VA ~

Re: differences on ships, I have to agree with you, there is no way a person with one cruise under their belt can possibly know the differences of the ships and make comparisons.  The deck plans available at Carnival's website do not come close to saying it all.  There were differences on the Splendor, mainly how the Lido Deck was set up, that were enough for the Splendor to be on the very bottom of my list re: favorites.  I thought being the newest of the fleet when I cruised would automatically make it my favorite.  Nope.  The Victory still wins there even though I am not fond of it now having the big screen on the Lido Deck.  Oh well.  

Yeah, the basic layout of all the ships is pretty much the same, but there are still those subtle differences that can make it or break for me in terms of favs.  I have yet to cruise a Spirit class but based on all the feedback I read about that class of ship, I definately have to one of these days.

VA_Cruiser:

wait until you get on the Glory and you will see a difference. 

 

and if you listen to a lot of people you will see that yes the ships all have the same basic thing on them... the ships are a lot different...

and the biggest difference is with the spirit class ships..  

 

and after your one cruise... I am in awe that you know everything...and know what all the ships are like..... 

 

I do not usually get rude with people... but you need to sit back and keep on learning..  go on more ships and learn what the difference is with them...  the size has nothing to do with it..... 

I replied to you VA, but believe it or not.... POST PENDING MODERATION.  Seems to happen a lot when I respond to your posts.  Hmmmmmmm.

maybe they just do not want to irish people communicating with each other.

I think there are pros and cons of both but like others have said, no cruise is a bad cruise.  I think with the smaller ships you meet more people over and over again throughout the ship and the you get to know the crew more as there is less people and with the larger ships you meet more people in general but some you never see again as there is more room to roam around.  Also, some areas do get more congested.  I myself prefer a medium size...I am sailing on the Oasis next year and I am really not looking that forward to it, I think it is going to be too big and WAY too many people!

tracyanns:

I think there are pros and cons of both but like others have said, no cruise is a bad cruise.  I think with the smaller ships you meet more people over and over again throughout the ship and the you get to know the crew more as there is less people and with the larger ships you meet more people in general but some you never see again as there is more room to roam around.  Also, some areas do get more congested.  I myself prefer a medium size...I am sailing on the Oasis next year and I am really not looking that forward to it, I think it is going to be too big and WAY too many people!

irishlizz:

I replied to you VA, but believe it or not.... POST PENDING MODERATION.  Seems to happen a lot when I respond to your posts.  Hmmmmmmm.

chassie:

tracyanns:

I think there are pros and cons of both but like others have said, no cruise is a bad cruise.  I think with the smaller ships you meet more people over and over again throughout the ship and the you get to know the crew more as there is less people and with the larger ships you meet more people in general but some you never see again as there is more room to roam around.  Also, some areas do get more congested.  I myself prefer a medium size...I am sailing on the Oasis next year and I am really not looking that forward to it, I think it is going to be too big and WAY too many people!

TRACYANNS>OOH GURL! HAVE YOU SEEN THE OASIS! HUNNY, THAT SHIP IS A CITY IN IT'S SELF! AND IT SUPPOSED TO BE THE BIGGEST SHIP OF ALL! GURL, WE WANT PICS! I SEEN IT, IT AIN'T NO JOKE. WOULD YOU BELEIVE IT HAS A PARK IN THERE??

VA_Cruiser:

maybe they just do not want to irish people communicating with each other.

That could be it VA!   They did finally post my post even though and I can't for the life of me figure out any other reason that could have triggered getting sent to the principal's office.

irishlizz:

That could be it VA!   They did finally post my post even though and I can't for the life of me figure out any other reason that could have triggered getting sent to the principal's office.

Once you get sent to Detention you are on the naughty list...and all you have to do is look at someone funny and off you go

 We have been on ships from the size of the Celebration to the Conquest class.  I feel each class has it's own charm.  While there is a lot going on  on the Conquest class, the most fun we have had was on the Celebration, our first Carnival ship.  My favorite layout is the Miracle which is the Spirit Class.  I would never let the size or class of ship stop me from cruising it.  Carnival does an excellent job of maintenance and cleaning ships.  The Ecstasy is eighteen years old but I love the ship.  After our b2b on the Conquest in December, I hope to book our 5th on the Ecstasy, it just got out of drydock so I am anxious to see the difference.  I don't think you will be unhappy no matte which class you choose.

Joan

tracyanns   Did you see on TV a couple of days ago, the Oasisbarely cleared under a bridge on it's way to the US.  If it had been 2 ft talleer, it would have been a disaster.  I was told by someone from Carnival, they don't plan on building anything larger than the Dream.  I guess time will tell.  We were also told that these huge ships are a disaster waiting to happen.   I guess Carnival doesn't want to get caught up in this.  Again, we will see.

Joan

Joan ~ I saw that news clip online and the smokestacks on the Oasis had to be lowered to clear the bridge.   Just looking at pictures of the Oasis it looks incredibly top heavy and not that safe...  at least to me.  No thanks.  Personally I haven't been too excited about the Dream since to me it seems HUGE.   Will wait and see what my friends here at CC have to say after the Monkeyhead Dream cruise in January and then decide if I want to book a cruise a cruise on it.

Personally I think the cruise lines are all starting to get a bit silly with the bigger, better thing.  I mean bowling alleys (NCL) and ice skating rinks (RCCL)...  come on. 

~ Lizz

I agree with you Lizz,

there are a few things some of those big ships have that I can do without on a cruise.. 

things you didn't mention , the rock climbing wall, and the big screen.  I know a lot of people really like the big screen,,, I just find them annoying.  Also I do not need johnny rockets

I totally hear you on the big screen... I find them annoying and think it takes away from the entertainment (bands) on the Lido Deck.  Rocking climbing... nah.  Not even my thing.   And Johnny Rockets?   I think I posted somewhere that there are a total of 12 eating establishments on the Oasis that cost extra.   No thanks, especially for a burger!

I think the Oasis is going to be too big as well.  This was not my choice, this is a group cruise that we go on and they think bigger is better.  I think it is going to be impossible to get a deck chair or a seat at my favorite bar, that is what I think.  I do not use the flowrider or the rock climbing.  I have been on NCL and I actually really enjoy the bowling alley, I can say the boat rocked when I get my gutter balls!

I just can't imagine with over 5,000 people they are going to be able to make the dining function well and imagine the lines for the buffet and grills!  I have nothing against RCCL, I have not had a bad cruise with them, I just think they are going in the wrong direction with cruising.  I mean do we really need a carousel on a cruise ship?  And the restaurants...I am used to paying with NCL...I think out of their 11 only 3 or 4 were free so we only ate in the dining room once and spent a few hundred dollars on food and tips at the other restaurants, but I have to admit, the only bad meal I had on them was in the dining room...I think they do that on purpose so you pay to go to the others.

I doubt I will ever be able to get group to come over to Carnival...they have too many cruises under their belts and get all of the perks so they aren't going to lose that free bottle of wine no one ever drinks.  If they step back and look at the price difference they should get a few cases for free!