A Carnival junkie sails NCL for the first time

[BeachChik]

How would you know???? :rolleyes:

 

Because his aunts, sisters, cousins, friend told him so. :rolleyes:

 

What he fails to grasp is that if his posts were logical they would be more effective. However they are such nonsense no one takes anything he says serious.

 

I wonder if its even an adult posting. I expect to see "I'm rubber and your glue..." posted at any time.

[nbsjcruiser]

I hate to point out the obvious....but Carnival could easily make a "course correction" to upgrade entertainment.

 

But...they would have to also "upgrade their prices".

 

I'm taking Carnival out of NY for 8 nights in Dec. An NCL cruise leaves the next day...for 7 nights. Two of the ports are the same! Only one is different.

 

I'm paying $600 less for a mid-ship balcony than I would pay for a shorter cruise on NCL.

 

Don't know...maybe I just got lucky with the price; but, I'd rather spend the $600 elsewhere than have the NCL entertainment

 

This is where Carnival has everyone fooled. They've successfully scared people into thinking any upgrade or enhancement, no matter how small, will result in a likewise increase in price. Pretty soon people will be happily sleeping on hammocks because otherwise it would cost more to cruise.

 

Lets take the live band analogy. How much extra would it cost Carnival to have a 4 man band playing on deck throughout the week as well as providing entertainment in a bar? I can only guess but lets say food, lodging, salary (not much as we know) amounted to $1000 per entertainer a week. Heck, lets say it costs $1500 per entertainer. So we're talking a cost of $6000 a week. Now lets assume Carnival passed the entire cost on to the customers. Lets take a ship with 3600 people on board. Less than $2 per person would cover their cost and I would also argue that they would probably sell a few more drinks up on deck with a live band playing and that obtrusive TV shut off.

 

So we're talking about a mere pittance in your cruise fare if they decided to go with a live band. Would it really make any difference in your cruise? Nope, not one iota. But Carnival has many people fooled with this game. Cut costs to save money and keep cutting because the loyal Carnival follower will take just about anything we dish out. At some point many people will say (and have said, like the OP in this thread) enough. I'll gladly pay a couple extra hundred bucks if it means I get entertainment I enjoy, real steaks in the MDR and in general a higher quality and a bigger bang for my buck. To me its like buying a used Hyundai with 100000 miles on it and telling yourself you're saving money because you didn't buy a new Honda or GM.

 

You do get what you pay for.

[RRLLAL]

I hate to point out the obvious....but Carnival could easily make a "course correction" to upgrade entertainment.

 

But...they would have to also "upgrade their prices".

 

I'm taking Carnival out of NY for 8 nights in Dec. An NCL cruise leaves the next day...for 7 nights. Two of the ports are the same! Only one is different.

 

I'm paying $600 less for a mid-ship balcony than I would pay for a shorter cruise on NCL.

 

Don't know...maybe I just got lucky with the price; but, I'd rather spend the $600 elsewhere than have the NCL entertainment

 

Ditto. Some people will say that other lines are cheaper or about the same, and then will toss out a cruise to make their point. But for most to be able to do that, you gave to be VERY flexible as to when you cruise, where you cruise from and where you go. Usually even the type of room you are willing to get.

 

There is no cost benefit to taking a cruise on another line when you add up the pluses and minuses of each line and pretty much get a net zero until you get to the cost.

 

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[RRLLAL]

This is where Carnival has everyone fooled. They've successfully scared people into thinking any upgrade or enhancement, no matter how small, will result in a likewise increase in price. Lets take the live band analogy. How much extra would it cost Carnival to have a 4 man band playing on deck throughout the week as well as providing entertainment in a bar? I can only guess but lets say food, lodging, salary (not much as we know) amounted to $1000 per entertainer a week. Heck, lets say it costs $1500 per entertainer. So we're talking a cost of $6000 a week. Now lets assume Carnival passed the entire cost on to the customers. Lets take a ship with 3600 people on board. Less than $2 per person would cover their cost and I would also argue that they would probably sell a few more drinks up on deck with a live band playing and that obtrusive TV shut off.

 

So we're talking about a mere pittance in your cruise fare if they decided to go with a live band. Would it really make any difference in your cruise? Nope, not one iota. But Carnival has many people fooled with this game. Cut costs to save money and keep cutting because the loyal Carnival follower will take just about anything we dish out. At some point many people will say (and have said, like the OP in this thread) enough. I'll gladly pay a couple extra hundred bucks if it means I get entertainment I enjoy, real steaks in the MDR and in general a higher quality and a bigger bang for my buck. To me its like buying a used Hyundai with 100000 miles on it and telling yourself you're saving money because you didn't buy a new Honda or GM.

 

You do, get what you pay for.

 

Another post that tries to give people the impression that Carnival has only made cuts. One of the biggest fallacies and perpetual lies.

 

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[RRLLAL]

This is where Carnival has everyone fooled. They've successfully scared people into thinking any upgrade or enhancement, no matter how small, will result in a likewise increase in price.

 

Except they have made upgrades. Some just choose to ignore them. Good thing not to many here run a business.

 

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[nbsjcruiser]

Another post that tries to give people the impression that Carnival has only made cuts. One of the biggest fallacies and perpetual lies.

 

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Well lets see now. When I went on my first Carnival cruise in 2001 there was a live band on deck, I remember getting two delicious NY striploins in the MDR, there was no Mac and Cheese or meatloaf in the MDR. On my last Carnival cruise I was unable to get a steak in the MDR unless I wanted one of those cast iron pieces of crap, there was no live band, the entertainment on that ship was IDENTICAL to the 2 previous Carnival cruises I took two years previous and I was offered meatloaf and Mac and cheese in the MDR.

 

If that doesn't sound like cutbacks then I suggest you're living in a fools paradise.

[evandbob]

Another post that tries to give people the impression that Carnival has only made cuts. One of the biggest fallacies and perpetual lies.

 

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I've cruised CCL since 2003 and have noticed more cuts than upgrades in service and quality. That's why I'm branching out to other lines, like NCL, Disney, Princess (yes, part of CCL) and X. Nothing wrong with my staying with CCL for 9 yrs and there's nothing wrong with my branching out to new lines.

Let's get over this I'm right and you're wrong mentality. Closed minds are not open to new experiences.

[Silverscreencruiser]

Another post that tries to give people the impression that Carnival has only made cuts. One of the biggest fallacies and perpetual lies.

 

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It's not necessarily a lie (which means intentional) but it is a fallacy.

 

People only see cutbacks or additions if it's something they use. I never use the spa, so I have no idea if they make cutbacks or additions there.

 

Every time people say Carnival has cut back on entertainment, they ignore the comedy club. Five years ago, you had one of two comics on a cruise and the main show one night was the two comics doing a half hour clean show each, followed by a midnight adult show.

 

Now, instead of two comics doing two shows each, you have three or four comics doing six or eight shows each. That's a lot more selection if you like comedy. If you don't, it's not an improvement. But it is flat out wrong to say that Carnival has eliminated one night of entertainment. They just gave people more comedy instead of one extra night with a magician or lounge singer. Depending on your taste, you may or may not like it (since the comedy clubs are full, I'd say most people like it). But it's not a cutback.

[molole]

I didn't enjoy my last couple of Carnival cruises as much as NCL or RCCL ones. My DH basically flat out doesn't want to try Carnival any more no matter how cheap it is. We are at the point we are both willing to pay more to have the better cruises we experienced with NCL and RCCL. The only hold up is I still want to try a Spirit class ship as they seem to be the most popular and have fewer crowding issues than other CCL ships. I have CCL Legend and NCL Epic reserved and I plan to cancel one soon. Now I think I will be canceling the Legend even though I really wanted to give it a chance.

 

There is a reason CCL's prices are low. I am sure it's good enough for some, but not for us.

[H82seaUgo]

And you ignore any and all posts that point out the adds.

 

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bothered you that much you had to repond twice?

 

adds?

 

adding burgers replacing burgers?

 

adding bars that replace bars?

 

moving the comedians to a smaller venue cause they were so bad?

 

making the passengers the entertainment?

 

serving cold dinners after cutting the staff that even now state they are stretched too thin.

 

adds?

 

adding more people to the vip pool just by buying into it?

 

adding more pay for venues.

 

adding $$ dollars to drinks and bon voyage that were already overpriced?

 

all they are doing is adding the savvy cruiser to the competion roster list, and adding the cheap cruiser to their client list.

 

and still no "brilliant" column on the survey card.

 

oh, those are gone too.

 

- sent from mom's basment

[misstopgun]

Ditto. Some people will say that other lines are cheaper or about the same, and then will toss out a cruise to make their point. But for most to be able to do that, you gave to be VERY flexible as to when you cruise, where you cruise from and where you go. Usually even the type of room you are willing to get.

 

There is no cost benefit to taking a cruise on another line when you add up the pluses and minuses of each line and pretty much get a net zero until you get to the cost.

 

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Actually, If I spent more on a cruise on a different line, I would more than save the extra I spent because I would be spending less on the higher priced cruise to keep myself entertained and enjoying the ammenities I used to. Just think of the extra cost we incur with Chef's tables, wine packages, casinos, (due to lack of good entertainment) cabanas at the beach, etc to try to upgrade our cut back experience.

[wanderingjew]

bothered you that much you had to repond twice?

 

adds?

 

adding burgers replacing burgers?

 

adding bars that replace bars?

 

moving the comedians to a smaller venue cause they were so bad?

 

making the passengers the entertainment?

 

serving cold dinners after cutting the staff that even now state they are stretched too thin.

 

adds?

 

adding more people to the vip pool just by buying into it?

 

adding more pay for venues.

 

adding $$ dollars to drinks and bon voyage that were already overpriced?

 

all they are doing is adding the savvy cruiser to the competion roster list, and adding the cheap cruiser to their client list.

 

and still no "brilliant" column on the survey card.

 

oh, those are gone too.

 

- sent from mom's basment

You forgot adding more passengers to an already crowded ship

[RRLLAL]

Actually, If I spent more on a cruise on a different line, I would more than save the extra I spent because I would be spending less on the higher priced cruise to keep myself entertained and enjoying the ammenities I used to. Just think of the extra cost we incur with Chef's tables, wine packages, casinos, (due to lack of good entertainment) cabanas at the beach, etc to try to upgrade our cut back experience.

 

None of that was my point, but keep trying.

 

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[oncruisecontrol]

Lol. I would think a review of an ncl cruise would ne found on the rcl board. It doesn't belong here but I see the Carnival haters are chiming in.

 

I disagree. It may be that since the OP is a longtime Carnival cruiser who has just tried NCL, she may have (rightly) thought that her opinion of her cruise on NCL might be of interest to other longtime Carnival cruisers (like myself) who are considering sailing another line in addition to Carnival. To the OP: Thanks for your review. I was just discussing your review with my sister who, like me, is a longtime Carnival cruiser. Last year, she and her husband tried NCL for the first time. To them, NCL did some things better, and some things were better on Carnival. Pretty much what they expected, I think.

[H82seaUgo]

You forgot adding more passengers to an already crowded ship

 

like stephen king novels, these things could just write themselves. Bbut for me, less is more. kinda like what the "what"s not included" column looked like in the old carnival brochures.

 

yup. them be gone too.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

It's not necessarily a lie (which means intentional) but it is a fallacy.

 

People only see cutbacks or additions if it's something they use. I never use the spa, so I have no idea if they make cutbacks or additions there.

 

Every time people say Carnival has cut back on entertainment, they ignore the comedy club. Five years ago, you had one of two comics on a cruise and the main show one night was the two comics doing a half hour clean show each, followed by a midnight adult show.

 

Now, instead of two comics doing two shows each, you have three or four comics doing six or eight shows each. That's a lot more selection if you like comedy. If you don't, it's not an improvement. But it is flat out wrong to say that Carnival has eliminated one night of entertainment. They just gave people more comedy instead of one extra night with a magician or lounge singer. Depending on your taste, you may or may not like it (since the comedy clubs are full, I'd say most people like it). But it's not a cutback.

 

Or they are full because there is not much else going on at the time of the shows.

 

Bill

[misstopgun]

Actually, If I spent more on a cruise on a different line, I would more than save the extra I spent because I would be spending less on the higher priced cruise to keep myself entertained and enjoying the ammenities I used to. Just think of the extra cost we incur with Chef's tables, wine packages, casinos, (due to lack of good entertainment) cabanas at the beach, etc to try to upgrade our cut back experience.

 

None of that was my point, but keep trying.

 

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There is no cost benefit to taking a cruise on another line when you add up the pluses and minuses of each line and pretty much get a net zero until you get to the cost.

 

Yes, this was your point, try again.

[halos]

Or they are full because there is not much else going on at the time of the shows.

 

Bill

 

e x a c t l y

[nealstuber]

Stuber, Stuber, Stuber......

 

I made the comment to a post that said my posts were the only positive ones.

 

Reading comprehension.......

 

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All you have to do is go to the front page here. There are more positive posts about Carnival than anything. So I don't need to focus on mine alone.

 

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Please re-read your post (I cited verbatim above). I do not have a reading comprehension problem. If you go to the front page here (this thread) there are NOT more postive posts about carnival than anything.

 

We understand... You've spewed out so much crap its tough to keep track of it all.

 

Little tiny baby seal.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Ooooh, ooooh, I know, didn't they just add whole bunch of extra cabins to the new Sunshine to make here even more crowded? Are those the type of additions you are talking about???:confused:

[wanderingjew]

Please re-read your post Icited above). I do not have a reading comprehension problem. If you go to the front page here (this thread) there are NOT more postive posts about carnival than anything.

 

Little tiny baby seal.

to RRLLAL the only good reviews are the only ones that are positive to CCl anything negative its not honest LOL

[jonbgd]

Good thing not to many here run a business.

 

 

The most important thing for any business is Cutomer service.

 

Most small business owners will tell you that.

Sometimes the bigger a company gets they forget

[RRLLAL]

I've cruised CCL since 2003 and have noticed more cuts than upgrades in service and quality. That's why I'm branching out to other lines, like NCL, Disney, Princess (yes, part of CCL) and X. Nothing wrong with my staying with CCL for 9 yrs and there's nothing wrong with my branching out to new lines.

Let's get over this I'm right and you're wrong mentality. Closed minds are not open to new experiences.

 

So since 2003 you have missed the following adds (not that every add is a positive for all, just like every cutback doesn't bother all. It is all personal preference but they are still adds that cost $$$).

 

* Addition of water slides.

* Addition of large screens on some ships.

* Addition of a zip line thing (on 1 or 2 ships?).

* Addition of additional comedy shows.

* Addition of comedy brunch.

* Addition of the Mongolian Wok and other free eateries.

* Addition of Guys Burgers.

* The whole 2.0 thing.

* Addition of burrito bar.

* Addition of pre-dinner sushi tasting.

* Addition of Cove balconies.

* Replacement of TV's with LCD's.

* Upgrades to their private island.

* Additional equipment and training classes in the spa.

* Forget which class, but a $2.5m upgrade to one class ship.

* Additional table games in the casino as well as their own year long poker tournament (yes, they make money but to some cruisers it is a great time. Chris Moneymaker says hello).

* Many others I am sure I am forgetting.

 

 

None of the above are just standard dry dock maintenance/cosmetic clean-up things.

 

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[RRLLAL]

Actually, If I spent more on a cruise on a different line, I would more than save the extra I spent because I would be spending less on the higher priced cruise to keep myself entertained and enjoying the ammenities I used to. Just think of the extra cost we incur with Chef's tables, wine packages, casinos, (due to lack of good entertainment) cabanas at the beach, etc to try to upgrade our cut back experience.

 

Chefs table and wine packages used to be free? Who knew?

 

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[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

So since 2003 you have missed the following adds (not that every add is a positive for all, just like every cutback doesn't bother all. It is all personal preference but they are still adds that cost $$$).

 

* Addition of water slides.

* Addition of large screens on some ships.

* Addition of a zip line thing (on 1 or 2 ships?).

* Addition of additional comedy shows.

* Addition of comedy brunch.

* Addition of the Mongolian Wok and other free eateries.

* Addition of Guys Burgers.

* The whole 2.0 thing.

* Addition of burrito bar.

* Addition of pre-dinner sushi tasting.

* Addition of Cove balconies.

* Replacement of TV's with LCD's.

* Upgrades to their private island.

* Additional equipment and training classes in the spa.

* Forget which class, but a $2.5m upgrade to one class ship.

* Additional table games in the casino as well as their own year long poker tournament (yes, they make money but to some cruisers it is a great time. Chris Moneymaker says hello).

* Many others I am sure I am forgetting.

 

 

None of the above are just standard dry dock maintenance/cosmetic clean-up things.

 

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Well now I KNOW you have NEVER sailed any other line! Most of these ARE dry dock maintenance issues or part of NEW builds! However, since you've only been on Carnival, these "seem" like added benefits!!! LOL