FLSteve11

Keep checking prices. The last time I checked, I could get a oceanview cabin on Oasis for the same price as an inside on Magic for my upcoming cruise. Magic has went up 50% since we booked last May while on Magic.

I would get a balcony if they can. They're usually not that much more on Oasis class ships (since there are so many balconies and not many OV's) Especially for those who might worry about the lack of ocean views from the public spaces (which is generally true, outside of the upper decks and back of boardwalk area).

We have not experienced Royal yet. Our booking style is to look for the ship that fits our wants (timing, embarkation port, itinerary, etc) for a price we are willing to pay (budget has varied significantly base on the vacation). Very rarely has Royal made it into our top 5 ships and when it has the price difference with the other ships we were looking at made hard to justify choosing them. Someday we will I am sure.

 

I am currently researching cruises for on our 30th anniversary next year. Right now I have 3 on my short list based mostly on itineraries and timing. They are CCL Conquest, NCL Breakaway, and RCI Allure. They are all different embarkation ports, itineraries, and length of cruise so it is hard to compare them side by side. The are all Balconies with Ocean Views. In my mind NCL Breakaway currently has the edge due mainly to it being 11 nights and the itinerary. It is the most expensive on my list in a pp/pd breakdown...but it is our 30th anniversary so I am willing to splurge a little.

 

TBH the Royal mega ships haven't appealed to either DH or myself that much when compared to the other ships on our short lists in the past. I like knowing I am on ship, with the feel, sight, and sound of the ocean. I don't see that much of that in this neighborhood concept of Royals. I could be wrong and we will probably find out someday when we try them. DH not only prefers smaller ships for their layout but he also doesn't like all the walking involved in the mega-ships. The only Mega ship we have sailed on so far was NCL Epic. While he loved the entertainment and venue options he didn't like the sheer size of the ship and what it took to get from one side to the other. We will be sailing on NCL Escape in September and CCL Fantasy in October. Our compromises to each other. I expect we will both have a blast on both cruises.

I liked Escape more then Epic (and more then Breakaway, though they're similar really. Escape is just a larger version of Breakaway with a few more things on it). I thought the crew on it were wonderful, and did a lot for us. Epic was probably the smokiest ship I've been on, due to the casino running down most of one deck with the open air atriums. Escape/Breakaway has a similar thing, but either there were less smokers, or they did a better job with it. Make sure to do the Brat Pack show, it was a lot of fun. (The After Midnight..well..you really need to like Cotton Club type music. It was enjoyable for about 30-45 minutes and then we couldn't wait for it to end).

We had a lousy time on the Fantasy, might be our worst cruise. It was unusual for a Carnival cruise in that there just wasn't much to do, lacked the activities you normally see, food was not that great. I call that a 1-off bad cruise not a Carnival thing. Hopefully they've changed things around a little in the past year.

As for the others, Oasis class (and Disney Dream class) are probably my two favorites in terms of ship classes, but it's hard to beat an11-night cruise over a 7-night :) If it's in colder seasons, realize the first and last day you might not get much outdoor time, but still things to do.

No, they're not. They are significantly smaller. By about 45,000 tons.

I think they might hold more people though, or about the same amount. Not saying that's a good thing though. More people on a smaller ship.

Being from England most of our cruises are in Europe and i never have a problem with the lounges so feel sympathetic to you in the US.

I understand the enhancements on Oasis class so they really need 3 lounges on this type of ship

 

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With a daughter, we tend to school when school is not in session. The lounges are usually not that crowded then either. It's the TA/repo's and the fall/winter times that most of the really frequent (ie retired/semi-retired) people cruise that the lounges really get crowded.

Good point. Given that the more intimate experience of smaller ships is part of what the luxury brands like Seabourn offer, I doubt they'd transfer them in that direction. As you suggest, these transfers will invariably be to other markets where customer perceived value is not so strongly aligned with newer ships.

No, it probably won't be to a luxury line. Most people there are not interested in sailing on a Fantasy class styled ship even if it was redecorated (not even sure they can do that, most of the walls and such are prefabbed). It would be a "more minor line" for lack of a better word coming to mind. P&O is the closest that comes to mind in the Carnival fleet. It's where they got, and then moved back, the Adonia to make Fathom (for that short period of time).

You might want to reword that first line ... how about "For me, Oasis is a slam dunk."

 

 

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For the cruising industry in general, Oasis really was a slam dunk. I don't think even Royal thought it would be as popular as it was. As they only ordered 2 initially, then changed their minds and started making more after they were the big hits.

Seems like a good idea to me. They might not need to bring on new things like flow rider just more acces to things that they already have. I so wanted to do thrill theater but it was always full. Or biger specialty restaurants. I do think people woulf use and enjoy rock climbing i definatly would.

 

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They will bring on new things, that's the trend. There are so many ships coming out, you need something to make it stand out to some extent. Plus, the simple thing is most people expect it now. Certainly those with families (which Carnival is obviously heavily catering to) want to have an assortment of things to keep all members of the family happy. Not only are multiple generations sailing in those cases, but even within generations people like different things. Some are highly active, some like to sit and read, others love live entertainment, and even more like crafts and trivia. The bigger the ship, the easier it is to give a wider variety of things to do, so the easier it is to make a wider variety of people happy. (And when one person in a family is vocally unhappy, they all are). It's what made the Oasis class such a big hit, and really started this trend of mega ships with multiple venues and activities for families. For an older couple on their own, that's no big deal. For larger groups and families, it can make a big difference.

They do have decisions to make....and selling the Fantasy class does not appear to be in the cards.

I think you're right. At some point the fleet will be to where it doesn't make sense to keep the older ships. Particularly with the large number of mega ships coming in on mass market lines, the number of staterooms available is going to already climb a lot over the next 7-8 years. RCL is doing the same, slowly getting rid of their older Vision class ships. They'll probably "sell" them into a different brand in the company, P&O for example could be where some of them end up. Otherwise they get sold to a lesser cruise line overseas.

I feel most of Carnival's ships for a long time have been iterations of the Destiny class. A few new improvements and features are introduced with each new class, but the overall design of each class has been pretty similar. It will be interesting to see what a new shipyard has to offer with the upcoming 180k ton class ships. Will they stray far from the current formula that has seemed to work for Carnival? I love Carnival as it is, but it would be interesting to have the Carnival experience in a new, different setting.

They've mentioned a few times during the future cruise sales events that one of the things they're proud of is the ships have a similar layout across the fleet. This way someone who doesn't cruise often will have a familiarity to the cruise ship and will make it easier to orient themselves on a new ship. I'm glad they're supposed to be doing a new plan for the new larger ships, one of the things I like about trying out ships in different fleets is getting a new experience. It's one of the reasons we don't stick to one line (they all have their plus's and minus's after all).

Could that actually work? Curfews? Clearly there would have to be some consequence for violating curfew. Could a cruise line legitimately get away with putting a family off the ship at the next Port if younger member of the family breaks curfew?

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

Royal Caribbean has a 1am curfew for anyone under 18 who is unattended by a parent/guardian. If security spots them, they generally get their id, then walk them back to their cabin. If they go out again, they will be confined to the cabin (not sure how long, I assume a day at first). So it does work. I wont' say it's strictly enforced, though ti depends on the ship and crew.

So bottom line sounds like the scenario I gave you feel is rare enough that you don't feel the need to have your preteen with you at all times or within eyesight. I on the other hand do think it's worthwhile I do that.

 

So would you let your daughter walk around outside a large club as long as you knew what she was doing? Of course it's a high-end posh nightclub in a good neighborhood before 2 a.m....

 

So how do you get such detailed information about all crimes on a cruise that breaks down not only that it was sexual assault but that it wasn't someone pulling them into the cabin?;p

Yes, pretty much. We just have different ideas on what we allow our kids to do based on situations. I think most of it really is overlap and the same. But that's why people are different and have different views on things.

Depends on the nightclub obviously. But if I was somewhere in the nightclub (like on the ship), and it was a nice place, then I would let her walk and go do things. Granted a nightclub that allows children in it probably is not going to be too bad :) We went to a concert about a week ago. She had to go to the bathroom at one point, and there was no problem with letting her go on her own. Same with going to get a refill of her drink. I knew where she was going and about how long it would take. But that's also a location that would be more open then a cruise ship as well (more people).

I work as a TA part-time, so I like to keep up on things. And obviously I love cruising so I read all sorts of things about it. I don't know exact figures on how things happen, but virtually every report I read on it is from them being with a crew member (usually one they shouldn't), or doing things they shouldn't be doing (usually under-age drinking or hanging out in someone else's cabin, which is one of the main rules we don't let her do) :)

Quote: no one likes them lol agreed.

 

I realize seatbelts don't guarantee survival which is why I said possibly. What I'm trying to say is as a parent if you take every precaution necessary to protect your child to the best of your ability then that is all you can do. If something happened to my child in the scenarios I gave what I'm saying is I would personally feel some responsibility for it. Likewise for instance if someone pulled my daughter into their cabin on the way to lay out and raped her I would feel some personal accountability for not going with her. I also would be I'm sure distraught and severely regretful for allowing her to go alone. I'm sure you know that a lot of sexual assaults aren't because people are dressed provocatively, it is after 2 am, or in a bad neighborhood.

I'd feel bad too, of course. The "grabbing and pulling in cabin by a stranger thing" just almost never happens though. It's a very rare event. Exaggerated by publishing the rare event that happens for days as if it's the norm, and from far too many episodes of CSI, NCIS, Law & Order, etc. We just tend to imagine worst case scenarios in our mind as people, even if they're very unlikely to happen. It's a natural thing we do. But even in the rare cases listed on cruise ships, that's not what happens. And yes, a lot of sexual assaults aren't from those things. It's almost always a relative, friend, close acquaintance or someone they know and trust (coach, teacher, pastor, etc). Occurring in their home, or a place they frequently go to (school, church, regular sports place). But we can't stop them from being in their home or school. I can keep them out of bad neighborhoods and set a curfew. :)

Key West is one of my favorite places. Things I recommend - the Hemingway House with its 6-toed cats, Harry Truman's Little White House, just walking up and down Duval Street, getting picture taken in front of the buoy at the southernmost point in the US, and eating anything with key lime in it.

 

Roz

If you're going to go to Hemmingway House, the lighthouse is almost right across the street. There is a small museum with that has some history. You can climb to the top and get some really nice views from up there. I don't remember it costing much either.

Sorry if I came off as looking for a man.

I have been living the single life for 2 years.

I do know how to do things along and love to, but the cruise was a family affair.

I am just bracing myself for all of the potential downtime and would like to find tricks that someone else may have came across that worked for them.

Please don't read more into this..

You still have the gym to work out in.

I would get involved in activities. Trivia, game shows, arts and crafts, dance classes, etc. There are usually a number of things going on besides the big shows and eating. Try some new things out, you may find you like them and have a new hobby to do. Look up the roll call for your cruise and get involved in it. Chances are you might find someone else who you relate to and have someone to hang out with or group activities. While it isn't most cruises (since I'm usually with my DW and DD), there are some cruises where we had a great roll call and people would play games together, or even just hang out and chat about things.

Steve while I think you have a somewhat good point about the car accidents and the drowning I think the difference maybe some or at least I see is a car accident or a drowning when you were doing everything you could for it to be safe for your child is different. If you let your child go swimming alone when they're not a strong swimmer or when the weather conditions are dangerous and they drowned to me that would be similar to if something happened to them from wandering around unsupervised on a ship. Same thing if I'm in a car accident and I didn't make my child wear their seatbelt and they were thrown from the vehicle and killed again I could have easily possibly prevented that with a little more effort on my part.

This by no means is saying that you are a selfish or uncaring parent. If you are allowing your child within guidelines to do certain things because you feel she's safe enough and to teach her independence that's your call and doesn't necessarily mean you're a bad parent.

People die wearing seat belts in accidents or when taking precautions, and oftentimes people drown even when they're with other people (usually from those not paying attention or not realizing what is happening). There is still a risk in it, it's just a lot smaller if you take precautions I would put the flip side like letting your child run around in a bad neighborhood wearing skimpy clothes, hanging out with drug or alcohol abusers, or roaming around at 2am, which is something I can (and do) prevent. Those are precautions which will remove most potential issues. Walking around taking care of themselves in a generally safe area at normal hours with guidelines is just not that risky. For a teen, or anyone really. If I was in a place that was, then certainly I would reign in what she could do.

Now, a parent that doesn't give guidelines, is off getting drunk and ignoring their kid, that's another issue. No one likes them. (But even then, they're generally safe and rarely does anything serious happen to them. They're more an annoyance issue then being in danger).

Ah...excellent...that means I can take my cat, Katie, onto the ship also! ;) ;p

 

Bella is restricted to the DL (Dog's Lounge) and Katie has to use the CL (Cat's lounge). :cool:

Wait, does that make the SL the Snake Lounge?!?

I wonder if they will give her a special Pinnacle dog collar.:)

I'm sure you could order one online, or make your own, like the therapy dog collars :)

Have you seen all the supposed "therapy" dogs? :o

We may be seeing a new designation for Bella in the future. :) Emotional Support Bella.

You must have hit it wrong indeed. Have lived near the Port Canaveral area more than 20 years, and have never seen it backed up like that. PC is the easiest port we have ever cruised out of. Cape Liberty is the real nightmare. :o

Probably. The traffic going to the end of the port was fine. It was turning into the area of the first 3 piers (NCL, Disney) that was awful. You turn into that port and there is a traffic light, with 1 lane for the road, and 3 ships worth of traffic coming into it.

Oh yes, I've done that port twice. Only reason it was ok for us is we were coming from my parents house on Staten Island and coming in from the other direction (over the Bayonne bridge). Since no one comes from that direction, and you are making a right at the light heading to the terminal road instead of a left, it's a lot easier. Actually, try sailing out of Manhattan with any decent sized ship. It's a madhouse. The terminal is built for ships much smaller ages ago (though nice going by the Statue of Liberty). The good part is, you're in manhattan so great for pre-post time there.

Statistics show that those who cite statistics are statistically speaking.

 

To those who blow it off by saying crime happens sometimes, how would you feel if you (or your child if you have any) were a victim of said crime and someone told you, "It happens?" ;)

 

We jumped from a delinquent kid jumping into a cruise ship pool to national crime statistics. :confused: Fact is, it's ok to be cautious. If a parent doesn't want to let their child roam free on a cruise ship out of cautiousness, that's their decision to make.

I'd feel the same as if I had a car accident, or a heart attack (much more likely things by the way). I'd feel upset that it happened. Does not change the likelihood that it would. Drowning is one of the biggest killers of kids, yet they still swim. Do you tell those families "It happens"?

I know, it is. If a parent wants to be cautious that's fine. It's their prerogative. At the same time, it's ok if a parent realizes how unlikely something is to happen and is fine with letting their child free to do things on a cruise ship in relative (no, not absolute) safety, with some guidelines of course (not just run wild until 3am) On here though, those people are called selfish, neglectful, and bad parents by people who are the cautious types. Which is how this conversation really came about, trying to show that some of these parents took thought into their decisions.

Fair enough, but you're saying that 350 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 5 murders per 100,000 people is the best we can hope for. :(

Oh I hope it gets better, I just don't think we'll see that too much while there are still quite a few gangs and drugs out there. Those, and Domestic incidents, make up the bulk of violent crime stats.

MSC has very specific cabin fares - basic, fantastico, wellness, and yacht club. They are specific in telling you what you get and don't get for each level. They also have a status match, so my Diamond level on Carnival gives me the highest Black Card perks on MSC, inc. a 5% fare reduction.

I booked a fantastico midship balcony on the brand new Seaside for under $2K for 2 people. I'm paying 60% more for a balcony on the Horizon.

 

For those saying "free" perks on NCL or Celebrity are included in their higher fares, check again. Sometimes true, sometimes not. I'm doing the totally remodeled Dawn in amid ship balcony for $400 pp less than those opting for the free perks. Even so, anyone who buys Cheers on Carnival would probably save going to NCL or Celebrity and getting the drink package in their cabin fare.

 

All this boils down to the need to check what's out there, get good at comparision shopping, and use different sites to check prices. And remember, the comparisions should be with similar class ships, of similar size and age for the most accurate cost analysis.

It's hard to compare MSC right now. Right now they're basically undercutting prices to get people on the ship and check them out to some extent. The same with the status match (which was an awesome marketing idea of theirs, I hope that person got a big bonus). I did like the Divina when I sailed on her, beautiful ship, though service was slow. I'm not sure how long all of what they're doing will last. By the way, you need to sail MSC every 3 years to keep that status match, so it's not permanent.

And yes, you need to comparison ship if you're checking on pricing. What do you get, and at what cost is all the bundled pricing? NCL's drink package requires you to pay the gratuities (which amounts to about $100pp on a 7-day cruise) for example. We don't drink much, so never take that package (we generally do the specialty dining, at a smaller gratuity add-on, and mostly the internet). The same goes with loyalty benefits, which have an added value to a cruise as well.

I agree that there are a bunch of cruisers 100% loyal to a brand. How often does someone post a negative comment about Carnival that they heard from someone who has never sailed Carnival? Just as often as someone who posts glowing comments about Carnival being the best, yet they haven't set foot on another brand's ship.

 

When I started cruising NCL Epic and Getaway, I commented about on CC about how great their entertainment was. I was told that the entertainment on these ships was not similar to what people get on their older ships , that the newer ships were indeed much better. As far as food, the newer ships of every line seem to have way more dining choices thru specialty restaurants than the older ships of the same line.

 

As for the cleanliness of the ships, Disney was the only line with an across the board 100% rating from CDC health inspections. Most lines were in mid pack, satisfactory, but Carnival did have one ship that failed and had to comply with a remedial program.

 

So, I think it is hard to compare apples to apples even within one cruise line's own ships, if they are a different class or age.

I definitely agree that there can be vast differences between ships in a cruise line. RCCL in particular has vast differences between the different classes of ships. It can be completely different experiences. NCL basically falls into two things, it's mega ships (Epic and "Away"+ ships) and the older ships. The older ships are the more typical 2-3 singer/dancer shows and fly-ins (which you'll find on the Dawn) for entertainment, and without the many of the other ship-things to do (less slides, venues, etc).

Carnival generally is more the same through the fleet. In fact I remember that being one of their proud points at one of those "future cruise talks" they did. That a person can go on any Carnvial ship and generally have the same feel to it, and similar layout. That doesn't count the food, cleanliness, crew and entertainment staff though. The Breeze was one of the more fun cruises I've had, the Fantasy probably the worst. It wasn't the ships really (though the Breeze is a newer, nicer, more things to do type ship), it was the all the other things that did it.

Royals Terminal since it moved haven't been a problem for us on last 4 cruises out of PC.

 

 

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Good to know! I've only done Disney and NCL out of PC.

John, really Laura and Bella make PC in October in MJ. JOHN is like me, the lady has the long shirt tails.

 

 

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Unfortunately for Bella, kids don't inherit Pinnacle status from their parents like other levels ;)