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

[Jaxsonbrownie]

I'm surprised that you were allowed to open the dividers in the first place. Most ships won't even let you do that "for safety reasons" (not sure what the safety issue is). .

We travel with friends of ours, and always get 2 balconies next to each other.We have had the balcony dividers opened on every cruise we have been on, never had a problem having them open it, or keeping it open until the last evening onboard.

[Aquahound]

lol tee hee

 

Interesting edit. Don't worry...I won't say anything. ;)

 

In our room there were specific instruction not to leave items out on the balcony.

 

I don't think it's been mentioned yet....according to the instructions they give you, you are supposed to call for room service to come retrieve the dishes.

[MAZANDSTEVE]

I have done 28 cruises with RCI, and browse this site often, although I never post, the flaming of the OP by some members prompted me to reply as I was on the same cruise as the OP, in fact I cruised the previous week as well, and to a large extent I can agree with what the OP is saying. I will comment on his concerns as numbered by the OP, my comments will only relate to the 04/04 cruise that the OP was on and not to the 03/28 cruise, although everything was similar.

 

1. Our check in agent was actually very nice, prompt and cheerful

 

2. Didn't notice any stains on our covers or sheets, but would be complaining if we had

 

3. Totally agree, our cabin steward, never called us by name, although it was on his manifest, and we were never asked our names by the waiter or his assistant, this has never happened on anyof our previous cruises. The only people who ever addressed us by name were the occasional bar server when handing the check to us, and room service.

 

4. no problem

 

5. Experienced the same thing, night club was closed by 1 - 1.30 everynight, heard DJ dragen in the elevator telling some kids that he was releasing an album by September this year and he was going to be millionaire and didn't need Royal Caribbean. I inquired 3 nights, around 1.30 what bars were open, and everytime was told by guest relations that the crypt was open til 3 and the casino bar until 2.30 - 3.00, when I asked the agent to come with me to see that the Crypt was closed she just stated that it was still open and have a good night. Also Guest Relations desk was not manned after about 12.30 and all the lights turned off, you had to ring a little bell to get someone to come out from the back office.

 

6. did not have an issue the first week, was supplied with a metal enclosed ashtray, and any late night coffee cups or Cafe promenade plates that we left on the balcony table were cleared, not so the second week, supplied a glass ashtray, that everything blew out of and nothing removed from the balcony.

 

7. Only had 1 coke from the mini bar so cannot comment, although on past cruises it has been refilled daily

 

8. The photographer came to our dinner table and said he was sorry to interupt us, I asked that he not interupt us as we would not be buying the photos, he replied " I am going to interupt you anyway, move closer to the lady." very rude and IMHO not the way to treat guests, espcially on a formal night.

 

9. I am a smoker, but fully understand and agree that some bars should be no smoking, on Freedom the smoking bars are Olive or Twist, small section, Sky Bar, Casino Bar, upper level of the crypt night club and the connesoir lounge. The problem I noticed was, apart from limited opening hours, was that on the first formal night the Casino was no smoking, but on the second formal night not only was the Casino No smoking, but the Crypt was closed to adults for the teen disco, the sky bar is closed at night, so the only smoking bar was Olive or Twist.

 

10. My steaks always came out as ordered, but the service in the dining room was very slow and unattentive, so slow in fact that some of the food was tepid by the time the plate arrived, there was also non of the usual, "how's your dinner Mr.X" ( maybe because they never asked our names), the plate was just placed on the table and no further contact from the waiter until he brought the next course. Never saw the head waiter all cruise.

 

Now for my additional comments,

 

1. The cruise director was not visible around the ship as in the past.

 

2. When I commented to a security guard by the Crypt entrance, that the crypt always stayed open later that is, he told me I obviously hadn't cruised during spring break before, and that's how it is, WRONG, we very often do spring break cruises and have never had this problem before. The kids have a curfew of 1.00am, seemed like the adults did as well.

 

3. When we arrived in our cabin for the 2nd week, the closet door would not close, it took 4 calls to maintainance and I call to guest services to get it repaired on the last night.

 

Will this put me off RCI, NO, because this is the first cruise that we have had so many issues, but if the next on is the same the outcome may be different

 

 

Flame Away;)

 

 

Cant you share the flames? or have we to go through it all again?;)

[MrPete]

I find it very disturbing that so many find any of this acceptable on RCCL. I'd think it would be unacceptable at a run down side road motel.

 

The mark on my linens would have done it for me.

[alexw]

I find it very disturbing that so many find any of this acceptable on RCCL. I'd think it would be unacceptable at a run down side road motel.

 

The mark on my linens would have done it for me.

Ditto.......

 

And some other cruisers have posted similar reviews from that sailing.

 

I'm on the Freedom again this August, I hope things are better.

 

My cruise last August on the Freedom was awesome(with the exception of the food).

[Dave85]

I find it very disturbing that so many find any of this acceptable on RCCL. I'd think it would be unacceptable at a run down side road motel.

 

The mark on my linens would have done it for me.

 

I'll third that sentiment...

[bajathree]

Interesting edit. Don't worry...I won't say anything. ;)

 

 

 

I don't think it's been mentioned yet....according to the instructions they give you, you are supposed to call for room service to come retrieve the dishes.

 

And a good room attendant should take care of that for you;)

[Aquahound]

And a good room attendant should take care of that for you;)

 

Oh, I agree. I was just commenting on the statement there is a lack of instruction. :)