Carnival is cutting back so much

We return today from a 7 days cruise out of California cruising with Carnival Miracle. I was surprised to see how much Carnival has been cutting back since last year when we cruised. No more Mongolian BBQ, no more rotisserie chicken. The dinner at the buffet was cut back also. We used to be invited for an event for return cruisers but now it is only for platinum. They did not have shows only 3 nights out of 7 they did have game shows. In other carnival ships they had a nice big bar near the casino. They always had entertainment right there, they had music and people were dancing as they were going by. Was a very nice area to sit and have fun. This time the casino was much bigger and slots machines were in this area. We were 3 couples with side by side balconies so we had them open to each other and we enjoyed that a lot. Size of balcony was nice and bigger than other ships. All and all it was OK but the cutting back was noticeably by us.

We were on the 07/23 Miracle cruise after 8 yrs not on a Carnival cruise. You hit it with the cutbacks, even though we didn't have much to compare. We really felt that the staff was over tasked in the daytime eateries.

Overall, still very enjoyable, just didn't like the lines and limited options.

How long ago did you cruise? Those changes aren't new, and not on all ships.

Not all ships have the Mongolian Wok. And in 12 cruises I never new about the rotisserie chicken. Must have missed it. I'm on the Triumph as I speak and definitely no cut back on the buffets and there's been entertainment nightly by the casino. As for the past guest party, the golds were excluded some time ago.

These are not "cut backs". The Miracle has never had the Mongolian wok or the rotisserie chicken. It appears that you booked a cruise and did no research about what food choices were available on a ship that was new to you!

You are probably used to the larger ships that have totally different entertainment/food/ and music.

Researching before a cruise is a great idea!

These are not "cut backs". The Miracle has never had the Mongolian wok or the rotisserie chicken. It appears that you booked a cruise and did no research about what food choices were available on a ship that was new to you!

You are probably used to the larger ships that have totally different entertainment/food/ and music.

Researching before a cruise is a great idea!

I believe miracle only recently got playlist. With playlist very often you get two night of hasbro as adult entertainment instead of the flyons we used to get.

Hasbro is great entertainment for kids and should be done in the afternoon. This is a huge cutback from the days they had professional entertainment every night but legends night.

Sure there have been some cutbacks, but same goes for most main stream cruise lines. I have also been disappointed by some changes over the years, most especially last year having "gold" cruisers turfed out of the welcome back party. However, I will say, that by staying up to date on the news of cruise lines in general, both on this website and others, you will be less "let down" and shocked by the changes, you have some time to adjust before your next cruise, or even if you don't like the changes, by educating yourself to the changes, you can make a better choice for your next cruise booking.

Sorry you were disappointed though. I still like Carnival, however next year will be trying a different cruise line (because of friends). Oh my gosh, you should read the disappointments over on that board:D As I say, cutbacks are happening on other lines too. Hope your next cruise is better. and thanks for sharing your thoughts.:)

Thanks for your time to give us your RECENT experience.

Seems there have been cutbacks fleets wide.

Don't know ... just guessing ... probably to keep the base cruise fare low? :confused:

Cruising is NOT what it used to be 10 years ago...or even, 3 years ago! It's still a fun vacation, but don't expect to feel like "royalty", like in the "old" days!

We return today from a 7 days cruise out of California cruising with Carnival Miracle. I was surprised to see how much Carnival has been cutting back since last year when we cruised. No more Mongolian BBQ, no more rotisserie chicken. The dinner at the buffet was cut back also. We used to be invited for an event for return cruisers but now it is only for platinum. They did not have shows only 3 nights out of 7 they did have game shows. In other carnival ships they had a nice big bar near the casino. They always had entertainment right there, they had music and people were dancing as they were going by. Was a very nice area to sit and have fun. This time the casino was much bigger and slots machines were in this area. We were 3 couples with side by side balconies so we had them open to each other and we enjoyed that a lot. Size of balcony was nice and bigger than other ships. All and all it was OK but the cutting back was noticeably by us.

Didn't you remember this from your last cruise on Miracle in May 2015?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2207161

In this day and age there is no excuse for not doing research. Info is in abundance with very little effort.

I have the cruises on the Miracle. 2013, 2014 and 2015. I have a 4th in less then two months. There has never been a Mongolian Wok nor a Rotisserie.

If you sailed in May 15 then she was out of dry dock and nothing would've been Sydenham between then and now other then a few more Playlist shows.

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Seems there have been cutbacks fleets wide.

Don't know ... just guessing ... probably to keep the base cruise fare low? :confused:

Exactly. Can't have it both ways. You want nice stuff and treats, you pay extra or pay higher cruise fare.

Cruising is NOT what it used to be 10 years ago...or even, 3 years ago! It's still a fun vacation, but don't expect to feel like "royalty", like in the "old" days!

When did any cruise line promise to treat you like royalty? The bigger question is why do you need to feel like royalty during a vacation?

By the way, I'm not defending Carnival. I'm just a low maintenance traveler. A cruise is nothing more than a hotel stay and transportation to multiple different countries. That's the bulk of the ticket price. Through in the food and I feel I've gotten my money's worth.

Will say that both the two other ships sailing out of CA do not have the rotisserie or Mongolian Wok. They've been replaced with Guy's and Iguana. Some say it's an improvement, others disagree.

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Not all ships have the Mongolian Wok. And in 12 cruises I never new about the rotisserie chicken. Must have missed it. I'm on the Triumph as I speak and definitely no cut back on the buffets and there's been entertainment nightly by the casino. As for the past guest party' date=' the golds were excluded some time ago.[/quote']

 

 

On the Fantasy class the rotisserie was/is between the grill and other area (Wok or ??)

I've read that it was taken out when they put in Guy's and Iguana.

 

 

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Exactly. Can't have it both ways. You want nice stuff and treats, you pay extra or pay higher cruise fare.

Think you're totally right on this. :)

No wok or rotisserie! I should stay home!

Didn't you remember this from your last cruise on Miracle in May 2015?

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2207161

Great find, Bookbug53!

For those that didn't click on the link the first time; please do. There are only 2 posts by OP and absolutely no followup posts.....

For those that posted you should do your research before your cruise, you are right. Don't mean to be critical; but OP has set herself up with this one.

She did the same ship LAST YEAR. She didn't do her research for THAT cruise. The complaints were very similar to the ones this year. How can you forget so much about a ship you were just on?

There was also a complaint last year about the change from Past Guest Party only being for Platinum and above. Further proof she didn't research last year.

It seems like someone trying to stir the pot to me.

With all the responses this year - it seems to be working. LOL

Great find, Bookbug53!

 

For those that didn't click on the link the first time; please do. There are only 2 posts by OP and absolutely no followup posts.....

 

For those that posted you should do your research before your cruise, you are right. Don't mean to be critical; but OP has set herself up with this one.

 

She did the same ship LAST YEAR. She didn't do her research for THAT cruise. The complaints were very similar to the ones this year. How can you forget so much about a ship you were just on?

 

There was also a complaint last year about the change from Past Guest Party only being for Platinum and above. Further proof she didn't research last year.

 

It seems like someone trying to stir the pot to me.

 

With all the responses this year - it seems to be working. LOL

I have done the Miracle twice and loved both cruises, so I am interested in what people say. Reading her comments (the 'wording') and certain comments sparked a memory. Clicked on the OP's name and it took just a minute to find the one I had read before. :cool:

Will say that both the two other ships sailing out of CA do not have the rotisserie or Mongolian Wok. They've been replaced with Guy's and Iguana. Some say it's an improvement, others disagree.

 

 

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The Mongolian Wok is still on the Imagination--at least for now. After the dry-dock, it will probably be replaced by Guy's and Blue Iguana.

The Mongolian Wok is still on the Imagination--at least for now. After the dry-dock, it will probably be replaced by Guy's and Blue Iguana.

Thanks. Thought it already happened.

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I have done the Miracle twice and loved both cruises, so I am interested in what people say. Reading her comments (the 'wording') and certain comments sparked a memory. Clicked on the OP's name and it took just a minute to find the one I had read before. :cool:

I understand what you mean by the wording. Comparing the two reviews; it looked like the same cruise, mentioning 3 connecting balconies each time. I thought OP had made this year's cruise up and wasn't even on the ship what with so many common complaints. :eek:

And the first one saying they would think twice about booking the same ship due to the poor entertainment. I guess they forgot about that and the food options that weren't there last year also weren't there this year. :rolleyes:

Looking at her profile, she posts on many boards and cruises on many lines. Lucky her - maybe she cruises so often she just can't keep them all straight. First World problems. LOL

And, it looks like she DID ask questions here before her cruise last year - about her cabin being under being under the pool and the Steakhouse. But - no questions about lunchtime options. :)

The Mongolian Wok is still on the Imagination--at least for now. After the dry-dock, it will probably be replaced by Guy's and Blue Iguana.

Is there room for both Guy's and the Cantina? I can't think of a ship that has one but not the other. Adding both may require more work to the galley area. If Carnival can figure out how to squeeze a Ji Ji Asian Kitchen on the ship, then the Mogolian Wok would be safe as it is a lunchtime venue in the same space on other ships.

I could see both pool bars on the lido deck getting the 2.0 treatment, though.

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We return today from a 7 days cruise out of California cruising with Carnival Miracle. I was surprised to see how much Carnival has been cutting back since last year when we cruised. No more Mongolian BBQ, no more rotisserie chicken. The dinner at the buffet was cut back also. We used to be invited for an event for return cruisers but now it is only for platinum. They did not have shows only 3 nights out of 7 they did have game shows. In other carnival ships they had a nice big bar near the casino. They always had entertainment right there, they had music and people were dancing as they were going by. Was a very nice area to sit and have fun. This time the casino was much bigger and slots machines were in this area. We were 3 couples with side by side balconies so we had them open to each other and we enjoyed that a lot. Size of balcony was nice and bigger than other ships. All and all it was OK but the cutting back was noticeably by us.

The rotisserie chicken is on the Splendor.