What is the 1 thing you would like to see Carnival improve?

[GingersMommy]

Enforce rules to prevent chair hogs on Serenity deck!

[cdm289]

More than one barista at the coffee bar. In the morning I like to have a "spiked coffee" (hey, I am on vacation) and the coffee shop had a long with one barista almost every morning. Last cruise I saved a lot of money as I only waiting in line one morning. I find the coffee bar always busy although my son has no problem waiting in line to purchase a milkshake. Have more than one barista Carnival!

[bury me at sea]

No smoking in the casino.

 

I used to rarely go to the casino to smoke. Since the only covered smoking area with tables was eliminated, I always go to the casino.

[Cinders411]

Replace John Heald

[DirkDeadeye]

More smoking areas, especially indoor so that people don't complain about the casinos being so smokey and also so non-gamblers will stop crowding the casino so they can smoke!

 

Yeah, I'm one of those folks. I would go find a nook in the casino to read, and vape. I treat vaping the same as cigar smoking, since the jury is out on second hand..but the smell can be obnoxious to some, not everyone finds the smell of blueberries to be pleasant. I don't want to be one of those people who act privileged as if vaping is acceptable in common areas, it makes us all look bad. Even if they just allowed it in particular rooms, I'd be cool with that..but most of the time when I'm going through the ship I'd detour through the casino so I can get a couple hits in.

 

 

This is probably a per-ship (particular staff) grievance, but I wish they had better staff for their camp ocean. If your kid cries more than a minute or two..they immediately summon you. I watched them look over the kids and they literally just have them sit around either watching something, or play with toys, and they seemed indifferent towards the kids, just talking to eachother..no interaction or anything. Kids need to be engaged..I say this because it's a stark contrast to the service everyone else has provided for us, everyone has worked incredibly hard to be accommodating. And I'm paying (..a reasonable rate mind you, and I'd pay more for what I'm asking for) for this service, and I tip very well, worked in service industry for 5 years.

 

They need to entice better comedians, I think this is due to the stigma of being a 'cruise ship comedian' but the institutions like laugh factory, comedy store, etc...are churning out a lot of talent these days. Tons of people now have solid 15-30 minute sets and this would be a great place for them to work on an hour. I say this because I literally had a couple of comedians my last cruise who were dropping stolen, hackey jokes about airlines and Jehovahs wittinesses I would whisper to my wife "carlin, foxworthy, dane cook" as we sunk lower, and lower into our seats.

 

 

Wait staff is great, but the head servers could use another body or two depending on how many tops they have. The gentleman we had this past week was amazing, but he was literally sweating trying to make up for the lack of help. (I dropped him a bill because he literally cut my sister in laws steak for her, she had a little one in a sling and was having a hard time, did this without being asked) I'm sure there are a lot of kitchen attendants and bus staff who'd like to move up, and this is perfect for them. They do have a great stable of servers to learn from.

[Sgàile]

Different strokes for different folks - The topic is what one thing would I like to see Carnival improve and for me that is the entertainment.

 

My son loves Carnival, but primarily for Guy's. He doesn't care two hoots about entertainment.

I had moderate expectations for the entertainment. It seemed to us like a high school production with canned music and the singing was ok, but for the quantity of performers, the music overpowered them except when the soloist wanted to showcase their trills and affectations.

 

There are things we didn't try last time that we will this time such as the comedy show and some other offerings. I know we'll still have fun.

[mek]

live bands in the main shows, actually they are pretty good on the Horizon. Carnival is about entertainment all over the ship.

 

 

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When did live bands come back for main shows? Last time I sailed with Carnival the music was canned in the theater.

 

My son is booked on Horizon for next January. How did you like the ship?

[jimbo5544]

When did live bands come back for main shows? Last time I sailed with Carnival the music was canned in the theater.

 

 

 

My son is booked on Horizon for next January. How did you like the ship?

 

 

 

Started a year or so ago, not on all ships but working it thru. Currently on the Horizon, will do review at the end of the cruise. So far so good.

 

 

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[dland4us]

I have always thought the same thing hate the crock pot pool:'):')

We never get in the pools, considering the urine content.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

The food would arrive hot. On my last 2 cruises every appetizer and main dish was luke warm at best every night.

[BellaSweet]

Get rid of smoking in the casino. I can only be in there 1/2 hour at most before having to leave and use my inhaler.

[khicks1]

I think the pool size should be a main concern. Don't know if that's possible ,but. Even though I never use it ,watching all those people in that mini pool reminds me of a sardine can

 

 

I would have to agree!!!

[jallison8378]

They need to improve their technology...namely, having their different "systems" talk to each other! 3 quick examples from my most recent cruise:

 

1. Bought a spa treatment online with a coupon code, and when the "bill" came the total was completely different, made even more confusing by the masseuse herself not knowing whether the odd total included the tip or not. I was told that Carnival reimburses the spa company for the amount when you buy online and the "systems" don't link up very well. Huh? We got it sorted out but it was annoying.

 

2. Was wait-listed for any time dining for a while before receiving an email a month or two before the cruise that stated we had officially been moved to any time. Our online reservation even stated we had any time dining. We show up the first night and are told that we are scheduled for main seating (what we originally selected when booking the cruise)! We explain that we got the email confirming the switch and even the website stated so. We were told "the online system is different from the one we use on the ship." Huh??? They ended up accommodating us for any time, but as I later told my husband, "They should be using the system we put $4000 through!" Sheesh.

 

3. I am mind-range Gold level in VIFP, but just received an email welcoming me home from my cruise and congratulating me on my new RED status. I log in (using same email) and it correctly lists me as a Gold member...but doesn't show my latest cruise (it shows it on my husband's account though). Not a big deal but annoying nonetheless.

[Pellaz]

When I was on NCL Escape last year and on NCL Getaway in 2016, the muster drill was held inside. Also on Crown Princess in 2013, the muster drill was held inside also. So perhaps there is a more broad guideline. Carnival is the only line that I've sailed where the muster drill was held outside.

 

Doesn't agree at all with my recent experiences; I have never cruised on Royal and had an indoor muster (Majesty, Liberty and Indy), while on my last Carnival cruise (Vista) we had muster in the main theater.

Moreover, the Carnival muster was an easy check-in with our ship cards and their linked tablets, while on Royal, they were actually using printed paper lists and checking people off with a pen.

We thought that was quaint.

 

If I were to come up with one thing I'd like to see changed, it would be for Carnival to get their own private island. They have a history of using others' islands including RCI's island but I think if they had their own, they could make it their own...meaning keeping CCL's fun theme ashore like what RCI is doing to Coco Cay (and did to Labadee), and what NCL did to Harvest Cay.

 

And yet, there are many people who like HMC's laid back atmosphere and prefer it to the Disney-ish hub-bub that Coco Cay is about to experience, or like Labadee has become (to a degree).

 

Technically, Carnival already HAS their own island. While HAL theoretically "owns" HMC, Carnival PLC owns HAL, and the majority of annual visits are by Carnival vessel's, not HAL's. Carnival also has increased use of Princess Cays for their own ships.

[Etta1213]

I would like for the music on Lido to be a bit softer. (And I have hearing loss!)

[cdm289]

How about better itineraries from Long Beach. They could do some Pacific coastal cruises up to San Francisco then down to San Diego and a fast stop in Ensenada. Princess does them from San Francisco. Maybe go up to Astoria Oregon and then pop up to Victoria for the mandatory foreign port. There are so many lovely ports on the Pacific coast. I have been to the same three Mexican ports so many times. One time we did that route and we didn't get off once. I love leaving from Long Beach but I am tired of the same ports. Even mix up a 7 day cruise and stop at Ensenada...at least that would be a little different.

[cdm289]

Valid point, but still unrelated. Carnival can only conduct the musters where designated by SOLAs when the ship was launched. The newer ships don't have space to conduct muster near the lifeboats (which is preferred by the powers that be) so alternate locations like lounges, dining rooms etc. were selected. Better for us but again, out of Carnival's control. If they could I'm sure they'd opt to make all their passengers more comfortable during muster.

 

**UPDATED*** I can't say it's true because I'd be repeating heresay (which I'm doing anyway LOL!) but I read that if a ship goes through a significant change during drydock (e.g. Destiny/Sunshine amount of updates) that the cruiseline can request that SOLAS reevaluation the locations of muster.

 

Thank you for sharing Shaded Lady! I always wondered why the older ships still had the crappy outside cramped and standing muster drills while the Dream and Breeze are inside the restaurant and lounge. The next ship we are in is the Magic so we are comfy for our next cruise.

[kutty77]

I would like to see them offer a drink package that includes all drinks except alcoholic drinks similar to RC refreshment package.

 

 

 

I have been begging for this too they need something in between the alcohol package and the soda package!!!

 

 

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[pacruise804]

To answer your question, these 18-21 (and maybe up to 25 year olds) are stuck in that gap between being kids, and really being adults. They are of an age where they really enjoy the company of kids in similar rolls that may be in college or graduate school and not yet out in the world completely on their own. Their brains are still maturing and in part, they are still kids, even though they have graduated high school - its a transition time. It is a common theme among this group that they have a hard time meeting others because there is no place to gather at set times. If you gave them a space (doesn't have to be huge) like club O2 where they have some video games, board games and can meet up, with some staff or two to help break the ice, I am pretty confident it would be used.

 

Once you have reached your mid-20's you are in the working world and used to meeting and talking with others of all age. And if at 25, you are choosing to cruise alone - it is just that, a choice. Those of us that are families with kids still in high school or younger are taking family vacations and it leaves the college age kids out of the loop when the 14 year or 16 year old sibling can go to camp and the 18 or 19 year old is left going solo or hanging with mom and dad. That is why so many on here have reported that there young adult children no longer wish to cruise.

 

I will say that I am very fortunate because my college age son is Platinum, so knows what he likes to do on the ship, is independent and often exhausted from his studies and is happy for the down time, and has a younger brother who will spend time with him....but even he laments the fact that once you age out of camp, there is nothing provided for them. We spend much time as a family between meals, shore excursions and some shows - but there is still plenty of time where we are just on our balcony or in bed and he would enjoy being out with other young adults.

 

Thanks for the reply, A&J. My husband and I didn't start cruising until our 30's, so I wasn't relating. DH and I both have usually been more comfortable with our elders than our peers, but I've rarely had issues talking to anyone (and married my opposite who is an introvert and prefers to mostly keep to ourselves;)).

 

I hope some of the more extroverted young adults will take the leap and find a way to invite others to join their activities - be it arcade, games, sport deck, or something else.

 

8 drinks for $30 would be a steal

 

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I agree. 8 mocktails would be over $40 at full price, let alone alcoholic drinks. 15 is the maximum alcoholic drinks allowed, but Cheers can be a bargain at far less. And if the price is still too high, take advantage of a la carte specials and don't worry about drinking enough to "break even."