Gerry Cahill sent a lovely Email response

[Name game]

The cost of everything has gone up this year. Has anyone tried to buy food? I still think cruising gives people the best bang for their buck.

 

As someone who often pays the single supplement to have my own cabin, I'll be doing inside cabins instead of outside or balcony (which to be honest doesn't make a bit of difference to me). I'm still a loyal Carnival customer and probably will be forever.

[BrendaB1]

This is not something they announce but it's obvious if you look at what they are doing. The refurbishments that include the family waterworks etc.. They want to move Carnival to the "family choice". Regarding singles it certianly makes sense. They spend less on average while on a cruise so increasing the supplement just makes sense. Further they want families not singles. Further I think common sense tells you single cruisers are going to be more of the party mode than families so I think common sense tells you they probably have more problems not less with this type of cruiser

 

That's funny because most families couldn't afford the amount I spend on a ship....considering gambling, alcohol & extra tips. :eek: I may owe the national debt at the end of the cruise....but I enjoy every penny of it. :p

[cruisecastle]

I hate to pop the bubble on your "facts", but Carnival owns several "upscale" cruise lines. If the exec's motives were as you imagine, they would be renaming the Fantasy class vessels as they rotate through drydock to the "Seabourne Inspiration" and the "Seabourne Imagination", etc. ;) :D

 

Ever think about posting references to your "facts?

 

Don't be so extreme. They aren't trying to make carnival upscale and nobody said they were. They are trying to make it as family friendly as possible and eliminate as much of the 5-10% of troublemakes as they can.

[Name game]

Any cruise line is going to have some trouble makers. I don't think Carnival deserves the "party" reputation that it has. I've gone on Carnival with my mother (who's in her 70's) and she loved it. I've been on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian and saw drunk party people there as well. I like that Carnival is not "upscale" (like Crystal or Queen Mary). I like being comfortable and laid back. I see nothing trashy or low class about Carnival at all.

[skylock]

The goal is reduce the number of solo cruisers as they cost the line revenues. Further, one of the goals is to try and change the "type" of person that cruises Carnival. For years Carnival has been frustrated that despite the changes they have made they can't shake the riff-raff/trouble making/white-trash/ portion of their passenger make-up. What they immediately learned when they started cruising in europe is that higher prices is the number one weapon to remove this element while not deterring the type of passengers they really want. In my opinion Carnival's prices are too low and an increase will only improve the overall cruise experience. The make up of the passengers on our Spirit cruise last week was the best I've ever seen on a domestic Carnival cruise and probably the ideal from Carnivals perspective.

 

Further, the lies posted on here about more staff being unhappy is not true. Just off the Spirit last week and the crew was great, dining room service was superb and most crew members I spoke with were planning to re-up. Some people are basically being asked (via higher prices) not to come back and that is upsetting some and creating posters with an agenda/ax to grind against Carnival.

 

The Carnival cruise experience is better today than it's ever been.

 

 

I totally disagree with that.

 

My last 2 cruises (within the last 6 months) I find the dining room experience different. I am not saying it was bad. We were served in a fairly timely manner and every request was taken care of, but the service did seem slower and I know for a fact we did not get the one on one attention I have been used to by our waiters. It just seemed like they had more peope to wait on. The first time I thought maybe someone was out sick, and pretty much thought that the last time until I started noticing other people was thinking service had changed too. Now I think dining room staffing levels have been cut. And if they cut them futher, it will totally take away a really big part of what makes cruising special. I will make my mind up on this on my next cruise.

[luckycruzer]

You are right, but tell me, do you enjoy paying the higher prices since Cahill took over?

 

Will I stop cruising? nope but I will have to not go as often.

 

 

IT IS WHAT IT IS

[Snorkel2Much]

Don't be so extreme. They aren't trying to make carnival upscale and nobody said they were. They are trying to make it as family friendly as possible and eliminate as much of the 5-10% of troublemakes as they can.

{bolding mine}

 

I find your bolded comment above quite hilarious given the contents of the other posts you've made in this thread.

 

Happy trolling to you then, I'm done. ;)

[NCTribeFan]

Our service was fantastic on the Miracle in December and there did not appear to be any shortage of staff, anywhere.

 

I don't want one-on-one attention from the staff. I want efficiency, not grovelling suck-ups who are just after increased tips!

 

I don't even want to meet my cabin steward. I just want the room cleaned, fresh towels, and responses to any of my needs, which are usually non-existent!

 

And please stop with the "bean counter" crap. We don't want a CEO who has a clue about finances, do we? We want Mr. Smiling Marketing Executive who will promise us the world and make everyone feel good!

 

You think your Canival cruises aren't up to snuff? So don't sail. If/when I decide my vacation dollars would be better spent doing other things than cruising, I'll do other things.

 

It's a public company. They have responsibilities to their shareholders. They also have responsibilities to their customers. It's something that public companies that provide services have to deal with all the time.

[Snorkel2Much]

(snip)...You think your Canival cruises aren't up to snuff? So don't sail. If/when I decide my vacation dollars would be better spent doing other things than cruising, I'll do other things.

 

It's a public company. They have responsibilities to their shareholders. They also have responsibilities to their customers. It's something that public companies that provide services have to deal with all the time.

God forbid someone should post any criticism of a cruise line on a forum named "CruiseCritic". :rolleyes:

[terri910]

Well, there are valid points made by posters here, on both "sides" of this issue.

 

But I will say that I became a bit concerned when I read that Cahill was named CEO. "Bean counter" is EXACTLY what my husband and I thought -- and worry about.

 

We used to go to Las Vegas quite often, some years back. Even for family vacations. You could stay in a nice hotel and eat cheap. Of course this was when the....ummm...."families" were said to run the various Las Vegas hotels. They made the rooms and the food as inexpensive as possible, knowing they would make it up in the casinos. Then, slowly, bean counters were put in charge, and the bottom line of each and every department, not just the overall bottom line, was scrutinized and the squeeze put on each of these departments. All the bargains that drew us to Las Vegas are now gone. We've only gone on business trips, to visit friends, or for a wedding for the last....gosh....probably 15 years, and we used to go regularly.

 

That's what we fear is going to happen at Carnival.

 

I'm willing to wait and see, and we've always been pretty loyal to Carnival, considering it a good value and a good fit for us (not too rowdy and not too hoity-toity). But we're not married to Carnival (although we will finally be Platinum on our next cruise), and if it changes too drastically and is no longer a good value or a good fit, we'll look for what is.

[terri910]

Oh.....and I'm not overly impressed that someone replies to an email they've received in their personal email.

 

Give me the man's email and I'll let you know if he replies to me.

[Name game]

That's what we fear is going to happen at Carnival.

 

I'm willing to wait and see, and we've always been pretty loyal to Carnival, considering it a good value and a good fit for us (not too rowdy and not too hoity-toity). But we're not married to Carnival (although we will finally be Platinum on our next cruise), and if it changes too drastically and is no longer a good value or a good fit, we'll look for what is.

 

I agree with everything you wrote. I am very loyal to Carnival right now. If things change drastically, then my loyalty might change as well. I am going to have the "wait and see" attitude since it's out of my hands anyway.

[iluvdoxies]

I have to agree with Brenda also, All I want you to do is ask the crew, no one is happy onboard carnival ships. Alot of the crew is leaving this year, most are jumping ship and heading to other cruiselines that has nothing to do with Carnival. This guy is a head hunter. I got a very good sense immediately from the crew when I talked to them.

 

Oh and one last thing, check out the dining room the next time you go and see how thin its getting with less dining staff. These crewmen are working double shift because of cut backs.

 

A letter written and sent by Gerry Staff is not going to change my mind about him. I didnt like this guy from day one, Uncle Bob was a people person, we really need him back

 

Fred

 

 

Boy, do I agree Fred.

[luckycruzer]

Oh.....and I'm not overly impressed that someone replies to an email they've received in their personal email.

 

Give me the man's email and I'll let you know if he replies to me.

 

and I will gladly give it to you, dear, and I'll hapilly fwd the one sent to, and the response...theeangel at juno dot com..wasnt meant to impress dear, just doing some late, and heartfelt thank yous

[luckycruzer]

yesterday, they were $2.09..a penny a day upcharge...forrrr shame..how many will complain about that? hmmmm

[dan40]

Good points, BUT, Carnival's labor cost is the lowest thing they have going. They put it on the pax to pay the help so to speak. By cutting this low cost labor, they are cutting their throats if you ask me. If you are waited on hand and foot and in a timely manor, you don't miss some of the other things. And I think all of us that have cruised lately have noticed decreased service in the dining room. My last two cruises, the slide was open only for a very very short time. (No employee to spare there?)

 

As for me, I will continue to cruise my short cruises because it is cheaper than airfare to where I want to go, but if the price gets closer together, I will definately do land vacation. My next AI in puerto vallarta including air for 2 is $2650 in June. And that includes EVERYTHING for 7 nights. Airport transfers, all meals. Up to 5 excursions, all tips, all drinks (alcohol too), water sports, nightly entertainment. spa treatments, daily activiries, the lot in a deluxe suite with balcony, 2 person jacuzzi bath, daily stocked fridge and stocked bar in the room plus 24 hour room service and it is right on the beach where there is drink/snack service (included). They bring you a bottle of wine to your table every night. All included. They even provide your personal items ie shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, sewing kit, house slippers, razors, shave cream, and more I can't even remember.

 

I have no idea what that would cost me on a cruise, but I know it would be more than I am paying. When I want a really nice vacation, I will do AI in Mexico. When I want to go diving only I will cruise (if the price stays right).

 

skylock and I agree on next to nothing, but in this case I have to agree. It makes no sense to cut hotel staff [dining room servers] that make tips as their primary income. The only money saved by CCL is the small salary and food costs of these people. While the bennies they provide in good will for the cruiseline are enormous. That's swallowing elephants and choking on gnats. Just d.u.m.b.

 

Dan

[Longin2cruise]

Today I paid $11.29 for a 2 lb. can of coffee!!

[luckycruzer]

might I come over, and we'll have one together.?..we are still paying for what we desire, I repeat..it is, what it is...it is allllll a choice. and I wanted the eggs!

[tnsail]

skylock and I agree on next to nothing, but in this case I have to agree. It makes no sense to cut hotel staff [dining room servers] that make tips as their primary income. The only money saved by CCL is the small salary and food costs of these people. While the bennies they provide in good will for the cruiseline are enormous. That's swallowing elephants and choking on gnats. Just d.u.m.b.

 

Dan

 

I agree, again, I didn't say it was the right thing to do.... It is at best a knee jerk reaction to show that "See I've cut cost Mr./ Ms. Fund Manager".... Will it hurt moral of the employees? YES... Whenever anyone is ask to take on more work for the same pay your not going to find a bunch of happy campers..... Do I forsee Carnival's cruise price go up? YES... But I don't see them sailing with half full ships either.... They will continue to run the same business model for cruise sales as they do now, its just the starting price might be $50 pp higher... If the sales of cruises slows then the price lowers, if it is brisk it goes up..... The same as it is today....

 

In the end it will be the customer (cruisers like us) who decide wheather this succeeds or not. By continuing to cruise or not.... That's the real bottom line.....

 

Joey

[hubofhockey]

I have to agree with Brenda also, All I want you to do is ask the crew, no one is happy onboard carnival ships. Alot of the crew is leaving this year, most are jumping ship and heading to other cruiselines that has nothing to do with Carnival. This guy is a head hunter. I got a very good sense immediately from the crew when I talked to them.

 

Oh and one last thing, check out the dining room the next time you go and see how thin its getting with less dining staff. These crewmen are working double shift because of cut backs.

 

A letter written and sent by Gerry Staff is not going to change my mind about him. I didnt like this guy from day one, Uncle Bob was a people person, we really need him back.

 

 

 

Fred

 

Cahill has an accounting background and they wouldn't have put him in that position if the believed their bottom line was doing as well as it should have. I still think he was the one who originally didn't want to budge on the fuel refund until the Florida AG put pressure on him and he believed the legal cost to fight it and the negative publicity wasn't worth it.

[big_duck]

I hate to pop the bubble on your "facts", but Carnival owns several "upscale" cruise lines. If the exec's motives were as you imagine, they would be renaming the Fantasy class vessels as they rotate through drydock to the "Seabourne Inspiration" and the "Seabourne Imagination", etc. ;) :D

 

Ever think about posting references to your "facts?

 

Since this thread is about Uncle Gerry.

 

One must not confuse Carnival Corp with Carnival Cruise Lines. Uncle Gerry is the CEO of just CCL (though he sits on the board of the corp).

 

Mickey runs the big show.

 

I don't think anyone is thinking about putting water parks on the QM anytime soon. ;)

[skylock]

skylock and I agree on next to nothing, but in this case I have to agree. It makes no sense to cut hotel staff [dining room servers] that make tips as their primary income. The only money saved by CCL is the small salary and food costs of these people. While the bennies they provide in good will for the cruiseline are enormous. That's swallowing elephants and choking on gnats. Just d.u.m.b.

 

Dan

 

Hell will surely freeze over tonight.:)

 

I agree, again, I didn't say it was the right thing to do.... It is at best a knee jerk reaction to show that "See I've cut cost Mr./ Ms. Fund Manager".... Will it hurt moral of the employees? YES... Whenever anyone is ask to take on more work for the same pay your not going to find a bunch of happy campers..... Do I forsee Carnival's cruise price go up? YES... But I don't see them sailing with half full ships either.... They will continue to run the same business model for cruise sales as they do now, its just the starting price might be $50 pp higher... If the sales of cruises slows then the price lowers, if it is brisk it goes up..... The same as it is today....

 

In the end it will be the customer (cruisers like us) who decide wheather this succeeds or not. By continuing to cruise or not.... That's the real bottom line.....

 

Joey

 

Exactly, and I would be willing to pay a bit more for the same level of service I am used to, but if it gets worse than my last two cruises AND the price goes up, I will choose another option. So they are cutting the cheapest resource to save a dime, but people like me will not pay more and get less.

They will continue to attract new cruisers. And I will wish them well, they will never get another dime from me if service is cut in one more way if at the same time the price cont to rise. And they are rising. Otherwise I would be going this weekend, but I couldn't find a cruise in my price range and that is unusual.

[cruisecastle]

I totally disagree with that.

 

My last 2 cruises (within the last 6 months) I find the dining room experience different. I am not saying it was bad. We were served in a fairly timely manner and every request was taken care of, but the service did seem slower and I know for a fact we did not get the one on one attention I have been used to by our waiters. It just seemed like they had more peope to wait on. The first time I thought maybe someone was out sick, and pretty much thought that the last time until I started noticing other people was thinking service had changed too. Now I think dining room staffing levels have been cut. And if they cut them futher, it will totally take away a really big part of what makes cruising special. I will make my mind up on this on my next cruise.

 

You can disagree all you want but you will be wrong. Food is better than ever. Service is better than ever including the dining room. Value is better and the crowd on board is better. The only thing that bothers me is they have quit giving out the final night print in the dining room but I will be contacting Carnival about that soon

[CatgirlNC]

The only thing that bothers me is they have quit giving out the final night print in the dining room but I will be contacting Carnival about that soon

 

Awwww....they did? :(

 

I know I didn't get one on Celebration in October, but I just chalked it up to it being the Celebration, or only a 4-nighter. But I got them on my other two cruises, and I used them for the Title page when I made my scrapbooks. I take one print, cut it down to fit on a 12X12 page, and then take a second one and cut around the outline of the ship itself. I adhere the ship to the background layer with a thick foam adhesive, causing it to be raised off the page about an eighth of an inch. I don't think my description does it justice, but it creates a very interesting 3-D look, and I was looking forward to making more cover pages for future scrapbooks.

[tnsail]

Awwww....they did? :(

 

I know I didn't get one on Celebration in October, but I just chalked it up to it being the Celebration, or only a 4-nighter. But I got them on my other two cruises, and I used them for the Title page when I made my scrapbooks. I take one print, cut it down to fit on a 12X12 page, and then take a second one and cut around the outline of the ship itself. I adhere the ship to the background layer with a thick foam adhesive, causing it to be raised off the page about an eighth of an inch. I don't think my description does it justice, but it creates a very interesting 3-D look, and I was looking forward to making more cover pages for future scrapbooks.

 

We had to ask when we were on the Holiday in October.... It was a picture of a Fantasy class ship with the Holiday scribbled on the side..:rolleyes: ... But they coughed one up when we ask for it....

 

Joey