or certainly you can book them yourselves without using the cruise line.

My personal recommendation is a minimum of 7 days, pick stops that look interesting and go with the line whose marketing seems to resonate.

That's not a cruise- it's a boat ride.

That is not a boat ride, it's a drunken fiesta.

Depends on how one defines #1. Of course more people are going to play it simply because of the ease and low cost of getting into the game. You need a ball of tape and a place to run around endlessly kicking the ball back and forth. It is teh #1 most boring game in the world. While it does have a VERY few exciting moments in a 1½ hour game (waaaaaaay too long), basically it is watching one guy kick a ball all the way down the field only to watch another guy kick it back ( or run it one way and back). The skill you have to have to play, 1) run, and 2) kick a round ball. Woo Hoo!

Love this argument. Over a Billion people watched the World Cup final in 2014, and yet your Super Bore nets about 160 Million viewers and the American press go on and on about how popular "Football" is. And then you crown a "World Champion" when nobody else played. --Farce. (At least MLB has a token team or two in Canada when you crown that "World Champion."

Besides, how exciting can your championship be when half of those who are tuned in are there to see new commercials. Good god.

As far as Boring? When I watch a "Soccer" match, I get two uninterrupted 45 minute halves of action. Try to watch NFL? A 4 hour experience consisting of at least 2.5 hours of ads. And you get to see every play 3 times! I'll pass, and from what I'm reading, your game is dying anyway. Time to get out of the bubble, and open your eyes.

What you are talking about is professional KICKBALL, the most BORING event ever televised.

Tried to watch "Football" once. Except most of what I saw was E.D. ads. Must be some sort of epidemic in the States.

Every once in a while, a bunch of ladies with 2 tons of padding on ran into each other for some reason.

If that is your taste, watch rugby. A sport played by men.

Easy solution....watch "real" football. I watched the Champions League final and Leicester City clinch the Premier league title while on a cruise. ;)

Exactly. The "I didn't get to watch my team" thread always mystifies me. Who cares? You're on vacation. Try something new.

Nothing important going on in sports until Russia 2018 anyway.

Since the average American is drinking 2 liters of Coke, Pepsi or some other high fructose corn syrup concoction daily, their chance of being able to appreciate a nice wine is about zero. Stick to your Bud Lights and save your money and frustration.

My latest guess is Yacht Club Royal Suite. Looking at the Stateroom Selection page on the MSC web site, the furniture layout is almost spot on, and then the window on the left would overlook the whirlpool on the balcony.

These look to be where the ship pops out to create the wider middle section which could explain the appearance of the curved balcony. It could be the angle of the decking.

So maybe Tall Cruiser has it right with 16037, and then 16024 on the opposite side.

Happened upon this video today,

So, while that could be just some random mock up of nothing, it may also be a partial rendering of one of the actual suites. Question is, which one?

I've been trying to match the door & window configuration to see if it might be the long sought after aft balcony plan, but I don't think it works. Looks Yacht Clubby to me.

Perhaps somebody with more forum chops than I have can post a screen cap, uploading photos to this thing seems like dark magic to me.

Why don't you just grab a drink from the nearest bar when you feel you want one?

What exactly is the point of "trying to maximize our benefits?" Your drinks will be paid for. Want one? Grab one.

Want to "maximize?" Go grab the porcelain bus.

Thanks. I like the sound of the Caribbean but coming from New Zealand, Los Angeles is so much easier for us being a mere 14 hour tiddler of a flight! Cheaper too.

 

The NCL itineraries seem to be Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

 

Cheers!

Well, those ports are not bad options. And from reading other responses, San Diego is an amazing city, and Disneyland can be done in a day if you have to, two days would be better. Disney World to me would take the place of the entire cruise, I'd do a week there, and probably still need more time.

Options, options, options.

If the majority of your shopping sends you to Walmart, and then to McDonalds afterwards, go Carnival.

If you can match a wine to a meal, appreciate a quiet sunset, and would enjoy meeting and conversing with people who can properly use There, Their and They're. Go Princess.

Job sorted.

Hmm...

I would book now. I guess you can watch the prices on some (all?) cruise lines and check if they drop and request a match, but I've never bothered. However I am a big fan of having plans in place well before I need them.

Mexico v. The Caribbean is a toss up. I've done a lot of Mexico in the past, never the Caribbean. There are a few ports I'd avoid in Mexico, Acapulco, and Ensenada come to mind, but Cabo & Puerto Vallarta are still reasonable I guess.

In the Caribbean, I hear that there are some ports there that are a bit sketch as well, but I don't think anything on the scale of what is happening in parts of Mexico. I guess it would just be up to which area you want to see.

The Mexico mess is a shame because it is a beautiful Country, some of the areas are absolutely stunning, and they have just a massive undeveloped coastline.

I'm sure somebody will chime in with tips for the Caribbean. Don't let me keep you away from Mexico if it is a priority. I just wouldn't get off the boat in Acapulco if anybody still goes there.

4,000 average sized Americans will bring that water line down no worries.

Found this,

Apologies if it's already been posted. Much work still to be done.

Disclaimer, I am not, never have been, and never will be a Carnival Cruiser. The product doesn't interest me for any number of reasons. I am not saying it is a bad product, rather that it isn't right for me.

 

So here is my response to the OP's post.

 

Yes, there have been changes made, and long time cruisers will be the ones to notice them the most.

 

There are a lot of reasons people cruise Carnival, and continue to do so.

 

In no particular order...

 

1. Because that is what they have always done. Whether they grew up vacationing on Carnival with mom and dad or great aunt Tilly, that is the vacation they have taken for years. Maybe they took it for a honeymoon, spring break (back when spring breakers could book cruises) or when their children were young. Point is, it is what they know, it is in their comfort zone. Many people don't like to step out of that zone. So they keep going back. Here is where it gets interesting for that group. Just like with anything, the first time you experience something shiney and new, it seems perfect. The more time you spend with it, you get to know it better, become more critical of the cracks and rust. It's human nature. So while what we remember and what we currently perceive might be a mile of difference, the reality is that it's only a few yards of difference. That can lead to building resentment, disappointment, and subsequent complaint. Because we have stuck ourselves into this rut, we either feel paralyzed by the fear of the unknown or guilt over abandoning something we have been loyal to whenever the concept of trying something different arises.

 

2. Next are the people who equate the word best with cheapest. (On the other end of the spectrum are those who say best is the most expensive.) They don't use "best value for their unique situation," just "cheapest." They look for rock bottom per day prices. This group is best described as having Champagne taste on a beer budget. Using the word cheapest, a reasonable person would temper their expectations, expect to have fun, but not expect Broadway shows, Le Cordon Bleu cuisine, or a glass of Champagne and cool towel handed to them every time they return after a port of call. Some people are happy with this, but others are disappointed. They want to pay $40 per person, per day and have filet mignon instead of meatloaf, and become agitated when those expectations aren't met.

 

3. Often but not always these people will have unrealistic expectations for their trip because they don't read the fine print--or any print! They look at the marketing materials and think they will have a trip just like they see--what appears to be a waiter with only a dozen passengers to serve, no lines to meet characters, food that looks like it was cooked and plated at The French Laundry for every meal, a bottle of fine Champagne and large bouquet of flowers in their cabin when they arrive, the list goes on. Because all they did was look at the photos, and the photos tend to show the very top end suites, and a lot of for fee extras. When these items and this level of service doesn't materialize, they get upset. They board their older ship expecting they will be going to the Queen's Grill on Cunard. They are deeply disappointed and make sure to vent this disappointment. This is a group who would probably have had a great time if they had used an experienced cruise travel agent who could have given them the facts about what to expect and made sure they understood the product they were receiving.

 

4. The people who find fault with everything. The ship hits a rock and sinks, sure, there is a lot of cruise line fault there. But there are a lot of subjective things on a cruise ship. To one person, the shows are great, to another they are terrible. To one person the food is great, to another it is terrible. To one person the bed is very comfortable, to another it is too hard or too soft. (Of course when you hear these types of complaints over and over about the same ship or Cruise Director or Bartender or whoever, by people who are typically easy to please, you would take note.)

 

5. People who just don't consider the type of cruise they want to take and what they want out of it and the type of people who might be sailing with them and the list goes on. People need to look at themselves and consider their interests, their comfort zones, the type of trip they would enjoy. A couple in their 70's with a strong interest in Neoclassical architecture and Renaissance art who are typically asleep by 10:00 and awake by 6:00 each day would probably enjoy a river cruise along the Seine a lot more than a Bahamas cruise on a Carnival ship. On the other hand a couple in their early to mid 20's who are interested in chilling out on a different beach with a bucket of beer each day and dancing the night away every night would probably love Carnival and be bored silly in the river cruise.

 

6. The people who are happy with the product and feel that it gives them good value for their money.

 

Bottom line, my opinion after reading these boards for many years is that Carnival has two sides to their product. One is the older ships that typically do shorter cruises and have a lot of small interior rooms, the other is the new ships with larger suites which provide a lot more amenities. Typically people who make an informed decision are happy with their vacation--provided the cruise line delivers what it indicated it would--which it appears that a handful of rotten situations aside (floating around in the Gulf with no working toilets or potable water on a ship with previously known engine/propulsion problems comes to mind)--Carnival delivers what they say they will. No more, no less.

 

Those who have been disappointed with Carnival in the past should take their money elsewhere, otherwise they will probably board expecting the worst and having those expectations met because they will be looking for anything possible to criticize, have not done their research, or have made a bad choice in their vacation plans to begin with.

 

 

 

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Spot on.

Carny is the discount cruise line. You should know that going in. If you expect Celebrity service, book Celebrity. Don't book a room in a Motel 6 and expect you'll be treated like you're in the Ritz.

For some people, getting the absolute lowest fare is all they care about, and they will mock those "suckers" who would book something like a Concierge Class balcony.

Others see value differently, and appreciate the added perks.

Carny will never run out of customers, I hope they keep growing and continue to define and dominate the lower end of the market. That way the Princess & Celebrities will not be tempted to drop down and compete.

For what it's worth, I have searched pretty extensively on the US MSC website and have never seen an aft balcony available. When I called in to make a reservation on a different cabin, I just happened to ask the agent if one were available for our first choice date. One was, we jumped on it and I won't believe it until I open the door on that room.

So, it may be worth a call as they may not be putting them on the website for some reason.

Love the timing of the top photo. The lone brave guy on the high bridge that spans the sides. Perfect position of the crane in the background makes it look like he is fishing from up there.

Otherwise, yeah, looking forward to my trip in two January's as well.

And thanks for posting the photos. I appreciate it.

Unfortunately, the rambling horde on these boards have no clue on drones, drone photography, or really anything remotely close to the subject.

Check further with the cruise line, you may find some help there. Otherwise these boards are only useful to figure out how to sneak in 4 cases of coke in a Pepsi ship.

I hope you figure it out, the end results are amazing and worth a bit of research.

If that is a genuine picture of a real vessel, I am starting to think that the time has come for some international penal code to address the problem of criminal ugliness

Something something, Carnival. Something something Norwegian. I think the view will be fine from my wraparound aft suite in January 2018.

Sounds like the opinion of somebody who thinks Chevy or Ford makes good looking cars.

Epic is horrid.

Anything with a Carnival Funnel makes me laugh. Think PSA Airlines in the 70's. Carnival really needs to start a corporate re-branding.

The new AIDA Prima is interesting with it's straight down bow, but I dig it.

Cyrstal's two ships look as old as their passengers in person.

Interesting that the new Seaside is getting nominations. I love the look. All that open space on the lower decks surrounding the aft pool looks inviting to me. Why have the only open deck space on the top decks?

And then there will be Richard Branson's Virgin Ships, I'm sure there will be a solid love/hate demarcation line once they come out.

Please to be keeping your arm-crotches to yourself. kthnxbye

I was on a World Cruise segment once. Saw some amazing sights, met many wonderful people many of which I still correspond with, had some amazing food both on and off the ship, weather was perfect the whole time, was lucky enough to land a bridge tour, and even learned a bit of Dutch from our table mates.

But ya, they were slow to refill my Coke. Ruined the whole fracking trip.

For what it's worth, I'd find a world cruise segment, even if I had to knock some of the days off to help finance the air fare to find the boat and get back.

Second choice would be the Caribbean, Canal, Mexico, Hawaii option.

Good choice on Celebrity, my guess is that you will enjoy it immensely.

By coincidence, our first cruise was a 14 day honeymoon cruise on Celebrity. I had never cruised before, had some trepidation about it, and now I'm addicted.

I'm going to echo most of what is already on here. Try not to isolate yourselves in the main dining room with a a table for 2. We prefer traditional dining and tables of 6. You will most likely end up with 2 other couples, and soon you will look forward to meeting them for dinner as part of your day so you can share adventure stories.

With traditional dining, you dine at the same time every night with your table mates and will have the same wait staff. The wait staff will get to know you and soon you will be amazed at how much becomes automatic.

For us, knowing our dining time creates a set point in the day that everything else gets planned around. If you can't make it one night, no worries, there are other options.

The massage is a splurge. My wife usually gets one per trip, I never have. Expect to politely decline additional services when you're in there if you go.

If somebody else has not already pointed it out, the Maitre'd is the restaurant head honcho, and the one to approach with any special requests or if you have a problem in the restaurant which I highly doubt you will.

On our first trip, we were seated with another couple on their honeymoon, and another couple who cruised that particular ship at least 4 times a year and became our guides.

Splurge at least once for a specialty restaurant and you can make this your celebration dinner. Back in the day, we were on Summit and the "Normandie" was the specialty restaurant. We booked a full wine pairing meal on one of the formal nights. We didn't mention our honeymoon at the time of the reservation, but our experienced cruising table mates knew our plans and ratted us out.

Come time for dinner, and we find that our table is in the absolute center of the restaurant, right next to the harpist. We felt like we were on stage. I swear there were spotlights on that table. The entire staff of that restaurant fussed over us for 3 hours. We each had our own individual waiter, plus an assistant, and the sommelier. I don't know if that experience can ever be replicated.

At the end of the meal, we are absolutely stuffed, and they come out with a "happy honeymoon" cake. We were horrified when they all started looking disappointed that we could not eat it, we'd already had 5 courses including desert and there was no way we could eat another bite. Turned out the joke was on us. They knew we couldn't touch it and had already prepared to have it sent up to our cabin.

Enjoy the trip. Anything you want to arrange can be done once you have boarded the ship if you have not done it in advance.