Diminishing Quality on Carnival?

 

Entertainment --- Over the last 20 years, the entertainment style has not changed that much. Game shows, hairy chest competition and bingo have dominated the daily entertainment. As we have grown older, these activities do not appeal to us anymore. We have talked with many fellow passengers that desire to stick with Carnival but have grown older and taste have changed. With a large segment of the population quickly approaching retirement, a restructuring of on-board ship activities to a little more diversification, may make good sense for Carnival. It would cost Carnival little to include talks on ocean environment, island ecology, weather, food preparation, cake decorating, photography, and etc. Having said this, we recognize that 2/3 folks on a Carnival ship are in the 30 to 55 years old and may like the Carnival recipe for entertainment. To not introduce some mind engaging activities, Carnival runs the risk that their older passengers may find Carnival cruises have become boring and have lost their appeal.

 

 

I am in my early 30s and completely agree with this. I've cruised quite a bit this year so the traditional activities have lost their luster for me, even trivia is repetitive.

I would love talks, seminars, and enrichment activities. The art talks used to fill this void a bit but they are so sales focused (logically) that I can't do them anymore. I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about art and art history and I don't find the talks enriching at all.

One of the most enjoyable activities of my past year of frequent cruising was a seminar by a magician teaching people his tricks. He did 3-5 of these throughout the cruise and they would build on each other while also functioning as standalone lectures. People of all ages were in attendance (truly from kindergarten to 90) and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

I know these lectures were special because this cruise had a magician who did shows. However, I believe that members of the entertainment staff could probably give lectures on Geography, Music, Culture, Cooking, Art, Investing, History etc without being expects in the subject. All they'd really need is a power point and a few hours of prep time.

There's no need to be an expert. As a college professor, I get at least 2-3 questions that I don't know the answer to every hour of lecture. I politely tell the student that the question is interesting and I promise to look up some information on the subject for the next class meeting. Usually the same question will come up the next semester or the next time I teach the class so I learn something too and improve. I'm sure if they gave the same speech every week, there would be a similar effect.

I haven't been on Royal in some time but I do remember Royal having lectures like this and I enjoyed them. Maybe CCL used to as well years ago.

If you're reading this Beards, I'd be happy to help set this program up :)

Great words. Totally agree.

As soon as they make a no complaining on cruise critic a rule, we can all get back to cheerleading.

Wow....now the thread includes a cry for lectures and health conscious folks searching for more salad ingredients complaining that Guy's Burgers closes at 6! To honestly think that the "Fun Ships" should provide cake decorating lectures or eco tourist wildlife lectures, seems unreasonable. That is the realm of what someone earlier called a cruise line not for cattle. Could a "Fun Ship" have enough passengers interested in lectures to direct manpower to that? They'd be better served putting that manpower into a anti deck chair hog patrol unit!

I am a shareholder, a consumer, and a Diamond member of Carnival. I do not feel that they have taken a step down for any of those segments. They have developed 2.0 features for their new ships and have been adding them or parts of it on every class of ship in their fleet. And many of the things in 2.0 are NOT additional costs. And they have added some higher end dining options that are additional cost. I will take those changes and enjoy them as opposed to complaining about "cutbacks" like getting rid of cheap chocolates on pillows, not putting razors and lotions in the bathroom because the manufacturers decided to stop giving them free for that purpose, pretending that you can only get your cabin serviced once a day, pretending that there are no robes anymore, and constantly ragging Carnival about things that every other cruise line worth its salt have been doing as well. If you call those things letting the product slip, then you need to just pack up and go somewhere else. You obviously would be much "happier", but you may also realize that your expectations of those other lines will lead you to complaining about them just like you are complaining about Carnival now. Happy hunting.

Well said. Everyone has an opinion. OP we have heard yours

Wow....now the thread includes a cry for lectures and health conscious folks searching for more salad ingredients complaining that Guy's Burgers closes at 6! To honestly think that the "Fun Ships" should provide cake decorating lectures or eco tourist wildlife lectures, seems unreasonable. That is the realm of what someone earlier called a cruise line not for cattle. Could a "Fun Ship" have enough passengers interested in lectures to direct manpower to that? They'd be better served putting that manpower into a anti deck chair hog patrol unit!

"The Academy of Fun" on Journey cruises, included sea day lectures. Despite all my complaints about our last cruise, Carnival is doing something right here, for a mostly older crowd. Otherwise I would suggest moving on to Holland America, but it sounds like their lectures are being scrapped, and only for cruises 15 nights or longer. Don't get fooled by that 28 day cruise, it might just be two 14 day cruises, B2B.

Is a healthy conscious person, not allowed to cheat and eat Guy's Burgers? What if I'm on a sugar diet, and have Chocolate melting cake on formal night, do I lose the right to complain, if my sailing only had sweet tea?

We tend to eat healthy food so our comments are from that perspective.

This was a very helpful post! I'm about to book a November cruise and deciding between Carnival and Royal. I've cruise Royal before, including last month, so know what to expect. A reasonable selection healthy food is important to me, so the thought of limited salads and powdered eggs will be weighed in the decision.

This was a very helpful post! I'm about to book a November cruise and deciding between Carnival and Royal. I've cruise Royal before, including last month, so know what to expect. A reasonable selection healthy food is important to me, so the thought of limited salads and powdered eggs will be weighed in the decision.

I would stick with Royal. A few years ago I thought Carnival had better food and options (such as a Mongolian Wok), but things have declined quite a bit. Finding anything appetizing for lunch or late night is challenging, unless you want extremely greasy burgers or pizza. There's only so much cucumber sandwiches you can take at tea time, before you're ready to run off the ship in port, and get some local food.

I would stick with Royal. A few years ago I thought Carnival had better food and options (such as a Mongolian Wok), but things have declined quite a bit. Finding anything appetizing for lunch or late night is challenging, unless you want extremely greasy burgers or pizza. There's only so much cucumber sandwiches you can take at tea time, before you're ready to run off the ship in port, and get some local food.

Again, everything is subjective.

Despite all my complaints about our last cruise, Carnival is doing something right here, for a mostly older crowd.

Is a healthy conscious person, not allowed to cheat and eat Guy's Burgers? do I lose the right to complain, if my sailing only had sweet tea?

I don't see your idea that Carnival is doing something right mostly for the older crowd. If so we would see more lectures, craft classes and such instead of scaffolding over our heads full of kids. As far as 'your rights', I'll fight to the death to protect your 'right' to cheat but that doesn't mean it has a rightful place on the list of complaints of Carnival.

We went with carnival back in 2013 & 2016. We went back to RCCL (they were our first cruise). We just wanted to try something different. This time RCCL was not good and I was wishing I was back on a Carnival ship. We had poorly prepared food and awful entertainment on RCCL. We are back with Carnival in 3 weeks! Can’t wait!

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I don't see your idea that Carnival is doing something right mostly for the older crowd. If so we would see more lectures, craft classes and such instead of scaffolding over our heads full of kids.

Have you been on a Journey cruise, or looked into them? I can tell you that there weren't more than a couple kids, and the lectures were quite popular.

As far as 'your rights', I'll fight to the death to protect your 'right' to cheat but that doesn't mean it has a rightful place on the list of complaints of Carnival.

Sorry, you don't get to call the shots on what is allowed to be critiqued. It's assumed that healthy conscious people may have a cheat meal or drink on a cruise, that doesn't mean they don't have a say in dietary options. I suppose if the Gym shuts down for budgetary reasons, anyone who skipped their first sea day, also loses the right to complain? It sounds like NCL's freestyle cruising isn't for you, if everyone is expected to be on stringent consistency, throughout their vacation.

By picking Carnival sailings without lectures, that are complimentary on Journey sailings, that's in a way, kind of cheating too. Why complain?

As we talk with other Platinum guests, we realize that we are not alone. Other long-time customers have noticed these changes as all negative. So our recent experience on the Magic has brought it all together as a less than special food experience.

As a Platinum member myself and cruising Carnival since Dec 2000, I disagree. You may see all of these changes as negative but other long time cruisers, such as myself, don't.

This was a very helpful post! I'm about to book a November cruise and deciding between Carnival and Royal. I've cruise Royal before, including last month, so know what to expect. A reasonable selection healthy food is important to me, so the thought of limited salads and powdered eggs will be weighed in the decision.

You can get fresh cooked eggs at the Omelet station cooked any way you want every single morning. And most likely what is being called "powdered" eggs is mostly likely "liquid" eggs from a bag, not actually powdered like in WW2.

I couldn't even begin to tell you where the salad bar is (salads is for losing weight when I get back home from a cruise).

I don't see your idea that Carnival is doing something right mostly for the older crowd. If so we would see more lectures, craft classes and such instead of scaffolding over our heads full of kids. As far as 'your rights', I'll fight to the death to protect your 'right' to cheat but that doesn't mean it has a rightful place on the list of complaints of Carnival.

And just why do you think an older crowd wants lectures and craft classes? Sounds like some are trying to turn a Fun ship into an old folks home.

We have sailed on several lines including, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, NCL and HAL. I don't care which line we sail, those who have cruised the lines for years all have the same complaints. The food is not as good as it used to be, so it must be that way because people pay for the specialty restaurants is a common argument.

The cabins aren't as clean as they used to be. The steward doesn't clean the balcony like he used to. The attire in the dining room isn't what it used to be.. People now show up for dinner in shorts or not in suits on formal nights. The list goes on and on and on.

Oh, I forgot, mints are no longer on the pillow at night. Another cut back. Really folks, do you ever think of the things that are available now that weren't when you first started cruising? Do you realize that in many cases you can get a balcony cabin for less than what you paid for an inside years ago?

To me, if all these things are bothering me as much as they do some of you, I'd stop cruising and find another type of vacation because the grass is not always greener even though it appears so for the first couple of cruises.

This was a very helpful post! I'm about to book a November cruise and deciding between Carnival and Royal. I've cruise Royal before, including last month, so know what to expect. A reasonable selection healthy food is important to me, so the thought of limited salads and powdered eggs will be weighed in the decision.

Not every Carnival ship has made the same changes. As some have said you can get an omelet customized that way you like it every day. I also understand the Miracle has a separate station for a more comprehensive salad bar and the old version of the burger station (before Guy Fieri), that offers grilled chicken and veggie burger. So we are looking forward to our next cruise on the Miracle in two weeks.

And just why do you think an older crowd wants lectures and craft classes? Sounds like some are trying to turn a Fun ship into an old folks home.

Carnival Corp already offers this:

Have you been on a Journey cruise, or looked into them? I can tell you that there weren't more than a couple kids, and the lectures were quite popular. By picking Carnival sailings without lectures, that are complimentary on Journey sailings, that's in a way, kind of cheating too. Why complain?

I don't know "journey" cruises from whatever they call their other cruises. All my Carnival cruises have been 7 or 8 day southern to the A.B.C.'s. I'm not complaining about lectures, their availability or lack there of. I'm complaining about those who have complained on here crying for them....you I believe!

And just why do you think an older crowd wants lectures and craft classes? Sounds like some are trying to turn a Fun ship into an old folks home.

Yes Nerd, that was my point, that some are trying to do just that. Would I mind if they did? Nope! Some are also just complaining because they want to pay walmart prices for their cruise but get a eco tourist top shelf cruise to compete with whoever in their life they feel the need to. Other than stating I entered my first Caribbean Carnival cruise to be greeted by a 2 story tall twerking buttocks pumping away at blasting pornographic rap bombardment. All the while expecting the steel drums so many are so offended by, I haven't made a complaint about Carnival....only its passengers.

Maybe it's the ships you are on. We were on the Vista 3 weeks ago and there was no lack of entertainment on our cruise. There were multiple venues with live entertainment every night.

I think it is a matter of what the poster considers entertainment. My husband and I were on the same Pride cruise as the gentleman you quoted and we found lots of entertainment options. The quality of the entertainment is definitely subjective, but we noticed several live music options in the evening in addition to the Playlist Production, comedy offerings, and I think they had some "game shows" too. Daytime entertainment included trivia and karaoke and I'm sure there was more but we were looking to relax and not constantly be running from one event to the next. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not what we wanted this trip.)

This was a very helpful post! I'm about to book a November cruise and deciding between Carnival and Royal. I've cruise Royal before, including last month, so know what to expect. A reasonable selection healthy food is important to me, so the thought of limited salads and powdered eggs will be weighed in the decision.

I find healthy eating to be a challenge anywhere that I am not making the food myself, but there are options on Carnival if you are wanting to try something different than Royal. I also found the salad bar lacking on the Pride, but could get a very good salad from Blue Iguana with grilled shrimp, chicken, or steak options. Portions were very large, so next time I plan to take a bowl from inside to BI instead of using their larger plate.

Breakfast always had fresh melon and you can get eggs made to order (including egg white only, no oil in the pan) from the omelet station.

MDR offers salads, but I would strongly advise requesting dressing on the side - it was very heavy otherwise.

Knowing what to expect is also a plus, which is part of what we like about Carnival. Enjoy your trip whoever you cruise with:D

This was a very helpful post! I'm about to book a November cruise and deciding between Carnival and Royal. I've cruise Royal before, including last month, so know what to expect. A reasonable selection healthy food is important to me, so the thought of limited salads and powdered eggs will be weighed in the decision.

A lot depends on where you eat and which ship you select. Recently, the MDR has changed the breakfast menu (which always does fresh eggs) to include a delicious vegan option, an egg board, and several healthy options like oatmeal, yogurt and house-made granola loaded with nuts etc. I often enjoy a smoked salmon bagel. It still has all the old options of pancakes, french toast, waffles and eggs benedict, but you can easily put a healthy breakfast together from all the options.

We don't often eat lunch on board because we go ashore on port days, but one of my favorites is a taco bowl from Blue Iguana - there are plenty of beans, veggies, chicken and shrimp. If you have a ship with Mongolian, indian or Bosai, there are also healthy options there. I love a Guys burger, but will only eat one or so a cruise, so that's another treat. In the deli you can get them to make you a lettuce wrap.

For dinner, the MDR menu has tons of lean fish, chicken and at least one vegetarian option every dinner plus vegetarian indian. The fruit platter makes and excellent desert and there are always light appetizers like salads, gazpacho, tuna bites etc. Shoot, you can even eat relatively healthy in the steakhouse with the tuna tartar, a salad, seafood and berries for dessert.

I just don't see an issue finding a healthy meal anytime I want it on Carnival.

Next month, we'll sail our 17th on Carnival since 2004. Yeah, there have been changes and cutbacks, but for us, CCL still offers what we are looking for, a budget friendly getaway. While we enjoyed the shows and the "fluff" on our earlier cruises, we are to the point of happiness simply walking around the ship, enjoying the experience that we are fortunate to have. We don't sail for the shows, and dang sure not for the Cruise Director, mints, or robes. We sail for the experience and fun of exploring the ports. It is what you make of it, plain and simple. If you go in thinking you're supposed to be pampered, and it will be like a fairyland tale, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment, regardless of which line you sail with. JMHO.

Next month, we'll sail our 17th on Carnival since 2004. Yeah, there have been changes and cutbacks, but for us, CCL still offers what we are looking for, a budget friendly getaway. While we enjoyed the shows and the "fluff" on our earlier cruises, we are to the point of happiness simply walking around the ship, enjoying the experience that we are fortunate to have. We don't sail for the shows, and dang sure not for the Cruise Director, mints, or robes. We sail for the experience and fun of exploring the ports. It is what you make of it, plain and simple. If you go in thinking you're supposed to be pampered, and it will be like a fairyland tale, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment, regardless of which line you sail with. JMHO.

Amen....

Nice post summer sigh. No I don’t see the decline people frequently mention. After a 15 year hiatus from cruises (including Disney and Celebrity) I returned to the sea with my first Carnival cruise on the poor old beleaguered Triumph and I was amazed that the price/value ratio was better than ever.

Particularly this food thing gets me. Sure I guessed there were more lobsters, not that I ever got the hype anyway, but cuisine was very straightforward back in the day. In particular the buffets are enormously better than they used to be. The international variety is a lot of fun and the food compares to dining room quality.

I remember Disney Magic’s buffet being mostly cold cuts. In fact I hardly remember buffets at all from those 20th century cruises as everyone ate most meals in the MDR which is no longer necessary thanks to the expanded options. I was a bit of a cruise snob and worried about our first Carnival experience but we all loved it. For a budget level line it is excellent.

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Nice post summer sigh. No I don’t see the decline people frequently mention. After a 15 year hiatus from cruises (including Disney and Celebrity) I returned to the sea with my first Carnival cruise on the poor old beleaguered Triumph and I was amazed that the price/value ratio was better than ever.

 

Particularly this food thing gets me. Sure I guessed there were more lobsters, not that I ever got the hype anyway, but cuisine was very straightforward back in the day. In particular the buffets are enormously better than they used to be. The international variety is a lot of fun and the food compares to dining room quality.

 

I remember Disney Magic’s buffet being mostly cold cuts. In fact I hardly remember buffets at all from those 20th century cruises as everyone ate most meals in the MDR which is no longer necessary thanks to the expanded options. I was a bit of a cruise snob and worried about our first Carnival experience but we all loved it. For a budget level line it is excellent.

 

 

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There are a few who are all over this, usually with little to no back up. Everyone should choose for themselves. I have seen bashing of the Sunshine and both Vista class ships from people who have never sailed on them. It appears to be the "in" thing to do.

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I just got off the Sunshine last week. That was the second time I sailed her. I had no problems at all with the food or service. It was all fabulous. My only issue was in the lack of deck seating. When they redid the ship they removed all of this seating on the fifth floor along the walkways. Upon the ninth and 10th, there just isn’t enough seating for all of the people on the boat. In order to get a seat you have to save one from early in the morning. It’s just not a really big deal, except for those that don’t have a place to sit and relax. I just wish they would find a way to address this one issue. Everything else was really great. The ship is showing more signs of wear and tear but it doesn’t ruin my enjoyment and I had a fabulous time.

Last time I was on sunshine I got food poisoning on the last sea night. This time, I didn’t have any problems, not even slight indigestion. I was very careful to use sanitizer at all times and never touched any public places with my hand. I always used tissue or my elbow and used sanitizer before and after picking up spoons in the buffet. So I never picked up any food from my plate before sanitizing again. This is a good tip for everyone as I think it really helped.