I sat there with my bowl of Muesli and fruit ready to face the challenges of the day. The Officers mess was quiet at 7:15 am and apart from Blanca the waitress I was all alone. Then, in came a chap I had never seen before and ignoring the 15 other empty tables…………he came and sat next to me.
He introduced himself as ………well………..I better not write his name here…………..but I can tell you that he was from New Hampshire and when he discovered I was from England he got very excited and told me “Really………that’s awesome because I have an old Jagwarr”………..I realized he meant Jaguar and then I realized something much worse………….he was going to tell me all about it……………..at 7:15 am in the morning ……………..and with my mind spinning with blogs and new ship stuff ……………. OH joy !
I don’t want to be rude about this man but I have no choice……………but he was probably the most boring man I have ever met.
You might think you know a bore. You may once have sat next to an accountant on a long-haul flight to Auckland. You’ve probably watched one of those four-hour black and white arty French films or seen Bob Dylan live. You may even have been forced as a child to read Shakespeare. But trust me on this; you do not understand the true meaning of tedium until you’ve had breakfast with a fan of the D-type Jag.
I love cars but this guy loved them like he was married to damn thing, and even as he shoveled in forkful’s of scrambled egg and sausage he kept going and going like the Duracell bunny.
He spoke about the people who he drove with every Sunday as even told me the chassis numbers of each car. I had so much do but he never once paused long enough for me to be able to say “Well, nice talking to you” before buggering off as quick as I could ……….
After 15 minutes I began to feel a blend of hatred and absolute lethargy. I wanted to lean across the table and stab him in the eye with a fork for taking up this much time of my busy day………but I couldn’t because I felt all tired and drowsy………….. I had been hypnotized by Jagwar man.
Opinions…………..everyone has one………….everyone is entitled to one………………..like my mate Mike in Kansas who posted this comment.
“Just read the press release above and looked at the deck plans and have to say that this is very disappointing to say the least. What is innovative about this ship?
I was expecting something new but all we have here is another Conquest class on steroids. The outer promenade deck has glass that will be shoulder high so how can anyone enjoy the sea air? People can look down on you from above while in the hot tubs on the promenade deck and also sunning in the lounge chairs. Also it looks as though Carnival is just trying to catch up to the competition. Disney added two bathrooms on their original ships. Royal Caribbean added family staterooms, water parks and the cantilevered hot tubs so none of this is innovative at all.”
Now, I am sure everyone reading this is expecting me to don my amour, jump on my trusty steed and charge head long into battle to defend the honour of Carnival Cruise Lines………………but I am not going to.
Mike has an opinion…………………I respect it greatly even though I obviously disagree ……………..and think Mike might actually be in the industry himself. It is also possible that Mike might actually be a lady. Now, I am not casting dispersions on Mike’s standing as a man, however, I do think it might be a cover name. I may be wrong and if I am, Mike I am truly sorry.
The fact that he refers to the Carnival Dream as a Conquest class on steroids is very interesting as I am sure the hundreds of thousands of people who have had the vacation of a lifetime on one of these class of ships will be jumping for joy in the knowledge that this massively popular class of ships has gotten bigger and better………even if it has taken some illegal steroid medication to achieve it.
So, Mike……………thanks for your opinion …………..I don’t agree with you……………but I respect the fact that you took the time to express yours.
Does anyone else have an opinion?………………….Let’s all share ours with each other.
Now, back to the present and here are some photos of the Gold Pearl Dining Room and the El Morocco Aft Lounge
Well, the air conditioning is on and the PA testing is over…………for now. A sense of urgency seems to have suddenly sprung up amongst the shipyard workers as they complete the outstanding work. The crew is working very hard in their respective areas and as each hour passes the ship gets closer to the big day.
On Friday we will have a General Boat Drill at 10 am followed by a crew meeting at which I will have a little fun with everyone as well as introducing the Captain who will say a few words as well.
Now, I mentioned yesterday that someone from AIDA had written to me saying how much they had enjoyed the “We are Cunard ” video and that they also had one that was just as good. Well, I think they may be right. Have a look at this film that was made as was Cunard’s for internal viewing only but is now available for the world to see.
Ja Gerne means “Yes, Please” which is the literal translation but what it actually means is that it is your pleasure to help, serve and assist……….Ja Gerne sums up perfectly Das Clubschiffs of AIDA.
Enjoy the movie.
http://medien.aida.de/medien/videos/jagerne.flv
By the way, I have not forgotten about the Samantha Brown interview I promised you last week. I am waiting for her to return with the answers and I should be able to post them very soon. If you missed the show featuring Samantha on the Carnival Inspiration, it will be repeated on Thursday. Details are here.
This morning I had my safety briefing from the Staff Captain, Safety Officer and Environmental Officer. We discussed the boat drills and various evacuation scenarios. Then I sat through a 40-minute briefing about chemicals, the environment and the new and improved fire fighting procedures here on the Carnival Splendor……….as I sat there my mind drifted back to when I was in school.
At school I used to adore physics lessons. The laboratory was full of things that could be accelerated at great speed either into the teacher, when his back was turned, or more usually through the window.
In fact the only thing I loved more than physics was chemistry, because we could put acid in one another’s lunch boxes and make bombs.
No, really. Put a tiny piece of sodium in a bit of water and you had a fizz that could blow up another boy’s homework. Put a lump of the stuff into a sink full of water and you could take down the entire classroom. I hated my teacher Mr. Reynolds because he hated me because I was crap at chemistry. When he would be sitting at his desk I would walk behind him and sprinkle it in his hair………………………. and hope for rain.
Unfortunately this sort of thing is no longer allowed in school laboratories. All the dangerous liquids are kept under lock and key and no child is ever allowed to sprinkle polonium onto another boy’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
This afternoon I will be meeting with loads of very important people to finalize the arrangements for the naming ceremony. There will be VP’s – SVP’s – VIP’s and me, needing a P. There’s a trend with party invitations to be a bit vague about when guests should arrive. I had one the other day that said the “do” would start after church and before lunch.
I hope it’s a meeting where someone says ” I need this, that, and this and that and I need it done by 9:14 pm tomorrow.”…….If not…………you are all fired. These are my kind of meetings and not those wishy-washy “Well, what’s your opinion Chuck because we haven’t heard from you and you have a beard and I don’t want you to think we are ignoring you because of your facial hair …………let’s listen to Chuck.” …………… well…….Chuck can bugger off and go shave. ……….while someone tells me what they want to happen.
One of the things we will be discussing will be the invitations that the invited guests will receive and I am dreading this as nobody so far has been able to decide exactly what they want on it……………and we have been discussing it since 2005.
There’s a trend with party invitations to be a bit vague about when guests should arrive and for Brits this is potential disaster. I had one the other day that said the “do” would start after lunch and before dinner. What does that mean, for heaven’s sake? Worse than this, however, are loose instructions about the dress code? Because, being British, we simply cannot cope if we turn up in jeans and find everyone else is in a suit…………you feel hot and sweaty and your teeth start to itch as all eyes stare at the underdressed commoner in the jeans and Smurf T-Shirt.
You can put a British soldier in a box in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp over looking the River Kwai and you won’t snap his steely resolve. You can leave him in an upturned boat in the middle of the south Atlantic and he’ll come through. But embarrass him — put him at a Black Tie event in a pair of sneakers — and you’ll snap his spirit in a jiffy.
I’ve watched this happen. Hundreds of people had been invited to a 40th, in a marquee with a band and all the trimmings. The invitation had said “dress to thrill” and so, at 8.30 pm on a lovely summer’s evening, the paddock was filling with BMWs and Range Rovers, and elegant couples dressed in black tie and evening gowns.
The man who pulled up in the big BMW, however, was not wearing a dinner jacket. He’d obviously got it into his head that “dress to thrill” had something to do with fancy dress and he looked quite pleased with himself as he stepped out of his car dressed as Evel Knievel……….his white jump suit sparkling in the moonlight.
Normally, this chap is strong and confident. In meetings, he deals with problems systematically and efficiently. But in that white groin-reviling outfit, in a paddock full of people in black tie, the pleased expression left his face in two seconds flat, taking with it all the blood and all of his dignity…
My mate Danny is a great laugh even though he is someone who has suffered from and beat dyslexia.
However he once had everyone laughing when he arrived at a TOGA party…………….. Dressed as a GOAT.
We had better get our naming ceremony invitations…………….. Absolutely perfect.
It’s time for lunch……..Eggs Benedict……..mmmm………no bread though
I look forward to reading everyone’s opinion on the fantastic Carnival Dream ………remember everyone is allowed an opinion ………I hope to hear yours.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and Mike / Michelle from Kansas
Filed under: Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor, El Morocco Aft Lounge, Gold Pearl Dining Room
I can disagree more with Mike in Kansas. I think the Carnival Dream will be just exactly what most cruisers are looking for. There will always be people who want to go on these gigantic Malls of the Sea with all of their gimmicks. But give me a ship that has great cabins, wonder views of the sea, (instead of a mall) great entertainment and food and cool public rooms and that is the ticket for a great cruise.
Have fun at the mall Mike. Sign me up for the Carnival Dream!
John, you’ve seen my opinion but I thought I’d let the folks here see it as well… This is from one of my recent posts on CruiseCritic.com…
‘In one of the other threads regarding the Oasis someone mentioned that RCI might be appealing to the new cruising family, a family that might be more at home at a theme park or a mall and I believe that to be correct. Keeping that in mind, I also believe that without the romance of the sea RCI built a vessel that won’t have any, or very few, return passengers.
What makes us sail? What brings us back to ships time and time again? The wonderful shopping on board? No. The superior latte that you got in a brand name café? No. The fact that your ship looks like the main street in your home town? No. It’s the sea. The sea brings us back. The sea is the hook. The sea is the main character in this amazing drama.
The Dream invites you to linger with sea views. It invites you to smell salt air and perhaps even feel the spray on your face from a Cove balcony.
Carnival, in my opinion, ‘gets it’. They understand why we cruise not just how to get us on a ship.
From everything I’ve seen, the Dream is a spot on accomplishment. I’m stunned and thrilled…’
Just my $.02.
Thanks for letting me tell all of our Blogging family…
Cheers!
Host Mach from Cruise Critic
Ahhh, Chemistry class!
John, you are so right. We of a “certain age” certainly had more fun with chemicals than kids can today. We made “bombs” out of tin cans with press-fit lids that we filled with natural gas. I was given a bottle full of mercury and some glass tubing to make manometers for our class-built laser. Once, when the regular teacher was out for the day, I discovered the substitute teacher had no idea what we were doing. So, I set a half-pound of magnesium chips on fire! It’s a good thing the classroom had no smoke detector or I would have been responsible for evacuating the whole school.
John, my opinion about the Dream? I think it is beautiful and I can hardly wait to see it. It’s hard for me to come up with words to do it justice. Staterooms that will allow families of 5 to room together and not have to have 2 rooms, bathrooms with a tub not just a shower, I love a tub to soak in when my back and feet hurt. Maybe this will be the ship that I will have to have a room with a balcony. We have never had a room where we could sit out and enjoy the sunrise.
We still have a cruise on the Splendor in Nov and it is absolutely gorgeous, too. The Gold Pearl dining room looks like it would demand formal dress every evening. It is so elegant looking.
I will feel like I’m in a palace.
Did you ever check out the color of the couches? Hopefully they are some color besides orange for a change????? But even if they are orange I’m sure the decor is beautiful.
Don and I discussed the first cruise on the Dream out of NYC. Well maybe it was more like I talked and he listened, that is the way you discuss things isn’t it??? and then we decided…… well actually he said, “what ever you want to do” Isn’t he a great hubby? He stays out of the doghouse that way… want him to give you lessons John? snicker Sooooooooo we will be on the first cruise out of NYC with you hopefully as the CD, but if need be a guest, or aerobic instructor or whatever., as long as you are there……
I’m still voting for Bloggers cruise 2010 out of Port Canaveral on the Dream. Right Ed and evil Krewe?
Carolyn
PS. The stimulous check will be here just in time to book the Dream. they timed it right.
Stephanie in case John doesn’t know what the check is would you clue him in?
The FOTS is not the VOTS on steroids? Well at least they DO look alike. Been on all Destiny Classes, Conquest Classes minus the Conquest. Maybe the Splendor is the steroids version, but those are my vacation homes! Knowing them well plus the Costa Fortuna, the Dream is not a Conquest Class.
I only have an issue with the Splendors signage on deck 5
Hi John – Can I respectfully withhold my opinion on the Dream until I see the Splendor – I’m a one ship at a time girl
Please reply!! Someone on our roll call on cruise critic asked today if we had heard any details about the John Heald promised meet and greet for our July 13th cruise group. So any word?
Thanks!
Dawn
John,
Don’t go too hard on the bloke with the JagWarr passion. He sounds like a typical redneck from somewhere in this wide world and thinks everybody likes what he likes.
Some years ago we were in the UK with a the Junior Chamber International at a World Congress and had the opportunity to visit the Jaguar R&D test facility in the UK. We had a great time and they served a fabulous lunch and gave us many little gifts. However it wasn’t until that time that I, a typical American who thought it was pronounced JagWar, found out it was really
pronounced Jag-U-War. Many of us came away better educated that day.
We are probably going to book the Dream on July 1, for the second NY trip over Thanksgiving 2009.
Hope we hear from other bloggers who plan to be on board.
Dave and Jo Myerly
Hello , John
I am 12 as you know, and have lots of people to look up to.
Her is my list.
1.My family(people related to me)
2.John Heald(well….you)
3.Marco Nogara(Captain)
4.Mickey aeroson(Carnival owner)
5.Eric clapton(gutarist)
6.Sidney crosby(Hockey player)
7.Samantha Brown(Travel channel traveler person)
8.Andy(hebrew teacher)
9.Joe farcus(The man that makes it happen)
10.Grandma(The women who jus got off of her 98 cruise on the noordam)
11.Dad(The man who inspires me)
12.Mom(The Swede who put the natural knolodge of scandinavian navigation in my head, and talks like “YA, BE CRUISE SHIP CAPAIN YAKE, YA”.
I just wanted to share whith you that you are one of the very special 12 people in my life.
from , JAKE S. ( :
the 12 people that i look up to
John, I think the DREAM is the max for an enjoyable cruise. The behemouth of the seas will be so big with 6000 passengers just getting on and off will be a nightmare.
That’s my opinion and like @ssholes everybody has one.
BIG ED
Big is not always better.
HEY MIKE FROM KANSAS
GO CLIMB A WALL
I’m still trying to figure out how the lifeboats are going to work with the deck plan but no big deal.
I’ll still be on the Carnival Dream Inaugural(s). I’ll be the one wearing snorkel gear at the life boat drill – at least until I figure out how they work.
This is mine and Eugenio’s opinion about the Dream, I am repeating some things I have already told you and adding others.
First:
We love the ship. It is a ship that doesn’t lose the essence of what a cruise ship is supposed to be. We don’t want a small town. I like to see and feel the sea
with things that are really necessary like family cabins and 2 bathrooms. We love the idea of the Piazza.
Im with Host Mach and Dave.
Carnival get’s it and it’s really listening to what their passengers have to say.
John, The DREAM will be the dream of a lifetime for many of us, I can’t wait till 7/1 so I can view the staterooms, and decide on what category I want to book and finalize my Dream of cruising on the DREAM! Can’t wait! As for Mike and his opinion, keep it to yourself buddy! Linda & Mike (the one who loves Carnival)!
John short and sweet in two words FANTASTIC DREAM enough said.Best Wishes Gary and Bug
Hi John,
The DREAM looks like just that…………a dream & I am here landlocked in Texas dreaming.
Hi John,
Here’s my 2 cents – I love the Dream’s layout. And if it’s like the Conquest class, that’s great. They’re my favorites. I can’t wait to sail on her next year.
I’ve seen more pictures & descriptions of Godzilla of the Seas and I think it takes away from the pure joy of cruising. And the same goes for NCL’s newest ideas. Actually there is one thing I liked about what NCL is planning – the Ice Bar. No pun intended, but that would be so cool. But why do you have to charge extra for the new bars & lounges?
More terrific photos of the Splendor by the way.
Regards,
Carol
Hi John
Love the pics, I can see myself sitting, relaxing and enjoying such a beautifuly ship.
Dream looks fantasitc, just perfect for another getaway.Pity Dream want be hitting the med earlier summer 09 as the kids would have gone back to school then, so hoping to get on board june 2010 when my youngest leaves school.
Not long now to our splendor cruise in july (looking forward to the naming ceremony, don’t mind what my invite looks like!!!).
Lovely hot day here, off to the Roslyn for Pimms and to watch a bit of tennis.
Bye for now
Michellex
While I agree with Mach’s overall sentiments, I am not “stunned and thrilled”. That may be because when it comes to ships I don’t necessarily think big is better.
Perhaps it was the pre-announcement hype, but I was expecting something a little more innovative then this, and I’m not talking all the Royal amusement park stuff.
Unlike the Splendor, I won’t be running out to be one of the first to book her. I’ll see you in a few days and we can discuss this in detail if you like.
Don & Carole
I can’t wait for the Dream! I think it is perfect for families! We are a family of 5 and I will be so glad when I don’t have to round up some other people to go to put one of my children in their room (because we can’t afford to get 2 rooms, like most people). We are susposed to be going on the Glory in Jan. 2009 but since I’m having a hard time finding someone else to go, we will probably have to cancel
My children (ages 5 and 3 year old twins at cruise time) are so excited about going on the “big boat” as they call it and I’m afraid I’m going to have to break their hearts and tell them we aren’t going to be able to go (this will be their first cruise, me and the hubby went on one by ourselves this past Jan.on the Freedom). I know people think that they are too young to be going cruising already but we would spend just as much going to the beach for a week and on a cruise we don’t have to cook!! which is the best part!!! 
Hi John,
I think the Dream will be a great ship. I’m not looking for rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, etc. and would never use them. I’m more interested in the cabins, food, and of course the staff/crew. I like running into some familiar faces on our cruises and everyone is so friendly.
Since we are booked on the 2/13/2010 7 day Eastern from Port Canaveral on the Glory which I hope transfers to the Dream, I think that would be great to have a Bloggers’ cruise. Valentine’s Day on the Dream will be fantastic.
See you soon.
Linda
I am planning on booking on the Dream as soon as it becomes available. Can anyone tell me exactly what a cove balcony is? Is it a regular balcony only on a lower floor or is it a mini balcony? Quite interested. Thanks in advance!
My Opinion, Well I will say it again, I like the new ships, how everr my Passion is the smaller Fanatsy class. what makes me return time after time is the enjoyable atmosphere, the entertainment, the crew and of course he sea days… nothing beats sitting around doing nothing watching the sea go by.
Capt Bill
John, you are right everyone has an opinion, including me! The Splendor looks just lovely – although that carpet in the El Morocco Aft Lounge is a bit busy with the zebra print couches – jmo. It is definitely on my want to cruise on that one list, along with the much touted Dream (and I love that name). As far as the Ginormous of the Seas, I agree they seem to be getting tooooooo big; the surf rider sounds so fun, but how long is the line to ride it for just a few minutes? On a cruise I hardly ever have to wait in line (maybe at the Lido buffet for an omelet), and I like it that way.
Here’s my $.02 – I agree completely with Mach – don’t make ships just like home, I want them to be totally different from home. It’s all about the beautiful deep blue sea.
Cheers mate,
Diane
OK, OK… no flaming ya’ll! Mike from Kansas is just as entitled to his/her opinion as the rest of us. As I read the quote, he/she was stating they were hoping for something new(er), not an evolution upon current standards. Granted there are some SWEET improvements from a Carnival standpoint, he/she is right in stating other lines are already doing them.
But here’s the crux: as I stated other _LINES_ are doing it. No one line does it all, but when the ‘Dream comes out, Carnival will be only line combining all these elements to make for the absolute best cruise experience.
And like others have pointed out, no need for an ice rink, or a rock wall, or licensed characters. Just give us a great ship, great food, a great crew and bring me that horizon…
First Barry Manilow and Amy Winehouse. Now Bob Dylan and (God help us!) Shakespeare! From an Englishman no less.
John, John, John… (visualize sorrowful head shaking with that.)
As to the Dream. Well, we’re not that wild about huge ships. Whether it’s a wild slide, a rock climbing wall, or or some other gimmick they usually add nothing to our cruise experience.
What counts to us is not feeling herded along like cattle, interesting food, decent service (too much is as bad as too little), plenty of places to sit and look at the ocean — inside and out, and a promenade that actually goes all the way around a ship. These last two are getting harder to find.
But we never get in a pool or a hot tub. Or use the spa. And we find most of those foo-foo new additions a waste — they’re closed more often than open. And then seldom used.
What keeps a cruise from being a hotel at sea is the guest interaction. That’s what keeps us coming back for more.
We jumped from 18 passenger live-aboard dive boats and the late great Windjammer line to cruise ships with foreboding. So many people! So much annonymity! But as long as we feel like we can make connections to fellow passengers, we’ll be coming back. It’s the human touch that matters.
That’s how we measure our favorites.
The Carnival Dream will be a beautiful ship!
We are thrilled that her homeport will be Port Canaveral.
Cathy & Tom
Hi John/Heidi:
Dream looks pretty to me, but that is my 2 cents. The bigger, the better is how i have always felt. I love the color scheme and think it will work well.
Can’t believe how close we are to finish day. Very exciting.
Looking forward to seeing pics as you work the trials and get setup for the season.
Hope everything else is going well and diet is ok.
Great hearing from you.
Take care,
David
John, it’s like Big Ed said…… big is not better. For 6000 people to get off the ship would be an eternal nightmare!! I wouldn’t wanna spend a quarter of the ship’s time in a port waiting to get off! So what if the Dream has a Conquest-on-steroids layout? It’s the fun that counts which is what Carnival is all about! Also, a balcony/window stateroom should be looking out to the sea. Not the promenade! I, too have observed the deck plans and I can tell that this will be a magnificent dream come true!
Great photos of the Splendor! Only a matter of time before the naming ceremony!
Jatgram, according to the photo and deck plans, it looks like the Cove Balconies will be found on Deck 2 – Main. I’m guessing they’re located at where the “windows” look bigger than the rest…
As for Mike? CLIMB THIS!!
Alex G.
John:
I would love to have an “opinion” on the Dream, but how can I? She isn’t even built yet.
That’s like forming an “opinion” about a child before it is even born. Blueprints are not a ship.
You can be on the “best designed ship” in the world and if the staff and crew are lousy and the food is horrible….what will you have. Certainly not a good “opinion” of it when you leave.
I will save my opinions for AFTER I have experienced what she has to offer and can make an informed and intelligent statement of FACT.
Now I have no doubt that Carnival will deliver, because we have 26 years of personal “experience” of them delivering in the past!
Now, on another note, first it was Mississippi and now accountants…. have I made your insult list for a reason? LOL
Oh and don’t mention Chemistry. Having a son majoring in Chemical Engineering…..gives me a headache just thinking about his courses next semester. Organic Chemistry, Theromal Dynamics, Fluid Transfer and one other Chem E course plus labs.
I am SO glad I am an accountant!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John,
I am totally excited about the Carnival Dream; especially since it will be sailing out of Pt. Canaveral!!!
As someone who has sailed on Disney I love the split bathroom plan that they have on both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and now I can look forward to it on the Dream. I find absolutely nothing wrong with incorporating the “best” features of each cruise line and coming up with the “Dream”?
It was great seeing you on TV over the weekend, but was very disappointed in the very few minutes that we got to share with you!!
I also watched Samantha Brown on the Carnival Inspiration and loved every minute of it as I had just sailed on the Inspiration back in April, so it was great to see CD Felipe, the Capt, and other familiar faces!
Linda
Just for everyone’s info!
Duckie, signed Don and Carole are definitely not THIS Don and Carolyn
Please do not get us confused This Don and Carolyn WILL be calling and getting booked on July 1.
Carolyn
Hi John… next time we meet, I’ll have to bend your ear about my Triumph TR7.
Another opinion for you. I have to agree with Rikki and Alex G. (above). Bigger is not necessarily better. Marta and I have done a dozen cruises in the past (all on Carnival Corp brands) from the 36k gwt Tropicale to the 110k gwt Liberty and looking back on our experiences, our favorite and most memorable cruises were on the smaller to medium size ships. While the bigger ships have more amenities (that we don’t need), the smaller to medium ships provide a more personalized feeling. One can quote staff to passenger ratios all day long to prove mathematically that service on the bigger ships is just as good as the smaller ships – but, sorry, it just doesn’t “feel” that way. There is a definite, and more enjoyable feel when you are on a ship with 1500 or 1600 people than when confronted with 3500 or 4000 other guests. In previous posts, I mentioned that we really liked the Holland America brand – but there too, the ships have been getting bigger and, yes, more impersonal. The Eurodam looks fantastic – but, bet ya a dollar for donuts (no-sugar added of course) that the service has a better feel on say the Veendam. This point was driven home to us most recently when after cruising on the larger ships we “downsized” and sailed on the Fantasy…. much more enjoyable service
When you’re at the bar getting a drink or in the lido restaurant having a deli sandwich made, there is a big difference in service if there are 10 people waiting (big ship) or 3 people (small ship). If you get a smile on the big ships – its forced; on the smaller ships where the staff is more relaxed, the smile is genuine. Sorry – thats the way it is; and I think its very obvious to cruisers who have experienced smaller ships. There is more to service than just getting you “in and out”.
While there is a market segment who really wants to ice skate or climb rock walls (whats next – a go kart track?), I’m sure that there is also a substantial market for those who would truly prefer to relax on a smaller Pacific Princess sized ship which you so eloquently showcased yesterday.
I’m also sure that financial considerations are driving the industry to go large and no longer build smaller ships and that is a shame… Retired working stiffs like me can’t afford to even consider Seabourn.
The Carnival Dream does appear to be different. With the Cove rooms and promenade deck, etc, I am looking forward to cruising on it. I am hoping while it is in New York, a new place to see. The Freedom was wonderful and I am on the Splendour next year so the Dream will have to come after next year. It will still be new and just broke in. How much larger can these ships get ?? I know when I was on the Freedom last year you never were aware of almost 3,000 people being on board, I thought that odd at first, then got used to it by the end of the 12 days. Anyways, the Dream looks beautiful and I can’t wait for her to be finished and sailing.
I can not wait until we are able to book a cabin on the Carnival Dream. This ship looks magnificent. I agree with Host Mach. Carnival knows what brings cruisers back. It is not the mall, it is the sea. I love to watch it, feel it and smell it. To sit out on your balcony or on the open deck is one of the great joys of cruising. We will be taking another cruise in October and it is hard to wait for that one. But now I have to wait 18 months to enjoy the Carnival Dream, bummer. Oh well I am sure we will fit at least one or two before that.
Love Ya.
You know there’s only 2 things that made me choose Carnival for my families 1st cruise in July 07.
1. PRICE- it was 1/2 (at that time) the cost of RCI or Disney, family of 5
2. Comparing the 3 online and on TV, Carnival seemed the best value for the money, we had no idea what to expect or anything about cruising.
Now there are many things that keep us as loyal Carnival REPEAT cruisers. We have now taken 2 cruises and have 2 more booked in the next 10 months.
-Price and value are still high on the list but the fact that my 2 1/2 year old LOVES Camp Carnival and the “Big Boat” when she sees or hears a Carnival commercial on TV or radio makes it all the more appealing. She wants to go on a cruise.
- The ships and the crews are what make the difference. I mean I’m not sure what the other lines could offer me that Carnival doesn’t and frankly I don’t need anything else.
-Now let me tell you a tid bit. We were going to take our camper and kids to Disney for Halloween and let them trick or treat. I would have to haul my camper from Knoxville to Orlando (10 hours)and buy our food for a week. For the exact same money, (thanks to my US tax stimulus check) I can take my family on a week long Carnival cruise and I don’t have to haul my camper or buy any food. My family has just as good of time and get’s to see more of the world and we have a babysitter when we need it already provided with Camp Carnival. Now I like the mouse don’t get me wrong but when we go to Orlando again it will include a 3-5 day on a Carnival cruise. Why would you want to pay more money for the same services???
As for a bigger ship, great. More to see, more to do. I would guess it would be more economical with more paying customers. So as long as it keeps the prices down so my family can keep cruising every 9-12 months, Outstanding…Who cares who had what part or design 1st. If it works great. The only problem with a bigger ship is more teenagers running around un supervised. Our 1st cruise on the Glory in July had 1000+ kids. It made the ship seem obviously full and trying at times with the kids overwhelming the bar tenders for sodas and made for longer lines. But on the Freedom in Feb the ship was full, with less teens and I was surprised on the last day of the cruise to find out the ship was full. It felt like 1/2 full the entire time. But that’s another story for another day.
Hi John,
While I was really hoping for the tram (as shown in the boot legged concept video) and also the lazy river but also knowing those were unlikely, I already have my name on a list to book the Dream with a CC group. I think she looks fantastic. I did take a look at the pictures of the Oasis thingy, and that is just too big. I wouldn’t purposefully book something like that. It would be sensory overload for me…I just want to cruise!! Mach hit the nail on the head…
Well, there may not be anything innovative on the Dream, but how much more innovative can you get with cruise ships? Have them fly??? I could not judge the Dream by those few pics (plans) that were published so I’ll wait for next year to see it before I have an opinion (as we did before with Splendour).
And one more thing – like Carnival would announce a big innovation (if there was one) to their competitiors more then a year before the ship is finished. That would be stupid, wouldn’t it? You keep things like that a secret, right 007?
Have a great weekend!
Well I have to put my 2 cents in on the Dream.
So far I like the pictures I have seen. The only thing is the same color BEIGE in the staterooms. Each ship has a theme its time to put a different color in the staterooms to go with the theme. We have been on alot of different ships with CCL, When you are in your stateroom you would not have a clue what ship you are on they all look the same. Just a comment I had to make.
Hello,
I would like to echo the posters who said “bigger isn’t better”. The Dream looks very nice, and I like all of the different cabin layouts, and the nice big promenade deck, and several other of the new enhancements, but I wish it was smaller, not bigger than the Conquest class. My favorite CCL ship (decor-wise) is the Paradise. My favorite layout is the Spirit Class – the Legend is my favorite in that class. My all-time favorite ship layout is on the Holland America Zaandam. I really feel that ship was just the right size. I understand that CCL has to make money, and they make more on the larger ships. I also understand that the larger size also makes room for more facilities for the passengers. But I also feel that having all of those people on the same ship poses more security and safety risks. Also, there are more places that the ship cannot dock. Let’s face it: no one really likes having to tender into port. I can drive to the port of NY in less than an hour, but I don’t think I’ll be taking the cruise next year. First reason – it’s a new ship and will probably be more expensive. The new ships always are in their first season. Second, I dislike the itinerary. (I didn’t like it when Norwegian started it, either.)
This is just my personal opinion. You asked.
Looking forward to Feb 09,
Cheryl D.
well john, the first thing i have to say is that carnival will never have to “catch up to the compitition”! i think mike/whoever obviously has never been on one of these marvelous ships and that whole opinion of his/hers is a crock. the dream is going to be sensational just like all the rest of the fleet. there is going to be a rush of people totally jazzed to get a chance to been in one of those cove rooms.. i am truley looking forward to cruising on the dream.
anita