Past Guest Party LAME

[ranger10!]

We have always thought the past guest party were pretty lame. The only reason we go is for the free drinks. Who cares if it is only one that is offered. You can still drink as much as you want at no cost! Really how many times can a person sit and watch the beginning of CCL and the different ships? They have shown those tapes at every party we have gone to. You need a few drinks just to get through that! :eek: Our last cruise we didn't go. Had other more fun things to do! ;)

[H82seaUgo]

What do you expect at a timeshare sales pitch?

 

right? it amazes me all these years later that the attendees don't realize what they are sitting through.

 

and laugh when some want to sneak other victims in.

 

we went to one on our second cruise, and walked out when we reallized the masquerade.

[NCTribeFan]

Yes, other than the first one, which was kind of fun. After that, yawn.

 

But it's all about the FREE drinks. But they aren't really free, are they?

 

So make the cutbacks and let me continue to cruise for about the same price as I did five years ago.

 

I still cruise to get to the ports. If "free" drinks are so important, maybe people maybe should think about going to all-inclusives instead.

[CapeCodCruiser]

You really couldn't pay me enough to sit through that crap! It's like an hour long commercial! I don't commercial at home (ALWAYS MUTE THEM) not gonna do it on vacation!

 

They can keep their free drinks - I'll gladly pay for mine!

[Georgiagolfer]

Yes, other than the first one, which was kind of fun. After that, yawn.

 

But it's all about the FREE drinks. But they aren't really free, are they?

 

So make the cutbacks and let me continue to cruise for about the same price as I did five years ago.

I still cruise to get to the ports. If "free" drinks are so important, maybe people maybe should think about going to all-inclusives instead.

 

No, they're not free. We're paying for it in our cruise fare.

[golfadj]

No, they're not free. We're paying for it in our cruise fare.

 

 

Shh you are not supposed to notice that.

[NewKansasKruiser]

Well, go on the Carnival Destiny and you can even be a first time cruiser and have a lovely photo with the Captain! :) We just returned from our very first cruise and we were delighted that the Captain was so friendly and out and about so much. His name was Giuseppe Giusa and he was AWESOME! On cruise elegant night, they had a meet and greet for several hours by the casino and he had Jemma and another person (can't remember Jemma's title...she was AWESOME!) using your camera and taking a picture of you with the captain. We got a really nice picture! I was thrilled it wasn't one of the "money maker" photos with a backdrop for $20. They could have easily sold thousands of $$ of pictures, but instead had them for free. :) The Captain was also sitting out on deck party night by the pool enjoying the people and the ship. On the late night Mexican Food night around midnight he was in the restaurant enjoying the food also. I was totally impressed he was so nice.

 

I'm looking forward to having my picture taken with the Captain! Perhaps several of them. :D

[NCTribeFan]

No, they're not free. We're paying for it in our cruise fare.

 

Exactly. And in every one of these threads about "cutbacks" (well, maybe not every one because I'm just tired of repeating it), I point out that my upcoming B2B is about the same PER NIGHT as the same itinerary 5 years ago. Actually, six years ago.

 

Yet prices for EVERYTHING have increased. But people expect to pay the same price while getting the same product? It's basic Econ 101, people!

 

You cannot pay the same price for a product when the costs have increased, unless something is done to hold the line on those product costs!

 

Good grief! It isn't rocket science or even brain surgery!

 

OK, so I'm accountant and this is all just common sense to me. But apparently it is just way beyond the average cruiser's basic comprehension skills.

 

If you want to cruise at very reasonable prices, the cruiseline(s) MUST cut back somewhere. All those free drinks is a good place to do it because people might spend more on them rather than sucking down that cheap, nasty sparkling stuff they served at the PG party!

[H82seaUgo]

Exactly. And in every one of these threads about "cutbacks" (well, maybe not every one because I'm just tired of repeating it), I point out that my upcoming B2B is about the same PER NIGHT as the same itinerary 5 years ago. Actually, six years ago.

 

Yet prices for EVERYTHING have increased. But people expect to pay the same price while getting the same product? It's basic Econ 101, people!

 

You cannot pay the same price for a product when the costs have increased, unless something is done to hold the line on those product costs!

 

Good grief! It isn't rocket science or even brain surgery!

 

OK, so I'm accountant and this is all just common sense to me. But apparently it is just way beyond the average cruiser's basic comprehension skills.

 

If you want to cruise at very reasonable prices, the cruiseline(s) MUST cut back somewhere. All those free drinks is a good place to do it because people might spend more on them rather than sucking down that cheap, nasty sparkling stuff they served at the PG party!

 

is this just your fare, or your total cruising expenses combined?

[kicia]

We always liked the past guest parties and are looking forward to our next two on the Dream in 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 weeks. The official line is that you can get whatever drink you want and people that have gone to the new party have reported they were able to do that. If for some reason the waiter is telling you that you can't have anything else then the bar manager is always at the party looking after his staff and tell him what you want. Believe me, you will have it soon.

[karonijo]

BRILLIANT ! ! !

 

But I wont have to...42 Carnivals....6 booked til Jan, '13.... just til I make my 50th..then I"m "jumping (Carnival) SHIP

 

time to catch up with my other 25 sailed brand "X" cruises....such a dirty job !!!

 

Can I have your job? :D It's just what I have been looking for!! I am sooo mad at Carnival for not making their cruises cheaper for me to be able to take a few more a year ..so I can catch up with you ...hahaha!! Ok..ya'll haters don't take that too serious... LOL

Any time I am able to board ....it's all good to me!! ;)

[Sargent_Schultz]

well, go on the carnival destiny and you can even be a first time cruiser and have a lovely photo with the captain! :) we just returned from our very first cruise and we were delighted that the captain was so friendly and out and about so much. His name was giuseppe giusa and he was awesome! On cruise elegant night, they had a meet and greet for several hours by the casino and he had jemma and another person (can't remember jemma's title...she was awesome!) using your camera and taking a picture of you with the captain. We got a really nice picture! I was thrilled it wasn't one of the "money maker" photos with a backdrop for $20. They could have easily sold thousands of $$ of pictures, but instead had them for free. :) the captain was also sitting out on deck party night by the pool enjoying the people and the ship. On the late night mexican food night around midnight he was in the restaurant enjoying the food also. I was totally impressed he was so nice.

 

*like*

[green eyed lady]

Out of curiousity we went to the Gold, Plantinum, Diamond past guest party. What a waste of time that was. Only 1 type of drink offered, appetizers were some type of pizza, what looked like saurkraut balls we did not try them. My sister wanted a coke but all she got was a non alcholic foo food drink.

 

They showed the video on how Carnival got started. Next came a promo video for the new VIFP program. Next was the video of all the ships new and old.

 

Then the CD spoke and introduced the Captain and his Senior officers. CD told us they would have a Q&A with Captain and we could ask questions. No one asked any questions it was awkward then a few passengers spoke up. The CD limited the Q&A to 5 questions.

 

We were asked who had the most cruises. One couple had 24, they had their picture taken with the captain.

 

This is all Carnival can offer to loyal passengers. I have attended many past guest party over the years and have watched the quality of the event go down the tubes. I remember when they gave away a free cruise, then it was downgraded to dinner at the steak house, then you were in a drawing for cruise at the end of the month. Now you get your picture taken with Senior Officers.

 

I may be a stock holder, but the bean counters need to take a 2nd look at all the cutbacks they have made and the ones they plan to make. The dividend may be decent, the obc is a nice perk but there is nothing exciting to draw us back.

 

We just got off Liberty and had a totally different experience. They did come around with 2 or 3 types of pre-made drinks, but we were able to order anything we wanted, except shots. We had pina coladas, vodka & gf juice, jack & coke, mojitos and gin & tonic. Oh and tequila on the rocks (so the kids could make their own shots...lol) :rolleyes: And we each had 5 drinks before they cut us off when the party ended. That was a big savings for us since there were 6 of us :D

 

There were 3 different appetizers...some kind of pizza, chicken balls, and beef in a potato sauce...all were delicious!

 

We ate so many appetizers we were full when we got to dinner. :eek: This was the best past guest party we've ever been to. It was worth listening to the captain's speech ;) Oh and we had the most awesome drink waiter Ariel...loved him...such a fun guy!!!

[summercruisin']

We went on the Legend two weeks ago and attended the gold/platinum/diamond party. Our experience was a little different. We got a picture with the captain on the way in. Once there, we were given mardi gras beads. I personally saw at least three different drink offerings. Granted, they didn't have each tray loaded up with the variety they had before. Instead, the servers each had a tray filled with the same drink, so if someone didn't want the drink a particular server had, he would have to wait for or find another. For food, we were served the prosciutto and arugula pizza, the chicken meatballs (no sauerkraut), and little tiny bowls of what tasted like cheesy potatoes with a piece of seasoned beef in the middle. The pizza was offered the most frequently where I was sitting, but the other two things were available as well. All three were tasty.

 

The videos moved pretty quickly, and several people had questions for the captain and the other officers who were also there (mostly about his experience, how to become a captain, and new port choices that might come available). They did invite the people with the most cruises up for a photo on stage.

 

After that the DJ played music and people danced. Some of the entertainment staff got up to lead line dances and to encourage people to go on stage. The music and dancing lasted longer than any other part.

 

I thought the party was fine. Could it be better? Absolutely. It was definitely scaled down from the parties Carnival used to hold, but I just don't think it's that big of a deal that they have adjusted the parties to save money or for whatever reason they have. JMO.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

They are always boring ....

[poolreader]

My DH hates the parties, so I bring my Kindle like device (in case I happen to sit near unfriendly people), and sit in the back near where they come out with the drinks. I bring a few dollars for tips and have my one big drinking event of the cruise. I love my free tipsy.

[Captain Carnival]

[quote name='getfuzzy']...Other people are reporting multiple drink choices, nice food items, and a fun time...[/quote]

[B][COLOR=navy]We did on DREAM last month. It's still the same old how CCL got started video but it was still a nice time.[/COLOR][/B]

[richstowe]

[quote name='NCTribeFan']Yes, other than the first one, which was kind of fun. After that, yawn.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=red][B]But it's all about the FREE drinks[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]. But they aren't really free, are they?

So make the cutbacks and let me continue to cruise for about the same price as I did five years ago.

I still cruise to get to the ports. If "free" drinks are so important, maybe people maybe should think about going to all-inclusives instead.[/quote]Sorry for the edit but just had to highlight your key point.
[quote name='CapeCodCruiser']You really couldn't pay me enough to sit through that crap! It's like an hour long commercial! I don't commercial at home (ALWAYS MUTE THEM) not gonna do it on vacation!

[I]They can keep their free drinks - I'll gladly pay for mine[/I]![/quote]Good for you but it's amazing what (many/most ?)people will do for "free" booze.

[quote name='poolreader']My DH hates the parties, so I bring my Kindle like device (in case I happen to sit near unfriendly people), and sit in the back near where they come out with the drinks. I bring a few dollars for tips and have my one big drinking event of the cruise. [SIZE=3]I love my free tipsy[/SIZE].[/quote]Poolreader, I comment you for your honesty,:) and for illustrating my point.

[Texarribean Chick]

We went for the first time in many, many years on the Magic last month. We enjoyed ourselves, enjoyed our hor d'oeuvres, and also enjoyed our (3) Beefeater & tonics a piece.
Give it a try next time!

[shortstop95]

Different perspectives. I thought it was an improvement. Drinks were bigger and appetizers better. It's a free party folks- enjoy it! Still crowded though- there are alot of repeat folks out there.

[lady_cruiser]

HMMM our Welcome Back party wasn't that bad in March on The Magic.

[Georgiagolfer]

[quote name='shortstop95']Different perspectives. I thought it was an improvement. [COLOR="Red"]Drinks were bigger and appetizers better. It's a free party folks- enjoy it! Still crowded though- there are alot of repeat folks out there.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

It is free to the extent we don't have to pay extra for it,as we are paying in our cruise fares. However, I don't have to put it (charge for drinks + tips) on my S & S card.:D

[golfadj]

Looking forward to it on our next cruise next month.

[crusinpsychRN]

Next headline:

"Past Guest Party to be eliminated due to lack of interest"

[getfuzzy]

[quote name='crusinpsychRN']Next headline:

"Past Guest Party to be eliminated due to lack of interest"[/QUOTE]

More like eliminated due to whining and complaining. Lol! We always had a great time at the ones we attended and looking forward to December.