No more free drinks at Captain's Party?

[trock]

You've missed the entire point of this event.

 

It is to be welcomed onboard by the Captain' date=' the officers and bridge staff and have an opportunity to listen to some music and enjoy a cocktail before dinner.

 

It's NOT to provide as many free drinks as you can consume in under an hour.[/quote']

 

 

Well the CD's and sometimes the capers sure advertise it that way..

:rolleyes:

[G'ma]

I grab a waiter or waitress give them a few bucks and ask them to keep our drinks coming. Do the same thing for the past guest party.

 

Drinks are weak but free is good.

 

After a dozen cruises why else come to the capts party? Nothing much new is happening and kind of boring after all.

 

I did not care too much about the food but turning off the booze is a terrible idea.

 

As a matter of fact since I take off my suit coat as soon as we get to dinner I would not even bring it with me on the cruise.

 

Hopefully Carnival will remember whom their customers are and rethink an awful idea.

 

They DO know who their customer base is....and it's exactly why they make changes like this.

 

They know those folks would appreciate a decent hour or so with a cocktail or two before dinner, maybe a little music....being welcomed onboard by the Captain and officers and a lovely reception. They know their customer based is put off by those who show up and start tossing down the free drinks as fast as they can because the drinks are free. It's the only reason they come. They don't give a rats about anything else....

 

The proof of that is those on this thread who've declared they won't go if they can't get free drinks.

 

To this, I respond "hurray".....

[nealstuber]

Well' date=' people don't normally make jackasses out of themselves after consuming half dozen lobsters. Drunks become a problem to themselves and others.

 

As for the gluttons who order everything they can get their hands on - multiple times - they will, no doubt, be the cause of limits being put on premium meals sooner or later. They've already done away with NY strip steak as the "alternative" and some of the shorter cruises have done away with Filet Mignon.......

 

If folks would simply dine and drink in a civilized manner, we'd all be better off. But, as usualy, those who are ill-mannered and act like they've never seen food or drink before will eventually ruin it for all of us.[/quote']

 

G'ma, how many cruises have you been on? You don't think there are people who could characterize you behaivor as glutonous based on your answer?

 

As to what's civilized - and how it impacts others... I really doubt Carnival could afford to serve Lobster or beef or maintain their low price levels if they were not making so much money on the things you would characterize as glutonous.

 

So... the next time you see a guy on a cruise who has had a couple too many - thank him for subsidizing your next meal and don't begrudge him a couple watered down 6 oz drinks from the Captain. ;)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

if they are doing away with the free drinks does that mean we can wear shorts or jeans at the captains party now? :D

 

Bill

[samikitty]

In addition to Lobster abuse, there is Pizza, soft serve ice cream and buffet abuse. Some people get involved in the deck games others do not. Some people skip the show, others go twice, not everone uses the tenders, camp carnival, room service, ect, ect, ect...

 

Don't forget the BACON abuse! We need bacon police now.

[G'ma]

Anyone ever think of why they have the party in the first place? It's a free advertising opportunity. And if they give out free drinks you are even more inclined to bite. You are so far off base your not even in the ballpark. I've been cruising for 35 years and the Captain's Welcome reception has always been just that. A time to meet the officers, enjoy a couple of cocktails and music.

 

They have you to influence your repeat cruising and even plug tips, excursions, shops, anything that they want to sell.... Ever been to a Captain's party???? They don't hype any of this. This sort of hype is done at the port talks....

 

I think that is a very good value for that free drink. I bet when no one shows up with out something being it for them; the drinks will come back.

 

JMHO

 

I'll guarantee you Carnival won't miss those who don't show up. They will, however, continue to appreciate those of us who have always gone and who have always enjoyed the event and who will continue to go....and buy our own cocktails...... It sure will be less crowded......

[nealstuber]

Don't forget the BACON abuse! We need bacon police now.

 

G'Ma would be really good at that job. She obviously has a superior moral compass and would know the civilized amount of bacon for each and every passenger. ;)

[nealstuber]

I'll guarantee you Carnival won't miss those who don't show up. They will' date=' however, continue to appreciate those of us who have always gone and who have always enjoyed the event and who will continue to go....and buy our own cocktails...... It sure will be less crowded......[/quote']

I guarentee you that they would miss folks who drink. Folks who can consume more than a couple at the party undoubtedly are running up high bar tabs as well.

[G'ma]

Geeze, you need a life also! You pay for the cruise which includes all the FREE stuff you get. Food, Beverages, Entertainment.........

 

We deserve all that is offered..............

 

Well, that might be why YOU cruise....it's not why I cruise.

 

I cruise because I love being on the sea, love the cruise experience, enjoy idle hours on my balcony, good food presented attractively in a nice dining environment by friendly waiters.

 

I enjoy a chair at the Caribbean Stud table for a couple of hours, a little music at the casino bar with a nice after dinner drink, some friendly conversation, maybe a little dancing.

 

I enjoy a lounge chair in the sun for a couple hours a day, maybe a midnight slice of pizza or an afternoon room service. A good nap in the afternoon, a lively night in the piano bar, sleeping until I feel like getting up, going ashore - or not....watching the sun come up on a morning walk around the top deck....

 

You may cruise for "all you can get"....I cruise because I love to cruise.

[G'ma]

Yep! You don't get it.

 

There's nothing to get.

 

It's called lack of self control and a sense of "I can do what I want...it's my vacation".

 

Not hard to figure out.

[G'ma]

Takes one to know one :p :D

 

(not everyone gobbles down drinks;))

 

Well, one might better say "it's easy to spot one".......for they are so blatantly obvious.......

 

And, I didn't say "everyone" gobbled down drinks. But, those who do and who abuse the whole event will have changed it...... Doesn't really bother me. The reception will go on...with a cash bar if necessary....the crowds will be gone and I'll be there.....and will be able to find a decent seat....and there won't be many children or people in baseball hats in attendance.

 

Nirvana.

[jessemon]

I'm with you, I did not go to the ones on the Freedom when I did my B2B. I figured that I had drank plenty, and did not need anymore :D .

 

Joanne

Hey Joanne..how are you? We haven't run across each other in a while.:(

 

 

I love leaving a tread not much more than an hour ago and come back and find a bunch of people that found a pit to hiss in.....Hope I said that right...LOL....:D

[Rowan555]

I have! When we took the spirit thru the panama canal, there was this guy sitting at the bar with us at the past guest party, and he must have downed 10 drinks in 45 min. He would order a drink, slam it down, and demand another one immediately. the poor bartender couldn't get 2 feet from him without him yelling for another drink! Never seen anything like it! I do feel they should continue the Captain's Party with drinks for the guest-kind of a goodwill gesture.

Pat

 

You've never seen a guest at the part guest party drink 10 drinks in 45 minutes? Wow, cruises out of NOLA must really attract a different crowd, lol - I see this on every single cruise, and it's not just a few people!

[Rowan555]

Exactly the point.

They will weed out the freeloaders......

 

O)nce they do away with the free booze' date=' the over-imbibers will stay away and those of us who enjoy the celebratory atmosphere of the evening will be able to have a great time.....and buy our own drinks.[/quote']

 

Honestly, the only reason I can think of to even attend the Captain's Party is the complimentary cocktails. I also used to enjoy those tasty meatballs that are no longer served. Does that make me a "freeloader"? I never order more than one entree at dinner, so maybe that makes up for my enjoying 5 or 6 cocktails at the captain's party... At any rate, if they eliminate the free drinks, I imagine the captain will be greeting 4 or 5 passengers in an empty lounge. On our last two cruises, the show band wasn't even playing, and with Big Tex gone from the Fantasy, there wasn't even any entertainment from the CD - so really, it WAS all about the free drinks.

[jessemon]

Can anyone tell me where they hold the "Friends of Bill W."meetings onboard ????:p:D:rolleyes:

[G'ma]

Well the CD's and sometimes the capers sure advertise it that way..

:rolleyes:

 

Nor for the welcome aboard party........

 

Here's a link to the Capers to show the announcement:

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2557657640100033520FMiPXY

[G'ma]

G'ma, how many cruises have you been on? Not that it matters but, since you asked, well over 250 and 64 of them have been on Carnival.You don't think there are people who could characterize you behaivor as glutonous based on your answer? Based on the definition of "gluttonous", no.

 

As to what's civilized - and how it impacts others... I really doubt Carnival could afford to serve Lobster or beef or maintain their low price levels if they were not making so much money on the things you would characterize as glutonous. It's irrelevant what Carnival can or cannot afford. It's the idea that just because it's possible doesn't mean one has to eat like a pig........and "things" cannot be gluttonous......

 

So... the next time you see a guy on a cruise who has had a couple too many - thank him for subsidizing your next meal and don't begrudge him a couple watered down 6 oz drinks from the Captain. ;)

 

No way would I thank a drunk for being a drunk. I rarely acknowledge people with no self control who are acting like morons.

[BeeBeeCee]

G'Ma would be really good at that job. She obviously has a superior moral compass and would know the civilized amount of bacon for each and every passenger. ;)

 

 

Too funny! :D

[G'ma]

Don't forget the BACON abuse! We need bacon police now.

 

Yep, they sure do......on a ship full of "adults".

 

Don't you find this very sad.......

[Devil Dog]

Gma your said it the best and you showed your class. I think they are doing away with the free drinks because of the rude behavior by the passengers who grab the drinks off the tray and then cause the tray to fall. I also have many cruises and don't bother with the free drink gathering anymore. I like the Princess most travelled luncheon and cocktail hour or the VIP Art parties. The folks at these events are enjoying the atmosphere and each others company and are not there to drink as many drinks as they can in a certain amount of time. I think the cruise lines hosting a cocktail party is a very nice gesture to set the tone for a lovely evening to be enjoyed by all in a glamourous fashion. However, the behavior of some passengers to consume as much as possible because they are currently free does detract from the ambience and needed to be addressed. I think the cruise lines are starting to rethink the business model and will possibly consider they need to raise the bar of class and not lower it. I believe I read most of the folks were boasting how they supported the ships financial balance sheet becasue of their large consumption of alcohol. well that's what thier bills tell them. They are the ones with the 1,000 bar bill and they think that's the big money. Well many of us enjoy the suite we stay in, the spa treatments, the casino, the chefs table, the VIP breakfast, the ultimate balcony dining, the great excursions, the fine jewelry from Facets and of course the lovely art from Global fine Arts. They have no idea where the real money comes from. Thanks G'Ma you stated most elegantly many rebuttals. I can read and see that you ARE A CLASSY LADY.

[nealstuber]

Yep' date=' they sure do......on a ship full of "adults".

 

Don't you find this very sad.......[/quote']

 

I find it very sad that someone coould be so opiionated and hypocritical and not realize how ridiculous she sounds.:(

[murcielago]

In the order of importance to me:

 

1. I have always enjoyed the complementary cocktails.

2. Followed by the introduction of the officers and the Captain.

3. Last, the music.

 

My goal is not to get drunk in an hour but to enjoy myself.

In reference to the past guest party, most guests are repeat cruisers. That is why its always crowded.

 

I'll be on the Valor next Sunday....I'll let you know how it went.

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

The number of folks attending will be cut in half at least then eventually they will eliminate it altogether. Remember the rum swizzler welcome aboard party, finger food at the parties, NY strip steak on the menu every night, cruises to the southern caribbean from florida (Aruba, Barbados, Martinique), gala buffet, etc. etc. the cutbacks will continue just a sign of the times.

 

I for one enjoy a cocktail at the parties it is a tradition that I feel should not be messed with. There will always be gluttons for the free booze just like there will be chair hogs on lido deck, slobs at the buffet etc. etc.

[rsrmjs]

Can anyone tell me where they hold the "Friends of Bill W."meetings onboard ????:p:D:rolleyes:

It will be posted in the 'Capers'.

[umwife11]

To be honest, I can't tell you the last time I set foot in the captain's cocktail party...I'm usually having too much fun by the pool or in port to rush back to my cabin an hour early, shower, change and get gussied up for a few watered-down cocktails and a mile-long receiving line.

 

That said, just because I don't enjoy the captain's cocktail party doesn't mean I think Carnival should do away with it. The reason I skip it is because it's something I've already done; I can see how a new cruiser would be disappointed to miss out on this cruising tradition.

 

The other reason I'd like Carnival to keep it? It's my favorite cruise line and I want it to continue being successful. If it were to become more like RCL which nickel-and-dimes by charging for steak and room service, I'd be disappointed. If it cut out this tradition, I'd be disappointed--mostly because I think it would reflect badly on the company as a whole and I don't want that for this company.

 

Carnival's been pretty special to my family as a few people in said family work there; those family members take a lot of pride in what they do and the product they provide. Taking away the free drinks at the cocktail party, whether they're watered down or not, would take away from the product as a whole. That would just stink.

 

And yes, there are the gluttons who abuse the perk--but why punish responsible cruisers for the actions of a crazy few?