Crew Issues.....and disappointment in RCCL

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, goldfish65 said:

Corporations are not going to put the brakes on their capacity; it always falls on service staff to somehow get the job done. 

 

Just my unsolicited opinions....😀

I've read and perhaps the link is above some lines have slowed capacity to match crew. I think princess was mentioned. I read the article a few days ago and cant remember who all is coming back slower on capacity until they can hire more crew. Ncl is perhaps slower rising capacity some have said.

 

I dont think I need to say more about grandeur as imo if staff isnt increased soon, others will be posting opinions on cold pizza, and lines. The raffle with 300 or 400 crowded into the hall so you couldnt move felt more like a carnival cruise. Let's wait for summer and all those kids sail free deals to hit for more comments on staffing. I get it, it's not the staffs fault. Stand by for summer. Kids are just getting out of school. 

[firefly333]

Posted duplicate. Cc please fix

Edited May 30, 2022 by firefly333

[Mapleleafforever]

13 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Perhaps you can help by giving some of your 5 week vacation into the pool…doubt they get anything near as extravagant as that. 

With only 5 weeks I need to hang on to all of them, thanks. Besides, this is the cruise lines' problem to fix. 

[bucfan2]

48 minutes ago, Mapleleafforever said:

With only 5 weeks I need to hang on to all of them, thanks. Besides, this is the cruise lines' problem to fix. 

They’re a business that believes they’ve instituted the best way to recover…they’re not looking for your socialist ideas. Can’t even thank you for them…I’m sure they just ‘scrolled’ past. 

[Markanddonna]

Cruise lines need to slow down bookings when they know they can't get enough crew. We were on an MSC sailing in March where the passenger count went from about 800 to 3,300 in one week. The experience on our 3,300 passenger cruise was riddled with problems from lack of service to a huge failure in food ordering. Can you imagine no cartons of milk after day two?  Most of us on this board aren't cruise line professionals, but we can all see the logistical failures when you understaff and underorder. 

[chmusar]

the ship life on YouTube has an interesting video about staffing ( titles a bit click bait )

 

 

[firefly333]

2 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

Cruise lines need to slow down bookings when they know they can't get enough crew. We were on an MSC sailing in March where the passenger count went from about 800 to 3,300 in one week. The experience on our 3,300 passenger cruise was riddled with problems from lack of service to a huge failure in food ordering. Can you imagine no cartons of milk after day two?  Most of us on this board aren't cruise line professionals, but we can all see the logistical failures when you understaff and underorder. 

thank you for a post on topic. I think there are a few who want this thread closed. 

 

Yes how can anyone expect the staff to manage going overnight from 700 to 1700 on grandeur. And even higher. 2k expected. Same staff. 

[BecciBoo]

9 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

These are the terms we accept right now, no point in getting upset. 

Bingo!  Go with the flow DOES seem apropos.

[Cruising89143]

Interesting. Have been cruising for thirty-six years and have always had our stateroom serviced twice a day and that includes Carnival but then I haven’t stepped foot on a fun ship since 2004 but I see twice a day service as normal. 

[bucfan2]

57 minutes ago, baelor said:

I am not the one saying that you cannot share your reasoned opinions lol.

Relax…you’ll be fine. 

[ONECRUISER]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I was actually surprised by yours and several others. I must be naive. I didnt even know you could request having your sheets changed daily. I learn something new all the time.  .. and here i am pulling up my bed clothes neatly in the morning. Truly i didnt mean it as a attack. That's why i said a thread on what people ask for would be interesting. I've often told stewards they can skip towel animals. I hate to add to their work. They started making them this time before i had called them off as i usually do.

 

I'm at diamond on carnival and used to being asked when do you want your room tidied up morning or supper time. One time a day. Rcl seems almost excessive by comparison.  But agree it should be another thread. .. but once a day would sure cut down on the stewards load imo on rcl. I dont need twice a day. I'm happier with less intrusion. I just thought it was interesting. Sorry if I worded it wrong.

When I started Cruising Royal Sheets were changed everyday. Just like when Hotels when stay for week they also use to be changed Daily. I remember when Royal stopped saying it was to help the environment. We were told ask and you can keep everyday and think was on Card in Cabin also, same as with Towels. Before this Room Attendant had 8 Cabins and would come in to Clean 8-10 times a day, My last Attendant had 16 Cabins to take care of. Of Course when Royal's Save the Waves started they had just been caught dumping Oil and Photo Chemicals directly into the Oceans. For those not aware:  "The company was fined US$9 million because one of its ships had repeatedly dumped oily waste into the ocean and tried to hide this using false records, including fake piping diagrams given to the US Coast Guard" 

Edited May 30, 2022 by ONECRUISER

[chengkp75]

On 5/29/2022 at 11:55 AM, Mapleleafforever said:

If only the staff knew just how much power they collectively have. It's way past the time to have some kind of cruise staff Union, better working conditions and wages for all. 

 

I don't like hearing about people being forced to stay on or not come back.......reeks of servitude. 

Pretty difficult to do with members from different countries.  While there are global labor federations that represent unions in a specific industry segment, each union only represents members in that country, since the labor laws vary from country to country, and no one contract could possibly meet all laws.

On 5/29/2022 at 2:35 PM, Mapleleafforever said:

They would have no problem hiring whatsoever if they had better pay and working conditions. Period. 

Well, better pay would require a higher cruise fare, and better working conditions would require even more crew, which would exacerbate the current problem.  And, the only ones who don't feel that the pay is more than adequate are folks from countries like the US and Canada with higher standards of living, and at least in the US, our "service" philosophy leaves much to be desired.  The major reason that crew have decided not to return to cruising is the feeling of insecurity now, since they got laid off for two years.

On 5/29/2022 at 10:36 AM, TX-Cruiser said:

 They were telling us their contracts were being extended, basically without a choice. They are TIRED, many way past their 6 month contracts. 

This is not correct, or legal.  Every time a crew member completes their contract, they resign, so "requiring" crew to resign instead of extending their contract is not a hinderance to the crew.  It is entirely up to the crew member as to whether they wish to extend.  At the end of their contract, they are entitled to everything specified in their contract, including repatriation.  And, as the cruise lines are having problems recruiting crew, if they say "no, I'm going home" and then reapply for another contract in the future, the cruise lines will be more than happy to take them back.  There are laws, like the Manila Labor Convention, that protect crew members' rights, and forcing crew to remain onboard for a non-statutory position (deck and engine only, and not all of those) is not allowed.

[Mapleleafforever]

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Pretty difficult to do with members from different countries.  While there are global labor federations that represent unions in a specific industry segment, each union only represents members in that country, since the labor laws vary from country to country, and no one contract could possibly meet all laws.

Well, better pay would require a higher cruise fare, and better working conditions would require even more crew, which would exacerbate the current problem.  And, the only ones who don't feel that the pay is more than adequate are folks from countries like the US and Canada with higher standards of living, and at least in the US, our "service" philosophy leaves much to be desired.  The major reason that crew have decided not to return to cruising is the feeling of insecurity now, since they got laid off for two years.

This is not correct, or legal.  Every time a crew member completes their contract, they resign, so "requiring" crew to resign instead of extending their contract is not a hinderance to the crew.  It is entirely up to the crew member as to whether they wish to extend.  At the end of their contract, they are entitled to everything specified in their contract, including repatriation.  And, as the cruise lines are having problems recruiting crew, if they say "no, I'm going home" and then reapply for another contract in the future, the cruise lines will be more than happy to take them back.  There are laws, like the Manila Labor Convention, that protect crew members' rights, and forcing crew to remain onboard for a non-statutory position (deck and engine only, and not all of those) is not allowed.

I must say, I always learn something from your posts, so thank-you. 

[CruisingWalter]

Annnd apparently it's not just the cruise lines. Airlines have pilot shortages so those flights you have booked in advance, may be delayed or cancelled as you get closer to your flight. Keep an eye on the schedules and communications from your airlines if you are flying the rest of this year...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-27/get-ready-to-ask-is-my-flight-delayed-this-summer?srnd=premium

 

[auntjoy036]

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

 

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

This is not correct, or legal

Thank you, @chengkp75. I learn something every time you post.

[Mapleleafforever]

9 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Not at all…apologize wording it in such a way to make you feel that.  Was simply stating that cruise lines aren’t looking to increase workers wages….they’re in survival mode. 

That's why I always give the benefit of the doubt and ask. They're definitely in survival mode, I just hope they don't chase too many people away after experiencing unusual levels of service. 

[robyn206]

I don't understand the blind loyalty some people have to Royal, and defend every single thing, minimizing a guest's experience.  Would everyone feel the same if you went to the carwash, and they only washed the left side, but you paid full price?  If you hired someone to clean your house, but they skipped the bathrooms and floors? If guests are expected to pay full fare, they should get a full experience, not one where there's closed dining venues and obscene wait times.  As a business owner, this is poor protocol, and definitely not good for future marketing.  Guests deserve the experience that Royal has hyped up, and that they are charging for.  If it means having only 1500 guests instead of 2000, then so be it.  Perhaps they need to end this kids sail free promo, they don't need to add non-paying guests to the already difficult situation if they are looking to raise money.  There's no real extra revenue from them of value (no deluxe beverage packages or cocktails).  Perhaps then maybe the passenger counts would settle down a bit, but still have just as many actual paying customers.

 

[Project-College]

3 minutes ago, robyn206 said:

I don't understand the blind loyalty some people have to Royal, and defend every single thing, minimizing a guest's experience.  Would everyone feel the same if you went to the carwash, and they only washed the left side, but you paid full price?  If you hired someone to clean your house, but they skipped the bathrooms and floors? If guests are expected to pay full fare, they should get a full experience, not one where there's closed dining venues and obscene wait times.  As a business owner, this is poor protocol, and definitely not good for future marketing.  Guests deserve the experience that Royal has hyped up, and that they are charging for.  If it means having only 1500 guests instead of 2000, then so be it.  Perhaps they need to end this kids sail free promo, they don't need to add non-paying guests to the already difficult situation if they are looking to raise money.  There's no real extra revenue from them of value (no deluxe beverage packages or cocktails).  Perhaps then maybe the passenger counts would settle down a bit, but still have just as many actual paying customers.

 

I agree!  I scrapped to set up an Aug 5th sailing for my DW and two college sons and simply saying its not RCL's fault for limited staff totally forgets the fact that they should be monitoring staff with total ship capacity!

We have only sailed on maybe 4 or 5 cruises but tried Carnival, NCL, and RCL and honestly I go with who offers the best for my limited budget!

The best cruise we were ever on was with NCL 'Breakaway' some time ago but that doesn't lock us to NCL.

If COVID occurs on the ship, and they have been keeping it clean, I don't blame RCL BUT if they are short staffed and still sell at 102% capacity... then I do.

Based on what I see people talking about spending on these cruises, I am sure RCL is not really concerned with us BUT they will loose loyalty if they don't wake up.

I know more complain on CC than praise but above is my opinion and will control my staying with RCL or, jump ship.  I remain cautiously optimistic.

[doppelganger2621]

38 minutes ago, robyn206 said:

I don't understand the blind loyalty some people have to Royal, and defend every single thing, minimizing a guest's experience.  Would everyone feel the same if you went to the carwash, and they only washed the left side, but you paid full price?  If you hired someone to clean your house, but they skipped the bathrooms and floors? If guests are expected to pay full fare, they should get a full experience, not one where there's closed dining venues and obscene wait times.  As a business owner, this is poor protocol, and definitely not good for future marketing.  Guests deserve the experience that Royal has hyped up, and that they are charging for.  If it means having only 1500 guests instead of 2000, then so be it.  Perhaps they need to end this kids sail free promo, they don't need to add non-paying guests to the already difficult situation if they are looking to raise money.  There's no real extra revenue from them of value (no deluxe beverage packages or cocktails).  Perhaps then maybe the passenger counts would settle down a bit, but still have just as many actual paying customers.

 

Maybe I'm crazy, but I didn't find the Kids Sail Free promo to actually be any good. My sailing next month on Allure is $2,000 more now under the KSF promotion than it was when we booked back in October. 

 

I just did a mock sailing for July, and for two adults the cabin price was $1,726, for two adults plus two kids, it's $3,114. Really, they just sail "free" in the sense that three adults in a room are more expensive than two adults and a child in a room, but it's not like mom and dad had a cruise planned by themselves and then get to bring two kids on for free. Like any other RCI promotion, it's basically just some sneaky calculus

 

I'd say the more likely reason for the increase in kids sailing is because school is out now and more families go on vacation during the summer than the school year. I agree that RCI should limit capacity until they have the situation under better control, but families are definitely paying to take their kids on cruises even under KSF

Edited May 31, 2022 by doppelganger2621

[smokeybandit]

32 minutes ago, Project-College said:

Based on what I see people talking about spending on these cruises, I am sure RCL is not really concerned with us BUT they will loose loyalty if they don't wake up.

And where will you take your loose loyalty? What cruise line isn't short staffed but desperate for revenue?

[robyn206]

17 minutes ago, doppelganger2621 said:

Maybe I'm crazy, but I didn't find the Kids Sail Free promo to actually be any good. My sailing next month on Allure is $2,000 more now under the KSF promotion than it was when we booked back in October. 

 

I just did a mock sailing for July, and for two adults the cabin price was $1,726, for two adults plus two kids, it's $3,114. Really, they just sail "free" in the sense that three adults in a room are more expensive than two adults and a child in a room, but it's not like mom and dad had a cruise planned by themselves and then get to bring two kids on for free. Like any other RCI promotion, it's basically just some sneaky calculus

 

I'd say the more likely reason for the increase in kids sailing is because school is out now and more families go on vacation during the summer than the school year. I agree that RCI should limit capacity until they have the situation under better control, but families are definitely paying to take their kids on cruises even under KSF

I did a mock booking as well for Allure 6 night sailing 9/25/22.  2adults/2kids subtotal before taxes for a guarantee balcony was only $926 (excellent deal!)  Subtotal for just 2 adults, no kids, same guarantee balcony room was $1246.  More money for just 2 people, same everything else.

[vjmatty]

48 minutes ago, robyn206 said:

I don't understand the blind loyalty some people have to Royal, and defend every single thing, minimizing a guest's experience.  Would everyone feel the same if you went to the carwash, and they only washed the left side, but you paid full price?  If you hired someone to clean your house, but they skipped the bathrooms and floors? If guests are expected to pay full fare, they should get a full experience, not one where there's closed dining venues and obscene wait times.  As a business owner, this is poor protocol, and definitely not good for future marketing.  Guests deserve the experience that Royal has hyped up, and that they are charging for.  If it means having only 1500 guests instead of 2000, then so be it.  Perhaps they need to end this kids sail free promo, they don't need to add non-paying guests to the already difficult situation if they are looking to raise money.  There's no real extra revenue from them of value (no deluxe beverage packages or cocktails).  Perhaps then maybe the passenger counts would settle down a bit, but still have just as many actual paying customers.

 

 

Royal is not the only cruise line that has been unprepared for the increase in passenger capacity.  The same issues have been raised on the Princess board.  

 

[doppelganger2621]

5 minutes ago, robyn206 said:

I did a mock booking as well for Allure 6 night sailing 9/25/22.  2adults/2kids subtotal before taxes for a guarantee balcony was only $926 (excellent deal!)  Subtotal for just 2 adults, no kids, same guarantee balcony room was $1246.  More money for just 2 people, same everything else.

What’s funny is if you do this exact same thing, but actually choose an Ocean Balcony, it’s way more expensive for the family of four vs two ($2582 vs $1398)

[DirtyDawg]

Man, there are sure alot of issues these days with travel in general with the delays at airports and customs, cancelled flights due to lack of trained pilots, and all the issues brought up in this and many other threads on CC. Friends of ours have booked something like 6 different cruises this summer to catch up on the ones they missed during covid. They have completed one so far and experienced lots of these issues first hand. They are on their second cruise this week. They didn't fly this time so at least one headache was avoided. We'll see if this cruise gets any better for them. 🤞  

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, robyn206 said:

I don't understand the blind loyalty some people have to Royal, and defend every single thing, minimizing a guest's experience.  Would everyone feel the same if you went to the carwash, and they only washed the left side, but you paid full price?  If you hired someone to clean your house, but they skipped the bathrooms and floors? If guests are expected to pay full fare, they should get a full experience, not one where there's closed dining venues and obscene wait times.  As a business owner, this is poor protocol, and definitely not good for future marketing.  Guests deserve the experience that Royal has hyped up, and that they are charging for.  If it means having only 1500 guests instead of 2000, then so be it.  Perhaps they need to end this kids sail free promo, they don't need to add non-paying guests to the already difficult situation if they are looking to raise money.  There's no real extra revenue from them of value (no deluxe beverage packages or cocktails).  Perhaps then maybe the passenger counts would settle down a bit, but still have just as many actual paying customers.

 

actually saying it was full fare might be a stretch. It was cheap. And many were on free thru casino. There were lots offered the grandeur legs free back when they werent filling ships. I heard so many who were on free. Carnival cruisers who booked because it was cheap so they tried out rcl first time. We had so many carnival cruisers, first time trying rcl. 

 

I kept hearing people with 800 casino pts got on but it easnt fair now you need 2400. I have no idea but sounds like rcl isnt giving out as many free cruises but was giving them out like candy on my cruise. So unless people spent a lot onboard, rcl didnt make out that well .. more like a trial of what's to come. Rcl had really cheap prices, gave away lots of cabins ..then suddenly everyone decided to cruise again and packed the ship. Cruising is back with a vengeance.