jimbo5544

People who routinely break the law (and escape from prison en masse) would never cross over a border between two countries on the same island....😦 or go into a privately owned area 😦....

threads like this one are part of what makes CC so good.

Agree on the itineraries, that said, they do a lot of what other ships do. I feel we are looking way more for the unique ones, we have done Cozumel, Nassau, Amber Cove, GT, Jamaica, GC so so much. Probably makes us somewhat unique.... New Orleans is one unique place, that said, only sailed out of there a couple times, kind of the same issue on ports.... We have def sailed out of Miami most, (most likely because we have been doing it for so long....), PC would probably be second....but I digress.....

I vaguely recall freshman macro economics 101🤪 It is one interesting homeport, that reeks of history. The downside is distance from the airport for those that fly in.

One more time. many (as in the majority) do not know this. They want the free drink cruises that NCL promotes (as in everywhere), I am on this thread for the same reason…. I know this because I answer the calls and emails. Almost every single request we get. Whether there are different options (we know there are and explain that) but they want the 3 for free (which are not free). That was my point of no free lunch. I know this because Del Rio told a room of TA’s that is the way he changed the industry (and he did). He also stated he would NEVER return to discounting cabins. Your experience seems to be they offer the best deals, which is good. All lines offer things that draw cruisers to them. What works for some, does not work for others. All good.

Semantics….speaking of laughing….

It has not been good there for a LONG LONG time, like before papa doc and baby doc ruined their side of the island. Being isolated on cruise ship ports makes it somewhat better, but certainly not a good thing.

Sadly, you are correct….another topic for another day….

We are getting off topic, but for the sake of an answer, I will reply. By me saying “I” it was just to get the point across. While I do not have the data to back it up, I am pretty sure that most cruisers stay loyal to their product of choice (this is a Carnival thread…right, or did I wander off the reservation?. The proof is the growth of loyalty numbers (which has grown exponentially), just one example, I could give more examples….. Certainly true of the majority of cruisers. Those that flip flop are the minority, just the facts. Now for the “parading” of the new RCCL Monstrosity of the Seas. While I cannot argue that Icon has the draw, and they certainly are sticking it to their loyal customers (BIG TIME) in terms of price, but that said, we have already talked to the downsides of ships this big, I will not bore you unless you want with those details. The math tells us things will have to change, Oversaturated market, 2 BILLION per ship, limited ports of call, etc. etc. etc. Lastly, she is butt ugly, and I would wager, almost laughable, when you see it. I doubt I would sail her for free, and DEF not for the insane pricing they are demanding from their loyal clientele (Loyal Royals….ahhh I remember them, another topic for another day). Icon is butt ugly, but I digress…..you did bring it up tho.

I misspoke, I meant most profitable per cabin. Not even close. That said, if the itineraries were more varied, and they had more slips, she would easily win. The amount of people within a 3 1/2 hour drive makes it so. We could het into the whole Houston cruise port, but that is another story for another thread.

Read the add. I am 100% sure on this.

John is a quality guy even to some here who bash him (I can give details of you want). . Some here think we are close, but just know him casually. There has been splinter groups on here and on FB who made it their duty to maKe his life miserable. Again, off line I could give details. Does he play it on his FB page? Sure.

How is that virgin thing going, heard they are sailing at 60%. Miami is.Carnival’s 3rd best port (not even close to PC and the king Galveston). If I am sailing Carnival why do I care what RCCL does. Just plain silly,

The Kool Aid is working I guess.

My last comment on the topic and I will move on. To me, John is a brand spokesperson, doing his job. NCL advertises to every single client that way John hits a minority certainly under 25%. If NCL hits the mark for someone great, everybody makes choices.

Options and choices are a good thing.

Do not disagree, but that is his job.

Trust me they really do think they are free.

I will make sure I tell them they are ridiculous. 😏

There are ways to minimize the crowds, and that sure is one way. Another is Havana cabins and area (not the same as Vista class, but defined area that is just for those cabins). We were traveling with our kids and some of our 15 grand kids. They cannot stay in those areas, we wanted to be with them. We know about how busy these sailings are and our kids grew up on them. This date was the only option for them (spring break week), and we were cruising to be with them. My point was that if it were just us, you can pick a different (relatively) close date, have a much less crowded ship and sail at a fairly significant lower price.

I was not comparing the two lines, just the fact of how they price it on NCL. You understand how to use it for your benefit (as everybody should do). The majority (vast) do not…don’t care either, they can spend their money how they want. The way NCL wants it I might add, occasional light drinkers thinking they are getting drinks for free and getting a few a day. The winner there is NCL (or any other line) The nickel and diming I talked to was in the area of for pay opportunities. NCL led the way in this area and while I do not have the desire t proof it out, believe they still do. All cruise lines now do it. Not a dig either, they changes cruising for a lot of us, freestyle dining as an example. Future cruise certs have been tried and used on all lines, some still do (NCL and RCCL as example), Carnival dropped out of that, do not know why, not really important why either. Last night I talked to an old friend I ran into who just got their first Princess cruise. Do not what Princess calls it and cannot remember what CCL used to call it, but the early flight check in and your bags leave outside your door and show up at Baggage Claim at home airport). They loved it, and are big Celebrity cruisers. I can’t remember why Carnival dropped it (probably git over used, bu the point is everybody has their swizzle, all aimed at retraining and getting customers.

I am wrong all the time. What I am saying is “the deal” is in the marketing. If I was not a drinker, could I get the room cheaper? I was not referring to discounts for Vets, first responders etc. It was not a knock on NCL, we could discuss their nickel and diming (they all do it, NCL just lead the way and do it more (actually sat in on a seminar from Del Rio telling TA’s about this). Future cruise discounts are another discussion. You and I cruise a lot, the majority not so much. It offers a discount and handcuffs the purchaser to that cruise line (maybe good, maybe not) but again a different discussion. In terms of Carnival and pricing, there is little doubt, often, they are not the least expensive but may well be the higher end of the market. We could debate to logic and rationale, but that would be a totally different topic and discussion..

Bingo, same thing for west coast sailings.

Or they just want the moola.

As is almost every single thread. Seems you keep wanting to bring it up. If it bothers you to read these posts, just skip them. No speculation there.