I disagree that no one went to midnight buffets. I cruised with 3 very different cruise lines back in the 90s and the queues to get in was very long. Particularly for the chocolate buffet.
The work that went into them mustāve been huge. Ice carvings, vegetable carvings & chocolate profiterole structures.
The main buffet used to make use of left overs from dinner in the reastaurant thus reducing waste from the dinner menu (no open dining back then)
Yes it must have cost a lot in time & money, and I fully understand that it had to be cut.
Towel animals too. Thousands of extra towels to be laundered along with the crew time to make. Cabin stewards have many, many more cabins to look after now than they did 30 years ago.
The same with the chocolate on pillow. Another way to cut costs.
However all 3 were just that bit special. You didnāt get all that in any hotel, even 30 years ago.
I just feel itās a shame that things keep getting cut, but as long as cruise lines keep friendly helpful staff that remember your name and drinks preferences thatāll help set them apart from land based hospitality.
Iāve just thought about all the wait staff. How many waiters were there plus a sommelier (who kept your wine glass topped up almost invisibly)
I miss those days, but times change and the open dining is a good change. (Remember the days when you were at a table of 6 or 8 and there was always this odd couple. Or the couple who were always late & held up wait staff.)
There are lots a facilities for kids & the big kid in us all (if we want)
the evening entertainment is good. Day time entertainment is much the same. Its like Butlins at sea (a reference for us Brits of a certain age)
I love cruising but if prices donāt come down in price then I doubt Iāll be cruising anytime soon. I really canāt justify over Ā£3k for a 1 week med cruise on a basic outside cabin for 2 adults. š
for the OP take all the negatives with a large pinch of salt. Make the most of your cruise. Youāll love it.