Switch to Celebrity

[pzsdd6]

5 hours ago, MJSailors said:

Not necessarily a departure announcement by the OP.  Their initial post was their opinion of the Carnival product and that of Celebrity.

 

A clean bathroom does not smell like a used toilet. If the steward gave the cabin bathroom a thorough cleaning, there would be no toilet smell.

 

MJ🙋🏻

Thank you. I was not saying goodbye to Carnival, just pointing out some of the most recent experiences and trends we have been seeing. No……clean bathrooms do not smell! On Celebrity most restrooms have an attendant on duty, always willing to help with a clean fresh linen cloth to wash or dry…….and always clean.

As a matter of fact, we continue to try and sail with Carnival. We are booked this week for the Christmas cruise on the Mardi Gras. We are sincerely hoping that on their new ships that they do a better job, although I’m seeing mixed reviews for the ship, still a lot of the same issues especially the food in the buffets and main dining rooms, but we will see.

Several have mentioned the “herds” causing issues, we have see this all too often on Carnival, as well as the way too many drunks staggering about the ship causing even more problems. I have never seen anything like that on Celebrity, no herds, no drunks, and definitely no fighting amongst the herds……

[Georgia_Peaches]

6 hours ago, icft said:

I can understand your frustration. In the past Carnival provided an experience you quite enjoyed and now they have taken that away. We have similar frustration.

 

But I have to ask, don't most bathrooms smell like a toilet?

Not in my experience. 

[cyntil8ing]

3 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

, as well as the way too many drunks staggering about the ship causing even more problems. I have never seen anything like that on Celebrity, no herds, no drunks, and definitely no fighting amongst the herds……

Oh, it happens! People are people everywhere. We are currently on Celebrity Millennium. Yesterday afternoon, a guy was telling us that he was so drunk the night before, his suite butler had to come help him get back to his room. Late last night, we saw him just sitting in the casino, not at a table or slot machine, but just sitting, and drinking. I expect his butler had to do it again! 
 

At dinner last night, two tables near ours were so loud that we told our waiter we were going to leave to go to the buffet. The manager came over and promised that their service would suddenly become so fast and efficient that they would be out of the restaurant in no time. And it was true! They put down their forks, the plates disappeared and the next course arrived. They all of a sudden became so busy eating, they were no longer yelling. We stayed and had a nice, leisurely dinner.

 

Free premium drink packages with suites can lead to bad behavior! I always share that the one and only fight I have ever seen onboard a ship was in the upper level of the dining room of the Celebrity Summit. I thought someone was going to go over the railing!

[crewsweeper]

Every cruise line has reviews on these boards that are upbeat. positive , rah! rah!.  And every cruise line on these boards has reviews that downers, bad service, horrible food, overcharging, etc.

 

IMO a cruise is what you make it.  Expecting a 5-star full service, half empty cruise with stellar food and entertainment for a low price is a pipedream.  We all have selective memory of good and bad things on ships. Some of these get overblown. 

 

Each ship is different.  Each sailing on each ship is different. Each cruiser's expectations are different.  No one is forcing anyone to sail only one single line or ship for multiple cruises. Don't like your experience on a ship or with a cruise line, want to try another, you're free to sail about the world.

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

19 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

As a longtime Carnival customer, Diamond with 50+ cruises, I’m personally disgusted with the current state of affairs on Carnival ships. Just take a look at all the comments from Carnival customers that really want to cruise with them, but can no longer stomach the crap shoveled out that’s supposed to be food. The horrible customer service, bathrooms that smell like a toilet……it’s like going to a concert and pissing in a trough. 
So, with that said, my DW and I have been moving over to Celebrity. Yes, it will cost you more! But you will get so much more for your money. It’s like cruising used to be…….quality, class, and caring. I recently saw a comment that sums it up best “death by a thousand cuts” all brought on by Carnival because they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for. I realize that some people will disagree and that’s OK, but for the rest that really want to enjoy cruising again like it was, take a look at Celebrity………amazing!

 

 

I hear ya ... though, it is across all lines I suppose. I've been Diamond since the program began. "Death by a Thousand Cuts" --- thread I started on the Celebrity boards.  I discovered Celebrity about 15 years ago, and I recall hearing from the old timers there how they'd been going downhill since purchased by Royal. 

 

I am pleased across multiple lines that, at least, the ships are getting nicer/larger, and have more "things"! But yes, it's the little things we give up - or that are taken - over time that eat away at the experience. 

 

I recall when Carnival had live music in the Supper Clubs (prior to the Steakhouse). I recall when, even in the MDR, the presentation and service were at a higher level. Looking for a sommelier? forget it!

 

They giveth, and they taketh !!!

 

Tom

[staceyglow]

4 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Not in my experience. 

Also, in almost every case, that can be fixed by pouring a little water down the drains. That prevents the smelly air from drifting up from the sanitation tanks.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

17 hours ago, evandbob said:

I'm Diamond Carnival and receive some of their casino discounts for premier and elite sailings. Once we started cruising Celebrity, we got casino fares of just taxes, fees and gratuities for mid ship mid deck balcony cabins on their newest ships.

 

With free casino offers from Celebrity, we've only sailed Carnival on MG twice in the last year, while taking 6 Celebrity sailings that totalled less than 1 on the MG!.

 

They've become stingier (Celebrity/Blue Chip Club) with me. Whereas previously I could book a suite and get 60% off (Read: week in a RS on the Reflection for ~$5k), now it's 10% off, if that. I still get the free balcony offers - even getting one a couple of weeks ago while on the Reflection - but passed on it as they could not come up with a good offer to upgrade to a suite. 

 

Ebb and flow !!

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

13 hours ago, icft said:

😂🤣 I feel your pain.

 

We just got off a Carnival cruise and were amazed at how many extended groups were on board. These herds stretched across the entire hall or walkway sauntering along occasionally all stopping and just standing there while the contenders for boss loudly cursed each other out arguing about where to go. It was mainly just disgusting.

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival IS the line for family reunions !

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

11 hours ago, MJSailors said:

Not necessarily a departure announcement by the OP.  Their initial post was their opinion of the Carnival product and that of Celebrity.

 

A clean bathroom does not smell like a used toilet. If the steward gave the cabin bathroom a thorough cleaning, there would be no toilet smell.

 

MJ🙋🏻

 

I do notice it more on Carnival - even after our cabin has been serviced for the day, it's as if they took the same wet towel to multiple toilets, and wiped ours down with it. It often looks clean, but tends to smell like a latrine. I've probably had "smelly" bathrooms a couple of dozen times on Carnival. It is by no means isolated.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

5 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

...

As a matter of fact, we continue to try and sail with Carnival. We are booked this week for the Christmas cruise on the Mardi Gras. We are sincerely hoping that on their new ships that they do a better job, although I’m seeing mixed reviews for the ship, still a lot of the same issues especially the food in the buffets and main dining rooms, but we will see.

...

 

Make sure to arrive at the port early, and bring your patience pants! According to an article I just read in our local paper (Florida Today), the port will be breaking their all time passenger count (boarding and debarks)  on 12/24 with 52,000 passengers... Only to be topped again the following Saturday, 12/31, with 57,000 passengers. Also know that the ships will be PACKED.

 

It is going to be a ZOO !!

 

We're sneaking in/back around those dates - leaving on the Liberty 4-nt this Thursday, returning the day after Christmas.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 hours ago, cyntil8ing said:

... I always share that the one and only fight I have ever seen onboard a ship was in the upper level of the dining room of the Celebrity Summit. I thought someone was going to go over the railing!

Ours was on the Sensation - watched a guy get pummeled on the Lido deck (viewed from our cabin). No matter where it happens, it's sad to see people getting to this point.

 

Tom

[Raysgirl]

20 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

As a longtime Carnival customer, Diamond with 50+ cruises, I’m personally disgusted with the current state of affairs on Carnival ships. Just take a look at all the comments from Carnival customers that really want to cruise with them, but can no longer stomach the crap shoveled out that’s supposed to be food. The horrible customer service, bathrooms that smell like a toilet……it’s like going to a concert and pissing in a trough. 
So, with that said, my DW and I have been moving over to Celebrity. Yes, it will cost you more! But you will get so much more for your money. It’s like cruising used to be…….quality, class, and caring. I recently saw a comment that sums it up best “death by a thousand cuts” all brought on by Carnival because they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for. I realize that some people will disagree and that’s OK, but for the rest that really want to enjoy cruising again like it was, take a look at Celebrity………amazing!

 

We are in total agreement with you.  I had posted a couple months ago saying "I thought I would never say it", but we have booked a cruise with another cruise line.  We are platinum on Carnival and never cruise on any other line and have decided to try NCL.  We cruised on Carnival 3 times since the restart and were disappointed with all 3.  The service and food have gone down hill.   They differently seem to focus on getting new people on the ship with cheap fares that have no idea what is was like before.   I do have 2 more cruises booked on Carnival that we will be taking and hopefully will have a good time (it is what you make of it), but after that we are going to try a few other lines to see what they have to offer.  Hope you enjoy your cruise on Celebrity!!

 

[Raysgirl]

20 hours ago, RoperDK said:

We are long time Carnival cruisers.  Before COVID we were increasingly unhappy with food quality and reduced staffing leading to long lines for drinks and poor cabin servicing.  Of course, after COVID things got even worse.  While we haven't totally given up on Carnival, we have enjoyed cruising on Royal.  Princess is a bit too subdued for us.  We have a Celebrity cruise booked and are looking forward to seeing how we like it.  I think trying new experiences is a good thing.  It helps you find your sweet spot and that does change as we get older and aren't cruising with the entire family anymore.   

This is the exact experience we had since the restart.  Long lines for drinks, smaller portions of food and overall quality of it went down hill.   We normally didn't get the drink package, but 2 of these 3 we did due to price and it seemed like since they already got your money, lets not worry about service.  It was so hard to get a drink anywhere.    We are trying NCL in March and hoping for a better experience. 

[jimbo5544]

On 12/19/2022 at 5:38 PM, pzsdd6 said:

As a longtime Carnival customer, Diamond with 50+ cruises, I’m personally disgusted with the current state of affairs on Carnival ships. Just take a look at all the comments from Carnival customers that really want to cruise with them, but can no longer stomach the crap shoveled out that’s supposed to be food. The horrible customer service, bathrooms that smell like a toilet……it’s like going to a concert and pissing in a trough. 
So, with that said, my DW and I have been moving over to Celebrity. Yes, it will cost you more! But you will get so much more for your money. It’s like cruising used to be…….quality, class, and caring. I recently saw a comment that sums it up best “death by a thousand cuts” all brought on by Carnival because they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for. I realize that some people will disagree and that’s OK, but for the rest that really want to enjoy cruising again like it was, take a look at Celebrity………amazing!

 

Totally different clientele and experience.  We have 49 Carnival cruises under our belt and 5 scheduled and a Celebrity a year from January.  A;; that said, we cruise 6 times on Carnival in the last 15 months and feel most of food is exactly the same.  Enjoy Celebrity.

[NutsAboutGolf]

X food has gone downhill yet some items were never speculator to begin with...

CCL's Guys Burgers blows away the burgers at X's Mast Grill

CCL's hot dog while not great are at least edible, not so at the Mast Grill

CCL's melting cake and C-Bang cake (which is reportedly the same recipe as the melting cake with more flour) blow all X's complimentary desserts

CCL's Big Chicken has better chicken than any chicken dish on X

CCL's BBQ/P&A has better BBQ than many of the land based restaurants near me and is better than many of X's dishes

 

With X, both the MDR and buffet are better than CCL but nothing to write home about.  IMO, the MDR/buffet food quality is below a typical chain restaurant like the Outback or Applebees.  X's food presentation and service are great and are a few steps above carnival, it's just the taste and/or textures leaves a lot to be desired and lately they're been overcooking things more often

 

 

Just an example of X's food...Spanish (Barcelona) Veggie Paella isn't a super unique dish yet someone picked out this style of paella to "elevate".  Coincidently, veggie paella is the cheapest style of paella to make while the traditional version with seafood is the most expensive

[toledo_cruiser]

On 12/19/2022 at 7:08 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

  Now that they are off the payroll, we are free to explore more "extravagant" cruising options.  We like Celebrity ok but not gonna lie, MSC is our new go-to..

I agree. I've only had one MSC cruise (pre-Covid), but I enjoyed it to the point I want to go back. Just got off the Mardi Gras and it was okay, I just wasn't overwhelmed. Too many people.

[BlerkOne]

Celebrity does have tablecloths. To date, I have never eaten a tablecloth.

[sc4125]

I will turn Diamond on my next CCL cruise.  I've always had a good time because I ignore what I don't like.  I'll admit that there seem to be quite a few large, loud groups on Carnival, but I try to remember I too was young once and let it go.

 

I have been getting very good casino deals this past year and I am taking advantage of them while they last - have 6 cruises scheduled this year - great way to celebrate the fact that I have retired.  

 

I have seen a decrease in service at almost every service-oriented business since COVID - that includes CCL.

 

I don't have anything against trying another line - but if I'm paying a premium price, I would expect premium service.  For my next 6 cruises I will be getting a balcony (paying taxes and port charges), $1,000 in free casino play and free drinks everywhere on the ship.  My sister gets the same deals and we have been able to book separate cabins without having to pay double.  Yes, I spend time in the casino but no more time than I always have in the past (actually less due to retiring).  I know deals this good will soon go away, but until they do - I'll keep ignoring the things that bug me, accept the fact that service everywhere has suffered, and have a great time.

[ChuckF]

We tried Celebrity once, a few years ago to try and "upscale" our fellow cruisers. Boy, did we.  I think the only people we talked to, or talked to us, was our tablemates in the MDR. Celebrity is the line you take if you want to go on a cruise and be left alone. And, it was pretty much dead after 10 - 11 PM. Went to hear a jazz band play and we were the only ones there.  Never in my life have I closed down a casino, except on the Celebrity ship. About 1 AM they came around announcing the casino was closing. I don't generally hang around in the casino very late, but that is the only time in my life I saw one close. So, if you enjoy going on a cruise and meeting new people, not being the only ones on a dancefloor, and having some nightlife, Celebrity might not be the line for you. We'll stick with the Fun Ships. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

31 minutes ago, ChuckF said:

We tried Celebrity once, a few years ago to try and "upscale" our fellow cruisers....

 

The very first Celebrity cruise we took had a POLKA band outside the main dining room (near the champagne/martini bar area). Fortunately, those days are in the past!

 

Tom

[Crazy planning mom]

1 hour ago, ChuckF said:

We tried Celebrity once, a few years ago to try and "upscale" our fellow cruisers. Boy, did we.  I think the only people we talked to, or talked to us, was our tablemates in the MDR. Celebrity is the line you take if you want to go on a cruise and be left alone. And, it was pretty much dead after 10 - 11 PM. Went to hear a jazz band play and we were the only ones there.  Never in my life have I closed down a casino, except on the Celebrity ship. About 1 AM they came around announcing the casino was closing. I don't generally hang around in the casino very late, but that is the only time in my life I saw one close. So, if you enjoy going on a cruise and meeting new people, not being the only ones on a dancefloor, and having some nightlife, Celebrity might not be the line for you. We'll stick with the Fun Ships. 

They are trying and succeeding in getting younger people with Edge class.

[Crazy planning mom]

23 hours ago, Raysgirl said:

We are in total agreement with you.  I had posted a couple months ago saying "I thought I would never say it", but we have booked a cruise with another cruise line.  We are platinum on Carnival and never cruise on any other line and have decided to try NCL.  We cruised on Carnival 3 times since the restart and were disappointed with all 3.  The service and food have gone down hill.   They differently seem to focus on getting new people on the ship with cheap fares that have no idea what is was like before.   I do have 2 more cruises booked on Carnival that we will be taking and hopefully will have a good time (it is what you make of it), but after that we are going to try a few other lines to see what they have to offer.  Hope you enjoy your cruise on Celebrity!!

 

We sailed on NCL in October.  We enjoyed it very much.  We dont stick to 1 line and like to try different things.

[Crazy planning mom]

4 hours ago, sc4125 said:

I will turn Diamond on my next CCL cruise.  I've always had a good time because I ignore what I don't like.  I'll admit that there seem to be quite a few large, loud groups on Carnival, but I try to remember I too was young once and let it go.

 

I have been getting very good casino deals this past year and I am taking advantage of them while they last - have 6 cruises scheduled this year - great way to celebrate the fact that I have retired.  

 

I have seen a decrease in service at almost every service-oriented business since COVID - that includes CCL.

 

I don't have anything against trying another line - but if I'm paying a premium price, I would expect premium service.  For my next 6 cruises I will be getting a balcony (paying taxes and port charges), $1,000 in free casino play and free drinks everywhere on the ship.  My sister gets the same deals and we have been able to book separate cabins without having to pay double.  Yes, I spend time in the casino but no more time than I always have in the past (actually less due to retiring).  I know deals this good will soon go away, but until they do - I'll keep ignoring the things that bug me, accept the fact that service everywhere has suffered, and have a great time.

With Royal Caribbean, if you sail on Celebrity, they match your status.  Why doesn't Carnival do that with Princess?

[NutsAboutGolf]

Just now, Crazy planning mom said:

With Royal Caribbean, if you sail on Celebrity, they match your status.  Why doesn't Carnival do that with Princess?

 

We all most likely know the answer, it's a money grab

[BlerkOne]

21 minutes ago, Crazy planning mom said:

With Royal Caribbean, if you sail on Celebrity, they match your status.  Why doesn't Carnival do that with Princess?

Most Princess cruisers don't want to sail on Carnival?