Are new ships worth the extra $$$$

[scubaman]

Looking at the Valor for April 2005. Is it worth paying the extra $$$ for the new ship or should I go on the COnquest?

till Rhaspody Of The Seas
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[tcsmithh]

i booked april 17th, i too hope it is worth it.

[partman57]

I have the other problem. Do I down grade now. could I stand going on older ships.....I am not sure. Want to go on Miracle in Jan. But could get cheaper deal on older ship.

10/03 Legend

[NancAngel]

Well we're hoping.. no make that counting on the new ships being great.. were booked for two cruises next year on the Valor
and I cant wait http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
Nanc


http://www.websmileys.com/sm/angels/littleangel.gif

Oceanic 9/86
Fantasy 5/97
Paradise 9/28/03
Carnival Valor 2/20/05
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Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
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[imlulu]

Are they really that more money compared to ships of that size??? We are going on the Miracle next Feb.. I debated between the Valor and the Miracle. After doing an older ship, a new ship was a definite. However the price breakdown per day was cheaper than the cruise I took 2 years ago.

No longer cruiseless...donations still accepted! Miracle 2/2005

Last cruise
Sensation 2/17/03

[BrendaB1]

In my opinion, worth every penny. Very disappointed with older Holiday, absolutley loved Conquest and can hardly wait to sail on both Miracle & Valor in 2005.

Valor 10/05 Miracle 2/13/05
Sensation 10/04 http://smileys.******************/cat/15/15_1_65v.gif ('http://www.******************/?partner=ZSzeb008')
Conquest May 2003
Holiday Sept 2002
Inspiration 2001
Celebration 2000
Crown Princess 1999
Oceanic (Big Red Boat) 1998

Days til Miracle Partae Pirates Cruise from Tampa
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http://home.comcast.net/~jlwgm/shepirate1.jpg
http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif

[dawnp]

I hope so - I'm booked on the Miracle and am planning the Valor trip right now for next year http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;7;3;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500until Century

Then let the countdown to the Miracle 08/07/04 begin

Fantasy - 02/04

[HOSKI]

It really depends what you are looking for and how flexible you are. The best cruise I ever took was on the Norway which was the oldest cruise ship afloat. Within a month I was on the Legend which was brand new and I loved her too. I'm a history buff of sorts so the Norway excited me. We met great people (our dinner table companions) and had a blast with them. Other things about the Norway were just plain bad: food, tending, heat in casino, etc. but it was a great cruise.

Fascination 1997 Destiny 2000
Victory 2000 Sensation 2001
Norway 2002 Legend 2002
NCL Dawn 2003 Inspiration 2003
Victory 2004 Holiday 2004

[marvholly]

It depends on how picky you are and the class of ship you are comparing. Since you are looking at the newer, Destiney & Conquest classes this is not an issue. Entertainment, lido food options, cabin amenities are similar. The picky comes in mostly about condition. I sailed Triumph when she was 6 mon old and just did the Victory at nearly 3 yr old. I, unlike other posters, did not see any stained carpet, worn walls, ect. However, since I am only "renting" a cabin for a week and not buying the ship I really do NOT care. I also do not call the hotel ahead on a land vacation to ask what color the rooms are, when they last painted my room or replaced the hall carpet or lobby furniture.

Again, I am only renting the place for a period of time, not buying it.

Holly

M/S Boheme 11/69
Rhapsody 2/77?
Azure Sea 3/89
Panama Canal 11/90
Mexican Riviera 3/98
Carnival Triumph 12/99
Carnival Spirit 12/01
NCL Dream 11/17/02
Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03
carnival Victory 3/28/04

[halos]

I like your answer, marvholly!
If stains bothered me, I wouldn't have a big, hairy dog, two teens and a husband!

I believe in Miracles
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[dickinson]

The carpets were replaced so therefore no more stains! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Mardi Gras 4/1988
NCL Norway 8/1990
Sensation 8/1996
Sensation 4/9/2000
Paradise 2/1/2002
Triumph 1/31/2004

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;9;5;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500
9/5 Paradise- Panama Canal

[momofmeg]

YES-the newer ships are worth the extra $$$$.

We were on Inspiration in DEC. Had a nice time. We went on Miracle four months later had a GREAT time. Everything was top notch-food-service-entertainment- and although we paid more per person for our 3 day Miracle then we did for our 7 day Inpiration-it was well worth it.

As I have said many times My one Princess cruise was the best when it came to food, service and entertainment-much better then my previous Carnival, RCCL and HAL cruises. Now I can honesty say Miracle was every bit as nice as Princess was if not better.

Would I cruise again on an older Carnival ship? Of course-right now we are looking at going on Sesation in the fall or possibly Inspiration again in spring 05. Do I want to take a newer ship again-in a heart-beat. What we do is save the nicer ships when it is just hubby and me. When we take our daughter we go for an older less expensive ship since we are still paying her way.

Anyway we love cruising. If it is an older ship we just don't expect as much. It is like comparing Six Flags to Disneyworld. Disneyworld is better but you can still have a good time at Six Flags.

Carnival Tropicale 10/15/98 Western Caribbean
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 11/22/99 Bahamas
Carnival Fascination 09/23/00 Southern caribbean
HAL Statendam 05/20/01 Alaska
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 11/08/01 Bahamas
Pacific Princess 09/29/02 Bermuda
Carnival Inspiration 12/14/03 Western caribbean
Carnival Miracle 04/09/04 Bahamas

[yarlenna]

There were several really fundamental changes in the ships. The earliest (still afloat) including the Holiday and Fantasy class ships have some rather primitave cabin decorations and some of the sofas and chairs in the public areas are less than comfortable. However, if you enjoy entertainment decoration (things like an immitation of the stage set from Cats, or a trolly parked in a public space) these "older" ships can pack a lot of fun for you. You will have lots of photo-ops in some outrageous settings.
The newer ships still have a lot of glitz. The public areas are much more comfortable. Some of the cabins are smaller than those on the earlier ships, but nothing is small.
If you want the extra tarrif restaurants and whatever the latest bells and whistles are, then go for the new stuff and absorb the cost. If the sight of a stained carpet will ruin your cruise, you may need to stay home. Things are spilled every day - just like at my house. Sometimes, these spills become stains. But if a frayed carpet or a worn seat would upset you, then go for the newest you can find. If all you want is for someone to cook, clean, and entertain, just about any of the ships will do.
Another factor may be itinerary, but be aware that a port call may be cancelled or substituted without notice. If you really really want to go to a specific island or port, fly there, rent a room and enjoy your stay. Otherwise, enjoy the ship as your vacation home for the duration and the port calls as entertainment for the day.

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Work like a dog. Live like a pauper. Save all your money. Then Cruise!
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