Looks like Carnival is getting desperate for bookings, even on Mardi Gras

[SNJCruisers]

9 hours ago, RWolver672 said:

  I think in most cases right now, the people are more worried about if their cruise will be cancelled before it sails. 

 

Do you go through the hassle of booking flights and hotel rooms not knowing if you'll be able to use them or have to go through hoops trying to cancel them.  Do you put in for vacation a year in advance in some work places only to find out your cruise is now cancelled and it's too late to make other plans.

At this point there are many who wish that cruising is how it was in 2019.  No pun intended, but that ship has sailed and nobody can speculate how long the current situation will last.  A third of the fleet is currently afloat and more are coming on board through the end of the year.  The smaller ships sailing from the smaller ports are the ones that will be the last to start up and that just makes economic sense and if this strategy gets many upset because their plans need to be changed, they have the option to push things back or get a refund.

 

Yes, I went through the hassle recently about cancelling a hotel and rescheduling 4 one way flights.  Luckily it was a refundable hotel reservation and I was able to use up all of the flight credits via a new coach/first class reservation.  And cruises that have recently cancelled certainly are not close enough time wise that other plans could not be made. 

 

These are trying times and people just have to realize that there are going to be speed bumps along the way.  Some people can handle them and they pivot and adjust accordingly.  Others will end up not being able to cope and they can get a refund or push back their cruise to 2022 or 2023.

[KmomChicago]

20 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Have you read any of the current live threads on Carnival? Particularly the ones by Saint Greg and WhaletailFLCruiser on the Mardi Gras?

I think they enjoyed themselves and both had high praises for the new Jewel of the line.  But, what do they know, they just have first hand experience with testing, masking and current cruising.  

 

We too had a great time on the ship.  The masks were not really that much of an issue, but we did get on the last sailing BEFORE the testing requirement which will be needed if we are able to do our December Carnival Legend voyage. 

 

5 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

At this point there are many who wish that cruising is how it was in 2019.  No pun intended, but that ship has sailed and nobody can speculate how long the current situation will last.  A third of the fleet is currently afloat and more are coming on board through the end of the year.  The smaller ships sailing from the smaller ports are the ones that will be the last to start up and that just makes economic sense and if this strategy gets many upset because their plans need to be changed, they have the option to push things back or get a refund.

 

Yes, I went through the hassle recently about cancelling a hotel and rescheduling 4 one way flights.  Luckily it was a refundable hotel reservation and I was able to use up all of the flight credits via a new coach/first class reservation.  And cruises that have recently cancelled certainly are not close enough time wise that other plans could not be made. 

 

These are trying times and people just have to realize that there are going to be speed bumps along the way.  Some people can handle them and they pivot and adjust accordingly.  Others will end up not being able to cope and they can get a refund or push back their cruise to 2022 or 2023.

 

This about sums it up. The whining isn't going to change anything, but why bother? If someone doesn't like the look of cruising right now, the option is not to go. Simple in its own way. Both choices are the right choice and the cruise lines are all very much aware that people are making both of them.

 

[AnitaVacation]

we canceled ccl and booked with ncl.... we like their sailing protocol much better... sorry to anyone that does not qualify to sail ncl at this time.  Hopefully everyone that can, will get the shot and we can start moving forward again.... this includes vacations, jobs, schools and more. 

[jimbo5544]

The facts are that cruising demand is ahead of where it was in 2019 (which was the best year ever for Carnival).  Are there issues…yes. Are there more coming….sadly yes again.  Cruising right now is probably safer than any land destination.  At the end of the day, the cruiser needs to decide which way to go.  Kudos to the lines for staying tough and persevering with all the obstacles set in front of them.  

[jc811]

I am on the Magic now. For us, the COVID protocols have been a non issue for the most part. The masks are not bothersome.

 

This being our 8th Carnival cruise, the biggest change has been the food. Just like food prices in the US are up, they must be for Carnival too, yet they are giving away “free” cruises. Something has to give. Skimpy menus, cheap choices. Last night was a funky kind of prime rib no lobster tails. We used to call it wedding food, and we were ok with it. Now is bad wedding food. 
 

We ate in the italian restaurant the first day and it was ok. We have a reservation for the steakhouse tomorrow. We may just eat Guys burgers and pizza the rest of the way.

[firefly333]

3 minutes ago, jc811 said:

I am on the Magic now. For us, the COVID protocols have been a non issue for the most part. The masks are not bothersome.

 

This being our 8th Carnival cruise, the biggest change has been the food. Just like food prices in the US are up, they must be for Carnival too, yet they are giving away “free” cruises. Something has to give. Skimpy menus, cheap choices. Last night was a funky kind of prime rib no lobster tails. We used to call it wedding food, and we were ok with it. Now is bad wedding food. 
 

We ate in the italian restaurant the first day and it was ok. We have a reservation for the steakhouse tomorrow. We may just eat Guys burgers and pizza the rest of the way.

Magic is doing a replace for a sensation or short cruise. Carnival has not done lobster on shorter cruises for a while, though not sure when it stopped.

 

Carnival does lobster on its 7 day cruises. 

[Nunagoras]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

The facts are that cruising demand is ahead of where it was in 2019 (which was the best year ever for Carnival).  Are there issues…yes. Are there more coming….sadly yes again.  Cruising right now is probably safer than any land destination.  At the end of the day, the cruiser needs to decide which way to go.  Kudos to the lines for staying tough and persevering with all the obstacles set in front of them.  

This exactly!...

 

Let me to just underline that it is not only CCL; ti's all the cruise industry struggling for cruisers to fill their ships!... MSC has an agreement with the Italian government to have a 60% capacity limitation that will grow eventually to 70% and more while vaccination proceeds. According to all my sources, MSC cruises from Italian ports have been at a consistently 45-55% capacity... And as the high season transitions to the fall-winter season those numbers will highly to decline as ever!...

 

Surely, with all those measures cruise lines are imposing, I believe cruising as the safest way to travel these days... But the Crown Princess event from the pandemic beginning is so fresh on the public opinion's head that it will go a long time till all this mess is over. Industry wise, the 2021 cruising season is done for all that matters. Let us to see if 2022 can at least to be a little bit better than these 2 years have already been from the pandemic onward. And it is surely extremely difficult to find worse years on the cruising industry's history as a whole!...

 

Have a nice day!...

[Hockeydad1972]

9 months ago most of us would have taken a cruise with any restrictions.   If people wanna cancel because of a mask then go ahead but there’s too much whining about it.. I was on the Magic on 8/16 and I got the test and the restrictions on board were barely noticeable. There were no mask police and in fact even in the theater half the people had their masks off if they had a drink with not one comment made… It is what it is and if you think masking in an elevator or while walking to your table in a dining room is too much then by all means cancel because a 50% full ship was delightful. For the love of god stop complaint!!!!! LOL

[BlerkOne]

4 hours ago, Nunagoras said:

But the Crown Princess event from the pandemic beginning is so fresh on the public opinion's head that it will go a long time till all this mess is over.

Apparently not. Diamond Princess was so stuck in my head I booked a cruise on her. Cruising will never be like 2019 again. There will be a new normal. The cruise lines can't get caught off guard again.

[WackyWayne]

9 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

we canceled ccl and booked with ncl.... we like their sailing protocol much better... sorry to anyone that does not qualify to sail ncl at this time.  

I am starting to look for a cruise.  What specifically about NCL policies do you think are better than CCL?

[Gregoryfo]

I wish they were a bit more desperate for us.  We just got off the Mardi Gras last week and would love to do another before the already booked trip next summer.  No good offers, mostly just $50 or so less than the website price.  In fact looking back not only are the cruises we are looking at more expensive than last year, which is understandable, but are also higher than in 2018 and 19.  I am sure we are on a do not discount list, we don't generate much revenue.  We do not drink, do not gamble, and usually either explore on our own or do small private tours.  I guess when you only give Carnival the cruise fare they want to make sure they get that.

 

I have a feeling they are trying to attract more gamblers.  We cut through the casino a couple of times on the way to the show and it was just a few people smoking and playing slots.  I am sure casino revenue is a big number for Carnival.  

[BlerkOne]

15 minutes ago, WackyWayne said:

I am starting to look for a cruise.  What specifically about NCL policies do you think are better than CCL?

100% vaccinated so no unvaccinated kids. At least until the end of the year.

[AnitaVacation]

2 hours ago, WackyWayne said:

I am starting to look for a cruise.  What specifically about NCL policies do you think are better than CCL?

100% vaccinated only, covid test at the terminal before you get onboard, NO MASKS once onboard!!

[scpirate]

They can't be  too hard up. They are charging $800 more for an inside on deck 1 than i paid for my inside on lido ,sailing on january 17 on the sunshine out of charleston. Lido deck cost me almost $400 extra  but betwen carnival and the T.A. i got $300 in O.B.C.. I booked pre covid but who knows if it will even be a go since charleston has been cancelled thru dec 31. Doesn't hurt my feelings if it doesnt go .My wife thinks its too early to cruise and i agree since it looks like half the ports dont want any visitors.

[cruizinisthebest]

3 hours ago, scpirate said:

They can't be  too hard up. They are charging $800 more for an inside on deck 1 than i paid for my inside on lido ,sailing on january 17 on the sunshine out of charleston. Lido deck cost me almost $400 extra  but betwen carnival and the T.A. i got $300 in O.B.C.. I booked pre covid but who knows if it will even be a go since charleston has been cancelled thru dec 31. Doesn't hurt my feelings if it doesnt go .My wife thinks its too early to cruise and i agree since it looks like half the ports dont want any visitors.

We are booked on the Sunshine sailing just before yours, which is now slated to be that ship's first cruise since the shutdown. We booked two weeks ago and prices have gone up slightly. Our cabin on the Mardi Gras next month is exactly $600 higher than it was when we booked.  

 

Carnival does give great casino offers - often with no rhyme or reason. But  I'm like you, they certainly don't  seem "desperate" to me. Who could blame them if they were though. I give the industry all the credit for not going under after over a year of ZERO revenue. 

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

100% vaccinated only, covid test at the terminal before you get onboard, NO MASKS* once onboard!!

* except in Europe.

 

NCL is not restricting capacity, as I understand it. 

[mexicobob]

On 9/3/2021 at 11:18 AM, csm5986142 said:

Thanks for mentioning that!  I've never before gotten a casino offer, but I just checked and I do have some now.

Where do you check? 

[crusinthrough]

1 hour ago, cruizinisthebest said:

Carnival does give great casino offers - often with no rhyme or reason. But  I'm like you, they certainly don't  seem "desperate" to me. Who could blame them if they were though. I give the industry all the credit for not going under after over a year of ZERO revenue. 

 I don't see the desperation either.

 

There was revenue, albeit less than normal.  New bookings and pre cruise planner purchases generated revenue from the consumer side.  

[crusinthrough]

On 9/3/2021 at 10:59 AM, Encore37 said:

I haven't sailed on Carnival since 2017 and have been receiving the same casino offers of a small discount in cruise fare plus $200 OBC since then.  Yesterday I received an offer of a free interior cabin, free drinks in the casino, plus $200 OBC and this even included the Mardi Gras.  Carnival must be really struggling to fill their ships if they're sending out those offers to someone that doesn't even gamble much.  

 

Needless to say, I took them up on the offer and will be sailing on the Mardi Gras in November.

You are conflating desperation and targeted advertising.  Carnival's website uses cookies. Once you search for a cruise using your VIP number, you will continue to see offers and emails  until you book a cruise. In your case,  the targeted emails were successful.  

[IntrepidFromDC]

15 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

The facts are that cruising demand is ahead of where it was in 2019 (which was the best year ever for Carnival)...

What metric are you using?  2019 had best revenue, but trailed 2018 in net income and Earnings Per Share Outstanding.  I would rather have the best EPS than best revenue, all other things being equal.

 

Carnival laid out lowered expectation throughout 2019 which led to the stock falling during the year despite the three major indices rising.

Edited September 7, 2021 by IntrepidFromDC

[AnitaVacation]

8 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

* except in Europe.

 

NCL is not restricting capacity, as I understand it. 

That's fine....I know how to keep 6' distance... and I'm a lot more confident on a ship that is fully vaccinated...but I won't be hugging or shaking hands with any strangers... we'll be spending most of our time on our extended balcony 😉 ..looking forward to breakfast and lunch room service...

7 hours ago, mexicobob said:

Where do you check? 

you can check 'my profile' then 'my offers', and you can sign up for casino deals by googling carnival players club and sign up for emails (you'll have to dig around to find the link, but it's there).  We get awesome casino offers...and you do not have to be a big spender to get these deals.

[jimbo5544]

7 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

What metric are you using?  2019 had best revenue, but trailed 2018 in net income and Earnings Per Share Outstanding.  I would rather have the best EPS than best revenue, all other things being equal.

 

Carnival laid out lowered expectation throughout 2019 which led to the stock falling during the year despite the three major indices rising.

It was not my reference but a Carnival upper line management friend we had dinner with on the Mardi Gras last month.  My guess it is revenue based (as they are a stock company).  I think the message was more on the viability of the product and pent up demand (and implied that it was more thatn a bulge tied to the shutdown from the CDC produced.  Obviously there are a lot of metrics which include the loss of some of their older ships.

Edited September 7, 2021 by jimbo5544

[firefly333]

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

It was not my reference but a Carnival upper line management friend we had dinner with on the Mardi Gras last month.  My guess it is revenue based (as they are a stock company).  I think the message was more on the viability of the product and pent up demand (and implied that it was more thatn a bulge tied to the shutdown from the CDC produced.  Obviously there are a lot of metrics which include the loss of some of their older ships.

I dont personally think demand is higher than in 2019. People who are booking and filling the ships to whatever capacity are being offered special low deals. More low prices than ever before. The capacity is still lower than 2019 on what is sailing. 

 

It makes no sense to say demand is higher but prices and capacity are much lower. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

36 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I dont personally think demand is higher than in 2019. People who are booking and filling the ships to whatever capacity are being offered special low deals. More low prices than ever before. The capacity is still lower than 2019 on what is sailing. 

 

It makes no sense to say demand is higher but prices and capacity are much lower. 

I agree, especially with your last point.  I think I read in CCL's recent quarterly report they are measuring demand two years out (i.e., comping 2021 demand from 2019 to 2023 demand in 2021).  I guess it kind of makes sense that the people who plan cruises so far in advance have pent up demand that is showing in that metric.

[BlerkOne]

6 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

That's fine....I know how to keep 6' distance... and I'm a lot more confident on a ship that is fully vaccinated...but I won't be hugging or shaking hands with any strangers... we'll be spending most of our time on our extended balcony 😉 ..looking forward to breakfast and lunch room service...

you can check 'my profile' then 'my offers', and you can sign up for casino deals by googling carnival players club and sign up for emails (you'll have to dig around to find the link, but it's there).  We get awesome casino offers...and you do not have to be a big spender to get these deals.

Alaska cruises are fully vaccinated, but I know someone who tested positive after.