Carnival prices just not cutting it .....

[Sugar67]

I looked at MSC and Norweigan for January 2017 and yes the prices are cheaper but not one itinerary with new ports for us =( As much as I would love a cheaper price or some added perks, itinerary is what is important to us. We'll stick with the Vista :)

[ginger123snaps]

I couldn't agree more....the prices are crazy high. I used to not think twice about carnival pricing...but now I shop around. I'm finding more for my money on other lines.

[tallnthensome]

A lot of factors play into making my decisions. Ship is now most important to us now with two young daughters who are water bugs. Itineraris are important as I have never been to the same port twice. I see some people's signatures where they have been on the same cruise with the same ports 6 to 10 times. The Vista was going to some places we haven't been ands it's a new ship with a great water park. As I stated before I shop around extensively and cruise different lines. Nobody twisted my arm to pay what I paid but it was still one of the cheaper weeks on the ship next year. I do find it interesting that the Vista has ONE Cloud 9 Spa cabin on the ENTIRE ship that holds four guests. Probably not a who lot of wiggle room on that one unique cabin we got.

[StolidCruiser]

It supply and demand ... many are willing to pay because they want to cruise and feel comfortable on Carnival. Ships are sailing full so no reason to cut prices.

 

Oh, I do considering all three of my currently booked cruises are with different lines. If my little girls didn't pursuade me so much to do so I may have in this case. I'm sure I will still love the cruise and I chose to pay what I did. Just next time Carnival will be at the bottom of the list when it's time to book more cruises. Them being near the top would depend on them and not just me. If they want to push people elseware so be it. I've said my peace. Just an observation and concern is all ......

 

So you do understand supply and demand.

 

Of course there will be examples where other lines are a better value for what people are looking for. That's the glory of choice. Your findings will not be the same as my findings.

 

Spread your wings and fly. Don't let your children dictate how deep you feel you need to reach into your pocketbook and overspend. Cancel your Vista cruise and choose another on MSC, NCL or RCCL. You'll be much happier.

[Trumpster]

We are sailing this summer aboard MSC Divina. Family of 4 in a Fantastica balcony stateroom for 7 nights for $1357! And that includes all taxes and port charges! No other similar cruise for that week came remotely close in price. Carnival was double, Royal was triple, and Disney was 5 times more expensive!

 

It does pay to shop around. Pretty much every cruise that we've taken in the last 5 years has been cheaper than similar cruises on Carnival.

 

 

Not as much to do on the Divina for kids. The Water slide is weak compared to both NCL and Carnivals water parks (on bigger ships mostly), no putt putt golf, and the other items are up charged. If they work (Race Car and Bowling).

 

the Divina is more like an adult ship in many ways. Now the MSC Seaside, that may be the ticket.

 

don't get me wrong, that is a good deal and we love MSC but, with kids, not the Divina so much.

 

MSC kids club is OK. Camp Ocean is better IMO and my kids.

 

That said we have paid nearly $900 more this year with no price drops on the same cabin on Magic that we had on Breeze last year.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Trumpster

[Trumpster]

I do find it interesting that the Vista has ONE Cloud 9 Spa cabin on the ENTIRE ship that holds four guests. Probably not a who lot of wiggle room on that one unique cabin we got.

 

 

This and the location of the family harbor cabins, but mostly the Spa, lack of quads, is why we will likely skip the Vista and look elsewhere.

[sparks1093]

We are sailing this summer aboard MSC Divina. Family of 4 in a Fantastica balcony stateroom for 7 nights for $1357! And that includes all taxes and port charges! No other similar cruise for that week came remotely close in price. Carnival was double, Royal was triple, and Disney was 5 times more expensive!

 

It does pay to shop around. Pretty much every cruise that we've taken in the last 5 years has been cheaper than similar cruises on Carnival.

 

Is that an interline fare? Every time I've priced MSC it has come out much higher than that.

[Trumpster]

OP, I got a similar deal on NCL booked last year for 2016 with kids sail free, and free beverage package. You won't however find these deals this year. A similar cruise will cost you about $500 more because of the free beverage package. Pieces have risen so much I booked my first Carnival cruise for 2017.

 

There is a lot of discussions on the NCL board about soaring prices, because of all the freebies.

 

 

This!

 

NCL has package issues ;)

 

communication issues and is in a constant flux of change.

 

Very hesitant to sail NCL these days.

[golfb4cruzing]

Certainly not trying to be. When you have three of your cruises laid out in front of you and you do comparisons on what you're getting for your money, you have to shake your head when doing so considering ..... Can't help it. I booked the Vista on one of the cheapest weeks they had, too. Not saying I want to cancel or not go but a drink package or some OBC would be nice to go along with it to level the playing field a little. Heck, maybe my price on the Vista Spa cabin is better then some others paid for it, I dunno ......

 

Now you went and woke up the cheerleaders. You know they get cranky when they don't sleep and someone picks on their favorite cruiseline. Many of us have been talking about Carnival pricing for the last year. I don't mind the prices, if we for got something in return besides a BBQ place. Carnival is really my last thought when cruising.

[Tapi]

I hope you and a few others enjoy the same repeating Caribbean ports a lot.

 

 

If you only sail from Miami to the Caribbean, you will have limited choices. However, MSC is a big cruise line, with ships in many regions of the world including Northern Europe, South America, Asia, and the Mediterranean.

 

If you're set on only sailing only in the Caribbean, MSC does have other ships with some very interesting and out of the ordinary itineraries sailing from non-US ports. Check them out! [emoji3]

[sparks1093]

Now you went and woke up the cheerleaders. You know they get cranky when they don't sleep and someone picks on their favorite cruiseline. Many of us have been talking about Carnival pricing for the last year. I don't mind the prices, if we for got something in return besides a BBQ place. Carnival is really my last thought when cruising.

 

Everyone has different needs and each cruise line has their own niche that they fill, although from all that I've read there are no real major differences between the mainstream lines. For us it all comes down to price and every time we've priced a cruise lately CCL has come in with the best price. They provide the basics and that's enough for us. Folks seem to forget that if a line is offering "something in return" you are still paying for it. That's fine if you appreciate what is offered and will use it, otherwise you are just paying more for the cruise.

[sammee]

I was looking forward to a Baltimore or Charleston, but even with upto %40 casino offer, it wasn't happening. The only one I had no problem paying for fell on the week before Memorial Day, and that is blacked out at work. So I'm on RC Grandeur for Mother's Day to Bermuda, alittle cheaper than Charleston, but way cheaper if I factor in the extra $400 to Drive/eat/hotel for Charleston

[Tapi]

Is that an interline fare? Every time I've priced MSC it has come out much higher than that.

 

 

No. Straight pricing from one of the .com travel agencies. The reason why it was so cheap is because it's during the first week of summer vacation in May (prices were considerably higher the following weeks), and both the Balcony 2 for 1 promo and the kids sail free promo were available. The icing on the cake was the loyalty match discount.

 

I had to play around with various websites and TA's. Every one had a different price. On some, it would give me the kids sail free promo and on others it would give me a "discounted rate" for them.

[missholly24]

Why does everyone keep saying the "ships sail full". I check my sailing on Splendor for April 9th every couple of days ( I have a lot of spare time) and there are at least 20 open cabins.....Just wanted to add my two cents. ;) They probably do sail mostly full but because they give them away towards the end. They make more money from people being on board.

[tallnthensome]

Why does everyone keep saying the "ships sail full".

Just to clarify I would think the new or newest ships from each line, i.e. the Vista, would sail full. Probably not so much with older ships in their fleet.

[Je Souhaite]

Even though I booked the Vista in Februray for an April 2017 sailing I'm going to say that I don't get that fuzzy feeling of deal that I normally get. In fact, I feel that I just settled even as far as a year out. I've sailed on different lines and Carnival before but I have to tell you there are better deals out there. I used to look at Carnival as a more affordable line but not anymore. I sail next month on the new Norweigan Escape 7 day with my two daughters, booked last year, and paid $1900 with port charges and tax for a balcony. This included two unlimited drink packages, kids soft drink packages, and $25 OBC. Great deal! I booked the new to come MSC Seaside for 2018 today 7 days for $2598. This was a balcony for us four and $200 OBC. I booked the Vista for 2017 8 days and got an inside Cloud 9 spa deck 11 for $2850 with no add-ons. All three are new ships and I feel by far that I'm getting the least from Carnival. They want $3900 for a balcony with no add-ons. Not going to pay a grand more for a balcony. It will be my last on Carnival if this keeps up for sure and if people catch on that there are way better deals out there elseware. Carnival better stop the huge jumps in prices before others jump elseware. Only doing it for my kids at this point. After that they can stick their prices where the sun doesn't shine. Surely others have noticed this as well .......

 

That's just it. If Carnival offered the same price as let's say Royal, how many would continue to cruise Carnival? When they offered the same or better than Royal? Probably yes. Now? It depends how clouded they know about the different lines and offering.

 

But now that they offer so much less than the competition, they are stuck with low prices, and even lower just to fill the ships. They LOVE the customer that books early, and the ones that buy the suites. They even reward, with hassle, some that book early fares with a lot of fine print. But, just like private label products in the supermarket, you can't charge too close to the National brand before pushing that customer to the National brand, or charge too less, indicating an inferior product.

[tallnthensome]

Somewhat OT but what's with all the add on fees with their free packages?

 

Wondering how onboard pricing on MSC compares to Carnival? For instance a mixed drink on Carnival is a lot cheaper than a mixed drink on Royal or NCL. Royal charges for dumb little things like popcorn when you watch a movie and big things like Johnny Rockets instead of Guy's.

I just started looking recently and reading about MSC Cruises. From what I read they have somne of the most affordable drinks and drink packages around. Check out the new MSC Seaside being built. Amazing looking large ship with great kids waterpark and ammenities out of Miami late next year. Bookings just opened up a couple months ago. In my opinion the prices are very good comparatively speaking. Only a $200 deposit BTW as well for the four of us yesterday as well which is fantastic. Edited March 27, 2016 by tallnthensome

[sparks1093]

No. Straight pricing from one of the .com travel agencies. The reason why it was so cheap is because it's during the first week of summer vacation in May (prices were considerably higher the following weeks), and both the Balcony 2 for 1 promo and the kids sail free promo were available. The icing on the cake was the loyalty match discount.

 

I had to play around with various websites and TA's. Every one had a different price. On some, it would give me the kids sail free promo and on others it would give me a "discounted rate" for them.

 

Thanks for the info:), I'll have to include those .com's in my searches (I do use them for airfare but typically don't book through them- I find the airline offering the lowest price for the flight I want and then check the airline's site and have always been able to book for the same rate).

[erinmarie424]

Why does everyone keep saying the "ships sail full". I check my sailing on Splendor for April 9th every couple of days ( I have a lot of spare time) and there are at least 20 open cabins.....Just wanted to add my two cents. ;) They probably do sail mostly full but because they give them away towards the end. They make more money from people being on board.

 

 

 

Out of 1500 cabins that's not many. Even if they only unload five more they are still at 99% of rooms being full and I'm sure they'll do better than that.

[Je Souhaite]

Out of 1500 cabins that's not many. Even if they only unload five more they are still at 99% of rooms being full and I'm sure they'll do better than that.

 

Us common folk don't have access to the full inventory of unsold cabins.

[ready2cruzagain]

Even though I booked the Vista in Februray for an April 2017 sailing I'm going to say that I don't get that fuzzy feeling of deal that I normally get. In fact, I feel that I just settled even as far as a year out. I've sailed on different lines and Carnival before but I have to tell you there are better deals out there. I used to look at Carnival as a more affordable line but not anymore. I sail next month on the new Norweigan Escape 7 day with my two daughters, booked last year, and paid $1900 with port charges and tax for a balcony. This included two unlimited drink packages, kids soft drink packages, and $25 OBC. Great deal! I booked the new to come MSC Seaside for 2018 today 7 days for $2598. This was a balcony for us four and $200 OBC. I booked the Vista for 2017 8 days and got an inside Cloud 9 spa deck 11 for $2850 with no add-ons. All three are new ships and I feel by far that I'm getting the least from Carnival. They want $3900 for a balcony with no add-ons. Not going to pay a grand more for a balcony. It will be my last on Carnival if this keeps up for sure and if people catch on that there are way better deals out there elseware. Carnival better stop the huge jumps in prices before others jump elseware. Only doing it for my kids at this point. After that they can stick their prices where the sun doesn't shine. Surely others have noticed this as well .......

OP, I agree with you. We have 3 cruises booked, 2 with NCL and one with Carnival.

 

Our NCL cruises were $499pp with $175 obc on each cruise from TA for an inside deck 13 for 7 nights with drink package included, just had to pay gratuities.

 

Our Carnival cruise was $579pp with a $50obc on deck 8 for 7 nights...no drink package.

 

Tell me which ones are cheaper. It was a no brainer. I would cancel the Carnival cruise but it is booked ES.

 

I will say that the price of all 3 cruises have gone up since we booked in Jan and Feb.

Edited March 27, 2016 by ready2cruzagain

[Oppalopa]

You are correct they are getting out of hand, that is why i sail MSC now.

Just got back from a week long Norwegian cruise loved it 399 no extra's except the added entertainment of watching spring breakers. :D

No single supplement either found it on that plum site. Norwegian Star

[Podna's]

That's just it. If Carnival offered the same price as let's say Royal, how many would continue to cruise Carnival? When they offered the same or better than Royal? Probably yes. Now? It depends how clouded they know about the different lines and offering.

 

 

 

But now that they offer so much less than the competition, they are stuck with low prices, and even lower just to fill the ships. They LOVE the customer that books early, and the ones that buy the suites. They even reward, with hassle, some that book early fares with a lot of fine print. But, just like private label products in the supermarket, you can't charge too close to the National brand before pushing that customer to the National brand, or charge too less, indicating an inferior product.

 

 

Chalk me down as one who'll continue to sail Carnival even if they are the same or higher than RCL. Tried RCL and NCL, nothing bad to say about them except it's not the atmosphere I've grown to love on Carnival.

And stuck with lower prices? Do you know what the theme of this thread is or you and your other names here are so busy jumping on the bashing train you just say whatever?

I wish op luck in looking elsewhere. As much as I love Carnival, I don't see what's the big deal if others want to see what else is out there. For every Carnival cruiser looking elsewhere, there's someone from those cruise lines looking at Carnival.

Lastly, you can call me a cheerleader all you want, really don't give a cr_p, but only on CC where less than 1% of the cruising world reads this stuff will people get this technical with a vacation. I promise you, CCL, RCL, NCL and the others will all continue to sail full with about 99.9% happy passengers who just want to enjoy a week or so away from home.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Podna's

[Indytraveler83]

Please everyone! Abandon Carnival, take your business elsewhere!

 

I want my Funship all to myself!

[Je Souhaite]

Lastly' date=' you can call me a cheerleader all you want, really don't give a hoot, but only on CC where less than 1% of the cruising world reads this stuff will people get this technical with a vacation. I promise you, CCL, RCL, NCL and the others will all continue to sail full with about 99.9% happy passengers who just want to enjoy a week or so away from home.[/quote']

 

You seem to be living in yesterday's world. I won't challenge you on this sites penetration, but pretty much EVERYONE I know has a social media account. And those in the conversation hop on these topics like wildfire.