Is Carnival really declining?

[jessemon]

Iv found on seadays that they start lunch an hour later, but they extend it for an extra hour .. no cutback.

 

I would add one thing they added I love is the extra venues to eat. I love Mongolian BBQ and the chicken rotissie especially.

 

I order as many salads and appetizers as I want .. so no dif to me??

 

Im platinum so I still get my ship pins, no cut back again in my case.

 

Another good thing, is you can combine FCC and stock credit. In the past Iv been denied combining promo booking credit with stock as a for instance.. so I get more OBC than the past .. always a good thing.

If you hadn't noticed a few days ago here the now past guest platinum cruiser pins just say platinum without the ship name....:(

[skylock]

I can't vote because it's been a while since I've cruised. But I'm sailing in December for the first time in over five years and am very concerned about the changes I've heard about. If I had heard people talking about the decline in service, entertainment and food quality before I booked, I would have gone with another cruise line. I wish I had checked out the boards sooner so I wouldn't be feeling like I'm going to be cruising with K-Mart. I hope I will be pleasantly surprised in December and that things end up being much better than what I'm hearing.

 

Hoping for the best,

E.

 

You cruised on Kmart compared to all the other lines 5 years ago. Did you have a prolem with it then?

 

All the lines are making cuts. it is the only way they can keep the rates relatively stable and keep attracting people in a bad economy.

[kujobie]

Where have you been? They do have a dress code and jeans AND shorts are on it..

 

I think he's saying he wishes they had a dress code that did not include jeans and shorts.

 

 

 

The fact you noticed no decrease in service just shows how well your crew was able to take up the slack. But they will never be able to keep it up.

 

It is like when we had to work short at work at times because a co worker got sick. No one noticed at first because we were able to pick up the slack, but when she did not return and they did away with her position, I guarantee people started noticing after a while because we were strung out on our own jobs as it was and short term we were able to make things go smooth, but long term no way.

 

I have been on enough cruises to know the service crew has been cut. I wonder when the breaking point comes.

 

They should have service people running out the butt. Their pay is min. No excuse. Food just keeps getting more expensive, but the service people cost nothing else.

 

I agree. This is probably the most noticeable cutback for me. As I stated on one of the other 72 threads on this subject, there seem to be fewer smiles on crew members faces. They're working harder than ever. It's kind of sad.

[jessemon]

I agree. This is probably the most noticeable cutback for me. As I stated on one of the other 72 threads on this subject, there seem to be fewer smiles on crew members faces. They're working harder than ever. It's kind of sad.

I agree on the staff cutbacks along with you and others....It is a burnout situation for them. Less smiling faces than before and less time to get to know the passangers and us to know them....

We all had a great bartender on the Lido on the Dream and he had some time then. Saw him again 9 months later on the Fantasy at the 21st Century Bar on the promanade at the casino. He had no time to chat because they use less bartenders there now...

Part of the fun of cruising for me is the staff and talking with them. To me that is part of the customer service....

 

I vored it is declining on CCL. Did a HAL cruise and service was great and the ship and food is better than ever. Then again it just could be that Carn-evil has gone down hill that much that anything else would be better...LOL

[ElizaB1775]

You cruised on Kmart compared to all the other lines 5 years ago. Did you have a prolem with it then?

 

Well, sort of.......I dunno, here's the thing....I understood then that it was not a top of the line cruise. And I understand that now too. It was at an acceptable level though. I guess what I'm thinking is that if all the cruise lines have declined at the same rate, then I'd like to find the one that, at the very least, is of the quality of the Carnival I experienced over five years ago. But I have what I have now and as I said, I'm hoping that things have been really exaggerated here. If it is truly in such decline, I'll just do my best to enjoy the blue light specials and have a good time. :)

 

Kind regards,

E.

[kujobie]

Well, sort of.......I dunno, here's the thing....I understood then that it was not a top of the line cruise. And I understand that now too. It was at an acceptable level though. I guess what I'm thinking is that if all the cruise lines have declined at the same rate, then I'd like to find the one that, at the very least, is of the quality of the Carnival I experienced over five years ago. But I have what I have now and as I said, I'm hoping that things have been really exaggerated here. If it is truly in such decline, I'll just do my best to enjoy the blue light specials and have a good time. :)

 

Kind regards,

E.

 

Don't sweat it. I'm one of the "Decliners" yet, as you can see by my sig, I'm sailing on my 12th Carnival cruise in a few months. I have never cruised on another line. I love Carnival.. It is the best vacation bang for your buck around. And the decline I have noticed has not been as much in the last 5 years as the 5 years before that. I don't want to scare anyone away. But the service and entertainment is not what it used to be, plain and simple. And I would be more than willing to pay a few bucks more to get that back. It's like these products shrinking. It used to be $5 for a half gallon of Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream. (That's good stuff, ain't it?) Now it's $5 for 1.75 quarts.. I'd rather pay $5.50 for a half gallon. Then I can eat it all in one sitting and not feel like I'm missing that last 1/2 pint..

[firefly333]

If you hadn't noticed a few days ago here the now past guest platinum cruiser pins just say platinum without the ship name....:(

 

So, I got out the one I got May 7th, and put on my glasses to make sure I could read it. Says Carnival Elation.. yep thats the right ship. All the ones Iv gotten said the ship name. the only thing different is this time the ship pin is attached to a little card with something nice printed on it.

 

I do miss the shows at night, so to me that is almost a deal breaker as that was the big thing for me on the cruise, having a show in the theater at night. I have said Im taking a break from Carnival, either burnt out or whatever.

 

My next 4 cruises are on RCL, as I feel I need to take a break from Carnival for the above reasons. .. mostly the lack of shows. I dont care they cut back on the bands, or give me cheaper steak, but I do care that instead of a grand magic show they do a game show on stage with bingo.

[nytraveller53]

 

Butter dish

 

 

 

:)

I had a butter dish on the Valor last Aug...how does that make a difference though?

[nytraveller53]

I just want to put it out there -

Honestly, I'm a little worried for the travel industry in general. In this economy (and with predictions for it only getting worst, plus steeply rising gas prices), it's starting to be unjustifiable for families to spend $5,000 on a week long cruise (let's face it - that's how much we pay!), $10,000 for a week to London, etc.

 

I think it will be very interesting to watch and see.

[CrusinfromFL]

I believe a cruise is what you make it. I also think timing has a lot to do with it as well. For example, my husband and I cruised on Inspiration 7 years ago and had a blast. We cruised on it again last June and felt like it was a nightmare. Reason being, it was filled with high-school and college graduates that were wasted most of the time (plus I was 4 months prego). Same thing can be said for cruising during spring break time. As far as the food goes, do we really need 7 courses every night?? It's really no wonder that we're the fattest nation in the world... we get upset that courses have been combined and that a midnight buffet has been cut back. When I cruised RCL's Enchantment and inquired about the chocolate buffet I was told it had been done away with due to all of the food waste. I'm sure its the same with the midnight buffet as well. Do we REALLY need 7 courses followed by a midnight buffet? Sorry for the soap box...should let you know that I'm a Dietitian who is passionate about being healthy.

 

 

CCL Fascination- May 2011

CCL Inspiration June 2010

RCL Monarch September 2009

RCL Mariner September 2008

RCL Enchantment January 2008

CCL Inspiration May 2004

[friedshrimp]

Now, here's a twist:

Would you rather pay $500 pp for a 7-nighter with this new "cutback Carnival" service, or, say, $700 pp for a 7-nighter with all of the old Carnival amenities?

 

$700, no question about it!

[pe4all]

I just want to put it out there -

Honestly, I'm a little worried for the travel industry in general. In this economy (and with predictions for it only getting worst, plus steeply rising gas prices), it's starting to be unjustifiable for families to spend $5,000 on a week long cruise (let's face it - that's how much we pay!), $10,000 for a week to London, etc.

 

I think it will be very interesting to watch and see.

 

While I am not happy about paying some of the prices I pay for vacationing, (I can only vacation during peak holiday/summer times, being a teacher) I will never feel it is an unjustifiable cost in my book. Vacations are our time to decompress from work and "real life." It is a time for our family to "re-join", socialize, and enjoy (well, most of the time:p) each other's company. We actually eat all our meals together on vacation! Once I book a vacation, I don't look back - only forward, and try to get my money's worth. I would rather cut back on other stuff, and still vacation. To us, having a vacation booked gets us thru the months of hard work/little leisure time leading up to the vacation.

[friedshrimp]

$700

 

i want

 

show every night

 

real band on lido

 

more real musicians in show band instead of pre-recorded tracks

 

soup course, appetizer course, salad course, main course, cheese course, dessert course like the old days

 

the entire silver service set out pre-meal so i get a clean utensil for each course

 

butter dish

 

beef wellington

 

fewer tables for my waiter to cover

 

fewer cabins for my steward to clean

 

formal nights

 

chocolates on my pillow

 

midnight buffet - the big one and the smaller ones they had every night

 

food choices open longer

 

 

:)

 

 

amen!!!

[H82seaUgo]

when you go from getting more for less, to getting less than what the competition offers, they are handing their business to the competition.

 

all that will be left are the motel 6 gang.

[nytraveller53]

when you go from getting more for less, to getting less than what the competition offers, they are handing their business to the competition.

 

all that will be left are the motel 6 gang.

True, true

[H82seaUgo]

Now, here's a twist:

Would you rather pay $500 pp for a 7-nighter with this new "cutback Carnival" service, or, say, $700 pp for a 7-nighter with all of the old Carnival amenities?

 

if you take a closer look, you, or at least we, are paying more.

 

a $200 sail and sign charge for a weeks cruise 20 years ago somehow now ends up over $1000, where we really haven't changed our on board routine, except we have dropped touring.

[thompsongunner06]

Our cruise this November will be my Platinum,,,I have seen a lot. My last trip the food servers were giving out the bacon,,,I asked why and was told people would take a whole plate of it and then throw most in the trash. I have seen people hover around and wait for food to be put out and take trays of fried chicken(to take back to thier rooms),so now they dont have the trays anymore.If people would enjoy some food and not try to horde it they could enjoy a cruise,,but for some reason people feel a need to "get their money's worth" by eating 24/7. Also kids are un supervised. We try to not even use the buffets(might get some fruit/salad).The most disgusting night was "Taco" night,,,stay out of the way,,you might loose a limb! I have enjoyed a drink and talked to the wait staff,,they see it every cruise. They try very hard to make people happy. Eat less,,drink a few more,sit back and enjoy the fresh air. You are getting your money's worth,,our cruise is cheaper than the airfare,,and the plane gives you terrible food. Im waiting to see Golden Coral doing the buffets on the ship soon.

[Crystalbast]

I haven't sailed with Carnival in a few years, so I didn't vote, but am curious what others have to say. We have 15 days on the Spirit in December and are really looking forward to it - would hate to be disappointed.

 

I sailed on the Miracle, a Spirit class ship, last December and loved it. The Spirit Class ship is now my favorite ship. It is a little smaller and the public space is a little more intimate so I never felt crowded. I love the indoor promenade that goes around the outside of the lower level of the theater. It is a great quiet place to sit and read a book, look out the windows, have a quiet chat, etc. The Punchliner Club was a nice addition and gave you an alternative form of entertainment in the evenings.

[sharecruises]

Once again this is not objective. IF you asked "Is Carnival cutting back/cutting corners/nickle and diming"??? then those who defend would have to admit : yes they are cutting back in many ways

 

The problem here on CC is that people don't post logically or debate issues...they just push their own agenda and post their own preference

 

A great example : when valid proof of cutback on nightly entertainment was proven...ie, the marriage whatever game is now a night's "show"....someone says "well it doesn't bother me since I am in the cabin with my kids and don't go to the shows"

Well...likewise...I could really care less if they cut out basketball or the slide or country music or other stuff I would never use...so I would not say it was a "decline". "Doesn't bother me"

 

BUT ...objectively...I would have to admit it was a CUTBACK

 

and yes Carnival has done various cutbacks..

some I don't care about so much but some bother me

 

Losing a night's entertainment to the stale newlywed/whatever game is a big cutback to me. That used to be an afternoon entertainment, now it replaces a production show. I am also bothered by the cutbacks in bands...I miss the Cover Bands. I miss the larger regaee island bands. Other cutbacks I don't miss...but yes they are still there and I can see them and admit they are there

 

 

 

[Warm Breezes]

Once again this is not objective. IF you asked "Is Carnival cutting back/cutting corners/nickle and diming"??? then those who defend would have to admit : yes they are cutting back in many ways

 

The problem here on CC is that people don't post logically or debate issues...they just push their own agenda and post their own preference

 

A great example : when valid proof of cutback on nightly entertainment was proven...ie, the marriage whatever game is now a night's "show"....someone says "well it doesn't bother me since I am in the cabin with my kids and don't go to the shows"

Well...likewise...I could really care less if they cut out basketball or the slide or country music or other stuff I would never use...so I would not say it was a "decline". "Doesn't bother me"

 

BUT ...objectively...I would have to admit it was a CUTBACK

 

and yes Carnival has done various cutbacks..

some I don't care about so much but some bother me

 

Losing a night's entertainment to the stale newlywed/whatever game is a big cutback to me. That used to be an afternoon entertainment, now it replaces a production show. I am also bothered by the cutbacks in bands...I miss the Cover Bands. I miss the larger regaee island bands. Other cutbacks I don't miss...but yes they are still there and I can see them and admit they are there

 

 

 

 

That's a totally different question. I am one of those who say the decline is a matter of opinion. IMHO it is not. But I have never said that Carnival isn't making cuts. The value of those cuts to the person answering the question is subjective. They have also made additions. The value of those additions is also subjective to the person answering the question. This is what makes the answer to "Is Carnival Declining?" a matter of opinion. "Is Carnival making Cuts?" Yes....that answer is a fact. The nickle and diming though is a matter of opinon. You can only be nickle and dimed if you allow yourself to be.

[halos]

. I guess what I'm thinking is that if all the cruise lines have declined at the same rate, then I'd like to find the one that, at the very least, is of the quality of the Carnival I experienced over five years ago.

Kind regards,

E.

 

They haven't all declined ;)

[davy jones]

There have been cutbacks on all of the mass market cruise lines. If you miss one or more of the cutbacks, it's a "decline". If not, you don't care because you didn't use it anyway.

 

We have been cruising for 30 years and things definitely have changed. I could make a long list of things that have been reduced. However, a balcony on our September NYC to Bermuda cruise this year costs about half of what a porthole with upper and lower cost in 1982 on HAL.

 

Many of the changes are good and have opened up cruising to thousands of new people. Most people like the more relaxed and informal atmosphere on today's ships. Then, you wore a coat and tie to dinner every night but dinner was a much larger event. You can still get that kind of cruise on some premium lines, but you will pay prices that are on line with the 1982 prices with inflation.

 

However, there is a point where cutbacks are too much. IMO - evening entertainment should be more than bars and the casino. There should be some kind of show every night. Other cutbacks may or may not bother me as much. I, for one, don't care about ship pins at all. Cruise lines will continue to make cuts to improve the bottom line until their is an overwhelming uproar or people vote with their pocketbooks and move elsewhere. I am sure that some people have moved to more "upscale" lines because of changes or cutbacks that they do not like.

[Litewait]

This should have been a poll for platinum or higher cruisers or those having cruised many times in say the last 10 years. If you have been cruising that long with Carnival, there is no way you could not have said there has been a decline. Yes, they have added things, however that does not make up for the declines in other areas. Newer cruisers in the last 3, 4 maybe even 5 years wouldnt have seen them..:cool:

[Warm Breezes]

This should have been a poll for platinum or higher cruisers or those having cruised many times in say the last 10 years. If you have been cruising that long with Carnival, there is no way you could not have said there has been a decline. Yes, they have added things, however that does not make up for the declines in other areas. Newer cruisers in the last 3, 4 maybe even 5 years wouldnt have seen them..:cool:

 

That is a matter of opinion based on what you like. I like the additions and the cutbucks haven't affected me. To me the additions more than make up for the cut backs in other areas. Therefore, IMO, there is not a decline. No, I am not Platinum....but I have been cruising since 2001 and I have sailed other lines.

 

Some people have said that the price to cruise on the other lines is now the same as what Carnival is charging so the other cruises are now a better value. They do not mention the cuts that have happened on the other lines or that the price you pay depends on your itinerary, home port, the ship, etc....I rarely find where the other cruiselines are comparable and when I do it is usually a newer Carnival ship vs an older smaller one on the other line. I don't sail exclusively Carnival. But when I do sail on the other lines it is usually the ship that is enticing me and I am paying more than I normally would to sail on that ship. When I sail Carnival I am usually looking for the best value for the time and itinerary I want to sail and Carnival is almost always it.

 

FYI...To those making the Motel 6 comments...I enjoy sailing Carnival and I have never stayed at Motel 6. Not that there is anything wrong with a Motel 6 if that is how you prefer to spend your money...Personally I prefer Embassy Suites...IMO they are the best value for what I want out of hotel. I find it sad that there are people out there who feel the need to put down others just because they don't value the same things they do.

[valtandc]

It's the budget cruiseline. But the best time to be had. Budget cruisers are more fun than cruisers with money.