Six-Flags of the Seas.No thanks, I'll keep cruising for the love of the sea and ports

[Nvtitan89]

[quote name='Aquahound']Since you mention it, I will probably avoid Quantum for a while because of just that reason. There are many reasons I do not want to sail out of that area, of which I will not get in to. I would love to sail this ship, but I can see myself waiting for Anthem.[/quote]

Ditto X2

[roe2ship]

I'm SO tired of the dumb statements that say if you like "shopping malls" and "amusements parks" at sea go for Royal ships. Please already it makes no sense at all.

I'll bet the same people here that are criticizing these new ships will have these ships in their countdown or signatures in the future.:rolleyes:

[Paul65]

[quote name='marielco']I can see that the amusement park type activities and attractions will be popular with many and long may they enjoy their cruises on Quantum.

Like others who have posted already I am one of those cruisers who like to know I am at sea, watch the waves and feel the breeze. It seems a pity that RCI could not keep both types of cruisers happy. Can they not install the amusements but still keep the open deck space? Clever engineers can surely achieve this if they put their minds to it.

If not it would be a shame for all the "open air" cruisers if the Radiance and other ships they like are allowed to age and be retired without something similar being added to the fleet.

It does not have to be one or the other, amusement park or classic cruising why not both?[/quote]

Are you saying they did away with open air spaces in the new design?

[Lovex4]

[quote name='roscoegirl']Sorry, I don't think you will find those things on Carnival Cruise line...at least not on the Pride!:)[/quote]

Just a little levity... IT WAS A JOKE.

[Midwestgal]

[quote name='cruisingator2']Yes and so do all the people that are booking the two Oasis class ships week after week. RCI knew what they were doing with Oasis and they know what they're doing with Quantum. They do their homework and the do it well.[/quote]
[B]I agree[/B]
[B]It goes to show there's something for everyone. I like that there's a big variety, I prefer a regular ship minus the bells and whistles but would enjoy doing the amusement cruise every so offend just for something different . No ones is right or wrong it's just what works for each person.[/B]

[blonde1981]

[quote name='luvscruising2007']Some of the new venues do sound interesting. However, I too am concerned that at some point they will have replaced all of the Radiance and Voyager class ships and we will have just the bigger ships.
[/quote]

This is what I'm most concerned about too. I love the smaller ships and hope that they don't retire them for just larger ships.

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

[quote name='Aquaman#1'][COLOR=darkred]Oh no, I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, sorry if I came across that way! There were a few others that used the "Amusement Park" analogy. I was just talking about that, not to one person in general. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=darkred]And yeah.....[/COLOR]
[LEFT][SIZE=5][COLOR=darkred]I'm keeping an eye on you!!![/COLOR][/SIZE][/LEFT][/QUOTE]

Got it! Have a good night.

[Paul65]

[quote name='blonde1981']This is what I'm most concerned about too. I love the smaller ships and hope that they don't retire them for just larger ships.[/quote]

I think that will, eventually, happen. I don't think they'll build any new "smaller" ships. This class will be a big step down in size from Oasis, but still a big ship, being slightly larger than Freedom in terms of gross tonnage.

[Dave85]

[quote name='luvscruising2007']Some of the new venues do sound interesting. However, I too am concerned that at some point they will have replaced all of the Radiance and Voyager class ships and we will have just the bigger ships.
[/quote]

I wouldn't worry too much about that. You'll always have ports like Baltimore that can't handle the bigger ships and they can always expand to new markets using smaller tonnage (see past expansion to Jacksonville, Carnival's attempt at Mobile, etc.). It wouldn't be profitable for the lines to abandon all of those secondary markets and just sail from MIA and FLL and NY.

[DarthGrady]

[quote name='Aquahound']Since you mention it, I will probably avoid Quantum for a while because of just that reason. There are many reasons I do not want to sail out of that area, of which I will not get in to. [COLOR="Red"]I would love to sail this ship, but I can see myself waiting for Anthem.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Yes, I've come to the same conclusion. My wife and I were planning on doing her inaugural cruise, but won't if it's out of NY/NJ. I've got nothing against the area, but it doesn't make much sense to fly up north for a cruise.

[ibcnusoon]

[quote name='DarthGrady']Yes, I've come to the same conclusion. My wife and I were planning on doing her inaugural cruise, but won't if it's out of NY/NJ. I've got nothing against the area, but it doesn't make much sense to fly up north for a cruise.[/QUOTE]

you're not interested in cruising to Canada or Bermuda?

[Nvtitan89]

[quote name='ibcnusoon']you're not interested in cruising to Canada or Bermuda?[/quote]

Please, just stop.

[mgoblue19]

Sounds like a great ship!

I'm sure they'll have ships of varying size going forward, based on their research and sales they'll know what they can sustain (along with port requirements).

These type of ships are great for cruises with more sea days.

Port intensive cruises won't need as many options on the boat, but having them is never a bad thing.

Not sure I really see them going below 3000 people in a boat in the future. Not sure if the next design they have is a "bigger than Oasis" or if they try and get a good mid level ship to handle the Vision class ships that'll be coming offline eventually.

[DarthGrady]

[quote name='ibcnusoon']you're not interested in cruising to Canada or Bermuda?[/QUOTE]

I'd love to do a Canada/New England itinerary someday. I'm sure Bermuda is awesome, but I have no burning desire to go there.

The problem is that inaugurals are typically pretty expensive in and of themselves. Plus airfare, and you're talking some big bucks. So unless Quantum's first cruise is something really magical (or they have it out of FL.) I'll probably pass. That said, I would be happy to take one of those Canada/NE cruises on her one day if the fares get low enough.

[Aviator of the Seas]

Well, QOS will be calling in San Juan so at least I'll get to jog down to the pier and look at it. I'll also try to get a travel agent boat inspection while it is at port.

[printingchick]

While IN THEORY I agree with the posts saying that it's good to have a wide variety of ship classes in order for everyone to be able to choose the style they prefer, I worry that this THEORY may not hold its validity.

It seems like RCCL tends to "UPGRADE" vessels to more closely resemble their newest ships, rather than working to retain the differences.

[I]"Oh look - people love those Shrek characters we have on Oasis! Let's put them on Freedom ships too!"
[/I]
[I]"Hey - people love all those theme-based specialty restaurants. Let's get rid of the free options, like SeaView Cafe, in favor of more revenue-generating options!"

"Who needs all that outdoor dining space at the Windjammer. Let's add another specialty restaurant in that area!"[/I]

I'm not "offended" by the mega ships which offer an amusement-packed experience targeting families traveling with kids. I just don't want to see that focus spread to over-take the other classes of ships.

As others have said, I like more outwardly focused vessels. Being AT SEA is one of the primary reasons I like to cruise. The first thing I do when I wake up on board is look out at the ocean.

The more family-focused vessels RCL offers, the more adult-focused experience I can expect on the smaller ships. And that's IDEAL. I'd prefer not to find Shrek sitting next to me in the Solarium hot tub! :p

[luvscruising2007]

[quote name='Dave85']I wouldn't worry too much about that. You'll always have ports like Baltimore that can't handle the bigger ships and they can always expand to new markets using smaller tonnage (see past expansion to Jacksonville, Carnival's attempt at Mobile, etc.). It wouldn't be profitable for the lines to abandon all of those secondary markets and just sail from MIA and FLL and NY.[/QUOTE]

I really hope you are right. I love cruising and cruising on RC. Will be watching the development of Quantum with much interest.

[RCKRZR]

I would love to sail on this ship. Quantum looks to be very thrilling to be on.

[Dave85]

[quote name='DarthGrady']I'd love to do a Canada/New England itinerary someday. I'm sure Bermuda is awesome, but I have no burning desire to go there.

The problem is that inaugurals are typically pretty expensive in and of themselves. Plus airfare, and you're talking some big bucks. So unless Quantum's first cruise is something really magical (or they have it out of FL.) I'll probably pass. That said, I would be happy to take one of those Canada/NE cruises on her one day if the fares get low enough.[/quote]

IMHO the Canada itineraries were 2 of the most boring cruises I ever took, so perhaps you shouldn't rush to do that one :p. Bermuda's nice but as I found out the last time I was there you need to be careful/lucky cruising during shoulder season or you might hit some unseasonably cool weather that you weren't expecting.

I didn't love how the casino had to close (for obvious reasons) for the 2-3 nights the ship is in Bermuda, but most people did partake in the evening entertainment that was available making it still quite lively.

[Onessa]

I love the title of this thread. I realize that my family and I may be in the minority, but we cruise almost entirely for the ports. We appreciate the ambiance on-board, and enjoy the dining experience, and like some of the activities -- but that is really more of a "bonus". Why I am on board is that it is a convenient and cost effective way to get from Stockholm to Helsinki (and then to SPB and Tallin, and Copenhagen) for example.

If I wanted a crowded water park, I would head to Wisconsin Dells! (and up until a week or so ago, I could ice skate on the pond across the street from my house)

[B-52]

[quote name='Paul65']Are you saying they did away with open air spaces in the new design?[/quote]


It's still too early to tell, but looking at the renderings there is much "covered" areas and not as much open areas as some other ships....
And I get the feeling it can become crowded in the available open areas...
But it is really hard to tell....

[DarthGrady]

[quote name='Dave85'][COLOR="Red"]IMHO the Canada itineraries were 2 of the most boring cruises I ever took, so perhaps you shouldn't rush to do that one[/COLOR] :p. Bermuda's nice but as I found out the last time I was there you need to be careful/lucky cruising during shoulder season or you might hit some unseasonably cool weather that you weren't expecting.

I didn't love how the casino had to close (for obvious reasons) for the 2-3 nights the ship is in Bermuda, but most people did partake in the evening entertainment that was available making it still quite lively.[/QUOTE]

Good to know, thanks. We're actually thinking about doing Alaska again next year or the year after on Celebrity. Now [I]that'll[/I] be a cruise worth flying for! :D

[quote name='printingchick']While IN THEORY I agree with the posts saying that it's good to have a wide variety of ship classes in order for everyone to be able to choose the style they prefer, I worry that this THEORY may not hold its validity.

It seems like RCCL tends to "UPGRADE" vessels to more closely resemble their newest ships, rather than working to retain the differences.

[I]"Oh look - people love those Shrek characters we have on Oasis! Let's put them on Freedom ships too!"
[/I]
[I]"Hey - people love all those theme-based specialty restaurants. Let's get rid of the free options, like SeaView Cafe, in favor of more revenue-generating options!"

"Who needs all that outdoor dining space at the Windjammer. Let's add another specialty restaurant in that area!"[/I]

I'm not "offended" by the mega ships which offer an amusement-packed experience targeting families traveling with kids. I just don't want to see that focus spread to over-take the other classes of ships.

As others have said, I like more outwardly focused vessels. Being AT SEA is one of the primary reasons I like to cruise. The first thing I do when I wake up on board is look out at the ocean.

The more family-focused vessels RCL offers, the more adult-focused experience I can expect on the smaller ships. And that's IDEAL. I'd prefer not to find Shrek sitting next to me in the Solarium hot tub! :p[/QUOTE]

Totally agree! I completely dislike that they're eliminating popular free venues in favor of one's with cover charges.

[jakenashleysmom]

Didn't read the entire thread, but every time they introduce a new ship I cringe. True it is fabulous for people who are interested in this type of ship, but what about the rest of us that are interested in "classic cruising"? I am still waiting for a Freedom class sized ship with classic amenities to come out.....just newer! Eventually all the older ships are going to need to be retired, then what? I suppose you graduate from Disney World eventually, maybe I need to move on from Royal. Heck, maybe I need to check out Carnival the way the prices are going up and up and up....<<shudder>> I am hoping that this is part of their marketing strategy.....and that they will come out with a "new! old fashioned cruiseship" a few years down the road. fingers crossed!

[littlesteelo]

The only thing I don't like the idea of is the silly observation pod. It looks ludicrous, and spoils the shape of the ship when it is being used. Also I can imagine it will be one of those things which will break frequently.

[WeLuvVacation]

[quote name='Aviator of the Seas']How carnival-esque will cruising continue to get? What are these focus groups that RCI is listening to? I thought the Oasis class was over the top in the amusement-park-ification of cruising, but bumper cars? Observation cranes? What the....

I'll stick to the Radiance, Voyager and Freedom classes. Sheesh.[/quote]

This just in from Adam Goldstien: QOS will be changed based on disapproval from some of our customers.

"We have decided to scrap all of our grandiose plans for a more conservative approach. We will be going back to the days and ways of the grand old ships like the Titanic. Steerage and everything."

"As a matter of fact all of our ships upon the next dry dock will be refurbed back to the days of Titanic."