No longer feel like "Royalty"

[beachnative]

OP,

 

I have cruised on the Grandeur 3 times since she began sailing out of Baltimore in May. I am not offended by your statements but, from my experience, I do disagree with several of your points.

 

We were treated wonderfully on each voyage. The Vision Class lends itself to personal attention by the crew and the Grandeur excels at it.

 

The ship is in excellent shape; she looks good. She is not as up-to-date as the Allure but the retrofit last year made her interior very attractive.

 

We saw crew cleaning, painting, and polishing each and every day that we were on her. I often thanked them for doing such a great job.

 

We had early dining and never found it difficult to find good seats for the shows we attended. If one wants to be out of the dining room quickly in order to attend an early show, mention it to the waiter at the start of service.

 

We requested a double portion of our favorite starters to be served as entrees for some meals as we have grown tired of some entrees.

 

Many of the items that you need to enhance your experience no longer appeal to us: towel animals, chocolates, stationery, robes, etc.

 

Before you send the letter, you may want to drop the "Diamond" reference as "Diamond" has the reputation of being the level where many expect and demand to be treated special. Instead, include your C&A number and they can look up your history if they want to.

Edited October 22, 2013 by beachnative

[CruizAddct]

OP, just a question to clarify something.

You said you did early dining, that is usually around 6pm on most ships. Did you try to go the show that is scheduled for late dinner seating, which is around 7pm or 7:30. The later show is usually for early diners and is scheduled around 9pm. That is the only reason I can see that you would have to stand.

I have not really experienced such disappointment on a cruise so I can't relate. I hope your next cruise is better no matter which line you choose.

 

Dinner (main seating) was 5:30, but we never made it out of there before 7:20. There were times that we had a choice of a second show, but it would be like 10:00, which was later than us early risers wanted to do, but sometimes that was the only choice other than standing in the back.

[tiessa]

Wow, sure looks like I'm in a minority with my opinion. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I was just stating my thoughts. You all have valid thoughts. I guess I should take a refresher course in english too :p:D.

 

 

I don't know that you are in the minority. I think many would agree with you but many of us are fairly new to cruising and aren't used to the old perks anyway.

 

I do agree with you about the food. I thought the old menu was much better than the new one. I am not a fan of the new menu. I don't care for the choices and I don't think the quality is there.

 

I also miss towel animals every night!

 

Don't worry about offending anyone. You have a right to your opinion.

[CruizAddct]

Polly, we sailed with you on Freedom in October of 2011. I know how much you love this cruise line. For you to say these things it must be true. I hope we have a better experience on the jewel in March.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

So nice to hear from you. Hope you are enjoying cruising. Thanks for your kind words. As you know, I don't usually complain.

[BLAMBKY]

Polly, I sailed on the Oct '11 cruise with you too and darn, I'm sad that you weren't treated "Royally". :( Stinks when you look so forward to a cruise and then it not live up to your hopes/expectations. And oh my!:eek:It looks like a lot of English teachers on the boards today. :p

 

I think people sometimes just get board and change is necessary. I hope your next cruise with whatever cruise line is amazing and I hope you share the cruise line's reaction to your concern.

 

I guess my family is still pretty "new" to cruising and just do not expect as much or miss the little extras. Although as a chocoholic, I would really enjoy the nightly chocolates! I kind of look at cruising like I do my other choices in hotel/resturant choices. If I am willing/able to pay more, or if it is a special occasion we are celecrating, then I look at the upscale lines. If I am traveling with my family and budget plays a larger role, then I go with the best deal, tempering my expectations. I hope this continues to work for me, because ugh :rolleyes:, looking forward to vacation sometimes helps brighten my day.

[BecciBoo]

I too wrote a complaint letter to Crown & Anchor and Corporate.

Although our Alaska cruise in September was our favorite of any cruise we've ever had, we too finally were forced to concede that the quality of the food in MDR is just not what it used to be.

I've never complained before and have continually supported RCCL here on these boards about food. But it's just not the same. I almost feel as though touting the "new menu" as such was just a way to camouflage the fact of the lower quality of meats and such. For the first time ever, we did not enjoy our old standard...the prime rib. It was tough and flavorless.

But everything else, IMHO, the ships and the way they are run, entertainment, etc. are very good and we will continue to stick with our chosen line. We just don't expect the food to be anything special, although I am extremely grateful I don't have to prepare it;)

[CruizAddct]

Polly, I sailed on the Oct '11 cruise with you too and darn, I'm sad that you weren't treated "Royally". :( Stinks when you look so forward to a cruise and then it not live up to your hopes/expectations. And oh my!:eek:It looks like a lot of English teachers on the boards today. :p

 

I think people sometimes just get board and change is necessary. I hope your next cruise with whatever cruise line is amazing and I hope you share the cruise line's reaction to your concern.

 

I guess my family is still pretty "new" to cruising and just do not expect as much or miss the little extras. Although as a chocoholic, I would really enjoy the nightly chocolates! I kind of look at cruising like I do my other choices in hotel/resturant choices. If I am willing/able to pay more, or if it is a special occasion we are celecrating, then I look at the upscale lines. If I am traveling with my family and budget plays a larger role, then I go with the best deal, tempering my expectations. I hope this continues to work for me, because ugh :rolleyes:, looking forward to vacation sometimes helps brighten my day.

 

Hi Britney, Good to hear from you too! Happy cruising!!!

[sr4mjc]

I too wrote a complaint letter to Crown & Anchor and Corporate.

Although our Alaska cruise in September was our favorite of any cruise we've ever had, we too finally were forced to concede that the quality of the food in MDR is just not what it used to be.

I've never complained before and have continually supported RCCL here on these boards about food. But it's just not the same. I almost feel as though touting the "new menu" as such was just a way to camouflage the fact of the lower quality of meats and such. For the first time ever, we did not enjoy our old standard...the prime rib. It was tough and flavorless.

But everything else, IMHO, the ships and the way they are run, entertainment, etc. are very good and we will continue to stick with our chosen line. We just don't expect the food to be anything special, although I am extremely grateful I don't have to prepare it;)

 

Hi! It's funny because while I was on the same Radiance cruise as you, we found the food to be MUCH better than the Serenade and Brilliance out of San Juan. Perhaps it is where they are sourcing the food, I don't know. Not as many strange shelf stable gelatinous desserts found in the heat of the Caribbean. I was able to get a curry as well, like the old menu which was great of the dining staff.

 

OP, I think I agree with some things, but not everything. And hey, that's ok. I'm more than happy to give up chocolates to keep costs low. I never used the stationary anyway, I am sure this led to a lot of waste. I did use MTD so I consistently missed most shows, but hey that was my choice.

 

I do think (now that we are Diamond) that we may give Celebrity a try next. As much as I love the Radiance class aft cabins, it's time to shake it up a bit.

 

We did however have probably our favorite cabin steward of all our cruises.

Edited October 22, 2013 by sr4mjc

[Oppalopa]

May I suggest you shorten your letter just a bit and mail it do not email. It will be taken more seriously. Thank you for caring enough to write

[BecciBoo]

Hi, did you have as much fun as we did on that cruise?!!! You were above us right?

Did you see the whale breach that day in the evening leaving Ketch. I made enough clamor to wake the dead, we were videoing it.

Edited October 22, 2013 by BecciBoo

[TahoeBob]

 

But we were quite disappointed in this, ANOTHER, new menu. It seems that every time a "new" menu comes out, its worse.

 

The food wasn't very good, in our opinion.

 

and the shape of the ship was our biggest complaints. The wood in the room was well worn and the bed was very uncomfortable (hard, and we could feel the crack where the bed comes together). We had to ASK for robes

 

WHY is RCI trying to keep their prices down so much and then it forces you to lose the great things that make her what she was always known to be?

Keeping your prices a little more than the other cruise lines will make the people that don't care about the classiness take Carnival again.

 

When we choose the Main dinner seating, we should be able to finish our meals and go to the show and not have to STAND to watch it!

 

I'm not trying to get some onboard credits on my next cruise because I'm complaining...

I cut out some of the unnecessary stuff that you said. I use to work at a major Nevada Hotel casino in the complaint dept. Your post would go to the bottom of the pile because it is a rant, not a complaint.

You did not like the food but you did not say what is wrong with it. It sounds like you do have a few legitimate complaints but they got lost in all your extra stuff.

 

The way to make a very good complaint that will get listened to is give facts, EXAMPLE On Thursday we had lobster and it was cold and rubbery. On waiter "JOSH" did not explain any thing to us, out room steward did not bring us robes and we had to ask for them.

 

Saying that "The food wasn't very good, in our opinion." means nothing at all, next time learn how to complain and not rant.

[coordinator23]

We had a royal family suite on our last cruise to celebrate my DH retirement. 14 family members spread across 3 cabins. We are almost Diamond plus (one cruise away after our Dec. Cruise) and I only mention this because it lets people know we have cruised a lot.

That being said, we had to ask for robes for our cabin (two for 6 people doesn't cut it), asked about stationary - rcl doesn't do anymore, asked for a pen - no longer supplied (come on - what do you expect us to fill out a survey with, no longer supplies slippers for GS and above, specialty shampoo, conditioner and hand cream now from China (used to be high end, not dollar store variety), no chocolates (which were still supposed to be for GS and above) etc. oh and a room steward who was stretched so thin that we seldom had our room made up by noon. We were treated more royally years ago when we traveled inside rooms. I know I will be flamed for "small whines", but darn it all, when you pay over 10K for a stateroom and can't even get a ball point pen to fill out the survey and customs report, and the toiletries you get from moderate price hotels are better than the ones you get in your suite, the line definitely does not treat you "royally". (and I've cruised long enough to remember when the filet in the MDR was not an upcharge) OP has many valid observations. It seems each time we cruise, the quality goes down a little, staff is stretched a little further, and more of the Royal Treatment has been taken away.

As for the welcome back gifts, we still use them and every time we do we fondly remember cruises we got them on. People ask me about the tote bags and cruising on Royal when I use them. Penny wise and pound foolish Royal. Free advertising - a chance to have their name flashed around. (same when someone would borrow a rcl pen from me and ask questions or walk off with it) But at least the bean counters saved a few cents!

[coordinator23]

At least, because we had a suite, we got luggage tags for a change. (who would have thought these would have ever been considered a perk)

[BLAMBKY]

We had a royal family suite on our last cruise to celebrate my DH retirement. 14 family members spread across 3 cabins. We are almost Diamond plus (one cruise away after our Dec. Cruise) and I only mention this because it lets people know we have cruised a lot.

That being said, we had to ask for robes for our cabin (two for 6 people doesn't cut it), asked about stationary - rcl doesn't do anymore, asked for a pen - no longer supplied (come on - what do you expect us to fill out a survey with, no longer supplies slippers for GS and above, specialty shampoo, conditioner and hand cream now from China (used to be high end, not dollar store variety), no chocolates (which were still supposed to be for GS and above) etc. oh and a room steward who was stretched so thin that we seldom had our room made up by noon. We were treated more royally years ago when we traveled inside rooms. I know I will be flamed for "small whines", but darn it all, when you pay over 10K for a stateroom and can't even get a ball point pen to fill out the survey and customs report, and the toiletries you get from moderate price hotels are better than the ones you get in your suite, the line definitely does not treat you "royally". (and I've cruised long enough to remember when the filet in the MDR was not an upcharge) OP has many valid observations. It seems each time we cruise, the quality goes down a little, staff is stretched a little further, and more of the Royal Treatment has been taken away.

As for the welcome back gifts, we still use them and every time we do we fondly remember cruises we got them on. People ask me about the tote bags and cruising on Royal when I use them. Penny wise and pound foolish Royal. Free advertising - a chance to have their name flashed around. (same when someone would borrow a rcl pen from me and ask questions or walk off with it) But at least the bean counters saved a few cents!

 

:D Another vote for a stinking pen in every cabin!!!! Mostly because....:rolleyes: um, I love to talk cruises and you are right, they would start conversations! :p

[Sinppu]

Food is subjective.

I have no complaints about the old or the new menu.

 

Cutting down on stationery, pillow chocolate and towel animals are all both a way to save money and be more sustainable.

Save the Waves, remember?

 

I too have worked in customer service and do indeed think that your letter would have gained more attention with some modifying.

If you sent it already, all the advice here won't help you :(

 

Lowering the prices is a way to reach more customers. Cruising is a business meant to make profit, although we don't always like it.

 

If you want to feel like royalty again, come to the car ferries that make overnight crossings on the Baltic.

Once you get a taste of the Finnish or Estonian service ("service" is the punchline here...) you'll definitely appreciate the Royal service again ;)

[jcc1025]

If that is your feelings then you should tell them. After working for 35+ years in a service based industry I know that we always wanted feedback, even if we could not always correct the things that the customer was upset about.

I make it a habit to respond to RCCL both when things don't go the way I want but also when I had a great time. In most cases we only hear the complaints. Of course we expect a great time, and should, but how many times do we let them know that they meet our expectations or even better? Do complain when things don't go right, otherwise they have no way of knowing and I promise you they want to know.

In each case, good and bad, when I contacted RCCL they have always responded, not right away, and it might have been a couple of months, but they always responded.

I am afraid that this industry is going the way of the airlines. They want to make the initial price seem good so the only want to make a profit is to increase cost for things that might have been free at one time (luggage, meals, etc.). We don't have a problem with that, it provides those who are looking for a great time at the lowest possible price an option and for others they can add on things as they desire. We have become big fans of the specialty dinning options and while we like the MDR we also like to do a few special nights in these places.

Sorry for the long post, I tend to get on the soap box when people start to complain about customer service and their feelings that companies don't care.

The bottom line is we all have an option. If we don't like it, or the value is not worth the price then we can vote with our pocket book.

[travelplus]

I had opposite experiences that you have shared. I'm so sorry you did not enjoy the cruise.

 

Actually I loved the MDR menus as well as my Father. We found the variety was more than we could handle. We enjoyed the dishes we ordered. We didn't have to return any dishes. Our Waiter and Maitre'D were spot on with their recommendations.

 

We were treated royally by our Waiter and Maitre' D. On one night after telling our Waiter we love Chai Tea(He was from India). He brought it up to us from the crew area and made it for us.

 

The Breakfast Lunch and Dinner in the MDR was soo good. We loved the Tutti Salad Bar on Sea Days.

 

We love Portifiono's so much we booked it twice on the trip. The waiter in Portifino's

 

We had a nice stateroom as well.

 

I'm looking forward to our sailing on the Splendour from Brazil to Spain in April and can't wait to sample the Park Cafe.

[TEXASMUNK]

I would prefer $50.00 per person higher rates, and use the $$$ to spread out over the food, the small amenities and the "little things" that have maintained the differences between Royal and the other mainstream cruise lines. Keep Royal a cut above, without having to compete at the level of Celebrity.

We make our own decisions with how we spend our money, we all do...I would prefer the lightly higher fare and eliminate the "oh, it's gone" comments we have seen over the past few years.

 

Royal does read letters, they scope out these boards....Lots of comments, lots of thoughts.....interesting thread

[cruzeluvr]

It is strange that in many ways I agree with some aspects of your post, I also have stated that I would be happy to pay that little bit more to maintain high standards..........and yet..........I still find myself attracted to those cruises with the keenest prices.

 

I do find that it is about managing expectations, as long as I consider that I get value for money, then I am happy, and so far I have achieved that.

Sure I do use the speciality restaurants because of the changes in the Main Dining Room, but cruising has changed over the years, and on many occassions I pay less now than I did 15 years ago when I first started cruising. Therefore my expectations have changed, and I can live without some of the items that used to be offered but now are not.

 

However it is not only Royal that have made similar changes over the years, the market used to be a "Once in a Lifetime" holiday, and now in many ways in is an annual option for many. There are still cruise lines out there that do offer the " All singing and Dancing" options, with White Glove service and High Teas etc, but the prices charged reflect the extras that are included. I still prefer to pay as I go if I want an improved option, but do agree that basic standards need to be maintained, and if that in turn means higher prices, then I would still be cruising.

Well said! I do enjoy the Royal Caribbean experience, but I have lowered my expectations from when I started cruising regularly in 1996. I wouldn't mind paying a few hundred dollars more per person to bring back some of the things that made me fall in love with cruising. However, the nice thing about the lower prices is it allows us to take more than one vacation each year.

[thegima]

I would revise that to be a little more clear and concise, people tend to lose interest pretty quickly.

 

The food thing is subjective, I'm sure just as many are happy with it. I personally only go to the MDR once per cruise and during our 10/6 FOS cruise I checked daily to find something we both wanted and it wasn't until day 5 that happened. Again, totally subjective.

 

Our recent experience with maintenance was great. They were painting the entire cruise and resurfacing the floors around the pool deck and sports court area.

 

It shouldn't matter if you "pay extra" for a suite, your room shouldn't be any better maintained than the cheapest interior room. However I do agree that they should both be maintained to a satisfactory level. I remember actually bringing up that the crew was really into cleaning this past trip. There were multiple times I saw them with a bottle of windex and rags cleaning the banisters, elevators, public mirrors, tables in the library, and glass that had fingerprints on it.

 

You should share your experience with them in a shorter, right to the point, and less subjective content filled email. :D

[jktheangel]

I must say I took my first cruise about 16 years ago. It was a 2 week on celebrity and loved it so much I finally talked my sister into her first cruise in October 2011 on RC. I told her how great cruising was and that RC is the same company as celebrity. Needless to say it was bad. I was very disappointed and she didn't enjoy it. She later when on a carnival cruise and really liked it. I dm going on a RC cruise in April with a friend should has never cruised before so I im hoping its great for both of us

 

 

Jamie

[dealer9296]

The following is a letter I wrote to RCI after returning from recent cruise on the Grandeur and I wanted to share it to see if there are others that feel the same way as I do.

 

We boarded the Grandeur as a small group of 8 for a mini-family reunion. My husband and I have cruised ONLY RCI for all of our cruising since 1983 and just became diamonds, even though we have not retired yet. With this being an 8 day itinerary we were expecting things to be a little more "special" when it came to the dining experience (particularly the food choices). But we were quite disappointed in this, ANOTHER, new menu. It seems that every time a "new" menu comes out, its worse. There were at least 3 days where I could fine NOTHING on the entree menu that appealed to me, and I am not a picky person. That has never happened on any of my previous cruises. In fact, just the opposite, where I had 2 that I had a hard time to pick between. The food wasn't very good, in our opinion. That, and the shape of the ship was our biggest complaints. Instead of building new ships all of the time, why don't you take some of that money and keep the older ones in better shape, or sell them. I can remember RCI on my first trip... We couldn't get over the fact that almost everywhere we looked (behind the scenes, for the most part) there were crew members cleaning, painting, wiping something down all day long. We were in a junior suite and didn't enjoy the balcony for all of the salt built up on the banister and furniture. With paying extra for the JR suite, I would have thought that it would have been part of the every day clean up. The wood in the room was well worn and the bed was very uncomfortable (hard, and we could feel the crack where the bed comes together). We had to ASK for robes (even though we were Diamonds and in a JR suite) and for stationary (come on, really?). RCI seems to be slowly but surely taking away all that makes them the special company we've come to know and love. You took away the nice welcome back gifts, lowered the crown and anchor amenities, even took away the stationary, the mints on the pillows, and so much more. Those were all the things that made us "feel" like "royalty". I have brought SO MANY people to RCI cruising. Many first time cruisers have joined us, and we always recommend RCI when someone says they are thinking of cruising. But, its not like it used to be. NOW, with that in mind, it brings out our biggest point... WHY is RCI trying to keep their prices down so much and then it forces you to lose the great things that make her what she was always known to be? The prices havn't gone up with the economy. We've said it many times... Raise the price a little if you need to in order to pay for those little things that makes a person walk off that ship feeling like they were just treated so special that they can't wait to come back! I'm wanting to come back less and less, the more you cut things, truly... Keeping your prices a little more than the other cruise lines will make the people that don't care about the classiness take Carnival again. Instead, I'm hearing more and more good things about the ships I always looked down on. Sure, because Royal Caribbean is lowering its prices to fill all of these new ships and consequently having to cut costs - then its quality is no better. So "WHY NOT" try the other cruise lines??? I'm really disappointed, and from what I heard from other long time cruisers (in the diamond lounge), so are they. This is serious, RCI, you might want to re-think what you are doing here...

 

With all of that said, the entertainment was superb! But unfortunately, that leads me to another complaint. When we choose the Main dinner seating, we should be able to finish our meals and go to the show and not have to STAND to watch it! I don't know if its My Time Dining people filling it up or its all of the people choosing to go to the Windjammer (for the better food selections), but it is out of control. Please look better into this because this was NOT unique to this ship. Its been a problem for several cruises now. We shouldn't have to inhale our entree, skip our dessert and run to the other end of the ship to try to find a seat period, let alone 2 together!!!!

 

I'm not trying to get some onboard credits on my next cruise because I'm complaining... I'm trying to get RCI to look at these complaints seriously and reconsider all of these cuts in amenities instead of just letting your price be a little more than the other cruise lines, because you want people to FEEL like "Royal" Caribbean cruisers... If you do, I know we'll still pay extra to be on it, otherwise, we might as well lose our faithfulness to RCI and try the other cruise lines.

 

I was thinking about some of the things we are giving up for the prices we are paying.......For $5 we can stick pen, paper and mints in our luggage.

Food: I can always find something to eat. I have eaten cruise food for so long I look for new and interesting things to eat. 2 starters instead of main dish. Just a bake potato taste great to me sometimes, Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce with all the toppings, love to go to the taco bar in the WJ. Love the made to order salad at lunch. I really am tired of all the main menu items. I am looking forward to the Roast Beef Sandwich in November. Cuban sandwiches on the Majesty. Room Service: Spinach Dip and chips, cheese plate, desserts. The money we are saving can be spent in the optional fee restaurants. I would like to see them make sure they are selling pens in the General Store. I don't mind buying one.

 

I want a quiet clean room, clean bath room, towels, working toilet and hopefully my bed is OK. I do agree with you on that one for any amount of money you pay. I have had some pretty rough beds myself. Always glad to get back to my bed.

 

I think the suggestion to try another line might be your answer. I like being loyal to RCCL for the time being. I really think they treat their faithful very well.

 

I think you should feel free to sent your letter. I do think they are well aware of what is going on.......I had a survey E-mail from RCCL not long ago to see if my recent cruise was as good as my last cruise. I told them I noticed the slight changes but realized they were keeping the prices down. They have also been through all of these high gas prices and never put on the gas surcharge. I am pretty sure their stockholders are holding their feet to the fire.

 

Happy sailing,

Glenda

[Paulette3028]

We began our cruise vacations in February of 2004, on Navigator. Since then we have cruised exclusively on RCCL. We have been on Majesty 9 times and going again this November....we have been on Liberty, Jewel and Enchantment also.....here is what I can say....

 

The recession gave cruise ships the 'excuse'/need to cut out some services.....I miss the mints, but I can live without them. It is easy for me to see that the housekeeping staff, has more cabins to take care of because they reduced the number of housekeeping staff; in the dining room there is less staff and so each team (waiter/bus person) has more tables to take care of. But our service never suffered.

 

I have NEVER had a lesser experience for all the changes RCCL has felt they needed to make. The quality of the food has always been fine. Even with the slightly smaller menu, I have been able to find items that I like. Each night there were 6-7 main courses to choose from. That is plenty of choice for me.

 

Yes, once they forgot to put our robes in our stateroom. The staff quickly provided them, when it was pointed out. Not a problem.

 

If they made other changes to the entertainment staff -- it did not affect whether I had a terrific time or not....because we always have had a terrific time.

 

The staff is always cleaning, polishing, waxing something on board EVERY ship we have ever been on.

 

I consider us, true Royal Loyalists....we just booked our summer cruise for 2014 -- which will be on Allure. That will be our 15th cruise in 10 years.

 

We love cruising!

[roscoegirl]

The following is a letter I wrote to RCI after returning from recent cruise on the Grandeur and I wanted to share it to see if there are others that feel the same way as I do.

 

We boarded the Grandeur as a small group of 8 for a mini-family reunion. My husband and I have cruised ONLY RCI for all of our cruising since 1983 and just became diamonds, even though we have not retired yet. With this being an 8 day itinerary we were expecting things to be a little more "special" when it came to the dining experience (particularly the food choices). But we were quite disappointed in this, ANOTHER, new menu. It seems that every time a "new" menu comes out, its worse. There were at least 3 days where I could fine NOTHING on the entree menu that appealed to me, and I am not a picky person. That has never happened on any of my previous cruises. In fact, just the opposite, where I had 2 that I had a hard time to pick between. The food wasn't very good, in our opinion. That, and the shape of the ship was our biggest complaints. Instead of building new ships all of the time, why don't you take some of that money and keep the older ones in better shape, or sell them. I can remember RCI on my first trip... We couldn't get over the fact that almost everywhere we looked (behind the scenes, for the most part) there were crew members cleaning, painting, wiping something down all day long. We were in a junior suite and didn't enjoy the balcony for all of the salt built up on the banister and furniture. With paying extra for the JR suite, I would have thought that it would have been part of the every day clean up. The wood in the room was well worn and the bed was very uncomfortable (hard, and we could feel the crack where the bed comes together). We had to ASK for robes (even though we were Diamonds and in a JR suite) and for stationary (come on, really?). RCI seems to be slowly but surely taking away all that makes them the special company we've come to know and love. You took away the nice welcome back gifts, lowered the crown and anchor amenities, even took away the stationary, the mints on the pillows, and so much more. Those were all the things that made us "feel" like "royalty". I have brought SO MANY people to RCI cruising. Many first time cruisers have joined us, and we always recommend RCI when someone says they are thinking of cruising. But, its not like it used to be. NOW, with that in mind, it brings out our biggest point... WHY is RCI trying to keep their prices down so much and then it forces you to lose the great things that make her what she was always known to be? The prices havn't gone up with the economy. We've said it many times... Raise the price a little if you need to in order to pay for those little things that makes a person walk off that ship feeling like they were just treated so special that they can't wait to come back! I'm wanting to come back less and less, the more you cut things, truly... Keeping your prices a little more than the other cruise lines will make the people that don't care about the classiness take Carnival again. Instead, I'm hearing more and more good things about the ships I always looked down on. Sure, because Royal Caribbean is lowering its prices to fill all of these new ships and consequently having to cut costs - then its quality is no better. So "WHY NOT" try the other cruise lines??? I'm really disappointed, and from what I heard from other long time cruisers (in the diamond lounge), so are they. This is serious, RCI, you might want to re-think what you are doing here...

 

With all of that said, the entertainment was superb! But unfortunately, that leads me to another complaint. When we choose the Main dinner seating, we should be able to finish our meals and go to the show and not have to STAND to watch it! I don't know if its My Time Dining people filling it up or its all of the people choosing to go to the Windjammer (for the better food selections), but it is out of control. Please look better into this because this was NOT unique to this ship. Its been a problem for several cruises now. We shouldn't have to inhale our entree, skip our dessert and run to the other end of the ship to try to find a seat period, let alone 2 together!!!!

 

I'm not trying to get some onboard credits on my next cruise because I'm complaining... I'm trying to get RCI to look at these complaints seriously and reconsider all of these cuts in amenities instead of just letting your price be a little more than the other cruise lines, because you want people to FEEL like "Royal" Caribbean cruisers... If you do, I know we'll still pay extra to be on it, otherwise, we might as well lose our faithfulness to RCI and try the other cruise lines.

 

Just my .02cents: I've sailed RCI and Carnival. I sailed on the Enchantment which I believe is similar to the Grandeur...just longer. I loved everything about the Enchantment and I'm hoping to try out the Grandeur also some day. Lately, I've been sailing on the Carnival Pride. IMO, the food is much better on Carnival and the balcony cabins are almost as large as a JS on Royal.

 

My last sailing with Royal was on the Explorer. As far as the Explorer is concerned, the MDR food was horrible. Thank goodness for Portofino's on the Explorer!

 

As for the 'little' things, I don't really care about mints, robes (although, Carnival provides robes in every cabin regardless of loyality level) etc. I really enjoy meeting new people at the various venues...to me, socializing, good food/drinks and relaxing is enough for me. And BTW: the same folks you meet on Carnival will also sail with RCI. I'll be booking Royal again in the future because I really do enjoy both lines...some things are better on Royal and some are better on Carnival.

 

I for one, would not like to see prices go up...I hope the RCI folks read your letter and find a way to keep you coming back...don't charge everyone else more!

 

I hope whatever cruiseline you try next will be a more enjoyable experience for you...I'd like to try Princess and Holland America!:)

 

Happy Sails and stop look back...look to the future of cruising!!;)

[RSLeesburg]

We got off Grandeur the day you were boarding, and couldn't have had a better experience. Of course, it was our first cruise, so we didn't miss any of the little things you say have been taken away. Also, our balcony was also salt encrusted. Our cabin attendant cleaned it every day, and by the next morning there was some salt there again. I don't know, maybe it had something to do with being at sea :rolleyes:

 

We did have robes in our cabin, but we were in a GS.