Would you really leave Carnival if.....

[ja_martin]

Just curious if these same services are the reason you choose a hotel or motel when traveling? If the price is right I'm just happy to have a warm shower, a clean environment, and a comfy bed.

 

I couldn't agree more. I definitely do not cruise because I get chocolates on my pillow, have my bed turned down, or because robes are available. I don't eat the chocolates (my husband does, but at home). I just don't need someone to make my bed or turn it down. I never use the robes and I absolutely HATE when I see robes throughout the ship. People don't walk around hotels in their robes. They certainly don't go to their local restaurants in their robes. A cruise ship is a floating hotel, so why do I have to see them walking around in their robes there?

 

I cruise because it is good value for a vacation. I love being on the water. I am getting very good food and lots of food options,I but hate seeing the gluttony in some that you wouldn't see in a restaurant if you were paying your own bill. I can have as much as, or as little as, entertainment that I feel like. I wake up in a different spot every day. That's why I cruise - not for cheap chocolate, someone to make my bed, or because there is a robe hanging in my closet.

[oceanmom62]

Cruising for my family is about the ports, time away with my family, good food and having lots of food and entertainment options. That way I don't have to worry about who is hungry, where we're going to eat and what we are doing for fun. I like the robes (don't have to pack mine if I get cold), I adore turn down service (yes, I do it myself at home but like the pampering) and can't remember if I eat the chocolates or not! So far Carnival has the ports I want at a price that I want. My husband REALLY hates crowds so we get a suite for VIP boarding (and FTTF is a new "perk" that can fill that need for me) - and I like balconies. For our next cruise I did check other lines in addition to Carnival but didn't find anything that I liked and was willing to pay for except for Carnival. That is what it comes to in the end- for MY family. I would love it if people would remember that we all make choices that are right for us and that sometimes asking a question is just asking a question. Not everything or everyone has an agenda.

[VASOXFANN]

Probably not, but if another line provided those things at the same value as Carnival, I'd check them out.

 

Price and itinerary are the main factors for us. The other things are nice touches. If I can get the nice touches for the same price and itinerary, that's where I'll spend my vacation $

[Beachdude]

Cruising for my family is about the ports, time away with my family, good food and having lots of food and entertainment options. That way I don't have to worry about who is hungry, where we're going to eat and what we are doing for fun. I like the robes (don't have to pack mine if I get cold), I adore turn down service (yes, I do it myself at home but like the pampering) and can't remember if I eat the chocolates or not! So far Carnival has the ports I want at a price that I want. My husband REALLY hates crowds so we get a suite for VIP boarding (and FTTF is a new "perk" that can fill that need for me) - and I like balconies. For our next cruise I did check other lines in addition to Carnival but didn't find anything that I liked and was willing to pay for except for Carnival.

 

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get a suite on different cruise line because even though they cost more, you will never come back.:cool:

 

OK, back to your regular schedule program.

 

Burt

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get a suite on different cruise line because even though they cost more, you will never come back.:cool:

 

OK, back to your regular schedule program.

 

Burt

 

Great if price is not an issue.

[jimbo5544]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get a suite on different cruise line because even though they cost more, you will never come back.:cool:

 

OK, back to your regular schedule program.

 

Burt

 

While I get your point, we have (booked a suite on Royal - Oasis) and have come back. It just comes down to what you are getting for your dollar.

[MSseawind]

Would you really leave Carnival and choose another cruise line if you don't have chocolates on your pillow, or towel animals, or complimentary robes, or turn down service, or a 'reward' for being a return customer, or any of the other little "services" that have no impact other than they are a nicety?

 

All of those little things are what makes the cruise seem so luxurious. I guess I could do without the towel animals, but the others things .... yeah, I want them!

[deborahjo]

When looking at Alaska cruise for 2015 last year we never looked at Carnival. Although we have mainly sailed on Carnival we wanted to go on Princess. When it came down to it both lines were pretty equal price wise.

 

We booked Princess and am very happy we did. Something new is very nice. Just the newness to look forward to is nice.

 

We will go back to Carnival. We like the pricing and it fits our needs a lot of the time.

[nissach]

As long as the Carnival Price is considerably cheaper' date=' as it always has been for the cruises I have taken, I will continue to sail Carnival. If a cruise is the same price as another line, I will look at the other line, because there is probably more "value" there. I sail Carnival because we enjoy our cruises and the prices are always the best. I would not pay more for a Carnival Cruise than any other line, though.[/quote']

 

My thoughts exactly. For all of our cruises, Carnival has always been the better buy when considering price. I have always looked at their competitors and never once have they even come close I price.

[eponym]

Would you really leave Carnival and choose another cruise line if you don't have chocolates on your pillow, or towel animals, or complimentary robes, or turn down service, or a 'reward' for being a return customer, or any of the other little "services" that have no impact other than they are a nicety?

 

Geez, I guess the one word answer is YEP.

[Jean1946]

I am a "has been" customer of Carnival. Last cruise with them was absolutely horrible. We have another line we love and will stick with them. I'm over the towel animals, but understand that kids and older kids love them and that's fine. I do not like the robes because they are cumbersome and way to heavy for me. We do 3 - 4 cruises per year, a couple of short ones (7 to 10 days) and usually a super big one. Last year we did a 26 day transatlantic and this year we're doing a Venice to Athens one in October. We are getting ready for a 10 day one this month and we generally book balcony rooms. We've got the time and what it takes to get us there. We are enjoying our retirement to the fullest. Have never been in a suite, but that is a dream of mine. I do lurk here at times to witness some of the crazy and read wonderful trip reviews.

[stargate fan]

When looking at a hotels, 2 hotels one is nicer than the other. The nicer one is $20 more but offers included breakfast. Wouldn't you consider spending the extra $20?

 

I never thought of it this way, but you're right!

We are partial to Hilton hotels and when given a choice between Hampton Inn and Embassy Suites, we choose ES every time because of the great breakfast included, complimentary Manager's Reception every night, and two-room suites, even if it is more expensive.

 

Our recent sailing on Conquest is making us seriously consider researching other cruise lines. I think it was the ship itself that did it for us. Granted we make the best of every situation, but the ship seemed ignored and that made me feel like Carnival didn't care about the passengers sailing on her.

 

One example is there were two venues on the Lido that never opened. One was on the opposite side of the ship from the deli and the other was across the ship from the pizza. Why couldn't there have been more choices, like Tandoor or Asian something? It just didn't make sense.

 

Speaking of buffet, the Deli closed every day at 6:00 P.M. rather than 11:00 P.M. like on our previous cruises. There was no late night (11:30 P.M. to 1:00 A.M.) grill. Was this just on Conquest or is it now fleet-wide?

 

Then there was the lack of Serenity. As we walked the entire ship, we saw spaces that were unused and would have been great for Serenity.

 

The big screen had several pixels? bulbs? that were not working. Why weren't they fixed? They were like that from the first day of the cruise. It was a bit distracting to see a blinking or black area in the middle of the movie.

 

There were many tiles on the floor on Lido buffet that were badly cracked. I tripped a few times, but I didn't make any big deal out of it.

 

I admit that we were perturbed that our stateroom was not ready upon embarkation, though we are Platinum. We had to wait about an hour until we could put away our carry-ons.

 

Look, we still had a great time on the cruise. We sailed with two other couples and we laughed and sang and ate and relaxed. We had fabulous service from our dining room crew and our stateroom steward. David, the Punchliner manager, was a hoot. Mike the cruise director had so much energy. Every crew member we encountered was very friendly.

 

But...when we don't feel like our vacations are special anymore, we go somewhere where they are.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Mabks0412]

The chocolates I don't care about. However the rewards I get for being a previous cruiser I do enjoy and am excited to receive. The towel animals are cool, but aren't a necessary thing to have (I would be sad to seem them go though). I like the experience of being on a cruise ship.

[Leo's Rule]

Would you really leave Carnival and choose another cruise line if you don't have chocolates on your pillow, or towel animals, or complimentary robes, or turn down service, or a 'reward' for being a return customer, or any of the other little "services" that have no impact other than they are a nicety?

 

I've already contemplated leaving Carnival; actually, I've made up my mind to do so and not because of chocolates. I could care less about the chocolates; I'm not fond of chocolate candy to begin with.

 

All of my cruises have been with Carnival and I don't feel appreciated as a past guest. I want to feel appreciated by them. I spend my hard earned money on a Carnival vacation and would love to receive some type of incentive to return.

 

I would have been none the wiser had it not been for the many posts from people who state to check their offers...I have none and I'm told I have none because I already have a cruise or more booked. That's not right IMO.

 

And judging from some of the posts, it seems that some people are still getting offers even though they have a cruised booked. I'm referring to the non casino offers.

[Beachdude]

We booked Princess and am very happy we did. Something new is very nice. Just the newness to look forward to is nice.

.

 

It always surprises me that folks don't try other lines just for this reason alone. I'ts not like Carnival won't let passengers come back.

 

Burt

[Warm Breezes]

It always surprises me that folks don't try other lines just for this reason alone. I'ts not like Carnival won't let passengers come back.

 

Burt

 

I am surprised too. While Carnival usually gives us the best deal sometimes we want to try something different. Nothing against Carnival, in fact for DH, I think it makes coming back to Carnival feel like coming home again after trying something different. I know he is ready for another Carnival Cruise after trying a new ship and line for us on Ruby Princess and a new embarkation port and itinerary for us on NCL Jewel. I can't imagine wanting to sail the same line all the time...we need to switch it up every once in a while.

[cruise_girl2002]

I would still cruise carnival. I cruise to cruise. I don't cruise for the chocolates, robes, free gift etc. I choose carnival because of the price and the service I have always received on all my previous cruises with them.

 

Even if another company were to add on chocolates, robes and a free gift, I'd still cruise carnival

Edited March 10, 2015 by cruise_girl2002

[MCFTJCH2V]

I find myself looking at this from a different angle.

 

My first cruise, I had little expectations other than a brochure. There was not internet or discussion groups or boards. To my knowledge, I had never even watched a Love Boat episode.I remember packing a book and my Walkman.

 

The book and Walkman never came out, as I experienced 7 days of non stop everything, as well as meeting great friends.

 

And all the extras that came with it just exceeded expectations.

 

So my stake in the sand started with that first cruise, and even branching out to other lines, everything always compared to that first experience.

 

Over the years, watching dice net things start to disappear ( they even dropped lobster on formal night in the early 90's! The complaints must have been overwhelming, cause that didn't last long.)

 

And then somewhere around 2008, things started disappearing left and right, quantity reduced in food, service and even entertainment. So my benchmark of comparison is HUGE.

 

My experience can't be compared to others that started later, but to compare mine to those that came before me, I had no way to do it en masse, as there was no vehicle allowing me to do it. My impression though is that it was stuffy, but superior quantity all around. But I also realize that was back in the day from when ships were a mode of transportation, with a slow conversion into just massive moving resorts.

 

 

But yes, each and every one of those cutbacks hurts each time I hear of them. It's almost as the things that they have removed exceeds that list of things that used to be in that fist brochure of all the things included. And didn't list a myriad of other things unexpected.

 

So very interesting that Carnival is having retro cruises. Although I probably wouldn't want to do it, it will certainly expose those that never experienced it the opportunity to see what was once routine.

[jimbo5544]

I find myself looking at this from a different angle.

 

My first cruise, I had little expectations other than a brochure. There was not internet or discussion groups or boards. To my knowledge, I had never even watched a Love Boat episode.I remember packing a book and my Walkman.

 

The book and Walkman never came out, as I experienced 7 days of non stop everything, as well as meeting great friends.

 

And all the extras that came with it just exceeded expectations.

 

So my stake in the sand started with that first cruise, and even branching out to other lines, everything always compared to that first experience.

 

Over the years, watching dice net things start to disappear ( they even dropped lobster on formal night in the early 90's! The complaints must have been overwhelming, cause that didn't last long.)

 

And then somewhere around 2008, things started disappearing left and right, quantity reduced in food, service and even entertainment. So my benchmark of comparison is HUGE.

 

My experience can't be compared to others that started later, but to compare mine to those that came before me, I had no way to do it en masse, as there was no vehicle allowing me to do it. My impression though is that it was stuffy, but superior quantity all around. But I also realize that was back in the day from when ships were a mode of transportation, with a slow conversion into just massive moving resorts.

 

 

But yes, each and every one of those cutbacks hurts each time I hear of them. It's almost as the things that they have removed exceeds that list of things that used to be in that fist brochure of all the things included. And didn't list a myriad of other things unexpected.

 

So very interesting that Carnival is having retro cruises. Although I probably wouldn't want to do it, it will certainly expose those that never experienced it the opportunity to see what was once routine.

 

and yet you are here..... are you still sailing Carnival, what with all the cutbacks left and right?

[tropicaledrink]

For me, it's about what I feel is a good price point for my money. If the items mentioned disappeared, but Carnival was consistently at a much cheaper price point, it wouldn't bother me one bit. However, if Carnival was equal to or more expensive than the competing lines, I would look elsewhere.

 

We've always looked at both Princess and Royal when considering our next cruise. In the limited time frames we can sail, Carnival has always proven to be the best option out there for us. We generally don't look at NCL because "freestyle" cruising doesn't really interest me. We came awfully close to booking on Royal a couple of years ago and then the Liberty ended up dropping in price significantly.

 

Would I miss the towel animals, turn down service, etc? Sure. But it wouldn't be a deal breaker if the price was right. I wish they would go back to the old chocolates though. The new ones are awful in comparison.

[skyeman27]

Nope, for us Carnival is cheap transportation to Caribbean beaches. As a matter fact our on board spending is so low that it surprises me they let us cruise...When we want a better cruise experience aboard ship we cruise another line...

[SadieN]

Read the other Cruise line boards. They have all done cutbacks. The economy sank hard in 2008 and hasn't completely recovered.

 

We're lucky enough to live in Southern California and have several ports to choose from.

Lately we've also been sailing Princess because of itin. Carnival wasn't doing the longer Mexican Riviera cruises or even mixing up the ports. It's ok but prefer the mixture of pax on Carnival.

Edited March 10, 2015 by SadieN

[simplelife]

When looking at a hotels, 2 hotels one is nicer than the other. The nicer one is $20 more but offers included breakfast. Wouldn't you consider spending the extra $20?

Yes, because the breakfast is worth that much. I do the same for free internet or free parking (if I am driving) but if the more expensive one had chocolates, or hot cookies, or some such, or was just rated higher because it had a bar, restaurant, etc. I would go for the cheaper one, If room comfort factors were equal.

[clackey]

I have come to the point where if I find a cruise with a similar itinerary that is within $100-$150 of Carnival I will book with the other line. Don't get me wrong, we have 11 cruises on Carnival, but their cutbacks are starting to get to me. Our last 2 cruises were on NCL and RCCL. Both were a step up.

[nissach]

I have come to the point where if I find a cruise with a similar itinerary that is within $100-$150 of Carnival I will book with the other line. Don't get me wrong, we have 11 cruises on Carnival, but their cutbacks are starting to get to me. Our last 2 cruises were on NCL and RCCL. Both were a step up.

 

IF I could find a cruise that was within that same price range to Carnival's prices I too would book the other line for a change and to experience another line. However that has never even comes close to happening.