What do you miss from Carnival? Have they gone downhill?

[H82seaUgo]

I miss the pillow fights, the beer drinking contests, the male nightgown contests, the true talent shows, the three sit down meals a day, at your table, with both table attendants waiting on you, and the ability to stay up to 4 AM every night.

[halos]

Wow, has Carnival changed that much since I last cruised in 2007? So does this mean I no longer have to pack my dress suit since there is no more formal night? No more assigned seating in the MDR?

 

There are still what they refer to as 'Elegant Nights', but as for HAVING to pack the suit, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your feelings on the subject) no, you don't have to pack it.

If you want to eat in the Supper Club on one of the elegant nights, a jacket is requested...other than that, no jacket required.

 

There is still assigned seating if you choose traditional dining when you book. :)

[ShelleyQT]

In addition to all the cutbacks in terms of live music onboard (already mentioned by other posters), I'd like to add how much I miss the classical music trio. Sometimes you hear a solo pianist in lieu of the the trio.:(

[vacruizer]

In addition to all the cutbacks in terms of live music onboard (already mentioned by other posters), I'd like to add how much I miss the classical music trio. Sometimes you hear a solo pianist in lieu of the the trio.:(

 

I second that. Maybe just because I was a violin major in college, but I really enjoyed the string trios. On top of losing the classical and jazz trios, I've noticed a lack of variety onboard recently. A couple cruises ago there were three different pianists playing around the ship. Atrium, jazz lounge, and piano bar of course. Kind of boring and it wasn't like you could hit another lounge for something different. This cruise it was guitar - three different guitarists in the atrium, jazz area, and casino. Two of the three were EXCELLENT musicians (one was really bad) but one you could tell was hating playing over top of the recorded background. Doesn't give a musician much room to be creative. :(

[timtamx2749]

There used to be a really good herb bread served before dinner....

[zdkrempin]

I miss the hot appetizers at the past guest party.

 

I miss formal nights. (Sue me, I like getting dressed up.)

 

I miss the live bands on the Lido.

 

I miss the Deli and the Grill being open until 11 pm. And the steak sandwich at the Grill.

 

Petty as it may sound, I miss luggage tags.

 

I think thats basically it. None of these things are factors that would make me not cruise Carnival again. I don't think Carnival has gone downhill, just made a few minor cutbacks. My biggest issue with Carnival is their resistance to change and truly be innovative as far as their ships are concerned at that is whats leading me astray after 18 cruises. I'm just bored with them.

 

All of these things you mentioned are still alive and well on the spirit.

[Nikgirlcruiser]

Do they still bring capers to your room at night?

 

When did they do away with Gala Midnight buffet?

[vacruizer]

Do they still bring capers to your room at night?

 

When did they do away with Gala Midnight buffet?

 

Yes to the Capers, although they are now called the Fun Times. The Gala buffet has been gone about 2 1/2 or 3 years now. They do still have food at that time of night and a Mexican buffet with some fancy carvings and stuff the night of the deck party, but not the more formal display like it used to be.

[TheTravelista]

All of these things you mentioned are still alive and well on the spirit.

 

I highly doubt you had formal nights, luggage tags, and steak sandwiches at the grill on your Spirit cruise.

 

Your Deli and Grill may have been open as that seems to vary by ship, as well as the hot appetizers at the past guest party.

 

There's a big difference between the live 5 or 6 piece bands that were once on the Lido for hours and the trio thats out there now for a little while before people are forced to be entertained by the Seaside Theater poolside. From your signature I assume you've only cruised Carnival once so you're not really aware of the difference in music on the Lido. I should have went into more detail when I said "live bands on the Lido deck."

[Nikgirlcruiser]

Yes to the Capers, although they are now called the Fun Times. The Gala buffet has been gone about 2 1/2 or 3 years now. They do still have food at that time of night and a Mexican buffet with some fancy carvings and stuff the night of the deck party, but not the more formal display like it used to be.

 

Wow! I was unaware of the removal of the midnight buffet. We had one on our 2008 Glory cruise but that was two years ago. Thanks for the info.

[dan40]

Wow! I was unaware of the removal of the midnight buffet. We had one on our 2008 Glory cruise but that was two years ago. Thanks for the info.

 

 

The midnight buffet HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED. The GALA MIDNIGHT BUFFET with its elaborate presentations and food carvings has been done away with as NOBODY ate the food. They just took pictures of it.

Now the Lido buffet is open at 11:30PM with hot food choices for those that are hungry at that hour. No photo ops, just more food.

[UpstateCruizer]

I'm glad to hear the Grill was open late for your cruise! Hasn't been my experience lately but I'll see on the Dream in about a week. I do prefer the Deli late at night though :(

 

And by live bands I meant the Calypso players only, when it was like a 5 piece band and they were out there for almost the whole day. Just added to the whole vacation-y feel for me.

 

The "Elegant" nights are a joke lol!

 

And I missed the meatballs on Freedom last July. All I saw were various cold meats and cheeses and veggies on top of different cuts of bread. I'll check out the selection again. They used to have this shrimp years ago that was to die for!

 

I just checked my Fun Times for you to see what hours you can expect the grill and Deli to be opened. When I read your post I was pretty certain that if you were looking for either one to be opened at 11pm you'd miss both. Sure enough the grill closes at 6pm and re-opens at 11:30pm. The Deli closes at 11pm each night which is why you missed it at 11pm. With so many food offerings it really is hard to keep track of what opens and closes at which times. You really need your Fun Times to follow all that. There was always a line of people waiting for burgers around 11pm each night but they won't start serving until 11:30pm.

 

There were no meatballs on the Dream in April. They had the chicken salad (which is my favorite) on some fancy bread. Something that was red and tasted like tomato paste on bread and salmon balls (have no clue what they are called) that were very good.

 

While some may dwell on the changes in drinks and appetizers they forget all those extras that have been added. When you sail the Dream you will more thank likely not have the opportunity to try half of what is offered through out the week. Room service has also added new selections to the menu as well. Don't forget the Captain's Farewell Party which has been well attended on each of the sailings I've been on. I really enjoy it on that last night since I'm winding down from the week.

[zdkrempin]

I highly doubt you had formal nights, luggage tags, and steak sandwiches at the grill on your Spirit cruise.

 

Your Deli and Grill may have been open as that seems to vary by ship, as well as the hot appetizers at the past guest party.

 

There's a big difference between the live 5 or 6 piece bands that were once on the Lido for hours and the trio thats out there now for a little while before people are forced to be entertained by the Seaside Theater poolside. From your signature I assume you've only cruised Carnival once so you're not really aware of the difference in music on the Lido. I should have went into more detail when I said "live bands on the Lido deck."

 

 

I had a steak sandwich in my tux while looking at my luggage tags listening to 9 piece band. Just kidding. I did have a steak sandwich however.

[UpstateCruizer]

The midnight buffet HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED. The GALA MIDNIGHT BUFFET with its elaborate presentations and food carvings has been done away with as NOBODY ate the food. They just took pictures of it.

Now the Lido buffet is open at 11:30PM with hot food choices for those that are hungry at that hour. No photo ops, just more food.

 

 

This has me confused? The only buffet I've seen on any of my cruises since they took the gala buffet away is the mexican buffet that is offered one night each cruise. The normal buffet areas have not had anything offered on the Dream, Splendor, Miracle, or the Valor. The only areas open for late night have been the Grill at 11:30pm and the pizza (plus room service). What ship have you found a late night buffet on? I know some of the Fun Times were once listing the Grill and Pizza as late night buffet options but that confused many. Those are now listed as late night snacks.

[LPLRN]

I miss the Carnival Ship Prints that we always got after dinner the last night of the cruise. I have them from 9 different ships, but stopped receiving them a couple years ago. I really wish they'd sell them in the the stores on the ships if they can't give them away any more, I'd like at least one for every Carnival ship I've been on, and I am platinum.

We miss those too, I'd almost forgotten about them, we have ours laminated

[Nikgirlcruiser]

The midnight buffet HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED. The GALA MIDNIGHT BUFFET with its elaborate presentations and food carvings has been done away with as NOBODY ate the food. They just took pictures of it.

Now the Lido buffet is open at 11:30PM with hot food choices for those that are hungry at that hour. No photo ops, just more food.

 

I meant midnight Gala buffet. When we were on our last two cruises the buffett was not open at midnight? Just the pizza place.

[dan40]

I meant midnight Gala buffet. When we were on our last two cruises the buffett was not open at midnight? Just the pizza place.

 

 

Are you certain? I had people tell me that only to find that only one section of the buffet was serving. The rest all closed down and looking deserted. But the one section was serving hot food.

[MikeM]

Filet

Real Slot Machines

Bread Left on the MDR table

Crumb Scrapers

Pillow Fights

Beer Drinking Contests’

Steel Drums

12 pieces of Silverware and 4 glasses per place setting

Hot food room service

Steak Sandwich

Real Onion Rings

Thicker Bacon

Grand Buffett (don’t really miss it)

Fish and Chips on some ships

Passengers with out an agenda

 

Forgot to add Free Special Occasion Cakes at dinner.

Baby's with diapers in the hot tubs. (Not Really)

[TheTravelista]

I had a steak sandwich in my tux while looking at my luggage tags listening to 9 piece band. Just kidding. I did have a steak sandwich however.

 

LOL!!!

 

Maybe they're bringing them back? I remember someone asking John about it on his blog and he said they were definitely doing away with them. I haven't seen them in years but I'll be very happy if I see them in the future.

[Graron]

..the actual talent shows, not the "Legends" which get very boring after awhile. Might not be quite so bad if they changed the "stars" that they are supposed to be imitating. It was better, IMHO, when passengers really showed off talent and variety.

[SMSACE6]

What I miss from Carnival first and foremost is single cruise prices at 150pc pricing. After my upcoming September cruise on the Freedom, I will book a cruise on another cruiseline for 2011, regardless of whether or not I have to pay 200pc and regardless of whether that 200pc price on another cruiseline is more than Carnivals 200pc price. So if I have to pay 200pc I will go back to NCL or Celebrity or other line just because! Ok, that rant over with.....

 

I miss the former Captains party, which took place on the first "formal" night, on second evening of a 7 day cruise. Yes I know that they replaced it with a farewell party, but there was just something really classy about going to that old Captain's party on formal night, dressed to the nines, and seeing the Captain ( maybe ) but other ships officers dressed in their classy uniforms. The drinks were nice, and the finger food was nice too, and as far as Im concerned the farewell party on the last night of the cruise just doesnt come close to the former. For me it is not about the freebies, but about the classiness of that former party.

 

I also miss some menu items from the MDR dinner menu, but there are some really good new things on there so I wont go on about it.

 

I also miss the mailed documents and luggage tags but I do accept that it is a sign of the times and that most cruise lines are doing this, much the same as my employer insisting on emailing my pay check stub! Such is the nature of "progress".

 

I could care less if they stopped those square chocolates on the evening turndown service. but I hear that it is hit or miss whether you get them or not. For me they can keep them.

 

Other than that...all I can say is that after September I will be branching out and trying another cruiseline, and the only reason for that is because Carnival has *&^%$# on my solo cruise dollar business!

[CorbinCatFan]

I miss the breakfast and lunch seating in the MDR. A few cruises back, if you had late seating at dinner, then you would have late breakfast and lunch seating at your assigned table.

 

In October last year, we had a farewell party on the Fantasy but it disappeared on the Inspiration in June.

 

In retrospect, we have been paying less per person per day as compared to our first cruise. The saying is, you get what you pay for.:o

[waiting4acruise]

While it is true that there are no longer any free drinks at the Captain's Party...the free drinks have simply been moved to the LAST night of the cruise and they call it a Farewell Party.

 

For some reason, whenever someone complains about no more free drinks at the Captain's Party...they never mention there is still the same availibility of free drinks as there always has been. They just moved the night and changed the name.

 

The "orchestra" has been replaced by a Stage Band. I doubt that effected most people.

 

The pins are no longer free (unless you are Platinum) but you can now purchase them in the gift shop if someone collects.

 

The Gala Midnight buffet has been gone for awhile now...but a Chocolate Buffet has been added and this one actually gets eaten!! :D

 

Over the years, I have actually watched MORE stuff added (like food stations, better water parks and Adult Serenity arease on the Fantasy class ships). I remember the days when there was no Mongolian Wok or Roast chicken on a Fantasy class ship.

 

Sometimes folks just like to harp on the couple of things that have been "taken away" instead of looking at the big picture.

The problem with replacing the farewell party for the Capatian's is that the farewell party is not well publicized. Of the 3 cruises that I have been on with the farewell party I missed 2 of them because of this. I think Carnival does not publicize the farewell party too well is because it wants to cut down on the free drinks.

[waiting4acruise]

I too miss the full orchestra, but the stage band is O.K. (They do an outstanding job with the pieces they have IMO.)

 

The other thing that I REALLY miss is the "RED PUNCH" on the Lido!

 

"SKY"

Same here. I need something to drink other than the awful Lido iced tea.

[ladycaveat]

My September cruise on Carnival may be my last on Carnival. Since doing away with the 1A 150% fir solo cruisers will force me to check out specials on other cruise lines. Enjoyed my cruises on Carnival but no more so than other cruise lines I've been on.