Hello from a fellow traveler, just checking in with folks also here on the Explorer enroute to Vancouver. First RSSC cruise since the pandemic, as I was booked for the ill-fated 2021 World Cruise—and it’s taken this long to get back onboard.
So, this is kind of an AITA question: is the level of service aboard the “new normal”, or is this a VERY unusual sailing? I almost don’t recognize the line in certain respects.
Simply put, I’m hearing a LOT of “No!” from a line that never knew the meaning of the word before—and it is clear that the old RSSC standards for service are long gone.
Specifics? There have been service errors at every single meal. This morning’s room service breakfast missed about 1/3rd of our order; items we specified were either missing or were substituted. Husband’s “banana” turned into “banana pancakes”, other items like juice and butter were simply missing. Headed to Compass Rose instead, and while my entree got delivered, the wait was long—in a near-empty restaurant. Never did get the smoothie I ordered.
Right now, I’m writing from Coffee Connection, where we were just told we couldn’t have a pastry for another 20 minutes; they were setting up between breakfast and lunch, apparently.
Shore excursions saw us double-booked—one paid tour and one waitlisted tour scheduled for the same time slot. And we managed to score exactly ONE “free” shore excursion for an 18 day cruise. Spent a grand making up for it with paid tours.
Want to enjoy our balcony? Nope—it’s deck-washing day, which is cool, but we were told NO deck access because it might be wet. I’m fine with staying out of their way, but sheesh, can’t I just sit on my recliner and read?
Cocktail hour in the Observation Lounge once meant delicious hors d’ouevres, but now it’s peanuts. After more than an hour, some potato chips showed up—but there was precious little food to buffer the alcohol, and I’m not much of a drinker, so I NEED snacks.
I was very careful to book a Prime 7 reservation for the first formal night … except surprise! The formal night was changed to a different date without notice.
There are many bright spots. Crew people are hustling, but there just aren’t enough of them. Friendliness is still there, the entertainers are bright and watchable, and the gym manager was “old Regent” all the way, answering questions and helping me—I’m a dancer—find a place to work out safely. At least nobody chased me out of the Explorer Lounge at 5am when I was working out.
Still, I feel almost like I’m on a different line. I know, times have been rough and I should be grateful to sail at all.
But little things are missing all over the ship and this is not the RSSC service level I remember. Am I the a**hole?
Thank you for all the different perspectives; I’ll take the comments under advisement—but rest assured, we are delighted to be aboard.
