mz-s

Nothing is guaranteed with the internet on the ship. But Spotify should work on the Value plan and of course Premium too. I still recommend that you download playlists you want before you get on the ship because the internet is often slow and unreliable.

You don't have to be diamond or platinum to get a robe - what makes you think that?

That's been an ongoing issue with the industry for me for years, and one reason why I don't really book cruises very far in advance anymore unless it's an unbeatable deal.

They used to cruise to Bermuda out of Charleston. I went on one.

Not OP but the drive from Ohio to Canaveral is nearly 14 hours and 1000 miles. That's in stark contrast to a, what, 2.5 hour flight? Me personally, anything over say a 6-7 hour drive, I'm flying.

Right, travel insurance isn't just for your liability - it's for things that happen that you couldn't have foreseen or prepared for, like the complete meltdown of an airline.

One way I am responding to this (not just NCL but other lines too...) is I am declining automatic payment of gratuities/service charges/etc and tipping, in cash, those who I want to receive the tips. That way I control who gets the money to some extent. Who knows where it's going when you see that "daily service charge" line item on your statement.

I fundamentally disagree with blaming the crew for the bean counting. If you're going to cruise you should tip as you always would. If you disagree with the changes made, just don't cruise and explore land vacations, all inclusives, etc. or move on to different lines such as ones that include tips in the fare.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2544/~/minor-guest-policy

They sell them. It's just bonine. They sell the same thing in the gift shop and at the medical center.

It's a shame that cruising is no longer a special vacation with the entry-level lines. The good news is the level of service, food, entertainment, etc., we've come to expect is still available in the industry.

Yeah it's just a Personal Services Agreement between Carnival and Emeril. Sort of like how athletes will have deals with a shoe brand or a musician will endorse a particular brand of guitar. It's all marketing, it's not going to have any bearing on Carnival's food.

I feel like we are witnessing the death of Southwest Airlines in real time. I don't really see how they survive this.

https://www.target.com/p/travel-beauty-set-6pc-made-by-design-8482/-/A-54218193#lnk=sametab

https://www.carnival.com/internet-plans Click on the plans and you'll see what the differences are and the prices for each.

I think they still have the cup available for sale but it's not included in the package. The cup is a relatively basic insulated sippy cup, I can't imagine it would cost you more than $2 on shore without the Carnival logo on it.

There is no such thing as reliable satellite internet. Especially on Carnival, who seems to be about 5 years behind their competitors when it comes to onboard internet.

No, I'm just not willing to pay 2019 prices for Carnival's current product. As long as they keep giving me good deals I'll keep cruising them. But I cruise them for the same reason I shop at Dollar General - convenient and cheap. Their burgers in November were much the same as always, although the bacon crisis was in effect so no bacon bits. By my February cruise they took away the sliced mushrooms as well. In May the fries were different. In September I didn't notice any change but I didn't eat as many of them.

September, I have been on 4 Carnival cruises since the restart.

Well anything can change until the ship pulls into harbor but it's pretty close to a sure thing.

For sure Sunshine is more marketable than Destiny would be at this point. And earns more. For example. But did it earn $250M more over the past decade since the overhaul? Only Carnival knows for sure. Me, I'd doubt it. But still - look at say back in 2006. Carnival's latest ship was Liberty a ship basically the same as Destiny (a little larger but overall the same thing), and Royal was debuting the Oasis of the Seas. Which of those ships of similar age looks more modern today? No amount of freshing up will get the Liberty on the Oasis's level. The only way Carnival can compete without multiple new ships - which we already know isn't on their radar - is on price. And given their financial status they are positioned for a decade of hurt, and possibly bankruptcy. This is only going to be more of an issue over the coming years and decades as Carnival's tonnage continues to age and its competitors (including up-and-coming entrants like MSC and Virgin) roll out brand new ships, or like NCL and RCL have more modern concepts to begin with. People here may say "oh I like the smaller ships" but the bigger ships are cheaper for the lines to operate, and it seems that most guests prefer them as well in the entry level.

Good - so as I said, lie to investors and get in trouble. Case closed.

Refreshing the ships is just one part of it. As mentioned, it's not making a huge difference with Radiance sailings in terms of cabin prices - but onboard spend is I'm sure much higher vs. Victory since there are more opportunities for spending. So in other words nothing new. Carnival is not going to leave markets unless as in Charleston, local pressure forces their hand. Even Mobile is staying open once Spirit makes its way back, and they're expanding operations in Norfolk. Yes eventually they will no longer have ships that fit under the bridges in Tampa and Jacksonville, but that's decades in the future. And maybe by then they will have built a new cruise terminal outside of the bridge, or built a new bridge, or whatever.

Please cite the rumor you are talking about with a link. Carnival's best chance at competing is in ports where they don't have to compete at all, like JAX and Mobile. Ports like Canaveral and Galveston are basically a race to the bottom for Carnival - we are seeing that now in Long Beach as RCCL has re-entered that market and Radiance cruises are at essentially giveaway prices week in and week out.

Do you have any examples from this decade maybe? A lot has changed since those scandals.