First RCI cruise in 4 years! ... What has changed?

[emeraldcity]

Just booked my 7th Cruise with RCI after a four-year hiatus. What has changed in that time?

[Retired LEO]

Oh boy, anyone want to start? This could take awhile.

[39august]

Here's a few I can think of: If you wish you can pay for a Chops fillet $14.95 in the main dining room. There is now a steak at no fee almost every night..and they are usually good. There is an Indian dish every night. The coupon books are not nearly as good as they once were...no free JRs, no free drink, no free wine tasting, etc. There are no longer any C&A gifts at the end of your cruise. On some ships pool towels have to be checked out at the pool with your Sea Pass. You no longer have to take your life jacket to muster drill...Yea! No nightly chocolates on your pillow. Same friendly, smiling service tho'.

[printingchick]

POSITIVE CHANGES:

• New flexible dining options.
  
• New ships
  

NEGATIVE CHANGES:

• No more pillow mints
  
• No more fillet in the MDR unless you pay extra
  
• Reduction in loyalty program perks
  
• $3.95 service charge for room service in the middle of the night (not sure of the times)
  

It's the economy. Cruise vacations are still the best value and RCL still offers a great product at a reasonable price.

[printingchick]

Oh yeah...I forgot about the life jacket thing. Add that to the positive change column!!

[Badlands99]

Hey,

We're about to cruise for the first time in four years, too.

This will be our fourth cruise, though, so I've got some catching up to do.

 

No lifejackets for the muster drill? For real?

Is there a story behind that?

[wwaggone]

Just got back from the Radiance (our 19th cruise) and had an awesome time. The food was the best ever, the customer service and the level of service was the best ever, and the muster drill was the best ever (no life jackets!!!). I feel that the increase in the level of service far exceeds any lack of chocolate or coupons. Happy cruising.

[Ashland]

Hey,

We're about to cruise for the first time in four years, too.

This will be our fourth cruise, though, so I've got some catching up to do.

 

No lifejackets for the muster drill? For real?

Is there a story behind that?

Yes....Traffic jam :D

[reeran]

yes....traffic jam :d

 

 

 

lol!!!

[emeraldcity]

Oh yeah...I forgot about the life jacket thing. Add that to the positive change column!!

 

AWESOME! I always found it curious that the ship's photographers would frantically bustle about taking pictures of couples in life jackets. Somebody just wasn't thinking straight. Is this really the picture you want to buy to show to friends back home?

 

And I won't miss the chocolates on the pillows ... plenty of other food to be had!

[printingchick]

They kind of tasted like wax anyway!!

[Kaboochi]

No more midnight buffets - good, eat too much during the day

 

Late night deck parties still exist - we love to dance off the mdr calories

 

Sushi is served late afternoon - DH loves this addition

 

Can still order bfast in room - coffee on the balcony, priceless

 

Promenade offers 24 hour sandwiches - perfect at 1AM on the way from the casino back to the cabin

 

RCCI is a fun cruise line, enjoy - We will in 25 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chrisb74]

Somebody just wasn't thinking straight. Is this really the picture you want to buy to show to friends back home?

 

YES! (assuming you're not wearing it because the ship is going down)

 

For those of us who don't cruise much, the first time muster drill with life jackets is a bit of a laugh and part of the experience.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

No more midnight buffets - good, eat too much during the day

 

Late night deck parties still exist - we love to dance off the mdr calories

 

Sushi is served late afternoon - DH loves this addition

 

Can still order bfast in room - coffee on the balcony, priceless

 

Promenade offers 24 hour sandwiches - perfect at 1AM on the way from the casino back to the cabin

 

RCCI is a fun cruise line, enjoy - We will in 25 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

where is the sushi in the afternoon? Is it only on the 7 day and longer sailings?

 

We had it in Jade at the evening buffet but never saw it during the day.

 

We were on the Navigator.

 

Bill

[pscruzinboyz]

Just booked my 7th Cruise with RCI after a four-year hiatus. What has changed in that time?

 

You and I are 4 years older but we are still looking fabulous! :)

 

Mike

 

I just had too!

[Philly Steve]

You now have to provide you own deck chairs and there is a midnight curfew.

 

Nah, just kidding! :p

 

Despite the "adjustments" over the years, it remains a dream vacation. :cool:

[reeran]

You mean they lifted the curfew??????????????????:eek:

 

 

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[smatterchu]

Glad I checked in -- this is the first I have heard about lifejackets!! WOOT!

 

I was on a Disney Cruise last year -- is this the cruise industry entirely, or just RCCL?

 

That's awesome -- no more running back to put away jackets before sailaway!!