Just off 3rd trip the Oasis. Total lack of wow

[rt1092]

To all you pom pom wavers.

Royal has been degrading the product for years now. I spoke to at least 50 people (in the elevators, sitting at the blackjack table, etc) that had varying degrees of disappointment with this recent cruise. Most seemed legitimate, some were off the wall. But there was a lot of "lack of wow" sentiment on this cruise.

I personally had a horrible experience at a blackjack table. And was told by the pit boss at the time, that "they make the rules, and they don't have to follow them". That was straightened out the next day by the casino manager, in my favor. But it should not have occurred in the first place.

As far as tipping goes if all the servers, wait staff, and room attendants get is the minimum that is automatically deducted. I'm sure all you pom pom wavers will be getting tired arms. Because the service will undoubtedly get worse.

[Natmom]

There is no question that there are good and bad experiences on cruises.

 

 

 

There is a far simpler way of looking at threads like this:

 

 

 

If a cruise line makes 99% of all passengers happy, then on an Oasis class ship there will still be 60-63 people unhappy. Those tend to be the threads you read about - often called the "venting threads".

 

 

 

For the other 6200+ folks that had a WOW, great, or satisfactory cruise, only a small number of those folks tend to take the time to share those situations.

 

 

 

This paints a misleading picture of course, as it is impossible to make every single person happy among any large group. It's a goal, not a realistic result.

 

 

 

Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that anyone has a poor experience.

 

 

I think you have it bang on. Last year we sailed the fantasy and I kept reading these threads were people complained about the shuddering and shaking in the mid-aft cabins . The claimed their vacations were ruined, they could sleep etc.etc,etc. I was absolutely terrified that we had dumped a large chunk of money on a family vacation and it would be terrible. Well, when I got onboard I could feel the shaking if I was lying completely still on the bed and I completely focused on trying to feel it. My husband and I laughed so hard that we worried about it before our vacation . I really think a lot of people just focus on the negative. Honestly I'm glad because reading the negative reviews keeps me grounded. I'm expecting the worst meal of my life at chops so with expectations that low it is bound to be a little better lol.

[rt1092]

Perhaps a bit of of an assumption, but I would bet that a person in an inside cabin will not spend either in total or in addtion as much as suite passenger. I would be interesting to see the hard numbers.

 

Loyality is not at question... The question is how much money is made from some of the past customers that expect lots of perks based soley on loyality.

You don't seem to realize one important thing. A satisfied customer will usually tell 3 or 4 people. A dissatisfied customer will tell 10 times that.

Anyone that has been in business should realize that.

[awhcruiser]

50 out of 5400?

To all you pom pom wavers.

Royal has been degrading the product for years now. I spoke to at least 50 people (in the elevators, sitting at the blackjack table, etc) that had varying degrees of disappointment with this recent cruise. Most seemed legitimate, some were off the wall. But there was a lot of "lack of wow" sentiment on this cruise.

I personally had a horrible experience at a blackjack table. And was told by the pit boss at the time, that "they make the rules, and they don't have to follow them". That was straightened out the next day by the casino manager, in my favor. But it should not have occurred in the first place.

As far as tipping goes if all the servers, wait staff, and room attendants get is the minimum that is automatically deducted. I'm sure all you pom pom wavers will be getting tired arms. Because the service will undoubtedly get worse.

[Pesseh0729]

To all you pom pom wavers.

 

Royal has been degrading the product for years now. I spoke to at least 50 people (in the elevators, sitting at the blackjack table, etc) that had varying degrees of disappointment with this recent cruise. Most seemed legitimate, some were off the wall. But there was a lot of "lack of wow" sentiment on this cruise.

 

I personally had a horrible experience at a blackjack table. And was told by the pit boss at the time, that "they make the rules, and they don't have to follow them". That was straightened out the next day by the casino manager, in my favor. But it should not have occurred in the first place.

 

As far as tipping goes if all the servers, wait staff, and room attendants get is the minimum that is automatically deducted. I'm sure all you pom pom wavers will be getting tired arms. Because the service will undoubtedly get worse.

 

 

Those 50 were crying but the thousands of other people were having a great time! Who goes on a cruise to talk about how bad it is? If that's all you're looking for its probably best to switch cruise lines. Those 50 people must have hurt arms from royal twisting their arms to pay for these cruises smh lol

[LMaxwell]

OP, it is abundantly clear that a lot of people bashing you would be thrilled with a Motel 6 (Makes your bed, you don't have to clean) adjacent to a Waffle House (Hot food served to you). Why can't you just forget the thousands of dollars spent and adjust your satisfaction levels to be a Motel 6 / Waffle House baseline?

 

If you have the company play games with pricing, just pay, you must be rich to cruise on Oasis afterall. And we all know people get rich by being careless with money.

 

Maybe you talked to only 47 people, and not 50 as you claimed. Therefore you have no credibility. At all. Don't come back here.

 

If a staff member was rude, it is because you did not triple tip daily. Don't you know that as time goes on service standards MUST drop? Don't complain. Don't question. The stock price is high.

[rt1092]

Those 50 were crying but the thousands of other people were having a great time! Who goes on a cruise to talk about how bad it is? If that's all you're looking for its probably best to switch cruise lines. Those 50 people must have hurt arms from royal twisting their arms to pay for these cruises smh lol

 

Judging from you and some others number of posts. You must be real experienced cruisers.

I know royal has virtual balconies. But which computer company is selling virtual keyboards.

LOL

[awhcruiser]

Time to move from RCCL. Not up to your standards.

Judging from you and some others number of posts. You must be real experienced cruisers.

I know royal has virtual balconies. But which computer company is selling virtual keyboards.

LOL

[jules815]

No, they cannot. Diamond plus cruisers have access to the diamond lounge.

 

Is this only on Oasis class ships and not fleet wide? I know there were D+ cruisers drinking in the CL last month on Brilliance.

[Pesseh0729]

Time to move from RCCL. Not up to your standards.

 

 

Pretty much! Lol

[RoyalC]

Stop being a voice of reason around here. Some people cannot process that.

 

I wouldn't expect to pay different prices at different bars within the same venue for the same drink. I wouldn't be happy about it, nor would I accept it. In fact, I'd probably forgo spending money if the establishment removes the prices from their menus because, to me, that is just the company playing games. I did not think expecting fairness in business practices to be such a contentious and disputed topic.

[connes1]

Yes but the other possible entities/saboteurs don't seem to be as vocal as the card carrying rccl folks (whoever they might be). Happy cruising:-)

[connes1]

Okay... what a rant! My next comment is NOT directed at the OP. Just a thought....

1) The reward system may need to be re-vamp and expectations need to be re-set.

2) If there are 500+ diamond members on a ship, then there really is nothing to special about being a diamond member, right?

3) If the full suite guest is paying PREMIUM fares, then why not provide them premium service which is different and even better that Diamond?

4) At the end of the day, it is all about share holder value and profits for the stock holders. If I were counting the beans and looking to reward loyality, I would not target the folks who book the cheapest inside or discounted room and perhpas these are the same passengers who do not book ship shore excursions, gamble in the casino (not the penny slots). I would be looking at the repeat full fare suite customers and how do I get them back on board to spend lots of $$$$, not folks who fill the ship with the last minute discounted fares.

 

I LOVE RCL! Someday I will probably be one of those last minute indside dwelers.., But for now, if I pay full suite premium fares, I do feel the service recieved should be excellent! And, for some reason I have not been disapointed with RCL.

 

Last year on NOS, both the suite lounge and the Daimond Lounge were so over crowed, that we did not use either. Our absense was noted by the Concierge and he took great care to be sure we were happy. No, we did not have reserved seats in the lounge, nor would I expect them. We just quietly used another lounge and enjoyed our cruise.

We had the royal suite on the navigator a couple of years ago and could not access the cl because it was too crowded with diamond plus folks.

[RoyalC]

Or they just aren't stupid enough to pay $100/day extra to look out a window 5 minutes a day.

 

The people who book the inside rooms don't spend any money and aren't as loyal as everyone else? Hmmm ok

[dfishner]

We were on Allure in December all though we had a good time I have to say I did not feel the wow. I could not put my finger on it and have to say maybe it is time to try something else either a different type of vacation or just another cruiseline to give us a change. We like RCL but to much of the same thing can get old and for us maybe we need a small break.

[Pesseh0729]

Time to move from RCCL. Not up to your standards.

 

 

Pretty much! Lol

[Pesseh0729]

Or they just aren't stupid enough to pay $100/day extra to look out a window 5 minutes a day.

 

 

Lol no comment

[maggieq]

Is this only on Oasis class ships and not fleet wide? I know there were D+ cruisers drinking in the CL last month on Brilliance.

 

Don't know. Hoping it's just the oasis that changed. Would not be surprised though if they made the changes fleet wide soon. I know they did that with diamond cruisers and the concierge lounge access a few years back.

Edited February 8, 2015 by maggieq

[DavyJoneses]

Just off today. Lack of any WOW except for Carmella our stateroom attendant.

Seems like the rumors that royal isn't catering to repeat customers is true.

The concierge lounge now hosts all from diamond up (no specific diamond lounge) At ten minutes after 5 you can't even get a seat. We asked the staff about it they said try upstairs. I told them fine you carry my wheelchair bound mother in law up and down the stairs, and look for a seat

In the past they have always open satellite lounges for the overflow. Not any more.

The food and dining room service was so-so. Not poor just acceptable.

They schedule the farewell show at 8:45 (one show only) so nobody that has late seating can even attend. I'm sure they hope you'll go buy a diner somewhere that night.

I ordered the same drink in 5 different bars and paid 4 different prices. When I inquired about it the bartenders said the other guy made a mistake.

The elevators and guest services were worst than I remembered.

This was our 4th trip on this class, and our last unless they come up with an almost free cruise. And if royal continues their race to the bottom. Our royal days will be over. With the prices royal is getting with their bogoho "sales" you would expect better than ncl or carnival.

 

So sorry to hear about your experience...I hope this was just an aberration.

[caribbean sailor]

I have to agree that the food in the MDR is just ok...this is why when we go on ships we dine at specialty restaurants, to get better quality/selection/variety.

 

Regarding the pan ini's...if that happened to me, I put the dish they handed you down and order another three or hand them that dish and say you don't want burnt sandwiches that they can have it and you wait for three more that are edible to eat. That was rude totally. If I couldn't get new sandwiches because they were closing I simply slide the dish towards them to make my statement and leave and go to promenade and get something else.

 

We never had any issues on the elevators on the Allure...yes, some people are just plain stupid don't allow people to get out before they get in. Sometimes I just want to say to such people "are you that dumb".

 

 

That is a shame this is just what Goldstein wants you to do.You should not have to do this,to have a better quality meal.Have a great next cruise.:mad:

Edited February 8, 2015 by caribbean sailor

[Jimmers]

Sorry you had a disappointing cruise on the Oasis. We're looking forward to our second cruising on her in April. Hoping that she hasn't changed too much since 2012 but nothing could be worst than our last cruise so all the negative reviews just roll off my shoulders:)

[COCKYMARK]

RCL is still the best.....period!!

[caribbean sailor]

It is also possible to disagree with someone with grace instead of being condescending which is getting to be fairly common around here.

 

We agree,well said.

[John&LaLa]

This is what I have posted in the past.

 

I'm not yet Diamond (but will be after my March cruise) so I can't comment there. To be honest, I'd rather have the free drink coupons and the freedom to go where I want. I tend to seek out bars where I can people watch or sit somewhere quiet (depends on the mood) and the Diamond lounge doesn't sound like an idea spot for either.

 

I was on this same cruise and my only real complaint was that not everyone knew how the drink packages work if a card is not activated for purchases (they have to be activated). I posted about this week while on my Jamaica excursion, just to see if it was common knowledge.

 

I thought MDR food was similar to what I had seen in the past, even when compared to a cruise on the Explorer a month ago. I enjoyed excellent service at the Park Cafe multiple times a day, although not right at closing.

 

When I get my survey I'll comment that all people who sell drink packages should be aware of the need for the cards to be activated for purchase, since this happened to me without my knowledge (to my daughters account).

 

I'll also comment that while I had ChoiceAir, I was not given the appropriate bag tags for earlier departure. The form where you specify a departure time specifically says not to fill it out if you have ChoiceAir, and I got the same tags as everyone else around me (saw them on the stateroom attendants cart). I had to make a special trip to Guest Services to get the tags I needed, and even then the customs delay caused me to cut things much closer than normal.

 

I had awesome bar service across the entire ship, although I had the select package so I can't say about the pricing discrepancies. Depending on the liquor chosen in a given drink I can see prices changing, but I don't think they should otherwise on the same ship. FWIW, the Champagne bar menu and MDR wine list did have prices but some other bar menus did not.

 

I will also (again) comment that the Park Cafe needs a more organized system for waiting in line. It seemed like the sandwich line went a different day each day. I noted this on my Oasis cruise in summer of 2013, and it hasn't changed.

 

People watching is fun in the DL

[CruiseMore1]

Okay... what a rant! My next comment is NOT directed at the OP. Just a thought....

1) The reward system may need to be re-vamp and expectations need to be re-set.

2) If there are 500+ diamond members on a ship, then there really is nothing to special about being a diamond member, right?

3) If the full suite guest is paying PREMIUM fares, then why not provide them premium service which is different and even better that Diamond?

4) At the end of the day, it is all about share holder value and profits for the stock holders. If I were counting the beans and looking to reward loyality, I would not target the folks who book the cheapest inside or discounted room and perhpas these are the same passengers who do not book ship shore excursions, gamble in the casino (not the penny slots). I would be looking at the repeat full fare suite customers and how do I get them back on board to spend lots of $$$$, not folks who fill the ship with the last minute discounted fares.

 

I LOVE RCL! Someday I will probably be one of those last minute indside dwelers.., But for now, if I pay full suite premium fares, I do feel the service recieved should be excellent! And, for some reason I have not been disapointed with RCL.

 

Last year on NOS, both the suite lounge and the Daimond Lounge were so over crowed, that we did not use either. Our absense was noted by the Concierge and he took great care to be sure we were happy. No, we did not have reserved seats in the lounge, nor would I expect them. We just quietly used another lounge and enjoyed our cruise.

 

How fortunate you are! You can afford full suites on cruises and probably first class on your flights as well. More power to you!

 

But am I wrong to expect the amenities that RCI has said I am entitled to? One only need to review said benefits on the web site on their Crown & Anchor page. What makes my expectations less important than yours, if such benefits and amenities are stated by RCI that I have earned?

 

Hope you continue to enjoy cruising, as I know I certainly will! I will also keep expecting to enjoy what RCI has stated I can expect!