charlesjoy Posted March 28, 2009 #76 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I agree. No way for Carnival again. Not my cup of tea. There is a thread on the Carnival board about all the people stating that they were moving from Royal Caribbean to Carnival. Some state that they did not notice a difference. Those are the same ones that think eating at Golden Corral is fine dining.:rolleyes:http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=956165 Guess we must be one of those as we eat at Golden Corral about once a week and like it. We also like RCI and Carnival but Carnival has the best price so that's were we will be next. Hope they have some good Golden Corral food onboard:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted March 28, 2009 #77 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I would like to know where the money gained from all the cutbacks is going? Does RCCL need it for legitamite expenses or are they funding bonuses by cutting back services 2 loyal customers????? WE will be watching RCCL and if things get worse will try another line. P.S. when we booked on LOS july 2009 we got $100 credit onboard per cabin. as of yesterday still on the invoice. Let's see:mad::mad: Considering that they are forecasting that they will lose money in the first quarter this year, I think they do need to cut costs and service to survive (i.e. the expenses are legtitimate). I think this particular cut however may not have been prudent as it likely will drive significant people away and may end up costing more than it saves them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eroller Posted March 28, 2009 #78 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I'm really surprised to read how much weight people put into these past passenger programs. Personally I find most of it a bunch of fluff, and it really doesn't persuade me in any way to be loyal to one line. I pretty much sail on all the lines, and I have reached the higher loyalty levels on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess, NCL, and Cunard. I have also sailed quite frequently on HAL and a few times on Silversea. The only loyalty benefit I found that had real value is on Princess and Cunard. They used to give unlimited free internet access for Platinum members, but now it's down to four hours I believe which is still quite generous. Coming in second, the balcony discount on Royal Caribbean. That is real money. All this talk about the Concierge Club. Who cares. Do I really want to spend any time in a lounge with no windows (on many of the ships) where I may or may not get a seat, and the drinks are watered down? I think not. I don't consider it a benefit at all and although I've peaked my head in, I've never spent any time in these lounges. The rest of the ship is too beautiful to hole myself up in this cubby hole. The worst loyalty programs? HAL, NCL, and Carnival without question. For many years Carnival didn't even have one. You had a "past guest number" which really entitled you to nothing. Now they have expanded the program but it's still nothing special. On HAL you get absolutely nothing, expect a tile, a pin (when you reach the next level), and a Mariner Club party. The fact that these lines don't give you a whole lot doesn't bother me. I will still cruise on them if the ship, ports, and price is right. My point is that I pick a cruise based on my overall enjoyment of the line, the ships, and the itinerary. Do I have favorites? Absolutely but I think it's a little crazy to base your entire vacation decision on what lousy free perks you will get. Just my opinion. Ernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eroller Posted March 28, 2009 #79 Share Posted March 28, 2009 It seems to be struggling, refusing to acknowledge economic realities - how is it that Celebrity is very sensibly moderating prices to fill the ships but RCCL somehow thinks that refusing to lower its base price makes sense? Is it superior to its other mainstream competitors? You have things backwards. Celebrity has much more difficulty filling it's ships compared to Royal Caribbean. The fact is that Royal Caribbean has higher yields because the demand is there. All those innovations that RCI incorporates into their ships cost a lot of money. Thankfully in one way it's paying off because people are willing to pay more to sail on these ships. Celebrity is supposed to be the "premium" brand, just as HAL likes to tout itself as "premium". The problem is that people are not willing to pay more for premium and frankly the experience is not that different. The CEO's of these lines will tell you that their product is a bargain and way under-valued, and it is. More often than not, it's more expensive to sail on Royal Caribbean over Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America. This is a good thing for RCI, but not so good for the so-called premium lines. If RCI can sustain higher pricing over the competitors, then more power to them. Ernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eroller Posted March 28, 2009 #80 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I realize Princess is Carnival corp., but from my research, their ships' decor is much more muted and eye-pleasing :) Yes, the Princess decor is so muted it's a big yawn. This being said, overall they have an excellent product. I just find their ships a bit boring compared to lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Once you have sailed on one Princess ship, you pretty much have sailed them all. The interior fitting-out is pretty much the same across the entire fleet, right down to the carpet patterns and light fixtures. Consistency is something Princess does very well if like that sort of thing. In regards to Carnival, their ships are not as bright in person as you would like to imagine. If fact the decor tends to be very dark. The Carnival ships are certainly best viewed at night. While the decor tends to be dark and designed for evening viewing, I will admit there are a lot of lights to brighten things up. Personally I find the food and service superior compared to Royal Caribbean, but I really don't like the layout of Carnival ships. The Destiny/Conquest Class, which makes up the majority of the Carnival fleet, are the worst laid out, and most crowded feeling ships I have ever sailed. The pools are very small and deck space is quite limited. When I sail on Carnival, it's pretty much the Spirit Class and these ships are quite nice but still nothing compared to Royal Caribbean. Ernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TahoeBob Posted March 29, 2009 #81 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Some state that they did not notice a difference. Those are the same ones that think eating at Golden Corral is fine dining.:rolleyes:] And this is a problem for you how. I have booked my first carnival cruise for this november so I have been reading the carnival board for some time now. I find it very strange that people like you feel the need to keep bashing carnival. I also have found that there are many more people who post on the RCI board who bash carnival, than people on the carnival board that bash RCI. I guess some who feel the need to bash Carnival all the time just think they are better than others. I love this little story I heard some time ago. There was this man who was on a airplane sitting in first class and being very demanding and wanted what he wanted now, all because he paid for a first class seat. A elderly gentleman walked by and overheard this man telling everyone how he demanded service because he was in first class. All the elderly gentleman said to the loud mouth was "Sir first class is not a place in the airplane" as he tapped his heart and walked to his seat in coach. Now I don't think you will a clue what I am talking about and thats ok, because if someone likes Golden Corral who am I to tell them any different. you on the other hand feel the need to tell others how bad Golden Corral is. Just remember that being on a cruise line that you perceive as higher class does not make anyone a higher class person. So just keep on cruising on RCI and go on and think you are sailing on a higher class line but please do remember this "first class is not a place in the ship" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHADEN Posted March 29, 2009 #82 Share Posted March 29, 2009 am I missing something? Is the only change that D members arent getting concierge access...I know its significant to some but are there other changes? lets list all the bad PR moves: reduced stockholder discounts immersion cruises on short notice moving ships around & messing up schedules.. reserved pool (& theater?) seating for only suites... The Royal Champions room service fees Extra charge for "better" steaks in the MDR (really tacky!) giving the shaft to Diamonds.... ...... RCI has been working hard at taking away benefits, cutting back on-board budgets, increasing prices of drinks and wine on-board, etc etc. It almost seems like that they are doing everything possible to drive away their best customers. Meanwhile, some of their competitors have managed to maintain or even improve quality. ..... the latest RCI policies will drive many to try Princess, HA, Celebrity (a good think for RCI) and some of the other options. I wonder how many younger cruisers with 2 -20 RCI cruises under their belt will now try other lines...especially when the other lines are using more agressive pricing tactics. We both have met many cruisers who were crusing RCI to get to Diamond, and now many of them will go elsewhere out of curiosity, some anger, and for better pricing. Hank VERY WELL SAID, HANK!! I posted this on another thread about "giving the shaft to Diamonds", and it fits here: The Daimond/D+ members ARE the ones who visit one or two times per year!! (verses those who may spend $$$ once every 3 or 4 years) They are ALSO the ones who: Know the rules better, Advise "newbies" to spend THEIR dollars and where, Invite friends and family to cruise RCI, (or they used to) Appreciate the staff & crew more and will TIP better!! ETC., ETC. RCI is making a BIG mistake if they think it won't matter when they lose this portion of their market-share!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveling1969 Posted March 29, 2009 #83 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Why so much hate for Golden Corral? I love their mac & cheese and fried chicken. :D It's just the food snobs doing what they do best.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHADEN Posted March 29, 2009 #84 Share Posted March 29, 2009 It's just the food snobs doing what they do best.:rolleyes: That's not fair. I like Golden Corral too but what the people were saying about it is TRUE! You wouldn't call it "Fine Dining". Will you come back and deny that statement? Do you compare the Dining Room on the RCI ship to Golden Corral? Well, maybe the Windjammer.....:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kooljamming Posted March 29, 2009 #85 Share Posted March 29, 2009 That's not fair. I like Golden Corral too but what the people were saying about it is TRUE! You wouldn't call it "Fine Dining". Will you come back and deny that statement? Do you compare the Dining Room on the RCI ship to Golden Corral? Well, maybe the Windjammer.....:p Fine dining is not on a mass market ship either. It's NOT possible to prepare and serve fine dining for 1000's of people in a short period of time. The food is good, in a fancy setting but no better then what you will find at a good banquet or nice restaurant. If anyone is putting Golden Corral down just to say RCCL is about fine dining, then many haven't gotten too far past Golden Corral or thier kitchen. Yes, there are wannabe food snobs who think nice setting and mass market food account for fine dining...NOT! Fine dining - a little bit of food in a big plate, takes forever to serve and cost a fortune:p:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinBates Posted March 29, 2009 #86 Share Posted March 29, 2009 The lovely hats they give out to C&A gifts. :D No mints at turn down. :) Ripping coupons out of the Ultimate Value Books. :eek: As a PR professional, I can say first hand that RCL definitely has made some lousy PR moves. The RCL management, with the help of their PR firm, needs to study crisis management, customer loyalty, and customer service. The recent RCL C&A changes and the way the company has handled those changes is far from savvy, or should we say, "just darn stupid." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rian90 Posted March 29, 2009 #87 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Is this based on personal experience? My one and only (SO FAR) cruise on Carnival was great. ### I loved the Navigator but I also loved the Big Red Boat (many years ago)... :D We are actually going to stoop so low as to consider NCL next time, in spite of all the comments here. While the Navigator is a beautiful ship, it was not perfect. I have some concerns about this need to slam other cruise lines in order to build loyalty to one. Maybe I will find that NCL is a horrible cruise line with people who wear dirty clothes to dinner....or maybe not. We might EVEN have to try Carnival some time!:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruznjan Posted April 4, 2009 #88 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I feel like it should have been grandfathered in. Those already Diamond keep the perks those not yet Diamond have to wait. It is one thing to remove perks for someone who is not there yet. It is another thing to take away what some already have. I agree with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megr1125 Posted April 4, 2009 #89 Share Posted April 4, 2009 And this is a problem for you how. I have booked my first carnival cruise for this november so I have been reading the carnival board for some time now. I find it very strange that people like you feel the need to keep bashing carnival. I also have found that there are many more people who post on the RCI board who bash carnival, than people on the carnival board that bash RCI. I guess some who feel the need to bash Carnival all the time just think they are better than others. I love this little story I heard some time ago. There was this man who was on a airplane sitting in first class and being very demanding and wanted what he wanted now, all because he paid for a first class seat. A elderly gentleman walked by and overheard this man telling everyone how he demanded service because he was in first class. All the elderly gentleman said to the loud mouth was "Sir first class is not a place in the airplane" as he tapped his heart and walked to his seat in coach. Now I don't think you will a clue what I am talking about and thats ok, because if someone likes Golden Corral who am I to tell them any different. you on the other hand feel the need to tell others how bad Golden Corral is. Just remember that being on a cruise line that you perceive as higher class does not make anyone a higher class person. So just keep on cruising on RCI and go on and think you are sailing on a higher class line but please do remember this "first class is not a place in the ship" Well put. that's one of the problems here....everyone is bashing everyone else and CC has gotten away from HELPING people. If Diamonds are mad about perks for LOYALTY being removed, let them be mad! No need to bash. We're trying CCL in November...and I ate at Golden Corral once (we don't have them up here...) and it was reasonably priced and edible. I've also eaten a $35 steak in Shula's steakhouse, AND at JWs steakhouse in some Marriott someplace, and sent them BOTH back as they were inedible. To each their own........but the bashing of people must stop....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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