No more free drinks at Captain's Party?

[nealstuber]

Anyone ever think of why they have the party in the first place? It's a free advertising opportunity. And if they give out free drinks you are even more inclined to bite.

 

They have you to influence your repeat cruising and even plug tips, excursions, shops, anything that they want to sell....

 

I think that is a very good value for that free drink. I bet when no one shows up with out something being it for them; the drinks will come back.

 

JMHO

 

The notion of a "Farewell Party" definitely has some merit from this perspective. I'm gonna drink the last night and the 2nd night, so its six of one half a dozen of the other as far as I'm concerned. Don't see why they wouldn't do both. Dressing up for a party is party of the fun and obviously this is not happening on the last night. But a really good farewell party = a really good last impression. I really think they should do both.

[lovedeals]

Returned on the spirt on May 27. We had free drinks at the Captains party and on past cruisers night. We also got Carnival pins. I think the free drinks are just a little thank you for sailing with Carnival. I have never seen too many people being gluttons about it.

[cmlmich]

OMG I like my free drinks... Guess we will have to smuggle on some extra, just in case....:D

 

My thoughts exactly :D

[VolzCruiser]

My only question is this, are the "free drinks" really free? The drinks have never been free. You might not of had to pay for them on your S&S account but you did pay for them.

 

I think I would like actually having $1.00 off the drink of my choice better. The drink selection sucked, most of the drinks they offered have fallen out of favor and where poorly made as well.

 

I might actually start going back to the Captains party if they were to offer me a $1.00 off on a good drink.

[code_d]

 

...careful in here...

 

 

 

I just want to know how those that did get lot's of drinks manage to track down a server more than once? I had to chase them down to get us a drink.(and we tip extra) It didn't seem to matter which cruise.

[bluwes]

Sorry, everyone. I think I may have been responsible for this.:o

 

Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted.

 

What are you apologising for , is this a wind up thread

[Dubsolute]

I went to the captain's party and the lounge was almost empty. Never saw the captain. We were a group of four and when the waitress came over, she didn't even bother asking what we wanted. She just sat the entire tray down in front of us. I didn't ask for it, but I sure did enjoy. :D

 

I too had a $1000+ bill at the end of the cruise. I look at it as, I got something out of them, they got a lot out of me.

[golfadj]

Never had a problem getting a drink and as many as we wanted.

 

If you want what they carry around piece of cake.

 

If you want something different (and I always do) never had a problem.

 

I do give a server a few bucks and they sometimes come faster than I would like but since dinner is right after not a problem carry the extras to the dining room.

[cathyoo]

In addition to Lobster abuse, there is Pizza, soft serve ice cream and buffet abuse. Some people get involved in the deck games others do not. Some people skip the show, others go twice, not everone uses the tenders, camp carnival, room service, ect, ect, ect...

 

I'm sure most people have something simple that makes cruising special to them - and its really nice to be able to be able to get a little more of whatever it is without having to worry about someone thinking you're a "pig at a trough."

 

Bottom line: our maker has blessed all of us who get to cruise with way more than our "fair share" of this world. It takes a very narrow and ego-centric mind to draw a distinction between whatever they do and someone else does.

 

"Pigs at a trough" ...Geez

 

 

clap, clap.

[bluwes]

What are you apologising for , is this a wind up thread

 

 

anyone else noticed the apology above, is this a troll thread or is it really happening

[richfret]

Now see, missing the Captain's party (and the free drinks) would not really bother me. Seems like we are rushed that day to get dressed formally and then we head for the assigned club. Then we pass through a line of Officers (including the Captain). It's like going to a wedding but you don't know the bride or groom. Then we try and find a couch which isn't always easy. Some times, you might meet people who want to converse and other times not. Then we get our drinks but I find them all to be rather sour and I like the sissy drinks more. (I know but that is just me). Then 45 minutes go by and we head for supper. I guess you might say I am a "Party pooper".

 

Yet I love every thing else about cruising and that is why we are booked for our 13th Carnival cruise. With that said, I can live with this cut and will skip the Captain's party.

[BrendaB1]

Might as well do away with the Captain's Party & Elegant night too. That's part of the fun of getting dressed up....... to attend the cocktail party.& then dinner. If they do that.....it will also reduce the number of people dressing up, taking pics & purchasing photos. Another good way to cut their profit. :rolleyes:

[nealstuber]

anyone else noticed the apology above, is this a troll thread or is it really happening

 

I could be wrong, but I think mafig was trying to say that his/her taking too many drinks at the captain's party had something to do with Carnival pulling them....

[trock]

If this is true.. i would imagine a steady decline in attendence;)

 

On the May 8 Miracle sailing I went with friends to the party..drinks were free and weak and there were plenty of hor'derves (sp?)

:)

[code_d]

I think no free drinks is a great idea, I was shocked to see all the passengers sitting around the bar with only napkins in front of them and they were waiting. They get ready and sit at the bar and wait for the exact minute and then drink as many as possible just like the OP stated. I find this to be an awful site of gluttony. I see all these folks in tuxedos and gowns and waiting for thier free drinks. They sit and wait until it's free. I had folks complain becasue they see me with a drink and then yell to the bartender this guy has a drink and so does his wife. I look at the guy and tell him the bar is open. I hope this goes fleetwide for the entire industry. It would be nice to restore some class like the good old days, when folks had a drink becasue they wanted one and not becasue it was free.

 

Good old days? Were the drinks not included in cruises then?

 

 

 

[bluwes]

I could be wrong, but I think mafig was trying to say that his/her taking too many drinks at the captain's party had something to do with Carnival pulling them....

 

 

I have asked John Heald on his blog, for a definative on this, lets see where it goes

[mafig]

I could be wrong, but I think mafig was trying to say that his/her taking too many drinks at the captain's party had something to do with Carnival pulling them....

 

 

yup, that's what I was trying to say - lol.:D

[nealstuber]

yup, that's what I was trying to say - lol.:D

 

 

Lots of misunderstandings on this thread.. Maybe we drink too much? :o

[mzloolue]

Maybe Carnival could hand out lets say 3 or so free coupons for drinks for those who come to the the party. This way people can still get there free drinks and Carnival can maybe save a little money. I'm sure they know the main reason everyone goes is for the drinks. How many of you really do want to meet the Captain? The same with the Past Guest Party.

 

Like we all go to the past guest party because we want to watch that video again...and again...and again...

[marynjason]

I'll (free) drink to that! :D

 

I'll 'free' drink to that as well!

[Pegs222]

Lots of misunderstandings on this thread.. Maybe we drink too much? :o

 

I asked John the question too. We will get the correct answer from him.

 

I hope they do not do away with free drinks at the Captians party and the Past Guest Party.

[nealstuber]

I asked John the question too. We will get the correct answer from him.

 

I hope they do not do away with free drinks at the Captians party and the Past Guest Party.

 

They won't do away with the repeater party before NCL does. IMO, we don't need John for this. If you're looking to see what carnival is going to start trying to make a buck off of in the next six months, look at what NCL has been doing for a year or more.

 

Like I said this morning - Canival waits to see if NCL gets away with it, then they do it. Charging to use the hot tubs in the spa is probably next - that's why they had to take them out - so they could charge to use the new and improved version when they put them back in.

 

Oddly, the one instance where CCL has not follow NCL's lead is Freestyle 2 - still looking to see what NCL does with Vtech gone.

[Pegs222]

They won't do away with the repeater party before NCL does. IMO, we don't need John for this. If you're looking to see what carnival is going to start trying to make a buck off of in the next six months, look at what NCL has been doing for a year or more.

 

Like I said this morning - Canival waits to see if NCL gets away with it, then they do it. Charging to use the hot tubs in the spa is probably next - that's why they had to take them out - so they could charge to use the new and improved version when they put them back in.

 

Oddly, the one instance where CCL has not follow NCL's lead is Freestyle 2 - still looking to see what NCL does with Vtech gone.

 

I have not kept up with this thread, but it does seem it has taken on a life of its own. I honestly do not know what NCL does, nor do I care. I have not cruised that much, fifth cruise coming up in August, but I have not noticed any changes since our last cruise in September. The Splendor did not have anytime dinning then and even had they offered it, we would not have gone. The anytime dinning is the only thing I am even aware of that is a change, except for the higher prices of course. I am sure there are many subtle changes I do not even know about. But whatever they are, they have not effected us.

[Rowan555]

Good old days? Were the drinks not included in cruises then?

 

 

 

 

I miss the "good old days" on Carnival when not only did you get all the free cocktails you wanted at the Captain's party, but you could also drink free Rum Swizzles until you burst on the first night at the casino. THOSE were the good old days!

[quickrate]

I have never seen anyone acting in an unsuitable manner at the Captain's party.

Certainly not a "pig troth".

 

I don't doubt that there are people who act like they have no "home training", but I have yet to see it at the Captain's party.

 

I have! When we took the spirit thru the panama canal, there was this guy sitting at the bar with us at the past guest party, and he must have downed 10 drinks in 45 min. He would order a drink, slam it down, and demand another one immediately. the poor bartender couldn't get 2 feet from him without him yelling for another drink! Never seen anything like it! I do feel they should continue the Captain's Party with drinks for the guest-kind of a goodwill gesture.

Pat