CruiseAdict218

4 hours ago, shof515 said:

its nice to finally use up that space. when i was on the sister ship, venezia that food station inside the ocean plaza/gondola lounge was empty and not being used. the only time they used it was during bad weather that prevented la strada grill being outside

I thought that was for the Terrazza brunch which is why it always looked empty. 
 

Though definitely not Italian still sounds like a good spot to get a snack. 

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

Carnival is never going to build another Spirit class ship. If Costa has any let they may transfer another one but there will never be another one built, at least not for Carnival.

They have one left, Luminosa’s sister but that usually covers their world cruise run.
 

Ideally they could take two from AIDA which are similar size to the Fantasy class with more balcony options and order them another Excel to cover the berth loss and then some. 

43 minutes ago, 787cruiser said:

Im not saying an Excel wouldn't work in NYC. Im saying it won't replace a Venice class ship there. As long as the Venice class is in the Carnival fleet they will stay in NYC and on the west coast.

Yeah I see what you’re saying, I would just hope to have it for at least a one off summer season or if one of the new ones wants to debut here then head to Florida. 

30 minutes ago, 787cruiser said:

Unless Carnival transfers Venezia and Firenze back to Costa come 27/28 I also can't seen an Excel going to NYC. Those 2 ships won't really work anywhere else than where they currently are, well perhaps Virginia?

 

They can easily do a 7/8 day run to the Bahamas and even Canada. Mardi Grad was supposed to do a one off Canada cruise before going to Florida. 

36 minutes ago, jedi bobs said:

My guess is that NOLA will get Mardi Gras or Vista,  while Valor or Glory goes to Mobile full time, Spirit goes to San Juan part time.  Magic moves to Ft Lauderdale, and New ship takes it's place.

\As for names I'm guessing Holiday, and Festaval.

Magic or Vista would probably be bumped to NOLA, Mardi Gras or Celebration would probably move to a shorter run 3/4 day (I would think).
 

If they toy with bringing one up to NYC for a summer season, that bumps Venezia else where. 

11 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Personally I think we’re not close to anything like that. I think they will Sunshine the spirit class ships first. Carnival’s ability to serve so many ports is a brand differentiator and bigger ships will take that away.

Wouldn’t that have taken place by now? All 4 are getting lengthy dry docks, with them rotating to Europe. They are past the age, the Destiny/Triumph Class got their respective makeovers. 

Oh wow, I wonder why it wasn’t ordered jointly with #4, regardless that’s pretty exciting. 

We also recently booked Luminosa for Alaska, we got a nice deal on an inside cabin (deck 1 and seemed bigger than the usual inside cabins) and went with it. We figured we would save the extra and put it towards excursions. 

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I see the dates are all wrong. Icon just started jan 2024, this year. Star august 2025. 

 

Your link says

 

"The ship will join its two sister ships – to be delivered in 2022 and 2024, respectively."

 

icon class and oasis class are built in different ship yards. Since they are still building star, I havent seen any news when a 3rd icon class will be built, but assume after star. 

 

7th oasis class will start after utopia. It could be close which class a yet unnamed and not yet started ship will be finished. I am sure people were surprised with the announcement of a 7th oasis class and not a word lately about a 3rd icon class. We will see which finished first.

Dates probably would be wrong because the articles were posted pre-Covid so everything would be pushed back. 
 

But tidecat posted a link the steel cutting already began and the second link I posted was the credit agreement for Icon 3. It’s certainly possible for Icon 3 to be pushed a bit towards 2027 but would still be before Oasis 7. 

2 hours ago, tidecat said:

I had not seen the news on AIDA but it seems like it would take the Sphinx class off the table for Carnival Cruise Line. The Icarus class may still be on table given their refurbishment dates haven't been set.

 

It may be more cost effective to keep Elation and Paradise as far out as 2037 (age 39). If the Spirit class can hang around to age 39, it would be 2040 before Carnival would have to exit one of Jacksonville, Baltimore, or Tampa, and 2048 before they would lose all three ports.

Refurbishment is set for late 2025-2026

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/aida-announces-aida-evolution-drydock-upgrade-program/

I guess it will really depend on the conditions each of these ships are in, if they can make it to 39-40 years old. 

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Name it. They already announced a "yet unnamed new oasis ship" not a 3rd icon ship. Everyone was surprised including me it wasnt another icon ship. Maybe it's the LNG fuel? Idk but another oasis build has been announced, not another icon build. 

 

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-orders-seventh-Oasis-class-ship

 

Also hearing those 3 and 4 pax cabins are sometimes going for less than 2 pax cabins on icon. Maybe they added too many extra 3 and 4 pax cabins for supply and demand. I will pass. A ship designed to hold even more families and kids isnt aimed at me as a solo. I have wonder and utopia booked. Not star.

Royal Caribbean was in talks for Oasis 7 but was put aside when the pandemic hit but anyway, Icon 3 was ordered back in 2019…

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2019/07/royal-caribbean-inks-deal-for-third-icon-class-ship-for-2025-delivery/

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/884887/000110465919075059/tm1926679d1_ex10-1.htm

https://maritime-executive.com/article/royal-caribbean-orders-third-icon-class-ship

14 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I wouldnt count on smaller builds from rcl either. Looking or thinking about something said in answer to a question, didnt rule it out, but then announced another as yet unnamed oasis class ship next to be built. 

 

Seems icon class is very expensive to build, quite a bit more than oasis class. Icon and star are the only announced icon class ships. Utopia is coming and after star will be another oasis class they said recently. I was shocked how much more expensive than oasis class.

 

Recent itineraries show rcl is moving to do big ships on shorter routes. Wonder currently the newest oasis class being moved to s. Florida to do 3 and 4 days. Other short routes announced. Huge disappointment. People are looking at carnival lol for another line.

Actually a third icon will come out before Oasis #7. 
 

17 hours ago, tidecat said:

Elation already has a drydock scheduled for 2026, and presumably Paradise will shortly follow. Those ships should be in the fleet until at least 2028, if not 2029.

 

The Spirit class was built entirely after 2000, those will be with us well into the next decade. Luminosa should continue into the early 2040s.

 

I suspect the ultimate fate of Tampa, Jacksonville, and Baltimore will lie with more upmarket lines that have smaller ships, like Holland America and Seabourn. The masses will continue sailing from Port Canaveral, Miami, and Galveston.

 

I also think Carnival Cruise Line may pick off some AIDA ships, which may buy the height-restricted ports some time. That would still be a few years down the road if it happens, though.

I don’t think it would make much sense to leave those height restricted ports. Plus, AIDA just announced those smaller ships are getting a total refurbishment.

4 minutes ago, bstel said:

so why did they lump in the Luminosa with the Spirit class, but not lump in the Venezia/Firenze with the Vista class?

Marketing reasons more or less since Venezia/Firenze were brought in under a joint concept of the Carnival Fun Italian Style, though regardless they are Vista Class ships 

Luminosa joined as a regular Carnival ship, it is technically a Spirit Class but shares similar features of Holland America’s Vista Class. 

I’ve done Freedom/Horizon. So I would probably vote for Vista, though either choice is fine. 

MIAMI, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced plans for a $100 million pier extension that will double the arrival capacity of Celebration Key™, Carnival Cruise Line's new exclusive destination scheduled to open on Grand Bahama island in the summer of 2025. In addition to the two berths slated to be complete by 2025, the expansion will add two more berths, with all four capable of handling up to Carnival's largest Excel class ships when complete in 2026. Overall, the expanded cruise pier will accommodate up to four Excel-class ships simultaneously and is projected to welcome nearly 4 million guests annually to Celebration Key by 2028.

The pier extension plans were announced Thursday, Feb. 22 at the 25th Annual Grand Bahama Business Outlook by The Honorable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation in The Bahamas.

"As is fitting for our plans for Grand Bahama island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite grand, and we're already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Building the second pier now allows us to implement growth plans and build itineraries with certainty, and signals to the local community just how important this development is to Carnival Cruise Line and the future of the island."

"This is a momentous day for Grand Bahama and bodes extremely well for its future. The incredible level of new investment on the pier extension highlights the partnership between The Bahamas and Carnival Corporation and demonstrates the popularity of The Bahamas as a destination. Celebration Key will play a vital role in supporting the future prosperity of Grand Bahama and the country at large," said Cooper.

"Carnival Corporation's dedication to our island's growth is both commendable and inspiring – we applaud their expanded investment in Celebration Key in Grand Bahama and welcome the imminent exponential boost to the Grand Bahama economy," said Minister for Grand Bahama The Honourable Ginger Moxey M.P. "We are on the brink of an exciting chapter for Grand Bahama, with Carnival Corporation's expansion opening doors to unprecedented possibilities for our residents. Let us collectively gear up for this transformative journey, as the spin-off opportunities are bound to bring about a wave of prosperity touching every corner of our beloved island."

Celebration Key – Planned with Growth in Mind
Designed specifically for Carnival Cruise Line guests with occupancy growth in mind, the Celebration Key footprint has been carefully planned with expansive spaces and abundant attractions to comfortably host the additional guests expected in 2027. Featuring a mile-long, white sand beach, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, and a range of dining, shopping and entertainment options, Celebration Key will include five distinct areas, known as portals, providing endless ways for guests to spread out, relax and enjoy their own kind of fun.

With a focus on curating a distinctly Bahamian dining, shopping, and entertainment scene, Carnival Corporation is working closely with Bahamian officials and community leaders to recruit local companies, excursion operators, construction workers and entrepreneurs for the many business and job opportunities the development will generate and sustain. The company also has hired top Bahamian talent for strategic leadership roles in human resources, operations, and community affairs, and is actively recruiting to fill a number of additional senior positions in the coming months.

Significant Economic Impact for the Bahamas
With the additional $100 million pier extension investment, the now $600 million flagship project remains the largest of its kind ever undertaken by Carnival Corporation. The initial phase of the project, including the original two berths, is projected to help generate over 700 permanent jobs in the community – including approximately 300 Bahamians hired directly by Carnival Corporation to help welcome 2.2 million guests each year to Grand Bahama starting in 2025.

Once the additional two berths are delivered, Celebration Key is expected to bring up to 4 million guests annually to the Grand Bahama destination by 2028. According to an economic impact study by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, over the next two decades the project will drive substantial growth in Bahamian employment, gross domestic product (GDP), and government revenue. The study estimates that the development, construction, and ongoing operation of Celebration Key will create over 2,500 direct Bahamian jobs, generate $3.2 billion in incremental revenue to the Government, and contribute $9.7 billion in incremental economic impact to the Bahamas GDP.

Carnival Corporation and Carnival Cruise Line will continue to release additional details, including specifics on exciting features and development milestones for Celebration Key over the coming months.

6 hours ago, CarnivalShips480 said:

Carnival just ordered a fourth excel class ship, so there is a possibility that it could bump another ship to San Juan, would probably be a smaller ship

A ship gets bumped however, Elation, Paradise and/or Sunshine will most likely be let go by that point or not too long after. 

4 hours ago, jsglow said:

The more I think about it, I agree with that plan. One of the Excels slides into a 5/5/4 role or maybe even into a 4/3 out of PC or Miami heading twice a week to Celebration Cay. THAT's a money maker. (Not a cruise for me so much, mind you.)

I think this is what may end up happening, Excel 4 takes the 7 day run and bumps Mardi Gras to the 5/5/4 or 4/3. 
 

One of the Conquests move elsewhere.
 

But if we are adding to the wish list, let either or come to NYC for the summer season. 

Carnival Corporation Orders Fourth Excel-Class Ship for Carnival Cruise Line, 10th Excel-Class Ship Across Global Fleet

Officially confirmed. 

I can’t find any other announcement but I know some people were thinking this was going to happen.

Carnival Corporation and Meyer Werft announced they have reached an agreement to build another cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line.

The ship will be a sister to the Carnival Jubilee, which was delivered in 2023, and is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

“We are very pleased that the partnership between the Meyer Group and Carnival Corporation is being continued with this new order,” said Bernd Eikens, CEO of the Meyer Group.

“This order is a clear sign that the cruise market has recovered and that there is great demand for sea trips,” added Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer of the MEYER Group.

“We are pleased to continue our new build program and expand our global fleet with another state-of-the-art ship from MEYER WERFT that will delight Carnival Cruise Line guests,” added Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.

Since 2018, Meyer Werft and Meyer Turku have built nine LNG-powered cruise ships for four cruise lines in the Carnival Corporation portfolio on a common technical platform. The new ship will also be built on this platform with a length of around 344 meters.

Carnival Cruise Line Orders New Ship for 2027 Delivery

Self Service Soda Machines were also added (he put that in the comments).

All bathrooms have an automatic nightlight as well. 

Sad the thrill theater was removed, I enjoyed that on Horizon, wonder if they will remove it eventually from that ship. 

22 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

With Carnival's card you get double points for charges from other Carnival Corp brands.  But your points can only be applied toward Carnival Cruise Lines charges.

I think you may have it backwards, you can apply your points towards the other brands, through the Barclays app I’m able to use points towards Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn and “Airfare/Hotels”.
 

But I don’t think you get double or rather when you hit 100,000+ point that bonus can only be used towards Carnival. 

2 hours ago, Stick93 said:

Don’t think they have anything on order. They are still too far in the hole…

I meant more so down the line when they are in a better position to do so. But rumors are swirling something will be ordered sooner than later. 

2 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I doubt Carnival Cruise Line will build anything smaller than Vista class ever again. If they get smaller ships, it'll be transferred from another Carnival Corp brand like Luminosa.

Probably right, wouldn’t mind if they ordered a large ship for AIDA and took some of their smaller ships, they are the same size as Elation/Paradise. Think others have mentioned that scenario before. 

This could be her last dry dock since it puts her in line with her 30th birthday unless they plan to push Elation and Paradise beyond that. Guess we will know when they start to order ships again and if they have plans for a smaller class or transfer some newer smaller ships from their other brands. 

Since cruising resumed I've only caught it twice, once in 2022 and once this past September. My mom caught it on this past cruise two weeks ago and the last time for her was in 2021. 

I just came off this past Sunday, we were in 5229. You could hear some noise from the bar during the day here and there (no music, maybe just movement) but once it quieted down it was fine. Outside of that you could hear doors being slammed but I think that was from nearby cabins across or like one down. It also didn't help that we had some rough waters for the most part of the trip so at night you could hear extra creaking.

We wanted to originally book one of the cabana rooms but booked the wrong one by accident. Location wise, it was convenient to be near the bars, and two floors below is the canal grande restaurant (sea day brunch and anytime dining restaurant).