With all the cutbacks I've been hearing about...

[jayesouthworth]

Just got a grand opening offer from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. $19.00 round trip airline tickets, 2 for one show tickets, $69.00/day room suites (midweek). Offer is good through February 2008. We were thinking about booking another cruise for January (our 39th anniversary), but may go to Vegas instead. Also $2,000 worth of coupons for the shops. We're not much into the shops there but may use some of the restaurant coupons. We'll price it all out and go with the best value. Free drinks while we gamble, something they don't offer in the ships casinos.

[leadout_kv]

They could close Camp Carnival if they need the money! :) Give me food, topless deck, and karaoke and I'm getting a bargain..:p

 

Have you thought about what would happen if they closed Camp Carnival? Many of the kids that are entertained in/at Camp Carnival will now be entertained in the restaurants, topless decks and karaoke bars. Would you still feel like you're getting a bargain?

[cruzzza]

*IF* cutbacks do happen, I wish they would allow us to choose our amenities upon booking- kinda like a cafeteria style health plan. I may want my lobster, while someone else might want Camp Carnival for instance. Maybe each cabin gets 3 choices of quality services or each level of cabin may get more choices....

 

Interesting idea. I like the way you think, but I would always be thinking about the stuff I was missing out on. If each level of cabin got more choices, it would be a class system and that would really suck. But, I read an article the other day how class systems are making a comeback... go figure.

[jayesouthworth]

"But, I read an article the other day how class systems are making a comeback... go figure."

 

 

Hmmmm, wonder how that will fit into the welfare society class? I'm sure there will be some loud screaming going on there to get equal treatment and anmenities that the upper crust get. :rolleyes:

[PhotoPete]

Wife and I just returned from Vegas. We stayed at the Vegas Hilton. Really nice room with a view of their massive sign. Room was 129.00 per night. Airfare to Vegas was near 400.00 per person. Food which use to be cheap in Vegas is now outragous. 25 bucks for two to go to Subway on the strip. The casinos have to pay for those billion dollar casinos they are building, guess who pays? Same thing with the cruise industry. They are building mega-ships now and have to pay for them, guess who pays? Yep, us that are cruisers. Personally, I'd rather a cruise any day than a trip to Vegas.....

[sakapfet]

It seems logical that the cruise lines would do this as the supper clubs have been successful for them. As a poster on another board said it will create a class system on board of cruisers. Those that can afford multiple extras and those that can't.

 

 

As the middle class is shrinking, the cruise lines need to find ways to attract the rich and the affluents so they can stay afloat. The cruise industry is a reflection of our society: if you think about it 5% of our population pays 60%+ of our taxes, I'm guessing probably 5% of the passengers of a cruise are subsidizing for the rest of the passengers. It is only fair that they get top notch treatment

[Mikel1733]

I think as the new #1 man comes onboard at Carnival he should address the industry and cruisers and give his vision on where he intends to lead Carnival for the next 5 - 10 years. And hopefully he would give some specifics.

 

1) do they want to put more services such as dinner clubs as an addional charge and use those venues to offer the higher quality more expensive options such as Lobser and top grade cuts of meat.

 

2) How do they plan to handle surcharges going forward

 

3) What is really their target market at this point and why

 

4)Feel free to add your thoughts in this area

[jessemon]

how true...i still have A MENU from a flight i took from San Diego to Washington DC in 1980...those were the days. BUT the big difference between airline travel and cruising is that you fly an airplane for a couple of hours just to get somewhere...a cruise lasts a few days and is your WHOLE vacation, not just a mode of transportation.

Yep..and my vacation I used to pay 40% more for is taking hits in food quality, entertainment, service and overpricing in every catagory when I get on the ship. I love to cruise and will never give it up, but as a friend of mine says who was in the airline business for 35 years...."They used to treat people like people....now they treat them like cattle".;)

Just food for thought....(That's $10.00 extra for that) ...LOL:D

[sakapfet]

...."They used to treat people like people....now they treat them like cattle".;)

Just food for thought....(That's $10.00 extra for that) ...LOL:D

 

 

I beg to differ, customers are also to blame. People want cheap services, that is why southwest is so popular and we buy everything from China. If you want first class services either from an airline or a cruiseline, just be willing to pay top dollars. If those companies dont cut on services, how are they going to survive on those cheap fares?

[VIPBY40]

They keep building these mega luxury ships and the only way to get their money back on them is to give quality service and product to their customers. If they do away with too many things, I'll go somewhere else for fun like Las Vegas. There's some good package deals and discounted airline tickets to get there. We always have a great time when we go. It's not the same as cruising, but the entertainment and there's less hassles. An all inclusive to Mexico or Caribbean may be another option.

 

What they need to do is expand their "return on investment" a few years! Not cut back on accomodations for passengers to get a quicker return! You said it all in your post....If they start cutting back too much were all gonna go holiday on all-inclusive! I love to cruise....but if they start competing monetarily with land-based holidays...they are going to have a tough time keeping people on their ships! I know two families of 4 are going to holiday together on Cozumel this xmas for 12 days.....4,500 per family all inclusive...granted its "one stop" but do the math!

[krystalkruzer]

As the middle class is shrinking, the cruise lines need to find ways to attract the rich and the affluents so they can stay afloat. The cruise industry is a reflection of our society: if you think about it 5% of our population pays 60%+ of our taxes, I'm guessing probably 5% of the passengers of a cruise are subsidizing for the rest of the passengers. It is only fair that they get top notch treatment

 

Where did you obtain those figures from ? I do not need to be subsidized by anybody so you are guessing wrong !

[jessemon]

I beg to differ, customers are also to blame. People want cheap services, that is why southwest is so popular and we buy everything from China. If you want first class services either from an airline or a cruiseline, just be willing to pay top dollars. If those companies dont cut on services, how are they going to survive on those cheap fares?

You obviously did not read my first post...(#19 on this thread)....It is all about competition and everyone wanting things for nothing. Now all of us are paying the price....;)

[CRUISEGUY1970]

All this talk about the cruiselines cutting back on services, surcharges for dining & prices lower than they were 10 years ago...We have added to this situation. When was the last time you booked a cruise without researching every available option for pricing? You checked with your TA, the myriad of online cruise agencies, online travel conglomerate's, the cruise line directly and your crystal ball..than after many hours you went with the one that had the price $5.00 lower than the rest... and then continually check your booking to see if the price has lowered. We all do it. It's the society we live in. We all want more for less.

Are we to be blamed entirely for this? No, the cruiselines have created a huge part of this by building larger, more expensive ships & consolidating cruiselines. They have had too, competition is fierce in the fight for your discretionary dollar. Not just other travel options, but that new 50'' Plasma TV, new car or that new pair of shoes you've had your eyes on.

In order for a business to thrive, it needs to be able to adapt itself to its market. That's what makes them successful even during the thoughest times. The cruise industry is no different. In order to stay afloat, change has to happen.

Services will be cut, minscule lobster tails may or may not be served & we may have to pay to reserve a chair by the pool. Will we pay up? We already do. Remember, it has given us more facilities, better over all food quality(My first Carnival Cruise they served Veg-All with the Filet on Formal Night), more departure cities and exciting new ports.

What the cruise industry still offers is great bang for your buck. I don't see that going away, just evolving. ;)

[cathyoo]

I'm fairly new to cruising so I never cruised in the "good old days". My understanding from reading these boards is that you paid up to 40% more and got better service and atmosphere.

 

I thought if I wanted to pay 40% more than what I pay on Carnival I could sail Celebrity or HAL and get that type of cruise experience.

 

I truly understand I get what I pay for.. so Carnival is luxury enough for me at this point of time based on what is in my pocketbook. I do think Carnival and other lower ended cruise lines need to be careful about "extras". Their competition is not each other but the AI vacation spots. Knowing that everything is paid for and there will be no blown budget is definitely a draw for a lot of folks.

[BND]

As the middle class is shrinking, the cruise lines need to find ways to attract the rich and the affluents so they can stay afloat. The cruise industry is a reflection of our society: if you think about it 5% of our population pays 60%+ of our taxes, I'm guessing probably 5% of the passengers of a cruise are subsidizing for the rest of the passengers. It is only fair that they get top notch treatment

 

The lastest figures I've seen is closer to the top 10% but I think a lot of people would be surprised what compromises the top 10%. It's not only millionaires, but working couples. Demographically what is a lot of money in Omaha isn't in the DC area. Regardless, this isn't about class systems. Cruising is a lot cheaper than it used to be which is evident in the number of people that cruise and their socioeconomic class. Cruising used to be a wealthy man's vacation. It's not anymore and no one can expect to get more for less. Everyone complains when cruise lines raise prices even though the cost of EVERYTHING has gone up over the years and will continue to. As long as people demand low prices, the services will continue to drop. It's pure economics.

[NeptunesGoddess]

I think we need to be careful about blanket statements of what Carnival has cut for sure. I noticed some statements in the beginning of this thread that made it sound like Carnival had already made an announcement that they will stop serving lobster. This is not the case. There have been a few people here on the boards that are "speculating" that because they feel the size of their lobster is smaller and I guess they have drawn the conclusion that this means they are phasing out lobster. There has been no such announcement. There has also been no announcement that Carnival is cutting out live entertainment. Let's not get the RCI cutbacks that have already been announced confused with Carnival. Some are speculating it is definately in the future for CCL, but we don't know that for sure. It seems some people are already misinterpreting speculation by thinking they have already seen things announced "somewhere here on the boards".

 

Hopefully, when Carnival stopped lobster in the late 90's, they learned to not do it again. I think all this "speculating" has been brought on by the fuel surcharge and RCI's cutbacks. It is understandable to think other cruiselines may follow suit, but it hasn't officially happened yet.

[trarecar]

Is it just me or are a lot of people turning into Chicken Little saying the sky is falling lately?

[blyle]

Well they better watch the stock market because if it continues I think people will pull back on their leisure travel here. They may have to concentrate on the wealthy Europeans and their Euros to make their profits!

[kidless]

But also the price keeps going down. My first cruise 10 years ago was in an oceanview on the Rivera deck and it was more expensive than my last cruise with a balcony.

 

Prices have gone down because they have trouble filling those massive ships they have now so to make it up they have cut services and found ways for people to impulse buy.

 

Our first cruise there were tons of people to wait on you all over the ship. Now we find waiters have too many tables, not as many servers for drinks around the ship and so on.

 

So I guess it is a trade off and one must decide what is important to them, price or the cruise experience of old. :)

[Rob42]

Is it just me or are a lot of people turning into Chicken Little saying the sky is falling lately?

 

Exactly!:rolleyes:

[Kurbanfan]

I noticed some statements in the beginning of this thread that made it sound like Carnival had already made an announcement that they will stop serving lobster. This is not the case. There have been a few people here on the boards that are "speculating" that because they feel the size of their lobster is smaller and I guess they have drawn the conclusion that this means they are phasing out lobster. There has been no such announcement. There has also been no announcement that Carnival is cutting out live entertainment. Let's not get the RCI cutbacks that have already been announced confused with Carnival. Some are speculating it is definately in the future for CCL, but we don't know that for sure. It seems some people are already misinterpreting speculation by thinking they have already seen things announced "somewhere here on the boards".

 

 

Do you really think if they stop serving lobster that they will make an announcment:confused: If they do phase out the lobster they will just do it gratually IMO. They just raised the price of beer.......don't think that would be a good idea to announce lol!

[Glama]

They raised the price of beer??? :eek:

[Kurbanfan]

They raised the price of beer??? :eek:

 

Just read someone just came back from the Legend. Bud/Bud Light 16 oz were $4.75

We just paid $4.50 in August on the Elation....

[sakapfet]

I do not need to be subsidized by anybody so you are guessing wrong !

 

 

Like it or not, unless you can afford to pay first class when flying and book a suite on a cruise ship: you are being subsidized. Otherwise adjusting for inflation, a cruise that cost $700.00pp 20 years ago would be costing $1,300.00 pp today.

 

(even the rich get subsidized from the government)

[jayesouthworth]

Anyone remember back in the 70's during the fuel crunch? Hotels/Motels and all the tourist hot spots were begging people to come visit them. They were practically offering free hotels rooms, and vacation packages that were real bargains. I am willing to bet that we will see the same thing happen with the cruise lines within the next 2 years. Who would have thunk that Starbucks would take a hit with their stocks or the stock market lose over 1,000 points in a matter of weeks? Starbucks might start serving smaller cups of coffee and all the other frilly drinks and keep prices the same. Businesses know what their threshhold is, and they find ways to keep people happy and return to their business. Lower the entry price and raise the luxury priced stuff once inside. They know people will pay to be entertained. Those slot machines are tight for a reason. ChaChing.