Permanent Cutbacks on Carnival

[Despegue]

12 hours ago, DrSea said:

When people ask me for help, I would ask them to tip me first. 

 

I get a lot of confused looks but no one has ever tipped me (yet). When I eventually tell them that I don't work for the cruise line, some people still ask me to help them out. When I say no, some get offended like they are entitled to my help. Most Americans, regardless of age, are very entitled. 

 

Some get very embarrassed, profusely apologize, and walk away blushing. 

Some years ago, I was standing in my Captain uniform in the lobby of my hotel , waiting for the pickup. Comes an American couple, drop their 4 luggages in front of my feet, shout their room number and almost throw a 10 USD bill at me.

 

I truly hope that someone did bring their bags to them, I went into my taxi that arrived and enjoyed a nice glass of wine, worth 10USD ...🥳🤪😎

[thunderingherd11]

On 8/5/2022 at 8:53 AM, ledges1 said:

I have not had either. However, grocery store frozen pizza is better than Carnival.

The hate for carnival pizza is the number 1 complaint of cruisers that I dont understand.  love the pizza, and don't tell me I don't know what good pizza is.  The second complaint I don't understand is the décor is dated. Say What? 

[ninjacat123]

4 minutes ago, thunderingherd11 said:

The hate for carnival pizza is the number 1 complaint of cruisers that I dont understand.  love the pizza, and don't tell me I don't know what good pizza is.  The second complaint I don't understand is the décor is dated. Say What? 

I think the pizza is tasty as well.

[CruizinSusan70]

1 hour ago, thunderingherd11 said:

The second complaint I don't understand is the décor is dated. Say What? 

Ever since the Breeze came into the fleet, Joe Farcus and his thought process was weaned out and I don't think he had any influence on the Vista or Excel Classes at all.  He was in charge of the decor on the Fantasy and Spirit classes and some of the decorations are very over the top and in your face.  There are many that prefer this, but others like the more subdued color schemes of the post Breeze ships.

[wemjam]

3 hours ago, thunderingherd11 said:

The hate for carnival pizza is the number 1 complaint of cruisers that I dont understand.  love the pizza, and don't tell me I don't know what good pizza is.  The second complaint I don't understand is the décor is dated. Say What? 

Pizza is OK, not great but WAY better than it used to be a few years ago for sure!

[BlerkOne]

As Tony would say, the pizza is

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

17 hours ago, thunderingherd11 said:

The hate for carnival pizza is the number 1 complaint of cruisers that I dont understand.  love the pizza, and don't tell me I don't know what good pizza is.  The second complaint I don't understand is the décor is dated. Say What? 

Concur on the pizza - we love it!  Especially if you are patient enough (and they aren't slammed) to special order a combo of all four in one.

 

The décor has changed, and while I like the current new-ship look, I also like the old Farcus stylings - the over-the-top design is just part of the schtick.

[ultrafighter]

On 8/12/2022 at 7:38 PM, UPNYGuy said:

this is what the cabana area looks like. we got good use out of this patio, much more than a balcony. imo 5207 is the ideal cabana room. you can see out with nothing blocking, (see the reflection), and it is far enough up that you don't hear the bandstand, but far enough back that you dont hear ocean plaza.

whoa 🤩

[islandchicklet]

On 8/4/2022 at 7:20 PM, CruizinSusan70 said:

You're not missing much.  One of the best things, priority embarkation,  was taken away because of Covid.  The line at guest services is nice, but hot water laundry not so much.

Question..... I have been Platinum for over a decade but haven't sailed Carnival in over 5 or 6 years and you stated Priority embarkation is gone so I am inquiring about cabins being accessible as soon as getting on the ship.  Is that a thing of the past also?  Those two things are all I used of my Platinum benefits.  Was  looking at possibly booking a Carnival cruise because RCCL is slow rolling with their Covid updates but reading about all these cutbacks and possibly no Platinum perks doesn't sound real appealing now.

[mz-s]

6 minutes ago, islandchicklet said:

Question..... I have been Platinum for over a decade but haven't sailed Carnival in over 5 or 6 years and you stated Priority embarkation is gone so I am inquiring about cabins being accessible as soon as getting on the ship.  Is that a thing of the past also?  Those two things are all I used of my Platinum benefits.  Was  looking at possibly booking a Carnival cruise because RCCL is slow rolling with their Covid updates but reading about all these cutbacks and possibly no Platinum perks doesn't sound real appealing now.

 

Yes they are gone, a COVID cop-out, will probably never come back at this point but who can say for sure.

[cruisingguy007]

10 minutes ago, islandchicklet said:

Question..... I have been Platinum for over a decade but haven't sailed Carnival in over 5 or 6 years and you stated Priority embarkation is gone so I am inquiring about cabins being accessible as soon as getting on the ship.  Is that a thing of the past also?  Those two things are all I used of my Platinum benefits.  Was  looking at possibly booking a Carnival cruise because RCCL is slow rolling with their Covid updates but reading about all these cutbacks and possibly no Platinum perks doesn't sound real appealing now.

 

You still kinda get priority embarkation, you get to check in two days earlier than everyone else and pick the first slots. The cabins aren't guaranteed until 1:30 but you can drop your bags/luggage off in the cabin. You'll still be one of the first on the ship, it's not as bad as some are making it out to be.

[islandchicklet]

2 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

You still kinda get priority embarkation, you get to check in two days earlier than everyone else and pick the first slots. The cabins aren't guaranteed until 1:30 but you can drop your bags/luggage off in the cabin. You'll still be one of the first on the ship, it's not as bad as some are making it out to be.

Ok thanks!  I don't need to be in the cabin but dropping off luggage was always what I considered the best perk!!

[ninjacat123]

19 minutes ago, islandchicklet said:

Question..... I have been Platinum for over a decade but haven't sailed Carnival in over 5 or 6 years and you stated Priority embarkation is gone so I am inquiring about cabins being accessible as soon as getting on the ship.  Is that a thing of the past also?  Those two things are all I used of my Platinum benefits.  Was  looking at possibly booking a Carnival cruise because RCCL is slow rolling with their Covid updates but reading about all these cutbacks and possibly no Platinum perks doesn't sound real appealing now.

And another Platinum perk that I use is the Plat/Diamond line at Guest Services.  That has been available on the five cruises I've been on since Restart. And now you get $25 per Platinum passenger for the casino, so remember to pick that up for some gambling on Carnival!

Edited August 16, 2022 by ninjacat123

[thunderingherd11]

22 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Ever since the Breeze came into the fleet, Joe Farcus and his thought process was weaned out and I don't think he had any influence on the Vista or Excel Classes at all.  He was in charge of the decor on the Fantasy and Spirit classes and some of the decorations are very over the top and in your face.  There are many that prefer this, but others like the more subdued color schemes of the post Breeze ships.

My misunderstanding is the decor is not anything that would ever cause be distress on a cruise.  

[CruizinSusan70]

6 hours ago, islandchicklet said:

Question..... I have been Platinum for over a decade but haven't sailed Carnival in over 5 or 6 years and you stated Priority embarkation is gone so I am inquiring about cabins being accessible as soon as getting on the ship.  Is that a thing of the past also?  Those two things are all I used of my Platinum benefits.  Was  looking at possibly booking a Carnival cruise because RCCL is slow rolling with their Covid updates but reading about all these cutbacks and possibly no Platinum perks doesn't sound real appealing now.

Denise, you can still go to your cabin and drop off your luggage as soon as you get on board.  Instead of priority embarkation, those with platinum or diamond status get to check in 48 hours before everyone else so you can get a 10:00 am check in.

[maryann2]

On 8/4/2022 at 5:47 AM, MsTabbyKats said:

The article says that tea time is on hiatus.  I thought it was still operating on cruises longer than 5 days.  Am I wrong?

Teatime is back on Carnival Splendor. Just restarted.

[maryann2]

Another thing that has started is brunch on the last day in the steakhouse. We booked for 12 noon and it is a wonderful menu. Cost $25 

We were able to use our free Diamond/Platinum drink.

[MsTabbyKats]

34 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

Teatime is back on Carnival Splendor. Just restarted.

Glad to hear that.  It's not a "deal breaker" (I can always get tea and cake elsewhere) but DH and I did enjoy it.  We really used to enjoy it in the old days, when nobody knew about it, and it was served in lounge.

[maryann2]

22 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

Another thing that has started is brunch on the last day in the steakhouse. We booked for 12 noon and it is a wonderful menu. Cost $25 

We were able to use our free Diamond/Platinum drink.

[TxTeach79]

2 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

 

Thanks for posting. Looks great! I've never tried the steakhouse brunch... somehow, didn't really even know about it til recently!

[DallasGuy75219]

34 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

And we have a winner!! That's where the petite filet from the MDR steak and eggs went. 

 

Yet another item that used to be included in your fare but that Carnival now charges for.

[allinwonderland]

40 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

Wait whaaaaaat? this is a thing now? I would totally do this, extra charge be damned! What ship were you on?

[CruizinSusan70]

2 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

And we have a winner!! That's where the petite filet from the MDR steak and eggs went. 

 

Yet another item that used to be included in your fare but that Carnival now charges for.

They need to chip away at their billions in debt.

[DallasGuy75219]

2 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

They need to chip away at their billions in debt.

$25 at a time🤣

[cruisingguy007]

Just now, DallasGuy75219 said:

$25 at a time🤣

 

Not a bad idea though, especially for shorter cruises. I'd pay for a nice seafood buffet spread for sure. Seeing as how they don't serve lobster anymore on the shorter cruises, this could be a smart move trying some additional up-charge dining options. It will be interesting to see if this steakhouse brunch is rolled out fleet wide and how successful it will be. They could make it a champagne brunch, serve some cheapish (but decent) sparkling wine and it would probably be a bigger hit. Heck, they could probably charge $5 more per head. Champagne brunch buffets seem to be the most popular, Marie Callander's, various places in Vegas and a lot of various hotels/restaurants all over did them (pre-covid) and it was always packed and hard to get a table.