Joebucks

Lower deposit maybe

I'm not a huge fan of specialty restaurants when there are tons of sufficient items for no charge. However, we did Jiji's, and would do it again. It's reasonably priced for a great experience.

The same people who tell you they would love all sea days, are the same ones who are bored with it halfway though. That is way too many for my liking. Especially if the weather is cold. I probably wouldn't book it at all.

Not only is the hack "rude," but it is completely wrong. We nearly always arrive on time, and if anything, it speeds up our service. When we are there before the staff's other tables, they can take our order before the masses arrive. If I had to guess, the people that show up late, are the same ones that complain dinner service took too long.

What experience are you looking for? Honestly, just asking for random opinions is likely to result in answers stemmed from whatever line they randomly chose, something they felt they got for free, a bad experience they heard about, etc.

I was being facetious. Mega ships kill the planet. Small, wealthier, ships are green and responsible.

Seabourn ships are basically floating trees. Personally, I don't see the issue either. I'd just like to see them call it for what it's for.

This is the answer right here. Enforcing rules is a political no-no anymore. It's mean, and god forbid the offender escalates the situation. Unfortunately, you have to just hope people don't do anything, or just attract a better crowd.

I'm sick of Carnival not enforcing chair hogging and the no murder rules.

I'm not sure what it is about the act of cruising that makes people think it's like another dimension. Imagine you lived in a major cruise port. Would you be thrilled to see thousands of cruisers every day? Especially if you saved up to live in one of these destination areas. Well you wouldn't. Unless you were a business owner or a very poor person that wouldn't make a living otherwise. The disgust is generally on a sliding scale from how fortunate you are. The whole "it's because of an environmental issue" is such a load. Especially when these same ports have planes flying in every day, buses and other vehicles touring all over the city, large cargo ships bringing in trinkets and tourism supplies, commercial and personal boats all over the water, overdeveloped lands, trash littered everywhere. But that marginally larger cruise ship is what ruined the environment. Using the buzzwords of today, it is a lot easier to call it an environmental concern than to say you don't want poor groups of travelers flooding your city. The sad reality is the population keeps surging, but these popular spots don't get any bigger. Travel has become easier and cheaper. More and more places are looking to limit the traffic they get. Preferably, by pricing people out. Going green when convenient.

There have been plenty of times where I can find a rate cheaper than the "wedding block discount." Sure a discount is given off of the "sticker," but that doesn't mean that is the lowest price you can find anywhere. Hotels love this business. It is obviously a great way to fill up rooms. However, it is also a great way to rent out their expensive party halls, ensure more people hang out at the bars, breakfast, etc.

The real question is how many people are actually getting sales vs those who perceive they do? The public seems to have a general disregard that marketing departments exist, and what they do. It isn't their job to give away the farm, but to tickle that buying bone. Different people have different interests. Some want the discount, some want little to no deposit, some what "free stuff," some want their kids to come for "free." Most of the time, these offers really mean nothing. It's usually shifting around different buckets to get the same money in the end. Some lines have different models than others. Some think they have super secret connections to super secret deals. Some may really find this. Often in the form of some salesperson who is willing to cut into their commissions to make the sale. Some are just fooled by any offer they get. Again, the marketing departments weren't born yesterday. They build a lot of this stuff into the price. Are there sales and deals to be had? Absolutely. I'd say the bulk of them come from goals to fill lower demand cruises. The cruise lines want to make as much as they can from each room, and that includes preventing empty rooms. As I always say, shop around. Even the absolute "best" source that people always swear by, isn't always the best deal. Also, be flexible in your times. You are far more likely to save money by planning your trip around the cheapest option vs planning your trip and then hoping for the cheapest option.

I have a hard time accepting they won't do it because of upfront cost. Especially considering an industry that spends billions on reach new ship and hundreds of millions renovating ports. As you said, they rack up tons of debt. All for the reason of creating a future returns on investment. It's what most publicly traded companies do. If a source of fuel would save hundreds of millions, they'd be all over it. The key distinguishing factor here is the companies are actually looking for a financial benefit vs some green slogan. The truth is, there just aren't other reasonable fuel sources at this time. Especially ones worth retrofitting every port with. I read everyday how our large-scale intricate businesses need to completely change how they operate because the way some tiny Nordic country does something (energy, social, you name it). There simply isn't a technology out there right now that would properly power these large ships. If there was, it would be all over other types of large vehicles too. It isn't. Carnival and Royal Caribbean aren't energy companies either. They don't create these technologies. Certainly they dabble in how it fits into their model.

Even with advancements, EV is still a novel technology. These small 500 passenger ships still have to recharge almost daily. We can all draw up whatever moral assumption we want. This strategy simply isn't viable for ships 5-12x bigger, sailing in the Caribbean. The insinuation is greatly exaggerated that the "refusal" of mega ships is largely "environmental." Where is the cry over the "fragile ecosystems" when we're gladly waving in record numbers of airplanes, cargo barges, and other large vehicles? These big cities are often overdeveloped and littered with trash. But that big cruise ship sent it over the edge. The biggest reality we ignore is populations are getting bigger. Demand to visit destination spots is getting bigger. The spots themselves, remain the same size. Some of these spots are simply overrun with tourists. When deciding how to address the issue, the choice is often pretty easily to cut out the "riff raff" that cruises can bring.

This is an exaggeration that smaller lines are being "more responsible." The smaller ships have always been their model. That's one of their biggest selling points. Things like batteries and solar are not practical on a large scale. It's like the wealthy homeowners who have an EV for their 5 mile commute, and therefore EV must be practical on a large scale, ignoring semi-trucks, cargo ships, and planes. There is a clear anti-Carnival sentiment in this thread. Royal Caribbean, another giant, is also using LNG in their new ships. If there was truly a better fuel source why aren't either giants using it?

I spoke to some very nice dolphins who were just getting off of their 4th B2B feeding this year. They told me the dining quality has severely gone downhill since COVID. Food was salty and inedible.

Honestly, I think this is something the cruise line should do. Sponsor a "bar crawl" of sorts. That would be fun. I'm sure there's some reason why 1% of troublemakers ruined it for everyone.

Considering most balconies I've been on, you probably wouldn't be able to open the door if you had all of those chairs out there. That also sounds absolutely awful to book a room with 4 people

Honestly, experience as much as you can. Try things you may not have normally tried. No two people have the same interests.

In 2008 my hotels had executive lounges and huge upgrades. The times have changed.

I don't think this makes any sense. Carnival already has a smoking area, cigarettes and cigars in the shop, and a casino you can smoke in. They sell alcohol and big alcohol packages. But the thought of a secluded venue that specializes in cigars? (clutches pearls). I'll take my family to a safer place! The allure of the family friendly cruise is having options for the whole family. Nothing would be removed from children here. However, dad could have a new spot to enjoy himself.

How easily the internet solves all of most complex problems. Slap some suits on those who fight on cruises, and their behavior instantly transforms into one who can hold a discussion of fine cheeses they've sampled.

It reminds me of a late 90s website

MSC's profit is definitely not from their cruise fares

I wouldn't lose any sleep if they stopped the "show." However, how late are you showing up that you aren't getting your food first? I can't remember the last time we didn't have everything, including our dessert already.