ray98

I think it is a good move.  There are plenty of 5 days going to the western ports from ports not far away.  This gives another option on a nicer ship where more people would be inclined to enjoy more sea days over the Fantasy class ships.  The Spirit is already drawing a premium for fares.

Alchemy.

On 9/30/2023 at 11:45 PM, simplelife said:

I saw in an article this week that Carnival is not putting libraries on new ships and are converting them on old ones. The supposed reason is that people don't read much on cruises anymore , but the real reason, I suspect, was revealed later in the article when they said the libraries were being replaced with revenue-producing features. 

I don't think people are reading less.....people instead use electronic readers and have access to an endless supply of books.  The days of going to the library hoping there may be a hardcopy that interests you is now part of history for most.

Good luck.  A good portion of the people assigned to late dining will also be trying to swap.  We have been successful in the past but we've also been denied.

I really don't think Carnival has as much angst over their loyalty program as the internet does.  The vast majority of the things they offer as perks cost them little to nothing.  The percentage of platinum/diamonds will only continue to increase.  Cruising exploded in popularity years ago and many of those passengers are still around.  It is what it is.

On 9/22/2023 at 3:06 AM, crazyank said:

and tolerate "entitled" guests

LOL.....'entitled' for doing what Carnival says they can do?

It was a good move on Carnival's part....the pizza was simply overloaded.

14 hours ago, tidecat said:

Just as an example I found:

 

Both of these are 6 night Western Caribbean sailings departing on November 17, 2024

 

Sprit: Mobile - at sea - at sea - Belize - Cozumel - at sea - Mobile
$499 inside, $609 Ocean View, $649 Balcony, $1,399 suite

 

Horizon - Miami - at sea - Ocho Rios - Grand Cayman - Cozumel - at sea - Miami
$439 inside, $549 Ocean View, $719 Balcony, $1223 suite

 

Granted Horizon crushes Spirit in terms of average revenue yield because of all of the upcharge categories (Havana, Spa, Deluxe Ocean View, etc.). The port taxes should also be higher on the Horizon sailing because of the extra port. Horizon also more ways to separate you from your money once you're onboard that aren't on the Spirit.

Yup....exactly what I was saying earlier.  You can even go a little deeper into next year..... using an inside cabin for example.....a 6 day on 1/14 on the Spirit is $729ea, a 7 day on 1/13 on the Mardi Gras is $679.  People act like Mobile is struggling and it is beating or keeping up with the fares on the flagships.

None....I enjoyed them at that moment but their time has passed.

3 hours ago, ledges1 said:

Is it the ship or the new 6 and 8 day itinerary vs the previous 4 and 5 day trips. I would lean toward the new itinerary of the the 6 and 8 day cruises. It is just an opinion. I do agree with your pricing comment. All in, Mobile is more expensive. Mobile, AL is an expensive city for flights. I live in the area and if I need to fly, I drive to Pensacola.

I'm sure the itinerary is a factor but either way, the Spirit is commanding a higher price on many of the voyages over the next 4 months than either Mardi Gras or Celebration.

We have bounced around since we started cruising.  Our first was RC, then Carnival and then NCL.  It has been an assortment ever since.  I could not imagine being 'loyal' to a cruise line.

So far the Spirit has been a huge success for Mobile.  It is pulling in fares dramatically higher than any of the other older ships, Mobile fares uses to be fairly equal to Jacksonville.  When we shopped around for next month and early spring it was cheaper to book on the Mardi Gras than Spirit.

4 hours ago, tc273 said:

Has anyone successfully redeemed the Chase offer through pre-paid purchases for an upcoming cruise? E.g., by pre-paying for internet or cruise cash? I bought $100 worth of cruise cash on Carnival.com for an upcoming cruise, and the transaction shows up as CARNIVAL - THE FUN SHOP.

 

When I initially paid for the cruise itself, the transaction showed up as CARNIVAL CRUISE TKT/RES, and Chase successfully credited my account for that one.

 

Hoping that the Carnival - Fun Shop purchase is also eligible to be credited...

Yes....I bought Cheers for an upcoming cruise and received the credit.  It also shows up as the Fun Shops.

You can't.  If they allowed it every cabin would magically have one party who 'didn't drink'.

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

Yes still $5 for a third entree

 

Still just "steak and eggs"

Still 'strip loin steak' also.  Flat Iron has not reappeared.

I had the discount added last time by email after booking.

2 hours ago, missholly24 said:

The Miami Dade police statement said this individual "could be in need of services"?? What does that even mean?

Likely mental health.  "Services" in the LE world is a general term that someone may be in need of additional help (i.e. services) if located.  For a healthy young adult that is primarily mental health or substance abuse.

The way Carnival serves beer is not unlike every other bar in the world.  Nothing unique about their practice.

28 minutes ago, lcpagejr said:

You need alot of patience and a good sense of humor to survive a week on MSC , outside YC.  

I always wondered why MSC groups and boards were dominated by YC discussion, such as small portion of the passengers dominating the discussion.  You just don't see that in other brands who also do the 'ship in a ship' model.  Then I cruised MSC.  It was all clear after that.😂

I say business as usual....Covid is her to stay and we can't hide from it or 'flatten' anything.

2 hours ago, UPNYGuy said:

 

unless you pre-request dinner at the early seating. DW and I have done bella and have never had 9:30 dinner seating. 

There were plenty on the Seaside in May including some who were Fantastica that didn't get their preferred early choice.

38 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Is My Choice dining not offered to everyone? Do you need to be in a certain category to have it? We do not like assigned time for dinner. For My Choice dining can you show up anytime?

No....Aurea only.  The rest get the chaos of MSC assigned times.  Book Bella and there is a good chance dinner is the 9:30pm seating.

31 minutes ago, carlmm said:

Where has the Italian root of MSC gone? Mac and cheese as a classic? Really? There is nothing Italian about this. Barbecue meatloaf? Onion rings? Southern-Style Fried chicken?

Sorry, MSC, that is neither fine food nor what you should serve as cruise dinner.

They are in shambles.  The buffet on the Seaside in May was the most unimaginative and poorly executed offering I have experienced.

With MSC running it there is little doubt they will miss the reopening.

I would be good with a reduced menu if it means what is available will be good quality and served remotely warm.