bigboffs

Just came home from grocery Shopping and guess what Prices have gone up. Same for electricity, heating, ...

While we must pay for increased prices for necessities, we don't for all others. Luxuries are an option and there are many different vacation options to allow price/value comparison.

We have been on both the Allure and Oasis on deck 14. Deck 15 is the sports deck and thus prone to noise. That being said, the location of the cabin is important since some are always quiet ( ie under the wipe out cafe) and some always noisy ( ie under/near a pool/spa with motor noise). Your cabin 16636 is extremity close to being under the beach pool and the pool motors constantly run and are not very quiet. If you have the chance, I suggest you move.

Over the years both we and many others we often sail with have received a bill/statement on the AM of departure which has a small ($1/2/3) mini bar charge that we did not make. RCCL must be aware that to take time before leaving the ship to challenge this amount (especially when guest service lines are very long) is not practical. Most passengers will just blow it off. Although each single overcharge is small, in the aggregate over the entire fleet, it becomes a significant revenue source for RCCl

You could be right. And it maybe depends on time of year. I was sailing on Oasis in July - more kids and younger people - less solarium users. I love the solarium and found somewhere decent to sit every single time I went. Chairs on the upper decks surrounding the pool were always available.

 

I think they are selective about enforcing the rules because they really want to avoid conflict. It's just discretion. It seemed annoying that everything good was always taken, but I understood there were a lot of people around. And usually the chairs were very much being used.

 

Nobody likes chair hogs, but I also think a strict approach and conflict isn't much fun either.

You may be correct as to chair hogs. We virtually never sail when the children are out of school primarily because during those times, the cost of cruising is significantly higher. The more RCCL ignores their own rules, the more they are taken advantage of. If RCCL does not want to enforce a rule, they should just eliminate it.

While your own medical insurance MAY reimburse, really suggest you contact your insurer and have them provide you with the covered and not covered services and what if any countries medical care systems are excluded. If you are not as protected as you think you are, get a supplemental policy (sometimes even offered by your primary carrier).

Also, the medical insurance that RCCL and other lines make availiable provides for THE PATIENT BE EVACUATED TO THE NEAREST APPROPRIATE MEDICAL FACILITY. First be clear that a spouse or other traveling companion are not covered. Also note that the cruise line decides whats appropriate and to be evacuated to a hospital in many countries is equal to very little care. Once on shore, the cruise line has no further obligation so to be take to a hospital in places like Haiti, does the patient no real service. Get a policy, by the year that with one toll free phone call, arrangements are made to evacuate you and your traveling companion (if u have one) to a medical facility in an area of your choosing.

Royal isn't terribly concerned because it's a problem that really doesn't exist. There is always chairs. It may not be a prime location, but still in the pool area.

 

I always found a decent chair in the solarium, even on sea days. You may not be right next to the pool, but who cares? I've never once not been able to find a lounger or two somewhere decent.

Wish you were correct. On most cruises, getting to the solarium after about 9:30 AM results in little or even no availability. This availability drops tp nearly zero in finding 2 together. The problem is RCC'sL virtual refusal to enforce their own rules. On dozens of occasions we brought to attention clearly chair hogs in action, neither the pool attendants nor security EVER took any action. The line has what I call selective enforcement of their rules and for the most part unless there is a $ advantage, the rules are virtually ignored.

When the RCCL branded credit card was downgraded in value and utilization, we gave up on it.

NO!! The crazy cost for a few square feet of room is a waste. Also, the JS has a tub which is dangerous to get in/out of and slippery inside, Suggest a D cabin and spend the difference on other things

Where is Captain Marek?

Another example of the RCCL IT system's failures. WARNING!! If you do not tell Guest services that you are a consecutive cruiser, on turn around day you will not be treated as such. As mentioned, suggest you go to Guest Services and make sure the person in charge of consecutive cruisers knows you are. When you go, take with you the booking info that reflects the two sailings. We often do this and as a hint, go to GS very late on the first day, then on the next to last day of cruise one, go back and ensure it has been done ( we learned the hard way that the "correction" is not always made).

We were in Panoramic Ocean View cabin #1806. The room set up and the huge window were very much better than any other ocean view cabin we have sailed on. During our 11 day adventure r/t Australia we did not feel any more ship motion than in prior sailings in other locations. To us the biggest negative is that the cabins have limited elevator service often requiring us to walk across the open pool deck which is often slippery and in inclement weather just plain dangerous. We had to plan ahead which route to take depending on the weather and the ship,s motions.

The" BoGo Hoax" has been around in various forms for quite a while now. Although some of these sail prices may reflect a lower price, often the prices are either the same only reconfigured or higher. NEVER assume a RCCL sale always represents a lower price but carefully do the math.

The RCCL IT system has been and is a work in progress. It's reliability is often but not always, poor. In speaking with some IT "geeeks" I believe it is far more RCCL company friendly than us user/cruisers friendly.

On numerous sailings we have seen parents abdicate their responsibilities and allow their children to go without supervision. When these children meet up with others of similar ages, these become groups that cause various disturbances. We and other frequent floaters we know have reported these groups and altho assured security will "look into it" nothing is done even when the disturbances are on security tapes. This is a good example of RCCL having a rule that is not enforced.

I am sorry this happened to you and fellow passengers. Not really sure what you expect RCCL to do though.

Enforce their own rules!

The biggest reason to take a travel insurance medical policy is the medical evacuation coverage. That can run into the 10's of thousands to transport you home f you need a physician and med equipment to accompany you. Minimum suggested coverage is 50k. It will also cover repatriation of remains is needed - that also can be very expensive.

Agree!!! Most policies (ie RCCL) provide for the person (not anyone traveling with that individual) to be evacuated to the nearest "appropriate medical facility," The quality of medical care in many countries would not meet or even approach American standards. Also, once on shore, the cruise co policy has been fully satisfied. Needed is a policy (purchased on a yearly basis) that provides a toll free phone number and then the insurance co. takes over, both the person and traveling companion are evacuated, the evacuation is to a hospital proximate to your home, and if necessary the evacuation would be on an air evac airplane. There are also many medical care insurance policies that supplement coverage out of the US, noting that medicare will not pay for services outside the US nor will some other policies sold by insurers. Suggest each traveler read their coverage closely and if necessary, get a supplement

We have been on both ships to the ABC islands. Both cruise lines, to us, seem to offer a fine cruising experience. The ships of both lines each have their own individual characteristics. To distinguish at all, it seems that RCCL is more family(kid) friendly than Princess. Items like food and entertainment are really subjective. However, as mentioned before, the Horizon buffet is poorly designed compared to the Windjammer. We would decide on which ship gave the best accommodations for the lowest cost.

In a search for the CDC, there is referenced the "Vessel Sanitation Program."

For those who are deniers, this is truth. A score of 85 or below is failing. On 6/3/16 the Empress received a score of 80. On 5/16 16 the Explorer scored a 91. Some were 100 including the Allure on 6/5/16 and the Freedom on 2/5/16. For more facts the same site describes each and every violation in detail. For those who are further interested, this site shows the date,score and basis thereof of the last inspection of all cruise ships entering US ports. While scores per vessel may vary, for cruisers to ignore them totally to me seems foolish.

No!!!

And it will continue as long as RCCL does not enforce its own rules and passangers take advantage of this failure

It is clear that "Loud" is in the ears of the listener. Over our last several cruises the "music" made normal conversation at locations such sites as the Cafe promenade, Sorrentos and the pubs on the promenade often virtually impossible. Based on our own experience and discussion with others, complaints land on "DEAF" ears.

In 1915, during WW1. the Britannia sank after hitting a mlne that blew a big hole in her underwater bow.

Over the years we have become frequent floaters with RCCL. Although we enjoy sailing with them, we are not blind to some short comings. There are no responses to the after sailing surveys with suggestions as to how to improve and we along with other "frequent floaters" have noticed no change to the comments. Many now ignore them.

As to the daily Cruise Compass, it is the responsibility of the cruise director. They often use a "Compass" from a previous sailing as a format and we have seen wrong dates, weather, and dress suggestions as well as omissions of valuable info.

When we were first sailing with RCCL, almost all ate in the MDR and the Windjammer was almost empty. To show how this has changed, on our recent Explorer back to backs, we were told by staff that of about 3200 passengers, over 2000 ate in the Windjammer every night. Each has their own reason for avoiding the MDR.

Someone commented about the inability to hear some announcements in the cabins. Although there is a speaker and control knob in each one, unfortunately many do not work and we have been told at guest services several times that they are sorry but nothing can be done.

As to the ice shows they are spectacular. As explained to us, sometimes when a patch of ice begins to melt, it creates a slick spot sometimes resulting in a performer falling. This seems to be a normal part of their occupational hazards.

As to shore excursions, we believe it is better to book onboard where you can get the complete information and based on it make an informed decision.

Tendering has always been problematical from long lines, to ports being missed due to weather issues. We try to avoid sailings with tender ports and when their is one, we simply live with the circumstances. It is part of the cruise experience.

For many of us, the good has always been far greater than the bad. If reversed, we would go elsewhere

Another BoGo Hoax.

Be very careful. The so called "SUGAR FREE" deserts such as cookies pies and cakes are really loaded with Carbohydrates which turn into sugar. From time to time they do offer REAL sugar free deserts such as jello, pudding, and mousse.I have discussed this with various RCCL Execs. and altho they profess understanding, nothing changes. At 75 and above we all cheat a little, just watch your sugar/carb intake thereafter.

But Capt Espen will be going home earlier than 10 weeks if Capt Toni shows up in April. Early last year Capt Espen worked a longer rotation so maybe this time he's only working an 8 week rotation.

Thank you for keeping us informed.