Carnival Quality Down the Tubes

[Balconeysonly]

Does anyone else think the quality of customer care has suffered in the last few years? The cabin stewards are still great, but the rest of the crew and services are questionable. I mean really, pay $38 for a fountain card and you can't get bottled water + you pay 15% gratuity on everything and they charge $70 pp gratuity to your sail and sign card. Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways.

[Sharkin97]

How many threads are you going to start in order to satisfy your whining?

[Essiesmom]

Just wondering the same thing. Two in 14 minutes...Sounds like T-time to me. EM

[newt98]

i just got off my first ccl cruise after taking a princess cruise earlier this year. carnival does not live up to its name. carnival is supposed to be the "low budget", "low class" cruise line. to quote tony the tiger, it was "grrrrrreat!" service was great, the ship was very nice, and the food was pretty good except for the lido buffet.

[cathyoo]

Does anyone else think the quality of customer care has suffered in the last few years? The cabin stewards are still great, but the rest of the crew and services are questionable. I mean really, pay $38 for a fountain card and you can't get bottled water + you pay 15% gratuity on everything and they charge $70 pp gratuity to your sail and sign card. Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways.

 

Gratuity upfront pays for the services that everyone onboard uses. Cabin steward and dining staff (both buffet and formal dining). The 15% gratuity for your drinks is different. My DH and I put away more than our fair share of foo foos and beer. Of course they are not going to include that in the general tips. We have ordered room service twice in all our cruises and we really don't want to be charged an auto tip on a service we don't use. It definitely is the fairer system.

 

Bottled water is not SODA so why would you think that should be included in a "fountain card". You can free fountain water anytime you want.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

Is someone having a bad day????

A little cheese with that whine?

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

Does anyone else think the quality of customer care has suffered in the last few years? The cabin stewards are still great, but the rest of the crew and services are questionable. I mean really, pay $38 for a fountain card and you can't get bottled water + you pay 15% gratuity on everything and they charge $70 pp gratuity to your sail and sign card. Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways.

 

You were on Conquest in 04 and you dont know how things work?

 

What cruiseline gives you free bottled water?

[toby #1]

How many threads are you going to start in order to satisfy your whining?

 

 

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and shouldn't be considered "whining" because of it. I read a lot of things I considered whining and I just take it with a grain of salt and go on to the next thread without criticizing. What is interesting to one person might not be to another.

[pe4all]

Believe it or not, I prefer being charged for gratuities "beforehand". It irked me on the Disney cruises to be handed envelopes towards the end, and to have to divy up $, or have to go to the purser (along with what seemed like everyone else on the ship) the last day or 2 to put the gratuities on my account. As for customer care, I see no difference - you can hit good or bad on any cruise. As stated above, $70 pp gratuities on sign and sail and 15% on drinks are totally different. I buy drink coupons, so the gratuity is already on the coupon - if I want to tip extra for good service, I do. (that goes for tipping extra everywhere on the ship - good service= appreciation on my part.

Sorry you didn't have a good experience - but lumping together customer care and automatic gratuities is like comparing apples and oranges.

[linda_22003]

You were on Conquest in 04 and you dont know how things work?

 

What cruiseline gives you free bottled water?

 

Regent. All of any beverage you want' date=' any time. Bottles of water are lined up to take off ship with you for excursions. No extra charges for anything, anywhere on board. Yes, you do pay for it, but you're not being nickel and dimed every time you turn around. I don't really think "bargain" cruise lines sound like bargains, once they finish adding separate charges for everything.

[/personal opinion off']

[7toEleven]

Does anyone else think the quality of customer care has suffered in the last few years? The cabin stewards are still great, but the rest of the crew and services are questionable. I mean really, pay $38 for a fountain card and you can't get bottled water + you pay 15% gratuity on everything and they charge $70 pp gratuity to your sail and sign card. Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways.

 

 

No, I have found quite the opposite to be true. I never buy a fountain card but I wouldn't expect botteled water to be included if I did. I don't find the 15% gratuity and the $70 pp gratiuity to be the same thing. The customer care has just gotten better each time. Sorry you had a bad experience (s?).

[dan40]

Regent. All of any beverage you want, any time. Bottles of water are lined up to take off ship with you for excursions. No extra charges for anything, anywhere on board. Yes, you do pay for it, but you're not being nickel and dimed every time you turn around. I don't really think "bargain" cruise lines sound like bargains, once they finish adding separate charges for everything.

[/personal opinion off]

 

Lets see, next Carnival cruise is 7 days, balcony cabin for 2, total $1800. Plus we will spend about $1000. for drinks, pics, tips, casino, etc. So $2800 total with all the nickle and diming. Are you claiming we could sail Regent for 7 days, drink the same drinks, get the same pics., etc., for LESS money? If so, their prices sure have changed, last time they were over $1000.00 MORE, all in. Yes, the service was excellent, and the food, and the overall cruise. But Carnival was more fun. [and we are in our 60's]

 

$1 buck or 2 as you go along might be aggravating to some, but so is $1000. extra at the end. [actually up front]

Apples is apples and oranges is oranges, they are not comparable.

 

Dan

[jayesouthworth]

BYOB (bring your own bottle). Bring your own sodas and you won't have to gripe about the soda card expense. I too think it's a rip off but there's ways around it. I didn't care for the Carribbean, French or East Indian food at the Lido buffet. That's just my taste in food. The pizza and the sugar free desserts were good, so was the salad bar. Everything was clean and the Lido crew did a great job cleaning up dishes right after someone left the table. Lemons were a hard thing to get, had to keep asking for them. No tomato juice, you have to ask the chef for a glass. In times past, it was readily available at the juice dispensers.

[smgardner]

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and shouldn't be considered "whining" because of it. I read a lot of things I considered whining and I just take it with a grain of salt and go on to the next thread without criticizing. What is interesting to one person might not be to another.

 

 

I agree. I think the original post raised valid points. this is far from trolling or whining. I sometimes think if somebody brings up negative points about Carnival or there cruising experience that they are labeled as a whiner or troll. I have seen both of those characteristics on this forum and I do not coniser this guys post as either...but, that is just my .02.

[gsb]

probably pms. nm:p

[jayesouthworth]

I agree. I think the original post raised valid points. this is far from trolling or whining. I sometimes think if somebody brings up negative points about Carnival or there cruising experience that they are labeled as a whiner or troll. I have seen both of those characteristics on this forum and I do not coniser this guys post as either...but, that is just my .02.

 

There's some diehard Carnival fans on this board. There is no perfect cruise ship or cruise line. My experience on these ships is totally different than someone else's. Take each experience with a grain of salt, don't set your expectations too high and you won't be disappointed in your cruise. ALL cruise lines are in the business to make money. Their job is to get your money out of your pocket. If you give it up, it's your fault no theirs.

[dforeigner]

What do extra charges and fees have to do with the quality of customer care. Yes, the cruise lines are nickle and diming everyone who is willing to pay for a soda card, ice cream card, coffee card, bottle water, etc. But this has not changed the quality of customer care.

[dudeman135]

Unless things have changed from when we cruised earlier in the year, they did provide bottled water right in your cabin and when you use it they replenish it right away. And like someone already mentioned, they did provided it when leaving the ship in port as well. I agree that the fountain card is way too pricey, but like others have mentioned you can bring your own and save a bunch. And the tips for prepaid vs the 15% gratuity on drinks are quite different. One is for your table/dining wait staff and the other are for the wait staff that brings drinks, etc.

 

I could see if someone decided never to eat in the dining room that they might be upset to pay the tips, but in that case, do not pay the tips upfront and do not tip at the end.

 

The first time we cruised with Carnival we had to do the envelopes at the end. We knew about it ahead of time, but had we not known it would have been very confusing who to tip, how much, etc. I like the pre-paid gratuities, just one more thing you can take care upfront and not have to worry about it.

 

Would be great if alcohol was included, but that would jack up the cost and people that do not drink alcohol (I hear there are some out there ;)) would be forced to pay for something they don't use.

 

Maybe they could throw in like 10 free drink coupons, or provide pre-paid drink coupons for a discount. That would be nice.

[rob6465]

Yep, we didn't pay our gratuity upfront and yes the $140 went on our sail card but we made sure to remove any "tips" we felt we are not right and pay extra to the staff that deserved it. It's ok to complain because i am entitled to it but i decided to go on cruise knowing all this. If you feel it's wrong go right ahead and complain but remember it';s your choice to go or not. We all get taxed whether you like it or not. If you decided to vote against a certain BOND in your neighborhood and it passes , you are still taxed. That's life !

[Avril]

Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways.

 

Agreed. 100%

[PrettyLA]

If things bother you THIS much, you shouldn't be going on a cruise. In fact, maybe you shouldn't be vacationing at all.

[linda_22003]

Are you claiming we could sail Regent for 7 days, drink the same drinks, get the same pics., etc., for LESS money? If so, their prices sure have changed

 

No, I never said that. I specifically said, "You do pay for it". Sailing for the least amount of money possible is not a goal of mine, and never has been. Making it as comfortable as possible is. :)

[dan40]

Does anyone else think the quality of customer care has suffered in the last few years? The cabin stewards are still great, but the rest of the crew and services are questionable. I mean really, pay $38 for a fountain card and you can't get bottled water + you pay 15% gratuity on everything and they charge $70 pp gratuity to your sail and sign card. Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways.

 

This complaint and its agreeing posts that followed are purely the result of misunderstanding the situation.

 

$38.00 for a FOUNTAIN FUN CARD. Its NOT a water card. From Carnival's website:

 

What is the Fountain Fun Card? We will offer to all guests the option to purchase a "Fountain Fun Card" which will allow them unlimited soft drinks for the duration of the cruise at a one time purchase price (including gratuities). The "Fountain Fun Card" can be purchased at the casino, lobby and pool bar onboard the ship. In all locations where beverage service is offered, guests may receive a glass of the soft drink of their choice - one glass will be served at a time and only to the guest whose name appears on the card. The card cannot be used through room service.

NOTE: A 15% gratuity will automatically be added on at the time of purchase of the Fountain Fun Card.

 

Thinking it would be good for water is not unreasonable. Not knowing what you bought and complaining about is unreasonable.

 

15% plus $70.pp, again, misunderstanding.

From Carnival:

 

What is the tipping policy onboard? Service Gratuities

For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $10.00 per guest, per day (our recommended guideline) as follows:

$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services

$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services

$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff

For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $10 per guest, per day must be prepaid.

Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Purser’s Information desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.

For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered. Tipping your Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive.

 

Which is it, pay gratuity up front or pay as you go they shouldn't get it both ways."

 

More misunderstanding. The $70. is NOT an upfront charge, it is posted on the S&S but not paid until the cruise ends. It is adjustable up, down, or off throughout the cruise.

 

Others have posted about Pre-paid tips, complaining about them being added to the S&S. Pre-paid tips are paid with the final cruise fare payment, they are not added to the onboard account.

Auto-tips are added to the S&S account.

 

Both are adjustable throughout the cruise. Even the 15% added to bar tabs are adjustable, up, down, or off.

 

There are bonifide complaints but blaming any cruiseline for one's own misunderstanding of easily obtained, clearly readable information is not among them.

 

And reading the original post, it seems the complaint is about being too cheap to tip. There is no service complaint stated, only money.

Dan

[lvtotrvl1]

Thank-you Dan!!!!!

[Rockportgirl]

I wish I knew what "tube" all these things are going down. That's gotta be one big tube.

 

:)