Carnival needs better Suite perks

[rhfish3]

I agree. People know what they are paying for and yet they want more and more. Amazing

[jimbo5544]

Just went to my online TA site to see what an upgrade to a suite for me would be on my next Carnival cruise in August. When I went to the site, it is the first time I saw Captains Suite listed on any web site. It was showing approx $3,209, and $2,209 for a grand suite per person for an 8 day cruise.

 

For head of the line privileges only, that is a big chunk of coal to lay down.

 

The Captain's suite is not about the perks (nor any other suite on Carnival).

[silvercrikhix]

True but but but ... to book a convenient extra cruise when a 7 day is sometimes offered a couple of hours away in Charleston the only ship in town is Carnival Fantasy. To get a balcony cabin we have to book a suite. To get a suite in a location we want it has to be a Grand Suite.

:D It's like Q: "When do you play a crooked wheel?" A: "When it's the only one in town". :D

LuLu

 

And that is why I stated to each his own! Time wise, money wise, etc...

We must fly for any cruise, but are taking an extra cruise this year, Carnival's amazing Casinio Players offer a couple weeks ago enticed us to book.

It will be our first time in a regular balcony, but decided the cramped quarters were well worth the nearly free cruise offered.

[silvercrikhix]

Just another "I want more stuff for free" thread.

 

I agree. People know what they are paying for and yet they want more and more. Amazing

 

The OP paid $7,500 for a Captain's Suite w/o enough research and was surprised that Carnival offers basically zero perks.

That is not the industry wide practice when booking suites.

If I were them I would have been way surprised too!

Their Bad for not researching ahead of time.

They know better now.

To suggest that someone paying thousands of dollars for a suite is looking for "free" stuff is quite laughable.

[richstowe]

The OP paid $7,500 for a Captain's Suite w/o enough research and was surprised that Carnival offers basically zero perks.

That is not the industry wide practice when booking suites.

If I were them I would have been way surprised too!

Their Bad for not researching ahead of time.

They know better now.

To suggest that someone paying thousands of dollars for a suite is looking for "free" stuff is quite laughable.

Carnival decided long ago that it's business model was to offer good size cabins for everyone while

offering suites at a premium but still at a lower cost, with lower perks, to other cruise lines.

Yes you can on occasion get a true suite on the other lines for an equal price but not usually.

 

I'm no Carnival loyalist and due to their smoking policy will not sail with them unless the deal is real good.

Having said that there is a price to be paid for increased perks for suites and it is mostly paid by the other 95 %.

[ch27088]

Not to be rude, but are you cruising for the perks, or what? Now a days, I don't expect anything for free.

[Baby_Bear]

Here's my take - my first cruise was on HAL in 2011, going to Alaska. They were running a great flash sale and we got a Deluxe Verandah Suite guarantee for an awesome price. We booked SC category and got upgraded to SA, which was even better. HAL has nice suite perks like free laundry, sparkling wine and fruit plate on embarkation, free pressing on formal nights, breakfast for suite pax at Pinnacle Grill, concierge lounge where the concierge will help you with everything from shore excursions, dining reservations, etc.

 

Now, our next cruise was on Carnival in 2012 in the Caribbean. I knew they had zero perks (aside from the priority embarkation) going in. We were in an Ocean Suite. And we discovered something odd - we didn't miss the suite perks! They were (in retrospect) nice to have, but not essential for us (you may feel differently). About the only thing we missed was the free laundry, but with the $15/bag special Carnival runs, it kind of evened out. And while we liked HAL, we had thought the atmosphere was a bit...not stuffy, but maybe more formal. And definitely class-conscious, depending on what category you were in. For some reason, Carnival's more egalitarian approach just worked better for us.

 

We've now done two more Carnival cruises and have a fourth booked for August, all in Ocean or Grand Suites. We just like having the extra room as there's enough space to chill out and enjoy. And there is no doubt that Carnival's suites are usually priced well. But for us, its also about itinerary and often, we find Carnival has more interesting Caribbean itineraries than RCL or Princess.

 

I do agree that $7,500 is a lot to pay. In 2012, we had paid $5,800 - but that was a 12-day Med cruise in a Grand Suite on the (then brand new) Carnival Breeze. And we were going to premium ports - we started in Venice (docked overnight), then went to Dubrovnik, Messina, Olbia, Rome, Florence, Monaco and ended in Barcelona. And European port charges are higher than in the Caribbean. So it was worth while for us. But to pay $7,500 for a 7 or 8 day Caribbean cruise is too rich for my blood. Carnival's suites are pretty nice though.

[dorisis]

I am wondering if anyone thinks the suite perks should be better for those who shell out the extra cash. For this last cruise we had the Captains Suite and spent $7500 total for the room not including what we spent on board. The only perk besides a great room was first on and off the ship. I mean there are people(interior) that would have to go on 7 cruises to spend what we did. Perks we have had on other lines that I think Carnival could handle include: first night steakhouse free, priority seating at anytime dining(no pagers), something simple as choc. strawberrys and flowers, full breakfast delivered to room(not continental). Don't flame me ,because I think Carnival has the best overall package going. They are making a larger profit on Suite guest because there is no way we are going to eat $7500 in food! Carnival, just throw me a bone:D

 

SUITE??????? We just got off Legend and had 5266 which was listed as a suite. Priority boarding and a larger balcony and bathroom were the only differences besides price. We won't be fooled again.

[jimbo5544]

SUITE??????? We just got off Legend and had 5266 which was listed as a suite. Priority boarding and a larger balcony and bathroom were the only differences besides price. We won't be fooled again.

 

What were your expectations?

[Linerguy]

Next week I get another new CD to jump on.

 

Fellow passengers must find you a joy to be around.

[Linerguy]

SUITE??????? We just got off Legend and had 5266 which was listed as a suite. Priority boarding and a larger balcony and bathroom were the only differences besides price. We won't be fooled again.

 

Were you told that you would get more and Carnival didn't deliver? The way I see it, you opted for the Vista Suite, which is a larger room, with a bigger balcony and bathroom. They told you in advance that you'd be getting the priority boarding, but, unless they told you that you were getting more and failed to follow through, I can't see how Carnival fooled you.

 

Remember folks: no one twists your arm to book a suite...and if perks are that important to you, and you STILL book a suite, well, that's on your shoulders, not the cruise lines'.

[jonbgd]

Royal suites prices are much much higher and many times an inferior room (comparatively).

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

That's not always true

We stayed in a Grand suite on Royal and the price was cheaper than what it cost me for a GS on Carnival..........

It was also larger with a lot more perks.

Free cocktails for 3+ hours every night

GTY reserved seating for the shows and the pool deck

 

And I didn't even miss the Bidet I had on Carnival:rolleyes:

[CruisingSteelerGirl]

Here is a video I made of our Grand Suite on Breeze 2 weeks ago. We enjoyed our only perk of priority boarding. The room and balcony were great for a family of 4 but I will never pay that amount again.

 

 

Sorry for the little mess. :D

[jimbo5544]

That's not always true

We stayed in a Grand suite on Royal and the price was cheaper than what it cost me for a GS on Carnival..........

It was also larger with a lot more perks.

Free cocktails for 3+ hours every night

GTY reserved seating for the shows and the pool deck

 

And I didn't even miss the Bidet I had on Carnival:rolleyes:

 

While it may be true all the time, it is true most of the time. I was unimpressed with a grand suite on the Oasis compared to the Breeze (perks aside) and the cost differential was about 2K. I also got a gander on the last day at the Owners suite on Oasis. The only impressive thing was the flooring and a doorbell. The Captains suite in the Liberty was two rooms two bathrooms and a fabulous view for almost 4K less.

 

I agree with you on the bidet tho......;)

[richstowe]

Thanx for the video deck2261. Cabin looks great.

[jimbo5544]

Thanx for the video deck2261. Cabin looks great.

 

The only down side is looking out at the hot tub.

[Laurie S.]

I always book an aftwrap suite on the Spirit class and I love it. There is plenty of room for the two of us, we have the most wonderful balcony on the ship, and we're out of the noisy foot traffic. We even get more exercise due to the long walk back there from everywhere. We're going on the repositioning cruise next month and our suite is $9,500 including gratuities for 22 days. Yes, that's a lot of money, but no that's not expensive considering the length of the cruise and the cabin.

 

I love HAL and always get an SA suite right by the Neptune's Lounge. I miss cruising on HAL, but I do not miss the majority of the passengers. They also are much more expensive. Our 15-day Panama cruise in 2011 was $11,000. We didn't have the separate sleeping rooms that we love (he's an early riser, I'm not). I keep looking at HAL cruises, but the cost is just too much for what you get.

 

We love the relaxed atmosphere of Carnival. I do dress up on elegant nights and love doing it, but at the same time I can be as casual as I want and not be out of place. There are things to do late at night and we can be as wild and crazy as we want on the dancefloor and not have snooty old farts complaining about us. Oh yeah, we're both in our 60s, too. ;)

 

I've also sailed on RCL (Oasis) and Princess. I did not like either line or the makeup of the passengers and am not likely to ever go back to either one. I though both were overpriced.

 

Sure, I would love more amenities being in the suite, mainly just free laundry. But, I know that's not offered, so no big deal.

[CruisingSteelerGirl]

The only down side is looking out at the hot tub.[/QUO

 

Yes, having a view of the hot tub was as times quite amusing. Same people were there in the morning and afternoon. I think the last day it was finally a little busy because people found it.

[DebJ14]

I have to agree with some of the other posters who say not to waste the money on he suites on Carnival. Now that we have sailed in suites on Princess and RCCL and have a Haven Suite booked for an upcoming NCL cruise, we no longer sail in a suite on Carnival. We used to book them, but the prices on the other lines are often less than a GS on Carnival and you get all the great perks that Carnival does not offer.

 

The perks we get on Carnival are from me being Diamond. So, for the past few Carnival cruises we have just booked a well located balcony or a spa balcony on ships that have them and save the $$$ for suites on other lines.

[jiggs]

Guess everyone has an opinion and here's mine...

 

I look at the suites on CCL as I look at first class on an airline...most people did not pay full asking price to be there and are riding as some type of upgrade. People that pay full price for the suites are looking for more space and likely enjoy more time in their cabin than the average cruise passenger.

 

A majority of the suites are sold by the upsell process...its additional revenue at the final weeks leading up to the cruise. If people didn't bite on the upgrade process and the suites sailed empty, they would probably change their practice. They don't sale empty, they don't see a need to change.

 

I agree they could toss in some extra perks that wouldn't cost them that may help to sell more suites at 'retail', but I'm not sure its worth the overhead. I mean whats the cost to CCL to include a bottle of crappy sparkling wine in the cabin or some fresh flowers...I promise you've they've run the data points and cant see a way for it to increase revenues or they would be doing it.

[rxnrn]

The OP paid $7,500 for a Captain's Suite w/o enough research and was surprised that Carnival offers basically zero perks.

That is not the industry wide practice when booking suites.

If I were them I would have been way surprised too!

Their Bad for not researching ahead of time.

They know better now.

To suggest that someone paying thousands of dollars for a suite is looking for "free" stuff is quite laughable.

The OP (me) knew what the perks were and always has suites. The question was whether there should be perks similar to other lines. Trust me I go first class on any trip because I can afford it. I would be happy with a slap on the a** if that was the way Carnival perked. Obviously I don't give a s*** about "freebies" or I wouldn't spend money on suites. When you go to a casino, does the nickel/dime player get the same comps as the high rollers? I'll bet some of you try to get a free buffet or room by spending more $$$$. Do you get free drinks in the Carnival casino with 100 points or 1000 points? No one on this board can say they don't try to get the most bang for their buck.

[tip.n.ring]

Guess everyone has an opinion and here's mine...

 

I look at the suites on CCL as I look at first class on an airline...most people did not pay full asking price to be there and are riding as some type of upgrade. People that pay full price for the suites are looking for more space and likely enjoy more time in their cabin than the average cruise passenger.

 

A majority of the suites are sold by the upsell process...its additional revenue at the final weeks leading up to the cruise. If people didn't bite on the upgrade process and the suites sailed empty, they would probably change their practice. They don't sale empty, they don't see a need to change.

 

I agree they could toss in some extra perks that wouldn't cost them that may help to sell more suites at 'retail', but I'm not sure its worth the overhead. I mean whats the cost to CCL to include a bottle of crappy sparkling wine in the cabin or some fresh flowers...I promise you've they've run the data points and cant see a way for it to increase revenues or they would be doing it.

 

Caveat Emptor. Nuff said! :rolleyes: $7,500 for {bigger} room, {earlier on} board & carriage. The math test is up to you!