Switch to Celebrity

[pzsdd6]

As a longtime Carnival customer, Diamond with 50+ cruises, I’m personally disgusted with the current state of affairs on Carnival ships. Just take a look at all the comments from Carnival customers that really want to cruise with them, but can no longer stomach the crap shoveled out that’s supposed to be food. The horrible customer service, bathrooms that smell like a toilet……it’s like going to a concert and pissing in a trough. 
So, with that said, my DW and I have been moving over to Celebrity. Yes, it will cost you more! But you will get so much more for your money. It’s like cruising used to be…….quality, class, and caring. I recently saw a comment that sums it up best “death by a thousand cuts” all brought on by Carnival because they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for. I realize that some people will disagree and that’s OK, but for the rest that really want to enjoy cruising again like it was, take a look at Celebrity………amazing!

 

[mz-s]

15 minutes ago, pzsdd6 said:

As a longtime Carnival customer, Diamond with 50+ cruises, I’m personally disgusted with the current state of affairs on Carnival ships. Just take a look at all the comments from Carnival customers that really want to cruise with them, but can no longer stomach the crap shoveled out that’s supposed to be food. The horrible customer service, bathrooms that smell like a toilet……it’s like going to a concert and pissing in a trough. 
So, with that said, my DW and I have been moving over to Celebrity. Yes, it will cost you more! But you will get so much more for your money. It’s like cruising used to be…….quality, class, and caring. I recently saw a comment that sums it up best “death by a thousand cuts” all brought on by Carnival because they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for. I realize that some people will disagree and that’s OK, but for the rest that really want to enjoy cruising again like it was, take a look at Celebrity………amazing!

 

 

Carnival Radiance leaving out today...nearly 4000 guests and almost 2500 of them are first time Carnival cruisers.

 

Carnival doesn't want Diamond or Platinum cruisers anymore. Their Casino might but Carnival wants blue cards who don't know what Carnival is capable of.

[luv2kroooz]

I think you will find similar complaints from repeat passengers on all of the lines. I think change is good thing and we sail lots of different lines because we like the variety. Well, actually used to....with all the cutbacks, price increases, etc, we have been doing land based vacations. Much better value for us.

 

Carnival is definitely not Celebrity, not do I think it pretends to be....different target market, different price point, different customer base. In the end, I think you get what you pay for. We sail Carnival for Caribbean fun in the sun, in your face cruising. But, yes, Celebrity is a more refined, experience with a variety of itineraries. I hope to sail Celebrity one day to check it out for myself.

[RoperDK]

We are long time Carnival cruisers.  Before COVID we were increasingly unhappy with food quality and reduced staffing leading to long lines for drinks and poor cabin servicing.  Of course, after COVID things got even worse.  While we haven't totally given up on Carnival, we have enjoyed cruising on Royal.  Princess is a bit too subdued for us.  We have a Celebrity cruise booked and are looking forward to seeing how we like it.  I think trying new experiences is a good thing.  It helps you find your sweet spot and that does change as we get older and aren't cruising with the entire family anymore.   

[BlerkOne]

Carnival and Celebrity are not direct competitors. Just off a Celebrity cruise, and while my cabin was great, the cruise was also free. If I had to pay for the cruise, I wouldn't.

 

Btw, you can find the exact same comment - Death by 1000 cuts on the Celebrity board. Probably Princess, too, which I prefer to Celebrity.

[ColeThornton]

[Georgia_Peaches]

Celebrity is a sleeper.  Having said that, we will sail with them in March.

[cyntil8ing]

Platinum on Carnival. Elite on Celebrity. I’m currently on my first post-restart cruise with Celebrity, having a lovely time. The ship is less than half full and that is amazing. Never a wait for anything! Wish it could always be this way!
 

I have done two post-restart cruises with Carnival and was pleased with them both. All-in-all, at the non-suite level, they are not all that different. Celebrity has a few nicer touches. I think everyone should try both, assuming similar itineraries and prices, and make up their own minds. Getting ready to book another Celebrity onboard, but we also have an upcoming Carnival.

[DirtyDawg]

4 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Celebrity is a sleeper.  Having said that, we will sail with them in March.

A lot sleepier than Carnival for sure but sometimes that is what is needed. A step above Carnival in overall quality and a step quieter but it's priced a step above too.  Whatever floats your boat! 🚢

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 minute ago, cyntil8ing said:

Platinum on Carnival. Elite on Celebrity. I’m currently on my first post-restart cruise with Celebrity, having a lovely time. The ship is less than half full and that is amazing. Never a wait for anything! Wish it could always be this way!
 

I have done two post-restart cruises with Carnival and was pleased with them both. All-in-all, at the non-suite level, they are not all that different. Celebrity has a few nicer touches. I think everyone should try both, assuming similar itineraries and prices, and make up their own minds. Getting ready to book another Celebrity onboard, but we also have an upcoming Carnival.

When we were footing the bill for our adult children to sail with us, it was usually on Carnival or NCL.  Always had a good time but knew that there were lots of things we had to take at face value because it was a value cruise.  Now that they are off the payroll, we are free to explore more "extravagant" cruising options.  We like Celebrity ok but not gonna lie, MSC is our new go-to..

[evandbob]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

Carnival doesn't want Diamond or Platinum cruisers anymore. Their Casino might but Carnival wants blue cards who don't know what Carnival is capable of.

I'm Diamond Carnival and receive some of their casino discounts for premier and elite sailings. Once we started cruising Celebrity, we got casino fares of just taxes, fees and gratuities for mid ship mid deck balcony cabins on their newest ships.

 

With free casino offers from Celebrity, we've only sailed Carnival on MG twice in the last year, while taking 6 Celebrity sailings that totalled less than 1 on the MG!.

[notscb]

3 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for.

 

Just got off of Carnival Dream and had a really nice time, the food was good for what it was. If you go into your vacation expecting to have a relaxing time and nothing more, every cruise line will work out for you.

[Eli_6]

I would gladly switch if they cruised from Galveston...

[SRQbeachgirl]

We leave on our first Celebrity cruise in 34 days. I'm looking forward to fewer large, loud groups whose members can't seem to move about the ship unless accompanied by their entire herd.

[Joebucks]

I was reading a thread about Celebrity going up in price too much and this was on the first page with 11 likes 

 

"I have sailed on 6 cruises this year on Celebrity.  I look at future cruises and the prices are increasing and that is  understandable as everything is increasing In price.

My issue is on the quality of the food, and the liquor and wine selections have also decreased on a linear scale during those  6 cruises.  

It is bad enough that the prices are really increasing but don’t charge for something that was promised and don’t provide with the excuse of it being a supply problem.  The supply problem is an excuse for Celebrity not wanting to supply it to cut cost. "

 

Celebrity is a fine product. It's a better choice for some. It's not for some. It can be exciting trying something new. Maybe you discover the change is what you needed.

 

But the grass is greener on the other side stuff gets extreme. Especially when people think economic problems only apply to the line they have a magnifying glass on. Methinks, these tend to be the same people constantly complaining about cruising even before the pandemic. Always something.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Joebucks

[ShakyBeef]

I loved X and so wish they would come back to sailing out of Baltimore.

[CruiseHealing]

With 38 cruises with 5 different cruise lines, our cruise experience has changed with us now being retired.  Before we like to be in the middle of the fun.  We are also big into dancing.  Carnival works for us because we book cabins with large balconies. We leave our cabin (balcony) to eat, shop and go dancing. We stay away from the crowds.  To us a large view of the ocean from our wraparound balcony and a good book to read is now our style of cruising 

 

If we cruise on another cruise line we would be doing the same thing, so why spend the extra money. On the food issue we think Carnival has done a great job adding free venues like Guys and Blue Iguana which are good.  We almost never eat at the buffet.  We frequent most of their Speciality (pay) restaurants.  We have 4 Carnival cruise coming up around the world. All cabins have Great balcony views!
 

[BlerkOne]

15 minutes ago, CruiseHealing said:

 To us a large view of the ocean from our wraparound balcony and a good book to read is now our style of cruising 

 

The water and ports are the same for most cruises. Some people might prefer more chrome and contemporary; some might prefer traditional. A shopping mall or comedy clubs. It's all good. I've still never had a bad cruise.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Give it a try; they're both very different experience

[icft]

2 hours ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

We leave on our first Celebrity cruise in 34 days. I'm looking forward to fewer large, loud groups whose members can't seem to move about the ship unless accompanied by their entire herd.

😂🤣 I feel your pain.

 

We just got off a Carnival cruise and were amazed at how many extended groups were on board. These herds stretched across the entire hall or walkway sauntering along occasionally all stopping and just standing there while the contenders for boss loudly cursed each other out arguing about where to go. It was mainly just disgusting.

 

 

 

 

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

6 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

As a longtime Carnival customer, Diamond with 50+ cruises, I’m personally disgusted with the current state of affairs on Carnival ships. Just take a look at all the comments from Carnival customers that really want to cruise with them, but can no longer stomach the crap shoveled out that’s supposed to be food. The horrible customer service, bathrooms that smell like a toilet……it’s like going to a concert and pissing in a trough. 
So, with that said, my DW and I have been moving over to Celebrity. Yes, it will cost you more! But you will get so much more for your money. It’s like cruising used to be…….quality, class, and caring. I recently saw a comment that sums it up best “death by a thousand cuts” all brought on by Carnival because they have no clue what people who cruise today are looking for. I realize that some people will disagree and that’s OK, but for the rest that really want to enjoy cruising again like it was, take a look at Celebrity………amazing!

 

This isn’t an airport we don’t need departure announcements. 

[icft]

7 hours ago, pzsdd6 said:

... bathrooms that smell like a toilet……

 

I can understand your frustration. In the past Carnival provided an experience you quite enjoyed and now they have taken that away. We have similar frustration.

 

But I have to ask, don't most bathrooms smell like a toilet?

[MJSailors]

Not necessarily a departure announcement by the OP.  Their initial post was their opinion of the Carnival product and that of Celebrity.

 

A clean bathroom does not smell like a used toilet. If the steward gave the cabin bathroom a thorough cleaning, there would be no toilet smell.

 

MJ🙋🏻

[Honolulu Blue]

Random comments about Carnival and Celebrity from my perspective:

 

• Carnival has given me fun experiences, but I haven't sailed on it since the restart.  Not for lack of trying - I've canceled two cruises and had one sail off without me.
• Try #4 looks to be next November.  I'm looking forward to it, despite the rumblings here and elsewhere.
• I've done three Celebrity cruises (one charter) since the restart.  All were noticeably under capacity, which skews my views of them greatly.
• It is possible to get deals on Celebrity even without doing the casino thing
• I like to think of Celebrity as a refined version of Carnival.  The cabins I've had have been nice and neutral, ditto the decor in the public areas.  They have fun things to do but don't push FUN as hard as Carnival.  They still do evening turndowns and leave a chocolate after every one (no towel animal, though).  They still have full four-page newsletters (for now).
• I think Celebrity has the best overall food of any cruise line I've been on.  Their burger and fries is no Guy's, however. ☹️
• Celebrity is the one cruise line I would pay a premium for over Carnival

 

[pzsdd6]

6 hours ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

This isn’t an airport we don’t need departure announcements. 

You are correct! No need for you to say goodbye from this thread!