So has Carnival had any major/important cutbacks in the past few years?

[Slash8915]

I keep seeing posts and threads about how Carnival is constantly cutting back on things, but most of the cutbacks listed seem pretty petty to someone such as myself that is a newbie at cruising.

 

I was wondering if there have been any major cutbacks in the past few years that I should know about, or are they all just a bunch of small ones that add up?

[ChicoCA]

You don't have to bring your own ship.......yet !

[winddawn]

If you have no cruising experience, changes likely won't matter much to you. You can simply judge the product for yourself and decide whether you like it or not as it exists today. The changes you've been reading about basically boil down to the fact that cruising used to be mostly cost inclusive, but lately more and more things are only available for additional fees. If you are an American you might not like Carnival's lax smoking policy if you don't smoke because where at home most indoor spaces ban smoking, Carnival still allows smoking in some public spaces.

 

I've been cruising Carnival since the 90's and they have been my go-to line for a long time, but I've decided I'm ready to experience other cruise lines based on Carnival's recent changes.

 

Each of us has to decide the best value/experience for our vacation dollars. I hope you find a great vacation!

[lcpagejr]

I consider them minor (and petty) and they have no impact on my cruise experience. I would say its safe to say all cruise lines which Carnival competes against also have had their own cutbacks. Been cruising with Carnival since mid-ninetys...and while certain things have disappeared.... imo... they were more of "special" type things than core daily things

[cruiser_family]

It's all based on your perspective. I agree with others who say they are minor/petty cutbacks.

 

I took my 1st cruise in the late '80s. Have things change? Absolutely. Is it enough to stop me from cruising? No way!!! I miss certain things from "the good old day", but every time I cruise with a new bunch of family and friends, I get a thrill.

 

Enjoy your cruise and plan to keep on sailing .....

[salty dingo]

People have a lot of choices for vacation... if they truly don't think the cruise is a good value they won't buy it. If the cutbacks make people choose another vacation, Carnival would reconsider them... my guess is they are cutting back stuff that will not make most people go elsewhere. I'm sure they do the analysis, and if they save $100 with a cutback and only lose $20 worth of unhappy customers, it is a good business decision.

 

Some people want cheap fares above all else... and are willing to put up with inconvenience. Airlines now sell super cheap flights and do not let you bring even a carry on bag for free. Some people like that... all they care about is flying as cheap as possible.

[CoW mAn]

I keep seeing posts and threads about how Carnival is constantly cutting back on things, but most of the cutbacks listed seem pretty petty to someone such as myself that is a newbie at cruising.

 

I was wondering if there have been any major cutbacks in the past few years that I should know about, or are they all just a bunch of small ones that add up?

 

It can be in the eye of the beholder, some so-called cutbacks can actually be good things. Here's a rundown of some of the changes since 2013

 

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[NavarreCruiser]

Only you or any other cruiser can decide it these Carnival changes/cutbacks matter or even affect you at all. I will try to create a list of what I remember, I am sure I will miss some:

 

Formerly small chocolate candies left on your pillow at turn down now gone

 

Loyalty program used to have fewer levels, Platinum reached after 10 cruises. Now added new levels of Red and Diamond, 1st Cruise blue card, 2nd cruise to 24 nights red card, 25 to 74 nights gold card, 75 to 199 nights Platinum card, 200+ nights Diamond card

 

Returners party with free drinks and canapes available to anyone on 2nd or later cruise, reduced to only gold and above then reduced again to only Platinum and Diamond. There also used to be a 2nd free drink party at the end of the cruise now gone

 

Lobster available on elegant night on all cruises, now just 6 or more night cruises

 

Frequent price reductions on cruise fares shortly before sailing to fill remaining unsold cabins resulting in the ability to get "Early Saver" onboard credit now very few fare reductions mostly upsells and casino comp offers.

 

There was a "Fare Viewer web page that made it easier to view sailings and fares, now eliminated by Carnival.

 

Twice daily room servicing on all ships, now can still be requested but Carnival is moving toward and encouraging once a day service

 

Formerly free 24 hours a day room service, changed to some items only available for a fee, changed again to only available for a fee from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

 

Formerly had the broadcast TV networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) available on in-cabin TVs now being eliminated

 

A new 15% delivery fee on items ordered for your cabin from the Fun Shoppes pre-cruise.

 

That is all I can recall off the top of my head, others may expand and expound on the list