I hate the word "cutbacks"....

[stevefrisco]

I agree that prices have risen some in the past few years BUT, In 1985 I paid $1485 per person for an inside cabin on Main Deck for the then brand new Holiday for a 7 day cruise. I can book an inside cabin on a 7 day cruise during primetime for MUCH less right now. I find that amazing since the cost of fuel, maintenance, and supplies has risen dramatically in the past 30 years. Something had to give, and I hate to see some things being reduced or taken away, but if it keeps the prices low, I'm ok with it.

 

Now of course, those of us with long cruising histories will have a different perspective than those who have not been cruising that long. Just wanted to add my two cents.

 

The ship was a lot less full and had a much more luxurious feel I would all but guarantee. I think we have different mentalities and that's ok, I would rather pay double to go back to how I imagine a cruise in 1985 was!

 

Fyi the paid poster/flamer statement was not directed at you. I think you are pretty objective.

[Jamman54]

The ship was a lot less full and had a much more luxurious feel I would all but guarantee. I think we have different mentalities and that's ok, I would rather pay double to go back to how I imagine a cruise in 1985 was!

 

Fyi the paid poster/flamer statement was not directed at you. I think you are pretty objective.

 

You are right concerning less passengers. The Holiday Class maxed out at about 1,500 pax. For me bigger didn't translate to better. That is why we still enjoy cruising on Fantasy Class ships, and the Spirit Class is our favorite. As for more luxurious, I do miss the Midnight buffets, Captain's Party, skeet shooting, golf driving off the fantail, pillow fighting, and the male nightgown contest! :D

[calliopecruiser]

Guess I'm the odd man out but I hate the word "cutbacks" and the implication that a cruise line is scamming us when they make changes in their offerings.

 

Yes, over the decades, cruising has changed and things that were offered for "free" or covered in your fare became "extras" and were charged for but many of them helped stabilize the cost of a cruise and were more fair to many.

 

Examples...If someone doesn't consume alcohol why should their fare cover the cost of those that do, if fru-fru drinks and soda are not something I favor why should my fare include them, if I don't especially go ga-ga over chocolates on my pillow why should I be paying for them.

 

Tap water works well for me, don't necessarily use the robes so someone has to pay for them to get washed even though they are never worn. I am fine with the "free" meals served on the ship...can't even imagine indulging in lobster and steak everynight (my weight would take a real hit).

 

There are so many things on a cruise that just don't mean squat to me and have no impact on my enjoyment of the vacation. I don't need fresh linens everyday, or fresh towels twice a day. I don't lug on soda so don't need ice in my room. I can move freely about the ship and don't spend my vacation huddled in my room so the limited free "room service" options are fine with me. If I vacation with the "kiddos" I vacation with them and don't feel the need to hand them off to someone to "babysit". I don't feel a meal on my vacation needs to include a silver mine full of flatware, or a table be set with a cloth or wine glasses I'll never use.

 

Towel animals are cute but once "oohed" over they just turn into extra towels.

 

Obviously I am a "go with the flow" kind of person.

 

How about you?

 

So why are you going on cruise vacations if you don't like the way they're run or what they cost?

 

This is a vacation we're talking about.......if it's not what you want, vacation elsewhere. If it's where you want to be, stop sweating the small stuff and accept it's a part of what you've chosen.

[calliopecruiser]

This will be CCl in 3-5 years

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EasyCruise

 

You'll notice how quickly they went bankrupt.

[RuthlessBoss]

They do have a right to make a profit. That's why it's incomprehensible to me that when prices remain relatively unchanged for decades, people can't believe that cutbacks are being made somewhere to keep those prices stable. Face it, you're not getting what you got 10 or 20 years ago. Call it whatever you want, but the cruise lines have been playing the frog in the boiling pot game for years.

 

But we hear no complaints about current improvements like 2.0 and water parks and serenities.

[Hlitner]

Sorry that the OP does not like the term cut-backs....but it is what it is :). There are some cut-backs they might not impact a particular cruiser (i.e. we could care less if there was even a cruise director) but there have been so many cut-backs in the cruise industry (especially on the mass market lines) that one could fill pages with a list. We have been cruising extensively for over forty years (currently do over 70 days a year) and newer cruisers would be amazed if they knew some of the things that used to be common on many lines. For example, it was not that long ago that one could go to the Lido Buffet at lunch and find bowls or large cold shrimp! Cruise lines used to have midnight buffets (and they were often quite expansive) every night! When we first started cruising on RCCL (now known as RCI) back in the 70s, there was a waiter for about every 2 tables (and an assistant waiter for every 2 waiters). When you got a salad, the assistant waiter would come around with a silver tray holding all kinds of salad dressings from which you could choose. Main courses were plated in the galley, but all the sides (veggies, potatoes, etc) were served by the waiter out of large serving bowls. We could go on and on about food cutbacks....but the changes have been huge.

 

Cabin stewards used to have fewer cabins and were able to provide very personalized service. Today, they usually work in teams of 2....and barely have time to catch a breath while trying to service many more cabins.

 

Other things have improved. In the ole days, balcony cabins were non-existent or limited to only a few of the largest suites.

 

Personally, we vote for cruise lines with our dollars (bookings). Over the years we have cruised on 14 ocean cruise lines, a small boat line, and several river cruise companies. When we detect too many cut-backs on a particular line, we simply move our business to other line(s). RCI used to be our favorite line (even DD was Diamond by age 15) but today it is a line we seldom cruise. Celebrity has been a favorite for many years, but some major cutbacks and large price increases on that line might have us soon change our booking habits. Unlike some on this thread, we are not easy to please and expect a certain standard (depends on the class of cruise line). If a cruise line fails to measure up we go elsewhere until there are indications things have improved (cruise lines are always changing).

 

Hank

[NLH Arizona]

..... newer cruisers would be amazed if they knew some of the things that used to be common on many lines.

 

I think they would also be amazed at what we paid for cruise back in the olden days. Much, much more than what cruises cost today. I remember being escorted to my cabin by a crew member who carried my carry-on and I remember fine china in the MDR and I remember white gloved waiters, I remember a midnight buffet that not many went to, but you know what, I'll take today's cruising market and the prices we pay today over all those little things of yesteryear.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

So why are you going on cruise vacations if you don't like the way they're run or what they cost?

 

This is a vacation we're talking about.......if it's not what you want, vacation elsewhere. If it's where you want to be, stop sweating the small stuff and accept it's a part of what you've chosen.

 

Obviously you have completely misinterpreted my post. I cruise because, in today's world and for today's dollar it offers me what I want and can afford. I never said that what other's refer to as cutbacks affects me negatively....quite the opposite. I am happy that my dollar doesn't pay for the little niceties that were once part of cruising at an exorbitant price and that I reaped no benefit from...if I want those little extras I am more than willing to pay for them.

 

What has happened, it seems to me, is that people want exactly what they got a decade ago for the same price, regardless of inflation, they paid for back then. And that, economically, just can't happen. So people call them cutbacks when in true fact they are measures taken to ensure that people can still afford to cruise. What a $1000 bought in 2006 would cost $1215 today, a $1000 in 1996 would cost almost $1600, and a $1000 in 1986 would cost $2200 today. So I booked a cruise in 1986, spent $1000 and got lots of little extras. Now I book a cabin for a $1000...why would I expect to get the same extras even though they are costing the cruise line twice as much to provide.

 

Why are such simple economics so hard for people to perceive? Of course the cruise line has had to cut corners...to keep the price at $1000. Would I want to spend $2200 to experience what I had 30 years ago...no I wouldn't.

[pris993]

We are not exactly easy to please, but at the same time we know what we want and do pay extra to get it.

 

Have been cruising for over 30 years, can remember paying for a limited view cabin in l989 about $7000 for 2. That was a lot more for a lot less then we could do today. So cruise prices have stayed reasonable. Today we typically book a mini suite... enjoy a balcony, room service and the special dining rooms.

 

We don't drink soda, special coffees, pass on a lot of shows, do our own tours, so we know how to pick and choose what we like and are willing to pay for when we cruise.

 

Cruise lines today offer a lot of options, we are lucky travelers.

[Warm Breezes]

I think this is the age old argument is the glass half full or half empty. Those who prefer the term changes to cutbacks are the same ones that look at a glass as though it is half full. Those who prefer the term cutbacks are the same as the ones that look at a glass as though it is half empty. Neither is right or wrong. In reality the glass has the same amount in it no matter which way you look at it. Carnival is what it is today no matter how you call the actions they took to get them where they are today.

 

I am a glass half full person. I am not loyal to Carnival but sail whom ever meets my needs for our vacation at the price I am willing to pay. Usually all the cruise lines are slightly different just about every time we start looking to book a new vacation from the last time we sailed them. I call these changes on all the lines and take these changes into account every time I start the vacation planning process.

[calliopecruiser]

Obviously you have completely misinterpreted my post. I cruise because, in today's world and for today's dollar it offers me what I want and can afford. I never said that what other's refer to as cutbacks affects me negatively....quite the opposite..

 

Oh, I didn't misinterpret at all. I know you're not negatively affected by those cutbacks. I do think, though, that you don't like paying for things that you don't want to use/have/take part in, and would rather everything was "a la carte".......and that's just not economically feasible, nor popular ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are also tired of all the cutbacks.

We don't need all those water parks, etc. on a ship.

We have noticed that the larger the ships become with more of these -- JMO -- slides, etc. -- more other items are cut back and we have to pay extra for things that were included in the cruise fare.

After our cruise this past spring, we were so disgusted by all the changes that we are taking a break from cruising.

[cruzincurt]

Someone will always pay for something they don't use. Everything can't have a user fee.

 

I don't have kids that use the kiddo program, I don't use the hot tubs, don't use the gym or sauna rooms, don't use the basketball court, or the ping pong table, but things like that that I don't use, I still pay for in the big picture because those things add to the entire cruise experience.

 

Those amenities attract passengers, that makes the cruiseline profitable, encourages them to upgrade and/or build new ships, thus the ship is also there for me to use.

 

To remain profitable, they tweak things that save costs, thus keeping my cruise fares less than I paid 20 years ago.

[Beachdude]

Yes, it seems the forum is seeing more posters trying justify cutbacks as a good thing. I personally miss the old days of pampering and elegance.

 

The Walmart cruise experience is OK if we get really good deal, but with the cutbacks in food taste and service, it has to be a really good deal in a really good room.

 

The cutbacks have driven us to take more land vacations and we finding ourselves more relaxed after those trips. But Sally enjoys hunting for really good deals (it's more about the hunt), so we will still cruise. But it's not the highlight trip of the year anymore.

 

Burt

[NLH Arizona]

Yes, it seems the forum is seeing more posters trying justify cutbacks as a good thing. I personally miss the old days of pampering and elegance.

 

The still offer what you are looking for on the luxury lines. The price today of the luxury lines, are what some of us paid for in yesteryears, but on a regular line, not a luxury line.

[Warm Breezes]

Yes, it seems the forum is seeing more posters trying justify cutbacks as a good thing. I personally miss the old days of pampering and elegance.

 

The Walmart cruise experience is OK if we get really good deal, but with the cutbacks in food taste and service, it has to be a really good deal in a really good room.

 

The cutbacks have driven us to take more land vacations and we finding ourselves more relaxed after those trips. But Sally enjoys hunting for really good deals (it's more about the hunt), so we will still cruise. But it's not the highlight trip of the year anymore.

 

Burt

 

For some posters the changes are a good thing. For others not so much. But the good news is there are plenty of vacation choices to find what is best for you. I, for one, have not experienced the cutbacks in food taste or service. How can I justify something I haven't experienced. I have experienced some changes, but I have not come across any changes that affected the enjoyment I received from my cruise. Most did not affect me at all. In fact I came back from my last cruise on CCL Dream the most relaxed I have ever been from any vacation. Relaxation and spending time with my family are the main reasons I cruise.

 

But the changes like everything else are subjective in how they affect people. The people like me who are not affected by the things you call cutbacks, may look at the things that were added as a big plus making cruising an even better value. Or some may see it as a wash and see cruising the same value as before. Or some, like yourself, find the negatives outweigh the positive changes and cruising has lost its value to you. Isn't it good thing there are so many other choices out there.

 

My biggest issue is that those who see it from your point of view can't understand that we don't all feel that way. It is not cruise line cheerleading...it is our own personal preferences on what we enjoy out of our cruise vacations. Wouldn't life be boring if we all liked the same things. If the cruise line makes changes that you are no longer happy with then please yourself and find something else that will. It is not the cruise lines business to please everyone and some will move out of their target market every time they make a change. That is life. For those of us who accept that, life is so much less stressful.

 

I don't expect the cruise lines to keep their status quo to please me. I do research the changes they make and keep in mind my personal experiences and then make my vacation choice according to if what they are currently offering meets our wants and needs. Some will and some won't. I'm not going to come onto a message board and whine about the ones that no longer meet our needs because they made a few changes. I'll leave those to the people who like the changes made and I am going to move on and find the ones that do meet my needs/wants and make myself happy. If not enough people like the changes then the cruise line will make more changes to improve demand, and I will re-evaluate the next time we plan a cruise.

[NLH Arizona]

My biggest issue is that those who see it from your point of view can't understand that we don't all feel that way. It is not cruise line cheerleading...it is our own personal preferences on what we enjoy out of our cruise vacations. Wouldn't life be boring if we all liked the same things. If the cruise line makes changes that you are no longer happy with then please yourself and find something else that will. It is not the cruise lines business to please everyone and some will move out of their target market every time they make a change. That is life. For those of us who accept that, life is so much less stressful.

 

I feel the same way. I cruise a few lines, NCL being one of them. NCL has made a number of changes recently, none of them affect me adversely and some even positively and when I say this, I'm accused of defending the cruise line for making these changes and always called a cheerleader. For example, NCL started charging for room service, sans the morning continental breakfast. I've never used room service in over 40 cruises, so it doesn't affect me and I see no issue with the change, so why should I stand up and make a big negative fuss over it. Another example, they added 18% gratuity to the dining package; well, I always tip in the specialty restaurants, so this saves me from carrying cash around and that is a real positive for me and I applauded the cruise line for making it easier on me, others might think of it as a negative, but that doesn't change how I feel. I think there are some on here that feel if you disagree with them with regard to any change, you are (1) attacking them and (2) you condone the change. We are all different and we have different likes, wants and expectations and what is a negative to one person can be a positive to another person and visa versa. I've never been on a cruise that was 100% perfect, but even saying that, I've never been on a cruise that I didn't enjoy 100%. If folks just realized that when they are cruising they are doing something millions and millions of people can only dream of doing and then maybe some of the changes they don't like won't become such a big deal to them.

 

The one thing I will defend 100% is the cruise line's ability to make these changes at will, based on the guest ticket contract that all customers should read.

Edited August 15, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Flame away with good riddance posts, I'm sure CCL pays by the post and not word count;)

 

No flaming from me, we don't cruise Carnival and I don't read their boards. Started with Celebrity in 1997 in an ocean view cabin and have stayed with them. I too remember the things NHL Arizona mentioned but things have changed, some for the better, some not so good.

[erinmarie424]

Trying to think of the cutbacks I notice from my first grownup cruise in 2009 and if I miss them:

 

Chocolates on pillow - not a bit

 

Past Guest Party - I used to like when they showed the ships and everyone clapped, and I liked the free drinks for an hour but now I get Cheers so that doesn't matter much

 

Tablecloths - nope, don't care

 

Twice a day service - have never been told I only get once a day service yet, but really don't need it twice - I recently stayed in a hotel for four nights and didn't even have them service the room once. I know the number to dial if i need extra towels.

 

A jillion utensils on the table - don't miss them, and am glad they aren't wasting money buying and washing them

 

Sushi - replaced by Taste Bar so not really a cutback

 

And another list - Things that they now have on many ships that they didn't then:

 

Guy's - which I enjoy once or twice a cruise (more than I used to go to the grill)

 

Blue Iguana - love the huevos rancheros for breakfast and burritos for lunch

 

Red Frog and Blue Iguana Bars - love the Ting Mojito and Blue Margarita!

 

Alchemy Bar

 

Serenity Deck

 

Cheers! While it's not free Carnival is certainly not making the money on drinks that they used to.

 

I'd say that the tradeoffs work for me. I realize it's a personal choice and not everyone shares this opinion.

[cruzincurt]

One thing I don't miss, especially due to my time dining, is dancing and singing waiters.

[NLH Arizona]

One thing I don't miss, especially due to my time dining, is dancing and singing waiters.

I don't miss them either nor do I miss the flaming baked Alaska or the silly horse races they use to have.

[berrieh]

But we hear no complaints about current improvements like 2.0 and water parks and serenities.

 

Trying to think of the cutbacks I notice from my first grownup cruise in 2009 and if I miss them:

 

Chocolates on pillow - not a bit

 

Past Guest Party - I used to like when they showed the ships and everyone clapped, and I liked the free drinks for an hour but now I get Cheers so that doesn't matter much

 

Tablecloths - nope, don't care

 

Twice a day service - have never been told I only get once a day service yet, but really don't need it twice - I recently stayed in a hotel for four nights and didn't even have them service the room once. I know the number to dial if i need extra towels.

 

A jillion utensils on the table - don't miss them, and am glad they aren't wasting money buying and washing them

 

Sushi - replaced by Taste Bar so not really a cutback

 

And another list - Things that they now have on many ships that they didn't then:

 

Guy's - which I enjoy once or twice a cruise (more than I used to go to the grill)

 

Blue Iguana - love the huevos rancheros for breakfast and burritos for lunch

 

Red Frog and Blue Iguana Bars - love the Ting Mojito and Blue Margarita!

 

Alchemy Bar

 

Serenity Deck

 

Cheers! While it's not free Carnival is certainly not making the money on drinks that they used to.

 

I'd say that the tradeoffs work for me. I realize it's a personal choice and not everyone shares this opinion.

 

I agree. For me, I've seen more of a re-prioritization than anything. Yes, they've discontinued some things, but it's all stuff I don't want anyway. And they've added entertainment options and dining options we enjoy, as well as dramatically improved drink quality and variety and improved hangout spaces on ships.

[Nanobot]

IMHO, some of the discussions above relate to changes in amenities aboard rather than cutbacks. I notice the cutbacks. I cruise for a near-luxury vacation at sea comparable to one on land with the added frills of travelling without having to pack and unpack suitcases along the way. This my vision and practice.

 

That stated, the reduction of services, the reduction in food choices, the reduction in the quality of food ingredients are noticeable. For example, eggs are mainly replaced by industrial liquid eggs in everything except for a fried egg. Visually similar, but tastefully deficient. Practices like this permeate through the cruise lines.

 

I agree that cruises are a business. So is running an airline, and look at what cutbacks have done to that industry. Some here accept the cutbacks to keep fates low, but I don't, and would gladly pay more to keep the quality of the cruise from dropping.

[calliopecruiser]

I agree that cruises are a business. So is running an airline, and look at what cutbacks have done to that industry. Some here accept the cutbacks to keep fates low, but I don't, and would gladly pay more to keep the quality of the cruise from dropping.

 

Just like having the option to buy first class airline tickets, people have the option to cruise on luxury lines. If it were popular, there would be more first class seats and luxury cruises than there are......it's all market driven.

[Magnum60]

You should consider brokered yacht charters, which vary from "bareboat" (you'd need demonstrable evidence of your ability to sail/navigate) to whatever level of "crewed" provisioning/luxury/service you desire.

BTW, not as expensive as you may think.

.

 

I checked out a few nice 200 to 250 foot charter yachts the other day to see how well the fully crewed lux charter business is doing these days. It seems to be doing well. There were several nice ones available for (end of the season deals) about $100K a week. You can even bring 4 of your favorite couples to play with.

What's Carnival by the way? Hey wait, I looked them up and it seems that they're a biggie in the fully staffed 'charter' business. As much as I wanted they wouldn't offer me a bare boat charter.