Never thought I would say this.....

[Raysgirl]

I never thought I would say this, but after 15 Carnival cruises I am trying another cruise line.    We have been on 3 Carnival cruises since the restart and even though we enjoyed ourselves (a cruise is what you make of it) we are very disappointed with all the cut backs and poor service.   We knew there would be staffing issues when they first restarted and had to get back in the groove, but at this point things should be back to normal.  I think they are putting all their focus on the new ships and just leaving the older ones behind.  We have encountered slow bar services, slow dining room service with cold food and so so entertainment. Now they are nickel and diming you with their increases for things on the ship and an extra charge if you order 3 entrees.   I know 3 entrees sounds like a lot, but look at the portions they give you, they are not very big.  I have not totally given up on Carnival, I have 2 cruises currently booked, 1 for 2023 and 1 for 2024  (I just cancelled another one for 2023 to try the other cruise line) but I would like to see if the other cruise lines are experiencing the same issue.  Is anyone else disappointed on how things are going?

[LibertyBella]

I have been on at least ten Carnival cruises, but I have also cruised on nine other cruise lines many times.  I think it is interesting to compare the similarities and differences across cruise lines. I believe you can get a little bored doing the same thing over and over again, so it is important to have diverse travel options.

 

Sometimes I want a more elegant, formal experience (Cunard) , other times I want a superb itinerary (Celebrity, Princess, Holland America), sometimes I cruise with family (NCL, RC).  I go back and forth, and am now trying to do multiple cruises per year across lines.  We also do driving trips and tours, etc., so I have to juggle in the cruises in advance on the calendar. 

 

 I cruise Carnival for the fun and casual times, and the convenient ports. Carnival is a more budget experience, but nobody can make you spend more than you want to spend. Everybody wants to upsell, even Viking (by charging a lot for pre-and post-hotel stays). 

 

I always say I am loyal to CRUISING!

[MichiganFisherman]

I couldn't even imagine limiting myself to carnival after 15 cruises with so many other better choices. I'll never understand why people are scared to branch out and climb higher in the tree. That's like only eating a ham sandwich at a local truck stop for every meal because it's OK and safe. 

[klfrodo]

While I encourage people to try multiple lines, I can't get behind the complaint of charging for more than 2 entrees. 1 entree is plenty. 2 is okay. 3 is just gluttony at its finest but still you do you. Just pay for it.

[MichiganFisherman]

I couldn't even imagine limiting myself to carnival after 15 cruises with so many other better choices. I'll never understand why people are scared to branch out and climb higher in the tree. That's like only eating a ham sandwich at a local truck stop for every meal because it's OK and safe. 

[Raysgirl]

Klfrodo, I do understand your remarks about the entrees and normally 1 or 2 is enough, but if you order something to try and you do not like it, or it comes cold and dried out like the chicken breast sometimes done, I would not want to be charged a fee for a 3rd meal.  Again cuts backs, they went from a flank steak to a strip steak that is so thin, they remind me of the steaks that you can buy at the dollar store in the frozen food department.    All I am trying to say is they need to give a decent portion of food which they used to do, but again has been cut back since the restart.

[Island Dog]

I ask, how is only a 3rd entrée in the MDR gluttony that should be charged for.  However in the same MDR, multiple breakfast items or  multiple apps and desserts at dinner or overindulgence at Guy's, Blue Iguana and the buffet, etc. is somehow not gluttony that should incur an extra charge?

Edited November 9, 2022 by Island Dog

[mz-s]

25 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

While I encourage people to try multiple lines, I can't get behind the complaint of charging for more than 2 entrees. 1 entree is plenty. 2 is okay. 3 is just gluttony at its finest but still you do you. Just pay for it.

 

Carnival has greatly reduced portion sizes so for somebody with a big appetite I could see 2 still leaving them wanting. There was a time in my life when I could eat like that.

[ruready]

Wow… you have been loyal.  Personally I have cruises at all price points and my expectations alter based on that.  However I do not fault Carnival or any cruise line for price increases (whether in the form of a cutback or direct cruise price increase) as we are having tremendous inflation right now.  I spend an average of at least $75 more per week at the grocery stores.  If you can compare today cruise prices to those of the late 70s or even early 80s, you will see why they need to cut back or dramatically increase pricing.  However, as you have elegantly stated, you can chose where you want to spend your dollars. We are fortunate that we have choices for this discretionary item.

[mz-s]

Carnival has greatly diluted their product since COVID, I have played the field as well so to speak and short of a free casino cruise or a family cruise, my wife and I will not be sailing on a "Fun Ship" again until things start to reverse course.

[jsglow]

You should branch out OP.  We know what Carnival is and what it is not.  It fits a niche, just like everything else.  If it's not your niche, try to find a better fit.  Easy peasy. 😊

[Joebucks]

How much of this is an opinion you formed on your own vs following the complaint hive-mind? The FOMO scenarios people create are something else. "What if dish 1 is bad, and dish 2 is so small that I need dish 3?!" Not only doesn't that happen, but it wouldn't happen. In the history of restaurants, if you send your dish back for poor quality, has anyone ever been charged for a second dinner?

 

I can put away some serious food. But with all of the stuff I eat during a normal day, I am completely stuffed after dinner after my Caesar salad, appetizer, and entrée.

[Raysgirl]

7 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

How much of this is an opinion you formed on your own vs following the complaint hive-mind? The FOMO scenarios people create are something else. "What if dish 1 is bad, and dish 2 is so small that I need dish 3?!" Not only doesn't that happen, but it wouldn't happen. In the history of restaurants, if you send your dish back for poor quality, has anyone ever been charged for a second dinner?

 

I can put away some serious food. But with all of the stuff I eat during a normal day, I am completely stuffed after dinner after my Caesar salad, appetizer, and entrée.

This is my own opinion.  I have numerous times decided to try something new while cruising and found it was not my cup of tea so I would order a good old standby like chicken, but when it comes it is dried out and cold, so should I be entitled to a third choice, absolutely.  The current portion sizes they serve are not even close to what you would get in a restaurant on land.  You may stuff yourself during the day, I don't.  I save my appetite for dinner.    You can also look at the additional charge for the 3rd item this way.   If I elected to eat at the buffet, which normally has the same dinner items I can load my plate up with as much as I want as many times as I want and there is no additional charge.

Edited November 9, 2022 by Raysgirl

[jcool]

I do feel like they are nickel and dime us. I am thinking about canceling my cruises. And I am platinum. But what get me to come back are the workers they are great. 

[hard_eight]

[2wheelin]

1 hour ago, klfrodo said:

While I encourage people to try multiple lines, I can't get behind the complaint of charging for more than 2 entrees. 1 entree is plenty. 2 is okay. 3 is just gluttony at its finest but still you do you. Just pay for it.

OMG! Haven't you read recent threads? You will get slammed for mis use of the word gluttony. But I agree with you.

50 minutes ago, Raysgirl said:

Klfrodo, I do understand your remarks about the entrees and normally 1 or 2 is enough, but if you order something to try and you do not like it, or it comes cold and dried out like the chicken breast sometimes done, I would not want to be charged a fee for a 3rd meal.  Again cuts backs, they went from a flank steak to a strip steak that is so thin, they remind me of the steaks that you can buy at the dollar store in the frozen food department.    All I am trying to say is they need to give a decent portion of food which they used to do, but again has been cut back since the restart.

If the first entree is subpar and the 2nd entree is subpar, what makes you think ordering another will be better? 

41 minutes ago, Island Dog said:

I ask, how is only a 3rd entrée in the MDR gluttony that should be charged for.  However in the same MDR, multiple breakfast items or  multiple apps and desserts at dinner or overindulgence at Guy's, Blue Iguana and the buffet, etc. is somehow not gluttony that should incur an extra charge?

Obviously they have determined there is more trackable waste of entrees than anything else. Many people order multiple entrees "just for a taste".  And entrees are the most expensive. The buffet has huge waste but would be harder to police. They should try though.

[IntrepidFromDC]

1 hour ago, Island Dog said:

I ask, how is only a 3rd entrée in the MDR gluttony that should be charged for.  However in the same MDR, multiple breakfast items or  multiple apps and desserts at dinner or overindulgence at Guy's, Blue Iguana and the buffet, etc. is somehow not gluttony that should incur an extra charge?

Shhhh, you want them to start charging for that sixth shrimp cocktail?

[mz-s]

They've cut waste at the buffet by cheapening the ingredients - you've never seen so much rice as a Carnival buffet, and the sausage on the breakfast buffet is just cut up hot dogs. If you're lucky enough to get actual sausage on your cruise, you'll notice it's just Banquet brown n' serve links. They will cut a chicken thigh into three pieces and that is one portion. They provide smaller plates and don't provide trays (and the kids cups for drink).

 

If they wanted to, they could make it more cafeteria style and have crew serve the guests from the buffet like the cake buffet is now - but that would probably require more staff, not sure if they want to go down that rabbit hole. But that is probably next.

[Oletruckdude]

2 minutes ago, mz-s said:

....If they wanted to, they could make it more cafeteria style and have crew serve the guests from the buffet like the cake buffet is now - but that would probably require more staff, not sure if they want to go down that rabbit hole. But that is probably next.

That would be the deal breaker for me. Seventeen Carnival cruises with 2 more upcoming. 

I love the included Carnival food. The Buffett, blue iguana, guys, pizza pirate. I love eating what I want whenever I want. It's the biggest selling point to cruising for me. When cruising becomes basically like a land vacation then I will be done.

Just my opinion.

[linga]

Of course you should try other lines! 🙂  I've been on about 15 Carnival, but I've been on a few NCL, Princess and just recently 4 RCL cruises including their newest Wonder of the Seas.  I find the differences between them all to not be very significant, and I always come back to Carnival being my favorite cruise line of those 4.  On my list, I put Princess 2nd, RCL 3rd and NCL 4th.  Just my humble opinion, that I've based on Food, Service and entertainment.  Variety is good, so go for it!!!  I'm sure you'll find things you like on all of the different lines.  I've never had a bad cruise!

[john91498]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

Carnival has greatly diluted their product since COVID, I have played the field as well so to speak and short of a free casino cruise or a family cruise, my wife and I will not be sailing on a "Fun Ship" again until things start to reverse course.

 

We've been on 3 cruises this year and 2 of them were free casino cruises. Oddly, the free cruises were much more fun than the paid one...lol...

[Theosprey247]

When one uses a product extensively you see the warts and other products look good (look tablecloths!). But soon you’ll notice, dispute paying more, you’re getting the same product (crappy MDR food) only packed differently (and often paying more).  But variety is the spicy of life, so go out and enjoy yourself whatever you decide to do. 

[mz-s]

1 hour ago, john91498 said:

 

We've been on 3 cruises this year and 2 of them were free casino cruises. Oddly, the free cruises were much more fun than the paid one...lol...

 

I agree! 😆

[jordanaire]

We have our 25th Carnival cruise coming up in December and still love sailing with them. As time goes on, I'm sure the other cruise lines will have cutbacks as well. After becoming Diamond members (31 more days), we plan to try Royal, Norwegian and MSC that sail out of Port Canaveral (13 miles from our home).

[mz-s]

1 hour ago, Oletruckdude said:

That would be the deal breaker for me. Seventeen Carnival cruises with 2 more upcoming. 

I love the included Carnival food. The Buffett, blue iguana, guys, pizza pirate. I love eating what I want whenever I want. It's the biggest selling point to cruising for me. When cruising becomes basically like a land vacation then I will be done.

Just my opinion.

 

Oh that is pure speculation on my part. I think they'll cut more meals and hours before they get to the point of cafeteria style, it's too expensive from a labor perspective (even though Carnival pays very little for labor).