Thoughts, impressions, and observations for the World Cruise.

[island lady]

5 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

I have a different question about Serenade: Is this space on deck 12 port side aft with the sport equipment or whatever in use again? It has been just kind of a storrage space for years but could be a nice spot for something better!

 

They made that into the kids Arcade.   Never once saw any children in there, and in fact the children's pool area on the starboard side was rarely open.  

[orville99]

21 minutes ago, island lady said:

the children's pool area on the starboard side was rarely open.  

It is rarely open even on cruises where there are actually children on board😄

[little britain]

59 minutes ago, Tatra603 said:

 

I did think of this, but decided that given the title of this thread, it was wholly relevant.

 

I don't wish it to distract from the ship postings, which I am very much enjoying. But there's no reason why this subject shouldn't exist alongside.

Excellent letter 👍
Love the English humour still coming out in what is a sorry situation 

Edited February 18 by little britain

[sgmn]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I still remember that ordeal.

Me too, I remember following John's blog.  I was still working at Heathrow T3 then.  Everyday was getting more and more nightmare-ish with cancellations, new rules and regulations for every country coming out on almost an hourly rate, terrible tales from passengers desperate to get home.  Horrible time

[ringers0815]

Good morning from Kailua, Kona. We are planning mainly a beach day today. It should be the perfect weather for it!

 

[Biker19]

7 hours ago, sgmn said:

Why upset them needlessly if they are going to offer them the DXB-CPT in a couple of weeks?  

Because that’s how RCI handles these things. 

[suzyluvs2cruise]

8 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You need to realize the “norm” for RCI in situations like this - the RCI CSRs are reading from a script and no amount of venting usually changes that. RCI is still selling the original Dubai leg on their web site. The rerouting and options for customers is still being worked out. Again, give them a chance to work things out - or not. 

I think many would like to "give RCI a chance" to work things out but RCI could also give those booked "a chance" to work things out. Don't cruisers have to make a choice of re-book or refund soon? And why not vote sooner rather than Feb 26? 

[lovesthebeach2]

8 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Anyone else think that rerouting discussions should have a separate thread, not to detract from those posting from on the ship?  

The title “thoughts, impressions and observations” fits this discussion, and it keeps it all in one place.

[CSHS1979]

18 hours ago, ringers0815 said:

We stayed in Hilo or just around it. We went to see the waterfall, the gardens and the various parks and beaches in and around Hilo.

 

Sounds like John's day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KLMB]

Great photos, thanks so much for posting!!

[Sunshine3601]

2 minutes ago, KLMB said:

Great photos, thanks so much for posting!!

+1    John definitely takes some great photos.    @CSHS1979   Thank you for sharing

[taglovestocruise]

2 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 And why not vote sooner rather than Feb 26? 

8 days, enough time for Royal to make 16 changes.

[Luckynana]

@CSHS1979  John's pictures are beautiful.  The colors on the Peacock are awesome!!!

[jmh2006]

46 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

@CSHS1979  John's pictures are beautiful.  The colors on the Peacock are awesome!!!

Totally agree.  That Peacock picture took my breath away!!!

[RFerrington]

I love the “do” on that peacock.

[doghog]

12 hours ago, island lady said:

 

They made that into the kids Arcade.   Never once saw any children in there, and in fact the children's pool area on the starboard side was rarely open.  

Should have made it a Pinnacle Lounge. 

[ringers0815]

Beautiful day in Kailua, Kona. We spent most of the day on the beach but did walk around the small town by the water. We were here years ago so it was nice to be back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mrs.Dukes]

@ringers0815 and @CSHS1979 thank you for the beautiful pictures of Hawaii. Looks fabulous!

[CSHS1979]

5 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

+1    John definitely takes some great photos.    @CSHS1979   Thank you for sharing

 

All cellphone pics on S23 

I think he's taking his big camera whale watching tomorrow 

 

I get the pics from his FB postings. I'll be out of commission late next week, so hopefully someone else on FB can grab them.

[taznremmy]

Sending positive thoughts your way Laura.

[K8T]

On 2/17/2024 at 6:24 PM, Tatra603 said:

So my TA called RC (UK) today to bat for me.

 

She was baffled by the level of intransigence shown by both persons she spoke to.

 

TA: "My client has booked flight and hotel in Dubai. He would like to book the new cruise leaving on the 9th May and is surprised he hasn't been given that option"

 

RC: His options are to rebook another cruise or cancel for a full refund. There is no sailing on the 9th"

 

TA: "It's part of a world cruise. We know that it won't sail a quarter full. We know it will be remarketed. Why haven't the existing bookings been given the option of the new itinerary?"

 

RC: "Your client has no other option than to book another cruise or ask for a refund. There are no other options"

 

They went round and round in circles. RC supervisor stuck to the script. They recommended I booked an alternative cruise and wallow in the incredibly generous $100 OBC, as there is no cruise leaving Dubai on May 9th.

 

My TA was very professional, but could get nowhere. She said it's an awful way to treat loyal paying customers.

 

It was weird just how much they were trying to steer us away from the idea that there might still be a possibility of Dubai to Cape Town. Everything, including the seemingly pointless 11 day delay before voting, seems designed to dissuade us mini segmenters from holding out in the hope of getting our cruise (and stateroom) back.

 

 

 

 

I’ve just been directed here from a thread I made about the changes - oops!   I should have checked here. 
 

I absolutely feel for you, what a ridiculous scenario.  Presuming you’re in the U.K. had your TA received notification from RCCL about this, or was it your knowledge?  The reason I’m asking is my TA, a specialist cruise one and pretty big, knew nothing whatsoever!  
 

 

[ReneeFLL]

On 2/14/2024 at 10:17 AM, island lady said:

 

Since that is my new cabin...yeah, that is the only interest I had in it.  Shouldn't feel that way I suppose, but still kind of creeps me out.  

It would definitely creep me out thinking I’m in the same bed that someone died in. I’m assuming she was in bed when it happened. If I ever book the Brilliance I’ll never book cabin #9062. Death, blood, no thanks.

[Tatra603]

27 minutes ago, K8T said:

I’ve just been directed here from a thread I made about the changes - oops!   I should have checked here. 
 

I absolutely feel for you, what a ridiculous scenario.  Presuming you’re in the U.K. had your TA received notification from RCCL about this, or was it your knowledge?  The reason I’m asking is my TA, a specialist cruise one and pretty big, knew nothing whatsoever!  
 

 

 

My TA knew nothing about it until I forwarded her my email from RC.

[K8T]

22 minutes ago, Tatra603 said:

 

My TA knew nothing about it until I forwarded her my email from RC.

That’s crazy mine too, nothing and at first said ‘don’t believe everything you hear on social media’. 😳

 

At least you had an email, not that that is any consolation.  Maybe they just ‘forgot’ the U.K. book cruises too.  
 

it’s a complete mess. We haven’t cruised RCCL much, but they’re not impressing me at the moment. 

[Saab4444]

3 minutes ago, K8T said:

That’s crazy mine too, nothing and at first said ‘don’t believe everything you hear on social media’. 😳

 

At least you had an email, not that that is any consolation.  Maybe they just ‘forgot’ the U.K. book cruises too.  
 

it’s a complete mess. We haven’t cruised RCCL much, but they’re not impressing me at the moment. 

Info comes always from local Royal Customer Service so maybe Royal UK has not handled it properly compared to Royal US and Royal in Central Europe.