NCL trying to one up the Aquaduck ?

[ilovetexas]

But I would also expect people to be more tolerant, less judgemental, and not even start a thread that's just itching for a fight.

There have been far too many of them lately.

I've decided there are just a handful of the really nasty ones. They spout off over on Cruise Critic, too, and they're the same ones that never have a legitimate argument. They just name call and throw around insults. There are actually quite a few (possibly most) people on this board that have/do cruise other lines and enjoy them; they just aren't as vocal about it.

@Ned Land, about free sushi....nothing is "free" on a cruise ship but as far as not being charged extra....Carnival has great sushi and there is no extra charge. It's not as good as the place I go to locally but it's certainly better than any other sushi I've had at sea.

As for the original point of the thread, I still want to check out the habitrail AND the new slide that's going to be on Carnival Spirit when it goes to Australia.

 

[justmestace]

I was just thinking....does it really matter what the outside of the ship looks like, as long as there are a lot of fun things to do?

 

[MisterOJ]

I was just thinking....does it really matter what the outside of the ship looks like, as long as there are a lot of fun things to do?

I don't think so. I don't think how it looks on the inside matters that much either.

Case in point, first time I was on a Carnival Cruise, I thought the whole ship was decorated horribly. It was atrocious, but after a day or so, I got used to it and wound up having a great cruise.

 

[mlayton14]

Ive posted the question once, and I will post it again. For Dream/Fantasy class ships, how can a billion dollar ship not have enough deck space, chairs, to accomodate people wanting to sit out in the sun? How could they make the ship hold 40% more passengers, but actually make the adult pool smaller than on the old ships, and the kids/family pool the same size? There are plenty of posts from recent cruisers, even Disney fanatics, complaining about this.

Has anyone from Disney (Imagineer or otherwise) ever commented on this?

I cant believe its so that they didnt want to effect the look of the ship .. that is just crazy stupid, there must be another reason why this design was chosen.

With the above being said, I still want to cruise Disney for their other offerings and given the age of my kids, but I am just totally 100% befuttled how this could happen.

 

[templed]

Ive posted the question once, and I will post it again. For Dream/Fantasy class ships, how can a billion dollar ship not have enough deck space, chairs, to accomodate people wanting to sit out in the sun? How could they make the ship hold 40% more passengers, but actually make the adult pool smaller than on the old ships, and the kids/family pool the same size? There are plenty of posts from recent cruisers, even Disney fanatics, complaining about this.

Has anyone from Disney (Imagineer or otherwise) ever commented on this?

I cant believe its so that they didnt want to effect the look of the ship .. that is just crazy stupid, there must be another reason why this design was chosen.

With the above being said, I still want to cruise Disney for their other offerings and given the age of my kids, but I am just totally 100% befuttled how this could happen.

While I understand the frustration... it actually makes sense... Where is the ship going to make money? On the pools, or beefing up the activities on board.

... and technically... the combined cost of both ships is quoted at $1.8 billion... so... each ship would have cost $900 million... but what's 100 million amongst friends...

 

[justmestace]

While I understand the frustration... it actually makes sense... Where is the ship going to make money? On the pools, or beefing up the activities on board.

... and technically... the combined cost of both ships is quoted at $1.8 billion... so... each ship would have cost $900 million... but what's 100 million amongst friends...

Except that by the time people have gotten onboard, DCL has already made their money.....so that doesn't make sense either.


Personally, I think it has to do with the whole layout. DCL wanted to keep everything on one deck....little kids' water area, middle kids, and adults...and there's just too much cutesy stuffed in and around it all.

If they had placed the adult pool on a different deck, or far forward or aft, they'd have a lot more space.

If they had placed the tiny kids in a different area, like they do on some other cruise lines, they wouldn't have a problem.

 

[sandgrace]

Except that by the time people have gotten onboard, DCL has already made their money.....so that doesn't make sense either.


Personally, I think it has to do with the whole layout. DCL wanted to keep everything on one deck....little kids' water area, middle kids, and adults...and there's just too much cutesy stuffed in and around it all.

If they had placed the adult pool on a different deck, or far forward or aft, they'd have a lot more space.

If they had placed the tiny kids in a different area, like they do on some other cruise lines, they wouldn't have a problem.

Actually, I saw a show about cruises on The Travel Channel and cruises really make a lot of their money on alcohol, souveniers, spas and salons, casinos (which DCL doesn't offer) the little extras really add up. So DCL would be making more money if they kept people out of the pools doing other things that cost extra.

 

[Raspberry Beret]

Except that by the time people have gotten onboard, DCL has already made their money.....so that doesn't make sense either.


Personally, I think it has to do with the whole layout. DCL wanted to keep everything on one deck....little kids' water area, middle kids, and adults...and there's just too much cutesy stuffed in and around it all.

If they had placed the adult pool on a different deck, or far forward or aft, they'd have a lot more space.

If they had placed the tiny kids in a different area, like they do on some other cruise lines, they wouldn't have a problem.

Yes, IMO, Disney finds the appearance of the ship more important than the function in some cases. Which is fine with most DCL fans because it's Disney!! Other cruise lines go for function more than appearance, so their ships might not look so "classic" on the outside, but the public spaces and decks flow better and are more user friendly.

I must add that I find it ironic that some are talking about how tacky the slides and the sports deck on the Breakaway look. Have they not seen the Aquaduck lit up at night? That thing looks like it belongs in 70's Disco.

 

[templed]

Actually, I saw a show about cruises on The Travel Channel and cruises really make a lot of their money on alcohol, souveniers, spas and salons, casinos (which DCL doesn't offer) the little extras really add up. So DCL would be making more money if they kept people out of the pools doing other things that cost extra.

Exactly.

 

[justmestace]

Yes, IMO, Disney finds the appearance of the ship more important than the function in some cases. Which is fine with most DCL fans because it's Disney!! Other cruise lines go for function more than appearance, so their ships might not look so "classic" on the outside, but the public spaces and decks flow better and are more user friendly.

I must add that I find it ironic that some are talking about how tacky the slides and the sports deck on the Breakaway look. Have they not seen the Aquaduck lit up at night? That thing looks like it belongs in 70's Disco.

Yep, I said that earlier here somewhere....not about when it's lit up at night, but the first time I even saw the artist's rendering I thought it was ugly. Still do. And it covers one of the Mickey heads on the stack.

 

[justmestace]

Actually, I saw a show about cruises on The Travel Channel and cruises really make a lot of their money on alcohol, souveniers, spas and salons, casinos (which DCL doesn't offer) the little extras really add up. So DCL would be making more money if they kept people out of the pools doing other things that cost extra.

But during the day, most people do their drinking out by the pool. I don't know about anyone else, but if I go up there with the thought of relaxing near the pool and buying a cold drink, and it's so crowded with people that it gives me a headache and there's nowhere to sit...I'll go back to my room. So that really only leaves the spa and the shops.

 

[mlayton14]

While I understand the frustration... it actually makes sense... Where is the ship going to make money? On the pools, or beefing up the activities on board.

... and technically... the combined cost of both ships is quoted at $1.8 billion... so... each ship would have cost $900 million... but what's 100 million amongst friends...

Your explanation makes a lot of sense .. I dont like it, but it does make a lot of sense. I would hope though since Disney already charges exhorbitant rates that the variable revenue that they would get would be less important .. but of course this would be naive . Good post and thanks

 

[templed]

Your explanation makes a lot of sense .. I dont like it, but it does make a lot of sense. I would hope though since Disney already charges exhorbitant rates that the variable revenue that they would get would be less important .. but of course this would be naive . Good post and thanks

Well... that's the interesting thing. It's been suggested that Disney does charge a premium because the have to make up for the lost gambling revenue....

But, as a travel agent friend of mine suggested "Disney charges more because they can.... and people pay it..." There was an article that I read somewhere that said that Disney has been sailing at like 180% occupancy (well beyond double berth), which is far above any other line. There's a reason for it.

I've no frame of reference as I've not sailed DCL yet, but I'm sure that you get what you pay for.

 

[justmestace]

I've no frame of reference as I've not sailed DCL yet, but I'm sure that you get what you pay for.

Truthfully....for what I've paid for some of my Disney cruises (in suites especially) I DIDN'T get any more, and often times even LESS THAN, what I paid for when I cruised on other lines....and that's the God's honest truth.
I've had suites on other lines where I paid far less than the DCL ones, and gotten WAY MORE bang for my buck.

Disney is charming, and it's great for little kids/families....and yes, adults love it too.......but they have a ways to go before they catch up to some of the other cruise lines in respect to (among other things) their perks for past cruisers, and what they offer the suite people.

 

[DisDiva2]

Loved the Epic! Can't wait for the Breakaway!

 

[templed]

Truthfully....for what I've paid for some of my Disney cruises (in suites especially) I DIDN'T get any more, and often times even LESS THAN, what I paid for when I cruised on other lines....and that's the God's honest truth.
I've had suites on other lines where I paid far less than the DCL ones, and gotten WAY MORE bang for my buck.

Disney is charming, and it's great for little kids/families....and yes, adults love it too.......but they have a ways to go before they catch up to some of the other cruise lines in respect to (among other things) their perks for past cruisers, and what they offer the suite people.

I'm a big fan of celebrity concierge class. But, that was before we adopted my son.

 

[justmestace]

I'm a big fan of celebrity concierge class. But, that was before we adopted my son.

I just get irritated when people say (about Disney) "You get what you pay for"......

We started taking my son on Disney Cruise Line when he was 8 years old, and he's now almost 19. He chose another cruise line for his birthday/graduation gift...having cruised on two other lines (beside DCL) already, and that's fine with me.

I have two grandsons who I will get to take on DCL when they're old enough!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Of course you get what you pay for, why would anyone pay for something they are not getting? Frankly, I think there are good and bad to every line on which I have cruised, 7 different lines, 17 or 18 different cruises. There is something for most everyone who enjoys cruing, be it a ship, itinerary, repeat perks, etc. There is no reason for any of us to get all huffy if someone says they like RCCL and not DCL. So what? Does it ruin your experience on one ship if I say I like another better?

 

[justmestace]

Of course you get what you pay for, why would anyone pay for something they are not getting? Frankly, I think there are good and bad to every line on which I have cruised, 7 different lines, 17 or 18 different cruises. There is something for most everyone who enjoys cruing, be it a ship, itinerary, repeat perks, etc. There is no reason for any of us to get all huffy if someone says they like RCCL and not DCL. So what? Does it ruin your experience on one ship if I say I like another better?

You misunderstood my post above. You need to read back a ways to understand what I was referencing.
I don't like it when people say that Disney is better than all the other cruise lines, and then say "You get what you pay for" as if paying less for a cruise on another line will get you a poor experience. Or that paying more on Disney will get you a better experience. That is so not true.

 

[declansdad]

Agreed 100%.it maybe fun for teens/20 somthings , but thats about it

Not to mention it sticks out like a sore thumb....the same at that black hump/decks on the epic!

AKK

Long past my 20s but I would be trying it!