Paid M&G price increase. Wow!

[palmtree12345]

We also had one on the Breeze last April and yes I agree Carnival did loose money on ours too...Not from me as I was running around giving out Cabin Door Sign Contest winners their gifts...but I did see quite a few people bellyed up to the bar for the whole time...lol

But I would do it again....

[cruise_pirate]

How many years had they held the previous price? If you average it out it's not that big an increase.

 

Until you try and sell it to your group that they will be paying $50.60 a couple for an hour of drinking.

 

We could probably break even except for...

 

In the past we did not get another drink without a wait of up to 10 minutes cause everyone else was ordering. Or 15 minutes between order and delivery of a drink from the wandering waiter.

 

And the size of the glasses are smaller than the ones you buy at the bar. In the past it has not been a problem cause it still was worth the money.

 

But now, (our next cruise lets say) We have a large group of people who have never cruised and are not used to paying resort prices for drinks to start with. They are not going to feel at all comfortable shelling out $50.60 for a party. :rolleyes:

 

Oh well it was good while it lasted!!

[LHP]

It is apparent that Carnival was not making the money they needed to at these Private Parties.

 

So they raised the price. And while that will reduce the number of parties...if Carnival was not making money on these parties, then any company would raise the price or cut them out.

 

However, we need to remember that this is for a private party with alcohol.

 

The Meet and Greets are still free.

 

Carnival will still provide a room and open the bar for ala carte drink orders charged to your Sail and Sign card.

 

It was a cheap ride while it lasted....but seems the cheap ride is over.

[LMaxwell]

I think the new price still represents decent value.

 

However, I strongly feel that a substantial price increase with no forewarning places the organizer of these events into very awkward situations and may leave many with a big of a nasty taste in their mouth, so to speak.

 

Of course Carnival reserves the right to change their pricing, policies, etc., as it sees fit but the better approach from a consumer perspective may have been to announce on 11/1/13 that the increase would be coming on an M&G's booked after, say, 1/1/14. This allows people time to finalize long planned M&G's, as well as advanced notice for all others going forward what to expect. Just my opinion on that.

[blondietink]

My biggest beef with these new prices (and with the Cheers package) is that we are a party of 4 adults in one cabin, 2 of which cannot drink alcohol due to the medications they take. All adults, regardless of whether or not they drink alcohol, have to pay for alcohol for the meet and greet (and if one in the cabin wants the cheers package). No exceptions. One of the drinking adults can only drink 2 alcoholic drinks before he is asleep, which leaves one who could potentially get their money's worth. So, paying $100.00 for the 4 of us to go to an open bar meet and greet is so not worth it. Guess we will have to miss the parties. :(

[tinkerbell_82]

If you're already booked, you'll have the old prices.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Thanks very much for the response! That would have been a big chunk of change since were paying for 30 people. :)

[LargeCornGyro]

How many years had they held the previous price? If you average it out it's not that big an increase.

 

The most honest answer to that question is, MOST people didn't even know this "program" existed. Even the Bon Voyage program for the most part was only known for a selected few.

 

Only since the open discussion, releasing the "Secret" to the masses, did this all of a sudden become an issue.

 

But their pricing is disingenuous at best. For a M&G, for a little under $20 plus tip, you get an hour of drinks. For a little more than twice that amount, you can get the CHEERS PROGRAM, which is 24 hours worth of drinks.

[skittl1321]

You can't really compare this to The Cheers program. You have to buy that for everyday of the cruise. It costs a ton more. You can't just buy one day.

 

And really this isn't that far off from what catering places charge hourly for weddings and such.

[jimbo5544]

The most honest answer to that question is, MOST people didn't even know this "program" existed. Even the Bon Voyage program for the most part was only known for a selected few.

 

Only since the open discussion, releasing the "Secret" to the masses, did this all of a sudden become an issue.

 

But their pricing is disingenuous at best. For a M&G, for a little under $20 plus tip, you get an hour of drinks. For a little more than twice that amount, you can get the CHEERS PROGRAM, which is 24 hours worth of drinks.

 

Disingenuous ? Really? You compare a price for a one hour party to a cost per day for an entire cruise. Totally different options. You also make it seem like they were hiding these things. Pretty far stretch IMHO.

[jetskier]

On NCL it is $21pp for an one hour open bar to give you a price comparison. Since NCL went up on their prices I have not been able to get folks on those sailings I have been on to book one.

[golfadj]

Apparently they have doubled the price and placed limits on what you can order.

 

We were going to do one on the Glory in Feb but think we will not do it now.

[Gig103]

Apparently they have doubled the price and placed limits on what you can order.

 

We were going to do one on the Glory in Feb but think we will not do it now.

 

I don't blame you. Have a regular M&G and afterwards, with some of your new friends, organize a pub crawl! :)

[Pellaz]

This is simply a revenue enhancer. Since CCL has such cheap rates right now, they have to get revenue somewhere. I don't like it, but can't blame them for getting what they can, when they can.

 

I sure can't blame them for increasing the prices when they were probably losing money hand-over-fist before. At $11 or so per person, per hour, that was a steal.

 

Of course Carnival reserves the right to change their pricing, policies, etc., as it sees fit but the better approach from a consumer perspective may have been to announce on 11/1/13 that the increase would be coming on an M&G's booked after, say, 1/1/14. This allows people time to finalize long planned M&G's, as well as advanced notice for all others going forward what to expect. Just my opinion on that.

 

Completely agree. Making this sudden change really hangs some M&G planners high'n'dry: they might already have started collecting money from participants through Paypal at the old rate, and now they'll have the unenviable task of either going back to the well for more money, or cancelling the entire thing outright and refunding money through Paypal. Ugh.

[cruise_pirate]

Has anyone who has a party already booked talked to Carnival? We have ours booked, but they will not honor the open bar option only choice of 3 mixed drinks.

 

Anyone else get something different?

[cruzinmamaTN]

Well, like I said, a year ago I can assure you that people were consuming WELL over the value of the $11.50 per person! For every person who doesn't attend for the sole purpose of getting drunk, there are probably three who DO attend to do so!!

 

Sure, it's nice to meet some Cruise Critic "friends" but it's more like the PG parties. Do we still go every year to witness the introduction of the staff and watch the corny video and cheer for our past ships?

 

Or do we go do pound down as many free drinks as we can?

 

C'mon now. Be honest! :p

 

No food? Seriously? You're somewhere that there is pretty good food available 24/7 and you're going to complain that there's no food during your 1 (or 2) hour party? You can't find something to consume before you attend?

 

Yes, I'm thinking like both a shareholder and an accountant. I'm not going to apologize for trying to see this objectively.

 

Yes, as noted, it is a big increase. But 2 x almost free still isn't very expensive.

 

It's $25 people. Is this going to break your cruise budget? Yes? Then don't attend. Schedule a "free" M&G. Carnival has the right to not lose money on these functions!

 

I completely agree with you. $22 per hour of "private party" space, including an open bar? You're paying for waitstaff, and the space and then consumption of alcohol (and I've seen how some really "put it down!" when they hear "open bar"... it's like a buffet of alcohol and they've GOT TO get their $$ worth)... I'm not sure you could find something comperable on land for that price!

 

I"m sure there has been a loss of revenue that can no longer be mitigated, and therefore there is a price increase. And the deposit is probably because people were booking, Carnival was holding space & staff, and then saw a consistant lack of return (attendance) on the expected revenue.

 

I don't fault them a bit for this change.

Edited November 18, 2013 by cruzinmamaTN

[golfadj]

I completely agree with you. $22 per hour of "private party" space, including an open bar? You're paying for waitstaff, and the space and then consumption of alcohol (and I've seen how some really "put it down!" when they hear "open bar"... it's like a buffet of alcohol and they've GOT TO get their $$ worth)... I'm not sure you could find something comperable on land for that price!

 

I"m sure there has been a loss of revenue that can no longer be mitigated, and therefore there is a price increase. And the deposit is probably because people were booking, Carnival was holding space & staff, and then saw a consistant lack of return (attendance) on the expected revenue.

 

I don't fault them a bit for this change.

 

Some people really take advantage but not everyone will drink like a fish.

[cruzinmamaTN]

Some people really take advantage but not everyone will drink like a fish.

 

Agreed. I think that's the key difference. Some folks will look at the cost of attendance and ONLY equate that to the cost of the alcohol. Others (me) will look at the cost of attendance, and consider the cost of drinks, space, atmosphere and experience. We will drink 1 or 2 drinks, enjoy the people and time and move on with the day.

 

If you're looking to squeeze every ounce of alcohol from your dollar, then yah, I get the uproar.. but, generally speaking... $25 per person isn't much compared to the overall vacation dollar spent, and the time and fun spent meeting people in a "private" space is worth it.

 

But then again, I'm one of those folks who don't mind paying a cover charge, either. So.. to each your own!

[paquebottitanic]

The only time I've ever missed dinner on a ship was after a Bar M&G on Carnival Magic.... lawd!!!

[golfadj]

Agreed. I think that's the key difference. Some folks will look at the cost of attendance and ONLY equate that to the cost of the alcohol. Others (me) will look at the cost of attendance, and consider the cost of drinks, space, atmosphere and experience. We will drink 1 or 2 drinks, enjoy the people and time and move on with the day.

 

If you're looking to squeeze every ounce of alcohol from your dollar, then yah, I get the uproar.. but, generally speaking... $25 per person isn't much compared to the overall vacation dollar spent, and the time and fun spent meeting people in a "private" space is worth it.

 

But then again, I'm one of those folks who don't mind paying a cover charge, either. So.. to each your own!

 

We have cruised with a few cheapskates who bring a large container with them to the cocktail party and fill it up so they can drink the rest of the night.

 

Most people seem to be reasonable but will say in all honesty I typically feel no pain by the end of the party.

[Mulege]

I am convinced that Carnival has a department called Sales Prevention! This might be a case though where all of the guzzlers spoiled it for others.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Mulege

[Georgiagolfer]

A lot of good comments on the issue, but I think it is just economics. CCL was maybe losing $$, hence the price increase. While the increase shouldn't be a bank breaker, in this day with low CCL cruise prices, we all want lower costs on everything associated with CCL. The steakhouse costs more than Chops on RCCL and Cagneys on NCL, but no one complains about this.

[RWolver672]

There was a posting a few weeks back that I can't find now telling about the price increases. In their defense though, ( and not being a cheerleader) how can Carnival warn future cruisers that they are going to increase the price of the M&Gs? They have no idea of who may be planning one ahead of time until they actually call and arrange it. They don't tell you to hurry up and book a cruise because they are going to raise the rates. No business does that.

 

Personally I would rather see them increase the prices gradually instead of waiting for a few years then double the prices. And by what I've read here, you now get less for twice as much money.

 

I think they messed up big time with this one. I think more M&Gs will just be cash bars from now on. This way the soda drinkers can still join in on the party and the alcohol drinkers won't be pounding them down just to get their money back.

[golfadj]

There was a posting a few weeks back that I can't find now telling about the price increases. In their defense though, ( and not being a cheerleader) how can Carnival warn future cruisers that they are going to increase the price of the M&Gs? They have no idea of who may be planning one ahead of time until they actually call and arrange it. They don't tell you to hurry up and book a cruise because they are going to raise the rates. No business does that.

 

Personally I would rather see them increase the prices gradually instead of waiting for a few years then double the prices. And by what I've read here, you now get less for twice as much money.

 

I think they messed up big time with this one. I think more M&Gs will just be cash bars from now on. This way the soda drinkers can still join in on the party and the alcohol drinkers won't be pounding them down just to get their money back.

 

Will be a lot less. Apparently the one we will be doing in Feb did get in under the wire but will have less of a choice.

 

In the future dont think we will be willing to pay twice as much for less and than have to pay a long time before the cruise. Newcomes to the roll call will be left out making it harder to reach 20.

 

Whole thing is very peculiar and IMHO poorly handled.

[ibcnusoon]

On NCL it is $21pp for an one hour open bar to give you a price comparison. Since NCL went up on their prices I have not been able to get folks on those sailings I have been on to book one.

 

What's all the uproar, do you NEED to have an open bar at your M&G? I was on NCL 2 weeks ago and we had a lovely non-alchoholic meet and greet. There were light refreshments served but it was FREE. If I wanted a drink, I'd buy one. Afterwards we had a slot pull and the casino generously offered each of us 1 free Rum Punch.

[jimbo5544]

A lot of good comments on the issue, but I think it is just economics. CCL was maybe losing $$, hence the price increase. While the increase shouldn't be a bank breaker, in this day with low CCL cruise prices, we all want lower costs on everything associated with CCL. The steakhouse costs more than Chops on RCCL and Cagneys on NCL, but no one complains about this.

I totally agree with you. They know how many drinks go out and how mych revenue they took in. Simple math.