Where are the Carnival Fans???

[beachbum53]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. No cruise line is perfect 100% of the time. Because Carnival is such a huge corporation, they present a very large target for critics to aim at. Then there are the people that complain about every little thing, no matter how trivial, hoping someone will side with them. And I have yet to understand why someone that's NEVER EVER been on Carnival feels compelled to make negative comments based solely on heresay.:confused: I've never sailed on NCL. I've heard some negative things about them, but I certainly wouldn't go on NCL's board and bash them just based on a few unsubstantiated complaints. I'd rather take a couple of cruises on NCL and make up my own mind. We happen to like Carnival very much. I'm not real happy about some of the cutbacks that have been made, especially in the live entertainment area. However, we like the itineraries Carnival has to offer, and we can afford to cruise more often on Carnival than some of the higher priced cruise lines. When I come across a negative review of a Carnival cruise, I either take it with a grain of salt, or skip it altogether. It amazes me how many people complain about the food and/or the service in the MDR, but never say if they talked to the Maitre D or anyone else (such as Guest Services) while on the ship. Oh well, less than 300 days to go before our return to the Liberty. Can't wait!:)

[etwright]

I absolutely love Carnival!!! I believe there are people that are just natural "complainers". We had a saying when I was in the Navy, "A happy sailor is a bi@*#chin sailor". I guess the same is for cruisers...A happy cruiser is a...:

 

D:D:D I can't cruise Carnival enough!!!

[LPCruiser98]

We love Carnival. My husband and I are both Platinum. Not every cruise has been perfect, but that's life. Your vacation is what you make of it.

 

We just got back from a Disney cruise a couple of weeks ago that was generously paid for by my mother-in-law, and it was great. But for us (we don't have kids and there were 1300 kids on that ship), Carnival is a better value. We can take two or even three Carnival cruises (with a balcony room) for what it costs for one interior room on a Disney cruise. We've always had great service on Carnival, and we had great service on Disney. The entertainment was better on Disney, but it should be. It's Disney. I think the food was a little better and more options on Carnival. Disney's just catering to a different clientele than Carnival. On Carnival, there is a place for the kids to go have fun. On Disney, there's a place for the adults to go have fun. So it's just different.

 

So we will continue to be loyal Carnival cruisers! :D Just booked November 2013 on Valor for our 15th wedding anniversary.

[Jana60]

So here is the next big question. Why are the Carnival boards so negative and the other are not? Maybe, because we dislike the downward spiral Carnival is in with the quality of the product. Without openly discussing the extreme dislike of going to the MDR and seeing Denny's like food on my plate and the total lack of enforcement of even some of the basic rules by the crew, the hope becomes that Carnival gets the message. Without the open exchange of dislike, how would a company know? So the negative comments are a good thing.

 

If the goal is encouraging change in a Cruise line you love then it might be more effective to talk directly to them. Some folks don't just have one disliked thing. They have a whole list. Put a different way if you are a guy who likes a girl and she tells you she likes everything about you except your cologne. You might be willing to change your cologne to win her affections BUT if she tells you she dislikes your Cologne, your clothes, your body, and your personality you will likely throw your hands up in the air and just say "get lost"! Some people have one area of concern and might even be able to effect change by expressing this to Carnival. Some dislike EVERYTHING and probably just need to move on and try out a different cruise line. What they may find (as I did) is that the other cruise lines have many of the same issues and that it is an industry wide state of affairs due to attempts to hold costs down in an environment of ever rising expenses.

[H82seaUgo]

I don't understand your question. I don't start many threads in any section and usually try to tailor the posting section to the subject so if I'm asking about cabin to select, I post in that section.

 

I still question why some people who seem to have nothing but dislike of Carnival even bother coming to the Carnival section of CC?

 

basically, i suppose they are being asked a question and are giving an opinion about it. some opinions match others, and some don't.

 

but like the duck says above, just start a thread about how bad your cruise was, you will see the remaining fans swarm.

 

and the opposite will occur too.

 

and all the boards light up when a significant change orrurs to the dislike of the fan:

 

ncl with their staic menus and discontinuation of bar order setup.

 

rccl and their concierge changes as their loyalty club changes.

 

costa when their boat sank.

 

most complaints on this board are about the direction cahill has taken this company. none have been to benefit their customer. some people choose not to llike this. it has taken carnivall from value to cheap.

 

some people have never sailed white star, but watch titanic every time it come on. others watch the love boat, and have never sailed princess.

 

some confuse this site with cruising. it is not. it is entertainment.

[scperk]

I totally understand what you are saying..Our first 12 years of cruising we did NCL & RCCL and everyone on those ships said we would not like Carnival...We did our first CCL in 2000 on the Triumph and loved the ship and the way the ships employees treated us...Its true they have changed a lot but I have 26 & 27 booked and my DW has almost 30...It has changed a lot in the last 12 years but we still enjoy sailing on any ship...Dennis

[beckymomof2]

So here is the next big question. Why are the Carnival boards so negative and the other are not? Maybe, because we dislike the downward spiral Carnival is in with the quality of the product. Without openly discussing the extreme dislike of going to the MDR and seeing Denny's like food on my plate and the total lack of enforcement of even some of the basic rules by the crew, the hope becomes that Carnival gets the message. Without the open exchange of dislike, how would a company know? So the negative comments are a good thing.

 

Do you think Carnival has designated staff assigned to watching these boards for feedback?

[Captain Carnival]

There are other cruise lines besides Carnival? No Way!:D

[Jana60]

All the boards light up when a significant change orrurs to the dislike of the fan.

 

Some confuse this site with cruising. It is not. It is entertainment.

 

Right you are on both counts Hugo! People do tend to vent here at CC when they experience a change they don't like. Also I am the first to admit that while I come to cruise critic for information, I also come for entertainment. It's fun to chat here! :D Some people spend hours on facebook or Twitter. I enjoy CC instead! LOL.

[big_duck]

You are in the Carnival Section of a chat site and evidently waited for a thread entitled "Where are the Carnival Fans" to come and inform us that YOU are NOT one. WHO'S LURKING??? :rolleyes:

 

Buy a clue, this is Cruise Critic, not All Things Are Always Wonderful on Carnival.

 

If that is what you are looking for, try Funville or The Brand Ambassador's Facebook Page.

 

I've been cruising Carnival a long time, and have earned the right to be critical of their new direction if I choose.

[Jana60]

Do you think Carnival has designated staff assigned to watching these boards for feedback?

 

Of course they do since WE here at CC are the most important customers they have! LOL :D

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I love cruising on carnival. I may not be a "typical" carnival cruiser: I've never stepped foot in the casino; I only have one mixed drink a day; I don't smuggle booze;I don't go to the hairy chest contest; I'm not a chair hog, in fact I rarely sit by the pool or get in it.

I love the value I get from my cruise. I love being rocked to sleep at night. I enjoy the productions in the showroom. I like eating in the MDR. I enjoy talking to the crew. I like looking at the ocean. I like meeting new people from all over the world.

Carnival has ports closer to where I live so I can drive to ships. I can afford to go once or twice a year. And its a lot more relaxing than going to a Theme Park.

 

 

That's pretty much the way I cruise, as well. I have never attended a hairy chest contest, hardly drink at all, etc. But, I absolutely love being on a ship! You're not alone! :D

[cruiserguy11]

You know what really surprises me is that there are SO many people here in the Carnival section that dislike Carnival! Not that you don't have every right to participate in ANY thread you wish. I'm just surprised there are so many who come to this section to express their displeasure about Carnival. Is this a routine thing? Do folks go to the NCL section to trash talk NCL? Although I've cruised with them 4 or 5 times, I've had some poor experiences that made me quit cruising with NCL. I'm sure many people love them but because I don't, I don't think I have ever been to the NCL section of CC! So I guess I'm curious why many seem to come to the Carnival section to tell of their dislike of Carnival. Oddly there seem to be very few who actually like Carnival, yet by industry standards they are one of the most successful cruise lines so SOMEONE MUST LIKE THEM! Just wondering what the motivation is for a non Carnival fan to even visit this section??? :confused:

 

Very well said. I don't punch myself in the eye because it would hurt. But the Carnival Whiners constantly complain but hypocritically still go on the Carnival ships.

 

I'd bet they whine about life in general and it's just their nature to whine.

 

Whiners say .... "Where are my baubles and trinkets?"

Cruisers say .... "What a great low priced vacation."

[Jana60]

Very well said. I don't punch myself in the eye because it would hurt. But the Carnival Whiners constantly complain but hypocritically still go on the Carnival ships.

 

Oh, so they ARE still big fans of Carnival and still cruise with them. They just enjoy gripping???;)

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Jana, I'm glad you started this thread. I'm thinking I've been spending too much time on CC these days as I'm starting to almost dread my upcoming Carnival cruises. There's so much complaining that I keep thinking our B2B in 22 days will be a disaster. I keep telling myself how terrible it will be so that when it isn't a total bust, I'll be happy with a mediocre cruise instead of just expecting to have a great time like I usually do. It makes no sense when I think of it logically--we've sailed with Carnival 7 times and every single time it's been great! It's good to read some positive comments, so thank you. I just needed the reminder that some people like to complain to hear themselves talk. :rolleyes:

 

I have an NCL cruise booked for next year and have been spending some time on the NCL board and find far less negativity there. On the Carnival board it's not just that there's negativity (I totally support that people are free to express their opinions, even the negative ones ;)) but people get downright nasty and mean. I hate that part--it used be much better than it is now. It kind of sours me on Carnival and, as I said, our Carnival cruises have been great.

[Cool_Tropical_Breeze]

But it still offers a good product for the $$. Yeah I think RCL and NCL is better overall but I still enjoy CCL. Carnival is cheaper simply because they cannot charge what RCL gets, it is simple as that. However, the product itself is good for what you spend. I am diamond so something keeps me coming back.

Who cares about others bashing CCL why do folks take it personally?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Diamond with 34 cruises 1 more cruise than i probably go to NCL i am angry with the beards for LYING to us with BRILLIANT new VIFP . CCl is the only line with NO repeating perks for top tier cruisers i used to be a rah rah cheerleader like sgt but no more

 

welcome to the dark side.:D

 

NCL next for us and then Princess. Although CCL corp won't care that I leave for Princess since they own them too.

 

Haven't been on NCL in 19 years. Trying to find out if they will be our next go to line.

 

Bill

[btrbill]

some confuse this site with cruising. it is not. it is entertainment.

 

I vote this statement of the year!!!

 

I have only been coming to this site since last September when a co-workwer told me about it before my first cruise. At first, I seemed like a good place for information. But the more threads I looked at, the more I realized this was a place for some to hide behind thier keyboard and vent, or spew thier acidic "opinions!"

 

Now it has truly become entertainment!! I have seen some good debate, but most has become attack if you don't like the post. I am guilty as well... Someone refered to me indirectly as a "lowlife" because I cruise Carnival. I responded, and maybe not so politely.

 

One thing I have learned from being on many different on-line forums... A keyboard in front of most people inflates thier self-worth 10 times over. They become "bigger", "faster", "better", "smarter", "richer" than most. Like I said somewhere else, I take every post with a grain of salt. You have to with most on-line posters!

 

Happy Cruising!!

[halos]

Buy a clue, this is Cruise Critic, not All Things Are Always Wonderful on Carnival.

 

If that is what you are looking for, try Funville or The Brand Ambassador's Facebook Page.

 

I've been cruising Carnival a long time, and have earned the right to be critical of their new direction if I choose.

 

Why do people ignore that fact???

 

and yes, you have certainly earned the right.

[Jana60]

Jana, I'm glad you started this thread. I'm thinking I've been spending too much time on CC these days as I'm starting to almost dread my upcoming Carnival cruises. There's so much complaining that I keep thinking our B2B in 22 days will be a disaster. I keep telling myself how terrible it will be so that when it isn't a total bust, I'll be happy with a mediocre cruise instead of just expecting to have a great time like I usually do. It makes no sense when I think of it logically--we've sailed with Carnival 7 times and every single time it's been great! It's good to read some positive comments, so thank you. I just needed the reminder that some people like to complain to hear themselves talk. :rolleyes:

 

Don't worry! You will still have a great time, despite the tails of doom you hear at this site. I have been on 9 Carnival cruises. I took my last one in May on the Triumph and it was the best one yet! They may not have had a band on the pool deck but they had one just about every place else, They had 5 big shows with dancers on a 5 day cruise if you don't count the Guest Talent show and had fun comedians in the Comedy club. They don't have refrigerators on Triumph so I brought a soft sided portable ice chest. Without any bribes/extra tip our room steward kept our ice chest filled. (we did give extra tips on the last day to say thanks! :)) The crew were very friendly and many even called me by name. (I still can't figure out how they remembered so many names!) It was a fabulous 5 days in an aft facing balcony for less than $1200 total and since my sister and I drove down that was our total expense! I have a B2B booked on the Glory for December and I can't wait!!! :D

[cruisercrazy69]

welcome to the dark side.:D

 

NCL next for us and then Princess. Although CCL corp won't care that I leave for Princess since they own them too.

 

Haven't been on NCL in 19 years. Trying to find out if they will be our next go to line.

 

Bill

i am elite on Princess but im angry at Carnival Corp so im switching to ncl

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Don't worry! You will still have a great time, despite the tails of doom you hear at this site. I have been on 9 Carnival cruises. I took my last one in May on the Triumph and it was the best one yet! They may not have had a band on the pool deck but they had one just about every place else, They had 5 big shows with dancers on a 5 day cruise if you don't count the Guest Talent show and had fun comedians in the Comedy club. They don't have refrigerators on Triumph so I brought a soft sided portable ice chest. Without any bribes/extra tip our room steward kept our ice chest filled. (we did give extra tips on the last day to say thanks! :)) The crew were very friendly and many even called me by name. (I still can't figure out how they remembered so many names!) It was a fabulous 5 days in an aft facing balcony for less than $1200 total and since my sister and I drove down that was our total expense! I have a B2B booked on the Glory for December and I can't wait!!! :D

 

 

Thanks for the pep talk! LOL. Most of the areas people are complaining about (like a band on the Lido deck) I don't even care about. As far as the food, DD and I took a look at the menu the other night and didn't see any changes that were at all upsetting to us. And, we will be trying the fried chicken and hamburgers in the MDR, oh my! :p

 

I think part of my concern is that our B2B is a three-day followed by a four-day and you hear so many booze cruise stories about the shorter cruises. We generally to 7-day cruises. I'm sure that even if it's a booze cruise, we'll be able to find a place to hang out and still enjoy ourselves. :D

[mclinns04]

I have sailed with CCL 6 times and Celebrity once. I'm sure pretty most every ship has a problem now and then, but I haven't had many complaints. We always had a great time. The only real issue I ever had was on Ecstasy when I was given an "accessible" cabin that was very tiny and nearly impossible to enter with my scooter. The rest of the ship was fine. While Celebrity has a few perks that CCL doesn't, it is also a bit more formal and upscale than we usually prefer. We just chose it so we could do the Panama Canal transit cruise. CCL doesn't do that route.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

i am elite on Princess but im angry at Carnival Corp so im switching to ncl

 

The only reason we are doing Princess is we have a credit to use up from our cancelled cruise in February because of the norovirus and we want togo to Aruba without flying to San Juan.

 

I'm with you hoping NCL is a good fit.

 

Hope you have a great cruise on NCL.

 

Bill

[Jana60]

Thanks for the pep talk! LOL. Most of the areas people are complaining about (like a band on the Lido deck) I don't even care about. As far as the food, DD and I took a look at the menu the other night and didn't see any changes that were at all upsetting to us. And, we will be trying the fried chicken and hamburgers in the MDR, oh my! :p

 

I think part of my concern is that our B2B is a three-day followed by a four-day and you hear so many booze cruise stories about the shorter cruises. We generally to 7-day cruises. I'm sure that even if it's a booze cruise, we'll be able to find a place to hang out and still enjoy ourselves. :D

 

It has been a long time since I've been on a cruise that was shorter than 5 days on Carnival. I usually choose at least 5 days because it takes me at least the first day just to relax and enter cruise mode but I guess shorter ones would be OK if I were doing B2B. On the Triumph they didn't have this new Guy's Burgers place that everyone talks about but they did have new Gormet Burgers in the MDR. I didn't personally get these but one guy who did said the meat in them was high quality and they had just about any topping you would ever want on a burger. (Avacado, Bacon, grilled Mushrooms, grilled or raw Onions, Lettace, Tomato, various cheeses, ect...) The guy at our table who had the burgers liked them so much that he had them 3 times on a 5 day cruise! I prefer more variety myself but evidently they were some GOOD burgers!