I mean really, is this type of slang that Carnival passengers relate to? Just what America needs, more slang.

Even worse is the message behind the slogan, which is a blatant copy of Royal Caribbean's "Why Not" campaign.

Carnival is basically asking the same questions as the Royal Caribbean campaign, such as ‘Didja ever zip line across a rain forest? Catch air on a wave runner? Jump into an impromptu performance of “Thriller” between courses at dinner?’

I remember when Carnival used to be the trend setter. Now they can't even come up with an original campaign and are resorting to slang.

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
I would never consider a cruise on Carnival even a free one. The image of a bunch of drunk party animals just doesn't seem to go away. Frosty 4

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Amen, Frosty. Even though I have been on the Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend and really liked that class of ships at the time (and still probably do), they would be at the bottom of my list of perspective vacation cruises just above NCL. My dinner companions had cruised the Norwegian Jewel prior to the Celebrity Mercury and had nothing good to say about NCL or their dining experiences. I posted a short video on my vacation thread of the Carnival Pride backing into Nassau and all that whooping and hollering may ssem fun and funny and cool, but just served to make me NOT want to cruise them even more so. I had cruised Carnival plenty, but dont choose to try them again with so many other great upscale options out there that better fit into my 'lifestyle' now.

[ 12-27-2010: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
I would never consider a cruise on Carnival even a free one. The image of a bunch of drunk party animals just doesn't seem to go away.
Even the outside appearance of their ships does not appeal to me. That ugly stack is one reason. I don't believe any other line has that type.??
Frosty 4

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Hey Frosty,
I'm not quite as down on Carnival as you, but I do admit I've outgrown the line and they no longer are appealing to me. I would still consider a Spirit Class ship during the off season when kids are in school, but only if the price and itinerary were right. I have no interest in the rest of the Carnival fleet, which are Fantasy and Destiny class ships. The fact is, I can sail on much better lines and ships than Carnival at little to no additional expense. The Carnival "value proposition" just isn't there for me anymore.

Regarding the Carnival funnels ... I have always loved them (including the logo) and I still do. They are probably my favorite thing about the ships. Go figure.

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Even the outside appearance of their ships does not appeal to me. That ugly stack is one reason. I don't believe any other line has that type.??
Frosty 4

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Carnival Pride as seen in Nassau Dec. 16, 2010

Ernie

quote:

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Originally posted by eroller:
‘Didja ever .... Jump into an impromptu performance of “Thriller” between courses at dinner?’

Ernie

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Had to laugh at that one!

Ernie, I agree these are the best of the fleet as far as appearnaces and even layout. Like you, I have outgrown them and their 'entertainment decor' but would not now go on them off-season even if the price was right. Holland-America had some goood deals this winter so I plan on saving and waiting last minute to see what the cruise lines have to offer. Princess Cruises smoking policies tend to make me not want to book them either.

Guess Carnival is just trying to be hip?

[ 12-27-2010: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

Guess Carnival is just trying to be hip?

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Perhaps, but Carnival is so not "hip". They are about as hip as Walmart. They used to be hip, the "Fun Ships" you know! It's the line you booked to ensure a memorable time. Today they are just so mainstream and ordinary. They are more the family line than the party ships they used to be. Unfortunately mom and dad are partying while the kids are going wild. Not an atmosphere that I enjoy while on vacation.

While I'm open to sail on a Carnival Spirit Class ship, I doubt it will happen anytime soon. As I said the price and itinerary would have to be right. Like you mentioned, there are too many other lines that offer just as good of deals, with equal or better itineraries. HAL was offering a $399 fare on NIEUW AMSTERDAM this Fall. Even Carnival can't be that!

Now as for me I don't think Carnival would be my first choice for a cruise as I have sailed with them several times before (and had a wonderful time) but I like to try different things and I have sailed on RCI, Premier, and NCL too. As I have gotten older (I'm 48 now) I think maybe a Cunard crossing or Princess cruise will be next on my wish list.

quote:

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Originally posted by miamicruiser:
I disagree about Carnival not being "hip" anymore. Being "hip" means the same thing as being "cool" and when I grew up the "cool kids" were also the most popular. As far as I know, Carnival is still the most popular cruise line in the world...so I'm thinking they actually are still "hip".

I guess what bothers me is that over the years I have noticed that the put downs directed toward Carnival don't really seem to be directed to the cruise line as much as to a very large segment of the North American population that they market to and who sail on their ships. I have to say that it does come across as very snobbish, even if those who posted don't see themselves as such.

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Walmart is the most most popular retailer in the US, but I certainly don't consider them to be "hip" or "cool". Usually things that are truly hip are not so mainstream, more exclusive, and hard to come by or hard to get into (such as a popular club or hotel). Sorry if that sounds elitist but it's the truth.

If you feel some of us are attacking a segment of the US population than so be it. Frankly maybe we are in an indirect way. America has become so "dumb downed" and this ad campaign is just another example. It seems the cool thing today is to act or be as uneducated as possible. The popularity and sheer stupidity of reality-based TV shows seems to confirm this.

I have also cruised on Carnival over 10 times and had great times on the line. Yes, I have outgrown the line and that includes most of the passengers the line attracts. Sorry if you feel this is some sort of attack or snobbery but it's the truth.

I'm not one to walk on egg shells or play it safe by being PC 24/7. I much prefer the direct approach and I try to tell it like I see it. If that offends some people, sorry.

Ernie

[ 12-27-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]

I say let Carnival and NCL get the Blackpool-Coney Island-Wildwood crowd. This way they will not be accidentally steered toward Celebrity, HAL, Cunard, and Oceania which I will be sailing shortly. Those who are better off on Celebrity, HAL, Oceania, and Cunard will not take Carnival by mistake.

Obviously the staff on NCL and Carnival have become skilled in handling the Chavs, the A-List, plus Snookie and the Situation. If not they would not be running.

My last Celebrity cruise taken when school was in session had quite a few 70-somethings. Sock-hop night was hopping and great to see them dance like they did as teenagers in the 1950's. The disco tends to play Soul Train and American Bandstand as opposed to HipHop, Techno, and Rap.

The generation that danced cheek to cheek to Big Band music is disappearing, and loved listening and watching on my Rembrandt 2000 and earlier cruises.

quote:

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Originally posted by miamicruiser:
I'm a pretty laid back guy and don't live for an argument and as such it has made me never want to comment on something when my opinion might be different than yours for fear of my comment being ripped to shreds.

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What you call "ripping to shreds" I consider simple dialog. I'm expressing my opinion and you yours. You can certainly disagree with what I write as I can do the same with you.

It's this back and forth dialog and debate that makes CT interesting (at least IMO). If we all agreed on everything and never commented on what people write, CT would be a very boring place. In fact it has been pretty boring the last month or so as there has been very little dialog.

Please don't take all this too seriously or personal. Its just a cruise message board after all. And no, I really don't get tired of debate. I actually enjoy it or I would not have stuck around CT for over 10 years now. There have been some really amazing debates and discussions over the years that have made CT stand out above all other message boards (IMO). It makes life interesting, although I realize not everyone enjoys it and that is fine.

Ernie

[ 12-27-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]

quote:

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Originally posted by miamicruiser:
No worries Ernie, I don't take any of this too seriously. Just though you would want to know how I feel.
The fact that I'm off all week and had planned to go to the beach everyday but instead it's only 59 degrees here in Miami and I am running out of things to do already........now that I take seriously. I guess I should have gone on a cruise!

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Yup, it's a bit nippy in Miami! They say it might be the coldest December on record. Well it sure beats a foot of snow no matter how you look at it! I'm headed to Atlanta next Monday for two weeks then Minneapolis for three weeks starting on January 24th. Talk about cold!!

Anyway, glad you don't take me or this board too seriously. At the end of the day it's all in good fun. I'm not trying to be nasty, but I do admit I have very strong opinions about the cruise industry and I am passionate about it. I also admit I enjoy a good debate. It's nothing personal.

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Ernie, you have to see Barry when in Minneapolis. Be prepared for the cold weather. Maybe Barry can make a video and do an interview. That would be interesting. Just a thought.
Barry what do you think??
Frosty 4

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Unfortunately I will have virtually no free time. I'll be going through pretty intensive re qualification training while I'm there. Nice thought though.

Ernie[/QUOTE

quote:

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by eroller:
[qb]

I'll be going through pretty intensive re qualification training while I'm there.

Ernie[/QUOTE

Recurrent training for Delta? [/QB]

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I wish. Recurrent is only two days, and they call it CQ these days (Continued Qualification).

I haven't been active with Delta in five years, so I'm going to MSP for three weeks of re-qualification training. It's almost like going through initial training again, but not quite as intense. Also, we are all a bit older compared to the first time around through "Stew School"! LOL

Since I took my voluntary furlough Delta has basically become a new airline. New management, new uniforms, new logo, new livery, new planes, new procedures, and of course the merger/acquisition of NW. Never thought I would be going to MSP for Delta training. Go figure. The new hires go to ATL. There were only 1000 openings and DL received over 100,000 applications. Just amazing.

Anyway I'm looking forward to returning and being back in the skies again, and also only working 12 days a month or less. More time for long cruises and I look forward to receiving my interline discount again.

Here is a rumor for you ... rumor is that Delta may be in the process of purchasing Alaska Air.

quote:

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Originally posted by eroller:
Here is a rumor for you ... rumor is that Delta may be in the process of purchasing Alaska Air.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Globaliser:
Glad to see that you're going to be back in the air, Ernie! Good luck with the course, and hope you enjoy being back there.

Will you be going to new aircraft, or the same ones that you flew before?

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Thank you for the well wishes! Much appreciated.

Delta trains all flight attendants on all aircraft in the fleet, so some of the aircraft will be refreshers for me, and others brand new. It's a pretty diverse fleet these days after the DL/NW merger.

Here are all the aircraft types in Delta's fleet, but keep in mind there may be several variations and versions of each type.

Boeing: 737, 757, 767, 747, 777

McDonald Douglas: MD88, MD90

Douglas: DC9 (can't believe these dogs are back ... thank you NW!) Delta used to have these and sold most to Valuejet which is now Airtran and soon to be Southwest.

Airbus: A319, A320, A330

I think I got them all. Besides the classroom training and drills, there is about 10-12 hours of computer based training I have to complete at home before reporting.

quote:

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Originally posted by eroller:

Unfortunately I will have virtually no free time. I'll be going through pretty intensive re qualification training while I'm there. Nice thought though.

Ernie

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I use to do the marketing for one of the hotels that NW/Delta puts people who are going through those classes at NW/Delta south of the river. So you might be staying at the hotel I worked with. I know many of these people that went through that training often had some time in the evenings for a drink...I'll buy you a drink when you're in town. I may be cruising HAL mid January to the southern Caribbean and I'm meeting with Bernie Kopell in Minneapolis on the 28th of January for a video interview, but I'm sure I could be at your hotel to meet with you for a drink since you will be about five minutes from where I live. Drop me an email or call me. It would be a pleasure to meet you in person.

By the way, Ernie, that's a GREAT picture you posted above!

RE: Carnival -I have to be careful what I say about any cruise line, however; I will say that the passenger/ space ratio with Carnival seems to allow for a higher density of passengers in a smaller space. Carnival does seem to get a lot of repeat business. I know, for example; my cousin cruises on Carnival every couple of years. I've tried to suggest other cruise lines, but I think the pricing is why they continue to return to Carnival. There is a HUGE demographic out there that don't want to think too hard about the many cruise line choices available so they go with what they know....and Carnival is the most recognizable cruise line out there.

I've cruised with Carnival....I might prefer other cruise lines today, but for me, any time I can get on a ship at sea again...sign me up!

[ 12-29-2010: Message edited by: LeBarryboat ]