Carnival Magic!!! Cheers and tears....

[pnjkeith]

I agree with the whole itineraries statements. Nice we have a new ship but I'd like to see them a least mix it up a little. Let's hope they aren't doing that silly non smoking casino thing on Magic like they do on the Dream.

 

 

 

Agree casino should be 100% smoking. Cigars n pipes should be allowed.

[karenh1127]

I can handle the ports but Good God the prices!!!! Wow!

[spencercoop]

A non-smoking casino? :eek: Seriously? :eek:

 

I hadn't heard that about Dream!

 

How's that workin' for 'em, I wonder? :confused:

 

The casino is not 100% non smoking. There is a little area that you can smoke. Their reasoning for making it non smoking is that you have to walk through it to get to other areas of the ship. Not like on previous classes where there is a walk way on the outside of the casino.

 

But what I don't understand is if they are making the casino non smoking because you have to walk through it to get to other areas of the ship, then why aren't the Spirit class ships casinos non smoking also. You have to walk through the casino on the Spirit class ships too.

[spencercoop]

This is what i got from a news clipping:

 

Carnival Conquest will reposition to New Orleans for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 13, 2011. The ship will offer three different week-long Caribbean options from New Orleans:

- a new western Caribbean program featuring Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel,

- an eastern Caribbean itinerary to Key West, Freeport and Nassau,

- and exotic western Caribbean cruises to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel.

 

Is this correct? if yes, then i like it.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-130000-ton-carnival-magic-to-operate-seven-day-caribbean-cruises-from-galveston-beginning-november-2011-to-be-ports-largest-year-round-ship-2010-06-23?reflink=MW_news_stmp

 

There is only one 7 day sailing to Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel on November 13.

[LemurCat]

But what I don't understand is if they are making the casino non smoking because you have to walk through it to get to other areas of the ship, then why aren't the Spirit class ships casinos non smoking also. You have to walk through the casino on the Spirit class ships too.

 

Most likely because it wasn't a concern when they were designed, and they don't feel like going back now and changing the policy now that people have cruised the ship previously.

[nybumpkin]

Despite my deep love for the Conquest (September will be my sixth sailing on her...) I find it fitting that she return to NOLA.

 

Joe Farcus designed the interior of the Conquest with NOLA in mind as that was to be her homeport. Katrina had something to say about that, however.

 

Moving the Ecstasy to NOLA baffles me. No port in the US is more profitable for Carnival than Galveston, period. She could easily remain in Texas sailing from Bayport or Galveston and sail full on every cruise and keep the pricing up where it is now.

 

I just don't understand...

 

:confused:

Mach - I think Carnival's idea was to return New Orleans to its pre-Katrina capacity, with Conquest and a Fantasy-class ship sailing from there. With Magic and Triumph, Galveston's capacity increases fairly substantially.

[arthierry]

 

I wonder if all these people will cruise the Dream again and again :rolleyes:

I honestly don't think they will.

 

Obviously this is a deck party, and pretty un-impressive to use as a way to judge traffic control. Hell we had a super-bowl party as well as a mardi-gras party and it was just as worst. In no way would I consider that a proper comparison.

[cruzngma]

Conquest will be doing Eastern, Key West, Freeport, Nassau

and alternating Western, Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

or Western Montego Bay Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

[spencercoop]

Mach - I think Carnival's idea was to return New Orleans to its pre-Katrina capacity, with Conquest and a Fantasy-class ship sailing from there. With Magic and Triumph, Galveston's capacity increases fairly substantially.

 

Galveston gets a 28% increase.

[sea_u_onboard]

You can't change geography or the speed of the ships

 

when you leave out of Galveston or Baltimore for that matter it is only physically possible to go to a few places

Maybe they will find a better place to go than Progresso tho..(Costa Maya is nice)

 

RCL Mariner out of Galveston is doing Belize, Roatan and Costa Maya - so it is possible to get to these ports on a 7 night cruise.

[*Mach*]

THANK YOU!!!! I'd do the itineraries regardless....I don't sail for the ports anyway, they are second to the R&R of being on the water. Maybe we could picket headquarters and show them these posts and ask if they REALLY want to home base a ship where there are a bunch of people SOOOOOO ungrateful to have her?????

 

Wasn't there a VERY similar story posted here a few days ago from some people in Charleston equally ungrateful for the Fantasy's arrival???????? Bring 'em all to Mobile and NOLA. We'll show you GRATITUDE!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Perhaps you should re read my posts. I am thrilled that the Magic is coming to Galveston. Nothing could make me happier other than retaining one or both of the other two ships.

Galveston is the most profitable port, by comparison, that Carnival services. NOLA is still growing back into it's former glory as a Carnival port. Will they get there again? Most likely so. NOLA is a fantastic city with wonderful people and places and a great port.

The issue is that for years we have been teased with the promise of new ports, longer and even shorter itineraries, and new ships. We got the new ships but little else.

:)

[Fairhope]

RCL Mariner out of Galveston is doing Belize, Roatan and Costa Maya - so it is possible to get to these ports on a 7 night cruise.

 

Yeah but you pay more for those RCL cruises. :p

[Cindy]

RCL Mariner out of Galveston is doing Belize, Roatan and Costa Maya - so it is possible to get to these ports on a 7 night cruise.

 

The Grand Princess also did those ports out of Galveston. We sailed on the Grand three years in a row from Galveston, and had three different itineraries.

[Cindy]

Yeah but you pay more for those RCL cruises. :p

 

In the past that was very true, but I looked this morning, and right now there is a pretty significant difference in RCCL's favor.

[*Mach*]

I emailed John Heald about my concerns this morning and recently got a reply and here it is:

The fact that Galveston is getting 2 huge ships and the vote of confidence that Carnival is giving to Galveston in deploying its newest and largest ship ever is something I hope everyone will enjoy and appreciate.

You can add that to your link if you wish.

Cheers mate and a big hello to Stitch

 

 

Of course, there is nothing in his message to disagree with. I am overwhelmed that we won the Carnival Magic. She will be amazing, to say the least. None the less, both the Conquest and the Ecstasy will be greatly missed and, in my fairly worthless opinion, belong in Galveston.

[Fairhope]

In the past that was very true, but I looked this morning, and right now there is a pretty significant difference in RCCL's favor.

You know what to do...

[Cindy]

I emailed John Heald about my concerns this morning and recently got a reply and here it is:

 

The fact that Galveston is getting 2 huge ships and the vote of confidence that Carnival is giving to Galveston in deploying its newest and largest ship ever is something I hope everyone will enjoy and appreciate.

 

You can add that to your link if you wish.

 

Cheers mate and a big hello to Stitch

 

 

Of course, there is nothing in his message to disagree with. I am overwhelmed that we won the Carnival Magic. She will be amazing, to say the least. None the less, both the Conquest and the Ecstasy will be greatly missed and, in my fairly worthless opinion, belong in Galveston.

 

 

I don't disagree with what John said, but I DO disagree that your opinion is fairly worthless!

[Fairhope]

I emailed John Heald about my concerns this morning and recently got a reply and here it is:

 

The fact that Galveston is getting 2 huge ships and the vote of confidence that Carnival is giving to Galveston in deploying its newest and largest ship ever is something I hope everyone will enjoy and appreciate.

 

 

 

Of course, there is nothing in his message to disagree with. I am overwhelmed that we won the Carnival Magic. She will be amazing, to say the least. None the less, both the Conquest and the Ecstasy will be greatly missed and, in my fairly worthless opinion, belong in Galveston.

 

Was John H a politician at one time?

[flynnsport]

I emailed John Heald about my concerns this morning and recently got a reply and here it is:

The fact that Galveston is getting 2 huge ships and the vote of confidence that Carnival is giving to Galveston in deploying its newest and largest ship ever is something I hope everyone will enjoy and appreciate.

You can add that to your link if you wish.

Cheers mate and a big hello to Stitch

 

 

Of course, there is nothing in his message to disagree with. I am overwhelmed that we won the Carnival Magic. She will be amazing, to say the least. None the less, both the Conquest and the Ecstasy will be greatly missed and, in my fairly worthless opinion, belong in Galveston.

 

Now try not to be greedy...share the wealth with Mississippi and Louisiana. We've had a rough five years and need to be able to get away on fun vacations and nice ships close to home.

[LemurCat]

Perhaps you should re read my posts. I am thrilled that the Magic is coming to Galveston. Nothing could make me happier other than retaining one or both of the other two ships.

 

Galveston is the most profitable port, by comparison, that Carnival services. NOLA is still growing back into it's former glory as a Carnival port. Will they get there again? Most likely so. NOLA is a fantastic city with wonderful people and places and a great port.

 

The issue is that for years we have been teased with the promise of new ports, longer and even shorter itineraries, and new ships. We got the new ships but little else.

 

:)

 

All due respect, Mach, and if it's gratitude you and the rest of the Texas Cruising Community are feeling, you've got a funny way of showing it. You've just said "Oh, I'm happy ... but ... I still want more."

 

You got half of what you were promised. That's more than most people hoping for a ship or new itineraries have ever gotten out of CCL. We're constantly teased up here with both and get neither.

[ADD Boy]

The issue is that for years we have been teased with the promise of new ports, longer and even shorter itineraries, and new ships. We got the new ships but little else.

 

:)

 

Mach, perhaps Carnival is betting that a brand new ship in this market will generate excitement and new revenue streams from the southwest area drive up cruise virgins? But that would assume they aren't sailing at 100+% capacity and/or meeting their revenue targets for on board spending.

 

I noticed in the CCL financial statement that the revenue/passenger ratio rose by a scant 2% for the first time in two years. I would be interested to know if new cruisers spend more or less on average than veterans on their S&S cards.

 

Up next: Ecstasy Dec 20 2010!

[*Mach*]

All due respect, Mach, and if it's gratitude you and the rest of the Texas Cruising Community are feeling, you've got a funny way of showing it. You've just said "Oh, I'm happy ... but ... I still want more."

 

You got half of what you were promised. That's more than most people hoping for a ship or new itineraries have ever gotten out of CCL. We're constantly teased up here with both and get neither.

 

 

Hummm... seems that I haven't stated it clearly enough in the last three or four times I've mentioned it... I am THRILLED that we're getting the Magic. I'll be glad to say it again if I need to.

Bottom line, as a stock holder, is revenue. Galveston, per passenger, produces more revenue that other ports. So, in my mind, it's simple... you put the ships where they make the most money and sail full with the least discounts...

:)

[*Mach*]

Now try not to be greedy...share the wealth with Mississippi and Louisiana. We've had a rough five years and need to be able to get away on fun vacations and nice ships close to home.

 

 

OK... I'm a stockholder and I want a good return on my investment and a better than average chance of success for the company I'm invested in. Therefore, I guess I am greedy.

[LemurCat]

Hummm... seems that I haven't stated it clearly enough in the last three or four times I've mentioned it... I am THRILLED that we're getting the Magic. I'll be glad to say it again if I need to.

 

Bottom line, as a stock holder, is revenue. Galveston, per passenger, produces more revenue that other ports. So, in my mind, it's simple... you put the ships where they make the most money and sail full with the least discounts...

 

:)

 

Yeah, I get that you're thrilled. It's the "BUT" that you keep using that speaks volume though. I doubt it's your intention, nor the intention of the rest of the Texas Cruising Community, but it just comes off as ... peevish (at least to me ... I could be projecting my own annoyance onto others). I dunno, perhaps it's a grass-is-always-greener situation, but I'd kill for a new ship up here, or any of the ports you folks are so sick of. I'm not sure you all would look kindly on the trade though.

[halos]

I'm genuinely happy for those who live close enough to Galveston to drive to port...

as for the rest of us, does anyone WANT to fly to Galveston to get on a ship?????

Count me out on that one.

 

Cruising out of FL ports...:)

Cruising out of CA ports...:)

Cruising out of NY :)

out of NOLA :D

 

even out of Boston :)

 

But Galveston is right there with Gulf Port, MS and Bayonne in my opinion...when you have to fly to port and do so at least one day before, you kinda like to go someplace a bit interesting.

 

So now, we have a bigger version of the same ship (only a bit more crowded)

Going to the same ports

from Galveston.

 

Can someone please tell me what the draw is here???? :confused:

I guess, like RCI out of Bayonne, this is just meant to be a ship/port that draws people from the area.....