Carnival trying to steal some thunder.....?

[PryncessChrysty]

So they announced the names of the 2 new ships coming to the DCL fleet this week, Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy, and the very same night that they make the announcement I see a commercial for Carnival Cruise Line advertising their brand new ship called.......the Carnival DREAM!!!! While I don't know who had it first, and obviously Disney doesn't own the word, it's pretty clear to me that Carnival is blatantly trying to steal some of Disney's business here. Not a big surprise that they would want to do that, but that's just a low blow, IMHO.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I don't think anybody is stealing anything, but Carnival has had a Fantasy in their fleet for a very long time. They have a whole class of ships called the Fantasy Class. I'm pretty sure they announced the Dream quite some time ago. I guess all the cruise lines are running out of cool new names?

 

[tickledtink33]

So they announced the names of the 2 new ships coming to the DCL fleet this week, Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy, and the very same night that they make the announcement I see a commercial for Carnival Cruise Line advertising their brand new ship called.......the Carnival DREAM!!!! While I don't know who had it first, and obviously Disney doesn't own the word, it's pretty clear to me that Carnival is blatantly trying to steal some of Disney's business here. Not a big surprise that they would want to do that, but that's just a low blow, IMHO.

I don't think Carnival is trying to steal Disney's thunder. Carnival announced the name of their new ship Carnival Dream a looooooooong time ago. I think it was over a year ago. The Carnival Dream will set sail this fall and during much of the year it will be sailing from (can you guess) Port Canaveral.

Disney is going to be facing some tough competition in the near future. One of Royal Caribbean's newest ships, Freedom of the Seas, will be sailing from Port Canaveral. This ship has the ice rink and show, rock climbing wall, flow rider, and royal prominade where there are shops, restaurants and parades. The brand new Carnival Dream will have a water park type pool area, and a huge spa with a Thalassotherapy pool. With Disney charging nearly double what other cruise lines are charging, I'm really hoping they will WOW us Disney fans with the new ships. They will need to come out with some new innovative features if they want to stand out. Especially if they are going to charge the uber high prices they are currently asking.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Good points to both PP's. Maybe I was a little too harsh. I'm just a little biased, I suppose.

 

[mikelan6]

Norwegian Cruise Line had a "Norwegian Dream" ship a few years back. I don't think that Carnival or any other line can really match Disney for their uniqueness. Besides, I think most people just want to be on a "Disney Cruise," and don't much care what the ship will be called.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Carnival's 130,000 GRT Carnival Dream will begin service in September 2009 and operate out of Port Canaveral beginning December 2009.

Carnival Cruise Lines has another "Dream Class" ship on order. The Carnival Magic is coming in 2011. (Yes, the Carnival Magic!) Assuming that the Disney Magic leaves Port Canaveral when the the Disney Dream goes into service, at least there won't be two ships called "Magic" operating out of Port Canaveral.

There's also a Carnival Fantasy. It's an older (1990) and smaller (70,367 GRT) ship. It's the oldest ship in Carnival's fleet.

Now, the only question is, when will Carnival announce that they're building a ship called the Carnival Wonder?

 

[BriarRosie]

I don't think anybody is stealing anything, but Carnival has had a Fantasy in their fleet for a very long time. They have a whole class of ships called the Fantasy Class. I'm pretty sure they announced the Dream quite some time ago. I guess all the cruise lines are running out of cool new names?

I was going to mention that I was on the Inaugural 4 day cruise on the Carnival Fantasy....back in 1990.

But I wasn't going to say Disney took the idea after all these years.

 

[noladave]

Something needs to happen with Disney. Maybe Carnival, or another competitor, will be the kick in the pants that Disney needs.

We are looking at a cruise next February, instead of doing WDW, and Disney's prices are outrageous.

The week before, and the week after President's day, is something like $3,400 for a cruise, but during President's week it is over $5,000.

A 7 day cruise to the Carribean on Carnival for 4 people is about $3,500 for the same week.

Are you telling me that Disney cruise is worth more than $2,000 over a Carnival cruise???

I agree with Pete - Disney needs to do something, or they will start losing business. At this rate, we will either do Carnival, or go somewhere else next February (we've been to Disney 6 of the past 7 years)..

 

[goofybeagle]

Something needs to happen with Disney. Maybe Carnival, or another competitor, will be the kick in the pants that Disney needs.

We are looking at a cruise next February, instead of doing WDW, and Disney's prices are outrageous.

The week before, and the week after President's day, is something like $3,400 for a cruise, but during President's week it is over $5,000.

A 7 day cruise to the Carribean on Carnival for 4 people is about $3,500 for the same week.

Are you telling me that Disney cruise is worth more than $2,000 over a Carnival cruise???

I agree with Pete - Disney needs to do something, or they will start losing business. At this rate, we will either do Carnival, or go somewhere else next February (we've been to Disney 6 of the past 7 years)..

I agree! We have done 4 Disney Cruises over the past 5 years with the prices now rising to a point where we can no longer go on a Disney Cruise. We are DVC members,but it is not worth using points for cruising, so we are going on an 8 night Eastern Caribbean this year on RCCL in a balcony for only 1098.00 per person.

I really hope that Disney considers not pricing themselves out of the water when the two new ships arrive. That would be so disapointing with the excitement of true whole hearted Disney fans that will want to travel on the Dream and Fantasy but will have to travel other cruise lines.

 

[nedac]

There's also a Carnival Fantasy. It's an older (1990) and smaller (70,367 GRT) ship. It's the oldest ship in Carnival's fleet.

No sir, its not the oldest... I can think of several older ones... the Celebration and the Holiday right off the top of my head.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

I am going on a WDW cruise for the first time in November. I sometimes wonder if other cruises are comparable. Lord knows WDW cruises are more expensive. haha

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

No sir, its not the oldest... I can think of several older ones... the Celebration and the Holiday right off the top of my head.

I had forgotten that the even older (1985), even smaller (46,051 GRT) Holiday is still part of Carnival's fleet.

However, there are not several older Carnival ships than the Fantasy, only the Holiday.

The former Celebration now sails as the Grand Celebration for Iberocruceros, a cruise line (partially owned by Carnival) sailing European itineraries, primarily for Spanish-speaking passengers.

The three earliest Carnival ships (Mardi Gras, Carnivale, Festivale) have been sold for scrap after sailing for other cruise lines after Carnival. Two other pre-1990 Carnival ships (Tropicale, Jubilee) still sail for other lines.

 

[noladave]

I am going on a WDW cruise for the first time in November. I sometimes wonder if other cruises are comparable. Lord knows WDW cruises are more expensive. haha

we've been on 3 previous cruises -

Alaska cruise many years ago, our honeymoon cruise in 92 on the Carnival Ectasy, and then in 1998 on the Disney Magic.

Each cruise was a unique, and wonderful experience. If the Disney cruise was just a couple of hundred dollars more, I would say hands down that Disney creates that extra little big of "Magic".

However, when I see a price difference of $1,500 to $2,500 for a family of 4, I really question the difference. I think our family of 4 going on a 7 day Carribean cruse to St. Marteen, and other islands would compare quite favorably to going to Nassau and Disney's private island. I (and the family) would miss seeing the Disney characters. But it may come down to simple math - Are Disney Characters = $2,000???

 

[BriarRosie]

Something needs to happen with Disney. Maybe Carnival, or another competitor, will be the kick in the pants that Disney needs.

We are looking at a cruise next February, instead of doing WDW, and Disney's prices are outrageous.

The week before, and the week after President's day, is something like $3,400 for a cruise, but during President's week it is over $5,000.

A 7 day cruise to the Carribean on Carnival for 4 people is about $3,500 for the same week.

Are you telling me that Disney cruise is worth more than $2,000 over a Carnival cruise???

I agree with Pete - Disney needs to do something, or they will start losing business. At this rate, we will either do Carnival, or go somewhere else next February (we've been to Disney 6 of the past 7 years)..

I still think Disney is a better quality product over Carnival, except I don't have a basis of comparison on the newest Carnival ships. I know Disney's split bathrooms in staterooms (and size of them in general) has been superior compared to most of the industry.

I'd want to try the new Carnival ships to see how they compare.

 

[Timmbco]

Disney deserves what they get. IMHO the new Disney ship names are completely LAME!! They are boring, lack imagination, and are a huge disappointment to me. I can't believe they didn't come up with something better. Disney has "Imagineers" for gosh sakes and that is the best they can do? I am stunned that so many people are pleased with the names.

Okay, I got this out, now I feel better. Everyone has their own rant I guess.
(the buffet line issue is a close second )

 

[SamIAm21]

I sailed on the Magic in 2007 and had a wonderful cruise. The service was awesome and we enjoyed the week because we got a kick out of taking our daughter and she was just in awe all week.

However, in 2003, my DH and I sailed on the RCL Navigator and let me tell you, that cruise is the best I've ever been on. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding in my mind. We also got ressie's for Portofino, a specialty restaurant on board as well. That service was fabulous, but our server in the main dining room was perfect as well.

When we stopped in Cozumel, it was extremely hot and I got a little "sunsick" and didn't make it to dinner that night. Our server had my meal delivered to my stateroom and the person who delivered refused my tip. He said he was doing a favor for Ashlar, our server. You don't get better than that!!

Disney better watch its Ps and Qs. The competition is hot on their heels!

 

[goofygal531]

I think the Carnival Dream is a great addition to Port Canaveral. We're thinking of sailing on it in Aug 2010. I've been researching it and it's really hard to compete with DCL, but the Carnival Dream is claiming to have the largest kids's camp, the big screen tv by the pool, and larger staterooms with 2 bathrooms just like DCL.

We sailed the DCL Wonder before our kids were born and loved it. It was actually our first cruise and DH regretted sailing DCL first, because nothing compares. We've since sailed NCL and RCCL. DCL is the best for quality and service, I truly agree. But their prices are just insane.

We were thinking of sailing on the DCL Magic next Aug, but the price for our family of four in a cat 6 verandah stateroom was $7,300! The Carnival Dream quoted me $3,200 for the SAME SIZE STATEROOM!

Sorry, gotta go with the lower rate. Too much of a price difference for me NOT to sail with Carnival. Even though my kids are beggin to go on "Mickey's Boat".

I hope these new ships make DCL lower their prices. They're no where near other cruise ship fares!

 

[SamIAm21]

When people are confident about their employment and the economy, they are willing to "extend" themselves a bit and go on a Disney cruise. However, the family looking to cruise this year and probably for the next few years are going to look for lower cost alternatives. I think the new Carnival ships are beautiful and RCL's Oasis of the Seas is going to BE the destination regardless of what ports it stops at. Disney is going to be running uphill against these other cruise companies until people feel fat and happy again. I think that's going to be awhile.

 

[goofygal531]

When people are confident about their employment and the economy, they are willing to "extend" themselves a bit and go on a Disney cruise. However, the family looking to cruise this year and probably for the next few years are going to look for lower cost alternatives. I think the new Carnival ships are beautiful and RCL's Oasis of the Seas is going to BE the destination regardless of what ports it stops at. Disney is going to be running uphill against these other cruise companies until people feel fat and happy again. I think that's going to be awhile.

That was our first choice after DCL before I discovered the Carnival Dream. The Oasis was a little pricey, even with the Early Saver Rates. Carnival's pricing is really rock bottom right now. For sailings 5/1/10 to 4/30/11 rates in cat 8A Balcony start at $769. They're pricing it right for the economy! I'm sold!

 

[noladave]

I just priced the 7 day eastern carribean cruise for 3 lines:

Disney, royal carribean, and Carnival.

The key to comparison was similarity in cabins, same routes (close to it), and same number of days/nights. Outside balcony was a must for us.
2 adults, 11 and 16 yo kids.

Winner by a landslide:

Carnival Dream (130,000 ton ship).
Suite Stateroom $4,689.40

Royal caribbean -
Superior Ocean View stateroom (with balcony) - $4,796.

and the biggest loser -------

Disney Cruise Lines
Category 4 - $9,520
Category 5 - $7,960

Category 11 - 5,510.00


Almost twice as much to go on a Disney Cruise. Guess we won't be doing that next February. Looks like Carnival, but we will still check around for other cruises.