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.

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…

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.

Love Ya.

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.