What's going on with Royal Caribbean?

[Jasukkie]

It's pure capitalism. If people keep buying more and more cruises at higher prices with lower production costs, why would they not go right along with that? 

 

Remember those fancy midnight buffets? They're not coming back either. I'd settle for a cup of coffee served at the same time as my dessert in the main dining room.  Cruising is still my favorite vacation though, and a relative bargain to land travel unless you are self-catering.

[thrifty99]

Most of the changes we are seeing are due to the change in the financials for cruise lines. Costs for everything are higher (food, fuel, labor) and the cruise line can raise prices and/or cut expenses. I expect Royal is doing both. 
 

The cruise lines experienced a huge increase in their debt loads while shut down for Covid. Some were probably close to bankruptcy if they stayed shut down much longer. Royal’s debt is now over $23 billion which is over 2 times (maybe 3) what it was pre-Covid.  Much of this debt was short term loans that will need to be replaced in the next few years when interest rates may be higher. These are significant costs that have forced the industry to cut staffing and make other changes to save money. 
 

There are other issues such as a shortage of workers wanting to be employed in the cruise industry since Covid. 
 

The “new world” we are in seems to be higher prices and lower service. I see this in many places… stores, gyms, restaurants, etc.   

 

When we cruise now we have made some changes to keep the experience positive. We now buy the Unlimited Dining Plan on every cruise. The MDR was becoming less enjoyable. Lines to get in longer as there were fewer waiters to take guests to their tables. The extra cost for a more pleasant / intimate dining experience is worth it to us. 
 

We also keep our expectations lower / realistic for the current situation. We know there are fewer staff who are working harder so we go out of our way to thank them EVERY time we interact with a crew member. We cruised 5 times last year and seen passengers screaming at crew for things outside of their control (screaming about the slow internet speed for example). When I have the chance, I step up after the angry passenger leaves and tell the crew member they are appreciated and they should not have been treated like that. 

 

Happy Cruising Everyone!!!!

[3CatsInMA]

13 hours ago, ksuyen said:

Is it only me or Royal Caribbean cruises are going downhill? Or is this the trend for other lines as well? Entertainers are lacking, and the reason as quoted by the Director, not enough people willing to work on cruise post pandemic. Food quality is going downhill. Drinks are more expansive. And the big one: Customer Service is either bad or non existence.

 

I have upcoming cruise in 2 weeks, and frankly I am quite worried.

More expansive drinks?  Sounds good to me!

[ValerieJo]

We noticed a huge decline in service and quality on Anthem in November (Our first time on Anthem).  Unfortunately, I took my grown sons and grandson on their first cruise and my older son was very disappointed.   I've mentioned cruising again in the future and he doesn't seem to be interested.  The cruise definitely left a sour taste as I've always told them how great cruising is.  It was our 23rd Royal cruise and was our most disappointing.  I hope Royal gets their act together soon.   

 

Hubs and I leave Saturday on Enchantment, I hope it's a better experience.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, Peachestravels said:

Everything is going up in price. We have to try and enjoy cruises as much as we can and do a little budgeting in the process.. You can't even go the grocery store without paying $7 for a dozen of cheap quality eggs anymore. 

 

Interesting enough, I can get Eggland's Best for the same price or less than a dozen Publix eggs. Its weird. Been that way for months

[nelblu]

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Interesting enough, I can get Eggland's Best for the same price or less than a dozen Publix eggs. Its weird. Been that way for months

Although high prices there are a plethora of eggs in my store.  More concerned with the scarcity of certain products on shelves.

[PompeySailor]

13 hours ago, Firestation46-121 said:

I would like to stick with RCL but if other lines are not in lock step with RCL changes, what lines do you suggest out of Florida ports to try? Thanks

MSC and their Yacht Club and Celebrity in the Retreat 

 

We have sailed a lot of Royal and recently noticed and this will rile up a few, they are heading in the Carnival direction

We can’t quite put our fingers on it, but not as good as it was.

 

We have ventured out more recently and the grass is much greener, don’t be afraid to dip your toes elsewhere.

 

Took my wife 22 years to get me on Celebrity, and I am hooked and booked again.

 

YMMV

Happy Days!

[fweegy]

I'll start off by saying that cruising is my favorite form of vacation and I don't see that changing. I'll also say I have been exclusive to RC since 2002. I would not even consider using another cruise line in all that time. Because of that we have risen to D+. Over the past few years both my wife and I have noticed a small but steady decline in quality on RC, even pre pandemic. Just seems a tad bit worse with each cruise. We use to enjoy the specialty restaurants but have decided not to partake anymore after my last 3 rib eyes at Chops were almost thinner than minute steaks. Giovanni's has become a wine and pizza joint, and a not very good one at that. After our experiences the past few years the wife and I decided to do what RC seems to have done, toss the loyalty out the window. We are trying out a NCL cruise in 2024. Frankly, the ports were better and the price (with perks) was a lot better than anything RC offered. Sorry this is so long winded, figured it was a good place to vent a little.

[cruiselvr04]

Unfortunately what’s going on is what’s going on across the board.  Service everywhere is going down.  You have to stay at least 3 nights in most hotels to even get your towels changed.  Portions are getting smaller in restaurants.  Groceries have skyrocketed.  
 

It makes sense that our favorite way to vacation would change too.  We’re on Allure in February and again in March, more for the ship then the ports.  I keep checking prices for Celebrity but they are significantly higher and Viking higher yet.  We may soon have to evaluate quality over frequency.  

[Ret MP]

13 hours ago, Firestation46-121 said:

any suggestions for a better Carnival ship ?

I wouldn't treat you that badly!  

[Ret MP]

My oldest daughter is a research assistant for the CEO of a major world wide Electric Supply Company, the U.S. division.  She doesn't talk about her job much as she is a very loyal employee and loves her job.  But, I digress.  She has mentioned that many of her projects these days involves researching cheaper/less expensive ways to fulfil their customer's needs and increase profitability.  Yes, that is a constant with all levels of companies, large and small.  But, it is at a fever pace and quantity now and previously was a particular department's responsibility at the direction of the upper level executives, not to be don't by the staff of the executive levels.  Her research doesn't involve finding cheaper, local, suppliers.  She searches the world for new and/or upcoming technologies in electrical applications/hardware/software.  It's a deep dive.

 

So, my point, because of a lot of issues worldwide, political, human resources, or lack of natural resources, companies are looking for ways to reduce the fairly sudden change in atmosphere, worldwide.  Unfortunately, most, if not many of us, won't like the outcome.  I know I don't.  Especially now that I'm retired and really only have two things I like to do (three, if I include flying my drone), spend time with my family (which does involve travel) and traveling/cruising.  This is not just a Cruise Industry unique issue.  It won't change either unless we change it, change with our wallets, feet and votes.  RCCL hasn't put that final straw on the Camel's back for me, YET!

[Deeliteful]

Sailed on the Jewel T/A in November. Food was great in the MDR, ok in the WJ, and disappointing in Chops (but it may have just been a one off).

I can still always find something I like and enjoy and I both cook at home and go to high end restaurants in UK and Europe so I know good food.

No complaints from me. Looking forward to my cruise on the Explorer next week and know I will come home a few lbs heavier! 😂

[smokeybandit]

I wish drinks were more expansive.

[lovesthebeach2]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Interesting enough, I can get Eggland's Best for the same price or less than a dozen Publix eggs. Its weird. Been that way for months

But shopping is a pleasure at Publix 😁

[rphamh]

I'm honestly tired of the die-hards defending every single thing Royal does, and just saying "well inflation."  Statistically (as of December 2022) alcoholic beverage prices have only risen 5% over the past year.  The fact that consumers are getting gouged way more than that 5% increase is not "inflation."  That is greed.  If Royal raised prices with inflation, the drink package that was $52 last year would only be roughly $55 this year.

[pcur]

17 hours ago, ksuyen said:

Is it only me or Royal Caribbean cruises are going downhill? Or is this the trend for other lines as well? Entertainers are lacking, and the reason as quoted by the Director, not enough people willing to work on cruise post pandemic. Food quality is going downhill. Drinks are more expansive. And the big one: Customer Service is either bad or non existence.

 

I have upcoming cruise in 2 weeks, and frankly I am quite worried.

I am about to embark on my 13th RCCL cruise in 11 months.  I'm thinking back and finding that the only real complaint I have is that the lines at Customer Service are always long the first 3 days of any cruise.

 

Maybe it's my "get lemons, make lemonade" point of view about life in general. 

 

I think the food in the MDR is great, but I get creative with appetizers, the vegan menu, etc.  Plus, I LOVE grilled salmon as a back-up.

 

The entertainment I have seen was wonderful:  a full performance of Mama Mia by performers from London. Other events couldn't come up to that one, though.  It was special, for sure.

 

Drinks have increased by $1, so depending on how much a person drinks, it could be an issue.  To overcome that, I would book cruises on board a ship to get the obc to use toward drinks.

 

Just me, and YMMV.  I find, however, if I think "around" the problem, instead of trying to force the round peg into the now, newly square-off opening, I am just as happy.

 

Life.....lemonade.  Love me my RCCL cruises!!

 

But, full disclosure, THIS is still me inside my head:

 

 

Edited January 11, 2023 by pcur

[jbjunior]

we looked at joining some friends who were flying to grand cayman for a work conference and staying for a long weekend after, $6-$800 PER NIGHT hotel rooms with no food or drink included and still would need other ground transportation on top of that.  cruising is still an incredible value to go to some special places and i would echo the many who are saying that the whole world is not the same, it's not some special Royal glitch.

 

as others have mentioned, i'm back to traveling pretty regularly for work in the food business and the world is just very, very different.  all my favorite hotels/bars/restaurants....none of them have the same experience, most or understaffed or lower staffed, most customer interaction is done on my phone in an app, the food quality and room cleanliness (can we get real cups and glasses back yet?) they're almost all worse in some way other than one or two absolute top tier high end joints that very few people can afford to go to regularly.  

 

lastly, the lobster thing is so silly to complain about and the egg comparison is a good one.  royal was very generous with the nearly unlimited practice in the past, that kind of gluttony is representative of the overfishing and other problems for the lobster industry in North America, that is completely outside of Royal's (and every other vendor I work with) control.  google what's going on with the crab season in Alaska, not as impactful to our everyday lives as the current egg issue is but you see what i mean, it goes on and on.  a 24 pk of coke or pepsi used to have a truckload buy for $5.50 or $5.90 cost, retail two for 9 or $5.99 on big holidays, best price this year was $7.90 for a 24 pk.  it's just affecting everything and until we all get used to the app experience and get more self driving trucks and automated warehouses etc this is just how it's going to be with the supply chain.  good people retiring and leaving the workforce faster than they can be replaced and it takes more of a lesser experienced person to replace them.

[Ret MP]

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

But shopping is a pleasure at Publix 😁

It is, and I pay for that pleasure.  

[moposh]

18 hours ago, ksuyen said:

Is it only me or Royal Caribbean cruises are going downhill? Or is this the trend for other lines as well? Entertainers are lacking, and the reason as quoted by the Director, not enough people willing to work on cruise post pandemic. Food quality is going downhill. Drinks are more expansive. And the big one: Customer Service is either bad or non existence.

 

I have upcoming cruise in 2 weeks, and frankly I am quite worried.

Entertainment was definitely not as good on my last cruise (August 22).  I hope it is better on my next cruise.

[Sunshine3601]

10 hours ago, ValerieJo said:

We noticed a huge decline in service and quality on Anthem in November (Our first time on Anthem).  Unfortunately, I took my grown sons and grandson on their first cruise and my older son was very disappointed.   I've mentioned cruising again in the future and he doesn't seem to be interested.  The cruise definitely left a sour taste as I've always told them how great cruising is.  It was our 23rd Royal cruise and was our most disappointing.  I hope Royal gets their act together soon.   

 

Hubs and I leave Saturday on Enchantment, I hope it's a better experience.

Sorry to hear you were disappointed on your Anthem sailing.   We were on Anthem Dec 4th sailing and had a wonderful cruise with great service and plenty of good food and drink. 

It was our 4th sailing on Anthem in 2022 and always nice when crew remember your names and drinks too!

[Oceansaway17]

8 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I wish drinks were more expansive.

okay never heard of anyone wishing for this.  but hey whatever floats your boat (sorry for pun)

[ONECRUISER]

23 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

We have had several wonderful cruises in 2022.   Last one on Anthem in December, no food issues, no complaints, crew did a great job!   

Daughter says same about Anthem, no issues/complaints inc Food. I did 9 Cruises in 2022 inc 27 nites in Oct, no issues. Only thing noticed was on 2 the Ships they were cleaner then when was on them in 2019 Pre-CV. Was really noticeable...

[sailor05]

Honestly, NCL was a great value last time we sailed with them. Beverages, specialty dining, internet and some excursion credit was included. Their newer ships are awesome. The only reason I keep on Royal right now is because of casino comped cruises. Next time we pay we will be on NCL.

[Ret MP]

[John&LaLa]

17 hours ago, rphamh said:

I'm honestly tired of the die-hards defending every single thing Royal does, and just saying "well inflation."  Statistically (as of December 2022) alcoholic beverage prices have only risen 5% over the past year.  The fact that consumers are getting gouged way more than that 5% increase is not "inflation."  That is greed.  If Royal raised prices with inflation, the drink package that was $52 last year would only be roughly $55 this year.

 

FWIW, there is no truly fixed price on a drink pkg. It floats up and down constantly. And booze really isn't the only expense of our drinks.