For those that left; what will it take to convince you to come back?

[elliair]

So, tell me, what change would it take for you to come back to Carnival?

 

No smoking on balconies. We were on a Princess cruise the past 15 days and it was so nice not smelling cigarette smoke on our balcony or drifting into our cabin. Heard a rumor on Princess that Carnival will follow suit with the nonsmoking balconies. We're looking for a cruise in January, but not on Carnival-unless they have a new smoking policy.

[kcwingwalker]

I won't say that I would never go back because with the right price and itinerary I might feel differently.

 

If Carnival would do away with some of the "frat" house atmosphere, it would be nicer for me.

[Cruizinman]

]No smoking on balconies. We were on a Princess cruise the past 15 days and it was so nice not smelling cigarette smoke on our balcony or drifting into our cabin[/b]. Heard a rumor on Princess that Carnival will follow suit with the nonsmoking balconies. We're looking for a cruise in January' date=' but not on Carnival-unless they have a new smoking policy.[/quote']

 

Not just said , but well said !

[asalligo]

I did not plan on cruising Carnival this year, but ended up booking the Pride. It was a combination Price and my schedule. Next year, I will look again and see if my limited vacationing schedule allows for me to try someone else. What I would like to see change.

 

The stage shows are just boring, I would like to see them better done.

 

I miss the food selections of the past. Extravagant buffets.

[meatloafsfan]

I understand your dilemma...this is the answer to it.

 

When a NON handicapped person books a HC cabin, they are told UP FRONT....if a HC person comes along that requires a HC cabin, then they are booted out and the HC person is given the cabin.

 

All you have to do is call the cruise lines 800 number. :o:o:o

 

This isn't always true. I've gotten the answer that "sorry, all the accessible cabins are booked." No checking to see if any were booked by non HC people.

 

I like checking online various cruise options (since I can be flexible when booking so it doesn't matter if I have to move up or down a week or two to get a better deal) but I can't do that with Carnival because unless I book as soon as the new cruises are released, I rarely find accessible cabins.

 

I can check online with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, HAL and Princess. NCL is also out of the running for me because they also do not offer their accessible cabins online.

Edited December 13, 2013 by meatloafsfan

[maggie cruises]

There is your reason to try another line - the Lido band and a less crowded lido deck. Last week I saw NCL Jewel give people a whole welcome back aboard party as they walked down the pier to get back onto the ship in Cozumel. THAT is what I call a Fun Ship.

 

Ncl did that for us in Nassau as well.. They have live bands too...all over the ship...all the time!

[Blk_Amish]

I have cruised on 5 different lines and I have a Legend cruise booked for January, but that will be my last Carnival cruise for a while (if ever again). I wish they would enforce the dress code in the buffet area. I get so sick of seeing people in wet bathing suits with no cover ups and no shoes of any sort on their feet. It is very unappetizing to be standing in line behind a big man in his bathing suit with no shirt and no shoes. I would also like to be able to order the dinner menu for room service like I can on HAL.

 

Now, dress code in the buffet, the missing table cloth not enough :D So someone's body offends you, correct? Would a small wet guy with a six pack be better, eye candy at three O clock. Oh yeah, but that's beside the point. I read everyone is in bed by, 9 pm on HAL so that make sense.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

[LMaxwell]

Well yes it is, but MY question is why do they want to go back ?

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

 

Because I enjoyed my time. I felt it was money well spent; I got, in essence, what I had paid for. Now I feel like I would save very little (if anything) in overall expenses and have a much more lackluster experience.

 

I don't need CCL to reverse the flow of the tides, or stop global warming, or even tuck me in at night. I do want to be entertained. I'd be willing to give them a try again if the entertainment matched the style of vacation and right now I don't feel it does. I'll eventually and probably in the not too distant future become bored with RCI. I've done Celebrity; gorgeous but not me thing. I've been looking at NCL, and I won't know until I try, but there's this whole vibe about their ships that turns me off; too much otherwise public space closed off unless you are in a suite/pay extra. I like some of the newer HAL ships, they are gorgeous and I realize they are similar to some Carnival designs, but if I thought Celebrity was a bit too business casual for me (I like a step or two down from that on vacation) what will I thinkof HAL? Too formal?

 

I'm young, I like to have fun. I dig poolside contests. I like audience participation shows. But sometimes I want an hour of the house band getting the deck going or the orchestra zinging along with some flashy dancers. This isn't travel for the sake of travel to get somewhere, this is supposed to be enjoyable and memorable times.

 

I don't think CCL is awful, but I think they are heading down a dangerous path of becoming so "cheap" that they will be left with the newbies and fanatical die hards. The newbies won't know any better and the fanatics are part of the "Hell no, we won't go" group. Every brand has that group.

 

Sure, things change, costs change, business models change. But when I'm on a caribbean cruise I like a caribbean band. I've been on over 10 RCI cruises; I'll be Diamond after my next cruise that I depart for this weekend. I have never climbed a rock wall, surfed, or ice skated. But I have enjoyed their ice shows and I do fondly remember skeet shooting 20+ years ago:D The point is that those things are there and built in as a value add; it's another form of entertainment. Entertainment and activities I participate in on a cruise are not remotely like my day to day life. If I can't stand obnoxious DJ's at home when I go out to dine why would I want it on my vacation?

[LMaxwell]

No smoking on balconies. We were on a Princess cruise the past 15 days and it was so nice not smelling cigarette smoke on our balcony or drifting into our cabin. Heard a rumor on Princess that Carnival will follow suit with the nonsmoking balconies. We're looking for a cruise in January, but not on Carnival-unless they have a new smoking policy.

 

As a reformed smoker (smoked for 15 years before I quit) and with a significant other that gets bad reactions to being around smoke I often forget about their policy. If smoking were allowed on balconies I'd still go on a CCL ship but NOT book a balcony level cabin. If there was a non-smoking policy I'd CONSIDER a balcony cabin. I'm not sure I have full faith in security to enforce their own rules. But a non-smoking policy is due, especially for a line really trying to direct its aim back towards families

[CruiseAwesome]

There are several things that Carnival should do to attract past passengers as well as to continue to be the best cruise for the money.

 

1) Do not concentrate on having the most passengers in the least amount of space.

2) Improve the service in the MDR. Decrease the number of tables the waiter and ass't waiter have to service.

3) Increase the quality of the food in the MDR

4) Increase the variety. Bring back a real steak such as a sirloin as a daily choice

5) Improve the entertainment. Increase the number of performers as well as the length of their shows.

6) Increase Buffet hours to cut down on crowding. One line should be open 24 hours/day

7) Decrease the number of cabins the steward has to service.

8) bring back live bands instead of DJ's

9) Increase benefits for Platinum Level Cruisers

10) Carnival should stress the message that they will be the best cruise for the money. Stress quality, not price.

11) The ships should become more innovative like NCL and RCCL. On the smaller ships have more themed cruises with lecturers on various topics

 

These are a few changes that Carnival could and should make.

 

YES YES YES! Why aren't you CEO?

[PROCRUISE]

CCL has decided to go in one direction - cheaper - and we've simple decided to go in another direction. Some of this is based on itinerary choices and as others have mentioned, we became bored with the CCL same old, same old. We very much enjoyed our last cruise on the Breeze but we were truly amazed at the pathetic evening "shows" and the reduced service and food quality in the MDR. We probably will cruise on CCL again, but it's no longer our first choice.

[photonut4]

Now, dress code in the buffet, the missing table cloth not enough :D So someone's body offends you, correct? Would a small wet guy with a six pack be better, eye candy at three O clock. Oh yeah, but that's beside the point. I read everyone is in bed by, 9 pm on HAL so that make sense.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

 

Actually all half naked bodies offend me in any type of food establishment. Maybe they should post the sign that reads "No shoes, No shirt, No service." Pretty much normal rules of civilized society.

[nitro2448]

Because I enjoyed my time. I felt it was money well spent; I got, in essence, what I had paid for. Now I feel like I would save very little (if anything) in overall expenses and have a much more lackluster experience.

 

I don't need CCL to reverse the flow of the tides, or stop global warming, or even tuck me in at night. I do want to be entertained. I'd be willing to give them a try again if the entertainment matched the style of vacation and right now I don't feel it does. I'll eventually and probably in the not too distant future become bored with RCI. I've done Celebrity; gorgeous but not me thing. I've been looking at NCL, and I won't know until I try, but there's this whole vibe about their ships that turns me off; too much otherwise public space closed off unless you are in a suite/pay extra. I like some of the newer HAL ships, they are gorgeous and I realize they are similar to some Carnival designs, but if I thought Celebrity was a bit too business casual for me (I like a step or two down from that on vacation) what will I thinkof HAL? Too formal?

 

I'm young, I like to have fun. I dig poolside contests. I like audience participation shows. But sometimes I want an hour of the house band getting the deck going or the orchestra zinging along with some flashy dancers. This isn't travel for the sake of travel to get somewhere, this is supposed to be enjoyable and memorable times.

 

I don't think CCL is awful, but I think they are heading down a dangerous path of becoming so "cheap" that they will be left with the newbies and fanatical die hards. The newbies won't know any better and the fanatics are part of the "Hell no, we won't go" group. Every brand has that group.

 

Sure, things change, costs change, business models change. But when I'm on a caribbean cruise I like a caribbean band. I've been on over 10 RCI cruises; I'll be Diamond after my next cruise that I depart for this weekend. I have never climbed a rock wall, surfed, or ice skated. But I have enjoyed their ice shows and I do fondly remember skeet shooting 20+ years ago:D The point is that those things are there and built in as a value add; it's another form of entertainment. Entertainment and activities I participate in on a cruise are not remotely like my day to day life. If I can't stand obnoxious DJ's at home when I go out to dine why would I want it on my vacation?

 

But if another line offers you what you want, go with them. There's probably 40+ cruise lines out there, why should you expect one cruise line to change for you ? Yes Carnival offers less than other cruise lines do, but they charge less as well. Maybe some of the things you want are the things I don't, why would I want CCL to add these things for you, then raise my cost, when there other cruise lines that you can choose from that have what you want. If I decide I want more from my cruise I will search another line, not ask CCL to accommodate me. That's like telling Ford you want to buy a mustang, but you want them to add Ferrari features.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[larkz]

But if another line offers you what you want, go with them. There's probably 40+ cruise lines out there, why should you expect one cruise line to change for you ? Yes Carnival offers less than other cruise lines do, but they charge less as well. Maybe some of the things you want are the things I don't, why would I want CCL to add these things for you, then raise my cost, when there other cruise lines that you can choose from that have what you want. If I decide I want more from my cruise I will search another line, not ask CCL to accommodate me. That's like telling Ford you want to buy a mustang, but you want them to add Ferrari features.

 

This horse has been beaten so much there's nothing left of it but vapor. These points have been made again and again. But you're still 100 percent correct, and I agree that the last thing I want to have is a whole bunch of other cruisers' demands met and their greatest wishes fulfilled -- all of which I need to pay a higher base rate for. Ain't gonna happen.

[CarnivalBreeze319]

Just an observation, but your posts are doing a disservice to Carnival, hyping up what never happens, where reality is so much lower than posted expectations.

.

Actually. I am not hyping up anything. If I wanted to hype something up, I would start my own thread about live music. All I can say is let's wait a few months and visit this thread again. My guess would be they will announce AMAZING upgrades to entertainment and live music

[LMaxwell]

Actually. I am not hyping up anything. If I wanted to hype something up, I would start my own thread about live music. All I can say is let's wait a few months and visit this thread again. My guess would be they will announce AMAZING upgrades to entertainment and live music

 

I was bemused by all previous responses and then I hit your LIVE! NUDE! GIRLS! style amazing and lost it. Props to you Mr./Ms. CB319, you have gotten a sincere and hearty laugh out of me this evening. :D

[cruizinisthebest]

Actually all half naked bodies offend me in any type of food establishment. Maybe they should post the sign that reads "No shoes, No shirt, No service." Pretty much normal rules of civilized society.

 

There actually is a sign going into the buffet saying shoes and shirt must be worn. I know I've seen it on the fantasy class ships. And so long as cruisers do that, I'm fine with it. During a summer cruise, I wouldn't expect people to shower and change out of their swimgear just to grab a bite in a buffet area that's 10 paces from the pool. And no matter the sign, people need to self govern. And that does not always happen no matter what the rules, where or when.

[kansas kruiser]

:cool: I hope all of you that have decided to leave, stay away!!;) You all claim you don't like the product, then why spend your money with them??:confused: But you will all keep coming over to this board to justify why you left!!!:rolleyes:

[Hstergo]

We can't find a reason not to cruise on Carnival. We've wanted to try other lines but so far haven't found a reason to. I do miss the live Lido bands but not that much. We don't sit on the lido often due to the crowds there. There are so many other things to do and places to be!

 

We really want to try RCL but can't figure out what we get for the large increase in cost.

 

You will get nicer ships that don't look like the a pinball machine from 1985 much better entertainment with actually entertainers not fellow passengers and many would agree with me better food and service and to all the Carnival cheerleaders I have been on carnival ships I gave up on listing every cruise in my signature.

[fireman935]

I have a cruise booked in Oct. I am very excited to go but lately we have really been looking into all-inclusive resorts. I have found a-lot of them with very comp. prices and in hind sight after you buy a few drinks price would be almost the same and in some even cheaper when you add tips. So for me to remain loyal I am a brand loyal person. But I would like the mdr quality of service and food to fill like I got a 100$ meal (I could care less about table cloths) not a cold buffet meal that took 45 mins to get to me, cheaper drink menus, and over all service to be better. I am not going to bash carnival but I can see me leaving for all inclusive.

[LMaxwell]

the last thing I want to have is a whole bunch of other cruisers' demands met and their greatest wishes fulfilled -- all of which I need to pay a higher base rate for. Ain't gonna happen.

 

Are there not things gone/changed/altered that would add little to no cost to your vacation that if you had back would add value? I can certainly respect that you are a price cruiser. I am a price shopper in other areas of my life, and I want a bargain which to me means good value / solid product / competitive price. Good, cheap, fast....choose two; I am sure you know how that goes.

 

You and others are right, other lines offer what I'm looking for, so I go to them. But now that I see that prices really are pretty equal overall...I'm wondering why I can't get similar entertainment on Carnival given that the price is similar as well.

 

I'm glad I started this thread. I've learned that maybe the Breeze could scratch the itch; it seems to have diverse night life; you can walk around the ship and catch singers and performers in various places. To me, that is nice.

 

People have to factor in realities like air fare, possibly rental car/motel stay before cruise, or cruise parking, alcohol/casino/onboard spending, port spending, insurance, port taxes, gratuities, and other incidentals and for the most part, pretty much, generally speaking (i.e., not down to the penny but pretty close) it is going to be pretty darn similar in the end one cruiseline to another. The base cruise fare is only a portion of the overall picture. In the end the % difference between a cheapest at the time CCL cruise and whichever next cruiseline up typically isn't more than 10%.

 

And it's not even a certainty that XYZ cruiseline will be more $ than CCL. Plenty of times I find price parity or CCL costing more. Supply and demand, time of year, particular itineraries, a million different variables drive the price, but the end result is i can get more bang for the buck, right now, some place else. So that's fine. I don't want to bash Carnival. I want to want to sail Carnival.

 

There's nothing wrong with saying that you want the lowest price BUT there are things you wish were done differently or restored back to a prior version. I could totally respect you saying "I want the cheapest price, I don't want my base fare to rise, but yeah, I guess I do like a 3 piece band live pool side better than a DJ". There's nothing wrong with saying "It's a great value, but I wish the Camp hours were later for the kids" or "I wish they held XYZ game in the lounge like they used to."

 

Tons and tons and tons of peoples first cruising experiences were with Carnival, but a lot of them, let me tell you, when they are done they are DONE. I see by your signature that you sailed in 2009, and some 30 years prior to that. If you hadn't sailed between you may not notice things that change. Not bashing you, just spitballing my ideas out there. I could just as easily be wrong about you.

 

I go to other cruise lines and there's stuff they don't do that Carnival does. No mat for the luggage when you get to the room; so you mean my luggage that was in a bin with other peoples luggage, all handled on filthy conveyors, thrown around, etc, not gets to be atop my freshly made bed to unpack? That's stupid. Carnival has it right. But eventually those mats will be gone. $$. Still, Carnival does it right, now. Carnival still has really good interior rooms. Call up RC and tell them you want an interior with a porthole or french door. What? Laugh you off the phone. I'd like to try one of those forward rooms with access to the promenade. So, like I said, there are things to like about Carnival.

 

I mean, let me ask you, if the total cost of your trip increased by....$50 per person; what sort of things/perks/entertainment/activities would you like for that kind of money? Is that too much? Too little to expect anything more? I don't know, just curious.

 

Heck I thought the ships looked better when they had the carnival insignia painted on the side. More colors, more $$$ <just kidding....well, not really:D>

[cruizinisthebest]

:cool: I hope all of you that have decided to leave, stay away!!;) You all claim you don't like the product, then why spend your money with them??:confused: But you will all keep coming over to this board to justify why you left!!!:rolleyes:

 

Exactly. I wouldn't spend my money or time fixating on a cruiseline I didn't like.

[LMaxwell]

:cool: I hope all of you that have decided to leave, stay away!!;) You all claim you don't like the product, then why spend your money with them??:confused: But you will all keep coming over to this board to justify why you left!!!:rolleyes:

 

We're talking about things that would entice us to come back. No one is bashing anything here except for you coming in and basically calling people "haters" and making sarcastic comments. I don't understand the need for the Us vs. Them tone of your statement:confused:

 

You're welcome to your opinion certainly, and participation is at your option, but it would be preferable to contribute to the discussion rather than try to derail it with some schlocky dismissive statement, like we're bad people for wanting to go back on a Caribbean cruise with a Caribbean band or something. Wouldn't you like that too?

[kansas kruiser]

We're talking about things that would entice us to come back. No one is bashing anything here except for you coming in and basically calling people "haters" and making sarcastic comments. I don't understand the need for the Us vs. Them tone of your statement:confused:

 

You're welcome to your opinion certainly, and participation is at your option, but it would be preferable to contribute to the discussion rather than try to derail it with some schlocky dismissive statement, like we're bad people for wanting to go back on a Caribbean cruise with a Caribbean band or something. Wouldn't you like that too?

 

:cool:Nope!! It wouldn't matter if Carnival would bring back everything you want, it wouldn't be enough!! Now it's the table cloths!! If you left you are not coming back!! So why are you here?? So go to the great RCL and have fun and leave us poor folk alone!!:D

[sharecruises]

Entertainment is my major gripe

 

In another thread I made 2 cost effective suggestions

 

1) Bring back the Filipino Cover bands

 

2) Put the last/adult late night comedy in the main theater

stop the anxiety/line wait/crowds/and no room for you junk please

 

I really really really miss the Filipino cover bands

 

Carnival used to have these amazing groups on all the ships who could "cover" any sort of music...they were so much fun

 

 

 

I love the production shows....I will try to enjoy the Playlist on Conquest next week...but

 

I was just on MSC Divina on Nov 20 -....fantastic...dancers, 2 singers, a violin lady, all sort of cirque de sol performers unreal...plus fly in acts - dueling pianos....all these different groups in the different bars....clasic trio....R and B duo....Latin Trio,...duel pianos...a sax player and another piano player...you can go from bar to bar and hear all these great people...have full production shows...

 

Carnival - I miss the entertainment - maybe a steel drum guy?? Lose one of the DJ's

 

I can live with the food cutbacks....the lack of a captain party....,I am Platinum and I doubt I will stain to attain any higher....I want to enjoy Carnival but the sorry entertainment is discouraging

 

Also - nightclub is too smoky....too much rap music IMHO