For those that left; what will it take to convince you to come back?

[Fla Senior]

I've sailed on seven Carnival cruises. I was just about to leave them after our last cruise on the Breeze in the Mediterranean. After missing the ports of Monaco and Venice, two of the major highlights of the cruise, my wife and I had enough. On the previous cruise, we also missed the Dominican Republic. The ports are important to us. I loved the Breeze, and think it will be fantastic in the Caribbean. But Carnival's desire to miss ports and add extra sea days to cruises, just to make more money at the bars and casinos really bothers me. We are giving them one last chance. We are in our 50s with no kids. Adding Dr. Suess to the cruises does nothing for us other than drive us away. I don't need characters on board. I could get that from Disney. It may be time to move up to another cruise line.

 

All cruise lines miss ports for a variety of reasons, usually weather or port scheduling issues. To think that Carnival is the only one and that they do it for more revenue is just naive. And why would they want to miss all the excursion revenue?

Edited December 13, 2013 by Fla Senior

[seashell64]

We can't find a reason not to cruise on Carnival. We've wanted to try other lines but so far haven't found a reason to. I do miss the live Lido bands but not that much. We don't sit on the lido often due to the crowds there. There are so many other things to do and places to be!

 

We really want to try RCL but can't figure out what we get for the large increase in cost.

 

We haven't cruised very much; we are getting ready to take our 5th - all on Carnival. We considered trying RCL this time as we live close to a port and have a couple of options without having to fly; but it came down to price and being very comfortable with Carnival; we know what to expect and find everything they have to offer be all we need to enjoy ourselves.

[nitro2448]

1. Absolute truth. Go look. I even responded to someone earlier who asked me how to find those lower rates. I then posted my own personal experience

 

2. MDR into buffet is a rumor that has been circulating these boards

 

3. I never said people had to like what I like.

 

Stop trying to paint me as a "hater". You are the one not offering constructive comments to add to the conversation and instead focusing your energy into showing that somehow my comments are invalid or exaggerations when they are not.

 

My next cruises are not with CCL. Given their proximity to where I live and the multitude of choices I would like to make them a top choice again. If Carnival is going to charge what RC and NCL charge then I want similar entertainment.

 

It sounds like you only want an echo chamber where everyone is a Carnival fan and can not suggest changes or improvements. Who wants to read a website where everyone just agrees and no one has any constructive criticisms? I'm not bashing Carnival in this post, merely stating what I want. If YOU are so unhappy to participate in a post that could result in gains for everyone then don't participate, there are other threads for you to have discussions in, or not. That is your choice. Just like it's my choice to post here.

 

So, short version; nothing I stated was an exaggeration or untrue in any way, shape, or form.

 

Anyone who says they don't want live music and entertainment; who are you trying to kid, come on? That's your statement.

 

I know how to search for cruises, done it many times , 99% of the time CCL is cheaper.

 

So you read a rumor an feel obligated to spread it.

 

I do not expect everyone to like CCL, nor do I want them to. And I would not expect CCL to change to fit my wants. I never said you were a " hater ", that's your brush. As for your last sentence, if it's a rumor, that would be untrue, as well as the other things I mentioned. If the Buffett " rumor " is true, please send me the link.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[tada]

All cruise lines miss ports for a variety of reasons, usually weather or port scheduling issues. To think that Carnival is the only one and that they do it for more revenue is just naive. And why would they want to miss all the excursion revenue?

 

I agree that weather causes cruise lines to miss ports. I am not naive. But you were not on this cruise. We missed Monaco due to high winds, although there were none. We missed Venice due to rain, although Royal docked with no problems. Instead of Venice, we spent two days circling in the Adriatic Sea, in rough weather. You could watch the map and see the circling. It was a cruise where the passengers rebelled. It was horrible. No way to go on deck, no alternate plans, no compensation. I am trying to give Carnival another chance, as you can see I am cruising in 8 days. But that was a cruise that will make you question ever cruising again.

[arush5268d]

I do not understand you Carnival drum-beaters. Just because I complain about Carnival Cruise Line does not mean I do not enjoy the other brands. CArnival Cruise Line does not own the other prants - Carnival Corporation & plc does.

I dislike what Carnival Cruise has become and will not be cruising with them in the near future. I have no problem with their other brands. It's a very simple concept.

[LMaxwell]

99% of the time CCL is cheaper.

 

 

If the Buffett " rumor " is true, please send me the link.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

 

 

Edited out things not pertinent to my reply.

 

1. THAT is textbook exaggeration. 99% of the time...no

 

2. In all honesty, if I can find it I gladly will. Searching for terms like MDR and Buffet gives a million responses. All I can say is I have not made this up.

 

3. You seem very attached to Mizzou so that got included for friendliness sake. :D

[Warm Breezes]

People that are willing to pay the same or more and get less, then say they could care less. Well, if you could care less then you must care some to start with. Why do you blindly accept paying the same as other lines and getting less. Takes me 10 seconds to find cheaper prices on RCI and NCL. CCL is NOT always the cheapest line. Heck, finding cheaper prices for Princess or HAL isn't much of a stretch either depending when you select. I have NEVER blindly accepted paying the same as other lines and getting less. I always research every vacation option thoroughly and have NEVER, in any of my searches, found RCCL to be near the price of CCL and rarely found NCL to be for the times we are available to cruise and the itineraries we wanted to sail. Why do you assume this is blind acceptance on others parts? Sounds like arrogance on your part. I would absolutely consider sailing RCCL if I found the same values I find for CCL...and I don't mean an older RCCL or NCL ship compared to a newer CCL which is normally the only time I have found prices to even be near close. CCL may not always be the lowest price line, but they have been in my and other peoples searches.

 

Believe me, if you want nothing but the cheapest fare, which isn't a huge deal when you factor everything else in, Carnival WILL eventually make that their model and give it to you. Some have said the MDR may become a buffet; That is an incredible exaggeration with no basis in truth. I'd never set foot on a CCL ship again if that were true. You'll start finding that everything is a for pay fee and you will see less and less open public areas as CCL tries to market them for a fee. All cruise line charge fees for different things. NCL charges for late night room service and pizza. RCCL charges to eat at a burger joint. How is Carnival any different? It's a choice, if you want it you by it if you don't then don't. You sound like the poster who accuse NCL of "nickle and diming":rolleyes:. If people don't ask for feature parity when there is price parity you're going to get less and less. Cheapest cost is not always best value. That depends on what you value. I don't value ice skating rinks, surfing, ziplinings or rockwalls. Why would I pay extra for a ship that has those features when I nor my family would not even use them? Would I pay extra for the entertainment? Only if I was looking to mix things up and that was one of our wants out of the vacation. That has happened 3 times for us...on our Disney cruises and our Epic cruise. But I can say, the majority of the time I am not willing to pay extra for it because Carnival while not the best is just fine for us if the price is right.

 

Anyone who says they don't want live music and entertainment; who are you trying to kid, come on?

Why do you think everyone has to enjoy the same things you do? Whether you want to believe it or not (again your arrogance is coming through) I really don't care about live music. In fact I enjoy watching people do karaoke and having fun on stage more than I enjoy watching a band play. On the lido it is just background noise to me. I prefer a good book with an ocean view to distract me. My DD is a dancer. I hear music all the time...I like quiet areas on a ship where I can relax.

As for entertainment, IMHO Carnival offers good entertainment. Is it the best, no. But I don't need the best on every cruise and when I want better and want a switch up from Carnival I usually do pay a higher price to sail other lines. When we were made our decision to sail NCL Epic we didn't even look at what CCL had to offer because I didn't want to be tempted with a lower price. We wanted a newer larger ship and a change up from Carnival because we had just done 3 cruises on them. There was nothing wrong with those cruises and we enjoyed them very much. We just wanted something different this time. We narrowed our choices to NCL Epic and RCCL Oasis. Same itinerary, same week, same 2 inside rooms. NCL Epic was $1000 less for the 4 of us. The entertainment on Epic was right up there with our Disney Cruises and we had a great time. But I am not willing to pay a premium for better entertainment with every cruise. Once in a while is a special treat and it is fun to mix things up once in a while. If we are not in the mood to mix it up and Carnival comes in at a lower price for our itinerary and timing....then we will be sailing CCL because the entertainment is not our main focus when cruising. It may be for you....but don't be arrogant enough to assume that we all have to have the same likes you do. I for one do NOT.

[LMaxwell]

I'm arrogant for wanting to enjoy live entertainment on vacation? That's quite an irrational statement. The cold this week is getting to a lot of people...for immediate improvement to attitude just take 1 carribean cruise and call me in a week.

[nitro2448]

Edited out things not pertinent to my reply.

 

1. THAT is textbook exaggeration. 99% of the time...no

 

2. In all honesty, if I can find it I gladly will. Searching for terms like MDR and Buffet gives a million responses. All I can say is I have not made this up.

 

3. You seem very attached to Mizzou so that got included for friendliness sake. :D

 

In my experience it's not exaggerated, I have found 1 cheaper RCCL cruise, and that was just last night. And I very well may take it. I'm not saying there isn't others, I'm sure there are, I just haven't found them.

 

I don't have anything against you or anybody else dissatisfied with CCL, I just don't get the whole CCL needs to change thing. I really doubt people people are that way with everything in their life, to this extent anyway. It's like my car analogy, you can buy a plain cheap mustang, or you can buy a Shelby Mustang, but some people want to buy the cheaper mustang, with the Shelby features.

 

And yes, go MIZZOU, thank you

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[Warm Breezes]

Edited out things not pertinent to my reply.

 

1. THAT is textbook exaggeration. 99% of the time...no

 

2. In all honesty, if I can find it I gladly will. Searching for terms like MDR and Buffet gives a million responses. All I can say is I have not made this up.

 

3. You seem very attached to Mizzou so that got included for friendliness sake. :D

 

How do you know 99% of the time is exaggeration for the searches she has conducted? I would say that my searches are come back with similar results. The rare time that NCL or RCCL is at a lower cost is when it is an older ship vs a newer CCL ship. That to me is not apples to apples. Some of us do not have flexibility on when we can sail and once we choose an itinerary that we want to sail, CCL could very well come out on top everytime. You can always say you can find a better price on RCCL...and you probably can if you have flexibility on when and where you sail and you are willing to sail an old ship. Some of us do not have that flexibility and prefer to stay away from the older ships when a newer one is available.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

:cool:Nope!! It wouldn't matter if Carnival would bring back everything you want, it wouldn't be enough!! Now it's the table cloths!! If you left you are not coming back!! So why are you here?? So go to the great RCL and have fun and leave us poor folk alone!!:D

 

This is a criticism open forum. What you suggest would be like movie, book or play critics only publishing 5 star reviews and not publishing the bad reviews. Its not objective and not realistic. If this however was the Carnival Fan Club Forum, maybe that would be different. We aren't bashing a line that we have never been on, (most cases), we just know that the last few years have dipped well below the product that CCL themselves used to offer. It would be like going to your favorite restaurant for years and then finding that they got rid of all your favorite dishes, got the newest inexperienced servers that didn't give a care, and didn't serve the dishes up to par. Would you keep singing their praises? Or would you say "Man, I used to really love that place, but its really gone down. I don't think its worth what they are charging anymore." and move on?

 

In the meantime, maybe we just wonder if we are picky, crazy, or had one bad experience out of thousands of good ones. So we might bounce around and see what others have to say. But then we see newbies say "Its the greatest!" and we say "Well actually they used to REALLY be great service and nice cruising even upscale experience."

 

And for price? Please. The more I paid, the more unhappy the cruise product was. For my 7 day MS Holiday CCL (first one) out of MObile, I paid like $350 if that pp. Was that a great value? Unbelievably. One of my best cruises, outstanding service and food and incredibly friendly staff. I loved that lil ship. 'I thought, ok CCL can totally give RCCL a run for it!' Then a few yrs later in 2011 we booked the Triumph for about $400-450 pp for 7 day. It had Roatan. That was an outstanding trip, other than seasick and certainly not blaming CCL for that. The service was memorable, outstanding and the food was also great. On the Conquest in 2012, we split a room 3 ways so we got it for $280-300 something again. Was it a great value? Definitely! The service was slow and the booze and bingo tactics a bit annoying but I enjoyed it enough as a family and friends trip. This year 2013 on the Dream, we paid over $500 pp on a 7 day and it didn't come close to measuring up to the other trips. I'm sure you have read my reviews.

 

So if everyone talks about 'its so cheap, go pay more somewhere else!' why did my worst product delivered cruise cost the most of any of theirs? So I can take that same $500 and go use it on Disney for 4 awesome days instead of 3 great port days and 4 lousy sea days and get a ton for my vacation money. That's what I'm going to do. But I still wish CCL would come around. Wishing that us now unhappy customers would go away is a bit silly. We are describing real experiences. I happen to have CCL VFIP Gold, what status do you have? You might have that, but you might not. If you did, you might know what we are talking about. Its true that we compare cruise lines (DCL to CCL in my case, RCL to CCL or NCL to CCL in other cases) but others and myself ALSO compare CCL to CCL! We know what they used to deliver and we know what they are now delivering.

 

Also on a side note, their marketing is terrible. I saw an ad for a Busted Gut. I know they are talking about comedy but do they know how that reads? Especially if you have gut issues? Its just lacking any advertising sophistication,and believe me, the ads used to have sophistication and be fun at the same time.

 

Just an example of how they are turning off previously annual and loyal customers.

 

Any public form for opinion has to have realistic reviews. If they rightly deserve negative reviews (note: not ALL of them deserve negative reviews and some are exaggerated, but some aren't) than that isn't bashing, that is a review.

 

I have been looking up various sites for the worst movies and pretty much the one that comes up the most in the countdown is the SON OF THE MASK. Most of us LOVED The Mask, it was hilarious and entertaining. So what if we thought this second movie was going to be as good as the first? We'd be disappointed. We would probably even state that in a review.

 

Its not exactly the same thing, but in general analogy....

[nitro2448]

This is a criticism open forum. Where did you read that at ?

 

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[Ematic81]

Oh please, that's like saying a Cadillac CTS and a Chevy Cruze are the same because they have 4 wheels, a radio, and are under the General Motors umbrella. CCL and Princess are operated very differently.

 

 

and your comment is even more absurd. whats the price difference between a cadillac Cts and a chevy cruze. CCL and Princess are operated differently and priced differently. Bottom line is people need to stop having champagne taste with beer money. dont just compare carnival to other cruise lines with obviously higher prices. you wouldnt book a room at the hilton for $200 per night and then expect the same type of service and amenities at motel 6 when you only paid $49.99 per night would you??

[LMaxwell]

you wouldnt book a room at the hilton for $200 per night and then expect the same type of service and amenities at motel 6 when you only paid $49.99 per night would you??

 

No, I wouldn't.

 

That said, what are some things you would like to be changed at Carnival that would keep you coming back?

[nitro2448]

I'm arrogant for wanting to enjoy live entertainment on vacation? That's quite an irrational statement. The cold this week is getting to a lot of people...for immediate improvement to attitude just take 1 carribean cruise and call me in a week.

 

Did you realize how your post about Cadillac vs Chevy was more of a bust on you than on me ? Cause I don't see the post anymore, and of you didn't realize it, it was. You and anybody who thinks CCL needs to change have that thought process you just described. If it has a motor and four tires it's the same, just like you think all cruise ships should be the same. I on the other hand do not think that way.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[LMaxwell]

Did you realize how your post about Cadillac vs Chevy was more of a bust on you than on me ? Cause I don't see the post anymore, and of you didn't realize it, it was. You and anybody who thinks CCL needs to change have that thought process you just described. If it has a motor and four tires it's the same, just like you think all cruise ships should be the same. I on the other hand do not think that way.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

 

I just want the DJ gone and the live band and shows back. It's OK to me if they charge a little bit more for that to happen. Entertainment is important to me on vacation. Lowest price is important to you. Okay. This isn't the thread for you to keep harping on, it's the thread for improvements that people want. You haven't suggested one single change or addition. So I started a NEW thread that may appeal to you more regarding what would you be willing to change to REDUCE the fares.

 

I didn't remove any other posts so if I said something it's there for all to see. You'd think if you didn't want any of these things you'd be happy to eliminate something to make it cheaper so you could cruise more??

[Ematic81]

I haven't left carnival, but my biggest gripe is the shows they suck I concur. I will probably try another cruise line after my carnival cruise but only to have something to compare to. I'm not exclusive to carnival but I enjoyed all 4 of my cruises with them.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

This is a criticism open forum. Where did you read that at ?

 

 

In the name: CRUISE CRITIC, and it's substantiated in the fact that this is an open forum where you can exchange cruise reviews and critiques.

 

Duh.... :)

[nitro2448]

I just want the DJ gone and the live band and shows back. It's OK to me if they charge a little bit more for that to happen. Entertainment is important to me on vacation. Lowest price is important to you. Okay. This isn't the thread for you to keep harping on, it's the thread for improvements that people want. You haven't suggested one single change or addition. So I started a NEW thread that may appeal to you more regarding what would you be willing to change to REDUCE the fares.

 

I didn't remove any other posts so if I said something it's there for all to see. You'd think if you didn't want any of these things you'd be happy to eliminate something to make it cheaper so you could cruise more??

 

Nowhere did I say the lowest price the better, if that was the case I'd book an inside cabin on the lowest floor I could, I don't. What I said was, I'm happy with what CCL offers, I don't want more so why pay more. Those of you who want more, go to or stay with another cruise line that offers what you want. I know, it's just too simple.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[CruiseAwesome]

Uh, because he'd either have to REALLY increase rates, or he'd be bankrupt in months.

 

I really was just making a joke, I just liked some of the points he brought up.

[nitro2448]

 

In the name: CRUISE CRITIC, and it's substantiated in the fact that this is an open forum where you can exchange cruise reviews and critiques.

 

Duh.... :)

 

But it's not a criticism board, DUH :)

 

Now I see why you post the way you do, you think it's a criticism, figures. Do all critics criticize ?

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

Edited December 13, 2013 by nitro2448

[LMaxwell]

Nowhere did I say the lowest price the better, if that was the case I'd book an inside cabin on the lowest floor I could, I don't. What I said was, I'm happy with what CCL offers, I don't want more so why pay more. Those of you who want more, go to or stay with another cruise line that offers what you want. I know, it's just too simple.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

 

Simple would be a re-reading of the thread title and original post and then deciding if your constant message telling people to go away is appropriate or not to the thread.

 

I was hoping for a discussion about changes and improvements, I never suspected a bully brigade telling people to leave and stay away and it's just fine as is. Don't worry, there are plenty of people who WILL be quite content to make more cuts if it means fare reductions. Sooner or later you too will question if the offering is inline with your vacation wants.

 

And when you come on here and say "Gee, I really wish the MDR had brunch like they used to" or "I really wish Platinum guests still had priority perks"(for example) I hope you are accepting of others telling you to go away/stay away/don't make their cruise cost any more $.

[arush5268d]

Simple would be a re-reading of the thread title and original post and then deciding if your constant message telling people to go away is appropriate or not to the thread.

 

I was hoping for a discussion about changes and improvements, I never suspected a bully brigade telling people to leave and stay away and it's just fine as is. Don't worry, there are plenty of people who WILL be quite content to make more cuts if it means fare reductions. Sooner or later you too will question if the offering is inline with your vacation wants.

 

And when you come on here and say "Gee, I really wish the MDR had brunch like they used to" or "I really wish Platinum guests still had priority perks"(for example) I hope you are accepting of others telling you to go away/stay away/don't make their cruise cost any more $.

 

 

This.

[nitro2448]

 

In the name: CRUISE CRITIC, and it's substantiated in the fact that this is an open forum where you can exchange cruise reviews and critiques.

 

Duh.... :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines

 

Just a refresher

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[nitro2448]

Simple would be a re-reading of the thread title and original post and then deciding if your constant message telling people to go away is appropriate or not to the thread.

 

I was hoping for a discussion about changes and improvements, I never suspected a bully brigade telling people to leave and stay away and it's just fine as is. Don't worry, there are plenty of people who WILL be quite content to make more cuts if it means fare reductions. Sooner or later you too will question if the offering is inline with your vacation wants.

 

And when you come on here and say "Gee, I really wish the MDR had brunch like they used to" or "I really wish Platinum guests still had priority perks"(for example) I hope you are accepting of others telling you to go away/stay away/don't make their cruise cost any more $.

 

Ok, well you keep me posted when all these changes happen.

 

Never mind, you won't be cruising with them

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!