Dear Uncle Bob.....

[Gypsywych]

It's all very simple. Your best brand ambassadors are satisfied customers. Meet the needs and expectations of the majority of your customers and they will tell others. The issue is within the last couple of years Carnival has taken a position of cost reduction without seriously considering the impact to its customers. The service business is not rocket science. Give your clients what they want (within reason) while finding cost effective ways of doing so. What a service business does not want to do is take services or product quality away and expect no one to notice. Then when those same customers ask what happened you insult them by telling them it's a new and improved service product. If its needed take incremental price increases. Your clients will accept that more readily then making the Carnival value exponent irrelevant. Your clients are now beginning to note that while another carrier may be more expensive then can justify that cost by believing that they will get the service quality and offerings that Carnival "used to provide". Meet the needs of all customers and return your best supporters to a perception their long term support is truly appreciated.

Yes I am a strong Carnival supporter with 25 cruises on their ships. I have also supported four other competitors and do have a frame of reference.

 

 

Thank you!

[Leo's Rule]

Do you have any advice or requests for Bob Dickinson now that he's helping "fix" Carnival? Here's mine.

 

Dear Uncle Bob,

 

We love cruising and in the past Carnival was our go to cruise line. Over the past few years changes have been made that have made us start looking at other lines. So a few suggestions on where to look to start repairing the fabulous cruise experience we used to receive from Carnival:

 

Would you please take a look at the dining room wait teams? Service used to be excellent and now the waiters are rushed, overburdened and cold food is unacceptable. While you're at it, add more drink service, please.

 

I don't mind meatloaf or Mac & Cheese on the menu, but it would be really nice if you would add back a decent steak and edible lobster. What the Chefs did to my lobster on our last cruise should be a crime.

 

Would you please turn down the decibels on the Lido Deck. Just a couple or ten would be fine. Thanks.

 

Would you reorganize the room steward staff so they no longer have 20-25 rooms to clean? Like the dining room staff, overburdened, they can no longer give the excellent service they used to give.

 

Finally, would you please explain to your Brand Ambassador that publically ridiculing paying guests is unacceptable behavior from a grown man. His social media page used to be a place to get good information and fun stuff about Carnival. Now it's a meeting place for Internet bullies.

 

Wishing you the best of luck!

 

1) I enjoy my food. It was only on one cruise where my food was cold on one night, but other than that; no problems. I do agree about increased drink service. But what I find funny is, when I don't want an alcoholic beverage, I'm constantly asked if I want a drink, but when I want one...no one can be found!

 

2) I guess I'm not out on the Lido a lot because the sound doesn't bother me. And I'm fine with a DJ or a live band; I like both, so no problems for me. :D

 

3) I guess I'm curious; where are the room stewards lacking?

 

4) I enjoy John. Since I've been reading his blogs, he hasn't called anyone by name. The only time someone's cover would be blown is if they addressed the post...and I haven't seen that happen.

 

5) Bring back FCC's. It's cheaper on my wallet, plus it guarantees I book another cruise with you.

[awhcruiser]

Like!

 

1) I enjoy my food. It was only on one cruise where my food was cold on one night' date=' but other than that; no problems. I do agree about increased drink service. But what I find funny is, when I don't want an alcoholic beverage, I'm constantly asked if I want a drink, but when I want one...no one can be found!

 

2) I guess I'm not out on the Lido a lot because the sound doesn't bother me. And I'm fine with a DJ or a live band; I like both, so no problems for me. :D

 

3) I guess I'm curious; where are the room stewards lacking?

 

4) I enjoy John. Since I've been reading his blogs, he hasn't called anyone by name. The only time someone's cover would be blown is if they addressed the post...and I haven't seen that happen.

 

5) Bring back FCC's. It's cheaper on my wallet, plus it guarantees I book another cruise with you.[/quote']

[cruizinisthebest]

Move some more ships to the Northeast please.

 

Do something about the chair hogs on lido deck. something...anything...

 

That is all!

[TheTravelista]

You do realize that your cruise fare would increase if they listened to most of your suggestions.

 

Not everyone is against paying more for better quality.

[maggieworkman]

I posted this on the other thread, but it fits better here.

 

I realized that the direction Carnival was heading is not the type of cruise we like. I booked my next cruise on NCL with a great Southern Caribbean itinerary (from Florida) with a great spa.

 

 

What I would like to see on Carnival that would bring me back:

1. Better entertainment. I wasn't happy about the one dark night on the Dream plus passenger entertainment on some other nights. I prefer the Broadway-style shows with singers and dancers and a live band.

 

2. Bring back the old dining room waiter/asst. waiter system. This new system with one head waiter and 2 asst. waiters is not working. We barely saw any of the waiters because they were too busy! No time to ask for missing baked potato condiments, etc. let alone time for even the most basic talking ("What would you recommend?" not a life history).

 

3. Drink waiter in the dining room is pathetic. You shouldn't have to wait until dessert for someone to ask you if you want a drink. We started carrying in our own drinks because it was so bad.

 

4. Lido was WAY TOO LOUD. I don't care about DJ vs. live band, but turn the volume down. I stayed away from the Lido on our last trip because it was

so loud.

 

 

Entertainment and food were our big disappointments last cruise. That is why we are moving to other lines who still value those things.

 

Maggie

__________________

[Gypsywych]

i posted this on the other thread, but it fits better here.

 

I realized that the direction carnival was heading is not the type of cruise we like. I booked my next cruise on ncl with a great southern caribbean itinerary (from florida) with a great spa.

 

 

What i would like to see on carnival that would bring me back:

1. Better entertainment. I wasn't happy about the one dark night on the dream plus passenger entertainment on some other nights. I prefer the broadway-style shows with singers and dancers and a live band.

 

2. Bring back the old dining room waiter/asst. Waiter system. This new system with one head waiter and 2 asst. Waiters is not working. We barely saw any of the waiters because they were too busy! No time to ask for missing baked potato condiments, etc. Let alone time for even the most basic talking ("what would you recommend?" not a life history).

 

3. Drink waiter in the dining room is pathetic. You shouldn't have to wait until dessert for someone to ask you if you want a drink. We started carrying in our own drinks because it was so bad.

 

4. Lido was way too loud. I don't care about dj vs. Live band, but turn the volume down. I stayed away from the lido on our last trip because it was

so loud.

 

 

Entertainment and food were our big disappointments last cruise. That is why we are moving to other lines who still value those things.

 

Maggie

__________________

 

 

 

like!

[4hunters]

Not everyone is against paying more for better quality.

 

Neither am I. I am, however, all for consumer choice and Carnival fits the bill in the budget cruise department. If you as the consumer wish to pay more for a cruise on a different line that you believe to be of a higher quality then, by all means, do it. In the mean time, Carnival will continue to offer a good quality cruise at an affordable price.

[Gypsywych]

Neither am I. I am, however, all for consumer choice and Carnival fits the bill in the budget cruise department. If you as the consumer wish to pay more for a cruise on a different line that you believe to be of a higher quality then, by all means, do it. In the mean time, Carnival will continue to offer a good quality cruise at an affordable price.

 

Given the fact that Bob Dickinson is coming back to deal with Carnival is losing it's market share to those same cruise lines, I'm sure he'll thank you for telling us to go elsewhere to spend our money. On the other hand, some of us want Carnival to raise the bar and go back to being the quality product we know it can be.

[4hunters]

Given the fact that Bob Dickinson is coming back to deal with Carnival is losing it's market share to those same cruise lines, I'm sure he'll thank you for telling us to go elsewhere to spend our money. On the other hand, some of us want Carnival to raise the bar and go back to being the quality product we know it can be.

 

:confused: I could certainly be wrong but I haven't read any definitive stats that indicate Carnival is currently losing its market share to other lines. However, Carnival has certainly suffered some ship/media setbacks in recent times, no doubt about it. But I believe they will recover, with or without your business. ;)

 

Either way, happy cruising on whatever cruise line you might choose.

[PA Dutchman]

Everybody want there own cruise ship, Id love to see everything go back to 2007 when Bob left. The few things are the entertainment really went down and as of now carnival beards don't really care. Shows and the Lido deck steel bands the rest is really close to the same. MDR service still takes 1and 1/2 hr same as 15 years ago. food is still close to the same, the Shows went to half singers and half cartoons, that really surprised us. No bands for the shows and no bands or groups on the Lido anymore. (already happened on some ships the rest to follow) I have 33 cruises just with Carnival and those 2 things are the only thing that bothers us. Don't go on Carnival for the entertainment, the rest is OK. Carnival is marketing for the new cruisers, they don't know how it used to be so they don't kow the difference. Bob is there for marketing and understanding the cruise line not for your personal problems.

[donsuej]

Everybody want there own cruise ship, Id love to see everything go back to 2007 when Bob left. The few things are the entertainment really went down and as of now carnival beards don't really care. Shows and the Lido deck steel bands the rest is really close to the same. MDR service still takes 1and 1/2 hr same as 15 years ago. food is still close to the same, the Shows went to half singers and half cartoons, that really surprised us. No bands for the shows and no bands or groups on the Lido anymore. (already happened on some ships the rest to follow) I have 33 cruises just with Carnival and those 2 things are the only thing that bothers us. Don't go on Carnival for the entertainment, the rest is OK. Carnival is marketing for the new cruisers, they don't know how it used to be so they don't kow the difference. Bob is there for marketing and understanding the cruise line not for your personal problems.

 

If I was a new cruiser and had been on any one of the newer large ships...Epic, Breakaway, Allure or Oasis (which I've been on), and then decided to try out Carnival I would certainly be disappointed...particularly in entertainment. Food quality is not consistent from ship to ship and it's not the same service in the dining room that it was 5 or 10 years ago. So you think it's ok to market only to new cruisers? If you don't have repeat cruisers and good 'word of mouth' you lose people to other lines.

[Litewait]

Bingo! I wanted to book another cruise last week while on the Inspiration to at least get the OBC, nope...no booking desk and nobody on board who could do it for me.

 

 

 

This! ^^

 

Have to agree, unless you've been cruising with Carnival since early 2000 you probably haven't seen the "before" brand.. because the "after" brand well.. basically sucks~ Using my last FCC and then onto other cruiselines :rolleyes:

 

I have been on 20+ Carnival cruises and have seen things go from great to really bad in many different categories...entertainment, food, service. "Things have changed whether or not you choose to believe it.:

[Velvetwater]

I love John's blog, I just wish he would not talk about his underpants so much.

[Jamdug73]

Gypsywych: Completely agree with you on the need to end the overburden on wait staff and room stewards. I would gladly pay a slightly higher fare to have this taken care of. I used to look forward to going to dinner in the dinning room because of all the extra special treatment you used to get from wait staff when they were not spread so thin. Now I very seldom go to dinning room at all. Used to love being able to stop and talk to the room stewards during my cruise but now they seem so rushed from being spread so thin that I hate to bother them anymore. Usually just smile and tell them thank you if and when I see them now.

 

I would also love to see the midnight gala make a come back. That was so nice, but I completely understand why they did away with it due to waste. Was still a very nice touch to a great cruise to see all the talented chefs display their creations.

[SCOT]

I love John's blog, I just wish he would not talk about his underpants so much.

 

Maybe they should hire Mr. S.S . I think he would do a better job!! PS Kissing underpants

[cruzn buckeye]

Forgot to add -- I appreciate the humor and insights of the "Brand Ambassador"!!

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I think it is very wrong to constantly use the FFS's... is it really necessary? i mean, he is a kind man most of the time and very funny as a CD. He was my favorite until we had Karl on the Liberty :D

[ch27088]

Do you have any advice or requests for Bob Dickinson now that he's helping "fix" Carnival? Here's mine.

 

 

 

Dear Uncle Bob,

 

We love cruising and in the past Carnival was our go to cruise line. Over the past few years changes have been made that have made us start looking at other lines. So a few suggestions on where to look to start repairing the fabulous cruise experience we used to receive from Carnival:

 

Would you please take a look at the dining room wait teams? Service used to be excellent and now the waiters are rushed, overburdened and cold food is unacceptable. While you're at it, add more drink service, please.

 

I don't mind meatloaf or Mac & Cheese on the menu, but it would be really nice if you would add back a decent steak and edible lobster. What the Chefs did to my lobster on our last cruise should be a crime.

 

Would you please turn down the decibels on the Lido Deck. Just a couple or ten would be fine. Thanks.

 

Would you reorganize the room steward staff so they no longer have 20-25 rooms to clean? Like the dining room staff, overburdened, they can no longer give the excellent service they used to give.

 

Finally, would you please explain to your Brand Ambassador that publically ridiculing paying guests is unacceptable behavior from a grown man. His social media page used to be a place to get good information and fun stuff about Carnival. Now it's a meeting place for Internet bullies.

 

Wishing you the best of luck!

 

I have never had any problems with my food being cold or inedible.

 

If the music gets too loud, then sometimes its a good idea to just walk away and find another place where the music isn't as loud

 

I have never noticed anything out of the ordinary with our room not being cleaned. I'm on vacation and not looking to point out what's wrong . Yes, I paid a good amount of money for the cruise and I'm happy to be away from home, so it's okay if they forgot to tidy the room or pick up a few things here and there. I am capable of cleaning a room myself.

 

The brand ambassador is GREAT! His sense of humor is exactly what is needed when he has passengers complaining to him all the time about the littlest things. If you are not happy with his humor, then don't follow him or read his blogs, just as simple as that.

 

That said, I can't wait until my Carnival Cruise!:)

[Gypsywych]

I have never had any problems with my food being cold or inedible.

 

If the music gets too loud, then sometimes its a good idea to just walk away and find another place where the music isn't as loud

 

I have never noticed anything out of the ordinary with our room not being cleaned. I'm on vacation and not looking to point out what's wrong . Yes, I paid a good amount of money for the cruise and I'm happy to be away from home, so it's okay if they forgot to tidy the room or pick up a few things here and there. I am capable of cleaning a room myself.

 

The brand ambassador is GREAT! His sense of humor is exactly what is needed when he has passengers complaining to him all the time about the littlest things. If you are not happy with his humor, then don't follow him or read his blogs, just as simple as that.

 

That said, I can't wait until my Carnival Cruise!:)

 

I'm sure Carnival is pleased to have you as a customer who's willing to pay for things advertised but not received.

However, you may want to go re-read and figure out what I actually said.

[WOWGirl]

Actually I'm going to defend John. People are extremely rude to him and say very personal stuff to him to tear him down. It's sick! I always see him respond politely and it makes me mad cause I wish he could just tell those pathetic creeps off. And because he can't, they will keep doing it cause it gives them purpose in their lives to treat others terrible.

 

 

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[Sparky2]

My two cents:

1. Food is fine

2. Our service in MDR was excellent -- thank you!

3. Our room steward service -- also excellent!

4. Agree 100% with the volume of the "music" on lido deck -- please crank it down!

5. Please do something about the smoking -- we can't even play in the casino because the thick smoke is overwhelming

6. I miss the more varied itineraries! We had planned for an anniversay cruise in the Mediterranean in 2014 -- no longer possible with Carnival. Would appreciate a little variation in the Caribbean routes.

 

I agree with your points. We had excellent MDR service and room steward.

 

We spend quite a bit of time in the casino and wish it were smoke free. There is a smoke free section, but the machines we want to play are not in that area.

 

We'd certainly love some new Caribbean ports as we're doing all repeats in 2014 except for Half Moon Cay.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

Number 7.......Uncle Bob please hire some decent entertainers that can sing in key.

 

I agree with the volume on lido and in the theater, turn it down...Carnival needs to do something about the day/afternoon entertainment. The Marriage Game, trivia, hairy chest. ring toss and the rest is SO tired. Celebrity has craft classes, an afternoon talent show of staff, dance lessons, and even ukuale lessons.(all free)

I don't expect Carnival to copy another cruise line but a little more thought and a few changes would be welcome.

[Gypsywych]

I don't expect Carnival to copy another cruise line but a little more thought and a few changes would be welcome.

 

 

That's it exactly. Carnival needs to put a little more thought into some of their changes.

[LaShea]

I find it funny that I was on the NCL board the other day and reading a thread about how they are sick of going to the same ports all the time. There were quite a few people angry that NCL has pulled out of the Carribean for the most part during part of the year. There were also quite a few of them saying they are going check out Carnival because they have WAY better ports and go to some great places. I changed from my NCL cruise in Nov 2014 to the Breeze as we will go to way better places...get an 8 day cruise instead of 7 and it was $300 cheaper in a better category of room. They are also complaining that NCL won't do anything about the kids going crazy in the Haven and it is not fun to be in there at all. If I pay thousands of dollars for a suite and they advertise that you can use the Haven if you purchase the suites and how relaxing it is...then to get there and there are kids running everywhere. I would be side myself. I will take Carnival and the Serenity deck as not too many cruise lines have an adult only deck.;)

 

I have cruised with Carnival since 2009. In 4 years I have not noticed anything different (other than the steel band on the lido on my first cruise)on any of my Carnival cruises. The food is always excellent...the stewards are always going out of their way for us to make sure we have everything we want. I just don't get all the complaints lately. I guess if you have 30 or more cruises on the same line it is going to get boring...there are only so many islands the ships can go to. I would say go to another cruise line. It will get boring over there also after 20 or 30 cruises!!!;)

 

The only complaint I do have is the volume on Lido! It is way too loud. I never sit out there as it is not enjoyable at all. Other than that...I will be aboard the Triumph in Sept and on the Breeze next Nov!! I can't wait to go!:D