If Carnival stinks like day old fish, why do you continue to cruise w/them?

[Havingfun2010]

4 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

How was that Carnival bashing convention you went to?  Were the other 8 haters of Carnival in attendance?  I am always amazed, and maybe this is what the OP was talking about that the members of the CBS (Carnival Bashing Society) still want come here....  This post is as close to not bashing Carnival I have seen from you.... the inventention must be working at least a little bit.....

The title of the post was like an invitation to read.  I actually just got off a cruise and the topic of conversation at dinner revolved around, an open and honest discussion of why we were on the cruise we were on, and not the ship, parked next to us. 

[Havingfun2010]

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

 

So what are these cutbacks? Is Carnival the only one doing this?

 

Every line has posts about the product no longer being "like it used to be". Everyone makes changes. Not all of them are bad you know.

You would need to sail on other lines to see that Carnival has cut back more extensively than any other cruise line.  Now some cruise lines, cut some items back, but they also added items and services as well as new entertainment items. 

[sparks1093]

40 minutes ago, Havingfun2010 said:

You would need to sail on other lines to see that Carnival has cut back more extensively than any other cruise line.  Now some cruise lines, cut some items back, but they also added items and services as well as new entertainment items. 

The more I read about RCI the more I think "CCL-lite" but we'll see in April. I do expect they are more alike than they are different (just as CCL was when we tried it after NCL).

[loohoo1]

4 hours ago, evandbob said:

I've sailed Carnival about 38 times, and I'm not as good a cheerleader for them as the OP.

 

Otherwise, I'll continue to be open to cruising other lines, especially for longer itineraries.  There are many ports that Carnival rarely or never visits.  We have an 11 day southern Caribbean itinerary on Celebrity that beats the pants off whatever decades old ship Carnival has in San Juan.  We have a 15 day TA to the Azores and Spain and an 11 day partial transit in the Panama Canal both on NCL, that Carnival can't match in itinerary or price.  We just sailed MSC Seaside, which is by far the best ship I've ever sailed on, and my list includes the Disney Dream.

 

 

Wow! I wanna be you when I grow up, LOL!

[jsglow]

4 hours ago, AFuncruiser said:

 On one of my first cruises I remember asking an old couple who had sailed many times what their favorite cruise ship was and they answered "what ever ship we are on". I have tried to adopt that attitude on what ever ship I find myself on. Just get me away from the dock at a good price and I am a happy camper.

I sail Carnival most frequently because they sail The Elation out of my hometown Jacksonville, Fl. There are many first time cruisers aboard who are having a ball. It is a pleasure to be around so many happy people.

 

Dennis

Jacksonville, fl

707 days at sea

82 cruises

14 cruise lines

T/P, T/A, Hawaii, Central & South America, New Zealand & South Pacific, Rio/ Amazon, Alaska

 

 

 

 

I LOVE the Blue Cards.  So excited.  Everything is so very new for them.  I've never been on a perfect cruise.  But I've also never been on a cruise that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. 

[Joebucks]

17 minutes ago, jsglow said:

 

I LOVE the Blue Cards.  So excited.  Everything is so very new for them.  I've never been on a perfect cruise.  But I've also never been on a cruise that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. 

 

It's like a child, learning the world. Curious, finds positives, optimistic. The blue cards are rarely the miserable people on board.

[evandbob]

22 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

It's like a child, learning the world. Curious, finds positives, optimistic. The blue cards are rarely the miserable people on board.

Idealistically, maybe.  But I've seen lots of blue cards complaining they get lost on a ship, can't find a good meal, have to wait in line, don't understand why some rules don't apply to themselves, why things cost so much etc., etc.

 

There are Polyannas and Grumps in all levels of cruise experience.

[sfaaa]

Haters gonna hate. Nothing to do with the product or cutbacks.

Edited October 26, 2018 by sfaaa

[Teslyn]

Carnival has what I need at the price point I need.

[zippyjet]

3 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

6 hours ago, NavarreCruiser said:

 

 

I am sure there are many people who are chronic complainers and rarely satisfied.  But the Carnival cutbacks are real and do affect many people's cruise choices.  Here is the effect it has had on my cruise choices.  Carnival cruises I have taken:  2012-10, 2013-12, 2014-14, 2015-11, 2016-7, 2017-5, 2018-3, 2019 and beyond-none currently booked.  

Just came off the Horizon. 8 day S. Carribbean. Haven't done my review but, overall a solid 3 star rating. God willing if the stars align themselces next September, I'd like to sail the exact same cruise! Regarding cutbacks, yes there were plenty. As a matter of fact my friend s d I laughed our asses off at some of them. But, overall no deap breaker. I will say not having the big three networks was a shocker. Mind you, I'm not on a cruise to watch TV but, did feel a little loss of control. I don't want to be totally cut off from the real world; especially in today's society. And for the week's NFL games if you wanted a score it was off to the smokey bars. But, I met fellow Raven's fans so, not a loss. This could be a stand alone thread. Butnas there were plenty of 99 cent store changes, Carnival has actually made some improvements and additions to their product. I told my friend who is now a cruise addict like myself that the life jackets under each bed were now bagel sized life preservers for saving money. She laughed. Crews were still friendly and helpful as usual. Regarding waiting in line etc. It all comes down to time management which, I can always stand room for improcement so, I was my own worst enemy. A side note: Not Carnival's fault but, for a late September sailing there were tons ok kids, many unsupervised. It was like "School's Out Forever!" Part of the bew morality. If you want no kids there  are other cruise alternatives like Viking. Of course a larger $$$ outlay. And at times it was like Baby Nation! I know next cruise to chow down in the MDR for meals other than dinner.

[BENHANDEL]

2 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

It's like a child, learning the world. Curious, finds positives, optimistic. The blue cards are rarely the miserable people on board.

 

I am starting to be proud of my "blue card" status for our Christmas trip!

[scpirate]

20 hours ago, IPlayWithString said:

That's what I keep hearing, although  I've never seen/experienced it myself.

 

For us, it's several things, really. One is a matter of convenience...we prefer not to fly if we can possibly avoid it because of the expense so really Galveston and (if we absolutely HAVE to) New Orleans are really the only ports anywhere near where we are (about 5-6 hrs and around 8 hrs or so, respectively).

Secondly, we have never been treated anything but kindly and with the best possible customer service on Carnival. Because we are both from a customer service-based industry background, that's important to us. If we were treated badly or had bad experiences, we wouldn't return. We'd find another kind of vacation.

 

Third, our PVP is pretty danged good. He probably has a file two inches thick on our son's needs as well as our personal preferences for type of room (interior cabin please! Balcony or OV is nice, but not required), dining time (ATD, thank you very much!) and what kind of excursions we like to go on (we've ziplined in 5 different countries!). He knows when to call us and when NOT to call us since due to our son still being in school and our jobs, we can only cruise at certain times of year.

 

Fourth...Carnival has always, always ALWAYS done their absolute best to make sure our vacation goes as smooth as butter off a bald monkey's butt. Sometimes things outside of their direct control DO happen (like the jungle hike from  H E double hockey sticks) but they have always tried to make it up to us and make sure that we're satisfied with the replacement/outcome.

 

Fifth..I can't speak for other cruise lines (never sailed on one) but Carnival has some of the best CDs. Most of them (all but one, actually) have gone out of their way to talk to us, be friendly and make sure that we're having a great time.

 

Sixth--Four words: Carnival Freedom Playlist Cast. They made my son feel like a frigging rock star on our last cruise. 😄 They were awesome and so sweet to him.

 

Seven--Three words: Guy's Burger Joint. 'Nuff said.

 

Eight--two words: Texas tuxedo--tuxedo jacket, long sleeve shirt, church jeans and your dress boots. Felt dress cowboy hat optional. 😄

 

Nine--The waitstaff...we've always had amazing waitstaff and they were never pushy about asking us to give them stellar reviews. We gave them stellar reviews on the survey because they EARNED it.

 

Ten--We're not uptight. We like to be laid back (well.DH and DS do. I don't relax unless I'm really REALLY drunk. It's a special needs mom thing. LOL) and Carnival has some of the most laid back funloving pax on the planet. 😄 

 

Branch out a little bit try other cruise lines you will answer your own question.i prefer celebrity.they aren't perfect but still better than carnival only problem is my wife like the line dancing and none wants to participate on celebrity.so we sail one canival for her then next one is my choice.she wanted to go Cuba so carnival it is and the grand kids are going but I'm making them pay their own way this time so they do whatever teen age hoodlums do on a cruise ship.next cruise I haven't figured out yet but it won't be carnival..

 

[IPlayWithString]

15 hours ago, Havingfun2010 said:

 

there are other companies that will act the same way as the poster said, but will do it better and for similar prices.

The problem with the other lines that sail out of our home port of Galveston is that they don't sail as often as CCL does (which is a huge plus for us) or they don't sail during the time we can take vacation (Spring Break and pretty much any time from late May through the end of July because of our jobs). So it's not that we're not willing to try other lines, it's just that right now, we don't see the point since they're not going to be available when we are available to sail (usually. Nine times out of ten when I check, just for the sake of checking, they're either not sailing that week or full to capacity already or are too expensive) for the price we are available to pay.

 

Plus...if we started over with another line (RCL, for example, which also sails out of Galveston) we'd have to start all over again as far as building up loyalty status and I'm not really into wanting to do that. It's just not worth it, IMO.

[IPlayWithString]

13 hours ago, evandbob said:

a partial transit in the Panama Canal

How can you have a PARTIAL transit? I thought you were either in it or you weren't? Can you exit half way like, "Ok. hmm. This is kinda not what I expected. Imma get out now."? 

[IPlayWithString]

4 hours ago, scpirate said:

.i prefer celebrity.they aren't perfect but still better than carnival 

 Yeah..if you've got the $$$, which we don't. I'm not saying they're terrible (how the heck would I know?) but I checked out their prices, just out of curiosity and almost fainted from shock. I feel the same way about Disney cruises..they must be offering something VERY special for those prices. Yikes.

[Moviela]

The canal consists of a series of locks, some on the Atlantic Side, and some on the Pacific Side. In the middle of the canal is a huge lake, which incidentally is the reason it is there, less digging than other proposed routes.

 

You can go through the locks to the lake from either side, pull a U-turn, and sail out the same way. A partial transit. A good way to visit the canal, and still return to the embarkation port.

 

2 hours ago, IPlayWithString said:

How can you have a PARTIAL transit? I thought you were either in it or you weren't? Can you exit half way like, "Ok. hmm. This is kinda not what I expected. Imma get out now."? 

 

 

[momof3cruisers]

14 hours ago, Havingfun2010 said:

You would need to sail on other lines to see that Carnival has cut back more extensively than any other cruise line.  Now some cruise lines, cut some items back, but they also added items and services as well as new entertainment items. 

And YOU would need to sail on Carnival to be able to make that claim. Since they have also added services like additional free restaurants, great water park facilities, and really nice adult retreat areas, you are not presenting a balanced picture. 

 

In in the last five years, I have been on two NCL ships, one Princess, one Royal and three Carnival. There is not that much difference between the lines, though our personal experience has been that service is of higher quality and more friendly on Carnival. Princess has better MDR food and Royal has better main pool areas.

[IPlayWithString]

Aha. OK. See I didn't understand that part about the locks or whatever and I was VERY very confused.

[jimbo5544]

22 hours ago, evandbob said:

I've sailed Carnival about 38 times, and I'm not as good a cheerleader for them as the OP.  There are some Carnival  ships I refuse to even consider anymore.  While I've sailed the Conquest class ships the most, my preference has changed to mainly the Dream and Vista class ships.  I will still sail Conquest class ships if I can get a good casino fare.

 

Otherwise, I'll continue to be open to cruising other lines, especially for longer itineraries.  There are many ports that Carnival rarely or never visits.  We have an 11 day southern Caribbean itinerary on Celebrity that beats the pants off whatever decades old ship Carnival has in San Juan.  We have a 15 day TA to the Azores and Spain and an 11 day partial transit in the Panama Canal both on NCL, that Carnival can't match in itinerary or price.  We just sailed MSC Seaside, which is by far the best ship I've ever sailed on, and my list includes the Disney Dream.

 

Carnival satisfies many of my cruising needs, and when they don't, I'll sail another line without any hesitation at all.  

I am curious about the many ports that Carnival does not go on the longer itineraries you sail on other lines.  What are they?

[Towel Critter]

On 10/26/2018 at 4:18 AM, sparks1093 said:

Simply because they give me a good return for my vacation dollar.

ditto. If I could afford a true luxury line I would sail with them, at least try them. Another reason we mostly stick with Carnival is familiarity. I think most of us like familiarity more than we would admit. The third reason is because I LOVE Carnival balcony staterooms, the size, how they are laid out, even the decor. They are about as comfortable as a room that size could possibly be. The few times we have sailed with other lines I was disappointed with the rooms more than the experience itself.

[IPlayWithString]

3 hours ago, Towel Critter said:

Another reason we mostly stick with Carnival is familiarity.

For our son, familiarity is VERY important. Familiarity helps keep him from having meltdowns (sometimes anyway). Familiarity and routine are pretty much everything and we have the routine down almost to a science whenever we cruise now. 🙂

[loveJake]

On 10/25/2018 at 11:39 PM, joeyancho said:

Like Little Caesar's Pizza.......it's cheap.

I really don't think Carnival is that cheap anymore, unless you are satisfied with a dark inside cabin, won't sail without a balcony, and yes would rather cruise once a year then 2 inside

[RWolver672]

It's all about personal choice.  It's no different than which is better - Ford or GM.  It's what you prefer and if others don't like my  preference, that's their problem, not mine.  We've always enjoyed our Carnival cruises.  Tried another line once and didn't like it so we went right back to Carnival.  Even in bad weather, we still had fun.

[evandbob]

On 10/27/2018 at 8:28 AM, jimbo5544 said:

I am curious about the many ports that Carnival does not go on the longer itineraries you sail on other lines.  What are they?

 

Grenada. Antigua and Martinique are rarely visited by Carnival.  Trinidad and Guadaloupe are almost never Carnival ports.

[jimbo5544]

8 minutes ago, evandbob said:

 

Grenada. Antigua and Martinique are rarely visited by Carnival.  Trinidad and Guadaloupe are almost never Carnival ports.

Interesting, we are going on a Journey cruise that hits some of these.  A good while back we participated in a conference call where they were talking (just talk) zbout expanding out to more central and South American countries.  Would certainly help with the over saturation of ports in the Caribbean.