Island Dog

That's awesome. After a disappointing first cruise with MSC a few years ago we are giving them another shot soon. I have indeed heard that they are making strides toward changing to appeal to the North American market. Your post makes me look forward to the cruise even more. Thanks for the info.

I am sitting here in utter disbelief that Italians on MSC make the best sausage gravy, But I'll take your word for it. (I'm literally lol-ing). Thank you!

It's all good. Lol. My failing eyesight along with my cellphone keyboard have me editing just about every post I make. I got a screaming deal on my next NCL cruise and I only cruise RCCL when they have an exclusive itinerary (i.e. Bermuda from Florida) as I feel they nickel and dime a bit too much. However, I am a-ok with paying a little more to get the vacation experience I expect. I am fine with being frugal, but life is getting too short to be just plain cheap. (Not directed toward anyone, just my philosophy).

Not all novice cruisers start with Carnival. We sailed on Princess our first few cruises and even a few Holland America before taking our first Carnival cruise. But we were enamored instantly. Although we found the MDR food quality to be slightly inferior to the "mature" lines, the "fun" options more than made up for that. We found the entertainment rather boring on PCL and HAL and only enjoyed the comedy shows. On Carnival there was live comedy every or near every night as well as later additions such as Guy's and Blue Iguana that we love. We would occasionally sail on PCL and HAL alone but Carnival was our go to line. Especially with friends and family. Then we sailed on NCL and found that to be similar to Carnival and maybe a little better. To me, they have the only production shows that I would classify as good and not cheesy. What's my long-winded point? The notion that Carnival feels (which I highly doubt) that I should "graduate" to a more "mature" Carnival-owned brand just ain't gonna happen. I'll just sail more with NCL and to some degree, RCCL. And THAT will not help Carnival Corporation's solvency. I hardly think I am the only one with this line of thinking.

Very true. But Carnival is swimming in the opposite direction of what other lines are doing (even some of their own brands). Maybe it is an experiment to see what is more cost effective. Cutting expenses or raising prices. Who knows? I just don't feel it is a smart move alienating your loyal base to appeal to a new lower income clientele. But hey, their pig, their farm.

Call me an optimist, I guess. Lol.

I just noticed your handle. Marshall University? Can you please get Carnival to put a Stewart's onboard? I'll gladly pay an upcharge for that!

I view things differently. I would be willing to pay more to keep the experience the same as it was. The pizza hours seem trivial, I agree. But then again, I have a hard time staying awake in the show after dinner. Brunch is a different story as the shortened hours seem to make the MDR a packed zoo. I won't wade into "The Great Strip Steak Controversy". Lol. To me, cheapening the whole experience has devolved Carnival into the Spirit Airlines of the seas. We are seeing what kind of clientele this is drawing and the negative attention that their unruly behavior is generating. I love Carnival, but wish they would simply just raise their prices to cover inflation, as every other business seems to be doing, and keep the experience I enjoy. Unfortunately, Carnival brass doesn't see it that way. They have the right to run their business as they see fit, just as I have the right to choose the vacation experience that I feel gives me the most pleasure for the price I'm willing to pay. Thanks for the thread. Hopefully people can keep the discussion civil.

My drink package was included in my fare. Maybe that makes a difference. Idk. I just know that the gratuity prices out to $9.90 per day. I also paid a small gratuity of $17.80 on the 2 specialty dining dinners that were included in my fare.

It is $9.90 liquor gratuity per day p.p. for our next cruise on NCL in March.

Whether you view this as a cutback or not is all conjecture. One thing that is a fact is that Carnival's stock has plummeted from a high near $50 a share in Dec 2019 to a low around $7 recently. No doubt, big shareholders are not happy with this and are likely demanding to see some active attempts to stop the bleeding. A horrible public image isn't helping ease their fears. In addition, as other lines have felt the real pain of pandemic losses, the drop off the cliff hasn't been as bad as it has been with Carnival. I think the cutbacks, as well as this decision, are rooted in those realities.

Thanksgiving week. First holiday sailing for us.

I can't really comment on in-room liquor as we haven't used that option but... NCL- great product similar to CCL but a little better imo. Drink pkg bundled with specially dining and wifi at a fair price. MDR food quality slightly inferior to CCL. Specialty dining is real good as are other free dining options that are unique to the line. Entertainment is the best at sea. They have replaced Carnival as our sweet spot now. MSC-cheaper than Carnival. Offer pkgs including liquor and wifi at rock bottom prices. However, service is inferior to CCL, as is MDR food. Specialty dining is good and ships are stunning. Usually with plenty of pools. Entertainment geared more towards a European audience. Caste system onboard is frustrating to me. Princess and HAL-similar in that you can get drinks bundled into your fare. Skewed towards an older crowd. HAL more so. MDR food is excellent and service is impeccable. Specialty dining as well. Entertainment geared towards an older audience. Ships are more traditional without any theme park style attractions. 100% fresh water pools on Princess, as well. Celebrity-can't comment with accuracy as we haven't sailed with them in many years but are offering a similar experience to PCL and HAL. A friend just sailed this past summer and had a positive experience. Hope this helps...

Threesome gone bad. You can't make this stuff up.

Although I have never pre-ordered liquor bottles for my room, I do enjoy the occasional (o.k., maybe more than occasional. Lol.) adult beverage on vacation. Since covid, I have been delighted to use the "RU2" code to add Cheers! at a substantial discount from the "rack rate". I have never paid full price for a drink package on any line, since for the amount we consume, it just doesn't make financial sense. Unfortunately, Carnival has eliminated this option as well. I do understand how many repeat cruisers would enjoy the option to be able to enjoy the convenience of a cocktail in their room while enjoying the sea out on their balcony. I'm just not seeing this type of cruiser as being a problem onboard. To me this is just another example of diminishing the experience of the higher level VIFP members. This disappoints me, as we have just reached Platinum status on our last voyage. We are cruising on Spirit next month but after that we are booked on 3 cruises (so far) in 2023 and none of them are with Carnival. NCL offers a similar, but better experience to Carnival with drinks, wifi and specialty dining included with a slightly higher price tag. You get what you pay for in this world, and at this point in my life the lower price tag on Carnival is starting to not be worth it for us.

No, I don't. Please tell us.

Princess (A Carnival brand) allows just one person in a stateroom to purchase a drink package. There is no stipulation for the other person in the cabin to purchase a non-alcoholic beverage package.

Yessss! We have one booked next month!

What's funny or offensive is always subjective. I just wish people would stfu during the performance. That bothers me more than anything.

If there's any problems on the first night, go see the Maitre D'. Imo they are some of the friendlest and accommodating in their profession at sea. In fact, even when everything is perfect (usually is) I seek them out to interact with them because they are so pleasant and will make your day. I agree, late arrivals to set dining are annoying and completely disrespectful to staff imo. 5 or 10 minutes is one thing but 30-45 minutes is ridiculous. Just get anytime dining, already. "Like school in the summer, no class"-Russell from Fat Albert

Spirit class. Most efficient and largest (by ship capacity) comedy club. Pool in Serenity area. Largest ship to passenger space ratio. Unique and funky steakhouse in the funnel with red glass skylights. IMHO no other class even comes close.

I concur. Never had a problem with Premier. Plenty of vans, short wait times. Half the price of the pier garage.

Thanks Hip-Hip. It is Thu-Sun after Valentine's. The Monday after is President's Day. (Quasi holiday weekend in my book). I'm fine with the limited menu in BC, but odd that Hola is independent. This video shows a couple claiming to be using the pkg for Hola in this video from the Meraviglia. We are traditionally late diners, so we are booked for the late seating. Glad to hear that increases our chances. Thank you for your insight. Much appreciated! 😁

Thank you Native Floridian. Have a wonderful cruise!

After a disappointing experience on Seaside a few years back, we have decided to give MSC another chance with a short 3 night sailing on Meraviglia in Feb. 2023. This time around it is only 2 of us sailing with the Fantastica experience. My general question is "Should we try and talk to the Maitre D' upon boarding, and request a table for 2 or bite the bullet and buy the 3 night Specialty Restaurant Dining Experiences?" ( I am aware that these are not "full menu" dining packages) Can you upgrade the experience at Kaito to the Hibachi? Or can you only get the sushi/tempura option? (we are not big seafood eaters) Can you use one of the meals at Hola! or are restricted to only Butcher's Cut, Kaito and Ocean Cay? (a YouTube review suggested that you could) Do you think the Maitre D' will be happy to accommodate our "table for 2" request? Reports here seem to indicate inconsistent experiences with Maitre D' attitudes. This being our second time around with MSC, I am trying to avoid the circumstances that made our previous cruise with them less than desirable. I don't really want to deal with a Maitre D' that will be combative. To me that kind of interaction is the opposite of the experience I am looking for on a cruise. I am hoping to have a much better experience this time, as MSC's prices can't be beat and the ships are absolutely stunning. We would love to keep them in our "wheelhouse" of all the lines we currently enjoy sailing on. Thanks in advance for any information!