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What's Changed on RCCL?

rpmljm

By rpmljm,
in Royal Caribbean International

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rpmljm

rpmljm

Posted
Posted

Hi,

We are sailing on RCCL again for the first time in about 10 years. I was wondering what things have changed since last we sailed. Can anyone think of anything? We are sailing on Grandeur in March (12 day). Some things I was wondering about are what types of activities on sea days (free ones). I understand that they charge for some now? Any food events that are different?

 

Anything else that has changed?

 

Thanks!

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Spurschick

Spurschick

Posted
Posted
Hi,

We are sailing on RCCL again for the first time in about 10 years. I was wondering what things have changed since last we sailed. Can anyone think of anything? We are sailing on Grandeur in March (12 day). Some things I was wondering about are what types of activities on sea days (free ones). I understand that they charge for some now? Any food events that are different?

 

Anything else that has changed?

 

Thanks!

 

In 10 years quite a lot.

Bingo prices much higher.

No more horse racing by the pool (they were fun - I reminisce )

No more waiters everywhere trying to sell you drinks by the pool. With drinks packages it's more like trying to find someone to serve you!

Much more relaxed attire in dining room.

Fee for room service unless in GS or higher.

You can buy specialty dining packages.

Not as many poolside competitions.

I'm sure others can add as this is not extensive!

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LMaxwell Great Review Rare

LMaxwell

Posted
Posted
Hi,

We are sailing on RCCL again for the first time in about 10 years. I was wondering what things have changed since last we sailed. Can anyone think of anything? We are sailing on Grandeur in March (12 day). Some things I was wondering about are what types of activities on sea days (free ones). I understand that they charge for some now? Any food events that are different?

 

Anything else that has changed?

 

Thanks!

 

Depending on how long ago you booked final payment is due earlier than previously, also if you booked recently Royal has introduced a nonrefundable deposit option.

 

No more midnight buffets like you may have still seen 10 years ago.

 

Sea day activities haven't changed too much, you won't see horse racing anymore, or driving golf balls (that one may have died out over 10 years ago).

 

Grandeur did have an aerial acrobat show introduced a few years ago but that's gone now.

 

No more wine stewards in dining room.

 

I don't think you will find much to pay for now activity wise compared to 10 years ago on the smaller ships. The larger ships have introduced charges for sushi classes, guacamole classes, cupcake decorating, etc. but that's largely not impacted the smaller ships.

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Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

Posted
Posted
Depending on how long ago you booked final payment is due earlier than previously, also if you booked recently Royal has introduced a nonrefundable deposit option.

 

No more midnight buffets like you may have still seen 10 years ago.

 

Sea day activities haven't changed too much, you won't see horse racing anymore, or driving golf balls (that one may have died out over 10 years ago).

 

Grandeur did have an aerial acrobat show introduced a few years ago but that's gone now.

 

No more wine stewards in dining room.

 

I don't think you will find much to pay for now activity wise compared to 10 years ago on the smaller ships. The larger ships have introduced charges for sushi classes, guacamole classes, cupcake decorating, etc. but that's largely not impacted the smaller ships.

 

Grandeur has the sushi making class. I am searching my failing memory and thinking that there is a pasta making class, too. (though that could have been a different ship).

 

Ten years ago, the smaller ships like Grandeur did not have specialty restaurants. Grandeur now is stuffed with them: Chops, Giovanni's Table, Izumi, Chef's Table.

 

She also did not have lounges in the past. Now she has both Concierge Lounge (Deck 12) and Diamond Club (Deck 6).

 

Grandeur has the Coke Freestyle Machines.

 

The staff is very personable and friendly and try very hard to give you the best cruise possible.

 

Oceanview and interior cabins do not have a refrigerator.

 

We don't have to tender at any of our ports!

 

The casino and shops will be closed at first. Shops will open at night and the casino will not open until the next day - nasty local laws.

 

Easy parking and check-in at Cruise Maryland. Stay to the FAR right when you go through the Fort McHenry Tunnel. The exit is RIGHT after the tunnel.

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rpmljm

rpmljm

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Posted

Thanks for the replies, so far.

Is there a charge for all room-service orders in outside cabins?

In regard to dining attire..do most men wear suits/jackets on formal nights? Do women wear dressy/formal dresses, or just clothes you might wear to church?

We have sailed Grandeur before, and loved it. It did have specialty restaurants 12 years ago, but we don't go to them anyway.

 

Any more things you can think of?

Thanks

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geomancer

geomancer

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the replies, so far.

Is there a charge for all room-service orders in outside cabins?

In regard to dining attire..do most men wear suits/jackets on formal nights? Do women wear dressy/formal dresses, or just clothes you might wear to church?

We have sailed Grandeur before, and loved it. It did have specialty restaurants 12 years ago, but we don't go to them anyway.

 

Any more things you can think of?

Thanks

 

Yes, room service has the $8 charge per order (not per person). Continental breakfast (no hot items) however is still free for room service.

 

Formal nights from what I hear are not all that formal. Maybe 50/50, most will dress nicer than average, but always a chance of someone in a t-shirt and shorts/jeans.

 

People say the food quality has declined, possibly (probably) to drive people into the for fee specialty dinning.

 

On my next cruise, it will be 10 years since I've gone as well so I'll be in the same situation.

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Milwaukee Eight

Milwaukee Eight

Posted
Posted
Grandeur has the sushi making class. I am searching my failing memory and thinking that there is a pasta making class, too. (though that could have been a different ship).

 

Ten years ago, the smaller ships like Grandeur did not have specialty restaurants. Grandeur now is stuffed with them: Chops, Giovanni's Table, Izumi, Chef's Table.

 

She also did not have lounges in the past. Now she has both Concierge Lounge (Deck 12) and Diamond Club (Deck 6).

 

Grandeur has the Coke Freestyle Machines.

 

The staff is very personable and friendly and try very hard to give you the best cruise possible.

 

Oceanview and interior cabins do not have a refrigerator.

 

We don't have to tender at any of our ports!

 

The casino and shops will be closed at first. Shops will open at night and the casino will not open until the next day - nasty local laws.

 

Easy parking and check-in at Cruise Maryland. Stay to the FAR right when you go through the Fort McHenry Tunnel. The exit is RIGHT after the tunnel.

 

 

I thought they said FREE stuff.... is the Sushi and Pasta class FREE?

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perditax

perditax

Posted
Posted
OMG just remembered the mini bars are no longer stocked but almost everyone gets charged the infamous water purchase after they get off. How could I forget:eek:

 

Ack. My first RC cruise is next month but I'd been reading about the fraudulent mini fridge charges as long as I'd been on CC. I assumed I didn't have to worry about it with the fridges being empty. Not so?

 

To me, widespread charging of these items which most people won't bother to dispute is akin to credit card skimming.

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rpmljm

rpmljm

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OMG just remembered the mini bars are no longer stocked but almost everyone gets charged the infamous water purchase after they get off. How could I forget:eek:

 

Wait...You get charged for water you didn't drink? I don't understand. Please explain.:o

 

Worse food??? I'm starting to second guess this decision.

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Spurschick

Spurschick

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Wait...You get charged for water you didn't drink? I don't understand. Please explain.:o

 

Worse food??? I'm starting to second guess this decision.

RC stopped stocking the mini bars. There is now an order form if you want it stocked in the cabin. Quite a few people thought it would be great as lots of people were getting home and finding erroneous charges for drinks from the mini bar for drinks they had not consumed. It was hoped that by no longer stocking the mini bars these erroneous charges would be eliminated.

 

Now RC leave a couple of large glass bottles of Evian (at least that's what's been in our cabins) instead. Since then more and more people have found that upon arriving home they are getting charged for these bottles of water. There are several threads on it. Just make sure after you get home what your room bill matches what your final bill shows as the water is added after you have left the ship. People don't know about it until the payment is taken.

 

Regarding food, that is always a subjective topic. Some items we have heard great things about have been a let down to us and vice versa. There is plenty to eat.

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seacruise9

seacruise9

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi,

 

I have taken 22 Royal Caribbean cruises since 1983 (including 11 since 2011). Most recently, I cruised aboard the Independence of the Seas earlier this month. During the past few years, the food and quality of the onboard product have significantly deteriorated. The cost-cutting has become so extreme there is no longer even a pen in the staterooms. Also, there are constant attempts to generate onboard revenue. In the dining room, there is a charge for the higher quality steaks or lobster. The ships are extremely casual and there really is no dress code in the dining room.

 

On the Independence of the Seas earlier this month, there was a room service delivery charge of $7.95 for everything other than the continental breakfast (which is still free).

 

Be sure to check your onboard statement at the end of the cruise. I have been incorrectly charged $25 for not returning towels.

 

I was so disappointed with my recent cruise on the Independence of the Seas, I cancelled the three future cruises that I had booked with the line. There are other better cruise options for me.

 

Chuck

Edited by seacruise9
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rpmljm

rpmljm

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1st curious... What are horse races by pool?

 

2nd ... only cruised once a few years ago and paid bill on last night. How can they charge for water?

 

That's what I want to know. If you check your account balance before you leave the ship, and everything is fine, how can they add more to it when you see your credit card bill? How do you know the extra amount is for water? What can you do about it?

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  • 6 months later...
2dadsandababy

2dadsandababy

Posted
Posted
Hi,

 

We are sailing on RCCL again for the first time in about 10 years. I was wondering what things have changed since last we sailed. Can anyone think of anything? We are sailing on Grandeur in March (12 day). Some things I was wondering about are what types of activities on sea days (free ones). I understand that they charge for some now? Any food events that are different?

 

 

 

Anything else that has changed?

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

The overall quality of the cruise has declined significantly. The service is much worse, the food is worse, the prices have increased, the incessant nickel and dining has increased.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

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The overall quality of the cruise has declined significantly. The service is much worse, the food is worse, the prices have increased, the incessant nickel and dining has increased.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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