My cutback's on Carnival

[montana200024]

just came off a b2b on Liberty

air conditioning was not working that great, but we made it

food quality was down, but we ate it

casino was so smoky, but we still played for a bit

buffet was just ok compared to before, but we still found something to eat.

Pictures , pictures, pictures..we buy none, but that is our choice, they don't make you buy them.

hairy chest contests, we just don't go

 

ALL IN ALL, WE LOVE CARNIVAL NO MATTER, A VACATION IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, AND FOR THE COST...

CARNIVAL IS STILL NUMBER ONE IN MY BOOKS FOR THE PRICE..

 

[Casco Bay Kid]

I think Carnival has actually made some improvements in every area except entertainment. Entertainment is very poor.

 

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[travler27]

While I have experienced comparable (if not cheaper pricing) on standard staterooms aboard other cruise lines, I think that you will have a very hard time finding suites on other cruise lines similarly priced to Carnival's suites. Why? Simply because suites on Carnival are not truly suites. They are just bigger staterooms with almost zero perks. Other cruise lines offer a very extensive list of perks and amenities which truly define what a suite is.

 

Butlers that will pack and unpack your bags, private lounges, reserved seating at the theater and by the pool, concierge services, exclusive access for suite-only guests to private beaches, complimentary garment pressing and internet, access to private restaurants, and complimentary cocktail hours are some of the perks which make it clear why other cruise lines will not price match Carnival's "suites".

 

Your best bet to price match your Carnival ocean suite may be to find a premium balcony stateroom on another cruise line that may have comparable square footage but that's not classified as a suite.

 

I'm sure that what you say is true. However, for us, butlers, concierges and all those other perks are just a bunch of fluff that have no real value for us. We only get the bigger room so we can have a bigger room.

 

If a butler unpacked my bags it would take me more time to figure out where he put my stuff than it would for me to just unpack myself. As much as I would like to try another line I guess I'll have to stay with Carnival or pay for a bunch of "free" perks I don't want or need.

[travler27]

just came off a b2b on Liberty

air conditioning was not working that great, but we made it

food quality was down, but we ate it

casino was so smoky, but we still played for a bit

buffet was just ok compared to before, but we still found something to eat.

Pictures , pictures, pictures..we buy none, but that is our choice, they don't make you buy them.

hairy chest contests, we just don't go

 

ALL IN ALL, WE LOVE CARNIVAL NO MATTER, A VACATION IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, AND FOR THE COST...

CARNIVAL IS STILL NUMBER ONE IN MY BOOKS FOR THE PRICE..

 

 

I see people post that comment all the time but it's just not true. If your room's hot, you can't get into a show, the seas are rough, the waiters are slow or the help is rude it has nothing to do with "what you make of it". It's just not pleasant or fun. No matter how hard you try, sometimes you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Edited February 25, 2015 by travler27

[Margarita Mom]

There are differences for sure, like dress codes enforced and adhered to, no hairy chest contests, and a general relaxed and somewhat refined atmosphere. But just because it's different, doesn't mean you won't find people that enjoy each cruise line for what it is, like me. I enjoy both for their differences. It all depends on what I want.

I am one of those crazy people who love to dress up so an enforced dress code would be welcome. I really enjoy the production shows and since Carnival switched to the new format, I don't go anymore so I do miss that and am hoping Celebrity will have better shows. Don't get me wrong I will still cruise Carnival. I love the Breeze and the staff have alway been top notch but change is good.

[saharaga]

This! Carnival is still my baby but I need to feel like I am getting value for my money. The more they take away, the less I feel that way.

 

We've been cutting back how much we cruise with Carnival. Other lines can be comparable price wise, and offer so much more!

[firemanbobswife]

I am one of those crazy people who love to dress up so an enforced dress code would be welcome. I really enjoy the production shows and since Carnival switched to the new format, I don't go anymore so I do miss that and am hoping Celebrity will have better shows. Don't get me wrong I will still cruise Carnival. I love the Breeze and the staff have alway been top notch but change is good.

 

I think you will have a wonderful time. The shows are way better. I absolutely despise the Playlist Productions and Hasbro Game Show, so I don't attend those on Carnival either. Enjoy your cruise and let me know what you think!

[elainmir]

We typically do one cruise every few years and go visit family in between but now we only have one teen in school and I teach so we are trying to actually cruise more but on a budget. I love new ports and chilling out where no one can bug us! Not work or neighbors or friends... We just get to be family. Carnival fits that..we know what we love to do onboard and set aside $$$ for that.

[detroitlions]

It's not fantasy. At least not for us. Our last two cruises were on Royal Caribbean and Princess and both of them were priced cheaper than Carnival sailing on the same date and on a similar itinerary. One was in July and the other one in September 2014, both on standard Oceanview staterooms. Carnival was actually priced a couple hundred dollars more than Princess. With that said, I still consider Carnival to be the price leader. They are consistently cheaper than most other cruise lines, but there are times when they are not.

I was going to go on the Breeze but I waited due to vacation approval. Then I see that a simular cruise with NCL is $300 cheaper and All of us get the Unlimited beverage package for free. That is still going on right now by the way. With the price of drinks now I am saving a lot. I found my self cutting down on them every year and thinking mabe a land all inclusive would be better. The excursions I used to do them now I might do 1 with the ship they are way over priced. Pictures no way spa no way. I may do a specilty rest once or twice a cruise. I know alot of you take off season cruises in which I useally can not they are alot cheaper and I would prob go on more cruises if I did those.

[going2cruz]

We have four vacation planned right now only two of them are with carnival, one cruise this year and one next year. Were doing Cancun AI in April and Celiberity with the 123 package this fall. I've cut Carnival back to one cruise a year, thats all I can take of them right now.

Were really loving Celiberity with drink package and no limits on the drinks..... also really love the fact there are no MUTS....I can't stand those things.......Carnival misuses that thing

Edited February 25, 2015 by going2cruz

[montana200024]

I see people post that comment all the time but it's just not true. If your room's hot, you can't get into a show, the seas are rough, the waiters are slow or the help is rude it has nothing to do with "what you make of it". It's just not pleasant or fun. No matter how hard you try, sometimes you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

 

sorry you feel this way

but when life gives you lemons , you make lemonade...right..

 

i have been on many cruises and I guess I am just one of those people that are happy to be there...I am a POSITIVE PERSON...

[Tapi]

I'm sure that what you say is true. However, for us, butlers, concierges and all those other perks are just a bunch of fluff that have no real value for us. We only get the bigger room so we can have a bigger room.

 

 

As much as I would like to try another line I guess I'll have to stay with Carnival or pay for a bunch of "free" perks I don't want or need.

 

 

I know. The whole "butler that unpacks my bag" kinda creeps me out a tiny bit. I wouldn't pay for that service if it was extra.

 

But going back to the "can't find a suite on another cruise line for the same price" issue, instead of trying to price match with a suite on another cruise line, try to find a stateroom category that has more square footage without being considered a suite and thus not having those expensive extra suite services. Cruise lines like NCL and Princess offer "mini suites" for not much more than a standard balcony. I know that at least on Princess you get a larger stateroom with separate siting area, 2 TV's, larger bathroom with a tub and double sink, all without paying "suite" prices since they don't come with suite perks.

 

For comparison purposes, a "mini suite" on Princess is apx. 277 sq ft plus a 45 sq ft balcony, while an Ocean Suite on Carnival is apx. 275 sq ft plus a 60 sq ft balcony. Worth looking into. [emoji3]

Edited February 26, 2015 by Tapi

[DavyJoneses]

Just the opposite for me. Cut out other lines all together. Tried them' date=' but Carnival offers me everything I'm looking for. Op I did cut back on Carnivals excursions. I feel I get more bang for my buck on my own.[/quote']

 

Same here...you can often get the same excursion locally for a better price.