More RCI Cost Cutting?

[cle-guy]

I never hear anyone offer up solutions to these things.

 

As costs around the world rise, profits decrease without revenue increases.

 

So do we prefer to lose some amenities or would we prefer higher cabin prices?

 

How much of a premium would we be willing to pay in order to get the pens, napkins notepads, flower and extra fork on the table? That's the question.

 

I figure anyone who complains about losing amenities needs to come to the table with the suggestion on how to offset the cost/savings to bring them back.

 

Cruise lines can't operate like our government does and just spend without concern for where the money will come from to cover the spend.

 

I might want a Mercedes and all its amenities, but in reality given the money in my wallet, I can only drive a Chevy with its limited amenities compared.

 

One might say they the availability of multiple cruse lines at multiple price points resolves this in our capitalistic society. RCI doesn't have these amenities, but Princess may, although the cruise fare is a bit more than on RCI. Or go to Carnival and get an even lower fare with fewer frills, and still have a good vacation there just with the amenities afforded by the services paid for.

[rimmit]

I think rci figured out what they can cut without making most passengers angry. Alcohol is the number one thing that if they tried to cut or reduce the amount people would complain. For example killing the champagne at the captain reception would make people go crazy. Dining room flowers and pillow chocolates not quite the same outrage.

 

 

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[bigeagle12]

Until they install pay toilets in the cabin, charge for seconds at the buffet, make you rent lounge chairs by the pool, install pay elevators, and charge a $100 cover charge to enter the casino .. I am not complaining :-)

 

 

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[alfaeric]

The most important question here:

 

If you found these items so bothersome, did you fill out your post cruise survey, and noted these specific items?

 

If not, what do you expect as a result from this thread, as I don't anticipate that RCCL will do anything based on an internet posting. I understand that they are irritants, and if posting scratches that itch, great.

 

To the people calling others apoloigists and cheerleaders- why do you feel the need to call people names like that? While there is a lot of people pointing out that these specific items are minor to not noticed, none of them are accusing you of being a whiner or some shallow person who goes out of their way to find minor things to make them mad. Nobody calll you that. Heck, nobody has even told you that you can sail on other cruise lines, if you are willing to pay the money for the service you are missing. Nobody has said that, either. Yet when someone disagrees and thinks that these are minor and not important, you call them cheerleaders and apologists.

 

How is that helpful or informative?

[Paulette3028]

I think the ice bucket removal has more to do with sanitation and Noro prevention than cost cutting........

I can't see how pulling the ice-bukcets are cost cutting measure, almost seems more labor intensive to have to field the phone calls and delivery.

 

It was explained to me that removing ice buckets filled with ice from cabins, saved money. It wasn't the labor, because the staff is salaried -- but rather the cost of the ice being produced to fill the buckets for people who did not want nor use it.

 

So if you want ice in bucket, just let cabin steward know. We do all the time and its there, all the time.

[Paulette3028]

Until they install pay toilets in the cabin, charge for seconds at the buffet, make you rent lounge chairs by the pool, install pay elevators, and charge a $100 cover charge to enter the casino .. I am not complaining :-)

 

 

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LOL!!!! I would HAPPILY make an additional donation to the Make a Wish foundation, if the staff would just once pick up a pool towel left behind by a cruiser to 'save their pool lounge chair' that they don't return to for 'hours'. It will prevent the towel from getting a sun burn.

[cruisegirl1]

We noticed the lack of logo products fleet wide a year or so ago. Napkins, paper cups, plastic cups, drink stirrers etc. It even crossed our minds that perhaps the logo was changing. We wondered if the lack of logo was company wide, but we sailed Celebrity last month and the Celebrity logo was on everything.

 

Ice is a non issue as it is available to everyone, just upon simple request. (Some feel the need to tip to get ice - no tip needed, just ask the cabin attendant). Not sure how the lack of ice in the room is classified as cost cutting. Most land-based hotels don’t have ice waiting or ice changed every day. And, many land based restaurants provide ice water only upon request. It is considered a conservation attempt.

 

Not sure how a staff not wanting to empty the fridge is a measure of cost cutting. Just take the products out and place them on a shelf. It takes 30 seconds, max. Again a non issue

 

It never crossed my mind that the timing of a loyalty event was designed to save on drinks. We had brunches or mid-morning cocktail parties for years. Nice that they have the party. If the timing or dress code is not convenient, don’t go. A non issue

 

While I don’t consider the above to be a sign of cost cutting, I have seen some of the higher standards decline on RCCL. The most noticeable is the food quality and the additional charges (fresh juice, better cuts of beef, etc).

 

 

Lastly, RCCL has an obligation to its stockholders to run an efficient company. Decisions, financial or otherwise, must consider the bottom line. If any of you are stockholders ( as we are) you should be happy with RCCL’s decisions as the stock has climbed nicely.

 

 

M

 

M

[LetsGetWet!]

LOL!!!! I would HAPPILY make an additional donation to the Make a Wish foundation, if the staff would just once pick up a pool towel left behind by a cruiser to 'save their pool lounge chair' that they don't return to for 'hours'. It will prevent the towel from getting a sun burn.

Here here! I'll drink to that!

Edited February 18, 2014 by LetsGetWet!

[garnetpalmetto]

I think rci figured out what they can cut without making most passengers angry. Alcohol is the number one thing that if they tried to cut or reduce the amount people would complain. For example killing the champagne at the captain reception would make people go crazy. Dining room flowers and pillow chocolates not quite the same outrage.

 

 

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To be fair too, flowers as a centerpiece seem to be falling out of favor with most fine dining establishments and even nicer "normal" restaurants. It's a style/trend thing. It's quite possible that it was just as much about keeping up with changing trends as it was cutting costs.

[bigeagle12]

LOL!!!! I would HAPPILY make an additional donation to the Make a Wish foundation, if the staff would just once pick up a pool towel left behind by a cruiser to 'save their pool lounge chair' that they don't return to for 'hours'. It will prevent the towel from getting a sun burn.

 

Just off a 10 day Celebrity cruise on the Equinox. They had a highly visible team of Pool Butlers constantly roaming the pool deck and deck above. They would remove dirty dishes/glasses and towels from vacated lounges. They were also asking how long empty lounges with towels had been vacant .. and removing towels and personal items from those that had been vacant significantly more than the allotted 30 minutes. I was thinking it sure would be nice if all cruise lines did this :-)

 

 

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[steveru621]

Because we use the fridge for my Insulin and Hubby's Embril which must stay cold plus fruit and juice we bring from the Jammer in case my diabetes is wonky with extra walking that day.

 

For the week it's our fridge and there isn't enough room with all the Woo Haa in it as well.

 

Special case, I know.

 

Makes sense to me, but hotels will bring you a refrigerator. That's what RCI should do. My experience has been that frige only gets 'luke cold'

 

Just a follow up question. Since they refused, what did you do?

[fishbonz]

Don't know if this was mentioned but I miss my TOWEL ANIMALS every nite :eek:. Oh the humanity!!!!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:.

[steveru621]

Logo drink stirrers? All three cruises last year we had logo stirrers. I know for some strange reason I save them! Must 50 of them! <hic>

 

Maybe these ships are just working down their inventory?

[cle-guy]

To be fair too, flowers as a centerpiece seem to be falling out of favor with most fine dining establishments and even nicer "normal" restaurants. It's a style/trend thing. It's quite possible that it was just as much about keeping up with changing trends as it was cutting costs.

 

I agree with this one. I'm trying to think of the last time I was in a nice restaurant that had flowers on the table and simply can't recall?

 

I always see flowers on a table and think of Grandma. I like them for holidays and special occasions, but can take or leave on an every day basis.

[betmust]

All companies re-evaluate their product and their offerings, all the time -- Royal is no different.

 

I ask for an ice bucket on day 1 and ask that it be kept filled and viola -- it happens.

 

Napkins don't make my cruise nor does a coupon book for the perks I have. As far as the perks, too many people look at them as 'entitlements' and the industry has created that mindset. I like the loyalty rewards that are provided, yet they just add to the great time I have, they don't define a great cruise.

 

To be clear, you do have 30 minutes of free internet, as well as a discount if you need to purchase an internet package on board.

 

 

 

Who gets 30 minutes of free internet? Is that just higher levels? I have never heard of it...

 

Thanks

Edited February 18, 2014 by betmust

[Hotelfixer]

Rich peoples problems ....

My Rolls Royce needs an oil change and its expensive

My private Jet didn't come with free peanuts

The logo was missing from my cocktail napkin ... Really?

 

All this from people who are fortunate enough to have actually sailed 10, 20 or more times ... <shaking my head > man you just gotta cruise critic sometimes

[ILUVCRUIZN]

Don't know if this was mentioned but I miss my TOWEL ANIMALS every nite :eek:. Oh the humanity!!!!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:.

 

We just got off of the Adventure of the Seas 2 weeks ago and my 8 year old son was very upset that we only got a towel animal 2-3 nights of the cruise. May not be a big deal to adults but he loves the towel animals, he always wants to be the first to go into the cabin to see what towel animal we had so it is a big deal to him. LOL!!!

[PORT ROYAL]

Rich peoples problems ....

My Rolls Royce needs an oil change and its expensive

My private Jet didn't come with free peanuts

The logo was missing from my cocktail napkin ... Really?

 

All this from people who are fortunate enough to have actually sailed 10, 20 or more times ... <shaking my head > man you just gotta cruise critic sometimes

 

Your Avatar should also show Elite on Celebrity:D

[LMaxwell]

Rich peoples problems ....

My Rolls Royce needs an oil change and its expensive

My private Jet didn't come with free peanuts

The logo was missing from my cocktail napkin ... Really?

 

All this from people who are fortunate enough to have actually sailed 10, 20 or more times ... <shaking my head > man you just gotta cruise critic sometimes

 

Do you have anything useful to add, a cutback you have noticed, or a suggestion for an improvement? Pretty big brush you use there to condemn everyone with...:rolleyes:

[ARCruisinNana]

All companies re-evaluate their product and their offerings, all the time

 

 

 

Who gets 30 minutes of free internet? Is that just higher levels? I have never heard of it...

 

Thanks

 

Diamond members get 30 minutes of free internet. Not sure about the lower levels but Gold may get 15 minutes.

[Debde]

Do you have anything useful to add, a cutback you have noticed, or a suggestion for an improvement? Pretty big brush you use there to condemn everyone with...:rolleyes:

 

He did take a swipe with a huge brush but hidden in there, he has made a point. There are a few [and I said a few, not all] who have a gazillion cruises on a sig and complain about everything gone, what used to be and don't take my free this and free that away. There is some valid head shaking to be done when some can just about barely squeak that one vacation out a year and could care less about some things like towel animals and pens!;)

[erries]

Of course this is not in any way a deal breaker or a big deal, but I will admit to missing the C&A gifts we used to get. My husband wears his ball cap a lot in the summer, and we use those tote bags ALL the time.

[Hotelfixer]

Do you have anything useful to add, a cutback you have noticed, or a suggestion for an improvement? Pretty big brush you use there to condemn everyone with...:rolleyes:

 

The day this becomes an actual requirement of cruise critic the number of post will be dramatically reduced ....

 

I certainly meant no offense to any one. I was in my own special way making light of the fact we now have five pages of post devoted to lack of a logo on a bar napkin .... oh the humanity .... My favorite post so far was the one about "they made me reuse the coat hangers"

 

If I offended you please accept my sincere apology. To make it up to you I will gladly share my collection of swizzle sticks and cocktail napkins complete with logos with everyone.

 

Now can we get back to talking about more meaningful things like tipping and smoking and smuggling booze because we clearly don't have enough post on that subject :) :) :)

[squadron]

Have you seen more RCI cost cutting?

 

Here is what I saw on Explorer 2/9 to 2/16.

 

Drink/Cocktail napkins no longer have the RCI logo.

 

No ice bucket in the cabins - only on request.

 

Steward would not empty re fridge or remove Evian water from dresser.

Just plain refused - First time I heard a flat "NO" on RCI ...

 

Past Passenger event held @ 10:45 AM - on a day when you arrive in port @ 1PM - Saving drink alcohol drink costs?

 

"Top Tier Event" - Formal attire required to attend when casual is the MDR dress code.

Again - More alcohol savings?

 

What have you seen?

 

None of the above would affect the enjoyment of my cruise . Lacking a logo on my cocktail napkin!!! I think they should get rid of the towel animals - except for cabins with small children - save on labor and laundry costs.

[TubbyMrT]

Everyone wants a "cheap" cruise.....this is what you get!

 

I couldn't agree more. The same thing happened to the airline industry. It used to be a luxury to fly. Good food and good looking stewardesses. Oh, and we dressed up in first class.

 

Then people wanted cheap. Now see what we get. Its like riding a smelly city bus. As such, I now charter my own plane a few times a year.

 

I hope that RCL will never go that way. But if it slides much further, I will be switching to a more luxury cruise line. Good food and pampering. Me like!