Independence of the Seas will be a nightmare 2018

[pink845]

Funny. Everyone's priorities are obviously different. But a Nightmare. I think not!! Now, if they did away with the pools and hot tubs, well, that would be a nightmare!!. We are booked for Nov 2018 at a smashing price for a little five day cruise followed by a lovely 7 day on Allure. It is all about the money for all the cruise lines. And we are always happy to help them with their bottom lines because we ALL love to cruise or we would not be actively posting.

[Rjh8842]

On our independence cruise last year my nephew and I enjoyed playing games in the library. However a couple of weeks ago I went on majesty and they did not have a library. I saw many people playing games in the bar close to the casino. But it stank of smoke. So we checked out the lounge ( viking?) and we end up there a few afternoons playing there. And I much prefered the ocean view. Plus it was a nice place to read (I still prefer a real book). We both prefered it.

[sinbad22uk]

Funny. Everyone's priorities are obviously different. But a Nightmare. I think not!! Now, if they did away with the pools and hot tubs, well, that would be a nightmare!!. We are booked for Nov 2018 at a smashing price for a little five day cruise followed by a lovely 7 day on Allure. It is all about the money for all the cruise lines. And we are always happy to help them with their bottom lines because we ALL love to cruise or we would not be actively posting.

 

Well two years ago about 10% of the sun loungers on deck 12 had been removed because they were broken and there were loads of people walking around and around not finding anywhere to sit, at one point there was a queue of about 80 people near the bridge by the big screen just stood waiting, crew were doing their best to find free loungers for them but they couldn't work miracles, it was spoiling the peace of those sunbathing nearby as arguments between guests were breaking out and arguments between guests and staff.

Last year all the old loungers had been replaced for the new type same as the ones on Anthem and there seemed to be enough to go around.

 

This year there will be 30% less not because of the new attractions but because of the new cabins, so going back to what I experienced 2 years ago with just 10% of loungers broken (staff figures not mine) and the chaos it produced.

Imagine 30% less facility to sunbathe plus an extra 200-300 guests then sorry I don't think nightmare is too strong a word, you wait and see there will be people getting up at the crack of dawn reserving sunbeds and later in the day people arguing because they can't find any. I will revisit this thread after my cruise hope fully to bring the news that I was wrong and all those who thought there wouldn't be a problem were right. In which case I shall eat humble pie, but I think not unfortunately.

[Ocean Boy]

Funny. Everyone's priorities are obviously different. But a Nightmare. I think not!! Now, if they did away with the pools and hot tubs, well, that would be a nightmare!!. We are booked for Nov 2018 at a smashing price for a little five day cruise followed by a lovely 7 day on Allure. It is all about the money for all the cruise lines. And we are always happy to help them with their bottom lines because we ALL love to cruise or we would not be actively posting.

If they got rid of the hot tubs I wouldn't even notice.

[Sarah1974]

If they got rid of the hot tubs I wouldn't even notice.

 

 

I love the hot tubs on Indy! I use them but not the pool

[fla33023]

I get the changes aren't for everyone but it's perfect for our needs. I hope it's as great as it sounds! We're booked for Turkey Day this year. There will be 5 kids aged 8-17, and if they're happy and busy then the parents have an excellent vacation.

[TheGinBoy]

I'm on Indy in May 2018.

 

My thinking about kids is that they should be neither seen, nor heard.

 

I'll be hiding in the solarium and reporting any children to the crew, or drinking in the Olive Or Twist bar.

[TheLargeFamily]

I'm on Indy in May 2018.

 

My thinking about kids is that they should be neither seen, nor heard.

 

I'll be hiding in the solarium and reporting any children to the crew, or drinking in the Olive Or Twist bar.

 

You should've booked a trip to Sandals so that you could avoid that inconvenient part of the population. :o

[TheGinBoy]

Sadly Sandals is a) on land, and b) not terribly gay friendly.

 

Luckily I've got the flexibility to choose cruises outside the school holidays, which are cheaper and largely child free.

[tullers]

There might be less chaos if you weren't fighting for seats and loungers so much. :)

 

But seriously, I agree it's disappointing their priorities seem to be packing more people onboard and reducing public space. I wonder if they have to add more life boats at some point? Assume when originally built the # of cabins/beds and lifeboats were all coordinated to meet requirements.

There is a very large over-capacity for the lifeboats on these ships.

[vacationers]

RCL is getting to greety, Is all about money. Everything went up and not much activities on board on DAS. Chops just went up to 46.00. I guess we do have other choices. Is not how you get a customer, is how you keep a customer.

[JKHawaii]

For those who don't care about the gym, sunbeds, the library, running, track, On Air: Do you go to the Windjammer? Dining room? Theater? Sorrento's? Cafe Promenade? Diamond Club?

 

I just disembarked from the Freedom of the Seas on Sunday. There were 4200 passengers, according to the cruise director. Dining facilities were strained, especially at peak times.

 

Now, with a quick look at the new deck plans, the Independence "upgrade" will add up to 92 passengers above the Freedom. Have fun!

 

Now, for those who do enjoy the library, it appears the library will be relocated to Deck 5 where the Connoisseur Club presently sits. And on the Freedom, the addition of rooms on Deck 12 created a large area above on Deck 13 for "sun beds" ........................ however; not a great ambience and hurricane force winds on sea days, but space if nothing else exists.

[sgmn]

I'm on Indy in May 2018.

 

My thinking about kids is that they should be neither seen, nor heard.

 

I'll be hiding in the solarium and reporting any children to the crew, or drinking in the Olive Or Twist bar.

Don't forget half term holidays are in May

[poncho1973]

RCL is getting to greety.

 

Seriously! Finally, someone gets the real problem.

 

HELLO!

 

How are you doing today?

 

Welcome to our ship!

 

Hi!

 

 

 

 

I get it sheeple! Leave me alone! ;)

[tullers]

RCL is getting to greety [sic]

 

What do you mean by greedy?

[njm5378]

What do you mean by greedy?

 

People often confuse being greedy with trying to maximize profit. What they need is to find an not-for-profit cruise line.

[Ocean Boy]

People often confuse being greedy with trying to maximize profit. What they need is to find an not-for-profit cruise line.

I get your point. However, I could charge more for my services and I'd get it too. But I make a comfortable living and don't feel the need to get more out of my patients just because I could. Maybe there are people on this board that see the world from that type of view point. It does not invalidate your view of how a corporation works because that is, for the most part, exactly how they work. It also doesn't necessitate a snarky response from you.:)

Edited January 31, 2018 by Ocean Boy

[njm5378]

I get your point. However, I could charge more for my services and I'd get it too. But I make a comfortable living and don't feel the need to get more out of my patients just because I could. Maybe there are people on this board that see the world from that type of view point. It does not invalidate your view of how a corporation works because that is, for the most part, exactly how they work. It also doesn't necessitate a snarky response from you.:)

 

No snarky tone meant, we just consistently read comments from people that seem to not understand the business goal of a large corporation with a large number of shareholders. I too wish that a decent margin would be acceptable for shareholders but anyone at the top of a large corporation knows that the only acceptable margin is "more".

[tullers]

I get your point. However, I could charge more for my services and I'd get it too. But I make a comfortable living and don't feel the need to get more out of my patients just because I could. Maybe there are people on this board that see the world from that type of view point. It does not invalidate your view of how a corporation works because that is, for the most part, exactly how they work. It also doesn't necessitate a snarky response from you.:)

I just don’t understand what is meant by ‘greedy’. The word gets used a lot but I don’t see how the definition fits. Couldn’t it be said that consumers are greedy for wanting more but pay less?

 

You say you choose not to demand more from your customers, how does that matter? If your customers do not find value in your services at the price you ask are they not free to go elsewhere? There are plenty of cruise lines to choose from and the per dimes really aren’t rising all that much. Obviously these changes are no longer meeting your expectations for a cruise, just take your money where you get what you want.

[CP3o]

Off topic but wonder if Mariner drydock will add cabins anywhere?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Clarea]

Off topic but wonder if Mariner drydock will add cabins anywhere?

I would be surprised if they didn't add staterooms.

[MarshaTN]

The Liberty of the Seas has had most of these changes and yes, it is now a great family ship. But, the Suite Lounge is really nice, no longer has a Concierge Lounge.

 

The biggest problem I would have with the Independence deck plan is the Sports Bar and Arcade right next to the Casino—the smoke will be terrible in these venues!! Also noticed no card room. The card room on the Liberty is in the old Concerige Lounge on deck 10. Also did not see an Internet cafe or area for the LA. They have removed the cigar room on deck 5, no great loss for me there.

 

Think I prefer the deck plan on the Liberty!

 

Carla

 

I read somewhere that IOS does not have smoking in the casino. Will try to find the reference. Anyone know for sure?

 

MarshaTN

[Clarea]

I read somewhere that IOS does not have smoking in the casino. Will try to find the reference. Anyone know for sure?

 

MarshaTN

That might be true when she sails from the UK, but not when she sails from the US.

[MarshaTN]

On all cruises from Southampton the casino is completely non smoking

 

Here it is... great news!

 

MarshaTN

[njm5378]

I just don’t understand what is meant by ‘greedy’. The word gets used a lot but I don’t see how the definition fits. Couldn’t it be said that consumers are greedy for wanting more but pay less?

 

You say you choose not to demand more from your customers, how does that matter? If your customers do not find value in your services at the price you ask are they not free to go elsewhere? There are plenty of cruise lines to choose from and the per dimes really aren’t rising all that much. Obviously these changes are no longer meeting your expectations for a cruise, just take your money where you get what you want.

 

People think that businesses that test the threshold of consumer spending are gouging them and are thus greedy. They feel that a business should not try to increase profits at the expense of some customers. What people don't realize is that RCI is fairing much better in the market than CCL or NCL. Their share prices are rising nicely and they are sailing at capacity. They are doing exactly what their shareholders expect. On the flip side people fail to realize that given inflation, cruises today are a much better value today that in the 70's and 80's. But everyone wants more for less, kind of like a business. You make the best point, if their product no longer holds value for someone, they should take their dollars elsewhere.