We will always be loyal to royal, but what is happening????

[cltnccruisers]

We are D+ but this was our 1st time on the BOS. My spouse and I "make our own good time" but there are some scenarios that were odd to say the least.

*no robes provided' date=' as, I was told, "just not enough to go around

*Windjammer food was good, but cold. I think we shall stick with the specialty restaurants.

*A charge for room service? We used to enjoy our breakfast & coffee on the balcony

*We are both RC Club Royale members.

No more T-shirts to purchase with your points?

*Purchased 20 $5.00 scratch off with our points & did not win a single $$$

*Smoking and non-smoking casino portions are not monitored, hence, all the casino is "smoking"

*Concierge/Diamond Lounge...sweat pants, shorts, babies, cold food, no bartender one night? What is going on?

*spa services are back to the "hard sell"

purchased, the 1st day, 2 massages, with the idea that they would add an additional 15 minutes to the 50 minute massage. It turn out that the additional 15 minutes was a consultation with a hard sell of products. Up sell, should be on your nickel....and NOT mine!!! I should receive a full 65 minute massage, with sales at the front desk. Come on RC..you know better!!!

*Children in the concierge lounge & in the casino? Really....call them what you will....but , they are bars!!!

*People in the casino, leaning there chairs forward to "save" a machine. This is sooooo local casino and very dangerous!!

Once again, we are loyal to RC....we will not change, but they really need to look at what is happening to their product.......sorry...just had to rant!!! Love you all & Merry Christmas!!![/quote']

 

We're switching to Celebrity mainly due to the smoke in the casino. That and we really aren't thrilled with the whole promenade thing.

[mek]

Because of:

 

- Familiarity.

 

- Fear of the unknown.

 

- Not really that unhappy, just like to complain.

 

- The belief that all other cruise lines suck worse, even when things at Royal are going downhill.

 

- An irrational hope that lost perks will be restored and things will actually improve on the next cruise.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Sounds like the same reasons people stay in bad relationships.

[sparks1093]

I disagree - part of their job is to try to sell products and some people like to buy them - including me. I've been in the cosmetic and beauty care industry for 40+ years, so I understand how it works - especially for people on commission. I don't see why saying "no" is a big deal and if you don't want the "hard" sell then just tell them at the beginning of the service that you're not interested in buying anything. I you don't want to verbally tell them "no", then write it on the survey sheet. Not a big deal IMO.

 

There is a difference between selling and hard selling and from what I've been reading hard selling may be becoming the norm on Royal. If I am walking in the promenade or whatever and there is a table of knick knacks for sale I know they are for sale, I don't need the employee saying "hey, come check out this stuff for sale". I guess the spa is a bit different but again if the customer has to say no more than once then it's gone too far.

[Bootman4U]

I am sorry but paying a "bargain price" for inferior quality is NOT a "bargain" but to each their own.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

s

Sounds like the same reasons people stay in bad relationships.

Indeed.

 

People who live in their fantasy world where everything has to be perfect to enjoy life are virtually guaranteed to be miserable most of the time. Those who endure the bumps to enjoy the overall ride of life are assured high odds of being happy most of the time.

 

What's interesting is that many of the threads of this nature come from higher status level people. Perhaps they need to move on and try to find Utopia elsewhere. You'd think they (of all cruisers) would know that cruising isn't perfection, rather, something to enjoy without focusing on the small things that usually don't really matter.

[rukkian]

s

Indeed.

 

People who live in their fantasy world where everything has to be perfect to enjoy life are virtually guaranteed to be miserable most of the time. Those who endure the bumps to enjoy the overall ride of life are assured high odds of being happy most of the time.

 

What's interesting is that many of the threads of this nature come from higher status level people. Perhaps they need to move on and try to find Utopia elsewhere. You'd think they (of all cruisers) would know that cruising isn't perfection, rather, something to enjoy without focusing on the small things that usually don't really matter.

 

While not all, obviously, I am guessing that even if there were much better things on ships, it would not matter cause it is different than the "good old days". Some people always look for the negative.

 

I am sure some things have gone downhill, but there is also so much more to do on ships, and the cost overall is much less (especially when considering inflation) than the good old days. I would much rather have what we have now. You could go to a suite in many cases, or do the ultimate dining plan and the deluxe beverage package, and still be lower than it was in the "good old days", but because the costs are broken out, it has to be bad. Because they have different things, it has to be bad.

 

Those that go in looking for the good, will be much more likely to have a good vacation. Those that can't may want to look at one of the more expensive, smaller ship atmosphere lines, as that may be more what they want at this point. RCI is mass market line trying to appeal to the masses, including people that want a low price, and the ones that want to pay more for better experience, however no line will ever be everything to everybody, as it is not possible.

[cltnccruisers]

We're still relatively new to cruising - only going into our 6th - so we're still learning. Some things we can only learn by doing. Others, though, we have learned from these boards and CC in general. Booking tricks, for example. We haven't gotten any windfalls from them yet but hope springs eternal.

 

So thanks to all of you who provide constructive comments and a big Bronx cheer to the occasionally snarky (1 or 2 to myself). Can't wait to see all the Canadian bikers on our Silly cruise in March - that should be a sight. :D:ship::beer-toast:

[mek]

There is a difference between selling and hard selling and from what I've been reading hard selling may be becoming the norm on Royal. If I am walking in the promenade or whatever and there is a table of knick knacks for sale I know they are for sale, I don't need the employee saying "hey, come check out this stuff for sale". I guess the spa is a bit different but again if the customer has to say no more than once then it's gone too far.

 

I completely agree with not having to say no more than once, but I don't have a problem with the tables - so easy to say,"no thanks," or just ignore them.

[cltnccruisers]

We've cruised on NCL, Princess and RCCL with X coming next. I can honestly say that I have never felt that I was getting a hard sell on anything. Maybe because I just keep walking. Or maybe because when we first moved South we went to a few of those "free" timeshare weekends at the beach just to get familiar with the area. Now THAT'S hard sell. ;p

[island lady]

Many ports seem to bring you through the gift shop area as you walk through, with those stall vendors trying to call you over. Agree, that the best thing is to smile, say "no thank you" and move on. No big deal.

[cltnccruisers]

Many ports seem to bring you through the gift shop area as you walk through, with those stall vendors trying to call you over. Agree, that the best thing is to smile, say "no thank you" and move on. No big deal.

 

In Oslo we walked through one such area near the pier. They actually had some pretty decent stuff and my DW was ready to buy. I got her to wait and she found pretty much the same items in town at lower prices. We still got some small things on the way back through the stalls - keyrings, knick-knacks, things for the grandkids - that were easily covered by what she saved buying in town. Saved? Well, didn't spend might be a better way to put it. ;)

[sparks1093]

I completely agree with not having to say no more than once, but I don't have a problem with the tables - so easy to say,"no thanks," or just ignore them.

 

It's still not the impression that I had of Royal and wouldn't be a good first impression for anyone boarding for the first time.

[sparks1093]

Many ports seem to bring you through the gift shop area as you walk through, with those stall vendors trying to call you over. Agree, that the best thing is to smile, say "no thank you" and move on. No big deal.

 

It's the kind of thing I would expect in the ports, not on the promenade.

[cltnccruisers]

It's the kind of thing I would expect in the ports, not on the promenade.

 

We're really not thrilled with the promenade concept. Always crowded and noisy. Much prefer the atrium concept.

[fhowell2]

Just off the Harmony. No Concierge Lounge, just a Diamond Lounge buried in the bow of the ship and totally overrun. Very dIsappointing.

Rick

[island lady]

It's the kind of thing I would expect in the ports, not on the promenade.

 

Ahh..the only thing that stays the same is change. Years ago the word "robo calls" was something no one had heard of either. ;)

 

And look how many more TV ads are taking over regular programming time. Agree...annoying ....but seems to be everywhere now. Just look at the sides and top of this page. ;)

[cltnccruisers]

Ahh..the only thing that stays the same is change. Years ago the word "robo calls" was something no one had heard of either. ;)

 

And look how many more TV ads are taking over regular programming time. Agree...annoying ....but seems to be everywhere now. Just look at the sides and top of this page. ;)

 

There are no ads on this page. Must have blocked them. :D

[island lady]

There are no ads on this page. Must have blocked them. :D

 

Ahh..nice...you have a blocking system. :cool:

 

I have just learned to put them on mental ignore...much like those robo calls. ;p:p

[davekathy]

...but seems to be everywhere now. Just look at the sides and top of this page. ;)

 

Down load Adblock Plus. All the adds you are now seeing on CC will vanish.

[island lady]

Down load Adblock Plus. All the adds you are now seeing on CC will vanish.

 

Thanks! Does it block anything else you may want to pull up?

[davekathy]

Thanks! Does it block anything else you may want to pull up?

 

It doesn't seem to effect anything I do on my laptop. I'm kind of old school and sometimes get paranoid about downloading different things. If you don't like it or it effects other things you are doing you can always remove it. But it does clean up all the unwanted clutter on CC. Sorry if that doesn't answer your question. ;)

[island lady]

It doesn't seem to effect anything I do on my laptop. I'm kind of old school and sometimes get paranoid about downloading different things. If you don't like it or it effects other things you are doing you can always remove it. But it does clean up all the unwanted clutter on CC. Sorry if that doesn't answer your question. ;)

 

Gosh no that's great! Thanks so much...I will try it. As always you are a wealth of help and information. :cool:

 

Just installed it. Wow...you are right! Thanks again! Sometimes CC would run those complicated moving ads that would really slow down my access...this should help a lot! :D

[davekathy]

Gosh no that's great! Thanks so much...I will try it. As always you are a wealth of help and information. :cool:

 

Just installed it. Wow...you are right! Thanks again! Sometimes CC would run those complicated moving ads that would really slow down my access...this should help a lot! :D

 

Your welcome. Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. :wine-glass::wine-glass:

[sparks1093]

Ahh..the only thing that stays the same is change. Years ago the word "robo calls" was something no one had heard of either. ;)

 

And look how many more TV ads are taking over regular programming time. Agree...annoying ....but seems to be everywhere now. Just look at the sides and top of this page. ;)

 

I always visualized RCI as being classier than this. Better to find out now that it's not rather than when onboard. I'll keep my expectations more reasonable that way.

[ano]

We use to go on Royal most of the time but switched to Celebrity. We never usually go on holidays or when kids are out of school. We enjoy Celebrity much more. However they are even cutting back. Try Celebrity you might like it.

 

I long gave up on Royal Caribbean many years ago for their incessant nickle and dimming. Back then we heard oh "try XYZ cruise line. Its much better." Since then we have been on Norwegian, Princess, and recently Celebrity. In the end, they are all the same, where striving to extract every dime from passengers is a much larger priority than producing a better product. Name any change any of them have made in the last year to make the cruising experience better when the change would cost them more money? None. Why would they want to do that?

 

 

We'll be taking a few land tours which we think are now a better experience. Eventually we might try Oceania or one of the other "mid-luxury" brands. We will see.