Why Carnival?

[firefly333]

I'm going to quit booking carnival for a while and see if I get some of these discounted offers people post they are getting for like $200 plus taxes. All I get is full priced as if I was a  newbie. 

[jetsfan58]

30 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I'm going to quit booking carnival for a while and see if I get some of these discounted offers people post they are getting for like $200 plus taxes. All I get is full priced as if I was a  newbie. 

Don't know wat the secret is but please advise us when you find out. Thanks.

[crzndeb]

2 hours ago, jetsfan58 said:

Same type of Carnival deals. My family members just snagged a 6 day Cruise during the Carnival 48 Hour Sale. About $220 total for a port hole cabin. I will take that any day.

What ship? And will they have to fly? 

[jetsfan58]

16 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

What ship? And will they have to fly? 

Cruising out of Tampa in October and will have to fly.

[gtalum]

Low fares and good product.  it's as simple as that.

[Bevv]

We cruise Carnival because we like the laid back atmosphere, the included food options, the Galveston home port, 5 day cruises vs longer, and the price works for us. RC is going to bring 5 day cruises to Galveston and we may look at their options at that time. 

[arkaine23]

Out of Galveston because its a 1 hour drive away.  So that means pretty much just Royal or Carnival.

 

Every time I've tried booking other lines, its been way higher than the 1300-2100 price I get with Carnival for 2 people, with prepaid gratuity and insurance.  Window or balcony room types.  Lately Carnival's been more like 1800-2400, so I just made an effort to earn the casino deals.  Price matters.  I want to do nice vacations, but I also want to be able to upgrade my house and neighborhood this year.

 

24/7 pizza and ice cream also tip the scales to Carnival for me. Helps to have things on ship open late.  Shutting it all down by like 9pm that I hear about other lines would make me feel like the ship caters to old people.

 

 

My issue with 3-5 day vs 7+ day cruises on Carnival is not having a night of all I can eat free lobster tails.  Always do 7-8 days.

Edited September 5, 2021 by arkaine23

[rlindholm]

I have sailed with carnival, RCL and MSC.  We mostly sail with carnival and the reason is probably back in the day, when we took our first cruise in our early 20's and didn't have much money it was cheapest and it was so much fun.  So I guess that has stuck with us.  I didn't notice a huge difference with RCL.  MSC... The ship was beautiful but the customer service and food were not good.  We finally found one lady who was friendly and she told us her schedule so we just went wherever she was working and tipped the heck out of her.  We had drink vouchers but she wouldn't take our vouchers and kept the snacks coming.  She said tipping wasn't common on MSC cruises and that a lot of the cruisers were rude so that may be part of the customer service problem.  I think it goes both ways.  Happy cruisers make make happy staff.  Happy staff make happy better tipping cruisers and the cycle continues.  

 

I went down a rabbit hole but I doubt I will ever cruise with MSC again.  Once we are no longer bringing teenagers along I think we will try out other lines as well and once we have grandkids I'm sure we'll go broke on a Disney cruise or two.  But I also think Carnival will always be our favorite.  

[xDisconnections]

12 hours ago, jet228 said:

Hey cruisers! Just for a little background, I've cruised twice with each of Carnival, Royal Caribbean (after next weekend), and NCL. My cruises on Carnival were 7 and 4 years ago. 

 

I'm constantly dreaming and test booking cruises from a bunch of different lines,  and weighing the pluses and minuses of all. 

 

Carnival never seems to win when it comes to straight up value,  and I'm wondering from the die hard Carnival fans: why do you book Carnival? Is it itinerary,  ship amenities,  or something else?

 

I'll likely go on a Carnival cruise again soon as I want to see how the product has changed in the past 4 years so just curious for input from fans.

 

Thanks!

Many book Carnival based on the assumption it is the cheapest option available. Some also enjoy the “simulated fun” that is provided by the cruise line.

 

There is also a percentage of people who have an extreme loyalty to the brand and will consider anything else to be inferior.

 

Personally, I prefer a mix of Princess and Royal Caribbean depending on the purpose of the trip.

[silversneakers]

I base my selection on:

1.  Itinerary

2.  Ship/age/amenities

3.  Port departure

4.  Pricing

 

Food is very subjective as I think most people can find something they like on each cruise line. I think we will now see a decrease in food selection and  maybe even quality with food pricing escalating. My most recent cruise I found the food not up to the standard of pre-pandemic but that could change for the better.

[grumpyjr88]

It's the hairy chest contest that keeps me loyal.

[Jasonsterling]

20 hours ago, jet228 said:

Hey cruisers! Just for a little background, I've cruised twice with each of Carnival, Royal Caribbean (after next weekend), and NCL. My cruises on Carnival were 7 and 4 years ago. 

 

I'm constantly dreaming and test booking cruises from a bunch of different lines,  and weighing the pluses and minuses of all. 

 

Carnival never seems to win when it comes to straight up value,  and I'm wondering from the die hard Carnival fans: why do you book Carnival? Is it itinerary,  ship amenities,  or something else?

 

I'll likely go on a Carnival cruise again soon as I want to see how the product has changed in the past 4 years so just curious for input from fans.

 

Thanks!

Value is very subjective, lol but for a long time I booked Carnival because the port was close (Galveston) and the itinerary was good and the schedule fit and then yeah it seemed like a good value- size of cabin, dining choices, atmosphere, included amenities that I was apt to actually use tied to price for the dates in question at the port in question. Eventually it just became what I know and enjoy although I do think the model is shifting some, especially with the new class of ships, to more equal the RCL model. In addition RCL is moving a 220,000 ton liner to Galveston to a brand new terminal. I'm certain I will sail that ship as Carnival has nothing like it- even their newest class. It'll be my first cruise outside Carnival and we'll see what I think from there. 

[Jasonsterling]

17 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I'm going to quit booking carnival for a while and see if I get some of these discounted offers people post they are getting for like $200 plus taxes. All I get is full priced as if I was a  newbie. 

Ha ha- no kidding someone was posting like a 35.00 VIFP deal they got for a four day on the Breeze for September/October. Really? Meanwhile same prices as always on my page. Carnival needs to drop the lottery system and what they offer one VIFP person they offer them all.

[tallnthensome]

My $200 fare was the reason I sailed Panorama last week, not going to lie. No idea why I got the offer but it was the best deal I have ever received in 20 years. 

[firefly333]

5 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said:

Ha ha- no kidding someone was posting like a 35.00 VIFP deal they got for a four day on the Breeze for September/October. Really? Meanwhile same prices as always on my page. Carnival needs to drop the lottery system and what they offer one VIFP person they offer them all.

I was just thinking this morning about why so many write carnival is cheaper when it's not what I see all the time, half and half. And carnival deals, I'm wondering if they dont want you to reprice what you have and try to find people not booked. Normally rcl is cheaper to book the day itineraries are released. ..though not always by a lot. I booked allure the day it came out for Galveston and so far the price never has been that low again. And I wanted special cabins. Added a allure, moved it from feb 2023 actually and prices were up. I dont see the same anticipation on carnival tracking what day itineraries will be released. Prices on carnival arent that special when released, but do drop lower later on. I think maybe the game of pricing is different is why people who mainly follow carnival say it's cheaper. Seems a mystery to me and trying to understand why people believe it, disney is the same btw, cheapest the day pricing comes out. I could have booked alaska for under 1k the day it was released last year for 2022 in a solo cabin, but fees are over 350. 600ish for cruisefare is a deal for alaska and pricing was only that low the day it came out. 

 

Seems like on carnival I see a lot of pricing drops right after final payment. Just a different pricing game. Works for me as I prefer to book last minute. I will have 197 loyalty pts with carnival, so a decent amount. I'm paying less for b2b breeze 10 days than for 7 day vista booked a year in advance. Carnival often has last minute better deals. 

[grumpyjr88]

53 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said:

Ha ha- no kidding someone was posting like a 35.00 VIFP deal they got for a four day on the Breeze for September/October. Really? Meanwhile same prices as always on my page. Carnival needs to drop the lottery system and what they offer one VIFP person they offer them all.

It was $45...i got the offer and instabooked. Lol

[firefly333]

41 minutes ago, grumpyjr88 said:

It was $45...i got the offer and instabooked. Lol

Makes me feel like a sucker to pay over $400 for a 1A. 

[grumpyjr88]

2 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Makes me feel like a sucker to pay over $400 for a 1A. 

Ouch 😢

[firefly333]

3 minutes ago, grumpyjr88 said:

Ouch 😢

That's the pt of some of us, they target some and some of the rest of us paying full price.

 

I'm not booking more carnival any time soon as I feel like a sucker. Maybe if I quit booking I'll get a discounted offer.

[grumpyjr88]

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

That's the pt of some of us, they target some and some of the rest of us paying full price.

 

I'm not booking more carnival any time soon as I feel like a sucker. Maybe if I quit booking I'll get a discounted offer.

I've asked different carnival people and they've all said it's totally random. I'm cruising with 4 people, 3 previous carnival cruisers and only 2 of us got the offer. My cousin's offer includes free drinks in the casino but mine doesn't. 

 

Do you use a pvp? I wonder if that helps...

[jetsfan58]

9 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

Many book Carnival based on the assumption it is the cheapest option available. Some also enjoy the “simulated fun” that is provided by the cruise line.

 

There is also a percentage of people who have an extreme loyalty to the brand and will consider anything else to be inferior.

 

Personally, I prefer a mix of Princess and Royal Caribbean depending on the purpose of the trip.

Great commentary. I am just a plain old Carnival Cruise Nut! They have always been an excellent vacation choice, family and budget friendly, we are still friends today with many of their fine wait staff and passengers and they have become a family legacy brand for our vacation needs. They have not failed us as of yet so there is no reason for me to look elsewhere. 

 

Carnival For Life !!!

[Bases5]

One thing to remember is a good portion (not all) of these promotions people are posting are casino offers. They have been crazy good lately.  Best I have seen

 

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, grumpyjr88 said:

I've asked different carnival people and they've all said it's totally random. I'm cruising with 4 people, 3 previous carnival cruisers and only 2 of us got the offer. My cousin's offer includes free drinks in the casino but mine doesn't. 

 

Do you use a pvp? I wonder if that helps...

Maybe it was a casino offer? It includes free drinks in casino. I've used a pvp in the past and still linked to her. 2nd leg of breeze I booked direct. ES and its come down some, was over $800 for my b2b breeze but was able to get some obc on 2nd leg. Still close to that, and vista is even higher for 7 days. 

 

I'll probably plan on some gambling see if that helps. But I have cheaper rates from rcl .. fact. I never once ever in over 15 years got a discounted rate from carnival and more than a few bad issues. I feel like carnival doesnt want folks like me and rcl does. I plan on being at 340 loyalty pts on rcl by dec 2022 so I can get half off 2nd fare for solo cruising. Carnival offers me nothing like that. 

 

Folks say carnival offers me fun. I'm capable of making my own fun and enjoying myself, dont need a crew member to do it for me. I'm off on vista Saturday.. oct breeze .. then rcl. See if carnival reaches out with a better offer. Right now I am not paying extra for someone making my cruise fun. 

 

Many here saying how cheap carnival is also say they got casino or vipf offers. 

[Jamesatgsu]

Price is #1, but MSC & NCL both offer competitive pricing. 

 

Only carnival allows you to search for a room for 5. The others have rooms that accommodate 5, but you can't set it to search for them. Which goes back to #1, Carnival has the lowest rates for 5 people. 

 

Lastly, I've done NCL twice now. They screwed up my booking both times, they've billed me for charges I didn't make, said they removed the charges, but didn't, screwed up my internet package. I've spent hours in NCL customer service lines. 

[firefly333]

7 minutes ago, Jamesatgsu said:

Price is #1, but MSC & NCL both offer competitive pricing. 

 

Only carnival allows you to search for a room for 5. The others have rooms that accommodate 5, but you can't set it to search for them. Which goes back to #1, Carnival has the lowest rates for 5 people. 

 

Lastly, I've done NCL twice now. They screwed up my booking both times, they've billed me for charges I didn't make, said they removed the charges, but didn't, screwed up my internet package. I've spent hours in NCL customer service lines. 

Only dream class allows 5 to a ov cabin. I'm not aware of any other carnival cabins that allow you to book 5. 

 

Agree rcl will allow you to squeeze a baby or toddler into a quad,  just search for 4 and call. Carnival doesnt allow this at all. Advantage rcl once again?