New Cuts with Carnival

[Colorado Beach Bum]

We just got home from the 9/5 & 9/10 sailing on the Triumph and there are more cut-backs from Carnival....Now the Past Guest party is only 45 minutes, only one person at the Pizza place making & searving pizzas..Lots of dirty tables several times at the aft pool area..They have installed 3 tables with the auto-play Blackjack (like the Texas Hold-em table) and there were no $5 mininum blackjack tables--At times they (2 tables) were $6 but if they got busy they changed them to $10..They will no longer buy you drinks in the Casino when you are playing, I'm just off the Spirit last May & the Elation twice last year and we played every night and someone in the Casino bought me & wife a drink every night...Now you get drinks with the 1500 points card only......Dennis

 

Just off the Magic and I received many (1 or 2) free drinks each day in the casino and never did qualify for the drinks on us program although DW did. Blackjack was also $6 but not huge deal as most Vegas tables are now $10 at the bigger resorts. Only one pizza guy most of the time but never had to wait more than a minute or two so no big deal. And tables were always cleaned in a quick manner so no big deal there either.

[Litewait]

Ok I will probably get flamed here but seriously, what difference does it make if the room service menu isn't in a hardbound book? Does it affect your cruise????

 

 

I've been on 18 Carnival cruises. This was the 1st one (August 11 Splendor) without the binder. Did anyone tell us?? NO. We looked and looked. The paper menu..never got it! So yeah, I have a problem with it. If you arent going to have it you should ATLEAST tell your long time cruisers you arent and HAND THEM the menu!!

 

I think the cut backs are ridiculous and if the Platinum and higher gets screwed I will cruise elsewhere. Never have before but once and hated it, But I've been itching to try some other lines. This will be the time.

[scperk]

I've been on 18 Carnival cruises. This was the 1st one (August 11 Splendor) without the binder. Did anyone tell us?? NO. We looked and looked. The paper menu..never got it! So yeah, I have a problem with it. If you arent going to have it you should ATLEAST tell your long time cruisers you arent and HAND THEM the menu!!

 

I think the cut backs are ridiculous and if the Platinum and higher gets screwed I will cruise elsewhere. Never have before but once and hated it, But I've been itching to try some other lines. This will be the time.

I'll be Milestone on my 1/1/12 cruise on the Magic but I'm looking at meybe trying Celebrity cruises and I'm booked on the Mariner of the Seas next month...I tried NCL but will not ever go back....Dennis

[CanWeGoYet?]

Yes. A little bit of this and a little bit of that- finally it all begins to feel like you are really cruising on the cheap. No, one thing doesn't make any difference, but these small things do add up and affect the ambiance of the cruise.

 

I agree, and think it would make a difference.

 

Is the room service menu on the fun times or is it yet another piece of paper in your cabin?

[Colorado Beach Bum]

I've been on 18 Carnival cruises. This was the 1st one (August 11 Splendor) without the binder. Did anyone tell us?? NO. We looked and looked. The paper menu..never got it! So yeah, I have a problem with it. If you arent going to have it you should ATLEAST tell your long time cruisers you arent and HAND THEM the menu!!

 

I think the cut backs are ridiculous and if the Platinum and higher gets screwed I will cruise elsewhere. Never have before but once and hated it, But I've been itching to try some other lines. This will be the time.

 

We were surprised too that there was no binder after multiple cruises but really liked it that we could actually order room service through the TV system. Some may call it a cutback but it seemed like an upgrade to us. Much easier than calling. BTW, you could order online on TV or call room service.

[5waldos]

I agree, and think it would make a difference.

 

Is the room service menu on the fun times or is it yet another piece of paper in your cabin?

 

Don't know- I must admit to liking the TV version because you can order directly off the TV and nobody tells you that they won't make you a BLT for breakfast. That made me happy. And I am more inclined to remember that I need to order sweetener, and salt and pepper, etc. The room service people can sometimes get awfully literal in what they deliver. We asked for water for what was obviously food for 3 people (ordered tea, for example, for 3). And we got just that- one glass of water.

[DGP1111]

. . . and there were no $5 mininum blackjack tables--At times they (2 tables) were $6 but if they got busy they changed them to $10

 

Dennis: Same earlier this month on Carnival Destiny.

 

Just got off the 9/11 Pride sailing and was also baffled by the $6 minimum at the blackjack tables. I asked the pit boss about it and he said the change is supposed to be fleetwide in an attempt to get players to play the higher casino edge "Fun Pairs" bonus.

 

That was the answer to me as well.

 

. . . Blackjack was also $6 but not huge deal as most Vegas tables are now $10 at the bigger resorts.

 

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[klmorg]

Sometimes I think people are looking for the negative. Not doubting the OP or anyone else, but I'm so unobservant and usually having such a good time on my cruises that I don't even notice the trivial stuff that really has no impact to my cruise experience. It's much more enjoyable to go with the flow, have reasonable expectations, and a great attitude.

[sunnidayz]

I'll be Milestone on my 1/1/12 cruise on the Magic but I'm looking at meybe trying Celebrity cruises and I'm booked on the Mariner of the Seas next month...I tried NCL but will not ever go back....Dennis

 

Dennis,

Beside the "cuts" I hope you and DW had a great cruise after a summer of fun with the grands. I know the weather was causing some problems, too. :) Still wishing we were joining you guys on the Magic, but the Dream was more practical for time and distance to travel with ds's:rolleyes:.

 

A

[scperk]

Dennis,

Beside the "cuts" I hope you and DW had a great cruise after a summer of fun with the grands. I know the weather was causing some problems, too. :) Still wishing we were joining you guys on the Magic, but the Dream was more practical for time and distance to travel with ds's:rolleyes:.

 

A

Hope we get to cruise with yall again...I'm still coming over and go on the "little" boat with Brian....Dennis

[scperk]

Sometimes I think people are looking for the negative. Not doubting the OP or anyone else, but I'm so unobservant and usually having such a good time on my cruises that I don't even notice the trivial stuff that really has no impact to my cruise experience. It's much more enjoyable to go with the flow, have reasonable expectations, and a great attitude.

I never have looked for the negative until Carnival started cutting one thing after another..If you cruised much back in the late 80's and early 90's you would notice that things are not like they used to be....But I worked at Fed Ex starting in the early 80's and it was a GREAT company then , not so much now it's just a Big corporation and I'm retired from there now.Thank Goodness,.....Dennis..

[DTXCruiser]

It is a little funny to read some of the complaints....I agree, it seems as if they are cutting back in an effort to save money. However, if you look around, all companies are doing the same. Grocery stores are amending coupon policies, public libraries are starting to charge for things that used to be free, hotels are "encouraging" re-use of towels....I travel frequently for work and pleasure and I have noticed the changes.

 

But, as one poster pointed out....when they make these little changes, as long as the service remains the same or better, it should make little difference if your menu is in a leather bound book or on the interactive TV.

 

Always remember this....it's OUR vacation...but it's THEIR business.

 

I'll step off my soap box...but one final thing...when you compare a Carnival cruise to just about any other vacation....you will still end up far ahead financially!

 

Just Enjoy the Vacation Guys! :D

[jbanana1]

The $6 bj min wouldn't bother me as long as the bj payout was still 3-2. However, I don't play much bj on the cruise because they use the continous shuffle machines.

[AAAAmerican]

megmno,

 

What a truism!;)

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't make a difference if you are a past cruiser and know that there is 24/7 room service and pretty much what is served.

 

However, I would guess that first time cruisers might not be aware of the option and might tend to not order from room service at all. That would save Carnival money.

[newcatintown]

In a sit down enviro, I will pre-bus out of habit. In a buffet, if there is a bus tray around I will pick up my stuff and move it. I don't wipe down the table or rearrange the chairs, but I will remove my plates and trash if given a place to do so. It's not out of my way to do so, and I don't like leaving a mess behind me.

[tef43]

None of these can be considered "new" cutbacks, nor do any of them bother me in the least if it helps to improve Carnival's bottom line.

 

Not cheerleading, just paying attention to my investment.

[finzup-kt]

The $6 bj min wouldn't bother me as long as the bj payout was still 3-2. However, I don't play much bj on the cruise because they use the continous shuffle machines.

 

blackjack isn't 3-2 on the ship?

[Back That Aft Up]

blackjack isn't 3-2 on the ship?

 

It is 3/2.

[okwriter]

OP: Curious if this has you re-thinking your two future Carnival cruises.

[cruzn buckeye]

Yes. A little bit of this and a little bit of that- finally it all begins to feel like you are really cruising on the cheap. No, one thing doesn't make any difference, but these small things do add up and affect the ambiance of the cruise.

 

i agree

[gliner]

Well,

 

Since I don't order room service, or play blackjack, or attend the past guest parties, what other cutbacks are there?

[funcouple6]

Well I may be the minority but I am repeating a cruise to only relax as I did not seem to see much more for the cruise two yrs ago. This was not a party ship but a place to take pictures and eat an interesting meal as in surprise to see what you get according to what is ordered as its never what you think. We do not gamble. The dancing nightclubs were always dead on our carnival conquest cruise. The pools are smaller than my neighborhood pool and were always filled to the hilt with toddlers. We have kids and took them but it was interesting that the pool with entertainment(the band and such) was not at the adult pool but rather where the kids were. The adult pool was full of older people just sitting there relaxing not into partying type. Our pre teens were not in the pool much they even said its too crowded. So I do not think they lost revenue on booking by volume.

[adbnva]

Just got off the 9/11 Pride sailing and was also baffled by the $6 minimum at the blackjack tables. I asked the pit boss about it and he said the change is supposed to be fleetwide in an attempt to get players to play the higher casino edge "Fun Pairs" bonus. We were able to play either $6 and no fun pairs bonus, or $5 and $1 bonus.

 

As for buying players drinks while playing, although it was rare that they did it, I believe that stopped when they started the "Drinks On Us" promotion.

what is the drinks on us promotion?

[huneymoonerz]

Unfortunately it is just the sign of the times. That said, my recent cruise on the Paradise saw them really making an effort to make sure we came back. The Farewell party had a ton of free drinks. We were shocked, grateful and tipsy. Ha ha.

[LorrieB]

I like menus on the TV - I especially like that I can check out MDR and semi decide what I am going to have for meals. I never sweat the small stuff - life is too short

I agree with you. I love having the menus on the TV. It is easier for me to keep track of. For some reason we have always misplaced the room service menus. I will put it in the drawer and my husband will remove it and lay it down somewhere else. It's a pretty trivial thing and, hey, if I'm cruising, I'm having a blast.

 

KISS (keep it simple stupid)!!!!!