Need better service.

[elstyne]

No pool towels, half of the ship still has a smoking side right beside the ice cream pool area stand ( this was after we got the letter saying that royal Caribbean was going to be non smoking. That was a JOKE)and our room was not stock correctly. On every other cruise line that I have been on this never happened. On every other ship we have always been taken personally to our room no matter what category we booked. We booked a grand suite and was not worth the service

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Ocean Boy]

OK, so what ship? What was missing from your cabin? No pool towels or no pool towels in your cabin? And RCI has never said they were going non-smoking. It is the cabin balconies that are now non-smoking.

 

Personally, I don't want an escort to my cabin. But I do understand that some people are into that.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Ocean Boy

[rcrdale]

RCCL is non smoking on the balconies and indoor places. You can still smoke on the pool deck and deck 4 outside on one of the sides.

[PLEIKU68]

No pool towels, half of the ship still has a smoking side right beside the ice cream pool area stand ( this was after we got the letter saying that royal Caribbean was going to be non smoking. That was a JOKE)and our room was not stock correctly. On every other cruise line that I have been on this never happened. On every other ship we have always been taken personally to our room no matter what category we booked. We booked a grand suite and was not worth the service

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

WOW ! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[leaveitallbehind]

No pool towels, half of the ship still has a smoking side right beside the ice cream pool area stand ( this was after we got the letter saying that royal Caribbean was going to be non smoking. That was a JOKE)and our room was not stock correctly. On every other cruise line that I have been on this never happened. On every other ship we have always been taken personally to our room no matter what category we booked. We booked a grand suite and was not worth the service

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Sorry for your experience. To clarify a couple of things, the new smoking policy with RCI only eliminated smoking on balconies. It is not a non-smoking policy. Outdoor smoking on one side of the pool deck and in the casino remained unchanged.

 

RCI does not escort passengers to their staterooms, other than (to my knowledge) the Royal Suite. What other cruise lines have you been no that do this with each passenger in each category?

[Cindy]

No pool towels, half of the ship still has a smoking side right beside the ice cream pool area stand ( this was after we got the letter saying that royal Caribbean was going to be non smoking. That was a JOKE)and our room was not stock correctly. On every other cruise line that I have been on this never happened. On every other ship we have always been taken personally to our room no matter what category we booked. We booked a grand suite and was not worth the service

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Well then, you must not have been sailing on mass market cruise lines, which is what RCI is. I've cruised on Royal Caribbean, HAL, Princess, and Carnival, and I've never been personally escorted to my cabin -- I've had a suite on all four lines as well as some balcony cabins. The only cabin I've ever known the occupants to be escorted was the RS.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Cindy

[Paulxyz2004]

Oh what a little pre cruise Research could have helped;):rolleyes:

 

ETA: As you need better Service I expect you will sail on other lines in the future - enjoy.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Paulxyz2004

[Clarea]

Sorry for your experience. To clarify a couple of things, the new smoking policy with RCI only eliminated smoking on balconies. It is not a non-smoking policy. Outdoor smoking on one side of the pool deck and in the casino remained unchanged.

 

RCI does not escort passengers to their staterooms, other than (to my knowledge) the Royal Suite. What other cruise lines have you been no that do this with each passenger in each category?

With the exception of the casino and cigar lounge, I believe they also eliminated smoking at all the indoor bars and lounges.

[elstyne]

We did not have the pool towels in our room and there were non at the pool. They told us to come back in about 20 min and when we did (there our 3 in our cabin ). We were told we were only allowed 2 towels. Why would you put the ice cream stand were kids go on the same side of the smoking. That does not make sense? We had a grand suite. It was not towels for 3 people. It did not have robes and slippers I was disappointed for our daughter. On all the other ships every night a towel animal was left for her at night. This cruise they did 2 towel animals. And at night for the bed turn down she was looking forward for a chocolate on her pillow. The pool server gave my 11 year old a alcoholic drink. We did not order a drink for her They actually said that the drink was for her.

If I booked a regular state room and if it was just my husband and I I would not care as much about the chocolate ,towel animals, or smoking at the ice cream stand (I don't care for ice cream but my daughter does) but for the amount of money spent for a grand suite I do expect more from a ship. I would like to know who was the geniuses to put the smoking side withe the ice cream?

[springfire]

Sorry for your experience. To clarify a couple of things, the new smoking policy with RCI only eliminated smoking on balconies. It is not a non-smoking policy. Outdoor smoking on one side of the pool deck and in the casino remained unchanged.

 

RCI does not escort passengers to their staterooms, other than (to my knowledge) the Royal Suite. What other cruise lines have you been no that do this with each passenger in each category?

 

RCCL indeed use to escort passengers to their staterooms, I believe it stopped in about 2001 or so, not sure of the exact date. I have not seen or heard anyone doing this job since that time. I use to escort passengers on cruises back in the 80's for RCCL, as a part time job here in south Florida.

[leaveitallbehind]

With the exception of the casino and cigar lounge, I believe they also eliminated smoking at all the indoor bars and lounges.

 

Yes, you are right - I forgot that.

 

Thanks for clarifying!

[papaflamingo]

Sorry you feel like you do. I've been cruising since 1998 and to my knowledge the large lines, as mentioned, have never escorted passengers to their cabin except the Royal Suite. I don't know about luxury lines like Seabourn, but suspect they do. Then again, you pay a huge amount for the service. I plan to try one someday.

As for the amenities of the Grand Suite, one of the things most valuable to me is the space. But the "gold card" privileges are nice. Concierge lounge, private sun deck, full room service menu, priority check in and debarkation, priority seating at shows. I guess "value" is in the eye of the beholder, as is service. The mass market lines are way cheaper than the luxury lines. They can do this because they do not offer the same product. They offer, in my opinion, a great product, but it isn't anywhere near the level or the cost of the luxury lines. It's like the difference between shopping at Macy's or shopping at Neiman Marcus. Different product, different prices.

IMHO the enjoyment or lack of enjoyment of a cruise is in the "expectations." If you go on Royal Caribbean and expect Seabourn service and amenities, you'll be disappointed. If you go on Royal Caribbean and expect Big Red Boat services and amenities, then you'll love it (not a slam against the Big Red Boat). So, learn about what you are purchasing, and manage your expectations, and you'll either enjoy the cruise, or not book it to start with.

[Paulxyz2004]

Sorry you feel like you do. I've been cruising since 1998 and to my knowledge the large lines, as mentioned, have never escorted passengers to their cabin except the Royal Suite...

 

They used to escort every passenger to their cabin. I´ve experienced this on RCI in my very early days of cruising in a Deck 2 OV;)

I don´t know when it was stopped because I started to get more experienced and showed up at the port early - before cabins are available - and of course they can hardly escort me if the room isn´t ready.;)

[rummenroman]

We did not have the pool towels in our room and there were non at the pool. They told us to come back in about 20 min and when we did (there our 3 in our cabin ). We were told we were only allowed 2 towels. Why would you put the ice cream stand were kids go on the same side of the smoking. That does not make sense? We had a grand suite. It was not towels for 3 people. It did not have robes and slippers I was disappointed for our daughter. On all the other ships every night a towel animal was left for her at night. This cruise they did 2 towel animals. And at night for the bed turn down she was looking forward for a chocolate on her pillow. The pool server gave my 11 year old a alcoholic drink. We did not order a drink for her They actually said that the drink was for her.

If I booked a regular state room and if it was just my husband and I I would not care as much about the chocolate ,towel animals, or smoking at the ice cream stand (I don't care for ice cream but my daughter does) but for the amount of money spent for a grand suite I do expect more from a ship. I would like to know who was the geniuses to put the smoking side withe the ice cream?

 

The took chocolates away a few years ago. Robes and slippers can be hit or miss. It's been a while since I received a towel animal every night of a cruise. Did your daughter say she was disappointed? You cruised a mass market line that tries to cater to everyone and tries to keep prices low to attract people. They have left some things out because of it.

 

I hope you find a cruise line that will fit your needs a little better than Royal the next time you cruise. Happy cruising!

[Paulxyz2004]

We did not have the pool towels in our room and there were non at the pool. They told us to come back in about 20 min and when we did (there our 3 in our cabin ). We were told we were only allowed 2 towels. Why would you put the ice cream stand were kids go on the same side of the smoking. That does not make sense? We had a grand suite. It was not towels for 3 people. It did not have robes and slippers I was disappointed for our daughter. On all the other ships every night a towel animal was left for her at night. This cruise they did 2 towel animals. And at night for the bed turn down she was looking forward for a chocolate on her pillow. The pool server gave my 11 year old a alcoholic drink. We did not order a drink for her They actually said that the drink was for her.

If I booked a regular state room and if it was just my husband and I I would not care as much about the chocolate ,towel animals, or smoking at the ice cream stand (I don't care for ice cream but my daughter does) but for the amount of money spent for a grand suite I do expect more from a ship. I would like to know who was the geniuses to put the smoking side withe the ice cream?

 

As I said before a little Research would have saved you lots of disappointment. CHocolates on the pillows have been eliminated for quite a while now (several years). Towel animals just a couple times during the cruise is around for quite a while now as well. Slippers have been gone from suites for quite some times too. All of this has been discussed on here extensively.

 

You should have gotten Robes in a GS and enough towels for three in the room, but I think a simple talk to your Suite attendant or Guest Relations would have most likely resolved the Problem. Sure it should have been there in the first place, but mistakes happen and can be taken care of.

 

I don´t know what spending the Money for a GS has to do with an ice cream stand and a Smoking area:confused:

 

I hope you reported the issue of your daughter getting an alcoholic drink, which I think is a very valid gripe you have and it should have been dealt with onboard.

[Missus Makkem]

did the Concierge not help you with the problems you had? Or at least tell you how things have changed over the last few years.

[Sherlock43031]

someone is jerking everyone's chain..

[Spurschick]

I am sorry you did not enjoy yourselves.

 

My DD has sailed with us since she was a baby. I have never noticed an issue regarding smoking around the ice cream station, although again it would be helpful to know the ship you were on and the exact location of the ice cream.

 

I have never seen anyone or been escorted to a cabin and I have stayed in plenty of suites including the RS:confused:

 

Regarding missing items it is a quick fix by a polite conversation or note to your cabin steward. Robes is something that I always find late getting to our cabin as they are probably the last things to get washed from the previous cruise.

 

Whilst I know they cut back on towel animals (some ships I think only do it on Formal evenings now) again I asked our cabin steward if it was possible to do every night for our DD and with the exception of first and last night he happily took care of for us.

 

Chocolates - we miss as well, not sure if they still do in suites but. Celebrity do some good pillow chocolates:)

[LovesCruising]

We did not have the pool towels in our room and there were non at the pool. They told us to come back in about 20 min and when we did (there our 3 in our cabin ). We were told we were only allowed 2 towels. Why would you put the ice cream stand were kids go on the same side of the smoking. That does not make sense? We had a grand suite. It was not towels for 3 people. It did not have robes and slippers I was disappointed for our daughter. On all the other ships every night a towel animal was left for her at night. This cruise they did 2 towel animals. And at night for the bed turn down she was looking forward for a chocolate on her pillow. The pool server gave my 11 year old a alcoholic drink. We did not order a drink for her They actually said that the drink was for her.

If I booked a regular state room and if it was just my husband and I I would not care as much about the chocolate ,towel animals, or smoking at the ice cream stand (I don't care for ice cream but my daughter does) but for the amount of money spent for a grand suite I do expect more from a ship. I would like to know who was the geniuses to put the smoking side withe the ice cream?

 

Still not sure which ship you were on - however - being in a GS your problems could have been addressed in 2 ways - first I would have spoken to my steward about pool towels, being in a GS pool towels are in cabin and you do not have to go to the towel hut at the pool for them. 1 per person. If you didn't have enough towels in the bath, again, speak with the steward.

 

GS still receives chocolates on the pillow at night - I would have asked the steward. Towels animals are never left every night anymore - usually every other night. Robes and slippers also are requested thru the Steward but should have been there upon arrival.

 

If these things were not taken care of to your satisfaction, then the concierge would have stepped in and helped you.

 

I cannot answer about the smoking area - IDK - and as far as alcohol being served to your child - could have been a mistake? Although the server could plainly see the child was underage.

[lady_cruiser]

elstyne it sounds like Royal Caribbean just isn't for you like another cruise line (Norwegian) just wasn't for me.

 

The important thing is that we, at least, both gave these two cruise lines (you Royal Caribbean, me Norwegian) a try.

Edited February 23, 2014 by lady_cruiser

[Retired LEO]

Still not sure which ship you were on - however - being in a GS your problems could have been addressed in 2 ways - first I would have spoken to my steward about pool towels, being in a GS pool towels are in cabin and you do not have to go to the towel hut at the pool for them. 1 per person. If you didn't have enough towels in the bath, again, speak with the steward.

 

GS still receives chocolates on the pillow at night - I would have asked the steward. Towels animals are never left every night anymore - usually every other night. Robes and slippers also are requested thru the Steward but should have been there upon arrival.

 

If these things were not taken care of to your satisfaction, then the concierge would have stepped in and helped you.

 

I cannot answer about the smoking area - IDK - and as far as alcohol being served to your child - could have been a mistake? Although the server could plainly see the child was underage.

 

Not anymore

[LovesCruising]

Not anymore

 

 

As of when Ray? We were in a GS last NYE and got them? :o

[Retired LEO]

As of when Ray? We were in a GS last NYE and got them? :o

 

My last 2 sailings on the Enchantment and my last sailing in the Freedom we didn't have any. And that was 1 RS and 2 OS's.

[MrsPete]

I'm having trouble following the complaints here: You thought RC was non-smoking, or you don't know why the "smoking side", which doesn't exist, was on the side of the ice cream? You're making two separate (and opposite) complaints.

 

Yes, chocolates and towel animals aren't like they used to be, but it didn't need to be a surprise. It's been discussed on this board for quite some time.

 

As for the alcoholic drink, did you taste it to verify it contained alcohol, or did you assume based upon the glass? I ask this because my teenaged daughter and niece popped up one day holding what appeared to be Strawberry Dac drinks, and I was not happy! My first thought was that older guys had bought them for my girls, but they said the bartender had given them to them. Immediately I demanded a taste (of both glasses), and I found that they were, indeed, virgin drinks. No problem, though it made me slightly uncomfortable that the bartender had gifted them to the girls. I expressed my concerns, and although the girls rolled their eyes at me, they listened and reiterated that they were always cautious and careful and would never put themselves in a position to be alone with an quasi-stranger.

[summersigh]

The took chocolates away a few years ago. Robes and slippers can be hit or miss. It's been a while since I received a towel animal every night of a cruise. Did your daughter say she was disappointed? You cruised a mass market line that tries to cater to everyone and tries to keep prices low to attract people. They have left some things out because of it.

 

I hope you find a cruise line that will fit your needs a little better than Royal the next time you cruise. Happy cruising!

 

Holland America and Carnival both still have chocolates on the turned down pillow and we got a new towel animal each night. In fact on the Carnival cruise DH was feeling poorly (respiratory) and on the night before the last full evening the room steward made a life size alligator out of their dark blue beach towels :)

We've only sailed in the 2000's but have never been escourted to our cabin - even Cunard did not do so.