Mr Gerry Cahill refuses to directly answer communique' Re. future of cruise bands

Fellow CC'ers,

FYI: This was my one and only attempt to present the concerns of other previously loyal Carnival cruisers, but especially my own...

I began a serious of emails...

*** I wrote to Mr Cahill's office, it was handed down to a assist. pr. rep and I thus received a "shining" .

***I then was told there were "exciting new things to come"....stay tuned, blah, blah, blah...:confused: oh, and BTW, thank you for choosing Carnival and your patience:o

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** My initial e-mail as was as follows ...

My concern: reworded from a previous post in a Cruise Critic thread:

"The following is IMHO, for what its worth...Since 2007 Carnival has been systematically downsizing the the better

rock/cover/dance bands.

1. Constantly changing policies that replace live bands with:

a. Staff muscians thrown together with almost no experience playing

together...their repertoire is what they can figure out on the spot.

------------------------------------------

2. The " not-very-new and hardly exciting" solos, duets and laptop accompaniment.

------------------------------------------

3 Arbitrary relocating of bands we actually do want to hear, at the last minute, even after assurance from Entertainment Dept. of what ship they are performing on. I personally spoke regularly with the Entertainment Dept person who literally booked and placed each band.

Now He does not return calls, check voice or e-mails.

4. Their growing experiment of focusing on "Comedy Club", a 20 min show with a 30 min wait time, using the staff host, pretending he is a comedian too. Some I enjoy, but not at the cost of replacing the better live bands.

5. Last cruise on Ecstasy, the dance/cover band were just "drafted" from the show musicians without the experience of a "practiced repertoire", having only met each other a week before...It was so pitiful, had no sound support staff, and it was no wonder most pax walked on by.

Further, I think to find the location of band entertainment in Casino hall ways

is dooming the best for failure:

ie. Blood Power or Music Boardwalk, M... Asia, etc. I'll wait to book my cruise to last possible moment, check reviews, and other cc tools.

Too bad only a few years ago you could choose virtually any Carnival cruise and expect great band(s) to enjoy.

For me, It's Carnival's last chance to overcome the growing perception that they are "cheaping out" by sacrificing our cruise Entertainment expectation, and hoping the new-cruiser will always fill the ship, and eventually the dinasours of the past will have no voice!

-----------------------------------------------------------

So, Although we're Platinum-VIP, after my next 2 FCC, I'll be looking for the cruise line who value the substance of EXCELLENCE over the appearance of it.

Mike

__________________

manmtnmike@gmail.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:

Dear Mike,

Thanks for taking the time to contact us. Your email to Mr. Cahill has been forwarded to my attention for handling and it’s my pleasure to respond on his behalf.

Let me begin by thanking you for your loyalty over the years. We certainly appreciate your continued support.

That being said, rest assured, our entertainment strategy is constantly evolving to meet the preferences of our guests. We monitor customer satisfaction closely to ensure we're hitting the mark. Notwithstanding, in an effort to introduce new concepts, we are working on some exciting ideas that we are sure to please. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Kay Savedge

Special Advisor, Office of the President

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My response:

"Please forward my original letter to Mr. Cahill...thank you...

Your reply is exactly the problem many of us on Cruise Critic are concerned about...It sounds like uninformed PR RESPONSE without actually saying anything.

Did you even read my concerns?? Please respond to my points,

Noteing the lack of substance in your reply...

You addressed none of my points ...If we were speaking in person, I would politely ask to speak to someone who could, and would, answer my concerns."

Thank You...

Mike

p.s... I really am hoping Carnival will address the "live band" issue. or at least be truthful that this is not a priority of where the "NEW" Carnival is headed.

Mike XXXXXX

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yet, Again after another unsubstantive pr response...

I responded:

"Sorry, not really understanding the failure to answer specificsI

I'm just disappointed that the CEO's office would treat a VIP platinum cruiser's concerns with such vague responses."

Mike.

-----------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. XXXX,

We have already communicated our position below. We appreciate your patience and thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Kay Savedge

Special Advisor, Office of the President

Ouch, OK, got the message, no more emails, evidently I irritated them...:eek:

Mike

Fellow CC'ers,

FYI: This was my one and only attempt to present the concerns of other previously loyal Carnival cruisers, but especially my own...

I began a serious of emails...

 

*** I wrote to Mr Cahill's office, it was handed down to a assist. pr. rep and I thus received a "shining" .

***I then was told there were "exciting new things to come"....stay tuned, blah, blah, blah...:confused: oh, and BTW, thank you for choosing Carnival and your patience:o

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** My initial e-mail as was as follows ...

My concern: reworded from a previous post in a Cruise Critic thread:

"The following is IMHO, for what its worth...Since 2007 Carnival has been systematically downsizing the the better

rock/cover/dance bands.

 

1. Constantly changing policies that replace live bands with:

 

a. Staff muscians thrown together with almost no experience playing

together...their repertoire is what they can figure out on the spot.

------------------------------------------

2. The " not-very-new and hardly exciting" solos, duets and laptop accompaniment.

------------------------------------------

3 Arbitrary relocating of bands we actually do want to hear, at the last minute, even after assurance from Entertainment Dept. of what ship they are performing on. I personally spoke regularly with the Entertainment Dept person who literally booked and placed each band.

Now He does not return calls, check voice or e-mails.

 

4. Their growing experiment of focusing on "Comedy Club", a 20 min show with a 30 min wait time, using the staff host, pretending he is a comedian too. Some I enjoy, but not at the cost of replacing the better live bands.

 

5. Last cruise on Ecstasy, the dance/cover band were just "drafted" from the show musicians without the experience of a "practiced repertoire", having only met each other a week before...It was so pitiful, had no sound support staff, and it was no wonder most pax walked on by.

 

Further, I think to find the location of band entertainment in Casino hall ways

is dooming the best for failure:

ie. Blood Power or Music Boardwalk, M... Asia, etc. I'll wait to book my cruise to last possible moment, check reviews, and other cc tools.

 

Too bad only a few years ago you could choose virtually any Carnival cruise and expect great band(s) to enjoy.

 

For me, It's Carnival's last chance to overcome the growing perception that they are "cheaping out" by sacrificing our cruise Entertainment expectation, and hoping the new-cruiser will always fill the ship, and eventually the dinasours of the past will have no voice!

-----------------------------------------------------------

So, Although we're Platinum-VIP, after my next 2 FCC, I'll be looking for the cruise line who value the substance of EXCELLENCE over the appearance of it.

 

Mike

 

__________________

manmtnmike@gmail.com

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:

Dear Mike,

 

Thanks for taking the time to contact us. Your email to Mr. Cahill has been forwarded to my attention for handling and it’s my pleasure to respond on his behalf.

Let me begin by thanking you for your loyalty over the years. We certainly appreciate your continued support.

That being said, rest assured, our entertainment strategy is constantly evolving to meet the preferences of our guests. We monitor customer satisfaction closely to ensure we're hitting the mark. Notwithstanding, in an effort to introduce new concepts, we are working on some exciting ideas that we are sure to please. Stay tuned!

 

Sincerely,

 

Kay Savedge

Special Advisor, Office of the President

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My response:

 

"Please forward my original letter to Mr. Cahill...thank you...

Your reply is exactly the problem many of us on Cruise Critic are concerned about...It sounds like uninformed PR RESPONSE without actually saying anything.

Did you even read my concerns?? Please respond to my points,

Noteing the lack of substance in your reply...

You addressed none of my points ...If we were speaking in person, I would politely ask to speak to someone who could, and would, answer my concerns."

 

Thank You...

Mike

p.s... I really am hoping Carnival will address the "live band" issue. or at least be truthful that this is not a priority of where the "NEW" Carnival is headed.

 

 

Mike XXXXXX

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yet, Again after another unsubstantive pr response...

 

I responded:

"Sorry, not really understanding the failure to answer specificsI

I'm just disappointed that the CEO's office would treat a VIP platinum cruiser's concerns with such vague responses."

 

Mike.

-----------------------------------------------------

 

Dear Mr. XXXX,

 

We have already communicated our position below. We appreciate your patience and thank you for your understanding.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kay Savedge

Special Advisor, Office of the President

 

Ouch, OK, got the message, no more emails, evidently I irritated them...:eek:

 

Mike

I agree that it was a vague response; almost like they have a form letter - one for food, one for entertainment, one for staff complaints, etc. Simply replace the "entertainment strategy" phrase with one that fits the complaint. And, as always, promises of new and better things to come.

But, on the other hand, I don't know what they could say. Sorry, we are saving money, so the top people can make more money and we show good numbers for the DJIA. If you don't like it, don't cruise with us? The promises of brilliant things to come aren't very trustworthy. It will be interesting to see how things work out in this respect for the future.

*** My initial e-mail as was as follows ...

My concern: reworded from a previous post in a Cruise Critic thread:

and

 

My response:

 

"Please forward my original letter to Mr. Cahill...thank you...

Your reply is exactly the problem many of us on Cruise Critic are concerned about...It sounds like uninformed PR RESPONSE without actually saying anything.

My only thought is why do you have to drag Cruise Critic into this? You have a problem with something, argue it on your merit. Don't drag others into this without their expressed consent and as a CC member, I have not given anyone authorization to argue on my behalf. Especially since I couldn't care less whether they have live bands, DJs, or robots plucking a chicken! You want to complain about something, do it in your own name and leave the rest of us out of it. It's people slinging the CC name around like this that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths about CC.

You did the right thing by writing to Carnival and letting them know about your dissatisfaction.

But, with all due respect, what else did you expect? I'm actually surprised that they replied, and furthermore entertained follow up letters.

Yours is one out thousands of letters addressed to Mr. Cahill with suggestions. You will not get a heartfelt personal response, and they will not start immediate changes either.

Also, as a suggestion, keep your letters simple, to the point, and stick to the facts. Reading your letter I have a feeling that it was quickly looked over and thrown in the circular file. :o

I agree with Out to Sea. Carnival has taken the position that CC is made of 17 whiney,

sniveling malcontents who aren't pleased with anything. Better to have argued on your

own behalf for a legitimate response.....Whether their assessment is accurate or not doesn't change their interpretation.

and

 

 

 

My only thought is why do you have to drag Cruise Critic into this? You have a problem with something, argue it on your merit. Don't drag others into this without their expressed consent and as a CC member, I have not given anyone authorization to argue on my behalf. Especially since I couldn't care less whether they have live bands, DJs, or robots plucking a chicken! You want to complain about something, do it in your own name and leave the rest of us out of it. It's people slinging the CC name around like this that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths about CC.

I'm in complete agreement. Nobody should presume to speak for me or lump me in with their gross generalizations as to what "everyone" wants.

and

 

 

 

My only thought is why do you have to drag Cruise Critic into this? You have a problem with something, argue it on your merit. Don't drag others into this without their expressed consent and as a CC member, I have not given anyone authorization to argue on my behalf. Especially since I couldn't care less whether they have live bands, DJs, or robots plucking a chicken! You want to complain about something, do it in your own name and leave the rest of us out of it. It's people slinging the CC name around like this that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths about CC.

I totally agree with this.

and

 

 

 

My only thought is why do you have to drag Cruise Critic into this? You have a problem with something, argue it on your merit. Don't drag others into this without their expressed consent and as a CC member, I have not given anyone authorization to argue on my behalf. Especially since I couldn't care less whether they have live bands, DJs, or robots plucking a chicken! You want to complain about something, do it in your own name and leave the rest of us out of it. It's people slinging the CC name around like this that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths about CC.

Ditto. :)

OP, you get what you pay for. Try Celebrity since obviously Carnival isn't for you.

Completely agree with Out to sea! Stop trying to speak for "everyone." Personally if I wanted to hear a great band I'd go to a concert not a cruise ship. And I would rather they replace all music and shows with comedians if we're taking a vote!

I'm sorry you're frustrated by the response, but what major corporation's leadership actually spends time responding to emails? The email account that people post here is clearly a managed account, not the actual one he uses for daily business. If that were publically disclosed I have no doubt he would have a new one within 24 hours. And to be brutally honest, I have no doubt Carnival does plenty of analysis on industry trends and passenger preferences. CCL knows the niche they want the Carnival brand to compete in, and I am sure they feel comfortable letting some percentage of customers move on, knowing that at least some will end up on Princess or other CCL lines and that for the most part they will still fill the ships. I'm fairly confident that the poor showing last year has a lot more to do with the huge amount of negative press Carnival rightly took, and that provided they don't have similar incidents this year they will bounce back.

and

 

 

 

My only thought is why do you have to drag Cruise Critic into this? You have a problem with something, argue it on your merit. Don't drag others into this without their expressed consent and as a CC member, I have not given anyone authorization to argue on my behalf. Especially since I couldn't care less whether they have live bands, DJs, or robots plucking a chicken! You want to complain about something, do it in your own name and leave the rest of us out of it. It's people slinging the CC name around like this that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths about CC.

Agree with this.

and

 

 

 

My only thought is why do you have to drag Cruise Critic into this? You have a problem with something, argue it on your merit. Don't drag others into this without their expressed consent and as a CC member, I have not given anyone authorization to argue on my behalf. Especially since I couldn't care less whether they have live bands, DJs, or robots plucking a chicken! You want to complain about something, do it in your own name and leave the rest of us out of it. It's people slinging the CC name around like this that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths about CC.

Need a like button.

If the above is how you sent your e-mail I would be confused too. But I agree with the others, you need to speak only for yourself and not the others on this board. You have made yourself the "voice of CC" and you are not that. You might have even gotten a better response had you only stated your opinions instead of trying to make it seem like you had the backing of the whole CC Community.

The OP isn't getting the response from us, nor Carnival that he hoped for. A large corporation is not going to answer a specific request from one individual. I'm sure Carnival is aware of discontent of the "band" situation.

The OP isn't getting the response from us, nor Carnival that he hoped for. A large corporation is not going to answer a specific request from one individual. I'm sure Carnival is aware of discontent of the "band" situation.

Agreed, and I'd be shocked if they didn't anticipate it before making the decision to go that route and didn't determine in advance that it would be a marginal impact on overall sales.

Fellow CC'ers,

FYI: This was my one and only attempt to present the concerns of other previously loyal Carnival cruisers, but especially my own...

I began a serious of emails...

*** I wrote to Mr Cahill's office, it was handed down to a assist. pr. rep and I thus received a "shining" .

***I then was told there were "exciting new things to come"....stay tuned, blah, blah, blah...:confused: oh, and BTW, thank you for choosing Carnival and your patience:o

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** My initial e-mail as was as follows ...

My concern: reworded from a previous post in a Cruise Critic thread:

"The following is IMHO, for what its worth...Since 2007 Carnival has been systematically downsizing the the better

rock/cover/dance bands.

1. Constantly changing policies that replace live bands with:

 

a. Staff muscians thrown together with almost no experience playing

together...their repertoire is what they can figure out on the spot.

------------------------------------------

2. The " not-very-new and hardly exciting" solos, duets and laptop accompaniment.

------------------------------------------

3 Arbitrary relocating of bands we actually do want to hear, at the last minute, even after assurance from Entertainment Dept. of what ship they are performing on. I personally spoke regularly with the Entertainment Dept person who literally booked and placed each band.

Now He does not return calls, check voice or e-mails.

 

4. Their growing experiment of focusing on "Comedy Club", a 20 min show with a 30 min wait time, using the staff host, pretending he is a comedian too. Some I enjoy, but not at the cost of replacing the better live bands.

 

5. Last cruise on Ecstasy, the dance/cover band were just "drafted" from the show musicians without the experience of a "practiced repertoire", having only met each other a week before...It was so pitiful, had no sound support staff, and it was no wonder most pax walked on by.

 

Further, I think to find the location of band entertainment in Casino hall ways

is dooming the best for failure:

ie. Blood Power or Music Boardwalk, M... Asia, etc. I'll wait to book my cruise to last possible moment, check reviews, and other cc tools.

 

Too bad only a few years ago you could choose virtually any Carnival cruise and expect great band(s) to enjoy.

 

For me, It's Carnival's last chance to overcome the growing perception that they are "cheaping out" by sacrificing our cruise Entertainment expectation, and hoping the new-cruiser will always fill the ship, and eventually the dinasours of the past will have no voice!

-----------------------------------------------------------

So, Although we're Platinum-VIP, after my next 2 FCC, I'll be looking for the cruise line who value the substance of EXCELLENCE over the appearance of it.

 

Mike

 

__________________

manmtnmike@gmail.com

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:

Dear Mike,

Thanks for taking the time to contact us. Your email to Mr. Cahill has been forwarded to my attention for handling and it’s my pleasure to respond on his behalf.

Let me begin by thanking you for your loyalty over the years. We certainly appreciate your continued support.

That being said, rest assured, our entertainment strategy is constantly evolving to meet the preferences of our guests. We monitor customer satisfaction closely to ensure we're hitting the mark. Notwithstanding, in an effort to introduce new concepts, we are working on some exciting ideas that we are sure to please. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Kay Savedge

Special Advisor, Office of the President

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My response:

 

"Please forward my original letter to Mr. Cahill...thank you...

Your reply is exactly the problem many of us on Cruise Critic are concerned about...It sounds like uninformed PR RESPONSE without actually saying anything.

Did you even read my concerns?? Please respond to my points,

Noteing the lack of substance in your reply...

You addressed none of my points ...If we were speaking in person, I would politely ask to speak to someone who could, and would, answer my concerns."

 

Thank You...

Mike

p.s... I really am hoping Carnival will address the "live band" issue. or at least be truthful that this is not a priority of where the "NEW" Carnival is headed.

 

Mike XXXXXX

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yet, Again after another unsubstantive pr response...

I responded:

"Sorry, not really understanding the failure to answer specificsI

I'm just disappointed that the CEO's office would treat a VIP platinum cruiser's concerns with such vague responses."

 

Mike.

-----------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. XXXX,

We have already communicated our position below. We appreciate your patience and thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Kay Savedge

Special Advisor, Office of the President

 

Ouch, OK, got the message, no more emails, evidently I irritated them...:eek:

Mike

Not all loyal customers agree with you.

Did you really put text-speak in a letter to a CEO? Oy.

Ditto about speaking for me. Please don't bring CC into a conversation with Carnival. It hardly backs up your argument.

I think they have received other complaints like yours but I don't think the majority of Carnival cruisers feel the way that you do; and also keep in mind that posters on CC represent a small amount of people who cruise.

Admittedly October will be my first cruise on Carnival. The fact the company responded at all is amazing. Secondly, don't know how it use to be, but for what you pay to go on Carnival is far less then other lines. Is having a live band a make our break deal for a cruise. Maybe to you but I am sure not the masses.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

I agree with the others. You can't say that you speak for a group of people without consent from that group. If you want anyone within the corporation to take you seriously, you will need to write a professional letter that is short and to the point. Your run on sentences, poor grammar, poor punctuation and use of text slang is the reason your letter wasn't taken seriously.

I guess I am not understanding the objections to the OP saying *other(not all) carnival cruisers.

Some here have pointed out thier issue with *no bands*, yet your upset the OP spoke for those that are not happy with the bands gone?

Seems you can't have it both ways.

AKK

Yes, please don't presume to speak for me.

While I miss the Filipino cover bands, I do NOT miss the horrible live bands by the pool. I think the revue shows are just fine without the live band.

I don't cruise for the musical entertainment. I cruise to get to foreign ports. I cruise Carnival because it is an incredibly good value.

You want more? Pay more and cruise another line.

As a CCL shareholder, I have no problem with them cost-cutting. When I decide the product isn't giving me good value for my money, I'll cruise another line. Until then, I'm happy with Carnival (just off cruise #17 with #18 coming up in November).

I would like then to kill all the production and music shows. Replacing them them with different individual fly-on acts. The High School musical shows and bands are just a joke.

I don't see anything wrong with his answer to your question. I do have knowledge that Carnival will be bringing back live music fleet wide through the next few years. As he said, you have to "wait and see" for specifics.

While I agree with the Op's concerns and issues 100%, I also agree with the respondents here about not dragging CC into this.

CCL hates CC enough and if you want CCL to respond to your concerns bringing up Cruise Critic is the LAST thing that you should ever do. You'd have made more an impact if you'd have not mentioned this web site.

Oh and the response does STINK.

I am telling you that other lines are far better with CS and responding to written letters...which speaks volumes.

It was hard for me to give up CCL and when I finally decided to just really stop booking with them, I was far happier.

The grass is greener elsewhere.