Retiring the Carnival Ecstasy

[Drue]

We are booked on the Elation for a 5 day August cruise.  Yes, she is old and will be retired in October.  I guess we are more traditional cruisers and do not need go-karts or rock walls to enjoy being at sea.  We like smelling the salt air from our balcony, sipping our morning coffee, having a leisurely breakfast in the MDR, reading, playing Rummy or Blackjack in the casino.  Lunch at Guys Burger joint, an afternoon nap, a quiet dinner and a show in the evening.  Or watching a movie in our cabin, then rolling over and going to sleep with the gentle movement of the ship rocking me.  No dishes to wash or beds to make.  Not even going ashore unless we want to.  I certainly understand the allure of the mega-ships with all the latest gadgets, and the young families that cruise on them.  To each his own.  I just hope that enough smaller ships survive to serve the older generation with the peace and tranquillity that we worked for and deserve.

[CarnivalShips480]

1 hour ago, Drue said:

We are booked on the Elation for a 5 day August cruise.  Yes, she is old and will be retired in October.  I guess we are more traditional cruisers and do not need go-karts or rock walls to enjoy being at sea.  We like smelling the salt air from our balcony, sipping our morning coffee, having a leisurely breakfast in the MDR, reading, playing Rummy or Blackjack in the casino.  Lunch at Guys Burger joint, an afternoon nap, a quiet dinner and a show in the evening.  Or watching a movie in our cabin, then rolling over and going to sleep with the gentle movement of the ship rocking me.  No dishes to wash or beds to make.  Not even going ashore unless we want to.  I certainly understand the allure of the mega-ships with all the latest gadgets, and the young families that cruise on them.  To each his own.  I just hope that enough smaller ships survive to serve the older generation with the peace and tranquillity that we worked for and deserve.

Ecstasy will be retired in October, not Elation. There are no plans to retire Elation any time soon.

Maybe you got the names mixed up? Are you cruising from Mobile or Jacksonville?

[DTB]

I just read about the aging of Carnivals fleet of ships.

 What is not mentions is the Impact on  the Cruise Industry of the MSC cruise line.

 MSC is a privately family-owned company with huge resources. They are building New Ships at a rapid pace and incorporating all the latest technology and style that the Demographic they are wanting to attract are looking for.

 While I Personally do not fit that demographic and will not sail on their Ships, they are focused on Price and jamming in as many guests (Per Gross Ship Tonnage) as possible.  This arrangement is not new but what Is New is that this is a Cruise Line based in Europe and focused on European Cruisers. The Largest Cruise Lines of the recent past have been US controlled Companies and now they have  to compete with MSC for the Second biggest (Mediterranean/European) Market.

 MSC has tried with mixed results to get a bigger share of the Caribbean market by trying what they Think American Cruisers want in the way of onboard entertainment and features.

 MSC is the Elephant in the Room that the US controlled cruise lines are going to be dealing with as they move forward.😟

 

 

[DeanneB]

I think there is enough market for smaller ships that are more relaxed and are more enticing to traditional cruisers.  The cruise industry wanted to bring in different age groups and different demographic aboard because that is where the money is.  It is about lifestyle, entertainment, and business.

[FJB]

3 hours ago, DTB said:

I just read about the aging of Carnivals fleet of ships.

 What is not mentions is the Impact on  the Cruise Industry of the MSC cruise line.

 MSC is a privately family-owned company with huge resources. They are building New Ships at a rapid pace and incorporating all the latest technology and style that the Demographic they are wanting to attract are looking for.

 While I Personally do not fit that demographic and will not sail on their Ships, they are focused on Price and jamming in as many guests (Per Gross Ship Tonnage) as possible.  This arrangement is not new but what Is New is that this is a Cruise Line based in Europe and focused on European Cruisers. The Largest Cruise Lines of the recent past have been US controlled Companies and now they have  to compete with MSC for the Second biggest (Mediterranean/European) Market.

 MSC has tried with mixed results to get a bigger share of the Caribbean market by trying what they Think American Cruisers want in the way of onboard entertainment and features.

 MSC is the Elephant in the Room that the US controlled cruise lines are going to be dealing with as they move forward.😟

 

 

Great observation. I have “Carnival” friends that did the Caribbean on one of MSC’s new ships.  They booked another. They are value shoppers, not concerned about how many sardines are packed in the can but how much the can costs - the cheaper the better. 
 

PS - I don’t say Carnival friends as derogatory, only that their 1st choice in cruise lines is Carnival. We have been on a couple of Carnival cruises but our loyalty leans toward Celebrity. 

[DTB]

Diversity in Cruise Lines is a good thing.

 With Cruise lines like Virgin and Viking that are totally different in their Targeted Guest demographics it is possible to find the Ships we Each like to sail on.

 The Cruise industry grew with the advance of the Baby Boom generation but with our passing the Next generation has a broad range of choices of where and how they will cruise.👍

[DeanneB]

I like how you coined it that way @DTB Diversity is always a good thing.  We can see cruise lines that are targeting demographics that are not their main market.