thunderingherd11

2 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Stop blocking all of the walkways and stairways with photographer's backdrops, light stands, risers, ladders, Etc.  Just let the people who want professional photos on board get them taken in the studio or one of the other venues that isn't being used at that time.   All of that equipment and backdrops could easily be set up in the theater, comedy club, dance club, or any other venue that is available at the time.   

Not going to happen.  It makes money.  I can walk around them if it keeps the cruise price from rising faster than they already are.  

On 12/5/2023 at 4:10 PM, Gamecock_Cruiser said:

Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day. My favorite food is an omelet made my way.

=I am glad that hear they are still made to order on the Lido...

 

When we first started cruising in the mid 2000's, that was a distinct difference compared to land vacations... those things are slowly being taken away day by day. One of my favorite's was two times cabin service with the turn down service in the evening! But thing that might not bother some certainly hits others. 

They are made to order. But there are only three options.   

On 7/8/2023 at 10:55 PM, Mr305 said:

I was on Conquest last weekend on a 3 Day Cruise.  Carnival’s clientele has definitely changed.  A lot of the folks on board were first timers.  Our biggest issue was weed, even with dogs at the terminal, they were lighting it up on the balcony day and night.  I’ve done about three of these cruises over the years, never seen anything like it.  Let’s just say, that was my last 3 Day Cruise, at least on Carnival.

 

I’ve also done 7 & 8 Day Cruises on Carnival, everyone is well behaved and the folks are a bit more upscale.  Lots of Gold and Platinum cruisers.  It’s a shame, all this does is destroy the product/brand.  Hopefully the upcoming price increase will eliminate some of these issues.

3 day cruises have a specific clientele.  It hasn't changed.  Different passengers on 3, 5, 7, 10 day cruises.  

On 8/8/2023 at 8:54 PM, jakeT said:

You as a person must add up all those charges to figure out the total cost of your cruise then ASK  the question.  Do I really want to pay X for a Carnival cruise.  Is Y cruise line cheaper, free internet, free. Or is a land base vacation better deal 

I did a Norwegian cruise.  Special deal.  Talk about diming me to death.  Never again.  

On 8/8/2023 at 5:59 PM, vwrestler171 said:

Since I started cruising in 2010, we have gained Guys Burgers(which seems to have gone downhill since COVID), Blue Iguana(both the bar and restaurant), Guys BBQ, and Alchemy Bar.  Lost free room service, twice a day cabin cleaning, which also cost us the mint/chocolate on the pillow, staff that had time to stop and visit(now the majority appear rushed).  Food that used to be excellent in the MDR are now available for purchase in the steakhouse, tablecloths went away.  Elegant night truly felt elegant

Thanks for the reply.  This is where it matters on what type of person you are.  The gains are better than the losses for me.  Who needs service two times a day?  First world problems.  Who needs a mint?  I never do room service.  Guys burgers is great even after covid.  MDR doesn't seem to be as good as it was, but I am not expecting a five star meal and I certainly don't go hungry.  And we are talking about changes over ten years.  Name a business who hasn't made changes over ten years?  The things that bother me most on the ship are the customers.  But we all beat to a different drum.  

14 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Price was changed on every cruiseline. So carnival should retroactively bill extra if the ship is going to nassau, grand bahamas .. wherever ? All bahamas ports?

 

I also last year wrote to a vp at rcl asking why carnival gives overage on port fees and if they miss a port and rcl can give 0. He said it's because they dont bill you if port fees go up. Lol I have it in writing. I like carnivals policy better.. of course.  

Yes, I like it better also.  But I wouldn't be upset if they upped the price when it is upped on them.  One of the many reasons I like carnival better than others.  

On 8/2/2023 at 6:29 PM, carribbound said:

I am booked on the Magic for Jan 24. I have been on many Carnival Cruises, my first time on the Magic. I am growing increasingly concerned because the reviews I am reading are so poor. I love Carnival. I considered a different cruise line but decided to book this cruise. Many reviews I am reading say how Carnival has really gone down hill. My last cruise with Carnival was in 2021, so not that long ago. Please comfort my worries and tell me these are just a fluke.

Ask yourself a question.  Are you hard to please.  Be honest.  If the answer is yes, read the reviews and make a decision.  If the answer is no, move on.  The magic will be fine.  Booked it for November 24.

On 8/4/2023 at 9:32 AM, Moparfiend said:

8 day from Baltimore (Sept '23)
priced at more then 8,000 dollars for a suite
$2,900 for an interior
$4,800 for a balcony 

This is on an older ship (Legend), 2 people

Carnival will price themselves out of the market if they continue this path

I bet it will be full.  

On 8/4/2023 at 12:08 AM, Stick93 said:

Prices  only going one way - higher. 
 

Cruising is still very affordable but as the prices go up it is possible all inclusive become better options as you do get substantially bigger accommodations and properties with them , all with a similar experience and less nickel and diming. 

 

The only issue I have with their pay and gratuity is that they pay little, work the staff very hard and tie the bundle to the tips they let people remove. The staff is usually from poorer countries without much  opportunity and don’t have the options of a different occupation. The staff is working harder as they have less (especially housekeeping) than before Covid and not making much more. I have suspicions when they raise gratuities the staff is not getting that big raise. 
 

Well anyways these great debates are endless and usually not very fruitful or informative 
 

I took an inclusive two years ago.  Tried booking it for this year.  Twice, I repeat, twice the cost.  

On 8/3/2023 at 9:18 PM, firefly333 said:

Royal is talking going the other way. AFTER you are booked and locked in prices they sent out emails they want to reprice all my cruises going to bahamas. Port fees went up. $11 and $16 so far. Nickle and diming and really wrong imo. 

 

If carnival is eating the increased port fees, lucky for you.

 

I also happened to see a blog about princess changing some medallion thing and now to get what you thought you booked you have to upgrade your plan and pay extra for a meal in some restaurant. Retroactive. 

 

I'm unhappy they can change prices retroactively. Higher .. of course in their favor. 

The price was changed on them.  Why should they eat it because they have more money than you.  No biggie.  

On 8/3/2023 at 5:33 PM, silvercrikhix said:

…. quit cheapening the experience. Enough already. Value has been eroded more and more. There’s been a lot of changes in only 10 years. None good for the cruiser. Cut after cut after cut.  

Name one change that has been significant.  I started cruising 8 years ago.  None of the changes effect anything for me.  Things change.   

On 8/3/2023 at 6:06 PM, ChinaShrek said:

Many, many people have no idea that they will be charged gratuities until they are on the ship. I have heard numerous people at customer service asking what the charges are for. Including gratuities would eliminate the confusion and long lines at customer service.

Impossible to believe that. If that is true it is on them.  It screams everywhere.  Port costs.  Gratuities, etc.  Sometimes people have to be responsible for knowing stuff that is in their face.  

it was hit or miss for us on the Pride.  This was the first time we used it since we had a big group.  Since it is only five dollars I was ok with the hit and miss.  

1 hour ago, staceyglow said:

Served with a side of disgusting fries.

Love the fries.  So this wouldnt be helpful to her.  

1 hour ago, Kellyann said:

If you know a way to speak to a live person at CCL, please share the phone number.  Even the folks at VISA can't reach them. 

And for all those with only positive feedback, we were all in that  position until we weren't so don't act like people are dilusional if they have a problem that is being ignored.

yes call them.  Do it all of the time.  

No, most humans when they have something that doesnt go right figure out how to deal with without being a victim.  

2 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

She will never answer or take me up on this, for several reasons. 1) she really doesn’t care. 2) this way she can keep denying the issues. 3) they can keep doing business as is (screwing the customer and hiding offshore)

I took approximately 30 small videos documenting everything that I’ve posted about, including take aways from multiple crew members (yes, even they are disgusted). I’m working with a friend to see the best way to post them so that as many people as possible can see them, then let’s see their response. Posting them here will only allow Carnival to complain and have them removed.

They do surveys for every customer.  They get a lot of feedback.  They know they are doing a good job.  Try someone else.

Just now, thunderingherd11 said:

Just had my third cruise.  It was perfect.  But thank you for thinking you are talking for the rest of us.  Booking is easy.  Boarding is easy.  Food is good.  Customer service is great unless you are hard to make happy.  Employee interaction is wonderful.  Life must be tough for you.  

Meant to say third cruise this year, so yes during and post pandemic regulations.  

3 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

Rather than continually complain here about all that is wrong with Carnival, I offer up the following:

 

Ms.Duffy,

 I will personally book and pay for a cruise for you to travel on a ship of your choice for any cruise you are willing to take under the following conditions:

1) Must travel undercover ( different name)

2) no prior notice to anyone else within Carnival, no videos or photos ( other than those you personally take)

This way you can really see and experience the problems that a huge number of your customers have to endure. I sincerely doubt that you have any frame of reference regarding what the everyday passenger deals with, from booking, boarding, food, customer service, employee interaction. 
While I won’t hold my breath on this one, it will most likely be ignored just like Carnival ignores customers.

Just had my third cruise.  It was perfect.  But thank you for thinking you are talking for the rest of us.  Booking is easy.  Boarding is easy.  Food is good.  Customer service is great unless you are hard to make happy.  Employee interaction is wonderful.  Life must be tough for you.  

5 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

Ok, I checked and the Pride Transatlantic over there is April 13-26.  So, basically, it appears that Pride will be in dry dock for just under a month. How much are they going to be able to do in a month?  I honestly don't know the answer to that because I don't know how quickly they can make these changes.  It certainly makes me think that they won't be remodeling all of the cabins...

There is only so much you can do to the cabins.  Fresh paint, new carpet, upkeep balconies.  

18 hours ago, aqualibra said:

I guess I remember the days that all U.S. Citizens followed the U.S. Code that states:

"all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart"

I guess times have changed, but I always follow the code. If others don't that's their own decision. Personally, I believe that since he was representing Carnival, he should have followed the code as a U.S. Citizen.

I have never done that and was not taught that.  I stand with arms down and typically lip sync the words.  If that is offensive, thats on you, not me.  

21 hours ago, mz-s said:

They've cut waste at the buffet by cheapening the ingredients - you've never seen so much rice as a Carnival buffet, and the sausage on the breakfast buffet is just cut up hot dogs. If you're lucky enough to get actual sausage on your cruise, you'll notice it's just Banquet brown n' serve links. They will cut a chicken thigh into three pieces and that is one portion. They provide smaller plates and don't provide trays (and the kids cups for drink).

 

If they wanted to, they could make it more cafeteria style and have crew serve the guests from the buffet like the cake buffet is now - but that would probably require more staff, not sure if they want to go down that rabbit hole. But that is probably next.

we get it.  you are miserable.  Try another cruise line.  Let us know how it goes.  I have done Norwegian.  Way to much pay as you go and my experience a party crowd way worse than Carnival.  But it may have been this one cruise.

21 hours ago, Raysgirl said:

If I elected to eat at the buffet, which normally has the same dinner items I can load my plate up with as much as I want as many times as I want and there is no additional charge.

its a buffet.  that's how buffets work.  The dining room is not a buffet.  They could limit us to one entrée.  I understand your frustration, but this is not a good comparison.  Buffets by definition are all you can eat.  I would be much more unhappy if they charged for a second visit to the buffet because that is not how any buffet works.  

22 hours ago, Raysgirl said:

Klfrodo, I do understand your remarks about the entrees and normally 1 or 2 is enough, but if you order something to try and you do not like it, or it comes cold and dried out like the chicken breast sometimes done, I would not want to be charged a fee for a 3rd meal.  Again cuts backs, they went from a flank steak to a strip steak that is so thin, they remind me of the steaks that you can buy at the dollar store in the frozen food department.    All I am trying to say is they need to give a decent portion of food which they used to do, but again has been cut back since the restart.

I think the portion of food is adequate and I weigh 255 pounds.  I always get two apps, because like their soups and want something else.  I typically get one entrée, but I occasionally ask for an additional side.  And I always do a dessert.  I leave filled up.  And if I am hungry still, I will go grab something off of the buffet or deli/pizza.  I get your point, but I don't think Carnival was ever about the food since 2015.  When I started cruising.  And I don't notice bar times or cold food, or slow service being any different than prepandemic.  I think if you look at these boards prior to the pandemic, we had the same complaints as we do now.  Although, i do feel the quality of food is a little down, especially the steak and chicken.  

23 hours ago, Raysgirl said:

Now they are nickel and diming you with their increases for things on the ship and an extra charge if you order 3 entrees.

If you don't like nickle and diming stay off of Norwegian.  We booked a cheap cruise and then spent way more than what we are use to on Carnival.  

2 hours ago, bigdog1958 said:

now you pay individually for the 15 drinks you get from the bottle at $10 per drink, so carnival gets 150.00 instead of $84.  

If you buy 15 drinks.  But I an now buy ten, pay a little more and have a lot more variety.