OMG!!! Another cutback!!! I'm devastated (JK)!

[Garth2]

Blue Iguana - Best “upgraded” tacos at sea

 

...and for me, the price of cruising a week to the Caribbean in an Oceanview room is the best vacation value on earth... The only cutback that would negate that would be if they no longer included MDR and Buffet... (ok, now, I’ll bite my tongue)

 

 

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Breakfast Burrito, por favor

[Cruisin Trkrs]

Guy's burger is an upgrade?? They are the greasiest and worst burgers at sea . Upgrade lol

Indeed. Quite an upgrade. Same with Guy's Pig & Anchor. They're both amazing down home eating establishments :)

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

[Stallion]

One of the most interesting things about cruising is that you can still find cruises (on better ships) that cost just about the same as they did a couple of decades ago. Maybe not the newest ships and maybe not during peak season but I'm not paying significantly more cruise fare than I did in the 1990s. There are huge bargains out there right now for August and September with 7 day cruises available for $425+ per person. Of course, they find other ways to get you-but its manageable with Cheers for example. I used to run up higher alcohol bills for example.

[Cruisin Trkrs]

Totally disagree! The ARE the best burgers at sea. Why else would there be the longest lines on the ship waiting for one?

 

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Forums mobile app

Totally Agree! We love both of Guy's ventures into Cruisin Cuisine.

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

[Cruisin Trkrs]

Ok, here's just a sample of non-food things I consider upgrades compared to my first Carnival cruise in 1992.

 

Serenity area

Cloud 9 Spa

More hot tubs

More outdoor deck space

More balcony cabins

Sports deck activities

Waterworks

Your Time Dining

Internet

Guest Services kiosks

Better shopping venues

Private island port

More comfortable beds

 

Personally, I like most of the changes that have been made over the years. I don't need things to stay frozen in time. That would get incredibly boring.

THIS! We heartily agree w/you.

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

[Cruisin Trkrs]

I'm a new cruiser so haven't had Guy's burgers, but I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos, reading forums and Facebook groups and the overwhelming majority of people rave about them. Except for this forum, everything I've seen says people love them. This forum is the only place I've seen negative comments.

 

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+ using Forums mobile app

Welcome to your initiation of CC's regular Carnival bashers. Idk the *why's* of what they do. Lol, maybe they're just lonely. I DO know that on no other CC board do people go and constantly bash the other lines. Hahaha gotta love them, AND the Princess/HAL/ect loyalists that must not be realistic too often, especially since they're bashing the *motherboard* of THEIR own cruise ships of choice....

Whew, that felt refreshing! :)

P.S. I believe that you will quite enjoy the Guy's burgers. They really are amazingly good. Same with Guy's Pig & Anchor.

There's actually not a single thing about Carnival that we do not like/love even... Except those that constantly complain. Oftentimes about nothing whatsoever...

Anyway, pay the naysayers no heed.

We don't...

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

[waldreps]

Welcome to your initiation of CC's regular Carnival bashers. Idk the *why's* of what they do. Lol, maybe they're just lonely. I DO know that on no other CC board do people go and constantly bash the other lines. Hahaha gotta love them, AND the Princess/HAL/ect loyalists that must not be realistic too often, especially since they're bashing the *motherboard* of THEIR own cruise ships of choice....

Whew, that felt refreshing! :)

P.S. I believe that you will quite enjoy the Guy's burgers. They really are amazingly good. Same with Guy's Pig & Anchor.

There's actually not a single thing about Carnival that we do not like/love even... Except those that constantly complain. Oftentimes about nothing whatsoever...

Anyway, pay the naysayers no heed.

We don't...

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

Thanks!

[Keys2Heaven]

Thanks! Sam was always my favorite Muppet growing up

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

 

'Beaker' is one if my favs.

[Joseph2018Baltic]

I had to post after hearing about J. Heald saying that they are going to stop giving out the "ship on a stick". I haven't seen any posts yet (but I have to admit, I didn't look too hard;p).

 

It got me to thinking about all the people who are constantly complaining about the cutbacks. I don't know about ya'll, but I can live without the chocolates, table cloths, "ships/stick" etc. The one thing I never see mentioned is all the upgrades that have been done.

 

So with that said.... how about a positive post for once! :D

 

Name your favorite upgrade you've seen on the ships. I'll start it off ..... Guys Burgers!!!! Absolutely love them!!

 

Fast Food Hamburgers are considered a downgrade, not upgrade. Just because you like hamburgers, the concept is to service "cheap" food, give it a fancy name, and save money since you won't eat anywhere else. It's a downgrade!

[Saint Greg]

Fast Food Hamburgers are considered a downgrade, not upgrade. Just because you like hamburgers, the concept is to service "cheap" food, give it a fancy name, and save money since you won't eat anywhere else. It's a downgrade!

 

A downgrade from what? My only pre-guys experience was on Elation when they had "off the grill" in that spot. Guys is an upgrade from that.

[Towel Critter]

Food is rather subjective and generalizing by saying it was better back when really does not mean much to anyone but yourself since there is no specific reasons offered. Just my personal opinion I find food options better now than 10 years ago but again that is subjective and everyone will have their own opinion. I don't cruise because the food is the best there is, really most things offered on a cruise is not the best quality if looked at by itself, but the sum total of things offered in the setting it is offered in makes cruising a good value to most people regardless of cruise line.

I agree that food is subjective in most cases. However, in some cases, quality, or lack of, is not quite as subjective. You mentioned I gave no examples. That is because I was speaking of quality overall. But as an example, I'll offer this. Meats, both in the MDR and on the buffet, have suffered over the years, often being dry and tough lately. One might conclude in the case of the buffet it is because it sits under a heat lamp (or whatever) for too long. With pre-cut meats I could see this being the case, but with meats that are carved this should be much less of an issue. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy the current offerings. I do as well, just not as much as I did say, ten years ago. Thanks for responding. happy cruising!

[JohnSpo]

Upgrades that I love are Guys Burgers, thin crust pizza, steakhouse options in the MDR, Bonsai Sushi, Red Frog and Blue Iguana Pubs and let me not forget Alchemy Bar.

[WeLuv2Cruz13]

What the heck is a ship on a stick?

[Joebucks]

I can't believe there are that many people that prefer the old grill. I don't believe it's a burger to burger comparison. Guy's is very good, and has a great toppings bar. I can understand missing some of the variety the grill offers. For me, BlueIguana and Guy's are all I need for the few lunches I actually have on the ship.

 

They've also added the late night snacks. That wasn't there on my cruises last year.

[April42749]

The entertainment is much better. I was on the Splendor, Sept 2015, and it was awful. The singer in the atrium could barely carry a tune. A year or so before that, same ship, there was a female singer in the theatre. She was so bad half the audience left; I felt really sorry for her.

 

 

 

We were on the Sunshine, Sept 2017, and it was so so so much better.

 

 

We were on the Horizon in June, and it was superb...B'way quality.

[LCTXcruiser]

Ok.... I feel horrible.... victim of "Fake News". LOL! I did some more research into the taking away of the ship on a stick and that's not happening! What happened was I saw the title of the video on John's page and watched part of the video and had to get off. Apparently he was addressing what other people had mentioned. So... for all you ship/stick lovers - rejoice!!!

 

Either way, I hope that everyone takes this topic and runs with it in a positive manner. There are so many things to enjoy when you cruise Carnival. I hate it when they are pummeled with negativity.

 

Sorry for the confusion! :confused:

[RRLLAL]

Welcome to your initiation of CC's regular Carnival bashers. Idk the *why's* of what they do. Lol, maybe they're just lonely. I DO know that on no other CC board do people go and constantly bash the other lines. Hahaha gotta love them, AND the Princess/HAL/ect loyalists that must not be realistic too often, especially since they're bashing the *motherboard* of THEIR own cruise ships of choice....

Whew, that felt refreshing! :)

P.S. I believe that you will quite enjoy the Guy's burgers. They really are amazingly good. Same with Guy's Pig & Anchor.

There's actually not a single thing about Carnival that we do not like/love even... Except those that constantly complain. Oftentimes about nothing whatsoever...

Anyway, pay the naysayers no heed.

We don't...

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

 

Must be a sad state of affairs on their own forums. And the reason why you don't see many carnival cruisers going to the other forums and bashing them like you see come here I can only chalk up to a level of maturity.

[Towel Critter]

Upgrades that I love are Guys Burgers, thin crust pizza, steakhouse options in the MDR, Bonsai Sushi, Red Frog and Blue Iguana Pubs and let me not forget Alchemy Bar.

I'm right there with you on the Italian style thin crust pizza. Love it! In fact, I like and enjoy CCL, in general, very much. That said, there are areas that have declined in quality though. I'm all about "fair and balanced." :D

[Organized Chaos]

I'm a new cruiser so haven't had Guy's burgers, but I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos, reading forums and Facebook groups and the overwhelming majority of people rave about them. Except for this forum, everything I've seen says people love them. This forum is the only place I've seen negative comments.

I have to agree with you, overwhelmingly people rave about Guys burgers in ever other medium where it is discussed. But I would suppose that those who would get upset about no tablecloth are same sort that would not appreciate a good ole juicy burger and toppings bar.

Unfortunately, you'll quickly learn that around here, that is pretty much par for the course. The rudeness and negativity tends to be the loudest voices, so to speak. You have to filter through all of that to find the good stuff. It doesn't have to be that way though, it's a shame.

 

Since this was supposed to be a "positive thread," supposedly (I have a hard time thinking of a thread that bashes folks with a different opinion as positive), and for the record, I do like Guy's burgers. I also like the "new" pizza. Honestly though, I'm a little unsure that a trend toward fast food and away from quality "real" food is an upgrade. Overall, the food was better ten, maybe even five, years ago. If someone wants to call it an upgrade though, then who am I to disagree. Right?

Are you accusing the OP of bashing people with different opinions, because they did no such thing. They said they can live without the trophies, chocolates, and tablecloths. And wanted to talk about the positive things that have been added to the ships. How is that bashing someone? You unjustly attack them with your very first comment, accusing them of saying something they didn't, then want to talk about being positive? The OP has every right to say they don't care about those things. They weren't bashing anyone.

[Towel Critter]

What the heck is a ship on a stick?

The infamous "solid gold plastic ship on a stick is a trophy/trinket Carnival gives to winners of activities like "80's trivia," etc...

[CdrescherRBL152]

I saw it on Facebook.

Saw this coming. What you saw was a poll he conducted cause someone wrote him that they should do away with the ship on a stick. John stated at the time that there was no plans to do so.

 

Sent from my LG-H918 using Forums mobile app

[Towel Critter]

Are you accusing the OP of bashing people with different opinions, because they did no such thing. They said they can live without the trophies, chocolates, and tablecloths. And wanted to talk about the positive things that have been added to the ships. How is that bashing someone? You unjustly attack them with your very first comment, accusing them of saying something they didn't, then want to talk about being positive? The OP has every right to say they don't care about those things. They weren't bashing anyone.

You're right. Perhaps "bashing" was too strong a term and I could have said it better. My apologies to the OP. The fact remains though the OP spoke of "complainers." That is a generalization and a negative one at that. The things that the OP doesn't consider cutbacks are all things they care nothing about. In my mind, the biggest difference between a "complainer" and a "cheerleader" , for lack of a better term (not crazy about the word cheerleader either, it just works well here for sake of comparison), is that the complainer has had something go bye bye that was meaningful to them, while the cheerleader hasn't... yet. I didn't state it well, but my whole point was that it is unfair to lump everyone who has ever lamented a CCL cutback into a group called "complainers." Yes, there are those here that have never spoken a positive word about Carnival. I get that. But every person that has ever complained about something Carnival has changed or taken away is not necessarily a habitual complainer or hater. I found it ironic that the OP was asking for positves after having negatively labled a group "complainers." I don't like the whole concept of putting people into "groups" without their consent. Yes there are legitimate "groups" of people with a label. These are generally positive and the people in them gladly accept the label. I don't see calling folks complainers as a positive, for reasons I've already explained.

[cathyoo]

You're right. Perhaps "bashing" was too strong a term and I could have said it better. My apologies to the OP. The fact remains though the OP spoke of "complainers." That is a generalization and a negative one at that. The things that the OP doesn't consider cutbacks are all things they care nothing about. In my mind, the biggest difference between a "complainer" and a "cheerleader" , for lack of a better term (not crazy about the word cheerleader either, it just works well here for sake of comparison), is that the complainer has had something go bye bye that was meaningful to them, while the cheerleader hasn't... yet. I didn't state it well, but my whole point was that it is unfair to lump everyone who has ever lamented a CCL cutback into a group called "complainers." Yes, there are those here that have never spoken a positive word about Carnival. I get that. But every person that has ever complained about something Carnival has changed or taken away is not necessarily a habitual complainer or hater. I found it ironic that the OP was asking for positves after having negatively labled a group "complainers." I don't like the whole concept of putting people into "groups" without their consent. Yes there are legitimate "groups" of people with a label. These are generally positive and the people in them gladly accept the label. I don't see calling folks complainers as a positive, for reasons I've already explained.

Nice recovery I am a go with the flow person but there are certain things I really like that are no longer part of the cruise experience So while I am not swearing off Carnival it is a little less fun. I never eat dinner on the lido deck but understand that some folks hate the dining room. I love trivia games and dislike sitting in the sun. I really, really miss the horse races but understand some folks thought them childish Don't understand why I can't say what I like or dislike without being labeled either a cheerleader or a complainer.

[Djptcp]

We sail on the Paradise quite often (3 times this year so far) and was so glad to see after its dry dock this year that Guy's and the Blue Iguana Cantina had been added. Also, the Red Frog Pub. They also added a slew of Junior Suite cabins on Deck 14. The casino was rearranged for a better traffic flow and new slots were added. Can't wait to sail on her again in Nov.

[cuppettmd]

Here are two true upgrades that I have not seen mentioned: You no longer have to take your life jackets to muster drill and the digital karaoke is much better than the old "limited" cd's that always got misplaced. At least these are upgrades to me.:D