The Cruise Ship and Cruise Line Discussion Thread!

[Jew]

^I agree. It's a weird mix of good ideas (IMAX, cabana cabins, brewery) and a bunch of copying RCCL and NCL to try and be more upscale. It also seems to be like the ship was made for the U.S. market, but sailing out of Europe?

[PalmTree55]

Agreed. I feel as if Carnival is struggling to come up with new quality public areas and attractions, so they just take cues from NCL and RCCL. The Cycle thing loos extremely tacky as well, not to mention how bad the capacity will be. Does anyone know if the IMAX theater is an up charge, or included with your fare?

[Jew]

^Upcharge. Though their press release says it will be "cheaper than land" and feature a mix of first run movies as well as older movies (maybe those will be free).

 

Also noticed that it will start in Europe and head to NYC...seems like they are late to that party.

[SharkTums]

^Oh wow, I didn't look at the full thing and see that they're charging for the IMAX. That seems like something that may change. All the other lines do 3D/4D movies and shows and don't charge at all.

[DirkFunk]

Given how they've positioned themselves now, I wonder if a lot of these activities (like the cycle monorail) will be upcharge too. Making it a $2 fee would make up for the capacity issue.

 

Carnival running it out of Europe for awhile isn't that new when they have a new ship since they're built there. It'll probably never go back. They seem to have left that market to Costa/P&O/Princess/HAL after the Sunshine showed up late and half finished to do routes there. I know they moved the Splendor up to NYC, so perhaps they're seeing a lot of potential capacity for 7-8 night cruises to the Bahamas from there to fill?

[robbalvey]

Now, onto the Cycle Monorail...some whores will try to count this as a credit I'm sure but it's just another very odd choice of attraction. It will make the outside of the ship look kind of weird, it's pretty low capacity, and just a very odd choice.

I saw it as an "AquaDuck Knock-Off" like Carnival went "Hmmm...we want something that goes around the perimeter of the ship, kind of like AquaDuck..but we don't want it to be a water slide because then they'll just say we are copying Disney..."

 

It personally seems like a really boring attraction.

Edited January 24, 2015 by robbalvey

[Stu K]

Always fancied a brewery at sea shame it went to Carnival. Quite like the New NCL escape? With craft beer bar and the 1st margaritaville at sea!

 

Stu K

[Meteornotes]

Hey Carnival, you can come up with all the restaurant concepts you want, but you seem to be missing the main goal: making your food actually edible.

 

I shudder at the thought of a "Chef's Table" on one of their ships...

 

dt

[lankou]

RCCL and STX just began the fourth "Oasis class" construction (delivered in 2018) :

 

 

And here a pic I've take this morning showing the advancement of Oasis 3 (delivered in 2016) :

 

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I really hope these two new ships stand out compared to the Allure and Oasis. Keep some of the same, but make them noticeably different as well.

Edited February 6, 2015 by COASTER FREAK 11

[lankou]

I really hope these two new ship stand out compared to the Allure and Oasis. Keep some of the same, but make them noticeably different as well.

 

RCCL said that there would be innovations but do not detail. For the moment, we just know that the new boats will be more fuel efficient.

[Jew]

I really hope these two new ships stand out compared to the Allure and Oasis. Keep some of the same, but make them noticeably different as well.

 

I would imagine they will take some of the stuff that worked well on the Quantum class and bring it to these ships (and then go back an retrofit the first two).

Edited February 6, 2015 by Jew

[lankou]

 

On this artists view, it seem to have a waterslide.

it is also likely that she will include some of the new Quantum features, such as Virtual Balconies and dining options.

( http://www.rcifans.com/apps/blog/categories/show/1283422-oasis-class )

[laqueefa]

I've been thinking about taking a cruise to Mexico (possible 3-5 day). Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Stu K]

make sure Cabo San Lucas is on the itinerary fantastic port.

 

We did 7 Mexican Riviera cruise Mazalan was not great (they were re building it lol) PTO varta (bad spelling) Was fun.

 

Stu K

[robbalvey]

Disney Cruise Line Introduces Star Wars Day at Sea on Select Disney Fantasy Sailings

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2015) – In 2016, Disney Cruise Line guests can celebrate the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga during a brand-new, day-long celebration aboard eight special sailings on the Disney Fantasy: Star Wars Day at Sea.

 

Marking the first official appearance of the heroes and villains of Star Wars aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship, Star Wars Day at Sea combines the power of the Force, the magic of Disney and the excitement of cruising for an out-of-this-galaxy experience unlike any other.

 

Occurring one day during each of eight Disney Fantasy sailings, Star Wars Day at Sea will transport guests to a galaxy far, far away — in the Western Caribbean. The event features a full day of Star Wars celebrations, including a deck party, meet-and-greets with favorite characters, Star Wars-themed youth activities, unique food and beverage offerings, and special merchandise.

 

Also featured will be exclusive at-sea screenings of the Star Wars films and the new Disney XD animated series, Star Wars Rebels.

 

Throughout the day, Star Wars Younglings, Padawans and Jedi Masters alike will enjoy the immersive entertainment. Intergalactic highlights include:

 

Force-filled Fun for Everyone

 

Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Stormtroopers and other characters from across the Star Wars galaxy will be onboard for scheduled meet and greets, as well as roaming on deck and elsewhere around the ship. Guests also are encouraged to dress up in their own stellar costumes.

A shipboard version of the popular Jedi Training Academy experience invites young Jedi hopefuls – known as “Padawans” – to learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master. They can then use the Force and face off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader.

Kids and families enjoy friendly competition during Star Wars trivia games, covering fun facts from the film and television sagas.

For Younglings, Star Wars-themed arts and crafts, games and activities will be offered throughout the day in Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab youth clubs.

In the evening, adults entering the night club will feel like they stepped into the Mos Eisley cantina scene. Characters and cantina music set the mood as Star Wars-themed specialty cocktails are served.

 

Film Screenings and Celebrities

- Guests can watch the first six Star Wars films and follow Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke and Leia along their epic journey.

- Also showing will be episodes of the new Disney XD animated series, Star Wars Rebels.

- On each of the special sailings, celebrities and insiders from the Star Wars galaxy will share their experiences, meet fans and sign autographs.

 

Star Wars Deck Party and Fireworks

- There’s intergalactic fun when the Star Wars deck party blasts off to an exciting evening filled with music, dancing and games.

- Star Wars characters converge on the deck stage for a celebration of the Star Wars saga in a show featuring special effects and guest participation.

- The deck party culminates in a spectacular display of themed pyrotechnics, lighting, sound effects, lasers and Star Wars

 

Star Wars Day at Sea will be on Disney Fantasy cruises sailing on Jan. 9, 23; Feb. 6, 20; March 5, 19; April 2 and 16, 2016. Departing from Port Canaveral, the seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

 

- See more at: http://dclnews.com/2015/02/11/disney-cruise-line-introduces-star-wars-day-at-sea-on-select-disney-fantasy-sailings/#sthash.sUOdicRs.dpuf

[cfc]

I want to see Vader on the Aquaduck water slide.

[Meteornotes]

I want to see Vader launch the Death Star at any nearby Carnival ships.

 

dt

[cfc]

I want to see Vader launch the Death Star at any nearby Carnival ships.

 

dt

 

 

Or at least use his "choke power" on some of the more obnoxious Carnival passengers.

[DJeXeL]

Costa Concordia Captain Found Guilty in Fatal Shipwreck, Sentenced to 16 Years

[gisco]

Looks like Schettino is going to get 16 years for the Costa Concordia accident. Poor guy .... not!

[Jew]

Crazy how it was only 16 years given the amount of lives lost and damage caused!

[SharkTums]

^Three words. Italian Justice System. He's not even going to jail now as they work on his appeal. And he's still sticking to the story that he "fell into a lifeboat". WTF!?!?!?

[cfc]

^The Force was not with him.

 

Or, perhaps, in the Italian justice system, the Force is with him.

Edited February 12, 2015 by cfc

[Jew]

I can't help but picture the trial being a bunch of people talking like Peter Griffin's Italian.