I think this is my last RCI cruise

I am just tired of Royal now. Booked cruise next month before extra charges for room service was implemented.

Drink prices are lower on HAL and the defunct Fathom line that had drink prices similar to their parent Carnival. Not interested in drink packages as I don't want to drink an excessive amount to 'get my money's worth'. Only drink beer and it would be a stretch to drink $44 worth a beer a day especially on days the ship is in port. Food is decent on Royal, but no better than the competition.

Not trying to be nasty or negative, but I don't understand how Royal charges extra for room service and a higher price for alcoholic drinks than other lines that are in the same mass market segment of the cruise industry.

OK, Bye!

Thank you for your highly expected reply with no further explanation on why you replied the way you did.

Royal charges the same for drinks as NCL and Carnival.... if you purchase individually their really is no price differences... NCL also charges for room service now... and IMHO Royal has a better menu and carnival offers some items free and some that cost..all the lines in that respect are very similar

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What extra charges for the room? I don't see HAL and Carnival having better prices for their alcoholic packages:

Carnivals drink package is $57.45 with a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks and includes gratuity

RC is $55 includes gratuity also

HAL is $54.95 per day including gratuity

Your statement is not true, sorry...and sorry you want to leave but I think its best for you!

I am just tired of Royal now. Booked cruise next month before extra charges for room service was implemented.

 

Drink prices are lower on HAL and the defunct Fathom line that had drink prices similar to their parent Carnival. Not interested in drink packages as I don't want to drink an excessive amount to 'get my money's worth'. Only drink beer and it would be a stretch to drink $44 worth a beer a day especially on days the ship is in port. Food is decent on Royal, but no better than the competition.

 

Not trying to be nasty or negative, but I don't understand how Royal charges extra for room service and a higher price for alcoholic drinks than other lines that are in the same mass market segment of the cruise industry.

Don't get disheartened and give up on Royal. The drink prices are totally ridiculous all over the cruise lines, with NCL taking the lead. I have noticed that MSC has the cheapest/most affordable drink prices. I didn't much care for MSC, but I have to give the devil their due where deserved.

Thank you for your highly expected reply with no further explanation on why you replied the way you did.

What are we supposed to say? You posted an OP full of statements. No questions at all. Your title was basically that you're leaving Royal Caribbean. Bye sounds like a perfectly valid response to a stranger coming into somewhere you really like and rattling off a paragraph about why they don't like it and won't be coming back.

Like, um, okay, bye?

I can only compare to Fathom and HAL. Fathom had a beer of day for $3 which seemed fair. HAL had a daily happy hour special. I can't comment on NCL since they went to freestyle and they removed the option for traditional dining at a set time.

I personally don't feel they are overcharging in fact, I think its pretty fair for the cruise line and for the customer! RC also offers 20%-30% discounted rates on their dining and drink packages including their internet packages. RC package not only includes all alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, but bottled water, specialty coffees and teas, fresh squeezed OJ...I think its quite fair and even though my other half get the free drink card in the casino we still purchase the beverage packages so that we are not limited to getting a drink in the casino, although that is where you probably find us most lol.

If you're just feeling "meh" about a cruise line, you definitely should try others. Sometimes just comparing the different products gives you a different appreciation for each one.

My husband and I had a TERRIBLE, awful, no good, very bad cruise on NCL 20 years ago. He refused to go back. I went on NCL in April 2017 on an 11 night Med cruise with my best friend, and it was totally amazing. Hubby has now agreed to a 7 night Caribbean on NCL in 2018.

We cruise on RCCL, HAL, Princess, (now) NCL, and Celebrity. We go with the best itinerary/price combination leaning in favor of RCCL because of our Diamond Plus status.

Whatever you choose, enjoy!!!

Not comparing drink price packages. The price per drink is my point. I am a beer drinker only, and Royal's package includes all types of drinks with liquor that I have no interest in.

OOO I get that part...yes, it is average is 12-13 a drink....I think they do that to encourage people to purchase the drink package. Now, I get your point, I didn't know you had to pay more for housekeeping, we never did.

Bye bye.

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OOO I get that part...yes, it is average is 12-13 a drink....I think they do that to encourage people to purchase the drink package. Now, I get your point, I didn't know you had to pay more for housekeeping, we never did.

Not housekeeping. The fee to get food delivered to your cabin. Used to be free like much of Royal's competition.

I am just tired of Royal now. Booked cruise next month before extra charges for room service was implemented.

 

Drink prices are lower on HAL and the defunct Fathom line that had drink prices similar to their parent Carnival. Not interested in drink packages as I don't want to drink an excessive amount to 'get my money's worth'. Only drink beer and it would be a stretch to drink $44 worth a beer a day especially on days the ship is in port. Food is decent on Royal, but no better than the competition.

 

Not trying to be nasty or negative, but I don't understand how Royal charges extra for room service and a higher price for alcoholic drinks than other lines that are in the same mass market segment of the cruise industry.

Hi there

You should definitely try other cruise lines. You did mention HAL as one that you had tried, I very much enjoyed my only (so far) HAL cruise. When my wife was alive, we sailed together on RCCL, NCL, Princess, HAL, Celebrity, with most cruises on Carnival. I would say that we enjoyed all of them. The difference between them are insignificant in my mind.

You don't say what you are looking for. If value is a concern, I would suggest looking at some of the newer Carnival ships. You don't get the bells and whistles that you would find on the larger RCCL ships, but the price will reflect that if you don't need things like a drinks package, and you could very well find it to be a great trip. Living in Tampa, you could consider one of the 5 day cruises leaving from there, to give you a taste of the Carnival ships. It would be an older, smaller ship, but it would also be inexpensive, and who knows, you might like it.

good luck

happy cruising

I've always wondered why people feel the need to come and post that they are not sailing with a particular line anymore. To tell your friends and family is one thing but a bunch on strangers on a public forum??? What do they expect....a whole bunch of response from others that will follow blindly like sheep jumping off a cliff.

Tampa only gets older Carnival ships which are more colorful than I like. Vista seems like a good option though. Not as tacky as other Carnival ships from the videos I have seem.

I've never understood loyalty to a corporation, what little people get from the loyalty programs just isn't appealing to me. I see much more value jumping around. All these budget lines have more in common than differences, and those differences I see more as perks. One major one is a different menu.

What extra charges for the room? I don't see HAL and Carnival having better prices for their alcoholic packages:

 

Carnivals drink package is $57.45 with a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks and includes gratuity

RC is $55 includes gratuity also

HAL is $54.95 per day including gratuity

 

Your statement is not true, sorry...and sorry you want to leave but I think its best for you!

The OP was talking individual drink prices, he specifically said he's not interested in packages because he only drinks beer and doesn't want to drink enough to 'make it worth it' every single day including port days. I can sympathize.

As for how true that may or may not be, I don't know (I don't drink), just pointing out that you latched onto the wrong thing.

I've always wondered why people feel the need to come and post that they are not sailing with a particular line anymore. To tell your friends and family is one thing but a bunch on strangers on a public forum??? What do they expect....a whole bunch of response from others that will follow blindly like sheep jumping off a cliff.

Been on this forum for 17 years and I know to expect the worse. I don't take all the nasty responses personally. Otherwise, I would never post here.

 

The OP was talking individual drink prices, he specifically said he's not interested in packages because he only drinks beer and doesn't want to drink enough to 'make it worth it' every single day including port days. I can sympathize.

 

As for how true that may or may not be, I don't know (I don't drink), just pointing out that you latched onto the wrong thing.

Thank you for your understanding of the matter.

Unfortunately, ALL of the lines are adding "extra cost" options....and the bar prices have soared on ALL the lines in the last 5 or so years! Getting to be comparable to sporting venues....and ridiculous.

As long as folks keep paying for this stuff, it will continue!

Unfortunately, ALL of the lines are adding "extra cost" options....and the bar prices have soared on ALL the lines in the last 5 or so years! Getting to be comparable to sporting venues....and ridiculous.

As long as folks keep paying for this stuff, it will continue!

Thank you for the reply to my post. Grew up in Aquia VA near you in Fredericksburg. I understand onboard charges are increasing, but the magnitude on Royal seems more sudden and larger than the competition. Carnival does not charge extra for room service now from what I understand. I also have heard their per drink prices are lower also. Can a Carnival cruiser please confirm?

I am just tired of Royal now. Booked cruise next month before extra charges for room service was implemented.

 

Drink prices are lower on HAL and the defunct Fathom line that had drink prices similar to their parent Carnival. Not interested in drink packages as I don't want to drink an excessive amount to 'get my money's worth'. Only drink beer and it would be a stretch to drink $44 worth a beer a day especially on days the ship is in port. Food is decent on Royal, but no better than the competition.

Yes, drinks are more expensive on RCI than on HAL. But on the other hand, HAL can't touch RCI's entertainment or activities.

It comes down to what is important to you on a cruise. If RCI's added amenities aren't worth the extra cost you pay in beverages, then choose another line. Princess might be one to consider.

Yes, drinks are more expensive on RCI than on HAL. But on the other hand, HAL can't touch RCI's entertainment or activities.

 

It comes down to what is important to you on a cruise. If RCI's added amenities aren't worth the extra cost you pay in beverages, then choose another line. Princess might be one to consider.

Entertainment did not exist on Fathom and HAL's is not very good. My priorities are reasonable drink prices and food that is included without extra charges for specialty restaurants or room service. Royal used to have per drink prices comparable to other lines. Thank you for putting it in perspective. Glad there are a variety of options out there. Royal just does not fit what my priorities are anymore.

Thank you for the reply to my post. Grew up in Aquia VA near you in Fredericksburg. I understand onboard charges are increasing, but the magnitude on Royal seems more sudden and larger than the competition. Carnival does not charge extra for room service now from what I understand. I also have heard their per drink prices are lower also. Can a Carnival cruiser please confirm?

hi again

I already suggested giving Carnival a try.