Will Radisson maintain standards on Diamond?

[kbella]

We are booked on what is now the final cruise for the Diamond under RSSC.

Do you think the quality of the cruise will be affected by these circumstances? Do you think the condition of the ship will be maintained even though it is leaving RSSC? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Kbella

[JoAnne B]

I would hope that RSSC would maintain standards if only to preserve their reputation. Those on the final voyages of the Song of Flower can probably answer this better than anybody else.

 

I was on one of the last cruises on Royal Cruise Line and it was a real disaster. They had fired most of the dining room staff and disembarked them as we were boarding. Our waiters were room stewards who could barely speak English, let alone understand the menu. And it was clear that they wre cleaning out the larders as the food didn't match what was on the preprinted menus. No matter what we ordered, out came iceberg lettuce, green beans and flan. One night our table tried to order an extra entree "for the table" and was told, no, the number of entrees had to match the number of people at the table. The staff couldn't have cared less about keeping customers happy. Since we were sailing between Nairobi and Singapore, getting off and flying home wasn't an option. It was the only time I've seen the chef booed during the parade of accolades on the last night.

 

The difference is that most of the crew of the Diamond have a great deal of pride when it comes to ship service. I'm wondering if Giusseppe and Capt Neil will be aboard for the final sailings. Both were scheduled for vacation during the spring transatlantic. I'm hoping they will both see her through her final days. If they're aboard all will be well!

[Lv2sail]

We are on the Diamond out of San Juan on Sunday, Feb. 6th. I had the same

apprehension that Radisson's level of excellent service might be down a

notch. I certainly hope not, since we have another couple with us that I

convinced to try RSSC. I hope my rave reviews will hold true.

 

I'll post my impression mid-February.

[English Voyager]

Staff morale on the final cruises will depend on how they are treated by Radisson.

Given the staff numbers involved,and the limited number of ships in the Radisson fleet,one wonders how many can be employed in the remaining ships.

Uncertainty of employment must have an effect.

[Dolebludger]

I am sure that Radisson is committed to maintaining its standards on this last Diamond cruise, as on all cruises. But one factor deserves consideration. On this final cruise, we can be virtually sure of a 100% full ship. Our limited personal experience tells us that the Diamond is not at her best when totally full. In fact, no ship is. So for me, how I felt about this factor would be the sole consideration.

 

 

Thanks,

Richard:) :) :)

[Lv2sail]

Just recently returned from the Diamond's Feb. 6th 5 night cruise. Several items of interest...

Captain Jeremy Kingston who had been onboard for three years received a call from headquarters and was transferred at the end of the cruise. I don't know to where...and I don't know who replaced him.

The hotel director, Giuseppe, was still doing a great job.

The Maitre'd at the Grand dining room was new to the Diamond.

 

A problem with the anchor somehow fouling with the prop shaft kept us in Virgin Gorda for an extra day. We missed St. Maartin but were compensated with a $100 pp credit.

 

As always the staff is attentive and exceptional. However, there seemed to be a slight lack of the meticulous maintenance aboard. I never noticed the usual polishing that always seems to go on continuously aboard a ship. Also, small things like the teak around the pool was needing repair. I quess at this point, a lease is just a lease.

 

I did hear a few grumbles from fellow passengers about linen and room service. Not quite what they had experienced before.

 

However, IMO, it was a beautiful cruise. I wish the Diamond wasn't going to become a casino!

[wishIweretravelling]

I was on the final Song of Flower cruise. If that was any indication, the standards will be maintained Service continued to be excellent, and the physical condition of the ship was maintained. But there was a very different flavor to the cruise that made it particularly special. The crew mixed more with the passengers, and there was a strong sense that this was the end of an era. There were countless special moments that were unique to this being the ship's final cruise. Virtually all the crew was going to another RSSC ship (and indeed there were a couple of them on my next cruise on the Navigator). Probably 95% of the pax had sailed the Song before, so the sense of community was unusually strong. I was so glad I took that cruise.

[lastlook]

We were on the "Diamond" on the 2/6 sailing and the ship seemed in great shape to me. The cuisine and service were both excellent.

 

I was surprised, however, that they no longer had a staff person aboard to promote future sailings on other RSSC ships, nor any incentive program to leave a deposit toward a future booking. I realize that the "Diamond" will no longer be part of their fleet as of June, but all the more reason to promote their other ships. Perhaps they will fill this void with offers by mail?

 

I did not mind spending a second day off of Virgin Gorda, as we had taken the Anegada excursion the first day, and so went to "The Baths" the second day with other couples we'd met the first day. We were pleased to receive the $100 pp shipboard credit for the inconvenience of missing St. Martin. It seemed most people were more interested in St. Barth's, which we did make.

 

This was our 2nd cruise - our first was on the PG last March, and we will continue to be RSSC customers in the future. To all of you who have future bookings on the "Diamond", I doubt you will be disappointed. We certainly weren't! :-)