Cruising Rules

I am platinum on Carnival, but have never tried another cruise line. In looking for a cruise in April, Celebrity's prices from Florida are very similar to Carnival and include a free drink package. Can anyone who has been on both tell me the differences?

Well as as also a Platinum cruiser with Carnival (26 cruises) I can tell you that the difference is like comparing a Holiday Inn to a Ritz Carlton. Starting with the ships themselves for those of us who have been long time Carnival "neon" junkies, when walking into a Celebrity ship you are surrounded by a much higher end decor. From the moment you walk on board and presented a glass of champagne (in a real Champagne flute) you begin to notice the small differences. The wide selection of entertainment, the lice cooking demonstrations and enrichment lectures combined with heated pools and many food options. If I was to be at all critical I would offer that their specialty restaurants are more expensive then most but do offer amazing food quality.

The cabins are slightly smaller then Carnival but not enough to make you uncomfortable. With a little shopping you can find very reasonably priced sailings and you will experience something on Celebrity you don't any longer seem to get on Carnival, you will be made to feel special.

I'd like to see something in Carnival's newsletters verifying they have staff reading the surveys. "Because of feedback from our post cruise surveys, we are replacing the DJ....":rolleyes:

 

To go to the trouble of putting them out there, let alone 3, makes me more confident thet do look at them.

I agree, I have never been contacted regarding my input on these surveys. Conversely I have had live contact from both Princess on two surveys and Celebrity as well. At the least they should auto-generate an email thanking us for our input.

Note to Carnival: Don't you think it would have been a good idea JUST to send a holiday greeting thanking your customers for their support and wishing them holiday greetings? Instead you find it another opportunity to offer cruises. These emails cost you nothing and it would have been a far better marketing tool to just spread some cheer then to try and sell us something.

You can send advertisements anytime but at this time of year you might want to try and convince us you appreciate our business.

Happy New Year to all at Carnival Cruise Lines!

Begin a Carnival Overhaul Program that would

 

1. Remove the 50 foot TVs from the Lido deck and replace them with live bands.
   
2. Remove "Comfort Food" from the menu
   
3. Start a trial project that would overhaul two ships removing the MDR and replacing them with multiple specialty dining rooms
   
4. Announce a fleet wide face-lift of all ships to take place over 5 years to transform the interiors of all ships from the disco 1970's look to something more modern
   
5. Increase the staff in all MDR's
   
6. Overhaul all MDR menus with a goal to have a significant improvement in quality of food offered
   
7. Commit to holding the line on fare increases for 5 years to rebuild the Carnival commitment to the customer.
   

Good thinking! I like many of your ideas.

Pretty sad.

 

JH says they cost more than what they replaced and this is what they got????

JH may have been fibbing. (trying to be nice here) I assume there were some start up costs here for projection equipment etc., but after that you have saved the cost of a 5-6 piece live band and 4-6 dancers on every sailing. You have no reason to trust me but I assure you this was all done to reduce cost. PERIOD!

I rarely even see the cruise director.

 

It would make no difference to me at all.

I agree! I cannot fathom selecting a cruise based on the cruise director! Other then hosting occasional shows and throwing out some old tired jokes, their activities are pretty structured by the company. (including the incredible, amazing and always entertaining hairy chest contest ... Yea right!)

So I called Customer Service today to report a problem with a post cruise excursion that we had on Saturday. After debarking the Freedom, we (me, 6 friends, and 43 other people from our cruise) went on the Everglades excursion. The bus driver, who was wonderful, informed us that we would have 1 hour on the airboat, followed by the gator show. When we got there, it was very crowded so the Everglades tour folks rushed us through (20 minutes tops on the airboat...the airboat guy even said he wished he could bring us out longer, but it was crowded and they were understaffed), then crammed far too many people into the gator show to the point that we could not see anything. We then waited around for almost an hour for our bus to return to pick us up, because we had been rushed through so quickly. When the bus picked us up, the guide on the bus (who had nothing to do with the Everglades people) apologized, saying that many cruise lines only pay for 1/2 hour ride, but Carnival paid for us to have a 1 hour ride and that he would report the problem to his boss. I called Carnival customer service today to report the problem, and a

very nice lady took down the info and said they would look into it. I told her I had 6 other friends who traveled with me who also wanted to to report the problem, but since we paid separately, each had to call back themselves to

report the problem.

 

So, one friend called, and a nice person took her info. Then a third friend called, only to have a VERY RUDE guy from Customer Service tell her that there was nothing they could do, and it's not Carnival's problem if a person they hire to do a shore excursion for us doesn't do what they were supposed to do. My friend got the impression that this guy was not going to file a report on her behalf. SERIOUSLY? What is going on here? If one person (who seemed to be competent) said each person needs to call back individually to file their complaint, then why wouldn't each and every customer service rep take that complaint seriously and file the report? Why would someone from customer service tell us that Carnival does not care if the company they hire for a shore excursion does not deliver on what WE PAID FOR?

 

I love Carnival, and we all had a fantastic time on this cruise. I don't blame Carnival for what the Everglades tour folks did, but I do expect that Carnival will take this complaint seriously and obtain some sort of reimbursement for us from the Everglades folks that we paid to do a job that they did not do.

Just because those who operate this tour are not direct Carnival employees does not mean they do not represent Carnival. They act as agents for Carnival as they are selected by Carnival based on the fact they meet certain criteria including the quality of their service. In other words they are Carnival and must treat you with the same level service you would expect from them. Do not hesitate to voice your disappointment with Carnival management including calling back and asking for a supervisor.

OP, I assume you are asking because you want to do the right thing. Kudos! :)

 

But, if I heard somebody trying pull this type of move while I was waiting to board, I'd strongly object to the superviser at the port to prevent it. :mad:

Who are you the "boarding police"? Geez the poster was only asking a question. Oh yea you gave him your blessing "for doing the right thing". Sheesh!

I don't recall the Royal ships being stranded at see and huge rescue efforts from the USCG and US Navy to provde for the souls on board. You mentioned it yourself - the Allure is still out at sea cruising until it gets repaired!

It drives me crazy when people make up facts. The Allure is an Azipod not working properly and WAS NOT caused by a fire. Sorry to jump on your post but that's when I read the post you were referring to. Have a good day!

45 minutes to served your main course in the mdr? Not that bad considering they are preparing 2,000 meals

 

Anyways.. Bar service they are suspose to push drinks say no thanks they go away

Sometimes I read comments on here that make my jaw drop. Your defensive remark that said it was ok to take 45 minutes to serve an entree is incredible! I would say it certainly is not ok. Also if sitting by the pool trying to relax and a server asks me 5-6 times in an hour if I want a drink or the DOD, I do not find that ok or relaxing. I think Carnival does some things well. But if I observe things that are not acceptable, I offer my opinion. I have 26 cruises with Carnival alone but I do not defend things I know are subpar I raise those issues in hopes of providing feedback.

I agree with your take on this!

 

When I first read about no tablecloths on the Glory, my initial reaction was, "Here we go again--yet another cutback."

 

It's not that tablecloths (or lack thereof) will make or break my cruise vacation, but over the last few years Carnival has whittled away so many of the things that had made the line one of the best values for your money in cruise vacationing. They have eliminated enough of the things that I loved (live bands on the pool deck, good piano bar singers, several MDR menu items, better quality buffet items--especially at lunch) that in the last two years, I have sailed 2 Princess cruises, 1 Celebrity cruise with another booked in March of 2014, and one NCL cruise, when I'd have otherwise booked on Carnival.

 

Maybe they are not much worried that they have lost some of my business, as I am sure there are plenty of newer cruisers ready to take my place, but I would think that any business would want to generate new customers AND retain longtime customers (I have 14 cruises on Carnival). Just my .02.

Yes it's the sum total of all the cutbacks Carnival has taken over the last couple of years. From the cutbacks in entertainment to the reduction of loyalty benefits to even the quality of the mattresses that Carnival swears have not been reduced (even though they used to try and sell the bedding but no more). Cutbacks in MDR staffing that have slowed the service and often results in food that is not hot. And now a downgrading of the ambiance by removing linen from the table, reduced appetizer and desert choices, self serve water, and the introduction of the family style option. All of this is too further reduce costs. I think the frustration we see on here can be summed up by the famous line from the movie "Network". "I'm frustrated as hell and I am not going to take it anymore"

My wife and I do play in the casino. we play blackjack and craps mostly. we usually get free drinks what ever that is called maybe drinks on us? Slot machines are controlled by a computer normally so don't play these except a random 100 here or there.

While I used to agree that the casino used to change the payout odds on he slot machines every day I have come to find out through a casino source that this is not possible. Every machine has a chip in it that controls the payouts and that to change this daily would in fact be impossible. There is no master control. With that said, most casinos on land set their payouts to anywhere from 88%-98%. Who knows where those payouts are set on a cruise ship (I'm thinking captive audience?)

Masa may be a step above Carnival, but Carnival is nipping at their heals. You didn't hear about the Green Eggs and Ham, Sam I Am??

That was funny! ... Thanks for the grins.

NYC, Masa....2012 Michelin star Restaurant. Average tab, $1,269

Your not comparing the food at MASA to the Carnival MDR? When you reach a level of food excellence like that at MASA you can serve the meal on orange crates and no one would notice. Carnival is not in the same league and must do everything they can to maximize the customer's experience.

Here's something I've observed about this debate: I have read a lot of reviews about the various Carnival Steakhouses. Not once over the years have I read that one single person was aghast that there weren't tablecloths. Not once.

 

Funny, isn't it?

I repeat my point. There are actually three things people consider when reviewing a restaurant. Ambiance, food and service. In my mind Carnival has been slipping in the food department for quite a long time. As well as noted on here the cutback in wait staff has impacted the service. Now they are doing their best to degrade the ambiance. You could fool me but I think they have done just about all they could do to make this anything but fine dining. With all the other reductions in the areas of entertainment, loyalty programs and other areas, my concern is they have killed the golden goose.

It boarders comical when people call the MDR experience as "fine dining", with or without tablecloths.

 

For those who think the experience is "fine dining", I have a luxury car for sale. A classic 1979 Pinto. Will throw in a fire extinguisher.

Absolutely on point. The food is just ok at best and thus when you take away ambiance your taking an ok or average dining experience and making it something less. Carnival cannot afford to deliver less in another segment of their customer service experience.

+1,000,000,000,000,000

Well said!

Carnival is very good at marketing. They pay people very well to come up with strategies that purport to be something brilliant but are actually something that will further line their pockets. I believe this to be the case with the dining changes. I love Carnival, I have never had a bad cruise with them but the new menu really is a major disappointment for me personally. I guarantee that some of the more popular food choices that so many have mentioned here were purposely left off the new menus so they can "tweak" them and bring them back and say, "see, we do listen to our customers". It's all part of the marketing strategy. They'll bring back one or two items to make it a little more like the old menu, it will appease many, they will score a PA victory, and the new menus will be the norm until the next brilliant idea comes along. The disappointment I have with the new menus won't necessarily dissuade me from ever sailing on Carnival, but it will certainly give me reason to branch out to other cruise lines and not be as loyal, or as committed to them as I have always been.

I absolutely think your right on target when you say that some very popular items were purposely left off so Carnival could bring them back as a response to the feedback. The video of the Carnival VP answering questions that is part of one of these threads and the new additions also listed today are just not in character for Carnival. It all happened too fast and it was very slick staging in terms of the video. All too neatly packaged and quick, especially for a company not good at rolling out new strategies.

Good tweaking. Being allergic to seafood, I'm glad to see a more even seafood to other ratio as opposed to being predominantly seafood, which it was before.

 

I figured they would do some fine-tuning. That's why it was released on one ship. Restaurants do this all the time. One of the pilot Olive Gardens is in Orlando. It has been fun going in there and trying different items on the menu, some of which are never put into all Olive Gardens. Some are hits; some are misses. This is Carnival's opportunity to see what works and what doesn't.

Bravo to Carnival! If we're not for some so us being vocal as to what we did not like in terms of their new menu, these changes would not have been made. They reacted in a positive way and where credit is due, I give them credit for listening. Now bring back the table cloths!!!! :-)

Definitely pick an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay. It was the absolute highlight of our Alaska cruise. If you click on the link in my signature, it will take you to the my photo review.

 

As others mentioned, Princess and Holland are the top 2 cruise lines in Alaska, with the largest number of ships and itineraries, many which will include Glacier Bay. And surprisingly they can be cheaper than Carnival (sailing on Holland was $700 cheaper than Carnival and for a much better itinerary which included Sitka and Glacier Bay, sailing on a Saturday).

Strongly recommend the Grand Princess 10 nights out of San Francisco round trip. My wife and I have done this cruise twice and will do it again!

My favorite quote in the article "But almost everyone agrees that fine dining is not likely to disappear. It is simply being reconfigured." IMHO this is exactly what we have been seeing on land and now finally at sea. Some of you are complaining about the loss of traditions. Traditions change over time, they always have and always will. Carnival is reacting to the current trends in dining. I personally think they are on the right track....and if helps cut costs bonus for them and bonus for us so they can keep prices down.

There are two elements of a fine dining experience that customers consider. Food quality and ambiance. When food is amazing as it is in many of the locations mentioned in this article, ambiance becomes a secondary consideration. Customers accept change as in these cases they are emotionally consumed by the dining experience itself. If Peter Luger's Steakhouse in Brooklyn served mediocre food I assure you their rustic atmosphere would be a subject of discussion. The fact they serve some of the best steaks in the world makes that discussion mute. There is no way that anyone is going to call Carnival MDR food incredible so to make their dining experience incredible, you must also consider providing a very special atmosphere. Bare tables, self serve water and sharing appetizers do not evoke any discussion of elegance or warmth and certainly do not offset the serving of mediocre food (at best).

My youngest son was 6 years old on his first Carnival Cruise. His instructions were before the trip that he was not allowed to eat off of a kid's menu. He would sit at dinner and ponder all the food, ask the waiter questions, and pick something. (Not always eating everything but he tried). Someday, my grandkid my be only able to ponder between a steak or chicken on a Carnival ship!

 

I agree with you completely. My kids, youngest still at home, will not go on a Carnival ship. For such a "family" ship, they offer so little, and they keep, cutting back while other lines, keep adding benefits such as the new RCCL drink packages. There is no way the new drink package saves money since you get more options, for same or less than the old package. You could dress up any change as new and exciting, but the bottom line is that this is a cost savings to Carnival, and you get less for your money.

Sounds like your grandson is pretty clever. Congrats to him! Agree whole heartedly with the balance of your message. When smart companies start to see a slide in revenue etc. they will often tweak their pricing and "enhance" their product.

Not really. The repeat cruiser isn't their target market. They have other cruise lines for them mature to. Carnivals focus is on the newer cruiser who has no need or expectation of loyalty perks:rolleyes:.

I respect your opinion. Problem is that no company survives on new business only. That is a recipie for disaster. Any successful service company does everything they can to get their customers to repeat their support and new business is what they depend on for growth. This is a marketing 101 concept and is one that even Carnival would aspire to achieve. Problem is they do not do it very well. For several years Carnival did a good job at this. Then they decided it cost too much money and began over time to devalue their overall product through cost reductions in key areas. They cut back the loyalty program, entertainment and now it seems in the MDR. While many on CC will argue that I don't know what I am talking about, I assure you I am pretty much on target. They do want loyalty but they are getting to a tipping point where loyalty does not mean anything. So today to fill their ships they are at price points that will attract the masses. Problem is to make money at those price levels they most likely will continue to have to reduce their overhead.

After seeing the new menu's do you still feel the same way?

Unfortnately I do. Greatly reduced appetizer and desert choices. All the local dishes served in ports are for the most part low cost food items. Don't see the option of pasta dishes served as an appetizer. Anything you take away in terms of choices reduces the cost of food service. These choice reductions combined with what I think is a definate hit to the ambiance (no table cloths, pour your own water, family style dining etc) are going to make the MDR a much less "special" experience while reducing the cost of this area for Carnival. I know many on here don't care. With that said I know the other three couples we often travel with who without exception are disappointed in these changes. While we are all Platinum I envision far less support from our group as Carnival continues to reduce the level of entertainment and food quality. yes I know there are people who will disagree with our assessment they obviously have that right.

Less choices all around, my favorite desserts gone, no more yummy soups. The elegant night menus don't offer any alternatives. I like filet mignon but I abhor horseradish. Will I be able to get something else? Also, only 1 dessert on elegant night? That is not ok.

And many do not think this new exciting menu was to reduce costs? It's just less choices packaged in a different style. Carnival continues to devalue their product and tell us it's new and exciting. While many of you will find a way to say how great this all looks (because nothing Carnival does is wrong) many of us (we are according to some the complainers, the trashers etc.) see this for what it is. A way for Carnival to further cut back their services and insult our intelligence.