Nation of Why Bother?

[nivek82]

Maybe it's because I haven't been able to get away on a ship since December or the fact I read too much on this site. I feel like why should I bother to even keep looking at this cruise line. All I read on here is how prices go up perks and service go down. I get it that prices go up and from my experiences always good for my money. I agree that perks have been taken away and prices gone up (maybe this is their way to drive D+ folks out.

 

I don't know but really appears to be so much complaining on here that maybe I should look elsewhere. Though I feel if I go read other boards on here I would see the same.

[Smitty815]

I never heard of this forum before my cruise on the Oasis 2015-April-25.

I looked for a forum afterwards because of all my excitement about cruising and I wanted to find out more about the Harmony. I liked all the information on this forum so I decided to register.

 

There is a lot of complaining on this forum, however, I will tell you that my experience a few weeks ago was awesome and it was not a single bit different or less exciting than my previous 2 cruises with RCI. It is still an awesome cruise line and you will not regret a vacation with them.

[splash_in_the_water]

sort of what we thought before our cruise last weekend. Reading all these stories about RCI after bveen with carnival we thought "shoot, not sure if we're going to like this". Well, we had a pretty fine time. Obviously there were differences, but nothing huge. We thought the ship itself was nicer. A couple small things like not having self serve laundry, sel serve kiosk to check your account status, etc...but those are little things. We found the food to be good, drinks were good. The service was pretty good, plenty of activities, etc. This was on Enchantment though, and I feel like from what I'm gathering maybe the smaller ships have a little better service? The Enchantment is known for its great crew though, so maybe that made a difference.

[cruisevv]

As long as I get my balcony discount we're all good.

[Smitty815]

A couple small things like not having self serve laundry, sel serve kiosk to check your account status, etc...but those

 

What do you mean by not having a self serve kiosk to check your account status? On the Oasis class you can just check your account status on the TV in your room. Is it not the same on the Enchantment?

[Clarea]

What do you mean by not having a self serve kiosk to check your account status? On the Oasis class you can just check your account status on the TV in your room. Is it not the same on the Enchantment?

No, Enchantment does not have interactive stateroom TV.

[splash_in_the_water]

What do you mean by not having a self serve kiosk to check your account status? On the Oasis class you can just check your account status on the TV in your room. Is it not the same on the Enchantment?

 

hmm, see! This is why we have cruise critic! No, as far as we could tell, no handy features like on our TV. I'm sure we would've found it if it were. On Carnival they have a couple kiosks near guest services that you could check your account, transfer funds, etc...

 

It's useful to know though, that some ship classes have some features over others, so check and see, ask questions, etc if you think these things might affect your cruise...

 

Like I said, little things. Not a make or break, just noticed was all. Over all we had a great cruise, would do RCI again.

[cruisevv]

No, Enchantment does not have interactive stateroom TV.

 

This was really helpful actually.

 

Does anyone know if there's one thread that compares classes of ships?

 

Not just the big details like the new North Star on Quantum but the small details like checking your charge account on your TV. Really makes a difference.

[splash_in_the_water]

This was really helpful actually.

 

Does anyone know if there's one thread that compares classes of ships?

 

Not just the big details like the new North Star on Quantum but the small details like checking your charge account on your TV. Really makes a difference.

 

That would be great, I like that idea!

 

here's the thing about cruise critic. Unlike a lot of forums cruise critic tends to get too many new users and posters to bother having one thread to be dedicated to this sort of thing. The best you can hope for is a sticky - which I'm not sure if anyone reads. Instead of searching or combing through a few pages the "new thread" button gets used more than anything.

 

I agree though, certain things like drink package, drink price, ship amenities, etc..could benefit from being consolidated. Forums moderators could also help by merging these sorts of threads- It can easily be done on v-bulletin. Otherwise it makes searching difficult, and prevents 40 different threads about the same things with a dozen replies each.

[Familygoboston]

I think that some things have improved and some things have become more expensive.

 

 

 

Recent changes of stuff I like-

No more checking in and out pool towels (except if you get them at the gangway)

 

C&A complimentary drinks for Diamond and above offered on the sea pass for use in any lounge.

 

Electronic C&A "coupons" on the sea pass, and liar of benefit in stateroom

 

On ships where it's happened; improved internet service, more intuitive and faster

 

No smoking on balconies or in lounges other than pool deck (one side ) and casino

 

Fewer announcements on board and self congratulations during shows

 

Photos available electronically on kiosks

 

 

 

 

Resent changes I don't love and how I've avoided them-

 

Higher drink prices (I stopped buying drinks on board)

 

Sales of everything everywhere (I ignore these)

 

Squeezing more cabins into previously public spaces/ redesigning ships squeezing venues in where they werent designed to be- especially when the ship was so gorgeously designed to begin with. (Not much I can do but weep for the designers.)

 

Major restrictions/decrease in benefits on the Next Cruise/Book on Board program (no longer use/invest in it, use other cruise lines more often)

Edited May 13, 2015 by Familygoboston

[Merion_Mom]

What do you mean by not having a self serve kiosk to check your account status? On the Oasis class you can just check your account status on the TV in your room. Is it not the same on the Enchantment?

 

No. No interactive TV on the Enchantment of the Seas. or on any Vision or Sovereign class ship.

[yolanda1]

Maybe it's because I haven't been able to get away on a ship since December or the fact I read too much on this site. I feel like why should I bother to even keep looking at this cruise line. All I read on here is how prices go up perks and service go down. I get it that prices go up and from my experiences always good for my money. I agree that perks have been taken away and prices gone up (maybe this is their way to drive D+ folks out.

 

I don't know but really appears to be so much complaining on here that maybe I should look elsewhere. Though I feel if I go read other boards on here I would see the same.

 

 

 

I don't think anyone SHOULD bother to give their business to one company. There are lots of great lines out there, and sometimes the luxury lines offer much better value than the mass market lines like Royal Caribbean. It's worth experimenting.

 

We spread our custom around, and our next 4 booked cruises won't be with RCI, because they aren't giving us enough for our money at the moment, and their customer service is poor.

 

You're right. You will see the same kind of complaints about other lines. All the more reason to keep looking at alternatives, and there are several. In our experience, none are all good, and none are all bad, but checking them all out is fun!

 

Most cruisers don't use Cruise Critic, and people are more likely to write about bad experiences than good, so I wouldn't worry about seeing all the negative comments. There will probably be lots of happy, non- Cruise Critic members out there! :)

[kernow]

I agree that reading some of the threads on here you would think that RCL is a disaster and total waste of money (probably true on other cruise line boards too) but in reality I find most of it grossly over exaggerated once we are on the ships.

 

We came back from the Splendour TA last week and both DH and I agree that it was one of our best cruises ever. The service from every staff member that we came into contact with was excellent, no sign of too few overstretched staff anywhere and it was a full ship. The food was really good, I honestly can't remember it being any better on our first RCL cruise in 2003. Entertainment was good and varied, maybe not as spectacular as on the new ships but enjoyable.

 

C and A perks which did feel like they were being eroded when we were on Oasis in September, were in abundance, we had invitations to something nearly everyday and the lounges were serving any drinks you could name.

 

I do agree that the drink prices are ridiculously high but luckily it doesn't affect us much as we haven't bought that many for years since we became D.

They had specials on all the pay restaurants making the prices reasonable.

 

There are no interactive TVs but things like that do not ruin my cruise.

 

From reading a lot of reviews on here lately it does seem like the smaller ships are concentrating on service and the bigger ones on bells and whistles.

 

Personally I prefer the service and said so on my survey.

 

Julie

[alfaeric]

Here's one problem- negative reviews and comments take a long time to work there way through every poster's system. There's always something to debate.

 

So you see them on the front page for a long time.

 

Positive reviews are read, and thanked for their reviews, and by the end of one day- are on page 3.

 

If one goes and looks at the reviews that CC hosts- you will see that most ship reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

 

Here's a CC page of ALL RCI's reviews- http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/royal-caribbean-cruises/cl/

 

There are 18,600 reviews there- of those, 10,400 are Excellent. 3900 are very good- so put togther, 14,300 of ALL 18,600 reviews are above average. 77.2% of the reviews are above average. ALL ships, all reviews.

 

Of the below average- there are 916 poor and 485 terrible- which is a total of 1,401 below average reviews- or 7.5%.

 

Based on those numbers, the positive reviews are overwhelmingly higher than negative ones. By over 10x.

 

If one wants to interpret that as being negative, you are welcome to.

[Summerknight]

There is an old saying in the business world; a happy customer tells one person and an unhappy customer tells ten.

[griffy116]

I can honestly say that we have enjoyed each and every cruise on Royal. We've always had great service on every ship. We will be on FOS for the third time in June. We've never felt the need to use the Specialty dining. We've always found something we liked each night. We've always had a great wait staff and cabin steward and we keep finding ourselves saying "He/She was the best" after each cruise. Are there things we are disappointed in? Of course. The recent increase in drink prices and the fact that we can no longer combine many of the discounts that we were able to combine in the past are the only ones that we've been affected by....so far...lol. I think, like anything else, you will see that people that are happy with a cruise aren't as vocal as the ones that are unhappy about some aspect of their cruise.

[cruisevv]

Just wanted to say that I loved my RCI cruise which is why I booked 2 more. Also I would add that the loudest complainers on these boards also have the most trips booked out the wazoo to 2017. If they didn't like it, they'd stop sailing which makes me think some people just love to complain.

Edited May 13, 2015 by cruisevv

[ryano]

Maybe it's because I haven't been able to get away on a ship since December or the fact I read too much on this site. I feel like why should I bother to even keep looking at this cruise line. All I read on here is how prices go up perks and service go down. I get it that prices go up and from my experiences always good for my money. I agree that perks have been taken away and prices gone up (maybe this is their way to drive D+ folks out.

 

I don't know but really appears to be so much complaining on here that maybe I should look elsewhere. Though I feel if I go read other boards on here I would see the same.

 

When I first came around here, this place was FULL of cheerleaders! One little negative thing and you were pounced on by the pom pom wavers. I am glad that it is no longer like that and people voice their dissatisfaction. If everyone agreed with everything 100% of the time, this would be an awful BORING place.

 

You make it sound like thats all there is here now though and that, IMHO, is simply not the case. And yes, you are correct. Surf some of the other cruise line forums here and you will find more of the same. .

[kpgibbs]

I think some people complain because they don't know how to do anything else. Glass half empty.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm on a cruise. I'm not going to let a few issues ruin my trip. It would have to be a major mishap for me to come on here and complain.

RCI is increasing prices. Have you been to the grocery story lately? Everything is going up. It's life.

[American Bear]

99.9% of the people here complain. I too have sailed a few times on Royal as well as a few others. Had a good time on all of them. Critic means you can also voice positive comments,but they dont. Most people, who have never cruised, after reading this site, would never go. Stunning

 

I disagree, and agree:confused:.

disagree; 99.9% complain, positive comments not voiced, most reading would never go on cruise.

agree;having a good time on all cruises/cruise lines.

 

I rarely read a 'review' in the 'review section' where some good isn't mentioned.

And it seems there are many more positive reviews then negative ones.

 

In the 'community forums' section where comments on a particular subject are discussed, there are plenty of opposing views on every subject.

Check out the threads, MDR dress, drink prices, C&A benefits, cruise prices, ships, specialty restaurants, etc. have plenty of positive and negative comments.

 

But 'most' here have one thing in common, we like to cruise.

Happy cruising.:)

[squadron]

Maybe it's because I haven't been able to get away on a ship since December or the fact I read too much on this site. I feel like why should I bother to even keep looking at this cruise line. All I read on here is how prices go up perks and service go down. I get it that prices go up and from my experiences always good for my money. I agree that perks have been taken away and prices gone up (maybe this is their way to drive D+ folks out.

 

I don't know but really appears to be so much complaining on here that maybe I should look elsewhere. Though I feel if I go read other boards on here I would see the same.

 

I feel that many of the "complaints" are about petty things and people forget to enjoy the cruise. Have been sailing with RCCI for over ten years and am happy with them. For example not having towels animals would not spoil my cruise - I've always had them and in fact ask the room attendant to not bother. Same goes for a cheap chocolate on my pillow. Have tried other lines but prefer RCCI. Tried of "I spent good money on this cruise "- what is other people's money - bad money??

[mediccruzin]

I think some people complain because they don't know how to do anything else. Glass half empty.

 

As far as I'm concerned, I'm on a cruise. I'm not going to let a few issues ruin my trip. It would have to be a major mishap for me to come on here and complain.

 

RCI is increasing prices. Have you been to the grocery story lately? Everything is going up. It's life.

Except most peoples paychecks, they have gone down the last 7 years.

[BonnieSte]

I really do hate to sound like a complainer because I usually am not. It is hard to swallow when I am paying much more for the same cruise and get a lot less etc. BUT with that said, we learn to adjust i.e. don't drink on the ship etc. and in the end for 1 whole week a year I don't make a bed, I don't make any meals, I don't sweep or vacuum any floors, I don't do any dishes, I don't do any laundry, heck I don't even have to plan anything! And THAT is why I will continue to cruise as long as my bank account allows it. :D

[330searay]

I agree with most of the Posters. I have only cruised RC this far. Are their little things on every cruise that maybe i wish were different? Maybe but i cant remember them. I am so glad when I can board that ship and that I dont have to go to work for that many days, that you could put me on the BIGGEST POS ship in the world, I would still be happier than I am sitting here at work cruising CC!

[ryano]

that you could put me on the BIGGEST POS ship in the world, I would still be happier than I am sitting here at work cruising CC!

 

To each their own! :eek: I love cruising but can say without a shadow of doubt that I would rather be right here at my desk than dead at sea on a powerless ship eating cucumber sandwiches waiting on tugboats to tow me back to shore :o:D

Edited May 13, 2015 by ryano