CCL needs to step up to the plate....

[Rottweiler Puppy]

I would go with the best deal regardless of line- none of the loyalty programs are that great.

 

Thats where I stand

[cccer]

You're not missing anything - it was a simple post. Hoping perhaps people could have more inside knowledge as to why they're making all these senseless changes and decisions and why they are clearly not "stepping up to the plate" and competing with what others are offering. When Burger King offers "buy a Whopper, get one free," McDonald's follows suit with their Big Macs!

 

They may seem like senseless changes to you but a first time cruiser has nothing to compare to. They will continue to make changes as long as they can fill their ships. Carnival does not seem to have a problem with that so for.

[love my grandkids]

OP....Thank You for your post, as your observations are valid. Regardless of what cruise line you choose, that is just fine. It is so very unnecessary when comments are made regarding if you are not happy with CCL........ What a childish thing to say, because you clearly state that you cruise different lines. Hello?????

 

Anyway, after I have stopped shaking my head, I wanted to also agree about having 2 old ships in Miami. I would think Several newer ships would be better. The only thing I can think of is the need to keep more shorter cruises there, in order to pull more new cruisers.

 

Thanks OP like these discussion type threads, dont see why people complain about them.

[mediccruzin]

I like the changes. Don't affect things I like, and hopefully brings Carnival profits. I'd like some other changes like no smoking in the casino, and enforcing rules on chair hogging. But overall, the changes are fine.

 

Having your Breeze cruise moved to the Splendor is a change you are fine with? At least those getting moved from the Valor to the Magic are getting a fair shake.

[hacra]

Have never been loyal to anyone except maybe Paul Gauguin. Will never reach platinum, gold or any level of recognition and don,t care. I find the cruise I like and try to get the best deal that I can. Pretty simple.

[loxley]

Yep! I sailed the Getaway in February and am booked for the Escape in 12/16. Frankly I'm happy on any ship, and for many years was, in fact, loyal to CCL, but I was just trying to figure out WHY they weren't competing with the other lines in promotional offers. Unfortunately, I see that nothing's changed here. Can't ask a simple question without the loyals getting all bent out of shape and offended. Ugh!

 

 

I will answer your simple question. Ships that they are having trouble filling cabins start offering "great" promotions. Ships that sail full do not need to offer "great" promotions.

 

Got it now?

[bruadhin]

Having your Breeze cruise moved to the Splendor is a change you are fine with? At least those getting moved from the Valor to the Magic are getting a fair shake.

 

Exactly. You are better off getting bumped cabin than ship. If it is the cabin, they have to give you the same or better. With a ship, I guess it is ok to stick you with whatever.

 

And anyone saying they aren't having trouble filling the ships, all this just started. It is going to take a while to be felt.

 

It seems half the board are travel agents, what percentage of rooms are booked early in the year versus later? They could be rolling out the changes now and hoping they are forgotten by the time winter rolls around next year.

[BubMunkeyBles]

I am not loyal. We shop around a cruise largely for ports and itinerary.

 

My favorite line is Celebrity and Carnival couldn't come close earlier this year to matching them for a Southern out of San Juan (ocean view with free alcohol package).

 

I'm looking at Carnival again because they have the most options for short cruises and HMC is my favorite private island. I'm Platinum and I still think Carnival has a solid product but I always price compare.

 

To me all the lines are more similar than different honestly. I stay away from Royal just because I don't like it as much but I'm sure with the right price and itinerary I'd hop back on them too.

Edited June 16, 2015 by BubMunkeyBles

[Hoosierpop]

Having your Breeze cruise moved to the Splendor is a change you are fine with? At least those getting moved from the Valor to the Magic are getting a fair shake.

 

 

I'm not on that cruise, so I don't care about that switch.

[mediccruzin]

I'm not on that cruise, so I don't care about that switch.

 

Many were, and many were families crushing with teens. Not much for a teen to do on the Splendor versus the Breeze. Because it doesn't affect you doesn't mean it won't affect others. This move doesn't encourage people to come back to spend more of their money with Carnival.

[Hoosierpop]

Many were, and many were families crushing with teens. Not much for a teen to do on the Splendor versus the Breeze. Because it doesn't affect you doesn't mean it won't affect others. This move doesn't encourage people to come back to spend more of their money with Carnival.

 

 

Right, but you asked me if I were ok with that move. And the answer is I don't care about that change.

 

Yes, there are changes that Carnival could make that I won't like. And I'll deal with that if it happens. So far, none of the changes affect me, so I'm fine with them.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

Having your Breeze cruise moved to the Splendor is a change you are fine with? At least those getting moved from the Valor to the Magic are getting a fair shake.

 

But each passenger has been given the option to get their money back or change their cruise with no penalty. That doesn't happen on the airlines. I just got notification that my flight to Las Vegas in November was changed from a 737-800 to a sweet old MD-80 (lovingly known as a toilet paper core). When I said I wanted to change my flight time to get back on a 737-800 I was informed that there was no 1 hour flight time change on the plane I am booked on so I would have to pay $200.00 to make the change.

[CruisingAmazona]

I will answer your simple question. Ships that they are having trouble filling cabins start offering "great" promotions. Ships that sail full do not need to offer "great" promotions.

 

Got it now?

 

 

Sorry, that's not quite accurate. All the ships I sail, with or without promotions, sail full. The promotions are just a way of showing gratitude and therefore keep people coming back!

 

Get it now?

[CruisingAmazona]

I'm not on that cruise, so I don't care about that switch.

 

 

Geez! Nice!

[MsTabbyKats]

Sorry, that's not quite accurate. All the ships I sail, with or without promotions, sail full. The promotions are just a way of showing gratitude and therefore keep people coming back!

 

Get it now?

 

Promotions aren't to show gratitude. They're a way of getting people to pay more...by letting them think they are getting a bargain.

 

My currently booked cruise....7 nights to Canada from NYC. My cabin on CCL is less than half of a comparable cabin on NCL. If I took NCL I'd be entitled to a drink or food package. But...I don't drink and I don't even do the MDR (99% of meals are at the buffet).

 

Both itineraries are 4 ports (2 the same) and 2 sea days. I find "the included food" and the entertainment equal. If anything...I prefer CCL because of the Brunch and Tea Time. The gym, the spa....equal.

 

So...if I book NCL...and I don't want the drinks or food extras...I can opt for a $75/port excursion credit (but I've done this itinerary before and I don't need the ship excursions) . On CCL....I get a $50 OBC.

 

Where's the gratitude?

Edited June 16, 2015 by MsTabbyKats

[silvercrikhix]

Thanks, OP, for a thought provoking topic!

The Breeze changes are mind boggling, knowing they will tick off shiploads of people....they must think they have a very valid reason to do so.

 

I agree that basically Carnival is not competitive at this time for our situation either.

We like cocktails, so any cruiseline including that perk is gonna shave a big chunk off the onboard account, ditto for free specialty dining.

 

Cruising does allow for many people to Cruise in many ways.

While someone is fine & elated with an inside cabin, do not drink liquor, spend their port time at free beaches or whatever.

There are those who want space, pampering, a big balcony (or small), tea service, exclusive dining etc....

And every thing in between too.

Essentially, Carnival is not your cup of tea right now nor ours & many other peeps too....while there will be plenty people okay with them.

 

I am a bit hesitant with Carnival right now because of ALL the changes, you gotta wonder what NEXT?

Booking with them for a year out seems to have turned into a gamble as to what will change by then.

People like change, but when you are changing sooo much like rapid fire fast, some people get nervous and rightly so.

 

We will cruise Carnival once more for sure...my son is obsessed with Guy Fieri, records his show & is into cooking and says he wants to try a Guys Burger.... It will still be fun & enjoyable. Those burgers are darn near worth it even if the cruise was on a tugboat.....LOL

But it may be the last with them. They do not have COMPARABLE products for OUR cruising style at this time.

[CruisingAmazona]

Promotions aren't to show gratitude. They're a way of getting people to pay more...by letting them think they are getting a bargain.

 

 

 

My currently booked cruise....7 nights to Canada from NYC. My cabin on CCL is less than half of a comparable cabin on NCL. If I took NCL I'd be entitled to a drink or food package. But...I don't drink and I don't even do the MDR (99% of meals are at the buffet).

 

 

 

Both itineraries are 4 ports (2 the same) and 2 sea days. I find "the included food" and the entertainment equal. If anything...I prefer CCL because of the Brunch and Tea Time. The gym, the spa....equal.

 

 

 

So...if I book NCL...and I don't want the drinks or food extras...I can opt for a $75/port excursion credit (but I've done this itinerary before and I don't need the ship excursions) . On CCL....I get a $50 OBC.

 

 

 

Where's the gratitude?

 

 

I keep coming back 'cause I do drink and I would rather not eat than eat at Buffett. On any line. When I'm on vacation I don't want to deal with lines, pushy people and find I a spot to eat. Prices, however, I will continue to say are comparative, give or take some dollars.

[Hoosierpop]

They do not have COMPARABLE products for OUR cruising style at this time.

 

 

This is exactly right. We love inside cabins. We like the MDR. We do whatever we want at the ports. We don't drink much. We like the comedians.

 

But I understand if people like other things than me, so choose another line. That's why competition is a good thing.

[legion3]

Promotions aren't to show gratitude. They're a way of getting people to pay more...by letting them think they are getting a bargain.

 

My currently booked cruise....7 nights to Canada from NYC. My cabin on CCL is less than half of a comparable cabin on NCL. If I took NCL I'd be entitled to a drink or food package. But...I don't drink and I don't even do the MDR (99% of meals are at the buffet).

 

Both itineraries are 4 ports (2 the same) and 2 sea days. I find "the included food" and the entertainment equal. If anything...I prefer CCL because of the Brunch and Tea Time. The gym, the spa....equal.

 

So...if I book NCL...and I don't want the drinks or food extras...I can opt for a $75/port excursion credit (but I've done this itinerary before and I don't need the ship excursions) . On CCL....I get a $50 OBC.

 

Where's the gratitude?

 

See I agree with this to a point. We did go ahead and book NCL with the dining plan because we never do the buffet for dinner at all, breakfast now and then, so it would be of value to us. Our minisuite on NCL was about the same as our spa balcony on Breeze, so the cost was comperable, minus the spa. Which is a cost hit.

 

I will miss tea time and brunch, those are lost on NCL.

[CruisingAmazona]

Thanks, OP, for a thought provoking topic!

 

The Breeze changes are mind boggling, knowing they will tick off shiploads of people....they must think they have a very valid reason to do so.

 

 

 

I agree that basically Carnival is not competitive at this time for our situation either.

 

We like cocktails, so any cruiseline including that perk is gonna shave a big chunk off the onboard account, ditto for free specialty dining.

 

 

 

Cruising does allow for many people to Cruise in many ways.

 

While someone is fine & elated with an inside cabin, do not drink liquor, spend their port time at free beaches or whatever.

 

There are those who want space, pampering, a big balcony (or small), tea service, exclusive dining etc....

 

And every thing in between too.

 

Essentially, Carnival is not your cup of tea right now nor ours & many other peeps too....while there will be plenty people okay with them.

 

 

 

I am a bit hesitant with Carnival right now because of ALL the changes, you gotta wonder what NEXT?

 

Booking with them for a year out seems to have turned into a gamble as to what will change by then.

 

People like change, but when you are changing sooo much like rapid fire fast, some people get nervous and rightly so.

 

 

 

We will cruise Carnival once more for sure...my son is obsessed with Guy Fieri, records his show & is into cooking and says he wants to try a Guys Burger.... It will still be fun & enjoyable. Those burgers are darn near worth it even if the cruise was on a tugboat.....LOL

 

But it may be the last with them. They do not have COMPARABLE products for OUR cruising style at this time.

 

 

I would not book a year out with Carnival either. Not right now. I have before but all these changes are consistently demonstrating instability IMHO. Amongst the five cruises I presently have booked, one is with Carnival for August, three are with Celebrity (one of them for Mardi Gras 2017) and one with NCL for December 2016. I will definitely be booking the Vista eventually.

[Out to sea!]

Although I'm 7 or 8 cruises short of becoming Diamond on CCL, I am not completely loyal to one particular line. I love to cruise, period and whoever gets me on a ship with the best deal possible, gets my money. Having said that, and probably opening a can of worms on a CCL forum, I'm not really getting Carnival's lack of promotions or competition with the other main lines. They are changing policies left and right, some good, some benefit the cruisers, most benefit the cruise line and I get they are a business and need to make profits like any other business. So they're making it tougher for people to smuggle booze, and I get that, while you can book a Concierge Class Balcony on a Celebrity ship and get drink package, free tips and OBC, or a regular OV or Balcony cabin and pick one of those, and NCL gets you free drinks, free dining, internet and OBC for a suite, or one of those for a regular balcony. Why would I bother sailing with CCL where I have to pay the $50 pp/pd for the drink package, while those other, just as good, or sometimes better cruise lines are giving them to me for free. The cabin rates are all fairly equal in cost, so it's not that I am paying higher rates for cabins in those other lines than I would on CCL. Don't get it. They are switching ships here and there which really make no sense at all. Moving the Breeze from Miami to make way for the Vista, but then they're bringing the Sensation to Miami, essentially having two older ships (Ecstasy and Sensation) in one of the most important ports in the country. Not getting this new management or marketing techniques.... at all. I really want to get to my Diamond status, but I just don't see why they deserve my hard earned money when I am getting so much more offered by other lines.

 

Did you ever think all of those other lines are running promos to get customers and Carnival doesn't have to? There is no reason to give anything away if you don't have to.

[legion3]

I keep coming back 'cause I do drink and I would rather not eat than eat at Buffett. On any line. When I'm on vacation I don't want to deal with lines, pushy people and find I a spot to eat. Prices, however, I will continue to say are comparative, give or take some dollars.

 

Our cruise on NCL is comparable, but for the same week Princess and Royal Caribbean are not cost equal at all, so I would go Carnival, changes be darned.

[CruisingAmazona]

See I agree with this to a point. We did go ahead and book NCL with the dining plan because we never do the buffet for dinner at all, breakfast now and then, so it would be of value to us. Our minisuite on NCL was about the same as our spa balcony on Breeze, so the cost was comperable, minus the spa. Which is a cost hit.

 

 

 

I will miss tea time and brunch, those are lost on NCL.

 

 

Great bathroom in the mini-suite. Balcony is smaller, but cabin is great.

[naz022292]

We'er booked for our 4th cruise in Oct 2016. We have compared all cruise lines before booking all of the cruises. Carnival has always been lower by far. We have sailed out of NYC on the first 2 and Baltimore on our last. The cruise in 2016 is out of NYC. When I compare to a similar date, itinerary (Bermuda), and room on NCL, the NCL is $2,644 and the CCL that we booked is $1,757. Sure, we would get the free beverage plan - but we don't normally spend more than $100 on alcohol anyway. Also - we have $50 onboard credit with our CCL rate as part of the easy saver rate. If NCL was even close to CCL I would jump at the opportunity to try something new. But the fact is, they have never even been close. Another factor is the room size. Our oceanview on CCL is 220/sq ft but on NCL it is only 161/sq ft. We'll continue to check all lines before booking but so far, it hasn't been close.

[cruizinisthebest]

Even with these deals (drink and dining packages and such), Carnival is still coming out best for us for a 7 or 8-day in 2016. And I've scoured the websites looking at dates and itineraries. When you combine price, port variety, cabin options, workable dates, and more, yeah I'll be on Carnival AGAIN this year and next.

 

 

Sail with whomever you like. Depending on what you want when, I'm sure you can find offers on several lines. What difference does it make.

Edited June 16, 2015 by cruizinisthebest