Early Saver Discontinued

[justjim312]

Originally Posted by emelvee

Actually I would expect a hard max for luggage items to be an upcoming policy. Additional charge if you have over "X" number of bags, or "X" pounds of luggage. Airlines have successfully done it, even if people grumble about it.

Well you can kiss bye to what little remains of "elegant night" or for that mater any type of dress code anywhere on the ship. I can just see it now, cutoff jeans, no problem, T-shirts in the MDR, no problem, swimsuits anywhere, no problem. Once you start limiting what and how much people can bring on board, all guidelines go out the window.

[big_duck]

Originally Posted by Sh1035

Well the stock price hit a new yearly high so someone's doing something right. As a cruiser and a stock holder I have yet to see a cutback that would make me not want to buy the product.

The rise in price has more to do with this:

"Carnival (LON: CCL) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Investec. The firm currently has a $45.97 target price on the stock."

then any cuts to programs or new ones.

Remember, Carnival (the cruise line) is not the huge chunk of the corp business that it used to be, in fact by my basic calculations based on financial statements, it probably accounts for less then 20% of total company business and based on new builds in the pipeline and the transferring of ships out of the fleet that percentage is going to significantly decrease over the next couple of years.

[CENTEX CRUISER]

I agree with you , as we have paid the $50 PP twice now because we switched to Royal..I just wish Royal would stay in Galveston year round..

Originally Posted by firefly333

I think Carnival makes a lot off ES .. people never plan on changes when they book ... and then things come up. I had it happen and I bet others do too .. and Carnival either keeps all your deposit or charges $50 and holds the rest of your deposit.

I think they are smiling all the way to the bank on this one because they make a killing off so many of us who either pay the fees, or lose their deposits.

I think the next cut wouldnt be this.. just my guess.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

Originally Posted by justjim312

Well you can kiss bye to what little remains of "elegant night" or for that mater any type of dress code anywhere on the ship. I can just see it now, cutoff jeans, no problem, T-shirts in the MDR, no problem, swimsuits anywhere, no problem. Once you start limiting what and how much people can bring on board, all guidelines go out the window.

That won't ever happen. Those that fly are already under luggage restrictions and most people driving aren't keen on the idea of hauling extra suitcases with them. I can see something about a weight limit on each bag if one is extreemly heavy.

[CoquinaKeyNereid]

I hate to say this about Early Saver but there are soooo many people that book using this rate because of the savings and OBC perks but really do not understand the penalties that may arise if they or someone in their party cancels. Just take a look at the boards........not a day goes by that there is not a post or two or three about someone that has to cancel due to XXX or someone in thier cabin suddenly cannot go or a relationship is breaking up etc.... and now they are wanting Carnival to make a special exception to them and not impose the penalty because their situation is so unique. I can't say that I really blame Carnival if the ES is the next to go. I cannot imagine how many calls they must receive each day from passengers that did not understand their booking rate and now want an exception to the ES rules.

IMHO the ES rate must be a real PITA to Carnival but I'm sure, as others have said, that they do make a lot off of the $50 pp penalty.



.

[golfadj]

Originally Posted by vacruizer

They've already taken the room service menu out of the little books in the rooms. It's now printed on a regular size piece of paper and stuck in the middle of all the art auction and jewelry sale garbage in your room the first day.

I wonder how many cruisers (especially newbies) never see it or know it's available? I'd be willing to bet it cut way down on food cost as well as number of room service waiters needed.

Think you are right

[big_duck]

I blame myself for this.

A couple of weeks ago I complained to The Brand Ambassador™ about the FCC redemption web page not working properly.

I guess this was an easier solution then fixing the page.

[azpilot]

All dining room and buffet plates and silverware. Think of the cost savings by going to plastic knives, forks, spoons and plates! Less fuel load because of less weight and they can burn the stuff and save on garbage! What a concept.. lol

[Earthworm Jim]

Originally Posted by justjim312

Well you can kiss bye to what little remains of "elegant night" or for that mater any type of dress code anywhere on the ship. I can just see it now, cutoff jeans, no problem, T-shirts in the MDR, no problem, swimsuits anywhere, no problem. Once you start limiting what and how much people can bring on board, all guidelines go out the window.

Even without luggage restrictions, that's the way they are heading with the dress code anyway. And as much as I dislike it, they are probably right. If Carnival is aiming to be their youth oriented brand, today's youth really doesn't like to dress up so being less and less formal might be the way to go. How many younger guys don't even own a suit?

They'll probably stay dressier on Carnival Corp's other lines with an older clientele, but eventually today's youth will be tomorrow's middle aged and the dress code will go downhill there as well.

[JaxGuy]

Originally Posted by vacruizer

They've already taken the room service menu out of the little books in the rooms. It's now printed on a regular size piece of paper and stuck in the middle of all the art auction and jewelry sale garbage in your room the first day.

I wonder how many cruisers (especially newbies) never see it or know it's available? I'd be willing to bet it cut way down on food cost as well as number of room service waiters needed.

Yep. On my cruise last week, I kept meaning to go to guest services or tell my steward that I needed a book but kept forgetting until it was late night or early morning and I was ready to order again.

I finally found the new room service menu on the final night when I was going through all the papers and receipts.

[CruiseScrooge]

i'm guessing less prepackaged food like the 1 serving breakfast cereals, pints of milk,cups of yogurt etc...they will still have the items but in the big self serve cafeteria dispensers. all soda card soda will be dispensed by those card reading coke machines one of the cruise ships is trying that has 100 favors or some crazy number. to get a pink of milk you are going to have to say you need it for your child back in your room.

[mj]

Originally Posted by JaxGuy

Yep. On my cruise last week, I kept meaning to go to guest services or tell my steward that I needed a book but kept forgetting until it was late night or early morning and I was ready to order again.

I finally found the new room service menu on the final night when I was going through all the papers and receipts.

On my last Fascination cruise, kept looking for the book with the room service menu on it. Then I was going through some stuff to throw away and there it was.

[vacruizer]

Originally Posted by golfadj

Think you are right

In another year or so, wouldn't be surprised if room service were eliminated due to "lack of demand" since so few will know it's available. Either that or charged for.

Looks a whole lot like the Fun Farewll....if you don't advertise it, bury it in the fine print somewhere, and no one shows up, you can then cancel it for lack of use.

[crusinfamof4]

Wait, is this fact? I hope not. We always book early saver for our 3 we have booked now.

[Canadian_J]

Originally Posted by sonicbuffalo

That will be the next thing to go. Carnival is swallowing itself...

Can I request that you change the name of this thread? "Early Saver Discontinued" is pretty misleading...considering this is just an opinion without any actual changes made to the ES program as the title would lead you to believe.

[thomarvin]

I am sure they make alot off ES. I hate to think how much I lost out on not knowing that I was the one who had to monitor the prices and then request a price adjustment. (Oh the things we learn here on CC). I have booked ES and then just sat back thinking they would adjust my price. WRONG!! I never read all the fine (and i do mean fine) print about ES as I am sure many of us havent. Lesson learned . That along with the $50 change fees I am sure many $$ made by Carnival.

[roswellmom]

Originally Posted by sonicbuffalo

That will be the next thing to go. Carnival is swallowing itself...

Their stock is just about at a 52 week high so I think they know what they're doing. I'm just saying....

[roswellmom]

Originally Posted by vacruizer

In another year or so, wouldn't be surprised if room service were eliminated due to "lack of demand" since so few will know it's available. Either that or charged for.

Looks a whole lot like the Fun Farewll....if you don't advertise it, bury it in the fine print somewhere, and no one shows up, you can then cancel it for lack of use.

If you're that upset with Carnival, why do you keep sailing on Carnival. There are so many other cruise lines out there. You can't honestly tell me that you're getting overcharged for a Carnival cabin. Really?

[vacruizer]

Originally Posted by roswellmom

If you're that upset with Carnival, why do you keep sailing on Carnival. There are so many other cruise lines out there. You can't honestly tell me that you're getting overcharged for a Carnival cabin. Really?

Who says I'm upset? I will say that I am getting less for the cabin price than what I was getting five years ago. Same or more $$ spent. But just because someone is critical of a decision made with a company, doesn't mean they are upset. If we took everything in life spoon-fed to us and never questioned anything or voiced our opinions the world would a sad place and still in the dark ages.

I fell in love with Carnival after our first sailing. The experience completely changed the way I vacation. I loved the atmosphere, being out to sea, the fantastic service, the fun, food, the entertainment. It's a company I'm passionate about. I don't like to see them going in what I personally feel is the wrong directions. As a shareholder, sure, the numbers have been good. The current 52 week high thing is misleading as the whole market is up right now. But I believe that the direction Carnival is going right now will hurt the company in the long run.

As for other lines.... we like the laid-back, casual, quirky-fun atomosphere on Carnival. I've looked into them, but none seem to suit us or our personalities.

I really only have one more booked which is our annual trip with friends. I'm not sure the direction I'll go after that. We may start to do some of the National Park trips we've put off to take cruises. We may keep doing one a year to meet up with friends. But it's not the same cruise it was five years ago.

[birthdaycruise50]

Originally Posted by Earthworm Jim

Even without luggage restrictions, that's the way they are heading with the dress code anyway. And as much as I dislike it, they are probably right. If Carnival is aiming to be their youth oriented brand, today's youth really doesn't like to dress up so being less and less formal might be the way to go. How many younger guys don't even own a suit?

They'll probably stay dressier on Carnival Corp's other lines with an older clientele, but eventually today's youth will be tomorrow's middle aged and the dress code will go downhill there as well.

My daughter bought her boyfriend a suit for our cruise last may. Some young people do like to dress up. My daughter, her boyfrinds and their friends do dress up to go for dinner more than most their age.