Joebucks

Which is case in point again. Larger seats, more legroom, and better meals exist. Overwhelmingly, people just don't want to pay for them. Instead, they buy the cheapest ticket, and complain it's not luxury.

As with anything, you will get a lot of different opinions. We'll do an excursion every once in a while. Only if it sounds like something we want to do, not to do something just to do it. In our Mexican Riviera cruise, we didn't have anything booked. However, they sold us at Cabo to the small beach and tour of the rocks for $20pp. Well worth every penny. We walked around Mazatlán and Puerto. Puerto is definitely a place we don't need any type of excursion. Hanging out on the Malecon, the beach, and eating some amazing tacos was a great time.

Imagine the amount of cruisers has more than doubled over the past 20 years while they all have "received less value." Maybe internet complainers don't speak for everyone. The average cruises included far more "special touches" back then. Somehow, the industry continues to grow.

People keep saying this, but how many tables would they really be short? Personally, I don't think they change it back. It creates a value perception that could allow for higher ticket prices.

I can't even count how many times I try to convince a friend or family to cruise only to hear "I did one a long time ago. It was boring." They sailed on an older, smaller ship, and didn't like it. Little do they know they were living the golden age of pillow mints and tablecloths that should have been generations of fond memories. On my latest Carnival cruise on the Celebration, I really enjoyed it. Nightlife was never dull. As there were often 2 comedy shows at once (which are tons of fun) and sometimes 2 stage shows between the theater and new atrium. The amount of bars and food options was great too. I got a solid Sazerc at Latitudes. I think I can speak for a lot of Whiskey drinkers that it's hard to find a bar anywhere that makes a decent whiskey cocktail without being through the roof in price. For me, it's more about the quality vs the quantity of how many I can get. Between the Sazerac at Latitudes and Old Fashioned at Alchemy, I was quite pleased.

I think the measure that is that they are popping up everywhere. People think they are being given something for nothing in countries that have extremely low costs of food and drink. For many, food and drink is the vacation.

You can find this exact comment posted here for the past 10 years

Good to know that I can take all of the tons of ways that life has changed since covid, and I can yell that I still "pay for the old way." Boy does this change everything. Wait until the food, travel, and housing markets hear what I have to say.

Show me the itemized bill of where you are paying for evening turn down. While you are at it, look for the charge for skeet shooting and pillow mints.

Honestly, I've generally been pretty satisfied with the food on Carnival. The BBQ has always underwhelmed me (except for the dry rub chicken, which I would usually not order from a BBQ place). Guy's burgers was just fine last month

Sounds like you were only eating at the buffet. The MDR has a kids menu. I'd eat there vs getting it to go.

I won't get the oohs and ahhs because I didn't spend thousands in the casino. I was quite pleased with $1250 for a balcony on Celebration this year and $880 for a balcony on Panorama last year. Both for a week.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is booking air asap. There is a misguided sense of peace of mind when you book your flight 1+ year out so it "doesn't sell out." Not only is the price usually inflated, but so much can change in that time.

Prices always fluctuate. To expect an announcement or to stay in line with inflation is asking for disappointment. Some things go up in price more than others depending on the demand.

When readers see "I got a big OBC with my cruise" what do they think? Any cruise. A $7500 cruise on a luxury line has a far different business model than a $1000 mass market cruise. It's simple economics really. If you are a TA. Let's say either cruise earns the TA a 15% commission. One commission is $1125, the other is $150. If you ran the business, which one would you offer more attractive perks to? Many mass market lines are also not giving as big of a percentage and/or are already selling out, not needing extra sales help.

Maybe you can also share what is your lowest and highest priced cruise. I can assure you, $450 OBC has been out of question for every cruise I have ever taken.

But mints on every pillow and a piece of fruit in my drink were way better.

The real question is how much do you tip the maintenance worker

This also depends on the cruise line.

People like to draw a line in the sand on how their decision is best. It depends when you want to be able to see what you want to see. I did one of each and rarely used either as I was up on the deck most of the time.

Cucina for lunch is also boring. IMO, lunch is Carnival's strongest food offering. I'm not wasting it on cheap pasta.

First and foremost, there is rarely ever a "superior option" regardless of how many people on the internet swear by their always correct choices. As with anything, when you shop around, you often find competing prices.

I wouldn't say needing a third suitcase for a person is a normal scenario.

If you have fun, then by all means. Some people get tired of reading how many people imply how exclusive and special they are, while hiding the fact they've prepaid thousands for their free cruise.

What does it matter if something declined? Do you only travel based on some arbitrary bar that was set? Will you go to a different spot then, and what bar are they set at? It should be more about if the overall value and experience is good.