richfret

Hi everyone! So how many Carnival cruises have you taken?

 

For those of you that stick with only Carnival what is that keeps you going back for more and more?

 

Any tips on how to plan for future cruises so it doesn't hurt the pockets? Do you plan last minute or book when you are on a cruise...

Have completed 21 cruise and all were with Carnival. Carnival Cruise 22 has been purchased for 2019 and another Carnival cruise for 2020.

What keeps us coming back. Have 162 VIP points and need another 37 to reach Diamond. Pricing is good. Live in Florida and have a good selection of ships in the ports of Miami and Ft Lauderdale. Know what to expect and like what I see.

As for pricing and planning, I always buy my cruises a year or two in advance. That way, you lock in your price and don't worry about price increases. Use to buy the cruise while on a cruise but that pricing advantage has gone away. Pay for the cruise with AARP gift cards which ends up as a 10 percent discount. Also pay for my on board ship expenses with AARP gift cards which amounts to another 10 percent. Buying Early Saver is your best bet for pricing but actually the Military rate is the same and is safer in case you would have to cancel. Always bring 2 bottles of alcohol and 12 bottles of soda for price reasons. I buy my shore excursions prior to the cruise and usually with a code discount some one will publish on Cruise Critic. In one respect, I am extravagant. I pay for pier parking instead of off site parking. It is $50 to $75 more but time wise a major difference, more convenient and usually covered parking.

As for planning, I have to admit, I go overboard. No .............. not on the ship but at home. I have 2 inch binders filled with data. I cross reference past cruises. I am on Cruise Critic all the time. I also search the internet for data. I talk with others about cruising all the time. Am a confessed Cruise-a-holic. But, that's also part of the fun of cruising.

My thought is to make all the ships different. They can be similar to each ship in its class but still have some unique qualities. I want to be surprised each time I try a different ship. If I really like it, I can always try that ship or its class again.

If you cruised a bit and can remember the older ships like the Tropicale, I can still remember seeing the piping along the ceilings in some areas. When you were in port, you would always be looking up at the neighboring ships. Now that is unique.

Actually walking away is a very good solution to solve a noise problem for yourself. A person should go to find a quieter spot, problem solved. I think it also depends on the circumstances....Scenario A: Its 6 am and a group of 8 people are on the Lido deck having coffee and talking. If the music is to loud for them to converse and there is no party going on, then it wouldnt be asking to much to ask someone to turn it down

 

Scenario B: Its a Seaday at there are 800 people on the Lido deck, people dancing and partying and the music is loud....If 20 people think its to loud are you saying the wants of those 20 should outweigh everyone else? That is unreasonable and those 20 people should move to a place more suited for them

You are missing the point. Make the sound of the music reasonable all the time and nobody has to move. You did admit in the last paragraph that the music is loud. Actually, it is extremely loud. That's the point. It does not have to be very loud to be enjoyable unless no one is listening and you want to get their attention. Maybe that is the real problem. The DJ's want your attention so badly that regardless if you are having a conversation, eating ice cream, dancing or just walking by, you will have to stop and notice. You can tell by the replies in this post (Louds or Quiets) that it's not the Lido Deck activities that count but just the DJ's music. At least, that is what the DJ is thinking. Now all we have to do is get Carnival to consider the situation and that will not be easy.

I am not sure that the loud music on some ships is as dangerous as it is annoying. Not because of the content, but rather distortion. First the sound meters on your phone are not capable of providing any meaningful readings, and can only provide invalid data to argue about. A real device to measure sound is about $ 20,000. and is seldom seen outside studios and theatrical venues.

 

My experience world-wide is that the sound levels need to set by an engineer, and the controls and power be locked down to prevent staff and middle management from fiddling with it. More often than not staff wants to turn the sound way down or off if it is not to their taste. If it is a favorite, they want to turn it up to silly high levels. I find that live performers request their volume be adjusted in inverse proportion to their talent.

 

A talent like Elton John or Lady Gaga will be mixed at a level that is enjoyable and be heard throughout the building. Talent like (insert name of garage band here) will push equipment beyond its limits and deliver highly distorted audio that is offensive to most ears.

 

On cruise ships there is a population of "get off my lawn" personalities that would complain about soft jazz BGM (background music) being played in the Steakhouse, and others (mostly neophyte DJ's) that feel music must be played loud, distorted, with a pfat beat four times louder than the source. You know, the bass makes waves in your beer.

 

If the sound content is not to your liking, you need to vote with your feet and go someplace else. I find I can be with a crowd, or alone in public spaces on board. If the sound is annoying because of an engineering problem have a word with the musical director. They are usually inclined to make the sound system perform correctly.

I agree with most of what you say except your conclusion. Sure, you can walk away but that is not a solution. It just means that the sound might be even louder the next day. You could just as well say that the music should turned down and those that want louder music could leave the quiet area and look for a louder location.

As for the musical director, he/she set this system up and I doubt he/she would be very receptive. In this corporate would, the customer is always right .................. some times. That is how they would look at this situation. Maybe after a couple hundred requests, it might be considered ....................... maybe.

Then however, there is always the Captain. I bet it is much quieter on the Bridge.

Good post....This poster when, he/she finds the music to loud, they MOVE. As opposed to many posters here who seem to think the world revolves around them.....the mindset of "well i want to hang out in this particular spot, and i want the music in the spot I am occupying at an acceptable for ME and Carnival should have to adjust to suit my needs. I shouldnt have to move if i dont want to" Self entitlement seems to run rampant these days :rolleyes:

Well that explains it. Now I know why some people have fallen overboard. They were trying to get away from very loud music and fell overboard. I guess that proves how loud it can get.

Based on the replies, it looks like just as many are complaining about the loud music as those that want loud music. Unfortunately, the LOUDS have it and it does not look like it will ever change. It's not just the Music Decks but the theater also. It has got "crazy loud" especially with rock music which is played nearly all the time.

Remember in the olden days when people took a cruise to get away from it all. You can still do that but you have to lock yourself in your cabin and hope your neighbors are doing the same.

I really don't see a solution. All we can do is complain and complain and complain and maybe some day after the hounchos (spelling?) get their hearing aids, they may have some sympathy for their paying guests.

Excuse me, I have to go now and turn down the TV. It's a commercial!

Regarding evening cruise shows, Carnival needs to review their passenger roster and determine what the average age normally is. Then plan their shows accordingly. I don't think a 55 year or older cruiser wants excessively loud music that hurts your ears and blinding flashing lights. Let's face it, that about the average age. Carnival thinks if is 18 year olds.

Rock is OK once in awhile but not for every act for every show. Costumes should be costumes and not the cheap street wear outfits currently in use. The background computerized screen can be fantastic at times BUT if carried to an extreme, you might as well get rid of the stage and just have 3D type movies.

I have completed 21 cruises (7 or 8 day cruises) and all have been with Carnival. In the beginning when we first started taking cruises, I would talk about the shows with every one I met. Now all I say is how loud they are.

I imagine the costs have gone down considerably with elimination of live bands, decreased numbers of acting personnel, street wear for costumes and computerized screening replacing more personnel. But don't kid yourself. It shows. Sometimes, really shows. (Sorry about that pun)

I have a cruise already purchased for 2019 and 2020 but will probably spend more time in the Casino than the theater. Maybe that is the Carnival plan. Oh well, probably be the same shows anyway.

Obviously speculation, but I 100% agree with you. And I think that’s why there is so much confusion at the crew level for the current policy because they have to unwind the temporary changes.

I agree with your guess about Carnival. Actually, all I want to do when I get on board at 11:30 am is to drop off my 2 carry ons so I can head for the buffet with free hands. I don't intend to sleep and the Cabin Steward can continue his work in the cabins. What's the big deal? Then give me my luggage by 3 pm (we are Platinum) and unpacking can begin.

On my last 1/18/2018 Sunshine cruise, I never got a reply for my request and got a table for 4 instead of the 6 or 8 we requested. Personally, I think Carnival could do a heck of a lot better job assigning tables. They got to do the assignments any way but want to wait until the last minute. Then they go to all the trouble of changing arrangements after your first meal if you are upset enough to ask them.

After you purchase a cruise, Carnival asks if you want twin beds separated or put together like a king. Why can't they also ask what dining arrangement you want. At least it would give them some idea instead of blind assignments.

If they can't do that, then at least make it a VIP benefit. It would cost them nothing and make some people happy. I have completed 21 cruises and all with Carnival. WE LIKE CARNIVAL This should be no big deal if they want to please their loyal customers.

On the Vista , March 10th cruise. They scheduled the Meet and Mingle at 9:00am first day. This was 8:00am due to day light savings clock change. Even at 9, it would be during breakfast for most people. Whoever coordinates this with Carnival should try to set up a more reasonable time. 71 signed up, 9 attended because of the scheduled time.

I agree that is too early a time for a M&G. In the future it won't make much difference, however, since the number of reads for Roll Calls is really dwindling. I think we all know why and I won't go into it. Without a large following, it will be difficult to arrange any get togethers, Carnival or private.

Have completed twenty one cruises (7 or 8 days) since 1995 and all have been with Carnival. Have a Carnival cruise booked for 2019 and 2020. So why haven't I tried another line? I guess I would have to say that I was very satisfied and enjoyed each cruise so much that I just continued with Carnival. Always seemed to be a fantastic way to vacation. When you book extra early, use AARP gift cards for the cruise purchase, then AARP gift cards for excursions and ship expenses, get the Military discount and enjoy VIP privileges, that's quite a vacation value package.

Now the ugly question. Have things been taken away. Absolutely! But have things been added? Absolutely! So in the end, I remain satisfied.

I really do miss the old theater shows with real bands, fancy costumes and non ROCK music. Table cloths ................... Not really. Enjoy the newer and nicer ships? Again absolutely especially when I compare the Tropicale to the Vista. A Model-T compared to a Lincoln. I could go on and on with the pluses and minuses but by now, you either agree or are looking for a new cruise line.

So I hope Carnival continues to provide an economical vacation value. Certainly there is danger that they will go too far in cost saving changes but we face that situation daily in most of what corporations are doing.

So just 345 days, 14 hours and 16 minutes according to the Carnival HUB. (See another positive change!)

Well it is official ................................................. We still don't know what is going to happen but it has made for 15 pages of speculation. In any event, stayed tuned. We may find out soon. Then again maybe not. In fact, maybe not at all.

With that said, I will follow this thread closely. See you in about 10 more pages.

This is exactly why cruise lines can get away with what they do. People will continue sailing on them no matter what. This reminds me of the abusive boyfriend that keeps beating his girlfriend, but she won’t leave him.

 

 

 

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Then again, there are those who would switch cruise lines on a rumor that some thing terrible is coming. Definitely maybe!!! Just read your contract. Well then, read it again. And again. And again. See! Definitely maybe!!!

Just a duplicate copy of a post that I did in similar thread about the same issue:

Well, here I am 5 pages later and I know as much now as when I started. In the olden days, if I remember right, we would drive to the port and board the ship once Customs approval was received. We usually arrived between 11 am and Noon and then we would head for the Lido deck for lunch (carry ons with us which was a pain in the neck and else where). After lunch, I would keep checking to see when the doors opened to the passageway leading to our cabin. Once opened, we would head for the cabin and it was usually about 12:30 to 1:30 pm or so.

Then Carnival changed the rules and we could go directly to the cabin when we boarded the ship. This was nice since we could leave the luggage in the cabin and head for lunch. Some times the cabin was ready. Other times, it was not and the Steward was cleaning it or several of the other cabins assigned to him/her. VIP/Platinum were suppose to be the first cabins cleaned but as you know, the Steward has many more cabins to do than they use to

If this changes, I will not be happy. I will, however, revert back to the olden days and life will continue. I think some of the problem is due to the fact that some cruisers, regardless of status, were sneaking into their cabins once they found the open passageway. It's just human nature. It must have become a problem for the Stewards with their cabins often filled with guests.

So Carnival, please leave things as they are but I will still continue to do Carnival cruises, regardless. In fact, just completed my cruise for 2018 and have 2019 and 2020 booked. Have 21 completed cruises (all with carnival) so you see I am a bit prejudiced.

So with that said, I anxiously await the verdict. Is Carnival Guilty or Not Guilty of High Treason (Removing a VIP/Platinum benefit)?

EDITQUOTE

Well, here I am 5 pages later and I know as much now as when I started. In the olden days, if I remember right, we would drive to the port and board the ship once Customs approval was received. We usually arrived between 11 am and Noon and then we would head for the Lido deck for lunch (carry ons with us which was a pain in the neck and else where). After lunch, I would keep checking to see when the doors opened to the passageway leading to our cabin. Once opened, we would head for the cabin and it was usually about 12:30 to 1:30 pm or so.

Then Carnival changed the rules and we could go directly to the cabin when we boarded the ship. This was nice since we could leave the luggage in the cabin and head for lunch. Some times the cabin was ready. Other times, it was not and the Steward was cleaning it or several of the other cabins assigned to him/her. VIP/Platinum were suppose to be the first cabins cleaned but as you know, the Steward has many more cabins to do than they use to

If this changes, I will not be happy. I will, however, revert back to the olden days and life will continue. I think some of the problem is due to the fact that some cruisers, regardless of status, were sneaking into their cabins once they found the open passageway. It's just human nature. It must have become a problem for the Stewards with their cabins often filled with guests.

So Carnival, please leave things as they are but I will still continue to do Carnival cruises, regardless. In fact, just completed my cruise for 2018 and have 2019 and 2020 booked. Have 21 completed cruises (all with carnival) so you see I am a bit prejudiced.

So with that said, I anxiously await the verdict. Is Carnival Guilty or Not Guilty of High Treason (Removing a VIP/Platinum benefit)?

Thanks for the quick replies. Based on what you say, I think it may be best if my wife skips this port. Lots to do on the ship with less effort.

Hear there is considerable walking at this port to get to the beach and the eating areas. Wife walks with a cane and can't go long distances. We bring a wheeled push chair on the cruise and I was wondering if they have paved paths that we could use to get from place to place. I picture this port as similar to Grand Turk which is no problem.

Strange .................... I did not have a good experience at Port Canaveral like others mentioned. We could not drive up to the Sunshine due to the traffic. You could get to the Magic, however, which was also at the pier.

There is more than one covered parking building. That first one was filled so they directed us to the next building. Then that one was filled so they directed us to the third building. Traffic was terrible trying to get their. Once in the third building, they said to leave the suit cases at the curb and proceed to the ship. That was a mistake. We are VIP and luggage is suppose to be expedited to your cabin. Our luggage got to our cabin at 10 pm.

Getting off the ship was just as bad. We were in the very first groups scheduled to leave. There really is only one set of esculators and they were jammed. Those with their luggage went first and there seemed to be a couple hundred cruisers. Finally our luggage came and we searched and searched until we could find one missing suitcase delivered almost last.

Now I know it is not easy to have 3,000 cruisers boarding or leaving a ship. That said, it was not easy, in fact, it was difficult. Compared to Ft Lauderdale or Miami, I would rate Port Canaveral as far worse.

Had no problem with my TA using gift cards to pay down payments and final payments for several Carnival cruises. Just called the TA and advised the payment method and then followed up with an E-mail listing the gift card numbers and amounts. You just need the right TA.

Another way to look at the deck question is to notice that the upper cabins go up in price. If they did not sell, I am quite sure Carnival would make all prices the same regardless of level or even drop the price if necessary..

HOLY COW!!! I sympathize with you CAROL1560 and it is you and I against 2,000 responses. I am Platinum also and understand your frustration. It is a promised benefit to get off early so why are so many cheating the system. Come on Carnival! Do your job and stop pretending there is no problem.

Now I suggest CAROL1560 that you and I take cover because shortly the responding rocks should soon be hurled. Oh and Carnival, not to worry. You and I are still buddies and I have Carnival cruises booked for 2019 and 2020.

Yikes! That rock almost got me!

Amber Cove is a very good port to visit and reminds me of Grand Turk. Once you get off, you can shop, swim, relax, site see and many other activities. If you don't want to spend money, you don't have to and can still have a good time. The grounds are immaculate and every thing is in walking distance.

I had 4 gift cards - two actual cards and 2 e-cards. When I checked in with my boarding pass and received our S&S cards I asked to apply all of them, but the gentleman in the terminal said he was able to apply the actual cards, which he did, but the e-cards would have to be applied on the ship. I had to take those to Guest Services, which I did later in the week when there was no line and it was done in maybe 3 minutes. YMMV

Thanks EFUZZ. I was really concerned since I have considerable dollars in E-cards and thought this might be a major problem. Now that I think of it, I have only used them on the ship or with the TA for the cruise purchase.

(From your review) "We checked in, applied gift cards to our account (physical cards only - no e-cards at this stop) got our S&S cards, and were told to head straight to boarding." This rather surprised me. I have both physical and E-cards and thought they would be handled the same since they are both Carnival gift cards. Could you give us more detail on this. Once on board, I had planned to give them E-cards to pay for sail and sign expenses. I have done this in the past but don't recall the E-card issue.

I have 21 cruises notched on my belt and only one time was their a priest on board who could conduct a mass. Same situation with other denominations. I think it would be safe to say, it is unlikely you will have the opportunity to attend any religious service unless your cruise is during Christmas or Easter.