Upcoming Dining Changes

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Actually we can move if we don't like the changes and that's great. Carnival needs to attract more cruisers and they seem to be looking at a young group. For some maybe it is time to find alternative. Take a chance, try something new and you just might like it. For me it won't be HAL cause that's for my mother. But there are lots of choices.

Well, if they want to attract a younger group, they gotta do away with that whole "must have a person over 25 in the cabin with you in you're under 21" rule. Just how many people under 21 have a friend who's over 25? (if they don't want to cruise with their parents) Not many. Which alienates them from Carnival, sending them to other lines or even AI resorts. RCI simply requires at least one person to be 21+, and NCL even lets 18-year-olds drink with their parents' consent. It works for those two, then why not Carnival? I know they're trying to clean up their party image from the past, but if they go far enough, they'll turn into a poor man's Disney Cruise Line.

 

On my cruises, I've seen even 35-year-olds give college kids a run for their money when it comes to partying :D. So it seems like "looking at a young group" really means "providing a lesser-quality product that younger people are less likely to complain about, and let the older people sail on Princess if they want the good stuff".

Edited November 9, 2013 by LandlockedCruiser01

[cruzeluver]

Nope, I'll just give up cruising entirely!

 

I won't pay twice as much for the same itinerary, just because of the name of the ship!

 

You don't have to pay twice as much in order to just give up Carnival. NCL's prices tend to be very similar to Carnival's, and Royal, Princess, Celebrity and HAL are, while typically higher, certainly not double.

[dclark]

The use of the word "brilliant" means serious downgrading is in store. This is how they twist the language (like in George Orwell's essay "The Politics of the English Language").

Proof? Look at how the word "brilliant" was repeatedly used to describe the changes to the CCL loyalty program.

[golfadj]

The use of the word "brilliant" means serious downgrading is in store. This is how they twist the language (like in George Orwell's essay "The Politics of the English Language").

Proof? Look at how the word "brilliant" was repeatedly used to describe the changes to the CCL loyalty program.

 

Brilliant to JH has a different meaning many times than it does to me.

[michigancruiser0715]

Brilliant to JH has a different meaning many times than it does to me.

 

Yes. Yes, it does.

[golfadj]

Yes. Yes, it does.

 

But that is his job head cheerleader for Carnival spinning everything so cutbacks sound like improvements.

[ccruisequeen]

Last "brilliant" change to the menu was the addition of stand up comedy at brunch!

 

 

[alreadypacked]

Actually we can move if we don't like the changes and that's great. Carnival needs to attract more cruisers and they seem to be looking at a young group. For some maybe it is time to find alternative. Take a chance, try something new and you just might like it. For me it won't be HAL cause that's for my mother. But there are lots of choices.

 

And you never know the changes might be just what you want.

 

:)

 

I suppose, but I started cruising Carnival when I was young...

 

And I enjoyed the good MDR food they used to have (before meatloaf, burgers, and fried chicken replaced some of the better selections), live Calypso and Filipino bands (instead of a DJ "spinning" only rap/hip-hop), The Capatin's Party (instead of the $1 off drinks at the casino/atrium bars), and so on.

 

I don't like meatloaf at sea or on land, LOL!

 

Actually, the last 2 years we have started branching out to other lines--have an upcoming Crown Princess cruise and Celebrity Silhouette.

 

The times they are a changing, I know... But I miss the Carnival of old! They used to give you a lot for what they charged!! Not so much anymore.

[halos]

I really don't know how to read that. "Fine Dining" and Carnival Cruise Lines DID go together. They had some of the best food at sea, in a fine dining setting, served by staff in fine dining accoutrements.

 

.

 

 

My thoughts EXACTLY.

JH's comments were not only cryptic, but they are insanely off altogether.

CCL used to have magnificent food/service.

smh...seriously. Is the way to make people feel good about what CCL offers now, (or what their new change is going to be) to somehow try to make them think it was bad before???

Crappy tactic. :rolleyes:

Edited November 9, 2013 by halos

[dclark]

My thoughts EXACTLY.

JH's comments were not only cryptic, but they are insanely off altogether.

CCL used to have magnificent food/service.

smh...seriously. Is the way to make people feel good about what CCL offers now, (or what their new change is going to be) to somehow try to make them think it was bad before???

Crappy tactic. :rolleyes:

 

It makes sense to me. It sounds better to say that they are improving things rather than say the truth- that they are cutting more corners.

Imagine if they made a commercial for tv where JH said

"Here at CCL, we are making many brilliant changes. We have stopped flying in professional guest entertainers and instead, your fellow passengers will entertain you. We have replaced live bands with a guy playing loud mp3 hip hop noise, and in the dining room, we have made brilliant changes like decreasing the number of servers so it takes two hours to get through dinner and replacing things like filet mignon with meatloaf, replacing ny steaks with challenging to the jaws flat iron steak. You'll never feel alone on CCL as we proudly have the most crowded ships in the industry!

Book a CCL cruise now to see what other brilliant changes we are making."

[golfadj]

Last "brilliant" change to the menu was the addition of stand up comedy at brunch!

 

 

 

The brunch is a nice change but the comedian part was rather silly. We couldnt wait for the guy to leave and suspect they didnt like being there either

[golfadj]

My thoughts EXACTLY.

JH's comments were not only cryptic, but they are insanely off altogether.

CCL used to have magnificent food/service.

smh...seriously. Is the way to make people feel good about what CCL offers now, (or what their new change is going to be) to somehow try to make them think it was bad before???

Crappy tactic. :rolleyes:

 

I think the food is still good, they have learned to cook less expensive cuts of beef rather well but the service is not what it used to be as the servers have too many people to take care of.

 

Last cruise we did anytime dining for first time and each dinner took about 2 1/2 hours. It was ok as we cruised with two other couples and had a great time with them.

 

Otherwise dinner would have seemed like an eternity.

[kcwingwalker]

The brunch is a nice change but the comedian part was rather silly. We couldnt wait for the guy to leave and suspect they didnt like being there either

 

A bad comedian would ruin my brunch. I like jazz brunches.

[michigancruiser0715]

what do the younger people want?

 

My thoughts exactly. I'm in my mid-twenties and I'd love a light jazz band at brunch and some calypso music on lido. Believe it or not, not all 20somethings are party animals. And I really don't know how our food choices would differ.

 

I enjoy my grandmother's turkey a la king as well as a perfect medium steakhouse cut with a nice rub. Food is food is food. Not all food, however, is good food. Young or mature, I think we can agree on that.

 

Let's just hope these changes aren't a bunch of ... what would Heald say? Bollucks.

[kstewart22]

i suppose, but i started cruising carnival when i was young...

 

And i enjoyed the good mdr food they used to have (before meatloaf, burgers, and fried chicken replaced some of the better selections), live calypso and filipino bands (instead of a dj "spinning" only rap/hip-hop), the capatin's party (instead of the $1 off drinks at the casino/atrium bars), and so on.

 

I don't like meatloaf at sea or on land, lol!

 

Actually, the last 2 years we have started branching out to other lines--have an upcoming crown princess cruise and celebrity silhouette.

 

The times they are a changing, i know... But i miss the carnival of old! They used to give you a lot for what they charged!! Not so much anymore.

 

 

 

i totally agree .. The ccl of old was awesome .... Not so much anymore

[Bluemoon319]

Last "brilliant" change to the menu was the addition of stand up comedy at brunch!

 

Yes, but Carnival was also quick to eliminate the comedian (but kept the additional menu items) during brunch once they realized most passengers did not want them.

 

I think the food is still good, they have learned to cook less expensive cuts of beef rather well but the service is not what it used to be as the servers have too many people to take care of.

 

Last cruise we did anytime dining for first time and each dinner took about 2 1/2 hours. It was ok as we cruised with two other couples and had a great time with them.

 

Otherwise dinner would have seemed like an eternity.

 

I've been using Yourtime Dining since it was 1st offered. I have never had it effect the length of my meal one way or anothr. I'm also quite impressed that the servers still manage to remember diner's idiosyncrasies despite having more people to remember. My friends & family love Yourtime Dining. Your experience may have just been coincidental. For example, on my last cruise, it seemed like it took forever to get through breakfast, yet dinner was always efficient as ever. I would encourage you to give it another shot.

[trvlqueen]

Nope, I'll just give up cruising entirely!

 

I won't pay twice as much for the same itinerary, just because of the name of the ship!

 

HAL actually has some itineraries and prices that are quite close to CCL - and for those who say it's an old person's line - they changed Carnival to match up with what people who weren't "us" want ... so if all of "us" invade HAL .... just sayin'

[golfadj]

A bad comedian would ruin my brunch. I like jazz brunches.

 

Most of the time it was just noise as they couldnt be heard very well and couldnt wait for them to just leave.

[Eiansmomma]

I think the food is still good, they have learned to cook less expensive cuts of beef rather well but the service is not what it used to be as the servers have too many people to take care of.

 

Last cruise we did anytime dining for first time and each dinner took about 2 1/2 hours. It was ok as we cruised with two other couples and had a great time with them.

 

Otherwise dinner would have seemed like an eternity.

 

Wow. 2 hours for dinner? That's fine if it's just my husband and I but it wouldn't work so well with my kids!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[golfadj]

Wow. 2 hours for dinner? That's fine if it's just my husband and I but it wouldn't work so well with my kids!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

I will say headwaiter saw we were in no hurry and suspect that was the reason for part of the 2 1/2 hour dinner time.

[HappyHappy1]

Sadly most people don't get that... They don't want to pay for quality service, they expect it at any price.... We now live in a "entitled" society where everyone thinks they're entitled to everything.

 

We can afford to pay for the more expensive lines...but enjoy the more lively atmosphere of Carnival and the relaxed style of NCL. We are down to earth people who don't like to get dressed up when on vacation. We tried RCCL and felt it was really stuffy...the cruise staff and the passengers. Yes...We only took one RCCL cruise, but there is only one chance to make a first impression and RCCL made us realize that this was not our style. We like the outgoing fun of Carnival.

 

There are so many lines that each cater to different styles and desires. If people like the more upscale, get dressed up style...there are lines that provide that. We enjoy the fun....

[Eiansmomma]

I will say headwaiter saw we were in no hurry and suspect that was the reason for part of the 2 1/2 hour dinner time.

 

When I don't have my children with me I love long leisurely meals.

 

 

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[WLHyatt]

We are doing ATD on our next trip to try it out. We have had late seating and early seating before, and for our third cruise we want to try ATD.

 

We have not had any experience, even in the steakhouse with meals taking longer than an hour and 15 minutes. We did sit at the table on our late dining trip with our table mates and talked for quite some time about different things, and when we did that we were at the table for two hours but not because the food took that long.

 

If we want a fast dinner, then we'll do the buffet or some other place to eat. We have not found a reason to skip a meal in the MDR yet though, except when eating in the steakhouse. We plan to go to the MDR before the steakhouse this time, but way before and eating light.

[Georgiagolfer]

I think the food is still good, they have learned to cook less expensive cuts of beef rather well but the service is not what it used to be as the servers have too many people to take care of.

 

Last cruise we did anytime dining for first time and each dinner took about 2 1/2 hours. It was ok as we cruised with two other couples and had a great time with them.

 

Otherwise dinner would have seemed like an eternity.

 

There is no way DW and I would spend 2 1/2 hours for a meal in the MDR.

[halos]

I think the food is still good, they have learned to cook less expensive cuts of beef rather well but the service is not what it used to be as the servers have too many people to take care of.

 

Last cruise we did anytime dining for first time and each dinner took about 2 1/2 hours. It was ok as we cruised with two other couples and had a great time with them.

 

Otherwise dinner would have seemed like an eternity.

 

Absolutely...still love CCL food. But don't try to tell me that it's better now than it was before. Manipulative, or worse, thinking that I am stupid and willl be easily brainwashed into thinking this is so.

(I have never had one complaint about service on CCL. The crew are hard working and wonderful)

 

I do think that besides cost cutting when it comes to food, that there is a huge impact in quality die to the fact that ships are so much bigger these days and there are way too many passengers to feed. I do wish they'd stop making therse mega-ships and pull back a little on the gross tonage. My ideal ship is no more than 90,000 gt and has no more than 2800 passengers sailing it.

I am never going to get that wish.

Edited November 10, 2013 by halos