My cutback's on Carnival

[travler27]

Folks often say other lines are now competitive with Carnival's pricing. We always get an Ocean Suite or Grand Suite on Carnival and if someone could point me to another line where I could get a comparable cabin for 2 for 7 days under $2,300 I would sure appreciate it. I just don't seem to be able to find them and until I do I guess I'll stay with Carnival.

[theriac]

Folks often say other lines are now competitive with Carnival's pricing. We always get an Ocean Suite or Grand Suite on Carnival and if someone could point me to another line where I could get a comparable cabin for 2 for 7 days under $2,300 I would sure appreciate it. I just don't seem to be able to find them and until I do I guess I'll stay with Carnival.

 

Agreed with you about other lines not really being competitive and I certainly don't know where all these people find these deals. I know sometimes RCI or NCL have specials which put them close but it's not all the time and I just book when I'm ready and find when and where I'm going to go.

[ray98]

Agreed with you about other lines not really being competitive and I certainly don't know where all these people find these deals. I know sometimes RCI or NCL have specials which put them close but it's not all the time and I just book when I'm ready and find when and where I'm going to go.

 

It's fantasy. The just use the false statement to bolster their rant. Acknowledging Carnival has the best price by far generally chips away at the basis for their complaints.

[Tapi]

It's fantasy. The just use the false statement to bolster their rant.

 

 

It's not fantasy. At least not for us. Our last two cruises were on Royal Caribbean and Princess and both of them were priced cheaper than Carnival sailing on the same date and on a similar itinerary. One was in July and the other one in September 2014, both on standard Oceanview staterooms. Carnival was actually priced a couple hundred dollars more than Princess. With that said, I still consider Carnival to be the price leader. They are consistently cheaper than most other cruise lines, but there are times when they are not.

[Budget Queen]

It's interesting it seems some multi cruisers, have only sailed Carnival? I have always gone between the line, choosing based on itinerary first. i do like a bargain, :) and have found some very attractive rates with Carnival. I sailed them 10 times last year, and enjoyed every single cruise. :) I also sailed 3 other lines for 7 more cruises, enjoyable as well.

 

I have been on 102 cruises with the most on NCL. I haven't cut back on any cruises. I have always been one to spend little on the cruises. I don't compromise on tours I want but have never purchased photos, use the casino or spa.

[Tapi]

Folks often say other lines are now competitive with Carnival's pricing. We always get an Ocean Suite or Grand Suite on Carnival and if someone could point me to another line where I could get a comparable cabin for 2 for 7 days under $2,300 I would sure appreciate it.

 

 

While I have experienced comparable (if not cheaper pricing) on standard staterooms aboard other cruise lines, I think that you will have a very hard time finding suites on other cruise lines similarly priced to Carnival's suites. Why? Simply because suites on Carnival are not truly suites. They are just bigger staterooms with almost zero perks. Other cruise lines offer a very extensive list of perks and amenities which truly define what a suite is.

 

Butlers that will pack and unpack your bags, private lounges, reserved seating at the theater and by the pool, concierge services, exclusive access for suite-only guests to private beaches, complimentary garment pressing and internet, access to private restaurants, and complimentary cocktail hours are some of the perks which make it clear why other cruise lines will not price match Carnival's "suites".

 

Your best bet to price match your Carnival ocean suite may be to find a premium balcony stateroom on another cruise line that may have comparable square footage but that's not classified as a suite.

Edited February 24, 2015 by Tapi

[sjn911]

It's not fantasy. At least not for us. Our last two cruises were on Royal Caribbean and Princess and both of them were priced cheaper than Carnival sailing on the same date and on a similar itinerary. One was in July and the other one in September 2014, both on standard Oceanview staterooms. Carnival was actually priced a couple hundred dollars more than Princess. With that said, I still consider Carnival to be the price leader. They are consistently cheaper than most other cruise lines, but there are times when they are not.

 

Thank heavens this is true..I always cruise with no more than 3 mos and often less notice..but look all the time. I find as a solo looking for ocean view mostly, the same situations. I am also willing to pay 2 or 300 more...if a current top ship on a line. It makes me happy personally that you enjoyed Princess...I really love all the differences and enjoying each one, ship and line as you do and look and look as a hobby and to keep hope alive. This is true and my 3 day cruise on Princess was one of my very best and most elegant..the fact they were catering to travel agents and I was lucky with a friend in a mini-suite added to the time...but just the real music..varied and everywhere and food presentations...and the spa and pools, and decor and options..from country to a 4 piece quartet and everything inbetween in the bars...all that from any cabin would be great..

 

Like your idea for trying Disney..want to do that in memory of Mom and her last very nice trip to Alaska with dad and youngest grandchild for her trip..they did that on Wonder..maybe she would be more affordable now for that 5 day plan for me and fit your family's needs if right place and time..Sarah

Edited February 24, 2015 by sjn911

[jamscckmc]

We don't buy any more pictures. We rarely eat at the steak house. I don't drink much. I love cruises that go to HMC, no excursion cost. This next cruise I'm giving up a balcony. I can't do interior but got a great deal on a french door on the Pride. I wish I could give up bingo!

[Tapi]

Why does this section of the board attract all the people who just come to gloat how they no longer use Carnival. Do they think it makes them special or do they just have nothing better to do?

 

 

As someone who hasn't sailed on Carnival for a few years but still frequents this board, I'll give you my reasoning.

 

I have sailed on Carnival more than on any other cruise line. I've had some of my best cruising memories aboard Carnival ships. I truly love this cruise line and it has a very special place in my heart. In the last 21 years since I set foot on my first Carnival cruise aboard the Tropicale, I've seen the changes, some good and some not so good. Unfortunately, some of the changes that weren't so good prompted me to try other cruise lines, which I've enjoyed tremendously. But that hasn't stopped me from checking Carnival out.

 

Just like there were some changes that steered me away from Carnival a few years back, I now see changes that are steering me back towards Carnival, and I would not be surprised if another Carnival cruise is in my (not too distant) future. Keeping myself informed about what's going on at Carnival has been in part to my participation in this board.

 

I'm very grateful to have a job which gives me plenty of idle moments where I don't have time to do much more than to pick up my phone and click on the Cruise Critic icon and see what's going on. I can think of worse ways to spend these small breaks. [emoji4]

Edited February 24, 2015 by Tapi

[T. Advisor King]

I think the only cut-back that has affected me is what I presume is reduced staffing in the MDR that has made the wait times on some ships for YTD/ATD a little outrageous (e.g., 40 minutes). The other so-called cutbacks (like no live steel drum bands by the pool) are nice-to-haves, but not a big deal from my perspective. I only really care about a comfortable room, new ports to discover, and a deck chair in the sun for days at sea.

 

As for how I've cut back on Carnival, I can't say I have. I've always tried to consider the cabin fare "all inclusive", so there's not much to cut. I bring my own beverages, take my own pictures, never shop onboard, never go to the casino or art auction. They aren't things I'd do on a regular vacation so there's no reason I'd do them just because I'm trapped on a ship. We will usually get a photo as a souvenir (although I'd spend way more money on posed photos if the price per photo was more reasonable). And as much as I like to avoid it, we always seem to need some internet for one reason or another. The rare time that we take a paid "excursion", I'm much more willing to go private than on our first cruises.

 

And more because of timing than anything else I'm a few weeks away from my third Carnival cruise in 8 months, which I'm sure is a record. Personally, I would have probably chosen to go to Hawaii instead, but that may have to wait until November. As for other cruise lines, this is probably my son's last kick at the kids club can before he ages out and it is one of his favorite parts of a cruise vacation. I don't think the other lines can compare for meeting kids his own age. And while I occasionally see a cheaper fare for a comparable itinerary, when we've narrowed things down to the dates, departure port and itinerary that we want, we have never found another line with a better price. That said, it's been five years since our last non-Carnival cruise and I wouldn't mind trying a different line, if they can be competitive on price.

[ExFed drvr]

We've been cutting back how much we cruise with Carnival. Other lines can be comparable price wise, and offer so much more!

 

No me, twice the price and MDR food on NCL & RCCL are bad. They want to push you to the pay dining and we are not doing that. Dennis

[ExFed drvr]

With all the cutbacks and downgrading of the product

we have decided after 24 cruises on Carnival to try Celebrity.

 

You will quickly find out the people that cruise Celebrity are a LOT different from the people that cruise Carnival..Good Luck..Dennis

[camarowesley]

We've been cutting back how much we cruise with Carnival. Other lines can be comparable price wise, and offer so much more!

Same here. Last straw was the cut back in air conditioning. About roasted the last two cruises and were told both times it Carnival's new standard. No thanks, I'll cruise with other lines.

[murphy4]

No cutbacks. We have one Carnival Cruise booked in April and are choosing between Carnival Dream and NCL Dawn in December. NCL has better itinerary, CCL has newer updated ship. Price is equal for connecting OV and Porthole room on Dream for 5 vs inside across from balcony on NCL for 5 on Dawn including OBC (smaller rooms). We are leaning towards Carnival again.

 

I'm sure we will be doing NCL again in the next couple of years since we have a future cruise credit....but when the choice comes down to an older NCL vs a newer CCL at the same price....looks like CCL will win this time. I base my decision based on what the ships are currently offering me for the vacation I am currently looking at....what they may have had in the past doesn't even come into that decision and my spending on board will be based on what I want at that time....again what they had in the past has no bearing on what I will spend in the future.

 

 

just was on the NCL Dawn in October, nice ship, smaller than I am used to but EXCELLENT staff. my only complaint is the food on NCL. We simply purchased the UDP and ate at Cagneys almost every night!

[firemanbobswife]

You will quickly find out the people that cruise Celebrity are a LOT different from the people that cruise Carnival..Good Luck..Dennis

 

 

What is that supposed to mean? I've cruised Celebrity 5 times and Carnival 8. I actually prefer Celebrity, but for the most part can cruise twice as much on Carnival so that's what I've been doing. But I plan to go back to Celebrity soon. I still have an Open Passage Certificate I need to use.

[Sparky2]

My cutbacks on our 2015 B2B on Conquest - didn't buy any photos as we have plenty from previous cruises & we still look the same!

 

I also only bought candy (rum/coconut patties) in the shop on board. We needed a little something for the couple that drove us to the airport.

[sandinmyshoes]

We're actually cruising more with Carnival than we used to because they have the most options and best prices from Galveston, TX and that is our home port.

 

We don't really noticed the cutbacks; we notice the vacation. :D

[travler27]

Same here. Last straw was the cut back in air conditioning. About roasted the last two cruises and were told both times it Carnival's new standard. No thanks, I'll cruise with other lines.

 

And on our last Carnival cruise the room was kind of cold. We were told that was Carnival's new standard to help keep down the spread of colds and such. I doubt it qualifies as a "cutback" either way. Just something you didn't like.

 

People see things different. On another thread there are those who think the change from a free drink coupon to a 1L bottle of water is a sign Carnival is cutting back to keep from going bankrupt. I think it's just a good idea.

Edited February 24, 2015 by travler27

[Warm Breezes]

just was on the NCL Dawn in October, nice ship, smaller than I am used to but EXCELLENT staff. my only complaint is the food on NCL. We simply purchased the UDP and ate at Cagneys almost every night!

 

My biggest concern is with 2 18 year olds and a 21 year old. I think Dream just might have more to interest them than Dawn. DH just prefers Carnival over NCL. I like them both for different reasons but may give just a slight edge to NCL....but if DH and the kids say CCL well that's just fine with me too:D.

Edited February 25, 2015 by Warm Breezes

[SlotCarKing]

Hoping to cut back on casino losses next trip.

[Podna's]

We don't really noticed the cutbacks; we notice the vacation. :D

 

 

LIKE! And so does 90k other people a week. There's just a handful on this board that think the cutbacks are so drastic that they should be on CNN.

Edited February 25, 2015 by Podna's

[Margarita Mom]

You will quickly find out the people that cruise Celebrity are a LOT different from the people that cruise Carnival..Good Luck..Dennis

 

I am definitely prepared for different. lol I can usually have a good time wherever I go. Just feel it might to time to branch out.

[Margarita Mom]

What is that supposed to mean? I've cruised Celebrity 5 times and Carnival 8. I actually prefer Celebrity, but for the most part can cruise twice as much on Carnival so that's what I've been doing. But I plan to go back to Celebrity soon. I still have an Open Passage Certificate I need to use.

 

With the new 123 deals we found the cruise to be only slightly higher than a comparable Carnival cruise when you factor in the onboard credit, drink package (we always get cheers) and the tips paid for you.

[firemanbobswife]

With the new 123 deals we found the cruise to be only slightly higher than a comparable Carnival cruise when you factor in the onboard credit, drink package (we always get cheers) and the tips paid for you.

 

 

Not as far as solo rates. I have been lucky to get some no solo supplement deals with Carnival (like $389 plus taxes for 7 days) and when I like to go - in May and October- Celebrity isn't cruising in the Caribbean.

 

I don't buy the Cheers package as I have only a few alcoholic beverages each cruise so that's not worth it. However, whenever DH and I decide to go, we might decide to try it. Although the OBC could buy quite a few drinks as well.

 

Celebrity is still my favorite.

[firemanbobswife]

I am definitely prepared for different. lol I can usually have a good time wherever I go. Just feel it might to time to branch out.

 

 

There are differences for sure, like dress codes enforced and adhered to, no hairy chest contests, and a general relaxed and somewhat refined atmosphere. But just because it's different, doesn't mean you won't find people that enjoy each cruise line for what it is, like me. I enjoy both for their differences. It all depends on what I want.