Worst Deal on Carnival

[indygirl76]

43 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

Specialty restaurants in general. They are just an excuse to lower the quality in the MDR. I don’t understand the people who claim “they are cheaper than on land”. Do they not remember they have already paid for a nice dinner and the fee is on top of that?

I would rather have quality return to the MDR but why would they when so many are willing to shell out extra. Great money maker.

MDR (and Lido) meals are the same year round, and for all cabin types. You can snag an inside cabin for ~$50/person/night in the off season. How much of that $50 would you attribute to dinner? I agree it's a number higher than zero, but overall not a big dent in the specialty vs MDR cost comparison...

[Dicecatt]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

 

 

sparkling wine, no way you're getting Champagne 

still free,  I'll take it 😂

[TEXSUN46]

Whether you go to Orlando, or an AI resort in the Caribbean there is always opportunist hoping to separate a vacationer from their money for something of little value. A cruise ship is no different. They offer good deals to get you there and hope to make more off you while you are in vacation mindset and caught up in the moment. I just focus on enjoying the good value and avoid getting lured into the extras which are not good value. Not that all extra's offered are bad deals, and a lot of time it is subjective as to the value of something and if it is worth it, a good deal to one person is bad deal to another. 

[RandomUser123]

Photos. Probably great deal many years ago but now with technology and most of us having either a great digital camera or phone on camera it is a ripoff. 

[Good Buck]

2 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

Specialty restaurants in general. They are just an excuse to lower the quality in the MDR. I don’t understand the people who claim “they are cheaper than on land”. Do they not remember they have already paid for a nice dinner and the fee is on top of that?

I would rather have quality return to the MDR but why would they when so many are willing to shell out extra. Great money maker.

Sometimes we eat in the steakhouse, just for the a special night. Nice décor, quite, speeder service (cooked right there).  To me the real rip off is what they call the "steakhouse selection" in the MDR.  Maybe the cut might be a little better, but we have always found the regular steaks to be good.

[Warm Breezes]

IMHO it is FTTF.  For me it holds no value.

[hotsauce126]

The art auctions kind of cross the line from "bad deal" to straight up scam

[coevan]

Do you own any art? How can you say it's a scam? Do you think the real artist did do the painting? 

[Doggielover68]

3 hours ago, RandomUser123 said:

Photos. Probably great deal many years ago but now with technology and most of us having either a great digital camera or phone on camera it is a ripoff. 

 

Looking at the very few photos I have purchased on board, i can't say i regret them. It's rare that i can get a quality professional photo of my husband and I together in nice clothes. 

[ed01106]

5 hours ago, HillBilly Bob said:

And BAD champagne at that.  

The champagne is the exact same quality as the art.

[Joebucks]

The casino is just as big of a ripoff as bingo. It's just that you can "see" the odds better with bingo.

 

FTTF is a colossal waste. Basically $100 to get to my room early and to guest services quicker. 

 

Cheers. Sorry for potentially doubling the size of this thread. $860 for liquids for a week is beyond ridiculous.

[coevan]

28 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

Cheers. Sorry for potentially doubling the size of this thread. $860 for liquids for a week is beyond ridiculous.

 

 

That is for 2 people and for us well worth the price. $56 a day is a bargain for a moderate drinker

[tallnthensome]

4 hours ago, Warm Breezes said:

IMHO it is FTTF.  For me it holds no value.

So does being platinum status and the cost of loyalty is plenty .... only to get nothing of real monetary value in return. Priority this and priority that costs Carnival nothing to make you think it's worth something ....... Bottle of $.0.18 water and a watered down drink ...... Worst deal on Carnival and it's a legit point as so many people strive for, pay for, and dedicate themselves to Carnival and salivate to reach a status that is really worthless.

Edited July 23, 2019 by tallnthensome

[coevan]

I love the Platinum benefits. Free laundry and a free drink are of monetary value. We also love the priority boarding and priority tenders as well.

[Warm Breezes]

I respectfully disagree with tallnthensome.  I don’t pay for loyalty to a company.  I pay for a product that I want to purchase.  Anything I get from a cruise company for being a repeat customer is a perk not a purchase.  We will be platinum on our Mardi Gras cruise next year.  I did not purchase this status, I earned this status by purchasing 75 days worth of cruises, which I have enjoyed and got what I paid for....this status and the perks that come with it are a free bonus that I appreciate.  But I did not pay for those perks, I paid for the cruises.  I am not loyal to Carnival.  I sail other lines.  But I have sailed the most on Carnival due to the value I get and the fun I have on their cruises....not because of the perks I may or may not get by sailing on their line.

Edited July 23, 2019 by Warm Breezes

[nydney1]

Ok, I know the art is a reprint or more like a fancy poster. However, people buy what they like. If it makes them happy then so be it. 

 

Yes, I bought some during earlier cruises. Do I regret it, No. Would I buy it again, probably not. At least I have something to show for my money.

 

Bingo is truly the worst, and yes I have played my fair share as well.

[Don Kehote]

18 hours ago, cruisologist said:

Russian Cold War

I have now seen you use this phrasing three times, and once wasn't even on this website.  

[Lottacruises]

40 minutes ago, nydney1 said:

Ok, I know the art is a reprint or more like a fancy poster. However, people buy what they like. If it makes them happy then so be it. 

 

Yes, I bought some during earlier cruises. Do I regret it, No. Would I buy it again, probably not. At least I have something to show for my money.

 

Bingo is truly the worst, and yes I have played my fair share as well.

 

Love it, lol

[cruisologist]

16 minutes ago, Don Kehote said:

I have now seen you use this phrasing three times, and once wasn't even on this website.  

I have no clue as to why my comment about Vista upsets you.  Carnival ships are usually very artistic and interesting.  Conquest has the most amazing glass fixtures throughout the ship and the amazing glass sunflower at the entrance of the MDR is stunning.  I am a Diamond member which means I have a lot of cruise days on a lot of Carnival ships.  I was totally shocked and disappointed with the quality of the Vista interior.  Vista's first sailing was May 2016.  I was there May 2019.  The furnishings were really worn and stained for a 3 year old ship.  I have never seen a ship look that worn that fast.  Just MY honest opinion.  Nothing more nothing less. 

[lab_love123]

None of these are really Carnival exclusive...to some extent they exist on most of the mass market cruise lines. BUT another vote here for bingo and the "gold by the inch" or however it's phrased.

 

I also think the drinks in the souvenir cups are something that definitely trips people up sometimes. Like someone else mentioned, some of the cups look huge so you think you're getting a bigger drink but you're really not. You can always order that drink in a regular cup and save some money! 

 

Last, any sundry items in the gift shop are a HUGE rip off. On my last cruise, I forgot to pack some ibuprofen or aspirin and had a killer headache the one day. I almost spent like $15 on a very small bottle of Tylenol until a kind stranger told me I might be able to get a couple from guest services (I could). 

[wms99]

The watch sales they offer during the cruise are not good. Every cruise I people watch as the great Invicta deals are offered around a table, and the crowds gather to buy at super reduced prices. Prices that are higher than I can buy on line, if for some reason I just had to buy a watch. Also, the watch sales people are not that knowledgeable at all about their product.

 

[ishap]

People need to rememeber the topic from the OP which was, the worst DEAL on the ship.  Not what you think is a scam.  The worst deal is quality of product for the price paid.  

 

That being said:

Bingo - You are paying for entertainment.  Is it good entertainment?  That can only be said by the person playing.  I have played.  Did I win?  No.  Are your chances of winning great?  No.  The casino is the same way.  I play in the casino for the entertainment and I count is a win if play for a few hours and only lose a little, a big win if I break even, and a HUGE win if I come out ahead.

 

Art Auction - The worth is dependant on the person going.  You again are paying for something that you perceive is worth the money.  You can go to the auction and not have to buy anything which I have done many times.  Its always nice to go and see the art and listen to the story of the artists.  This becomes a free activity, the same as going to a art museum.  I have also bought art there.  Is it worth what I paid?  To me, yes.  To the art world, probably not.  But then again, I have at least one piece that is unique so who is to say.

 

Cruise Photos - They certainly are pricey considering todays technology.  I have also bought photos from elengant night, usually when I have the whole family with us.  For the $20 I spent on one photo, it is a good memory.  Do I buy them every time?  Of course not, but for first time cruisers or people cruising with a large family, the memory most certainly may be worth it.

 

FTTF - Here is a very controversial topic as some people hate it and some love it.  Do a search on these boards for FTTF and there will be a slew of posts.  That being said, people are paying for less hassle and less waiting.  To some it's not worth the money, for others, they keep buying it every cruise.  

 

Fun Shops - I am going to group several things into this, because they all really fall under the fun shops.  Most of the stuff here I think is overprices junk that can be bought for cheaper in port or at home.  I've never looked at the destination t-shirts, so I can't comment on the quality, but if I'm going to buy a t-shirt, it's going to be at the place I visit.  Jewelry, especially the per inch sale, yes, that's mostly junky, low quality stuff.  As for the higher end things like Citizen watches, some good deals can be had if you are careful.  I've priced citizen on land and on the boat and you can get a good deal on the boat.  The stuff in the sundry store is super overprices, but probably no more overrpriced than if you went to a hotel store.  Alcohol...well, a very good deal can be had.  I buy a liqueor that you can't buy in the US and I missed a sale on the ship so I ended up paying more in port.

 

Internet - This is pricey, but again, what other choice do you have if you need to have internet access?  I skip the internet and try to find free stuff in ports to communicate with home.  I enjoy be disconnected.  However, from what I've heard, it is very slow and spotty for the price, but remember, you are on a ship in the ocean.

 

Specialty restaurants - I have never been so I cannot comment.  I enjoy the food in the MDR so I have never been willing to pay extra for dinner.  Really that comes from most up-charged food on board.  About the only thing I do pay extra for is sushi because that is the wife's favorite.

 

Alcohol - Of course they upcharge alcohol, but frankly do you blame them?  Although I don't think most drink prices are that far out of range with most bar prices on land.  I typically pay $5-$6 for a beer at home which is where Carnival falls, and most mixed drink prices are $6-$8 where Carnival is about $10 for a frozen cocktail.  Correct me if I'm wrong on the Carnival prices.  So for those that drink, Cheers is probably a good deal, but it isn't one for me.

 

I think I hit most of the ones already mentioned. 

[TEXSUN46]

11 hours ago, cruisologist said:

I have no clue as to why my comment about Vista upsets you.  Carnival ships are usually very artistic and interesting.  Conquest has the most amazing glass fixtures throughout the ship and the amazing glass sunflower at the entrance of the MDR is stunning.  I am a Diamond member which means I have a lot of cruise days on a lot of Carnival ships.  I was totally shocked and disappointed with the quality of the Vista interior.  Vista's first sailing was May 2016.  I was there May 2019.  The furnishings were really worn and stained for a 3 year old ship.  I have never seen a ship look that worn that fast.  Just MY honest opinion.  Nothing more nothing less. 

In 2009 prior to my first cruise I discovered this forum and a couple of others just to get an idea of what to expect. One common theme at that time was people bashing the garish over the top decor on Carnival ships. Now with the Vista and Horizon I see complaints about how plain they look in comparison to the older ships. I will be sailing on the Vista in October so I guess I will get a first hand look then and see what I think. I probably won't notice wear and stains since I have never noticed those things on any older ships since I don't look for it. As is the case with most things half the people probably love the new look, half hate it, and half could care less what the ship looks like they just want to know where the bar and the food is....oh wait that is three halves....

[lmb84]

On 7/21/2019 at 9:01 PM, lottiegreen56 said:

 

I should have thrown this in too!

Turns the neck green!

[Chervil]

I think the absolute worst deal is the internet package.
Way overpriced and the speed is close to dial up.
Now, this isn't a surprise since it is satellite based, but for what they are charging, it should be better.

 

 

18 hours ago, Dicecatt said:

still free,  I'll take it 😂

This is also one of the reasons I attend the "special events" at the jewelry and watch  store.
They usually hand out free "sham-pagne" while you are listening.
And the one they held on our last cruise spotlighting Tag Heuer was pretty interesting.
They had a small video on the history and another on the manufacturing process of Tag Heuer.
Interesting stuff.
 

 

1 hour ago, wms99 said:

The watch sales they offer during the cruise are not good. Every cruise I people watch as the great Invicta deals are offered around a table, and the crowds gather to buy at super reduced prices. Prices that are higher than I can buy on line, if for some reason I just had to buy a watch. Also, the watch sales people are not that knowledgeable at all about their product.

 

The head salesman we had at the watch store on the Vista in January was pretty knowledgeable, but the guys that were working the tables in the atrium had no clue.

I agree that you could find the watches lower if you hit Amazon or Ebay.
However we usually end up with an OBC and since we aren't gamblers, heavy drinkers or tchotchke collectors, a good looking watch makes a nice souvenir of the trip.

We always find what we like and then price it online in port.
Generally we are only paying about $20-$40 more on the ship (although we did see one that was $75 more, so we passed).
We figure the sentimental value of remembering our cruise when she wears it is worth that.