Let's revisit this poll: Will Carnival's recent ongoing issues affect DCL?

Will Carnival's recent ongoing issues affect DCL?

  • Yes, it will reduce DCL's bookings in the coming months.

    Votes: 9 28.1%

  • Yes, it will increase DCL's bookings in the coming months.

    Votes: 5 15.6%

  • No effect whatsoever.

    Votes: 18 56.3%
  • Total voters
    32
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Oops they did it again! Yep, Carnival has yet another ship, the Legend this time, with significant mechanical issues.

http://gma.yahoo.com/second-carnival-cruise-ship-having-trouble-sea-112703898--abc-news-travel.html

The first incident had a lot of people thinking Carnival fans would still be booking with them and Disney fans would still be booking with Mickey. The second incident there was a glimmer of hope that at least a little something was learned by Carnival's handling of the problem. They didn't dare venture back to sea with passengers and they did what needed to be done to return the passengers to port. A third incident? Really??? So, do you think even people looking to sail cheap will second guess that decision? Do you think people might consider saving a little longer or selecting a shorter sailing to sail with Disney?
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
I still can't believe they are having another problem, but I'm still voting no effect. I think these issues will keep some newbies from not booking cruises in general, but I think that's going to be offset by the people who chose Carnival over Disney to save money, and will now leave Carnival in droves.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
I still don't think it will have a measurable effect on DCL bookings. Toyota having a big recall a few years ago did not measurably increase Cadillac sales. I think the same will be true here.

Carnival will however have some explaining and damage control to do. They have media bulls eye on them right now. Any problem, no matter how minor, will be pushed right to the front page and will be blown out of proportion. They are going to have to make some sort of a statement, even if it is just ceremonial, by firing or demoting someone with C something O at the end of their title. They might even need to go as far as canceling some cruises and giving all of the ships in their fleet a serious once over to help rebuild customer confidence.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I hear ya, @Disneyfalcon. I haven't even voted on my own poll because I can't really decide which way I think this could go. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least some people choosing an inside or sale fare Disney cruise over Carnival if the pricing gets somewhat close when comparing. Like the Carnival Magic out of Galveston really isn't that significant a savings over Disney for us. We tend to sail Disney with promos and at least the onboard rebooking savings. Carnivals bigger/newer ships, the only ones we would consider, aren't as crazy cheap as their older ships. I don't think the number of people who will choose Disney over Carnival will be enough to really make a big difference for Disney. I think it's more likely that people who were looking at Carnival or are booked with them might seek out alternative vacations that are land-based. Plus, you have to consider the Disney Deterrant Factor. Sounds crazy to us Disney fans but you and I both know at least 1 person who was resistant to sailing with Disney BECAUSE it's Disney. "I don't want Mickey tucking me in at night." LOLOLOL!!! I can honesty say my inlaws are likely to never cruise Disney because it's Disney. Yep, they've been to WDW with us twice. Nope, they aren't fans. IF they ever sailed Disney it would be for the itinerary (MiL did like the Pacific Coast itineraries last year). Or they'd sail if one of the kids got married on a DCL sailing. I dunno. Disney may not benefit much from Carnival's troubles but I do firmly believe Carnival will suffer some losses as a result of them.
 
angieandtrevor

angieandtrevor

Active Member
Carnival sure needs to change something because whatever they are doing sure isn't working right about now o_O Before our first Disney cruise last fall we had only ever cruised with Carnival. We had sailed 9 times with them and each time we had fantastic vacations. We never felt like anything was lacking or missing but then again at that point we had nothing to compare it to. After our Disney cruise I was completely hooked and my preference would definitely be Disney (especially for the entertainment factor for my son......he loved everything about it) however I would have still sailed with Carnival had the right opportunity come up (we sail with an awesome group who always does Carnival). We really felt that the saying most definitely is true "you get what you pay for" so it is just a matter of what you are willing to spend. We have always felt that a big part of your vacation is what you make of it however I would be pretty darn ticked off had I spent all that money to take my family on vacation just to have something preventable happen. I realize that unforeseen things can happen but 3 times in one month is just too darn often for me and it will take some mighty convincing to get my butt back on another ship with a funnel :) But on the plus side it is a really good excuse as to why we "have" to continue to sail with Disney !!

I don't think this incident will push people towards one line or the other however I do believe that Carnival most definitely will have many people questioning their dependability.
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Just from my experience, it has further galvinized people who never wanted to cruise in the first place.

I told my wife last night that maybe we SHOULD take a Carnival cruise now. They have to be dirt cheap, right?

-dave
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Phonedave said:
Just from my experience, it has further galvinized people who never wanted to cruise in the first place.

I told my wife last night that maybe we SHOULD take a Carnival cruise now. They have to be dirt cheap, right?

-dave
Click to expand...

Well, and if anything does go wrong you could end up with some nice perks as a result. Yes? o_O LOL! J/K!
 
GenerationX

GenerationX

Well-Known Member
If you were drawing a Venn diagram showing the target markets for the two lines, the intersection would be pretty small. I don't think Carnival's latest batch of troubles will have much effect on DCL's bookings. Carnival, on the other hand, will need to put coupons in the Sunday newspaper to sell rooms ("Buy one ticket on a Carnival cruise for half price and get the rest of the family in free!").
 
BenSmith

BenSmith

Active Member
Originally sales soared for Disney after the Triumph, but now things have mellowed out. Disney will certainly lose no business because of this though.
 
I_heart_Tigger

I_heart_Tigger

Well-Known Member
My disdain for the Carnival Corporation knows no bounds. In the last year they've had 6 to 8 incidents leaving thousands of passengers stranded and 32 dead. That's ONE YEAR!!! Their reputation within the cruise industry has been terrible for years (actually going on decades now). They offer a cheap subpar product and they do that by cutting corners, shoddy workmanship, poor to non-existant training and a history of deception to their employees and the governing bodies of the industry.

Carnival clients for the most part are not Disney clients. Carnival is for people wanting something cheap, Disney is for people wanting something of value. I don't think there will be much impact on Disney however in my area travel agencies who are not contracted with them have already pulled Carnival advertising and are refusing to book clients with them unless a specific liability waiver is signed noting that the agent does not recommend they travel with them.
 
HollyAD

HollyAD

Well-Known Member
Disney is a "whole different animal." However, I do think it will have a small effect on the entire cruise industry. I know a family at work cancelled their Ncl booking after the first incident with the Triumph. I am sure that she's not regretting that decision now. I know that I trust Disney no matter what but the newcomers probably will be influenced by the recent incidents. I can not imagine working hard to pay for a family vacation and having it ruined and wasting my vacation time that I earned. If I don't know any better... I would stick to land.
 
olinecoach61

olinecoach61

Well-Known Member
I voted no effect for Disney. Although as someone who was considering a cruise, I am no longer interested in any cruise. I'm going to stick with WDW for now!
 
ChuckElias

ChuckElias

Well-Known Member
@216bruce, thanks for liking the ziploc post. I thought it was hysterically funny. But you, apparently, are the only person who shares my particular brand of twisted humor.
 
DVCOwner

DVCOwner

A Long Time DVC Member
I think that many people that had planned on a Carnival cruise are now going to look elsewhere and at least some of them are going to book Disney. I vote bookings will increase as more people look for value vs cheap. This will really apply to safety.
 
momof1princess

momof1princess

Well-Known Member
my husband and I have taken nine Carnival cruises, but we have decided not to take anymore. We haven't been since our daughter was born, she's almost 5, and we have been hesitant to cruise at all. If we do it will be Disney, but not until she is older. I just don't feel like we can trust Carnival anymore.
 

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