Joebucks

I had a friend just sail them recently. So I had to endure how a $3500, 7 day, mass market cruise was the best deal because everything was free.

Is there really this much discussion and thought how to plan everything with 2 free cocktails being at the center of the universe? You can easily spend many multiples more than the cost of those 2 cocktails in trying to get everything to align around this.

There are plenty of beautiful beaches in Cozumel. We went to some other random place and it was far less crowded than the other beach clubs. We didn't pay much to get in, there were plenty of chairs, I got to snorkel. I think you're doing yourself a huge disservice to go to Mexico and eat the AI slop.

Are in room bottles still gone for 5 day cruises?

What's the point of drawing this line in the sand? I have never been on a more crowded ship than the Vista class. Honestly, I don't care how big a ship is. They can hold 10,000 for all I care. As long as it has the right flow in the right areas. Give Lido/serenity, theater, punchliner, etc enough seating, and I'm good.

I always get a snicker out of the use of the word "fumbling" when referring to using your phone on vacation. I always picture someone sitting at the MDR trying to grab a very strong, slippery, live, fish.

If the context here is about kids, Oasis would be vastly more fun for kids than Venezia. It is basically targeted towards two, different markets.

I've done it before. The only time I do two entrees is lobster night. I usually get the prime rib and a lobster while foregoing some of the extra apps. It's a great meal! There have been times where they brought out extra lobster and I wasn't going to let it go to waste. It's definitely too much food and the last thing on my mind is that "cruising isn't special" if I don't get that third plate. I mean, I just had prime rib and lobster. What first world problems?

No one really eats 3+ entrees. it's mostly people who love to waste, overeat, or FOMO of not having every combination of every option at your disposal. I can put away some serious food. I have my salad, appetizer, and entree (on top of everything else I ate throughout the day). It's the most ridiculous thing to think my vacation is ruined because it would cost me $5 to get TWO more entrees.

While I certainly wouldn't pay $2000, to have my own reserved (and nicer) area for a week for $200, I would probably jump on that.

I was on the Celebration, and definitely do not remember a shortage of food around lunch time. Guy's is open until 6. I overate with the addition of Shaq's and Street Eats.

I did a super bowl cruise on a ship about 5 years ago. It was playing on every major screen (including lido and theater) and extra snacks were out. It was a fun experience. My biggest complaint is that the Super Bowl commercials weren't there. Since it was an "international feed," you literally saw the same 5 commercials every break. Although, the commercials are just political statements anymore, so I wouldn't mind as much today.

If you're looking for a product that is exactly the same as it was 4 years ago, you will be disappointed. If you're interested in hearing about some cruise lines that maintain a "higher standard" (and a much higher price) you will hear a few opinions shortly.

I always thought they should have done something like this. Make it a paid excursion that includes some kind of drinks, souvenir shotglass, etc. Have it end in a "private" bar that is an exclusive party. I'd sign up for something like this if it was reasonably priced.

It's a fantastic city. Some will laugh, but some of us immediately hit the Wal-Mart. The amount of snacks, beer, and souvenirs I got for $15 made it worth the while. Then we hit the Malecon and there are sooooo many shops, restaurants, etc. We grabbed some of the best tacos for $5. I can't wait to go back. You won't find me overpaying for an AI day pass there.

What people say and what they actually think/say/do, are often two-different things. I have a friend who is going on a mass market cruise soon because "it was a good deal and everything was free." $4000 later, it was a decision for perks. Not loyalty, but "perks" nonetheless. Honestly, after years of monitoring travel discussion, I can tell you one thing. People will spend thousands for their transportation, hotels, destinations, food, etc. The first thing they will point out is 2% of that cost that was "free" or "an extra fee." Some people absolutely cruise for perks. They may not admit or even fully realize it, but they do. That is why the perks exist.

The whole space thing is often a topic for busybodies to find things to be upset with. If one ship has "20% more common area space," what does that truly mean? Your vacation is 20% better? Every venue is 20% bigger? There are more venues you will never use? Sure it can be an indicator of what is to come. However, what is most important is size of the venue, proportional to the size of ship and capacity. I always disliked the small clubs and shows that require a half hour wait to get a seat. Those are poorly designed. Otherwise, I could care less about math equations.

Oh it is, 100%. However, when it comes to vacation, some people have an unlimited budget when it comes to luxury. They will also fight you tooth and nail why every marginal convenience is worth it. So why not offer this if people will buy it? I found the ceiling fan issue to be interesting. Seems like a small one-time cost that would add comfort for some. I'd be doing every small thing I could to improve sales of these.

The poo poo'ing on Bahamas is annoying and overplayed. There's just a ton of spoiled cruisers who have been there too many times and may have been inconvenienced by its hustle and bustle. Is it my absolute favorite port? No. However, I've had plenty of good times there. There is a ton to do, the water is beautiful, plenty of good food, good shopping, etc. The private islands are also tough to beat. In Nassau, I've done a few day passes at Sandals, which was a great time. We also enjoy cabbage beach, and getting the bottomless rum drinks for about $30, while having a nice beach day.

It is pretty much an unwritten law that the more elite members you have anywhere, the less special that tier actually becomes. We can all imagine certain scenarios that fit whatever narrative we want to push. At the end of the day, expiring loyalty memberships DOES thin the herd. There are lots of industries that give "loyalty credit" only to the purchaser. I just got back from a hotel stay. I can assure you they didn't give points to everyone in the room. Just who purchased it. They do it because it's more about stimulating the one who makes the purchasing decisions vs entitlements for everyone they bring along. One is far more important than the other, regardless of everyone's feelings on the internet. Society as a whole thinks the world revolves around them. Whatever is here and now with VIFP is law, and that baseline must not change. When in reality, these loyalty programs exist to increase engagement, and therefore profitability. It is undeniable that the world is a different place since the last time VIFP changed. It also seems from rumblings that changes have at least been examined, but nothing rolled out. Just because a "loyalty" system is in place, does not mean in is an effective ROI or even the best that that it can be Personally, I am in the camp of perks should improve, but become harder to obtain. I believe Royal has the best loyalty plan in the industry at the moment. It is a far better value proposition than what Carnival has at the moment. The question though, is how such perks may translate into profitable growth for Carnival.

You'd think with your frequent criticisms at all things Carnival, you'd be an expert on this. It is a very complex answer. As much as everyone talks about the debt, it isn't necessarily "why" they try to increase profit and pay down debt. It is just more of a justification to be aggressive and what is at stake. It is constantly the job of corporate to find ways to do things better, cheaper, and more exciting. While sales and revenue are always king, examining contracts, new services and partnerships, marketing trends, etc. are some of many things that are considered.

Would you have been happier if they didn't pay down debt, in order to post a "profit?"

It certainly is a more complex topic than most of us could solve. I don't think anyone knows exactly what the next few years will hold. Not even the cruise executives. Either way, I can't see the remaining Fantasy class bringing in profitable growth as compared to being replaced by any newer ship. Considering the number of Oasis Class and now Icon Class that Royal can successfully run, I don't think it would be a bad idea for Carnival to get one more Excel class on the books.

Honestly, I don't completely disagree with the article. If anything, it reminds me how annoying people are. I've grown tired of trying to convince people to cruise because they have whatever unfounded fear or negative perception.

It's also nice when you can walk into many gift shops on port days and grab a multipack of beer for around $10. Makes it even less so that I want to get on the ship and have multiple coffees, wines, cocktails, Powerades, etc (not that I did anyways though).