2.0 changes - your view?

[going2cruz]

Hi All - I got around to looking at the "2.0 changes" and want to start a thread where you can give your opinion without the bickering. Everyone please chime in with your thoughts about the changes.

 

I'll go first. Cruise lines need to make occasional changes to keep existig customers coming back and attract new customers, either new cruisers of from the competition. If you don't keep it fresh for your loyal base, they may move on. It costs much less to keep a customer than to get a new one.

 

George Lopez -(neutral to good) I am curious about this one. On the surface, it looks more like using a name mainstream comedian to lend his name to the club. There is a comment about "hourly" performances on sea days that catches my interest.

 

Guy's burgers -(neutral to good) This appears to be about presentation than substance. The decor is being upgraded. The rest depends on the new toppings offered. I am already happy with the current offerings, but I have simpler tastes. If the toppings get too fancy or exotic, I can always skip them.

 

Hasboro Game show - (neutral to good) I am curious. It could make for interesting entertainment. How good it is will depend on the host of the show. At worst, it's another opportunity to vie for a ship on a stick. I'll check it out once to see.

 

EA bar, Red Frog Bar, Alchemy Blue Iguana Bar - (neutral to good) - Sounds like upgrades or decor changes to existing bars on the ship. The pool bars are kind of drab.

 

Blue Iguana Cantina - (good) more dining options at no extra cost. Some may call this a food downgrade. As long as the MDR food stays the same, this can't be a negative. Yes, I know that Mexican food is less expensive, but I like it.

 

 

DJ Irie - (neutral) Frankly, I never heard of him. I'm not much of a disco kind of guy (using the word disco probably dates me). For the most part, it really doesn't affect me. If you like it, then dance away.

 

Libarary Bar - (mixed) - I like the idea of a wine bar, the location, not so much A wine bar is a good idea. There are nice wine bars on Princess ships. I am not sure about the location though. You're taking away a quiet space that a number of people like, particularly if the weather isn't great on sea days. On some ships, it is already the internet room, why add more noise. A little cove off of the atrium would be a good spot though.

 

New production shows (good) - Frequent cruisers may have seen the shows a few times, so periodic changes are necessary.

 

OF COURSE - the implementation is the thing. If it is hype to mask cuts in shows or food quality, than booooooooooo. Otherwise, my math shows mostly goods, with one possible not so much. It may provide more options, which is good. Whether I use them is my choice.

 

Who's next?

 

 

Your right on........... Its all leading to less live entertainment.

[laumicmah]

George Lopez- He's ok...my kids like him...he won't be on the ships performing though. I like the comedy shows...so I'm up for more of that kind of thing.

Guy's burgers- Love this...love Guy and LOVE burgers (and Carnival's current burgers aren't the best)...can't wait to try them out...and the hand-cut fries.

Hasbro Game Shows- Sounds good...something new. I think the DH and I participated in a trial of one of these on our Feb Fascinaton cruise...it was great fun...lots of laughs even with the technical gliches the host had.

EA bar, Red Frog Bar, Alchemy Blue Iguana Bar - All great...I'll try them all out. Probably not much different than the themed bars they already have, but we always have fun checking them all out...1 cruise we hung in the Cigar bar...another we spent most of our time by the bar near the casino and in the piano bar...last cruise we chilled in the sports bar. I think they are eliminating the wandering bar waiters(didn't see much of them in the MDR or theater or lounges on our last cruise...only by the pool) and just adding more bars for us to get our own drinks.

Blue Iguana Cantina - Love it, but they seriously need to upgrade the current tortilla chips they have on the buffet...ICK!!!

DJ Irie - Not a clue here...pass.

Libarary Bar - I like this. I would love to read with a glass of wine or play scrabble/dominoes/cards with friends/family and have a couple drinks.

New production shows- Hmmm...I'll check them out, but I'm not a fan of their current shows (sorry, they're kind of terrible- our 1st cruise was a Disney cruise and that spoiled us)...they're good to see once though.

[Texaslandshark]

I liked their asking for suggestions.

[golfb4cruzing]

I think Carnival is worried that their clientele has aged and hasn't moved on to the other lines. They are trying to revive the young thing. Everyone has an opinion but if your age was also included, the 40 and under set would be more pleased with these changes. More drinking and game shows with a new burger is for the new or younger cruiser. (56)

[kyrisong1]

George Lopez - I love the comedy clubs, always have. George Lopez is so so, but he's not going to be there so not really important, to me them embracing the comedy club is great!!

Guy's burgers - I think it will be good to have more dining choices and depending on where it is may cut down on congestion in the Lido buffet.

Hasboro Game show - (neutral to good) I think it's great that they are adding a venue that can be enjoyed by families, I'm all for it.

EA bar, Red Frog Bar, Alchemy Blue Iguana Bar - I think these are all redecorations to existing bars, I don't' think that it will effect the nondrinkers or make "more places for the drunks to stumble into"

My husband and I rarely drink but when we are cruising and someone else is driving we like to try a new concoction now and again, I think it's good.

Blue Iguana Cantina - I hope the food is decent, I love mexican food and I'm so glad another free dining option, this may get used a lot!!!

DJ Irie - We don't really do the dance bars, so it's kinda neutral to me, but I agree with the last poster that said they will miss the cigar bar with the deep comfy seat, jazz band playing and smell of cigars in the air, I don't smoke but I love the jazz club/ cigar bar how it was.

Library Bar - (mixed) - I like the idea of a wine bar, the location I'm neutral, I don't use the library and have never seen a person in there, so they are using underutilized space. I think having wine tastings would be great, and would let people try new things and may increase their wine sales. I think the more people spend is sound business judgment.

New production shows I think it's great!!! It's always good to change things up!! People save seats and won't move and others complain, so Carnival is changing how they do things to accommodate more people, I think another good change.

Frankly I'm just happy they are going to give the old place a face lift, I don't think it will effect the ship all that much, and it makes the ships more up to date. Some people love and embrace change and others don't, it will always be controversial.

One thing I'd love to see them give us and I'm not sure where they would fit it, but I'd love to see a billiards area!!!!

Thanks for posting this OP it's a good thread asking for neutral opinions.

Cheers, Carole

[TheCalicoCat]

George Lopez -(neutral to good)

Guy's burgers -(neutral to good)

Hasboro Game show - (neutral to good)

EA bar, Red Frog Bar, Alchemy Blue Iguana Bar - (neutral to good) - Blue Iguana Cantina - (good)

DJ Irie - (neutral)

Libarary Bar - (mixed) -

New production shows (good) -

 

Can i get away with "Ditto?"

 

Seriously, I tend to agree that George Lopez is just a name - I was happy with the comedy before 2.0 & will probably be happy after 2.0

 

I too like my burgers plain. So this change doesn't interest me at all.

 

Hasbro Game Show - This is the only one that has my interest completely.

 

The new bars - are bars. I am satisfied with the Atrium bar...

 

Cantina, I am curious about this one. I like good Mexican food & have yet to find it in MD.

 

DJ - not my cuppa, but I also don't go to the piano bar or disco already

 

Library bar - I can see this as a negative - when I go to the library, it isn't because I want a glass of wine (or a shot of wine).

 

New shows - I didn't go to the old shows...

[TheCalicoCat]

Burger bars - I'm a vegetarian.

 

The veggie burgers are o.k. (I overlook the fact that they are probably cross contaminated...) Mine end up looking like a salad bar anyway.

[nw2this]

I liked their asking for suggestions.

 

Me too!

[zqvol]

It is all much to do about nothing. A way to raise fares and continue the downward spiral in quality and service.

[Jumbiecruiser]

Actually when RCCL put in the Johnny Rockets they didn't charge in the beginning either.......

 

That they did and it took care of the hour long waits and it being a local hang out for teens. If lines start to form for the Guys burgers you can bet a surcharge will take care of that.