Off Brilliance today

[goodml]

My son, daughter in law and another couple came off of the 5 night sailing of Brilliance today and they were really disappointed about a few things. He's been cruising since he was three and is now 26 and Royal Caribbean has always been his favourite. We always marvel about the things people complain about.

 

This has been a big year for them. They got married in May and are both newly graduated doctors so they didn't have a chance to have a honeymoon until now. Another couple joined them and they were looking for total relaxation which they found. They treated themselves to spa passes and couples massage and really enjoyed that. We had bought them Chefs Table as a gift and they loved everything about that. They also said their room steward was wonderful.

 

They disappointment comes from the service they received in other areas. They said the bar service and some of the food service was quite awful especially in the solarium. They found that there were rarely bar servers walking around and when they approached the bar they felt the bartenders seemed disgruntled and unfriendly all week. No smiling or joking like every other voyage. They were actually even snippy in some interactions. My son said he's never experienced anything like this on RCCL. He approached guest services about a specific issue and they apologized and offered 10% off a future cruise booking but really weren't friendly like previous voyages. For the first time ever they all actually removed gratuities on the second last day and tipped the cabin steward and a couple of others directly. They explained each incident to guest services that caused them to do what they thought they'd never do. As an aside, he gave the cabin steward $40 and asked if she'd have to share it and she said no. He also said she made them the coolest towel animal he's ever seen :).

 

I'm disappointed for them. They still enjoyed themselves but they actually said they likely won't do another cruise. It's just not what it used to be and he remembers what it used to be. We have loved RCCL and recent reports similar to this are bothersome. They did Freedom a year and a half ago and loved every minute. We leave Friday on Navigator and I hope it's not the same or we will also be reevaluating.

[easyboy]

Bartenders and their servers are usually sociable and your son's experience with them was very unusual. It's good he called the attention of Guest Services and they should not be tolerated. Hope your son treats it as an isolated case and continue to cruise.

Happy sailing on your own cruise.

[goodml]

Thanks I said that too; that over the years there have been voyages that were better than others but we've always had fun and looked forward to the next one. He said the thing that bothered him was that it seemed almost systemic. The good thing is he's been working 70 hour weeks so he likely could have enjoyed life in a paper bag as long as he was on vacation :) but still. I wonder if it has something to do with all the drink packages being sold. Is there less bar staff which therefore cuts down on the amount of prepaid drinks that can be served? Just thinking out loud. Doesn't really make sense but who knows. Will test out the theory on Friday.

[Surfguyxxx]

Unfortunately, I've been hearing about such things for some time now. We leave in less than 3 weeks and I'm hoping that I go onto the ship without an attitude and "look for faults" instead of trying to relax and enjoy myself.

Edited December 4, 2016 by Surfguyxxx

[molly361]

This is the second less than stellar thread that I have read in the past week or so regarding the BR. Final payment for our Feb cruise is in less than 2 weeks. Thinking about perhaps cancelling.

[goodml]

You know every cruise we've seen people throwing fits and being outrageously demanding about the simplest of things and thought what is wrong with people? These young folks are very easy going and were just thrilled to be in the sun and off work. They weren't into crazy loud games and music at the main pool this time so were often in the solarium. In their words, no one has to serve them like they're royalty, just have someone making the rounds once in a while and smiling and interacting a bit like they used to. The beauty of cruising was that you could be as lazy as you like and periodically someone would come around and see if you needed anything. Not so this time and then when they'd go to the bar everyone had to go because they wouldn't serve one person if they took their own and their spouse's card up even if they showed them where they were sitting and the other person waved. I realize it may be a rule and a friendly, 'oh sorry but she'll have to come up herself. We can't do that anymore' would make a world of difference but they felt the staff was quite rude about it. Just a vibe they'd never experienced on RCCL before. Simple things but they added up to a bit of a deal breaker. Like they said, we just wanted a break and to not have to think of anything for a while. Time for something new.

Edited December 4, 2016 by goodml

[goodml]

Unfortunately, I've been hearing about such things for some time now. We leave in less than 3 weeks and I'm hoping that I go onto the ship without an attitude and "look for faults" instead of trying to relax and enjoy myself.

 

Same. I'm not even telling our friends that are travelling with us because I don't want anyone going in looking for things to be wrong. I'm going to try very hard not to do that myself but i won't kid myself if it's time to go somewhere else. It happens.

Edited December 4, 2016 by goodml

[molly361]

I should add that I have found the bar service to be lacking compared to how it was a couple of years ago. It is not just the Brilliance.

[reallyitsmema]

I agree, bar service is not what it used to be. I also wonder if it is their age, I also have a 26 yr old and at times, he doesn't seem to receive the same service as we do.

[goodml]

He wondered about that too.

[orville99]

I'm not sure which is worse: Not having them around when you want them, or having them hover over your lounger every 10 minutes hawking drinks when you're trying to relax or take a nap.

[George C]

We did Brilliance for 12 days in September and most of the bartenders were really excellent, casino bartender and pub were really great, would do this ship again, Not all were perfect but in general they were way above average for RCCL

[troykahack]

Just off Serenade and we just loved the bar staff. Before we cruise, I take a bunch of $1 bills and mixes of $5/10/20. I always now tip at least $1 per drink (We have the UP). I believe the tips help with better service.

 

I never saw anyone going around the pool or solarium taking drink orders. BUT, unless Brilliance is much different Serenade, there are multiple bars only a short walk away.

 

I love Blue Moon during the day. When we boarded, we could not find a bar that had it. Prior to the cruise I had asked the Concierge if he could have my in room refrigerator stocked with Blue Moon. When we boarded we found a 12 pack of Blue Moon in our room refrigerator. I tracked down the person that walks six miles everyday to take care on the mini bar and tipped him $10 and took care of the concierge as well. The head Bartender in the Castle and Pub made sure it was stocked with Blue Moon (seems to be a crew favorite). As soon as I sat down in the Casino a Blue Moon was there without asking and within minutes.

 

I believe, with a little extra tipping, it adds to ones cruise experience. We had issues the first night in the MDR, I pulled the Waiter and Assistant Waiter aside, explained the issues, gave each a $20 bill, and they never missed a beat going forward. This was a 11 night cruise so I wanted to insure we had good service the remaining nights. Both were tipped again the night before last.

 

We tipped our Cabin Steward several times during the cruise for his creativity with towel presentations and stuff we left out (hats, shoes, sun glasses...). Also tipped him out the night before last.

 

The Bartenders knew us by name and were great. We are on Brilliance in Dec 17, hope they are equally as good.

[north29]

Maybe their expectations were too high, sometimes age and newly acquired occupations from long hard work at their schools, makes young people, for lack of a better word think they are "entitled" to better service.

I have never seen "BAD" enough service on any RC ship, worth removing gratuities. Many replies, use the word stellar service, never have I received what I would call stellar service on ANY cruise ship. I should say I have seen great, good and Yes some what OFF target service in certain service areas of the ship.

 

I saw people saying that because of reviews, they were thinking about canceling a cruise???????? you have to be kidding.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We have noticed that for the last couple of years there are few servers walking around the pool and solarium areas. if you want service you need to walk to the bar. I remember the days where the servers were plentiful . . . . and funny.

[lovesthebeach2]

We were on Brilliance for a 12 day cruise in September and didn't notice any disgruntled employees. We found them very friendly and helpful.

 

I do agree that there is not many roaming bar servers by the pools as there used to be years ago and think this is due to the beverage packages. We never had a problem while inside at any bar getting a drink. In fact, there were plenty of servers all around inside the ship, including the MDR.

 

Many things have been cut or reduced in and out of the cruise industry over the past decade or two. Maybe our expectations are lower, but we always have a great time.

[sparkymom]

I agree that the beverage packages might well be a reason for less servers at the pool areas, patrons won't drink as much if the servers aren't as available... there were several wait staff usually wandering about the pool area several years ago, it is seeming far less now...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[goodml]

Maybe their expectations were too high, sometimes age and newly acquired occupations from long hard work at their schools, makes young people, for lack of a better word think they are "entitled" to better service.

I have never seen "BAD" enough service on any RC ship, worth removing gratuities. Many replies, use the word stellar service, never have I received what I would call stellar service on ANY cruise ship. I should say I have seen great, good and Yes some what OFF target service in certain service areas of the ship.

 

I saw people saying that because of reviews, they were thinking about canceling a cruise???????? you have to be kidding.

 

I would tend to agree with you but I know them well and they are the least demanding young people I know. Plus my son has cruised at least 15 times and I was with him for most so I know his expectatations. He has never complained during or after a vacation and I trust his judgement on this one and believe me I have no trouble telling him if I think he's being a goof.:D

[troykahack]

I would tend to agree with you but I know them well and they are the least demanding young people I know. Plus my son has cruised at least 15 times and I was with him for most so I know his expectatations. He has never complained during or after a vacation and I trust his judgement on this one and believe me I have no trouble telling him if I think he's being a goof.:D

 

What were their expectations? I have never waited for a roaming Waiter for a drink by the pool or solarium. A very short walk away.

 

The service was great at the Park Cafe. The Roast Beef sliders are just wonderful (heard about here). The salad bar next door is equally as good.

 

I look forward to other reviews on Brilliance as we will be on here Dec 17.

Edited December 4, 2016 by troykahack

[goodml]

What were their expectations? I have never waited for a roaming Waiter for a drink by the pool or solarium. A very short walk away.

 

The service was great at the Park Cafe. The Roast Beef sliders are just wonderful (heard about here). The salad bar next door is equally as good.

 

I look forward to other reviews on Brilliance as we will be on here Dec 17.

 

Perhaps you missed where I said they had difficulty at the bars 'a short walk away' as well. We are not new cruisers. Our first RCCL cruise was 20 years ago. Not sure there's any point reiterating what I've already said in this thread.

[troykahack]

Perhaps you missed where I said they had difficulty at the bars 'a short walk away' as well. We are not new cruisers. Our first RCCL cruise was 20 years ago. Not sure there's any point reiterating what I've already said in this thread.

 

Well obviously I read it wrong. I re-read your first post and made the same assumptions I did the first time. So I apologize for not reading the way you intended.

 

My bad.

Edited December 4, 2016 by troykahack

[Biker19]

What are the odds it was the odds? You cruise often enough, you are bound to come up with a disappointment.

[goodml]

I think so too Biker. That's my hope anyway. Very much looking forward to getting out of the cold and giving Navigator a go this Friday.:)

[goodml]

Well obviously I read it wrong. I re-read your first post and made the same assumptions I did the first time. So I apologize for not reading the way you intended.

 

My bad.

 

I have posted more than once on this thread.

[GTO-Girl]

When we sailed the Brilliance less than two years ago we made some of the same observations. The drink packages were fairly new at that time and the difference in bar service, especially in the Solarium was very obvious.

 

We went to the Solarium every day and for the entire 5 days I saw one server pass through only one time and that was it. We didn't mind going to the bar and getting our own drinks but we felt it could defiinately cut down on the number of drinks people might drink if they had to keep getting up and getting their own.

 

But we did love everything else about the Brilliance and had a wonderful time. Our service in all areas was wonderful!!