what is YOUR breaking point

[In2why]

I read another thread and it got me thinking. We all have things that we love, miss, hate, and enjoy. What is minor complaints versus your actual breaking point? For me food and service are somewhat important, I hate that they no longer allow smoking on balconies, at least on one side of the ship, and I wish the entertainment was good. But my breaking point is bedding. If the mattresses were no longer super comfortable and Carnival cutback on that then I would be done with Carnival. That would be my breaking point, what is yours? If they did away with smoking on board all together we would also be done. We do other vacations that we also enjoy.

[John Reid]

For me, no matter which cruise line or ship, the breaking point that comes immediately to mind would be staterooms that are consistently too warm to sleep comfortably.

[BigB0882]

For me, no matter which cruise line or ship, the breaking point that comes immediately to mind would be staterooms that are consistently too warm to sleep comfortably.

 

Absolutely. I have read some nightmare reviews about rooms being too hot. As matter of fact, that was a constant on some of the cove balcony reviews on the Dream which I will be on and staying in. I tried my best to avoid the rooms that were too hot but not every room has been reviewed and not everyone agrees. We sleep with the air quite cold, we like it about 69 at night. I know that is not always going to be possible but some people mentioned rooms not getting below 75 or so. That is HOT to me. If it is cooler outside at night then we have a major problem. This would be a huge deal breaker for me, so hopefully this will not be an issue for us in April.

[In2why]

Room temperatures are a biggie. I hate trying to sleep when it is too hot. I read a recent review that said 73degrees was within Carnivals accepted temp. That would not work for us at all.

[sjn911]

Great thread...bad bed and too hot which is hard to be baby bear's porridge for all...but there is a general too hot thing that to me says they are making up losses while fuel is down..instead of giving a break to customer. If there is not a MATTRESS, COMFORTER, OR PAD THAT HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE TO FIX THAT...OUCH WITH THE TOO HOT!!

 

And everything else enough worse that is fixed at 200 to 300 bucks more for me as a solo on another line..that is how i am measuring picking my next cruise rather last minute in next few months,,,I HOPE..lol.

Edited February 24, 2015 by sjn911

[sandij]

I took a battery operated fan this year just to keep near my head, it was necessary to turn it on a few nights. The bed does need to be comfortable and I agree they made a error with the new smoking rules (I do not smoke). I think they need to pay attention to the quality of their shows, saw some slacking this year.

[theriac]

Being too warm in the room would be it. In november I kept reading reports of hot rooms and I was nervous. Especially with all the people saying that it was never really fixed. So when I was on the Pride in early December and when we first boarded the room was VERY hot I was worried but luckily I alerted our room steward and he had the room at like 65 the rest of the trip.

[k2excursion]

In my experience, the rooms on Carnival ships are always extremely cold, especially on the Dream. I have to turn the thermostat way down to keep from freezing to death. I have friends that think that sleeping in 35 degrees F is extremely hot, so this is very subjective.

 

For me, I have found ways to deal with the new harder-than-a-rock beds. But after one cruise with Playlist Productions, on the Breeze, I just don't think I can justify spending my money & vacation time on any ship that has these lousy shows.

Edited February 24, 2015 by k2excursion

[marvholly]

I reached my 'breaking point' with Celebrity on my first & ONLY cruise w/them. it was Arrogant staff; particularly the MDR main waiter but it carried over to the guest services desk & even a bit to the cabin steward.

[Tapi]

SMOKING [emoji377]. Over the years, we had noticed some of the cutbacks on Carnival, but nothing really bothered us to the point of not wanting to sail on them anymore. The old smoking rules were one of the BIG reasons why we started looking at other cruise lines though. We sailed from Jacksonville on the Fascination and the ship smelled like a big ashtray. There was a permanent stench of cigarettes indoors, specially along the promenade (from the casino). Walking down to our stateroom, smoke smell permeated from other staterooms into the hallway (once again, old smoking rules). Up on deck, people would casually walk around into the non smoking areas with their cigarette in hand and not give a rat's behind. Not a single crew member would say a thing. At times it felt as if we couldn't get away from it.

 

So we started sailing on other cruise lines that had already established more stringent smoking rules and the difference was huge. It was so nice to sail on ships that smelled clean, and not having to worry about getting from point a to point b without dodging smoking areas or inconsiderate smokers.

 

Now that Carnival has decided to get with the times and join other cruise lines with their smoking policies, I do want to sail on Carnival again. The only caveat is that by being driven away, I discovered what other cruise lines have to offer and I liked it, so it just makes it harder to choose Carnival again when I've seen what else is out there.

Edited February 24, 2015 by Tapi

[pe4all]

I almost hit my breaking point (for the first time in my cruising history!) last week on Splendor. The first night dd and I sat down for dinner and it took 20 min. for our waitstaff to take our dinner order. We were at a table for 2, and we sat before the 12 top and 2 other 4 tops also being taken care of. I didn't say a word at that point cause I knew it was the first night and things were a bit hectic. However, the other tables got their appys 10 min. later, and we didn't get ours for another 20 min. We sat at 5:55, and didn't get any food till 6:50 - too long, imho. When the maitre'd came around to see how things were going (dd is special needs, and we had sent in a physician's letter and form to special needs dept. before sailing asking for a table for 2, as we always do - and received a nice response saying they would e-mail the maitre'd, which they did, as he knew about dd when he came over) I very nicely told him that I thought the food was too long in coming out. He agreed, and said a 2 top should be served before a 12 top, and he would take care of it. I got nervous, as I didn't want the wait staff to get in trouble, and told him to be "gentle" with them, which he was. From the next night on, we were in and out of the dining room by 7 p.m. - perfect for us!! The rest of the cruise was great, and I had no complaints at all besides some creaking in the cabin (took care of that with tissues stuffed into various places) due to rougher seas at times.

[legion3]

SMOKING [emoji377]. Over the years, we had noticed some of the cutbacks on Carnival, but nothing really bothered us to the point of not wanting to sail on them anymore. The old smoking rules were one of the BIG reasons why we started looking at other cruise lines though. We sailed from Jacksonville on the Fascination and the ship smelled like a big ashtray. There was a permanent stench of cigarettes indoors, specially along the promenade (from the casino). Walking down to our stateroom, smoke smell permeated from other staterooms into the hallway (once again, old smoking rules). Up on deck, people would casually walk around into the non smoking areas with their cigarette in hand and not give a rat's behind. Not a single crew member would say a thing. At times it felt as if we couldn't get away from it.

 

So we started sailing on other cruise lines that had already established more stringent smoking rules and the difference was huge. It was so nice to sail on ships that smelled clean, and not having to worry about getting from point a to point b without dodging smoking areas or inconsiderate smokers.

 

Now that Carnival has decided to get with the times and join other cruise lines with their smoking policies, I do want to sail on Carnival again. The only caveat is that by being driven away, I discovered what other cruise lines have to offer and I liked it, so it just makes it harder to choose Carnival again when I've seen what else is out there.

 

I agree with this but not all other lines have the kids programs for my little ones that Carnival does. NCL was good but the food was not as good as CCL and while I would like to do RCCL they are always...ALWAYS more expensive than CCL, by at least $500 overall. (I never can find these deals many speak of)

 

Hal is out right now and princess and celebrity it seems like the kids programs are after thoughts.

 

No for the time being having little kids and needing to book very specific weeks for a cruise (no flexibility) CCL is the best option and it would take a lot as the breaking point right now.

[legion3]

The Vista might be my breaking point in 2017.

 

No quad cabins (balcony or OV) in the Spa 9 category, so mom and dad can't Spa, while the kids are "camping" without buying a pass instead of a convienently located cabin.

 

Special adults only area...until 5PM...causing there to be NO wrap around promenade deck...until 5PM...or even then :confused: who knows.

 

Special Family Harbor area, with all the suites and balconies under the galley or at the very back of the boat and at the almost very bottom...Thanks for nothing.

 

Family friendly? Hmmm...Vista will be great for solo's and those who don't wish to see children.

 

 

Carnival will likely not do exclusive area's very well and shouldn't try.

[riffatsea]

I agree that cabins and interior rooms on Carnival ships are often too cold for me but I just bring a wrap to keep warmer.

I agree that sometimes service is slow in the MDR. We would not wait 20min. for our orders to be taken! We'd have gotten up to leave and would have asked to be seated in a different area(this has happened) where wait staff was more capable.

For me the breaking point is food! We won't sail on NCL because to me the MDR food is boring and the buffet is worse! The only good food on those ships(IMO) is in the pay restaurants!

[KatieCharlotte]

Other than price, mine would be inedible or limited food, poor service, and obnoxious drunk guests with no place to escape them. Food and service are the most important elements of a cruise for me, along with the ability to have the cruise experience I want, which is fun, family-friendly, classy, and occasionally peaceful.

 

Also, if they suddenly reversed current trends and cigarette smoke was everywhere because my DS and I are actually allergic. Fortunately, I don't spend time in the casino, so it's rarely an issue. I did cheer when some men smoking on Serenity were asked to stop, after they loudly declared that they were going to ignore the rule. They said the smoke was "blowing away." I pointed out politely that it was actually blowing directly into my face. Thank you Carnival for enforcing your own rule. :)

 

I love a warm cabin. I was freezing at night on my first cruise and ended up sleeping in a robe. I am generally a little cold in the indoor areas but noticed this was less of a problem on my last cruise, so I am happy with the higher temps. I've never slept on a mattress that I found noticeably uncomfortable and I can sleep on the ground with just a sleeping bag, so this would never be a breaking point for me.

[Cruisegirl6]

For me its the food, the quality is just fair in the lunch buffet and they really need to pay more attention to people like me who need to be gluten free (in the buffets) and also offer something more to eat past 11pm besides room service (which I never stay in my room an hour to wait for) and pizza. That flat iron steak needs to go and at least add a sirloin, and somebody needs to do something with the cocktail service in the MDR if you are lucky you get one drink but that person never comes around again, heck you would think they be all around to make money! I don't care for shows anyways so the lack of quality entertainment isn't an issue for us but we do love having the live band playing and we also enjoy the comedy shows.

BUT with Carnival taking away the free cocktail from gold members and replacing it with an ordinary bottle of water actually made me book my cruise next year on NCL, that did it to me. Its not about the cost of the one drink, its about not feeling as a respected customer to Carnival. Its just me.

 

When I cruise Carnival:

1- I don't expect good food

2- I know the service is a hit or miss

3- I don't care whether the service in the MDR is slow I rather take my time eating after all when I go to 4/5 star restaurants dining is at least 2 1/2 hours plus, so I am used to it

4- I know that cocktail server may not come by and if so only once, so I bring my drink in the MDR with me

5- I know the entertainment is real "cheesy"

6- I know there isn't anything to eat past 11pm other than pizza

7- I know the casino will be fun and that they treat my other half very well

8- I know the bartenders will make me good drinks

9- I know I get my meat carving daily at lunch (I have to be both gluten and dairy free and restrictions on a lot other foods but I can have meat, veggies, salads and I be just fine)

 

I know Carnival isn't my only cruise each year so I am happy to take this extra cruise that I do each year, sometimes we do three cruises if we don't do many land based vacations.

 

I know I won't have a bad cruise, its not perfect, but nothing is.

[get me off land]

 

Special Family Harbor area, with all the suites and balconies under the galley or at the very back of the boat and at the almost very bottom...Thanks for nothing.

 

Family friendly? Hmmm...Vista will be great for solo's and those who don't wish to see children.

 

 

Carnival will likely not do exclusive area's very well and shouldn't try.

 

That's me! I do appreciate keeping kids away from my relaxation! The Serenity area is one of the big reasons I have picked the magic! Im sorry this doesn't fit your needs but so many things are forcibly family friendly I am very excited for adults only!

[cruizinisthebest]

There would have to be a collective mix of things that just go totally south for me to reach my breaking point. I've honestly never had any major issues with anything I didn't like on a cruise. However, rude employees, a consistent noticeable pattern of rude passengers, dirty ships, and high prices would drive me away for good.

[ebedore]

I laughed out loud when I read this, the first thread in quite a while for me. I so want to love Carnival Cruise Lines. I have tried three times now. The last cruise was on Sensation as a quick long weekend getaway. The reason I got on CC just now is because I was thinking "what the heck is Carnival going to do about the smoking" and I wondered if there was a way to contact Carnival. Then the first thread I read is about smoking and how it would be the end of Carnival for the OP if they cut back on smoking aboard ships. I laugh because I was thinking just the opposite...if ONLY they could cut back on the smoking, I might like them more.

 

To me the deal breaker is that I do not like the smell of smoke. At all. Celebrity is my line. That said, if Carnival chooses to be line for smokers, I am OK with that too. There are many ships for all different kinds of people.

[lisajm]

I think for me the breaking point is when I know longer feel value in the vacation. And definitely value is in the eyes of the beholder.

 

If I feel the cost of the cruise outweighs the positives, I would look elsewhere for a vacation.

 

Food quality is important. We once went on an AI, and the food presentation was beautiful and bountiful, but it had no taste. So perhaps AI is not for us. We like variety and flavor.

 

Service. For the most part we have received excellent service on CCL. The only exception was on the Breeze, where we found it difficult to get served a cocktail. That wasn't a deal breaker, we just walked to the bar and ordered.

 

Entertainment. We are sort of hit or miss on this one. Not a deal breaker, but better entertainment would be nice.

 

Room Comfort. I need cold air at night!

 

Economical. I love a bargain. CCL remains affordable. Upcoming cruise 409 pp OV for 7 nights. That is amazing value.

[legion3]

That's me! I do appreciate keeping kids away from my relaxation! The Serenity area is one of the big reasons I have picked the magic! Im sorry this doesn't fit your needs but so many things are forcibly family friendly I am very excited for adults only!

 

 

Till 5 pm ;)

 

and the age limit is 12 - pre teens and teens can wreak a lot of havock in a small pool area. :)

[jamscckmc]

I've been on twenty cruises and the little things don't bother me. If was a major incident like a fire that might scare me enough to stop cruising. My first time on the Pride it stopped dead in the water for three hours. Lights went out and we didn't move. Second time on the Pride last May there was a small engine fire. I'm cruising on the Pride again in May. We were going to cruise the Star Princess in 2006 after she had a large fire. We were scheduled to be on Grandeur the next cruise after her big fire. If I had been on that cruise, standing in my life jacket for hours smelling smoke that would do it for me. It's scary to hear about but experiencing it is another thing. Fire is my worst nightmare.

[babsee101]

High prices and a hot staterooms!

[evandbob]

As befits a budget line, many posters have indicated that their breaking point is when they feel they are not getting enough "value" for their vacation.

 

As a mostly solo cruiser, I've felt this lack of value when I got tired of Carnival charging me twice or double. So I looked around and found other lines that offer me solo value, lines I would not have considered when Carnival charged solos a 150% supplement. Glad I did!

 

I didn't know what I was missing on other cruise lines until I tried them! Sometimes better food, sometimes better entertainment, sometimes better cabin design or ship décor for less than what Carnival wanted from me as a solo. Why should I pay a premium and not get value?

[lisajm]

Well said!