Is Carnival Going To Create A Coral Reef?

[jetskier]

The Grand HoliDave was in port when we arrived in Barcelona and she made several appearances in some of the ports we visited. She was the first 'whaletail' we spotted in the harbor an I whispered a "Dave sez hi" when we drove past her to the Magic. I think she smiled. ;)

 

Hi Michael,

I miss sailing on her because of her size. Plus the crew were less stressed. Tell Sallie hello for me.

 

Dave

[*Mach*]

Now that Carnival has added two huge passenger haulers (Dream and Magic) with another on the way in a few months (Breeze). How do they expect to fill all those cabins in this economy?

If I calculated correctly, that's an extra 500,000 passengers per year. How low are they going to need to drop their prices in order to fill those cabins, and of course drop the level of services, food, and anything else they can cut to still make a profit on each sailing. Not to mention increasing the cost of drinks, amenities, tours, etc.

 

I was under the impression that they were planning to scuttle their ancient Fantasy class ships when the new ships were delivered, and create a great Coral Reef somewhere in the Caribbean. ;) I think that would be a much better plan and would allow them to handle about the same passenger load with less ships and presumably less cost while offering a better product. Just my opinion.

 

 

Don't hold your breath. Carnival expects the Fantasy Class ships to sail for another 7 years minimum...

:)

[spencercoop]

Don't hold your breath. Carnival expects the Fantasy Class ships to sail for another 7 years minimum...

:)

 

Even the older ones like the Fantasy and the Ecstasy??

[Waterloomarc]

My wife and I just took our first cruise on a fantasy class ship and actually really liked it. I'd been leery of them because they were older and didn't have many balconies. We took a short cruise in an ocean view and really enjoyed the ship. I agree I can't see how they could ever be considered confusing.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Less than 9% of Americans have cruised, So far.....

[Snorkel2Much]

Some of us really like the Fantasy class ships, they're very easy to get around (I don't get the confusing comment), and cozy, and we've always had a great and friendly crew. OV cabins are just fine for the shorter cruises, we can't always go on a 7+ day cruise.

 

I hate fantasy class ships with passion. Why? Because not enough balconies, only one pool on most, and very confusing layout. It just doesn't work. Not very effective.

 

I vote to sink them to contribute to wildlife and invest in a newer small ships with better and effective designs.

 

My wife and I just took our first cruise on a fantasy class ship and actually really liked it. I'd been leery of them because they were older and didn't have many balconies. We took a short cruise in an ocean view and really enjoyed the ship. I agree I can't see how they could ever be considered confusing.

They've recently comverted some OV's into balconies on Sensation (and maybe others).

[golfadj]

Even the older ones like the Fantasy and the Ecstasy??

 

Since they have no new ships on order expect them to be around for some time.

[dioxide45]

:D Maybe CCL could use the smaller ships on river/great lakes cruises. That would open up a whole new market for them. We midwesterners have no nearby cruise ports- lg river/great lakes cruising would be perfect for us.

 

It's been kicked around. But it's a pretty short season:)

 

I would think it would not be very economical to use these ships on inland waterways. They would need to employ US/Canadian based crews (and pay those high wages). The ships could no longer be flagged in the Bahamas or Panama.

[big_duck]

I would think it would not be very economical to use these ships on inland waterways. They would need to employ US/Canadian based crews (and pay those high wages). The ships could no longer be flagged in the Bahamas or Panama.

 

Not to mention, at the least no casinos or at the most they would be handing a lot of the casino profit over to the various Governments

[jimbo5544]

Seems much more likely for them to expand home cruise ports.....where is the question. Couple years ago they were talking about South America and even a homeport in Mexico.

[NCTribeFan]

I hate fantasy class ships with passion. Why? Because not enough balconies, only one pool on most, and very confusing layout. It just doesn't work. Not very effective.

 

I vote to sink them to contribute to wildlife and invest in a newer small ships with better and effective designs.

 

Some of us aren't balcony snobs, either! :p

 

And the newer ships (except the Spirit class) are all just bigger versions of Fantasy class (you just get the added pain-in-the-rear of having the galley block TWO decks instead of one).

 

And since I've never stuck a toe in a ship's pool (other than the spa pool on Glory and one hot tub in the Serenity area on Fantasy), I couldn't care less about the Lido area. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid the loud drunks and the bad music.

 

But, thank goodness, so far, NO BIG TV to blare and annoy even more than the bad music! :D

 

I would dearly LOVE to see more ships along the Spirit class, but I just doubt that that will happen. It's all about bigger, newer, cram more people on the ship, and poor space ratios. Economies of scale, you know? :(

[spencercoop]

Since they have no new ships on order expect them to be around for some time.

 

That's what I figured. But so many people insist that they will start retiring them sooner than later.

[spencercoop]

Seems much more likely for them to expand home cruise ports.....where is the question. Couple years ago they were talking about South America and even a homeport in Mexico.

 

That's interesting I hadn't heard about this until now. Do you know what ports they were considering?

[golfadj]

That's what I figured. But so many people insist that they will start retiring them sooner than later.

 

As long as they bring a profit figure they will keep them around.

[Leeroy-Jenkins]

How do they expect to fill all those cabins in this economy?

 

Pricing.

[CruiseHealing]

I recently had lunch with a friend who is senior executive with one of the larger cruise lines. I asked the question about all of the new ships and are the cruise lines over building. The answer was a strong no. The industry is growing for many reasons, value vacation, european issues, and hassles and additional costs of air travel. The latter issue is one of the main reasons they are building more ships. Market studies have shown one of the reason people do not take cruises is because of the air cost and or hassle, i.e. TSA. So, if people are passing on cruises because of the air travel issues, they need to bring the ships closer to them. Example, CCL Miracle to New Year, CCL to Galveston, Disney Ship to Galveston. This trend of moving ships closer to their customers will continue. Of course, the question becomes what will these relocated ships visit. That is a challenge. Florida ships have the bahamas, and the crib and Mexico. But ships of the other locations do not offer the variety of ports. So, you will see the development of more ports for the northeast and gulf coast.

[*Mach*]

Even the older ones like the Fantasy and the Ecstasy??

 

 

Yep...

:)