Is Carnival cruising better or worse since the restart?

[Honolulu Blue]

Hi everyone.  I've sailed on Carnival over a dozen times, but the last time was just before the shutdown.  My next Carnival cruise is in November, and I'd like some opinions of what I have to look forward to.  There are no wrong answers, and opinions are fine.  Just be decent to each other.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[sparks1093]

We just completed our third cruise since the shutdown and they've gotten better each time in our view. I don't think they are where they were before the pandemic, but then no business is at this point. On Glory all of the food was spot on and the service was top notch. 

[ColeThornton]

Simply take some time to read through the forum.   Lots of opinions, rants, facts and even some head-scratching posts.  🙂

[cruiserNC]

Better or worse is relative.

 

One thing is a fact expect to be nickeled and dimed like never before.

[mz-s]

It's certainly not the same as before.

 

Overall I'd say it's worse.

 

But that is a strong word. Overall I'd say Carnival is trending more towards a Red Roof Inn by the regional airport type of experience vs. where they were before.

[jimbo5544]

Covid and the shut down and the economic situation that followed have made a mark on cruising, at Carnival and all of the lines.  Some are harder hit than others.  There are changes where they have had to adapt.  We have cruised 6 times since the start up.  Just before we started, we were invited to the MG naming ceremony (we did a side to side on Horizon and MG 3 days later.  At the ceremony and the celebration that followed, we had a chance to sit down for a drink with a Carnival exec and good friend.  He said something that showed me the impact all of that had on the company (and it affects cruising today).  The first thing was as he related it, how much they all put into the start and the cost (both financial and people that were no longer with the company.  The second, when I asked what would happen of there was another shut down, he said that there simply could not be another, the industry and Carnival could not survive it.

 

Those first two cruises were on half filled ships and there were things that were there before and not thre then. That said, it was wonderful to cruise again.  Every single employee we talked to, thanked us for coming back, it was heartfelt.  Each and every cruise (multiple homeports and ships) has gotten better, more of the FUN that IS Carnival.  Is it all the way back? No. Will it get there? Not sure.

[jsglow]

I honestly think it's not much different.  There are some areas where the company has tried to be more efficient and that has a modest impact on overall service.  Take once per day room cleaning, for example. It's also true that prices are up, especially from the early days of the re-start, but that's to be expected. Oh, and I guess we vote with our experience having taken at least a dozen Carnival cruises since Covid.

[ryanpatricksmom]

We've sailed with Carnival numerous times, Disney twice, and NCL several times since the restart.  I can't speak to Disney's changes because my only cruise with them prior was so many years ago that it wouldn't be relevant.  Both NCL and Carnival are still struggling a bit with staffing.  Many of the employees have been asked to shorten their vacations because they can't fill some of the openings.  I have noticed a decline in the quality of the food available onboard, with the exception of the NCL Haven experience which is pretty much the same. It takes longer to get a drink, the seaday brunch on Carnival is not as enticing as it used to me, some of the fast food type lunch options aren't as tasty as they once were.  I do think that some of the theatre entertainment has improved.  I've also noticed that Carnival in particular seems to be marketing to first time cruisers, so your fellow passengers aren't up to speed on the ins and outs of cruising, which can also diminish the experience....think logjams where you normally wouldn't see them, longer lines at guest services,  encroaching on others'  space, etc....but they'll get there, we all started without knowing the basics.

 

[Drazil65]

We have sailed 3 times since restart and have 3 more on the books with CCL.  For us, things have either been the same in many aspects or are better with the addition of the Excel class ships.  We love MG and everything it has to offer and feel this is a "better" thing that enhances our cruising experience.  Many of the things that have complaint posts by other cruisers really dont affect us like once a day housekeeping.  We only want once day and requested that long before it became the norm.  We always book cabins that enhance our experience, have our own balcony getaway space, book specialty restaurants to give us different dinning experiences and stay away from the most crowded areas of a ship.  We also did all of these things prior to the pandemic as well.  We have taken responsibility and accountability for the majority of our experiences on a ship (or anywhere we vacation).  

 

Since many everyday things have changed since the pandemic, it would be ridicules and unreasonable to think or believe that cruising would stay the same (including the monetary side).  I will always go back to each person having the choice to cruise or not to cruise.  Change is inevitable in most things and you can either roll with it or move on, great thing is you have a choice.    

Edited April 26, 2023 by Drazil65

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

I have NOT cruised Carnival since the restart, but I have cruised a few other lines.  Overall, the experience is worse.  I hope it starts to get better, but every cruise we have booked is sold out...so.....until demand drops off due to the cutbacks, I'd say we're screwed.

[Honolulu Blue]

Thanks everyone.  Keep those opinions coming!  It's all helpful.  I'll sift through what's most relevant for me.

 

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

Simply take some time to read through the forum.   Lots of opinions, rants, facts and even some head-scratching posts.  🙂

Trust me, I do a lot of reading of this forum - though not every post.  I think it's good for me to have a focused post than having to remember what people said in 100+ different threads and 1000+ different posts.

[Honolulu Blue]

3 minutes ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

I have NOT cruised Carnival since the restart, but I have cruised a few other lines.  Overall, the experience is worse.  I hope it starts to get better, but every cruise we have booked is sold out...so.....until demand drops off due to the cutbacks, I'd say we're screwed.

After the restart, I've cruised on two cruise lines that were new to me (Princess, Royal Caribbean) and one that I had only sampled once (Celebrity).  I thought the experiences for me were as good or better than ever, though a bunch of those were themed cruises and/or charters, and several were well below capacity.  

[Colorado Beach Bum]

It’s definitely a different experience.  Some things are better and some could be considered worse.  As mentioned above, the new Excel class is a much better experience.  Way more food choices and more variety of entertainment choices.  I never saw the number of comedy choices they now have on MG - Two venues plus usually a late night show in the main showroom.  With the addition of Center Stage there are multiple production type shows each night.  In four cruises on MG we’ve only been to MDR once which has made for better experience as the MDR quality seems to have declined.  Besides the Excel class we have enjoyed multiple Panorama and Vista cruises since restart.  Initially staff shortages seemed noticeable but in the last year we’ve come across some of the most friendly, personable crew even compared to pre-Covid. 

[jimbo5544]

52 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

I call 'em like I see 'em. I give Carnival credit where they deserve credit. I get that they're trying to tread water in the post-pandemic reality but that is not my problem. They only get my business when they earn it, they are not a charity.

Everybody’s opinion counts. 

[cmack9076]

Been on 4 since the restart out of Galveston. Have a 5th next week. The first couple were really different with half full ships and covid rules. But the last two have felt more like they were before the pandemic. Staff Shortage is still an issue and probably will be for awhile. I see people complain about the food quality and it has gone down a little bit. But I still find food options I really like on the ships. The muster drills are now a lot easier and a very nice change. In Galveston, getting onboard is easy with no issues. Getting off at the end of the cruise is a nightmare. I am platinum and can technically get off the boat early, has not happened on any of the 4 cruises. Always a cluster. I dont remember it being that bad before the pandemic. 

 

Overall cruising is about what the same as it has been. It is fun and I will continue to cruise Carnival. Pretty much you make the vacation what it is. You can harp on the little things and let it bother you. Or just forget it and go get a margarita. 

[jimbo5544]

9 minutes ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

It’s definitely a different experience.  Some things are better and some could be considered worse.  As mentioned above, the new Excel class is a much better experience.  Way more food choices and more variety of entertainment choices.  I never saw the number of comedy choices they now have on MG - Two venues plus usually a late night show in the main showroom.  With the addition of Center Stage there are multiple production type shows each night.  In four cruises on MG we’ve only been to MDR once which has made for better experience as the MDR quality seems to have declined.  Besides the Excel class we have enjoyed multiple Panorama and Vista cruises since restart.  Initially staff shortages seemed noticeable but in the last year we’ve come across some of the most friendly, personable crew even compared to pre-Covid. 

Hearing some of their shutdown experiences, including being repatriated to their home countries after the shut down were amazing to hear.   

[jimbo5544]

42 minutes ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

I have NOT cruised Carnival since the restart, but I have cruised a few other lines.  Overall, the experience is worse.  I hope it starts to get better, but every cruise we have booked is sold out...so.....until demand drops off due to the cutbacks, I'd say we're screwed.

Right now there is tremendous demand and they have tremendous debt.  To expect sizable change on what you describe as cutbacks would be……overly optimistic.  If you are good with that, great.  If not, so be it.

[ninjacat123]

In 12 days I will be on my ninth cruise since the Restart.  We have cruised on MG all the way to Ecstasy and I have had a great time!  Our first cruise after Restart was a ghost ship (Magic) with less than half full.  Last cruise (Magic) it was packed to the gills!  The service we received across the boards was personable and professional.  MDR food a bit hit or miss.  Alchemy was packed almost all the time. Other passengers were generally friendly.  Overall I have been happy with Carnival and feel that I have received great product and services for my money.

Now if Carnival could have a special early start for Platinum/Diamond at Alchemy then life would be peachy😉

[pc_load_letter]

Although not an option, I would choose "Same".

 

I would say perhaps worse only because of increased drink package prices and crowds (ships look waaaayyyy overbooked).

 

On a positive note, I appreciate the statements regarding shipboard behavior and the expanding fleet. I hope to try Firenze once it arrives.

 

We are on Radiance again in a month but after that, we are going east for another NCL cruise or perhaps back to the Med for a land based vacation. *Although Navigator of the Seas out of San Pedro looks enticing. It's been years since we've been on RCCL. 

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, pc_load_letter said:

Although not an option, I would choose "Same".

 

I would say perhaps worse only because of increased drink package prices and crowds (ships look waaaayyyy overbooked).

 

On a positive note, I appreciate the statements regarding shipboard behavior and the expanding fleet. I hope to try Firenze once it arrives.

 

We are on Radiance again in a month but after that, we are going east for another NCL cruise or perhaps back to the Med for a land based vacation. *Although Navigator of the Seas out of San Pedro looks enticing. It's been years since we've been on RCCL. 

Radiance and her sister are the two ships that give the worst crowded feeling in the fleet.

[pc_load_letter]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

Radiance and her sister are the two ships that give the worst crowded feeling in the fleet.

 

Agreed. During the day we pretty much stay in the aft seating area. The ever shrinking main pool spaces are a feature I am not happy to see.

 

Evenings on Radiance are pretty much spent near Alchemy or the atrium unless something comes up.

Edited April 26, 2023 by pc_load_letter
addition

[Jamman54]

We've been cruising on Carnival since 1985, and over the years we've seen a multitude of changes, some good, some not so good,  and some bad. We've learned to evolve and adapt to these changes,  as none of them have caused us to quit cruising on Carnival. Even the last three years has not been bad enough to cause us to not cruise on Carnival. Where would you go? All cruise lines are experiencing the same things. Go to the other lines cruise boards. Their all complaining about the same things. You need to evolve and adapt or choose another vacation mode. 😎

[pe4all]

We have been on 4 CCL cruises since the restart - the first 2 being at 40% and 60% capacity, so it would not be fair to judge those.  Our last 2 have been at 100% capacity, and I will have to say most things were pretty much as they were before covid- at least for us.   As we have pretty much been to all the ports (more than a few times each) and have done many excursions we really use the ship as the destination, and get off just to walk around the port area for an hour or so and shop a bit.  Don't do trivia, we do shows and casino, and love spending time just reading and relaxing on our balcony.  Yes, we have to run to the bar to get our water, go to Pixels for our "gift", but all in all we are happy with the experience CCL gives us.  Go with an open mind and hopefully you will have a great cruise!

[ray98]

I would put the overall experience in the 'worse' category. 

 

The first few cruises after the restart the negatives were masked by the lack of people and the dirt cheap prices.  Sure, the food wasn't as good but hey you got great service because there were no passengers and it was cheaper than staying home. 

 

Now that the crowds are back and the prices are soaring it makes the service and food downgrades even more obvious.  That feeling of value is long gone and you are paying a premium for reduced service and a downgraded food quality.

[CruiseAdict218]

Have cruises 6 times since the restart (5 on Carnival and 1 on Royal Caribbean which was also our first sailing with them). Overall service was pretty good on each cruise. Nothing will probably top the reduced capacity when the restart first happened but nothing was down right horrible. The biggest issue is how hit and miss the food can be. 
 

Our next cruise is on the upcoming Carnival Venezia so hopefully everything will be top notched but we shall see, I have two booked on that ship so pretty excited for it.