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Cutbacks...Anymore? Additions?

skiingj

By skiingj,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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meatloafsfan

meatloafsfan

Posted
Posted
There's been more than one kerfuffle reported between over zealous FTTFers and legitimate Plat and Diamond villagers, during boarding. LOL

 

This was long before FTTF - I was on a Premier cruise back in 2011 when a snobby Platinum guest remarked about the Casino people not being "real VIPs". Either way you slice it, people "pay" for priority boarding - either through FFTF or the number of cruises they take. Neither one is "more legitimate".

 

Would love to hear about additions to the product over the last few years. This is a list of Carnival cutbacks. I have a terrible memory so I may have missed a few.

  • Picture of Ship
  • Fruit Juice, if the stains were such a big deal why couldn’t they just remove the colouring - this was well before 2011 (when I took my first Carnival cruise) so more than 6 years ago - when does this being listed as a cutback expire?
  • Shrimp Gate - they brought back the shrimp cocktail so it's a non-issue.
  • Lobster on shorter cruises
  • Loyalty Program reductions
  • Captains/Farewell Party & VIFP Gold lost past guest party. - Isn't this part of the above point? I mean, why are you listing this stuff twice?
  • Food; Quality, Steak & Chicken Sandwiches on Lido, portion size in MDR. Burgers got replaced with Guys which I do love but miss the options from the grill. Food quality as a cutback is highly debatable.
  • Room service food that you now have to pay for, lost some free items.
  • Table Clothes - :rolleyes:
  • FTTF in same boarding group as Platinum and Diamond in some ports - how is this a cutback? Before FFTF, platinum and diamond didn't have their cabins ready on embarkation but thanks to the addition of FFTF, they do - so isn't that an increase?
  • Hard alcohol drink sizes have been considerably reduced in size - examples please? I have seen the same hurricane glasses used as before.
  • Room steward service is great but they adjusted their schedule to not be around as much. Miss the interaction.
  • Pillow mints
  • Bacon police - bacon police have been around for a lot of years - and again, how is that a cut back? They give you as much as you want.
  • Vista didn’t have all the great interactive TV features that Breeze had to order food, look at menus and more…
  • Guest responsible for printing luggage & boarding documents.
  • Pizza got better but lost calzone, garlic bread and caesar salad.
  • Midnight buffet; it was spun that it was a waste of food. So Carnival wasted food for decades and couldn’t alter it to meet the demand. Take a journey's cruise and you'll get a midnight buffet. And on regular cruises - again, how long ago was this cut? Isn't there an expiry date on complaining?
  • Attempt to remove TA’s & incentives from the booking process

What I wish they would cut; the sale and activity announcements, picture people, spam in the cabins. Don’t remember one announcement selling stuff on Royal but if they do make those announcements its not all day long. Some CDs go on and on and on about crap.

 

See some points in Red above.

 

And to your point of what's been added:

  • Sea day brunch (with filet mignon);
  • Guy's Burgers;
  • Blue Iguana;
  • Handmade, thin crust pizza;
  • Mongolian Wok;
  • Pasta Bar;
  • Alchemy bar;
  • Red Frog pub with its free games and live music;
  • Crafts (yup - got to make lei's on our recent 5 night cruise with a very nice kit);
  • Waterworks including multiple waterslides and splash areas;
  • New tables so there's no more icky pink tablecloths;
  • improved bed linens;
  • Comedy club;
  • Your time dining;
  • Serenity areas;
  • Hasbro connection including Hasbro the game show, Carnival tower (6 ft Jenga game), trivial pursuit, connect 4 tournaments, cranium, etc. plus a wide selection of games to play and use on the ship;
  • Sports bar;
  • Sea day BBQ;
  • Red Frog Brew.

Gee, I guess the additions are more than your "cutbacks".

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skiingj

skiingj

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Posted

.....

See some points in Red above.

 

And to your point of what's been added:

  • Sea day brunch (with filet mignon);
  • Guy's Burgers;
  • Blue Iguana;
  • Handmade, thin crust pizza;
  • Mongolian Wok;
  • Pasta Bar;
  • Alchemy bar;
  • Red Frog pub with its free games and live music;
  • Crafts (yup - got to make lei's on our recent 5 night cruise with a very nice kit);
  • Waterworks including multiple waterslides and splash areas;
  • New tables so there's no more icky pink tablecloths;
  • improved bed linens;
  • Comedy club;
  • Your time dining;
  • Serenity areas;
  • Hasbro connection including Hasbro the game show, Carnival tower (6 ft Jenga game), trivial pursuit, connect 4 tournaments, cranium, etc. plus a wide selection of games to play and use on the ship;
  • Sports bar;
  • Sea day BBQ;
  • Red Frog Brew.

Gee, I guess the additions are more than your "cutbacks".

 

You are Funny :o Its my prerogative to list what I feel has been a cutback and they are cutbacks you can spin it how you like. Your brilliant list is more changes, although I agree some are additions depending on the ship. Some items on you list aren't even additions they have always been that way, gee wiz.

 

 

The drink sizes were cut back on the Vista in Europe and I'd imagine they are still that way. A long Island and other drinks were put in smaller glasses. Not sure about your hurricanes, you do know drinks are put in glasses other than hurricanes?

 

 

I was never complaining just listing the cutbacks and the reason why we have decided to try other lines. I was looking for additions to see what has been added. Not going to entertain the rest of your brilliant comments.

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meatloafsfan

meatloafsfan

Posted
Posted
Some items on you list aren't even additions they have always been that way, gee wiz.

 

 

The drink sizes were cut back on the Vista in Europe and I'd imagine they are still that way. A long Island and other drinks were put in smaller glasses. Not sure about your hurricanes, you do know drinks are put in glasses other than hurricanes?

 

 

I was never complaining just listing the cutbacks and the reason why we have decided to try other lines. I was looking for additions to see what has been added. Not going to entertain the rest of your brilliant comments.

 

Everything on my listed has been added since they removed the fruit punch from the lido deck so if you can still list that as a cutback, the rest are all additions.

 

The hurricane glass is used for more than hurricanes.

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StolidCruiser

StolidCruiser

Posted
Posted
You are Funny :o Its my prerogative to list what I feel has been a cutback and they are cutbacks you can spin it how you like. Your brilliant list is more changes, although I agree some are additions depending on the ship. Some items on you list aren't even additions they have always been that way, gee wiz.

 

 

The drink sizes were cut back on the Vista in Europe and I'd imagine they are still that way. A long Island and other drinks were put in smaller glasses. Not sure about your hurricanes, you do know drinks are put in glasses other than hurricanes?

 

 

I was never complaining just listing the cutbacks and the reason why we have decided to try other lines. I was looking for additions to see what has been added. Not going to entertain the rest of your brilliant comments.

 

Hmmm.. someone comes along and "trumps your ace" and not only provides you with the demanded "list of additions" but draws your attention to things you've stated that no one would consider cutbacks or have been so-far long gone most barely remember.

 

You can't have it both ways. You can't say out of one side of your mouth "I'll blurt out whatever I consider a cutback" and out of the other "Some items on you[sic] list aren't even additions they have always been that way, gee wiz".

 

Someone schooled you in your failed attempt to dredge up the same tired cutback complaint. Oh snap! Sail on those other lines and enjoy yourself.

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Organized Chaos

Organized Chaos

Posted
Posted
This was long before FTTF - I was on a Premier cruise back in 2011 when a snobby Platinum guest remarked about the Casino people not being "real VIPs". Either way you slice it, people "pay" for priority boarding - either through FFTF or the number of cruises they take. Neither one is "more legitimate".
Well said. It's a point I've tried to make a time or two, including in this very thread. FTTF passengers don't get their perks for free, they pay for it. Some diamond/platinum passengers think they're the only ones who deserve the perks. Here's the thing...none of them cruise many times just to get the perks, they cruise many times because they enjoy cruising. The perks are just a bonus given by Carnival as a "thank you" for being loyal customers. Just as they have a right to offer perks to their loyal customers, they have just as much right to offer some of those same perks to cruisers who haven't cruised as much, but are willing to pay a little extra for said perks. It's common among many businesses and isn't unique to Carnival.

 

In regards to quality of food being a supposed "cutback," I disagree. Quality of food is relative. Admittedly, we've only been on one cruise (with our second coming in about a year). We found the quality of food to be great. The breakfast buffet on Lido was quite good, Guy's burgers were excellent, and we loved the sea day brunch and American Table menus. Sure, we didn't like everything on the menus, but what we had we thought tasted great. The food is one of the things we're looking forward to on our next one. Just because someone thinks it doesn't taste as good doesn't necessarily make it a cutback.

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BTromboneFrack

BTromboneFrack

Posted
Posted

And to your point of what's been added:

  • Sea day brunch (with filet mignon);
  • Guy's Burgers;
  • Blue Iguana;
  • Handmade, thin crust pizza;
  • Mongolian Wok;
  • Pasta Bar;
  • Alchemy bar;
  • Red Frog pub with its free games and live music;
  • Crafts (yup - got to make lei's on our recent 5 night cruise with a very nice kit);
  • Waterworks including multiple waterslides and splash areas;
  • New tables so there's no more icky pink tablecloths;
  • improved bed linens;
  • Comedy club;
  • Your time dining;
  • Serenity areas;
  • Hasbro connection including Hasbro the game show, Carnival tower (6 ft Jenga game), trivial pursuit, connect 4 tournaments, cranium, etc. plus a wide selection of games to play and use on the ship;
  • Sports bar;
  • Sea day BBQ;
  • Red Frog Brew.

I can understand some people calling them cuts, but really, cruising on the non-luxury lines has just changed since the late 80's. We used to cruise Disney when it was new, and they are a great cruise line, but they sure are expensive nowadays. So, we've come back to Carnival and throughout enjoyed our time with them.

 

Some things I wish were still around, but I'm thankful for the new stuff too. I do miss the number of live musicians that used to be on the ships, but that its normal everywhere, even in Vegas. If it saves some on the cost of the cruise, I'll bring a bag of good chocolate and surprise my DW every night. Better I get the credit anyway.

 

I agree with BlondieB, the ship gets me to the ocean, and THAT will always put me in a mood to find the good in things.

In addition to the "additions" or "positive changes" listed above, here are some other thoughts.

 

  • The rooms are generally much bigger than those in the late 80's.
  • The ships are generally bigger and more stable (I remember getting seasick on my first cruise)
  • Dive in Movies
  • better TV's
  • refrigerators in the rooms
  • hairdryers
  • Ice rinks,
  • Bumper cars
  • sky "bicycles"
  • ships that more environmentally friendly (we used to see garbage being dumped into the ocean from the ship)
  • Web sites with tons of information that only TA's had before.
  • Teen areas
  • little kids areas
  • more and better excursions (I'm sure there are some bad ones)
  • Balconies in most rooms, including Aft balconies and Aft wrap balconies.
  • Improved safety measures (mostly technology, but this does cost to put it in)
  • bigger/better bathrooms
  • Carnival's mattresses are GREAT! Lots better than '87.
  • more deck space
  • more pools, more hot tubs
  • In REAL dollars, the cost is way down.

Bon Voyage!

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stevefrisco

stevefrisco

Posted
Posted
Um no google is your friend.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

They didn't use Kool Aid at Jonestown, used a cheap off brand I'm pretty sure. Don't think the People's Temple Jim Jones had an official stance on the brand though. Just didn't know what you were getting at with the comment unless Jim Jones the rapper had said something.

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Organized Chaos

Organized Chaos

Posted
Posted
With all the Kool-Aid that’s drank around here they certainly don’t need it on the ship.
So since some people don't join in with you and complain about Carnival, they're kool-aid drinkers? Carnival doesn't go without its share of complaints from its customers, just look around. But this is the Carnival section, frequented by people who still enjoy the product they offer. They might have some complaints, but evidently not bad enough to leave Carnival altogether, otherwise they wouldn't be here. Well, except for a few who don't sail Carnival (or so they claim) and just come on here to be trolls.

 

You come up with your own list of so-called cutbacks and some of them, as another user pointed out, are quite arbitrary. You then ask for others to list additions Carnival has made, but when they do, you call them kool-aid drinkers. :rolleyes:

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jimbo5544 "Live from...." Rare

jimbo5544

Posted
Posted
They didn't use Kool Aid at Jonestown, used a cheap off brand I'm pretty sure. Don't think the People's Temple Jim Jones had an official stance on the brand though. Just didn't know what you were getting at with the comment unless Jim Jones the rapper had said something.

I was not there (at the Jim Jones camp) so I really don't know what "brand" they used. My comment was tongue in cheek comment on the op's comment on Kool aid. I guess you really would have to ask her, but I assume she is referring to anyone who has a pro Carnival slant must be blindly following (aka Jim Jones followers). My post was just turning it around to anyone who bashes it must apply to as well.

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Havingfun2010

Havingfun2010

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Posted

I love reading these. It comical. The trolls vs the cheerleaders. Funny thing is, that a troll is any person, that has traveled extensively, and noticed the poor quality of a product, whether it is Carnival, or Motel 6, and points it out. The Cheerleader will find all ways to discredit the troll. What is amazing is the Cheerleader takes such great offense to the statements of a troll, that it becomes part of the comedy. I can say anything, and get 5 responses immediately. I will be checking back, and will one, either have this posted removed, or two, see a few responses.

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ryano

ryano

Posted
Posted (edited)
. Well, except for a few who don't sail Carnival (or so they claim) and just come on here to be trolls.

 

 

Thank you very much. I am SO glad others see this. I am simply amazed that the Admin continue to let this go on here yet wont tolerate it on any other forum. If nothing else, the Carnival forum on Cruise Critic sure brings out the haters with an agenda that serve no other purpose to this forum but to disrupt and cause chaos.

 

Im finding putting the trolls on the ignore list works best, until someone quotes them and you still have to read their drivel. I think once we stop feeding them, they will go away.

 

I think Royal Caribbean absolutely sucks right now. Way too much money for the watered down product received. I must have a life though as you wont catch me over there with only one purpose, to run down the cruise line and those who sail on it.

 

Losers

Edited by ryano
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Stateroom_Sailor

Stateroom_Sailor

Posted
Posted (edited)
Thank you very much. I am SO glad others see this. I am simply amazed that the Admin continue to let this go on here yet wont tolerate it on any other forum. If nothing else, the Carnival forum on Cruise Critic sure brings out the haters with an agenda that serve no other purpose to this forum but to disrupt and cause chaos.

 

Im finding putting the trolls on the ignore list works best, until someone quotes them and you still have to read their drivel. I think once we stop feeding them, they will go away.

 

I think Royal Caribbean absolutely sucks right now. Way too much money for the watered down product received. I must have a life though as you wont catch me over there with only one purpose, to run down the cruise line and those who sail on it.

 

Losers

 

What did you think you were signing up for when you first heard of "cruise critic"? How appropriate to criticize Royal Caribbean on the Carnival forum, we should all just post on the wrong forums, in order to not offend.

 

If you disliked a River Cruise, certainly stay off the "River Cruises" forum, or the river fans will be upset. Instead, I would pick "Cruise/Travel Insurance", to share all about your issues on the river.

 

I'm wanting to see the new Transformers movie, but Rotten Tomatoes (movie critic) is only giving it a 16% positive reviews. If the admin would just shove some of those negative reviews under "Cars 3" where they belong, where these naysayers seem to have enjoyed, we wouldn't have to endure their drivel. I want a safe space, with 100% positive confirmation bias.

Edited by Stateroom_Sailor
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ryano

ryano

Posted
Posted (edited)

You really dont get it do you? It has nothing to do with safe spaces. It has everything to do with a certain few coming here day in and day out with no other purpose but to put down the cruise line and those who sail on it. Its beyond old at this point and its always the same two or three clowns doing it. I read plenty of negative reviews from people that dont have an agenda so you can go pound sand.

 

Oh well, another douchebag for the ignore list. Bye bye now.

Edited by ryano
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meatloafsfan

meatloafsfan

Posted
Posted
Im finding putting the trolls on the ignore list works best, until someone quotes them and you still have to read their drivel. I think once we stop feeding them, they will go away.

 

I think Royal Caribbean absolutely sucks right now. Way too much money for the watered down product received. I must have a life though as you wont catch me over there with only one purpose, to run down the cruise line and those who sail on it.

 

Losers

 

I agree - I have 2 kinds of people on my ignore list:

 

1. Those who add nothing to the conversation because they are speaking only to inflame;

2. Those who decline to put spaces in their signature and caused my screen to go long (I decline to have things messed up in my view only because someone can't comprehend basic computer etiquette).

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CBuick

CBuick

Posted
Posted
I agree - I have 2 kinds of people on my ignore list:

 

1. Those who add nothing to the conversation because they are speaking only to inflame;

 

I agree. Though at least in a forum u can block them.

 

On my last Pride trip there was this woman that would tell everyone how much she loved the Anthem and Quantum and everything wrong with this cruise and Carnival. She would corner any random person that would listen

 

I think someone at the Margaritaville pool in Grand Turk finally told her off.

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