RaiderDuck

The big thing to remember (and I know it's printed everywhere but it bears repeating): TURN AIRPLANE MODE ON first, then turn the wi-fi on and connect. We have some friends who forgot the first step and ended up with hundred$ in roaming charges on their bill (cruise ship cell data is NOT cheap).

Carnival loves people that will defend their lower food quality, removing carved meats, and charging extra for this and that...... But you have the right to be critical of any changes or lessening if you wish. I bet Carnival high fives behind closed doors reading these posts from the Carnival cheerleaders who'd insist that Carnival new bread and water buffet is great because it keeps cruise prices down and is great for vegans. :rolleyes: I want cruiselines to feel that people arent always satisfied with everything and people should demand more/better. Cruise prices are going up industry wide and that goes with cuts and extra fees everywhere .... we shouldn't just accept that, tuck our tails, and hide.

I seriously doubt Carnival higher-ups spend their time reading the Cruise Critic boards and "high-fiving" each other when someone says their food options are good. They probably have more important things to worry about.

Since we've been sailing (roughly three years), Carnival HAS made improvements in its food offerings. The biggest positive change we've noticed has been the addition of Guy's Burgers, and there have been others as well.

As for the change throughout the years: someone posting here earlier said "15 years ago you could order Chateaubriand every night." By all accounts, cruising cost a lot more $$$ 15 years ago, too. For the extra money, they can keep their Chateaubriand

It all comes down to this: vote with your wallet. If you think the food sucks, sail another cruise line. If enough people agree with you and do the same, Carnival WILL notice and will change its food offerings.

What do they charge for raw steak vs what a decent steak house charges? Carnival is a business, not a charity.

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price list of liquor

 

 

https://www.carnival.com/Funshops/in-stateroom-beverages/liquor#sort=priceasc&size=10000

Yikes! Nothing like selling a bottle of booze for literally FOUR TIMES (or more!) what it costs at my local grocery store...

I can think of a better solution to the substandard food than changing lines... Steakhouse, Cucina, Teppanyaki, Bonsai Sushi, Chef's Table...

I agree with you, but there are some who feel they are automatically entitled to specialty restaurant-quality food for free because.....well, because they are.

We booked our upcoming short Inspiration cruise because we suddenly saw a VIFP deal for a porthole cabin at over $100 less per person than we'd seen just a few days before. We'd been thinking about booking the cruise already, but that sudden VIFP deal turned it into a no-brainer.

........ And based on your signature you have no experience with Carnival's past food quality. There's no reason that Carnival couldn't serve Chateurbriand anymore ..... except for the sake of shareholder profits. Cruising isn't a cheap hobby by any means. We paid a good amount for the four of us on Vista and many aren't asking for better food for a trip that costs $150.00. When you pay $4000 for an 8 day cruise, it isn't a lot to ask ..... but then you have the Carnival sympathizers.

If you dislike Carnival's food that much, there's a simple solution. There are other major cruise lines serving North America and many smaller ones as well. Why not take your business to a cruise line that serves food you like?

You know it's a work of fiction when they call the Carnival Paradise a "luxury liner'!

Don't get me wrong, I love the smaller ships (read my signature, it's full of them), but 'luxury' they're not.

No Carnival ship can accurately be called a "luxury liner," just as no Holiday Inn Express could be called a "luxury hotel;" I say this as someone who enjoys both chains.

Affordable and pleasant they are, "luxury" they simply are not.

I have been on 6 Carnival cruises, each one got worse. My last one was eventually renamed the "poop ship".

So you haven't sailed on Carnival in over 5 1/2 years and therefore have no idea of Carnival's current food quality.

People just like to complain.

Carnival is known as a mass-market family-oriented affordable cruise line. Whining about the Carnival dining room no longer serving Chateaubriand every night is like complaining that a Holiday Inn Express or Marriott doesn't have a round-the-clock valet: you're not paying for that level of food and/or service.

It all depends on the ship you're on and where it's physically located in the world. I've generally had good luck with Carnival wi-fi.

Remember also that the vast majority of merchants will accept US dollars. When we visited Cuba in 2017, everyone took dollars.

If you're just going to be in Havana for a few hours, I'm not sure I'd even exchange anything.

With a "strong" bid, is it still significantly cheaper than just paying the difference for a direct upgrade?

Yes. The difference when we booked would have been at least three times our current offer.

Just put in a "Strong" bid on the scale for an upgrade from a window cabin to a mini-suite. Wish us luck!

If you miss your dining time can you try anytime dining? Just wondering if that is an option.

If you miss your assigned dining time, you may still dine any time you like...at the buffet.

I'd contact my local passport office and see if they could rush through a renewal.

We have been on 8 Carnival cruises and we have yet to "dress up" for formal night. Husbands wears slacks and collared knit shirt and I wear slacks and a nice top (never a dress), so as others have stated, think about what you are doing and where and have fun. I don't think they allow shorts but may be wrong.

Elegant Nights don't officially allow shorts but those who show up in shorts are not turned away. No big deal, frankly.

We almost never tip shore excursion employees. For the price charged for these excursions, the companies are more than capable of paying their employees adequately.

A waste of $90.

Not if you hate standing in lines or if you want immediate access to your room to drop off your carry-on stuff or if you want the priority tendering.

If FTTF is not worth the money to you personally, it still may be worth it to others.

You mentioned you were looking to go in February. What's the weather like in Catalina and Ensenada in February? Visited friends in LA last President's Day weekend and weather was 70s, but wondering about the ports and the sea?

Visited both ports aboard the Inspiration in February 2017. Beautiful weather all around.

It was even worse. I caught on to his drink scheme after I saw him bagging up food to take home later from the free buffet during the middle of the event.

 

It is a yearly event. I am sure it is already on his calendar for next year.:eek::eek::eek:

We're definitely getting into mental illness here. The dude probably tries drying out used paper towels and re-using his toilet paper as well.

Actually that is a common misconception...... the SDP T&Cs state that "Charges will apply for additional main course orders" and does not state you are limited to one appetizer and one dessert. Since it specifically mentions "main course" and purposely ommits appetizer and dessert there is no limit.

 

 

https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

We sailed on the Star last December and ate three times at à la carte specialty restaurants (twice at Le Bistro and once at Cagney's), each time with a different server. Unless all three servers were lying/misinformed, it's now one appetizer and dessert per person only.

Don't stop at the UBP...... I always purchase the SDP and see no issue at all inviting people to Cagney's, who don't have the SDP, and let them enjoy my unlimited appetizers and desserts with me......

Actually, the SDP no longer supplies unlimited appetizers and desserts. It's one of each per person per meal. Anything more, you have to pay extra.

We LOVE the specialty restaurants, but not everyone does. The big question is whether you'd be happy with what's offered in the MDRs, O'Sheehan's (the free pub), Chin-Chin (the free Chinese restaurant) and the buffet. If so, I'd keep things the way they are.

Wow! If anyone ever tried that I'd politely tell them it's against the rules and I wouldn't want my UBP revoked. If they pressed the matter, I'd go up to the bar, tell them the other passenger is pressuring me to share my UBP drinks and ask for Security.

Bottom line is that if they have money to go on a cruise, they have money for drinks. Nobody's going to starve to death because you didn't get them a free Vodka Martini or whatever.