Gimme your CCL pet peeves

[Out of Iowa]

Trying to book a cruise only to get a message to call the (800) tel # to talk to a representative, who eventually told me that the cruise I want to book is not yet "fully available."  What does that mean?  If it can't be booked, Carnival, then don't display it on your website and have CD John Heald include it in his online post. 

 

After long holds while the rep "talked to the IT Department," she finally advised me to call back "in a week, at the month or maybe in a month."  Again, I did not understand the explanation/instruction. 

 

Still haven't managed to book and it's been a week now.

[ldubs]

On 10/21/2023 at 5:49 AM, kelkel2 said:

I’m a family of 4. And my children pay full tips too. So yes it does add up for us. 

 

OK, suite guests pay $2 per person per day more that other cabin categories.  If you consider that a lot more who am I to argue.  

[ldubs]

23 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

excellent post.  I was going to post the same, but given this person's answer, I felt it would fall on deaf ears.  I have played with others with that attitude, and I've just cashed in my chips and went to another table.

 

I don't think, unless asked, it is someone's job to instruct others how to play.  Like you say, if you don't like it move on.  

[Drew B 58]

23 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I don't think, unless asked, it is someone's job to instruct others how to play.  Like you say, if you don't like it move on.  

…much like it wouldn’t be someone’s JOB to stop someone from stepping out in front of a speeding bus.  Nevertheless, it would be the kind thing to do!  😉

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, Drew B 58 said:

…much like it wouldn’t be someone’s JOB to stop someone from stepping out in front of a speeding bus.  Nevertheless, it would be the kind thing to do!  😉

 

You don't see a difference?  

[Drew B 58]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

You don't see a difference?  

Giving advice that you think will help the person is not a bad thing to do.  They can either take or reject that advice.  If they choose not to take it, it’s not like I’m going to scream at them or punch them…

 

Now, I COULD get up and leave the table if I don’t like how they are playing.  Likewise, they can get up and leave the table if they don’t like receiving suggestions…

[dbrown84]

4 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I don't think, unless asked, it is someone's job to instruct others how to play.  Like you say, if you don't like it move on.  

did you see may instruct others on how to play, or suggest instructing others?

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, Drew B 58 said:

Giving advice that you think will help the person is not a bad thing to do.  They can either take or reject that advice.  If they choose not to take it, it’s not like I’m going to scream at them or punch them…

 

Now, I COULD get up and leave the table if I don’t like how they are playing.  Likewise, they can get up and leave the table if they don’t like receiving suggestions…

 

So I take it you do see a difference.  

 

I agree with this comment as long as the person is receptive.  If not receptive, I'm glad you wouldn't push back.   Not sure that others wouldn't push back.   

Edited October 23, 2023 by ldubs

[ldubs]

Edit - delete.  Oops.  

Edited October 23, 2023 by ldubs
Oops

[ldubs]

9 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

did you see may instruct others on how to play, or suggest instructing others?

 

Sorry, not following.        

[phoneman69]

On 10/8/2023 at 1:31 PM, highSeas22 said:

How about this.   The menu is posted on the wall.  View it before you go in.

Your kidding right. You want me to look at menu outside the MDR then remember every choice including desert. I know your only kidding. Dinning experience  

[RoperDK]

My 2 cents - 

 

We normally cruise in suites.  Suites cost more, but not as much as other cruise lines.  Carnival has very few suite benefits compared to other cruise lines.  We would hope that Carnival would offer at least a cabin refresh along with the regular servicing.  We've been lucky that our cabin stewards have offered ice and fresh towels twice a day, but frankly we have been cruising on Royal recently as they offer more benefits.  I doubt that Carnival has lost any sleep since we have chosen other cruise lines.  It is what it is, and we walk in with eyes wide open. 

 

I really wonder if the blackjack rules for hitting and standing and novices upsetting the apple cart really plays out over hundreds of hands. I am usually a slot player, but DH follows "the rules" faithfully.  I was offered a free cruise on Carnival that included a free slot and blackjack tournament entry.  I practiced "the rules" many times before the cruise and took my cheat sheet to the table as reference.  After several rounds, I won the tournament and $3000!  I would like to think that I won because I followed the rules (along with a good betting strategy), but doesn't catching the cards really make the difference?  If the person before me chose the wrong way, might I just as well benefit from the random next card as not?  Again, I play slots.  I admit that I am clueless.           

[ldubs]

12 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

My 2 cents - 

 

We normally cruise in suites.  Suites cost more, but not as much as other cruise lines.  Carnival has very few suite benefits compared to other cruise lines.  We would hope that Carnival would offer at least a cabin refresh along with the regular servicing.  We've been lucky that our cabin stewards have offered ice and fresh towels twice a day, but frankly we have been cruising on Royal recently as they offer more benefits.  I doubt that Carnival has lost any sleep since we have chosen other cruise lines.  It is what it is, and we walk in with eyes wide open. 

 

I really wonder if the blackjack rules for hitting and standing and novices upsetting the apple cart really plays out over hundreds of hands. I am usually a slot player, but DH follows "the rules" faithfully.  I was offered a free cruise on Carnival that included a free slot and blackjack tournament entry.  I practiced "the rules" many times before the cruise and took my cheat sheet to the table as reference.  After several rounds, I won the tournament and $3000!  I would like to think that I won because I followed the rules (along with a good betting strategy), but doesn't catching the cards really make the difference?  If the person before me chose the wrong way, might I just as well benefit from the random next card as not?  Again, I play slots.  I admit that I am clueless.           

 

After reading this thread, it sounds like testing my telepathic abilities at the blackjack table might not go over well with my fellow players.  I'm not well versed in blackjack strategy either.  Congrats on the big win.   

[john91498]

6 hours ago, RoperDK said:

 

I really wonder if the blackjack rules for hitting and standing and novices upsetting the apple cart really plays out over hundreds of hands. I am usually a slot player, but DH follows "the rules" faithfully.  I was offered a free cruise on Carnival that included a free slot and blackjack tournament entry.  I practiced "the rules" many times before the cruise and took my cheat sheet to the table as reference.  After several rounds, I won the tournament and $3000!  I would like to think that I won because I followed the rules (along with a good betting strategy), but doesn't catching the cards really make the difference?  If the person before me chose the wrong way, might I just as well benefit from the random next card as not?  Again, I play slots.  I admit that I am clueless.           

 

I wouldn't say you are clueless. You know "the rules", many do not... 

[crazyank]

9 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

Now, I COULD get up and leave the table if I don’t like how they are playing.  Likewise, they can get up and leave the table if they don’t like receiving suggestions…

They can also tell you to mind your own business.

[Cushing985]

On 10/16/2023 at 12:00 PM, ldubs said:

 

People doing 50 in the left lane.  ☹️

If I was a State cop, I'd have a field day!

[Drew B 58]

8 hours ago, crazyank said:

They can also tell you to mind your own business.

Yes.  They could.

[Drew B 58]

15 hours ago, RoperDK said:

My 2 cents - 

 

We normally cruise in suites.  Suites cost more, but not as much as other cruise lines.  Carnival has very few suite benefits compared to other cruise lines.  We would hope that Carnival would offer at least a cabin refresh along with the regular servicing.  We've been lucky that our cabin stewards have offered ice and fresh towels twice a day, but frankly we have been cruising on Royal recently as they offer more benefits.  I doubt that Carnival has lost any sleep since we have chosen other cruise lines.  It is what it is, and we walk in with eyes wide open. 

 

I really wonder if the blackjack rules for hitting and standing and novices upsetting the apple cart really plays out over hundreds of hands. I am usually a slot player, but DH follows "the rules" faithfully.  I was offered a free cruise on Carnival that included a free slot and blackjack tournament entry.  I practiced "the rules" many times before the cruise and took my cheat sheet to the table as reference.  After several rounds, I won the tournament and $3000!  I would like to think that I won because I followed the rules (along with a good betting strategy), but doesn't catching the cards really make the difference?  If the person before me chose the wrong way, might I just as well benefit from the random next card as not?  Again, I play slots.  I admit that I am clueless.           

The way you describe it is accurate.  Every player’s play affects the rest of the table.  You cannot know if playing “incorrectly” will help or harm others.  That is why if I see that their “incorrect” play helped save the table, I make a point of thanking them.  But if I’m going to thank them for saving the table, it only stands to reason that I will also blame them when their play hurts the table.  If they play “correctly”, I neither thank nor blame them.  That is simply the default.

 

I don’t know if statistical analysis has been done to show how incorrect play affects the table at large.  I’m not sure how it could be done, as there are too many variables.  However, it has shown conclusively that correct play maximizes that player’s odds over the long run (millions and millions of hands).  On any given hand, it is a toss-up.  My advice is actually to help THEM, not me.  A good player is likely to do better over the long run than a player who uses bad strategy or relies on “feelings”…

[staceyglow]

3 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

The way you describe it is accurate.  Every player’s play affects the rest of the table.  You cannot know if playing “incorrectly” will help or harm others.  That is why if I see that their “incorrect” play helped save the table, I make a point of thanking them.  But if I’m going to thank them for saving the table, it only stands to reason that I will also blame them when their play hurts the table.  If they play “correctly”, I neither thank nor blame them.  That is simply the default.

 

I don’t know if statistical analysis has been done to show how incorrect play affects the table at large.  I’m not sure how it could be done, as there are too many variables.  However, it has shown conclusively that correct play maximizes that player’s odds over the long run (millions and millions of hands).  On any given hand, it is a toss-up.  My advice is actually to help THEM, not me.  A good player is likely to do better over the long run than a player who uses bad strategy or relies on “feelings”…

I am guessing that it all evens out eventually.  You just notice the cards you "should" have gotten more.  But if you have 10 and the person next to you draws a 5 on a 17, and your card ends up being an Ace, his bad play did you a favor.  

[Drew B 58]

8 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

I am guessing that it all evens out eventually.  You just notice the cards you "should" have gotten more.  But if you have 10 and the person next to you draws a 5 on a 17, and your card ends up being an Ace, his bad play did you a favor.  

Correct.  But I notice everything that results from unconventional play, good or bad.  If someone does something [I feel] they shouldn’t, I pay close attention to subsequent cards and figure out whether what they did helped or hurt me.

[RoperDK]

22 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

After reading this thread, it sounds like testing my telepathic abilities at the blackjack table might not go over well with my fellow players.  I'm not well versed in blackjack strategy either.  Congrats on the big win.   

Blackjack strategy is easy to learn with a cheat sheet.  They are only a few dollars on Amazon and only about 3x4 inches in size.  You are allowed to bring them and use them at the table.  Most situations are easy to memorize.  I still use the card in unusual situations.  In my case, I find playing blackjack extremely stressful.  The dealer wants to keep a rapid pace of play at the table and I just can't add and figure out the correct move that quickly.  I enjoy watching Hubby play and a friendly table is fun, but just give me my slots! 😁   

[Drew B 58]

3 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Blackjack strategy is easy to learn with a cheat sheet.  They are only a few dollars on Amazon and only about 3x4 inches in size.  You are allowed to bring them and use them at the table.  Most situations are easy to memorize.  I still use the card in unusual situations.  In my case, I find playing blackjack extremely stressful.  The dealer wants to keep a rapid pace of play at the table and I just can't add and figure out the correct move that quickly.  I enjoy watching Hubby play and a friendly table is fun, but just give me my slots! 😁   

You shouldn’t ever feel pressured.  Take as much time as you need to play your hand!

[ldubs]

5 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Blackjack strategy is easy to learn with a cheat sheet.  They are only a few dollars on Amazon and only about 3x4 inches in size.  You are allowed to bring them and use them at the table.  Most situations are easy to memorize.  I still use the card in unusual situations.  In my case, I find playing blackjack extremely stressful.  The dealer wants to keep a rapid pace of play at the table and I just can't add and figure out the correct move that quickly.  I enjoy watching Hubby play and a friendly table is fun, but just give me my slots! 😁   

 

Thanks.  Back in the days I used to gamble, it was craps.  I didn't spend too much time at the blackjack tables.   I can figure out some basic play based on the dealer's up card. Beyond that if math is involved, I probably won't enjoy playing the game correctly. 😃

 

BTW, I used to enjoy that Wheel of Fortune slot.  Don't know if they still have those.  

[RoperDK]

10 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Thanks.  Back in the days I used to gamble, it was craps.  I didn't spend too much time at the blackjack tables.   I can figure out some basic play based on the dealer's up card. Beyond that if math is involved, I probably won't enjoy playing the game correctly. 😃

 

BTW, I used to enjoy that Wheel of Fortune slot.  Don't know if they still have those.  

Yikes, Craps! 😧 Even with a cheat sheet, I don't understand that game!  They still have Wheel of Fortune, but you will find me most days playing Buffaloooo! 🐃😁

 

I think we have hijacked this thread.  Let me see if I can come up with another CCL pet-peeve.....

 

Still with the casino theme is the fact that you can't walk up to the bar and get your own drink for free like on Royal. Oh wait, they don't have a bar in the casino anymore!  We don't qualify for DOU Everywhere, just in the casino while playing.  So my pet-peeve is that there are never enough servers in the casino especially at the slots. Never!  We actually don't cruise Carnival very much anymore and we are almost Diamond.  Our offers are better on Royal and we find cruising with them to be a better value if you can believe that.   

[ldubs]

3 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Yikes, Craps! 😧 Even with a cheat sheet, I don't understand that game!  They still have Wheel of Fortune, but you will find me most days playing Buffaloooo! 🐃😁

 

I think we have hijacked this thread.  Let me see if I can come up with another CCL pet-peeve.....

 

Still with the casino theme is the fact that you can't walk up to the bar and get your own drink for free like on Royal. Oh wait, they don't have a bar in the casino anymore!  We don't qualify for DOU Everywhere, just in the casino while playing.  So my pet-peeve is that there are never enough servers in the casino especially at the slots. Never!  We actually don't cruise Carnival very much anymore and we are almost Diamond.  Our offers are better on Royal and we find cruising with them to be a better value if you can believe that.   

 

Yeah, I think we have taken a little detour here.  Craps isn't that hard once you remove all the sucker bets which is most of what you see on the table.  And of course, bet the odds.