How Has RCCL Changed In The Past Decade?

[Paul65]

They used to serve sorbet between courses as a palette cleanser. Scraping of tables to clear crumbs. Before that side dishes were served white glove off of large platters. Midnight buffets were a highly anticipated event; ice carvings by the pool and a display only for 30-60 minutes at night before food was served.

 

Specialty Dining has turned the MDR into a wedding banquet.

 

I don't remember any of that stuff going back to 1991 (so more than two decades), except for the Gala Midnight Buffet. They had buffets nightly, at that time, but only once during the cruise was the big, elaborate one that was opened early just for pictures. But I never had sorbet between courses or side dishes served from platters with white gloves.

 

I guess I do remember scraping tables to clear crumbs, because that happened even on my cruise a couple weeks ago.

[tofubeast]

I am right there with you! Formal nights are one of my favorite things about cruising. I also miss the personalized service - the waiters who always called you by name, and spent time at your table telling jokes or doing tricks, and the bartenders who knew your name and were pouring your drink by the time you made it to the bar.

 

I loved formal nights, too. I haven't sailed on RCCL since '07, so I am curious what I will find different.

 

On DCL, the servers spent lots of time at our table. They were quite exceptional. But diff. cruise line. That was always the case for me with RCCL/X, but again, it's been awhile since I cruised with them.

[Paul65]

I loved formal nights, too. I haven't sailed on RCCL since '07, so I am curious what I will find different.

 

On DCL, the servers spent lots of time at our table. They were quite exceptional. But diff. cruise line. That was always the case for me with RCCL/X, but again, it's been awhile since I cruised with them.

 

I find that the servers will still get to know you and spend some time talking to you, but they are a bit more stretched out than they were years ago, so it is not quite the same. I don't think it's changed a lot since '07.

[Margy23]

We had towel animals every night on Enchantment. All you need to do is set expectations. We had our Grandson, so I asked for towel animals. Don't need them when just Laura and I

We were recently on Enchantment too and were surprised and delighted to find towel animals every night. We didn't even have children with us, but our cabin steward happened to hear me laughingly tell my husband how cute the first one was, so we considered this his special gift to us on our last cruise on Enchantment. We feel the crew on Enchantment has an attitude that makes it a pleasure to cruise with them.

 

Margy

Edited April 19, 2016 by Margy23

[LMaxwell]

I don't remember any of that stuff going back to 1991 (so more than two decades), except for the Gala Midnight Buffet. They had buffets nightly, at that time, but only once during the cruise was the big, elaborate one that was opened early just for pictures. But I never had sorbet between courses or side dishes served from platters with white gloves.

 

I guess I do remember scraping tables to clear crumbs, because that happened even on my cruise a couple weeks ago.

You will have to take my word for it. They used to give us pitchers of soda at dinner too. If you find old Royal menus you will see if intermezzo on there

 

Sent from my B1-730HD using Tapatalk

[alfaeric]

We first cruised in 2001 on the Monarch.

 

Entertainment is a LOT better now than it was- especially in the theater. I remember one show used to be the CD staff, and it was a terrible show. The RCI Singers and Dancers are far, far, far better than that. And the addition of real theater shows is great. Plus the aerial shows. And some of the water shows, and the ice show..... And there is still live music throughout the ship- like a Latin band in Boleros (no matter how small that bar is).

 

We are odd and think the food is a lot better. That trip on the Monarch left a bad taste in my mouth- literally. Not interesting at all. The new menu fits us nicely (although the themes are odd). Plus the smaller portions are better, too. Far less waste. I witnessed a few of the midnight buffets. Never was able to eat, as I was already full- and thought they were (and still are) a complete waste of food (given how I see stuff thrown out).

 

The welcome back presents have gone away- but only a couple of them were useful. Even so- none of that was ever used. Given that, I don't miss them what so ever.

 

We liked the welcome back parties, but I understand why others decided not to go.

 

I don't recall ever being treated super duper well and honored. Seems the same as it ever was. We do notice the fewer servers in the MDR. And the lack of after dinner drinks that we rarely got (since we were full).

 

Mints were nice, but that can be fixed by going to a dollar store. Paper and pens are gone, but who used them?

 

The *option* of having good internet is nice. Only use it if it's important (like boarding passes). So still disconnected. I carry my phone as I don't have camera anymore.

 

More watches to look at is nice, and my wife seems to buy more fashion stuff- clothing or jewelry than ever before. So they get good stuff for her, too (not diamonds or rocks- just interesting stuff).

 

On the bigger ships, I like being able to get a snack without having to go up to the WJ. Heck, the options that allow us to NOT go to the WJ nor the MDR are great.

 

But the biggest change that we like a LOT still is the entertainment. That is so fun to have available.

[Paul65]

You will have to take my word for it.

 

I don't have to. :p

 

You do definitely seem to remember a Royal Caribbean that I never experience, but perhaps it was from before the early 1990s, when I first sailed.

Edited April 19, 2016 by Paul65

[LMaxwell]

I don't have to. [emoji14]

 

You do definitely seem to remember a Royal Caribbean that I never experience, but perhaps it was from before the early 1990s, when I first sailed.

My first was either 1989 or 1990.

 

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[grod19]

The thing I would have to say has changed the most is the customer. When I first cruised in 2001 I knew nothing about the ship or what to expect. Everything was a surprise. Today I can tell you what meals people are having as they are eating it. I remember going back to the room and finding my first towel animal, each night after that wondering if there would be another one. We as customers have eliminated the surprise factor.

 

Another large change has been the availability of prices. Years ago you booked a cruise and counted the days till you left. Now you book a cruise, check the price every day to see if it dropped, check cruise critic to find out what the secret room # in your category that has 4sq ft more space etc.

 

An interesting follow on topic might be, how have we changed as customers. Do I have to wear pants or can I wear shorts to dinner? Can I just hide in my stateroom and skip the muster drill? etc

 

One other item that has drastically changed, the drinks onboard. Better beer selections, much better cocktails, etc. (yes I know drinks are expensive now)

[shipshape sam]

I will try and remember that. All I really know is fork and port and left all have 4 letters

 

That is a good reminder. On round tables, I reach with my right hand for my glass and everything else falls in place.

[shipshape sam]

My memories:

 

Miss:

 

dinner with same people for the cruise. No specialty dining. Even today, with MDR as someone when mention I can still have, many nights at a table for 8 maybe only 4 will show up. NOT the same.

 

more time with wait staff and interaction.

 

enjoyed the courses and time between. Still did try multiple dishes.

 

formal night when 80-90 percent of people dressed up in tuxes/dresses or at least dark suits for men. it was fun and for those who say you still can, I do not get the same sense of formal evening when sitting next to a person in a dress T-shirt (Black of course).

 

less sense of segregation due to class. Now it seems to be promoted/pushed.

 

trying new food dishes I would not pay for otherwise. Less exotic dishes available.

[SailyaCruise]

I first cruised on either the Navigator or the Adventure or the Voyager, I don't remember which, in 2001. My father had just died in 2000 and we needed to get our minds off of the loss. It was a very sad time for us, very sad year. Before 2001 I hadn't cruised since 1974 with my family on a long since decommissioned ship.

 

When stepped onboard RCCI in 2001, I was in sheer amazement. I still remember my shock at the advancement of the cruise ship at that time. The decor, the sheer size of that ship. Mind blowing. Staff were waiting with champagne as we walked onboard, a small jazz combo, a true, 3-piece jazz combo, was playing in the corner, I was in heaven.

 

Yes it is true, much has changed in cruising with RCCI for the last 15 years -- no more midnight buffet, no more mints on the pillows, no more extra cold air conditioner settings in my cabin, fewer tv program choices, etc., BUT....

 

RCCI still has me. There is nothing quite like stepping onboard on Day 1. And setting your bags down in your clean, crisp cabin for the first time. Running out to the cabin balcony to look around, that first celebratory drink with my pals in the Champagne Bar...AHHHH... I'm home.:D

Edited April 19, 2016 by SailyaCruise

[Paulette3028]

10 years ago C&A gifts/logo merchandise were of high quality and made to last. I still use the travel toiletry bag I got on Voyager in 2003. I know many people still have RCCL tote bags. I have some beautiful heavy cardboard stock postcards given as C&A souvenirs.

 

Now they give crap and prepackaged cookies. Would rather they didn't honestly. Most of the junk now is cheapo stuff that doesn't last any longer than it takes to disembark.

 

On our very first cruise on Majesty over Christmas 2004 we came back to our cabin to find a large size travel toiletry bag (yellow and blue) and a rolling duffle bag and 2 smaller zipper toiletry bags (all blue/one for each of us) all with Royal logos. My yellow and blue one stays fully packed ready to jump on a cruise on a moments notice. I am always prepared for a sailing!

[Paulette3028]

I definitely think the "horse racing" has been gone for longer than that. I think the condensing of the MDR menu to three courses is more than a decade old, too. Soup, salad, and appetizer courses have been grouped into "starters" for a long time, now.

 

 

We went on our very first cruise on Navigator in February 2004, and the horse racing game was very much a fun part of the activities. On that cruise we also had the 5 course dinners and the white glove/French type service. I believe we still had the 5 course and the white glove/French service when we sailed on Liberty in Oct 2010. Friends of ours love that kind of service....for me, I could care less.

 

I do miss the horse racing game, not so much the white glove/French service.....I order as much as I want and worry not about what 'course it is'.

Edited April 20, 2016 by Paulette3028

[TEXASMUNK]

SINE FUEL COSTS HAVE DROPPED 70%, RCI COULD HAVE AT LEAST RESTORED THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD!!!!!

Ok, rant over.

But, I do believe the words "Price Gouging" might be appropriate based on their real costs.

[peanutbutterjelly]

Increased cost to cruise

Increased gratuities

No mint/chocolate on pillows at night

Have to ask for towel animal now

No midnight buffet

Smaller meals/less courses

Decreased quality of food

Lack of quality customer service

No chocolate buffet anymore (that I'm aware of)

 

On a positive note: Bigger more modern ships

[Paulette3028]

No one will deny that Royal (and other cruise lines, from what people have said) has changed. But cruisers have changed as well and many of those changes are more disappointing. I have found that with each subsequent cruise we take, I find more and more rude passengers, who have forgotten or never learned good behavior.

 

A smile goes a long way, between fellow passengers and the crew and staff that are onboard to serve. A friendly nod is just a nice pleasantry. I am not so old, that I don't understand what it means to hold the door for someone else or allow the elevator to empty before I try to get in. I have found the phrase "Excuse me" has been dropped from the vocabulary of many people, never mind the words "Please and Thank You".

 

These are just a few of mine....some of you probably have many more things to add that irritate you about the changes in your fellow cruisers.

[AmberTeka]

We will be sailing for the first time on RCI this fall. We have sailed on Celebrity and are Platinum on Princess and Carnival and some on NCL and HAL so we are not nubies.

 

I love this thread. On every message board this gets discussed. And some thing are better.....more things to do. Some are worse.......The food when we sailed on the Sunward and Starward ( NCL..Middle seventies) was glorious. I actually kept a menu they gave us as souvenirs. Five choices of entrees. A staff person would come around with trays of fresh veggies. You could chose one or five. Desserts......I remember a Coconut vanilla crème cake........just wonderful.

 

They had the Midnight buffet. But who was could eat? Dinner had been just a few hours before...............But the Buffets for lunch............salads, then prepared sandwiches........then entrees and veggies..................You could have eaten yourself to death easily. I tried.

 

ACTIVITES..........one sheet of paper slipped under your door. One slot machine on the ship. ONE. My DH found it. We played horse racing. Shows were good. But the constant things to do things to see..Not there.

We were newly married and found plenty to do......but today............I like the choice of activities. the Library. Tea Time. The shows. Bingo. (can't remember if they had that) Casino.

 

I think..............I like it better today. AND today's ships have stabilizers. And are bigger. SeaSickness is not so bad. I remember dining and watching the water in my glass go from side to side. My Husband and I ate our way through it. Sometimes the MDR was half full.

 

AND in the morning....every table has a basket of rolls. Some sweet. Some not. Coffee came as soon as you sat. Lots of butter and jam. By the time the menu came to order...Often I was already stuffed.

 

Nice thread. Memories. Looking forward to cruising on FOS.

Edited April 20, 2016 by AmberTeka

[papaflamingo]

I agree with most of what others have said. I first cruised in 1998 on the then new Grandeur of the Seas. What a BEAUTIFUL ship she was. And no cell phones, internet, very limited tv. Just the beautiful Caribbean and the wonderful Islands. A week away from the world! It was glorious. She was the largest in the fleet, awaiting the arrival of Voyager. Food was the MDR, traditional only seating, or the Windjammer. That was it. That was enough. Nightly midnight buffet with the Gala Chocolate Buffet being spectacular. They'd open the door 30 minutes early for pictures, then... dig in!

Sea days were filled with the art auction, Horse racing (I really miss that too). Pool games including Mr Sexy Legs and the Belly Flop contest. Napkin folding, bingo, other games. And a shopping lecture before EVERY port. Oh yeah... pool time.

Dinner in the MDR was a different theme every night.. French, Caribbean, American. The waiters had different vests for each theme. The food was representative of the theme. There were more waiters and assistant waiters so they weren't as "harried" and would spend time getting to know you. There was a Wine Sommelier who would get any wine, thus freeing up the waiters to wait on tables. There was 3 levels of wine packages. There were bar tenders for bar drinks, and every night a different "shot" in a different glass. We made it our "mission" on one cruise to get every shot glass for a complete set. Still have them. :)

Drinks were reasonable. Tips were in cash.

But.... it was relatively more expensive. Our first cabin, an inside cabin, in Sept. 1998, on an Interline rate (deeply discounted), was $750. That equates to $1095 today. I can book on Allure for Sep. Inside Cabin for $699. In 1998 that would have been $478 or 36% cheaper. So we are effectively getting the cruise for 36% less today.

Anyway, it was a great question. I miss the old days. Cruising was way more special and unique. But it's still a fantastic vacation. After 29 cruises, I never tire of it.

[riclop]

I'm not a very avid cruiser, so I do not have a good reference for how things "used to be." That said, there are many on CC that say how RCCL (and cruising in general) used to be much better 10-15 years ago. Anyone willing to give me a rough overview of the changes they have noticed? I'm guessing some of the following are included, but feel free to outline others:

 

• Increased price of "gratuities"
  
• General downgrading of food in MDR and push to specialty dining
  
• More of a "class system" with suite passengers being heavily favored
  
• Removal of common areas that are now reserved for suites or others (secret balconies on Oasis class come to mind).
  

What else is there? Tell me about the good ol' days! :D

 

You are paying MUCH more and getting less.

[TM38Rob]

A change for the better is that you no longer have to wear your life jacket to the muster drill. The life jackets smelled of other people's sweat. And then I added my own while being lined up close together like sardines.

 

The first thing I wanted to do after the muster drill was take a shower.

[firefox247]

Lots of good responses here. How long ago were the towel animals changed? I didn't know I'd have to ask for them now. My wife really liked those in Allure in 2013.

 

To take this thread in another direction, years ago my parents and others always said that a cruise is a fantastic value compared to an all-inclusive. With all the cutbacks on cruises, is that statement still true? Did the AIs make similar cutbacks and we are right back where we started, or have the AIs reached value parity with cruising, especially if you have to buy a drink package on a boat?

[Paul65]

Lots of good responses here. How long ago were the towel animals changed? I didn't know I'd have to ask for them now. My wife really liked those in Allure in 2013.

 

To take this thread in another direction, years ago my parents and others always said that a cruise is a fantastic value compared to an all-inclusive. With all the cutbacks on cruises, is that statement still true? Did the AIs make similar cutbacks and we are right back where we started, or have the AIs reached value parity with cruising, especially if you have to buy a drink package on a boat?

 

They still do towel animals (or at least most stewards do), but it won't usually be every day. I still think a cruise tends to be a very good value.

[shipshape sam]

They still do towel animals (or at least most stewards do), but it won't usually be every day. I still think a cruise tends to be a very good value.

 

That is the bottom line.....cruising is still a great get away and value! I lament some changes, am indifferent to others and like many too, so it is a personal value judgement as to how things have changed.

 

It is fun to talk about and that is why I like CC.

[handbellplayer]

Here is what I miss compared to 2002/03

 

live music at dinner

More live music for longer hours at the pool

Midnight/chocolate buffet

Horse Racing at the pool

"yummy yummy for the tummy" cordials after dinner

Collector "swoozy" glasses that were REALLY nice

Much cheaper drinks

Concierge lounge included Diamonds

Tip at your discretion (I actually think we tipped more)

Combining my shareholder, onboard booking and loyalty discount

Nice libraries

Game rooms

Actual salads with dressing choices brought to table

 

 

There are probably more, but the thing I miss absolutely the most is....

 

The really dressy formal nights. For years I have been buying gowns and DH own a tux with tons of great cuff links.... Fewer and fewer dress up truly formally, which is one of my favorite things about cruising. Where else can you dress to the nines. but with X no longer having true formal nights, I think RCI will be next is getting rid of it...not sure what I will do with all the gowns I bought!

 

I was going through some old files today. We paid over $750 for an OV on Sovereign in 2002. We paid something like $580 for an OV on Enchantment last fall. I miss those things, too, but I can live with the changes if I can take more cruises!