Why keep cruiseing with Carnival??

[terratrac]

What is the point of being loyal, and keep cruising with Carnival? Over the past 10 years I have been on 8 cruises. The latest one being with the Ecstasy just last week. The multiple "small" cut backs have greatly added up compromising the cruise experience that they once had. From turn down service, to lobster and the smallest paying for a deck a cards that were once free at guest services. And now with F2F, you can buy the perks that a loyal customer receives. Why would one not go to a different cruise line and receive the quality vacation with the newest and greatest that carnival once provided? Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

[BenjiRodney]

Ecstasy is part of a three ship test that lets you choose if you want your room serviced twice a day or not. Not a cut back. Decks of cards were available two weeks ago for free at guest services. You can purchase them used in the Casino for 1.00 a deck. I have been on 13 cruises with two more booked.

 

 

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[smarks]

I don't think I will ever be done with Carnival but I am starting to branch out I agree that the cutbacks are adding up. But Carnival can still get me to some nice ports a bit cheaper than other cruise lines. I did try Holland and Royal and there are some differences. I did try Royal and I was not inpressed. I did like their salad bar, there food was very bland and their customer service was horrible. I also tried Holland which I did like and will cruise with them again. But unless Carnival has a lot more cutbacks, they will remain my choice of cruise lines. True the perks have been weekened, but price wise, Carnival still has the others beat at least in my opinion anyway.

[stargate fan]

What is the point of being loyal, and keep cruising with Carnival? Over the past 10 years I have been on 8 cruises. The latest one being with the Ecstasy just last week. The multiple "small" cut backs have greatly added up compromising the cruise experience that they once had. From turn down service What about it?, to lobster We don't cruise for the food but for getting away and the experience itself. and the smallest paying for a deck a cards that were once free at guest services They were free on Legend in July. . And now with F2F, you can buy the perks that a loyal customer receives. Some, but not all. Why would one not go to a different cruise line and receive the quality vacation with the newest and greatest that carnival once provided? Have you read reviews of other cruise lines? All of them are changing with the times. Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

 

We sail Carnival because we like the product.

 

We're not fussy cruisers. Give us a clean bed, clean towels daily, deck chairs in the sun, cold drinks in our hands, and food served to us and we're happy.

 

Hopefully you'll find a vacation you enjoy.

Have a great day.

[terratrac]

The Room steward approached me and told me turn down service is now once a day, what would I prefer? Morning or evening. As for the cards I have always been able to get them free at guest services, not this time. They told me they were only available at the casino for $1. Trust me the dollar isn't a big deal, its just another small cut on the cruise that added up. And don't judge me because I was on a smaller ship. I have been on the Dream and Sunshine.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Ecstasy is part of a three ship test that lets you choose if you want your room serviced twice a day or not. Not a cut back. Decks of cards were available two weeks ago for free at guest services. You can purchase them used in the Casino for 1.00 a deck. I have been on 13 cruises with two more booked.

 

 

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Sadly guest services told my DD they did not have playing cards and she had to go to the casino and pay $1. Perhaps because we sailed a short cruise it was not offered to cruisers. We decided to remember to bring on a deck of cards.

[HawkIVette]

What is the point of being loyal, and keep cruising with Carnival? Over the past 10 years I have been on 8 cruises. The latest one being with the Ecstasy just last week. The multiple "small" cut backs have greatly added up compromising the cruise experience that they once had. From turn down service, to lobster and the smallest paying for a deck a cards that were once free at guest services. And now with F2F, you can buy the perks that a loyal customer receives. Why would one not go to a different cruise line and receive the quality vacation with the newest and greatest that carnival once provided? Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

 

I don't cruise for the turn down service, or the little chocolates on my pillow, or a free deck of cards. I Cruise on Carnival for the value of the vacation. Cruising, in my opinion, is the best vacation value ever. And Carnival seems to have the best options for the money. Typically, a 7 day Cruise for my wife and I run between $2000- $2500 including all cruise costs and airfare (my upcoming cruise on Dream- inside, deck 8, $1020, Flight DSM-MSY, $560, Total cost about $2000 with tips and some drinks). I get to see several different ports; eat different foods that I normally wouldn't try; get entertained by comedians, dancers and musicians; don't have to drive anywhere or worry about transportation; and only have to unpack once.

 

Now, I have not tried other cruise lines so I haven't experienced this myself, but from what I have read here and talked to other cruisers, Carnival offers a great experience and a great value compared to other cruise lines.

 

For me, it's not about being loyal, it is more abut value. I feel I am getting what I paid for- and more. If you are happy about the value you are getting, why go elsewhere. If not, move on.

Edited November 8, 2015 by HawkIVette

[stargate fan]

The Room steward approached me and told me turn down service is now once a day, what would I prefer? Morning or evening. As for the cards I have always been able to get them free at guest services, not this time. They told me they were only available at the casino for $1. Trust me the dollar isn't a big deal, its just another small cut on the cruise that added up. And don't judge me because I was on a smaller ship. I have been on the Dream and Sunshine.

 

Had I been asked which turn-down service I prefer, I would have said I wanted both morning and night.

 

Had I been told by GS that cards were only available at the casino for $1, I would have asked why the change.

 

People need to be self-advocates. When I get an answer that I believe is not correct, I keep asking until all avenues are exhausted.

 

Who's judging you? :confused: What does ship size have to do with anything?

[aztekpm]

Can understand some being upset by the cut backs, but read the other boards, every line is cutting back and the prices are rising. I still have yet to find a cheaper price, going where and when I want with another line.

 

The only line that comes close, sometimes and lately was our NCL Sky cruise in Sept. We did a girls trip and with the drink package only cost us $100.00 each more. We deemed that was acceptable for unlimited drinks! Now, looking at the same cruise, room & week, next year, that cruise has increased $200.00 more per person. Comparing to Carnival it is now $300.00 more per person, no longer worth the difference for the same experience.

 

I've booked Carnival for Bermuda on the Pride next year. I had booked NCL, however, even with their guarantee exchange rate and the low CAD I am still saving over $700.00 per person, so I cancelled the Dawn. I prefer to pay less, not more for the same experience. I've never cruised RCL, but, am not willing to pay more for the same ports, experience. I'm not a big ship person ... I don't need a lot of shows, nor want a skating rink, mall and multiple pay restaurants.

 

Not saying you won't or can't find a cheaper or comparable cruise on another line, but I've yet to do so and I'm looking for spring and fall, when I prefer to vacation. To each person, it's what their willing to accept for what they pay. Currently, I'm happy with Carnival, with the odd cruise on NCL.

[Tapi]

Our next Carnival cruise is a summer sailing, we are visiting all new ports, we sail from a convenient "drive to" port, and we are paying less than $50 pp/pd on a high season sailing. THAT'S why! Price and convenience, period. Who cares if they cut back on the turn down service, food is not as good, or the loyalty benefits have been watered down? At these prices, I can't ask for much more, really.

 

I'm Platinum, but I didn't get there by professing any loyalty to this cruise line. Carnival just happened to fit my needs and my budget at the time and before I knew it, I was holding a Platinum card in my hands.

 

Like others, I've branched out to other cruise lines and I highly recommend it to anybody fixated on sailing exclusively on Carnival out of blind loyalty, or to get free priority boarding and a free bag of laundry, while fuming because they are not enjoying it as much anymore. It's not worth it. Cruise Carnival because it's convenient, because it's affordable, or simply because it truly is your favorite cruise line, even with all the cutbacks.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Tapi

[JMAE]

Yes there have been a lot of changes since our first cruise. Most recent gone are chocolate at night, twice a day room steward, unless you complete a card, welcome back parties, drink coupons, show etc. But we still feel Carnival is a good deal. We love Punchliners and the new food venues like Guys and hope they continue improving the overall cruise experience.

[NIATPAC29]

Life is all about choices. Try another cruise line. Odds are you will come back to carnival .

[skylock]

What is the point of being loyal, and keep cruising with Carnival? Over the past 10 years I have been on 8 cruises. The latest one being with the Ecstasy just last week. The multiple "small" cut backs have greatly added up compromising the cruise experience that they once had. From turn down service, to lobster and the smallest paying for a deck a cards that were once free at guest services. And now with F2F, you can buy the perks that a loyal customer receives. Why would one not go to a different cruise line and receive the quality vacation with the newest and greatest that carnival once provided? Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

Go somewhere else. You will not notice the cutbacks they have made because you will have nothing to compare them to, but I assure they are there.

 

I have a feeling you will be p posting the same thing on another cruise board after you have sailed with them a couple of times.

 

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[elliair]

I cruise with whatever cruise line gives me the best deal. I like Princess, they don't offer FTTF, we get 500 free internet minutes, and the itineraries are the ones we like. We also like a little bit more elegance/class than what Carnival has to offer on the ships close to us. However, when we want a quick get away, we'll cruise Carnival to Mexico. Our last cruise on the Miracle was a good one and we would do it again. Not happy about all the cut backs, but it goes with the territory - it's all about profit and nothing more.

[sanmarcosman]

Go somewhere else. You will not notice the cutbacks they have made because you will have nothing to compare them to, but I assure they are there.

 

I have a feeling you will be p posting the same thing on another cruise board after you have sailed with them a couple of times.

 

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Sadly, I must agree with you. By trying other lines we haven't sailed before we don't notice any diminishing of the product because it's all new to us. To keep cruising fresh we play brand roulette now but every few years we sail Carnival for giggles and grins when the fares are very low.

[Tapi]

Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

 

 

We thought that we were "done" with Carnival after sailing on the Allure back in 2010. It was an eye opener to try something different after so many consecutive Carnival cruises. Since then, we've branched out to Princess, Holland America, another Royal Caribbean cruise but we also sailed on Carnival again.

 

What I've learned is that I'm not done with Carnival. I'm just done sailing on them exclusively. They must deliver what I'm looking for at the time. As mentioned above, our next cruise will be on Carnival simply because they happen to fit our needs. And that's more important than chocolates on the pillow, lobster tails, or loyalty perks.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Tapi

[FireF]

I like carnival's direction. I would pay extra to have reserved seating for shows and to choose my table in the dining room. Charging a buck for cards keeps people from getting free cards just because they are free. I would really like to have reserved pool side seating.

[kayhold]

I am not hard to please. I want food, the ocean, and a vacation where I don't spend the entire week cleaning or fetching for people.

[Cruisegirl6]

I am 52 and in December going on my 60th cruise, I am not loyal to any cruise line although my favorite is RC and then Princess.

 

We take land based vacations per year and go to Aruba also...we always take a main cruise generally on RC as that is my favorite cruise line, but we take Carnival cruises as additional cruises for the year because they are economical and being that we live in Florida its also convenient. When we cruise carnival we know we won't be eating good and well (excluding the steakhouse which on the Valor this past year we dined there 7 out of the 8 nights and its excellent), we certainly know we be eating fast food type foods something we do not eat here at home so its ok. We know the service is a hit or miss but that doesn't make our cruise bad, we do love Carnival casino's much better than all other cruise lines and we always had wonderful service at the bars for our cocktails with friendly crew and staff always.

 

I say its the convenience, price and the casino that makes us cruise Carnival.

[mom2tcdx2]

Overall I haven't had a bad cruise on Carnival and the prices have been pretty great. Some of the small cutbacks overly haven't bothered me all that much. The chocolates on the bed we never ate, I have never asked for a deck of cards (we always take our own). I don't know that cleaning the room once a day would be all that great, but that is pretty much all you get at hotels. Though I mostly like coming back to my cabin to see the towel animal that was made. If I still get a towel animal when the bed is made in the morning, would be ok with me. I would be fine with the next days papers being left in the box outside the door.

 

We do sail other lines, we really look at destination, ship and cost to book. We have done multiple lines and we will continue to do so.

[Cruisegirl6]

I do admit we also don't miss the chocolate and never needed a deck of cards, but I like to have clean fresh towels after I shower....so that would mean if turndown service is only once a day, that we would need 6 bath towels because we both shower am, afternoon after being at port and evening. I wonder if they will give us a problem in giving us 6 bath towels, if I don't get that I won't be happy at all. I don't mind not getting the towel animals.

[RubyGold]

I love Carnival, as it is a quality product I'm willing to pay for. It suits my needs and budget when I have to fly to the states.

 

Alternatively, when we stay in Europe, I have been trying RCL and NCL as Carnival hasn't been here in a while and if you compare the prices of each for next years Europe sailings, both royal and Norwegian are offering packages that are just far better value than carnival, like the free drinks and grats.

 

You're bound to get bored of using the same product and nothing else. For me it's like eating the same food every day, I don't want to do that. I need variety, and by using different lines you'll get that variety.

[jh2360]

When we cruise carnival we know we won't be eating good and well (excluding the steakhouse which on the Valor this past year we dined there 7 out of the 8 nights and its excellent), we certainly know we be eating fast food type foods

 

How does one become such a food snob, err I mean expert?

[Jana60]

What is the point of being loyal, and keep cruising with Carnival? Over the past 10 years I have been on 8 cruises. The latest one being with the Ecstasy just last week. The multiple "small" cut backs have greatly added up compromising the cruise experience that they once had. From turn down service, to lobster and the smallest paying for a deck a cards that were once free at guest services. And now with F2F, you can buy the perks that a loyal customer receives. Why would one not go to a different cruise line and receive the quality vacation with the newest and greatest that carnival once provided? Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

 

I'll admit sometimes they make some changes that upset me but there are some things I still like best about Carnival and it has nothing to do with loyalty. I like that they have large cabins with plenty of storage space, nice large comfy robes, and comfortable beds. I like that they have lots of karaoke. I like the comedy club. I like shows and I'm disappointed that they have gotten rid of the big show band. I like the very friendly staff. The room stewards and staff in the bars and clubs are more friendly than on any other cruise line that I have encountered. And since I am Platinum I'll admit I do enjoy the perks I'm given! I like being able to do a load of laundry if I need to without taking my time to do it. I like having a party where I can go and drink a few drinks free of charge. I did not like that there was smoke in numerous areas of the ship when I sailed the freedom last month. I complained about the smoke and if this continues on other ships I won't be able to continue sailing with them! Not because I'm angry because I'm asthmatic!

Edited November 8, 2015 by Jana60

[Taters]

As you can see from my signature, we have sailed on several lines. I find them mostly more alike than different. The only line we will not sail again is NCL. There were sanitation issues that we cannot/will not live with.

 

Every line has faced cutbacks, and though I do not like them, I can live with them.

 

What keeps bringing us back to Carnival is the fact that we have more fun. We love that the staff is more interactive than on the other lines. The bartenders actually have conversations with us. LOL We think that Carnival has the best casinos at sea. The cabins are mostly larger than on other lines, the prices for balconies are usually pretty great. There are lots of things to love! Also, I think that their food is superior to the food on other lines. We love the Seaday Brunch!

 

We'll keep going back to Carnival for these things and more, especially when our departure port is from the US. We are planning a Baltic cruise for June, 2017 and will sail on either Princess or HAL.