I will Stop Cruising if....

[Florings]

Quit cruising when I'm no longer physically able to go, or I'm dead - whichever comes first.

 

Quit cruising Carnival.....I'm getting close to that point now. We miss the pampering and all the little perks and fun stuff - Grand Gala Buffet, pillow chocolates, tablecloths, free cappuccinos after dinner, Gold Level party, actually meeting the Captain and Officers on Elegant evening with free appetizers and cocktails, now doing away with adult only pools on some ships....and so on and so on. (These changes all since I started cruising 9 short years ago in 2008!)

[Florings]

I cruised Carnival for many years, but my last one with them was in 2007. At that time, we had past cruiser parties with free drinks and hors d'ouevres, a Captain's reception on formal night with free drinks and hors d'ouevres. And in the beginning when I first started cruising, the midnight buffet. I have heard that Carnival has ended all of those free perks. In the years since 2007, I've cruised both RCCL and NCL, and had great experiences with them, but always missed our perks on Carnival. We have a NCL cruise booked for January 2018, but we're thinking of trying Carnival again in 2019 on the Breeze. Will we be badly disappointed? Has Carnival gone down hill that much?

 

 

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In a word "yes" if you are expecting any of those things. They are ALL gone now.

[SkyMaster]

If Carnival goes to ALL "Your Time Dining", that will be the end for me. If ALL lines did that, I'd stop cruising altogether.

[Saint Greg]

what is ONE change that would make you stop cruising?.

 

[grandmarnnurse]

skymaster---I believe NCL Freestyle Cruising is like Carnival's My Time Dining, and if so, what is wrong with that? We found the Freestyle philosophy on NCL much preferable to the set dining times that restrict and tie you to a certain time of dining every night. We found it extremely enjoyable, and less stressful. No need to rush back to room to get ready if you wanted to do something late afternoon or early evening. I found it very freeing!!

 

 

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[belle2]

I will stop cruising when the oceans dry up[emoji13]

 

 

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[chipperberg]

When my husband doesn't love it as much as I do. Just kidding. Then I book with the kiddos and my mom! I hope to be able to afford to cruise until i can no longer enjoy it for whatever reason.

 

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[SkyMaster]

skymaster---I believe NCL Freestyle Cruising is like Carnival's My Time Dining, and if so, what is wrong with that? We found the Freestyle philosophy on NCL much preferable to the set dining times that restrict and tie you to a certain time of dining every night. We found it extremely enjoyable, and less stressful. No need to rush back to room to get ready if you wanted to do something late afternoon or early evening. I found it very freeing!!

 

 

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You're exactly correct. NCL did indeed, go to all Freestyle Dining, and YES, I used to sail NCL a lot, and have not sailed that line since the change. It's simply a matter of taste. I personally, prefer the same table, wait staff, and dining companions each evening, and that's one of the things I personally, look forward to. Just a matter of preferences.

[jackparts]

OP mentions that you won't be served if you are 30 minutes late in the MDR. ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!! Years ago, we sat at a large table with strangers. One couple came in 20 minutes late the first nite. They had to be given time to look over the menu. We waited. Next night, 15 minutes. I explained to them that it kept all of us longer and to please be on time. Next night, 15 minutes late and this time the waiter took our orders right away and we had our food half eaten and the waiter winked at us as he just started to serve the late comers. I do agree it takes time to get everyone seated and sometimes a little late is unavoidable but since the MDR meals are usually 90 minutes long. I agree that if you are not seated in 30 minutes, you are too late. Use the buffet.

[SheehanDJ]

We gave up on being loyal to any one line a few years ago. I recommend that to everyone, it really isn't worth it anymore.

 

Give up cruising in general, probably never. It's just too affordable and vacations are as close to weather proof as you can get because they can just sail around it or some of it any way. We have done land based all inclusive vacations. Beer in 5 oz plastic glasses, 1/2 shots in all drinks, buffet quality food in their best restaurant that you were only allowed to eat in 1 day of your stay, grade school level production on the shows. Granted we didn't go high end on the all inclusive, but that is what we received at a comparably priced resort to a cruise.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Great points here! I feel the same way - not that they won't honor your requests, but it seems in the past you didn't even have to request it - it was just already being done.

 

Yep in the past....Oh the good old days when you pulled up to a gas pump and five guys rushed out to service your car...checked the oil, washed the windows, pumped the gas and did it all with a smile. Or inexpensive restaurants where they parked your car for free, pulled out your chair, had table cloths and cloth napkins, water wasn't an "asked" for item and meals included salads and desserts and coffee was refilled after every sip. Or stores like Sears and Penneys had registers in every department and suit or black dressed salespeople that were department specific and knew everything about what they were selling. Or food stores where they unloaded your cart, bagged your groceries, and the bag boy loaded your car. Or when airlines served you alcohol on the house, appetizers, full course meals on every flight, unlimited beverages, blankets, pillows, playing cards, and toys and badges for the kids. Or hotels/motels where they unloaded and loaded your car and bellboys delivered and picked up your luggage. Or when milk trucks delivered milk and bread and butter every day and took away the empties. Or when drugstores delivered your prescriptions free of charge after the Doctor had made their house call. Or when elevators had operators, doors had door men, parking lot attendants parked your car.

 

What is it about cruising that, of all the service industries, patrons demand that they stay the same even though life has significantly changed over the years. It mystifies me.

 

I'm with those that say cruising, for me, will stop when I can no longer get to the ship. Change doesn't bother me since I'm the kind of person who adjusts easily and just goes with the flow. Too many other things in life to worry about and stress over that I refuse to have my vacations ruined by the comparisons to how it used to be...It is what it is and it is up to me to adjust and accept.

[meatloafsfan]

I'll stop cruising when I'm unable to cruise (dead, decrepit, destitute).

 

I would stop cruising on Carnival if they switched to thin, hard mattresses, mediocre dining room food choices, terrible daytime food options and a lack of sedentary daytime activities (these are the reasons why I have now stopped cruising on Royal).

 

As long as I get off a cruise and think, "that was worth what I spent", I'll keep going.

[Shipbound]

Carnival already made the one change that made us stop cruising with them. That was the introduction of the Playlist Productions "entertainment". We enjoy the live performances on ships and cannot stand the sub-par shows that have become the norm. The days of the live band/orchestra, singers and dancers with talent are gone on CCL.

 

We sailed twice after these changes and sat through a number of "performances" until we finally said "no more".

 

We generally like the rest that Carnival has to offer but feel our cruise vacation dollars are better spent elsewhere now.

 

~Brian

 

 

I agree with everything said , I sailed when there were 9 piece orchestra bands at the shows and there were dancers it was great. On the lido deck there were 4 or 5 piece reggae bands. But now it seems to me its all about saving a buck, however I still cruise with CCL because it is the best bang for my dollar.

 

Gary

[HenanSan]

I am sorry to say this but I am almost there now. I guess after all the changes we've seen (and not for the better) we feel it is a different experience now. I guess for the newbees it is perfect if you have kids or OK because of the costs involved but the experience has changed. We are older so Carnival may not be the line for us (when not traveling with our grands). Princess is a little bit better but my number of cruises per year will change IF we go that route. We are looking at other lines as we cruise mostly for the peace and quiet and some ports.

[Ready 2 Go]

Carnival does not listen to the overwhelming negative response to their change to the aft pools. It'll be adult only all-inclusive resorts from now on.

Why not just another carrier that offers adult only pools?

 

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[Ready 2 Go]

I would have to with bring dead as my reason to stop cruising. No offense, but the pools always look disgusting to me with everyone's sunscreen, lotion, perfumes and if course sweat from those just getting back from a hit and sweaty excursion that choose to "take a dip" before heading back the room.😲

 

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[sprint180]

Change doesn't really bother me. I realize they are making the cuts they are to keep the cost down. They could raise the price but I appreciate the lower cost and most cuts I don't even notice. So I guess I will quit when I am no longer able to afford it, fly to the port, or it doesn't seem to me that it is a good deal anymore.

And, kids don't bother me. I had 5 of my own. My house was always really loud I am told :o) They are grown now but I have 3 grand children that I can't wait to take on a cruise. Also, just stopped working at a preschool. I enjoy watching the excitement of the kids. So things like kids in a pool doesn't bother me.

[Cyber Kat]

With all the changes over the past couple years with Carnival such as assigned check in time, not being able to eat in MDR if you are over 30 minutes late, pools became available to everyone etc., what is ONE change that would make you stop cruising?

 

 

 

Please note: I mentioned the changes above but that doesn't mean I think they are all "bad" changes.

 

Well, I won't stop cruising, but I'll be booking fewer cruises with Carnival. A lot depends on whether Viking Ocean is as fabulous as their river cruises!

 

Taken one at a time, the changes wouldn't bother me, but they are beginning to pile up and chaff :cool:

[rdemn]

I do not cruise on Carnival if I don't bring my school age children.I don't see myself cruising with carnival after my youngest is out of school. I don't mean to sound hypocritical but that's just the way it is I will cruise on other lines without children.

 

 

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[USNUZULOOSE]

With some of the changes I did stop cruising with them. To me if you really want the change is to put the money else where. Same as just what happened with united airlines. People spoke with their shares and who they were going to fly. Just an example. So for us our money is going else where. JMHO

[jimbo5544]

In a word "yes" if you are expecting any of those things. They are ALL gone now.

 

 

Actually the poster acknowledged these things were gone. What the poster asked has Carnival gone that far done hill.

 

Poster, we cruise Carnival more now than the days when they had the items you mentioned. From our perspective she is better than the other lines you mentioned, in some instances by a wide margin.

 

 

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[Yvonne]

Hope this doesn't come across as sounding self centered (well not too much :o). We have enjoyed other vacations like Nascar races' date=' following the Cubs, amusement parks, etc. So, when we started cruising in 2000, the one thing that I really enjoyed was that when we were on a cruise -we could be as busy or laid back as we wanted and that we were being "pampered". It just seemed like the staff was happier, the room stewards were always greeting us in the hallway, you had to tell multiple drink staff "no thank-you" instead of searching them out, the fussy re-arranging of silverware between courses, having free champagne one evening in the MDR, free cappuccino in the MDR every night, seemed like a lot more parties with free drinks. I think that to keep the prices more affordable, there have been too many cuts. I feel like I have to apologize whenever I make a request from my room steward or dining staff. I liked it better when there was more staff so you didn't feel guilty making simple requests.

 

I would try another cruise line first but - I would stop cruising altogether if I continue to feel like instead of being "pampered" on my vacation - I am made to feel like I am a burden to the cruise staff.[/quote']

 

This fits us too. We've been cruising since 2001 and the majority of our cruises have been with Carnival and we have enjoyed them, the earlier ones more than the later ones though (except the fact that we were with family on our last two, we loved THAT part!!!) because of so many "little things" being either taken away completely or cut back. I kind of wish Carnival would cater to BOTH groups, first time cruises who don't care or even know about the things that have been cut, AND us oldtimers as well. It would be nice (but I doubt it would ever happen) if they had a few ships that had lower prices to entice new cruisers and families, etc. but keep maybe two or three ships "the way it used to be." Go back to room stewards not having so many rooms to take care of, go back to dining room servers not having so many tables to serve (and go back to tablecloths and all the cutlery and brushing the crumbs between courses, etc.), go back to the old entertainment with the orchestra and not the playlist shows, upgrade the food, etc. I would happily pay more $$ for a cruise on Carnival if I knew they would provide the great service, etc. that they used to.

 

THANK YOU for putting into words what I've been thinking. It's why we're branching out. I know Princess has had some cutbacks since we sailed that line and I'll be interested to see if the atmosphere is as you described above. I have expectations of Celebrity when we cruise them in a couple of years. I hope they're everything I'm hearing.

 

I won't stop cruising, but I'm close to quitting Carnival. We do love the 3-day booze cruises, so that many never stop. But for a vacation where I'm taking time off work and investing a lot of money, I'm having a great time booking other lines.

 

SaveSave

 

We plan to branch out too. No plans to go back to Disney, but would love to cruise on either Royal's Oasis or Allure, and would love to try Celebrity and Princess, maybe Holland America, Norwegian, maybe more. You mentioned the "booze cruise" and I do have to say that's one of the reasons we didn't enjoy our last Carnival cruise, on the Dream. There was a group that called themselves the "booze cruisers" and they were so obnoxious the first few days. We enjoy alcoholic drinks so it's not like we don't drink at all, but wow, those people were just over-the-top drunk all the time. They finally stopped the last few days, don't know if it was because Carnival had anything to do with it or not. But they are one of the main reasons we plan to branch out and stop cruising Carnival.

[jimbo5544]

This fits us too. We've been cruising since 2001 and the majority of our cruises have been with Carnival and we have enjoyed them, the earlier ones more than the later ones though (except the fact that we were with family on our last two, we loved THAT part!!!) because of so many "little things" being either taken away completely or cut back. I kind of wish Carnival would cater to BOTH groups, first time cruises who don't care or even know about the things that have been cut, AND us oldtimers as well. It would be nice (but I doubt it would ever happen) if they had a few ships that had lower prices to entice new cruisers and families, etc. but keep maybe two or three ships "the way it used to be." Go back to room stewards not having so many rooms to take care of, go back to dining room servers not having so many tables to serve (and go back to tablecloths and all the cutlery and brushing the crumbs between courses, etc.), go back to the old entertainment with the orchestra and not the playlist shows, upgrade the food, etc. I would happily pay more $$ for a cruise on Carnival if I knew they would provide the great service, etc. that they used to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We plan to branch out too. No plans to go back to Disney, but would love to cruise on either Royal's Oasis or Allure, and would love to try Celebrity and Princess, maybe Holland America, Norwegian, maybe more. You mentioned the "booze cruise" and I do have to say that's one of the reasons we didn't enjoy our last Carnival cruise, on the Dream. There was a group that called themselves the "booze cruisers" and they were so obnoxious the first few days. We enjoy alcoholic drinks so it's not like we don't drink at all, but wow, those people were just over-the-top drunk all the time. They finally stopped the last few days, don't know if it was because Carnival had anything to do with it or not. But they are one of the main reasons we plan to branch out and stop cruising Carnival.

 

 

Lol, what if they cruise royal, will you move to another line?

 

 

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[YourCruiseGurl]

I'm dead.

 

 

 

Hopefully, cruise ships exist in my version of heaven [emoji56]

[StephMB]

I'll stop cruising if they do away with fixed seating. I'm not a fan of YTD.

 

 

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