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Latest News...As it continues to unveil its 2027/28 lineup, Carnival Cruise Line today announced plans for three homeports as it opened new sailings in Long Beach, Calif., Norfolk, Va. and Baltimore, Md. With seasonal cruises on Carnival Legend in Long Beach, Carnival will launch its first-ever dedicated series of Hawaii cruises. Carnival is also repositioning Carnival Freedom to Norfolk and extending Carnival Pride’s...
Latest News...Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, presents more than 230 thoughtfully curated voyages, each offering immersive experiences in some of the world's most alluring and desirable destinations. Encompassing more than a year of itineraries across seven intimate, luxurious ships, sailings range from 7 to 96 days across all seven continents...
Latest News...Today, Holland America Line announced its 2027 Canada & New England season, featuring a collection of cruises designed to showcase the region's storied national parks and rich heritage — as well as a new itinerary dedicated to the area's iconic lighthouses. In addition to exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites and vibrant cities, guests can expect a front-row seat to the region's stunning scenery...
The décor is typical Carnival. The materials, detailing, and craftsmanship are excellent. There is just too much of it. The decks are teak, the woods and brass are real. Ship is like Vegas, it is fun on the first day, OK, on the second, and tiresome on the third.
The food for the luncheon was upscale chain hotel. I find all cruise lines follow the same food trends, same recipes, plates carefully decorated with food presented beautifully. Food is prepared with mass production precision. The difference is the quality of the ingredients. Mass market lines I have sampled: MSC has the best food, followed by Carnival and Princess, Royal Caribbean a close third, and NCL would be a Courtyard Marriott.
I did not cruise, but passengers were onboard when touring. It is a working person’s ship with people of all ages. A good feature is the 21 and over exclusive area on the aft deck. Carnival is for people that want more than less stimulation for a vacation. They make no pretenses of being anything else. Is it for me? Not really, but like Oceania, Carnival is well targeted to its customer, although completely different customers. The clear focus allows an excellent product for what it is.
quote:Originally posted by Grant:I have sailed on 4 "Vista" class ships; Spirit, Pride, Oosterdam, and Zuiderdam and quite like them. Passenger flow is very good, arrangement of interior spaces works well, and the outdoor deck areas are very very good for soaking up the rays, soaking in pools, or observing passing scenery. I know some are critical of decor and furnishings, but those matter not to me!Grant
The RCL Radiance and Millenium class ships are the same engineering, and identical under the waterline, but you would never mistake one for the other.
Where Carnival would please the ship nuts is that if the Vista/Spirit were more differentiated. Most cruise consumers do not really care. Many do not remember the ship or line they cruised 18 months later.
All four platforms have excellent Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
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