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

[westwingjazz]

I wish there was a 'like' button on this board. I am one those loyal CC fan but had to walk away because of the lack of entertainment aboard CC ships.

 

This month I am taking a Christmas cruise and unfortunately this will be my last CC. My husband and I need something to do after dinner other than karaoke:mad:, techno dancing, and comedy. We love to smoke cigars, listen to jazz, and sip...

 

And fortunately for us, RC includes a jazz lounge with live jazz and plenty of cigar smoke...:cool:

[detroitlions]

I wish there was a 'like' button on this board. I am one those loyal CC fan but had to walk away because of the lack of entertainment aboard CC ships.

 

This month I am taking a Christmas cruise and unfortunately this will be my last CC. My husband and I need something to do after dinner other than karaoke:mad:, techno dancing, and comedy. We love to smoke cigars, listen to jazz, and sip...

 

And fortunately for us, RC includes a jazz lounge with live jazz and plenty of cigar smoke...:cool:

I am with you on this one I too smoke Cigars and love the Jazz club. They did have a nice one on the Freedom with Live singers the one man band was great a lot of people had fun there they also had a live Jazz band there the first time I went. Yea I like the real clubs you know old school not a walk through bar I also can not stand the piano clubs they are just like the Kareoke lame. Dont get me started on techno aghhh. There were a lot of Jazz and blues clubs in Detroit that I used to go to they were the best they also had the Irish pub bars with live bands that were good too. all those venues pack them in. I have been to Jazz clubs on ships when they switched them into the cigar bars where people come in and walk right out cause of smoke I say those folks need some piano bars and kareoke to visit and leave the Jazz lounge and pubs for us cigar afficianotos.

[going2cruz]

I used to really like Carnival; I enjoyed it. I try to enjoy any vacation I go on. Over the last few years the changes have been too much for me to make Carnival my first choice. I can cruise them locally (no flying) and they offer good last minute deals, but there is not any significant savings of $$$ compared to NCL and RC about 80% of time. So for me it's not a cost thing.

 

When I go on a vacation to Caribbean/Bahamas/Mexico I want live bands playing by the pool, upbeat caribbean rhythms. I want shows at night with singers, dancers, and an orchestra playing. I don't expect Broadway level productions, but I like to be entertained.

 

I like CCL's food, I am open to the new menu changes. I happen to like the choice of staterooms they offer. But the lack of live entertainment is keeping me away.

 

I feel like many others that participate in this forum, or even just lurk quietly, have their reasons for WANTING Carnival to be in their top choice again. So, tell me, what change would it take for you to come back to Carnival?

 

TL;DR:

Dear Carnival; Hang the DJ and I'll be back. My next three bookings are with another cruise line and one of those bookings I paid for three families to go. That money could have been yours.

 

You couldn't give me a vacation to sail their ship again, it would be a waste of good vacation time...........they should give you all some Caribbean music somewhere on lido and get rid of that screen that plays all day long......it should be for movies only......lido is to relax not to barrage me with in your face news from home............ if you want that go to your room and turn it on....I’m on vacation to forget about it for a week.......this list of Cayhills pathetic changes could go on forever...

Oh and after booking a different line, Carnivals not all that less expensive....I booked 5 days cheaper than anything Carnival had out there for the same time and I got paid gratuities and the all I can drink alcohol package....this cruise will cost DW & I 1k less than if it were Carnival......

Edited December 17, 2013 by going2cruz

[cruise pup]

After keeping away from Carnival for a year due to a lousy cruise on the Miracle I found a great price on the Splendor and decided to book since I really wanted to take a cruise without flying. I had over $200. in obc's so I knew I wouldn't be spending another nickel onboard (After the tips were removed I withdrew the balance threw my casino account and walked off the ship with more money than I took on!). I happen to have had a very good time. Yes, the big screen by the main pool is annoying but I don't like the area anyway and prefer to sit by the aft pool and use my iPod for music. Also, RCCL is doing the same thing with blasting the volume with the big screen. I found that even more annoying since I do like their pool area. In the evening there was plenty of live music and enjoyed it, especially from the Latin band. I recently found an even better another good deal on the Dream, so I booked it. I have to fly but I used frequent flyer miles. After perusing a set of Fun Times for the Dream I noticed no Latin band, so I'm not sure I will like the selection of live music but there does seem to be a lot of choices so I won't make any judgment until I'm onboard.

[going2cruz]

After keeping away from Carnival for a year due to a lousy cruise on the Miracle I found a great price on the Splendor and decided to book since I really wanted to take a cruise without flying. I had over $200. in obc's so I knew I wouldn't be spending another nickel onboard (After the tips were removed I withdrew the balance threw my casino account and walked off the ship with more money than I took on!). I happen to have had a very good time. Yes, the big screen by the main pool is annoying but I don't like the area anyway and prefer to sit by the aft pool and use my iPod for music. Also, RCCL is doing the same thing with blasting the volume with the big screen. I found that even more annoying since I do like their pool area. In the evening there was plenty of live music and enjoyed it, especially from the Latin band. I recently found an even better another good deal on the Dream, so I booked it. I have to fly but I used frequent flyer miles. After perusing a set of Fun Times for the Dream I noticed no Latin band, so I'm not sure I will like the selection of live music but there does seem to be a lot of choices so I won't make any judgment until I'm onboard.

 

 

Congrats on your winnings.....I dont understand the words thus I have no use for latin music ...also booking ship from now on with no annoying big screens.....so I lost my investor discount and booked Celebrity where those screens dont exist.......guess I'll be selling my CCL stock in January...happy cruising.......

[cruise pup]

Congrats on your winnings.....I dont understand the words thus I have no use for latin music ...also booking ship from now on with no annoying big screens.....so I lost my investor discount and booked Celebrity where those screens dont exist.......guess I'll be selling my CCL stock in January...happy cruising.......

 

I don't understand the lyrics either but I love the music, mostly Brazilian: Samba and Bossa Nova. I also enjoy watching the dancing. Once in a while I'll get up and do a Merengue. I did sell my CCL stock after that horrible Miracle cruise. I was really p.o.'d at the way customer service handled my complaint. The live music consisted of 2 guitar players (one in a lounge and the other in the atrium) and only 1 live band. I'll never do another cruise on that class of ship.

 

I like Celebrity. I bought 2 future cruise certs. on my last RCCL cruise, so that reduces the deposit and gets me a better obc than from being a shareholder (and RCCL won't combine). I last cruised Celebrity in May on the Summit from Cape Liberty to Bermuda. Wonderful cruise.

[going2cruz]

I don't understand the lyrics either but I love the music, mostly Brazilian: Samba and Bossa Nova. I also enjoy watching the dancing. Once in a while I'll get up and do a Merengue. I did sell my CCL stock after that horrible Miracle cruise. I was really p.o.'d at the way customer service handled my complaint. The live music consisted of 2 guitar players (one in a lounge and the other in the atrium) and only 1 live band. I'll never do another cruise on that class of ship.

 

I like Celebrity. I bought 2 future cruise certs. on my last RCCL cruise, so that reduces the deposit and gets me a better obc than from being a shareholder (and RCCL won't combine). I last cruised Celebrity in May on the Summit from Cape Liberty to Bermuda. Wonderful cruise.

 

I wonder if Celebrity is selling the certificates onboard.....hmm something I'm going to have to find out about before April, also need to find out if they have an investors credit program...........

[ch27088]

A friend of mine and her husband just got back from a 7-day Norwegian Cruise out of New Orleans, and she said she will come back to Carnival. There wasn't a lot to keep them busy (ages: early to mid 30's). Said that they were in bed every night around 10:30 - 11:00 pm . Said that Carnival has more activities for their age group. There were a lot of seniors on this cruise and she just felt they didn't fit in. Also commented that the food was good, but likes Carnival better!

 

Originally DH and I were scheduled to be on the Norwegian Jewel out of New Orleans. We have never cruised with NCL and for some reason I just decided to switch back, and I'm glad I did. We enjoy late nights, good food, and always make sure that we have a good time.

Edited December 17, 2013 by ch27088

[nealstuber]

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.

 

There is SO much to agree with in this post - particularly with respect to dining and entertainment. Such beautiful venues.... Thought/hopes UB would see to this.

[Warm Breezes]

A friend of mine and her husband just got back from a 7-day Norwegian Cruise out of New Orleans, and she said she will come back to Carnival. There wasn't a lot to keep them busy (ages: early to mid 30's). Said that they were in bed every night around 10:30 - 11:00 pm . Said that Carnival has more activities for their age group. There were a lot of seniors on this cruise and she just felt they didn't fit in. Also commented that the food was good, but likes Carnival better!

 

Originally DH and I were scheduled to be on the Norwegian Jewel out of New Orleans. We have never cruised with NCL and for some reason I just decided to switch back, and I'm glad I did. We enjoy late nights, good food, and always make sure that we have a good time.

 

I did find our NCL Jewel cruise out of New Orleans to be a much older demographic than all of our other cruises...but it was also not during a school break and out of New Orleans, which after being there I would not consider kid friendly. I must say our first NCL Jewel cruise over Thanksgiving break and our NCL Epic cruise during Christmas break had a much younger demographic and there seemed to be plenty to do at night.