Sweet Dutch Girl

I never lock my cabin door.

And that is a good thing? I'm a very trusting person but I do lock cruise cabins and hotel rooms, with the dead bolts provided. Too many staff members have access for me to feel comfortable when I decide to take a nice like shower, or when I take my afternoon nap.

Carnival LOVES customers like you!

And so do hotels, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, boutiques, service stations...the list goes on and on. As a consumer, I "choose" where to spend my dollars and I make that choice while being totally "self-centered". I could care less what someone else's experience is....as long as my personal expectations are met and I feel I have gotten good return on my money I will continue to use goods and services. What's wrong with that mindset....

oh yes, I forget. Complainers can only be validated when the whole world agrees with them and they sway everyone over to their mindset.

A cruise is a singular experience. It has nothing to do with what happened last week, last year, or a decade ago. To reduce tips because you didn't get the same service you got on the last cruise is beyond ridiculous...tips are given for what you get, not withheld for what you didn't.

I can unequivocally say that my pet peeve on these boards are the comments that that start with: "I got "x" last cruise so I better get it this cruise or heads will roll".

Geesh, I got my windshield washed, my oil checked, and my gas pumped at the fuel station down the street the last time I visited it in 1966. I better get that same service, today, or I am going to raise all kinds of stink and advise everyone that I think that service station and its employees are lazy and lousy. The grocery store that has been around for upteen years and where they hauled my stuff out of the cart and then bagged it for me and escorted me to my car when I shopped there in 1980 now makes me empty my own cart, bag my own groceries, and load my car by myself. Someone should complain about how sad the "service" is at that store.

Wonder if people really want to go back to "real" cruising where rooms had two twin beds bolted to the floor, served only 3 meals a day and you were "forced" to eat at designated times. Daytime activities were shuffleboard, skeet shooting, or bingo. At night there was a piano bar and cards. But you were treated like royalty...the staff outnumbered the guests and you paid a couple of months wages for the privilege. Obviously people loved it because "nothing" has changed, or has it?

Sounds like Carnival ships are falling apart with their expert maintenance schedule. Hopefully the poster realizes their are many other cruise lines out their that can deliver the service they deserve.

Driving to work the other day I noticed one stalled school bus, a regular bus waiting for a tow, a couple of cars with their hoods up (one brand new with its temporary plates still on). At home my toaster was acting up, the handle on my almost new microwave is coming loose, and my internet went down for several minutes. Anything mechanical may break down or become sluggish at anytime no matter how well it is maintained or how new it is.

Ahh...another reason that ultra cheap 3 or 4 day cruises are not my choice for a "cruise" vacation. Did one, once, and though we enjoyed ourselves we decided that these mini-vacations are best used for other purposes than relaxing or "getting away" from it all. Since everything is encapsulated into such a short time frame any hiccup in the schedule or planned itinerary becomes a bone of contention...there just isn't any "time" to right the ship, so to speak.

Of course these mini cruises are fine for their intended purposes but they do not really offer the experience that a week long or longer cruise can. They also travel such a short distance that localized weather can be a real issue, the ship doesn't have anywhere to go to outrun the weather system. And traveling during hurricane season, fall, and early winter, though financially a benefit, leaves weather and rough seas as a potential threat for almost any cruise.

Through trial and error we have learned that sometimes it is better to bite the bullet, pay a bit more, and do cruises that are longer, at a more weather stable time of year with ports a bit farther from embark ports. Of course mechanical issues can rear their ugly heads at any time but that is life and something you learn to live with....just like a no snow year when you've long planned a winter ski vacation.

Like food...beverages are totally subjective. Coffee strong, add more half and half or water, mix hot chocolate with the coffee and add half and half. Don't like the instant tea...just make an Arnold Palmer, or get a few tea bags brew a nice strong cup and pour over ice in your tevi thermos (a must on a cruise). Don't like the taste of the water just add lemon, lime, or fruit wedges (available at the buffet). Take a "beverage packet" with you on the cruise. Mini bottles of water flavoring, packets of flavored creamer, your favorite tea bags (there are hundreds of options at your local grocery store).

All that being said, I have no problem with the beverages on board a ship and the water tastes fine to me. There are plenty of juices in the am and by room service. But then, I'm not a picky person when it comes to sustenance. I've eaten out a gazillion times during my lifetime and some items are great others barely tolerable but I have survived.

If someone is a foodie they probably shouldn't cruise where food and beverages are there for a few thousand people to consume...it's just not like eating at home where someone has full control over what they eat or drink.

My name(S) on my birth certificate are spelled totally different than the Americanized version I now have after immigrating to the US. Funny thing is that all of my official current documents are spelled the Americanized way including my driver's license and my passport. As long as your social security information matches your current spelling that is sufficient. Just go to your local passport center with "ALL" of your documentation and you shouldn't have an issue. I didn't when I got my passport.

Yup, fleet wide for any booze purchased on shore or in the gift shops. Guess the OP will be saving some money.

 

Flame me all you wish as I don't care. No way will we be back on a carnival ship.

No flaming...everyone is entitled to an opinion. Aren't you glad that the more expensive lines do cater to the "dress-up" for dinner mindset...but, alas, they too have gone the way of the "dodo bird" and no longer require tuxes and gowns.

Some of us just don't want to be extras in someone else's experience.

I am not a proponent of the dress code...I find it very sexist (since women are never held to the same standard as men) and on a cruise ship, that is supposed to be a relaxing casual experience, a whole lot of archaic nonsense.

Hence, I don't pay the $30 to go to the steakhouse, and based on the fact that it never seems to be full I am sure that Carnival's "dress code" is a turn-off for others. The elegant $100 a plate restaurants in my town, which are in the heart of the hotel district welcome everyone, even those dressed in vacation shorts and tees, and they are always "reservation only" full. And no one complains that elegant (which the food and decor is) is not limited to those who choose to dress up or down. In fact many of their advertisements read: open to all no matter how dressy or casual.

Hopefully cruiselines will advance into the 21st century where people are just more inclined to dress casually and comfortably and will stop equating "dress" with "fine" dining. And, for the record, casual doesn't equate in most people's mind with bathing attire, gym clothes or bathrobes. Other than the lowest common denominator casual folks are clean, pressed, and presentable in their knee length shorts. Can't always say that about the slovenly and unkept who may wear slacks and a shirt and "follow" the current code.

Cruising seems to be, in the minds of many, a vacation destination that apparently starts when a passenger leaves their home and they develop the idea that from that point on it is up to the cruise line to insure that everything should go as planned. If it doesn't a small consensus seems to feel that it is up to the cruise line to "make it right".

In this case it isn't up to Carnival to "cancel" a cruise if their departure is within a day of schedule and land based operations (ie, restocking, the terminal) are functional.

Just like in winter months when snow storms blanket the midwest and travel is disrupted for many and passengers can't get to the embarkation ports the current scenario is no different. The cruise is the cruise, getting to the cruise is the responsibility of the passengers. And this is a major factor and a major reason for purchasing travel insurance or using a credit card that "insures" someone's trip.

Don't people take into consideration that cruises departing during "storm" season or who cruise during hurricane season that there may be a strong chance that things could go wrong.

I am sure thousands will be boarding the cruises from Florida that are departing today and tomorrow. Should Carnival cancel their vacation because a few passengers had their plan's interrupted by forces of nature.

Of course we all feel for those whose plans were ruined....but we can only advise to be more pro-active the next time around.

Do some not realize that cruise ships do not operate in a vacuum? If a port was closed, and people were encouraged to evacuate, and power is out, and airports closed, and warehouses are closed, and trucks aren't running...how is a cruise ship to get restocked, who will man the terminal (and maybe without power), who will man the parking garages, are stevedores available?

A cruiseline needs to keep all the plates spinning to get their ships into and out of port. Any one break in the supply chain can have devastating affects.

If I were scheduled to cruise from Canaveral this weekend I would have just decided to throw in the towel as soon as millions of people were evacuated from the coast. Carnival, and most other cruiselines, will definitely either refund the cruise fare or apply the fare to another sailing.

If people are out money for hotels, and airfares, etc. that isn't Carnival's fault. Insurance would have covered that.

This myopic view that seems to be prevalent on Cruise Critic by some just blows my mind. What ever happened to plain common sense?

Is there a really big price drop for cruises that depart in September and October that lures passengers to sail during hurricane season? Is the savings worth the risk of cancelled ports and changes in itinerary? And do people who take the risk, are they aware of the consequences that may be associated with a price reduction?

Dutch, you seem to be fishing for an argument due to fact you have been just quoting my responses....maybe its a slow day at the senior center....so far I have played Elsa and "Let it Go", but what the heck....

 

We are all "under cover", unless Sweet Dutch Girl is your given name. Rude? who was I rude to? I didn't judge anyone.....I said I would find that action rude. If you don't, hey, that's cool

You assume way too much....and, even though you don't think your words were rude about a ship not being the place for those "who like to be in their own little world" you were. Typed words can often make others feel uncomfortable and that is all I was pointing out. And, thanks for (however unintentionally) disparaging folks who actually live in a senior center...I'm sure they understand the intent of those words just fine. Have a nice day.

I never claimed I was right and you were wrong....I answered one way on the poll, you probably answered the other....its opinion as opposed to fact

Would I care, probably not that much....Would I find it rude, absolutely

 

The "Bubble" mentality annoys me when you are on a cruise. If you want your "own little world", don't go on a cruise....Rent a remote cabin someplace so you don't have to see anyone. That is not the scene on a cruise ship....if you don't like strangers, don't cruise, real simple

We get it that you have an opinion, but when your opinion is (under cover of an on-line forum) rude to a sub-set of cruisers it does become fodder for others to "judge" you since you are, in fact, judging others.

Its easy to find quiet and solace in the MDR? :confused:

 

I would agree if you said a quiet dinner on the Lido deck or even in one of the specialty restaurants.....I don't think of the MDR as "quiet" during the dinner rushes

I'm laughing because "quiet" sometimes has absolutely nothing to do with "noise". I'm great at "tuning out the world" whether it be in the middle of a cruiseline dining room or at a rock concert. I'm sure many others are the same. I'm not quite sure of the point you are so intent on making...other than the fact that I get the strong vibe that you feel it is inappropriate for anyone to choose "to be quiet and aloof" amid a roomful of people and that you find it rude if people choose to be so and have a gazillion reasons why people "can't" be "by themselves or coupling" on a cruise ship to the point you "suggest" that people stay off the ship and don't ruin your personal vibe.

I would agree with your assertion that complete solitude is pretty challenging on a boat filled with 4000+ people....I earlier made the suggestion for "Bubblers" that a remote mountain lodge may be more to their liking

I have sailed solo when I am in one of my "I want to be alone" periods in my life. It isn't that hard to find the solace and quiet on a ship that you seem to find out of place (and I'm sorry if I am putting words in your mouth). Wanting to be alone inside one's own head isn't about divorcing one's self from society (though I get the feeling you may correlate one with the other) and it isn't meant to be offensive to anyone. Giving people their space, if they so desire it, is actually a good thing and considering such behavior rude, when it is happening adjacent to your space, shows a bit of an intolerant mentality. And, for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would think that not interacting with perfect strangers is wrong by anyone. Sometimes people want to interact, sometimes they don't.

Gratuities are still a personal choice and even though I find the practice of not paying them a bit deplorable, they are still a choice everyone makes. I'm one of those passengers who doesn't mind the nickle and diming when on a cruise because I rarely, if ever pay for the extras since I am satisfied with the limited offerings that are included with my base fare. If I want something "extra" I will pay for it whether it be alcohol, or fru-fru coffee, or fancy tea, or a big steak in the pay for eateries. Give me a reasonably priced fare and I can then decide if I want more. Besides, I don't like paying for things I don't use or don't care about so that someone else can have something "special". Just the way my boat floats.

Is their something wrong with having a "bubble mentality"? Or preferring your own company to the company of others or wanting a bit of coupling or solitude when eating dinner without being subjected to other conversations. Sure, it may be hard to find that on a cruise ship where 4000 people share limited space but it doesn't mean the "search" for peaceful bliss is unwarranted, I wouldn't think.

I'm so old I can remember when a Motel Six actually cost $6 a night, or a Super Eight $8. I can remember when gas was 25 cents a gallon and a stop at the station meant that for a $3 fill-up I got my window's washed, my oil checked, and my gas pumped. I can remember bus fare to town was 5 cents, a coke was 5 cents, movies were a quarter, a paper back book was 25 cents, and hamburgers were 5 for a dollar.

My first job also paid 85 cents an hour and I earned enough over the summer to pay my college tuition, buy clothes, and have enough left over for spending money for the school year.

Economic change is inevitable...and to dwell on it like someone is purposely out to rob you every time prices increase or service goes down shows a very poor grasp with economic truism. It may be a good exercise to look at what a dollar buys in relation to a dollar earned.

I absolutely wouldn't care, wouldn't think it rude, and probably wouldn't even give it a thought. And I definitely wouldn't dwell on it or even wonder why they are no longer at my table. Everyone has their "own" agenda on a cruise.

When I sailed Royal the terminal was a hot mess of chaos. Just because they haven't done anything about it doesn't mean it's not an issue.

The last time I cruised RCCL (suffice it to say it was a while ago) the drop off zone was about a block away from the terminal and you had to lug your luggage, stand in line, and then you could check in your luggage just before you headed into the terminal. The line was outside, in a non covered area, was a good city block long with everyone pushing and scooting their luggage with no seats, drinks, etc. It was beyond miserable. Hopefully things have changed.

So, LMaxwell, your solution to the problem is as follows: create more drop off space and add additional attendants to take care of luggage, redesign the terminal with more entry points, provide more security x-ray machines, make all seating areas twice as large, double up the number of check-in personnel, provide more ship's crew to prepare the ship between cruises, add more ship personnel to make sure luggage gets to the rooms early, hire more off-duty police officers to direct "first surge" traffic, build more parking garages so that embarkees and debarkees can park in separate areas, and do this without adding or increasing the fare for a cruise and for areas used one or two mornings per week. Consider it done!

They are in the hospitality business. Why is all of this a "problem" for Carnival at all when it's not a problem for ANY other company, even the ones under Carnival's corporate umbrella?

 

A lot of you are asking the wrong question here.

 

Yes, we all accept 3000-4000-5000 people can not show up at 10:00AM and board a ship, or even fit inside the terminal. But if that REALLY is the problem, Carnival's solution was to shift the heavy lifting to the guest, and not figure out a way to streamline things.

 

Will you volunteer for a 2:30PM check in slot? I wouldn't.

Of course I would. Less hassle.

Carnival states on their website that boarding is from x to x. And no one apparently thinks they are serious. So now they are "enforcing" the times by scheduling check-in, and are being gracious by having check-in times much earlier than their scheduled boarding time.

Unless someone has embarked from "every" port they don't have a clue what the issues may be at each of them: drop off lanes, parking, availability of stevedores, entrance into the pier area, cross-over congestion with other cruise lines, cross-over congestion with debarking passengers from Carnival and other cruise lines.

Besides it seems that Carnival is rewarding loyal passengers with early check in (platinum and above), those that use their airport transfers, those who have scheduled weddings on board, and those that have "paid" for the privilege. Why should these passengers have to fight through the crowds of early arrivals who aren't getting on the ship for hours, anyway?

Some people get off planes or have to leave a hotel. Not every one drives.

And why is that Carnival's problem. Hotels make their rules, Carnival doesn't. If you get to the airport early and want to get on the cruise first....book a Carnival transfer. Then you are exempt from the check-in times. Otherwise just mellow at the airport for a few hours...there are always coffee shops and boutiques to browse.

There are always solutions if one thinks out of the box. I have yet to stay at a Hotel that forces me off the premises when I check out. In fact, they are accommodating at storing our luggage for a few hours if we want to "walk around the block"...they even are good at extending check out time if you ask. The one's I have stayed at even provide bus service to the pier after the 11 am check out.

And, as others have said, if you don't like the new staggered check-in just choose another line. All things are not equal in this world of ours...and we do have the freedom to take our business elsewhere if one doesn't meet our expectations.