Bakincakes

EVeryone should have been advised of the change.

 

But the good part is now you all know and can cancel your cabanas without any penalty.:)

I don't smuggle - It's not worth the hassle for me as we just don't drink that much. But I think a lot of folks smuggle for the convenience of having it in their cabin. Yes some do it to save money.

 

I think if RCI allowed you to buy a bottle for your cabin, even at an inflated price (ie an acceptable mark up) you would see a lot of the smuggling go away.

 

This, of course, is just my opinion. :p

 

Carnival has allowed booze to be purchased for cabin use for some time now. Cruisers on that line have used the same "it isn't about the money" line as pax on other lines do.

 

If you check out their board and threads you will notice many about smuggling. Allowing booze to be purchased for cabin usage hasn't slowed the smugglers down on Carnival and I'm betting it wouldn't slow anything down on RCI either.

Excellent points. The mass-market cruise industry has (finally!) shifted toward a more relaxed experience. Unfortunately, for some it may be best to either accept it or get out of the way.

 

 

They shifted towards the "relaxed" when they created places like the WJ for those pax that wanted a more casual dining venue.

With the consolidation of the industry (particulalrly in the 90s), you can usually switch lines and still say within the same parent company. This allows to keep your status and recognition in the loyalty programs, so I'm not sure why you would consider that "unfortunate" if someone wants to switch to the more upscale lines.

 

 

IMO it would be "unfortunate" if pax find the need to switch from a line they have been satisfied with.

 

It isn't always the loyalty program that keeps pax on a particular brand of ship.

Of course ships have morphed into what they are today.

 

People are not content to just sail..they must be entertained every moment of the day.

 

I started cruising when I was 4 years old. My grandparents lived in the UK and my mother was afraid of flying...so we sailed.

 

Cruise ships are becoming more like amusement parks than ships. And if that is your cup of tea I am certain you are thrilled.

 

Many pax aren't interested in that part of cruising..they want to enjoy some peace and quiet and some adult time. Unfortunately cruiselines are catering more and more to families with children. Those who want just one area of the ship to be offlimits to kids are finding it more and more difficult to achieve. And they need to seriously consider switching lines, which I find unfortunate, especially for those who have been loyal customers for many years.

:)
Our grandchildren go with us alot and they prefer RCI.

We also treat our employees to a cruise each year as a bonus. Many of them have kids and the kids enjoy things like the flowrider on the RCI line.

If we cruise on our own we prefer X, Princess or Holland so we do get around to other lines.

Many may see our comments as "complaiints"..I prefer to refer to them as observations of what has happened to RCI over the past 10 years.

Needless to say we have spent alot of money sailing RCI over the years and are disheartened by what we see and experience these days.

Once the grands are old enough to cruise on their own and we retire and are no longer taking business cruises that will most likely be the end of our RCI days.:)

Unless of course RCI does a shift and once again begins to take pride in their line.

We just finished our 90th cruise in June and indeed did see a woman who wore pajama bottoms into the MDR and a middle aged man who wore jeans that were torn at the knees.

And we have also seen worse than that.

It also is true that RCI doesn't care what pax wear these days. In the past we saw plenty of pax refused entry into the MDR..now not so much.

I don't beleive that a majority are tyring to force any opinion down anyones throat but are making observations about what they see on their cruises.

And if pax need written "suggestions" about what constitutes "formal" wear it isn't a shock that they may not recognize what constitutes pajamas or garden wear,even if they see it staring at them in a mirror..;)

It is true that there are still lines out there that carry pax that still know how to dress for a formal dinner.

The mainstream lines like RCI are only interested in the bottom line and are more than happy to cater to pax who are more than happy to eat dinner in their pajamas and gardening clothes.



wear whatever you want to wear. RCI doesn't care.

I have a feeling regardless of the service the OP may adjust the tips for his children just "because" he isn't happy that they are required to pay the same as everyone else is.

 

RCI policy is what it is regarding children and the costs involved when they cruise.

 

Penalizing crew because you aren't happy with that policy is wrong IMO. Crew can be penalized as a reduction in tips may be seen as a negative towards them and their job performance.

 

A pity that many pax really don't care how it may impact crew. They are just trying to save a buck.:(

Here I go again

 

I am fully aware that the children would be charged the full price - that has NEVER been an issue. I am also aware that we must book a table for before 7.

 

Perhaps portofino may be a wiser choice, and thanks to the poster who attached the menu, its now under consideration... however surely as its another speciality restaurant the children will still be "unwelcome"?

 

Some kids may not enjoy the time it takes to enjoy fine dining, however as I thought I had made it perfectly clear... mine DO enjoy fine dining and have behaved perfectly through many such meals.

 

Of course children may eat an alternative dinner and go to the adventure ocean... but not for a family celebration.

 

I'm wondering now if it may just be easier to order blimmin room service and enjoy some champagne in our rooms than risk upsetting so many staff and other guests.

 

You did make it clear that your children enjoy "find dining"..however you also made it clear that the menu in Chops was not the kind of food one child might enjoy. I am assuming that is why you asked about an alternate menu.

 

I didn't really see any posts that insinuated that your kids would be treated horribly while in that venue. I'm not sure why you are assuming that or have adopted that attitude.:confused:

 

Posters included the time it takes to dine because you indicated it was your first cruise and I thought perhaps were not aware of the length of time for a meal in one of the specialties. My post was not meant to insinuate that your child/ren were not experts in the nuances of fine dining.:)

Since Chops is a steakhouse one may expect that "pieces of meat" would be prominent on the menu.

 

If children will eat the sides then perhaps that is what might be ordered for them to eat.

 

Children who eat generally are charged the same as any other pax that eats at Chops.

 

Portofino may be a wiser choice for the children as pastas are served and may be more "kid friendly" than steakhouse offerings.

 

Children might also eat an alternate dinner and go to Adventure Ocean while the adults eat at Chops or Portofino. Some kids may not enjoy the time it takes to enjoy a nice meal at either of those venues.

What is that big box on the end of your bed? Does it stay there the entire cruise?

 

Looks a bit weird if the second occupant in that bed has to crawl over the other occupant to get out of it.:eek:

 

 

 

The Ovation Theater where the Playlist Production and Hasbro shows were performed...pretty plain jane decor...no wow factor!

 

 

What? No lines at the theater? A first!

 

 

 

LOL..would love to meet the guy/gal who made the sign for "Fashion Accesories"???

 

Good grief....really?

For that price RCI should include things like feather boas and sunglasses for the fashion show.:eek:

Seems as if RCI just can't win.

 

smugglers claim it isn't about the money but the convenience....now there are complaints that it won't save the pax money but will make RCI money.:confused:

 

So which is it?

 

Those that want their booze complained they wanted a new policy..seems they are getting it but it isn't good enough.

 

So the smuggling will probably go on despite it NOT being about $$$...supposedly.:rolleyes:

No...I doubt anyone could get on that kind of cruise and not know what they were getting themselves in to.:eek:

 

I wonder if the crew is given an option of not sailing on those kinds of cruises?

 

Some may not want to be subjected to those kinds of "activities".:(

I think pax should get more verification than what they are told by RCI reps.

 

They can't even get dining times correct, sometimes, I would not trust them with something as important as a VISA.

 

We saw pax denied boarding on a Holland World Cruise for lack of Visas..those pax argued they would just stay on the ship. Still they were denied boarding. I wish I could recall which VISA they were missing.

Has RCI discontinued Bar room service?:confused:

And people wonder why many have difficulty following any kind of guidelines?

 

Curfew is curfew. Why do parents encourage kids to skirt around things like that?

 

It really doesn't matter if your kid is special..and perfect..and wonderful. If the ships curfew is 1 am they should be in their cabins and not have to be told to go there either by a parent or security. Doesn't matter if they are having a wonderful time. Following guidelines is part of learning how to be a responsible adult.

 

No wonder so many of the young feel they are above rules and guidelines and have so many issues with being able to adhere to specific rules. :rolleyes:

I doubt anyone "worries" about smugglers not spending alot of $$ on booze in the bars onboard.

 

They can't possibly smuggle all of the alcohol they need to make it through a cruise.

If the message is the same then the date is irrelevant.

 

 

 

He is a clever man! :) I have a lovely blue Sapphire ring that my husband and son bought me from Sri Lanka (my son was adopted from Sri Lanka at 4 weeks of age and he and hubby returned to Sri Lanka for a visit when he turned 21. This was their present.)

 

Back to the topic - I never even thought about buying expensive stones simply because of the duty free. I only ever tend to buy expensive items like this when I am buying them from the country where the item originated. Except for gold which I guess is very universal.

 

 

Gold is the one thing I'll buy when in certain countries.

 

I also have a huge beautiful Opal my DH got me while in OZ. I don't usually wear Opals but this one is exquisite.:)

 

What a nice gift from Sri Lanka!!

The most beautiful stones especially sapphires, are mined in Sri Lanka and if you use an accredited jeweler, you will be amazed at the prices you can buy them for, and have them valued for by your known jeweler. I am talking purchasing a sapphire ring for around $500 that is worth several thousands of dollars in western jewelry stores. You just have to do your own research.

 

 

Oh I agree that anyone who buys jewelry, even in the US, without doing research is foolish.

 

Used to be reputable jewelers were easy to find, these days no and they will take advantage of uninformed buyers.

 

My engagement ring has Sri Lankan sapphires. But my DH bought it for me when he was in Australia from a friend of his who is a jeweler there.:)

The best advice is to find a good jeweler in the US and stick with them.:)

 

I have bought gold in Italy and Spain but as for precious stones...only the USA.

I just cannot, for the life of me, understand why any business would still allow their employees to use latex gloves? So many people have such serious allergies and more people are developing a latex sensitivity from using those gloves.

 

We got rid of latex in our office years ago and use Nitrile...it scares me to think of how many restaurants, housekeeping services, etc still use latex.:eek:

What are the names of the hopping places? Is the raddison clean and in good condition? Thanks for the information.... I appreciate the advice

 

 

Radisson is wonderful and Joe P and Robert are two great guys who go the extra mile to make certain their guests are well taken care of.:)