New to cruising, Carnival Dream, Some things....

[Nutinsider]

Hey guys,

 

My name is Craig. I am new to cruising. I went on my first cruise a few weeks back and enjoyed it (mostly because the poker was super soft).

 

I left tampa on the Paradise, nice ship for first timers, however the 1995 panasonic TV with a broken remote was a bad first impression. Although, I didn't go cruising for the TV.

 

Just booked my second one on the carnival dream for december 1, and I am wondering which carnival ship is your favorite and why?

 

Which ship, in your opinion, is the best for poker? (biggest casino?)

 

Do all ships have the same food quality more or less?

 

It seems that cruise liners (carnival) are basically just a big up sell machine, I mean, their profit margins on getting you on board MUST be razor thin, think about it...80 bucks a day for unlimited food and lodging? Also the fuel costs....I mean jesus, I imagine that liners profit from excursions, on board gift shops, alcohol, photos, etc...Is this basically true?

 

Are all ships that are in the same class effectively the same? (ie: dream and magic same ship more or less?)

 

If this is this case it seems unwise to go on different ships within the same class. Is this correct?

 

This post ended up being way longer than I intended, but I do hope the line breaks made it easier to read and comprehend.

[RWolver672]

Hey guys,

 

My name is Craig. I am new to cruising. I went on my first cruise a few weeks back and enjoyed it (mostly because the poker was super soft).

 

I left tampa on the Paradise, nice ship for first timers, however the 1995 panasonic TV with a broken remote was a bad first impression. Although, I didn't go cruising for the TV.

 

Just booked my second one on the carnival dream for december 1, and I am wondering which carnival ship is your favorite and why? Any one of the Conquest Class because of their size and layout.

 

Which ship, in your opinion, is the best for poker? (biggest casino?) Don't play so I can't answer this one.

 

Do all ships have the same food quality more or less?Yes

 

It seems that cruise liners (carnival) are basically just a big up sell machine, I mean, their profit margins on getting you on board MUST be razor thin, think about it...80 bucks a day for unlimited food and lodging? Also the fuel costs....I mean jesus, I imagine that liners profit from excursions, on board gift shops, alcohol, photos, etc...Is this basically true? True and don't forget alcohol.

 

Are all ships that are in the same class effectively the same? (ie: dream and magic same ship more or less?)To a certain extent. The first in the class is more or less a trial. Then they add to the next ones in that class.

 

If this is this case it seems unwise to go on different ships within the same class. Is this correct? Not really. The decor is different and as I said above, the add to each new one in that class. And you go to different ports of call.

 

This post ended up being way longer than I intended, but I do hope the line breaks made it easier to read and comprehend.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and to cruising Craig. Hope you enjoy your next cruise.

[Gloria Mundi]

Hey guys,

 

It seems that cruise liners (carnival) are basically just a big up sell machine, I mean, their profit margins on getting you on board MUST be razor thin, think about it...80 bucks a day for unlimited food and lodging? Also the fuel costs....I imagine that liners profit from excursions, on board gift shops, alcohol, photos, etc...Is this basically true?

 

In the mass market lines, yes. And don't forget kickbacks from the shops in port. You can avoid this by taking a high-end line but the higher up-front price scares a lot of people away. Most choose to take the mass-market lines and fight off the upsells for things they don't want.

[MEMMIE]

Hi there,WE will be cruising with you on Dec 1ST dream.We are a group of 13 so far. most of the men love texas hold em and will be playing. We were on the Dream 2 years ago and my husband played every night untill about 5 am. they close the casino bar around 2 or 2.30 but the casino host let us continue to play untill 5 because they don't need a dealer.It was one of our best cruises and we have been on many.P.S. the people who played were very nice and not cut throat like some players i have seen in other games

[crusinfamof4]

We sailed on the Dream last August and loved it! I loved the way the Dream was decorated-it was so pretty! We will sail the Dream next August to Eastern this time. And the Dream does not have a tv from 1995, it was a nice flat screen.

[Nutinsider]

Hi there,WE will be cruising with you on Dec 1ST dream.We are a group of 13 so far. most of the men love texas hold em and will be playing. We were on the Dream 2 years ago and my husband played every night untill about 5 am. they close the casino bar around 2 or 2.30 but the casino host let us continue to play untill 5 because they don't need a dealer.It was one of our best cruises and we have been on many.P.S. the people who played were very nice and not cut throat like some players i have seen in other games

 

Oh cool, my gf, roomie, and his gf are going so maybe we will run into you. It is super likely I will run into your husband at the poker table since I try and play 5 hours a day.

 

Regarding your comment about the players...I share your sentiment. The players were very jovial and such on the Paradise.

 

Quick question...How big is the jogging track?

[Nutinsider]

In the mass market lines, yes. And don't forget kickbacks from the shops in port. You can avoid this by taking a high-end line but the higher up-front price scares a lot of people away. Most choose to take the mass-market lines and fight off the upsells for things they don't want.

 

 

Aha, thanks for confirming my suspicions...not to get all economics on you and stuff, but what do you think the break even time is for the average ships build. I worded that poorly, but what I mean is the following.

 

Say carnival builds ship xyz for an upfront cost of 400 million. How long does it take to recoup that initial 400 million cost?

[Gloria Mundi]

Say Carnival builds ship xyz for an upfront cost of 400 million. How long does it take to recoup that initial 400 million cost?

 

No idea! I'm sure a lot depends on the economy and the cost of fuel over the period. I ought to look into it, though- I just bought CL stock and so it directly affects my finances. Not by a lot, though- just bought 100 shares.:)

[MEMMIE]

Oh cool, my gf, roomie, and his gf are going so maybe we will run into you. It is super likely I will run into your husband at the poker table since I try and play 5 hours a day.

 

Regarding your comment about the players...I share your sentiment. The players were very jovial and such on the Paradise.

 

Quick question...How big is the jogging track?

The track is a good size easy to navigate in the early morning but the area gets crowded in the afternoon when mini golf is open and people stop to watch.

[firefly333]

Aha, thanks for confirming my suspicions...not to get all economics on you and stuff, but what do you think the break even time is for the average ships build. I worded that poorly, but what I mean is the following.

 

Say carnival builds ship xyz for an upfront cost of 400 million. How long does it take to recoup that initial 400 million cost?

 

Actually a lot of things on Magic are better to me.. and lots have said Magic is better .. so the generalization might or might not be true specifically.

 

Magic and Breeze have the Red Frog Pub .. no other ships have this, and no others planned.

 

Magic and Breeze have the rope course.. no other ships planned or have it.

 

Only Magic and Breeze do the Italian pay restaurant at night for $12.. so if you like Italian for dinner, and I hear they have ribs or some such that are very good.

 

Magic improved the ventilation that was designed wrong on Dream.

 

Magic has a more toned done decorating scheme .. the main decorator is finally not totally in the forefront and breeze also.

 

So to say none of these changes matter .. and more.. is maybe true for you.. but not for me. I would strongly prefer Magic if they both were the same price.

 

People who tell you its no difference .. probably have Dream booked and so of course they will tell themselves.. who cares about the new stuff.

[demos]

Actually a lot of things on Magic are better to me.. and lots have said Magic is better .. so the generalization might or might not be true specifically.

 

Magic and Breeze have the Red Frog Pub .. no other ships have this, and no others planned.

 

Magic and Breeze have the rope course.. no other ships planned or have it.

 

Only Magic and Breeze do the Italian pay restaurant at night for $12.. so if you like Italian for dinner, and I hear they have ribs or some such that are very good.

 

Magic improved the ventilation that was designed wrong on Dream.

 

Magic has a more toned done decorating scheme .. the main decorator is finally not totally in the forefront and breeze also.

 

So to say none of these changes matter .. and more.. is maybe true for you.. but not for me. I would strongly prefer Magic if they both were the same price.

 

People who tell you its no difference .. probably have Dream booked and so of course they will tell themselves.. who cares about the new stuff.

 

 

The OP is from Atlanta area like myself. Driving or flying to Port Canaveral and Tampa are eaiser, than flying to Texas for Magic. Breeze will be a nice option in Miami, but still much closer to drive to Dream. Have you been on the Dream? The decor is also more toned down and yes I am booked to go again.;)

OP enjoy your cruise on the Dream she is a great ship.