Carnival Changes in the last two years?

[EmmasNana]

I haven't sailed Carnival in nearly two years. Have there been any changes since that time? If it makes a difference, I am platinum.

[elcuchio24]

The embarkation time slot.....I think thats been in the past two years? But with Platinum, it matters not. Steakhouse/daily tip amount has gone up slightly...cant think of much else. 

[EmmasNana]

13 minutes ago, elcuchio24 said:

The embarkation time slot.....I think thats been in the past two years? But with Platinum, it matters not. Steakhouse/daily tip amount has gone up slightly...cant think of much else. 

thanks

 

[ElCrappyTan]

Drink prices ticked up a little as well. Typical inflation...  🙂

[a1m1y9]

The steward services are different now.  When your room steward greets you in your room, they will ask if you want morning or afternoon turn down service.  

[Lee Cruiser]

Here are a few of the changes:

  Increase in gratuities

  Smoking policy changed

  TV channels changed considerably

  Bar service gratuities increased from 15 to 18%

  Room service now charges for all room service after 10 pm

  WiFi charges increased

 

[hockeyguru32]

No Chocolates on the pillows

[mama_2_boys]

25 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

Here are a few of the changes:

  Increase in gratuities

  Smoking policy changed

  TV channels changed considerably

  Bar service gratuities increased from 15 to 18%

  Room service now charges for all room service after 10 pm

  WiFi charges increased

 

What changed with smoking? Just no smoking on balconies? 

[schazzy]

21 minutes ago, hockeyguru32 said:

No Chocolates on the pillows

 

I heard they stopped using tablecloths too.

 

 

[Lee Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, mama_2_boys said:

What changed with smoking? Just no smoking on balconies? 

 

Yes, there is no smoking on balconies.  But back in November they implemented a $500 fine for a violation of the policy and possible removal from the ship.

[mama_2_boys]

1 minute ago, Lee Cruiser said:

 

Yes, there is no smoking on balconies.  But back in November they implemented a $500 fine for a violation of the policy and possible removal from the ship.

Thanks! 

[Butterbean1000]

35 minutes ago, a1m1y9 said:

The steward services are different now.  When your room steward greets you in your room, they will ask if you want morning or afternoon turn down service.  

Or both

[EmmasNana]

Most of these things mentioned have been in effect over two years or at least since I have cruised Carnival. Sounds like not much has changed. 

Thanks all!

[EmmasNana]

Oh wait, are you able to carry on some flavored waters?

[tcgary]

5 minutes ago, EmmasNana said:

Oh wait, are you able to carry on some flavored waters?

No, as only cans are allowed to be carried on, no bottles.

[EmmasNana]

2 minutes ago, tcgary said:

No, as only cans are allowed to be carried on, no bottles.

ok thanks

[Lottacruises]

Flavored water, as long as it's in a 12 ounce can or less, can be brought onboard. Limit 12 per person

[xDisconnections]

2 hours ago, schazzy said:

 

I heard they stopped using tablecloths too.

 

 

Lol. I heard @Seago2 is a fan of that!

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, tcgary said:

No, as only cans are allowed to be carried on, no bottles.

 

boxes are also allowed

[BlerkOne]

For extra credit, name any cruise line that hasn't had changes in the past two years. Really no need to limit to the past 2 years, since some of the Carnival examples posted fall outside of that time period.

[Taters]

Horrible main dining room service.  My food was served cold most nights and dishes were not cleared prior to the next course.  We had late seating and there were empty tables around us every night.

 

Yes, they increased the drink gratuities from 15% to 18%, and they've cut back on wait staff, so you have to go get your drinks yourself.  Our MDR waiter was the only person we saw on the pool deck trying to serve drinks to people during a few afternoons.  They've cut that much staff and it's very sad that you have to get whatever you want yourself.

 

Our cabin was never vacuumed in the 14 days aboard.

 

Dishes sat around tables on Lido for hours without being picked up.

 

All of the corner cutting is too much for us at this point.  We've decided not to cruise on Carnival again until we hear that service has improved.

[PlanoDebbie]

9 hours ago, a1m1y9 said:

The steward services are different now.  When your room steward greets you in your room, they will ask if you want morning or afternoon turn down service.  

While the room stewards are "hoping" you will pick only one or the other, you can still request your room to be serviced twice a day as it has been done in the past.  

[plettza]

I'm not sure if it's the same in the US, but on my last Carnival cruise back in December here in Australia sailing out of Sydney aboard Legend, the check-in process has changed slightly.  Rather than creating/printing your Sail and Sign card during the port check-in, they print a temporary paper Sail and Sign card.  It allows you still buy drinks and so on after you've boarded but it doesn't have a swipe strip.  It's essentially a bit of paper.  You'll find your proper Sail and Sign card in the gold letterbox outside your cabin once you're able to enter the room corridors.

 

This process changed sometime last year as we were on Spirit in early 2018 and it was still the old system where you get issued your Sail and Sign card during the check-in process.  On our December cruise, we went through the new process.

[laumicmah]

There is also a new app you use on your phone, the Hub app. While on some ships. To make dinner resies or see the fun times and whatnot.

[Bookbug53]

12 hours ago, Taters said:

Horrible main dining room service.  My food was served cold most nights and dishes were not cleared prior to the next course.  We had late seating and there were empty tables around us every night.

 

Yes, they increased the drink gratuities from 15% to 18%, and they've cut back on wait staff, so you have to go get your drinks yourself.  Our MDR waiter was the only person we saw on the pool deck trying to serve drinks to people during a few afternoons.  They've cut that much staff and it's very sad that you have to get whatever you want yourself.

 

Our cabin was never vacuumed in the 14 days aboard.

 

Dishes sat around tables on Lido for hours without being picked up.

 

All of the corner cutting is too much for us at this point.  We've decided not to cruise on Carnival again until we hear that service has improved.

And I have never had an experienced such as this. Never have I had dishes sitting when another course is served. Food is hot and service top notch. I don't fetch my own drinks and my cabin is kept clean.  

 

But what does empty tables have to do with anything?