Is anyone else just totally over cruising? Rant on recent cruise (Independence), bad service, food, FLU

[PhillyFan33579]

I currently have 17 cruises booked thru next January and have no plans to stop cruising on a frequent basis. I have never had a bad cruise before or after COVID. Having said that, cruising isn’t for everyone. Fortunately there are plenty of other vacation options available.  

[HappyTexan44]

13 hours ago, Candleonwater said:

I've had that happen - sheets not being changed on change over day. Imagine pulling back the sheets and finding curly hairs on the sheets. IT WAS NASTY, and I'm not even positive the sheets were changed when I complained.

 

I've had that happen multiple times in hotels.  I think sheets aren't changed often and they get away with it.  
If I even suspect that the bedding wasn't changed, I'll spill water it so it is obvious that they were changed after I asked (or not)  

 

[Ky Bill]

Sound like you hit the perfect bad storm of a cruise.  While you may have had a bad experience on this one cruise don't let it poison you on cruising. I realize this cruise was on short notice and perhaps that was part of the problem.  We're scheduling cruises for 2024 and 2025 as we find the ships and itineraries we like.  Best of luck on future vacations.

Bill

[RRTcruiser]

We just got back yesterday from two cruises after yours on the Independence.

Our cruise contained a lot of college spring breakers but other than a great deal of alcohol consumption and world record settling hot tub attendance, they were pretty well behaved.

Heard from multiple crew members that the previous cruise had twice as many spring breakers and there was several minor incidents with inebriated passengers. We have been on 12 cruises post covid and while we still love our time cruising, like any kind of activity the “wow” factor can diminish the more you do it. Having said that, the service was incredible as always, the room was kept incredibly clean (panoramic suite was too cool) and the overall condition of the ship was great. The only downside was it felt very crowded at times and with complete honesty the food was okay to good but no great moments were encountered.

We got a great deal on a suite and the positives for us far outweighed the negatives so we still had an awesome time. People have different expectations and comfort levels, that being said I hope you give it another try. 

Edited March 18, 2023 by RRTcruiser

[BecciBoo]

On 3/15/2023 at 5:40 PM, Tree_skier said:

🍿

You need to enlarge that emoji.  I can barely tell that's popcorn!  LOL

[Engineroom Snipe]

On 3/17/2023 at 3:00 PM, ReneeFLL said:

You forgot gratuities.

 

"Always look on the bright side of life...." Monty Python  🤣

[Candleonwater]

11 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

 

I've had that happen multiple times in hotels.  I think sheets aren't changed often and they get away with it.  
If I even suspect that the bedding wasn't changed, I'll spill water it so it is obvious that they were changed after I asked (or not)  

 

Thank you for that! I will use it if needed.

[ronandcarla]

Agree and disagree with some of the facts laid out hereon.  For us, and I have spoken about this subject here and I also sent an email to Royal that we haven't been on  cruise for about 10 years and we were looking into doing another one until I found out that now people were in fact arriving at the Main Dining Room for dinner, some of which were dressed like they just came off the beach/pool or that's their attire for the evening with "we're on vacation".  So, we'll just do without or go to Saint Martin, at least we know up front that's the dress code there, but they don't have the beautiful atmosphere and entertainment venues that a Royal ship has.

[ronandcarla]

On 3/18/2023 at 11:08 AM, RRTcruiser said:

We just got back yesterday from two cruises after yours on the Independence.

Our cruise contained a lot of college spring breakers but other than a great deal of alcohol consumption and world record settling hot tub attendance, they were pretty well behaved.

Heard from multiple crew members that the previous cruise had twice as many spring breakers and there was several minor incidents with inebriated passengers. We have been on 12 cruises post covid and while we still love our time cruising, like any kind of activity the “wow” factor can diminish the more you do it. Having said that, the service was incredible as always, the room was kept incredibly clean (panoramic suite was too cool) and the overall condition of the ship was great. The only downside was it felt very crowded at times and with complete honesty the food was okay to good but no great moments were encountered.

We got a great deal on a suite and the positives for us far outweighed the negatives so we still had an awesome time. People have different expectations and comfort levels, that being said I hope you give it another try. 

One of our best cruises more than 10 years ago was a 6 day out of Miami and little did we know or think that a lot of college students would be on this cruise.  So anyway from day one until the last day being nearby but not participating in their activities was a lot of fun and great sites, viz, at the pool, casino, nightclub, "quest"  and the main dining room and I might add they were the best dressed group on the entire ship.  I believe this trip was on the Voyager of the Seas in March.

[Ocean Boy]

7 hours ago, ronandcarla said:

Agree and disagree with some of the facts laid out hereon.  For us, and I have spoken about this subject here and I also sent an email to Royal that we haven't been on  cruise for about 10 years and we were looking into doing another one until I found out that now people were in fact arriving at the Main Dining Room for dinner, some of which were dressed like they just came off the beach/pool or that's their attire for the evening with "we're on vacation".  So, we'll just do without or go to Saint Martin, at least we know up front that's the dress code there, but they don't have the beautiful atmosphere and entertainment venues that a Royal ship has.

Let me see if I have this right, you sent a message to RCI complaining about how people dress for the MDR but you haven't cruised in 10 years? I'm sure the execs in Miami will be all over this now.

[Terry Chizum]

On 3/15/2023 at 6:11 PM, aimcat said:

So my fiancé and I just went on Indy out of Port Canaveral on the March 6 cruise. This would be my 9th cruise and my fiancé's first, but be both our last. I never thought I would feel like about cruising. I use to think it was the best vacation you could possibly do for the money, but no more. We planned this cruise very spur of the moment as we had to miss the one the month before due to getting Covid. With flights, hotel overnight at port, drink package, and everything else that goes into planning a vacation and cruise we were several thousand dollars into this. We were so excited and ready to have a fantastic week of vacation but it was nothing like that and all we got was literally the FLU and an absolute horrible experience and several thousand dollars feels like it was robbed. So here goes because I guess I want to think I am not the only one who feels this way.....

 

1. Pricing - we had a balcony room and with taxes and all it was almost 2800 dollars given it was booked 2 weeks prior to departure I just think that this first off is a complete rip off given the quality of rooms, size, etc....

2. Food - our food this trip was the worst I have ever had. We did the main dining, Johnny Rockets, and Buffet. All bland, tasteless, main dining room barely ever had anything on it we liked. NY strip was a sliver of meat, uncharged for lobster now, a cesar salad was a few pieces of lettuce and crouton, desserts were mediocre. 

3. Drinks - we paid 800 bucks for a drink package for 4 nights for us both to literally most of the time get some watered down cocktail and at least 2 times I saw bartenders literally put half a shot in my drink and had to ask for more and say something to them. 

4. Service - service was just so disappointing. Wait staff acted like they could care less even after giving them good tips the first night, at Johnny Rockets we literally sat one day waiting for food even just some fries for 35 mins...when she brought it she plopped it down and took off like dont bother me. Our room attendant had a major attitude as well and just brought us a card told us his name and took off again like dont bother me. Absolutely nothing like it use to be like you were treated like a king and queen...that is over. 

5. Room - our room was filthy - someone had popped apparently a confetti popper prior to us getting there by previous guests and it was still all over the floor, on desk, balcony everywhere. Room attendant came and half way cleaned up after we pointed it out. Our sheets has ripped spots and ragged worn spots in so many places along with just looking like they had been through it for way too long. Our bathroom had mildew spots in places and just looked run down. Def not a room worth 2700 bucks! 

6. Entertainment - lame...our comedian - so lame, the ice show just looked like a D rated high school performance honestly, karaoke was just a bunch of kids singing, never saw a live band on the ship when we were out and about, and missed Grease so couldnt tell you much about that.....

7. Excursions (blue lagoon and coco cay) - I was so excited about Blue Lagoon but it was just a huge disappointment..an almost hour boat ride on a hot smelly boat to go to a tiny island with just mediocre beach with tons of raging kids everywhere?! Coco I wanted to enjoy but was beginning of the end for us due to getting sick

8. CROWDS - OMG I have been on ships 3x the size of this one like Harmony and Symphony and never seen crowds like this one....everywhere a line or crowd, or being herded like cattle into and out of places. Never a chair for all the chair savers, so just move their crap out of the way for them to come back and give you a dirty look. Never a spot in a hot tub. Being herded into and out of areas for shore excursions. 

9. WE GOT THE FLU ON SHIP - Our morning getting off at Coco Cay we both brought up how we both felt unusually tired. So we instantly thought could we have Covid again ( we had just had it 3 weeks prior) and thought surely not. We are both healthy 40 year olds. We had done plenty of WASHY WASHY and hand sanitizing etc. We dont touch our faces or bite nails etc. By 12 at Coco we felt awful....tired, achy, miserable....so we go back to ship.....we go back to room, fall asleep....miss all that useful time to enjoy a good beach...we wake up at about 4 to find we are even worse. We know something is wrong....so we stay IN OUR ROOM all evening....no appetite.....got a pizza brought to room and some drinks which we couldnt really stomach. By the next morning the day of departure we were horrible....chills, sore throat all that....it was all we could do to get to airport and get home that day to find out when we got home and to doctor we were flu positive and STILL trying to get over it all today! 

 

So there are probably a lot of things I missed in this but in other words I am over cruising....its just not fun and after all we went through on this trip I am done. Just wondering if anyone else feels this way and completely ripped off!? We took a beach trip last August and paid a fraction of the cost including flight, dinners, drinks, activities etc. 

 

Wondering others likeminded thoughts. 

Sorry the cruise didn't match your high expectations but getting the FLU isn't the ships fault.  

[ronandcarla]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Let me see if I have this right, you sent a message to RCI complaining about how people dress for the MDR but you haven't cruised in 10 years? I'm sure the execs in Miami will be all over this now.

 

[Terry Chizum]

On 3/18/2023 at 11:10 AM, BecciBoo said:

You need to enlarge that emoji.  I can barely tell that's popcorn!  LOL

Its un-popped?   LOL

[ronandcarla]

Maybe bc we are Diamond members  I received an email from Royal Caribbean promo in regards to a cruise and that we haven't been on one for more than 10 years; I emailed back that bc of the dress code and Royal having one, but they don't enforce it we'll pass up on the offer.  I doubt that Royal will even look at the the aforesaid email.  As for ocean boy above and your smart aleck remark I'll be good and leave the remark alone.

Edited March 20, 2023 by ronandcarla

[parrotfeathers]

I wasn't ever a frequent cruiser as many people here are.  I live on a farm with lots of animals and they have to be cared for.  I enjoyed getting away when I cruised yearly and I absolutely love the ocean.

 

But, I am sort of over it since things onboard seem to have changed so much.  I'm looking at all inclusive vacations here in the U.S. that don't include water since I'm not a beach person at al.  Several of them are in the south within a comfortable driving distance.

[Terry Chizum]

Agree, Go with what gives you relaxation and comfort.  Animals are a love but many dont share that love so you can relax.

[firefly333]

12 hours ago, ronandcarla said:

Agree and disagree with some of the facts laid out hereon.  For us, and I have spoken about this subject here and I also sent an email to Royal that we haven't been on  cruise for about 10 years and we were looking into doing another one until I found out that now people were in fact arriving at the Main Dining Room for dinner, some of which were dressed like they just came off the beach/pool or that's their attire for the evening with "we're on vacation".  So, we'll just do without or go to Saint Martin, at least we know up front that's the dress code there, but they don't have the beautiful atmosphere and entertainment venues that a Royal ship has.

If how others are dressed ruins your cruise, perhaps go on celebrity or Holland America..some line that is more into dress code. Rcl and carnival both are not high end nor is that their target audience. 

 

Just pick a different line. 

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, ronandcarla said:

Maybe bc we are Diamond members  I received an email from Royal Caribbean promo in regards to a cruise and that we haven't been on one for more than 10 years; I emailed back that bc of the dress code and Royal having one, but they don't enforce it we'll pass up on the offer.  I doubt that Royal will even look at the the aforesaid email.  As for ocean boy above and your smart aleck remark I'll be good and leave the remark alone.

If you watch even a bit of their marketing, you will see Royal Caribbean aims their marketing toward active families and a youthful demographic (including the young at heart).  That demographic tends to be more casual…or dresses up at their own pleasure and timeframe.  Little remains of your beloved dress code of old. You are free to embrace or reject new reality.
 

The Royal Caribbean Group has another cruise line that might suit you better in Celebrity.  They even provide Elite benefits as you are Diamond.  

Edited March 20, 2023 by Starry Eyes

[BecciBoo]

I pay no attention to "the man behind the curtain".  Can't imagine letting the dress code influence my choices in life....I dress for me not anybody else.

 

And if anyone considers that smart Aleck my apologies!

Edited March 20, 2023 by BecciBoo

[jeh10641]

On 3/20/2023 at 9:38 AM, BecciBoo said:

I pay no attention to "the man behind the curtain".  Can't imagine letting the dress code influence my choices in life....I dress for me not anybody else.

 

And if anyone considers that smart Aleck my apologies!

Thank you BecciBoo, I, too, dress for me. At 80+, I no longer have to impress anybody else. For "formal" nights, I usually add a nice sweater to my normal evening dress clothes, collared shirt, long pants (not jeans).

 

Jim

[theotherchad]

The thing I can't get over about the OP's account of this cruise is that the staff were surly, resentful or absent. In something like 14 cruises, I can only recall a handful of crew or staff members who were anything less than helpful and cheerful and eager to please. And of those, none were really rude or dismissive, just not up to the usual  high standards. 

 

I have also never experienced a dirty room. Not once. 

 

I'm not saying that they didn't have this experience, but it is certainly not typical of the cruises I've experienced with RCCL. Others have noted though, that the fact that it was a 4 day cruise may have had something to do with it. Maybe the crew get fed up with all the crazy trashy drunks who go on those short partyfest cruises (not meaning everyone on the short cruises) and the service goes downhill. 

[BecciBoo]

Only once in 28 cruises did any staff member not get an extra over and above auto Gratuity tip.  So you know he was at fault.  He was out to lunch 99% of the time, never answered questions or honored any of our simple requests.  We are not pills on a cruise and even most times ask for Do Not Disturb.  Keep our cabin in ship shape so they do not have to do much to get that extra tip. So what the OP described is inconceivable to me!

[evecent]

On Indy as I write this. Yes it’s fully booked but surprisingly no rowdy spring breakers and very few lines. Staff has been congenial, food is ok and overall a good time. We’re in a balcony cabin and my only complaint is the size of the bathroom which is minuscule. We did not take the beverage package (Paying $800 for alcohol for 4 nights is ridiculous) but are enjoying a couple of drinks a day plus we brought 2 bottles of wine. Truthfully the food is not like it was years ago but like everything else, things change. 

[Ocean Boy]

On 3/20/2023 at 12:38 PM, BecciBoo said:

I pay no attention to "the man behind the curtain".  Can't imagine letting the dress code influence my choices in life....I dress for me not anybody else.

 

And if anyone considers that smart Aleck my apologies!

Nothing wrong with being a bit of a smart a$$ every now and then.🙂

[Tree_skier]

Anyone can dress any way they like.  I tend to dress reasonably well in the evening.  Typically, I will wear a long sleeve, collared shirt for casual nights with Dockers for pants.  Smart casual will see me drop the dockers and put on some nicer pants and better shoes, maybe a tie maybe not.  Formal night will find me in a black suit, white shirt and a tie.

 

If people want to look like they live in a van in the Walmart parking lot while on a cruise vacation it's no skin off my nose. That being said, I always encourage people to dress as well they can.  LOL I still wear a tie when flying.  My dad instilled that in me as a boy and I still follow that practice usually.

 

I try and dress as well as I can while cruising. I dress for my companion and for myself. I like the dress suggestions and enjoy dressing up for formal nights and having pictures taken.

 

Years ago I remember an old sergeant  admonishing us about turning out as sharp as possible. He said "If you look like a bag of dirt you'll act like a bag of dirt". He actually didn't say dirt he said a different word but I don't want anymore strikes on my CC account.

 

I want to present to best and most appropriate image possible at all times. When I'm by the pool or beach I dress appropriately.  When sitting in the windjammer for breakfast I'll look different.  When sitting down at Chops that look changes again.  I'm glad that most cruises I have been on most people follow the dress suggestions and look sharp at least a couple of times on a 7 day cruise.

 

 

 

 

On 3/20/2023 at 9:38 AM, BecciBoo said:

I pay no attention to "the man behind the curtain".  Can't imagine letting the dress code influence my choices in life....I dress for me not anybody else.

 

And if anyone considers that smart Aleck my apologies!

 

On 3/19/2023 at 7:14 PM, ronandcarla said:

Agree and disagree with some of the facts laid out hereon.  For us, and I have spoken about this subject here and I also sent an email to Royal that we haven't been on  cruise for about 10 years and we were looking into doing another one until I found out that now people were in fact arriving at the Main Dining Room for dinner, some of which were dressed like they just came off the beach/pool or that's their attire for the evening with "we're on vacation".  So, we'll just do without or go to Saint Martin, at least we know up front that's the dress code there, but they don't have the beautiful atmosphere and entertainment venues that a Royal ship has.

 

Edited March 22, 2023 by Tree_skier