JanieKid82

I'm a Cruise Critic Board lurcker.  But I read everything about the RCI ships I'm looking at and those I've been on.  12 cruises on RCI.  All small ships.

I really enjoyed your review.  You worked hard to make this a memorable birthday/anniversary/spring break cruise with your lovely family. Your younger daughter reminds me so much of my own "little bit" niece with her lively personality which is evident in the photos.

I recently sailed on the Enchantment out of Baltimore on the 12-night Southern Caribbean itinerary (left mid February).  LOVED the island hopping!  Planned all excursions using TripAdvisor.  My friend and I had a wonderful, fun and safe time at reasonable prices. We had an OV cabin, with a super efficient, friendly cabin steward. Every crew member smiled, and you could feel they wanted our vacation to be extra special.

I want to say this about the Enchantment food in the Main Dining Room and the Windjammer.  In reading your review, I wondered if we were on the same cruise line.  Prior to the cruise, I had been reading about the streamlined menus in the MDR.  But what I experienced in the MDR and WJ was good to excellent at every meal. And the quality Park Cafe offerings filled in nicely between meals and late night.  Admittedly, I'm not a "foodie" but as a retired corporate warrior, I know a good meal when I see/eat one. The WJ offerings were international in nature, with a different theme every night. Prime rib available every night. Breakfast and lunch with broad choices and beverage service at your table at every mealtime.

The descriptions on the new menus were accurate as to what was plated and served to me. They were delicious. Only one entree was sent back for a replacement...too spicy for me.  Not the kitchen's fault.

I'd have to believe some food issues must be ship specific.

I'm sailing out of Baltimore again in February 2024.  This time it will be on Vision.  I hope the food quality issues on Vision will be straightened out soon. RCI, if you're reading this....get to it!

For those of you who have been following this thread...and the deleted one because I named a specific travel agency.... said "preferred Royal Caribbean travel agency" must have gotten pretty mad at me for cancelling that reservation and asking for my deposit back.  I was alerted this afternoon to unusual activity on a credit card I only use for travel.  Lots of charges for under $50, to online entities...and some that didn't even have proper submission credentials, hence the algorithms used by my credit card company flagged as questionable and I was alerted (text, phone call and email).

A reputable agency would have said, "We hope we can serve you again soon." and refunded the money.  These folks are crooks.

On a recent 12-night sailing on Enchantment to the Southern Caribbean, there were the two "formal" nights, a 70's Disco Party, and a by-the-pool dance party that started at 10 pm for one hour with the poolside bar open and live music.  This was gleaned from @Radio posting the Cruise Compass for each day and his own daily dairy.  My very first three night cruise back in 1988 featured the poolside dance party, and it "hooked" me on cruising.  I had the "Jack Flu" when I got off that one!

I'm doing this itinerary in February 2023, and I hope these activities are still in place then.

Ditto for Phase 10 (deck of special cards) and a travel version of Mexican Train/Dominoes.  Comes in a compact aluminum case (kinda heavy).  Thanks to all for your suggestions....I gotta try some of them.

The 12-night Southern Caribbean cruise out of Baltimore has 3 sea days up front, 5 island ports back to back, then 3 sea days to return to Baltimore.  A small ship, Enchantment of the Seas, not a mega ship or floating resort. Old style sailing. Never been to any of the ports, LOVE sea days, so I'm psyched for this solo adventure.  One can park at the Baltimore Port adjacent to the Cruise Terminal for $15 a day, with roving security 24/7.

I appreciate the time and effort some of you have put into showing the difference between a Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacation Receipt and one from a TA.  That's exactly why I started the thread...I immediately noticed the difference, saw the TA name and information in the left hand corner, yet knew I had not booked through the agency in the left hand corner.  I booked online on the Royal Caribbean website.  That's when I started communication by email with the TA "rep" who emailed me the Confirmation, the one who said in an email they were a preferred Royal Caribbean booking service and handled the overflow when demand was high (which is is now). Gave me a phone number to call to verify said statement.

Personally, I think we've got some TAs following this thread and they might be a little nervous.  I'll just sit back, wait for my deposit to be refunded to my credit card (will probably take half a lifetime), watch my credit card app for unusual or suspisous activity, and see what the folks at corporate Royal Caribbean say after they review the documentation I sent them.

As for the screenshot, the text reads:  Your cruise is waiting/12 night Southern Caribbean Cruise/ from $229 USD...then a button for Book Now.  If one clicks Book Now, the website takes you to low cost 3-4 days cruises.  I think this is deceptive advertising, but just my opinion.  My business ethics class was many moons ago, and with the internet, everything has changed (as several posters have correctly stated on this thread).

Everyone, hope you enjoy the weekend.

I went over this in the deleted email:  the RCI website I have bookmarked and used since cruising restarted months ago is www.royalcaribbean.com.  I have never had a problem with an RCI online booking until this week.  This is cruise #15.  My first sentence in the deleted email (because I named a specific agency) was "I'm so frustrated I could chew nails."   I have never been on RCIcruises or whatever.

My concern with my RCI online booking being "transferred" to a third party travel agency has been escalated to the Executive Offices of Royal Caribbean.  This type of hocus pocus means the third party travel agency would be eligible for the 10% agency commission.  Nice easy income if you have an inside "helper" in the RCI  I.T. department, booking unit or similar.

Their Cruise Confirmation document looked similar to a true RCI Cruise Vacation Receipt and some folks may have opened that and assumed all was well. But I'm an editor by profession, and I notice things on the printed page (and on websites).

If I had used a third party website by mistake, I would have never posted anything on this matter on Cruise Critic. I was trying to warn others. When I sent an email to this third party to cancel, they said they were the overflow RCI preferred vendor to help when booking volumes were high. They even provided an 800 number for me to call to verify their status.  I didn't call that number, but the investigating team at RCI corporate has a copy of that conversation, and I'm hoping they will call and see what's what.

I just received a very nice email from Mr. Bayley's office (I had emailed him) and one of his senior people will investigate my concern about third party invoicing for an online reservation.  I sent him all my invoices and Cruise Confirmations (it wasn't called a Cruise Vacation Receipt like my prior paperwork).

I also sent him a copy of a screen shot I saved from yesterday.  I'm attaching it here...not sure if you will be able to see the "issue"...but, hey, I want to rebook my 12 night Caribbean cruise in February 2023 "starting at $229."  The interior cabins start at $900 or so per person.  False advertising...you think?  Or is someone messing with the RCI websites, too.  If you can see the fine print, the correct RCI website was used.

My reservation did appear in the cruise planner earlier today.  I have cancelled (email to the "preferred RCI agency" as of 5 pm today, and it no longer appears.

Rodney et. al,

Thank you for the suggestions.  Earlier to I did just that...after two emails from the "preferred RCI travel agency" begging me to keep the reservation, I firmly stated in writing I wanted to cancel and have my refundable deposit put back on my credit card.

I had a similar issue last year with a well known electronics company that sold computer support services for an annual fee.  When I called to renew, I was sent to a company in India that ended up NOT being the computer support company I had used for 6-7 years. They wanted a bank account number up front...they didn't want a credit card because they told me they were sure I would dispute the charges if I wasn't happy with their services.   I hung up the phone.

All,

I started a thread this morning, July 8, 2022, regarding my experience with a website cruise reservation.  CC has evidently taken that thread down, because it's no longer showing.  I'm new to posting, and realize I gave the name of a travel agency in that post.

I have corresponded with the travel agency about my concerns, and they informed me that they are a preferred travel agency with RCI and handle the RCI overflow when booking requests pile up.  I know I never called them...I only book online because I can see which cabins are still available, and select the exact cabin I want.

That's the end of this saga. 

All,

The Radiance is very seaworthy.  She is small by new ship standards but built to be an ocean liner not a floating theme park.

tasman Sea just not cooperating on the second half of this itinerary.  First four days upon leaving Sydney were picture perfect in terms of seas and skies. 

  It’s sunny right now but windy and rough seas. 

Regarding theaters...currently there is a 55 seat regular theater that shows movies and an outdoor big screen in the pool area. No IMAX theater.  they are now also showing movies in the Aurera Theater because we have a lot of seniors onboard who do not want to be walking the ship in these seas.  the movies are first run and the picture and sound are good in the main theater.  But it is NOT IMAX. from what I’ve heard an upgrade refurbishment is scheduled sometime in 2020 and perhaps IMAX will be added then.

The live music selections and the entertainment staff have saved this cruise for me.  The One and One five piece band can play anything...very very well. Ron Kingston in the Quill and compass can do justice to both US and Aussie favorites and gets the Pub crowd very engaged with singalong and a small dance area. Trivia several times a day, special dance parties almost every night where ladies can dance alone or with other women and no one cares, and good natured dance contests that  even the seniors enjoy participating in and watching with an after dinner or late night cocktail.

There are very few children on this cruise and they have been monitored and supervised by their families when in the public areas.  The drinking age on this cruise is 18 years old, as it originated n Sydney and only went to New Zealand which has the lower drinking age.  Everyone has been well behaved in that regard.

I bought the deluxe beverage package and Ive enjoyed that convenience.  I’ve tried several new cocktails because I had the package.  Angela in the Champagne Bar makes a pre dinner espresso martini that I’ll miss when the cruise is over.  Gives me a second wind for the evening to come.

i will have another sea day to answer specific quesrtions that require a “look see” while on board.  we return to Sydney the morning of April 4 Australia time.

I’m currently on the Radiance as we make our way back to Sydney following a planned port intensive itinerary around New Zealand. Alas, it wasn’t to be due to major storms in the South Island. Our 12 night itinerary now includes five sea days when all is said and done.

If anyone has questions about the Radiance experience, I’ll be happy to try to answer.  One can only attend so many movies on sea days when it’s rainy, windy and chilly outside. Some passengers are a bit grumpy but all decisions by the captain were made for safety first.  I completely agree with him but missing the South Island Fjordlands was a major disappointment as I flew 17 hours nonstop from the US to Sydney to cruise this ship and this itinerary.  Kinda like going to Alaska and not seeing the glaciers.

Shout out all!

On the Radiance now off the coast of New Zealand.  have a balcony cabin on deck 7. All balcony cabins that I have seen with the door open as I walk down the hall have the privacy curtain like mine.  It extends all the way across the rom to the TV.  it’s also very thick so that could help with soundproofing. 

Any other Radiance questions fire away.  We lost our time at the New Zealand Fjordlands sounds and are now in a three days at sea itinerary as we make our way back to Sydney.

Ship is in excellent condition interior wise. they are always cleaning and renewing. There’s a new captain (formerly on

 Radiance as a first officer I think) who is handling the itinerary changes with safety first mentality and being VERY visible to the passengers who want to hear from him personally about the weather conditions and why the missed ports. I think the dining room food is as good as it was back in the day before megaships. We have a lot of Aussies onboard and as an American I am enjoying their personalities. 

My best cruise ever...and this is the number between 12 and 14.

Susan