Gone but not forgotten...

[Lightsluvr]

We have been cruising RCI exclusively for four years, and are just a few credits away from Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus. However, as many have noticed, RCI is starting to do things on the cheap, and it has gotten more noticeable lately.

I got the idea for this thread from GMoney's starter list on another thread. So, RCI cruisers, what else have you noticed that the line has removed from their previous goods and services?

 

Here is GMoney's list:

 

> Fuel included in fare

> Better DR food

> Good steak included in DR

> Panama Canal

> Key West

> Hubbard Glacier

> Free cash in casino

 

I will add:

 

> Beer and wine coupon in C&A book

> Table side Cherries Jubilee in DR

> Grand Marnier souffle

> Lobster (the "real" thing, not that tiny mystery crustacean surrounded by even tinier shrimp)

> Free Johnny Rockets

 

Anybody else?

 

LL

[tuliplvr]

no more free Johnny rockets coupon???

[Lightsluvr]

no more free Johnny rockets coupon???

 

I didn't say no more Johnny Rockets coupon - I said no more free Johnny Rockets. Yes, it used to be free...

 

LL

[Geema]

No more wine coupons?

[phoenix1181]

I have to comment on the tableside Cherries Jubilee.................

 

I was on the Legend in 1999 when a passenger backed her chair into the trolley table being used to make this dessert (to take a picture) and everything tipped over. The passenger at fault was seriously burned and taken to a hospital in Mexico (I think we were in Acapulco) then med flighted back to San Diego a few days later. The Head Waiter had both hands in bandages for the remainder of the cruise and was unable to work for about a week. A few other passengers were also hurt but not seriously.

 

I have no problem with that being a thing of the past................

[twoputt.plusone]

I will add:

 

> Beer and wine coupon in C&A book

> Table side Cherries Jubilee in DR

> Grand Marnier souffle

> Lobster (the "real" thing, not that tiny mystery crustacean surrounded by even tinier shrimp)

> Free Johnny Rockets

 

The Gran Marnier souffle is gone now too??? :( :eek: :mad: :mad:

 

2P.P1

[Sue L]

Just off the Jewel, the MDR food was excellent, the beef and steaks as well. They have changed the menus and gone are the theme nights and they kind of lumped everything together of the regular entrees and the alternatives . The quality was excellent, one night they had a shrimp dish wit HUGE shrimps that were delicious, this was in place of the lobster that wasn't served in Europe. I had the steaks several times and they were tender and flavorful and free.

[CruisesOnMyMind]

I was just in Key West last week on the EOS. Also our C&A booklet had a free coctail, beer, wine, soda or water in a souvenier glass coupon. I got 2 lovely yellow swirl glasses. A 10.00 value depending on what drink you choose. Far better than just the wine and beer coupon. I would call this an improvement.

I have to agree about the lobster.

I love steak and mine was great! Yes in the MDR

[firefly333]

No more wine coupons?

 

I was wondering too if the OP meant the 2 for 1 drink coupon on the booklet they leave in your cabin. That was my favorite coupon.

[Lightsluvr]

No more wine coupons?

 

Yes I am referring to the C&A 2 for 1 bar coupons.

 

On our last two cruises (see signature), the "bar" coupons were only good for a mixed drink (house liquor) or bottled water. No beer. No wine.

 

The alternative steak was flavorful and tender??? OMG.

 

The cheerleaders miss the point of this thread... if you can't concede that RCI has been cutting back in the past 5 years, you are on a parallel planet...

 

 

LL

[danajjj]

The midnight Gala Buffet.

 

I don't really mind that they did away with it, but I suppose some might. I guess the sad thing is to lose the tradition of it. It was thrilling to see when you are a first time cruiser.

[MariaoftheSeas]

Back to the topic!!

Baked Alaska flamming dessert

5 course meals on the menu

Live reggae music constantly by the pool (now they also have music piped through)

[w&k]

Free cash in the casino (serious bummer)

 

Grapefruit, Cranberry, and Tomato Juice in the morning (the OJ is ok at best)

 

Bar snacks (missed my rice cracker mix)

 

Homemade salad dressings (I can get bottled at home, thank you)

 

Open seats in the Windjammer at dinner (why was only a small section open, with lots of folks hanging out waiting for tables?)

 

Drink refills in the Windjammer (really missed this at breakfast)

 

Extra towels in the cabin (took me awhile to figure out that our pool towels had been made into monkeys)

 

I'm sure there were more, but these were the ones I noticed. Not being able to get cash in the casino bums me out the most - I really don't like to carry large sums in cash when I travel. Luckily, DH had just been on a casino boat two days before, and happened to have playing cash on him.

 

Wendy

[Sheils65]

I just have a quick question. We have never cruised RC before. We have cruised NCL and Celebrity. With all these cutbacks I hear of, will I even notice them? My first RC cruise is in feb.

[blklabfan]

1) Buying a bottle of rum at the store on the promenade and enjoying it on the balcony before bedtime

2) Buying a bottle of rum at the store on the promenade, paying the $9.00 surcharge, and enjoying it on the balcony before bedtime.

3) Free entrance to Johnny Rockets

I'm sure I'll think of more.

[rubrrick]

Dueling pianos in Bolero's

 

I also know that there is more.......I just happened to be thinking about the Monarch.

 

Rick

[paylady]

I just have a quick question. We have never cruised RC before. We have cruised NCL and Celebrity. With all these cutbacks I hear of, will I even notice them? My first RC cruise is in feb.

 

I doubt it. We've been cruising RCL for 19 years so we tend to notice these things. Heck, can you imagine if this was a thread on how air travel has changed in 20 years? :eek:

[rubrrick]

1) Buying a bottle of rum at the store on the promenade and enjoying it on the balcony before bedtime

2) Buying a bottle of rum at the store on the promenade, paying the $9.00 surcharge, and enjoying it on the balcony before bedtime.

3) Free entrance to Johnny Rockets

I'm sure I'll think of more.

 

Thanks for the reminder........being able to bring liquor aboard, and having it allowed!! It was not smuggling. Also, picking up a local brand at a port.......and not having to check it with the ships liquor control board.

 

Also.......having a choice of 3 brands of liquor for the suite, compliments of the ship. (That's going back a ways). :)

 

Only getting one cruise credit for staying in a suite! :D

 

Rick

[butterfly2]

I don't like to complain, but ......I will say I miss the Kruise Komics. Not sure if Im spelling it right but they were the Mimes that put on shows throughout the ship and in the theater before the shows. They were the best!

[Lynnees]

No charge for po.

Midnight buffets (I think this was already mentioned.)

 

Ice bucket filled twice a day without having to ask.

 

Decent shampoo et al in all cabins.

[margord]

I don't like to complain, but ......I will say I miss the Kruise Komics. Not sure if Im spelling it right but they were the Mimes that put on shows throughout the ship and in the theater before the shows. They were the best!

 

 

I have to agree, they were great to watch.

[TEXASMUNK]

Not gone to save $$$, change in international laws regarding open flames in Dining Rooms.

[crazy 4 cruising]

Just off the Jewel, the MDR food was excellent, the beef and steaks as well. They have changed the menus and gone are the theme nights and they kind of lumped everything together of the regular entrees and the alternatives . The quality was excellent, one night they had a shrimp dish wit HUGE shrimps that were delicious, this was in place of the lobster that wasn't served in Europe. I had the steaks several times and they were tender and flavorful and free.

 

hi Sue. I agree about the new shrimp dish---it was GREAT and my sister & I split a prime rib plate, so we had surf & turf!!!

 

BTW LL--we had grand marnier souflee, in fact one of my table mates LOVES it & the last night our waiter had 2 made just for her--she said they were still relly hot from the kitchen!!!

 

I have realized all that y'all have posted for sure. BUT, on the Jewel I also experienced a first--we had liquor at our BIG M&M--never had that before.

[QueenOfKruz]

Wow, with all these terrible cutbacks, I'm sure none of these posters will ever take another cruise on RCCL! I bet that none of the other cruise lines have cut back on any of thier services at all.:rolleyes:

 

At the end of the day, a cruise is what one makes it. If you want to pick apart every change - have at it. Just remember it all comes down to costs. I'll bet that if the price for a cruise went up enough to cover all those "little things" that may have been cut out, there would be as many people griping about how expensive cruising has gotten!

[Lionesss]

This was my first RCI cruise, and just wondered if the desert selection was always so poor.

Is their hope it will get better!

Later