Same Old, Same Old: Why We Just Canceled Three Upcoming Oasis-Class Cruises

[Chrisconn]

#richpeoplesproblems

[sail2sea]

If you like Oasis class, you obviously like large ships.

 

Try Freedom class, or Celebrity Solstice class. Or Norwegian Epic or Carnival Dream class.

[regg1216]

I agree with the OP in that it is basically the same MDR food choices on every ship regardless of the itinerary. We are trying the Oasis class in December and look forward to not eating in the windjammer and MDR :) we also plan to branch out to another cruise line now that our kids are in college. I am ready to try celebrity!

I agree, the menu in the DR's are the same on all of the ships. The last change they made was not an improvement IMO. The quallity of food is not bad but the selection on the menus could be better.

[negc]

I agree, the menu in the DR's are the same on all of the ships. The last change they made was not an improvement IMO. The quallity of food is not bad but the selection on the menus could be better.

 

And what specific items would you suggest that would be an improvement? In my experience it isn't the items on the menu that sometimes cause dissatisfaction but the way in which individual cooks and chefs prepare or present them. The talents of those who prepare your meals plays a much bigger role in how satisfactory your meals are, than the talents of those who write up the menus, or decide on the menu items to be offered. Basically, they are limited to meat, pasta, chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes so there is going to be a certain sameness to every menu on every line. Cruise line meals are primarily "banquet food" and the necessity of pleasing the majority of the diners each evening limits how adventuresome the chefs, or even the menu writers, can get. Also, even if someone ordered a different entree at every dinner for multiple nights without ever repeating a particular dish, it would taken many nights before they began to repeat an item. Part of the 'sameness' that we complain about is actually the result of our tendency to order the same items every time we are presented with the night's menu.

[sn2792]

While we prefer RCI and the larger ships, we like a change now and then as well, so we recently took a 10 day cruise on Princess. Our next cruise is booked on OASIS for the 2nd time. We have a 14 day cruise booked next year on Celebrity Eclipse.

 

I don't really care about the shows that much. Just love a nice Solarium, specialty restaurants, Casino and being able to just gaze out at sea while I am relaxing.

 

We will probably book Princess's new ship that is coming out as well as NCL's new ship.

[printingchick]

Call me simple-minded, but I honestly don't GET the OP's whole complaint. To me, it's exactly the same as someone saying:

[I]I've visited Disneyland seven times in the past 18 months and, while it is admittedly an enjoyable theme park, I'm here to say I won't be returning anytime soon. Because there are so many things to do at Disneyland, it never occurred to me that it might start feel a bit repetitive after visiting every two to three months - for seven days at a time - for a year and a half.

Doesn't Disney worry that they will alienate repeat customers (like me) by not introducing new rides, shows and restaurants every 2-3 months? I realize this would create considerable expense, but I believe it's short-sighted for the company not to appease LOYAL customers (like me) who take the very same vacation there month after month (rather than researching other options), and recreate themselves several times a year.

I recognize they can't reinvent the entire experience this frequently, however I suggest making moderate changes on a regular basis. For example: Mickey Mouse could easily be replaced by a more modern cartoon character, who would offer a more widespread appeal than an 85-year-old giant rodent. The tired old character breakfast at the parks' hotels could be replaced with champagne brunch, to appeal to a more sophisticated clientele. (like me) And really...Small World?? Who isn't sick of that old attraction??

Since the park has begun to have a "been there/done that" feel, I've decided to scale back the relentless pace of my regular visits for a while. I'm hopeful that the Disney Corporation will recognize the pressing need to freshen their product on a more frequent basis, in order to maintain the park's appeal to people like me. (or just ME!!!) Come Disney...get your priorities in line!!
[/I]

[fred20155]

[quote name='printingchick']Call me simple-minded, but I honestly don't GET the OP's whole complaint. To me, it's exactly the same as someone saying:

[I]I've visited Disneyland seven times in the past 18 months and, while it is admittedly an enjoyable theme park, I'm here to say I won't be returning anytime soon. Because there are so many things to do at Disneyland, it never occurred to me that it might start feel a bit repetitive after visiting every two to three months - for seven days at a time - for a year and a half.

Doesn't Disney worry that they will alienate repeat customers (like me) by not introducing new rides, shows and restaurants every 2-3 months? I realize this would create considerable expense, but I believe it's short-sighted for the company not to appease LOYAL customers (like me) who take the very same vacation there month after month (rather than researching other options), and recreate themselves several times a year.

I recognize they can't reinvent the entire experience this frequently, however I suggest making moderate changes on a regular basis. For example: Mickey Mouse could easily be replaced by a more modern cartoon character, who would offer a more widespread appeal than an 85-year-old giant rodent. The tired old character breakfast at the parks' hotels could be replaced with champagne brunch, to appeal to a more sophisticated clientele. (like me) And really...Small World?? Who isn't sick of that old attraction??

Since the park has begun to have a "been there/done that" feel, I've decided to scale back the relentless pace of my regular visits for a while. I'm hopeful that the Disney Corporation will recognize the pressing need to freshen their product on a more frequent basis, in order to maintain the park's appeal to people like me. (or just ME!!!) Come Disney...get your priorities in line!!
[/I][/quote]

Ha Ha, good analogy!

[Puffinater]

While I understand and somewhat agree with the OP I understand change is a difficult thing to do fleet wide. We no longer go to the production shows nor do we go to most of the headliners that seem to repeat frequently. I would say the headliners are in desperate need of updating. I wonder if RCI even reads the comment cards or just keeps bring back the low $$ entertainers.

One thing we won't do is repeat the Chef's Table until that menu is changed.

Even with the repeat of the repeat we will continue to sail RCI.

[momphoto]

I wish I could afford to cruise that much!! Just did the Navigator out of Rome and that will be it for us and cruising for at least 5 years. Not sure why with the large assortment of cruise lines/ships you would go on the same ones over and over? Then again, no different then snowbirds from up north heading to the same place in Florida year after year....nothing changes except maybe their favorite restaurant closing.

[we like it hot]

My husband and I avoid the same shows when we cruise. We don't even go to many of the shows anymore. There have been times when we will see a show advertised and say to the other, "they were on the____ship".
We were told they draw from a talent pool. These performers go from ship to ship and cruise line to cruise line. We find plenty of others things to do with our evenings other than watch every performance.
Regarding the menue in the MD, I agree. I feel like I have memorized it over the past several years. The food is always good, but I tend to stick with what I know I enjoyed before.


We will never get bored with cruising, no matter how many onion tarts and Tiger shrimp I have to eat.

[Puffinater]

[quote name='we like it hot'][B][COLOR=red]We were told they draw from a talent pool[/COLOR][/B]. These performers go from ship to ship and cruise line to cruise line. We find plenty of others things to do with our evenings other than watch every performance.
[/quote]

The comic on the Rhapsody last week came from the "lack of talent pool". Not sure why they keep bring that guy back to the ships. He is beyond bad.

[depplep]

Couldn't have said it better, we find a lot hasn't fundamentally changed since our first cruise. While it is predicatable, it's comforting in a way. But that is also what has led us to find other vacation alternatives these last few years.

[klingoncruiser]

Seems reasonable to me.

[constable145]

[quote name='RLM77'][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]We stepped off of Allure of the Seas last weekend, completing our seventh cruise on Oasis-class (1 Oasis, 6 Allure) over the last 18 months. It will be some time before we re-embark; we just canceled three cruises on O-class and substituted a 14-day Princess Canal cruise (we probably won’t replace the third week due to priorities at my office). The reason we made the switch may be of value to RCI and of interest to you.

First of all, there was nothing wrong with our cruises. If you’ve never experienced O-class and you enjoy cruising they are slam-dunk must dos. Those who say they are too big or too crowded are wrong IMHO. Many of the shows are excellent. There are so many places to eat that you will have trouble getting to them all in 7 nights. And we think Royal’s service is the best at sea (in a friendly, eager to please way as opposed to a correct, formal way). The ships are very clean and very well maintained. The only serious drawback is that, by design, the A/C shuts off in most balcony cabins if the balcony door is not closed and locked. [This is a secondary reason we are cruising elsewhere, but is not relevant to the primary thrust of this post. Hence, no further comment.]

Hmmm. Great ships, great service, good shows, lots of restaurants, bars, and food options. Plus Diamond benefits. Why would these crazy folks cancel upcoming bookings on these ships? The most important reason is simple: almost nothing changes. For example, the main shows are the same as they were 19 months ago when Allure entered service (and 31 months ago when Oasis first sailed). This is understandable. These shows are expensive to acquire and/or produce; they need to run for at least 4-5 years to justify the investment.

But it doesn’t stop there. Most of the lounge musicians are the same people that entertained us a year ago. They go on vacation and then are contracted back to the same ship. RCI also returns most of the crew to the same ship as they renew their contracts. Comedians repeat. 70’s night is a standard night 6 feature. Even some of the Headliner shows are repeats for us. And, although menus have certainly been tweaked since 2010 – for example, no more lamb chops in the MDR and lots more mashed potatoes – the marquee items are largely the same. This is true in the specialty restaurants as well. I pretty much know what I’m going to be eating for all our dinners (right down to appetizers and desserts) before I ever leave the house.

Some people appreciate that kind of predictability, and I must admit that we ourselves enjoy being recognized by waiters, bar servers, etc. who served us on previous cruises. But – no two ways about it – for us, the repetition is getting old.

RCI does a large repeat business; repeat cruisers are critical to their business model. Further, the Oasis and Allure are marketed (appropriately) as destinations in and of themselves. To keep C&A members coming back to these ships, RCI has to continually freshen the product, IMO. I acknowledge that it’s too difficult and too expensive to frequently swap out the main shows. But the lounge musicians, comedians, and the Headliner show could certainly be rotated at low cost. 70’s night could be easily replaced with any number of alternatives. MDR menus, while difficult to change due to the sheer volume of meals that are served, could at least be changed one night at a time. Specialty restaurant menus could undergo gradual changes, retaining crowd favorites while replacing less popular items. The alcoholic beverage menu, including beer and wine selections, could be slowly adjusted on the same lines. Delivering a consistent product is certainly important. But so is variety. Even on ships with so many options, lack of variety becomes an issue after enough weeks on board.

Bottom line is that these are great ships with a huge number of options. I highly recommend them for 1-4 cruises over an 18-24 month period. Our mistake was sailing them for 49 nights over 18 months; RCI’s “mistake” (really a decision) was delivering a largely static product over that same period. We will not make our mistake again; we plan to go back to sailing on a variety of ships and cruise lines, including, from time to time, O-class. RCI might consider lower cost ways to freshen their product in order to keep frequent cruisers coming back.

Rich[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]


Do you blame Tom Hanks if Forrest Gump doesn't change when you watch it every night?

You've been on these boats for 49 nights in the less than 3 years they have both been sailing. They don't cater to people like you. RCI caters people who cruise occasionally.

Would switching things up be nice? Yes. Is it going to happen? unlikely.

[royalcruz]

This is why we cruise on 3 different lines. It seems like Royal and Celebrity used to add new shows more often or at least move them around. It seems the only things that move around are the cruise directors.

[compman9]

There are a lot of people judging the OP rather than addressing the points.

The food may take longer to change, but RCI should have a progressive policy regarding main dining menus. A new dish could be scheduled quite easily to their plans. However long it takes is not important, it could be implemented.

The comedians and one person acts could be changed at the drop of a hat. I see no reason why the same people should be on the same ship week after week, month after month.

I wouldn't say I am as fed up with the sameness (I can't afford to cruise as often), but the familiarity has led me towards Celebrity for the coming two year's cruises. I will also try Princess and HAL at some stage. I will probably even pop back onto a Carnival ship, after I got a bit bored of their sameness of ship design and entertainment.

[Wilda]

OP . I agree that it is time to add variety...swap out Quest for Let's Make a Deal, use the Jeopardy format instead of Trivia. I noticed that there are some "new" perks to C & A membership, such as "Exclusive Trivia Contest";seems like the cruise lines just recycle the same old format over and over again:rolleyes: Love and Marriage, Quest, etc...yada yada, yada. It wouldn't take much to tweak these shows. We never go to the shows anymore since we have seen them all...many, many, many times.

Same same for the meals. Offer "specials" occassionally. I like to be surprised!

We saw the "Liars Club" (or something to that effect) once many years ago and never saw it again. Hilariously funny...wish they would resurface that one.

[yarlenna]

Why not try a Disney vacation? There is a lot of entertament in the parks and it is very handicap friendly. Use a scooter and take in the shows. Some of them are very good. The handicap rooms are comfortable and larger than most cabins. I LOVE Wilderness Resort. Even with tickets and the deluxe meal plan you can enjoy a very special vacation. As you live in Fla, you can get some nice deals.
I would love to be able to cruise every other month! What ever you do, enjoy it - - and don't let it become boring again.

[ksuds]

I do tend to agree with the OP. We don't go to any shows. We have been cruising since 1999 and RCL has hired the same entertainers since that time. Yes, the production shows do have to remain constant for many years due to the time and money it takes to change. But I don't see why it's that difficult to try and recruit a new comedian, magician, etc. Unless people just don't want to work on the ships.

I really don't mind the same food. The way I look at it is I go eat at Chilis once a week and usually order the same thing. Why should being on a ship be any different. I have may favorites, and I like knowing what I want before seeing the menu.

[nbsjcruiser]

We did 4 RCI cruises in a row up to 2008. We enjoyed every one of them but I felt I needed a change. Same menus, same type of shows, same songs in the MDR and so on. We did a Princess cruise (best food on any cruise for us so far) and then 3 Carnival cruises. When we stepped off the last Carnival cruise we were ready to go back to RCI, trust me. The food was not in the same ballpark as RCI. We did a short cruise on the MOS last year and after being away for 3 years it was like coming home again. We've got another one scheduled on the MOS in a few months and then its an 8 day on the Independence.

Its funny but on the Carnival board there was a good discussion about loyalty programs. I tell everyone, for what you get out of a loyalty program, don't even consider it as an input into your decision on which cruise you go on. Try different lines and enjoy the differences. You'll probably always have your favourite line but moving around trying different ones is what keeps cruising fresh IMHO.

[Budget Queen]

I too wonder about this poster. They cruised repeatively over a short span on the same cruise, booked more, post they canceled?? This really isn't surprising is it?? The shows, entertainment, food is still the same? Why wouldn't it be. Is the post about "all" the cruises this poster has taken?

There are all kinds of choices to be made. It was found out, a change was a better option- nice benefit- cancelations are easy. :)

I book based on variety and where a ship takes me. I couldn't care less about the ship. Nice that there are choices for everyone. :)

[erbunny]

Bring back horse racing !:)

[alfaeric]

For sure, I see the OP's point, and there is certainly some validity to it. Oddly enough, we are going to do an experiment of variety on RCCL over the year. Never really thought of it as an experiment, but I'm still quite excited about it, since the point of all the cruises is different...

We started in March/April on a 5 night on the Jewel- which was part of OUR Frozen Four celebration in Tampa. With Parents.

Then we did a 3 night on the Majesty just a few weeks ago- to burn an expiring ticket we had to fly.

In 23 days, we do our longest cruise to date on the Enchantment- first time to Bermuda.

Nov-Dec- we try our first B2B cruises to celebrate my wife's birthday. 4 and 5 night Liberty (as has been done on this thread).

Dec- we do New Years on Brilliance- that way we celebrate New Years without dragging in-laws to something they don't want to do.

Feb- 9 night on Enchantment- honestly- this has no real point but to get days at sea, and have a fun vacation.

March- 3 nights on the Monarch on her last RCCL cruise.

Outsise of the B2B on the Liberty, and repeating the Enchantment- none of it's really the same. Of the two cruises- the shows were not even close to each other. Which actually was a plesant surprise to me. Even with the repeats, few of the destinations repeat- which is really interesting. For the OP's case, I can see doing a B2B on either the Allure or Oasis, since over a 2 week period, the ports are all different, and there's enough variety to do a "traditional' 7 night then a modern 'eat when and where you want' on the other 7 night.

Should be an interesting experiment, and once we finish the Monarch, we will be at D+, and probably will look hard into Celebrity cruising.

(I don't mean this to brag that we cruise a lot- this was a faucet that was turned back on last year, and we are very focused on getting to D+ right now- it is true, we are total addicts)