bohemnartsn

Didn't say it couldn't be done. Just see no reason to subject passengers to the stress of having to make so many decisions, something they do not seem to be able to handle.

 

I often wonder how they can take a cruise. They have to decide to cruise, decide on a cruise line, a cruise ship, a cabin, specialty restaurants, and shore excursions. How do they make all those decisions if it's so difficult to decide where to go for dinner?

 

Hey there rocketman275... you seem to come off rather pompous in the aspect that you know what's good for everyone else, and are so self assured that you are so much smarter than everyone as well, I just wonder why you are not in charge of RCCL's entire dinning program.

 

There are a myriad of issues involved with dinning that you are not taking into consideration. Not everyone sails with two pax in their respective group etc., etc. etc. If MTD or D/D fits your schedule fine, but why should I and others be forced to lower our standards to fit your needs? Our Navy SEALS have an acronym - "KISS" Keep It Simple Stupid and I say, do not try and fix what is not broken.

I actually do understand this. Had some real conversations of exactly this with several PNs in the CL and empathize. Having said that, in today's dollars in 2015, your same cruise in a balcony in 1993 would've likely been $4000-$5000pp. The level of what you are expecting in an average balcony today just cannot be accomplished at today's rates. However, I am willing to bet that your exact needs and perfect fit are on those same $4000-$5000 suites on Seabourn or Regent that would equate to exactly what your value was in the 90's.

 

Royal is not a luxury cruise line, you are wrong in thinking that, and you won't be convincing anyone anytime soon whatsoever. You need to look in the mirror and either accept what they are selling or move on to something that suits your needs better. Royal has changed... you haven't. Change or leave.

 

I say this in all sincerety as I wish this to all fellow cruiers, I really hope wherever you cruise that you have a great one :D

 

Actually, I like sailing in the Grand Suites on RCCL w/ two pax. When I look across the pier into a Sky Suite on a Celebrity ship and see how small it is, it makes me appreciate RCCL. As for Seabourn or Regent, they are much smaller ships and I prefer the Voyager class and the venues that are onboard.

 

As for luxury, I just Do Not accept pax being constantly treated like a herd of cattle with the intention of having to accept this or that, because RCL says it's so. Changes can be implemented and accepted by all concerned within reason, but for RCL to try and completely do away with an entire concept is just plain ludicrous and they have come to realize that they do not wield the power that they thought they had. A simple metaphor: Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.

Really!? So DD is all about trying to save money, and has nothing to do either increasing revenues or responding to customers requests?

 

To see how well that worked out for them, check out RCL's Earnings report from last week. Stock symbol: RCL.

 

 

Ahhh, I see. Possibly one of the more arrogant statements that can be made.

 

 

Oh Well, don't you have cruise line called: Princess, out there in CA... seems rather fitting!

 

And reading another post from you, you love to utilize the word "arrogant" sounds like an inferiority complex or just a problem with, maybe authority. :)

You are eating at Mc D's!! That's what Royal, NCL, CCL are all about.... mass market. Sounds like you want a Mercedes for the price of a Chevrolet. You should be sailing on Regent or Seabourn. What are you doing on RCCL?

 

I have been sailing RCCL & HAL since 1993. RCL has made some very poor choices over the past 4 -5 years. If one voices their concerns about said subjects, and enough people voice their concerns (even to the shipboard Captains) or as some have even done; i.e. canceled booked cruises, that draws the needed attention to correct such deficiencies and apparently a combination or series of events has occurred to accommodate the needs of the people who actually take pride in sailing the RCCL and are not interested in the mass market scheme i.e. doing away with the Ice Skating rink to accommodate bumper cars - If I wanted to go to a carnival, I would so, but I am going on a cruise to cruise. :)

:eek:

 

Well, if you elect to eat at Mickey D's that is your option to do so. But, I don't and I wont... I spent quite a bit of money cruising: Grand suites, Owner Suites, The Royal Suite, and next a Crown Loft Suite. If I sail upon a vessel, you can be assured that I have No interest in eating a cold meal at the dining table, with new subpar offerings.

 

Sorry if this offends you, but, one gets what one pays for and my standards appear to be just a little higher than others, on some of these threads.

 

Apparently, RCCL has realized, that this is an issue as well. Last week, when earnings reports for RCCL came out, the CEO was doing a little back peddling. When he had to report that RCCL missed their expected earnings and now has to answer to the stockholders. Seeing as though I am a stock holder, I can claim "my fleet"... believe it or not, a stock holder is an owner in the company and just may set the bar a little higher than others. Thank you for respecting my right to have an opinion. :)

I hope they aren't scrapping it. I felt embarassed after the 2 D+ cruisers harassing Captain Gus for 30 minutess at the end of the Captains talk. Their biggest complaint was that DD was different from traditional dining -- of course it is. RCI always claimied the ship was different. Stop complaining and go somewhere else. Don't act surprised when Quantum is different and DD is not traditional dining.

 

I guess RCI can try to satisify these "Rigid Diners (RD);" however I suggest one of their may traditional dining ships for these whiners.

 

~Sin

Enbarassed D+

 

The problem is that RCCL was trying to expand the D/D to the rest of the fleet. The D/D is a cost cutting feature that RCCL is trying to implement. The people who are D+, like me as well, made RCCL what it is today and we are not going to accept this dining option at all.

 

I have spoken to people who have sailed on the Quantum and have read the horror stories on various blogs. Bottom line, regardless of what anybody thinks about D/D, RCCL is not going to be stupid enough to piss off the D+ people that made them what they are today and accordingly D/D will just end up a bad decision and nothing more than a fleeting thought. :cool:

 

It is just kind of funny, your interpretation of 30 minutes of harassment - Gus, is the Captain and he could have excused himself, turned and walked at any given minute. So, the D+ were either in the Royal Suite or contrary to everyone's belief, D+ thoughts are a real and true concern for RCCL.

It sounds to me sir, like you have a problem....

 

what a joke.....post reported, scumbag :D

 

You must work for FOX news net work, a little bit of editing there and taking something out of context.

 

And talk about a personal attack?

 

Sounds as though people are a little sensitive about their drinking habits on here, obviously they have heard it somewhere else before as well. I'll be the first one to toss back a drink, but, there is a vast difference between having a few and drinking ones life away. :D And go ahead get the packages, it'll just increase my stock profits... So, thank you all!

Hi Dana, good sleuthing! I prefer RCL and was disappointed in the NCL Breakaway. A friend and I are considering a singles cruise but don't know of any. Have you gone on any? BTW, I love Saratoga (who doesn't?) and often go to Vapor. You?

 

Nisky,

 

I prefer RCL & HAL. I have gone solo, but never on a singles cruise. I think that singles cruises are offered on much smaller cruise lines. Love Toga as well, just not during track season, I been to Vapor's a few times my brother-in-law likes going for a certain band, maybe the refrigerator's?(?) It's been a while. I am doing the Oasis in a few weeks to escape the cold, and relax etc. Dana

Concierge emailed us and told us that reservations are needed for dinner. So that's not the case? We can just decide to do Coastal one night?

 

Your statement is too terse. Elaborate... what type of suite are you sailing in? Which dinning venue are you referring to? I have not done the Coastal Kitchen yet, I have read, that basically you just show up, maybe, since then it has become much more popular and now one may have to make a nightly reservation. I would e-mail the concierge back and ask specific questions

Hello. We are on Vision and planned a private tour with others on cc. We are in a suite, others are not.

 

There is one stop where we are not in a group tour and we tender...So, First, how does the suite priority tender work....do we get tickets from concierge, just show our gold card? Do we have to rudely cut in the tender line?

 

Next, what is the best way for all of us in different category cabins to get the same tender or at least one that is close together so we can meet onshore for the private tour. Thanks!

 

If your tour is in Tortola - that will be canceled. (we just did the Jewel) Other than that your tour is in Grand Cayman - your Concierge will escort you to the tender ( I would suggest a tip) :)

Exactly! Walk ups is how Dynamic Dining is meant to be, and it's been taken wrong.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the people who haven't read about DD through Cruise Critic are the ones who aren't booking everything and are still managing to get in everywhere they want to go!

 

Hey idiot boy, the Disaster D/D forum is gone. RCCL must have paid dearly to expunge that. But, aside from that, how was your D/D experience? Quality of the food served, time to serve said food - and serving it warm v/s cold, and then when returning to the same restaurant having to eat the same food items over again.. kind of like ground hog day. I sailed on the Jewel Jan 3rd, first thing, met another Diamond plus member that just came off a 12 day on the Quantum (that he had really looked forward to) and was completely rattled by what he had encountered. And by the way, as far as newbie cruisers go, to replace us worn out cruisers that made RCCL what it is today, RCCL stock just took a tremendous hit today, w/ the CEO trying to explain things on national tv. Hey, Lucy explain, just did not quite work out for him. We the people that made RCCL know that it is NO better. 1st Class is 1st Class and the rest are steerage.. boo who!

After having to cancel 2 cruises.... We are in for the journey of a life time ..... 30 days aboard the Costa Luminosa.... With 10 days Caribbean during March break and 20 days TA which has ports in The Spanish Riviera and Italy.....

 

Who wants to come????

 

AJ

 

AJ,

 

You sound very interesting! :)

 

e-mail me @ my screen name at hot mail

 

Regards,

Dana

Good for you!

 

I would assume that you are from the Niskayuna area, I reside near Saratoga. Divorced as well and love cruising. Have done HAL and RCI, I am so far up on RCI, that I would hate to leave w/ all my perks. Just saying Hi! If I am correct, give me a shout. Dana

Single male - any single females sailing... there's only about 6,500 pax.. but, not one goes to the singles parties. LOL :)

I was very nervous getting on the ship and a little sad. Watching families and couples going by as I sat by myself and the fact that this was my 1st cruise without my parents (they have passed) caused me to tear up a little - and I felt sorry for myself being all alone. All of that quickly passed and I had the time of my life. I did traditional dining and had wonderful table mates. Everyone I met was so friendly. Seems I always knew someone on the excursions I took. I also liked the fact that I had some time to myself - I love my "me" time.

Already looking for another solo adventure!!!

 

We just missed each other... I did the jewel Jan 3rd - the 10th. Awesome ship! Glad that you enjoyed as well!

BTW, the full cabin price on the Royal Loft is 35K :cool:

 

I understand what your stating, but that is ludicrous... 35k for one week. Basically incomprehensible, someone sailing on his daddy's hard earned money. I have the R/S on the Adventure booked for next Jan. for 8K. Would never ever pay more than 8k for a one week vacation. I did the same in 2014 as a bucket list item, and booked another again - so far in advance that I was given the same rate, so I figured what the hell, and this time, I have some family members booked in other cabins to take advantage of such. But in realty, I would never pay more than 5k for a G/S for a week, which we normally sail in. I'll catch a deal every now and then and sail in an O/S for less than a G/S - just part of cruising and paying attention to what's going on after booking. We're cruising on the Oasis in a couple of weeks and I got a C/L for less than a G/S, it's still pricey but, another bucket list item.

No you look it up or do the math you embarrass yourself!:rolleyes:

The ad stated Quantum suite drop 77% then $17,744 and then showed a price of $4,028.

 

You don't believe it then check it as I am not interested in booking a suite on Quantum at any price.

But I can do basic math and even if a suite cost $10,000 for 2 pax a $7,700 price drop is a big hit so what is your point again?

It was posted by CC so go question them and report back to us as I don't work for you.

 

Sign up for the Cruise Critic price drop email yourself and get informed they email you the Top Ten Price Drops of all cruise lines not the variance on price in given categories thus the name. It may be of use to you if you can trust them.

 

Believe me I agree w/ you. But, I looked it up. The fare posted was for one person sailing in a junior suite, now multiply that times two. Now on top of that a junior suite is the very bottom level of suites. Suites can range for two, from 5k to 25k depending upon which category one selects. I normally sail in a Grand Suite and they run 5 -8k for one week cruise in the Caribbean. I managed to pull a Crown Loft on the Oasis for less than a Grand Suite - 30% larger, two stories and more perks. Again, paid less than someone sailing in a G/S and treated like someone sailing in the Royal Suite. It all boils down to timing, but you need to read the details for each type of suite and what each suite affords a pax.

My wife and I have booked a Crown Loft Suite on the 2/28/2015 Oasis cruise but Coastal Kitchen does not show up as a dining option in the Cruise Planner. Therefore, I called C&A but the C&A rep who answered said that Coastal Kitchen will not open on the Oasis until dynamic dining is added to the Oasis. Since other posts on this board make it clear that Coastal Kitchen is already open on the Oasis, I assume that the C&A rep must have the wrong information. Has anyone been successful in making Coastal Kitchen dinner reservations through Cruise Planner?

 

The Coastal kitchen is not a dinning option... It is available to all suite guest, Grand Suite and above. OCAV and I have gone round and round on Dynamic dining (on that forum). He was supposed to have sailed the Quantum, a couple of weeks ago and he was all for D/D (without ever sailing upon her) as a steerage class pax, which would workout well for steerage class pax, but, I being Diamond Plus and also sailing in a Crown Loft (1712) on 2/21/15 is afford a little comfort zone that he is not aware of. Actually the Oasis was slated to have D/D implemented on 3/15 - D/D was such a disaster that it was pushed out to late 2015. I have had my table reserved in the Captains area, table 152 for two weeks now, that means that I do not have to make any reservations at anytime for any place, including the Coastal Kitchen. To answer your question directly, yes the Coastal Kitchen is open for business. The only draw back that I have heard from LadyAriadne, also sailing on 2/21, is that the suite lounge is not serving drinks from 11 am to 11pm. more likely 5:00 till? I will not be responding in time for you to know the true answer, because, I will be enjoying myself too much onboard and I am not getting any where near a computer while doing so. But, none the less, RCI does take care of their suite guest. (from what I have heard C/L get personally escorted to their suites, just like someone sailing in a R/S) I will wave bye as we pass, me going you arriving - enjoy all! :)

Looking for any advice on how to book one of these. Thinking of October or November 2015 and it seems like all Caribbean is sold out. Didn't know if a particular company blocks some of them or how I could snag one....maybe closer to final payment?? Thanks in advance!!

 

 

They are not blocked out, you have to call RCI directly, to book a cabin w/ six or more pax., I booked a royal Suite in Jan for next Jan, but, the R/S only holds four pax. Hope this helps

[quote name='negc']Most of the early complaints about Dynamic Dining that I have read dealt with slow service and the lack of assistant waiters, not about the quality of the food. In fact when we were on Quantum we were more than pleased with the quality of our meals. I also understand that assistant waiters may now have been added to the dining venues' staffs, and Michael Bayley has replaced Adam as the head of Royal Caribbean International so perhaps, your information is already outdated and RCI may not be headed for the disaster that you predict. We will be onboard Quantum again in three weeks so we will see if any of the significant glitches still exist. Somehow I don't believe that they will.[/QUOTE]

Ok, I stand Corrected - Michael W. Bayley was appointed CEO of RCCL a few weeks ago hopefully, he may restore RCCL to what it use to be. As for the quality of the food - it has gone downhill for the past two years fleet wide. I'll be onboard the Oasis Feb 21st and will see for myself, just came off the Jewel on the 10th and the quality of the food was still lacking.

[quote name='SHIP TRAVELER']Wasn't this same wording posted back on May 15th before the ship even sailed. Don't we have enough to talk about without repeating ourselves.[/QUOTE]

Not by me.

[quote name='trburks']We were on the Quantum 12/27/14 NYE sailing. Biggest complaint about dynamic dining is the lack of personalized service and the disappearance of assistant waiters. We commonly had to ask for drinks (such as ice tea at the beginning of meals or coffee with dessert) and bread. Waiters did not automatically ask if you wanted these items. Many waiters did not try to personally interact ... it was similar to being at a fast food restaurant. We had to go through the same ritual each night concerning the most simple special requests (such as a fruit plate for the kids).

Another problem is the inconsistency between menus posted on RCL's website and the menus you are actually given in each restaurant. If you select a restaurant based on a specific item you see on the online menu, then don't be surprised if you get to the restaurant and no longer find that item on the menu. This was especially true for American Icon. Also, RCL may do away with the entire menu for an evening and substitute it with what they call a "special menu" (this happened on NYE ... the same menu was used in every restaurant with no option to order off the usual menus).

I'm hoping these issues are fixed before our 2016 Anthem cruise. If not, we will be avoiding any future sailings with dynamic dining.[/QUOTE]

Dynamic Dinning was created for the classless masses as the newest gimmick to increase the profit margins for RCCL. Adam your running the company into the ground and chasing too many loyal customers to other cruise lines just so that they may get a decent meal. Hope that your proud of yourself. And just what is your justification for doing away with the wine packages fleet wide - once again corporate greed - a lot more money to be made with the booze packages + gratuities. I just sailed last week and I'm not impressed or even being close to WOWED. The only thing that I see, is that you are lowering your standards to less than that of Carnivals - Great milestone. Adam maybe it is time for you to hang up your hat - either that or take your head out of your arse and take RCCL back to where she belongs!

How is EcoDive for beginner divers? I have a friend who is cruising to Barbados and she and a friend just learned to dive. It's been five years since I dove there, so I can't make a recommendation on my experience.

 

Andrew is an extremely professional. He walks everyone through the dive before ever entering the water and pays particular attention to the newbe's, I also dove with him last year as well as a few days ago (Jan 8th) and there were four newbe's in the group. He will only dive w/ a max of 6 divers and that makes all the difference. I have been diving since 1985 and have found Andrew at Eco Dive the most professional, out of all instructors ever encountered. I do not give out referrals lightly and having dove w/ Andrew twice - he has earned my respect. Dana

thanks for the info!

 

 

Ops, I failed to mention that on Jan. 8th 2015, in Barbados, I dove w/ Andrew Westin - owner of Eco Dive Barbados for the second year in a row and made arrangements for next Jan as well. You may read my post on Trip Advisor - I have to wait two months to post this trip. Dana

i bring my gear and dive in every port. does everybody book with the cruise excursion company? or do you book on your own? i've done both, but really worry bout being left. thanks for your info!

 

 

I have done both and had always wondered why nothing was ever offered on certain Islands. Was outright lied to by the ships staff. If a shop is certified by PADI - it is safe to dive with. My conclusion w/ shops that do not operate w/ cruise lines - They 1. want to keep their rates reasonable - look at the dive operator in Nassau. 2. Have built a solid business and have repeat customers and thrive upon referrals. 3. Just do not need a cruise line telling them how to run their business and taking 33% off the top for doing nothing with no guarantee of even sending in one customer.

 

For two years now, I have booked my dives through Trip Advisor and have had the best dives ever and will continue to do so, helping to support the local economy instead of building the coffers of a corporation that is turning more and more greedy with everything that they place their hands upon.