AtomicCruiser

I have done 27 Carnival cruises out of Galveston (yes, I am Diamond).  Embarkation is usually much better handled than debarkation.  I place this difference on Port staff versus ship staff.  Even on a Journeys cruise on the Dream in November (roughly 1200 Diamond and Platinum), embarkation was rather smooth.  However, we have experienced true nightmares regarding debarkation.  It is sad for me to say, but I think a very large part of this is rude and selfish passengers.  The crew gives plenty of instructions and makes plenty of announcements.  But many passengers just don't follow them. It becomes a "me first free for all."  I frequently see "non-priority" and able-bodied people blocking disabled people (wheelchairs) from getting on elevators. I was on the Vista in October.  As Diamond, I was to meet in the forward restaurant by 7:30am.  We left our cabin (Deck 7) at 6:45. Until we could make it to the lobby, it was past 7:30.  The elevators, stairwells, and hallways were packed with people that would not be called for maybe an hour or more.  The crew began debarking the Diamonds and Platinums.  We were stuck for another half hour.  I know new travelers whine that we get "privilege." But we earned and paid for that privilege.  This is something Carnival really needs to control.

Was on the Dream in November.  The lobby had 30 or more guests waiting at Guest Services to be assigned a cabin.  Some were not pleased with the assignments.  However, this was a Journeys cruise, with almost a thousand Diamonds and Platinums. 

Cruised on Vista 9/9-9/16/2023.  Shows in the Theater were generally at 7pm or 7:30 for early show, and 9pm or 9:30 for late show.

I am sorry, but I am at a loss understanding why commentors are stating this has to do with Covid.  I am a Carnival Diamond (recent).  The Platinum and Diamond "lounges" were less filled (i.e. more social distancing) than the normal holding area for boarding.  And, "Faster to the Fun" sat in the general boarding as well, just called to board sooner.  So, folks, I can see reducing venues due to staff shortages, or reducing some other perks.  But this is just not making sense to me at all.  Where you sit, and when you are called to board, does not tie into Covid protocols.

On the Dream in both April and May (2022). Both Diamond/Platinum parties were very scaled back compared to recent ones on Breeze and Vista (best). On dream we got one drink, no games, no food, no entertainment. You could have been lucky and been in path of a waiter to get a second drink, but there was easily 200 in party with 4 waiters. The cruise director MarQ also said the exact same thin in May as in April, including the same flat jokes.

Another "difference" I don't see people pointing out is the change to who can attend the parties. It used to be only the VIP, and they checked your individual invitations. Now, the invitation says you can bring a guest. I don't want to be a total snob, but it is Carnival stating they don't have enough staff, and that the number of Diamonds and Platinums is large. Well, the EASIEST way to fix this is reduce that number; only Diamond and Platinum attendance!  I saw (both April and May) as many RED and BLUE badges in the party as the VIPs. Common sense here.

Seriously? This is like a kid's game. You either let people know in advance, so they can decide on their "options," or you suffer the consequences that I go to "known" options!!!

My wife and I will turn Diamond on our next Carnival cruise.  We have been on a couple lately (Breeze in March and Dream in April and May).  The ships are definitely understaffed.  We saw 1/2 hour wait in deli or coffee bar lines, slow service in restaurants, and minimal onboard activities.

The Platinum/Diamond parties used to be very nice (sliders, other snacks, and plenty of drinks).  Not lately." On the Breeze, the party was at 11am (drink time?), due to staffing.

Also due to staffing issues (supposedly at Carnival home office), we have been trying unsuccessfully for months to get our benefit for completing 25 cruises.  It used to mean 25% off an upcoming cruise.  They have now changed that to 25% in onboard credits (OBC).  So, on a $4,000 Journeys Cruise, would you rather have $1,000 off, or $1,000 in use it or lose it credits?

Also noticeable on these cruises was the high number of blue and red badges.  Carnival is definitely catering to the newer cruisers, as they are spending tons of money onboard.  This and many of the reductions are all feeding the bottom line.  Obviously, they are not as concerned about tried and true loyalty (Diamond and Platinum) as they used to be.

So, no more lounge for preboarding, no more special Diamond meeting, minimal (if any) Platinum/Diamond parties, hard time getting benefits.  The next thing they will say is no more free laundry.  My be time to rethink that RV, even with high gas prices.

It is not just Havana. My wife and I cruised on the Vista Nov. 20-27, 2021.  The unruly passengers in the hallway outside our cabin was unbearable.  Multiple groups of people decided to have loud and very annoying "chats" outside our stateroom very late at night.  We asked them to please tone it down a bit and were yelled at.  In the cabin next to ours (interior), a couple had 3 children under the age of 18 staying by themselves, while they were in the balcony cabin across the hall. on multiple nights, there was yelling, screaming, and banging from the room.  Banging on the adjoining door got banging back and loud laughing.  We called Guest Services, who sent Security.  All they did was ask them to please be quiet.  It helped for 10 minutes.

I know Carnival is referred to as "The Fun Ships."  But there are quite a number of places to have fun rather than around staterooms at midnight or 1am.  Many cruisers are very rude and disrespectful, and Carnival does a minimum in maintaining control.

23 Carnival Cruises

I feel this is becoming an issue with all the pandemic cancelations, along with some cruise line policy changes. I am Carnival elite, so we stay with them exclusively.  They gave us $600 OBC for each of our 1-week cruises that were canceled (we had several). However, since we have rebooked for later this year, we have found Carnival made some changes that go against your ability to spend these. For example, you previously made reservations for the Specialty Restaurants.  When you then paid onboard, they came out of your OBC.  However, they now require you pay in advance.  Who ever heard of paying for a restaurant 5-6 months in advance?  If you wait until onboard, chances are pretty slim of getting the day and time you want (or even get a spot at all).  Certain other items like liquor in your cabin cannot be purchased after boarding. So, the $600 seems like a lot, but with changes and restrictions on how you spend it, you really need to see if this is actually a deal for you to allow them to keep your cruise payment for a year.