It wasn't Good. My AOS Review on the July 7th Cruise from Cape Liberty

[John&LaLa]

4 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Leave some for the TA.  We don't want to have to eat cut up scallops.  😜

 

Touche'

[cruizzing]

I ordered the Antipasti on the voyage before this one and don't have a pix, but it didn't look like sad like OP's pix. Actually ordered a 2nd as kids had nibbled some of the cheese and neither looked like that. Clearly things were different between the 2 voyages as we definitely had escargot the 1 and only night we decided to order it (later in the cruise). Sorry the cruise didn't meet the expectations of OP. 

 

 

 

[Z0nker]

21 hours ago, Sunflower77 said:

 

Oh Okay I thought he was reviewing Anthem of Seas  

I thought AOS meant Anthem of the Seas, too.

[Thisguylikestocruise]

9 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Yes, this worries me a great deal.  With fewer people, fewer workers, will our American quality of life drop?  

I've noted it in several places personally:

- My daughter, who is in Nurse Management, can't hire enough people.  As a result, nurses are working longer /more shifts, and that leads to burn-out and exhaustion.  And those things can lead to mistakes.  

- I just retired from teaching, and last year we operated missing a couple teachers -- the whole year, we couldn't fill those positions.  And next year will be worse because of the people who are leaving the profession.  

- Some fast food places that are only running drive through /not opening the dining room -- they don't have enough workers.  

- Everywhere I see "Help Wanted" signs, yet I hear people say, "I can't find a job".  I can't reconcile these things. 

 

Quality of life will drop. 300+ nursing homes have closed past 2 years, hundreds more will, at a time when the largest generation will need more. Been working in an ER for several years, and the healthcare system has deteriorated. It’s unsafe. Finally the incident at the Orlando hospital made the news, after a patient fell from the 8th floor window and died, 10:1 patient to nurse ratios are dangerous, double what it should be. Staff shortages are getting worse. Don’t think the general public knows how bad things are, airlines mainly get attention in the media. I guess when thousands of nursing homes close, and hospital wait times are days long people will understand there’s a problem. 

Edited July 19, 2022 by Thisguylikestocruise

[baelor]

On 7/17/2022 at 11:33 AM, johnjen said:

Sushi had a sauce all through it. Ketchup with mayo stirred in??

No way that it was ketchup unless RCI has lost its damn mind.

Probably dynamite sauce, which is a combination of Japanese mayonnaise and sriracha/other chili sauce.

[baelor]

On 7/17/2022 at 3:12 PM, Cutigerlady said:

Have you been on another vacation since COVID that has met your expectations?

Yes.  The resort was not operating at full occupancy but was operating fully--no venues closed, service was prompt, quality was consistent with pre-COVID levels, etc.

[exm]

On 7/17/2022 at 2:33 PM, johnjen said:

Check-in - GREAT!! We were onboard by 1015am. Suite wasn't ready until 1pm but we snuck through 15 mins early. It was ready and our cabin attendant was a great guy who really took care of us. Always ice in the bucket. Always a clean stateroom. I felt bad for him having to take care of cluttered rooms. We never leave ANYTHING out. This helps the attendants get their work done and ours did everything right. Well deserving of a couple of extra $20's on top of our pre-paid gratuities.

Concierge - We had three. The first one was only via email contact. The next two were outstanding. Very good with communication and any needs were met promptly.

Suite lounge service - Outstanding. Sofyan. We will miss you greatly. Such a good man and dedicated to the service. He headed back home to Indonesia for a break the day we pulled back in.

Dining - Overall, a C. And I am being generous. Like a 9th grade teacher grading on a bell curve.

Giovanni's - With the understanding they were short staffed, we were ready for delays. Not for 2.5 hours of dining though. Food was good. The Vongole was a bit bland; lacked color. It was much better on other ships. Steak was decent. I'd give Giovanni's a C. Again, generous on grading.

Chops - OUTSTANDING. Filets were amazing. Wait staff, same. Gruyere tater tots? WOW! Dessert, I think Jen had the chocolate cake. She loved it. I skipped out on dessert. Chops ended up being the place for dinner. An A is well deserved.

MDR - Some comments on noted dishes..
* The NY Strip steak looked like a lung. Lacked flavor, color. and presentation. Literally, it was GRAY.
* Beef Bourguinon, however, was very tasty!
* Seafood fry, it lacked appeal, appearance, and taste. It looked as if someone found some bits of seafood from the floor and placed them randomly on top of...mashed potatoes.
* Charcuterie board - Mortadella and a piece of random lettuce - an olive....and brown prosciutto, which USED to be healthy pink - told me a sad story about that board. It also told me that food preparation was appalling and done in haste. That's due to lack of staff. And, a lack of CARING.

* Chicken Parm - Bland. Lacked tomato sauce (except for the small dry spot). Chicken was thick. No taste to it.
*Scallops served in an escargot dish - greasy, TINY....I think they were chunks of a single scallop floating in butter and garlic. Not good at all.

The rest of the dishes were okay at most, but they needed more flavor. Blandness throughout, but overall I'd give the MDR a C-. Quantity per serving has definitely been cut back, but I prefer that; some, however, do not....this is the cruise line, again, trying to save money at the cost of the customer.

Table staff were outstanding, hard working and friendly. That Head Waiter we had, she needs work on manners while we were talking. Besides walking up and interrupting the table discussion, what does the HW actually DO? And, why do they even deserve to be part of the gratuity distribution? Royal needs to simply ditch that position.

Izumi's - Took me 25 mins to get the Sapporo I ordered once seated. Dinner arrived nearly an hour later. Sushi had a sauce all through it. Ketchup with mayo stirred in?? I forget the name of the roll, it was a "chef's specialty" one. Had the decorative hair all over it. Wasn't impressed. C- grade.

Windjammer - we literally ate there 2 times for breakfast, I can't say much, except it's a place loaded with very hangry people wanting to cut in line or literally bump into me while trying to find a seat with a bowl of cheerios and milk. The service staff (given the situation) were doing their absolute BEST in trying to serve drinks or wipe off the tables. There were far too many people in it.

Venues - The bars, casino, nicely laid out, good experiences in there playing trivia, getting a drink, etc. Typical RCL venues that may need updating.

Entertainment - Campy. Terrible. This comes from a musician in a rock band. ROYAL - Where are the Rock & Roll bands?? One of the bands called Blaze were very good; the Latin band (I forgot their name) they too, did a fine job, I enjoyed hearing them all over the ship, no matter where they played at. It must be the acoustics! A juggler though? Come on. We passed that up. Get us a decent comedy act instead. Games and contests were pretty cool. Had a great time at one of them. I think I might've been drinking too much, haha.

Cruise Director - Campy announcements, but she was all over the place doing her job. Very involved. 

Condition of the ship - Absolutely terrible. This comes from a 20 year Navy veteran. The appearance of our balcony showed multitudes of rust. The wooden rails were badly needing sanding and coating. All of the exterior windows on Adventure were.....filthy with salt. I should've taken pics of the decay. Adventure badly needs to be drydocked. They were painting over rust instead of treating it properly using needle guns and some good grinding and priming. This is the cost of a cruise line trying to save money and cut corners.

By the 7th day we were ready to get back home!

We have rebooked on Anthem for June 2023 on a Canaries cruise out of Southampton. We turn Diamond. Is it worthwhile that we use it to experience Diamond, or head off to another cruise line? These are the questions on our minds today.

 

We sailed Adventure out of Nassau in August and it wasn't that bad. Sure, Anthem is newer and Adventure showes its age but I don't agree with your ship condition statement.

[Sunshine3601]

17 minutes ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

Quality of life will drop. 300+ nursing homes have closed past 2 years, hundreds more will, at a time when the largest generation will need more. Been working in an ER for several years, and the healthcare system has deteriorated. It’s unsafe. Finally the incident at the Orlando hospital made the news, after a patient fell from the 8th floor window and died, 10:1 patient to nurse ratios are dangerous, double what it should be. Staff shortages are getting worse. Don’t think the general public knows how bad things are, airlines mainly get attention in the media. I guess when thousands of nursing homes close, and hospital wait times are days long people will understand there’s a problem. 

No closure of nursing homes in my area, southeastern PA.    In fact, they keep building more and more assisted living facilities in my area.

Did the person commit suicide from 8th flr of hospital?

My neighbor worked at children's hospital as a Nurse for 26 yrs and when she was told get vaccinated or leave, she left and now works through an agency doing the same job.   That's crazy stupid.

[Tlbecker1]

4 minutes ago, exm said:

 

We sailed Adventure out of Nassau in August and it wasn't that bad. Sure, Anthem is newer and Adventure showes its age but I don't agree with your ship condition statement.

We also sailed on the Adventure June 2021 and we had the best time.  Loved everything about it.😀😀

[Ukigirl]

On 7/17/2022 at 8:21 PM, BND said:

That's what most people seem to like.

With crusty bread and a glass of Cab

[death_star]

9 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

 

The extra 2 days does help the ship reach more destinations. I've done it several times and checking back thru my old cruise itineraries, the only significant difference I see in port times is the OP had 1.5 hours less in Labadee (we had a 8:00 am arrival vs OP's 9:30 am) but the OP had 1.5 hours more in San Juan ( we departed at 1:00 pm vs OP's 2:30 pm). Personally, I'd rather have the extra time in Labadee but that's a personal preference type of thing.

 

None of this is a deal breaker for me and I'd absolutely would do this itinerary again no matter what the port times are. I cruise for the ship.

 

We did this itinerary on the anthem back when she was first up there. We had to miss Bermuda due to a storm so we just carried on. No trying to stop anywhere else or rearrange things. Just a lot of sea days with 3 ports.

[topnole]

On 7/17/2022 at 7:56 PM, Thisguylikestocruise said:

Labor shortage was predicted years ago. It’s simple demographics. Boomers are retiring and there’s not enough younger people to replace the largest generation ever. Flights are canceled, cruises are short staffed, patients are dying because of a healthcare worker shortage, nursing homes are closing, not enough teachers or truckers. I think it’s more complex than greed. 

You are referencing American demographics.  The ships aren’t hiring Americans to work on the ships so what is your point?   The was no significant overall labor shortage issue until Covid.   

[topnole]

13 hours ago, billslowsky said:

Labadee and Coco Cay are cash cows for Royal.  Completely captive audience.

I don’t think you and others understand what a cash cow is.  FYI.  It is a profitable business with high market share in a low growth market.  An important aspect is that cash cows invest minimally and typically just to defend market share (ie marketing as opposed to on innovation and product development, etc). Because they don’t reinvest, they are large cash flow producers to the corporation who in turn invest that cash flow in businesses with more growth potential.  Coco cay is not a cash cow.  They just invested a ton into that island.   

[LMaxwell]

31 minutes ago, topnole said:

I don’t think you and others understand what a cash cow is.  FYI.  It is a profitable business with high market share in a low growth market.  An important aspect is that cash cows invest minimally and typically just to defend market share (ie marketing as opposed to on innovation and product development, etc). Because they don’t reinvest, they are large cash flow producers to the corporation who in turn invest that cash flow in businesses with more growth potential.  Coco cay is not a cash cow.  They just invested a ton into that island.   

And a farmer has to buy land, build a farm, purchase equipment; a cash cow can't exist on its own without a support system and infrastructure.

 

The other persons point was that CocoCay and Labadee are captive revenue generation environments. Nearly every dollar spent at the private stops for cruise lines filters right back into their own pockets versus a port of call where people can disembark and choose cruise excursions or tour independently. People rush to pay Royal thousands of dollars a day for cabanas, of course they want to take you there. It's not in their best interest to maximize your time in San Juan and skip their own revenue generating environments. 

 

I don't think I am telling you anything you don't already know. 

[billslowsky]

7 hours ago, topnole said:

I don’t think you and others understand what a cash cow is.  FYI.  It is a profitable business with high market share in a low growth market.  An important aspect is that cash cows invest minimally and typically just to defend market share (ie marketing as opposed to on innovation and product development, etc). Because they don’t reinvest, they are large cash flow producers to the corporation who in turn invest that cash flow in businesses with more growth potential.  Coco cay is not a cash cow.  They just invested a ton into that island.   

 

We can pull definitions from different sources on the internet that suit our opinions.  Yours isn't the only one.  Tell us why the definition on Merriam- Webster - which is different that what you claim it means - is not correct.

 

Then do the same with the definition from the Cambridge dictionary.

 

 

[topnole]

6 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

And a farmer has to buy land, build a farm, purchase equipment; a cash cow can't exist on its own without a support system and infrastructure.

 

The other persons point was that CocoCay and Labadee are captive revenue generation environments. Nearly every dollar spent at the private stops for cruise lines filters right back into their own pockets versus a port of call where people can disembark and choose cruise excursions or tour independently. People rush to pay Royal thousands of dollars a day for cabanas, of course they want to take you there. It's not in their best interest to maximize your time in San Juan and skip their own revenue generating environments. 

 

I don't think I am telling you anything you don't already know. 

What percentage of folks are paying extra for drinks?  Not many I’ll bet.   Most are using vouchers or the drink packages.   So zero marginal revenue or profit on every drink not bought a la carte.   Yes, they make their money on the water park, mortgage payment priced cabanas, etc., but they also have high costs on all of that.   So they are spending a lot to have and run all the fancy new toys like the water park.  When you account for all of the operating expenses, debt expense, and depreciation that is associated with coco cay, I’m not sure what the cash flow situation looks like.  I could see it being way less than people think.  
 

Regardless, as you know what matters is profit and cash flow.   Revenue doesn’t mean much if there is no profit or negative cash flow.  Coco cay may have both, but even still they aren’t a cash cow.   Maybe equivalent to what is referred to as a star business if they do.   Labadee is different.   Not sure what they are like.   

[topnole]

8 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

 

We can pull definitions from different sources on the internet that suit our opinions.  Yours isn't the only one.  Tell us why the definition on Merriam- Webster - which is different that what you claim it means - is not correct.

 

Then do the same with the definition from the Cambridge dictionary.

 

 

I’m referencing the business literature.  It is a common business concept and it is taught in business schools everywhere.  But if you want to use a dictionary for a definition, feel free.  Never knew a dictionary to explain multi variable models used to analyze business portfolios.   

[topnole]

34 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

 

We can pull definitions from different sources on the internet that suit our opinions.  Yours isn't the only one.  Tell us why the definition on Merriam- Webster - which is different that what you claim it means - is not correct.

 

Then do the same with the definition from the Cambridge dictionary.

 

 

How is Merriam Webster different than what I said?  There is zero inconsistency in my statement and their simple definition.  Only difference is I provided a longer and more complete explanation.  
 

By the way, I’m unaware that coco cay is being used to finance Royals operation?   Last I saw Royal borrow an ungodly amount of money.  Coco Cay is not a cash cow.    They just invested a ton to make it the best ship island.  And they spend a ton marketing the heck out of their new island and features.  None of these are consistent with being a cash cow.  None of them.  This is basic stuff here.  But go ahead and read your dictionary for business concepts.  

Edited July 19, 2022 by topnole

[billslowsky]

48 minutes ago, topnole said:

By the way, I’m unaware that coco cay is being used to finance Royals operation?

 

No kidding.

[mjkacmom]

12 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

Quality of life will drop. 300+ nursing homes have closed past 2 years, hundreds more will, at a time when the largest generation will need more. Been working in an ER for several years, and the healthcare system has deteriorated. It’s unsafe. Finally the incident at the Orlando hospital made the news, after a patient fell from the 8th floor window and died, 10:1 patient to nurse ratios are dangerous, double what it should be. Staff shortages are getting worse. Don’t think the general public knows how bad things are, airlines mainly get attention in the media. I guess when thousands of nursing homes close, and hospital wait times are days long people will understand there’s a problem. 

This happened recently, I’ve been to this hospital many times. https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/elderly-patient-dies-after-falling-from-nj-hospital-window/https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/elderly-patient-dies-after-falling-from-nj-hospital-window/

[topnole]

1 hour ago, billslowsky said:

 

No kidding.

You think Royal has even scratched the surface of recouping their investment in coco cay?  Nearly half the time perfect day has existed so far it sat there sucking cash with zero revenue generation.   The overhead on the island for a year has to be quite substantial.    
 

Cash cows are mature businesses requiring minimal investment that generate large cash flow to the corporation.  Doesn’t have anything to do with revenue or profit.   It is all about cash flow.  At this point Royal just invested a quarter billion into coco cay and then had to watch as their business was shut down for a year.  Coco cay is far from being a cash cow.  Don’t confuse pricing or seeking revenue generation with being a cash cow.  Firms don’t try to milk cash (to invest elsewhere) from growing businesses they are actively investing in.  What we see in coco cay is a company trying to recoup their substantial investment.  Cabanas and the like cost way less

before they had to sit idle for a year.  Now they are just trying to recover what they invested in the island.  But if you want to call it a cash cow, feel free.  Just know that what your saying makes zero sense.   

[BND]

50 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

This happened recently, I’ve been to this hospital many times. https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/elderly-patient-dies-after-falling-from-nj-hospital-window/https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/elderly-patient-dies-after-falling-from-nj-hospital-window/

I have never been in a hospital that had windows that open enough to do that, if they open at all.

[Biker19]

34 minutes ago, topnole said:

You think Royal has even scratched the surface of recouping their investment in coco cay?

Within the first few months of it opening, RCG mentioned that the investment will pay for itself in about 3 years, much shorter than initially predicted. Given all the ships that have been redirected to the island, that may speed up even more.

[mjkacmom]

30 minutes ago, BND said:

I have never been in a hospital that had windows that open enough to do that, if they open at all.

 

30 minutes ago, BND said:

I have never been in a hospital that had windows that open enough to do that, if they open at all.

I’m guessing because there are still some old wings at our hospitals. I believe I recall staff being able to open windows during the daily police/fire hospital drive by’s during the height of Covid.

[topnole]

27 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Within the first few months of it opening, RCG mentioned that the investment will pay for itself in about 3 years, much shorter than initially predicted. Given all the ships that have been redirected to the island, that may speed up even more.

Yeah.  But how much do you think a year sitting idle and burning cash set them back on that estimated pay back period? How long has it really been open at full capacity and without highly reduced pricing?   2 years max?  Not sure.  
 

I’ve read people mentioning very cheap prices on the beach club, cabanas, water park, etc. compared to todays rates.  It even sounds like some of these folks booked them way ahead and haven’t even gone yet.  So not all current customers paid these current outrageous prices and it is only more recently that these sky high prices entered the equation.  They certainly didn’t exist when Royal was getting back on their feet last year.  Bottom line is Royal doesn’t have any cash cows.  Many businesses don’t.  
 

Regardless, your comment points to good signs for them with their investment in Coco Cay.  Hopefully they never turn it into a cash cow because that means they stop investing in it and just try to milk it for cash to invest elsewhere.  I’d much prefer they continue to reinvest in their “private islands” like they do with their fleet of ships.