Carnival Spirit 2/2/08 Mexican Riviera
I think I finally figured it out. The term "you get what you pay for" doesn't refer to the size of the stateroom, onboard amenities or the quality of food anymore; it refers to the level of sophistication and experience of the other passengers.
This is my 21st cruise, and my first on Carnival since the earth cooled (in cruise terms, the early 1980's). I've been on ships from the rattle trap Viking Serenade to the elegant Crystal Harmony. My last two cruises have been on Norwegian because of the individual dining options. I returned to the "fun ships" of Carnival and traditional dining with some trepidation. Okay, lots of trepidation.