HMC Villas are listed as $999.99 now?!?!

[Lee Cruiser]

56 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

It's a luxury item that people are voluntarily paying for, and they know exactly what they are going to get. 

 

No one is being "taken advantage of". 

You and I disagree on that one.  I think it's the very definition taking advantage of someone.  Back when there was a run on toilet paper there were people selling toilet paper for double, triple and even more times than that of the normal price and there were people buying it.  The people who were buying it at that price were being taking advantage of by those selling it.  Just because someone is willing to pay a high price doesn't mean they are not being taken advantage of.  Carnival is taking advantage of the fact that there are people who will continue to pay for the "luxury items" no matter how high they go.  As long as people keep paying it, Carnival will keep raising the prices.

Edited April 20, 2023 by Lee Cruiser

[Thenagers]

21 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

It's just like FTTF.  As long as there are people out there that are willing to pay these ridiculous amounts, then they will continue to charge them.  Why should they change?  There are only a limited amount of spots/ items available and as long as they keep selling out, there's no reason for Carnival to charge less.  Until enough people decide they are not going to be taken advantage of, then the prices will continue to skyrocket.  We made a determination that many of those extras simply aren't worth the money and that we would save that money for future cruises.

Personally I loved faster to fun pre Covid. We got it in Glory with HMC as a tender and then again on horizon with grand cayman , tender ports really make a difference. I got it on Mardis gras this last spring break and a total waste of $149. The shorter line at guest services was the only benefit that really stood out. My friends without it got on 10-15 after me? Room wasn’t ready until 1:30( although stuff could be dropped). No priority luggage and debarkment didn’t matter. Unless there is a tender port I will not do faster to fun again!

Edited April 20, 2023 by Thenagers

[tbjl24]

27 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

You and I disagree on that one.  I think it's the very definition taking advantage of someone.  Back when there was a run on toilet paper there were people selling toilet paper for double, triple and even more times than that of the normal price and there were people buying it.  The people who were buying it at that price were being taking advantage of by those selling it.  Just because someone is willing to pay a high price doesn't mean they are not being taken advantage of.  Carnival is taking advantage of the fact that there are people who will continue to pay for the "luxury items" no matter how high they go.  As long as people keep paying it, Carnival will keep raising the prices.

Yes, Carnival is taking advantage (its called a free market)...no, no one is being taken advantage of. A Cabana or Villa is not a basic human need like toilet paper...or water...or food. Apples to oranges

[icft]

13 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

You and I disagree on that one.  I think it's the very definition taking advantage of someone.  Back when there was a run on toilet paper there were people selling toilet paper for double, triple and even more times than that of the normal price and there were people buying it.  The people who were buying it at that price were being taking advantage of by those selling it.  Just because someone is willing to pay a high price doesn't mean they are not being taken advantage of.  Carnival is taking advantage of the fact that there are people who will continue to pay for the "luxury items" no matter how high they go.  As long as people keep paying it, Carnival will keep raising the prices.

The problem with discussions about "taking advantage of someone," (assuming all parties are fully informed) is that it is an opinion based discussion; essentially a discussion about morals.

 

On the one hand, in every sale in which the seller makes a profit the seller is "taking advantage" of the buyer's need or desire for the item sold. An example following this philosophy is that lending money for interest is contrary to Islamic law because it is taking advantage of the borrowers circumstances.

 

On the other hand classic capitalistic economics would say the moral thing to do is charge what the market will bear. In that way the scarce item goes to those with the greatest need for the item and the excess profits will cause others to produce the item thus, in the long term, increasing the availability of the item and decreasing its price to the benefit of all.

 

But when dealing with something that is a totally unnecessary luxury and all parties are fully informed about the product and the price I really can't get morally outraged. Some may remember the days when they sold "pet rocks." People actually paid good money for a rock you could find on the side of the road for free. Were the folks who bought being taken advantage of?  

 

 

 

 

[Lee Cruiser]

44 minutes ago, tbjl24 said:A Cabana or Villa is not a basic human need like toilet paper...or water...or food. Apples to oranges

 

24 minutes ago, icft said:

 

But when dealing with something that is a totally unnecessary luxury and all parties are fully informed about the product and the price I really can't get morally outraged.

Definitely fair points. I will agree with you on that.  Probably a poor choice of words on my part. 

[Stick93]

I had a villa in HMC about 8 years ago on one of my cruises. We prob paid about $300 or so at the time.  I was so underwhelmed by the entire island and the cardboard hut I prob wound not spend a dollar on it again, let alone almost 1k. I will save for the next toilet paper crisis because at least I feel value in a clean bottom side. They need to spruce up the place and make it more like a destination or an all inclusive stop. 

 

 

 

[RD64]

Capitalism 101! People on this thread are making it sound like having a Cabana is a basic human right. It isn’t. If you can’t afford it - or simply do not want to pay the going market rate then move on.

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, RD64 said:

Capitalism 101! People on this thread are making it sound like having a Cabana is a basic human right. It isn’t. If you can’t afford it - or simply do not want to pay the going market rate then move on.

There is no right to cruise, much less rent a cabana..

[tbjl24]

3 hours ago, RD64 said:

Capitalism 101! People on this thread are making it sound like having a Cabana is a basic human right. It isn’t. If you can’t afford it - or simply do not want to pay the going market rate then move on.

You can pretty much tell who are hourly workers in this thread 😂

[Lee Cruiser]

42 minutes ago, tbjl24 said:

You can pretty much tell who are hourly workers in this thread 😂

I'm not really sure what that has to do with anything.  I have a graduate degree and I wouldn't pay the older price of $200 for a cabana rental, much less what they are asking now. I've never really had a desire to rent a cabana. I don't see it as a "right", for me it would just be a ridiculous waste of money.  I would rather put that money towards another cruise.  The last few times we've been there, the cabanas were rarely used.  People would put their stuff there and go off and do other things.

[icft]

1 hour ago, tbjl24 said:

You can pretty much tell who are hourly workers in this thread 😂

It is said wealth rarely lasts three generations.

 

What I see is more along the lines of you can tell who is building wealth and on the rise and who is throwing it away and in decline.😁

Edited April 21, 2023 by icft

[BlerkOne]

37 minutes ago, icft said:

It is said wealth rarely lasts three generations.

 

What I see is more along the lines of you can tell who is building wealth and on the rise and who is throwing it away and in decline.😁

The first creates, the second preserves, and the third spends it away.

 

What I see is people with tee shirts proclaiming they are spending their children's inheritance.

[tbjl24]

9 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

I'm not really sure what that has to do with anything.  I have a graduate degree and I wouldn't pay the older price of $200 for a cabana rental, much less what they are asking now. I've never really had a desire to rent a cabana. I don't see it as a "right", for me it would just be a ridiculous waste of money.  I would rather put that money towards another cruise.  The last few times we've been there, the cabanas were rarely used.  People would put their stuff there and go off and do other things.

 

8 hours ago, icft said:

It is said wealth rarely lasts three generations.

 

What I see is more along the lines of you can tell who is building wealth and on the rise and who is throwing it away and in decline.😁

 

8 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

The first creates, the second preserves, and the third spends it away.

 

What I see is people with tee shirts proclaiming they are spending their children's inheritance.

My point was that you can see that some folks here aren’t running their own business. Understanding free market conditions, etc

[wemjam]

20 hours ago, staceyglow said:

It's a luxury item that people are voluntarily paying for, and they know exactly what they are going to get. 

 

No one is being "taken advantage of". 

Exactly 😃 

 

On HMC trips this is our one splurge on the cruise.  We don't gamble, we might eat in a specialty restaurant occasionally, and we don't usually spend a lot of money on board for anything else.  So at $300 it wasn't too bad, at $450 it was getting a little more painful, but at $699 I think we are done.

 

It does make for such a NICE day on HMC to have the private space with the snacks/drinks, loungers, table to eat at, a bit of cool from AC, our own shower along with snorkel gear and floats.  

 

We have done the Ocean Cabana's in AC and also the Cabana around the Pool in GT, but both these ports also have other things to do there where we don't feel the need to have it such as pools, activities, shopping, etc.  HMC is the place to kick back and relax and a cabana is SO very nice for that kind of day.

[hard_eight]

9 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

The first creates, the second preserves, and the third spends it away.

 

What I see is people with tee shirts proclaiming they are spending their children's inheritance.

I've told my kids, I'm leaving them what I was left. Diddly Squat. Go earn it.

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, tbjl24 said:

 

 

My point was that you can see that some folks here aren’t running their own business. Understanding free market conditions, etc

Perhaps not, but some certainly don't mind running Carnival's business. Straight into the ground.

[wemjam]

3 hours ago, hard_eight said:

I've told my kids, I'm leaving them what I was left. Diddly Squat. Go earn it.

Amen!  Same thing we say.  Don't get me wrong.  Both our boys are grown and doing alright and we have helped them when they needed it (as well as all our other family), but Lord knows no one handed me a darn thing.  I have worked my #@!#@$ off to get everything I have starting with my first job at 12.

 

We are not wealthy by any means but we don't struggle (by our own doing), but a splurge in life here and there is what keeps you going when you work hard for a living (like cruising and other vacations).  Everyone's priorities are different.  While some consider $200 for a cabana too much to spend.. they likely might spend it other ways that some would think is frivolous.  I think it is crazy to sit in the casino and drop hundreds of dollars at a table or a machine, but plenty of people spend thousands that way.

 

ALL of what we are talking about is a luxury (cruising, excursions, dinning out).... and because we are all here talking about just shows that each of us is blessed to be able to enjoy some fruits of our labor in life. 😍

 

 

[dallasdan]

Taking pricing out of the equation, our Cabanas worth renting?  I have heard so many reviews where other people either enter the Cabana or use the amenities, chairs, hammocks etc.... I don't think I should have to leave one person in the Cabana at all times to protect my space.

[Theosprey247]

44 minutes ago, dallasdan said:

Taking pricing out of the equation, our Cabanas worth renting?  I have heard so many reviews where other people either enter the Cabana or use the amenities, chairs, hammocks etc.... I don't think I should have to leave one person in the Cabana at all times to protect my space.

If you want to stay in one place (or have a homebase for a group).  Then yes Cabanas are nice (plus the included snacks and drinks [nonalcoholic]).  

[wemjam]

1 hour ago, dallasdan said:

Taking pricing out of the equation, our Cabanas worth renting?  I have heard so many reviews where other people either enter the Cabana or use the amenities, chairs, hammocks etc.... I don't think I should have to leave one person in the Cabana at all times to protect my space.

I think totally worth it.  I like having my own fridge and really comfortable lounge chairs.  Plus the table and chairs are nice.  We got get our lunch and come back and eat it in our space.  Don't have traffic running around us or over us, plus a little cool air if it gets too warm in the sun.

 

I LOVE having a shower right there to rinse off the salt water and sand.

 

Free pop, water, and snacks is great too (but not the main reason we do it).

 

Also take full advantage of snorkel gear and floats.

[bucfan2]

18 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Perhaps not, but some certainly don't mind running Carnival's business. Straight into the ground.

They're certainly not looking for assistance in that area.

[hard_eight]

20 hours ago, wemjam said:

I think totally worth it.  I like having my own fridge and really comfortable lounge chairs.  Plus the table and chairs are nice.  We got get our lunch and come back and eat it in our space.  Don't have traffic running around us or over us, plus a little cool air if it gets too warm in the sun.

 

I LOVE having a shower right there to rinse off the salt water and sand.

 

Free pop, water, and snacks is great too (but not the main reason we do it).

 

Also take full advantage of snorkel gear and floats.

We used to order a bottle of Rum from room service and bring it to use with the soda as mixers. Saved money vs the bar but, with bottle prices now...ugh

[Pellaz]

On 4/21/2023 at 1:10 PM, dallasdan said:

Taking pricing out of the equation, our Cabanas worth renting?  I have heard so many reviews where other people either enter the Cabana or use the amenities, chairs, hammocks etc.... I don't think I should have to leave one person in the Cabana at all times to protect my space.

 

The cabanas at HMC have consistently been one of Carnival's most highly reviewed and popular excursions...at least, at those prior, lower price-points.   

I've booked a cabana there for every visit (6 attempts, 3 times successful) and always thought they were great.  Included:   water float-pads, snorkeling gear, A/C, snacks, sodas (as per your requested flavors), bottled water, those nice padded loungers, the misting fan, your own shower....   And I don't think I ever paid over $350 for one.   (Don't ask about booking the Private Oasis at $1,500.  We didn't get to the island on that trip. 😮 )

 

I'd happily pay $300 or $350 for a cabana to this day.  I'd wince and pay $400 or $450 for a group of us.  But $699?   Sorry, nope!

--And if enough other people feel the same, Carnival will see the lack of demand and start lowering the price again.  It's what any competent business owner would do. 

As has been observed, cabanas are a luxury, not a necessity.  Both parties are aware of the price, the cabana perks, the limited availability, etc. and this is not a forced sale; it is mutually agreed.  If the "fair market value" is no longer perceived as being worth the elevated price, then people can and should walk away.  

 

[mar214]

Totally agree with walking away from booking any future HMC cabanas!! We book cruises specifically with the day at HMC. We have been very lucky to get there every cruise and with a cabana! With these prices, we will now look to avoid this stop. Without a cabana there, I don't think we will enjoy it as much as we have and therefore no reason to be there in the first place. I will truly miss my HMC cabanas!! 

[BlerkOne]

Pretty sure most cruisers who have been to HMC have never rented a cabana/etc (I know we didn't)  and this will have zero impact for most future cruisers.