SamGoodyTwoShoes

Include anything you want the insurance to cover. It might be possible for insurance to cover any trip delay expenses should the ship be late and you miss you flight, but be sure to read the policy. Not all insurance is created equally.

Don’t think it will happen so soon. The Carnival type I just don’t think is right for Asia. However, I can be wrong. On our Alaskan cruise there was a nice proportion of Asians on the cruise.

 

Carnival Corp (Princess?) now has a homeport in Japan and a number of offices opened in China along with South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Think they expect biz to double next year from the region.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Carnival send a ship to Asia. The market is exploding. Currently Europe is still soft.

Interesting rumor. I imagine Carnival will have no comment.

Can't really say. As far as I know, Carnival will not start installing scrubbers until 2015, so any ship they return to NYC in summer 2014 will not have scrubbers, but also won't need them until summer 2015. What the schedule for retrofitting is, who knows? It would be in line with the regularly scheduled drydockings.

Makes perfect sense to me. Why spend a dime before you have to?

The easiest way to stop receiving surveys is to stop replying to them. But then don't complain when you don't receive them.

Like the old Nielsen TV surveys, only so many receive them and only those who reply keep receiving them.

You asked for opinions – so here is mine:

I live in south Florida. I cruise at least once a month. I honestly cannot tell you how many cruises I have been on in the last 35 years. I mostly sail on Carnival, but have sailed on ever cruise line.

I do prefer the older shows that Carnival had over the playlist shows today. The live band, more dancers, singers that could actually sing, costumes and stage sets – yes the shows were better.

I have though seen all 5 of the playlist shows;

Glory – Diva’s, Motor City, and Latin Nights

Breeze – Diva’s, Motor City, Brits

Imagination – Diva’s, Epic Rock

I don’t think the shows are as bad as some make them out to be. The cast, of course, makes a difference in the quality of the show. I guess I have a take it or leave it attitude towards the new shows. There was a time I wouldn’t miss the production show – now I see what else is going on at the same time and decide.

Here is something to think about – there are a few positive comments on this thread – from people who saw the shows on the Imagination and the Ecstasy – NONE of the fantasy class ships got the LED screens when they got the playlist shows. The fantasy class ships are all using a projection screen instead. In my opinion it is like night and day.

With the projection screen – the stage still has the scenery but you can SEE the performers. The LED screens are blinding. The performers on the Imagination (in my opinion) were very good. I did enjoy the shows on that ship. I have been on the Imagination 4 times since the new shows were added – I have seen each of them at least 3 times on that ship alone.

 

I will though agree with you with the repetitiveness – and it’s not just the shows. 2.0 are making all the ships the same. Everything is branded. The new décor of the Breeze is being carried to the new ships (Sunshine). I do think there will be a day when it won’t matter which ship you sail on – just pick the closest home port because the ship, itinerary, and shows are all going to be identical.

I concur that the shows aren't as bad as some purport and many people enjoy them. If 100 people don't like them, then probably at least 100 like them and 1000 or more don't care. Until you try to get them to pay more for something they don't care about in the first place.

It is no secret that branding is what Carnival is after and I doubt itineraries from LA and from Miami will ever be the same. I like the feeling of coming home when boarding a cruise ship. It makes it easier for passengers and crew to transfer between ships and helps to manage ever increasing costs.

I would bring back plank walking and hand Carnivalphobics a map.