The Carnival is over.....

[Warm Breezes]

I think the problem is, people like me who have cruised Carnival for a while, want the product that they used to offer, with better food and better entertainment, and are willing to pay a little more for it. I like Carnival and would be willing to pay a little more for something other than three hots and a cot. Live music, talent, better service. You used to get that with Carnival. I'll try another line if I have to, but I don't want to. I like Carnival. I wish it wasn't that way..

 

But if you don't like what they are currently offering (face it, things change and you need to stop living in the past) or are getting bored with it like OP, what is so wrong about trying something different than Carnival? When we chose to sail on NCL Epic we didn't even look at a Carnival cruise as an option....not because we don't like Carnival, we do. But we had just done 3 Carnival cruises in a row and wanted a change of pace. We also wanted to try one of the larger new ships so we looked at NCL Epic and RCL Oasis. NCL was $1000 less for the 4 of us so we chose it and had a great time. We would like to book another cruise next year. I'm not sure what line we will choose yet as we have to figure out when DH can get off first....but I can guarantee that there are not any cruiselines that we are not willing to try if it fits our wants. It opens up much more possibilities and change every once in a while let's you see what else is out there. How do you know you won't like it if you don't try it? Seems like some of you just want to complain and not take action to please yourself and choose something that meets your wants today. You limit yourself and then complain about what you are getting. IMHO you have no one to blame but yourself.

[Warm Breezes]

I think there's the problem. You've cruised on the same cruise line over and over during the last 2 years. Carnival doesn't need to change. YOU need to change (and I don't mean that in a disrespectful way).

 

Honestly, try other cruise lines, other regions of the world, etc. You'd be amazed at how different things feel.

 

We had been feeling "Carnivaled" out after sailing on them exclusively for 5 years. Our Carnival cruise in 2010 was not very enjoyable, in big part because it felt like it was the same thing over and over. We decided to branch out and try another cruise line in 2011, and then returned to Carnival after that. Even though the menus hadn't changed much, our "return to Carnival" cruise aboard the Dream felt fresh, the excitement was back, and we ended up having one of the best Carnival cruises we've ever had.

 

Next year, we are trying NCL (for the 1st time). Trying other cruise lines doesn't mean that Carnival is bad. It just adds a bit of variety to your life.

 

Perfectly said. I just don't get people who complain but don't take steps to make themselves happy. Carnival will not change for them....but they can change who they sail with. There is nothing wrong with switching things up once in a while...especially when you get bored with the same things offered by one cruise line or if you don't like the changes they are making to meet the needs of their changing demographics and economic realities.

[revforjefgor24]

I don't recall saying that I wanted the menu changed just for me. However, they know which items are ordered more than others. They "could" delete and replace the least popular items from the menu on an annual or semi-annual basis without changing the entire menu.

 

Just as you would like "change", others may like the comfort of knowing what they are going to enjoy. I completely understand your point of view, and you are certainly entitled to try other lines, I hope you find something you like:) For our family, since we only get to cruise once or twice a year, the familiar menu is similar to going home to visit mama...and besides, it isnt everyday you can enjoy warm chocolate melting cake!:D

[martinchem]

All I want is The Weather Channel, ESPN and Fox News.

[BenjiRodney]

I don't go on a cruise expecting to watch tv. I can always find something to eat off of the menus so that is not a problem either.

[EscapeFromConnecticut]

I think the problem is, people like me who have cruised Carnival for a while, want the product that they used to offer, with better food and better entertainment, and are willing to pay a little more for it. I like Carnival and would be willing to pay a little more for something other than three hots and a cot. Live music, talent, better service. You used to get that with Carnival. I'll try another line if I have to, but I don't want to. I like Carnival. I wish it wasn't that way..

 

 

This is the case for many of the mass market lines ... and the airlines, and a lot of the hotel chains. Gradual cutbacks to maintain low-ball prices.

For customers who genuinely are scraping & struggling to pay the bills, that's an acceptable tradeoff - and maybe the only way they can keep affording the service. For the rest of us, the trend is grating and unwelcome.

There's some real wisdom here from people who suggest changing things up. If Carnival's switches are making the vacation unhappy for you, why not try Princess or RCCL or Norwegian or HAL? One of two things will happen: You'll get fresh perspective on how good Carnival is (and return happier for your next Carnival cruise) or you'll find contentment with a different cruise company.

Choosing a cruise company feels so very personal, yet in truth it is only a business decision.

I have 7 cruises with RCCL and would love to hit the 10 mark. Maybe someday. But the effect of their corporate decisions on front-line service disappointed me once too often, so these days what little cruising we've been doing has been with Carnival.

 

For me, I'd be happy if Carnival wheeled the TV out of the cabin before I board.

[Chris41]

The AI we went to this year had a really great assortment of tv channels and if we were on vacation to watch tv it might have mattered. Maybe a change up on types of vacation you do would be helpful. New place would mean new menu and the tv had more channels.

 

We did three AIs this year and had a great time. It was areally good break from cruising...seeing the same islands...same music...same food.

Like I said we had a great time, will cruise for New Years and then probably do an AI again for a couple weeks next year

 

We did find that the service was as good as cruising, they had a great selection of dining venues that cost nothing extra, our butlers were fantastic and took care of every need we had and some we didn't know we had and as a smoker it was a lot more convenient to enjoy a venue and step just outside the door for a smoke without having to lose your seat and walk away totally from the entertainment

 

Sometimes a change is good

[Jenna1983]

I, myself, just got off Freedom and I'm a fussy eater and was able to find something typically. I eat the same stuff all the time but there was a variety.

 

However, I found on this particular sailing that I wanted to dine without tablemates because when I had to be seated with others (esp those who "stay on the ship" during port) complained incessantly about the food not being 150% whatever. And they just continued to make huge productions about it.

[Surfwench]

Yes, I asked....and asked...and asked again. I can't get enough of those oysters!!

 

I did order something else, a sandwich from the deli.

 

Well, as for TV, I don't gamble, I don't drink, nor do I lay out in the sun. I am an avid SCUBA diving Divemaster. So if it is a sea day, and raining.....as it was for 2 days last week on the Freedom, having something to watch other than infomercials and year old movies would be nice.

 

In that case, I would download movies/tv shows I want to see on my iPad. Also books as well if you like to read. Those are great on the airplane as well. :)

[nitro2448]

I've been going to my local eatery for years and years...and you know what' date=' the menu hasn't changed in all that time. Daily specials rotate every couple of weeks, but other than that it just stays the same. And, other than a few minute changes I'm pretty sure I'm eating the exact same type of things from McDonalds, and Olive Garden, and most of the other franchise restaurants in town.

 

People who cruise a lot and who cruise the same ship and the same line and the same route are, obviously, going to utter the "same old, same old" phrase but many of the other 50,000 weekly passengers are experiencing something new and fresh since they often are first time or occasional cruisers.

 

For those who are bored with the cuisine on Carnival they really need to broaden their horizons...but, I like the tried and true of my local eatery and I don't think I ever go there for lunch thinking that they are going to change their menu just for me.[/quote']

 

That's a good analogy, the cruise ship does have a 7 day rotation on their menu, for a 7 day cruise.

[Princess Wolfe1]

I was thinking the same thing.

 

I don't think Carnival is perfect and have my next 2 cruises booked with another line, but still, when the itinerary is right and the price is right, fussing about the menu is the last thing on my mind.

 

I didn't take Gliner's comments as "fussing" about the menu but rather just stating their opinion which is a perfectly normal action here. This is a board for cruising folks, right? Btw, when we all book our cruises the food is all a part of the package. Everyone has to eat, we have to refuel ourselves so we can to do excursions, shows, or whatever it is we are doing on our cruises. At some point on one of those cruises you have booked you are going to wonder to yourself, "what is on the menu because I'm hungry?". Everyone gets hungry, we're all human, and we gotta eat to live! :) What is on the menu, whether it tastes good or not is fairly important, we are paying for it after all!

[Princess Wolfe1]

Just returned from our latest and last Carnival cruise on the Freedom.

 

The cruise was very relaxing, but one item has become irksome.

 

The menu. I can just about tell you what the Carnival menu is if you give me one appitizer. The menu has not changed in YEARS! Would an annual change be too much to ask? The "braised spare ribs" are consistently tough. When I mentioned it to our server, he offered, with a straight face, to get me a PB&J sandwich. Cute, but no.

 

They could also provide a broader TV selection. This is 2012. The only difference between Carnival's TV lineup and my parents 1978 TV service is that I am not the remote. How about a "basic" cable assortment instead of the constant bombardment of infomercials. I don't care how much of that cream that Victoria Principle slathers on her face, she is still 60 years old......and looks it.

 

The "fish and chips" station. How about giving us more than 2-3 oysters at a time? Also, you might not want to flatten them. They looked like they had been hammered flat by Gallagher and his mallet! Leave them as they come out of the shell.

 

Other than the menu, Carnival does a great job. However, variety is the spice of life, so we will cherish our memories and photos for years to come, but it is off to other lines for us.

 

gliner....The one and only time my husband & I cruised with Carnival that was the one thing we didn't care for....the menu and food. The menu selection wasn't very good, the food was odd, and the lines to get things like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, you know-normal food were so long they would run out of all that stuff every day. So hubby & I lived on salads, rolls, and room service because the other food on the buffet was just weird tasting, LOL Everything else on our Carnival cruise was fun and great, especially the drinks, casino,etc and we had a blast!! However, the next time we took a cruise we went with RCCL and enjoyed the experience much better, especially the food, LOL. I took an AK cruise once as well on Princess cruiselines with my Mom and that was wonderful too....But I totally understand what you are saying, I do! I also understand about the TV. Hubby & I liked to watch TV when we'd retire to our cabin at night while we were winding down from our fun, busy day. There's not one thing wrong with wanting to have a few more decent TV channels either. Heck we are all paying for the TV AND the food when we book our cruises, so why can't we have great food/menu selections and TV channels to choose from? Don't you listen to these negative comments either, just remember, to each his/her own. You have every right to your thoughts & opinions too! ;) :)

[Princess Wolfe1]

I've been going to my local eatery for years and years...and you know what' date=' the menu hasn't changed in all that time. Daily specials rotate every couple of weeks, but other than that it just stays the same. And, other than a few minute changes I'm pretty sure I'm eating the exact same type of things from McDonalds, and Olive Garden, and most of the other franchise restaurants in town.

 

[b']For those who are bored with the cuisine on Carnival they really need to broaden their horizons...but, I like the tried and true of my local eatery and I don't think I ever go there for lunch thinking that they are going to change their menu just for me.[/[/b]quote]

 

 

Comparing chain restaurants on land that you choose to frequent every day versus what is on a cruise ship menu is not really a fair or accurate comparison. Chain restaurants barely ever change their menu, and cruise ships are known to mix up their menu selection with each new departure. Also, what works best for you may not work the best for others. I never read anything about gliner saying Carnival needs to change their menu just for them either, but who honestly would? :rolleyes:

[smeck]

Variety is the spice of life. Try something different you may like it. We have sailed four different cruise lines and have not regretted it at all.

[lucky13elec]

I don't care about the TV. But I was very happy Carnival is showing the Thursday night football games.

[tandemcruzr]

I don't go on a cruise to watch TV. I go to get away from the everyday things I get at home. The only time we turn on the TV in the room is to check our S&S account. And then, only 2 times over the course of the cruise.

[kujobie]

I don't care about the TV. But I was very happy Carnival is showing the Thursday night football games.

 

Be careful what you expect.. As I stated previously, I have been disappointed to find that games that would be a no brainer to be televised were not shown on the ship and vice versa. Hear me now and listen later.. If you are a football fan, be it college or NFL, do not cruise during football season and expect that it will be a given that you will see the game you want to see.. I have, more than once, seen a near riot because a game with the top ranked team in the country was not shown on TV..

[MIZZ_K]

Well I must say you are one lucky dude...standard cable or satellite rates in my hometown (after the hook em period) without any extras is twice that amount for basic' date=' basic.[/quote']

 

Same here, I want his cable provider.

[Ocean Dancer]

I like to keep up with the news, and watch a bit of TV when we go to bed......what channels do they provide?:confused:

We have not sailed Carnival in years and have a major cruise comming up, thanks!!!

[kujobie]

Same here, I want his cable provider.

 

I pay about $120 for FiOS triple play with 86,000,000 channels of TV, 35/35 internet, and unlimited phone service where I can call anywhere in the galaxy. I live in the Tampa area.. It doesn't suck..

[kingoftheicedragons]

I don't recall saying that I wanted the menu changed just for me. However, they know which items are ordered more than others. They "could" delete and replace the least popular items from the menu on an annual or semi-annual basis without changing the entire menu.

 

Well, you're in luck. They did change the menu about a year ago. They've added more things to it. They tried removing some of the older items that weren't doing as well, but it seems like every item has at least some fans, and the fans of items they took away screamed and ranted and cried about it.

 

I don't really care about what TV channels you can get when on a cruise. I'm on a cruise and I'm not there to watch TV. If I was so concerned with watching TV, guess what? I can do that at home.

[big_schots]

Time for Carnival to open a sportsbook in the casino. All the games would be on in the casino then. That would be fun to bet on a few games while at sea.

 

Long ago (1996), they did just that. It probably had to do with the port we sailed out from, San Juan, and their looser laws. I remember that they offered parley cards for Saturday college football games. It was something like they offered in Vegas, but worse odds. Of course, there was no TV to verify anything, but they had a sheet that posted the scores. I still miss the olden days with Horse Racing and buying and betting on the cruiser decorated horses. It was fun with people screaming for their numbers, while enjoying the Lido deck on the last sea day. They used to have 4 or 5 races and actually had OK odds. Not like my 2006 cruise, when they had only ONE race, and kept 50% of the take.