7leagueboots

HAL is not alone. I read that Princess is substituting Malta on some cruises.

Not on this sailing, but just wanted to say that while we loved Tunisia, Malta remains one of my favourite ports. Don't miss the walled city.

Second that emotion.:) Malta is tops.

Never again will I sail with Royal Caribbean. They are amateur, unpolished, and couldn't care less. All I will remember from my experience is lines of people for everything. From the start at the port lines to get on the ship. Lines to go to the Windjammer, Park Café, Guest Services, Main Dining Room, towel station (both to pick up and to return towels), bars to get a drink or water. Seas of people everywhere. Packed elevators. Also their stupid elevators have a major glitch. We tried to go to the gangway and it would take us one or two decks away and then shoot back up to deck 16. It did this twice before we finally got off on deck 12 and took the stairs.

 

Park café needs to be 4 times bigger for as many people as they stuff on this ship. No seats to be found in Park Café. When there are available tables they are covered in the previous guests dishes and when I kindly asked a waiter to clear the table he told me one minute and then walked away not to be seen again. We just ate at the table with other peoples dirty dishes and glasses. Several food venues kept running out of silverware and coffee mugs.

 

They are short staffed at every bar and the bar servers are very unfriendly. The Vitality bar was the worst. Absolute worst servers there and they need two full time servers instead of one. I blame the management and leadership in the company. Never once did I see managers or officers look at what was going on so they could coach their employees on how to do their jobs properly or add employees to the schedule.

 

The food was lousy. I would rate it overall as a 3 out of 10. Windjammer food reminded me of really bad hospital food. We came across many things that were broken on the ship. The lockers in the men's locker room in the Vitality Spa are mostly all broken. The temperature controls for the showers in there are broken too. The showers would get scorching hot and I could not make them cooler.

 

I spent a lot of money for this cruise vacation and I came away extremely disappointed. They are making way too many cut backs. They need to improve the quality of the food and add additional staff all over the ship. They also need to cap the number of guests. They just can't keep up with or accommodate 6,000 plus guests. I was expecting great food. I was expecting Hilton/Marriot caliber service and what I got was Motel 6 level service and hospital food. They got me once, but they will never see me again. Eventually people will get wise to them and stop sailing with them. They have pretty much ruined cruising for me. Maybe way way down the road I will give cruising another chance with a different company, but Royal Caribbean will not see another penny from me ever again.

Thanks for taking the time to post about your experience. It is always good to hear about cruise experiences - both pro and con.

Another factor. The current situation with an unenforced dress code allows the cruise line to have it both ways. They can advertise a formal night to appeal to one segment and by not enforcing the dress code then can appeal to the other segment. And, they certainly wouldn't refuse entry except to the most egregious violators to maximize their gratuities.

 

Of course, not enforcing the dress code means there will be some that the cruise line will have to placate. Must not be a large percentage otherwise they would be more strict.

Interesting theory.

i think i get it. The upgrade offer is complimentary, they send them out free of charge! But the upgrade? That you must pay for. :rolleyes:

lol:d

Given, a preference, we prefer trays as it limits trips back to the line. But we have no problem with plates - just a little extra walking.

Our first cruise, longer ago than I would like to think, was $450 for an inside. I believe that on some sailing you can still get an inside for under $500. Given inflation over the years, sailing is still a bargain - if you look for it.

John Heard announced they are back on the Pride and are being rolled out to other ships. I love this and one great Carnival move.

Good news...love steel bands.

We had a table for 8 on our last cruise and it was by the window. Everyone just sat where they wanted, the early ones got the window seats, but it was no problem and we really enjoyed all the people we met.

That, basically, has been our experience as well, but I know that some people feel comfortable sitting in the same seats each evening.

Well if it stays as 3 and 4 day cruises it really will be a booze cruise.

My first thought as well.

I officially want to go on the Pride. Isn't it coming to Port Canaveral?

Sure hope so!

I do not understand why Security was involved.

Yes, my question also. What did security have to do with it...perhaps there is more to the story?

IC coffee isn't free at anytime of the day.

That has been our experience.

You have to read the entire release. Strong dollar and rising fuel costs affect the outlook for the rest of 2015 beyond the strong 1st quarter. CCL has signaled it will try to hold the line on promotions/pricing and sale with empty cabins. Royal Caribbean may follow. Fares have already risen since the 1st quarter, drink packages are up, and gratuities are up. Seems like rising prices and a rising dollar will hurt international demand more. At some point, alternative vacation/cruise options become more attractive. Time will tell.

I think Royal Caribbean has already announced that there will be no more last minute discounts in an effort to shore up its pricing.

Thanks for taking the time for your mini review...very interesting.

Joe's Stone Crab!

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/royal-caribbeans-fain-pledges-end-to-last-minute-discounting.html

Too bad...Princess still does it and there are some fantastic values if you can travel last minute. I guess they are prepared to sail with some open cabins.

Thanks for the review...our favorite TA was on the Brilliance.

Congratulations...enjoy the cruise.

We did the 11 night Baltic this past September. It was nice, but be prepared for a port intensive cruise. Our least favorite port was St. Petersburg. It's just way too crowded.

I agree that it is crowded, but there are some really magnificent things to see there. Well worth, in our opinion, putting up with the crowds.

Our balcony if on the shady side. It is nice and quiet most of the time.

Yes...a little shade and a little quiet and a good book.

Very good!

Bet there is a story there!

 

Cheers!

It would be an interesting one!

While there are many things I would like to see Celebrity bring back. I actually am glad they did away with it.

Agreed!