carnival drinks

[adeandnod]

is it likely that in the near future carnival will have drink packages for sale on cruises leaving Australia e.g the spirit to isle of pines etc

[parko]

No not at all. Carnival has only just recently announced that it won't be introducing alcoholic drinks packages on Australia sailings. It does have them in other countries. Something along the lines that it is a family based cruise company. But the packages are available on other Carnival controlled lines in Australia. Go figure. So much for equality!

[eaglebowler]

This is my take on this situation, only my opinion so don't shoot me down if you don't agree.

 

The price of a ticket on Carnival is pretty good & the service, food etc etc is good to. So I reckon they use all the 'extras' (drinks, shopping, souvenirs etc etc) as the profit margin.

 

I love Carnival & won't hesitate booking again when the time & finances are right, however, there is a lot of 'up-selling' onboard. There are no happy hours, the 'Cocktail of the day' is the same price as every other cocktail, & in general there are no freebies or special treats.

 

They would know from their research on ships around the world including our P&O and Princess, how the drinks packages work. I reckon they've done the sums and have worked out that for Aussies on Carnival.......it's going to negatively impact their bottom dollar.

 

The other thing is Carnival Oz have a great FB page, but from looking on for a couple of years, it's obvious all decisions are made in Florida & our opinions mean very little. To many people have complained or suggested the same things on their FB page & nothing ever changes apart from some patronizing replies. Hence the ridiculous Mexican & Caribbean nights which are standard across the whole fleet but are really pretty irrelevant to Aussies.

 

Waffling on a bit but the point I'm trying to make is that decision such as a drinks package all come down to $$$$$. As I said earlier, I love Carnival but the world is run by profit margins not necessarily what brings us most pleasure.

[GUT2407]

I blieve not.

 

However if othe lines, wit packages start to eat into their market share they may need to revisit the issue.

[Tigerlily75]

This is my take on this situation, only my opinion so don't shoot me down if you don't agree.

 

The price of a ticket on Carnival is pretty good & the service, food etc etc is good to. So I reckon they use all the 'extras' (drinks, shopping, souvenirs etc etc) as the profit margin.

 

I love Carnival & won't hesitate booking again when the time & finances are right, however, there is a lot of 'up-selling' onboard. There are no happy hours, the 'Cocktail of the day' is the same price as every other cocktail, & in general there are no freebies or special treats.

 

They would know from their research on ships around the world including our P&O and Princess, how the drinks packages work. I reckon they've done the sums and have worked out that for Aussies on Carnival.......it's going to negatively impact their bottom dollar.

 

The other thing is Carnival Oz have a great FB page, but from looking on for a couple of years, it's obvious all decisions are made in Florida & our opinions mean very little. To many people have complained or suggested the same things on their FB page & nothing ever changes apart from some patronizing replies. Hence the ridiculous Mexican & Caribbean nights which are standard across the whole fleet but are really pretty irrelevant to Aussies.

 

Waffling on a bit but the point I'm trying to make is that decision such as a drinks package all come down to $$$$$. As I said earlier, I love Carnival but the world is run by profit margins not necessarily what brings us most pleasure.

 

This sounds right to me. My daughter and I were talking about it on the ship, because the fare itself really is so cheap, how on earth do they make a profit? They make it from alcohol sales, the casino, photos, etc etc. Given I'm pretty much a non drinker, I don't gamble (well, except for Bingo!), and I've bought only one photo each cruise, they really don't profit from me I think! We only paid $172 per night for the two of us on our recent cruise, and with the food, staff, fuel, port fees, etc etc .. that's really a bargain. They have to make a profit somewhere or there'll be no more cruising for any of us. So drink up ;)

[Ned Flanders]

They have to make a profit somewhere or there'll be no more cruising for any of us. So drink up ;)

 

Had to laugh Tigerlily75 - I'm drinking up for you & all the other tee-totaller cruisers!:p

 

We too would like to enjoy the benefits a drinks package can bring, but we also enjoy the freedom of choice by not being tied to one.

 

Plus, by having to pay for each round of drinks, we get to tip the waiters every time which is something we enjoy doing.:)

 

Phil

[eaglebowler]

sorry posted in the wrong spot

Edited August 11, 2016 by eaglebowler