Maybe our last Royal caribbean cruise! Freedom 4th April 2010

[ChrisUK]

Well, after 5 great cruises, number 6 turned out to be a BIG disappointent.

 

Without going in to too much detail, here are the best (or worst) bits!

 

1. Very unwelcoming lady at the pier check in

 

2. Blood stained bed covers

 

3. No personalisation as previous cruises. Not once were any of us asked our names

 

4. 4 open balconies closed mid cruise, and guest relation blamed the 'Phillipinos'!

 

5. ALL bars closed by 1am, every night! We complained several times but nothing was achieved. The DJ told us he didnt need the job, hes going to bed so were finished, in a busy night club. One night were told by an officer, who stopped the music himself, im up early so ure done, this is my area so deal with it, I make the rules! Even the bar staff didnt want to close!

 

6. Balconies not cleared of cups/bottles all week

 

7. Mini bar filled up the day before we left, even though we had things out on the first day.

 

8. Photographers who insisted on taking photos when asked to leave us alone.

 

9. A smoking policy that, on formal nights limits smokers to one bar on deck 14!

 

10. A meduim rare steak in the dining room, which would easily have been mistaken for well done!

 

 

Not what we are used to, and, after taking 4 people who have bever cruised before, we felt like liars! We built the cruise up to be something it wasnt. How things have gone down hill in only 3 years.

 

On the plus side, the English pub entertainment with Shane Tapper and our assistant waitress Natalie were excellent

[Tyler80]

Hey, you got to party, drink and smoke all you wanted. You didn't have to make your bed, or clean your room (except to request clean sheets). And you got waited on and didn't have to clean the dishes or the kitchen! Sounds like a fun time to me! I guess I'm just too simple to please!

 

PS: Onboard professional photos make lovely gifts to friends and family. Especially Grandma! ;)

[negc]

Sounds horrible but after so many previous wonderful cruises why wouldn't you consider this bad one to be an aberration and assume that the previous ones were more typical of what you can expect from RCI in the future? I would hope that you would give them at least one more opportunity to show you a terrific cruise experience.:)

[candigirl41]

I hope you addressed these issues via your comment card. One time on Carnival the Casino insisted my husband leave. It was 4:00 a.m. 1:00 does sound quite unusual to me. My last cruise with RCCL was in December and I had a great time. I think this may be a fluke.

 

Candi

[critterchick]

Sounds horrible but after so many previous wonderful cruises why wouldn't you consider this bad one to be an aberration and assume that the previous ones were more typical of what you can expect from RCI in the future? I would hope that you would give them at least one more opportunity to show you a terrific cruise experience.:)

 

I agree - I've yet to have a cruise where all of those things happened to us (although I would be jumping for joy over the smoking policy) but if it did, I would avoid the ship on which they did, not the entire line. I does sound horrid, though.

[cb at sea]

We always bring our own trash off of the balcony and put it in the trashcan...so easy!

 

And this is just an example of why folks shouldn't "talk up" cruising to 1st timers too much... if you hadn't gone on and on about how wonderful cruising is, and let them find out for themselves, they probably would have been quite happy!

Just tell folks, "We LOVE cruising", and then let THEM figure out why on their own!

[Paul65]

Funny how almost none of what you mentioned would be a downer for me, as I don't stay up until 1am, don't care about the mini-bar, don't smoke, don't mind having my picture taken and don't leave my balcony littered with cups and bottles. The stained bedding would be an ewwwww, but as long as they didn't mind changing them for me, it would be quickly forgotten. The restricted smoking would benefit me, and the overcooked steak would just be sent back to be corrected. If it only happened once, I would barely think to mention it in a cruise review, but if they consistently had trouble cooking to the requested doneness, it would be a problem. The lack of friendly staff calling me by name would be a bit of a disappointment.

 

I'm not sure what you meant by #4, though. What does it mean that four open balconies were closed mid-cruise? Are we talking about balcony staterooms that had their balconies locked shut?

[joeyancho]

Sorry you had a bad time. I am a loyal RCCL cruiser, but I must admit things have gone downhill, especially in the food department. On my March cruise on the Mariner, the steaks were always well done no matter how you ordered it. Prime rib was tough and tasteless, and way over cooked. Once again sorry you and yours were so disappointed. Get ready to get knit picked to death.

[BroncosFan2010]

Although we will probably switch to Celebrity, our B2B in August may be our last RCCL cruise. Other lines are cheaper and we hope will offer a better product. It seems as if the best of the best are going to the Oasis, and I just have NO interest in getting on that ship.

[Paul65]

Get ready to get knit picked to death.

 

That should be nit-picked. :p

[ChrisUK]

Ok, I was generalising our experience. But find some of the replies very strange.

 

'I always bring in my own trash'... Good for you! We are not litter dropping people and actually like places clean and tidy, my point is, when the balcony is cleaned, but not completely, whats the point of doing it at all? Maybe they missed it day 1? But day 2, 3, 4, 5....... I dont expect anyone to clean up after me, but its a basic state room attendant procedure.

 

 

Dont stay up till 1am, again, good for you, a lot of people do!

 

Dont care about the mini bar? Thats not really the point is it!

 

We also like having our pictures taken and have many from various ships, but when a photographer is asked to leave us alone while we eat, simple instruction i think?

 

And yes, the balcony doors which had been open, suddenly got locked mid cruise.

 

Maybe I have had things too good on other cruises, but, if they have done it previously, why change??

[Puffinater]

Most of the bars do have a predetermined closing which is typically about 1:00am. That being said the disco is usually the one that stays open late. We have been in the disco until 2:30am and when we left it was still going strong. It sucks they closed every bar so early.

I will also agree that the phographers can be a bit pesty but usually a simple no works.

Hope your future cruises are a better experience.

 

I agree with your above post.

[gerif]

Well, after 5 great cruises, number 6 turned out to be a BIG disappointent.

 

Without going in to too much detail, here are the best (or worst) bits!

 

1. Very unwelcoming lady at the pier check in

 

Would probably have been unhappy with that - for a moment or two.

 

2. Blood stained bed covers

 

Big downer - would have demanded immediate change.

 

3. No personalisation as previous cruises. Not once were any of us asked our names

 

Not on a cruise to make the staff my new bff's - wouldn't bother me in the least.

 

4. 4 open balconies closed mid cruise, and guest relation blamed the 'Phillipinos'!

 

Assuming you had four balcony cabins in a row and wanted them open? Not always allowed - captain's decision. Get over it.

 

5. ALL bars closed by 1am, every night! We complained several times but nothing was achieved. The DJ told us he didnt need the job, hes going to bed so were finished, in a busy night club. One night were told by an officer, who stopped the music himself, im up early so ure done, this is my area so deal with it, I make the rules! Even the bar staff didnt want to close!

 

Well, I'm not a wee-hours-in-the-morning drinker, but I can see where this would upset people.

 

6. Balconies not cleared of cups/bottles all week

 

I would NEVER leave trash on my balcony - how hard is it to bring this stuff inside? I'm not sure the room steward even goes out on the balcony.

 

7. Mini bar filled up the day before we left, even though we had things out on the first day.

 

They were likely getting ready for the guests who would be boarding the next day.

 

8. Photographers who insisted on taking photos when asked to leave us alone.

 

Never had one who didn't accept a polite no thank you - how can they take your photo if you do not pose? As one who hates being photographed, believe me, if I don't want my picture taken, it is not.

 

9. A smoking policy that, on formal nights limits smokers to one bar on deck 14!

 

Hooray for that one!

 

10. A meduim rare steak in the dining room, which would easily have been mistaken for well done!

 

So you couldn't send it back? Happens in restaurants, too - just send it back.

 

 

Hope you enjoy your next cruiseline. I don't consider myself a RCL cheerleader, but have cruised several other lines and definitely prefer their product overall.

[mtchg]

considering all cruiselines depend heavily on alcohol profits. Bizarre staff behavior for sure.

 

 

Mitch

[Paul65]

And yes, the balcony doors which had been open, suddenly got locked mid cruise.

 

Hmm. That's bizarre. I don't think I'd have been satisfied with the explanation, if they locked me out of my balcony. I don't even understand what that explanation means.

 

As for the other things, I wasn't trying to say that you shouldn't be upset about the mini-bar or the 1 am closing. Was just making a comment about how different it can be for different people having the same experience. (Although the minibar thing doesn't sound like THAT big a deal, anyway, if they just restocked it on the last day, getting ready for the next cruise.)

 

On the balcony clean-up issue, I've seen requests on previous cruises for passengers NOT to leave things on the balconies, because they don't want stuff going overboard into the water. So, I think of the balcony as the one place that you ARE expected to pick up after yourself. But, I would expect most attendants would pick up after you, anyway, if you did leave your trash out there.

[Bakincakes]

Sorry you had a bad experience Chris.

 

While the whole fleet isn't having issues..it seems as though a good number of its ships are.

 

I realize that it is an expensive "experiment" to try again....maybe try another line and compare??

[ChrisUK]

Captains decision?? I think not... They were open, then closed, guest relations blamed the 'Phillipinos' and got them opened! Whats the captain got to do with it?

 

Not sure the steward goes out on the balcony? You not cruised before?

 

Mini bar for the next day guests? What about the guests already on there and using it!!

[Jerseyboy1]

ChrisUK.....sorry you had some lousy experiences on your cruise. It doesn't matter what others think. If you perceived these thing to be wrong then they were. Your perception is your reality. It was your vacation so you have a right to complain.

[critterchick]

Perhaps "the Phillipinos" (who often make up a large part of the maintenance and engineering crew) were working on or above your balcony - paint or something noxious - and locked them temporarily so you wouldn't get hurt, then forgot to reopen them when they were done? In any case, the Guest Services person who referred to them that way should have been more specific...

 

And I do hate that "thank you, now get out" attitude that often pops up on the last day of the cruise. I know they're very busy on turnaround day, but if they're going to keep me out of my cabin until 1:30, then they can just do all of their work after I'm checked out of my cabin.

[gerif]

Captains decision?? I think not... They were open, then closed, guest relations blamed the 'Phillipinos' and got them opened! Whats the captain got to do with it?

 

Not sure the steward goes out on the balcony? You not cruised before?

 

Mini bar for the next day guests? What about the guests already on there and using it!!

 

Perhaps I misunderstood - did you mean you could not access the balcony or that you had a row of balconies that were open between one another and then closed? If the former, then yes, it should not have happened. If the latter, again, yes it is the captain's decision based on weather conditions or maybe just his whim as to whether they are allowed to be open or not.

 

Yes, I have cruised quite often on several lines and am Diamond on Royal - BUT, since you are not permitted to leave anything on the balcony, I have always adhered to this rule and never left anything there for the steward to clean up, so I am not sure that they go out there - why would they?

 

Thought you had emptied it the first day - so you really weren't using it for its intended purpose.

[Paul65]

Captains decision?? I think not... They were open, then closed, guest relations blamed the 'Phillipinos' and got them opened! Whats the captain got to do with it?

 

Not sure the steward goes out on the balcony? You not cruised before?

 

Mini bar for the next day guests? What about the guests already on there and using it!!

 

As for "captain's decision," I think that poster, too, was unsure what you meant by balconies being closed. Now that we know that you mean the doors were locked, it's more clear. (Some people ask for dividers between balconies to be removed, and I think that's how this poster interpreted your vague comment about open balconies being closed.) And now with this latest clarification that guest relations got them back open for you, it's even more clear that they were just locked accidentally and then reopened for you, when you brought it to guest relations' attention.

 

It was not my comment about not being sure the steward goes out on the balcony, but I have cruised before, and usually the steward does NOT go out on the balcony. As I said, they prefer that your do not leave stuff out there that needs to be picked up.

 

As for the mini-bar, it is a mini-bar. It's nice that they are willing to empty it out for you to use as your personal refrigerator, but that is not why it's in the room. I'll say again; it's a mini-bar.

[Paul65]

If you perceived these thing to be wrong then they were. Your perception is your reality. It was your vacation so you have a right to complain.

 

OK. I really am not a "cheerleader" for Royal, but that's about the most lame comment I've ever heard. No, your perception of what is right and wrong is not reality. :rolleyes:

[ChrisUK]

In regards to the mini bar, we had a drink out of it every morning, or until it was empty... We didnt have it emptied at the start, we actually had things out of it, which were never re stocked until we were leaving...

[ChrisUK]

That makes no sense at all Paul! Of course what i perceive is reality! When the cruise compass says bar open 1am till late, I dont consider 1.01am as late! So thats real! And when all the above have never happened before, you take them as being right, why wouldnt you? There certainly isnt a wow factor anymore. Maybe its a one off, who knows, but the reaity is, I wont get my money back and coming from the UK, thats a lot of money!

[Bosjoe]

Well, after 5 great cruises, number 6 turned out to be a BIG disappointent.

 

Without going in to too much detail, here are the best (or worst) bits!

 

1. Very unwelcoming lady at the pier check in (EVERYONE HAS A BAD DAY)

 

2. Blood stained bed covers (EWWW, EASILY TO ASK THE COVERS TO BE CHANGED)

 

3. No personalisation as previous cruises. Not once were any of us asked our names (MAYBE A LIL FULL OF OURSELVES)

 

4. 4 open balconies closed mid cruise, and guest relation blamed the 'Phillipinos'! (POSSIBLE WORK ON BALCONIES)

 

5. ALL bars closed by 1am, every night! We complained several times but nothing was achieved. The DJ told us he didnt need the job, hes going to bed so were finished, in a busy night club. One night were told by an officer, who stopped the music himself, im up early so ure done, this is my area so deal with it, I make the rules! Even the bar staff didnt want to close! (NEVER HEARD SUCH A THING. DISCO OPEN TO 3 MOST NIGHTS I HAVE CLOSED THEM IN THE PAST :D )

 

6. Balconies not cleared of cups/bottles all week. (SLOBS I BRING MY TRASH IN SO IT DOES NOT BLOW AROUND)

 

7. Mini bar filled up the day before we left, even though we had things out on the first day.

(NEVER HAD THIS DONE TO ME. MINOR PROBLEM)

 

8. Photographers who insisted on taking photos when asked to leave us alone.

( USUALLY NO THANKS AND WALK MY MERRY WAY, NEVER SEEN THEM CHASE ANYONE FOR A PIC)

 

9. A smoking policy that, on formal nights limits smokers to one bar on deck 14! (SOMETHING NEW?? MAYBE. NO POLICY ON THIS, ON MY FEB CRUISE)

 

10. A meduim rare steak in the dining room, which would easily have been mistaken for well done! (SEND IT BACK. NO BIG WOOP)

 

 

Not what we are used to, and, after taking 4 people who have bever cruised before, we felt like liars! We built the cruise up to be something it wasnt. How things have gone down hill in only 3 years.

 

On the plus side, the English pub entertainment with Shane Tapper and our assistant waitress Natalie were excellent

 

 

No cruise is ever perfect, and if the stuff you mentioned was to happen to me, I still would have the best time, because to me what you describe is minor stuff. but to each their own.