The MAIN reasons we (mostly) avoid Carnival

[Jana60]

I was like, wow, until I saw the price is PER PERSON...lol.

 

Unless we hit the lotto, we will be sailing with Carnival for a hot minute or 2

Maybe you won't go for a suite but this was the recent price for balcony garantee on Norwegian Escape which is a newer ship with a Ropes Course, zip lining, 3 story high slides, Comedy club and great evening entertainment.

 

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Edited October 3, 2016 by Jana60

[crazy cajun]

we don't go on a cruise to sit around in the cabin. I like a balcony as i sleep out there at night when the weathers right. If i wanted spa and butlers etc i would go to the 4 seasons. The cabin is for the 3 S's.

[mpdog42]

Hi Tom,

 

Try CUNARD

 

Though depending on what you desire in Queens Grill class, and length of cruise, you might spend that $4k-7k PER DAY!

 

I really think you need to branch out, and try other lines, as your expectations are unrealistic for Carnival.

 

Seriously, no kidding, and no empathy from me. I wouldn't spend $4-7K for a week on Carnival if my life depended on it.

 

You have made yourself a big fish in a small pond. Get with the program and move on!

 

Thank You Lou!!!

 

Michael

[TullMan]

Your post was not addressed to me but I'm going to respond to it because I have sold more than 10 times on try it and she has been my favorite ship in the carnival Fleet. I went on a back-to-back-to-back cruise on Triumph in February 2016 and was greatly disappointed by the decrease in service. For example out of 5 room service orders placed I only received one. I had to wait 20 minutes for a drink when standing at the bar waiting to order. And when I ordered sitting at a table in any of the clubs or theaters I never received the drink. Reason #2) I paid as much to sail solo in an inter upper lower cabin as I would have had to pay to sail solo in a balcony guarantee on the newest of the Norwegian Cruise Line vessels next month. Reason #3) Carnival has done away with its live show band and decreased it's karaoke greatly. Norwegian Cruise Line still has a show band, still has live music throughout the ship, still has lots of karaoke and like Carnival has a dedicated Comedy Club. Now this doesn't mean that Norwegian Cruise Line will do the same thing next month. And if and when they do I will be shopping Elsewhere for my Cruise vacations. I was loyal to Carnival for a very long time but I have learned that loyalty earns you very little.

 

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I never waited long for a drink but everywhere else service has gotten poor. The little things you got in the cabin are now gone. I didn't need my bed turned down and didn't like the chocolates but the wife did. These are what made cruising special. I have been told my concerns are trivial but when added together it equals poor service.

[Cruzaholic41]

The point is that there are two (technically 3 with Azamara, but they have 2 ships). On the Carnival side there is Carnival, Princess, Cunard, HAL, Costa, P&O, have I missed some? Apples to oranges.

 

 

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Not at all apples to oranges. RCI and Celebrity give reciprocal perks, meaning the individual programs are unchanged. So it doesn't matter if it's 2 lines or 1000 lines. It's all the same.

[jimbo5544]

Not at all apples to oranges. RCI and Celebrity give reciprocal perks, meaning the individual programs are unchanged. So it doesn't matter if it's 2 lines or 1000 lines. It's all the same.

 

 

Easy to say when there are two to consider vs the many of the largest cruise Corp in the world. If you think two is the same as many, then I have a bridge to sell. Way more variables to consider including differences on how they again stays, differences in status and the fact that they represent a different clientele. Other than those factors it would be close.

[seannyice81]

Suite perks was the deciding factor in why we sailed Royal for my mom's retirement trip. There was no comparison. If you're going to pay the price to indulge, why not have more than VIP check-in and a coffee machine? Mom deserved more than that, and it's what she got (and then some) on Navigator. Pricing was nearly the same.

 

That said, I would have loved to chosen Carnival and it's too bad they they couldn't compete.

Edited October 3, 2016 by seannyice81

[Mycruises62]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I look at other lines, it seems that they are quite a bit more than Carnival, so it would seem that you are paying more for the perks.

 

I would pay 10x more rather than cruise on a carnival ship.

Were elite on princess, we get laundry free, a bar set up of our favorite alcohol.

Free canapes every night, free drinks in the casino, first on and off the ship, upgrades. So YES I would pay more

[Cruzaholic41]

Easy to say when there are two to consider vs the many of the largest cruise Corp in the world. If you think two is the same as many, then I have a bridge to sell. Way more variables to consider including differences on how they again stays, differences in status and the fact that they represent a different clientele. Other than those factors it would be close.

 

You're over complicating it. The size of the cruise corp and lines are insignificant. All each line has to do is say, this level reciprocates that level. Easy peasey. RCI and Celebrity have different clientele and the program works great.

[JimAOk1945]

I agree with Tom-n-Cheryl and others who like to venture out to see what other cruise lines offer their suite guests. After giving Carnival a try, we went to Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America. We enjoy them all but prefer RC for the suite perks. I'm hoping someday RC will offer free laundry to their suite guests as Princess and HAL do.

 

In the near future, we are planning to give Celebrity a try.

 

It's great to have choices. Cruising is a great way to travel.

Edited October 3, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[JimAOk1945]

I think there are some major changes coming to Royal that will upset some.

 

That's a bold statement to make considering you didn't give your source.

Edited October 3, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[JimAOk1945]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I look at other lines, it seems that they are quite a bit more than Carnival, so it would seem that you are paying more for the perks.

You can get great deals for suites on other lines if you book in the off season and you aren't picky about the location. Prices are always higher during peak season.

Edited October 3, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[BoDidly]

Maybe you won't go for a suite but this was the recent price for balcony garantee on Norwegian Escape which is a newer ship with a Ropes Course, zip lining, 3 story high slides, Comedy club and great evening entertainment.

 

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Like .

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

tom, totally understood and you are 'entitled' to your opinion. there is nothing wrong with that. those two points are facts.

 

i can't believe some of the responses. i get what you're saying, and know your cruising history and tenure on this board. it's just getting more rude by the day it seems, probably part of what drove away some of the good posters here (aside from change in cruise lines for personal preference). happy travels.

 

what do you think would be enough (over a coffee maker in suites on vista) that would bring you back? i'm not encouraging it or have any material interest, but i'm just interested in what would be a change that 'swayed' your perception enough to give it another go.

 

I honestly don't know, but hope springs eternal. Carnival was our "first" line, so it holds a special place with us and always will. Perhaps what I'm yearning for is simply not realistic --- I'd like to eat my cake and have it too! Not that I eat much cake any more, but when I do, it's going to be a VERY good slice of cake - read: heavy/dense!! :D

 

Tom

[sanmarcosman]

That's a bold statement to make considering you didn't give your source.

 

I agree, inquiring minds want to know.

[Domino D]

I honestly don't know, but hope springs eternal. Carnival was our "first" line, so it holds a special place with us and always will. Perhaps what I'm yearning for is simply not realistic --- I'd like to eat my cake and have it too! Not that I eat much cake any more, but when I do, it's going to be a VERY good slice of cake - read: heavy/dense!! :D

 

Tom

 

I don't know you, but my advice would be to go forward and not look back. The Carnival you remember so fondly is unfortunately gone, and won't be coming back.

 

I don't think your trying to have your cake and eat it, your buying cake at the same place you always did, but the baker retired. Now the kids run it, and they decided to be a sugar free, gluten free bakery. Now all the hipsters rave about it, and your thinking it taste like saw dust. Bakery by us makes chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.

[glrounds]

Actually that part was not directed at you. When others compare Carnival to various cruise lines they seem to want Carnival to add perks whether past guest or cabin category or whatever. They must like Carnival for some reason.

 

What is it that Carnival provides that the others don't? If Carnival offers nothing for them, why do they still consider Carnival?

 

 

PRICE plain and simply. Cruising in 3 weeks on what was Carnival's newest ship 4 months ago. $419 DO 7 days. Can't beat it plus I get a butt load of perks because I'm PLATINUM. Nothing earth-shattering just nice things they are under no obligation to give me.:)

 

Having said that, most of those contributing to this thread are "upscale" cruisers and want a little something better in the way of perks for all the high end money they spend. In their estimation, Carnival doesn't do that as well as others. I can understand that and I'm certainly not humiliated by that as you seem to be.

[Karnyval]

That's a bold statement to make considering you didn't give your source.

 

No lack of rumors floating right on the CC Royal forum. :p

[Karnyval]

PRICE plain and simply. Cruising in 3 weeks on what was Carnival's newest ship 4 months ago. $419 DO 7 days. Can't beat it plus I get a butt load of perks because I'm PLATINUM. Nothing earth-shattering just nice things they are under no obligation to give me.:)

 

Having said that, most of those contributing to this thread are "upscale" cruisers and want a little something better in the way of perks for all the high end money they spend. In their estimation, Carnival doesn't do that as well as others. I can understand that and I'm certainly not humiliated by that as you seem to be.

 

Fairly accurate until the humiliated part. What they are missing is being in Carnival's target market. They aren't. Carnival's ships will still sail full with or without them.

[Mikew0805]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I look at other lines, it seems that they are quite a bit more than Carnival, so it would seem that you are paying more for the perks.

 

In general.. you are not wrong!

[glrounds]

Fairly accurate until the humiliated part. What they are missing is being in Carnival's target market. They aren't. Carnival's ships will still sail full with or without them.

 

Precisely.

 

If all your ships sail FULL . . . why give out a bunch of expensive perks and comps.

 

FWIW, the only time I cruised PRINCESS was the first cruise of the summer schedule for Alaskan cruises; Frequently cold and rainy (which most certainly was true for this cruise). I jumped on the "fill-the-ship" special because it was $286 DO 7-day ! Price was everything. Fantastic cruise and cruiseline by the way.:)

Edited October 3, 2016 by glrounds

[Hoosierpop]

Wow, it took you to Diamond status to realize those things?

 

 

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[Sovereignmark]

We are doing our 300th night n Carnival Spirit next week. this is our 87th cruise, now doing 15 cruises per year. We have cruised with many cruiselines but now mostly Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Royal certainly have the best loyalty programme and we have many friends on several ships from staff to crew to entertainers etc. Carnival don't offer a lot in the way of their loyalty programme, but Spirit we have some of the best friends working on board, from management to crew and some amazing entertainment staff and comedians. we get so much from these people, not monetary value, but just special treatment from many of them. we have had 2 of our kids weddings on board and they could not have done more. sometimes people need to realise, that you get back what you give. these people are all human beings, being away from their families month after month. They actually appreciate a conversation from time to time, rather than listening to petty people complain about everything. you will be surprised how this makes a huge difference to them, and to you. Yes on Royal, now with 350 nights, we get drinks, internet, half price specialty dining and again some amazing staff etc, but we equally get same satisfaction from both these lines. would love to see Carnival come up with a better loyalty programme, but it wont stop me from crusing with them, after all a cruise is what YOU make it, and most importantly the people you meet. happy cruising all.:):)

[geckoaz]

my wife and i are lucky to afford one cruise a year. we like carnival. i like to read carnival boards. i get excited about our cruises. if you like other lines there are boards for you. we cruise with a large group of friends we have met on cruises. that group makes our cruise experience more than anything.

[b74]

I did my first cruise ever with my family last month. I found our particular cruise extremely lacking in details...Not the details on the service or housekeeping side, but it was very obvious to me that Carnival management puts very little emphasis on details across the board and seems far more focused on the bottom line. It gave me the impression that this was a once great cruise line but perhaps changed management and went downhill within the last couple of years. I will never sail Carnival again.