What Would You Like to See on the Massive New Class Carnival Cruise Ships?

[Emrys]

Everyone knows or will soon know that Carnival has just announced a massive new order of three new class cruise ships, each with almost 230,000 gross tons. No details about the ships have been unveiled, but I wonder what you think about this and what would you like to see on these new Carnival ships?

[3Sisters]

@Emrys I for one hope they discontinue the new light feature on the floor! With all of the negative commentary, I wouldn't be surprised if CCL does something about those lights. I would love to see more water bottle filling stations and more shaded outdoor lounging areas onboard. I love all pools with retractable roofs. If there could be another covered pool option, I think it could be a hit! What are some things you think the next class of ships should have?

Edited July 23 by 3Sisters

[Cruising Caribbean]

@Emrys The smaller ships are much preferred. I'm not a huge fan of the super large mega ships. That seems to be the trend for this new class of ships. I would love to see @euroguy chime in here. He has been on quite a few CCL ships and has lots of experience cruising with the line. The idea of cruising with 8,000 other guests doesn't entice me. I would like more exclusive spaces onboard. With these ships getting larger and larger, it becomes harder and harder to find quiet spaces onboard. Don't you agree? As long as the line can keep up with the embarkation/disembarkation process and not let it lag, the new class of ships will likely be quite popular. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

I'm glad these ships will expand CCL's presence in the eco-friendly department. The new ships being built will offer emission reduction capabilities even though the ships will also be expanding in guest capacity. This massive ship order is still dependent upon financing. I'm not sure how CCL has recovered financially since the shut down but this is certainly a very pricy order. I wonder if the financing will end up being approved. If you think this is a big ship, wait until this next class!

[LukeJ]

@Kendall James-Vargas I'm surprised any cruise lines have recovered financially after COVID. They must have lost a monumental amount of money in that period. So it's good to see that they are turning that around. Despite these larger ships and all it's eco friendliness, there is a great deal of outlay to pay for one large ship. I do hope their risk doesn't backfire, as they would need them to be operating at full amount to make money back.

[euroguy]

@Cruising Caribbean well.it appears you have been taking notes about me 😆 

I have currently sailed on 15 out of 25 different CCL ships and some of those multiple times. Guess im the resident expert.

I have sailed on small ships with only couple thousand guests all the way to 8k guests. The most recent large ship was the Mardi Gras.

I will say both small & large have pluses and minuses. 

On my last cruise on Mardi Gras I was a bit concerned with the amount of guests at full capacity which it was at or near. Much to my surprise it never felt over crowed with a couple of exceptions. Those exceptions was the Lido Deck pool and bar areas are to small and very crowded especially on sail away. To the point that the activity director hardly had any room and everyone crowded in like a concert. This did add to make it feel more festive but you had to push your way to a rail or floor spot to view or participate. Another choke point was the main shows that take place every night where very crowded and had to show up hours ahead of time to get decent seating

 MDR, since the ship is so large it has many dining options, 22 to be specific, usually the MDR was only half full at best. For someone that enjoys the MDR as it's like an event on its own, it made it feel a bit less important.  With that said I felt having many dining options was very nice and to some part exciting and something to look forward to.  I tried many of them for lunches and couple dinners which was nice to have a variety. 

As a casino participant I felt the casino was too small as nightly it was packed and difficult to find a slot machine or one that I would like to play. I found I had to either go early or late in oder to have a better experience. 

With the exception of the lido pool and lido bars I felt the other open spaces had plenty of space and lots of different bar areas in various sizes worked really well. The various bars throughout the shop where full but just the right amount so you could enjoy a cocktail and socialize with new and friendly people and didn't feel squeezed in or singled out as a loner.

In the end I actually really enjoyed the very large ship Mardi Gras.

My most recent smaller ship was the Luminosa, 2800 guests was easy to navigate, and didn't feel any of the choke points or over crowded areas from lido to main shows or casino. The bars did have less people and felt more on the vacant side. The food options certainly far less choices and harder to get a reservation, thankfully I'm platinum which helped.  On the flip side the  main dining room was full each night and felt like I would expect it to be. 

Conclusion the larger ships certainly ly have a lot of different options to do things over smaller ships. Also 7 day cruises on a mega ship will leave a lot of unseen or areas used in one trip. I think that any cruise line building mega ships need to take into count to MDR reduction in size, increase lido deck areas, increase or lay out better main show theaters, as well as for the casinos as the casinos have become a vastly more visited area over the years. 

 for me the Mardi Gras had a lot of great offerings and varity but I also know it is more limited on where it can port and weather plays a bigger role for it as well. 

mega ships larger than the Mardi Gras  I can forsee that more tendering will be required, which could be a pain even with having upper loyalty ranking. Additionally some current ports are already complaining about the larger ships, what more for Mega ships.i also think weather will play a bigger roll for mega ships as well. 

I have probably left out a few things but I feel I covered the main points

 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ I don't really know if they have recovered financially! CCL is one of those lines that definitely wants to be a trend setter, being bigger and better than other lines. I think the line is taking a financial risk and making bold choices ordering this many ships at one time. Considering the huge amount it's going to cost when the line hasn't fully recovered financially is a risk clearly the line is willing to take in order to stay ahead. I don't think the line is conservative by any means so this order doesn't surprise me. 

@euroguy Thanks for your feedback! You really do know the line so well. You give an enlightening perspective about the casino. I can see how it gets packed and overly crowded at times. I would hope this next class of ships did better at that. 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@euroguy I know you would provide some great insight! I'm glad you shared your thoughts. I'm not a crowded bar person. Yes, it's fun to be around tons of others, but I don't want to feel packed like a sardine either. One thing I really do value about CCL is their commitment to being a top employer for women. I think the crew really do enjoy their jobs unlike some other lines. Crew members are valued and women employees are respected and appreciated. I value that CCL has values! The crew members join in on the fun, and I would love to see more female crew members onboard this next set of ships. The diversity of the crew members is noteworthy too. Without a good crew, you can't have a fun ship!

[euroguy]

@Kendall James-Vargas @LukeJ I dont think CCL is just willy nilly making the decision to build the new ships. I believe they are looking at current bookings/ships sailing full, and how far out other ships are being booked. I am now seeing ships a year our almost booked 100%. CCL is making a calculated decision based on these factors and many more.  

[KeithG]

I suppose I've been on 6 or 7 different ships so far from Jubilee down to what are now, I guess, mid-sized ships. Our last and next cruises are on Jubilee and then after that Legend...so that's a pretty good size difference. 

I will say my favorite ship is the Vista but Jubilee is really a fantastic ship. Even fully loaded, which it always seems to be, it doesn't feel crowded although I will concur with @euroguy about the Lido pool / bar areas can feeling crowded and seemingly smaller than usual. Perhaps the theater also. 

On the other hand, everything else is great, Serenity area is fantastic. Technology, internet, everything worked for us. Everything still nice and shiny.

Lots to do though and any criticisms I would have are nit picking but Jubilee for the foreseeable future only goes to the same 3 ports over and over, only occasionally reversing the order. So for back to back cruisers, could get a little old. 

As for the newer, larger ships, I don't foresee them coming to Galveston due to the size and probably would avoid them but, remember,  both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have stated in one way or another that the target for these new ships is not long time cruisers but new to cruising customers. 

[LukeJ]

@euroguyno I can see what you're saying and understand, a company as big as carnival won't just make a snap decision, just seems to us as a big risk. Even with a fully pledged year booked up, will it still cover the costs if it dipped below the expectancy after a few years. But then that's why they make the decisions I guess. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy That's a fair assessment. I just wonder if it's the right financial choice. If the line can get the proper funding for it, I guess they might as well go for it! The ships are booking out and clearly the demand is there, but after such a loss, it's impressive how the line is able to find such funding for such an ambitious venture such as this. @LukeJ It's true that CCL has to be calculated and based on projections, this cruise ship order does make sense. I just think of the what ifs. 

@KeithG I like what you said! Those who are new to cruising want the bright and shiny "next big thing" ship. I guess it makes sense that these larger ships would attract first-time cruisers, expanding their market. The prices for cruising on these new ships aren't cheap but guests are willing to pay big bucks for the "best" thing on the market. Galveston is becoming more and more popular. In fact, I booked my first cruise out of Galveston in 2026. I see lots of expansion for that port in the future. It will be interesting to see how Galveston compares to some of the large Florida ports I typically cruise out of. 

[KeithG]

@Kendall James-Vargas Galveston cruising has changed a lot over last few years including Royal Caribbean new terminal. By 2026 there will be even more because MSC is building a new terminal between Carnival and RC.

At the moment with all these big ships coming in traffic can get backed up but along with the MSC terminal they are  making a lot of improvements to the roads in the area around there terminals plus a new parking garage.

 

[LukeJ]

My only worry is that when will enough be enough. When will companies just say right I think we've overdone the large vessels to the max. I think these ships already are just completely an eyesore really. No wonder so many ports are demanding they don't want them in their cities. People I've spoken to all prefer the smaller ships, to make it a little more personalised, not these cities on the sea.

[KeithG]

@LukeJ I tend to agree with the thought that bigger is not always better but I am not their target audience. They already reeled me in and they are looking to catch and hold people who have never cruised before. It's not a secret, they have said so recently. As a matter of fact Carnival spokesperson John Heald was recently asked if Carnival would build new, smaller ships and he said no. That was just before they announced the new larger ships. 

It wasn't long ago that Carnival had no new ships planned after Jubilee but then given the increase in new cruisers, I believe they announced two new Excel class ships and then the newer, even larger ships. 

Also going against the past trends is that, I believe, Royal Caribbean is putting some of these new ships on shorter cruises to be more attractive and affordable to the coveted "new to cruising" passenger. So 3 and 4 day as opposed to 7.

I believe RC also announced they would build some new small ships that can go to ports these giants can't get to, perhaps Carnival is just running a few years behind due to debt load. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@KeithG Well at least we know John Heald is a man of his word! New, larger ships is clearly the direction CCL is headed in. I would love to see smaller ships, but that's not what the line is known for. Guests that like the bigger ships choose to cruise with CCL for that reason. It's just a trend that clearly the line is staying on top of. Many new to cruisers definitely are attracted to the shorter itineraries. That's a good point. I always choose to cruise at least a 7-night itinerary as a seasoned cruiser. What is your idea cruise timeframe? I try to cruise at least once a year for 7-nights or more per itinerary. Newbies love those shorter itineraries for the most part. I don't like the weekend getaway crowd for the most part, particularly for a family cruise.

[KeithG]

@Kendall James-Vargas I've done as short as 5 and as long as 14. I thought the 5 day was too short given all the expense of traveling to the port, staying ahead, boarding and all. Plus the shorter cruises do have quite the reputation lately. Didn't have any issues on the 2 I did but times have apparently changed. 

On the other hand 14 days straight is a bit long for someone still in the workforce. It was a back to back on the Vista and it was fantastic just a lot of time to commit while working. Relaxing though, no rush to do anything. Sort of in between I have a 10 day booked on the Legend next year. 

7 days seems to be the ideal balance for me at the moment. Good balance of sea days and port days and bang for the buck with travel costs. 

We usually do 2 or 3 a year, usually 7 days.

[euroguy]

I think everyone of you make a lot of great points, many of which I agree with. I will re state that I do enjoy the larger ships simply because of the various options for dining and events. The flip side is they do have draw backs too.

In regards to short cruises, initially for my first cruise (years ago) I took a 4 day cruise to test the waters. Back then it was a bit of a "party crowd" but on a different level than would be now and of course I was much younger and fit in without issue. Obviously the 4 day cruise got me hooked hence hiw many i have been on since, so i do think CCL has a good marketing strategy to build a customer base.

Would I do any cruise today that was less than 7 days... NO!!  For couple of reasons, 1. The cost it takes me to get to a ship 2. Seven days already feels like it's too short and goes by in a blink of an eye.  Now if I lived within a couple hour drive to a port like say Florida (cruise capital) I might take shorter trips that tied into a weekend every once in a while (different cruise lines), which would be super casual, single carry on bag, shorts flip flops and tshirts. 

As for length of cruise I have done 4, 7, 8 ,9 and 10 day cruises.  I feel out of those numbers I find some 8 days are good but 9 was nice. 10 days I was ready to be off. Now I was younger on the 10 day cruise so I might feel differently now.

One thing about the cruise lengths I have found is that 7 day usually has 2 sea days on the front then ports and 1 sea day return.  I'm starting to really want 2 sea days on front and 2 on return. 1 sea day on return just seems to fly by and really can't relax and chill out before returning back to the rat race. So now I'm eying some 8 day and 9 day trips.

One thing I'm curious about is I hear some of you say you prefer smaller ships, so here is the question... what do you think a small, medium, large ship is?? 

[LukeJ]

Cruising used he such a privilege to be part of. It felt special, the way they are going, it will just be like any party vacation you go on. I read John Heald piece on going for bigger and I fear that they will go down that route only for the CCL company to get a bad reputation. 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@KeithG That's. the best! When you can cruise 2-3 times a year it's really the prefect amount. It still feels like a novelty vacation but doesn't get taken for granted. Do you choose to cruise to different destinations or are you cruising out of the same ports most every itinerary? I get so comfortable with the nearby ports; it hurts so much to pay for airfare and hotel stay to cruise out of another port far away. 

@euroguy I'm right there with you. The cost and energy it takes to get on/off the ship makes me want at least a 7-night cruise to make it worth it. Otherwise, it's such an upfront cost it feels like a waste to take a short itinerary. That's a great question! I'm thinking smaller ship is anything under 1,500 guest capacity. A medium sized ship would be in the 2,000-5,000 capacity range, and then a mega ship is 6,000 plus guest capacity. Would you agree with that?

@LukeJ I do feel like CCL can often feel very basic and ordinary at times. It's hard to get that intimate guest experience when the ship is so large. The guest to crew member ratio is always diluted too! I doubt CCL will ever get a bad reputation. In fact, it would be hard for that to happen because of the very strong background the line has. 

[euroguy]

@Cruising Caribbean ive heard several times from different people including now yourself "It's hard to get that intimate guest experience when the ship is so large"  this is confusing to me. What  "intimate experience" are you all looking for? 

@LukeJ I do feel what youre saying especially how it use to feel to take a cruise. It certainly was for the more affluent in times past and the overall atmosphere was at a much higher level.  I recall when almost every man would wear a Tux and women dorned evening gowns during elegant nights. Those days were pretty amazing. I actually remember when cruise ships had a tuxedo shop onboard and you could rent one while onboard. Times have certainly changed... I still wear my own Tux 1st elegant night and on the 2nd a very nice black suit. Sadly on my last 2 cruises I saw 3 tuxedo and I was 1 of the 3, 1 was the activity director, and 1 guest.  The majority would wear pair of  jeans and shirt or slacks and shirt. Most ladies wore some flavor of summer dresses.  I really wish CCL would be a bit more infatic about elegant nights, but I don't really see that happening as they don't want to be confrontational and make people upset so they will return for more cruises.

As for the party scene I suppose this will happen at any large outing be it on land or ocean, thankfully the ships have different areas that you don't have to participate.

I will add that the longer the cruise the more mature the cruisers seem to be which does change the vibe a bit i.e. less party scene

 

 

Edited August 1 by euroguy

[LukeJ]

@Cruising Caribbean @euroguy it's such a shame though isn't it. I agree with the tux, I personally love dressing up in it and feeling like a million dollars and having that special moment onboard. It's elegant as you say, and class. It's one of the reasons why you would board. And it's then heartbreaking to see others don't put in the same effort and suddenly you feel left out. I don't like this new modern attitude of people just doing what they want and everyone else has to sneak around afraid to upset them. As far as I'm concerned, these are the rules, follow them or miss out. 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@euroguy That's a great question! I think the intimate experience is when the crew members remember you by name. When you get to know the crew members by name is another good way to get that intimate feel. I love when I can see the same bar tenders every evening at ever bar and get to have a conversation with them. When the ship is so large and there are too many guests with not enough crew members, it's really to have a genuine conversation with any worker, particularly out by the pool. Maybe I just appreciate when the crew members don't have such a heavy workload. It shows in their disposition. 

@LukeJ I love being casual during the day, but in the evening, I want to get dressed up. This mentality isn't for everyone! I cruised with friends recently who wanted to go to the buffet for dinner a couple of nights. I told them we would meet after dinner because I wanted to dine in the MDR. The food is better and served to you instead of you having to get it! In the MDR, your table is waiting for you; you don't have to search high and low for a spot while holding a tray. I also have lots of kids to feed and holding their tray while trying to find a table big enough to fit us all is a chore! Getting dressed up for the MDR is always my preference! 

[LukeJ]

It's just a way of treating and pruning yourself for a short period of time. I'd never wear a tuxedo otherwise, I doubt there are many opportunities in life where you would dress up in a smart tux, so I feel like I would like to do that just for a little while. What I don't like is people that have no regards for the rules and complain if somebody says anything about it. If you don't wish to dress up, that's fine, but you stay in the buffet section, as the MDR is strictly for evening dressers. I've seen people complain that it's not fair they can't go in.

[3Sisters]

@LukeJ I have no expectations of this new class of ships becoming more formal. Unfortunately, CCL seems to become more and more casual as the years go by. I see the idea behind being comfortable and dressing how you feel, but I often do feel like dressing up! I do think there should be an expectation of dress like a dress code for the MDR. What about if there were options for MDR experiences based on your attire? You could select early or late seating and choose between the casual or formal dining room. It could be a little annoying for the staff to get used to but it's certainly doable. Then you could dine wearing what you are most comfortable with.

@euroguy & @KeithG Is that something you think CCL would offer in the future?