Maybe our last Royal caribbean cruise! Freedom 4th April 2010

[krisko]

Of course I'm serious. Did you even read my post? It wasn't a post that said, "I'm OK with blood-stained sheets." It merely said that this OP's complaints have shown a propensity to be exaggerated, so we don't really know if this was some glaringly obvious stain that should have been noticed and corrected by the staff or if it was a tiny residual stain remaining on bedding that had been laundered, that could have easily been overlooked.

 

So, yes, I am completely serious when I say that I don't automatically make the assumption that this poster's claim of "blood-stained bed cover" means it was a terribly obvious stain that clearly should have been noticed by the housekeeping staff. Maybe it was; maybe it wasn't.

 

I think they find it unbelieveable that you equate sleeping in sheets stained with personal blood to finding blood stained sheets in your stateroom.

 

And what's up with sleeping in stained sheets, no matter who's blood it is?

[marci22]

Marci~

 

You did say that the foul smelling stain was up near the top of the pad, correct?? Sounds like they saw it, and just turned the pad around if you get my drift? I don't think anyone could tolerate having to smell that everytime they laid their head down on their bed. In fact, I am catching myself making a disgusted face as I type this. So sorry, you had to experience that!

 

No, the beds have a rounded foot, so the square part of the pad is the 'top' or head part.

 

I felt really bad because my son had complained of a 'weird smell' and I kind of ignored it. He took the sheets off himself and came running over to my room to tell me. I'm sure people think I'm being picky but the stain was almost the entire width of the pad, through to the other side, and did smell horrible. It should have been changed when found.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

I don't trust any bedding in hotels, even five-star hotels, especially during these times when the entire hospitality industry, not just cruise lines, is facing hard times.

 

What I do in a hotel or on a ship is to immediately get rid of the bedspread and on ships ask the steward to put the spread somewhere and not use it again my entire cruise. I HATE those decorative covers at the bottom of the RCI beds and get rid of them too. I HAVE seen soil on them, whether food or whatever. Those decorative covers go out.

 

I don't doubt the OP was frustrated, just as he said he was. The entire hospitality industry has had to cut back in this downturn. What is worrisome to me is that I don't know if many of the former luxuries and services are ever coming back...for example, pillow chocolates for cabins less than suite grade.

 

Just imagine, we are in such times as when an airline brazenly dares to charge up to $45 for a carry on bag. At least Royal Caribbean and other lines have not added on a surcharge or handling charge for every bag we bring. (Whoops! I'd better not give them ideas.:o)

 

I believe the OP was frustrated. I am just not sure, short of Crystal or Oceania, that he would get a much better experience on any mass market cruiseline given today's economic downturn.

[Paul65]

I felt really bad because my son had complained of a 'weird smell' and I kind of ignored it. He took the sheets off himself and came running over to my room to tell me. I'm sure people think I'm being picky but the stain was almost the entire width of the pad, through to the other side, and did smell horrible. It should have been changed when found.

 

Yes! You are being picky. So you had a stench of urine. At least you didn't have to make the bed yourself.

 

 

 

 

I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Nobody wants to sleep on stinky, urine-soaked bedding.

[marci22]

Yes! You are being picky. So you had a stench of urine. At least you didn't have to make the bed yourself.

 

I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Nobody wants to sleep on stinky, urine-soaked bedding.

 

You are kidding but the sad part is, whenever someone has a complaint, there are so many people that post just to disagree. They will say, 'that never happened to me!' so it must not be valid.

[Paul65]

You are kidding but the sad part is, whenever someone has a complaint, there are so many people that post just to disagree. They will say, 'that never happened to me!' so it must not be valid.

 

Actually, I think that is usually a misconception. I have, at times, been accused of that exact thing, but I wouldn't post "that never happened to me" to imply it didn't ever happen to anyone. But if you want this board to be reflective of the actual experience of cruising, it's a good thing for people to post both the good and the bad. If someone says they went on the Voyager last week and the dinner service sucked; I would probably respond to say that I was on the same cruise and had great service in the dining room. That would not be to call the other person a liar, but rather to give those reading the boards a true sense that not everyone had a bad experience. What's wrong with balance?

[ChrisUK]

Ok. Thanks to all those sensible posters who have given a genuine reply. To all those who think we over reacted, or think that paying thousands doest mean we should expect excellent service, you arnt worth a reply!

 

I have given MY experience of the cruise. When I have had great cruises with Royal in the past, I have said so!

 

I also dont quite understand why someone would reply to something that doesnt concern them? I dont stay up till gone midnight? So what, it doesnt affect you so dont comment!

 

Ask for the mini bar to be restocked? Why should I?

 

To the poster who said why refer to the peoples nationality about closing the balconies is exactly right! When we complain, we dont expect the manager to blame someone because they are from another country!

 

Anyway, thanks for commenting, hopefully when (or if) I go back on Freedom in July things might be back to how they used to be!

 

Happy Cruising

[IndyCruiser040409]

Well, after 5 great cruises, number 6 turned out to be a BIG disappointent.

 

Without going in to too much detail, here are the best (or worst) bits!

 

1. Very unwelcoming lady at the pier check in

 

2. Blood stained bed covers

 

3. No personalisation as previous cruises. Not once were any of us asked our names

 

4. 4 open balconies closed mid cruise, and guest relation blamed the 'Phillipinos'!

 

5. ALL bars closed by 1am, every night! We complained several times but nothing was achieved. The DJ told us he didnt need the job, hes going to bed so were finished, in a busy night club. One night were told by an officer, who stopped the music himself, im up early so ure done, this is my area so deal with it, I make the rules! Even the bar staff didnt want to close!

 

6. Balconies not cleared of cups/bottles all week

 

7. Mini bar filled up the day before we left, even though we had things out on the first day.

 

8. Photographers who insisted on taking photos when asked to leave us alone.

 

9. A smoking policy that, on formal nights limits smokers to one bar on deck 14!

 

10. A meduim rare steak in the dining room, which would easily have been mistaken for well done!

 

 

Not what we are used to, and, after taking 4 people who have bever cruised before, we felt like liars! We built the cruise up to be something it wasnt. How things have gone down hill in only 3 years.

 

On the plus side, the English pub entertainment with Shane Tapper and our assistant waitress Natalie were excellent

 

I have done 28 cruises with RCI, and browse this site often, although I never post, the flaming of the OP by some members prompted me to reply as I was on the same cruise as the OP, in fact I cruised the previous week as well, and to a large extent I can agree with what the OP is saying. I will comment on his concerns as numbered by the OP, my comments will only relate to the 04/04 cruise that the OP was on and not to the 03/28 cruise, although everything was similar.

 

1. Our check in agent was actually very nice, prompt and cheerful

 

2. Didn't notice any stains on our covers or sheets, but would be complaining if we had

 

3. Totally agree, our cabin steward, never called us by name, although it was on his manifest, and we were never asked our names by the waiter or his assistant, this has never happened on anyof our previous cruises. The only people who ever addressed us by name were the occasional bar server when handing the check to us, and room service.

 

4. no problem

 

5. Experienced the same thing, night club was closed by 1 - 1.30 everynight, heard DJ dragen in the elevator telling some kids that he was releasing an album by September this year and he was going to be millionaire and didn't need Royal Caribbean. I inquired 3 nights, around 1.30 what bars were open, and everytime was told by guest relations that the crypt was open til 3 and the casino bar until 2.30 - 3.00, when I asked the agent to come with me to see that the Crypt was closed she just stated that it was still open and have a good night. Also Guest Relations desk was not manned after about 12.30 and all the lights turned off, you had to ring a little bell to get someone to come out from the back office.

 

6. did not have an issue the first week, was supplied with a metal enclosed ashtray, and any late night coffee cups or Cafe promenade plates that we left on the balcony table were cleared, not so the second week, supplied a glass ashtray, that everything blew out of and nothing removed from the balcony.

 

7. Only had 1 coke from the mini bar so cannot comment, although on past cruises it has been refilled daily

 

8. The photographer came to our dinner table and said he was sorry to interupt us, I asked that he not interupt us as we would not be buying the photos, he replied " I am going to interupt you anyway, move closer to the lady." very rude and IMHO not the way to treat guests, espcially on a formal night.

 

9. I am a smoker, but fully understand and agree that some bars should be no smoking, on Freedom the smoking bars are Olive or Twist, small section, Sky Bar, Casino Bar, upper level of the crypt night club and the connesoir lounge. The problem I noticed was, apart from limited opening hours, was that on the first formal night the Casino was no smoking, but on the second formal night not only was the Casino No smoking, but the Crypt was closed to adults for the teen disco, the sky bar is closed at night, so the only smoking bar was Olive or Twist.

 

10. My steaks always came out as ordered, but the service in the dining room was very slow and unattentive, so slow in fact that some of the food was tepid by the time the plate arrived, there was also non of the usual, "how's your dinner Mr.X" ( maybe because they never asked our names), the plate was just placed on the table and no further contact from the waiter until he brought the next course. Never saw the head waiter all cruise.

 

Now for my additional comments,

 

1. The cruise director was not visible around the ship as in the past.

 

2. When I commented to a security guard by the Crypt entrance, that the crypt always stayed open later that is, he told me I obviously hadn't cruised during spring break before, and that's how it is, WRONG, we very often do spring break cruises and have never had this problem before. The kids have a curfew of 1.00am, seemed like the adults did as well.

 

3. When we arrived in our cabin for the 2nd week, the closet door would not close, it took 4 calls to maintainance and I call to guest services to get it repaired on the last night.

 

Will this put me off RCI, NO, because this is the first cruise that we have had so many issues, but if the next on is the same the outcome may be different

 

 

Flame Away;)

[krisko]

Flame Away;)

 

At least you know to expect it.

[uksimonusa]

lol tee hee

[JohnGaltny]

We've sailed RCI twice with a third coming up next month and are generally happy with it. The fact that I haven't experienced any of the problems noted, and that most of them wouldn't bopther me, (except the sheets and early bar closings) in no way minimizes the OP's points.

 

With that in mind, I put this up in another thread having to do with a much lesser point and I think the OP is one of many people who are starting to feel this way.

 

Many moons ago, there was a fierce and confident giant name General Motors. They were, deservedly, the best and most innovative brand in the world.

 

Then one day an executive found that they could save 1.5 cents per car by using a cheaper gas cap. Saved them a couple of million and it was NO BIG DEAL. Then they went to a thinner brake rotor, saved $.02 per car. NO BIG DEAL. Thus it continued until one day the Giant found out that it had cheapened the product (or at least the perception of quality) so much that people wouldn't take a GM if they won it on a game show. I was one of those people. I drove bulletproof Novas and Malibus with the 307 engine all through my youth. Then I bought a Citation. End of story.

 

It's NOT about a set of luggage tags, it's about many things which are NO BIG DEAL until the cumulative perception of quality is lost to the brand. So I guess the question is "What is the cost of protecting your brand?"

 

Believe it or not, I am a HUGE fan of RCI. I just don't belong to the cult and I want them to succeed for the long term. Remember the long term??

 

BTW, I got torched on that other thread by the Church of Royal Carribots the same as has happened here. Stay strong OP.

[Paul65]

BTW, I got torched on that other thread by the Church of Royal Carribots the same as has happened here. Stay strong OP.

 

Wish you valiant warriors would shut up about getting "torched." How exactly did the OP here get torched? Seriously. Maybe the occasional snarky comment, but sometimes it also seems that some posters are delicate prima-donas that can't take it if someone doesn't see it the same way they do.

 

 

 

And, no, I'm not saying everything is always perfect or that we should accept mediocre service. Sounds like the OP had a bad cabin steward and a DJ at the club that didn't give a $&%@ about his job on the ship. This does not make for the best vacation, for sure. But it's still worthwhile to probe posts such as this with the objective of trying to ferret out whether this is indicative of overall poor service by the company or isolated poor service by a few people on this one particular ship.

[JohnGaltny]

Wish you valiant warriors would shut up about getting "torched." How exactly did the OP here get torched? Seriously. Maybe the occasional snarky comment, but sometimes it also seems that some posters are delicate prima-donas that can't take it if someone doesn't see it the same way they do.

 

Hey Paul. Wonderful to see you too.:p

[Paul65]

Hey Paul. Wonderful to see you too.:p

 

Thanks. :D

 

I drive a Hyundai, btw. Pretty good combination of price and quality with those (though the price differential is getting smaller as the reputation gains). Plus, they're made (well, assembled, at least) in my home state of Alabama.

[bajathree]

Just as comparison we just got off Liberty ... same week.. April 4th. We had breakfast on the balcony every morning..... left everything and it was always cleaned off no problem....and we left PLENTY dirty dishes. Room steward called me by name every time. Hung in catacombs till 2 am and still going strong when I left.....so I see some very valid complaints from the OP.

[Paul65]

Just as comparison we just got off Liberty ... same week.. April 4th. We had breakfast on the balcony every morning..... left everything and it was always cleaned off no problem....and we left PLENTY dirty dishes. Room steward called me by name every time. Hung in catacombs till 2 am and still going strong when I left.....so I see some very valid complaints from the OP.

 

I saw people leave their empty glasses on the stairway of the Voyager, and those got picked up, too. But that doesn't mean it's OK to leave your empty glasses on the stairway. I do think the room steward should have picked the stuff up, but it should never have been left on the balcony (yours or the OP's).

[krisko]

Wish you valiant warriors would shut up about getting "torched." How exactly did the OP here get torched? Seriously. Maybe the occasional snarky comment, but sometimes it also seems that some posters are delicate prima-donas that can't take it if someone doesn't see it the same way they do.

 

'Torched' is a relative term. Nobody called OP a babykiller but his very honor has been called into question. People have told him that he exaggerates, doesn't communicate well, and cares about things that don't matter ('I'm in bed by 1 anyway!', 'I love the no-smoking policy'). I remember one guy even compared finding a bloody bedspread to sleeping in bloody sheets at home.

[ChrisUK]

Thankyou Krisko, there is someone else sensible on here after all!!!

 

I am a clean tidy person, I very rarely complain about anything either!

 

All I was doing was sharing my latest experience, not asking for replies like, dont leave that there, I sleep in dirty sheets so what, and ure a slob!!!

 

If I paid someone to come to pay house and look after me for a week paul, thats exactly what I would want them to do! Its not like we left rubbish, wrappers, food etc etc lying about everywhere!

[Paul65]

'Torched' is a relative term. Nobody called OP a babykiller but his very honor has been called into question. People have told him that he exaggerates, doesn't communicate well, and cares about things that don't matter ('I'm in bed by 1 anyway!', 'I love the no-smoking policy'). I remember one guy even compared finding a bloody bedspread to sleeping in bloody sheets at home.

 

Hey! I think that was me. :o And, btw, I stand by everything I said. He did not communicate his issues well, because even this far into the thread, some people are thinking he was without his balcony for half the cruise, while others still think it was about the dividers between adjacent balconies being put in place. I also am probably the one you're referring to in mentioning that I'm not up that late and don't smoke, etc., but I didn't say or mean to imply that those things didn't matter, because they didn't affect me. But people insist on reading more into it than what I really said. I can handle that. The only point I tried to make about the stained bedding is that the OP gave no indication at all of how bad it really was, and has declined to say in any of his later postings. So, in truth, we really don't know if it was a small spot or an obvious stain, nor do we know if it was really blood or something else (food, red wine, nail polish, etc.). I doubt that the OP knows for sure.

 

But, I've seen several subtle and not-so-subtle digs at me for trying to understand and clarify what really happened, so I'll just accept the bad-guy label and slink away from this thread. Seems the OP has also decided to leave it, anyway.

[krisko]

Thankyou Krisko, there is someone else sensible on here after all!!!

 

I'm completely with you man...you can never expect a 'perfect' vacation but for several thousands of dollars you should expect to get as close to perfect as possible. I'm going to spend a total of about $15,000 in summer 2011 on RCI and I expect a lot for my money.

 

Paul, you still don't get it! You have to inquire about how 'much' blood on the sheets the OP is talking about? Call me crazy, but I don't want to sleep in any amount of blood if it's mine, muchless somebody else's blood.

[Paul65]

Thankyou Krisko, there is someone else sensible on here after all!!!

 

I am a clean tidy person, I very rarely complain about anything either!

 

All I was doing was sharing my latest experience, not asking for replies like, dont leave that there, I sleep in dirty sheets so what, and ure a slob!!!

 

If I paid someone to come to pay house and look after me for a week paul, thats exactly what I would want them to do! Its not like we left rubbish, wrappers, food etc etc lying about everywhere!

 

Oh...I thought you had posted your last already. Well, you may not have asked for advice about not leaving stuff on the balcony, but you posted that you do leave your stuff on the balcony, and you shouldn't do that, so you'll just have to suck it up on that one. It's something you shouldn't do, and I don't mind letting you know that. Sounds like you weren't aware there was anything wrong with it, so I was just letting you know. But I never said you were a slob. (Maybe someone else did, though.)

 

I don't sleep in dirty sheets, btw. They are clean. I just don't throw them out at the first sign of a small stain, but I do wash them. I hope that helps you sleep better at night. ;)

 

As I said, it sounds like you had a cruise with a poor cabin steward and a DJ with a crappy attitude, among a few other little issues. Sorry the cruise didn't work out as planned for you and the others in your group.

[Paul65]

Paul, you still don't get it! You have to inquire about how 'much' blood on the sheets the OP is talking about? Call me crazy, but I don't want to sleep in any amount of blood if it's mine, muchless somebody else's blood.

 

You still don't get my point, either. Do you really know for sure it was blood and not something else? Do you really expect every set of bedding to be 100% free of any sort of stain? Sure I would like that to be true, but I know it's not at all practical. As much as I'd rather not think about it, the bedding has been slept on by hundreds of other people and been exposed to all sorts of bodily fluids. As long as they've been washed and sanitized, I'm not going to worry about every little speck. If something is badly stained, I'd like to think they would replace it. So, yes, to me, it matters whether it's just a little speck or a larger stain.

[ChrisUK]

Hang on Paul.... U said if u had a 'small' stain on your sheets at home, u would throw the sheets!! So what does it matter how big the stain was in our bed?!

[Paul65]

Hang on Paul.... U said if u had a 'small' stain on your sheets at home, u would throw the sheets!! So what does it matter how big the stain was in our bed?!

 

No. I said I DON'T throw them out at home because of a small stain.

[marci22]

As long as they've been washed and sanitized, I'm not going to worry about every little speck. If something is badly stained, I'd like to think they would replace it.

 

Not the mattress pads. *sads*