5 things you hate about RC

[robtulipe]

that's the only thing that really annoys me.....that and they make you get off the ship!

 

All you have to do is keep booking back to back cruises.

Then you only have to get off for the short time it takes to clear customs (in the US and Canada anyway) and then you can get right back on. I read about a lady who cruises instead of living in a retirement home. Since she books cheapest cabin with discounts and/or OBC and controls her onboard spending (no casino, shore excursions, drinks,etc.) thus finds it not that much more expensive than living on land.

[robtulipe]

I didn't know you had "outside public areas" INSIDE your cabin!!!!!:D

Ha Ha. Since when do you have to be in a public area to hear general or public announcement. So I misread the original complaint.

[jessejamesb]

All you have to do is keep booking back to back cruises.

Then you only have to get off for the short time it takes to clear customs (in the US and Canada anyway) and then you can get right back on. I read about a lady who cruises instead of living in a retirement home. Since she books cheapest cabin with discounts and/or OBC and controls her onboard spending (no casino, shore excursions, drinks,etc.) thus finds it not that much more expensive than living on land.

 

What a great idea.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Captain obvious to the rescue.

 

 

1. So i should accept a slow internet connection just because everyone else's is slow too? I'm sure this is something that can be fixed either as the technology improves, or the cruises lines invest in better connection speeds.

2. You miss the point. I want to pose because I want the photos. I do not think they have to print them all and waste all the paper before I choose which ones I like. It would be better for the environment to view them first before they print them.

3. Or they could ask the crew not to look into the cabins when they walk past. I'm sure i'm not the only one that has walked around not yet fully dressed with the curtains open on a balcony.

 

1.) Your internet connection is either satellite or if in port local. The speed depends on several circumstances such as athmospheric interferences (if satellite) or the local provider. I have had never a problem. On a cruise ship I hardly go on it anyways. I check my business mail, check any mail relating to private excursions otherwise I am happy not to use the internet or the lap top for a few days. Feel free to get your own satellite service and browse 24/7.

 

2.) How do you know the leftover pictures are not going into some kind of recycle bin. And as far as I know only a small selection is posted on cruiseships.

 

3.) Easy solution: get an inside cabin. Even if told, human beings still watch. Or are you telling me that you never looked into a cabin or room where the door was open.

[FL_Cruiser64]

1. they insist I get off the ship when the cruise is over

2. they insist I get off the ship when the cruise is over

3. they insist I get off the ship when the cruise is over

4. they insist I get off the ship when the cruise is over

5. they insist I get off the ship when the cruise is over

6. they insist I get off the ship when the cruise is over

 

oopsss sorry that's 6

 

Now those are reason I hate on RCI as well. How dare they?

 

:D

[robtulipe]

All you have to do is keep booking back to back cruises.

Then you only have to get off for the short time it takes to clear customs (in the US and Canada anyway) and then you can get right back on. I read about a lady who cruises instead of living in a retirement home. Since she books cheapest cabin with discounts and/or OBC and controls her onboard spending (no casino, shore excursions, drinks,etc.) thus finds it not that much more expensive than living on land.

 

What a great idea.

Yes and thinking about it, I think we had a few ship based retirees on our last Radiance cruise. One older gentleman had 180 RC cruises and one lady had 123 RC cruises at our platinum and diamond reception. How do you get to that level without being on the ship most of the time? For the fellow, that would be 3 1/2 years onboard if all were 7 nighters not counting time away on land like for Christmas with the land based family.

[maggiecharlie]

We don't hate anything about RC, well I guess there is one they took away our year around ships from Galveston.

 

Personally we don't want the internet or cell phones to work. We are on vacation we call it getting out there. :D

 

As far as the photos it would be nice if they were digital or if they would create a envelope for you with all your photos in it and at the end you could view them and then decide. (But they don't have that kind of storage space)

 

Counting the days to our next cruise.

[threeofus]

If anything the cruise lines should be embarrassed for charging 20 bucks for a digital photo that cost them 35 cents to print. I for one allow them to take all the shots they want and really don't care what they do with them when the trip is over. I always ask myself why would anyone in their right mind would want a photo with the Capt, in all likelihood you will never see this man again and he really doesn't give a rats pa-toot about you.

 

 

It's not about how much it costs to print the photo - it's the professional photographer who takes the photo. They don't just hand some young adult a camera.

The photographer who took our photo on the flowrider was out in the sun all day taking some wonderful shots and then we saw him in the gallery selling the photos. So we thanked and had a nice chat with him... They are all professionals who have had a lot of education - the same as any other pro onboard.

[jessejamesb]

1.) Your internet connection is either satellite or if in port local. The speed depends on several circumstances such as athmospheric interferences (if satellite) or the local provider. I have had never a problem. On a cruise ship I hardly go on it anyways. I check my business mail, check any mail relating to private excursions otherwise I am happy not to use the internet or the lap top for a few days. Feel free to get your own satellite service and browse 24/7.

 

They fail to mention that, only to say RCI provide internet. My last cruise connection was so bad I personally witness dozens of very unhappy people.

 

2.) How do you know the leftover pictures are not going into some kind of recycle bin. And as far as I know only a small selection is posted on cruiseships.

 

As far as I'm aware photos are not recyclable.

 

3.) Easy solution: get an inside cabin. Even if told, human beings still watch. Or are you telling me that you never looked into a cabin or room where the door was open.

 

Easy solution 2. Don't book deck 7 on the Jewel, which I wont in the future.

 

p.s - And yes, i have, but then again I'm not staff, and i doubt anyone is in the habit of leaving the cabin door open while changing, as opposed to the balcony door.

[jessejamesb]

I think that you brought non issues up. As a matter of fact all of your issues are truly sad issues.

 

Horses for courses.

[Jimmers]

Would like to be able to buy liquor in the duty free to consume in stateroom.

Would like to be able to hear the captains announcements, never seem to be able hear when your in the outside public areas.

 

 

Good points, agree with them both. As to the alcohol allow a certain amount to be brought on board or as you said purchased on board at reasonable cost. We're not big drinkers but I do enjoy a drink in my room from time to time. And if I stay at a resort they're no problem with bringing my own alcohol to the room. Why should the ship be any different? I don't like feeling like some college fraternity kid smuggling booze onto the ship. I was brought up to follow the rules. However......

 

Jimmers

[Jimmers]

 

2. Guest Relations.

Maybe it's because they don't get tips for good service I have always found them to be helpful, but by no means excellent.

3. Attention to Detail.

Our room attendants have always been excellent, but when it comes to restocking the necessities like washing bags and sanitary bags we're always left asking.

4. Photos on Board Maybe a digital system where you could preview all your photos on a screen or RCTV before they print them would be better.

5. Deck 7

The maintenance crew would ALWAYS look in when they walk pasted which is extremely annoying and a breach of privacy IMO.

 

 

Good subject for a thread.

I too am a happy RCI cruiser. 3 cruises so far, one planned for next year.

 

Guest relations is adequate but by no means 5 star. I don't know if its because they have so many people with invalid complaints who are just trying to get over on RCI or if its just a training issue. I do notice there is often a long line so perhaps they get tired of hearing peoples complaints. Know how that can be. ...But they need to keep in mind that they are the only "face" of RCI that most people see.

 

I have been impressed with the quality of the cabin stewards we have had. Friendly, efficient and always willing to please. No complaints there.

 

As to photos, I noticed on our last LOS cruise that RCI now has "terminals" where you can view all the pictures they have taken of you. It's quite amazing. It uses facial recognition to identify you in any picture taken. So even if you're in the background of someone else's picture, it will show up here. You can select what pictures you want from the screen. I suspect that at some point in the future you won't see the mass display of photos on the walls. It will all be in "terminals".

 

The only issue with privacy we've had is also with our last LOS cruise. On the last morning as we got into port all the doors between the adjoining balconies were opened which means workers had to walk in front of our balconies. Our curtains were closed so there was no OH MY GOD moment but some warning would've been appropriate I believe.

 

Love RCI,

 

Jimmers

[Cruising89143]

I doubt that I would be a very good Guest Relations person. More than likely I would also not have a tounge to speak as I would have had to bite it so much to keep from telling some guests where to go. In recent years the one thing that I have noticed is the way that some guests treat and talk to the crew. I would have a hard time with some of the ones that I have seen in action. It's like the the cruise lines owe them the world and they don't care who knows it. If I had to deal with that daily, I know that it would be hard to put on a happy face all the time. Yes it is their job that they chose to do but I also know that they are human and have feelings also.

[Reijo]

The only REAL complaint that I have about RCCL is the coffee.........I hate it. I keep trying it thinking that the next cup will be better, but not so. I'm not a hot tea drinker but while on the cruises I discovered that I like hot tea so that became my replacement for the coffee.

 

That is a small price to pay for having a wonderful week or two on the ocean being pampered.

[cruisePRN]

Yes and thinking about it, I think we had a few ship based retirees on our last Radiance cruise. One older gentleman had 180 RC cruises and one lady had 123 RC cruises at our platinum and diamond reception. How do you get to that level without being on the ship most of the time? For the fellow, that would be 3 1/2 years onboard if all were 7 nighters not counting time away on land like for Christmas with the land based family.

 

remember that is cruise credits not necessarily cruises and could in reality be only 60 cruises.

[cruiserbryce]

Iget a kick out of all the issues people have with photos...if you dont think its worth the $ dont buy them...if you have forgotten any of the recent cruises you've been on I'll remind you of the crowds that build up in the photo galleries...apparantly some people do purchase them or they would find a lot better use of the space

[sgttami]

My wife and I just got off the Northern Europe cruise on the Jewel of the Seas a few weeks ago and we had a great trip. We got to meet new friends, saw great places and loved cruising with Royal Caribbean. It was our second cruise with RC and wont be our last.

 

However if you had to list 5 things you hated, or think RC could do better what would they be?

 

Mine are

 

1. The internet.

Unless you're at port the internet connection is utterly useless, and even then it's painfully slow. Most of the terminals don't work and you have to try multiple times and on multiple machines before you can get online sometimes. I lost count of the people that complained about the internet during my cruise.

 

2. Guest Relations.

Maybe it's because they don't get tips for good service I have always found them to be helpful, but by no means excellent. Anything that requires too much effort, like finding information sheets about local train times at ports is always a hassle.

 

3. Attention to Detail.

Our room attendants have always been excellent, but when it comes to restocking the necessities like washing bags and sanitary bags we're always left asking.

 

4. Photos on Board

Each cruise we buy about 5 or 6 pictures but generally pose for about 20 or more. I feel bad about wasting so many photos that end up in the trash. For the most part if you don't pose when coming off the ship it seems rude, but if you do, then I feel somewhat obligated to buy them. Maybe a digital system where you could preview all your photos on a screen or RCTV before they print them would be better.

 

5. Deck 7

The first time we cruised it was on deck 9 but the second time it was on deck 7 which just so happens to be level with a roof line that maintenance use as an access point to walk across, normally when you least expect it. We tended to have a false sense of security from our first cruise and would leave the blinds open while changing or just lazing about. However not any more. The maintenance crew would ALWAYS look in when they walk pasted which is extremely annoying and a breach of privacy IMO.

 

What about you guys. Anything you think RC could do better??

 

 

 

The only thing that really drives me nuts with RCI is the way they assign their guarantee cabins. We are Diamond C and A with 19 credits..

 

We have booked JS guarantee's and have always gotten that. No problem, that's what we paid for and that's what we expected. No disappointments, ever.

 

However, I have seen posts where people also booked the same, paid the same and were upgraded to a GS or higher and have NEVER sailed on RCI!! We have run the gamut of bookings...last minute, early booking, paid final way before etc...I have no idea how they select who gets the upgrades.

 

If I had a business I'd make sure that my repeat customers got the better perks and upgrades but perhaps they realize that we are Diamond and will continue to sail so they throw the "upgrade bait" to the newbies to keep em' comin' back!!!

 

To the OP..

1) I use the Internet for the time my diamond freebie allows...I'm on vacation, I don't need to check in with anyone and I type fast as hell so I can send quite a few messages in my "free minutes"!! Add DH's and I'm good for the cruise!! I have supersonic speed on the Internet at home. Heck, I'm on vacation. I can deal with slow on the cruise!

 

2) Guest Relations...They were helpful as needed. In fact when I heard some of the moronic questions/complaints that were presented to them over the years, I thought they exceeded patience.!

 

3) Attention to Detail...Yes, we ASK for things, like extra ice at ALL times. We ask once upon embarkation and could build a glacier in our cabin. We tip extra mid week to ensure the glacier continues. Only on another cruise line, did they not get the message.!!!

 

4) Photos..We rarely "pose" anymore for formal and port photos..We'll sometimes give our freebie diamond coupons to a family that looks like they are really into the photo thing. That makes me happy. We travel a lot. I don't need any more photos. Don't feel guilty about not buying what you pose for. The ship is a business..they win some, lose some!!

 

5) Deck 7..Never stayed on Deck 7 on any ship so can't comment

 

Keep having great cruises and focus on the positive...

 

 

Pam

[TahoeBob]

My wife and I just got off the Northern Europe cruise on the Jewel of the Seas a few weeks ago and we had a great trip. We got to meet new friends, saw great places and loved cruising with Royal Caribbean. It was our second cruise with RC and wont be our last.

 

However if you had to list 5 things you hated, or think RC could do better what would they be?

 

Mine are

 

1. The internet.

Unless you're at port the internet connection is utterly useless, and even then it's painfully slow. Most of the terminals don't work and you have to try multiple times and on multiple machines before you can get online sometimes. I lost count of the people that complained about the internet during my cruise.

 

2. Guest Relations.

Maybe it's because they don't get tips for good service I have always found them to be helpful, but by no means excellent. Anything that requires too much effort, like finding information sheets about local train times at ports is always a hassle.

 

3. Attention to Detail.

Our room attendants have always been excellent, but when it comes to restocking the necessities like washing bags and sanitary bags we're always left asking.

 

4. Photos on Board

Each cruise we buy about 5 or 6 pictures but generally pose for about 20 or more. I feel bad about wasting so many photos that end up in the trash. For the most part if you don't pose when coming off the ship it seems rude, but if you do, then I feel somewhat obligated to buy them. Maybe a digital system where you could preview all your photos on a screen or RCTV before they print them would be better.

 

5. Deck 7

The first time we cruised it was on deck 9 but the second time it was on deck 7 which just so happens to be level with a roof line that maintenance use as an access point to walk across, normally when you least expect it. We tended to have a false sense of security from our first cruise and would leave the blinds open while changing or just lazing about. However not any more. The maintenance crew would ALWAYS look in when they walk pasted which is extremely annoying and a breach of privacy IMO.

 

What about you guys. Anything you think RC could do better??

First off there is nothing I hate about RCI, If I hated something I would not go, That said there are a few things I think they could better, but the title of thei subject was "5 things you hate about RC".

 

I will make one comment on the Internet, when I am on Vacation if I hear the word internet my reaction would be whats a internet.

[jessejamesb]

First off there is nothing I hate about RCI, If I hated something I would not go, That said there are a few things I think they could better, but the title of thei subject was "5 things you hate about RC"

 

Maybe you should highlight your point in big red text next time.

 

Also, I hate slow internet, but just because i do doesn't mean I wont cruise again. I think your choosing to use my term too literally when we both know that if you actually read the first post it was done for attention. Worked well. Too well.

[aqhacruiser]

The only thing I dislike about RCCL is the inconsistent information people receive from customer service on the phone. People call, ask questions and are told different answers:o I call only call C & A now and get much better service but I do not understand why the RCCL customer service reps can't be consistent with service and info.

[beachchick]

If anything the cruise lines should be embarrassed for charging 20 bucks for a digital photo that cost them 35 cents to print. I for one allow them to take all the shots they want and really don't care what they do with them when the trip is over. I always ask myself why would anyone in their right mind would want a photo with the Capt, in all likelihood you will never see this man again and he really doesn't give a rats pa-toot about you.

 

Okay, I agree with you about overall pricing. We've always thought the prices were pretty high. However, you're looking at it the same way that some people look as soda: It "only" costs them 0.06 cents per glass, so they shouldn't charge so much. That's fine up to a point, but it discounts every other cost involved: Photography staff (and they sure aren't part of the tip pool, so I'm sure they're on salary), equipment and equipment upgrades, photo paper and supplies, and other overhead. (For soda, it's equipment, maintenance, ingredients, etc.)

 

I don't know what a "reasonable" cost would be, but it must take all the costs into account.

 

We simply say "no thank you" to most photo ops, especially the ones just hanging around the ship or getting off the ship at each port. (And we loathe the "pirate in the dining room" ones.)

 

To answer the question: I can't say that we "hate" anything about RCI. We would prefer that they allow us to pay the consumption fee at the ship's store and bring a bottle or two of alcohol back to our cabin (like we used to); we wish they would allow us to bring a reasonable number of bottles of wine onboard and pay the corkage fee (like we used to); we believe that they should be more consistent in enforcement of rules (such as no kids in the Solarium).

 

beachchick

[Chromehead]

Not really a complaint but we have children and they are at the age where they want to go and be free. " See you later Dad and mom hey give us money. So we got them set up on there SeaPass card. Ok bye were going to the arcade. Now this was like I want to say 3 yrs ago and about 4 hours later, I asked my oldest were is your brother Kurt who is 11 yrs old. he said Kurt is still at the arcade. I said well i olny gave him 20.00 to spend he must be doing real good.

I went to the arcade and kurt have about 50 bouncing balls and said dad, I have all kinds of new friends i bought them a couple arcade games, You should of seen him bouncing all these bouncing balls around. I asked how much he has spent he he didnt know but the card is still good?

 

My wallet is hurting now. I walked down to the customer desk and asked how much they put on my sons card, and I only put 20.00 on his card I had the reciept and they gave him 200.00 instead. well my son spent 200.00 on his sea pass on balls and games in 4 hours. lol I was so mad, they said that it was there fault and gave me 150.00 in cruise credit and credited me the 180.00 that he spent. I think that they got a laugh when my son said I am sorry to the host and offered them his bouncing balls.

[csk]

I dont hate anything about Royal Caribbean, but as a cruiser who likes longer cruises, just returned from a b2b , 29 days, I just wish they had some self service laundry, I know I am on vacation, but how long would it take to do a load in 29 days, maybe a hour or so. would be so much less luggage,

[Glama]

Hmmm, not sure I hate anything (except I do agree with you about the internet, it's HORRIBLE and downright infuriating).

 

The cabin sizes aren't great either, especially insides. The showers are dinky.

 

I don't love that they are getting more and more strict on their smuggling policy, yet don't allow us to purchase duty free bottles for in cabin consumption, with the $10 surcharge.

 

Don't like that they close the buffets at 9pm sharp, and that they don't offer any alternatives after that, such as burgers/pizza, like Carnival does. We couldn't find ANYTHING to eat on Enchantment past 10pm. On Carnival, we love going up for a slice of pizza after spending all night in the disco.

 

Even with those negatives, there are MANY things that I love about RCI.

[Jimmers]

The only REAL complaint that I have about RCCL is the coffee.........I hate it.

 

Are you referring to the Seatle's Best in the Promenade?. One of my favorite things. I did notice on our last cruise that it seemed a tad stronger than previous ones but I still find it to be good. I'd rather have Dunkin Donuts coffee but Seatle's Best is acceptable.

 

BTW, anyone know if they have Seatle's Best on the Jewel of the Seas.

 

Jimmers