I have a hard time thinking that it is equal. Cruisers pay list fare for their cruisers and what their loyalty program attainment is baed in that. Casino programs highly discount (according to some, they are free) rooms and this counts exactly the same. Apples and elephants.
When they went to the no tablecloth look, they added new tabletops, that presented a finished wood like appearance (do not really know the composition). While it was an adjustment, it is now the norm. Not a biggie by any means.
There is a reason that an overloaded boat is out floating in the Caribbean Sea. Nobody gets picked up that does not want to. I have witness three of these. In every case (and I am sure it was the case here) once spotted they were asked in they needed assistance. It is a requirement, but I am sure our local expert could chime in.
That is why options are always a good thing. For the record, if and when they do this, the segments would in all likelihood not be months at a time, but more like 3 to 4 weeks.
No dog in this fight, but my comment to you was you missed the point. His job is get and engage people engaged in Carnival discussions. Just like you and I are doing now. I can tell you that some of his topics are things that they do in fact discuss. Did he say it was def going to happen?