Adieu Royal Caribbean?

[Sharkmedic]

I have only been on 5 cruises, but take many other types of vacations too. Do you more experienced cruisers think that you can get "cruised out" from too many cruises? Too much of a good thing?

 

I wonder if the tolerance level of those with double digit cruise vacations, perhaps drops so low that it is difficult to cruise without becoming overly critical. Or maybe it is that they have had so many great experiences that one bad one, can quickly sour their relationship with a particular cruise line.

 

On the other hand, I'm sure very experienced cruiser can pick up on trends, as well.

 

Just curious. :confused:

 

Mark

[Mocorobabe]

We love Royal Caribbean. Have tried other lines, but now stick with RCCL. There are always some things that people don't like, but in the whole we feel thay do a great job!!! Have never been on one of their ships that didn't have great crews that are always friendly. Sure you run into a "stinker" at times, but that is the exception that proves the rule

 

Only thing that bothers us is the seating arrangements at dinner. On our last cruise we were at five differest tables in 10 days. I should say it annoys us while it is happening BUT now we have a fun story to tell our friends. We are also diamond ++++ and just once we'd like to have the type of table we requested. That being said we consider it a minor problem and it certainly wouldn't deter us from sailing with RCCL.

 

As far a crowded concierge rooms and waiting for a drink, well it's free so don't complain. You can always leave a buy a drink at one of the bars.

 

Mocorobabe

[vermonter16]

Have fun on Carnival, oops, I meant Princess!

 

 

I actually like Carnival! And I prefer Carnival over RCCL - however, DH and I are sailing RCCL this time because we found an itinerary that we really like.

[Jimmers]

I have only been on 5 cruises, but take many other types of vacations too. Do you more experienced cruisers think that you can get "cruised out" from too many cruises? Too much of a good thing?

 

 

I don't see how you can't get a bit jaded over time especially with the same cruiseline. Same old same old.

I'm actually looking forward to getting to a stage where I can just relax and hang out instead of running to this show or that excursion and feeling the need to "get my money's worth" (especially in food:) ). With only 4 cruises under my belt that point is a ways off, but it's something to hope for.

[Captain Jake]

You want great class..........cruise Crystal! You want wonderful food.....cruise Silversea........or Crystal......or Radisson.

 

Want the best bang for your buck..............cruise RCCL!!

 

Sorry everyone......the cruise experience has changed with the times, and, although.....I don't think it is as good today.......it's still the best nights out.......that you can find anywhere!!

 

We don't have 60 cruises with RCCL...........but at 33, we do know the product...and continue to endorse it.

 

The interesting thing about cruising.......as the cruiselines have had a decrease in passenger service........the quality of passengers have had an equal (unfortunately) decline.

 

T-shirts at formal night....well I just don't want to start in on anyone.......but cruising used to be elegant.........and so did the food.

 

Rick

 

I think the OP is getting frustrated by the continuing decline of RCI.It wasn't long ago when middle America could feel rich for a week cruising.Dining use to have great food,something to dress up for.Now people are showing up in T-Shirts on formal night and they are serving mid grade meats at best.Sure RCI has great perks but its not a great cruiseline for most anymore.IF you want a mid-grade family resort,chose RCI,if you want a little more Choose a small Princess,Celebrity or Holland America among the middle-lines.Sad thing while lots of people find Carnival ships z bit loud most say the food stomps RCI and while food ain't everything I do expect a lunch buffet better than the $6.95 Chinese AYCE in Salisbury

[Captain Jake]

I don't see how you can't get a bit jaded over time especially with the same cruiseline. Same old same old.

I'm actually looking forward to getting to a stage where I can just relax and hang out instead of running to this show or that excursion and feeling the need to "get my money's worth" (especially in food:) ). With only 4 cruises under my belt that point is a ways off, but it's something to hope for.

 

Me too,and I want to be pampered and maybe a 4 or 5 star resort may be a better fit than RCI which if they don't stop the downward slide will be a floating Motel 6 in 10 years

[ruskatab]

Keep it up I might put you on my buddy list.

 

;) ;) ;) ;)

[MrPete]

I have only been on 5 cruises, but take many other types of vacations too. Do you more experienced cruisers think that you can get "cruised out" from too many cruises? Too much of a good thing?

 

I wonder if the tolerance level of those with double digit cruise vacations, perhaps drops so low that it is difficult to cruise without becoming overly critical. Or maybe it is that they have had so many great experiences that one bad one, can quickly sour their relationship with a particular cruise line.

 

On the other hand, I'm sure very experienced cruiser can pick up on trends, as well.

 

Just curious. :confused:

 

Mark

 

Much credance in what you say. After a while, the same things become mundane. I find myself a little more critical each time. Now, I'm trying to mix things up by trying different lines. And that helps.

 

But I am also not one of the happy ones that now have to pay up to get a decent meal, when the decent meal used to be part of the standard fare. Twice this past year I left my food and left on two different lines because it was downright bad.

 

And I wish those experiences WOULD be posted here, so that those that read here can see our opinion.....FOR FREE.

[H2OH!]

You want great class..........cruise Crystal! You want wonderful food.....cruise Silversea........or Crystal......or Radisson.

 

Want the best bang for your buck..............cruise RCCL!!

 

Sorry everyone......the cruise experience has changed with the times, and, although.....I don't think it is as good today.......it's still the best nights out.......that you can find anywhere!!

 

We don't have 60 cruises with RCCL...........but at 33, we do know the product...and continue to endorse it.

 

The interesting thing about cruising.......as the cruiselines have had a decrease in passenger service........the quality of passengers have had an equal (unfortunately) decline.

 

T-shirts at formal night....well I just don't want to start in on anyone.......but cruising used to be elegant.........and so did the food.

 

Rick

 

Excellent point and well stated.

[PH8]

It is possible that the OP was not aware of the fact that a call to C&A would have gotten the table that they wanted.

 

After reaching D+, a letter is sent out to those that have reached that level, listing all of the benefits and "Requests for preferred seating in main dining room" is clearly stated under Cruise Planning Benefits.

I don't know. 60 cruises under their belts. One would think they would be pros by then.

Not necessarily so......I too, am DP and didnt know a perk was asking for table size..i thought it was just dining time preference,so guess Im not a "pro" either..

 

For the record,I am usually a RCCL "cheerleader"......never had bad things to say,but I agree, the food is not as good as it used to be.....

[Shipyard Cruiser]

but cruising used to be elegantRick

 

I know it might be hard to understand but some folks might want the cruise without the elegant.

 

It also may surprise folks to know that most people will never be "Diamond" and really don't care what they do with that whole program.

 

Could the decline in RCI be due to all the perks thay have to provide the the "Diamonds"" to keep them cruising RCI?:)

 

It's a joke, please dont't hammer me:D

[Captain Jake]

I know it might be hard to understand but some folks might want the cruise without the elegant.

 

It also may surprise folks to know that most people will never be "Diamond" and really don't care what they do with that whole program.

 

Could the decline in RCI be due to all the perks thay have to provide the the "Diamonds"" to keep them cruising RCI?:)

 

It's a joke, please dont't hammer me:D

 

You are right.Some people want Motel 6,Some Holiday Inn,Some Marriot Some Four Seasons.I will never be Top Tier at any but for a night I'll sleep at Motel 6,but for a week I want at least Holiday Inn and maybe a bit more but it seems RCI is drifting slowly downward and for some thats GREAT for others theres Princess.You would think though that RCCL would take note that Carnival is surpassing them.

[Cruising89143]

You are right.Some people want Motel 6,Some Holiday Inn,Some Marriot Some Four Seasons.I will never be Top Tier at any but for a night I'll sleep at Motel 6,but for a week I want at least Holiday Inn and maybe a bit more but it seems RCI is drifting slowly downward and for some thats GREAT for others theres Princess.You would think though that RCCL would take note that Carnival is surpassing them.

 

Sorry but I have been on many Carnival cruises and Carnival is nowhere near passing Royal. They fall short in many areas IMHO.

[cruisenfever]

Not necessarily so......I too, am DP and didnt know a perk was asking for table size..i thought it was just dining time preference,so guess Im not a "pro" either..

 

For the record,I am usually a RCCL "cheerleader"......never had bad things to say,but I agree, the food is not as good as it used to be.....

I'm just posting what our experience has been in the past when requesting a table. Maybe we just got lucky!!

[cruisenfever]

Not necessarily so......I too, am DP and didnt know a perk was asking for table size..i thought it was just dining time preference,so guess Im not a "pro" either..

 

For the record,I am usually a RCCL "cheerleader"......never had bad things to say,but I agree, the food is not as good as it used to be.....

I'm just posting what our experience has been in the past when requesting a table. Maybe we just got lucky!!:)

[PH8]

Oh,Im sure you're right Patti......

[sakapfet]

Sorry but I have been on many Carnival cruises and Carnival is nowhere near passing Royal. They fall short in many areas IMHO.

 

You are in the monority:

 

Porthole Cruise Magazine

Carnival Cruise Lines received nine platinum awards -- Best Family Oriented Line, Best Bang for the Buck, Best Singles Line, Best Entertainment, Best Children’s Program, Best Onboard Activities, Best Disco, Best Casino and Best Tropical Drink -- in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s “1999 Annual Readers’ Choice Awards,” topping more categories than any other cruise line.

World Cruise & Ocean Liner Society

For the past six years, Carnival Cruise Lines has earned “best value” honors from the World Cruise & Ocean Liner Society, comprised of thousands of knowledgeable and experienced cruise enthusiasts.

CruiseOne

For the past four years, Carnival’s group reservations and sales service departments were named the “best of the best” by CruiseOne, a national travel consortium comprised of some of the top travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

Cruise Reports

This consumer publication gave the smoke-free Paradise the first-ever 10-plus rating - a 10.9 - in the value category

American Express Travel Service

Carnival received the “Gold Award of Excellence” based on the responses of more than 2,000 American Express Travel Network company owners and representatives who were asked to rank various components of service, including sales assistance, reservations, product and an overall evaluation of the company.

National Association of Cruise-Oriented Agencies (NACOA)

For the third year in a row, Carnival received Cruise Line of the Year, Best Group Department and Best District Sales Managers awards based on a survey of more than 700 NACOA members who were asked to rate cruise operators in a variety of service- and marketing-related categories

[Sharkmedic]

You are right.Some people want Motel 6,Some Holiday Inn,Some Marriot Some Four Seasons.I will never be Top Tier at any but for a night I'll sleep at Motel 6,but for a week I want at least Holiday Inn.

 

Well I'll let you know after my first RCI in a couple of weeks. I would like to "dine", instead of just being fed. We'll see.

 

Hey Capt Jake! Ever cruise to Smith Island, Maryland on the Island Belle? Used to live there.

[Bakincakes]

Well I'll let you know after my first RCI in a couple of weeks. I would like to "dine", instead of just being fed. We'll see.

 

Hey Capt Jake! Ever cruise to Smith Island, Maryland on the Island Belle? Used to live there.

 

 

If you wish to "dine" then consider making reservations at Chops or Portofino. Things tend to be a bit more "civilized" and the food is a bit better than the MDR or the Windjammer, though there is an extra charge to dine there.

 

RCI instituted those specialties for serveral reasons, IMO. More revenue and they needed a place for more discriminating pax who they knew would miss the former elegance of the MDR and notice the downslide of the fare offered. For those that can't afford the specialties or who really don't consider the food an important part of the experience the MDR suffices.

[Captain Jake]

Well I'll let you know after my first RCI in a couple of weeks. I would like to "dine", instead of just being fed. We'll see.

 

Hey Capt Jake! Ever cruise to Smith Island, Maryland on the Island Belle? Used to live there.

 

We moved here a couple of years ago and haven't have the pleasure yet.Our neighbor is planning to take us to Smith Island in the Spring for Crabcakes and famous Smith Island Cake.Have a good time on your cruise and also try Portafinos once.We may cruise Royal in the fall and plan on sailing Celebrity in early 2009

[flamingo21401]

The perfect cruise? One with me on it. But I tend to have fun in just a dark room with a wad of chewing gum.:cool:

 

Tell me more about this wad of chewing gum? I'm intrigued.

[dinomac]

WOW... wish I had time to have that many cruises... I imagine that over time, things become a little mundane and ordinary if you keep cruising the same line and the same ships. I guess I would expand my horizons and cruise some "higher end" lines or go to some exclusive resorts. Sounds like money is no object anyway! As for me and my wife... a 4 day cruise on SOS this coming February is a much looked forward to event! Rain or shine, large table or small table, good service or so-so service, we are going to enjoy being away from our jobs, stresses, snow and every day lives! Maybe we will even sneak in a little romance!:)

[dinomac]

WOW... wish I had time to have that many cruises... I imagine that over time, things become a little mundane and ordinary if you keep cruising the same line and the same ships. I guess I would expand my horizons and cruise some "higher end" lines or go to some exclusive resorts. Sounds like money is no object anyway! As for me and my wife... a 4 day cruise on SOS this coming February is a much looked forward to event! Rain or shine, large table or small table, good service or so-so service, we are going to enjoy being away from our jobs, stresses, snow and every day lives! Maybe we will even sneak in a little romance!:)

[Sharkmedic]

We moved here a couple of years ago and haven't have the pleasure yet.Our neighbor is planning to take us to Smith Island in the Spring for Crabcakes and famous Smith Island Cake.Have a good time on your cruise and also try Portafinos once.We may cruise Royal in the fall and plan on sailing Celebrity in early 2009

 

We'll try Portofino's for my daughter's 21st B-day on the upcoming cruise a report back. You'll have to do a trip report once you get to Smith Island and back.

 

Best Regards,

 

Mark

[AudioFilly]

Now I am very very very loyal to my wife... Does that mean I can never express a complaint or criticism of her? She knows she is not perfect and I know that I am not perfect. Do I trash her when she has a complaint about me? NO! (usually because she is right and I will lose anyways!!) :D Seriously, as the saying goes... if you can't say something helpful don't say anything! (or something like that)

 

And then there is the Alice Roosevelt Longworth quote:

 

If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me!