quote:

Originally posted by TrvlPro:
You know, we get these reports back from every passenger that sails after they return. All this time I thought the system was pretty accurate. Turns out it's rubbish. Coming here I get good reports on ships I'd written off as old tubs from people I know shoot me straight.

Time for a new system! Thanks for the insight, I'm going to be more skeptical of what I get from the masses of the general public from here forward.

Cheers, Neil

Neil, I recently found that GE has their customer service reports asking questions for a third party. For example, "would you recommend to a friend", "would anyone you know benefit from our services" etc. Somehow it takes the responsibility of a first hand report off the responder and they tend to be more honest. Maybe that would get your answers but of course you can always find out here, as you mentioned. You simply have to sift through the wonderful endless posts about food and the good old days etc.

let me ask this, if i was to book a cruise on Carnival Holiday for early next year and the ship is re-assigned, would Carnival just cancel my trip, apply the money towards the new ship (higher fees may apply) or just swap the name of the ship and call it an even trade even though the ship has been "upgraded"? anybody know how it has been handled in the past?

blacfly - Something similar happend with the Sensation and Fantasy after the FEMA Charters. The Sensation was supposed to return to New Orleans, but it had trouble with its engines and couldn't keep up with a 4/5 day itinerary - So they swapped itineraries with the Fantasy on its 3/4 day Bahamas itineraries. The ships are identical so everyone with a reservation on either ship was moved into an itentical room on the other ship.

Here is the original press release in the archives

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Articles/SEFA_switch.aspx

Steve and Penny, oh yeah the old classic ships, they are a sight to behold. My first cruise was on an old classic...The Dolphin Ocean Breeze. Now talk about a beauty...she was actually commissioned in the 50's. My heart will always belong to the older ships. I even enjoy the Norwegian Majesty..just the right size and very close to home.

Right now, we have 11 cabins booked for Holiday over Halloween, this will be my second cruise on her. Neil, I second everything Dave said! For the money, Mobile and Holiday cannot be beat. I did speak with our PVP and nothing other than rumors on Holiday being transferred. If they do, it will be a larger ship and all existing reservations will transfer to the newer ship. Hopefully the crew will also! Time will tell. Dave-there's still room for Halloween...

Thanks tn, I'd love to be there in October but it just isn't possible.

Carol, your above post sounds as if it could have been written by me. Our cruise on OceanBreeze was among our favorites. When she was headed for the scrap yard, I poured my thoughts into somewhat of a eulogy for her, and it was published. Hardest column I ever wrote, but took little time.

I am sorry to have missed Carnival Holiday. I also enjoy smaller ships, and had hoped to sail as many as I could before they were retired. I'll just have to live through others' reviews.

I too will miss the Holiday. We cruised her in October 2006 and had a terrific time. The smaller ship was just as comfortable and didn't lack any of the amenities we appreciate most (good food and great ports of call). The crew is terrific top to bottom. I was planning to do that cruise again in a year or two, but now we may have to do it on a bigger ship. Mobile is a great port, so we still won't hesitate.

Just to let you all know. The rumors were confirmed to me by Brad the CD this weekend. HOLIDAY is been sold to Carnival's line in Australia and will be moved. She's a grand old ship. We had a blast! Proud to be one of her last voyagers.

Steve, thanks for the info. I just called our CVP. They are still taking reservations on the Holiday (not surprising since its replacement will be larger anyway) but the vacation planners still have not been told anything. They did say the cruise directors are usually the first to know so more info should be forthcoming soon as to its final cruise date.

Steve,

Glad to hear you liked the ol' girl! I'll miss her.

Now let the guessing game begin as to the replacment!

Dave, that's where I was... trying to figure out which ship they plan on replacing her with. I have never been to Mobile, how big are the port facilities? I imagine that if they could handle the Holiday, they should be able to at least handle a Fantasy class ship... but which one? And, if the Holiday is going out, then a new ship must be coming in or they will need to cancel some itinerary and move a ship into Mobile. I know the Splendour is coming online in next summer but it is doing Europe cruises until at least October of 08. Maybe they plan on a shuffle of ships for the of season when the Freedom and the Splendour will be in the states? I sure hope CCL is not planning on abandoning Mobile...

And one more thought.. if they have sold the Holiday, can Celebration be far behind? Maybe they sold the Celebration too?

From what I've read lately, maybe the Celebration should have gone before the Holiday...if passenger satisfaction is any indicator.

Mobile has a beautiful port and the operation is the best we've ever seen! A larger ship may make it less so though, as I have no doubt more passengers will have to park in the auxiliary lots around the parking garage. The garage is where you want to be if you drive. The people make it special. Without question, the Mobile port staff is the nicest, most courteous, most helpful group we've ever seen for a cruise. Heck, they even go around on the day before the cruise ends and fix any flat tires they find for free. Of course, this also means no problems getting people out of the garage but it still is a nice gesture.

Wow.. now that's customer service. You make me wish that Mobile was closer. The Port of Houston was very customer friendly (not Galveston, which is a different port) too, but I doubt they fixed flats!

You may be correct on the number of passengers affecting the port's abilities to have that kind of service, but a Fantasy class ship is not THAT much more in the passenger count area.

Our PVP says Mobile is a "hot port" and no way will they abandon that. Guesses are it will be the Sensation or Fantasy.

I would consider Mobile lukewarm at best...

Mobile Bay water may be lukewarm, but the port facility is hot.

Everyone on board who knew about the sale of the ship seems to think it will be Fantasy as the new occupant. I also think Mobile is entrenched in Carnival's plans. Great port that is easy to get into and out of for travelors. Why haven't any of the other lines figured this out yet?