The MAIN reasons we (mostly) avoid Carnival

[Jdfireman]

We may have achieved Diamond status on Carnival, but our frequency of Carnival cruising has drastically plunged over the last few years.

 

It comes down to:

 

> Lack of suite perks compared to other lines

 

> Lack of hot room service breakfast

 

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It's that simple. If we're going to spend a few grand on a cabin, then I expect to get something for my vacation dollar.

 

No full breakfast room service - come on Carnival, get with the program. I think you're the SOLE mainstream line out there who doesn't provide this simple service.

 

Suite perks - A bidet, a tub? I have no used for such things. How about a (any of these would be nice) suite lounge, a suite restaurant, drink or internet packages...

 

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I so want to put Carnival back on our "fully approved" list of cruising options, but they're not making any effort towards that end. Granted, having a coffee maker in suites (Vista or similar??) is a token step, but how many years did that take?

 

You've got some great attributes - the Steakhouse, Ji Ji's, Guy's Burger Joint, etc. Obviously you're doing plenty "right", as you're very successful, but you lack just a couple of things which prevent you from being a contender - w/regard to those who enjoy a little more in the way of amenities.

 

Tom

 

As a diamond i get all i need for my $$$$$$$$ inside rooms are dirt cheap and used for sleeping I also get my $$$$$$$$ in free unlimited laundry. Again I am simple just a place to sleep does me fine. as long as i am on a ship i am happy.

Carnival is now more geared to newer cruises they are trying to get more people on board. A

As i tell my waiter at dinner bring me what I want and take your time I have been here many times and you dont need to impress me. I know the product

 

Remember your on vacation lets be thankfull for that Just when you complain remember how many people cant afford a vacation

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Even better when you have an aft PLUS the rear facing connecting room. Makes it a two bedroom suite with 2 bathrooms.

 

Sigh. The Supper Club. They had it right, till they made it wrong. And they're STILL a hard sell to the clientele of Carnival. In the end, we didn't even need a reservation.

 

I can still recall our first sailing on the Pride - a fellow CC'er made the recommendation that we try the Supper Club. I think it was $25 at that point. At any rate my reply was "why should I pay extra when I've already paid for the food in the MDR?". Eventually, a few sailings down the road, we took that leap of faith - and haven't looked back!

 

I'd still say that overall, out of all the specialty restaurants we've enjoyed on other lines - that Carnival still has the best bang for your buck, even at $35. We're there pretty much every night.

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

I can still recall our first sailing on the Pride - a fellow CC'er made the recommendation that we try the Supper Club. I think it was $25 at that point. At any rate my reply was "why should I pay extra when I've already paid for the food in the MDR?". Eventually, a few sailings down the road, we took that leap of faith - and haven't looked back!

 

I'd still say that overall, out of all the specialty restaurants we've enjoyed on other lines - that Carnival still has the best bang for your buck, even at $35. We're there pretty much every night.

 

Tom

 

I think I may have seen you being escorted down to the CT at least once also....

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I think I may have seen you being escorted down to the CT at least once also....

 

That you did.

 

On that note - I do like the fact that they've dedicated a room for the Chef's Table on the Vista.

 

Tom

[Cruzaholic41]

Hot or cold, I think NCL has a fleet wide room service charge these days.

 

Room service is $7.95 24/7 on NCL.

 

I expected a lot of cheer leading on this thread but I see quite the opposite. I'm closer to diamond than platinum on Carnival and I've agree they have CUT a lot. I don't book suites but if I did it wouldn't be with Carnival. Still a value but sinking (pardon the pun)

 

That's because there's no denying what Carnival is. It's a great starter cruise line but as we grow up, there's only so much we can take of the crowding and the same old ship design.

[jimbo5544]

I expected a lot of cheer leading on this thread but I see quite the opposite. I'm closer to diamond than platinum on Carnival and I've agree they have CUT a lot. I don't book suites but if I did it wouldn't be with Carnival. Still a value but sinking (pardon the pun)

 

 

Not to disappoint you but all lines have cut back. Stroll over to their web threads and look at what they say.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

[jimbo5544]

Room service is $7.95 24/7 on NCL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's because there's no denying what Carnival is. It's a great starter cruise line but as we grow up, there's only so much we can take of the crowding and the same old ship design.

 

 

I know that would make you happy, but so untrue.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Not to disappoint you but all lines have cut back. Stroll over to their web threads and look at what they say.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

That's a fact Jack.

 

errr... Jim !!

 

Tom

[put me on a ship]

Room service is $7.95 24/7 on NCL.

 

 

 

Continental breakfast on NCL is still free, and all room service is free for suites...and you can get room service from any of the restaurants when in a suite. If it's a specialty, you do have to pay the surcharge, but the suite restaurants and MDR's there is no charge.

[Karnyval]

Continental breakfast on NCL is still free, and all room service is free for suites...and you can get room service from any of the restaurants when in a suite. If it's a specialty, you do have to pay the surcharge, but the suite restaurants and MDR's there is no charge.

 

Which NCL continental breakfast items are served warm?

[Karnyval]

That's because there's no denying what Carnival is. It's a great starter cruise line but as we grow up, there's only so much we can take of the crowding and the same old ship design.

 

Growing older can't be avoided, but growing up certainly can. Fun ships keep you young!

 

Mr Wigle celebrated his 100th birthday on his 53rd Carnival cruise.

 

http://johnhealdsblog.com/2011/08/19/old-man-wigle-he-just-keeps-rolling-along/

[Micahs Grandad]

Just goes to show to each his own. IMHO those sandwiches look disgusting. But then I am not a big beef eater, nor do I like fat on my meat nor do I like mustard or horse radish (I think that is what that is on there). No cruise line can please everyone and I wouldn't expect them to. If Carnival no longer meets your wants and needs then choose another ship. No big deal. There are 2 things I don't think I will ever do. 1. Be loyal to one cruise line. 2. Rule out ever sailing on another cruise line again. Certain lines, like Princess, may not be my preference, but I wouldn't rule them out if they meet most of our wants and our budget.

 

yuck

[Micahs Grandad]

Not to disappoint you but all lines have cut back. Stroll over to their web threads and look at what they say.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

Sure they have but after 3 cruises on Princess they are more like Carnival used to be but better buffets than Carnival has ever had in the 20 years we have been sailing with them

[sparks1093]

Which NCL continental breakfast items are served warm?

 

The coffee.:)

[packedandready]

Conquest class has this (Conquest, Liberty, Glory, Valor, Freedom). Adult pool at aft of ship and a movable glass dome if inclement weather.

 

Thank you for this information. I've been misinformed. Sure don't want to limit my options!

[jimbo5544]

That you did.

 

 

 

On that note - I do like the fact that they've dedicated a room for the Chef's Table on the Vista.

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

I saw it but was much to busy on our med cruise to do a CT. Pretty nice glass wall.

 

 

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[Pellaz]

Conquest class has this (Conquest, Liberty, Glory, Valor, Freedom). Adult pool at aft of ship and a movable glass dome if inclement weather.

 

Triumph class (Triumph, Victory) also has an aft pool with a retractable roof. When I sailed on Victory the pool and hot-tubs back there weren't officially adults-only, but I seldom saw kids in them.

I read on CC more recently that, on Victory at least, Carnival HAD designated the aft pool and hot-tubs adult-only.

[DebJ14]

It's not quite that cut and dry. With the Grand Suites and Captain's Suites on Carnival often going for $4-7K/week, there are plenty of suites on other lines where that kind of investment will return all sorts of perks.

 

Tom

 

Definitely true. We have a GS on RCCL in January on the Liberty of the Seas. Lots of perks including nightly cocktails and appetizers, private breakfast in one of the alternative restaurants, we can order room service off the dining room menu, reserved seating in the theater, ice show and by the pool and of course priority embarkation and debarkation and services of a Concierge to make reservations etc. Total for 2 including insurance- $3299.00.

 

Contrast that with the Carnival Breeze sailing the same day. GS with perks being priority boarding and disembarkation and a bottle of water for being in a suite. Price is 3838.72.

 

Besides the GS on RCCL is larger at 401 sq ft + 104 sq ft balcony.

[DebJ14]

Still like Carnival but more and more we are switching to Princess.

 

Not suite people but think they offer things that Carnival used to including rather good production shows.

 

Choices on lido far exceed Carnival in quantity and quality.

 

We are Diamond on Carnival, but sailed enough Princess to quickly reach Platinum status.

 

We love the aft facing Vista and Penthouse suites on Princess with lots of perks including a free bar set up, breakfast in alternative restaurant, free first night in one of the alternative restaurants, priority embarkation and debarkation. Also, double credits for Captain's Circle when staying in a suite.

[AdoraBelle]

I bought into that for a period of time. I recall cutting back on eggs, butter. I recall Snackwells... talk about disgusting - cut the fat and add sugar (the totally wrong approach)!

 

 

 

Now I eat a couple of fried eggs each morning - with a large dollop of coconut oil. I also ditched the toast I used to associate with that (and the ketchup w/sugar lol).

 

 

 

It will take a couple more decades, but I'd suspect that eventually most doctors and nutritionists will be on the high fat/low carb bandwagon.

 

 

 

OK... off my dietary soapbox for now!

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

Thanks for the laugh--I had forgotten all about Snackwells. For me it was fat-free mayo and fat-free turkey on fat-free bread. Bizarrely enough, I was hungry all the time!

 

Then I read Gary Taubes and lost 75lbs. :)

 

Anyway, I'm not a Carnival cruiser but I read all the lines' forums because I'm a NEW cruiser and I like to comparison shop. I'm always interested in posts where people explain why they've had to "break up" with a given line. I do a lot of solo cruises on NCL that are pretty bare-bones, but I've done the "suite" (concierge) experience on Disney, (service was unreal, they spoiled us rotten) and will be trying it in a few weeks on Princess (I don't expect the Disney level of pampering but won't mind the suite lounge and numerous other perks). All of which is my long-winded way of saying I appreciate you posting your viewpoint. I've never seen anyone talk much about the suite experience on CCL, so it's been interesting.

[chill6x6]

Hi Tom!

 

I AGREE with you and I'm right there with you! Notice the drop off from my cruising with Carnival.

 

So I go on about two cruises a year. Usually I'll stay in a suite when I'm getting SOMETHING extra for my money! So that means HA, Celebrity, RC, and NCL for me.

 

Here's the FUNNY thing. So I'm cruising out of Galveston in November. So basically I compared Liberty of the Seas with the Breeze. At the time I booked the Breeze OS was almost the same price and the GS was $800 MORE than a GS on the Liberty of the Seas! Can you say NO BRAINER?! I booked the GS on Liberty so fast it would make your head swim and never looked back!

 

So as you say it simply came down to perks. I have no problem with Carnival other than that. That RC GS comes with a whole LIST of perks! Really NICE perks too! Carnival, priority boarding.

 

So including this cruise...my next three cruises...Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean, and NCL....Suite, Suite, and SUITE!

[Markmom18]

My perspective: I'm thankful to live near a cruise Port ( Long Beach ) and have the ability to be able to go on a cruise with my family. We are Diamond with Royal, but they left So Cal. So, my 'lowely' gold ( I get with this cruise in a few weeks) will do. Carnival or Royal ....love you both and have the best time on either cruise line!

To add: Our son was hired Sept 14th by Carnival, entry level Entertainment Guest Host. SOoo excited and happy for him. Of course, goes without saying :) will definetly hace to book one time on "his" ship!:D

[xeroxme]

Well I would hate to give up the tactile feel carnival provides and the Warm Walmart atmosphere carnival provides. It provides a earthy real feel that reminds me of home. If I booked a suite I might miss all of the people and atmosphere onboard. Devouring a guys burger on the lido deck or the wonderful muster drills were we all get to stand next to each other as sweat and stink encapsulates the air.

These are the priceless things Carnival provides better than anyone. Forget that suite stuff people and perks or you might lose touch with our own humanity... Lol. This is a humorous post to read if you read backwards.

 

 

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[Mikew0805]

I like what the (mainstream) big ships have to offer - multiple venues, with a wide variety of good entertainment and many food options (yes, even if I have to pay extra). I don't think I'd care for a cruise on Oceania nor Crystal, as I suspect that they are very low key (aka low energy, lol). Then again, perhaps I'm just falling victim to traditional stereotypes, as can easily happen to all of us.

 

Tom

 

I would tend to believe that "stereotype" as well, and is a valid point. There is more "fun" to be had on the mass market lines.

 

We are going to be looking into MSC. I wonder if you might find something you like in their Yacht Club. Not to mention their status match in their loyalty program. Granted... 1 ship so far, but the SeaSide is coming.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Good morning - and thanks to all for chiming in. :)

 

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On an unrelated note...

 

"AWAY Matthew" is my mantra for this week: :eek:

 

 

 

 

Tom