No More March Play on Carnival

Just boarded miracle today and chatted up the bartender in the casino. When I asked about it he said that Match Play ended last week - fleet wide. He also mentioned that Drinks On Us may be the next thing on its way out. As long as they keep offering super cheap fares to me, I don't mind, we have been purchasing Cheers lately. Give me a $120 balcony any day.

Well then my next Carnival cruise may be the last, after hearing they took away the free drink for gold members and now give a darn bottle of water, (its not about the money its about how Carnival treats me and I want to be shown respect for my business) we booked our next years main cruise on another cruise line, but was hoping we continue receiving the premier and casino offers, after hearing this, I gather RC be our favorite for casino cruises. What a shame others are adding things such as complimentary beverage packages and dining packages and shipboard credit while Carnival continues taking away things. If this is true, there is no need for me to choose Carnival, shame on Carnival.

Carnival needs to reshuffle many of the "perks". There are too many Platinum guests for all to get priority boarding. On the Freedom last November the line was longer for the priority so the usher sent us to the regular line. The man who waited on us still had to walk over to the other side to get our S&S cards. We were the told the platinum lounge was full and we were "moved up" to the number 2 boarding section. I asked since the platinum was full why couldn't we go with the F2F group & was told that was at maximum also. Carnival needs to make sure everyone in the VIFP color can get the benifits not just first come. Next should be priority to paying guests & Diamond.

That said the past guest party has been moved to awful times & now they are taking a free drink away. I guess thats how they are keeping the prices down.

Just boarded miracle today and chatted up the bartender in the casino. When I asked about it he said that Match Play ended last week - fleet wide. He also mentioned that Drinks On Us may be the next thing on its way out. As long as they keep offering super cheap fares to me, I don't mind, we have been purchasing Cheers lately. Give me a $120 balcony any day.

I never used match play, and since Drinks on Us doesn't mean much if I have Cheers, I won't miss either. I am curious to see what future changes there might be though. I had heard last year that Carnival corporate had taken over casino offers, so I was waiting to see how that was going to affect comps.

I chose not to cruise Carnival over the holidays last Christmas/New Years because prices had increased, and instead opted for a land-based casino vacation which included accommodations, food, and casino cash. I had typically cruised Carnival over Christmas or New Years as a long standing tradition before last year. My next cruise is on Holland America since they threw me a free cruise via casino offer. So I guess for me, every future vacation will be a game-time decision depending on where I see the best value.

Thanks for sharing the recent change and possible impending change.

We used match play at least once or twice every cruise. Another CCL take away. :mad:

Just boarded miracle today and chatted up the bartender in the casino. When I asked about it he said that Match Play ended last week - fleet wide. He also mentioned that Drinks On Us may be the next thing on its way out. As long as they keep offering super cheap fares to me, I don't mind, we have been purchasing Cheers lately. Give me a $120 balcony any day.

We just got off of miracle today

We were not happy when we found out they took away the match play

The best bartenders and waiters are in the casino bar had a great time

This makes me sad.

So I would imagine with no match plays being given out, they would not accept previous match play coupons earned? Anybody know for sure?

They needed to freshen the gifts. Too many people pay damn good money for Cheers and giving them free drinks is giving them nothing. I can only laugh at the people who will "never cruise Carnival again" because they get a large bottle of water instead of a $7 drink. Really?

They needed to freshen the gifts. Too many people pay damn good money for Cheers and giving them free drinks is giving them nothing. I can only laugh at the people who will "never cruise Carnival again" because they get a large bottle of water instead of a $7 drink. Really?

If this is true I might not consider coming back to carnival. I've wondered from my first cruise why I don't get free alcohol when I gamble. It took me 3 cruises to finally get the drinks on us card and I've probably lost enough on those 3 cruises to pay for 3 more of the highest level room.

To someone who doesn't gamble or only plays smaller amounts you are right this wouldn't matter. I'm going on a premier cruise in 2 weeks, my first one. The cruise cost me $2500 and I'm getting $750 in casino cash but I'm also taking an additional $2500 of my own money to gamble. I'm willing to lose it all but yes I would expect free alcohol for playing that much.

Carnival may not be my favorite cruise line but it is one that I have for years been coming back to as I like to experience different cruise ships/cruise lines for my vacations each year.

Carnival has been downgrading a number of things the past few years, one big important thing is they have downgraded the steak on the menu and ending up with the flat iron steak, a much tougher higher fat and less quality grade of beef and other cruise lines remain to have better quality...ok...I can deal with that because I always have a wonderful Carnival cruise but then recently it downgraded the gold member privileges, I used to get a nice free drink and now I get slapped with a common ordinary bottle of water that I can get water anywhere! Its not about the money or the drink its about the program used to make me feel that Carnival respected me and just by taking away this one drink I feel like Carnival does not respect and appreciate my business any longer. To throw me a simple bottle of water is shameful, or at least, give us a choice. If it were about cutting costs which may be the case, I rather have Carnival not give me anything and just say they want to cut costs to keep the prices of cruise lower, I understand and respect them for this even more.

Recently, they also took away the Match Play!

Now I heard, rumor has it and it most likely will happen only because this downgrading pattern of Carnivals remains to continue (and along with this so called rumor was mentioned that the match play will discontinue which it already has come true), that the Drinks On Us Cards will be next to go.

To sum things up, after not feeling respected by Carnival and yes because they downgraded the gold perks to a bottle of water I took my business for next year somewhere else but was hoping we remain to continue receiving Carnivals premier and casino offers, but without the Drinks On Us Card (again its not about the money or the drinks its about receiving these perks for many years and Carnival showing us respect for my business) or any of the casino perks I have come to the conclusion if this also ends, my casino playing will go all to RC as they are the next cruise line that has good offers for players.

Carnival, PLEASE DON'T take away anything more, all other cruise lines are OFFERING/GIVING more and your giving a lot less. I am hoping I won't be forced to not taking Carnival cruises.

NCL, Celebrity and RC are offering free dining packages and complimentary beverage packages to its passengers, and Princess, RC and NCL are offering onboard ship credit... they are competing amongst one another and your not, PLEASE COMPETE and keep my business please and don't take anything more away.

Now if some of you say its to keep the prices of the cruise down...I can tell you I was pricing the 6 night Breeze next year May 8th out of Miami and the price for a similar balcony cabin at the same sailing date and Miami port was HIGHER by a few hundred dollars than my 7 night cruise on the Getaway and on the NCL cruise I am getting a spa balcony which always cost more on NCL and STILL REMAINS to be cheaper than Carnival. I also get the free complimentary ultimate beverage package too!

Well I vented and thank you for that.

Carnival may not be my favorite cruise line but it is one that I have for years been coming back to as I like to experience different cruise ships/cruise lines for my vacations each year.

 

Carnival has been downgrading a number of things the past few years, one big important thing is they have downgraded the steak on the menu and ending up with the flat iron steak, a much tougher higher fat and less quality grade of beef and other cruise lines remain to have better quality...ok...I can deal with that because I always have a wonderful Carnival cruise but then recently it downgraded the gold member privileges, I used to get a nice free drink and now I get slapped with a common ordinary bottle of water that I can get water anywhere! Its not about the money or the drink its about the program used to make me feel that Carnival respected me and just by taking away this one drink I feel like Carnival does not respect and appreciate my business any longer. To throw me a simple bottle of water is shameful, or at least, give us a choice. If it were about cutting costs which may be the case, I rather have Carnival not give me anything and just say they want to cut costs to keep the prices of cruise lower, I understand and respect them for this even more.

 

Recently, they also took away the Match Play!

 

Now I heard, rumor has it and it most likely will happen only because this downgrading pattern of Carnivals remains to continue (and along with this so called rumor was mentioned that the match play will discontinue which it already has come true), that the Drinks On Us Cards will be next to go.

 

To sum things up, after not feeling respected by Carnival and yes because they downgraded the gold perks to a bottle of water I took my business for next year somewhere else but was hoping we remain to continue receiving Carnivals premier and casino offers, but without the Drinks On Us Card (again its not about the money or the drinks its about receiving these perks for many years and Carnival showing us respect for my business) or any of the casino perks I have come to the conclusion if this also ends, my casino playing will go all to RC as they are the next cruise line that has good offers for players.

 

Carnival, PLEASE DON'T take away anything more, all other cruise lines are OFFERING/GIVING more and your giving a lot less. I am hoping I won't be forced to not taking Carnival cruises.

 

NCL, Celebrity and RC are offering free dining packages and complimentary beverage packages to its passengers, and Princess, RC and NCL are offering onboard ship credit... they are competing amongst one another and your not, PLEASE COMPETE and keep my business please and don't take anything more away.

 

Now if some of you say its to keep the prices of the cruise down...I can tell you I was pricing the 6 night Breeze next year May 8th out of Miami and the price for a similar balcony cabin at the same sailing date and Miami port was HIGHER by a few hundred dollars than my 7 night cruise on the Getaway and on the NCL cruise I am getting a spa balcony which always cost more on NCL and STILL REMAINS to be cheaper than Carnival. I also get the free complimentary ultimate beverage package too!

 

Well I vented and thank you for that.

There is still match play offered. I agree with other cut backs.

I haven't cruised much, but I am starting to get into it now that my kids are our of high school. I definitely cruise for the price and perks. Maybe Carnival will take notice. My experience with most companies, they attract new customers with low prices and neglect the loyalty of long time customers. Something I have never understood.

There is still match play offered. I agree with other cut backs.

Reported yesterday by a returning cruiser that Match Play has been discontinued.

As above....go pay more. Carnival is offering a superb product for the price. You want 4*, go pay a 4* price.

SO tired of these threads.... Pay more and go elsewhere, you may be happier.

I agree!!

:(

Oh please. Another Carnival complainers. And the things you complain about are just ludicrous. I know many chefs who will completely disagree with your comments about the flat iron steak for starters. Casino match play? You're really going to complain about a cruise excuse of the casino? If you're on for the casino skip the cruise and go to Vegas or Atlantic City to a real casino. And the now very tired free drink v. Free water debate. Please give that a rest. As many people who are upset over that change, there are just as many who are happy because they don't like the water on ship and that is less they have to bring or buy. And prices? Pretty simple, if you find cheaper cruise and like the other cruise line as well as Carnival by all means go for the lower price. That's simple economics and one of the great features of the free market. If Carnival does not remain competitive price wise they will lose business and eventually go out of business.

For me, Carnival represents a good value for my money and an excellent cruise experience and in cases of the cruises I have taken also gave me the best price. Your mileage may vary and that is why there are other cruise lines for you to sail. Not everyone is swayed by a free drink or even bothers with the casino.

I am no Carnival Cheer Leader, but I know you get what you pay for. Carnival gives a great low price cruise with incentives for repeat customers that keeps people coming back.

The drink at brunch coupon, turned into lines of people standing at the door to main dining room just waiting for a bar waiter to get them a drink, they didn't go into brunch. They tried a bloody Mary stand on some ships.

While some of us used the coupons, many didn't, and the program was replaced with water for all Red and up repeaters, so more people now get a perk that wait, people want bottles of water to take off in ports.

Match Play was still going strong in January

Flat Iron steaks are considered a good cut of steak, more fat then the sirloin it replaced, yes its called marbling and gives it more flavor. Try it you may realize its pretty good.

I pick my trip based on ports first, ship second but any Marketing 101 course will tell you A. nothing is for free not OBC or FREE Drink Packages, it is either included in your overall price for the cruise or its used to fill ships the Cruise line has problems filling.

All of the Cruise lines are looking for ways to control costs to keep pricing low or add low cost items they can charge a lot for to keep profits where stockholders want them. The same as every other business in the World, in most cases but most notable on a cruise ship, we would not pay the price if there really were just keeping old programs and adding expense and upping the cost of the cruise.

I honestly love Carnival and would love to sail on them again in a not so distant future, but we haven't sailed on them since 2011 in part because they cheapened the experience and because of the cutbacks to the loyalty program. We were treated much better as first timers on Princess than as Platinums on Carnival.

I do feel that Carnival's race to the bottom of the barrel is over and I have seen some positive changes within the last few months, which is why we are thinking about sailing on them again. :)

Carnival is only offering a product aimed at their target market. If that doesn't work for you, let them know and take your business elsewhere.....

They have made a large number of cutbacks but still think the food and service are good.

My complaint is with entertainment which has really gone downhill especially with playlist.

BTW isnt this cruise critic a place to come and discuss the good and bad of cruising?

Why dismiss others complaints and tell them to take their business elsewhere?

Now if some of you say its to keep the prices of the cruise down...I can tell you I was pricing the 6 night Breeze next year May 8th out of Miami and the price for a similar balcony cabin at the same sailing date and Miami port was HIGHER by a few hundred dollars than my 7 night cruise on the Getaway and on the NCL cruise I am getting a spa balcony which always cost more on NCL and STILL REMAINS to be cheaper than Carnival. I also get the free complimentary ultimate beverage package too!

 

Well I vented and thank you for that.

I've only been on 2 cruises - our third is next month (Yeah!), they have all been on Carnival. This hasn't been out of any loyalty, When looking to book, I have researched all lines extensively and Carnival has been the cheapest each time. It may have been timing, but I just did mock bookings for the cruises that you cited above. Carnival (with taxes) is $1597 and NCL is $2,197. Both were for balcony rooms. The NCL did include the beverage package - so if you were going to buy Cheers you would come out ahead on NCL. We don't do Cheers and we really don't spend much on alcohol. Maybe a glass of wine with dinner or at the show so Carnival is the lowest cost for us. I know I'm in the minority, but I'm happy about the bottle of water. 3 out of 4 of our free drink certificates went to waste because we didn't want an alcoholic beverage that early in the day. I don't like the taste of the ships water so the bottled water will get used. Oh... the one certificate that got used was used for a bottle of beer - Not even a price difference between that and the bottle of water.

We will continue to look at all lines when booking and we will book the best value FOR US. I assume that most do the same. Carnival will continue to make their business decisions on trying to maintain their competitive edge. That seems to have worked for them for many years! If that starts to slide, they'll adjust!

Where did you get that price which ship and sailing now thats a bargain! But it can't be a 7 night cruise for that price and out of Miami was it?

Tapi please tell me about the positive changes, perhaps I don't know about them?