I don't recall seeing "this" when Carnival launched any of their ships...

[spencercoop]

Tom....There is a very simple answer to this....

NCL needs all the help they can get and Carnival does not.

I am sure that Cruise Critic doesn't want to lose an advertiser and prolly NCL is paying bucks for them to be there....Just my take on this....

Didn't CC also do this for the Oasis of the Seas.....

We know both lines are having slight financial problems because of these ships.....;)

 

Yes. There was one for the Oasis too.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1051

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

.

(sorry for delay)

.

 

:) Hiya, T-n-C!!

 

I personally really enjoyed the video, as so did some co-workers. Late Friday afternoon a few of us went down to one of the conference rooms, and put the internet feed on the big screen. Had a great direct line connection, so no lag time at all. Carolyn did a great job of getting it all spliced to fit into the (still long) video presentation. I was impressed seeing 'live' shots of those things that had, up to that point, been artist renderings.

 

Had to chuckle a few times when she was alone without her ship escort, and let loose with wording of those few personal concerns (i.e. "balcony furnishings rather paltry").

 

With the great earlier still shots, and now quality video, I'll be mentally prepared for the Studio experience, avoiding any surprise disappointments. It's definitely doable, otherwise I'd swap to another cabin type.

 

Will be keeping my eyes on future reviews as they trickle in, and hopefully the newness 'kinks' can all be worked out so that by February all is the proverbial "well oiled machine". (Eeek, I just realized that's a terrible analogy these days :eek:, but you know what I mean).

 

One review of the video by a few who were watching with me: "That ship dude needs as haircut." :p

 

See ya in a few!

 

Hey Don... you started all of this, because after all YOU were the one who brought the Epic to our attention! :cool:

 

We saw the 1 hr. clip, (with some fast fowarding). We have sailed only Carnival so far, the Dream, this year in Feb.plus others prior, Well, We think Carnival better get with the program.. We did like what we saw on NCL.

 

Yep! Let's just hope a larger cruise line (:rolleyes:) does not scoop up NCL, and dilute their product! :eek:

 

Tom

[CorvetteLady]

I watched the video and now I have a headache, too much camera movement. :( Didn't make me want to book the Epic anytime soon. Don't like the sink, no where to put all my stuff, the cabins seemed cramped, even the suite. It felt a little claustrophobic to me, no real feel of how big the ship is. She spent way too much time talking to that dude and not walking around enough.

 

Both Oasis and Epic have their own section on the RCCL and NCL boards, I wish they would have done that for the Dream. It was sometimes hard to find all the different threads when we were all waiting for any tidbits of information.

[spencercoop]

I watched the video and now I have a headache, too much camera movement. :( Didn't make me want to book the Epic anytime soon. Don't like the sink, no where to put all my stuff, the cabins seemed cramped, even the suite. It felt a little claustrophobic to me, no real feel of how big the ship is. She spent way too much time talking to that dude and not walking around enough.

 

Both Oasis and Epic have their own section on the RCCL and NCL boards, I wish they would have done that for the Dream. It was sometimes hard to find all the different threads when we were all waiting for any tidbits of information.

 

I wish there would have been a separate section for the Dream too. I asked someone why there wasn't one, but I don't remember what their answer was.

[tiyana4]

I had been on the fence for some time trying to decide if EPIC was worth a shot. Having seen the video in its entirety (which I thought was great, BTW), EPIC will definitely be added to our list of new ships to try. I have always liked the way the balconies were presented, and although there appears to be some decline in cabin size in the finished product compared to previous design, overall I like the new look. I could care less if the shower door is frosted or clear. It was also nice to REALLY see the studio cabins and I have to admit, I like the concept. Once DD goes off to college in a few years, I will lose my travel partner and these cabins will be perfect, complete with a singles lounge. Pretty nifty, I think.

 

While I probably won't be using the ice bar, the slides in the pool area look very inviting. The rest of the ship is very appealing as well. We are booked for the Allure next year, but would definitely like to sail the Epic once the price goes down (hopefully).

[pokergirl34]

I do not like that bathroom concept at all!! Imagine being in a quad with your two kids?!? Sorry not for me. Maybe if we were able to afford 2 rooms.

 

I sure love the entertainment options on that ship. We don't cruise to see shows but love both the Blue Man Group and Second City. While BMG would be good once, Second City is amazing each time since it is different. I really wish Carnival would come up with some better entertainment.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I watched the video and now I have a headache, too much camera movement. :( Didn't make me want to book the Epic anytime soon. Don't like the sink, no where to put all my stuff, the cabins seemed cramped, even the suite. It felt a little claustrophobic to me, no real feel of how big the ship is. She spent way too much time talking to that dude and not walking around enough.

 

Both Oasis and Epic have their own section on the RCCL and NCL boards, I wish they would have done that for the Dream. It was sometimes hard to find all the different threads when we were all waiting for any tidbits of information.

 

True - their cabins do seem tight on space, which is one reason we are leaning towards one of the Courtyard Villas... showering while overlooking the ocean sounds pretty wild! I could not imagine packing 3-4 people in one of their standard cabins (without even considering the semi-translucent bathroom doors)!

 

What were your thoughts on our Dream cruise a few months ago -- were you as impressed with it as you thought you would be? For us the Dream was a bit of a letdown.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

I sure love the entertainment options on that ship. We don't cruise to see shows but love both the Blue Man Group and Second City. While BMG would be good once, Second City is amazing each time since it is different. I really wish Carnival would come up with some better entertainment.

 

I think the Cirque Dreams Dinner Show sounds interesting as well. It's in the same place that they have the Nickelodeon breakfast for kids.

 

They can save on staffing, since their captain can fill two positions! :eek:

 

 

 

I added this one simply because I like Spongebob! :D

 

 

Tom

[halos]

What did you think of that video?

 

Tom

 

:D

Haven't watched the entire thing yet, but I am enjoying it, thanks for posting it Tom.

I have been excited about that ship for a while and I can't wait to book a cruise on it. :)

[halos]

Tom....There is a very simple answer to this....

NCL needs all the help they can get and Carnival does not.

I am sure that Cruise Critic doesn't want to lose an advertiser and prolly NCL is paying bucks for them to be there....Just my take on this....

Didn't CC also do this for the Oasis of the Seas.....

We know both lines are having slight financial problems because of these ships.....;)

 

I don't particularly care about their finances...as a cruise lover, I'm more interested in a line that steps out of the box a little.

I looked at momof2girls pics from her recent Dream cruise and for the most part, it could have been any CCL ship. AS I am not a fan of Farcus, and since CCL has SO many ships, I have to say it's getting old for me personally.

It would have been nice if CCL had done just a little something different on their new ships.

I know 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' is a pretty good rule of thumb, but to be honest it's getting to be a bit boring. For me, just sailing on a different line aside from Carnival once in a while at least keeps CCL a little 'fresher' and when I do sail CCL, I enjoy it a little more after having a change in between.

 

I'll let NCL worry about their bottom line and worry I'll about my own finances.

 

For those that haven't tried NCL yet, you may actually enjoy it ;) I have become a huge fan. My DH still prefers CCL..so we sail both.

I think this works out well.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I don't particularly care about their finances...as a cruise lover, I'm more interested in a line that steps out of the box a little.

I looked at momof2girls pics from her recent Dream cruise and for the most part, it could have been any CCL ship. AS I am not a fan of Farcus, and since CCL has SO many ships, I have to say it's getting old for me personally.

It would have been nice if CCL had done just a little something different on their new ships.

I know 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' is a pretty good rule of thumb, but to be honest it's getting to be a bit boring. For me, just sailing on a different line aside from Carnival once in a while at least keeps CCL a little 'fresher' and when I do sail CCL, I enjoy it a little more after having a change in between.

 

I'll let NCL worry about their bottom line and worry I'll about my own finances.

 

For those that haven't tried NCL yet, you may actually enjoy it ;) I have become a huge fan. My DH still prefers CCL..so we sail both.

I think this works out well.

 

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me!!

 

Tom

[MrPete]

 

Even if you are not at all interested in NCL - might I suggest you take a few minutes and see what some other lines are up to --- spread your wings a bit, even if only in a virtual manner!

 

Tom

 

I finally had a couple of minutes, so I was watching while making coffee. Stunning ship, of what I've seen so far, and then my back went up as they approached that noodle bar, AND THE A LA CARTE PRICING!

 

Please include my food with my fare, thank you.

 

Q for the NCL experts....I remember reading that there was no MDR on this ship. Did that come to fruition?

 

In any case, I'm planning on being in the city for this ships triumphant arrival into NY Harbor.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I finally had a couple of minutes, so I was watching while making coffee. Stunning ship, of what I've seen so far, and then my back went up as they approached that noodle bar, AND THE A LA CARTE PRICING!

 

Please include my food with my fare, thank you.

 

Q for the NCL experts....I remember reading that there was no MDR on this ship. Did that come to fruition?

 

In any case, I'm planning on being in the city for this ships triumphant arrival into NY Harbor.

 

Yes, the Noodle Bar -- my take home from that was to try the Shanghai Noodles! It appeared that most of the items were in the $2-3 range. Sort of like the coffee/milkshake/dessert place on Carnival. I agree that they have A LOT of places to extract more $ from your pockets, but they still do have plenty of no-fee places to eat, including the Manhattan Room and Taste Main Dining Rooms (Aft and Atrium respectively).

 

Dining Options

 

Tom

[Cruiser1547228475]

Carnival is building bigger ships to accommodate more cabin space and not expanding entertainment space such as the show theater and the area on the Lido deck where a larger pool should be . Lido is larger but yet it seemed smaller than any other ship we have cruised on.

 

The aft pool seemed like any other Carnival ship.

Pools are over packed with people.

I honestly was disappointed with the Dream in this respect.

 

Passenger capacity is just to large on the Dream to the point where one feels cramped at times. MDR ,shows ,etc.

Carnival is not accommodating the large number of passengers that sail on the Dream . I get the impression that there just building larger passenger ships ! Dream nice ship,yes. Just a larger version of what they already have, add more people on board.

 

Looking at Epic for a while now makes me wonder where all the bells and whistles are on the Dream class ships?

[MrPete]

Carnival is building bigger ships to accommodate more cabin space and not expanding entertainment space such as the show theater and the area on the Lido deck where a larger pool should be . Lido is larger but yet it seemed smaller than any other ship we have cruised on.

 

The aft pool seemed like any other Carnival ship.

Pools are over packed with people.

I honestly was disappointed with the Dream in this respect.

 

Passenger capacity is just to large on the Dream to the point where one feels cramped at times. MDR ,shows ,etc.

Carnival is not accommodating the large number of passengers that sail on the Dream . I get the impression that there just building larger passenger ships ! Dream nice ship,yes. Just a larger version of what they already have, add more people on board.

 

That's exactly why I never sailed anything on Carnival any larger than their Destiny class. It was just too crowded.

 

Unfortunately, I made the mistake thinking that ALL large ships would be crowded.

 

I found I was wrong when I went even bigger on an RCCL ship.

[halos]

Yes, the Noodle Bar -- my take home from that was to try the Shanghai Noodles! It appeared that most of the items were in the $2-3 range. Sort of like the coffee/milkshake/dessert place on Carnival. I agree that they have A LOT of places to extract more $ from your pockets, but they still do have plenty of no-fee places to eat, including the Manhattan Room and Taste Main Dining Rooms (Aft and Atrium respectively).

 

Dining Options

 

Tom

AGREE!!!

They absolutely have more places to extract $$ from your pocket BUT these places are not there INSTEAD of free eateries, but in addition to, so there is no loss....just more choices.

The choices and options are why I love NCL for long cruises...you can't possibly get bored with the food.

[CorvetteLady]

True - their cabins do seem tight on space, which is one reason we are leaning towards one of the Courtyard Villas... showering while overlooking the ocean sounds pretty wild! I could not imagine packing 3-4 people in one of their standard cabins (without even considering the semi-translucent bathroom doors)!

 

What were your thoughts on our Dream cruise a few months ago -- were you as impressed with it as you thought you would be? For us the Dream was a bit of a letdown.

 

Tom

 

It was a bit of a letdown for me too. Partly because we booked in Jan. and had such a huge build-up before we even got there. We had a very slow head waiter and it took till day 4 to get that changed. My biggest disappointment was getting into the shows, had to get there really early, and getting a "good" seat was nearly impossible. Our favorite was the Serenity area but wished it offered more shade. For all the hype about all the innovations on the Dream it turned out to just be hype.

 

Curious to hear about the new additions to the Magic, at this point we have no plans to sail on her. Was really hoping they'd do a 9 day like on the Dream with different ports. One of the main reason we booked the Dream was because of 5 ports, 3 that we'd never been to.

 

The Courtyard Villas do look great. You will have to let us know how that view is from the shower. Just don't try it while you are in port!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

It was a bit of a letdown for me too. Partly because we booked in Jan. and had such a huge build-up before we even got there. We had a very slow head waiter and it took till day 4 to get that changed. My biggest disappointment was getting into the shows, had to get there really early, and getting a "good" seat was nearly impossible. Our favorite was the Serenity area but wished it offered more shade. For all the hype about all the innovations on the Dream it turned out to just be hype.

 

Curious to hear about the new additions to the Magic, at this point we have no plans to sail on her. Was really hoping they'd do a 9 day like on the Dream with different ports. One of the main reason we booked the Dream was because of 5 ports, 3 that we'd never been to.

 

The Courtyard Villas do look great. You will have to let us know how that view is from the shower. Just don't try it while you are in port!

 

Yes, the ports offered on that 9 day Dream sailing were great. I particularly enjoyed the one port which turned into a sea day! I love sea days, but I prefer to know that one is coming so that I can take full advantage of the prior night!

 

I have seen a couple of pictures of the exterior of the Epic which makes the glass (shower/tub) appear fairly reflective. Still, if the conditions are right, and with enough interior lighting, that could prove exposing :eek: (and I am not much of an exhibitionist)! :o

 

Tom

[woodey]

Hey Tom

 

Thanks For Sharing!

[Cruiser1547228475]

That's exactly why I never sailed anything on Carnival any larger than their Destiny class. It was just too crowded.

 

Unfortunately, I made the mistake thinking that ALL large ships would be crowded.

 

I found I was wrong when I went even bigger on an RCCL ship.

 

 

Hay Pete, I'm gonna have to look at those RCCL ships again ;).

[DGP1111]

Hay Pete, I'm gonna have to look at those RCCL ships again ;).

 

I think tomorrow (6/29) is their 1-Day Sale (according to info I read earlier here on CC).

I'm gonna check tomorrow for myself as well.

[chachi]

Thanks for posting. I have always been nervous to try NCL because of the negative reviews I have heard, but I really want to try this ship.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Thanks for posting. I have always been nervous to try NCL because of the negative reviews I have heard, but I really want to try this ship.

 

Give it a go... what's the worst that could happen? :eek:

 

:)

 

We will be there 2/26/11 !!

 

Tom

[TheTravelista]

It was a bit of a letdown for me too. Partly because we booked in Jan. and had such a huge build-up before we even got there. We had a very slow head waiter and it took till day 4 to get that changed. My biggest disappointment was getting into the shows, had to get there really early, and getting a "good" seat was nearly impossible. Our favorite was the Serenity area but wished it offered more shade. For all the hype about all the innovations on the Dream it turned out to just be hype.

 

Curious to hear about the new additions to the Magic, at this point we have no plans to sail on her. Was really hoping they'd do a 9 day like on the Dream with different ports. One of the main reason we booked the Dream was because of 5 ports, 3 that we'd never been to.

 

The Courtyard Villas do look great. You will have to let us know how that view is from the shower. Just don't try it while you are in port!

 

1st bolded: ITA. I was at first so excited about the Dream! I just knew that after hearing about Oasis and Carnival touting it as its most exciting and innovative ship to date that it was EXACTLY what I was waiting for. Imagine my surprise when the deck plans were released and it looked like Every. Other. Carnival. Ship.

 

2nd bolded: Same here...I'm pretty much done with Carnival until after the Breeze (still can't believe they named it that) is sailing and a new ship is in the works. I board the Dream Saturday but that will be it for me for a while. So tired of always being let down with their "spectacular new additions." They did it with Splendor, they did it with Dream and there's no doubt it my mind they will do it again with the next 2 ships they deliver. No plans to sail the Magic, but I have booked a Sky Loft on Allure and am liking what I see on the Epic, especially the Courtyard Villas, so I will be giving that a go as well. I would actually book the Disney Dream as well if I wasn't terrified of being surrounded by characters all day and night. That is another truly amazing innovative ship. It proves that everything doesn't always have to be bigger to be better.

[Jumbiecruiser]

Tom....There is a very simple answer to this....

NCL needs all the help they can get and Carnival does not.

I am sure that Cruise Critic doesn't want to lose an advertiser and prolly NCL is paying bucks for them to be there....Just my take on this....

Didn't CC also do this for the Oasis of the Seas.....

We know both lines are having slight financial problems because of these ships.....;)

 

Very simply put, the Oasis and Epic are the two most innovative ships built in many years. They were also the most anticipated ships being built. The Dream had nothing new to show. No one cared with the exception of the Carnival faithful. This had nothing to do with finances but nice try.:rolleyes: Can't wait to read the reviews about the Magic. Let's see, didn't they find room to add even more cabins on an already crowded ship? ;)