Carnival is cutting costs

This was my first cruise as an adult, taken with my husband and family. We've never done a Christmas cruise before.  The consensus from my group was that it seems like Carnival  is cutting costs, compared to their cruises I remember from a long time ago (15 years). The service is still good, but they are saving money by cutting cost on the food which seemed lower quality than before, other extras like doing away with table cloths in the formal dining room except for elegant night, and trying to make extra money by turning every activity into a for-cost event.  There are free liquor tastings, but they expect you to buy liquor.  There are art auctions, but they expect you to bid. There is bingo, but you have to pay to play.  In the dining room there is a guy that comes around every night selling shots- tacky.  Additionally, there are now restaurants beyond the main dining room that, of course, cost extra. It's not much extra, but for an all inclusive vacation, it creates an overall sense that they are dividing people into those who can afford the extras and those who can't. And if you can't then you aren't getting the full Carnival cruise experience.  In my opinion, this takes away from the experience.  

I treated myself to a massage and it was sub-par, especially for the cost; furthermore, the massage therapist recommended products for my cellulite and under-eye wrinkles, which would have been fine had I asked for recommendations. However, I don't have any cellulite and while I do have the beginnings of fine lines under my eyes, I am 27 and don't appreciate them being pointed out by a stranger!

Pros:
Excellent service from the hardworking waitstaff, housekeeping and all those behind the scenes.
High quality nightly performances and entertainment.

The ship was clean considering how many people are on it constantly making messes.

For my husbands birthday they gave us a $50 spa credit and a free 5x7 photo.

Cons:

Dining rooms can feel like a cafeteria.
Feeling nickel-and-dimed at every turn.

Mediocre spa experience.

Did not know that we would be able to hear the atrium live music every night in our room until 11 PM or later.

Two tiny swimming pools for almost 4,000 guests.

There appear to be endless dining options but most are only open for very limited times, i.e. Guy's BBQ place was only open for four hours total out of the full 7 days.