Has Carnival Given Up on Adults?

[Tyme2Cruise]

On 4/1/17 Magic 1500 kids, many of whom ran everywhere, screaming to talk to one another, hitting all elevator buttons, playing in the atrium elevators. Horrible. Almost got run over a few times. Had to ask a group of 7 tweens to stop the party they were having in a niche by the elevator on my deck. 6 doors down and they were loud.

 

Most cruisers, that have cruised more than once, have witnessed some sort of bad behavior with kids. If they haven't seen or heard it yet, they will. I don't blame the kids for what I have witnessed, but I do wonder, where are the parents. Since I have seen and been involved with this type of behavior, and did not like it, I guess I am a hater. Oh well, I can't wait for my next cruise. :D

[Warm Breezes]

The thing about cruises, is that they are resorts, and not just a hotel. Resorts will cater to many different types of people where a hotel, is just that, a hotel. There are 3 main groups of people on a cruise. The young and wild crowd, the families, and the mature crowd. A ship, can cater to all three, thus, filling it with those groups. However, Carnival is eliminating the last group, the mature group, with the big money, and leaving it to the young wild group and families. Now, the families, don't want to be around drunken young people (Please don't say this isn't so, because Carnival actually needs to "limit" the amount of drinks, and they force everyone in staterooms to buy the drink package thus helping with the drunken crowd). And the drunken young crowd does not want to be bothered with the families.

 

So Carnival now has a direction. They have given up on the middle aged, older crowd, and want to create the party boats, and cheap family vacation. Good for them. It's just part of the downward spiral they embarked on years ago, and will continue.

 

As part of the middle aged, older crowd, I disagree with your conclusion. Our children are now adults and while they may sail with us on occasion, most of our cruises are now just DH and myself. Nothing that Carnival has done has sent me a signal that they have given up on me as a Carnival Cruiser. Swimming pools have never been the thing that enticed us to cruise. Making them adult or family friendly had no impact on us. Carnival has been adding the Serenity areas since we started cruising them in 2005. We love the Serenity areas and I have seen no signs that Carnival is taking them away.

 

IMHO if I wanted to cruise a ship with less children, then there are more lines that cater to that including multiple ones under Carnival's Corporate umbrella such as Princess and HAL or I would choose times when there are not many kids on board, like October or I would choose longer cruises like a TA or go to places like Alaska where there are few kids on board. Are they on a downward spiral...I don't believe that for a minute. They may currently be boosting their family friendly image but quite frankly, but I don't think there are as many "middle aged or older adults" being seriously impacted by their latest decisions as the vocal few on this board may think. I think this will soon blow over just like the table clothes, balcony smoking, bottled water, and what ever else got a vocal few folks up in arms but barely phased the majority of Carnival's customers.

[Warm Breezes]

Actually, kids only pay the full fare if they are the first or second person in the room. They discount third , fourth and fifth passengers in a room. Typically they are the additional passengers in a room.

 

 

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Um, that is the full fare for the 3rd or 4th person. It is the same whether that person is a child or an adult. The fare does not discriminate on age but on volume of customers to a room. On over half our cruises my kids fare was the full non-discounted fare since we booked them in their own separate room. Many families do this.

[bury me at sea]

Maybe, but things are looking good right now. The changes and cutbacks that many reference have been going on for years but the cruise line is still attracting passengers.

 

 

 

The changes and cutbacks serve to strengthen Carnival's bottom line. The changes and the cutbacks haven't had a negative affect on the bottom line and it could be argued that the opposite is the case.

 

I'm pretty sure you failed to understand my comment. I'm pretty sure the changes/cutbacks have had a positive effect on the bottom line.

 

The point is the effect on groups of consumers has been negative. My assumption is the majority of posters are passengers, not employees or stockholders of Carnival. Thus the downward spiral is from the point of view of the passengers' experiences, not the wallets of stockholders.:rolleyes:

[Warm Breezes]

Actually, in another thread you most certainly called people "hateful" just because they said kids scream, yell, and splash. Pointing that out about some of the kids on board is not hateful. You've said similar things in other threads as well. Even in this thread you say, "A lot of people on this board start their posts of with "I have children but..." or " I don't hate children but..." and then they pepper their post with negative words about children like "to loud, splashing, running wild, misbehaving Ect" You're implying that we do hate children just because we say they misbehave. That's a ridiculous judgement of someone's character. And yes, the kids are doing something wrong if they're splashing other people who don't want to be splashed.

 

This argument is tired and worn out. We're talking about changing the former adults-only aft pools to family friendly. We're not saying there isn't a place in general for adults to go where children aren't allowed, we're saying (for the most part) there's no longer a place to go with a pool that children aren't allowed in. Since there are only 2 or 3 ships with pools in the serenity area, telling people to just go to serenity isn't a comparable option.

 

Why not? Why do any of the pools need to be adult only? The main ones are not kids only. They are open to all to use. If you want to use the pool use the pool. No one is stopping you. Both adults and kids can use the pools. If you want to get away from kids go to Serenity. Since there are limited amount of pools on these ships, I can certainly see why Carnival opened them up for all to use and not limit one to just adults. I am betting on many sailings there are many more families wanting more pool time in the Aft Pool area than there adults wanting adult-only pool time. Especially when the "adults" take over the main pool area with their adult "games" such as the hairy chest contest.

[Warm Breezes]

I have noticed that several have mentioned other cruise lines that are more geared to adult cruisers.

 

Anyone care to list any that are in Carnival price levels?

 

We both retired 3 years ago, age 62 and 59 now, and have been on 3 cruises, all Carnival, with 1 scheduled for February 2018. I have at least 5 or 6 drinks per year, so don't do booze cruises. We like to lounge in adult pools, having quiet conversations with other adults, without someone splashing pool water in our iced tea.

 

You shouldn't have much problem in February as most kids are in school. That is the best option for people like yourselves who wish to continue on Carnival....choose times of years and itineraries that have less families on the them.

[quickrate]

So many things have changed in my lifetime. At one point men worked 10 hours per day to put food on the table for their families, leaving them little time to be a Father or to have fun with their children. Women, who didn't work outside the home to make ends meet were slaves to their homes....no dishwashers, dryers, convenience foods, rapid cooking methods. Parents had children while they were little more than children themselves...no extra money for vacations as families. Vacations were reserved to that time in adult lives when children had gone, more money was available in the kitty...so things were geared to adults.

 

Now, as we jump ahead 50 years...the advent of birth control allowed couples to have their families a bit later when they could, actually, afford them. Women can choose to work as they aren't slaves to full time cooking and cleaning. So, with that, has come the ability of families to vacation as families. To share activities and to give their children "time" (a precious gift).

 

Cruising, in today's world has become a family activity (not something reserved just for those who have reached a certain age and a certain financial position). Parents and grandparents choose to travel with their children and they want their offspring to enjoy a vacation that at one time was beyond the financial means of many. Carnival, it seems, has chosen to embrace that market and to create a life long patronage among those individuals....creating an ever growing number of passengers.

 

Sure its a hard pill to swallow for people who like vacations that are geared to adults...but, since their are other lines under the Carnival umbrella that do cater to the "adult" set it seems to be a business decision that is working well for Carnival. I have acquaintances, all the time, who regale me with wonderful stories of their extended family cruises and how assorted siblings and cousins can't stop talking about the fun and enjoyment they had being together as a group and loving the ship and its activities and their ports of call. All at a price that many families can afford since its cheaper than a Disney adventure complete with hotels and transportation and food and amusement park fees.

 

There really are many choices for adults in the cruising world, not so many affordable options for families on a tighter budget. My hat is off to Carnival for filling that niche.

Unfortunately, I never thought I would say this being diamond with Carnival, but they are driving me to looking at other lines. And it won't be a Carnival brand since they don't match status. MSC will match.

Pat

[quickrate]

Why not? Why do any of the pools need to be adult only? The main ones are not kids only. They are open to all to use. If you want to use the pool use the pool. No one is stopping you. Both adults and kids can use the pools. If you want to get away from kids go to Serenity. Since there are limited amount of pools on these ships, I can certainly see why Carnival opened them up for all to use and not limit one to just adults. I am betting on many sailings there are many more families wanting more pool time in the Aft Pool area than there adults wanting adult-only pool time. Especially when the "adults" take over the main pool area with their adult "games" such as the hairy chest contest.

Every ship I have been on with an adults only pool on Carnival is packed, adults do like to relax around a pool without having a child cannonballing in your face. Serenity does not have a pool accept for Sunshine and Spirit class.

[mom2tcdx2]

I guess the pools don't really bother me. Though I do understand not wanting a place with kids splashing, yelling, jumping, etc which is essentially one of the reasons we just don't hang out there anyway. I also think it is just too many people so I just find other activities to do instead. We were one of those families that traveled with grand parents, parents and children. We will still sometimes go on the water slides, etc. Personally I am not also loyal to one brand, I book based on cost. So I do have the most cruises on Carnival as they have more within my price range.

[sparks1093]

I'm pretty sure you failed to understand my comment. I'm pretty sure the changes/cutbacks have had a positive effect on the bottom line.

 

The point is the effect on groups of consumers has been negative. My assumption is the majority of posters are passengers, not employees or stockholders of Carnival. Thus the downward spiral is from the point of view of the passengers' experiences, not the wallets of stockholders.:rolleyes:

 

I'm pretty sure that I fully understood what you were saying. Yes, some people on here don't like the changes that CCL has made. Some of them are still booking with CCL, which means that the changes don't really impact them all that much. Some of them are no longer booking with CCL, but since CCL isn't rolling back any of the changes I'm thinking those passengers aren't being missed all that much.

[Warm Breezes]

Every ship I have been on with an adults only pool on Carnival is packed, adults do like to relax around a pool without having a child cannonballing in your face. Serenity does not have a pool accept for Sunshine and Spirit class.

 

Like I said if a kid free pool is important then sail on the Sunshine or Spirit class or other lines that give you that option or when kids are in school or on itineraries where families are few. There are other options. I'm talking as someone who IS NOT cruise line loyal and I just don't get the uproar every time a cruise line makes a change...no matter what the line. All cruise lines make changes all the time. Choose what is right for you for the type of vacation you want now. If changes are made that seriously impact your enjoyment then rethink your choices. Seriously people, life is too short to get so upset over changes like this. SMH.

[bury me at sea]

I'm pretty sure that I fully understood what you were saying. Yes, some people on here don't like the changes that CCL has made. Some of them are still booking with CCL, which means that the changes don't really impact them all that much. Some of them are no longer booking with CCL, but since CCL isn't rolling back any of the changes I'm thinking those passengers aren't being missed all that much.

 

Apparently they aren't being missed, which makes it a fine business decision.

 

Some attribute moving to other vacation choices as due to a downward spiral. You of course can use whatever words you wish to describe their unhappiness with Carnival.

[Organized Chaos]

Why not? Why do any of the pools need to be adult only? The main ones are not kids only. They are open to all to use. If you want to use the pool use the pool. No one is stopping you. Both adults and kids can use the pools. If you want to get away from kids go to Serenity. Since there are limited amount of pools on these ships, I can certainly see why Carnival opened them up for all to use and not limit one to just adults. I am betting on many sailings there are many more families wanting more pool time in the Aft Pool area than there adults wanting adult-only pool time. Especially when the "adults" take over the main pool area with their adult "games" such as the hairy chest contest.

I'm not even going to entertain your serenity argument. I addressed it in the very comment you quoted.

 

As far as activities, such as the hair chest contest, that take place around the main pool, those aren't spur of the moment things put on by passengers. They are scheduled activities hosted by Carnival themselves. So if you want to complain about it taking up space, don't blame the adults partaking in those activities, blame Carnival.

[nybumpkin]

If parents believe they need to take their children to an amusement park, there are plenty of land based destinations. That being said, I am very selective on MY sailing dates which never include cruising during a "high holiday period". My primary date selections include week two or three in September, or the first week in January after children are most likely to be back in school....and the prices are less. We have seen children during those times, but more than likely, they are home schooled, well behaved and have manners they were taught from their parents. It is an oddity to see an eight year old boy in a suit and tie after all.

 

Just a head's up - I noted from your countdown calendar that you're sailing on Sunshine February 18, 2018. That's President's Week, and is generally a school holiday week here in New York (and a number of other states). Back before DH took his current college teaching position we took that week off to fly south for a cruise with our kids. While that week generally has fewer kids than a summer cruise, we never cruised with less than 600 kids on the cruise that week.

 

You shouldn't have much problem in February as most kids are in school. That is the best option for people like yourselves who wish to continue on Carnival....choose times of years and itineraries that have less families on the them.

I don't really have a horse in this race, as DH and I don't often sit by the pools. The last few times we've done so have been on cruises where we stayed on the ship or returned early on a port day. About the most we do on the sports deck is a game of miniature golf (and yes, on our last cruise our game was spoiled by two kids who ran across the green where we were playing or cut in line - and yes, their parents were right there). We spend lots of time on our balcony or in one of the public areas, playing cards. (Absolutely love the lanai on Breeze and Vista.) We play trivia. For our purposes, Carnival is just fine. You know, I'd love to do a Journeys cruise - but between my work schedule, husband's teaching schedule and sons' school schedules we are limited to taking vacation in - July. Even if our sons didn't cruise with us, that time frame would expand only to include the first two weeks of August. Once I retire we might be able to expand our horizons a bit (pun intended - we're booked on Horizon in 2018).:)

[glrounds]

As a recently platinum Carnival fan, I'm starting to get concerned... What used to be a cruise line targeted mostly to young(ish) couples (like my wife and I), singles, and groups looking for good old Adult fun (sunning, soaking, socializing, drinking, gambling, exploring, you know - cruising!) seems to have been hijacked by young families with children turning the ships into daycare-at-sea.

No more adult pools, no enforcement of age limits on hot tubs, waterparks where additional pools used to be, Dr. Seuss taking over everything, My Little Pony, Transformers, IMAX theaters instead of Grand Atriums, ...etc, etc, etc.

What attention have Adults gotten lately? A very, very limited number of Havana cabins (awesome, but good luck booking one). What's happened to our favorite cruise line? Will they open up their rewards to other brands that haven't gone so kid-centric?

 

Simple answer: They're doing what Corporations are pledged to do - Maximize Profits in every legal way possible. And they should. They have the perfect setup to determine who they are making a lot of money on and who they aren't (your sign'n'sail account). I'm sure that any analysis would reveal that PLATINUMS and DIAMONDS aren't their lion's share of profits. Of course, I'm generalizing, but analysis controls that.

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, there's a good chance you've figured out a way (the internet) to get your excursions at half price with very limited chance of missing the ship.

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you more than likely don't go over board on the ship photos (digital cameras have pretty much shut down that standard cruise ship source of revenue).

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you have either managed a way to get booze on board or wisely do your heavy drinking in the ports ($1 Sol beer in Los Cabos, e.g.).:D

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you are most likely aware that a casino at sea in international waters under a foreign flag makes you a sitting duck without the benefit of a gaming commission like the NGC (Nevada Gaming Commission) for example, overseeing the operators of that casino.

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you usually just smile amusingly at the "duty free shops" on board, especially the Gold by the Inch.

You do, however, attend the art auction for the FREE wine, attend the PLATINUM plus party and slam and cram as many FREE drinks as you can in an hour or so. You do complain about the way things used to be . . . tablecloths, full orchestras for the Carnival dancers. But, now cheaper menus, no Baked Alaskan congo line, no Cherries Jubilee prepared at your table, no twice a day room service, escalating tip charges, guests talent shows providing the entertainment and, now, kids in the adult pools.

Carnival wants you to move on. They have whole fleets of upgraded cruise lines ready to serve you. They need newbies with children to jam their ships, almost doubling the take on a cabin, spending on everything like drunken sailors and buying into every idea they can come up with.:rolleyes:

The only thing us bitchin' ole timers CONVENIENTLY forget at these times, is that we are paying the same thing for our cabin today that we did 30 years ago ! :halo:

[sanmarcosman]

The only thing us bitchin' ole timers CONVENIENTLY forget at these times, is that we are paying the same thing for our cabin today that we did 30 years ago ! :halo:

 

This is the only point I disagree with Gary because I pay half as much today as I did in 1988 with Carnival for my basic fare. More's the pity for Carnival with all the Platinums and Diamonds with a low average spend.

[glrounds]

This is the only point I disagree with Gary because I pay half as much today as I did in 1988 with Carnival for my basic fare. More's the pity for Carnival with all the Platinums and Diamonds with a low average spend.

 

Exactly, the point becomes stronger. :-)

I just made an off the cuff statement, Sanmarcosman . . . I cruised the TROPICALE in an oceanview cabin "around" 1985 for $599 and that is about what I'll pay on the SPLENDOR in January or February (haven't actually booked it yet) . . . That is why I cruise Carnival. :)

[Cyber Kat]

Carnival wants you to move on. They have whole fleets of upgraded cruise lines ready to serve you.

 

Well, I'm neither Platinum nor Diamond but I am an unhappy adult pool fan who is pretty much ready to be moving on - however I will NOT be moving on to the "whole fleets of upgraded cruise lines ready to serve you." Thanks, but I'll pass. There are plenty of other lines who are quite happy to take my money AND meet my requirements. Carnival clearly doesn't need me - I don't need them either.

 

That whole business thing works both ways.

 

 

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[sanmarcosman]

Exactly, the point becomes stronger. :-)

I just made an off the cuff statement, Sanmarcosman . . . I cruised the TROPICALE in an oceanview cabin "around" 1985 for $599 and that is about what I'll pay on the SPLENDOR in January or February (haven't actually booked it yet) . . . That is why I cruise Carnival. :)

 

Correct, that's why I wrote " more's the pity for Carnival. :)

[FruitStandaficionado]

The only thing us bitchin' ole timers CONVENIENTLY forget at these times, is that we are paying the same thing for our cabin today that we did 30 years ago ! :halo:

 

 

 

 

 

Ain't that the truth!

 

 

 

 

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Edited April 22, 2017 by FruitStandaficionado
Can't figure out how to do a partial quote! Lol

[Warm Breezes]

Simple answer: They're doing what Corporations are pledged to do - Maximize Profits in every legal way possible. And they should. They have the perfect setup to determine who they are making a lot of money on and who they aren't (your sign'n'sail account). I'm sure that any analysis would reveal that PLATINUMS and DIAMONDS aren't their lion's share of profits. Of course, I'm generalizing, but analysis controls that.

 

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, there's a good chance you've figured out a way (the internet) to get your excursions at half price with very limited chance of missing the ship.

 

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you more than likely don't go over board on the ship photos (digital cameras have pretty much shut down that standard cruise ship source of revenue).

 

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you have either managed a way to get booze on board or wisely do your heavy drinking in the ports ($1 Sol beer in Los Cabos, e.g.).:D

 

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you are most likely aware that a casino at sea in international waters under a foreign flag makes you a sitting duck without the benefit of a gaming commission like the NGC (Nevada Gaming Commission) for example, overseeing the operators of that casino.

 

If you're a PLATINUM or higher, you usually just smile amusingly at the "duty free shops" on board, especially the Gold by the Inch.

 

You do, however, attend the art auction for the FREE wine, attend the PLATINUM plus party and slam and cram as many FREE drinks as you can in an hour or so. You do complain about the way things used to be . . . tablecloths, full orchestras for the Carnival dancers. But, now cheaper menus, no Baked Alaskan congo line, no Cherries Jubilee prepared at your table, no twice a day room service, escalating tip charges, guests talent shows providing the entertainment and, now, kids in the adult pools.

 

Carnival wants you to move on. They have whole fleets of upgraded cruise lines ready to serve you. They need newbies with children to jam their ships, almost doubling the take on a cabin, spending on everything like drunken sailors and buying into every idea they can come up with.:rolleyes:

 

The only thing us bitchin' ole timers CONVENIENTLY forget at these times, is that we are paying the same thing for our cabin today that we did 30 years ago ! :halo:

 

I just did a "what if" on the cruise we are taking on Carnival Fantasy for October. We booked it for $619 total for DH and myself in a Port Hole room a couple of weeks ago. It is a 5 day cruise to Cozumel and Progresso out of Mobile. In 2005 we sailed on Carnival Inspiration with our 2 kids in an inside room. It was out of Tampa going to Cozumel and Grand Cayman (which got replaced with Progresso due to weather). It was our very first Carnival cruise. The cost of this cruise was $1500 (which I thought was a steal after going on the Disney Magic the year before for $4000 for 4 in an obstructed view Ocean View room for 7 nights). I just priced out a "what if" on our currently booked cruise in an inside room for 4 just like we had in 2005 with the same itinerary (except the embarkation port) and same class ships. It came to $1080. While the ship is now 12 years older, it also has been upgraded with many things that the Inspiration did not have back in 2005 such as the Water Works, mini-golf, Serenity, Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana, and the Deli (Inspiration did have the adult only funnel deck...but that was not a place that appealed to me). Plus they now have anytime dining and a more casual dress code which is a big plus in my book. This is why Carnival keeps ending up on our short list of ships to choose from when planning a cruise vacation.

Edited April 22, 2017 by Warm Breezes

[glrounds]

I just did a "what if" on the cruise we are taking on Carnival Fantasy for October. We booked it for $619 total for DH and myself in a Port Hole room a couple of weeks ago. It is a 5 day cruise to Cozumel and Progresso out of Mobile. In 2005 we sailed on Carnival Inspiration with our 2 kids in an inside room. It was out of Tampa going to Cozumel and Grand Cayman (which got replaced with Progresso due to weather). It was our very first Carnival cruise. The cost of this cruise was $1500 (which I thought was a steal after going on the Disney Magic the year before for $4000 for 4 in an obstructed view Ocean View room for 7 nights). I just priced out a "what if" on our currently booked cruise in an inside room for 4 just like we had in 2005 with the same itinerary (except the embarkation port) and same class ships. It came to $1080. While the ship is now 12 years older, it also has been upgraded with many things that the Inspiration did not have back in 2005 such as the Water Works, mini-golf, Serenity, Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana, and the Deli (Inspiration did have the adult only funnel deck...but that was not a place that appealed to me). Plus they now have anytime dining and a more casual dress code which is a big plus in my book. This is why Carnival keeps ending up on our short list of ships to choose from when planning a cruise vacation.

 

How ironic . . . I'm leaving Monday on the INSPIRATION out of Long Beach on a 4-day Catalina, Ensenada, Mexico cruise - Oceanview $712 for everything (even taking my ex wife :D )

[Bosrox]

Like I said if a kid free pool is important then sail on the Sunshine or Spirit class or other lines that give you that option or when kids are in school or on itineraries where families are few. There are other options. I'm talking as someone who IS NOT cruise line loyal and I just don't get the uproar every time a cruise line makes a change...no matter what the line. All cruise lines make changes all the time. Choose what is right for you for the type of vacation you want now. If changes are made that seriously impact your enjoyment then rethink your choices. Seriously people, life is too short to get so upset over changes like this. SMH.

 

Ditto. Book a different ship, cruise line etc. Bunch of different threads on this same issue. I highly doubt Carnival cares about the small ratio of people here complaining.

[sparks1093]

Well, I'm neither Platinum nor Diamond but I am an unhappy adult pool fan who is pretty much ready to be moving on - however I will NOT be moving on to the "whole fleets of upgraded cruise lines ready to serve you." Thanks, but I'll pass. There are plenty of other lines who are quite happy to take my money AND meet my requirements. Carnival clearly doesn't need me - I don't need them either.

 

That whole business thing works both ways.

 

 

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Yes it absolutely does and there's nothing personal about it, it's business. When I book a cruise I always look at the prices for other cruise lines. Not because I'm upset with Carnival but because I do want to try other cruise lines and if I find one offering the same cruise as Carnival for the same money I'd book it in a heart beat. Only I never have found that. The competition is always hundreds upon hundreds more.

[Computer Nerd]

Before I make my point I want to state that I am a parent of a 6 year old but I TOTALLY support adult only areas/ pools on any cruise ship....

 

An interesting way to look at it is that this is the way our "American" world is going in general...back in the day, as a general rule of thumb (or course there are exceptions on each end) most parents did not spend all their time focusing on entertaining their children every second of every day, instead they sent us outside to play until the street lights came on and we had to entertain ourselves...same with school back in my day my parents got an update on my schooling a handful of times each year...back to school night, parent conference and 2 report cards a year...now a days the parent gets an email from the teacher within 5 minutes of an child's assignment not being turned in on time...I could give a 100 more examples but my point is that this is the world today...at least in this country we cater to our children, spoils our children and gives our children a sense of entitlement that has never been seen before...of course cruise lines follow suit...they want to keep up with the changing tides like everything else....

 

Amen.