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pungo3
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Our luggage fared very well the last cruise....perhaps we were lucky. We have hard plastic cases, but they do have the protruding rolly wheels on the bottom.

 

I don't think I could get my wife to cruise again if we had nearly half of those issues you named off....maybe on a different line.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

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I guess it's lucky for Carnival that myself and 90k passengers a week disagree with you.

 

And most experienced cruisers do recognize that entertainment is not what it used to be.

 

JH has even recognized it. Said he wanted to see Carnival working toward professional entertainment in main lounge every night but notice for past few months has stopped saying that.

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I guess it's lucky for Carnival that myself and 90k passengers a week disagree with you.

 

Carnival is indeed lucky to still have you. It's not because they haven't tried. :p

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In Carnaval's defense - they did list it as an Obstructed View. :rolleyes: More obstruction than view though.

 

 

Kidding! Just kidding! I would be beating down the door rather than lose $200.

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And most experienced cruisers do recognize that entertainment is not what it used to be.

 

JH has even recognized it. Said he wanted to see Carnival working toward professional entertainment in main lounge every night but notice for past few months has stopped saying that.

 

Well, I certainly consider myself an "experienced cruiser" and I only started going to shows again a couple of years ago. I used to hate the shows. I don't miss the band. I certainly don't miss the poor lead singers! I think the quality of the singing and dancing has been considerably better on my past several cruises. I really enjoyed Ticket to Ride, The Brits, and the motown shows. Tried a couple comedy shows in May on Pride and they were quite good.

 

And I'm one who was grateful that they did away with the horrible bands on the lido deck. Too many people are apparently tone deaf and failed to notice that the bands were poor musicians and couldn't sing. But, hey! It sounded like "island music" so it must've been great, right? Whatever. :rolleyes:

 

Anyway, I've said it before and I'll continue to say it - I haven't seen this so-called horrible decline in food and service. I'm even surprised that the food is still as good as it is, given the increase in food prices over the past decade and the fact that I'm paying LESS in real dollars now than I did 10 years ago for a comparable cruise.

 

Econ 101, people. You want affordability, something's got to give. But I don't think it's "given" nearly as much as some of you!

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Well, I certainly consider myself an "experienced cruiser" and I only started going to shows again a couple of years ago. I used to hate the shows. I don't miss the band. I certainly don't miss the poor lead singers! I think the quality of the singing and dancing has been considerably better on my past several cruises. I really enjoyed Ticket to Ride, The Brits, and the motown shows. Tried a couple comedy shows in May on Pride and they were quite good.

 

And I'm one who was grateful that they did away with the horrible bands on the lido deck. Too many people are apparently tone deaf and failed to notice that the bands were poor musicians and couldn't sing. But, hey! It sounded like "island music" so it must've been great, right? Whatever. :rolleyes:

 

Anyway, I've said it before and I'll continue to say it - I haven't seen this so-called horrible decline in food and service. I'm even surprised that the food is still as good as it is, given the increase in food prices over the past decade and the fact that I'm paying LESS in real dollars now than I did 10 years ago for a comparable cruise.

 

Econ 101, people. You want affordability, something's got to give. But I don't think it's "given" nearly as much as some of you!

 

Overall it is still a good experience and 3 of our 4 next four cruises are with Carnival. Just think they could do better with entertainment and playlist is a disaster.

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Just off the Dream. Three of the shows were the best we've ever seen. One in our group has taught dance for 25 years and was a dancer herself and she agreed!! The lead singers were actually good and could dance. Of course, troy said that when the Dream undergoes dry dock these shows would be phased out. Too bad!

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We usually take 2 Carnival cruises a year. We've noticed a slow but steady decline in our enjoyment of our cruises. Our last trip on the Sunshine really sucked. Suite was bad, steward was bad, didn't like the ship and on and on. I don't intend to list the details. It was so bad I went to guest services the first night and told them I wanted to exercise the vacation guarantee and get off at the first port. The guest service folks did a lot to resolve the things they could and we stayed on board. Still had a bad cruise as guest service can't do anything about the size of the theater, the comedy club and some of the other problems we had.

 

I do think it may have been turned me against Carnival and cruising in general. I still look at fares and hang out here but just can't get excited about going on another cruise. I'd like to but I'm just concerned it'll just be another disappointment. Time will tell.

 

I know some folks contend that a cruise is what you make it but sometimes a cruise is what the cruise line makes it. It shouldn't be up to me to be happy with whatever they decide to deliver.

Edited by travler27
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We usually take 2 Carnival cruises a year. We've noticed a slow but steady decline in our enjoyment of our cruises. Our last trip on the Sunshine really sucked. Suite was bad, steward was bad, didn't like the ship and on and on. I don't intend to list the details. It was so bad I went to guest services the first night and told them I wanted to exercise the vacation guarantee and get off at the first port. The guest service folks did a lot to resolve the things they could and we stayed on board. Still had a bad cruise as guest service can't do anything about the size of the theater, the comedy club and some of the other problems we had.

 

I do think it may have been turned me against Carnival and cruising in general. I still look at fares and hang out here but just can't get excited about going on another cruise. I'd like to but I'm just concerned it'll just be another disappointment. Time will tell.

 

I know some folks contend that a cruise is what you make it but sometimes a cruise is what the cruise line makes it. It shouldn't be up to me to be happy with whatever they decide to deliver.

 

I hear you. I think it's because the newness isn't what it was when we started to cruise. I still love it, but the excitement isn't there. In some ways I compare it to my feelings of Disney World. I can go there or not, and haven't in over 5 years now. Same castle, same pirates cove, splash mountain, etc:(

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We usually take 2 Carnival cruises a year. We've noticed a slow but steady decline in our enjoyment of our cruises. Our last trip on the Sunshine really sucked. Suite was bad, steward was bad, didn't like the ship and on and on. I don't intend to list the details. It was so bad I went to guest services the first night and told them I wanted to exercise the vacation guarantee and get off at the first port. The guest service folks did a lot to resolve the things they could and we stayed on board. Still had a bad cruise as guest service can't do anything about the size of the theater, the comedy club and some of the other problems we had.

 

I do think it may have been turned me against Carnival and cruising in general. I still look at fares and hang out here but just can't get excited about going on another cruise. I'd like to but I'm just concerned it'll just be another disappointment. Time will tell.

 

I know some folks contend that a cruise is what you make it but sometimes a cruise is what the cruise line makes it. It shouldn't be up to me to be happy with whatever they decide to deliver.

 

I think if you found another ship that has a decent sized comedy club and no playlist production show you would be much happier.

 

We have not had a problem with the crew or the food on our 25 cruises.

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I hear you. I think it's because the newness isn't what it was when we started to cruise. I still love it, but the excitement isn't there. In some ways I compare it to my feelings of Disney World. I can go there or not, and haven't in over 5 years now. Same castle, same pirates cove, splash mountain, etc:(

 

I have butterflies in my stomach already thinking of my upcoming trip. It's always exciting to cruise. When I go to Disney, for as much as I love it, it feels like a chore after a few hours of walking in the heat, standing in lines, and spending 10x the price for everything. I always feel like I'm getting my money's worth during a cruise. And once I come back, I'm ready to book again! But we only do it once a year. It may be more routine and thus more mundane for others who do it more often.

Edited by cruizinisthebest
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Wow, it sounds like you've been run through the mill and back! We've never has a bad experience while cruising, so we count our lucky stars. Well, one bad experience on another line but we were so well taken care of and well compensated. How about copying your post on John Heald's BF page and see what he can come up with? I know he really tries to get to the bottom of issues and if there's anything he can do for you, he will. Try it and see what happens - you can't lose - then let us know here on CC.

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For me, I still *mainly* cruise to get to the ports - yes, even if it's just on little, old Fantasy and I'm just going to the Bahamas - again. I now have been to many of the ports several times, but I still look forward to just getting off and wandering around. I will never, ever just stay on the ship on a port day.

 

If I cruised mainly for the ship experience (and, personally, I just don't understand that myself, but to each his/her own!), then maybe I'd "see" little things that weren't up to my expectations.

 

I also mainly sail in inside cabins. I'm not paying out the nose for a suite and expecting it to be some grand experience only to be disappointed to find out it's just a cabin after all! If I had the money for a suite, I'd be sailing on a more-upscale line in the first place! ;)

 

I long complained about Carnival relocating ships empty and NOT doing repositioning cruises. I jumped on last November's Conquest repo (8 nights San Juan to Miami; St Kitts, Dominica, St Martin, Antigua, Grand Turk) just to get something different, return to beautiful Dominica and Antigua, and add St Martin to my list of "been there" ports.

 

The minute I saw the Splendor repo for 11/1 (again 8 nights San Juan to Miami but calling at St Croix, Martinique, Grenada, Dominica, Grand Turk), I jumped on it. It sold very quickly. I'll be adding THREE new ports on that one and I have a friend coming with me, so it should be lots of fun.

 

Also booked the only Carnival Bermuda cruise again for the past few years (balcony and suites sold out 1-1/2 yr in advance - obviously these "different" cruises are popular; hopefully Carnival will incorporate more into the cruise calendar).

 

But this is also one of the reasons I'll move to another cruise line - not because of Carnival's food or entertainment or even that the Players Club doesn't seem to care about me - but because I can visit some different ports!

 

Anyway, we all have different expectations. I don't get nearly so excited about cruising as I used to, but once I step on the ship, I think "why would I want to do anything else with my vacation dollars?" And when I get home, I find myself constantly checking the websites to see if I can find one more cruise to squeeze into my budget and work calendar! ;)

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We can do without the live music. I actually prefer the DJ. (probably one of the few who do.) After seeing the playlist (and regular shows) a few times, can do without them. We wandered from CCL not because it sucked - but because we wanted to experience what else was out there. I will patronize any line that fits into our schedule, itinerary, price range. Found our cruise on RCCL wasn't as great as we expected, (we paid through the nose for it) and that NCL was more to our liking. (better casino pricing than CCL.) We will continue to "wander" as itinerary, dates and price fits our needs and wants.

Edited by pe4all
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Its been my experience that the front office is very difficult to deal with. The standard answer is always NO if they aren't sure.Then you have to fight with them. The service on the ships is a different world. I'm platinum also but like you not joined at the hip with Carnival. Sounds like your other concerns are legit but not sure about your OBC although you obviously aren't a rookie and I suspect you have a case. Don't give up. If all else fails facebook John Heald and see if he can put the right person on the case for you.

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For me the value of a cruise comes from the sum total of what you get and not from any one aspect with cruising. If you are accustomed to fine dining then you don't expect the food on a cruise to be top shelf, and I have always found it adequate to my expectations. Entertainment is not quality of Broadway or Vegas, and I would not expect it to be, and I always find it amusing for people to critique it as if they are seasoned perveyors of fine entertainment, I enjoy watching minor league baseball games, I don't pay major league price, and don't expect major league quality, but I enjoy the games all the same. The cabins are what they are, no they are not 5 star hotel quality but again they are adequate. Who cruises to hang out in a room? The food, the rooms, the entertainment would not be my main reasons for cruising, but the sum total of those, along with visiting ports, enjoying the seabreeze and sunshine, and ocean views the sum total equals a good value to me and I have found that CCL has been good at providing that value the best for me and will use them until I no longer feel that way. I have only been on 5 cruises, so I may not be as jaded as some yet. Sail On

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We usually take 2 Carnival cruises a year. We've noticed a slow but steady decline in our enjoyment of our cruises. Our last trip on the Sunshine really sucked. Suite was bad, steward was bad, didn't like the ship and on and on. I don't intend to list the details. It was so bad I went to guest services the first night and told them I wanted to exercise the vacation guarantee and get off at the first port. The guest service folks did a lot to resolve the things they could and we stayed on board. Still had a bad cruise as guest service can't do anything about the size of the theater, the comedy club and some of the other problems we had.

 

I do think it may have been turned me against Carnival and cruising in general. I still look at fares and hang out here but just can't get excited about going on another cruise. I'd like to but I'm just concerned it'll just be another disappointment. Time will tell.

 

I know some folks contend that a cruise is what you make it but sometimes a cruise is what the cruise line makes it. It shouldn't be up to me to be happy with whatever they decide to deliver.

I felt exactly the same way, then we cruised on NCL and Princess. I can live without NCL, even though we had a suite in the Haven on the Epic. Princess, on the other hand was wonderful. The suite was awesome, service impeccable, nice to be able to go to a separate restaurant for breakfast with eggs cooked to order, and the Chef's Table was worth the $95 extra!!! Eclipses Carnival in every way!!! Yes, I know you are paying more for a suite but sometimes you get what you pay for!!!

Edited by tootsiescurly
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Although I don't feel I owe anyone an explanation since these are experiences I've had with Carnival, I knew there would be those who would choose not to believe without proof. Therefore, I'm attaching a photo of the oceanview window which was 'boarded' up (actually a large piece of heavy metal which was bolted over the window). Guest services said they were expecting severe weather (which we NEVER had) and they refused to remove the cover for the duration of the cruise.

 

To those who wonder why I've only had positive things to say about Carnival in my posts, I never let this sort of garbage ruin my cruises. I've had fun on all my cruises except for one which I'll give you a quick summation of. When I cruised the Destiny in 04 out of Puerto Rico, two rival gangs were on board, probably because the ship didn't fill and they sold cabins very cheaply. They took over the Lido deck. Our balcony cabin was on the Lido Deck and they would not let us cross their territory for anything on the Lido. We complained to security and guest services and nothing was done. I think they were just as scared of them as we were. It was a miserable experience. We felt we were held hostage in our cabin for the week. Thank God for room service. You can read my review as I tactfully explained what happened. The remainder of my cruises have been fun, even though Carnival has treated us poorly on several occasions.

 

As far as the OBC, Carnival's website screwed up my booking. I was sent the 'special fare' for $200 OBC for cruises 7 days or more. That is what I booked under. I am positive. Unfortunately, my printer wasn't working at that time and I was unable to print it. They say I used a different rate and will NOT give me the money. I've written Corporate Headquarters as well as John Heald and gotten no reply from either. It's only $200, but combined with all the other stuff Carnival has refused to make right, I'm fed up. I can spend my dollars on many different vacations, so I choose to no longer cruise Carnival. Period.

 

To the person who thinks I"m embarrassed, why in the world would I be? I've only told the truth. The whole truth. Not one word is made up or exaggerated. I have been a loyal cruiser and have only wanted to help other cruisers and encourage them to have a great cruise. I just felt it was time to speak up and tell my cruising friends that Carnival's customer service stinks!!

 

I had no plans to return here, but one of my friends emailed and said I should take a look. I'm not coming back again, so don't waste your time posting questions. This really isn't worth my time trying to explain.

Edited by pungo3
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OK, the upload keeps failing. Don't know why. It's a JPEG file within limits of CC. If you really are so curious to want to see it, just email me at pungo3 at hotmail dot com or, if you want to try and upload, you are welcome to email to get it

Edited by pungo3
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For me, I still *mainly* cruise to get to the ports...But this is also one of the reasons I'll move to another cruise line - not because of Carnival's food or entertainment or even that the Players Club doesn't seem to care about me - but because I can visit some different ports!...

 

If you don't crave late-night entertainment in a cruise, as they tend to have an older demographic, you might consider HAL. They have some great itineraries, and although they tend to be pricier than Carnival, you can sometimes catch a good sale on fares.

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Although I don't feel I owe anyone an explanation since these are experiences I've had with Carnival, I knew there would be those who would choose not to believe without proof. Therefore, I'm attaching a photo of the oceanview window which was 'boarded' up (actually a large piece of heavy metal which was bolted over the window). Guest services said they were expecting severe weather (which we NEVER had) and they refused to remove the cover for the duration of the cruise.

 

To those who wonder why I've only had positive things to say about Carnival in my posts, I never let this sort of garbage ruin my cruises. I've had fun on all my cruises except for one which I'll give you a quick summation of. When I cruised the Destiny in 04 out of Puerto Rico, two rival gangs were on board, probably because the ship didn't fill and they sold cabins very cheaply. They took over the Lido deck. Our balcony cabin was on the Lido Deck and they would not let us cross their territory for anything on the Lido. We complained to security and guest services and nothing was done. I think they were just as scared of them as we were. It was a miserable experience. We felt we were held hostage in our cabin for the week. Thank God for room service. You can read my review as I tactfully explained what happened. The remainder of my cruises have been fun, even though Carnival has treated us poorly on several occasions.

 

As far as the OBC, Carnival's website screwed up my booking. I was sent the 'special fare' for $200 OBC for cruises 7 days or more. That is what I booked under. I am positive. Unfortunately, my printer wasn't working at that time and I was unable to print it. They say I used a different rate and will NOT give me the money. I've written Corporate Headquarters as well as John Heald and gotten no reply from either. It's only $200, but combined with all the other stuff Carnival has refused to make right, I'm fed up. I can spend my dollars on many different vacations, so I choose to no longer cruise Carnival. Period.

 

To the person who thinks I"m embarrassed, why in the world would I be? I've only told the truth. The whole truth. Not one word is made up or exaggerated. I have been a loyal cruiser and have only wanted to help other cruisers and encourage them to have a great cruise. I just felt it was time to speak up and tell my cruising friends that Carnival's customer service stinks!!

 

I had no plans to return here, but one of my friends emailed and said I should take a look. I'm not coming back again, so don't waste your time posting questions. This really isn't worth my time trying to explain.

 

I believe you!!! We are going to other lines for reasons which are petty compared to what you went thru!!!

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