When carnival took over P&O cruises (the people who invented cruising) P&O profit helped Carnival who, whilst big and powerful, I'm told were having a bit of a flat time.
In this day and age all industries are populated by companies who are dominant in the industry are seeing their profit margins held purely by acquisition of others.
Stu
What both of you have to say is quite valid and it is the nature of business that had lead to what we have seen happen amongst these companies. It is sad, though, however, that Carnival does not try to remarket and enhance a company with tradition, style, and a prestigeous history (albiet for a couple decades, yes, they were dying fast). To each their own, I suppose.
It is true that Cunard may spin this design even further to make her more unique, however, looking at the stage she is in in the construction process, I see her being nothing more than a modified Oosterdam. Again, time will tell.