Are you considering other cruise lines

[Blk_Amish]

.

 

If you have nothing to compare it to a lot of people find CCL to be just fine. In recent years not so much for me (but a few years ago, their product was more consistent.)

 

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

 

It can also be said if you have vacation experience beyond cruise lines CCL is fine. I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Regency in February, then realized I could book a week's cruise on the Magic for what I paid for 2 nights ROOM ONLY in Hawaii. I have been on CCL 4X, Princess 2x, RCCL 8x. My next cruise will most likely be on Princess or Celebrity but possible a vacation at a Couples resort. A can ( 10 oz) can of soda in Rome was $5, a jug of plane water with a slice of lemon in Copenhagen was $6. IMOP, if you are an educated consumer, have realistic expectations, and above all have other types of vacation experience to compare it to, CLL is fine.

 

Carnival Magic for Cove balcony $85 pp per night- transportation to 3 islands, reasonably good food in the MDR (some I could have done better), ok shows, plus the chance to drop like it's hot every night. Grand Hyatt Regency - $600 per night, room only, amazing service and beautiful hotel. Beer $8 and Maitai $15 at the bar. I would do both again!

[Blk_Amish]

 

I guess I find if I have invested enough to be gold on CCL even if the Dream was a complete waste of money for me, it still should allow us to be able to be active on the CCL forum. Its a CRITIQUE forum, not a forum for glowing reviews and cheerleaders. If it was slanted that way, it wouldn't be a very objective critic review site...

 

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Why is it an investment, which implies ownership. If you bought Charmaine toilet paper would you say that you have invested in that company and the last roll did not perform the way you wanted. Unless the ship sinks, oops don't want that, there is enough information before hand not to make a bad vacation choice or waste time and money. Syms, an educated consumer is our best customer.

 

My retirement is secure because I invested in CCL doing multiple cruises:D

[ruezim2]

The other half of my other friends have a different economic situation

 

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Is that just another way of saying people who cruise on carnival are to poor to cruise another cruise line ? :rolleyes: I go on three carnival cruises a year, some people more than that. IMO there's a difference between carnival haters, and the people you speak of. I do not go to the other cruise lines forums, but I also don't need to, I can check a persons history without doing so.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Is that just another way of saying people who cruise on carnival are to poor to cruise another cruise line ? :rolleyes: I go on three carnival cruises a year, some people more than that. IMO there's a difference between carnival haters, and the people you speak of. I do not go to the other cruise lines forums, but I also don't need to, I can check a persons history without doing so.

 

Not necessarily. My CCL loving friends just dropped a BUNCH of money on a road bike (like a 'tour' style bike.) They spend it where they want to, but they still have only ever cruised on CCL. But CCL cruise lovers basically always point to one thing: it's the cheapest around. Goes both ways. (Don't brag about buying the cheapest cheap deal and then act huffy when people suggest that they go on it cuz it's cheap.) I actually don't spend any more with DCL than I did with CCL, I just take a shorter cruise but its the same money and to me, better spent.

 

_____

Invested is still appropriate. If I don't spend money with CCL, and that person or this person doesn't spend money with CCL, and people stop spending money with them, (investing in their vacation experienc) then CCL doesn't stand much of a chance as a business.

 

invest [ɪnˈvɛst]

vb

1. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) (often foll by in) to lay out (money or capital in an enterprise, esp by purchasing shares) with the expectation of profit <----- Your definition, and rightly so.

2. (tr; often foll by in) to devote (effort, resources, etc., to a project) <--- My definition, devoting effort and resources.

 

Although I like your analogy of Carnival & Toilet Paper! :D It's quite fitting! haha

[Blk_Amish]

Is that just another way of saying people who cruise on carnival are to poor to cruise another cruise line ? :rolleyes: I go on three carnival cruises a year, some people more than that. IMO there's a difference between carnival haters, and the people you speak of. I do not go to the other cruise lines forums, but I also don't need to, I can check a persons history without doing so.

 

LOL, if CCL is an 'investment' then its sound financial strategy to keep an eye on the investment regardless of performance. Many have 'invested' to get to a certain status so now they are here checking in. CCL targets families with young kids, and ask any parent, there is no such thing as a cheap vacation with those critters. Add to the 'cheap' cruise photos, soda cards, arcade, excursions, tips and more pics.

--------------------

 

I think toilet paper users are much more educated than some CCL haters. They know when the product no longer works to dump it and leave it behind:D We all know what would happen if no one 'invest' in toilet paper, something more than the company would suffer and even stink:D If you are on the pot/forum book or get off.

[Vettebuf]

Thanks for the witticisms, guys. They made my morning!

 

... I like your analogy of Carnival & Toilet Paper! :D It's quite fitting! haha

 

... If you are on the pot/forum book or get off.

 

-----------------

 

... My retirement is secure because I invested in CCL doing multiple cruises.

 

I agree with this. Although I prefer other cruise lines, I enjoy Carnival and my cruising family members prefer Carnival. Also, as a CCL stockholder, I have invested in Carnival and it's performed nicely since I bought it.

[nitro2448]

:) :) :)

[jcearth]

I really don't understand the idea of staying "loyal" to one particular cruise line. Why would you limit your cruising options that way? I have a lot of interest in cruising on different lines, but I have to admit that price (and the incredible Early Saver system) keeps bringing me back to Carnival. However, as a Christmas present to my boys, we booked a cruise on the Disney Dream this past year. For the price paid over a comparable 3 day cruise on a Fantasy class ship, I just didn't see enough added value. Don't get me wrong, I saw where the money went (shows with a huge cast, interactive games, HUGE kids area with great activities, Aquaduck, and the doughnuts (yum!!!) just to name a few), and I saw some processes that made a lot of sense (embarkation, debarkation, credit lines, and vast number of crew members whose first language was English), but all totaled it didn't k=justify the added expense for me. Coupled with a huge passenger flow problem (adults only areas were ghost towns, but family areas were jam packed, and no room at the pool), this made my wife not to want to go back.

Right now, we are looking to book an Eastern Caribbean cruise for next September. We checked out the Breeze, Conquest, Liberty, NCL Getaway, and Allure of the Seas. The Carnival ships have a better itinerary (no Nassau), and will end up being half the price for me (maybe not the Breeze). Yes, I would love to ride the FlowRider, or the free fall waterslide, but I can do those at a Waterpark near me for a much cheaper cost. Just my opinion.

[graphicguy]

Do agree about one thing....Carnival has the most loyal customers of the customers who are loyal to one cruise line.

 

Never could understand the pricing thing. Sometimes, RCCL is less expensive than the others, sometimes NCL is less expensive, sometimes it's Carnival. So, not sure I get the "cheap" cruise point.

 

But, it's also clear how one person values certain attributes over someone else.

 

Never been on Disney. Never will go on Disney. My kids (one boy, one girl) are out od the house, now. But, when we used to take family vacations, I took them to Orlando one year. We stayed on the Disney property, went to the park, did the whole Disney routine. The hotel was expensive but mediocre, as was the food in the surrounding Disney restaurants. My kids weren't into the whole Beauty and the Beast, or LIttle Mermaid, or Mickie/Minnie. The whole Disney "vibe" wasn't to anyone's liking, mine included.

 

So, take all of that, and looking into a Disney Cruise (which I'll assume is more of the same as in the Park) isn't even remotely on my radar.

 

That said, if one is a Disney fanatic, they apparently have quite the following, and seem to be a loyal bunch, too.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

There is plenty of Disney "magic" to be found on their ships, but its not all 'castles'. I loved their private island. I've never done so much in one day for only the price of the water bottle I grabbed on the way out.

 

We don't have any kids, we just enjoy the parks and always have as a family. (Some have ski trips, we had Disney.) I don't live close to my family, and our Disney cruise this year was the perfect blend of fun, very busy fun, the best laid out staterooms I've seen and so forth. As far as the cruising experience, it is vastly superior.

 

While I GET that it's not everyone's thing, if you have ever liked going to EPCOT etc, you would like cruising Disney. They also try to meet the level of customer service they are expected to have (ala JD Powers survey shows)

 

If on the other hand, you want to try a cruise line that is more on the level of Celebrity and Princess (only not for older people, sorry no offense intended) then DCL has plenty of fun for all ages to offer.

 

I think it's the most welcome on a ship I've felt, by both guests and crew. I haven't been on the Fantasy (must be nice! I'd love to) but our brief encounter with the DCL Dream showed us all the flaws that the CCL Dream had. Both were crowded but because the DCL Dream didn't have the congested areas like the casino narrow promenade hallway with photo booths and trivia and karaoke all crammed into one thoroughfare, it seemed to be less crowded to me. I never swim in the pools (we had a beach port every day anyway) but I know other lines tend to have better pools. They have great water slides that don't have to close for wind because they are fully encapsulated, which is neat, but lines need to be figured out for high crowds.

 

I think it depends on when you cruise Disney and how much you pay. (I would never pay peak season in the summer, so the value is better in the Spring when we go.) My honey loves to cruise, even he decided we should give CCL a break for a while after our back to back Dreams...one for the better and one for the bleehhh....

 

My sis and her British family are on the Conquest in October. I am hopeful that the smaller ship will have the good experiences (and fish and chips!) that we enjoyed on other Non-Dream CCLs. I shall be back to let you know!

 

Peace out.

 

ps. I should qualify that I actually 'snorkel' in the ocean with a full mermaid tail. Once I discovered DCL, as you can imagine, CCL couldn't compare...

[ruezim2]

Not necessarily. My CCL loving friends just dropped a BUNCH of money on a road bike (like a 'tour' style bike.) They spend it where they want to, but they still have only ever cruised on CCL. But CCL cruise lovers basically always point to one thing: it's the cheapest around. Goes both ways. (Don't brag about buying the cheapest cheap deal and then act huffy when people suggest that they go on it cuz it's cheap.) I actually don't spend any more with DCL than I did with CCL, I just take a shorter cruise but its the same money and to me, better spent.

 

_____

Invested is still appropriate. If I don't spend money with CCL, and that person or this person doesn't spend money with CCL, and people stop spending money with them, (investing in their vacation experienc) then CCL doesn't stand much of a chance as a business.

 

invest [nvst]

vb

1. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) (often foll by in) to lay out (money or capital in an enterprise, esp by purchasing shares) with the expectation of profit <----- Your definition, and rightly so.

2. (tr; often foll by in) to devote (effort, resources, etc., to a project) <--- My definition, devoting effort and resources.

 

Although I like your analogy of Carnival & Toilet Paper! :D It's quite fitting! haha

 

I don't remember saying, or " bragging " that I cruise Carnival because they are cheap, I cruise CCL because I like them. If I didn't I wouldn't cruise with them. So don't get huffy when you are asked a question. And please pay attention to what you read, you are quoting me for what other people said :rolleyes:

[ruezim2]

There is plenty of Disney "magic" to be found on their ships, but its not all 'castles'. I loved their private island. I've never done so much in one day for only the price of the water bottle I grabbed on the way out.

 

We don't have any kids, we just enjoy the parks and always have as a family. (Some have ski trips, we had Disney.) I don't live close to my family, and our Disney cruise this year was the perfect blend of fun, very busy fun, the best laid out staterooms I've seen and so forth. As far as the cruising experience, it is vastly superior.

 

While I GET that it's not everyone's thing, if you have ever liked going to EPCOT etc, you would like cruising Disney. They also try to meet the level of customer service they are expected to have (ala JD Powers survey shows)

 

If on the other hand, you want to try a cruise line that is more on the level of Celebrity and Princess (only not for older people, sorry no offense intended) then DCL has plenty of fun for all ages to offer.

 

I think it's the most welcome on a ship I've felt, by both guests and crew. I haven't been on the Fantasy (must be nice! I'd love to) but our brief encounter with the DCL Dream showed us all the flaws that the CCL Dream had. Both were crowded but because the DCL Dream didn't have the congested areas like the casino narrow promenade hallway with photo booths and trivia and karaoke all crammed into one thoroughfare, it seemed to be less crowded to me. I never swim in the pools (we had a beach port every day anyway) but I know other lines tend to have better pools. They have great water slides that don't have to close for wind because they are fully encapsulated, which is neat, but lines need to be figured out for high crowds.

 

I think it depends on when you cruise Disney and how much you pay. (I would never pay peak season in the summer, so the value is better in the Spring when we go.) My honey loves to cruise, even he decided we should give CCL a break for a while after our back to back Dreams...one for the better and one for the bleehhh....

 

My sis and her British family are on the Conquest in October. I am hopeful that the smaller ship will have the good experiences (and fish and chips!) that we enjoyed on other Non-Dream CCLs. I shall be back to let you know!

 

Peace out.

 

ps. I should qualify that I actually 'snorkel' in the ocean with a full mermaid tail. Once I discovered DCL, as you can imagine, CCL couldn't compare...

 

Well that does it, I'm not cruising CCL anymore, they don't have mermaid tails. Lol

[megnut78]

I choose switched and came back. Last year we went with RC on the Enchantment of the Seas and was quite disappointed, especially after all the hype about RC. The only cruise I would probably go on with RC in the future is on the Oasis of the Seas or the Allure of the Seas. One day, but for now it's better for us to leave out of NYC or Baltimore.

[morganboys]

I find it interesting that the two lowest answer are the two lowest answers. And with all the loyal carnival cheerleaders here to boot. we sailed the fantasy then the sensation and the switched to royal for the monarch twice. Now back to the carnival freedom for next summer. I like the itinerary and the price so as long as I find those two things I will switch back and forth and have great cruises.

[LHP]

Are you dissatisfied enough with past experiences, cutbacks, etc to consider switching to another cruise line? We are.

 

Not because of any "perceived" cut backs.... ( I use that term because folks never mention ALL the additions over the years)....

 

but I voted yes because I would love to try Oceania.

[nitro2448]

I find it interesting that the two lowest answer are the two lowest answers.

 

What's that mean ?

 

 

 

 

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[WetToes]

It took me a minute to figure it out, but I think they're referring to the last 2 choices on the poll (lowest) are the 2 with the lowest amount of votes.

[deetrayn]

Are you dissatisfied enough with past experiences, cutbacks, etc to consider switching to another cruise line? We are.

 

My next cruise is on RCCL, not because I'm dissatisfied with Carnival, I just want to try other cruise lines.

[AZbeachboy]

At first we wanted to try different lines to experience them. But what we found ourselves doing is going by the itinerary. So most of our Carnival Trips have been short ones. We have about the same amount of trips with Princess. But they are the longer ones.

 

For those who argue that Carnival is cheaper. They have the same itinerary as Princess for the seven day Mexican Rivera. But we saved money by going on Princess about $200 per person for a balcony. That is the only cruise that is a comparable cruise to each line that we have been on.

 

Now, Princess is staring some of the getaway cruises. Looking to get away for a few days I am not looking at ports (I may never get off the ship) so I am looking at the on board experience. I will see how that goes after my short cruise on Oct on Princess. The real band vs. a DJ by the pool is more important to me for a cruise like that.

[Izzziee]

We dont tend to stick to just one line, my next is on Carnival Breeze in September, sailing from Miami, and then we have a Royal Caribbean one booked, sailing from Southampton England the following month. Last year we had a Princess cruise, and another Carnival, we have also sailed on P&O, variety is the spice of life!

[NotWthOutablcony]

We've always sailed with Princess or Carnival and we like both lines for different reasons. We have a Carnival Cruise booked, and I'm sure we will continue to cruise with Carnival in the future, but at this point they are not necessarily my first choice. I know this horse has been beat and I feel very tedious saying this, but it pretty much breaks down to the food for me! While I'm not too concerned with the overall quality, it really comes down to the availability and choices, availability being #1! We sailed the Spirit last year, and will be sailing her sister ship the Miracle this year and I must say, the hours that food, REAL food is available, is downright ridiculous! We don't eat at "peak" times, so by 3pm when we were hungry, there was NOTHING available except Pizza (I hate pizza) the Grill (Nasty fried crap food) and Room Service (although I enjoy the Fajita wrap as much as anyone, you can only eat it so many times!) I'd hate to admit it, but a BIG part of cruising is/was, the FOOD! Trying things you never had before, eating at all hours of the night, the big beautiful midnight buffets, the incredibly artistry of the Gala buffet, and my absolute favorite? Screwing anything and everything about my self control and diet choices! Loved eating all of those wonderfully yummy foods all hours of the day and night and not concerning myself with keeping in shape, or healthy choices! Carnival offers NOTHING spectacular food wise. If I'm not wowed at some point by the cuisine, or if I am repeatedly inconvenienced by the hours the buffet is operated this time around, I WILL be looking to other cruise lines for next year. At least Princess offers REAL food 24 hours a day! Eventhough they no longer partake in the midnight buffets, the buffet is still open at midnight and offers a variety of things from snacks like chips and guacamole, to a pasta dish, soup, full salad bar (which Carnival lacks heavily here) and meats, vegetables etc! Not to mention my absolute favorite, a full spread of deserts!!!! Please get your act together Carnival! I don't want to leave, but you may force us to! That's 6 adults, in 3 balcony staterooms you'll be losing yearly! I get the recession and the need for cutbacks, but we ARE in a recovery now and your company is back to full ships and capacities, bring some things back!!!!! Its time!!!! No more using the recession as a crutch and excuse!!!!

[graphicguy]

Hmmmm....Haven't sailed Carnival in a few years. The one thing I always found was there was ALWAYS food available. So, what I'm hearing is they don't have venues to eat after 3:00 p.m. until dinner?

 

Not that it matters to me. I tend to find a place to eat when I'm hungry, regardless of the time. And, I'm probably not a "gotta have something to eat all the time" type person either.

 

But, one thing I've never found is a cruise line (any cruise line) that didn't have a wealth of food available.

 

I'm sailing the Breeze in a couple of weeks. I'll try to remember to see when and where food is available.

[cruisenk]

We've enjoyed each and everyone of our Carnival cruises, but this year we focused on reaching platinum. Next year we are opening ourselves up to other cruise lines, new itineraries and ports that are closer to home. I'd really like a Bermuda or European itinerary, but since Carnival isn't offering either, we will look elsewhere.

[cruisenk]

Food is always available on Carnival. Pizza and room service are available 24 hours. I think the grill is open until 6 pm and the deli is also open until late.

 

Hmmmm....Haven't sailed Carnival in a few years. The one thing I always found was there was ALWAYS food available. So, what I'm hearing is they don't have venues to eat after 3:00 p.m. until dinner?

 

Not that it matters to me. I tend to find a place to eat when I'm hungry, regardless of the time. And, I'm probably not a "gotta have something to eat all the time" type person either.

 

But, one thing I've never found is a cruise line (any cruise line) that didn't have a wealth of food available.

 

I'm sailing the Breeze in a couple of weeks. I'll try to remember to see when and where food is available.

[cynt]

I'm addicted to cruising. I don't care which cruiseline. My fav is RCCL but as long as I get a decent fare, itinerary and cabin I'm easy to please and I don't mind using other cruiselines.