cruising in our current economic enviroment

[mrintegra]

Hi,

I have a cruise booked next week and have cruised several times before. For the people that have cruised in the last few months, with the current economic environment, have the cruise lines cut back at all? I know for this cruise we got probably one of the best deals compared to our previous cruise and have received several upgrades so far for free.

Are the cruise ships filling up?

Are the lines changing some of their policy's to cut back expenses?

 

 

Thanks

[LynneL]

My Carnival Freedom cruise was a New Year's one. There certainly were no cutbacks made. Ship was filled to capacity. Champagne was flowing from when we boarded until muster drill time (free champage due to N.Yrs. - not noramlly given but a very nice touch). In the dining room, the beef served was delicious. I was on the Fantasy in Feb. and was very disappointed in the quality of the meat on that ship. On the Freedom I ate steak 3 out of the 6 nights. The lobster tails were the largest I've ever had on my 12 other Carnival cruises. Of course the prices were higher for this cruise than some others I've been one but I felt worth every dollar we spent.

[Kurbanfan]

Hi,

 

I have a cruise booked next week and have cruised several times before. For the people that have cruised in the last few months, with the current economic environment, have the cruise lines cut back at all? I know for this cruise we got probably one of the best deals compared to our previous cruise and have received several upgrades so far for free.

 

Are the cruise ships filling up?

Are the lines changing some of their policy's to cut back expenses?

 

 

Thanks

 

I cruised 3 weeks ago. The only difference I noticed was the price of the cruise. I got it dirt cheap:D

They had a resident rate so the ship was full. First time in all my years cruising have I seen a resident rate offered in Calif.

[Cruzman]

Hi,

I have a cruise booked next week and have cruised several times before. For the people that have cruised in the last few months, with the current economic environment, have the cruise lines cut back at all? I know for this cruise we got probably one of the best deals compared to our previous cruise and have received several upgrades so far for free.

Are the cruise ships filling up?

Are the lines changing some of their policy's to cut back expenses?

 

 

Thanks

 

Cruised in early November and the ship (Eurodam) was full and saw no decline in service or amenities. Currently, cruise lines appear to be reducing prices to whatever level is necessary to fill the ships. The hope is that passengers will spend enough on board to at least partially offset fare reductions.

[mrintegra]

That all sounds great!!! One of the best things I love about cruising is the 5 star treatment we get for a low price.

[mrintegra]

I'm going to bump this one to economic climate right now, What are you guys seeing out there; full cruises? , major cutbacks? , empty cabins? etc. I know carnival barley turned a profit this year but at what expenses?

 

Thanks,

[jtm22372]

my jan 11 2010 cruise is almost full ,just a handfull of inside rooms left:p

[golfadj]

We have been on three cruises this year and they were all full.

 

Pricing was excellent so we wound up going on three with another one coming in Feb also at a great price.

 

Cruiselines are very good at adjusting pricing and offering deals to fill the ships before sailing.

 

We have noticed some cutbacks but still have a great time.

[aubreysmom]

My DD and I got off the Inspiration on December 19th. We noticed a few changes and cost cutting measures. The portion sizes of the food served in the main dining room and from room service were smaller. No complaints about that. I always thought they served too much and often wasted food. You can always get seconds.

 

There were no more nightly mint chocolates. Again, no problem for us.

 

The staff were exceptionally friendly. Our cabin was always in top shape. So, nothing has changed enough to keep us from cruising.

 

We did the Behind the Fun Tour and were told that the ship was sailing at 98%.

[TPCRUISER2]

Was on the immagination 12/7/09 and still had mints. But didn't recieve a gift for being platinum. Got gift in sept on freedom, no mints.

[luv2cruise777l]

Was on the immagination 12/7/09 and still had mints. But didn't recieve a gift for being platinum. Got gift in sept on freedom, no mints.

 

You not recieving a platinum gift was probably an oversight not a cutback.:(

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I sailed on the Elation in October and on our way to San Diego, my TA called and said the ship was overbooked and asked the 4 of us to move into one quad room instead of two rooms in which I declined. So they are reducing prices to fill the ship. Once onboard, they can sell products to make up the difference. As for cutbacks, maybe minor changes here & there but all my Carnival cruises have been fantastic. The food, OMG! Yummy. Relax, no problem.

[jayesouthworth]

We cruised last January on the Spirit out of San Diego, and we did not see any cutbacks on anything. We attended both the Captain's party and the past guests party and the drinks were flowing freely. The food was good as usual, didn't experience anything being chinzed on. We're sailing on the Splendor on the 24th of January, and I don't anticipate anything being different.

 

P.S. We had chocolate mints every night. LOL! We got out our suitcases and was looking through the pockets and found the mints from our last cruise.

[firefly333]

My little Ecstasy in late January, most expensive 5 day so far. My past high was $269 I paid for a 5A port hole in 2006. Now Im paying $279 for a PT, same category, $10 more than Id paid in the past. January 2011 the price Im at is $299 for that same PT on Ecstasy, so judging by Ecstasy, prices are up.

 

I am seeing lower prices on 7 day Conquest, its cheaper per day than Ecstasy.

[aggieastrosfan]

Still had mints on the Ecstasy. My 4 year old managed to get extras everytime he saw our steward.

 

Interesting tidbit from a casino dealer. He said the Ecstasy used to be in the top 3 in casino tips. Since mid-November, they've been near the bottom. Ship was full, and so was the casino, but it wasn't as lively as it was in October.

 

DH and I both got the platinum picture frame, and all 3 of us got ship pins with the past guest party invite. I suspect the only reason our son got one is because we got one and he didn't want him to feel left out. None of the other past guest cruisers in our group got pins, though they all did get the past guest party invite.

[LHP]

We have sailed on Carnival 6 times this year (and 8 times in 2008) and have not had any "cutbacks" affect our cruise.

 

The only time we did not get a Platinum gift was an oversight ... not a cutback. We simply had to remind them and they appeared.....

[firefly333]

Still had mints on the Ecstasy. My 4 year old managed to get extras everytime he saw our steward.

 

None of the other past guest cruisers in our group got pins, though they all did get the past guest party invite.

 

... I forgot the add, not only am I paying more for Ecstasy ... but thats the early saver rate. I had booked cheaper paying regular rates up until this new early saver rate .. not much of a saver rate on Ecstasy!!! The price now has been going between starting at $339 to $359 for my late Jan date.

 

I just got back from Triumph. They dont seem quite ready for going out of a new port. Muster an hour late, wrong ship name on the ships on a stick .... and no pins, not even for platinum.

[MamaParrotHead]

No cutbacks noticed on Glory a few weeks ago. Was my best cruise yet!

[LHP]

... I forgot the add, not only am I paying more for Ecstasy ... but thats the early saver rate. I had booked cheaper paying regular rates up until this new early saver rate .. not much of a saver rate on Ecstasy!!! The price now has been going between starting at $339 to $359 for my late Jan date.

 

I just got back from Triumph. They dont seem quite ready for going out of a new port. Muster an hour late, wrong ship name on the ships on a stick .... and no pins, not even for platinum.

 

 

We had no pins on the Glory in May and the Valor in September as well.

 

I don't think John's idea has fully come into "reality" yet.....

 

both the ships in Galveston have consistantly commanded higher fares....my guess is because of the high demand...

[AQW]

We have sailed on Carnival 6 times this year (and 8 times in 2008) and have not had any "cutbacks" affect our cruise.

 

Ditto... six Carnival cruises for me in 2009; no noticeable cutbacks.

 

I did notice the entree portions in the MDR slightly smaller on my last few cruises, which I think is a very *welcome* change... the portions have always been WAY too big. I hope this is a real change and not just my imagination - you can always get seconds, but whatever doesn't get eaten is simply wasted.

[henrygee]

From my experience they haven't seemed to have to cut back noticeably at all. There are still plenty of people booking their cruise holidays .. I think it wont effect you much..

 

All the best. :D

[Cruisin'Trooper]

Sailed the Freedom in May and the Sensation in October - both were packed and there were no visible cut backs. Got mints on both cruises too.

 

Funny this post came up. On the last cruise I commented to my DW that the ship is packed with people flying from all over the world to take a 4 day cruise. Where is the economic downturn the news keeps telling me that I am supposed to be in? Met people from all over USA and a couple of other countries who paid for the cruise, paid for airfare, paid for hotels, etc.

 

Maybe we should stop watching the news!

[BamaCruiser20]

I actually think the economic downturn may be leading to MORE people cruising. It is definately one of the most economic ways to vacation. So, if someone is still going to vacation..why not do a cruise??!!

 

On our December cruise on the Miracle, we received mints and a ship's pin. However, I did notice on the card with the ship's pin that it was for Platinum guests. There were two Platinum guests and one past guest in our cabin and only the two of us who are Platinum receive the ship's pin. Maybe this is why some are thinking Carnival is doing away with the pins.