Carnival may not be Walmart of the Seas, but is it Southwest of the Seas?

[gargoyle999]

So some people call Carnival "Walmart of the Seas", I'm not so sure about that plus I shop at Walmart so it doesn't bother me anyway. :p

 

But I think Carnival may be "Southwest of the Seas" as in Southwest Airlines. Here is what I mean:

 

Southwest has a reputation of having low fares vs a lot of other airlines but in reality that is often not the case now. Once they started flying from MSP I starting pricing their flights and they were usually higher even when factoring in baggage fees! Or they were similar in price but had a connection vs non stop.

 

I think Carnival is like that. Has a reputation for being among the lowest cost but often is not.

 

I had booked the Magic for 12 nights in Europe for September. But found an 18 night on Ruby Princess for its transatlantic in Oct in similar balcony cabin for less money TOTAL than the Magic 12 nights.

 

Now I just booked NCL Dawn for Feb 2013 and before booking was comparing that to the Dream that has a similar itinerary during that month. Ocean Suite on Carnival is $336 more than an SF suite on NCL. And I'm getting $575 OBC for the booking with my TA so the difference really is $911 more. Since Carnival now forbids TA discounting I would get zero.

 

Not only is Carnival (a lot) more expensive once again, but the NCL SF suite has a butler, concierge, priority embark/debark, priority tender, escort to your suite upon initial boarding, any food on the ship can delivered to your cabin, suite guest only restaurant for breakfast and lunch, sparking wine, bottled water, fruit and flowers in the cabin, treats delivered every day, even someone to unpack your luggage! Carnival has priority embark/debark and ????.

 

So not counting OBC, even if newer ship vs older ship is worth $330 (might be to some, not me), if price was the same the perks on NCL are much better. Factor in OBC and it is a blowout.

 

Is Carnival like Southwest and riding on its low price leader reputation and hoping people don't compare? :confused:

[jessemon]

I fly SW constantly. Always a lower price to where I go.....Also I don't pay for luggage or carry ons and if I want a drink it is $5.00 as opposed to $7.00.

As for Carn-evil....I compare pricing against their product many times and other lines (even within their on cruiselines) are cheaper. Carn-evil is noted for first time cruising for people who are unaware of other lines they can sail at cheaper prices.

Even once you get onboard they overprice for many other things...Drinks, shore excursions, pictures and so on....

You like many others are becoming a sharper cruiser. Trying other lines and enjoying different styles of cruising...At better pricing and generally getting a better product for your money...

[lappy22]

The two companies are very similiar in many ways. They are both turn and burn type of brands, but are both the best at running it right. Both have been consistently profitable over the past couple decades and both have loyal followings.

 

But cost of the product is always a little wierd. Why is it cheaper for me to fly from LAX to Miami then it is to fly to Houston? This winter I saw Princess prices so low I thought they were a little desperate and now I'm seeing those desperate fares from NCL for later on this year.

[lappy22]

I fly SW constantly. Always a lower price to where I go.....Also I don't pay for luggage or carry ons and if I want a drink it is $5.00 as opposed to $7.00.

As for Carn-evil....I compare pricing against their product many times and other lines (even within their on cruiselines) are cheaper. Carn-evil is noted for first time cruising for people who are unaware of other lines they can sail at cheaper prices.

Even once you get onboard they overprice for many other things...Drinks, shore excursions, pictures and so on....

You like many others are becoming a sharper cruiser. Trying other lines and enjoying different styles of cruising...At better pricing and generally getting a better product for your money...

 

Most of our cruises have been on Carnival but I have to say that most onboard prices are pretty close on all of the ships that we have sailed. We budget $150 per person per day for drinks, pics, casino, shops, ports, etc.and the only cruise that we were came in over our budget was on our last RCCL cruise. And the food really sucked that cruise!!! Haven't tried every line yet, but not looking for that. We keep going back to what we like.

[jessemon]

Most of our cruises have been on Carnival but I have to say that most onboard prices are pretty close on all of the ships that we have sailed. We budget $150 per person per day for drinks, pics, casino, shops, ports, etc.and the only cruise that we were came in over our budget was on our last RCCL cruise. And the food really sucked that cruise!!! Haven't tried every line yet, but not looking for that. We keep going back to what we like.

If you look in my signature you will see how many times I have cruised and with what lines. The line I have cruised with the most is Carnival. Just being objective....Carnival now is getting out of line for product supplied.....

Also many lines have much better food and RCCL is not one of them....;)

[lillian marie]

I don't mind comparing CCL to Walmart, both are industry leaders with often but not always the lowest prices. Southwest is also a leader in it's field and a bargain often but not always for air travel. If you like CCL cruise it, or if you like another line cruise it. I think CCL gives me the most vacation cruise product for my $ and that's why I'm platinum with CCL. I've cruised other lines too and still prefer CCL.

[lillian marie]

I don't mind comparing CCL to Walmart, both are industry leaders with often but not always the lowest prices. Southwest is also a leader in it's field and a bargain often but not always for air travel. If you like CCL cruise it, or if you like another line cruise it. I think CCL gives me the most vacation cruise product for my $ and that's why I'm platinum with CCL. I've cruised other lines too and still prefer CCL.

[nytraveller53]

A couple things...

 

-I DO mind it when Carnival is called Walmart of the Seas. I actually am against Walmart because I don't think they treat their employees correctly. Anyway...

 

-The reason a TRANSATLANTIC cruise on an OLDER ship is cheaper, is because it has less demand. MEDITERRANEAN cruises are much more high-profile especially on a BRAND NEW SHIP! So no, the prices are perfectly fair.

 

-But you are right about SOUTHWEST itself...they're always more expensive. I always go Delta now, because I am a Gold Award member :D

 

Have fun on Princess...

[MrPete]

I still don't get the reference. Is it to help someone understand what the line means.

 

And most misunderstand anyway, cause they immediately think the Walmart shopping experience, not the corporate P&L.

 

So, what does SW's P&L look like??

[hubofhockey]

I had booked the Magic for 12 nights in Europe for September. But found an 18 night on Ruby Princess for its transatlantic in Oct in similar balcony cabin for less money TOTAL than the Magic 12 nights.

 

:confused:

 

You should compare apples to apples. Try comparing Ruby Princess Grand Med prices in the summer to Carnival Magic's Med pricing. You are comparing a September cruise to a mid to late October Med cruise. Also, that Transatlantic is going to have a lot of sea days and many aren't looking for that on a Med cruise.

 

I will leave you with this. My wife and I were on the 12-day Ruby Princess Grand Med cruise last July 4. It was a special vacation. We had a small balcony cabin and the cost was a little over $6K. We booked the 9-day Carnival Med Magic and, even with our kids (there is now four of us), the total is only $5K and that is an ES in the highest Carnival balcony category 8S with spa benefits on the Spa deck. There could even be further price drops. This is a family vacation that we could never afford on Princess. It is three days less than the Ruby and the Ruby has that great itinerary. But Carnival provides a product that Princess does not. We love Princess. But sometimes Carnival "works" better.

[Tapi]

We are sailing on Princess to Alaska in september partly because Princess was much cheaper than Carnival.

[UpstateCruizer]

Another thing to consider beyond the not comparing apples to apples with older vs newer ships is that not everyone who books a Carnival cruise is doing it based solely on pricing.

 

An example of this is way back prior to booking our first cruise I called Carnival and Royal Caribbean speaking to booking agents for both. The Carnival agent wowed me with all the things that were available onboard. The Royal agent was far less enthusiastic and made me take a longer look at Carnival online. My dh has friends that have sailed on Royal Caribbean and are very loyal to them. When I mentioned I had a better feeling about booking a Carnival cruise he was hesitant. Shortly after that the Carnival Pvp had sent me a brochure from the Triumph. When my husband saw the brochure he was finally convinced that we should try it.

 

Keep in mind at that point we were only trying to decide what cruiseline to book with. Pricing and itinerary hadn't even figured into the choice. From there we contacted a few travel agencies to get more information from a professional perspective.

 

In the end we didn't even price out a Royal Caribbean cruise because we really liked what we saw within the Carnival cruiseline. We booked the Triumph and sailed the following June. Loved it so much we got off the ship and booked it again to sail a couple months later.

 

We were hooked at that point and it have enjoyed many cruises after that. This is an example of how not everyone books cruises based on pricing. We will look at other cruiselines for itinerary that Carnival may not offer. One of our dream cruises is going to Hawaii but currently Princess is the line that offers what we are looking for on that cruise. Again we haven't even looked at pricing.

[firefly333]

HAL has 3 ships to Alaska and Carnival one. I find Carnival is often the most expensive option to Alaska as a for instance.

 

For Caribbean out of close by drive to ports, Carnival is usually cheaper, but RCL is often cheaper.

 

Even the poster who said compare apples to apples, said he booked a cruise 3 days shorter on Carnival .. so its not exactly apples to apples as those long med. cruises can be pricey.

 

I think you need to price everything out of the port you want, and then price the next closest port too... might be worth a extra drive.

[norcal2]

It always gets down to any cruise is a great cruise.

 

Maybe we can add that no cruise is cheap after the airline and cruise line costs are added up. Many cruisers call other lines names in an effort to prove they only sail on the best. In fact, there is no best in subtly different, there is only our own choice of similar. I would not read anything into it.

[kml2000]

It always gets down to any cruise is a great cruise.

 

Maybe we can add that no cruise is cheap after the airline and cruise line costs are added up. Many cruisers call other lines names in an effort to prove they only sail on the best. In fact, there is no best in subtly different, there is only our own choice of similar. I would not read anything into it.

 

I was thinking the same thing - any cruise is a great cruise if you allow it to be. When I go on a vacation and someone else cooks every meal, cleans all the dishes, makes my bed, etc, it is a great vacation. It drives me crazy when people say it is the Walmart of cruises. I don't think that way. We cruised Disney, RCCL and Carnival and have enjoyed each of them. I will say our favorite was RCCL's Grandeur HOWEVER it has to be qualified. It is the only cruise that just my daughter and I went on. We had the best time only having to worry about ourselves. It didn't have ANYTHING to do with the cruise line.

 

I chose Carnival this time because of price and itinerary. When deciding, I priced RCCL, NCL, Princes and Carnival. We can't cruise enough for my opinion to really matter. However, I am thankful we can go on this trip and plan to have an amazing time - walmart/southwest/whatever!!!!

[hubofhockey]

Even the poster who said compare apples to apples, said he booked a cruise 3 days shorter on Carnival .. so its not exactly apples to apples as those long med. cruises can be pricey.

 

 

That was me. But the Carnival Med is less than $140 per person per night in a spa balcony cabin. The Ruby Princess was $250 per person per night in their very small balcony rooms. Of course, part of the savings is Carnival's favorable pricing for 3rd and 4th passengers. Princess doesn't discount much on 3rd and 4th. But the bottom line is that in my mind, both the Ruby and Magic were good values for US. I would even book a premium line (not mass market like Princess/Celebrit/HAL) like Azamara if it made sense in terms of price, value, and itinerary.

[gargoyle999]

You should compare apples to apples.

 

I agree with this. That is why I didn't make this posting until comparing Dream to the Dawn, same month and same ports and same as you can get cabin category.

 

Dream is $330 more based on full price, $911 more when OBC is factored in. Plus all the perks of the full suite on NCL that Carnival does not have.

[gargoyle999]

Just being objective....Carnival now is getting out of line for product supplied.....

 

I think that sums up my point.

 

I am not bashing the Carnival product. I like Carnival. I have a B2B on the Splendor coming up in three weeks and DW will turn Platinum and I'll have sailed with Carnival 61 days in 8 Carnival cruises. I had booked the Magic so I could sail on Carnival in Europe.

 

But, if same month, same ports and similar cabin category is going to cost $911 more and not have the perks, the pricing is out of line for the product supplied as jessemon said.

[seguincruiser]

OP thanks for the info. My problem is that cruises are a vacation that we take every 4-5yrs so I've only booked Carnival because we've always had such a good time. I'm afraid to try others in case its such a disappointment, also at this rate it'll take me another 20yrs to make Platnium. Would love to try RCL but then would feel like I'm starting over working towards Diamond status. I think when we get older I'll move closer to FL in order to cut travel expense to the ports.:rolleyes:

[victoryred]

I think that sums up my point.

 

I am not bashing the Carnival product. I like Carnival. I have a B2B on the Splendor coming up in three weeks and DW will turn Platinum and I'll have sailed with Carnival 61 days in 8 Carnival cruises. I had booked the Magic so I could sail on Carnival in Europe.

 

But, if same month, same ports and similar cabin category is going to cost $911 more and not have the perks, the pricing is out of line for the product supplied as jessemon said.

 

I agree and that is why you need to do your homework.......we have sailed on Princess and RCCL cheaper........and it has been posted on here but loyalist will always will try to tell you it is not apples to apples when infact it is:rolleyes: There will always be the followers because of the former reputation...people are creatures of habit......

And I have been noticing this the last couple of years.....not just recently.

[Jabee]

First of all, if you can cruise a similar cruise for $900, you would be nuts NOT to take the deal.

 

The only time I cruise with NCL I could do a five day on Carnival or a seven day on NCL for the same price. Even my pvp said he understood.

 

You do have a misunderstanding on the Carnival policy, however. TA's can offers OBC from their commissions. I have had it done many times. They can not, however ADVERTISE or sell a cruise for a lower price then Carnivals price.

 

I cruise Carnival for two reasons...One..I am pleased with the product and TWO) location, location, location. I am a days drive to Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile, Tampa, Cape Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Charleston. I believe that is a total of ten ships. How many NCL ships...how many RCL? Only at the ones farthest away. (Exception with RCL coming and NCL part time in NOLA)

[G'ma]

What an odd and humorous post.

 

OP cannot possibly compare the new Magic with an older ship....nor the Dream with an older ship.

 

If you wish to compare, do it apples to apples, not apples to oranges. Heck, the ships aren't even close.....

 

As for WN? I fly them almost exclusively from Philly. And, I don't mind a connection. They have the best ontime record in the industry.

 

They DO have the lowest fares...but you have to start early and be vigilant when checking fares....and be ready to actually BUY when the price is right.

 

Sooner or later, out of Philly, the "other" carriers do a price match with WN....but very few seats made available..and usually on the most undesirable flights.

 

As for Carnival and WalMart...they are nothing alike. WalMart is a company that treats their employees like crap, mostly sell Chinese junk and use forced labor/child labor in China where manufacturing/distribution costs them next to nothing.... I wouldn't step foot in one of their stores..never have, never will.

 

Carnival, on the other hand.................

[Redsfan]

I can tell you that even though we do not travel frequently, we chose Carnival partially because of the value. We booked a 5 night OV for 5 of us on Destiny with 3 port stops for $1400. There is no other cruise line in the world that would have given us the same deal. Sure I could have paid more on RCCL for an Inside maybe, but didn't hesitate to even think about it...we also paid only $800 for us to fly US Air out of Buffalo. Southwest I should have looked at as their rates out of Barfalo are pretty good it seems compared to the others.

 

I think it all depends on where you are going, and comparing rates...for us Carnival is by far the most value we can get for a large family...and I am happy to travel again with that being the case..

[firefly333]

As for Carnival and WalMart...they are nothing alike. WalMart is a company that treats their employees like crap' date=' mostly sell Chinese junk and use forced labor/child labor in China where manufacturing/distribution costs them next to nothing.... I wouldn't step foot in one of their stores..never have, never will.

 

Carnival, on the other hand.................[/quote']

 

Now thats a very interesting point, bring up foreign labor .. which Carnival is famous for how to get around laws in the U.S. by using a foreign flag. They dont hire in the U.S. at all (I mean for the crap jobs, not the entertainers and bosses).. if you are holding them up as being better employees because of their wages, where Carnival (and others) depend on tips to make up most of the salaries .. Carnival doesnt seem to look so good on that score to me.

 

G'ma .. you are such a cheerleader.

[LHP]

First of all, if you can cruise a similar cruise for $900, you would be nuts NOT to take the deal.

 

The only time I cruise with NCL I could do a five day on Carnival or a seven day on NCL for the same price. Even my pvp said he understood.

 

You do have a misunderstanding on the Carnival policy, however. TA's can offers OBC from their commissions. I have had it done many times. They can not, however ADVERTISE or sell a cruise for a lower price then Carnivals price.

 

 

It is my understanding that Carnival put an end to that practice as well about 5 months ago.

 

TAs can now only give a "nonminal" gift (wine or small OBC $25)...but no more flat kick backs of commission.

 

Supposedly the reason was to give small Travel Agencies the same advantage as large ones that could afford to kick back more of their commission.