ddled

Last experience with Royal to report. Tried calling-waste of time. Shore excursion only communicates via email. Was given to a resolutions desk. She told me that there is no one higher than her I could talk to and there was nothing that could be done anyway. On top of it all, some of my people say the app has different  shore excursions on it  than the website and different age restrictions-so what do you believe?  Unbelievable chaos!  I'm done with Royal and advising all my friends to do the same

I wonder if the insurance is the explanation why just these ports and why just on Royal cruises?

We started on Royal for the dancing-partner. It is mostly gone-with the exception of Latin. Freedom class does have a Boleros for latin-you will not be the only ones there. The rest of the ship is pretty hard to find danceable music. The live bands tend to be more modern rock and will not fit your needs. A better alternative is Princess-way better venues and music for dancing. We have gone on several of their ships and make a serious effort to have wood dance floors and music. Royal? Good luck. 

After looking again, these age restrictions are just Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan. On Roatan I cannot go fishing at the old age of 71-something I do weekly offshore.But just those ports-not even Progresso, Mexico. Did not look on the pacific side of Mexico, but I am confused-why just these 3 ports in 2 countries when the same activity is allowed elsewhere? And what is wrong with the Cozumel tour operators ?  Is it safe for anyone to do these tours on Cozumel regardless of age? Thoughts?

OK I looked at some of their other Caribbean ports-Bahamas, Bermuda, St. Thomas, couple others. No age restrictions-the most they list is n/a.  Something is going on in Mexico/Roatan, or they are piloting the idea. to apply to other ports because their lawyers are in charge?  This is something recent, I wish they had done it on a cruise that I don't have 30 retired friends on. Or at least be able to explain so I can. There is something they are not saying about these policies on these cruise ports. Maybe if you are in Cozumel,and the others you can find our and tell us?  If I do I sure will. Still mad after a month and not getting less mad.

RoyalC-I agree I assume Royal is self insured so that is their policy internally. I usually do not hold a grudge-bad for the health-but this one in hard to get rid of. Besides telling me I am too old to ride the trolley inCozumel and walk, they are insulting my intelligence with their lame attempt at an explanation. I wish they still did the handshake line with the captain at Crown and Anchor events-I would at least give him my opinion. I guess the only way to get our ideas across is to contact Royal-no hopes there though. I agree that blaming on the tour operator is dumb-they are the same operators that have been there for years. I really think we are on the verge of their lawyers taking a look at some of the onboard activities and  putting an age limit on them too. How is it different to ride some of the water slides than it is to ride a trolley? I think the business people/cruise people in RCL  have abandoned their jobs to the lawyers . It is the job of the lawyers/risk management team to advise-not dictate. Somewhere inside corporate their is a lot of fear. Royal has lost a couple high profile cases-I think they have overreacted. It is going to cost them a lot of business from us old people that still have a heartbeat.

Because the Shore Excursion Dept of Royal is incompetent!  Try googling Royal Caribbean shore excursions by port. Hope you are not over 65 years

I got a reply from Royal if you are interested. They say they make their decision based on the tour operator, Their 'risk management team", and insurance.My question was what are they doing hiring an operator that can guarantee the safety of a 69 year old but not a 70? Or-why can I go zip lining on an Alaska cruise but not one in the Caribbean? Dumb people down south? Or-how does a Risk Management team operate and how many of them are lawyers? What risk is going on the trolley in Cozumel at age 70, and walking 2 blocks? And going to the beach?  Sharks?  What a crock.  None of the other lines are doing this, And Royal is not doing it on some of their other cruises to Alaska. The other excuse they list is local regulations. So Cozumel has local regulations that 70 year olds cannot ride the trolley but only if they are a part of Royal Shore Excursions?  Man-Royal sure is getting worked over by local authorities in Mexico because none of the other cruise ships get that restriction!  What baloney and a huge insult to my intelligence that they think I will believe their garbage!  What I will believe is that I am done on Royal after 20 plus years and tens of thousands of dollars.

I doubt that it will get me anywhere but I have had the satisfaction of sending an email to Royal. I'm sure that they could care less about my 30 friends going on this cruise, but it made me feel better. Princess is sailing out of Galveston this winter with the Ruby, and I would have gone on that if I had known about this policy. If you are 65 or over you need to look at the excursion lists to see what is on there. I see on this cruise the trolley ride is age limited. I did look into private excursions-they are numerous and in some cases cheaper of course. The many we have gone on have been fine, but I would feel very guilty if some of my group did a private, and could not get back to the ship on time, losing at least part of their cruise. I understand how insurance works, and all but it would still be a problem. I doubt that I will ever sail Royal again, free drinks are not worth feeling that they really do not want me on board and see me as a liability. I do not have any idea if this is age discrimination but I sure wish some lawyer would try to find out. I assume the legal genuises in Miami have told their superiors that they cannot be sued. And I agree- I have not been on an elevator for years and I am 71.

I have a Princess cruise in October. Canada to Florida.  Not even the excursions listed as strenuous were age limited..

The tour operator-insurance company idea is curious   It is Royal doing it in several ports. I doubt that that many tour operators in that many places are willing to give up their profits in economies that are marginal anyway out of either a fear of Americans suing them or some concern about all of us old people hurting ourselves. A salsa class?  Bird watching?  Cigar rolling/beach break?  And Carnival seems to run a few ships, probably has a couple lawyers, probably talk once in a while to tour companies-maybe they restrict theirs but I sure did not see it on their website. Royal is running scared and taking it out on me. And I resent it!  Wonder how this all fits with dropping vaccination requirements ?  I guess that's another can of worms for another topic . 

The thing that irritates me is that I spent a lifetime staying in shape..I can do any of these shore excursions if I want to. Now Royal-its their excursions eventually-tells me that I cannot?  Where do they get off?  I sign a waiver on all the excursions. I have been on many private ones, but the overwhelming advantage that everyone overlooks for a ship excursion is that they will hold the ship if you are late; We have all seen that happen . Yes private ones are fine-try getting the ship to wait for you if something goes wrong. Plus on many of these islands there is not that much difference . If that is dramatic so be it. I have seen lots of things go away over the 30 years I have cruised-here is one more and it is a big one.  I am ashamed that I recommended Royal to my group-won't do that again!

I just looked on Carnival-no age restrictions, same tours in Cozumel,  Costa Maya.  I may have my last Royal cruise booked-at my age I can't remember where I put my money anyway!  What a rip off!   If anyone from RCL reads these boards, you are alienating an entire part of your base! Next thing on ship they will limit attendance into the lounge or some of the activities at 65.  If Carnival is doing it.....?  Insurance is a convenient excuse-I would not have led 30 of my friends on Royal if I knew this was there policy-Bah Humbug!!!

We were on Holland in January and there were not any max age restrictions  

If this is on another thread I apologize-I looked but in my old age I probably missed it. My issue is the max age restrictions on some of the shore excursions. WHAT IN THE ... IS ROYAL UP TO NOW?  I am taking a group of 30 retired fossils on Allure Jan 22. A member of our group asked because they wanted to do several excursions and were shut out because of the 65-72 max age limit. Examples in Cozumel included a Salsa dance class, a combination cigar rolling and beach break, anything almost involving any cave with any water in it, some snorkeling trips and so on. About 40% it looks like . Excuse me,  but I walk 20 plus miles per week in humid Texas, kayak and bike the other days. I think I can handle a little ride on an atv, or a salsa class. When did this all come about?  I can see that Royal doesn't want anyone over 65 anymore as passengers-we are diamond, almost plus and they can do what is biologically impossible. I realize they market to younger people, but my advice is do it while you can!   I guess we look for another line, or. private excursions.  Anyone else have thoughts on this? The more I think about it, the madder I get-oops I better calm down, don't want to have a stroke and die!   Thoughts? I am 71 and I guess I am too old to cruise on Royal Caribbean anymore. Pretty soon they can just strap me into a wheel chair when I get on board and feed  me gruel for a week !! wow

probably mid afternoon

We are sailing on Allure in January and I have a group of about 30 that wants to meet for drinks, and chit chat-meet and greet. Nothing formal, Royal has been no help for a lot of reasons-I am not a travel agent  just a volunteer (long story).  What would be a good venue say the first sea day that would not be likely to be used for trivia, or whatever. Thought about Schooners, afraid they will be used. Need a suggestion of a place that is just there-not a room, but someplace that we can just meet. Any suggestions? Diamond on Royal, about to be plus, but never been on Oasis class. Thanks

ok I will bring this up-Princess are you listening?  What about retired teachers? I taught 36 years, so did my wife. Current teachers have it really tough now, but I did have a few challenges too. I don't begrudge anything the current teachers get-God knows they deserve it. But there are a lot of retired teachers that cruise and put in a lot of years at pretty low pay.  And a teacher in Canada is a teacher-shouldn't have to even say that!  This could have been much better!  Typical I guess. 

DanDeck- the name of the excellent team leader in Horizons deck 4 was Alexandru. His entire team was very prompt, entertaining, and everything you expect.. 

OK. I was going to do a separate review of this cruise but this thread is the obvious place it seems. We were  on this same cruise- I had 11 friends and relatives in my group. All but 1 had cruised before-some a lot. My wife and I have done 29-only 2 on Carnival. Princess, and Royal mostly.

Boarding was slow due to the gangplank issues. 1.5 hours in the cold. We had a good time, the low price was a bonus. I would do Carnival again after they bring in Jubilee. Have sailed Galveston numerous times. Parked this time at Port of Galveston lots. Lots of cars, lots of shuttles. Coming back there was a long line to shuttle back, left our luggage with my wife at terminal. Porter told me without luggage I could get on the shuttle at the head of the line. No problem. Drove car back to get wife, luggage, sit, no problem. Facial recognition has helped Galveston a lot.

Ports were as usual. Took shore excursion in Berlize to Mayan Ruins. 2.5 hour bus ride each way, worth every minute. The Mayans are fascinating-much better than Alton Ha, which is another option. Xunantunich is the name We didn't get off in the other 2-been there. Feedback was good-our group was pleased.  

POSITIVES- Food was great-best I have had anywhere . Tried to eat in all the restaurants at least once-too many. Room was nice, attendant average-made nice animals. Service on entire ship was ok-nothing out of the ordinary and not as good or friendly as Royal Liberty in November.  Entertainment was great. There are 4 comedians through the week-not all the same, don't stop after the first one. Room is packed, get there early-lots of seat saving goes on. Usher at door says there is no Carnival policy against it-some saved entire rows. Same thing at pool. Theater shows were tremendous  5 shows by dancers in one week?  How do they do that?  Rock band did their thing well if you like rock. Piano bar singer was good in a great room. Guitar player was on board. Steel drums performer very good. You have to ride the sky ride-under 250 pounds only. They weigh. Made the mistake of looking straight down once-bad idea. Violins were very entertaining-never saw them talk to each other or us but what do I know? Lots of fun all over. Cruise director Savannah was fun-talked a lot on the PA system. Bubbly. Bingo looked fun-people seemed to enjoy it- I'm too cheap. Some of our group enjoyed the casino-had a good time but the house won! Imagine that. Smoke in casino stayed there mostly, but was thick. The IMAX and the movies on deck were great-saw Batman on release day-inIMAX no less.. Fun

NEGATIVES  Dining room service first night worse I have ever seen. Couldn't get the lady to sell me a wine package-said it was not because of TABC, didn't know how, started avoiding me. I asked for the Maitre d and got it resolve and he comped me a bottle of wine for my troubles. Issue solved. Ate last night in Horizons with our group, wait team was tremendous. Luck of the draw. The APP Carnival Hub. was down too many days. They had 2 2.5  hour help sessions the first day-my wife was told it was down, mine worked, sil did not. Typical in our group. Had no my planner for 3 days, then it reappeared. Not a good plan, was better 2 years ago on this ship,  they have everything down to menus on it now. Heard lots of complaints about the wi fi as too slow or not working at all. IT has a lot of work on the Vista. Our balcony chairs were covered in paint drops from previous painting. Stateroom attendants only once per day-now they have twice as many rooms. It shows. Service average at best-maybe an new normal..Another place they are cutting costs. 2 years ago they announced that on all ships from Galveston there would be a country band and the one was great then. None on board, has been one, wonder if Covid got them?  Before you flame me for wanting country music I've heard it all before and it packed the lounge on Vista 2 years ago. Enough said. There is minimum service and offerings in Lido. They were good for anyone in a wheelchair, and for my wife when she dropped her salad on the floor, but the average person gets everything they want themselves. I am use to Royal and their wandering waiters in buffet. No salmon in buffet-only in dining room. Bacon only some days. Small cuts here and there but it has been a rough time for cruise companies and most of us are glad enough to get out we overlook things we used to have. Computer system seems to be a problem. Their first try at Deal/no Deal got cancelled-tech issues. The floors on deck 6 port side sag and move when you walk on them. In front of the IMAX theater too. Couple other places. Not something I wanted to think too much about. If they were plywood I would say they were rotten. Steel? 

All in all it was a fun time   Masks pretty much went away after March 1 for about 70%. Crew still masked. I will wait to sail Carnival until they bring Jubilee in in 2023. Good cruise held together by the food and entertainment . 70% occupancy, Savannah said this week they are full. Cruising is back until the next problem. Questions?

still down. Got my health questionnaire done about noon, been unusable since. 

I assume they run one?

Does anyone know what Holland charges for the transfer from pier at Ft Lauderdale to Miami airport?  Don't have my booking number yet to find out.

if the symptoms are as mild as most report including my family, I would have to be dying before I would report my self. I can quarantine myself in my cabin, and at least have that. I imagine the true numbers of people positive on each ship are way higher than reported. Not a good scene.

I have vista booked for 

feb 26. Penalty to cancel right now would be 500..The whole cruise for 2 is only 1200..I have a group; of 7 cabins and all of them would cancel today I think. Wait and see. Was supposed to be on a Holland Country Music charter the 15th and it got rescheduled to some other date yet to be determined because so many people were cancelling with a 75% insurance cfar policy. Wait and see on that one too.