Diminishing Quality on Carnival?

[jmcathome]

I'm so happy a lot of you are not liking Carnival that means I can get the cabin I want and don't have to read your negative reviews. You keep cruising those other lines Carnival haters and keep paying those high fares and keep reserving the shows you want to see and keep going to the specialty restaurants that you pay extra for. I'll stick to the plain old Carnival and cruise more for the fares you pay.

why would you call these people Carnival haters. They are all Plat or Diamond. When you pay your money you have the right to compali, Carnival will worry ehen they start to complain and not cruise. That will be a problem

[Towel Critter]

why would you call these people Carnival haters. They are all Plat or Diamond. When you pay your money you have the right to compali, Carnival will worry ehen they start to complain and not cruise. That will be a problem

You know this, I know this. Even the ones calling folks who speak up about things they are unhappy about haters know this on some level. BUT, since the complaint is reflecting negatively on a personal choice they made, they take it personally and lash out. Don't sweat it. The genuine haters know who they are and those of us who occasionally criticize a cutback (but still like and sail Carnival) know who we are. Like you said, we are often P and D folks, not haters at all. Like they say, sticks and stones...

[jmcathome]

I have been on 23 cruises with Carnival and one day I will find something I like. Maybe it will be on the Miracle in Sept, If not i will keep trying

[cathyoo]

I agree with the OP on some issues, 10+ Carnival cruises for me as I love love the Carnival brand and can't seem to make myself book another line. They are slipping a little, the last ship I was on was the Liberty and I did a detail Halloween Review w/pics (not sure how to post a link) but you can check it out on the Liberty ship thread.

 

Although we still had a great cruise, they ship needed a lot of attention, form their customer service down to the food and cleanliness of the ship. In the last few years it seems like the quality of the food has gone downhill, not that I starve or anything as you can always find something, but it is noticeable.

 

I do understand that cutting out certain things like mints, lobster on shorter cruises and a few others are understandable as it may help to keep the cost of the cruise low and that is the main reason I love Carnival. But that should not mean the quality of what they still offer should go down.

 

I agree, since 8 of my 10 cruises are Carnival I want to keep loving them but it doesn't come quite as naturally.

[beshears]

So many postings here, and both good and negative. I have cruised at least 15 times, as I am BLESSED to be able to do this at my age of 75. Money does make a difference, as I just retired a year ago, but just booked "another" cruise with Carnival.

 

 

I have been on Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland American, and Carnival. Up to this point, I have enjoyed all the cruise lines, except Norwegian, but that is MY opinion.:) Now for the one cruise line that I have cruised the most, that would be Carnival, but that is MY choice!!! Yes, if I wanted to, I could pay bigger money and PAY at the steak houses, etc. on the ship, etc., but I am happy with the MDR. The food may not be spectacular every time, but I know they try to satisfy us anyway. If were not happy, we can always go to the Lido buffet.

 

 

If I wanted to pay MORE money, I'm sure I would get things much better, but I put my money where I want to, and am "satisfied" with what I get, and am NOT a nit picky person like "some" people!!! In other words, I am SATISFIED with what I get!:)

[pacruise804]

We were provided extra towels and wash cloths when requested on our last cruise.

 

I've never had to clean my room (and don't pack cleaners/vacuum to actually clean) but I always keep the room tidy and straighten the bedding in the morning - it's habit. We sail in a balcony cabin and cruise to be on and see the water, so we spend a fair amount of time in our room - how is cruising not for us:confused: We are also fairly active, and shower twice most days to feel comfortable after workouts and excursions. With the small bathroom space I don't find the towels to be dry enough for using twice. Towels are also used for removing excess water from hand washed laundry/swim suits, so extra towels are nice.

 

You still haven't made the case for room service twice per day. Certainly not for an entire cruise line. If you really need it, you can ask, they will accommodate you. They will also accommodate you if you want extra towels.

 

You missed where I replied to someone else that they do/did accommodate our request.

 

I may not have made the case for you to have cabin service twice per day (nor did I realize I was trying to, just explaining why some might like it). I still don't need twice daily service, but it is a nice service that is included with my fare. If you don't want to have your cabin serviced, Carnival makes it easy to request once a day service. I don't need any service for a 7 day vacation, but I appreciate the twice a day service for many of the reasons others have listed. I don't need any meals in the MDR either - I can get plenty to eat from the lido deck - but I enjoy the option;). Most lines offer both styles of dining, just as most lines offer twice daily service. Passengers don't have to use everything offered, but there are certain services with cruising that are expected - even if not expected from a land vacation.

[Joebucks]

You missed where I replied to someone else that they do/did accommodate our request.

 

I may not have made the case for you to have cabin service twice per day (nor did I realize I was trying to, just explaining why some might like it). I still don't need twice daily service, but it is a nice service that is included with my fare. If you don't want to have your cabin serviced, Carnival makes it easy to request once a day service. I don't need any service for a 7 day vacation, but I appreciate the twice a day service for many of the reasons others have listed. I don't need any meals in the MDR either - I can get plenty to eat from the lido deck - but I enjoy the option;). Most lines offer both styles of dining, just as most lines offer twice daily service. Passengers don't have to use everything offered, but there are certain services with cruising that are expected - even if not expected from a land vacation.

 

I understand the technicalities. However, this is a thread of diminishing quality. This discussion seems to be that this has diminished the quality. It is a complete and utter waste to service every room twice a day. But whatever you want, they will accommodate. I just don't even know why this a discussion.

 

I wake up, go eat breakfast/go to the port/pool, etc. I come back, my room is cleaned, towels replaced, ice is full. I honestly don't know what else I need. Nor do I want people knocking on my door and entering my room just because it's "included". Even if I needed something else, they will do it.

 

Imagine being a new cruiser and this is what you're hearing.

[soexcited0817]

Ok....I've been reading the tail end of this and I have a statement and a question (considering I'm fairly new). I am in customer service and have obviously been a customer. If I have had a horrible experience like dirtiness, rudeness, disregard for policy or dangerous conditions then I complain to the business I have an issue with in hopes that I will be compensated for my bad experience and to make sure the appropriate people are aware in case something should change.

My question is....why do people come to a website to simply give their negative opinions about policy changes? I don't see much in this post about somebody actually being treated badly.

I don't like getting my sail & sign card at my room. The pizza leaves a little to be desired if you ask me. The casino is smokey. Blah blah blah. I THINK listening to our complaints is what friends are for. I THINK if you want something changed then contact the company. Maybe I don't know the real meaning of a review or the purpose of these websites. As much as everybody is entitled to get what they pay for, the delivery of these complaints sound like demands and ungratefulness.

 

I'm just saying...

[jimbo5544]

Ok....I've been reading the tail end of this and I have a statement and a question (considering I'm fairly new). I am in customer service and have obviously been a customer. If I have had a horrible experience like dirtiness, rudeness, disregard for policy or dangerous conditions then I complain to the business I have an issue with in hopes that I will be compensated for my bad experience and to make sure the appropriate people are aware in case something should change.

My question is....why do people come to a website to simply give their negative opinions about policy changes? I don't see much in this post about somebody actually being treated badly.

I don't like getting my sail & sign card at my room. The pizza leaves a little to be desired if you ask me. The casino is smokey. Blah blah blah. I THINK listening to our complaints is what friends are for. I THINK if you want something changed then contact the company. Maybe I don't know the real meaning of a review or the purpose of these websites. As much as everybody is entitled to get what they pay for, the delivery of these complaints sound like demands and ungratefulness.

 

I'm just saying...

 

 

 

You are correct, it is so easy in this world we live in to cast stones, and it fact, some think it is the “norm”. The dark side....

 

 

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[Doug & Cindy Scrap Hunter]

Ok....I've been reading the tail end of this and I have a statement and a question (considering I'm fairly new). I am in customer service and have obviously been a customer. If I have had a horrible experience like dirtiness, rudeness, disregard for policy or dangerous conditions then I complain to the business I have an issue with in hopes that I will be compensated for my bad experience and to make sure the appropriate people are aware in case something should change.

My question is....why do people come to a website to simply give their negative opinions about policy changes? I don't see much in this post about somebody actually being treated badly.

I don't like getting my sail & sign card at my room. The pizza leaves a little to be desired if you ask me. The casino is smokey. Blah blah blah. I THINK listening to our complaints is what friends are for. I THINK if you want something changed then contact the company. Maybe I don't know the real meaning of a review or the purpose of these websites. As much as everybody is entitled to get what they pay for, the delivery of these complaints sound like demands and ungratefulness.

 

I'm just saying...

 

Some of us like to compare notes with other folks and see if it is just us or a fluke - or an issue that others are seeing.

[soexcited0817]

Some of us like to compare notes with other folks and see if it is just us or a fluke - or an issue that others are seeing.

 

Let me say that the little rant of complaints I made were my actual complaints and I can come up with more so I get it. I love reading these posts, asking questions and having discussions. Big picture, employers want employees to do more with less. The people who are being asked to clean hundreds of rooms, cook thousands of meals, smile constantly, remember our names and be at our beck and call get paid pennies while we spend thousands to vacation and they do an AMAZING job. On my last cruise I tipped my steward the moment I met him and I cleaned up after myself for the most part. If the issue is with Carnival then write them a long letter and don't cruise them anymore. Maybe they will change. I apologize for going on. Can't help it lol

[KmomChicago]

Let me say that the little rant of complaints I made were my actual complaints and I can come up with more so I get it. I love reading these posts, asking questions and having discussions. Big picture, employers want employees to do more with less. The people who are being asked to clean hundreds of rooms, cook thousands of meals, smile constantly, remember our names and be at our beck and call get paid pennies while we spend thousands to vacation and they do an AMAZING job. On my last cruise I tipped my steward the moment I met him and I cleaned up after myself for the most part. If the issue is with Carnival then write them a long letter and don't cruise them anymore. Maybe they will change. I apologize for going on. Can't help it lol

 

I agree with your outlook. This is what CC people call getting out the popcorn, to sit back and watch these silly arguments go on. And on. And on. These same arguments also get brought up on thread after thread after thread. You can tell with the title in the first post where it's headed.

 

It's amazing that people get so personal with each other about how much service they want in their stateroom. Why is that something to argue about? Who cares if you ask your steward for towels? Go ahead and ask for a towel if you want one. Or don't if you don't want to.

 

But people who used to like Carnival when they were sort of poor and couldn't afford better move up in their means and upgrade to a fancy line and then come back to tell the rest of us why we're not allowed to like it anymore because they upgraded. Okay we get that you want Carnival to cease operations now that you have moved on.

 

But now I'm right there ranting along with the crowd. Good evening to you all my good people and happy travels on the conveyance of your choosing.

[soexcited0817]

I agree with your outlook. This is what CC people call getting out the popcorn, to sit back and watch these silly arguments go on. And on. And on. These same arguments also get brought up on thread after thread after thread. You can tell with the title in the first post where it's headed.

 

It's amazing that people get so personal with each other about how much service they want in their stateroom. Why is that something to argue about? Who cares if you ask your steward for towels? Go ahead and ask for a towel if you want one. Or don't if you don't want to.

 

But people who used to like Carnival when they were sort of poor and couldn't afford better move up in their means and upgrade to a fancy line and then come back to tell the rest of us why we're not allowed to like it anymore because they upgraded. Okay we get that you want Carnival to cease operations now that you have moved on.

 

But now I'm right there ranting along with the crowd. Good evening to you all my good people and happy travels on the conveyance of your choosing.

Amen :cool:

[Etta1213]

I will wait to get upset, for a day like the one when my mom didn't recognize me anymore, or like the day a loved one, close to retirement, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig disease. Till then, let's cruise on!

[Doug & Cindy Scrap Hunter]

If the issue is with Carnival then write them a long letter and don't cruise them anymore. Maybe they will change. I apologize for going on. Can't help it lol

But people who used to like Carnival when they were sort of poor and couldn't afford better move up in their means and upgrade to a fancy line and then come back to tell the rest of us why we're not allowed to like it anymore because they upgraded. Okay we get that you want Carnival to cease operations now that you have moved on.

 

We've already decided like many folks to not cruise with them anymore. Part of it is I remarried and my wife wants a more upscale experience like she always imagined cruising should be like. The reality is that Carnival used to be more like that 10-15 years ago. We haven't just left Carnival because I make more money - it left us by cheapening out in many areas. That doesn't mean I wouldn't pay someone to drop a Guy's Burger down for me from their balcony. :p

[KmomChicago]

I will wait to get upset, for a day like the one when my mom didn't recognize me anymore, or like the day a loved one, close to retirement, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig disease. Till then, let's cruise on!

 

Thank you. So much more to enjoy if we weren't wasting so much of our limited and precious time being miserable. We can be miserable when we actually experience some misery.

[Rudyard]

The Steward is supposed to meet you on embarkation day and fill out your service card with you. Do you want room care, morning, evening or both. Do you want bathrobes, etc. The Rally boys claimed it was an effort to "force" you to only have once a day service. Has proven to be wrong. Tell them what you want and when you want it.

 

This is the way it worked on our last cruise. Our steward came by our cabin shortly after we boarded and handed me a card to fill out. She never tried to persuade me to fill in the minimum the way some people claim. I filled it in with what we wanted and that's what we got. If we hadn't, I would have assumed it was due to her being busy, not some plan to give us the bare minimum, and politely reminded her what we needed. I wouldn't have come here crying like a little kid with a skinned knee over a missed bucket of ice. Some people just need to complain the same way they need food and oxygen.

[pacruise804]

I hope I don't come across as someone who is complaining over petty things. I recognize that I am blessed to have the health and resources to cruise and don't take it for granted. I try (and been told sometimes I'm very trying;)) to post to answer an asked question and give helpful information or clarify mis-information. So much of communication is non-verbal that it is easy to be misunderstood (even with smilies;p).

 

I am guilty of being defensive when my preferences are considered wrong, compared to merely different than another cruiser. Some of the things others complain about are issues I've never encountered, like crew trying to clean while I am in my cabin, so maybe I've been guilty of dismissing someone else's preferences too.

 

Whether quality has diminished or not on Carnival I still enjoy the vacation experience they offer, which is why we booked a cruise for September after sailing in February:cool:

[KmomChicago]

We've already decided like many folks to not cruise with them anymore. Part of it is I remarried and my wife wants a more upscale experience like she always imagined cruising should be like. The reality is that Carnival used to be more like that 10-15 years ago. We haven't just left Carnival because I make more money - it left us by cheapening out in many areas. That doesn't mean I wouldn't pay someone to drop a Guy's Burger down for me from their balcony. :p

 

What I don't understand is why people who don't like Carnival- either never did or don't anymore- come to the Carnival thread to bash it. I had to camp in tents as a kid and college student. I didn't hate it then but I do now. I don't go to camping forums and explain to everyone why I prefer not to camp in a tent anymore. I don't go to camping forums, period. They no longer apply to me. To others who camp I say nothing at all, but if I did, it would be "Camp on wit' yo bad self. Enjoy!!"

 

I come here to tell people why I like cruises and to answer honest questions for people trying to research. Including telling people who only stay at Mandarin Oriental properties that Carnival is probably the wrong choice for you.

[declansdad]

What I don't understand is why people who don't like Carnival- either never did or don't anymore- come to the Carnival thread to bash it. I had to camp in tents as a kid and college student. I didn't hate it then but I do now. I don't go to camping forums and explain to everyone why I prefer not to camp in a tent anymore. I don't go to camping forums, period. They no longer apply to me. To others who camp I say nothing at all, but if I did, it would be "Camp on wit' yo bad self. Enjoy!!"

 

I come here to tell people why I like cruises and to answer honest questions for people trying to research. Including telling people who only stay at Mandarin Oriental properties that Carnival is probably the wrong choice for you.

 

 

(y)(y)(y)

[TEXSUN46]

We've already decided like many folks to not cruise with them anymore. Part of it is I remarried and my wife wants a more upscale experience like she always imagined cruising should be like. The reality is that Carnival used to be more like that 10-15 years ago. We haven't just left Carnival because I make more money - it left us by cheapening out in many areas. That doesn't mean I wouldn't pay someone to drop a Guy's Burger down for me from their balcony. :p

 

Just curious, if you have decided not to sail Carnival any longer why would you come to a Carnival forum? You say not as upscale as 10-15 years ago, that is time frame I started cruising and I didn't find Carnival as particularly upscale then and do not find them any less so now. We chose Carnival because of their reputation as having a more fun ship atmosphere and less pretentious. I suppose many find the absence of tablecloths as evidence degraded luxury, but if it was not discussed on here I wouldn't have even noticed.

[schazzy]

What I don't understand is why people who don't like Carnival- either never did or don't anymore- come to the Carnival thread to bash it. I had to camp in tents as a kid and college student. I didn't hate it then but I do now. I don't go to camping forums and explain to everyone why I prefer not to camp in a tent anymore. I don't go to camping forums, period. They no longer apply to me. To others who camp I say nothing at all, but if I did, it would be "Camp on wit' yo bad self. Enjoy!!"

 

I come here to tell people why I like cruises and to answer honest questions for people trying to research. Including telling people who only stay at Mandarin Oriental properties that Carnival is probably the wrong choice for you.

 

Exactly, I mean, I have read other cruise lines boards before to research for the possibility of giving another line a try, but I wouldn't go there to bash or trash those cruise lines that the people on those boards enjoy, I would consider that to be just plain rude.

 

 

I appreciate an honest review with what you liked and disliked, constructive criticism and pointing out pro's and con's of a cruise ship or line, it can sometimes help someone when picking a cruise or trying to get an idea of what to expect by the general consensus.

 

 

What is not helpful to anyone are posts that more or less come across with "This cruise line sucks and you are wrong to like it" "I'm obviously better than you and I cruise better than you on a better cruise line" "I feel I was wronged somehow and so my revenge is to say everything about this cruise was bad and that'll show em!" etc, etc, etc.

[frangran]

I agree. Carnival has taken away just about everything they can get away with taking away, without giving back anything in return. It's not like it used to be at all. If someone were to take their first cruise now, they would not know that anything is missing, unless and until they cruise on another line. We still continue to cruise on Carnival because of good port proximity to our home, but will cruise a different line when taking our Alaska and Mediterranean cruises in the future. Carnival is what it is now, and I'm still ok with it, for now.

 

 

Agree!

[grandmarnnurse]

I have not cruised with Carnival since 2007. Back then, we were always honored as past guests with lovely receptions, along with a reception for EVERYONE on Captain’s Reception night. On one cruise back in 2004, I actually had a tote, towel, and other goodies waiting for me in my cabin. Now, I hear that those “perks” are only for Platinum/Diamond status. With that said, I have 2 Carnival cruises booked for 2019 and 2020. I’ve been cruising RCCL and NCL since 2007, so I will just have to see for myself if there is any diminishing quality in Carnival cruises. I was excited to hear about new food venues offered, such as Guys Burgers, Guys BBQ, Blue Iguana, and Red Frog Pub. We were always very happy with Carnival’s food in MDR, going as far as saying it was better than Royal’s MDR food. We will just have to see for ourselves if their food has gone down hill. I certainly hope for a positive experience on my Carnival cruises, as they are both to celebrate my anniversary—49th and 50th.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

“Not bash on Carnival in any way” ... and then that’s exactly what you do.

 

In my opinion, yes, it’s only you and your opinion.

 

My experiences are vastly different.

 

Happy sailing on other lines until the changes you want from Carnival happen but I suspect you’ll be saying the exact same things about those other lines as those forums are filled with people saying the same thing about them as you are curently saying about Carnival.

 

Its the cycle of life.

 

Its not only them. I have had less than stellar quality on some Carnival cruises. I still sail them on occasion (my last one was in May). I just set my expectations lower and still have a good time.