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#11
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Jean O'Boyle wrote:
"Becca" wrote in message ... Benjamin Smith wrote: For those that must have or strongly prefer new ships, with new being defined as ships in service for 2 years or less, why? Ben, I like what the newer ships have to offer. I prefer Carnival's Spirit class ships and Royal Caribbean's Voyager class ships when compared to their older ships. They just happen to be newer. I will cruise on the Conquest in about a month, but I may not like that ship as well as the Spirit class ships. I too, like the brand new ships, just because of the newness and being sparkling clean ...If an older ship has been well taken care of, I enjoy her as well. I just like being on a ship period! The anticipation and exploration of what each one offers is exciting in itself... Yes the brand new ships will have new materials and the machinery will be new. Most of them aren't really new to anyone who has been on one of their sisers. When I went on the Constellation it was deja vu, it was the Millennium with different colors and patterns (no sports bar, bigger plant shop, different specialty restaurant decor). If you put pictures of the interior spaces of the new HAL ships next to each other, the new Princess ships, the RCI Radiance ships, and others, you won't find that many differences from one to the other (though that's been true of HAL, Princess and RCI for awhile). What you find are small differences, the art, the different mood patterns and colors present. Carnival offers something more creative, if you are into Carnival's style of creativity. Celebrity's lost it with the Millennium class, they were most creative from ship to ship with Century class, each of these ships offers something quite distinct from the other inside. As much as I talk about decor, its the combo and especially the size of public spaces and variety of them that matters for me. And it is a combo of how the cruise elements come together. Also important is how the cruise ship represents the style/feel of the line. I find some of the mid 90s ships to represent some lines better than the newest ships of that line, particularly HAL and Celebrity. One of my most favorite ships was the *Real* Pacific Princess.. I don't remember, Ben, if you ever sailed on her, but I think that she would have been to your liking...She would still attract passengers if she were around...Has anyone heard of how she is faring now? Didn't sail on her. I had a luncheon on her. But, that's the argument I'd often use for those who would recommend to others to try the newest or biggest ships. When PP was doing the Bermuda run, almost unanimously passengers sailing her came back reporting that she had the best atmosphere, best food, best service of all of the Princess ships and many felt of all the ships going to Bermuda from New York City or Boston. No balconies (I don't think there were any), no fancy category of staterooms, fairly modest public areas, some of the spaces showing considerable wear, none of that detracted from a special quality she had to produce a superior cruise. Ben S. --Jean |
#12
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"Benjamin Smith" wrote in message news:FF%5d.4373or less, why? As much as I talk about decor, its the combo and especially the size of public spaces and variety of them that matters for me. And it is a combo of how the cruise elements come together. Also important is how the cruise ship represents the style/feel of the line. I find some of the mid 90s ships to represent some lines better than the newest ships of that line, particularly HAL and Celebrity. You're a tough customer, Ben...Often all those do not come together! Some times you have to settle for just some of them and sometimes, you just have to enjoy what ya' got! If we had perfection on every cruise, we would not have any comparisons to speak of and/or enjoy them as much...But when you do have them come together..it's magnifico!! Didn't sail on her. I had a luncheon on her. But, that's the argument I'd often use for those who would recommend to others to try the newest or biggest ships. When PP was doing the Bermuda run, almost unanimously passengers sailing her came back reporting that she had the best atmosphere, best food, best service of all of the Princess ships and many felt of all the ships going to Bermuda from New York City or Boston. No balconies (I don't think there were any), no fancy category of staterooms, fairly modest public areas, some of the spaces showing considerable wear, none of that detracted from a special quality she had to produce a superior cruise. Too bad you did not sail on her, as you said, she was small, and there's alot to say about being small...The crew and passengers became a family and it was a lot of fun! Never did an officer or member of the crew pass you without a smile and greeting..sometimes even your name! No, there were no balconies and the cabins were on the small size, yet she was a *happy* ship..The entertainment was the best of any that I can remember..the comedian had everyone in stitches with just plain clean humor! My sides ached from laughing the entire time he was on stage and even when he popped up elsewhere on the ship, he would get everyone laughing. The food was very good..Guess that is another plus on a small ship..not so many to cook for. If they brought the PP back, we would be the first to book her, no matter what itinerary. --Jean Ben S. |
#13
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"Benjamin Smith" wrote in message news:FF%5d.4373or less, why? As much as I talk about decor, its the combo and especially the size of public spaces and variety of them that matters for me. And it is a combo of how the cruise elements come together. Also important is how the cruise ship represents the style/feel of the line. I find some of the mid 90s ships to represent some lines better than the newest ships of that line, particularly HAL and Celebrity. You're a tough customer, Ben...Often all those do not come together! Some times you have to settle for just some of them and sometimes, you just have to enjoy what ya' got! If we had perfection on every cruise, we would not have any comparisons to speak of and/or enjoy them as much...But when you do have them come together..it's magnifico!! Didn't sail on her. I had a luncheon on her. But, that's the argument I'd often use for those who would recommend to others to try the newest or biggest ships. When PP was doing the Bermuda run, almost unanimously passengers sailing her came back reporting that she had the best atmosphere, best food, best service of all of the Princess ships and many felt of all the ships going to Bermuda from New York City or Boston. No balconies (I don't think there were any), no fancy category of staterooms, fairly modest public areas, some of the spaces showing considerable wear, none of that detracted from a special quality she had to produce a superior cruise. Too bad you did not sail on her, as you said, she was small, and there's alot to say about being small...The crew and passengers became a family and it was a lot of fun! Never did an officer or member of the crew pass you without a smile and greeting..sometimes even your name! No, there were no balconies and the cabins were on the small size, yet she was a *happy* ship..The entertainment was the best of any that I can remember..the comedian had everyone in stitches with just plain clean humor! My sides ached from laughing the entire time he was on stage and even when he popped up elsewhere on the ship, he would get everyone laughing. The food was very good..Guess that is another plus on a small ship..not so many to cook for. If they brought the PP back, we would be the first to book her, no matter what itinerary. --Jean Ben S. |
#14
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Jean O'Boyle wrote:
"Benjamin Smith" wrote in message news:FF%5d.4373or less, why? As much as I talk about decor, its the combo and especially the size of public spaces and variety of them that matters for me. And it is a combo of how the cruise elements come together. Also important is how the cruise ship represents the style/feel of the line. I find some of the mid 90s ships to represent some lines better than the newest ships of that line, particularly HAL and Celebrity. You're a tough customer, Ben...Often all those do not come together! For sure, but you can build it into the ship. If the crew, entertainers, pax gel, that's great, the ship provides the platform. Some times you have to settle for just some of them and sometimes, you just have to enjoy what ya' got! If we had perfection on every cruise, we would not have any comparisons to speak of and/or enjoy them as much...But when you do have them come together..it's magnifico!! My problem with HAL and Celebrity is that they are getting away from their essence. HAL has been for years a line for those that want some of the high points and grace of a bygone era. Celebrity was a culinary line with some personalized service aspects. Both offered ballroom dancing and some of the "romance" of cruising in most of their venues. Both were for a smaller portion of the cruise population than other lines and were traditional, but Celebrity did offer some contemporary touches. Now, Celebrity's has explorer cruises to the Galapagos and Cirque de Soliel masquerade balls and have become sort of meat and potatoes with their food offerings, simplified their menus while not changing them, and simplified their food's presentation (used to be best for mainstream lines). HAL is less confused but one of the reasons so many loved HAL was the "mid sized" ships. Going to 85,000 tons and nearly 2000 pax takes away that mid-sized experience that those looking for it could find. HAL still has it as they have quite a few ships in the midsized range. I just hope that when they go out of service, and I think Carnival thinks 15 years is long enough a lifespan, there are some midsized ships down the line--and I don't regard 70,000 tons as midsized. Ben S. |
#15
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Jean O'Boyle wrote:
"Benjamin Smith" wrote in message news:FF%5d.4373or less, why? As much as I talk about decor, its the combo and especially the size of public spaces and variety of them that matters for me. And it is a combo of how the cruise elements come together. Also important is how the cruise ship represents the style/feel of the line. I find some of the mid 90s ships to represent some lines better than the newest ships of that line, particularly HAL and Celebrity. You're a tough customer, Ben...Often all those do not come together! For sure, but you can build it into the ship. If the crew, entertainers, pax gel, that's great, the ship provides the platform. Some times you have to settle for just some of them and sometimes, you just have to enjoy what ya' got! If we had perfection on every cruise, we would not have any comparisons to speak of and/or enjoy them as much...But when you do have them come together..it's magnifico!! My problem with HAL and Celebrity is that they are getting away from their essence. HAL has been for years a line for those that want some of the high points and grace of a bygone era. Celebrity was a culinary line with some personalized service aspects. Both offered ballroom dancing and some of the "romance" of cruising in most of their venues. Both were for a smaller portion of the cruise population than other lines and were traditional, but Celebrity did offer some contemporary touches. Now, Celebrity's has explorer cruises to the Galapagos and Cirque de Soliel masquerade balls and have become sort of meat and potatoes with their food offerings, simplified their menus while not changing them, and simplified their food's presentation (used to be best for mainstream lines). HAL is less confused but one of the reasons so many loved HAL was the "mid sized" ships. Going to 85,000 tons and nearly 2000 pax takes away that mid-sized experience that those looking for it could find. HAL still has it as they have quite a few ships in the midsized range. I just hope that when they go out of service, and I think Carnival thinks 15 years is long enough a lifespan, there are some midsized ships down the line--and I don't regard 70,000 tons as midsized. Ben S. |
#16
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In article et,
Benjamin Smith wrote: For those that must have or strongly prefer new ships, with new being defined as ships in service for 2 years or less, why? I don't prefer new ships but there is something fun about being on a new ship. I was on the following ships within their first year. Mercury, Summit, Sea Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas. They were all fresh which was kind of neat. Hmm. Maybe I do prefer new ships? Or could it be coincidence because there have been a lot of new ships the last few years? Just got my documents today for Miracle. That is a new ship too. And the cruise I am going in Dec. is on Jewel of the Seas. Brand spanking new. -- Charles |
#17
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In article et,
Benjamin Smith wrote: For those that must have or strongly prefer new ships, with new being defined as ships in service for 2 years or less, why? I don't prefer new ships but there is something fun about being on a new ship. I was on the following ships within their first year. Mercury, Summit, Sea Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas. They were all fresh which was kind of neat. Hmm. Maybe I do prefer new ships? Or could it be coincidence because there have been a lot of new ships the last few years? Just got my documents today for Miracle. That is a new ship too. And the cruise I am going in Dec. is on Jewel of the Seas. Brand spanking new. -- Charles |
#18
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"Charles" wrote in message d... Just got my documents today for Miracle. That is a new ship too. And the cruise I am going in Dec. is on Jewel of the Seas. Brand spanking new. Great,Charles! I can't wait to hear your comments on the Miracle..After all the positive Carnival reports of late, I hope that she is not a disappointment..You will be leaving right after the GGC leaves on 10/31 won't you? My first experience on the Conquest class of ships too. At 110,000 tons, she may be a bit to walk and explore, but I'm looking forward to it..one way to keep the weight down! It will be great seeing so many of the rtc people again and meeting those we haven't yet met, but you'll be getting that on your Jewel of the Seas cruise and you'll have a ball! --Jean |
#19
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I may be in a small minority among people on this group, but I pick
cruises mostly for the itinerary and/or port of departure. My favorite cruises have been Windjammer, but of the six "big ship" cruises I've taken, my favorite was on the 50's vintage Stella Solaris which sailed from Ft. Lauderdale, had stops on Caribbean islands, and went up the Amazon to Manaus, Brazil. My second favorite was on the "old" Carnival Holiday. That cruise sailed from San Juan, had no "days at sea" and had port calls at St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Maarten, Barbados, and Martinique. I've been on new ships, most recently the Carnival Glory, and have enjoyed the cruises, but I like the smaller islands, and a port every day. |
#20
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I may be in a small minority among people on this group, but I pick
cruises mostly for the itinerary and/or port of departure. My favorite cruises have been Windjammer, but of the six "big ship" cruises I've taken, my favorite was on the 50's vintage Stella Solaris which sailed from Ft. Lauderdale, had stops on Caribbean islands, and went up the Amazon to Manaus, Brazil. My second favorite was on the "old" Carnival Holiday. That cruise sailed from San Juan, had no "days at sea" and had port calls at St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Maarten, Barbados, and Martinique. I've been on new ships, most recently the Carnival Glory, and have enjoyed the cruises, but I like the smaller islands, and a port every day. |
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