Experienced cruisers have these first-timers wondering if we made a mistake???

[crusinhokie]

I am feeling so much better about our decision to go on the Mariner. Like Helena I was starting to get a bit worried about our decision but am now feeling much better. I think the best advice I have heard is to go with a positive attitude.

Nothing can be worse than my only other cruise expereience - showing up at the pier in Miami to learn our cruise was cancelled. Don't worry - we made lemonade - booked a quick trip to the Bahamas for a week!!



1/2/05 - Mariner of the Seas - 1st cruise
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[Sam of the Seas]

Are you making a mistake? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Let's just say up front that two years ago I was lucky enough to get a wonderful trip to New York as a gift. This southern girl fell in love with the city and was adamant about taking her 2003 vacation there.

Then enters the husband who wants to take a vacation where he can scuba dive. I grudgingly gave into the idea of a cruise (something we thought we both could enjoy), and that was the best decision ever! We cruised Explorer during Thanksgiving week last year and were simply floored by the experience. I am typically a critical person (I'm working on that), but I truly had nothing but compliments to give to RCCL and their staff.

This type of vacation is like any other in that you may find negative people. Once you realize that they are making theirselves miserable on a vacation most people dream about, you simply feel sorry for them and move on. I don't let them bother me. We had the most amazing tablemates: couples from Orlando, London, Sweden, and Ireland. We got along so well, that DH and I have open invitations to their homes. We all still keep in touch!

I do envy your first cruise experience. I agree with others that it is what you make it; but that's life in general, right?

In any event, I am still not going back to New York this year because the lure of the Navigator is just too strong! Best Wishes on a fabulous cruise!

Navigator of the Seas 11/04
Explorer of the Seas 11/03

[DedeM]

We loved our cruise on the Navigator last month. I was very worried too after reading these boards.

In spite of what I read and thought, we had a fabulous time and it has made a cruise fan out of me! I hadn't gone on one since 1985 and I didn't like it back then. Now I do [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

You go, you make your own fun, and just be patient if you encounter a situation. In the scheme of things, one or two little drawbacks shouldn't ruin your vacation. Don't let it!

Navigator of the Seas 5/04

[ambergloww]

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in here, I was a little worried at first myself with this being my first cruise, due to some of the complaints on the board but I have noticed that due to all the cruises listed on the complaining people's sigs, the cold food, bad service etc has not detered them from rccl so I figure it cannot be that bad lol. I am going with a mind set that this my vacation and though nothing is ever perfect it will be great because my Hubby and I will be together, I won't be cooking or cleaning for a week, and I will see places I have never seen before! Cold food, less than perfect service,chair hogs, etc. will not get me down because I am gonna "get out there" [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

AMBERGLOWW
Rhapsody of the Seas
SEPTEMBER 12, 2004
KEY WEST
COZUMEL
GRAND CAYMAN



[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;09;12;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
until white sands, blue water and MARGARITAS AND RUM PUNCH !!!!
<MARQUEE>Who's sailing with me!!!</MARQUEE>

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=1003063257&r=875104651#875104651"]Rhapsody 9-12-04 click here[/url]

Be sure to register for the m&m!!!!

[serene56]

When I booked the Voyager last year I started reading the Royal boards. Sad to say that most people coming back had not so nice things to say. Everything from the food that wasnt up to cruising standards to the dirty decks. (even how lousy the RAnch Steak was) I said anyways. I had a good time. Didnt see any dirty decks. I thought every thing was perfect. I learned that 10 people can take a cruise with only 1 bad review but only THAT one bad review will change a lot of peoples minds. Go on your cruise and make your own mind up about things. Each person will have a different review of what jsut happened.

Going NOWHERE
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;10;22;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[url="http://joephila.org/tf.jpg"]http://joephila.org/tf.jpg[/url]

Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[TNT]

I'm not that experienced (6 cruises to date). I have found that we have had some waiters that we liked better than others and some food we did not really care for. We have also had some waiters that made us want to rush to dinner each night and some delicious food. We have also had some room stewards that were friendly and that was about it and then some that were fantastic. We have also had trouble finding a chair on occasion. We still think it is the best vacation of earth!
You wont' be sorry.

Until Navigator [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;09;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

6 prior cruises

[Sailfish]

Mistake? Probably not, as Royal Caribbean is as good a cruise as any out there, and you should experience it first hand to see if you'll like cruising.

With that said, cruises are NOT for everyone, despite what people on these types of boards will lead you to believe. I have enjoyed all my cruises aboard the Royal Caribbean ships I have cruised, so has my husband, but NOT everyone in our family has come away wanting to book another cruise.

For some in my family, cruises are too structured, and days at sea are too long. But all agree, that the ships we have sailed on, the service, the quality of food and entertainment were excellent. Are they happy they had the experience? Absolutely.

Keep in mind, that you have to have realistic expectations and it's kind of important that you do a little research on the ship to know what to expect. Like with any land based vacation, there might be minor issues you'll have to contend with. Food quality is very subjective and so is service, to some degree.

We enjoy cruises, but as we are divers, we also plan land based dive vacations. Sometimes, we can combine the two, but more often than not, we don't. Just go, and don't worry about the negative input you see now and then. Chances are, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

We too have a cruise aboard the Mariner planned for next year. Our cruise aboard the Navigator last year was awesome, so I'm sure we'll have a blast going to the Eastern Caribbean in February. But keep things in perspective...I'm sure you won't regret your decision as I have heard, the Mariner is an awesome ship.

Suzi


05 July 2004 Monarch of the Seas
21 November 2004 Carnival Pride
20 February 2005 Mariner of the Seas CC Group Cruise

[NJGRANNY]

We've [B]never[/B] met a cruise we didn't like!

It's the best kind of vacation ever. No driving, no hassles. The hardest thing you have to do is get ready for dinner on time :-) And, even then, if you don't want to, you don't have to go.

We are so hooked on cruising!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your vacation.

<font color=#FF0000>
Jan from New Jersey

Celebrity - Caribbean - Twice
RCCL - Alaska, Caribbean, Canada
Holland America - Panama Canal and South America

Future:

Celebrity - Back to back Caribbean - Oct. 2004
Princess - Back to back Caribbean - Feb. 2005

[MrNobody]

njreindeer...if your psyche is so fragile that your decision to cruise is affected by these boards then you might want to rethink your vacation plans. Everything might not be perfect on your cruise and this could traumatize you both for life. WAHWAHWAH!!!

[happysinglemom]

I am also planning to go on my first cruise soon, and I have to say that I am really surprised that you have found that much negative feedback. I have been reading these boards since around March, and frankly, I see only a small fraction of negative posts. And if I were to go by only the feedback that I have received from friends and family, then that percentage would be zero, as I have heard nothing but glowing reports. I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill. Go and enjoy your cruise!!

Adventure of the Seas will be our maiden cruise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;8;15;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[Michuck]

Just returned this morning from our 22nd cruise with RCCL. It was great, and we have 4 more booked - next one early October, then in November, January and April. I think my travel agent is an enabler - and am consering starting an RCCA group (Royal Caribbean Cruisers Anonymous).

Enjoy . . .

Michele

[jimbulger]

njreindeer

I LOVE RCCL I love ships like the mariner. There are people who complain about everything.

I personally feel that any vacation is what you make it as long as the staff is attentive and "does there job" you'll love it...any thing above it you'll rave about it.

Just Do what you like and enjoy yourself
and e-mail me at [email]jimbulger@verizon.net[/email] with any specific questions

Jim Bulger
Monarch
explorer
majesty 2X
Voyager
sovereign
LOVE RCCL

[Brad1185]

Ask the question a year ago and no you would not have made any mistakes, RCI was the best, now a year later sooooo much has changed, all for the negative, so now YES you are making a huge mistake. Please reconsider. There is no reason for anyone to cruise with them after what they have done to us. Please continue reading about these changes and go to the other boards, you dont hear anything like this there.

Jewel 07/15 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;7;15;17;0;00&timezone=GMT+0000[/img]
Golden 09/12 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;9;12;23;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[abridalmaven]

Brad, go to NCL they are waiting for you.[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img] After one cruise on the Dawn with them I will never go on NCL unless it is next to free and the only line in the world going to a place I HAVE to go to.
Let's see all these people who are happy are just lemmings right? I am sorry there are more that disagree than agree with you. So if YOU are unhappy go someplace else.

To the OP unless you are a totally negative person, which it appears you are not, you will have a great time. As most here have said, a vacation is what YOU make of it. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/stone/27/names/b/barbara02.gif[/img]
My vacation pics
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/abridalmaven"]http://community.webshots.com/user/abridalmaven[/url]
Norwegian Dawn May 23
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[Michele Noel]

Hi, Just had to post on this one. I began cruising 3 years ago and I keep wondering why I waited so long. We went all over the world but we never tried cruising except going down the Nile. Then we started with Celebrity and after three cruises we tried Royal Caribbean. Each and every cruise is different. The ships are unbelievable. Go to the fanciest hotel in New York or anyplace else and these ships are fancier. And you can eat in all of the restuarants and order anything you see on the menu. If you don't like your entree, order another. On my last cruise, one gentleman always had two entrees. They have appetizers, soups, fruits soups, salads and then they have the entrees. Sometimes they have a sorbet to cleanse your palate between courses. This is so much fun. Maybe the food has slipped but I never saw it before it slipped so I just think it is great. I like fresh foods, vegies and stuff and they are wonderful. Shrimp is always wonderful and the fish dishes are great. I don't worry about the cabin, inside, outside, or balcony. I am never there. I usually have something to do every moment or I am reading a book in a soft chair someplace beautiful. Unless you are movie star you will not be treated like this on any other vacation. Enjoy and have fun!
Michele

[marciemi]

Keep in mind some of it is just perspective. Basically, if we all just dwelled on how wonderful everything was, people would read the thread and go "so, your point is...?" So instead of listing all the things that were wonderful, you tend to list the couple of things that were disappointing. This can come across as a negative review, when really you just listed the 3 negatives and summarized the 1000 positives into one.

For example, on our last cruise it was WONDERFUL (Princess). I could go on and on and say our cabin was wonderful, our balcony was wonderful, our meals were wonderful, the shows were wonderful, the weather was wonderful, the excursions were wonderful...you get the drift. But I also mentioned on the Princess boards that I was surprised you could only get continental breakfast from room service (not hot), and that there were no crab legs at any meals. So of course that sounds negative. But someone then told me that if you ask for hot breakfast from room service, you can get anything you request, even though the card you hang on your door doesn't have it listed. So now I know for my next (Dec.) Princess cruise, and anyone reading knows before they go.

Again, maybe you're just seeing the negatives because people feel like "cheerleaders" gushing about how wonderful things were and just try to remember the few things that weren't perfect to prepare others. Obviously people who've had serious problem (noro, embarkation fiascos) are a different story.

But I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Big Red Boat '88,
Fair Princess '90,
Norway '91,
Regal Princess '91,
Carnival Fantasy '93,
Regent Rainbow '95,
Big Red Boat '98,
Disney Wonder '00,
Grand Princess 11/16/03,
Voyager of the Seas 09/10/04
Diamond Princess 12/4/04

<MARQUEE> Voyager of the Seas - 9/10/2004 <MARQUEE>

[rngdfan]

I also had to post on this one. My DH and I just took our first cruise on the 5-23 sailing of the Mariner of the Seas. My husband was worried that he would be bored and would not have a good time. It has been 2 weeks now and the cruise is all he talks about. We both had a wonderful time and yesterday I booked the same ship, and the same balcony cabin for the Eastern Route in 2005. We are already counting the days. Don't let a few complainers ruin your trip. You will have a blast and the service is wonderful.