What Was Royal Caribbean Like Back in the Day?

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

6. One change that I think RCI enacted that has been detrimental to their service is the introduction of MTD. While NCL does a great job at this, RCI does not. RCI needs to decide, one way or the other, got fully to MTD or go back to traditional. This trying to be half pregnant isn't working. I find the service in the MTD portion of the MDR is noticeably lacking.

 

Well we all just saw what happened when they tried to move to an "enhanced" MTD program...

[nbsjcruiser]

Well we all just saw what happened when they tried to move to an "enhanced" MTD program...

 

I say they should either go 100% MTD or go back to traditional 100%. No need to go with an enhanced model. Just do what NCL successfully does.

[George C]

I say they should either go 100% MTD or go back to traditional 100%. No need to go with an enhanced model. Just do what NCL successfully does.

 

I stopped cruising NCL after they went to MTD, many people would not say that was successful, it is now the only line I will never sail on again.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I say they should either go 100% MTD or go back to traditional 100%. No need to go with an enhanced model. Just do what NCL successfully does.

 

I get what you're saying, but my point was that we saw what happened when they tried to abandon a traditional doing model. They ended up adding a Classic option to ships with DD, which is essentially 100% MTD, and canceling DD on the Oasis Class ships. If they go 100% one way or another, people are going to be pissed off no matter what.

 

Ps.. My dining experience on NCL was farrrr from successful, and I won't sail with them again because of it.

[dreday3]

Can I ask a question? Posts keep mentioning there used to be live bands on the pool deck, steel drums, etc....does Royal Caribbean not have these types of things anymore?

 

thanks!

[George C]

There was live music by the pool on Naviagtor in April really good band, but it was not steel drum

[uncle John]

First cruise was on the Monarch for a 50th Anniversary for our Aunt & Uncle with 10 other family members. All first time cruisers. San Juan ST Thomas, St Martin, Martinique, Antiqua, Barbados. You stopped in the Liquor store on the dock as you boarded the ship to take a bottle with you, got your sea pass card and went to your cabin where you were greeted by your attendant (Amos White) and gave a quick run through of everything. Dinner was set time and everyone dressed for dinner with long pants and collar shirts most with ties or suits. Formal night was Coat and Tie and a whole lot of tuxes. You were greeted by name with a smile every night and your beverage was waiting for you and whatever you wanted was usually no problem. The bar service came around with ‘loving cups’ every day and a ‘special beverage for purchase (still have most the colors) then after dinner off to the shows. Great shows like Yakof Smirnoff, John Bowman, and many others. Sea Days the CD and Staff kept the activities going all day and evening I even remember my first ‘QUEST’ I almost died laughing. The cost was $1700including air for two from Cle to SJU rt. My on board charge account was $465 OUCH. That was a shock since back then you could not check it on the TV you just got the bill the last night and surprise, surprise, surprise… And we had booze in the room and were allowed to buy it in the ship store and have it sent to the room. But that was back in the 1900’s things have changed but I still love Royal and their service even though it is not where it use to be, but nothing is any more.

[BJane]

My first three were Song of Norway in 1983, Nordic Prince in 1985 and Sun Viking in 1988. I loved the old ships and stopped cruising when the new larger ships became the norm. I began flying to the East Coast every fall and driving through New England. That was a real treat for a California person. I no longer travel due to health issues, but I have wonderful memories and lots of photo albums!

[ghinderliter]

Since you never know what someone else might find interesting - here is a link to my photobucket of old cruise scans. My parents / grandparents and a few aunts and uncles went almost every year growing up - pardon my younger sisters' insane photoboming faces.... http://s52.photobucket.com/user/gorkie4765/slideshow/cruise/Old%20Cruise%20Scans

[ghinderliter]

This is the only "pre-kids" cruise shot I have of my parents / grandparents and my aunt/uncle ... circa early 1980's

 

Edited August 14, 2015 by ghinderliter

[ghinderliter]

How about mandatory snorkel lessons in the pool before you were ALLOWED to sign up for an excursion?

 

[ghinderliter]

Or an awesome (creepy by today's standards) clown visit before dinner?

 

Edited August 14, 2015 by ghinderliter

[ghinderliter]

Oh! and I agree with everyone else who previously said.... much more interaction with wait staff

 

 

[Brigbound]

Can I ask a question? Posts keep mentioning there used to be live bands on the pool deck, steel drums, etc....does Royal Caribbean not have these types of things anymore?

 

 

 

thanks!

 

 

They had one at least twice on our Adventure cruise last July.

[mek]

We were on Viking Serenade in 1992....and I totally agree with you! The lobster and filets were outstanding!.

 

And then 2 years after that we were on Regal Princess....out of FLL, and not only did they have a lobster night, we had an Alaskan King Crab leg night! And the filets were very, very good to go along with them.

 

I miss the really great food as part of the whole cruise experience. I don't like cruise food anymore.

 

The king crab legs Princess used to serve, (and still does in Alaska were really very good.)

[doones2]

Yes, much more formal. My wife had a to die for dress with a train. Lots of compliments.

No more free soda in the dining room.

Haven't see horse racing in ages

no skeet shooting of the aft deck

Midnight buffets every night!

Mid night chocolate buffets in the dining room

Delicious deserts everywhere

No more farewell show "If I were not upon the sea" on Royal Caribbean

Food at the late night deck party

In 1995 Beer then $2.50

Frozen drinks $3.75

Whiskey Sour $3.25

 

I had forgotten the midnight buffets. A different theme every night. Loved the farewell shows and I loved dressing on formal nights, my husband hated it. Horse racing was fun and when you bought a horse you decorated it and then raced it in the final race of the cruise. We never won. The ships were much smaller and more intimate. I miss them.

[PompeySailor]

Seeing as it has been bumped

 

Memories from past 20 years

Also Some not so old ones as well.

 

Free postcards at GS

 

Fold up deck plans

 

Variants of Cruise Docs

 

Various Coupon Books

 

ShipShape $$$

 

Old Chops & Portofino's Menu

 

Happy Days!

[rimmit]

Started cruising in 1989, and with RCI in 1992.

Things that have changed.

1. SERVICE! Before the service was truly 5 star. They would anticipate EVERY need. Your cabin steward knew your name BEFORE you got on the ship as did your waiter. They were so personable, you truly felt sad to leave your waiter at the end of the cruise. They would talk to you forever at dinner aboit anything. They would have magic tricks for the kida and make napkin animals. It was truly personalized service.

2. Midnight buffets everynight and the Grand midnight buffet was unreal with the bread, ice, fruit, etc. carvings.

3. There used to be free pop in the dining room.

4. Chocolates on the pillows

5. Shipshape dollars for participating in activities. Turned in for prizes and the end.

6. Horseracing on deck.

7. Your cabin steward was available an anytime. There were no "blackout times." The idea that you could not contact your cabin steward right when you boarded would have been crazy talk.

8. Personally escorted to your room on arrival.

9. Welcome chanpagne drink on arrival.

10. Extreme emphasis on the cruise feedback questionaire handed out at the end.

11. Complete and total memorization of preferences at dinner, such that they truly could guess what you would eat by the end.

12. Drink servers were abundant and easy to find.

13. Themed dinners in which the waiters would dress up in different uniforms every night. They would also sing or have some other entertainment nightly. Also change flags on the wall to correspond with the then in the dining room.

14. Baked alaska on last night with dancing.

15. A true 5 course meal every night.

16. Strict enforcement of dress code in dining room(got forced out one night when our luggage areived late)

17. Much better meat and quality of food items.

18. Luggage tags

19. Actual cruise documents that were mailed including a shore excursion booklet.

20. Pricing that was actually not in continual flux and also cheaper the earlier you booked. Got a set discount given how early you booked.

 

All this came at a cost. It was 3500 in 1992 dollars for a three night for four people (3rd and 4th berth) in an oceanview cabin. The equates to around 7000 for a three night cruise now. So it was truly a high class experience and you paid dearly for it. Obviously, with that pricing, the passenger make up was different. It never felt "stuffy" but it was definitely a different demographc than today. Given the pricing back the, it was obviously VERY expensive to reach Diamond. IMO at the current price for cruising, the current C&A program cannot be sustainable in the long run. There will have to be limits on the Diamond Happy Hour, likely a three drink minimum and eventually more and possibly an elimination of the happy hour for Diamond altogether due to the rate they are aquiring diamond members due to the significantly lower cost of cruising today than back in the 1990s.

[Paulxyz2004]

WOW, today must be the day of pulling back old threads;)

 

As it´s been pulled back anyway...

 

 

Started cruising in 1989, and with RCI in 1992.

Things that have changed.

1. SERVICE! Before the service was truly 5 star. They would anticipate EVERY need. Your cabin steward knew your name BEFORE you got on the ship as did your waiter. They were so personable, you truly felt sad to leave your waiter at the end of the cruise. They would talk to you forever at dinner aboit anything. They would have magic tricks for the kida and make napkin animals. It was truly personalized service.

 

I still Encounter this with traditional Dining and after a couple of nights with the same waiter in MTD as well.

 

 

2. Midnight buffets everynight and the Grand midnight buffet was unreal with the bread, ice, fruit, etc. carvings.

3. There used to be free pop in the dining room.

4. Chocolates on the pillows

5. Shipshape dollars for participating in activities. Turned in for prizes and the end.

6. Horseracing on deck.

7. Your cabin steward was available an anytime. There were no "blackout times." The idea that you could not contact your cabin steward right when you boarded would have been crazy talk.

 

Honestly I´m glad the cabin attendants get their break times now and don´t have to be available all the time, especially after preparing all the cabins in a very short time.

 

8. Personally escorted to your room on arrival.

 

While I agree it was somewhat nice, I´d rather board before cabins are ready like it is these days and I don´t really Need someone to Show me my cabin.

 

9. Welcome chanpagne drink on arrival.

10. Extreme emphasis on the cruise feedback questionaire handed out at the end.

 

Now this certainly has not changed in my experience:eek:

 

 

11. Complete and total memorization of preferences at dinner, such that they truly could guess what you would eat by the end.

 

See above for Point#1

 

12. Drink servers were abundant and easy to find.

13. Themed dinners in which the waiters would dress up in different uniforms every night. They would also sing or have some other entertainment nightly. Also change flags on the wall to correspond with the then in the dining room.

14. Baked alaska on last night with dancing.

 

Re the singing and dancing, some changes are really for the better;)

 

15. A true 5 course meal every night.

 

I see no Change. There is still Appetizer, soup, salad, main, Dessert on the menu.

 

16. Strict enforcement of dress code in dining room(got forced out one night when our luggage areived late)

17. Much better meat and quality of food items.

18. Luggage tags

 

Another improvement.

 

19. Actual cruise documents that were mailed including a shore excursion booklet.

 

Some Things have really turned for the better. I prefer the edocs and self print luggage tags so so much compared to the paper docs.

 

 

20. Pricing that was actually not in continual flux and also cheaper the earlier you booked. Got a set discount given how early you booked.

 

All this came at a cost. It was 3500 in 1992 dollars for a three night for four people (3rd and 4th berth) in an oceanview cabin. The equates to around 7000 for a three night cruise now. So it was truly a high class experience and you paid dearly for it. Obviously, with that pricing, the passenger make up was different. It never felt "stuffy" but it was definitely a different demographc than today. Given the pricing back the, it was obviously VERY expensive to reach Diamond. IMO at the current price for cruising, the current C&A program cannot be sustainable in the long run. There will have to be limits on the Diamond Happy Hour, likely a three drink minimum and eventually more and possibly an elimination of the happy hour for Diamond altogether due to the rate they are aquiring diamond members due to the significantly lower cost of cruising today than back in the 1990s.

[rimmit]

In response to above:

1. I have not had a waiter remember my name since 2010, and I havent had a waiter know my name before I boarded since late 1990s. I used traditional dining up until the last cruise because the service was sooooo slow, and there was absolutely nooooo drink servers we decided to jump ship on the main dining room. In order to get a drink I just got up and left to go to a bar multiple times do to thenlack of bar service and came back to the dining room after getting my drink. I think with the drink packages they decided to nearly eliminate bar service in the MDR.

2. I don't mind that cabin stewards get a break. It's just that they are unavailable at the most needed time. Twice I have boarded and there has been an issue with my cabin that needed to he addressed sooner than later (needed addressed immediately (forgot pack and play and our daughter needed a nap, and my toilet was clogged on arrival.) and they could not be reached and we had to go to guest services and then we had to wait till they were back on duty to get what we needed. Not ideal when starting a vacation. Esp as that is when guest services is at their longest.

3. They definitelt still emphasize the Questionaire, but before they were OCD about it. To move it to a online AFTER you get off the boat shows that it is not as dedicated as before. I deal alot with customer feedback, and to have someone fo something at home once they leave a place drastically reduces the number if responses. Albeit, the responses are now more skewed toward negative in that situation typically.

4. While you can still make it a five course meal if wanted, it is while not technically discouraged, the way the menu is laid out makes you feel like a total "pig" if you order five courses. It's a psycological thing. If you see a five course menu, you will order five courses as it's what is expected. If you see a three course menu, you will order three courses. In general, it just kinda takes away from the whole ambiance of the experience.

5.the luggage tags are not an improvement. Mine kept getting ripped off despite following the directions and using a million staples. I bought the plastic luggage tag holders and it makes a big difference. Disney and many higher end lines still give luggage tags. This is a you get wait you paid for type of thing.

 

Dont get me wrong. I love cruising, and for the bang for buck it is still great. If I was super picky about service I would pay more and go on more exclsive lines, which I do sometimes. RCCL and cruising through expansion has become more mainstream, and in so doing has lowered their standards, as the population that now cruises has lower standards as the cruising buy-in is 1/4 of what it was in the early 1999s late 80s.

Edited May 8, 2016 by rimmit

[Truluv]

The lists in this thread really brought back memories.

1) I miss the full orchestra for shows, including the orchestra's performance night.

2) On our early Carnival cruises, Baked Alaska parades in the dining room with flaming baked alaskas was very cool.

3) The menus definitely seemed a lot better in the dining rooms. The dining experiences felt more formal, and the menus and presentation were closer to fine cuisine. Ships competed for the best food. As the ships got bigger, the dining experience became much more of a banquet level experience.

4) I miss having live bands around ships, vs. the dj experience.

5) I miss photographers all over the ship all the time, for informal shots. Even getting formal photos have become more difficult as people try to get every last dollar value out of packages that include all photos.

6) I miss the gift shops having items from the ports. Am I the only one who remembers when they would also sell stuff like underwear, for passengers whose luggage was lost LOL?

7) I miss the sailaway excitement, with bartenders circulating all over the ship with large frozen frou-frou drinks. Heck, on my first cruise out of the NY Harbor I remember streamers, confetti and people on the docks waving wildly (pre-environmentalist days).

8) I miss wine stewards in the dining room.

9) I miss being able to get to know our waiter and assistant waiter, after being forced into MyTime dining for several cruises now. We met some fascinating people, such as the Romanian who said his family owned a chain of hotels and that he was working as a waiter to learn how the ships managed food services (he lectured our kids on world politics, giving them a different perspective -- something that probably wouldn't be permitted these days), and the young man from Australia who was traveing the world who told us about ship life.

10) I miss the wider range of excursions that were available to passengers. Seems like the list gets smaller every year. I remember Caribbean tours to see an artist work, to see rum cakes made, hotel-for-a-day options, etc.

 

1978 Kazakhstan (Black Sea Shipping Co.-Russian ship) (5 night Bermuda)

1980 Maine- (4-night sailing ship cruise)

3/3/97 Empress of the Seas (4 nights Port Canaveral)

11/97 Carnival Celebration (7 night W. Caribbean)

5/26/00 Celebrity Mercury (7 night Alaska) (Vow Renewal in Sitka Alaska)

7/23/00 Carnival Inspiration (7 night W. Caribbean)

4/14/01 Carnival Triumph (7 night E. Caribbean)

7/8/01 Carnival Sensation (7 night E. Caribbean)

6/4/02 Carnival Pride (7 night Exotic W. Caribbean)

8/17/02 RCL Explorer (7 night W. Caribbean)

3/2/03 RCL Enchantment (7 night S. Caribbean)

12/21/03 Carnival Victory (7 night E. Caribbean) (Christmas cruise)

8/10/03 NCL Sun (7 night Alaska)

7/4/04 RCL Mariner (7 night W. Caribbean) (Vow Renewal Ceremony)

9/19/04 Grand Princess (7 night New England) (missed ship-work emerg)

6/13/06 Carnival Legend (8 night E. Caribbean)

6/16/07 RCL Liberty (7 night W. Caribbean)

6/24/10 RCL Explorer (9 night Bermuda)

8/18/13 RCL Allure (7 night E. Caribbean) (Burial at Sea Ceremony)

5/18/14 NCL Breakaway (7 night Bermuda) (Graduation Cruise)

6/28/15 RCL Freedom of the Seas (7 night E. Caribbean) (1st solo cruise)

8/21/16 RCL Freedom of the Seas (7 night E. Caribbean)

2/24/17 RCL Serenade of the Seas

[Truluv]

Submitted 2X by mistake

Edited May 8, 2016 by Truluv

[Photofinish4]

our first cruise was 1980 on the Nordic Prince. I still have my passenger list and copy of the menus they use to give out. I remember in the wee early mornings you could smell the fresh breads being baked every morning. The waiter would serve you your meal and he would make sure you liked it or want to know if you wanted something else. Back then their tips depended on people being pleased and you personally gave them envelopes with money the last evening. I miss that personal touch. I think once the tips became automatic the service was not as good. I love the good old days, but with bigger ships, more passengers and many more things to do the help seams to be overloaded. I still love cruising and love the new ideas they have come up with. It is nice to have the memories.

[Corby114]

My first cruise was on the Royal Caribbean's Song Of America in May 1983. I cruised solo and met one hundred singles at the singles get together. At 34,000 tons the Song Of America was a large ship for it's time. I remember dancing in the disco at 1:00 AM and the stewards passing out sandwiches to all of the passengers. I remember the ship leaving San Juan at 2:00 AM for the short sailing to St Thomas. There was no such thing as a sign and sail card and all purchases were made in cash. I remember filling out the tip envelopes for the room steward, waiter, and assistant waiter. That first cruise got me hooked way back when.

[linkerbink]

Our first cruise was on the Song of America to Bermuda in 1996. I thought the ship was huge! No balcony cabins. It was my mother, my sister and myself. We had a cabin with a huge window with a bed on either side, and a pulldown bunk over each bed. Our first stop was St. George's overnight, then the rest of the time docked in downtown Hamilton. Today's ships are too large for that.

 

I remember one cruise where we were seated with a dentist and his wife. She LOVED creme brulee and mentioned it to the waiter. After that, the waiter brought enough for the whole table EVERY NIGHT throughout the cruise, even when it wasn't on the menu! I also enjoyed the ice carving demonstration on the pool deck, and the cooking demonstrations in the Atrium.

Edited May 8, 2016 by linkerbink