Do you think Cahill is making Carnival Stronger

Since Bob Dickinson's retirement and Gary Cahill's appointment as the big boss of Carnival, it seems his penny pinching bottom line view of the product offered is pi$$ing off people.

Using ourselves as an example, we cruised Carnival for our own reasons and admittedly brought some liquor on board to enjoy on our balcony and the odd time up on deck relaxing. We also spent liberally onboard on drinks, the casino, spa, specialty restaurant, etc.

Now, with all the crackdowns, it is just easier to sail other lines with less restrictions, better service and greater options. Or an All Inclusive where we know when we leave everything is paid for, no on-board account to worry about, same quality or better dining than Carnival, larger accommodations and overall less cost.

I don't for a minute think that Carnival will sail less than full for the next few years as they will always attract the first time cruiser with their low fares, convenient departures in most areas, etc. But I do think that all the penny pinching, rule enforcing, our way or the highway mentality will send repeat customers to other vacation options.

I vote for Bob Dickinson anytime.

Im gonna be very short...When Bob was around it was much better...Gerry is a accountant and Bob was around since 1972 when he started as a VP for CCL. They have much differ ways of doing things for sure.

Some say its because of the economy but to be honest after meeting both of them, its just they way the do business.

I vote for Bob Dickinson anytime.

 

Thx, had a brainfart initially - thanks for the correction :D

. . . it is just easier to sail other lines with less restrictions, better service and greater options. . .

Yep!!

Thx, had a brainfart initially - thanks for the correction :D

Lol hate when my ears smell. :D No worries. Good poll. better than most!

Lol hate when my ears smell. :D No worries. Good poll. better than most!

I take pride in a great poll

BOB ALL THE WAY!!!

I was lucky to work for CCL when Dickinson was the big guy. I know alot of people that still work for CCL that agree, even crew members aboard the ships will tell you Cahill is deff changing things for the worse.

I just hope he doesn't run a good thing into the ground. His choices just seem to get worse and worse too. I hope Carnival see's this and makes a change.

TwoFatRats could do a better job running the show.:rolleyes:

BOB ALL THE WAY!!!

 

I was lucky to work for CCL when Dickinson was the big guy. I know alot of people that still work for CCL that agree, even crew members aboard the ships will tell you Cahill is deff changing things for the worse.

 

I just hope he doesn't run a good thing into the ground. His choices just seem to get worse and worse too. I hope Carnival see's this and makes a change.

But John Heald keeps trumpeting him as a great leader - he even rides the Flow Rider in some pretty cool board shorts :confused:

Iron Maiden's lead singer used to be in charge:confused:

But John Heald keeps trumpeting him as a great leader - he even rides the Flow Rider in some pretty cool board shorts :confused:

LOL glad there is one employee that likes him...cause I havent meet any others...:eek::D:D

Iron Maiden's lead singer used to be in charge:confused:

You already voted, shush

And he prefers aviation over the high seas

BOB always;)

I don't think there are any less restrictive lines for smuggling liquor. I am surprised that they have started to enforce the rule but it is the rule, that would not keep me from sailing on Carnival.

I am still not convinced that we know the real reason they banned fans and power strips, but again that wouldn't keep me from Carnival. Now if they had continued to ban curling irons I would be looking for another cruiseline.

I don't like some of the changes they've made, like the Captains Party and the past guest pins. But is it really that different on other cruise lines? I don't remember there even being a Captains party on NCL, we only sailed once so no idea if they have past guest pins.

I still think Carnival is the best for the price. If that changes then we will probably go with the cruiseline that offers the best value.

John is just "flying the company flag" as he smooches Cahill's rear end on his blog. I doubt he would ever disagree with any of his business decisions publicly.

watching Cahill go down waterslides and surfing a flowrider doesn't impress me either.. he's just trying to look hip and cool..

No body likes changes including me!! But in the long run he will see what he has done and things will go back to the way or somewhat the way it was!!! Have patience Oh yeah I won't be jumping ship because of this I have rode out some hard times where I work and yep the big guy left and I was still there and things came back to normal!!

Since Bob Dickinson's retirement and Gary Cahill's appointment as the big boss of Carnival, it seems his penny pinching bottom line view of the product offered is pi$$ing off people.

 

Using ourselves as an example, we cruised Carnival for our own reasons and admittedly brought some liquor on board to enjoy on our balcony and the odd time up on deck relaxing. We also spent liberally onboard on drinks, the casino, spa, specialty restaurant, etc.

 

Now, with all the crackdowns, it is just easier to sail other lines with less restrictions, better service and greater options. Or an All Inclusive where we know when we leave everything is paid for, no on-board account to worry about, same quality or better dining than Carnival, larger accommodations and overall less cost.

 

I don't for a minute think that Carnival will sail less than full for the next few years as they will always attract the first time cruiser with their low fares, convenient departures in most areas, etc. But I do think that all the penny pinching, rule enforcing, our way or the highway mentality will send repeat customers to other vacation options.

I am pleased with the current Carnival product and service and will continue to sail with them. I honestly haven't noticed dramatic cutbacks in service or amenities.

From a policy standpoint, I don't mind the crackdown on excessive carry on alcohol and was very pleased they adopted a written policy for carry on items and explicitly mentioned outlet strips as being allowed.

Being a shareholder, I do feel Gerry Cahill is better suited to address fiscal savings in tough times better than anyone else. As the economy improves I look for prices to rise which will trim some of the rough edges off our fellow passengers. ;)

Hopefully Carnival will remain focused on attracting first time cruisers as well as refocusing on repeat guests with better CSR reps. Many companies have a guiding principle that states; It's easier to do it right the first time than to explain why you did it wrong. I feel Carnival needs to empower their CSR folks to fix issues as they arise and to stand by their decisions. Pay them more and give them additional training as needed and they'll more than pay back their training costs in repeat business. Granted they'll incur some costs, but pleasing customers needs to be their goal. Pursors, or CSR as they're now called should be ranked just below the Captain IMO. When you have too many department heads involved in correcting situations, then you will have issues that remain unresolved. If the department heads answered to CSRs or Pursors, issues would be addressed and resolved. As it is currently, CSRs only document and report. Documenting and reporting isn't working.

 

Hopefully Carnival will remain focused on attracting first time cruisers as well as refocusing on repeat guests with better CSR reps. Many companies have a guiding principle that states; It's easier to do it right the first time than to explain why you did it wrong. I feel Carnival needs to empower their CSR folks to fix issues as they arise and to stand by their decisions. Pay them more and give them additional training as needed and they'll more than pay back their training costs in repeat business. Granted they'll incur some costs, but pleasing customers needs to be their goal. Pursors, or CSR as they're now called should be ranked just below the Captain IMO. When you have too many department heads involved in correcting situations, then you will have issues that remain unresolved. If the department heads answered to CSRs or Pursors, issues would be addressed and resolved. As it is currently, CSRs only document and report. Documenting and reporting isn't working.

And they are doing the complete opposite. And the Big Boss made that decision not to allow the CSR's to have any power. They have combine several depts and not given any training in over 16 months for the additional information. Most folks thats work there are not even sure who does whos job anymore, thats why you find the complaint of being tranferred to several differ depts before yor get the correct answer.

Now with the new outsourcing for the call centers this will continue to get worse.

Unfortunately it seems like Cahill puts the shareholders happiness before that of the guests. While penny pinching may give the shareholders a short term boost, the loss of guests could ultimately hurt the company.

If making more money is the goal, then improve the product. Don't water it down to save pennies. That same business mindset is why so many American car companies are failing while Japanese and Korean companies have gained huge followings in just a couple of decades.

In all seriousness ... I do notice he penny pinches. Bring back the upgrade fairy.

Hopefully Carnival will remain focused on attracting first time cruisers as well as refocusing on repeat guests with better CSR reps.

They definitely need to improve the CSR / complaint resolution process to retain customers. I didn't have any issues on our previous cruise but reading the tales lately of people who have encountered issues makes me shake my head. Not all people are trying to scam Carnival out of money, some have legitimate complaints and they are may as well talk to my blind deaf overweight shih tzu as one of Carnival's CSR's. They have adopted the insurance industry policy of "Say No First" and make the customer fight for anything.

I am sure a large percentage of complaints are non legit but the ones who seem legit are just lumped in the same pile and told tough luck. Those are more repeat cruisers who will go elsewhere.

In all seriousness ... I do notice he penny pinches. Bring back the upgrade fairy.

And put all the "upsell" fairies out of work:confused:

They definitely need to improve the CSR / complaint resolution process to retain customers. I didn't have any issues on our previous cruise but reading the tales lately of people who have encountered issues makes me shake my head. Not all people are trying to scam Carnival out of money, some have legitimate complaints and they are may as well talk to my blind deaf overweight shih tzu as one of Carnival's CSR's. They have adopted the insurance industry policy of "Say No First" and make the customer fight for anything.

 

I am sure a large percentage of complaints are non legit but the ones who seem legit are just lumped in the same pile and told tough luck. Those are more repeat cruisers who will go elsewhere.

The CSR's dont like it a bit...but they like keeping there job more. They do what "the man" says to do...he who write paychecks make the rules. :D:D:rolleyes:

The CSR's dont like it a bit...but they like keeping there job more. They do what "the man" says to do...he who write paychecks make the rules. :D:D:rolleyes:

Can't blame them, sometimes you have to sacrifice what you think is right to maintain a paycheque.

Can't blame them, sometimes you have to sacrifice what you think is right to maintain a paycheque.

And they make that sacrifice everyday.