Royal Caribbean - The Nickel and Dime Cruise Line

[Iwannavacation]

We have cruised Royal caribbean several times before, but had gone to Holland America for our last two cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Baltic. We had not cruised on Royal for 6 years. (We also have cruised on Disney.)

 

We just returned from the Bayonne to Bermuda trip. To say that we were highly disappointed in the seeming transformation of Royal Caribbean from a somewhat upscale cruise line to what I've now labelled as The Nickel and Dime Cruise Line may be an understatement.

 

Not only has Royal fallen down in its service levels, it has decided to scrap every possible penny it can from customers, changing the experience to a negative one. It has also decided that it will lead the industry in transforming how cruise lines charge, and profit, from its customers.

 

First, the cruise itself. Here is what $900 a day now gets you on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

 

Coffee - Royal used to make a good Starbucks available, but now it's merely a bad Seattle's Best coffee # 3, with no other coffee option on the entire ship. The coffee is truly awful.

 

My son broke his muster station band. We were sent to guest services to get a replacement, where we were told they had none for his station. They then us to go to Adventure Ocean to get one. Make the customer do the work. Good strategy.

 

The variety of the food in Windjammer is more limited than before and of poor quality.

 

Dinner in the dining room a majority of the time tasted like airplane food.

 

I ordered pancakes at breakfast and received 2 pancakes of 3 inches in size that were ice cold.

 

At breakfast, they tried to forced our group of six to one side of a large table (instead of at the same end so we couldn't have a relaxing conversation), then telling us they don't have a choice to do it differently.

 

My wife ordered hash browns for breakfast and was literally given one spoon full.

 

We requested half and half for coffee and were frequently being given milk instead.

 

We repeatedly asked to be given 3 silverware place setting sets for breakfast for room service and were consistently given 2 (we had three people in the room).

 

We had a suite so we had a coffee maker, but it had a coffee pre-made filter for 2 cups, but we only had a one cup coffee maker.

 

We bought the soda package. On one occasion we asked for diet coke and were told the boat was "out at this end of the ship...'you have to go to the other end to get diet Coke.'"

 

There was no room service menu in our room (it had been torn from the book). We were told there were no replacement books on the entire ship!

 

We were not given a final bill for check out; when we called we were told to go to Guest Relations to get one. We also could not review the bill interactive tv as it did not work.

 

The quality of the stage shows has deteriorated very significantly ( although, in fairness, we were very impressed with the ice show).

 

Beyond the boat itself, perhaps the most pathetic change is the constant nickel and diming of passengers at every opportunity. As if RCCLis not making high enough margins. It's clear that RCCL has made a strategic decision at the highest levels to move the cruise industry from a modified "all-inclusive" format to a "let's keep billing for everything and see how far we can take it" business model.

 

A few examples of the constant attempts to sell us something;

 

Selling bottled water at dinner the instant we sat down

Selling $35 cook books at dinner

Setting down to breakfast and having them immediately try and sell fresh squeezed orange juice

Though we did not partake, lobster and premium steaks are now only available for an additional price (e.g., $19.95

 

The contrast between Holland America and Royal Caribbean is now striking. One has fine ships with superior service, terrific food, and an overall enjoyable cruise experience. The other is a low scale, poor quality, nickel and dime outfit.

 

The question for we consumers is: are we going to allow RCCL to do this and ultimately make the owners even richer than they already are, or will we stand up and say "no," your profits are already more than adequate? To say that we were disappointed with our experience is an understatement. But it goes beyond that. If we as consumers allow Royal Caribbean to charge for the smaller things, pretty soon it will be everything.

 

I realize that many cruisers become very loyal to a particular line and will defend it against a negative review. To those loyal to Royal I would only say I hope you can look at where it has gone objectively and don't take this decidedly negative review personally. If we keep taking it, we'll keep getting it. And more.

 

As for my family, we are taking our Royal Caribbean Platinum status and moving to Holland America permanently.

[Lionesss]

Sorry to hear about your un-happy experience.

Myself, after cruising 5 times in my life, rather like RCI. I have sailed Cunard, Disney and RCI. For the price, can't be beat.

We had a couple minor glitches on board the ship, but, not enough to make us look for another ship.

Looking forward to sailing next year with RCI Allure??

Safe travels.

Sue and crew

[Big_G]

Enjoy Holland!

[dmwnc1959]

...in the seeming transformation of Royal Caribbean from a somewhat upscale cruise line...

 

Royal Caribbean has never been a 'somewhat upscale cruise line'. It's always been a mass market line.

 

And what if things 'happen' on Holland-America? Going to jump ship for Celebrity or Princess?

 

On how many of the incidents did you (the paying customer) insist that the job be done right and to your satisfaction? Did you send any of the meals back? Did you complain to the Maitre d'? Or to the Hotel Manager? You are Platinum, right? You were in a Suite, right? Didn't your Butler do his job?

 

Sounds like you only have yourself to blame.

 

Next time just fly to Bermuda and stay in a resort?

 

P.S. I'm not loyal to Royal and will be cruising on them for the first time since 1999.

 

.

[freeruthie]

We paid much much less than that on our Oasis trip in February and weren't bothered by any of those issues.

[f1mauro]

Sadly, the airline industry has incorporated a similar business strategy. Lower fares but add-on pricing for bags, refreshments, carry-ons, preferred seating and so on. As consumers there is really not much we can do but be conditioned to this new business attitude. Fortunately we also have options to shop around as you mentioned, different cruise lines, or different airlines. It is a frustrating thing to watch the industry change its business strategy when you've come to grow with them and expect a different level of service as it was once before.

 

Would I ever sail RCI again? Hells-ya!!

[uksimonusa]

We have cruised Royal caribbean several times before, but had gone to Holland America for our last two cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Baltic. We had not cruised on Royal for 6 years. (We also have cruised on Disney.)

 

We just returned from the Bayonne to Bermuda trip. To say that we were highly disappointed in the seeming transformation of Royal Caribbean from a somewhat upscale cruise line to what I've now labelled as The Nickel and Dime Cruise Line may be an understatement.

 

Not only has Royal fallen down in its service levels, it has decided to scrap every possible penny it can from customers, changing the experience to a negative one. It has also decided that it will lead the industry in transforming how cruise lines charge, and profit, from its customers.

 

First, the cruise itself. Here is what $900 a day now gets you on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

 

Coffee - Royal used to make a good Starbucks available, but now it's merely a bad Seattle's Best coffee # 3, with no other coffee option on the entire ship. The coffee is truly awful.

 

My son broke his muster station band. We were sent to guest services to get a replacement, where we were told they had none for his station. They then us to go to Adventure Ocean to get one. Make the customer do the work. Good strategy.

 

The variety of the food in Windjammer is more limited than before and of poor quality.

 

Dinner in the dining room a majority of the time tasted like airplane food.

 

I ordered pancakes at breakfast and received 2 pancakes of 3 inches in size that were ice cold.

 

At breakfast, they tried to forced our group of six to one side of a large table (instead of at the same end so we couldn't have a relaxing conversation), then telling us they don't have a choice to do it differently.

 

My wife ordered hash browns for breakfast and was literally given one spoon full.

 

We requested half and half for coffee and were frequently being given milk instead.

 

We repeatedly asked to be given 3 silverware place setting sets for breakfast for room service and were consistently given 2 (we had three people in the room).

 

We had a suite so we had a coffee maker, but it had a coffee pre-made filter for 2 cups, but we only had a one cup coffee maker.

 

We bought the soda package. On one occasion we asked for diet coke and were told the boat was "out at this end of the ship...'you have to go to the other end to get diet Coke.'"

 

There was no room service menu in our room (it had been torn from the book). We were told there were no replacement books on the entire ship!

 

We were not given a final bill for check out; when we called we were told to go to Guest Relations to get one. We also could not review the bill interactive tv as it did not work.

 

The quality of the stage shows has deteriorated very significantly ( although, in fairness, we were very impressed with the ice show).

 

Beyond the boat itself, perhaps the most pathetic change is the constant nickel and diming of passengers at every opportunity. As if RCCLis not making high enough margins. It's clear that RCCL has made a strategic decision at the highest levels to move the cruise industry from a modified "all-inclusive" format to a "let's keep billing for everything and see how far we can take it" business model.

 

A few examples of the constant attempts to sell us something;

 

Selling bottled water at dinner the instant we sat down

Selling $35 cook books at dinner

Setting down to breakfast and having them immediately try and sell fresh squeezed orange juice

Though we did not partake, lobster and premium steaks are now only available for an additional price (e.g., $19.95

 

The contrast between Holland America and Royal Caribbean is now striking. One has fine ships with superior service, terrific food, and an overall enjoyable cruise experience. The other is a low scale, poor quality, nickel and dime outfit.

 

The question for we consumers is: are we going to allow RCCL to do this and ultimately make the owners even richer than they already are, or will we stand up and say "no," your profits are already more than adequate? To say that we were disappointed with our experience is an understatement. But it goes beyond that. If we as consumers allow Royal Caribbean to charge for the smaller things, pretty soon it will be everything.

 

I realize that many cruisers become very loyal to a particular line and will defend it against a negative review. To those loyal to Royal I would only say I hope you can look at where it has gone objectively and don't take this decidedly negative review personally. If we keep taking it, we'll keep getting it. And more.

 

As for my family, we are taking our Royal Caribbean Platinum status and moving to Holland America permanently.

 

 

So the only Nickel and Diming I see in your entire rant are things you can do without, bottled water, fresh orange juice, cookbooks and premium quality steaks and full lobster:confused:

 

Lobster tail is still, as always, available on the regular menu as is Angus Sirloin steak, everyday, and New York Strip.

 

Considering RCCL made a loss in the last quarter, there profits don't seem adequate to me!

 

Sorry you had a few glitches in your cruise, hope you enjoy your next on HAL

[Aquahound]

Funny, I just cruised Holland and didn't see much difference from RCI wrt on board charges. In fact, I was a little disapponted they wanted $40 for a one-time dip in their t-pool. Guess perception has a little to do with it. Enjoy your Holland cruises.

[bajathree]

Royal Caribbean has never been a 'somewhat upscale cruise line'. It's always been a mass market line.

 

And what if things 'happen' on Holland-America? Going to jump ship for Celebrity or Princess?

 

On how many of the incidents did you (the paying customer) insist that the job be done right and to your satisfaction? Did you send any of the meals back? Did you complain to the Hotel Manager? You were in a Suite, right? You are Platinum, right? Didn't your Butler do his job? Maybe you only have yourself to blame?

 

Next time just fly to Bermuda and stay in a resort?

 

.

 

Exactly what I was thinking to myself as soon as I read it.....going into any mass market line with those expectations and you are bound to be disappointed. I see this quite often with suite guests....they think because they get a suite on Royal that everything is going to change and all of a sudden they are on a luxury line....not so...I have stayed in everything from the Royal Suite to interiors....in all honesty...the service doesn't change...only the size of the cabin.

[janetz]

All the mass market lines ten to nickel and dime now but you decide what to spend your money on, or not. Our last RC cruise on the Oasis, we had a great time with not one issue. No one tried to sell us anything. You have what you consider" a cruise" full of issues and your trashing the whole line?

Have great sailings on Holland. ;)

[hubofhockey]

We have cruised Royal caribbean several times before, but had gone to Holland America for our last two cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Baltic. We had not cruised on Royal for 6 years. (We also have cruised on Disney.)

 

We just returned from the Bayonne to Bermuda trip. To say that we were highly disappointed in the seeming transformation of Royal Caribbean from a somewhat upscale cruise line to what I've now labelled as The Nickel and Dime Cruise Line may be an understatement.

 

Not only has Royal fallen down in its service levels, it has decided to scrap every possible penny it can from customers, changing the experience to a negative one. It has also decided that it will lead the industry in transforming how cruise lines charge, and profit, from its customers.

 

First, the cruise itself. Here is what $900 a day now gets you on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

 

Coffee - Royal used to make a good Starbucks available, but now it's merely a bad Seattle's Best coffee # 3, with no other coffee option on the entire ship. The coffee is truly awful.

 

My son broke his muster station band. We were sent to guest services to get a replacement, where we were told they had none for his station. They then us to go to Adventure Ocean to get one. Make the customer do the work. Good strategy.

 

The variety of the food in Windjammer is more limited than before and of poor quality.

 

Dinner in the dining room a majority of the time tasted like airplane food.

 

I ordered pancakes at breakfast and received 2 pancakes of 3 inches in size that were ice cold.

 

At breakfast, they tried to forced our group of six to one side of a large table (instead of at the same end so we couldn't have a relaxing conversation), then telling us they don't have a choice to do it differently.

 

My wife ordered hash browns for breakfast and was literally given one spoon full.

 

We requested half and half for coffee and were frequently being given milk instead.

 

We repeatedly asked to be given 3 silverware place setting sets for breakfast for room service and were consistently given 2 (we had three people in the room).

 

We had a suite so we had a coffee maker, but it had a coffee pre-made filter for 2 cups, but we only had a one cup coffee maker.

 

We bought the soda package. On one occasion we asked for diet coke and were told the boat was "out at this end of the ship...'you have to go to the other end to get diet Coke.'"

 

There was no room service menu in our room (it had been torn from the book). We were told there were no replacement books on the entire ship!

 

We were not given a final bill for check out; when we called we were told to go to Guest Relations to get one. We also could not review the bill interactive tv as it did not work.

 

The quality of the stage shows has deteriorated very significantly ( although, in fairness, we were very impressed with the ice show).

 

Beyond the boat itself, perhaps the most pathetic change is the constant nickel and diming of passengers at every opportunity. As if RCCLis not making high enough margins. It's clear that RCCL has made a strategic decision at the highest levels to move the cruise industry from a modified "all-inclusive" format to a "let's keep billing for everything and see how far we can take it" business model.

 

A few examples of the constant attempts to sell us something;

 

Selling bottled water at dinner the instant we sat down

Selling $35 cook books at dinner

Setting down to breakfast and having them immediately try and sell fresh squeezed orange juice

Though we did not partake, lobster and premium steaks are now only available for an additional price (e.g., $19.95

 

The contrast between Holland America and Royal Caribbean is now striking. One has fine ships with superior service, terrific food, and an overall enjoyable cruise experience. The other is a low scale, poor quality, nickel and dime outfit.

 

The question for we consumers is: are we going to allow RCCL to do this and ultimately make the owners even richer than they already are, or will we stand up and say "no," your profits are already more than adequate? To say that we were disappointed with our experience is an understatement. But it goes beyond that. If we as consumers allow Royal Caribbean to charge for the smaller things, pretty soon it will be everything.

 

I realize that many cruisers become very loyal to a particular line and will defend it against a negative review. To those loyal to Royal I would only say I hope you can look at where it has gone objectively and don't take this decidedly negative review personally. If we keep taking it, we'll keep getting it. And more.

 

As for my family, we are taking our Royal Caribbean Platinum status and moving to Holland America permanently.

 

I don't think the "owners"/shareholders are doing all that well lately. I look at overall cost of a vacation and what I get and not the nickles and dimes. The nickles and dimes should be added with the $thousands to determine what you are really paying. But all of that doesn't make a difference if you really enjoy HAL more anyway. Why should a premium status have impact on choosing a ship and line that you really want to go on. We have cruised pretty evenly among Princess, Carnival, and RCI. Premium status and perks are the LAST thing we factor in and don't care what levels we hit.

[deserttraveler]

Sorry about your experiences on Royal. It is not and has not been for some time a go-to line for the food. On Voyager last year, my table mates and I agreed on that AND on the fact that we'd cruise Royal again because it offers a good value. Your Elite Platinum status would transfer very well to Celebrity's Captain's Club, Celebrity being Royal's "sister" line that has much better food, similar service, very little in your face selling, and similar prices. In my near future, I have one cruise planned on Celebrity and one on Royal. I will have a good time on both, but I know I'll eat better on Celebrity and be freer of sales pitches. On my Voyager cruise last winter, I found that a friendly "no, thanks" took care of the sales pitches.

 

By the way, Seattle's Best is a subsidiary of Starbucks.

 

Re HAL, yes, their smaller ships and excellent food are wonderful as long as you are not in one of the corridors in which the toilets stop working nearly every night. Children have mixed experiences on HAL becuse the demographic really is older and grayer. I've been on 4 HAL ships and they had far less to do onboard (not an issue for me because I'm a reader), especially for children, than either Royal or Celebrity.

 

I'll be happy to continue sailing on all 3 lines.

[akcruz]

The only part of your post I agree with is that as customers we can show the company what we are and are not willing to pay for. If nobody buys the orange juice, special steak, or cookbook the cruise lines will take them away. However, it seems that a lot of people do like them and are willing to pay for them.

 

We have very much enjoyed all of our RC cruises and only pay for the few extras we use such as drinks, and maybe one specialty restaurant per cruise. We appreciate the lower prices for the base cruise than the premium lines, and adding on what we feel is important to us.

 

Bottom line, RC works for us, if it does not work for you, move on.

[luvfamvaca]

We are going next summer Bayonne to Bermuda, I am sad to hear all these things. We were on Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan in 2008, I remember the charge for bottled water, the cookbooks, I thought the photos/packages were priced a bit too high, I don't recall the orange juice offer, (just ridiculous to charge for oj - we probably just ordered it without realizing it) I don't believe they had addl charges on premium steaks and lobsters but I could be wrong. The food was fine for us, we really didn't feel the nickel and dime thing, we had a nice crew, always there for assistance but then again we didn't need much and didn't know much as it was our first cruise with a large family group so we just focused on going with the flow. I also have a habit of letting bothersome things go, forgetting about them as quick as possible, otherwise I obsess over them and make everyone annoyed lol. These things very well may have happened with our cruise too, but I probably just didn't pay attention to them. The good usually outweighs the not so good, hopefully you have found what works best for your family, and Royal just had a bad few days.

[xcell]

well you cant please everyone...

 

the only complaint i have of royal but that's because it's the only line I have ever cruised with is that I hope they change their menu, and have some peanut free options other than the soft ice cream at the pool/surfs up for my kids...

 

when i read your post i was looking for the nickel and diming stuff but couldnt find it...

 

asking to buy oj, books, i think it's no different then disney trying to sell stuff characters to the kids, or special drink of the day...it's part of the vacation...no thnak and move on...

[MagentaandRiffRaff]

exactly what i was thinking to myself as soon as i read it.....going into any mass market line with those expectations and you are bound to be disappointed. I see this quite often with suite guests....they think because they get a suite on royal that everything is going to change and all of a sudden they are on a luxury line....not so...i have stayed in everything from the royal suite to interiors....in all honesty...the service doesn't change...only the size of the cabin.

 

ditto!!

[Cigar King]

900 dollars a day to cruise, and you complain about nickels and dimes? Seems like the real problem in this case is you.

 

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

[Ladysilver]

900 dollars a day to cruise, and you complain about nickels and dimes? Seems like the real problem in this case is you.

 

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Ditto! :eek:

[sharod]

I have never felt "nickle and dimed" to death. All it took was a "no thank-you", and they moved along. No one chased me down and forced me to buy anything. Never felt pressured.

 

As far as food goes, I understand what some people find tasty and acceptable, some people don't. I have never had a bad meal on a cruise yet! I admit, I am not picky, but I do know what is acceptable (for me), and what is not. So far, so good;). I would have no problem sending something back if it was unacceptable.

 

I would say if someone wants upscale, then they need to cruise with a line that is known for this. Royal suites my hubby and I fine. We like the activities and shows that they provide us with. So, for us it is a good fit. But not everyone wants this type of cruise or experience. You just need to find what fits you!!!

 

 

ETA: I like the coffee. Good and strong :)

[katiel53]

What kind of cabin did you have for $900 a day? At that rate, I don't understand why you didn't have a special place for breakfast, ie Chops grill or some place as you would have to be in a suite. Also, I guess if I paid $900 a day going to Chops or Portofino would be a no-brainer to me. I would expect a lot more from a cruiseline if paying that much.

 

If you paid $90 a day, then you are not paying that much and for that amount I would expect just regular service on a mainstream cruise line which is sounds like you received. HAL isn't all that great in my opinion, but to each his own.

 

I'd sooner do Celebrity, as we have done many times, before HAL again. By the way, I think Seattle's best coffee is good. I am definitely not a Starbucks fan.

[Rewind]

I took my first cruise last year and did a lot of my research before hand to know what was included and not. I can get OJ at breakfast without a problem, but the "Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice" was being hyped by one guy for an extra charge. I've been cutting down on my soda intake and I really do like lemonade so I don't see that as a problem. And I'm not the richest person in the world and don't eat at a 4-5 star restaurant nightly so I thought the food was really good (ok, the WJ buffet does need some work for lunch and yes the steaks aren't perfect).

 

I'm still young in my career path so I can't afford the suite life yet, but from what I have seen I get a real good value with a cruise vacation. I was treated with respect and everyone I interacted with made me feel welcome and were making sure I had a good time.

[sept10dsm]

900 dollars a day to cruise, and you complain about nickels and dimes? Seems like the real problem in this case is you.

 

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

Yes, I agree. Back in 1977 we paid more for a 3 day Miami/Bahamas cruise (I think around 300 pp) with a tiny port hole and a lot less to do. In 1999 we pd. over 2000 pp for a 7 day Alaska OV, although soda was included we do not drink it. That was the Dawn Princess, not an upscale line. Anyway, in a couple weeks, we too, will sail on the ExOS but are only paying about 700 pp for a balcony. To me, although more a pain to think about prices for items, the cruise itself (with sales etc) can be a much better price and buy the extras you really want. And today's dollars are worth much less than back then so a cruise was a bigger percentage of earnings as well.

[stephanie1]

I have mixed feelings about rccl as well. However, I just say no to the things I do not want to pay for. The food is mediocre but you have options. The mdr is not your only place to eat. Many people are satisfied with the fare, I am not most of the time. There are other menu choices and other venues. I am on vacation and I make the most of it. I would rather be on a cruise than not!

[LovesCruising]

OP - you mention you were in a suite - if you were in a GS or above your Concierge would have been more than happy to help you with alot of the problems you experienced.

[johneeo]

 

We just returned from the Bayonne to Bermuda trip. To say that we were highly disappointed in the seeming transformation of Royal Caribbean from a somewhat upscale cruise line to what I've now labelled as The Nickel and Dime Cruise Line may be an understatement.

 

First, I am not one of the RCI cheerleaders. Matter of fact, I have been a consistent basher of top management, and feel that Larry, Moe, and Curly could better run the organization.

 

However, personally, I put no credence whatsoever in anyone that complains about cruise food and bottled water.

 

I say this because:

 

1. I do not go on a cruise to eat. Just throw me some meat and potatoes, fry a shoe in butter and garlic, and I am fine.

 

2. I am of the opinion that anyone that buys water or brings water on a cruise ship is a total raving lunatic. Personally, I never drink the stuff.

 

Most of your complaints are about the food, water, orange juice coffee, coffee machine, and a book for sale at the MDR:confused:

 

As for nickle and diming, as I look back on my Oasis cruise, the only thing that I charged to my Sea Pass was beer and one photo taken from my Labadee zip line excursion. No trinkets, no books, no premium food, restaurants, and I have no idea what was in any of the stores, as I never went in any, and honestly, I never even looked at them from the outside.

 

I thought that the entertainmant was good, I enjoyed the many bars, as well as the pools, and the service was very good.

 

My advice to anyone that is going on a cruise for the food, don't. I find it somewhat like going to a nice wedding reception, only more choices and you can order as much of anything you want. Quality, about the same.