What are the thing that you miss the most?

[CarnivalPlatCruiser]

Over the years, we have seen many cutbacks from Carnival, in order to keep prices low enough to fill ships during the down economy...

 

So that leads me to ask you... What are some of the things that you miss the most?

 

For me... Here are just a few...

 

1) The Carnival Ship drawing / placemat that they used to hand out at the last dining night. I have several framed at my house. Sad I wont be able to add to my collection any from newer ships.

 

2) Escargot - Yummmm

 

3) Sushi - Yummmm

(yes, I know they have generic sushi now on the buffet, but its not the same as getting good fresh sushi)

 

What do you miss?

[k2excursion]

I agree with your (1) there. I also have my first 3 ships framed.

 

(2) The abundance of live music options, along with a huge showband.

 

(3) A show of some sort every single night in the theater, with only one show utlizing fellow guests.

 

(4) A lot more activities throughout the day on sea days.

[Tutankhamen]

People respecting others.

 

Such is life.

[bitemyfly]

a real ny strip steak , st Louis ribs on the everyday menu

[ready2cruzagain]

To name a few of the things I really miss...

 

1. The old live entertainment....the "new" entertainment IMHO stinks.

 

2. The lack of live bands.

 

3. A good steak on the everyday menu...the flat iron steak last time I got it tasted like rubber.

 

4. Daytime activities. Use to be there was always something going on during the day...now...you have to find things to fill your time.

 

5. Unlimited laundry for Platinum. Yes, it is important when you are doing 21 days on a ship.

 

6. The free entry to the slot tournament for the Platinum cruisers. Now it is BOGO...needless to say...we no longer play in the slot tournament.

 

7. Drink coupons that use to be available through Bon Voyage.

 

8. The Farewell Party.

 

9. The free drinks at the Captains Party. Now it is a $1.00 off of a drink.:rolleyes:

 

10. The Horse Races.

[Bigbob75]

I long for the days of the past

When cruises were all about class

When ones stature was about what one wore about the ship, where they at and what category one sailed

The days of steerage , and eating porridge

The fun of looking at the lower class and judging the clothes they wore

Yea I long for class

High class

Upper class

Low class

No class

[kingoftheicedragons]

Here's my short list:

 

1) The place mats. We actually only got one, but it was a nice thing to get at the end of the cruise.

 

2) The four course meal. Yes, I know I could still order a salad and an appetizer, but it was nice when it was a four course meal and just to be expected that you would do so.

 

3) The horse races.

[RWolver672]

1. The place mats. We always had the wait staff sign them for us.

2. Live Steel Drum music

3. Being able to walk towards the MDR without having to squeeze by the photographers.

4. The white photo albums with the ship's picture on the front.

5. Carnival logo clothes in the shops instead of that named stuff.

6. Formal Nights. I'm sorry if you didn't like them but to us it was part of cruising. Yes, we still dress formal on the Elegant Nights.

[momonthego17]

What are "The Horse Races"? Thanks!!

[onegroundcafe]

Fresh sushi and the free coffee drinks after dinner in the MDR

[PAPERBKWRITER]

So many complaints about all the cutbacks but never a peep about the prices. You get what you pay for. If Carnival doesn't fulfill your needs stop sitting on your wallet and try Celebrity or one one of the more upscale lines.

[ready2cruzagain]

So many complaints about all the cutbacks but never a peep about the prices. You get what you pay for. If Carnival doesn't fulfill your needs stop sitting on your wallet and try Celebrity or one one of the more upscale lines.

Just because I stated what I miss the most on Carnival does not mean that I do not cruise other cruise lines. I have sailed on Celebrity, Princess and NCL.

 

If I were asked what I miss on the other lines I would have made a list on that also. But the question was what do you miss on Carnival.

[asalligo]

Real Formal nights.

[richstowe]

I haven't been cruising long and don't have a problem with some of the changes but the 2 I liked

which were eliminated were the Café au lait in MDR and the daily news journal (can't call it a newspaper ;)).

So many complaints about all the cutbacks but never a peep about the prices. You get what you pay for. If Carnival doesn't fulfill your needs stop sitting on your wallet and try Celebrity or one one of the more upscale lines.

True and I usually am a Carnival defender but that is not what this topic is about.

Can't wait for the Sarge's thoughts.:D

[RuthlessBoss]

The calypso music upon boarding

Formal nights when people showed up dressed nicely, not in shorts etc.

Drink coupons

Funship dollars

[sparks1093]

Guess I'm lucky because you can't miss what you've never had, but I wouldn't pay extra for any of the stuff you folks are missing.

[golfadj]

Biggest thing is the elimination of capt's party.

[Tapi]

1) The Carnival Ship drawing / placemat that they used to hand out at the last dining night. I have several framed at my house. Sad I wont be able to add to my collection any from newer ships.

 

I apologize, for I feel personally responsible for their demise. Our ship drawings/placemat would end up in the trash can. Most times they wouldn't even make it off the ship. I wonder how many other passengers discarded their placemats as well until Carnival decided they were wasting money.

 

What do I miss? The former Platinum benefits. Unlimited laundry and the free entry on the slot tournament.

[RuthlessBoss]

I apologize, for I feel personally responsible for their demise. Our ship drawings/placemat would end up in the trash can. Most times they wouldn't even make it off the ship. I wonder how many other passengers discarded their placemats as well until Carnival decided they were wasting money.

 

What do I miss? The former Platinum benefits. Unlimited laundry and the free entry on the slot tournament.

Yikes. Using the throw away scenario, it's a wonder they print out the Funtimes and all that advertising. How many keep them?

[LHP]

Yikes. Using the throw away scenario, it's a wonder they print out the Funtimes and all that advertising. How many keep them?

 

The Funtimes have a purpose other than "ornamental".....

[mizLORInj]

I liked the placemat and would rather have that than the dozen or so papers in our Funtimes for jewelry by the inch, casino, spa. Those get tossed. I hope they recycle!

[LHP]

I guess the most interesting comments on here are the ones that imply that Carnival "used to have Broadway Productions Shows every night"....and that simply is not the case.

 

And even when they had the HUGE orchestras....these guys were still only doing what is called "fill work"...they were playing WITH an accompaniment track.

 

Hubby started cruising with Carnival in 1982 and yes, even way back then, one night was the Guest Talent Show.

 

And not one of the over 60 Carnival cruises had a Broadway Show every night.

 

Everyone talks about "cuts"....

 

but no one talks about the additions.

 

You have to remember that we cruised Carnival when there was no:

 

Deli

Burrito Bar

Fish and Chips

Mongolian Wok

Free Sushi or Taste Bar

Guy's Burger Joint

Free Lunch at the Italian restaurant

Punchliner Comedy Club

Red Frog Pub

 

We were there before the mini golf, basketball courts, rope courses and waterparks.

 

 

Do I like all the changes? No (I really miss a REAL Cover Band)....

 

And what about the most important ADDITIONS... multiple ports that are within driving distance, so folks do not have to spend a fortune in airfare to get to a cruise.

 

Do you think running ports like Charleston and Jacksonville is cheap? What cruise line offers the most points of access 12 months a year?

 

But to only talk about the "cuts" without discussing all the new additions is dishonest.

 

And all these ADDITONS at a price that is still cheaper than when he sailed in 1982.

[Tapi]

So many complaints about all the cutbacks but never a peep about the prices. You get what you pay for. If Carnival doesn't fulfill your needs stop sitting on your wallet and try Celebrity or one one of the more upscale lines.

 

I think that a lot of people who aren't happy with Carnival's current product are already looking at other cruise lines. Personally, the cutbacks have prompted me to sail on other cruise lines, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy Carnival anymore.

 

Talking about what we miss doesn't mean that we don't understand that some of those things are no longer possible while charging the budget prices that they currently charge.

[LittleJeanne]

I miss :

* Excellent service in the MDR (We get good service but its nowhere near the same.)

* Real floral centerpieces at each table

* Multi course meals (On our last cruise if we ordered multiple starters the wait staff brought them all to the table at the same time.)

* The quality live music

* Souvenir glasses for the Funship special

* Guaranteed dining for platinum and above

* Better selection of Carnival logo stuff in the gift shop

* Formal night ... yes I miss it.

 

I'm sure there is more. But I've been fighting being sick and either can't sleep or sleep a drugged up sleep so my heads not as clear and these are the 1st things that come to mind.

[okgirl]

I miss:

 

The horse races (it was an afternoon activity in the main theater with guest participation. The horses were on wooden poles and were moved forward based on the spin of a wheel)

 

The full midnight buffet. I didn't care about all the shaped bread loaves or the picture op, but it was nice getting a snack before turning in for the evening.

 

The calypso band on the Lido at boarding.

 

The Fun Farewell party, which they "engineered" to be able to use the excuse that it wasn't popular and eliminated it.