Royal Caribbean Called Me

[Mark_K]

PARNAMI,

Exactly. And pricewise RCI is a lot closer to Carnival than it is Silversea. Why is you expect them to be capable of delivering the Silversea experience at Carnival prices?

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[Cruising89143]

By coming on this board to b*tch and moan about the surcharges is not going to change one thing. If you do not like the current changes that are being made then vote with your wallet and let RCI know about your decision directly. It's as simple as that. I can tell you that with Carnival and RCI owning the majority of the cruise lines that will leave very little in choice once it's all said and done.

I read today on the Carnival board that Carnival is now charging for special occasion cakes too. Last month I booked a junior suite on the Navigator for a thousand bucks less than I paid in 1986 for a standard outside shoebox on the Starward. Cruising today is one of the best values for vacations. No one is forcing you to pay for those optional items.

Gordon

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url]

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;12;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[PARNAMI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark_K:
PARNAMI,

Exactly. And pricewise RCI is a lot closer to Carnival than it is Silversea. Why is you expect them to be capable of delivering the Silversea experience at Carnival prices?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] ????????? When have I EVER complained about pricing? I'm the one who stated his willingness to spend a few bucks more...in order to avoid the nickel and diming. I've cruised Carnival exactly ONCE..because I found them to be petty. RCI, like you've indicated, sadly, has become the same beast! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

[B]Before the advent of nickel and diming, Cruising USED TO BE like being wide awake......and dreaming! [/B]
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Now..it's just another vacation!!

Check out my cruise site -
<A HREF="http://parnami.tripod.com" TARGET=_blank>
http://parnami.tripod.com</A>

Every night after 10 eastern time, I can be found in AOL keyword: "Cruise Cafe". Let's talk CRUISING!!!

[Mark_K]

PARNAMI,

[B]The differences justifying the higher price for SilverSeas versus Carnival, strictly, lies in the details. Otherwise, they're just ships...carrying people from port to port. It's the details that make the cruise line....and the resulting experience![/B]

Whether or not you would be willing to pay it, why do you expect RCI to deliver a Silversea experience when they only charge Carnival prices?

And if you are willing to pay it, why don't you switch to Silversea?

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[jsleigh]

Excuse me, last year my wife and I took our first cruise ever. We were on the Voyager and sailed the Western Caribbean. Months before we left we began researching for the cruise. I happened upon this web site thru a Google search and was amazed at the wealth of information that we found. We learned many valuable things here on these boards. Everything from what to expect with imbarkation, what to wear in the dining rooms, all the different amenities that comes with a suite and so on and so on... So we took our cruise last Sept. and had the best vacation ever. We loved it. But what made it even better was the fact that we did not feel as if we were totally new to cruising. With everything we learned here on these boards we were not naive to everything going on around us. Now we are looking at our second cruise coming this Sept on the Navigator. And we ARE looking foward to it. So now I come on here to try to find out about this ship and these places that we will be stopping at. But what do I find?? Just a bunch of whine-asses, bitchin and crying over spilled orange juice! Hey folk's, here's a little reality check for ya. A cruise is a vacation, it's meant to be enjoyed. You people are getting all worked up before you even get on the ship. I'm going on MY vacation with an open mind. IF they charge me for JR, I'll pay it. IF they charge me for OJ, I'll pay it. I'm paying thousands of dollars to take this cruise to begin with, who cares? Maybe I'll just stay in the Concierge lounge and drink all the booze in there! And if anyone takes offence to anything I've said... too bad.

Sept 11, 2004 The Navigator, Here we go again!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;09;11;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Voyager of The Seas 9/2003

[PARNAMI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark_K:

Whether or not you would be willing to pay it, why do you expect RCI to deliver a Silversea experience when they only charge Carnival prices?

And if you are willing to pay it, why don't you switch to Silversea?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]???? Now you're putting words into my mouth I never said. I can't respond..even if I wished to.

[B]Before the advent of nickel and diming, Cruising USED TO BE like being wide awake......and dreaming! [/B]
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Now..it's just another vacation!!

Check out my cruise site -
<A HREF="http://parnami.tripod.com" TARGET=_blank>
http://parnami.tripod.com</A>

Every night after 10 eastern time, I can be found in AOL keyword: "Cruise Cafe". Let's talk CRUISING!!!

[abridalmaven]

Wow, Mark, you made him speechless, what a miracle! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/stone/27/names/b/barbara02.gif[/img]
My vacation pics
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/abridalmaven"]http://community.webshots.com/user/abridalmaven[/url]
Norwegian Dawn May 23
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;5;23;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[rance222]

Mark;

"I just wonder about the motives of someone who's said they are not sailing with Royal Caribbean but nevertheless repeatedly posts only negative information about them."

OC posted that RC now charges for soft serve ice cream with no commentary, so perhaps his "motives" were to share his information with others on the board.

"Soft serve ice cream on the ships that have it has always been free. What's changed?"

Sounds like it was news to you also.


Not everything is an evil plot to take down RC.

[Mark_K]

rance2222,

Actually OC posted that there was no soft serve available, just Ben & Jerry's, not that they were charging for soft serve. If she had said they were charging for soft serve, that would have been news.

As I've said before, one of the big problems around here is that people take a bit of information from one sailing of one vessel and assume from it a fleetwide practice to be in use forever.

Maybe the Monarch never had soft serve, maybe the machine broke and it will be back in a week or two, maybe it actually was removed forever. At this point nobody really knows, but I see no point in trying to assume the permanent demise of free soft serve ice cream fleetwide from the fact that one passenger, on one sailing, of one vessel, couldn't find a soft serve machine.

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[Mark_K]

rance2222,

As an example of what I mean, here's a quote from someone who was sailing on the Mariner 4/4-4/11 (the same time as the passenger on the Monarch couldn't find a soft serve machine):

[B]Soft Serve ice cream was plentiful and free in the Promanade...[/B]

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[OceanCruise]

I can't believe have people have twisted my words around, questioned my motives, and called me a liar. For those who call me cheap, my cruise fare of $2500 per person was probably more than most of you are paying. I am loyal to my TA who may charge a few dollars more than another agency,I don't smuggle on booze(why don't people think that is cheap?),I tip well, and I also tip beverages servers but not with the intent that they will give me free drinks(in fact, I think that is dishonest of them). I fail to see how I am "bashing" RC if I simply point out there was no free ice cream available on one ship or if customer service gave me wrong info. I don't agree with a lot of the extra charges which is only ONE reason I have cancelled. I also don't like "hidden" charges and still feel these should be posted like they post the laundry charges. I fail to see how these points constitute bashing of the cruiseline. This is after all, cruise critic.

[GinaDucey]

PARN - I still totally understand and willing to see your point. I guess I just choose to find far more important (in my eyes) issues to get upset about. For me the extras that seem to get most upset are not an issue to me and I can say will never be an issue.

Mark_K - you said it! Maybe the silly machine was broken - it is possible that it is something so flippin simple as that!!!!!!

I fell that the OP has now been forced into trying to back up statements by searching hard and pointing out examples from others experiences. To OP - if you had actually sailed and not canceled and then given your review you may find that your comments may have been taken in a different light.

Fantasy 11/91
Ecstasy 1/98
Fascination 11/99
Paradise 2/00
Imagination 4/02
Ecstasy 5/03
Paradise 10/03
Sovereign of the Seas 4/04

[OceanCruise]

GinaDucey, Actually sailing the ship would have absolutely no bearing on the points I was making. I know I would have had a good time, I know the ships are beautiful, maybe I would have loved the food and service. I did not bash any of those issues since I haven't experienced them. That has absolutely nothing to do with the issues of phone customer service, their website, and the fact they could not guarantee that any port all all would be substituted for Labadee rather than another sea day. Maybe we should start talking about something else-perhaps dress codes or smokers [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Mark_K]

OceanCruise,

I am willing to accept that you feel you have valid reasons for canceling. That being the case, and considering the fact that you've never cruised on Royal Caribbean and don't plan to, why is it you feel a need to continue to ferret out and post anything negative you can find about them?

You apparently have no stake in Royal Caribbean, their fortunes, or the quality of their cruises. Wouldn't it be a lot simpler, and better for your disposition, to just quit reading/posting on this board than to continue to take what you feel is abuse?

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[OceanCruise]

Mark K, I never said that I will never sail with RC. I only said that I cancelled this particular cruise and was considering other options for this vacation. In fact, I was hoping that similar feedback from other people might elicit some changes in RC that would make me reconsider them for next summer if the price and itinerary were right.

[Ocean Boy]

If the machine was broken that is all well an good. Stuff happens. But I will remind you folks that whenever the subject of the Ben and Jerry's charge has been brought up on these boards the response has been that it is an extra. You have a choice to pay for it or go with the free stuff. They didn't take anything away. They now offer you a choice. I agree with that totally.

I hope the machine was broken and that this is not the beginning of the choice now being pay for the extra or have none at all. Because if this is the senario, then they are taking something away. And they do have the right to take it away too. But just let people know what the amenities on the ship are when they pay for the cruise and give them what they paid for.

And I will say one more thing. I really like RCI and Voyager ships. I want RCI to do well and be around for a long time. But Princess is increasing their presence in the Caribbean by 75%. I hope RCI does not give people too many reasons to decide that they want to try the Princess experience. If they find they like it better they may never be back. And yes, the demand for cruising is up right now but things go in cycles. RCI may find in the future that it would really like to have those people back that made the transition and found that they like the competition better.

[PARNAMI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark_K:
OceanCruise,

why is it you feel a need to continue to ferret out and post anything negative you can find about them?

You apparently have no stake in Royal Caribbean, their fortunes, or the quality of their cruises. Wouldn't it be a lot simpler, and better for your disposition, to just quit reading/posting on this board than to continue to take what you feel is abuse?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's people like OceanCruise who keep Cruise Critic from becoming just another forum for cheerleading the Cruise Lines. I no longer subscribe to Porthole magazine for that reason. If I want to read nothing but positive comments about cruising, I can read a brochure!

Eventually, most people who don't agree with the policies of, or who just don't like a cruise line, DO disappear, leaving only the cheerleaders left. This tends to skew the numbers, inproperly, in the positive direction making it seem like those few nay sayers are JUST WRONG! That would be a wrong and potentially costly mistake for potential customers to make. It's the NEGATIVE comments that make sites such as this important; NOT the ones spouting nothing more than that which could be written by the Company's own advertising department.

I continue, FIRMLY to believe the majority of those trying to CHASE away the naysayers are doing little more than protecting their own vested interests. From personal experience, most of those who don't agree with my comments come from within the travel business or, have spouses or family who do: NEGATIVE COMMENTS COST THEM MONEY! Naturally, they tend to deny this in the interest of trying to preserve some degree of credibility, but, eventually, it almost always comes out!

[B]Before the advent of nickel and diming, Cruising USED TO BE like being wide awake......and dreaming! [/B]
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Now..it's just another vacation!!

Check out my cruise site -
<A HREF="http://parnami.tripod.com" TARGET=_blank>
http://parnami.tripod.com</A>

Every night after 10 eastern time, I can be found in AOL keyword: "Cruise Cafe". Let's talk CRUISING!!!

[PARNAMI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ocean Boy:
I hope RCI does not give people too many reasons to decide that they want to try the Princess experience. If they find they like it better they may never be back. And yes, the demand for cruising is up right now but things go in cycles. RCI may find in the future that it would really like to have those people back that made the transition and found that they like the competition better.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good point! Additionally, potential customers viewing these boards will make determinations about RCI, not from the actual comments that may be made on these boards, BUT, also by HOW they are made! Viewing some of the attacks made here, I know I wouldn't want to sail with some of these people. Since they appear to be so supportive of the company, I'd also have to assume them to be examples of the TYPICAL type of personality I would encounter on an RCI cruise. Thank you, but if I didn't know any better, I'd take my business elsewhere, specifically NOT TO BE ON BOARD A SHIP WITH THIS TYPE OF PERSON!

[B]Before the advent of nickel and diming, Cruising USED TO BE like being wide awake......and dreaming! [/B]
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Now..it's just another vacation!!

Check out my cruise site -
<A HREF="http://parnami.tripod.com" TARGET=_blank>
http://parnami.tripod.com</A>

Every night after 10 eastern time, I can be found in AOL keyword: "Cruise Cafe". Let's talk CRUISING!!!

[Mark_K]

PARNAMI,

This may come as a surprise to you, but I'm not big on brand loyalty and feel no particular brand loyalty to RCI (other than the C&A perks).

If I ever feel that changes they've made have significantly dimished my cruise experience, I'll be gone in a heartbeat. I do believe, though, that the best way to express displeasure is with your feet, not by postings on a message board.

IMO, using this forum as a venue to bash a cruiseline into changing policies is inappropriate and does a disservice to those who come here in search of information and honest appraisals.

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[rance222]

Well said Parnami.There are a few people on this board that take negative comments about RC personally and attack the ones who made the comments and question their motives.

It's great to hear different opinions and what isn't important to some is important to others and these differences should be respected.

I personally don't care that they charge for JR's or IF (i say if) they charge for soft serve I wouldn't care either, but I might care if I had 4 kids that love ice cream.

Each of us have different personal circumstances and demographics so while one sees a charge at JR as $3.95, another sees it as $100 with the whole family considered.

If someone expresses their displeasure it is not a conspiracy theory against RC.

[rance222]

Mark K;

"IMO, using this forum as a venue to bash a cruiseline into changing policies is inappropriate and does a disservice to those who come here in search of information and honest appraisals."

There you go again.
Specifically, where was RC "bashed?"

Also when you say "honest appraisals" are you implying that some of the posts are not honest?if you feel they are, which ones??

[Mark_K]

rance222,

'There I go again' where? And whereever it is, when did I go there before?

And, FYI:

Bash: To criticize harshly, accusatorially, threateningly ...

Without looking too hard, I'm certain I can find several posts on these boards that qualify (IMO at least).

Regarding honest appraisals - Taking only negative information out of another's overall good review and just posting that part is not providing honest appraisals. It is (IMO) bashing.

----------------------------------------------------------

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[GinaDucey]

So for somebody like me that has never sailed RCCL before - but does not agree with OP and points out what I feel to not be good enough reasons for the negativity - what is my motive? My husband is a I/T Architect, I am a jewelry designer and I have no family in the travel industry.

As a seasoned traveler I find disagreement - no other reason.

So please - what is my motive (even with all the negative I still keep positive about my upcoming RCCL cruise).

Fantasy 11/91
Ecstasy 1/98
Fascination 11/99
Paradise 2/00
Imagination 4/02
Ecstasy 5/03
Paradise 10/03
Sovereign of the Seas 4/04

[PARNAMI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GinaDucey:
So for somebody like me that has never sailed RCCL before - but does not agree with OP and points out what I feel to not be good enough reasons for the negativity - what is my motive? My husband is a I/T Architect, I am a jewelry designer and I have no family in the travel industry.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I re-read my post afterward and expected someone to come back at me..because of some careless wording on my part. Naturally, people don't always agree with me! I made it sound like, if yoiu didn't, you MUST have a vested interest in not doing so. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

What I intended to say is that my historical evidence has shown that people who disagree with me, vehemently (meaning it's gotten down to their calling me names, attacking my nature, and demanding that I cease in making my comments), without fail, have had a vested interest.

I enjoy a good debate and people like Gina do it well. I think we've had a decent repartee throughout this entire discussion. I've not attacked you, you've not attacked me; I consider us friends, whether you agree or not.

Others....well, their style of debate is to call those with whom they disagree "stupid" "wrong" and a whole lot of other things, most of which have been removed by monitors. (How can anybody be WRONG in discussing their opinions??) Through their attacks, entire threads have been removed, further satisfying their objective. It is THOSE people, whom, without fail, have always had DIRECT financial benefits in seeing nothing but POSITIVE comments made about the products they were selling! I'm still looking for the exception, and I"m sure there are some, but, though I've been here for mamy years, along with having spent just as long in the nightly chats in CRUISE CAFE, it's just not yet happened.

[B]Before the advent of nickel and diming, Cruising USED TO BE like being wide awake......and dreaming! [/B]
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Now..it's just another vacation!!

Check out my cruise site -
<A HREF="http://parnami.tripod.com" TARGET=_blank>
http://parnami.tripod.com</A>

Every night after 10 eastern time, I can be found in AOL keyword: "Cruise Cafe". Let's talk CRUISING!!!

[GinaDucey]

Thank you - I to have enjoyed this conversation [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Fantasy 11/91
Ecstasy 1/98
Fascination 11/99
Paradise 2/00
Imagination 4/02
Ecstasy 5/03
Paradise 10/03
Sovereign of the Seas 4/04