More about Carnival's New Family-Unfriendly Policy Concerning Beverages

[lynyrd]

... And Hockey! But, I can listen to that and still type at the same time.

 

Well crap!! I got so involved in this board that I forgot that Greys was on!!! What the hell is wrong with me!!???

 

I DVR it then watch it commercial free.

[oklahoma_doug]

Grey's Anatomy is on. :D

 

It is a rerun...:( :p

[GoinCruisin]

Goincruisin, that's a good point, but I think people are having a hard time with the fact that they'll be on the ship for a whole week, in their own cabins alot of the time, etc... It's just a little bit different than going to a bar for one night and paying higher drink prices. That said, I don't bring beverages, I'm just guessing how people feel, lol.

 

They have an option... the soda card. From the way it sounds like some drink soda, one night in a restaurant would pay for the soda card :p LOL So you pay $45 for all you can drink soda... I still don't get all the complaining. If $45 is going to break someone, to be able to drink sodas til the cows come home, then a cruise probably isn't the best option.

[GoinCruisin]

It is a rerun...:( :p

 

Yeah, I'm getting a little tired of that, LOL!!!!

[ParrotRob]

Some people should really be ashamed of yourselves. So many people here seem to be so mean-spirited and can't wait to find something they don't agree with so they can bash.

 

You mean like the beverage policy? You're right, some people SHOULD be ashamed of themselves!

[stlrboo]

I'm ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!:) Steeler's that is... :D

[ParrotRob]

I'm sure it's a hassle, but so is paying $3 for a teenie bottle of water. If they didn't want people to bring so much, they should at least keep their prices reasonable. People are on the ship for a week, sometimes more, and most of them will spend plenty of money while there, why not stop overcharging them for bottled water, and keep everyone happy. I'd bet that Carnival can buy those bottles for about .18 cents each. If they are not allowing people to bring their own on anymore, they should lower the price, even a teensie bit.

 

Who are you to decide what's "reasonable"? It's a market economy, and they are in it to make a profit, not to make your life easier. As such, they will charge what the market will bear, and not a cent more or less.

[caribbean dreams]

I read an article that Carnival & other lines tryed to lure college students onto the cruises during spring break because they needed the lost reveue from rising fuel prices and other factors but their idea backfired when they had many upset veteran cruisers threatening to vacation elsewhere because of the out of control college students.

So, i am thinking, now, if they are trying to make up lost revenue, soda & water is what they are starting with.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/travel_spring_cruise.html

[GoinCruisin]

I read an article that Carnival & other lines tryed to lure college students onto the cruises during spring break because they needed the lost reveue from rising fuel prices and other factors but their idea backfired when they had many upset veteran cruisers threatening to vacation elsewhere because of the out of control college students.

So, i am thinking, now, if they are trying to make up lost revenue, soda & water is what they are starting with.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/travel_spring_cruise.html

 

 

It's a HUGE amount of revenue... just say everyone brought on a 6 pack, that's more than $20 million a year in lost revenue... I think there were probably several reasons the decision was made, but that was definitely part of it.

[letsgocruz1]

Yes...even the cat gets bottled water....the tap water is terrible. No fancy brand or anything - just Pubix brand water.

 

But I dont' know - maybe it was the water but I didn't care for the tea, my kids didn't care for the juices, etc. Admitted we may be picky.

 

But so what? I'm not complaining about it but I would have liked to buy some "known" brands -- maybe Juicy Juice or whatever - especially for taking on excursions, etc. I don't mind paying for it. I just would have liked a few more choices. Maybe it was just this trip - but the drinks tasted a bit off.

 

Of course on previous trips I was drinking more alcohol than on this one.

 

Either way - I think it is a fair policy. It is like a movie theatre - -they make their money on concessions and not on ticket prices. I assume it is similar with Carnival.

 

Which ship were you on? We were on the Fantasy last May, and the water just did not taste right. It tasted "old" or "stale". Like water that had sat around for days??? I couldn't figure it out as people are always saying how good the ships water it. Even our tablemates commented on it. So, when we cruised on the Liberty in December, I was prepared for the water to taste "off" again, but it tasted great! I even looked forward to a cold glass of ice water every morning. So, go figure??

 

I won't be bringing water on board with me as IMO it's just too much trouble.

 

ps...After seeing what came out of the tap in Ft. Lauderdale, I don't blame ya for buying bottled water. Here in KY, our tap water tastes great and is CLEAR. Even though we were told the water in Ft. L was fine to drink, I just couldn't bring myself to drink yellow water, LOL So don't feel bad; I'd wouldn't put it in my cat's bowl either!!

[bonniemari]

Personally (and I know I'm gonna' get flamed :eek: ), I think it is Carnival's prerogative to decide what, if any, their passengers are allowed to bring on the ship with them. IMHO! Oh Golly!!

 

No flame from me-I agree 100%

[KBD627]

"Troll alert" and you took the bait :D

 

In Internet terminology, a troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum to bait users into responding.

 

 

Fred

 

Fred, Unbelievable 50 posts before yours and none of them smelled the troll :eek: I was going to sniff out the troll (thought no one had) then came your post :D :D :cool:

[Mikel1733]

I may be a little tired today, but I take total offense to you post.

 

Have you ever tried to bring a Pizza Hut pizza into Chucky Cheese?

 

And then the overdramatizing of the "soda" and "bottled water" equals family. Since when don't people drink water from the tap anyway. . . .especially kids.

 

Agree or disagree with the policy is one thing. . . but making this an "anti-family" campaign is another.

 

Would you be offended if I called SRS and complained about your parenting. . . after all you are using your children (family) as a tool to try to get what YOU want. . . seems to me you are using them.

 

I worked at a Pizza Hut for 4 years during college and you can't begin to imagine how many people would bring in food from other places. Then they would leave all their fast food trash for us to clean up. The people you can thank for this decision are the ones who hauled coolers on wheels and packed large suitcases full of beverages on board.

[Wennfred]

Fred, Unbelievable 50 posts before yours and none of them smelled the troll :eek: I was going to sniff out the troll (thought no one had) then came your post :D :D :cool:

 

I tried to put a stop to this INSANITY !!! :eek:

 

 

Fred

[jakesplace]

Oh, by the way.. We get 'patted down' and 'frisked' when we walk into the stadium.. Rolling coolers.. NOT!!!!

 

Are You kidding me? I go to the stadium just to get patted down, closest thing to a hand..... Well lets just say there nothing on tv.:p

[suzy1212]

"Troll alert" and you took the bait :D

 

In Internet terminology, a troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum to bait users into responding.

 

 

Fred

Well why shouldn't a CC member create a new login and start a silly thread like this? It works every time. :rolleyes:

[cruisecastle]

Like many of you who posted in an earlier thread, I, too, am unhappy about Carnivals's new no-water, no-soda beverage policy. My wife and I have taken 6 Carnival cruises in the last 18 months and have been satisfied with them until this latest money-grabbing stunt. My wife and I each bring a bottle of caffeine-free diet soda per day to take our early morning and late night medications, and a bottle of our favorite water to take with us on our shore excursions when we're in port. I called Carnival's Guest Relations today to confirm their new policy. What I found most interesting is that they said they'll confiscate your water or soft drinks without compensation, BUT EACH PASSENGER OVER THE AGE OF 21 IS STILL ALLOWED TO BRING A BOTTLE OF BOOZE ONBOARD! So how much sense does that make? Talk about inconsistency and hypocrisy! Here's to Carnival's corporate gurus!! Time to start looking for another cruise line if Carnival is going start all this nonsense. I guess they feel they haven't been squeezing a sufficient amount of money out of passengers.:mad:

 

 

I think it's a great policy and about time they stopped this ridiculous act of lugging soda and water onto the ship. Soda and water is available on board and there is no reason to bring any onboard. If someone can't afford the soda's onboard then they shouldn't take the cruise. In addition if someonecan't "live" without their favorite soda for a week then they have serious issues.

[Cruising89143]

Gordon, according to the article here on CC, and according to some on the RCI board, they actually changed their policy before Carnival... of course, I don't see the "big stink" over there like there has been over here...

 

CHris,RCI is not enforcing the non alcoholic beverage policy as long as folks do not abuse it. On my last cruise in December they were allowing guests to bring on drinks and water. That written policy has been in effect for a while. They only thing that they are strict about is the alcohol. Now if someone were to try and roll a cooler on that might be different. Just about at each port I saw folks bringing six packs of water or drinks on but again I never saw anyone trying to get a large quantity on board.

[CARIBBEANBLUESKY]

I have read these various beverage threads with interest. I am still trying to figure out why this is such a big deal. When I am on a ship, if I want bottled water, I buy bottled water. If I want soda, I buy soda. If I want booze, I buy booze. What is the big deal??? Someone said the water was $3 for a tiny bottle. So what? I just can't even imagine lugging soda and water and booze to a ship! And, as stated by an earlier poster, Carnival certainly has the right to say what can and cannot be brought on their ships. If someone doesn't like it, he or she is certainly free to cruise with another line. There are plenty of lines out there, although they may have the same policy. I wouldn't know.

[lynyrd]

Actually the $3 bottle of water is pretty big. I wouldn't consider it tiny at all.

[vowsatsea]

I think it's a great policy and about time they stopped this ridiculous act of lugging soda and water onto the ship. Soda and water is available on board and there is no reason to bring any onboard. If someone can't afford the soda's onboard then they shouldn't take the cruise. In addition if someonecan't "live" without their favorite soda for a week then they have serious issues.

 

Well said. I very much agree with you! :D

[kelz66]

This is one of the funniest threads I have ever seen started by a first time poster. :rolleyes: :p :D

[Glama]

Who are you to decide what's "reasonable"?

 

I'm fairly capable of deciding what is reasonable TO ME, thanks. Yep, I still buy it (because I don't bring my own), and usually end up spending about $60-70 on bottled water for the week (drink alot of water!!). $70 for a weeks worth of water does seem a bit unreasonable (TO ME), but like I said, I still pay it. They should offer a quantity discount. :p

 

I loved RCI's policy on the Mariner, you could actually purchase duty free alcohol on board and for $10 more take it to your cabin. They sold alot of alcohol, and made a nice profit, I'm sure. Carnival should take their lead, and sell cases of water and a larger variety of popular soda's that people can't live without. They make their profit and the cruisers are happy. I think that the people who are most upset over this are the ones that drink a certain type of soda that the ship doesn't offer. They take their soda very seriously, lol.

[surfklutz]

I have read these various beverage threads with interest. I am still trying to figure out why this is such a big deal. When I am on a ship, if I want bottled water, I buy bottled water. If I want soda, I buy soda. If I want booze, I buy booze. What is the big deal??? Someone said the water was $3 for a tiny bottle. So what? I just can't even imagine lugging soda and water and booze to a ship! And, as stated by an earlier poster, Carnival certainly has the right to say what can and cannot be brought on their ships. If someone doesn't like it, he or she is certainly free to cruise with another line. There are plenty of lines out there, although they may have the same policy. I wouldn't know.

 

What I think is going to be really funny are these cheapskates that bring water and sodas in their packed bags - and they get to the airport and find they have to pay a $75 overage charge! Makes those soda much pricier than buying them on the ship!

[ParrotRob]

Who are you to decide what's "reasonable"?

 

I'm fairly capable of deciding what is reasonable TO ME, thanks. Yep, I still buy it (because I don't bring my own), and usually end up spending about $60-70 on bottled water for the week (drink alot of water!!). $70 for a weeks worth of water does seem a bit unreasonable (TO ME), but like I said, I still pay it. They should offer a quantity discount. :p

 

I loved RCI's policy on the Mariner, you could actually purchase duty free alcohol on board and for $10 more take it to your cabin. They sold alot of alcohol, and made a nice profit, I'm sure. Carnival should take their lead, and sell cases of water

 

No, they shouldn't. It's a cruise ship, not a Sam's Club.