If I ran RCI I would change...

[jconeil]

We are diamond on RCL, but haven't sailed with them for a number of yrs. We booked a great itinerary b2b in NZ/Vanuatu in Jan 2012 & are looking forward to visiting ports we haven't been & may never get to again. Mostly we sail X, AZ, or Oceania. We booked this in spite of the hazardous cabin/balcony smoking policy, the MDR comparative lack of food quality & tastefulness, & worse yet, the draconian alcohol policy of not being able to bring aboard wine :eek: My point is, these 3 things prevent us from cruising RCL regularly, & we cruise several times a yr. I have read the previous comments & I see I am not alone in wishing for these policies to change. I doubt we will see another itinerary so compelling that we would book RCL again. We boycotted Princess because of the balcony smoking & now we can add that line to our cruise trips. Let's hope RCL comes into the 21st century.

[cruisecrasy]

I would raise fares to pay for all the things people want changed like better food in the MDR for example...but that doesn't sound like a winning idea does it?

Besides, if one wants better food simply pay less for your fare like others do who don't care about better food and then you can pay to dine in a specialty restaurant..

 

Unfortunately its a fact of life that while we all want these things, not sure we all want to pay for them so if u want something better be prepared to pay higher fares for same -

Fun to dream but no way we will be able to go back to 6 + yrs ago cause fares were actually higher then than now is why the food was better & there was more staff also..

 

Have great cruisin' all! :)

[emtfirefighter86]

If I was to run RCI... I would first make sure that the regular employees on the ship have at least a basic first aid class so they don't stand around when something happens onboard I would do drums to improve response times as well. I would also make available more discounts for people of all uniform service all countries and typesand government employees as well. I would add back putting candy on pillows at night I miss that. I would make buffets 24 hrs again like they say they are at least a salad bar come on RCI and a better room service menu for sure. And of course mdr food quality I would spend more than 20 dollars per person per day at least in quality of products and meat we pay for it after all but don't get what we pay for buffet food is that of a 5.99 per person land based buffet. Pay employees better wages. And build another oasis class ship but geared towards a more mature crowd like no kids allowed type of ship and more toward upscale adult fun and relaxation all inclusive cruise with massages and everything. I would personally be inclined to pay more for more privacy and luxury.

[swcruise]

1)Improve the food quality in the MDR and change the menus, they have been the same for a number of years.

2)Drinks prices are high when you add on the 15% service and the additional 8% that Spain imposes for cruise ships that depart from this country.

3)Have a standard global deposit system, for those in Europe if we pay a deposit it is non-refundable unlike the US where cruisers can canel or move to another cruise at no penalty.

[Guest maddycat]

We really enjoy Puerto Rico and would like a longer day in port. On our April 2012 Explorer cruise, we will be docked in San Juan from 7am to 1pm. You can't do much in port when you have to be back on the ship by 12:30 pm.

 

I'd like the cabin attendant to be allowed to empty the in cabin refrigerator. Since the refrigerator is in the cabin for the passenger's convenience, it should be the passenger's choice as to whether they want a stocked refig. or not.

[kmurph22]

Agree with many other recommendations, especially,

 

1)change up the menu / hire a new master chef for MDR. Maybe one of the famous TV type chefs to be the executive designer of the menu, like Rachel Ray or whomever.

2)allow a small amount of alcohol to be purchased on board and brought to the room

3)No indoor smoking

 

 

Also:

4)develop a system for communicating with family and friends on board (especially teens)... they've tried the "WOW" phones on the big ships but I understand those are no longer available? One big antenna, and some kind of pager or texting device, the technology has to be out there....

5)Don't charge money for exercise classes at the gym. RCCL tries to advertise itself as active, healthy, etc., but I have to pay for a yoga class? Really?

[Barnaby100]

Reduce the amount of salt in the food.

[Texas Teen]

More options to the Caribbean during the summer months! I would stay in San Juan year-round and return to Galveston year-round. I would also send a ship to Florida to do 9 and 12 night cruises, though that would probably be seasonal. And I would return to California.

[cdamion]

We really enjoy Puerto Rico and would like a longer day in port. On our April 2012 Explorer cruise, we will be docked in San Juan from 7am to 1pm. You can't do much in port when you have to be back on the ship by 12:30 pm.

 

I'd like the cabin attendant to be allowed to empty the in cabin refrigerator. Since the refrigerator is in the cabin for the passenger's convenience, it should be the passenger's choice as to whether they want a stocked refig. or not.

 

They cant empty the fridge now?

[Mary loves to travel]

totally agree! the Carnival ads now are catchy - RCCL's are ho-hum.

[johneeo]

Refrigerators that are actually cold.

[foxesden1]

add the liquor package similar to that of celebrity's

 

 

well said!

[U2FanHFX]

add the liquor package similar to that of celebrity's

 

And add the canned pop package as well!

[molly361]

Refrigerators that are actually cold.

 

I'll second that one!!!!

[molly361]

Whoa - why jump all over me?

 

I thought this was meant to be a fun thread, not a serious one.

 

And, I did check all of RCI's Caribbean itineraries FOR THE SUMMER (as my original post states), and there is a serious lack of options for 2012. Unfortunately, I cannot cruise when the less boring itineraries are offered.

 

I agree. Some folks need to lighten up a bit!!:eek:

[caribbean sailor]

I'd like the cabin attendant to be allowed to empty the in cabin refrigerator. Since the refrigerator is in the cabin for the passenger's convenience, it should be the passenger's choice as to whether they want a stocked refig. or not.

 

I am with you.That is the first order of the day,to empty the refrigerator.

 

Lets all go to the Caribbean.:):):)

[rosebud1g]

Agree with the above poster to have ships sail from FLL or Miami

to the Southern Caribbean. SJU is $$$ to fly there X4.

 

Make Portofino/Chops ADULTS only with NO exceptions. (even before

7pm seating) This is supposed to be a ROMANTIC setting for couples.

Children misbehaving KILLS the mood. :eek:

 

Allow a bottle of wine to be brought on to be enjoyed on your balcony.

[gaylemh]

Cold Refrigerators, and 24 hour ice machines to get your own ice, without having to call a stewart.

 

Double points for solo cruisers, and/or a reduction in the supplement. I can understand paying for the cabin for 2, but we aren't eating as much as two. Don't use as many towels etc. Persons traveling on discounted 3/4 rate get the full points, yet we are paying double and don't receive double points.

[cruiser-007]

I will agree with a few other posters and say, let us purchase a d?#n bottle of liquor on board for our cabin already! Also I will agree, better enforcement of rules. Maybe bring some 'bouncers' into the theatre to escort you to your desired seat, then let's see who thinks they can save whole rows.

[B-52]

Reduce the amount of salt in the food.

 

 

That's for sure! I could not eat the entree one evening it was so loaded with salt!

[Chitoryubt]

I would alter some of the grand suites, take out the bath and replace with a large shower cubicle so that people with mobility problems can have a choice. At the moment we love the grand suites but my Mother struggles with climbing in and out of the bath for a shower. We can't afford the upgrade to an owners suite to get the shower cubicle but as my Mother likes to use the cabin we want more space than a standard balcony cabin - we also love to use the CL. Whilst she is still able to walk around we would not dream of attempting to book a disabled cabin as there are people with greater need than her.

 

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto everything you said. That tub is TOUGH to get in and out of, even if NOT mobility impaired. The top of the tub literally hits about 6 inches below my hip, and I'm 5'2".

[baggal]

Reduce the amount of salt in the food.

 

A little off topic but since you brought it up: you can arrange in advance for either low-sodium or no-sodium meals. I just did it on the Brilliance and I chose no-sodium because thats how I prepare meals at home. You can only use it for dinner but if you make good choices for breakfast and lunch you should be ok. Your waiter will bring you the next night's menu before you leave the MDR and you decide what you would like to have the next night. In my case, the waiter had a lot of input into what would be able to be made no-sodium. I really appreciated this option.

[shopper77]

Allow stockholder obc to combine with other obc.

 

Charles and Connie

 

 

I'll second that! :)

[Shangrila Seeker]

Count me in on a different ship out of Miami to cruise the Southern route instead of PR. Maybe even one out of Baltimore that will stop at Bermuda Coco Cay Key West And than south.

[FTLCruiseGal]

I would change the menu and make sure that it gets changed out based upon season (just like a lot of restaurants do). That way, you could cruise three, four times a year and not have the same menu. Besides, it's about time they changed it. I cruised Royal many years ago, and the menu STILL hasn't changed.

 

I would make at least one ship no smoking. A lot of folks have said no smoking indoors, but how about us folks that like our balconies and have to put up with the smoke. Make an all over no smoking ship.

 

Offer an alcoholic drink package.

 

Enforce a dress code in the MDR. Nothing worse than getting all dressed up (especially on formal night) and having someone come and sit down next to you wearing a t-shirt, torn jeans, and flip-flops.

 

How about a childless cruise (boy, am I going to get blasted for this one). No offense to families, but some of us just like to relax and enjoy our time and not have to worry about screaming children, children running around, children taking over elevators.

 

Again, these are my opinions, and I am entitled to them. Should you choose to blast me, may the upgrade fairy never pay you a visit!