Domvh75

This is our first ever RSSC cruise booked as an early special birthday celebration. We were excepting wonderful things from the “world’s most luxurious cruise ship” after having incredible experiences on Silverseas and Crystal. Sadly, the first couple of days were disappointing. Our suite and amenities are excellent; however, the let downs were with the restaurants and bars. Definitely no WOW factor! On the first night, after having to queue then wait for a table for two in CR, we were seated in a corner and forgotten about leading to long wait times to order and then to be served. The atmosphere was rather manic. The food was inedible. The second night in CR was similar with regard to getting seated but after giving feedback to the maître d’ there were subsequent improvements. In the Meridian Lounge there was a single bartender and one waiter in the busy lounge resulting in long waits for service. The Explorer Lounge had most of the lights off that we were sitting in darkness. The floor was dirty. We also had the same experience of the shambolic breakfast service that morning in La Veranda. The morning when we ordered room service breakfast, it was delivered late meaning we rushed to eat in order to make our tour departure on time. Lunch at the Pool Grill was also a poor experience: long wait and wrong food arrived. During first couple of days, when I asked staff about our food or drink orders, the response was always “we’re busy, Sir!” Yes we could see they’re busy but it made us feel like we were an inconvenience. On the third night, while having drinks in the ML and after saying to the waiter it was not right he was having to work a busy bar on his own / he needed help, the drinks manager approached us and we gave him our feedback. Then the following day, while we were coming up the main staircase at reception, the bar manager approached us as he heard about our comments and we had a fairly lengthy chat. Also, later that day, the restaurant manager approached us to discuss our experience and feedback. We left like we were marked men! 😂 Anyway, since the exchanges, there has been a marked improvement. Somewhat uncomfortably, nearly every staff in the restaurants and bars and even in the pool area are addressing us by name “Mr. First Name” and checking that we happy with the food / drinks, offering to get more, etc. In our discussions with managers, the striking difference we noticed with this ship and our previous cruises, was the lack of managers presence. For example, on our last Silverseas cruise, the bar manager was going about checking things were going smoothly, moving staff to more busier areas and also engaging with the passengers. This was lacking since we embarked this cruise but noticed since yesterday, this was happening.

Small world! My office is in Dyce, and prior, worked at the University of Aberdeen based at Foresterhill. In November, when we flew to Barbados with BA for the Silversea cruise we got Apple AirTags for our luggage. Used them again at Christmas when I went to Toronto. They worked a treat and gave peace of mind knowing luggage had made the flights. On an aside, after booking this RSSC cruise, we watched the channel 5 series featuring the RSSC Explorer on my5, and the Christmas episode. So very much looking forward to this holiday! Hope it’ll be the same cruise director 😉😆

We’re flying to Tokyo with BA from Aberdeen via Heathrow. Since BA don’t fly from BKK at the moment, finding flights back took some effort as we were using BA Avios. Managed to redeem on Qatar Airways, BKK to Doha and then on to London. Don’t like getting on a long haul flight all hot and sweaty so happy to chill out at a hotel and have a shower before an evening flight.

I would have though if disembarkation day tours were available they would be listed with the shore excursions for booking, but we have not been on a RSSC cruise before so not sure how it works. On Silversea, disembarkation day tours were available to book in advance with the other shore excursions. Our flight departs Bangkok at 20:25 on the 25th November, so we’ve booked a room at the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport as the offer day use rooms, and you can use all of the facilities. The rate is cancellable up to the day before.

I just registered on RSSC's website and added our booking. I can view the itinerary which shows our selected tours, and also the pre-cruise hotel, and it is indeed Keio Plaza. Does something similar show on your itinerary if you have a RSSC account, listing your forced overnight accommodation?

We’re booked on Explorer Tokyo to Bangkok cruise in November, in a Concierge suite. Our travel agent confirmed we’ll be at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo for one night prior to embarkation. We’ve booked our own flights from the UK to Japan, arriving three days before the cruise, and booked two additional nights at the Keio ourselves. We booked online direct with hotel as their rate was much cheaper than the £698 for two nights per person😮 The only downside to this arrangement is that we may have to change rooms for the third night (the one RSSC booked).