What on earth is happening to royal caribbean

[CruisermanVA]

you would be surprised how popular the solarium restroom is in the wee hours

Hilarious!

Edited November 24, 2015 by cruisernewbieman

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Ship dependent... time of year dependent... staffing dependent. I'd like to think I contribute to CC, so let me incl myself in this analogy: Vision 2013 myself and respected CC'ers MadFlyer and Max's'mom all report fabulous sailings from Colon on Vision. One of the best cruises ever for service, food, and especially staff run by Capt Srecko... these guys were everywhere and the entire entertainment staff was brilliant. In the matter of one week after the re-positioning to Tampa, there was report after report after report of how crappy Vision was. Horrible food, long lines at the bars, etc. I couldn't believe it. But new Capt, new CD, likely a huge change over in staff changed everything. This analogy has beeen discussed on CC in the past many times with changeover of staff, especially after a TA of foreign itinerary.

 

To everyone complaining about decreasing services and quality, I suggest going back to 1980's and 1990's price points whereby your interior cabin cost $1000.... today's value = $2000. Last I looked you can get an interior on sale at around $500. So while you and I pay 1/4 the price today compared to 1990 is it fair to expect everything to stay the same? Common sense says no. And now keep in mind the less mainstream cruiselines like Azamara, Regent, etc whereby your interior cabins are in fact $2000 and up (the same value of an RCL interior in 1990) for exactly the services and quality that is supposedly missing from RCL today.

 

Just my 2 cents... if you don't like a shirt you bought, do you continue to wear it or put something else on? If you don't like food you just bought, do you continue to eat it or buy something else? If you don't like the cruise line you're sailing on go sail on something else... extremely easy answer.

 

Side note: Way too much bitching and complaining on CC these days. I have stayed away the last few weeks since my Radiance review. We need more people like Bob, MadFlyer, Cheng, etc who provide respectful and valuable insight & answers to legitimate questions. We're all dying people, your time on this earth is short. Do whatever makes you happy... if RCL is not making you happy then don't sail RCL.

 

"{ P O P }" ... that's my head going back into the sand

 

As usual, I agree with you Hoopster.

 

I no longer read or comment on any type of complaint/"review" thread. There is absolutely no point. I follow photo reports, but that's it. I've also started posting my own photo reports (well only 1 so far...) and that's as far as I go about reviewing my cruise. Is my room steward subpar on some cruises? Sure. Does it ruin my cruise? Absolutely, positively not. Does my assistant waiter forget to make a joke or do a trick? Yes. Does it ruin my cruise? Absolutely not. Is service really terrible? No. And it sure as hell isn't as bad as some make it sound. You'd think you're being forced to take a cruise. It would be so much easier if it was only a vacation, right? And you could choose a different company if you're not happy? Oh wait...

 

Threads like this really make me want to get as far away from CC as possible. I love Royal Caribbean...I'm not necessarily a cheerleader (maybe sometimes :p), but I enjoy the product. I had an absolutely amazing time on my last two cruises on Royal. Prior to 2014, I hadn't been on Royal since 07. Based on the complaints on these boards, my cruise should've been terrible - guess what...it wasn't!

[peteukmcr]

Hi Sam. :) I can't disagree with you. Unfortunately, I think we get caught up in sameness and really notice when something isn't so anymore. If I can offer a suggestion...just trying another line as a first timer can be very refreshing. Try a Celebrity Solstice Class ship for some wow factor, or try HAL for relaxation and great service. One, it'll make you hit the reset button with cruising and two, you'll find yourself missing certain RCI features. Then come back to RCI and love your cruise! :)

I agree as well as this year we've tried Celebrity and were blown away, Carnival which was interesting so maybe coming back to RCI in February will be refreshing too

[Angelsea57]

It looks like Royal is concentrating more on the new ships.

Some of the best food by far in my opinion have been on Allure,

Oasis and Quantum. Quantum being the best.

We were very impressed by the new menus on Quantum,

and we did not have to pay any extra for the restaurants we

went to.

[susancruzs]

I was on Vision of the Seas for 26 days, just returned home Nov. 14th. My previous cruise with Royal was the Brilliance in 2003.

 

Cruising since 1982, 26 cruises, 6 lines, Princess most then Royal Caribbean. I was on Emerald Princess 26 days last fall. When asked about Royal versus Princess, I don't see any reason to sail only with Princess. I'm on the Regal Princess April 2016, Serenade Fall 2016, Radiance Spring 2017. Pretty much, I sail for itinerary.

 

Some things I liked about Royal (consecutive cruiser luncheon, nicer bathrobes), other things Princess did better last year, menu variety was a little better but not by much, TV programming was better, not that I watch but nice if you follow sports. They had NFL games on the big screen and in the sports bar.

 

I never understand all the complaining, do agree, maybe try another line or something else. As always, a matter of personal taste, I don't like Celebrity. I've tried them twice. I've also sailed with Carnival, Costa and NCL. I like having perks with Princess and Royal so I'm not going to start out with a new cruise line, as many people tell me "you would love HAL"! Celebrity was a case of everyone raving to me I'd love it and I missed the upbeat, friendliness of Princess and Royal, it was too subdued and quiet for me.

 

I still love cruising, lived through all the changes the past 33 years and I don't see any reason to complain. I'm not at home, trying to figure out what to cook for myself, no cleaning, no laundry, what is not to like?

[egh170]

You get what you ask for most of the time in life. A majority of passengers wanted to "do what I want when I want and dress like I want because it is my vacation". So the cruise lines now offer a non-formal lower class cruise environment to a lower class of vacationers. The shows have suffered. The food quality has suffered. and the behavior of some cruisers has suffered. Like it or not that is my opinion. Overall the cruise environment is acceptable not outstanding and I will continue to cruise and not complain about it anymore.

[gkbiiii]

I hear this: "Cruising was more expensive 20 years Ago, what standards do you expect" & "you get what you pay for".

 

DO you really, lets have a review.

 

Lets say you did spend $1,000 for an inside cabin on Majesty of the Seas, for seven nights, Western Caribbean. So what did the Grand include?

 

Often these included benefits, NOT offered today:

1. Airfare was included, from most US cities.

2. Soft drinks were included.

3. 6 & 7 course dinners, with Wine Sommeliers/Wine Stewards.

4. Significantly higher quality meals & NO specialty dining.

5. Much cheaper drinks, that were 1/3 the price of land.

6. Smaller cabins, but more inclusive room service offerings.

7. A higher staff to passenger ratio, thus better service.

8. More reasonably priced shore excursions.

9. Much better priced ship photos.

10. Higher standards of ship cleanliness and true effort at pleasing guests.

11. Mints for after dinner & in cabin before bed.

12. Midnight buffet with ice sculptures and fruit carvings.

13. Casinos which paid out MUCH better than now!!!

14. Empowerment of shipboard personnel to make things right.

15. Corporate office which was more customer oriented, than just "Money".

 

 

This is only a partial list, feel free to add others! :D

[angeleyes27]

We have sailed NCL freestyle 5 times. Food was better, price was better, and shows were top notch. There was a show every night and we were kept busy with entertaining things to do on sea days. There was no trash anywhere and even in their lowest category, we had an excellent cabin with no noice, even the one time we took a guarantee. Even Carnival twice gave lobster and prime rib at no upcharge like RCCL. We also enjoyed Princess which had better food and better entertainment, better cabin at a lesser rate. RCCL was our most expensive cruise and we expected something better. It was the only cruise that I had complaints about (although. Hurtgruten felt like a upgraded ferry).

[angeleyes27]

I meant noise

[gkbiiii]

I just checked, on what the true value of the $1,000 trip.

A $1,000 in 1991 would be worth around $1,755 today 11/24/15.

 

At the time, the Majesty of the Seas, was the World's Largest Ship and Royal's most expensive offering. SO lets compare this to Royals largest, most premium ship currently, The Allure of the Seas.

 

Booking Allure of the Seas, Feb. 7th, 2016, in a cheapest inside cabin:

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

 

Cruise: $2,798.00

Taxes: $233.00

1/2 off -700.00

=$2,331

 

**$100.00 On-board Credit**

 

Then we also need to add gratuities, Specialty Dining (standards are not what the were in 1991 Main Dining Room), Soda card, & More Cash, for MUCH higher bar tab/bar gratuity. **WE pay for non-included Airfare!**

 

SO are we really even anywhere close to even. With inflation the 1991 Majesty Cruise is $1,755 semi-inclusive. Airfare is included.

 

Allure of the Seas, "basic cruise only" is $2,331 which does NOT include airfare. When you add airfare, specialty dining, higher loss gambling, sodas, upgraded coffee, MUCH more expensive bar drinks/mandatory gratuities, higher photo, spa, excursion pricing; then really where are we? I say your easily in the $3--$4,000 range, easy!!!

 

So quality for quality what is better?

 

Summery at 2015 Values: Cruise Pricing

Majesty in 1991 at $1,755 in current $$ value

Allure at 2015 at around $3,500

 

Many would say that Majesty in 1991 was by FAR a better value for the money, a better, semi-inclusive product, which is over $1,500++ LESS than Allure, non-inclusive, in 2015. :eek:

Edited November 25, 2015 by gkbiiii

[awhfy]

We were just on Liberty for the first 9-night out of Galveston. Packed ship. Only 2 real complaint (& it was big to me) was that when we embarked on Galveston they took my two (authorized) bottles of wine saying I couldn't bring them on board in Texas. What a bunch of hooey! I'd specially bought rather expensive wine for sail away, that didn't happen. I did get it on second sea day. I'm working on a complaint letter (something I've not done before). Other issue was with My Time Dining (we never got the time we requested, pretty frustrating). Other than that we had a good time with friends

Edited November 25, 2015 by awhfy

[Grandma Dazzles]

I just checked, on what the true value of the $1,000 trip.

A $1,000 in 1991 would be worth around $1,755 today 11/24/15.

 

At the time, the Majesty of the Seas, was the World's Largest Ship and Royal's most expensive offering. SO lets compare this to Royals largest, most premium ship currently, The Allure of the Seas.

 

Booking Allure of the Seas, Feb. 7th, 2016, in a cheapest inside cabin:

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

 

Cruise: $2,798.00

Taxes: $233.00

1/2 off -700.00

=$2,331

 

**$100.00 On-board Credit**

 

Then we also need to add gratuities, Specialty Dining (standards are not what the were in 1991 Main Dining Room), Soda card, & More Cash, for MUCH higher bar tab/bar gratuity. **WE pay for non-included Airfare!**

 

SO are we really even anywhere close to even. With inflation the 1991 Majesty Cruise is $1,755 semi-inclusive. Airfare is included.

 

Allure of the Seas, "basic cruise only" is $2,331 which does NOT include airfare. When you add airfare, specialty dining, higher loss gambling, sodas, upgraded coffee, MUCH more expensive bar drinks/mandatory gratuities, higher photo, spa, excursion pricing; then really where are we? I say your easily in the $3--$4,000 range, easy!!!

 

So quality for quality what is better?

 

Summery at 2015 Values: Cruise Pricing

Majesty in 1991 at $1,755 in current $$ value

Allure at 2015 at around $3,500

 

Many would say that Majesty in 1991 was by FAR a better value for the money, a better, semi-inclusive product, which is over $1,500++ LESS than Allure, non-inclusive, in 2015. :eek:

 

 

Can't agree with your numbers.

 

Sailed the Majesty in the mid 1990's. Usually paid just under $1,000 per person plus tax and insurance. Soft drinks were not included. Air fare was not included. Tips were not included. I am a pack rat and still have some of the bills!

[MADflyer]

I

 

Often these included benefits, NOT offered today:

1. Airfare was included, from most US cities. Airfare from GATEWAY cities was included and anyone living in a more remote area paid dearly with supplements. Air and Sea departments were needed as booking air was very complex at one time. Air travel is now also very mainstream and for the masses. I used to never board a flight without a tie. My flight in First Class back home from Liberty last week from IAH featured a businessman traveling with his bare feet placed up on the bulkhead wall. Very first class.

 

2. Soft drinks were included. Bundled in price. Chairman of Coca Cola does also sit on RCI board.

 

3. 6 & 7 course dinners, with Wine Sommeliers/Wine Stewards. RCI is now a 'Mass market' line, while in the past catered to a semi-upscale market. The Vintages waiters on Liberty were the best I have found on a cruise ship recently!

 

4. Significantly higher quality meals & NO specialty restaurants.

Specialty restaurants first appeared for special events and celebrations and now are enhancements for some passengers. For many of us they provide experiences and are not just 'upgraded' dining options. I find the RCI MDR presentation to be fantastic for the class of ships and food quality from good to excellent and one must be selective.

 

5. Much cheaper drinks, that were 1/3 the price of land. Beverage sales always have been and always will be the key to successful hospitality venues. I found the $6.50 to $10 drinks on my recent cruise extremely high value compared to my usual circles.

 

6. Smaller cabins, but more inclusive room service offerings. We are much more 'activity' centered than the traditional cruise passenger. It is much harder to provide a quality RS product with the larger ships. Ship cabins, especially baths are exceptionally functional on the new ships.

 

7. A higher staff to passenger ratio, thus better service. While they 'attempted' this with Quantum, I do not think that this is true actually. Due to 'international' crews, I actually find the ships still very well-staffed.

 

8. More reasonably priced shore excursions. Shore excursions are offered and provided by local agents and tour operators. I find many shore excursions to be similar in pricing. The same excursions are offered at very similar pricing across lines.

9. Much better priced ship photos. Outside vendor. No defense for them.

 

10. Higher standards of ship cleanliness and true effort at pleasing guests. completely disagree as RCI has 4 of 22 ships scoring a perfect 100 on CDC ship sanitation. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/inspectionquerytool/inspectionwith100score.aspx

 

11. Mints for after dinner & in cabin before bed.

Daily mints on a long sailing by today's standards might be considered a bit 'monotonous'

 

12. Midnight buffet with ice sculptures and fruit carvings. While this event was a great tradition, it is becoming less fashionable. The buffet restaurants did not used to be open during normal dining hours and on some lines these buffets had hours of prep time and the buffets were closed to guests during these times.

 

13. Casinos which paid out MUCH better than now!!! No comment

 

14. Empowerment of shipboard personnel to make things right.

Here you are on to something. The lack of technology allowed much more 'flexibility' to take action. Every move by officers and staff is visible and action can be taken immediately by shore side management . This makes shipboard staff take much fewer 'risks'

 

15. Corporate office which was more customer oriented, than just "Money". They were always 'money' oriented in business, they just hid it better maybe.

 

 

This is only a partial list, feel free to add others! :D

 

I could not resist a couple comments on this one.....

Edited November 25, 2015 by MADflyer

[Retired LEO]

We were just on Liberty for the first 9-night out of Galveston. Packed ship. Only 2 real complaint (& it was big to me) was that when we embarked on Galveston they took my two (authorized) bottles of wine saying I couldn't bring them on board in Texas. What a bunch of hooey! I'd specially bought rather expensive wine for sail away, that didn't happen. I did get it on second sea day. I'm working on a complaint letter (something I've not done before). Other issue was with My Time Dining (we never got the time we requested, pretty frustrating). Other than that we had a good time with friends

 

When you write your complaint letter be sure to send it to the proper authority. The cruise lines have nothing to do with that.

[rubrrick]

Ship dependent... time of year dependent... staffing dependent. I'd like to think I contribute to CC, so let me incl myself in this analogy: Vision 2013 myself and respected CC'ers MadFlyer and Max's'mom all report fabulous sailings from Colon on Vision. One of the best cruises ever for service, food, and especially staff run by Capt Srecko... these guys were everywhere and the entire entertainment staff was brilliant. In the matter of one week after the re-positioning to Tampa, there was report after report after report of how crappy Vision was. Horrible food, long lines at the bars, etc. I couldn't believe it. But new Capt, new CD, likely a huge change over in staff changed everything. This analogy has beeen discussed on CC in the past many times with changeover of staff, especially after a TA of foreign itinerary.

 

To everyone complaining about decreasing services and quality, I suggest going back to 1980's and 1990's price points whereby your interior cabin cost $1000.... today's value = $2000. Last I looked you can get an interior on sale at around $500. So while you and I pay 1/4 the price today compared to 1990 is it fair to expect everything to stay the same? Common sense says no. And now keep in mind the less mainstream cruiselines like Azamara, Regent, etc whereby your interior cabins are in fact $2000 and up (the same value of an RCL interior in 1990) for exactly the services and quality that is supposedly missing from RCL today.

 

Just my 2 cents... if you don't like a shirt you bought, do you continue to wear it or put something else on? If you don't like food you just bought, do you continue to eat it or buy something else? If you don't like the cruise line you're sailing on go sail on something else... extremely easy answer.

 

Side note: Way too much bitching and complaining on CC these days. I have stayed away the last few weeks since my Radiance review. We need more people like Bob, MadFlyer, Cheng, etc who provide respectful and valuable insight & answers to legitimate questions. We're all dying people, your time on this earth is short. Do whatever makes you happy... if RCL is not making you happy then don't sail RCL.

 

"{ P O P }" ... that's my head going back into the sand

 

I have stayed off of being a mainstream CC poster, about 2 years ago. As much as Royal Caribbean has changed, so has Cruise Critic. If I cannot post a positive point, to help someone that may not have the cruising experience that we have, I try to help.

 

Hoopster95, I could not agree with you more! You stated your point well, and it's much appreciated here.

 

Rick

[gkbiiii]

Can't agree with your numbers.

 

Sailed the Majesty in the mid 1990's. Usually paid just under $1,000 per person plus tax and insurance. Soft drinks were not included. Air fare was not included. Tips were not included. I am a pack rat and still have some of the bills!

 

Based on what was stated in another response, some airfare was included, "from select cities", with supplements from others. Even at a $2,000 pricing, Majesty is still $1,500-$2,000 LESS money, than a 2015 trip on Allure. I believe in 1991 soft drinks were included.

 

In the 1991 Majesty Dining Room, the meals served, were most likely better than any current "Specialty Dining Option" on ANY current Royal ship.

 

The pricing example I gave, was the current buy one get one 1/2 off sale. The true undiscounted price is over $2,975 and I don't believe in 1991, Royal used to discount much off its brochure pricing.

Edited November 25, 2015 by gkbiiii

[John&LaLa]

Based on what was stated in another response, some airfare was included, "from select cities", with supplements from others. Even at a $2,000 pricing, Majesty is still $1,500-$2,000 LESS money, than a 2015 trip on Allure. I believe in 1991 soft drinks were included.

 

In the 1991 Majesty Dining Room, the meals served, were most likely better than any current "Specialty Dining Option" on ANY current Royal ship.

 

The pricing example I gave, was the current buy one get one 1/2 off sale. The true undiscounted price is over $2,975 and I don't believe in 1991, Royal used to discount much off its brochure pricing.

 

I think you picked a very odd sailing. Absolutely positive I could find much cheaper examples on Allure

[SPacificbound]

This is a seriously strange thread!

 

Comparing prices from almost 25 years ago? :eek:

 

Complaints on Vision? We just got off Vision 1 1/2 week ago. :confused:

 

We spent 38 nights on Vision which included the TA to Tampa.

 

Cruise 1 was Captain Lis, cruise 2 & 3 was Captain Marek. All 3 cruises were great in their own way. :)

 

We are on a ship which is taking us to wonderful places, we have good food, a fantastic cabin attendant, we are out to sea eating and drinking whatever we choose. :D

[merlindog22]

I had a blast this weekend on the Majesty. Ate every meal in Windjammer and the staff was 10/10 -- not just attentive but friendly. The food manager was coming around to every table every night and asking questions.

 

I had mentioned that the food was better than last year and I was 99% satisfied except for a bit of a messy situation with one of their desserts. He went and talked to someone else and they fixed the problem right away (even though I had my fill of food).

 

Pool attendants were fantastic. Cabin steward was on point. Everyone seemed really attentive and friendly.

 

I don't think the cruise lines are getting worse. I think the Yelp entitlement factor is at play. People think they're entitled to 5-star service at a 1-star price and feel they're the only ones in the universe.

 

Solipsism.

 

Perhaps the cuts have not hit the Majesty yet, the cuts appear to happen at the same time a ship has a make over.

 

I do not think I am entitled to a 5 star service, the ships are not 5 star, never have been as fair as I am concerned. I do however expect to be talked to in a civil manor/way, not shouted at. I did not shout or rave just asked a couple of questions. The staff at the deck were down right rude for no reason. They were like that with most people not just us.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

This is a seriously strange thread!

 

Comparing prices from almost 25 years ago? :eek:

 

Complaints on Vision? We just got off Vision 1 1/2 week ago. :confused:

 

We spent 38 nights on Vision which included the TA to Tampa.

 

Cruise 1 was Captain Lis, cruise 2 & 3 was Captain Marek. All 3 cruises were great in their own way. :)

 

We are on a ship which is taking us to wonderful places, we have good food, a fantastic cabin attendant, we are out to sea eating and drinking whatever we choose. :D

 

I agree..It's really crazy. Almost pathetic.

 

Unsubscribing in 3..2..1..

[RocketMan275]

We were just on Liberty for the first 9-night out of Galveston. Packed ship. Only 2 real complaint (& it was big to me) was that when we embarked on Galveston they took my two (authorized) bottles of wine saying I couldn't bring them on board in Texas. What a bunch of hooey! I'd specially bought rather expensive wine for sail away, that didn't happen. I did get it on second sea day. I'm working on a complaint letter (something I've not done before). Other issue was with My Time Dining (we never got the time we requested, pretty frustrating). Other than that we had a good time with friends

 

Did you buy those bottles in Texas? It's illegal to consume alcohol in Texas unless Texas taxes have been paid. Holding the wine until the second day would insure you were outside of Texas when the wine was consumed.

[gkbiiii]

I thought that they just brought the wine bottles aboard?

[RocketMan275]

I thought that they just brought the wine bottles aboard?

 

I'm speculating but the only reason I can see for seizing the wine and then returning it on the second day are the peculiar liquor laws of Texas.

 

When I was at Fort Hood (years ago), one had to sign a statement when buying liquor in the post liquor store that you acknowledged that if you took it off post, even as a gift, you were in violation of Texas laws.

 

Other threads have discussed that cruise lines restrict liquor sales to those they have bought from Texas distributors until they have cleared Texas waters. Really upsets some.

 

Typical conversation:

Customer: I'd like a Knob Creek.

Bartender: I can't sell you a Knob Creek. Would you like a Jim Beam?

Customer: There's a bottle of Knob Creek on the shelf. Pour me one.

Bartender: That bottle was not purchased in Texas. If you want a Knob Creek, you'll have to come back in a couple of hours. Would you like a Jim Beam?

 

you can see where this conversation is going.

[gkbiiii]

This is a seriously strange thread!

 

Comparing prices from almost 25 years ago? :eek:

 

Complaints on Vision? We just got off Vision 1 1/2 week ago. :confused:

 

We spent 38 nights on Vision which included the TA to Tampa.

 

Cruise 1 was Captain Lis, cruise 2 & 3 was Captain Marek. All 3 cruises were great in their own way. :)

 

We are on a ship which is taking us to wonderful places, we have good food, a fantastic cabin attendant, we are out to sea eating and drinking whatever we choose. :D

 

 

There reason for my comparison was due, to the continual use of the "it was more expensive, back then" argument. Earlier in this thread, someone used the example of a $1,000 inside cabin.

 

I was able to prove that, even indexed for inflation, the 1991 pricing was better and the product offered was semi-inclusive.

Edited November 25, 2015 by gkbiiii

[John&LaLa]

There reason for my comparison was due, to the continual use of the "it was more expensive, back then" argument. Earlier in this thread, someone used the example of a $1,000 inside cabin.

 

I was able to prove that, even indexed for inflation, the 1991 pricing was better and the product offered was semi-inclusive.

 

You didn't really prove anything, you cherry picked data to fit your story and you made several erroneous assumptions. :D