How could RCL Improve?

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I recently asked why some of you favored Royal as one of your favorite cruise lines, and the answers were very engaging. While still keeping it's unique experience, in what ways could RCL improve?

 

We haven't sailed on Royal Caribbean yet, and don't know any criticisms other than devotees of other lines who are looking for a different experience altogether. Our first sailing is in 3 months!!!

[Sumisid]

I recently asked why some of you favored Royal as one of your favorite cruise lines, and the answers were very engaging. While still keeping it's unique experience, in what ways could RCL improve?

 

We haven't sailed on Royal Caribbean yet, and don't know any criticisms other than devotees of other lines who are looking for a different experience altogether. Our first sailing is in 3 months!!!

 

In my opinion, they could improve with enforcing their own rules. Like keeping adult-only-areas on the ship child-free, no kids in specialty restaurants after 7pm, taking towels and belongings to towel-stations after 30 minutes etc.

But honestly, not much else comes to my mind, I love to cruise with RCCL.

[Ourusualbeach]

In my opinion, they could improve with enforcing their own rules. Like keeping adult-only-areas on the ship child-free, no kids in specialty restaurants after 7pm, taking towels and belongings to towel-stations after 30 minutes etc.

But honestly, not much else comes to my mind, I love to cruise with RCCL.

 

As an FYI RCI welcomes kids in most of their specialty restaurants all the time.

 

 

 

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Food & Beverage

 

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Q: Are children allowed to dine in our Specialty Restaurants?

 

A: Children with a parent or guardian are welcome in our specialty restaurants throughout serving hours. The only exceptions are Chef's Table which requires all guests to be 21 years of age or older, and 150 Central Park which requires families with children under 13 years of age to dine before 7 p.m. Reservations can be made online or onboard at the restaurant based on availability.

 

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[DonnaK]

I agree about enforcing their rules. Especially chair hogs and seat saving in the theatre. We were on a Princess cruise, and the activities staff made sure everyone filled in all the seats in a row (no leaving single seats between parties) and that no seats were saved. (We saw a physical fight break out in the Aquatheatre on Allure between a seat saver and people who wanted those seats). I also think that they should enforce their dress code.

 

I was very impressed with the quality and quantity of live music on the Celebrity Summit. The singers and dancers gave two extra concerts, one where they each sang their favorite songs from Broadway or films. The second concert was a really fun jam session with singers and musicans from all the venues on the ship. RCI should encourage this on all its ships (on one of our Explorer cruises, the featured singers did perform on the Promenade in the evening, and the orchestra did an additional concert in one of the large lounges. These were excellent)

[Sumisid]

As an FYI RCI welcomes kids in most of their specialty restaurants all the time.

 

 

 

< Back to Food & Beverage

 

Food & Beverage

 

Print This Page

 

 

Q: Are children allowed to dine in our Specialty Restaurants?

 

A: Children with a parent or guardian are welcome in our specialty restaurants throughout serving hours. The only exceptions are Chef's Table which requires all guests to be 21 years of age or older, and 150 Central Park which requires families with children under 13 years of age to dine before 7 p.m. Reservations can be made online or onboard at the restaurant based on availability.

 

You may also want to know:

 

How can I make a specialty restaurant reservation?

 

 

 

 

Search FAQs

 

 

 

 

Need help?

 

If you're having trouble, you can complete our e-mail form and one of our representatives will contact you.

If you prefer, you can call us directly.

Or you may search this site for more information.

 

Well, we had a screaming toddler in 150 CP at 8pm last November and it was NOT funny!!

[PSCruiser]

I agree, enforce their own rules to "help" some people to acquire manners, pool chair hogging being the number 1 problem.

Sure they will alienate a few, but most guests will appreciate the effort, and be even more likely to repeat.

[Eileen G]

I think they could improve their tendering process. All the other cruise lines we have been on have a designated area ( like the dining room, theater or large lounge) to come to when your whole party is ready to go to shore. When you enter you receive a tender ticket and then wait in comfort for your ticket number to be called. When your number is called you line up and a crew member escorts everyone to the tender. No pushing and shoving or waiting in too warm hallways and stairs. I don't know why RC still does it the way they do???

[LilMermaid]

* I would like to see Royal change the production shows on a regular basis - like maybe 3 years on each ship. If it is a monetary issue for Royal, they could just swap shows amongst ships.

 

* Go back to the original way of getting a pool towel - have the cabin steward leave 2 in the room for you.

 

* Keep the Windjammer open 24 hours.

 

* On ships with a Royal Promenade, have a drink station set up with iced tea and lemonade 24 hours.

 

* Get rid of those expensive hand-held Bingo machines. Bingo used to be more fun when everyone had the same chance to win with just the paper cards. Most of the winners are playing on the machines, and at $50+ for each Bingo session, it is ridiculous.

 

* Give us some more varied Caribbean itineraries to choose from - maybe 10 & 12 days to the Southern Caribbean or Panama Canal partial and full transits. I'm tired of the same old 7 day eastern and western itineraries.

[BillOh]

Always keep one hot tub open and above 100F all night. As an avid hot tub user (owner 10 years) I find it to be the greatest all natural, drug free sleep aid. It can be an adventure to find an open hot tub that is actually warm after 9pm. On Freedom one night the only tub still open was on the pool deck and it was filled with 30 kids.

 

I've been kicked out of 3 hots tubs on Allure in 5 minutes just so the crew could up signs saying CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE without actually doing anything. Majesty only has 2 and they closed them at 9pm this past cruise. :(

[Clarea]

* I would like to see Royal change the production shows on a regular basis - like maybe 3 years on each ship. If it is a monetary issue for Royal, they could just swap shows amongst ships.

...

Swapping shows would still be very expensive as the sets would have to be rebuilt and installed on the new ship.

[Zigggypup]

Customer service seems to be a big issue with RCI. People are always complaining about getting inaccurate and inconsistant information from the telephone rep's.

 

In terms of on board issues. I would like to see them remove all the sales people from the Windjammer area. I hate having to run the gauntlet just to get into the windjammer. They have people trying to sell wine, water, dining packages, and camera's. I think it's a little tacky. They should have an area down in the promenade for that stuff rather than trying to shanghai guests as they are passing through or just going in for a meal.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Zigggypup

[BillOh]

Customer service seems to be a big issue with RCI. People are always complaining about getting inaccurate and inconsistant information from the telephone rep's.

 

In terms of on board issues. I would like to see them remove all the sales people from the Windjammer area. I hate having to run the gauntlet just to get into the windjammer. They have people trying to sell wine, water, dining packages, and camera's. I think it's a little tacky. They should have an area down in the promenade for that stuff rather than trying to shanghai guests as they are passing through or just going in for a meal.

 

 

 

I partially agree with this one. They aren't real high pressure and I can walk by, but on Jewel in 2012 we were one of the first on the ship and I like to get in the WJ, eat then everything else. That cruise we were with another couple whose wife gets distracted by shiny things and had to schedule her $100 facial above all else on the cruise and by the time she was done the WJ was full! It could have waited, but that is probably my impatience as much as anything.

[ehfl]

I would like to see longer and/or more frequent sets of live music. Often the soloists, quartets, bands, etc. will only play for 45 minutes or so. It would be nice if they played more often and on more days during the evenings, so if you miss one, you can catch another, or if you like the act, you'll have the opportunity to see them again.

[ORB]

Really interesting thread! Overall, I think Royal does a lot of things well, which is one reason why they are my current favorite line. There are a few things from other lines, though, that I think are better.

 

Food is an extremely subjective area, and I've found more difference within the Royal fleet sometimes than between Royal and another line. Overall, though, I think they are slightly weaker than many of the lines which are their prime competition.

 

Perhaps more importantly, their focus on larger ships has meant their ability to offer new and exciting itineraries is seriously less than the competition. For some people that won't matter--I loved my cruise on the Allure and I'd go back with a large grin on my face. BUT--I will always be shopping some of the lines with smaller ships because they can take me someplace more interesting than Cozumel is after you've been there six times.

 

When it comes to designing ships in a way which allows large groups of people to move quickly without feeling crowded, though, there is no one who can hold a candle to RCL.

[printingchick]

I totally agree about the larger ships translating to unimpressive itineraries. I have some serious concerns that RCL may not remain my favorite cruise line if the trend continues, as I prefer smaller ships offering more varied itineraries and a focus on SEA views!

 

Beyond that, here is my list:

• ABSOLUTELY agree with returning to the old pool towel method - two in the room, your cabin steward can swap out for you. The new system is SUCH a pain!!
  
• A return to nightly towel animals! Yes, I know some of you could care less about them, but to me they represent something that is charming and unique about a cruise versus a land-based vacation! Returning to the cabin after dinner, wondering which animal is there waiting for us, is FUN...and ANY age.
  
• I bet they'd sell more "Gifts and Gear" if they'd adopt an on-line process for ordering. Print and fax or mail the form and wait for an email to show it was received?? Really??
  

Edited November 15, 2013 by printingchick

[bigboffs]

Simply put the suggestions so far are right on point. We would add the need for a computer system that works, especially onboard when connections often fail and are extremely slow ( RCCL blames this on satellite issues; however, other lines we have been on do not have the same serious issues). We have also repeatedly brought to RCCL attention that the volume of music is so loud that it often drowns out singers voices; and in receptions with music it is so loud that ordinary conversation is nearly impossible.

[Presto2]

Have only sailed once with RCI on the IOTS (had a great time) but we came away thinking that it would be better if:

 

The Windjammers needs to be bigger to cope with the huge number of people trying to have Breakfast. Nightmare just to find a seat. Hated it --- really, really hated it!!

 

Alternatively, keep the MDR open for Breakfast longer - not everyone who wants to use the MDR for Breakfast wants to be up before 9.30am

 

NO plastic crockery in Windjammers - what is all that about?

 

Where have the little chocolates on the pillows gone at the end of the day --- a little thing, but we like it

 

Security ------- outside on the prom deck ??? Is there another way to do this, and if not, can the people doing it get a personality and at least look as if they care?

 

Someone to say 'Goodbye' when you leave ------- the staff at security couldn't seem to care less. We are used to staff on Celebrity and P&O who genuinely wished us a safe journey and sorry to see you go !!!

 

 

When I think that we had no expected too much from RCI I think that is a pretty good list --- it isn't a big one and minor things really.

 

PS Lots of plus things too ---------- have to mention the rap round prom deck, the dress code on our cruise, the kettle in the cabins, fab select dining, great staff, the Champagne Bar and the great atmosphere on the ship ;)

[dreamer976]

I will have to go along with the enforcement of their own rules and the pool towel thing, for sure.

 

I will also add a comment about the Freestyle Machines for people who have bought the soda package (I do not drink soda but have cruised w/people who do). If you are going to put these machines inside the Windjammer, then make them accessible even when the buffet is closed - there must be an easy fix for this screwup.

[Paulette3028]

What I would like is to have a section of the Windjammer open 24 hours....late at night it could be a much simpler choice of foods...more finger foods, salads, premade sandwiches, fruit, cookies, coffee, tea, cold drinks.

 

I believe they should have drink stations (just like they have the yogurt machine -- on Majesty and other ships) around the pool area, so that people who just want a cool drink can get it themselves without going into the WJ or waiting in line at the pool bar....where people seem annoyed if you aren't asking for an alcoholic beverage.

[Debitoo]

Well, someone has to say it and it might as well be me....Bring a ship back to SoCal! :p

[Ourusualbeach]

Well, we had a screaming toddler in 150 CP at 8pm last November and it was NOT funny!!

 

I agree that in that case the rules should have been enforced but you never stated that in your original post, you just mentioned kids and specialty restaurants.

[Piepkorn]

Well, someone has to say it and it might as well be me....Bring a ship back to SoCal! :p

 

I couldn't agree more.

[queenL]

I agree with the others regarding the ports of call. After 21 cruises I've been to nearly every port in the Caribbean with the exception of some of the smaller, lesser known ones. I'd like more variety. If only I had a nickel for every ship that docks in Cozumel or Nassau.....

[G85 SS]

I see several complaints about chair hogs not being dealt with. I don't spend much time at the pools but back in June on Oasis the pools were used quite a bit. And I noticed pool staff going around and not only snatching up towels but personal belongings too. I took great pleasure in people watching as people would return back to their chairs with a plate of food from the windjammer just to find out their chairs are now occupied by someone else.

 

I don't have a gripe when it comes to things like service. I am easy to please and with every cruise I have been on, RCCL has hit the ball out of the park in that category. From guest services on board to employees I have been in contact with on the phone. All have done nothing less than try to be 110% helpful.

 

My only real big area of complaint is the new menu. Their old menu with everything from Chilean Sea Bass to Scallops Risotto was absolutely wonderful. This, and I hate to say it, but junk they have now definitely seems like they took a turn towards cheap. I'm not asking to go back to the old menu because at some point things need to change. But at least keep the same quality of food.

[G85 SS]

I agree with the others regarding the ports of call. After 21 cruises I've been to nearly every port in the Caribbean with the exception of some of the smaller, lesser known ones. I'd like more variety. If only I had a nickel for every ship that docks in Cozumel or Nassau.....

 

And I have no idea why Nassau is such a popular port. I'd rather sleep in and spend the day on the empty ship than to get off in Nassau.

 

For goodness sake Atlantis now charges people to go to the Aquarium. No thanks, I'll sit by the pool with a drink and a multitude of empty seats to choose from. :D