puddinhead:

pbr-girl101:

puddinhead:

(If I'm paying $400 a day for a room, $4 a bottle for water is gouging)

How 'bout a little cheese.......If you are paying $400 a day for a room, I'm surprised you would even drink $4 water.  That's pocket change for you.  Get a grip!!

$4 for water? It’s all a question of value, and taking advantage of others.

As much travel as you have done, you know this is how the travel industry works.  They are not a "not for profit" organization.  When I stay at a hotel (ANY hotel) and I want a soda from the vending machine, I know I am going to pay 3 to 4 or even 5 times the amount I would normally pay.  I don't like the fact that I have to pay $2.50 for a hotel canned soda that I could get at the Wal-Mart machine for .45c, but I know that's the industry, so if I don't bring my own, I pay the $2.50 and don't whine to those around me.

You may be "forced" to go on this cruise as you didn't get your first choice.  But no one can "force" you to buy the $4 water.  Carnival does have a free water option, it's "on tap" in your bathroom.

You seem to be a reasonable person, and I appreciate the fact that this may not have been your favorite option.  As others have said, the cruise will be what you make of it.  I hope you do have a good time, and go ahead and let us know what you actually think of it.  We can take it!! 

pbr-girl101:

puddinhead:

pbr-girl101:

puddinhead:

(If I'm paying $400 a day for a room, $4 a bottle for water is gouging)

How 'bout a little cheese.......If you are paying $400 a day for a room, I'm surprised you would even drink $4 water.  That's pocket change for you.  Get a grip!!

$4 for water? It’s all a question of value, and taking advantage of others.

Hey listen, I agree...$4 for a bottle is ridiculous, (as is paying $400 a day for a cabin, IMO), and I would never pay it.  However, I'm not the one expounding (OK, I'll say it, "bragging") on all of the extensive travel I've done and how I love to stay at 4 and 5 star hotels.  Surely, you must be used to this price "gouging" by now, as everything at 4 and 5 star hotels is overpriced, and yet, you continue to choose to stay at the best of the best.  I'm just thinking that if you chose to book a $400 dollar a day cabin, don't complain about the $4 water. 

Much of the travel I've done was paid for by others, so I've gotten spoiled. When I travel for leisure I like to stay at nicer places. Plus working the credit card and affinity points system makes it possible to stay at $500 a night hotels for $90 or fly first class to Europe for $60.

As much travel as you have done, you know this is how the travel industry works.  They are not a "not for profit" organization.  When I stay at a hotel (ANY hotel) and I want a soda from the vending machine, I know I am going to pay 3 to 4 or even 5 times the amount I would normally pay.  I don't like the fact that I have to pay $2.50 for a hotel canned soda that I could get at the Wal-Mart machine for .45c, but I know that's the industry, so if I don't bring my own, I pay the $2.50 and don't whine to those around me.

But knowing what to expect means I don't have to pay inflated prices. It's the overpriced extras that are irritating, like $1 local calls, a ‘resort’ fee even if you don’t use the pool or spa, an energy surcharge, adding an 18% gratuity and then having a line for gratuity on the bill. Most hotels have removed the mini-bar because most people won’t pay $11 for a bag of M&M’s. Companies are expected to make a profit, but there seems to be a greed factor that is sickening. Airlines are looking for new ways to grind more out of passengers, charging for pillows, blankets, food, beverages (TSA won’t let you bring your own but you can drink the tap water in the bathroom if you have the immune system of a komodo dragon), charging a holiday fee ($10) and charging to use the bathroom (RyanAir and EasyJet). If the users don’t complain and refuse to use them, then look for more fees to come…

You may be "forced" to go on this cruise as you didn't get your first choice.  But no one can "force" you to buy the $4 water.  Carnival does have a free water option, it's "on tap" in your bathroom.

BTW, be careful of tap water, cruise ships are not under the same requirements as U.S. municipal water systems. Our local water is chlorinated and treated with ozone; I doubt a cruise ship has an ozone generator. NEVER drink tap water on an airliner; it has bacteria in the holding tanks. I'm bringing a case ($4), and I can fly it free on SouthWest (2 bags  per person). That'll save $90.

You seem to be a reasonable person, and I appreciate the fact that this may not have been your favorite option.  As others have said, the cruise will be what you make of it.  I hope you do have a good time, and go ahead and let us know what you actually think of it.  We can take it!! 

So far I've learned:

I'm spending a lot (I guess) on the room because I want a room that has a window that opens (on the Elation) and I have lounge chairs on the balcony (nude sunbathing?). Plus it will probably end up a 'party room' for our group of 10, there seems to be enough seating for 10 in the room. And if I don't like cruising, I'll have at least given it a try without wondering what I might have missed by just getting an interior room with bunk beds located between the engine room and galley.

I just hope I'm not on the Carnival Cougar Cruise....

Now this snappy repartee has become monotonous.  And I take it back.  I think perhaps you're not reasonable at all.  You are however, slightly amusing, albeit in a proud and supercilious way.  I humbly bow to you vast and superior knowledge on, well, just about everything.  You probably even knew it was Col. Mustard in the Conservatory with the lead pipe.  However, none of this changes the fact, that a bottle of water is going to cost you about 4 bucks if you purchase it on the ship.

Enjoy your cruise...LMAO!!

puddinhead: surely you must know that 'promulgating' is a $5 word!!! Please tell me that you are NOT for real and if you are, I am certain that you will not be able to buy all of the creature comforts that will be lacking on your cruise. You will just have to slum it with the rest of us regular folk...We will survive!! Glad you are not on MY cruise!  LMAO

pbr-girl101:

Now this snappy repartee has become monotonous.  And I take it back.  I think perhaps you're not reasonable at all.  You are however, slightly amusing, albeit in a proud and supercilious way.  I humbly bow to you vast and superior knowledge on, well, just about everything.  You probably even knew it was Col. Mustard in the Conservatory with the lead pipe.  However, none of this changes the fact, that a bottle of water is going to cost you about 4 bucks if you purchase it on the ship.

Enjoy your cruise...LMAO!!

 

This guy is only on a 3 day cruise.  Spend a dollar more and buy a beer!  You can carry on enough water for 3 days.And I don't believe you on the $400 per day.  I personally think you are full of it.

marlene:

This guy is only on a 3 day cruise.  Spend a dollar more and buy a beer!  You can carry on enough water for 3 days.And I don't believe you on the $400 per day.  I personally think you are full of it.

Boy, I agree with that one.  Went on a 4 day in July, for my g/f's bday, We had a cat 12, and it was about $250/night.  I brought my own water, and had some to spare. Since no additional charges for food, not having to drive anywhere for entertainment. This was a great deal.  Now, we are going on a 7 day, cost is about $204/night.  (because she didn't commit to another cruise right away and I missed the killer deal, would have been cheaper)... Still going to carry water on, still going to buy TONS of DODs, still going to have a wonderful time!!  Only 5 more working days...

Don't expect anything like the Westin, Sheraton etc.Don't even go to the "vegas" shows they are shocking. CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENT AFTER THE CRUISE. They charged us for stuff we didn't have and which was not on our bill on the final morning. We went on the Elation out of San diego 8/17/09 

Learning what to expect is one thing -- and a very good thing.  Not enough people do that in general [not just on cruises] and then they end up annoyed and all pissy because they sent in with expectations which, in retrospect, were unrealistic and start assigning fault.  It's other peoples' fault for our own unrealistic expectations based on zero homework.

...sorry ... don't see it.

But learning what to expect while taking a few strategic shots across the bow is another.  And I gotta surmise that the guy had some idea already what he was in for and was just confirming his info.

Matt showed a great deal of patience.  I would have taken a warning shot or three myself.  But then, I view this type of thing as a sport.

For being a large boat standing against the horizon, it's small in practice.  Cabins are small, public spaces -- for the use they get -- are small.  If you need room you're SOL, if you are just planning how to pack without the polo pony and matching His-n-Her maseratis because you're slumming it ... then, yes.  Let them eat cake.

Enjoy the company of the other couples, and don't forget that you can take a bottle of wine per person [21+].  I have a feeling you could use it.  To go with the atmosphere, you might want to think of taking Boones Farm.

rwilymz:

It's other peoples' fault for our own unrealistic expectations based on zero homework.

I've seen that lots of times. Just saw a thread elsewhere taking a swipe at one company upholding a common industry practice, and laying lots of blame at the company's feet for the person's misunderstanding of the rules.

To go with the atmosphere, you might want to think of taking Boones Farm.

I'm glad I was not drinking milk or hot coffee when I read that this morning.

~ MattInSoCal 

Based on these posts alone, I think I love MattInSoCal !!!  Thanks to him and a few others for the last 20 minutes of laughs!

All I will say on this subject is that if you need something specific - bring it, if you want to have a good time - you'll have it, if you want a 5 star resort - better book one.

As far as the attitude of the posters, many people post fake posts on here to get a response and this sounded like just that.  You talked about throwing money around to get "favors' but then complain about $4 water?  So if you seriously want answers to questions I would try posting again in perhaps a different format...

Happy Sailing

ibid

MattInSoCal:

puddinhead:

And the airlines are generous in comparison to CCL's contract of carriage; they are responsible for a max of $50 per bag and $100 per cabin.

It's not just Carnival but the cruise industry in general. Mind you, they are not too likely to lose your bags since they are not going through a complex routing system from the terminal to a bunch of different ships like at the airport. You drop your bags off in front of the screening building, they pass through it, and on the back side of the building is your ship. Still, some people have complained that they've lost a bag or two.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to carry your valuables on with you, not in your checked bag. Yes, for most it is common sense, but some people get too excited and don't think it through. It's also forbidden in the contract of carriage if you can figure out what they mean in their poorly-written legalese. 

This blog is interesting but cruisecritic.com (not monitored by CCL) has very interesting things to say both positive and negative. This site seems to be mostly positive.

Though Carnival owns this site, they do not censor content other than naughty words or spam. You can find literally hundreds of posts talking about horrible experiences by various (now former) cruisers. My belief is that this site tends to be overall friendlier because it is focused on just one cruise line, and they have a lot of loyal followers. Baaa.

A positive experience and I may become a regular. Or not... This kinda looks like Circus Circus on pontoons (kids water park, pools, spa, buffets, casino, lots of neon, restaurants, entertainment and decor that looks like it was done by Stevie Wonder and a ***), and that's from the web site.

I'll sure catch some flak for this one: When I read your Circus Circus analogy, I thought, "wow, he or she nailed it!" It is a fairly valid comparison, except the ships aren't as run down, they are not quite as noisy, and on the Elation the decor is not as gaudy (the Splendor however is; lots of pink!). When I go to Circus Circus, which I try not to, I do at least know what to expect and am not disappointed to not find lobster at the buffet or four poster beds in the rooms. But to be fair in comparison the quality level for the food and furnishings is far superior on the cruise ships. Also, there are a lot of quiet spots on the ship where you can have a drink and relax. Fortunately you are not crowded into a small room that revolves around whatever is happening in the casino.

As far as whether you will enjoy it, as others have stated it is going to depend a lot on your attitude when you come onboard. If you expect to be disappointed you most certainly will be. If you come with a sense of adventure you might just take to cruising. Again, there are other lines that are Bellagios compared to Carnival's Circus Circus.

~ MattInSoCal

I believe puddinhead will be on here a few days after cruising complaining about everything. A Fun Ship Cruise is like a floating fraternity/sorority party that lasts a week. If a guest is young at heart and wants to have a great fun time with good food and nice entertainment, he or she will love Carnival Cruising. If you are looking to be snobbish and treated better than the other guests and treat the crew like chattel servants, you should try another cruise line. That being said, as Platinum Cruisers/Concierge Club Members, Diane and I got treated like royalty on our last cruise. Our adopted daughters being onboard as social hostesses made it a fantastic cruise. We love you Kalyn and Rosie!

              Kalyn           Diane           Me           Rosie

MattInSoCal:

rwilymz:

It's other peoples' fault for our own unrealistic expectations based on zero homework.

I've seen that lots of times. Just saw a thread elsewhere taking a swipe at one company upholding a common industry practice, and laying lots of blame at the company's feet for the person's misunderstanding of the rules.

To go with the atmosphere, you might want to think of taking Boones Farm.

 

I'm glad I was not drinking milk or hot coffee when I read that this morning.

~ MattInSoCal 

I hope that wasn't me complaining about a common industry practice due to Delta wanting to charge us $2450 extra to change us to an earlier flight on Thanksgiving Day after they changed us to a later connecting flight in Atlanta without bothering to notify us of the change, thus jeopardizing our ability to make it to our Fun Ship on time for our cruise that irked you. Trying to gouge customers for something the airline did to alter our itinerary might seem to be common practice in the airline industry, but that doesn't make it right and/or fair. I believe that a 45 minute later arrival time than a passenger (seven of us actually) originally booked for is more than a minor inconvenience and was neither explained, nor posted anywhere on the website as an acceptable practice if the airline chooses to do so.

I also think paying almost as much or more for a change in flight times (in addition to the $1750 we originally paid for our tickets due to the airline's callousness) as we're paying for our cruise is a tad excessive. Delta will never be my airline for any future cruises or vacations after this fiasco. That's why I'll stick to AirTran or Southwest in the future. They're still customer friendly.