Joebucks

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).

The bottle is the greatest value for a good chunk of us. It increases in value when you prefer one type of liquor and/or the other half doesn't drink. My situation is similar to yours. I love bourbon, bring wine, get a bottle, and buy a few drinks out of pocket. I save a crapton of money, and never feel deprived.

It's a testament to how great of a value and how convenient cruising is, regardless of the sky falling because a particular dessert may have been higher quality 10 years ago. Honestly, it makes sense for a good chunk of people. If you've saved up a ton of money and are bored in your retirement, what is honestly a better option? Sitting on expensive assets? Paying high-cost of living rent? Maintaining a huge home for 2 people? When you consider all of the alternatives of where your money can go, it's really not much more expensive (if at all) to live a convenient life on the seas where you don't have to cook, clean, maintain, not to mention a much more exciting life, and some extra elite perks.

I'm not sure why so people think the pandemic was this turning point of going from a well-behaved society to this one. It has more to do with the decades of conditioning. We make excuses for people who cause trouble (maybe even reward them), teach everyone to scream and yell if they don't get their way, entitlement is also through the roof. Since it's only gets worse, it is easy to notice the decline since the pandemic. However, that was not the start, and this is also not the end.

When I first heard of this change in the dining room, it sounded line a pure efficiency change. While it is still probably some of that, expanding it to Lido was definitely some bean counter trying to save money. Have you ever watched people at the omelet station? Loading their omelet with every side, especially meats, and then they throw away half of it anyways. Prepping all of those side is time-consuming and costly. Especially all those meats. This is one of the few changes that truly disappointments me. No, not because I have FOMO and need to have the option of any possibility I want. No, I won't stop cruising because "omg one more thing." It actually is most disappointing because the options are weak. I love omelets and can't remember the last time I ordered one of those three choices. Ham and cheese as the premier omelet choice is tacky. I suspect this is one of those changes that is not in its final form yet.

I honestly don't understand this request, as it come up from time to time. Is there some shortage of information in the world? If I wanted to learn about a port, there is more info out there than I would know what to do with. Then you need a $10,000 cruise to learn. What makes the cruise line the authority in information? On the other hand, I'd understand wanting to experience the best tours with the best tour guides. Seeing the world seems more in line to what cruising brings, and the best of the best tours would be a great experience. What am I missing?

There's also more dimensions to this. People act like sea day brunch is boxed cereal and bagels now. I'd be willing to bet more half of the people complaining (probably higher) about this never ordered this in the first place. I know there's plenty of people racing to their keyboards after that statement to inform me "that I need to listen as to why the removal of the option has ruined cruising for them."

This is grossly incorrect. That $5,000 monthly plan is for 5 TB of download. A 6000 passenger cruise ship would far exceed that in one sea day. The technology is definitely not there yet to provide full wifi to everyone on every ship for 10 cents a day. Again, even when that day comes, the cruise lines will make up the revenue elsewhere.

The world does change, but there is a far different cost structure to getting wifi on airplanes and cruise ships than there is in a hotel. Even more so when your cell service and other internet services are not available. Eventually, I see a world where people have Starlink-type internet wherever they go and cruise lines just raise their rates to make up for the lost revenue.

This is a much better post than 4543 random opinions.

For all of those who ask for it to be included in the fare, remember what you are really asking for. Carnival doesn't just lose the revenue and now it's free. They will still want that revenue, and just add it into the fare. Those who currently buy the internet, would probably come out ahead. Those who don't, will end up paying more. More people will be using it, and performance likely won't be as good. With that said, I don't think I'll be paying $126 to go on Facebook for a week.

Whenever you have something consistently sell out in minutes/hours, you have clearly underpriced it. I could be wrong, but I'd bet they found a new system that makes them much more money. Specialty dining has escalated in price far too much for my liking. I did always want to try this one, but it looks like I've waited too long. There is zero chance I'm paying $350 for a dinner on a cruise.

I think one of the most annoying parts of cruise discussion is that cruising is this parallel world. Only on cruises are people fighting, or dying. Only on cruises do they control costs, or raise prices. These things are so much more interesting, infuriating, or scary on a boat. The truth is, food quality has gone down almost everywhere. It certainly hasn't gone up. I've gotten pretty sick of eating bland $20+ entrees at restaurants. With that said, considering all things constant, I was surprised my last cruise food was better quality than I expected. The internet makes it sound like they are service tv dinners now.

I agree. It reminds me of people who complained when Toys R Us went away, but they never shopped there. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I saw someone read a book in there. Who wants to go on a cruise to read in an isolated room? (I'm sure I'm going to hear who, but it's no significant number). I've seen more people play games in there than anything else. I've also seen people play games all over the ship. There are still plenty of spots to enjoy a game at. While it is all just my opinion, I always thought that space would be best suited for a "nice wine bar." People would eat up wine tasting events. A wine bar done right (add in some charcuterie) would be a fantastic addition to Carnival.

After so many years of Carnival, I'd have to admit that the experience wasn't as fresh as it was in the beginning. When I sailed the Celebration, it felt like Carnival was given new life. It exceeded my expectation. It contained the classic pieces I've enjoyed in the past, but more, as to add some fresh experiences. I love the central station (even for its capacity faults) and its additional entertainment options. New food venues are great (Shaq's and Street Eats are some favorites!) The Serenity is big and beautiful. That is where I spend most of time in Sea Days. It's not all perfect, but if all other variables are constant, I'd have to pick Excel class.

We were on the Celebration in January. The only thing that stuck out to us was the wait staff wasn't its normal, friendly, fun, and attentive self. Otherwise, food quality, time, etc. was all quite fine. I guess it's possible a lot changed since then. However, I've been hearing these comments for year about "inedible" food.

Give me a break. Anyone who calls for this kind of nonsense would be singing the other tune if every comment they made during their career was judged. That's not a world you really want where one innocent slip up ends your established career. This comment wasn't meant to be offensive or even be serious. Now, a more acceptable outcome is a repeated, documented, pattern of making similar, inappropriate, or other against policy comments, and him continuing to disobey the coaching. My guess is this is more of what happened.

Honestly, I don't foresee a measurable difference. I believe all of our favorites will stay remain similar - I want to stay connected - Phone is in the safe! - I don't care either way