Voyager April 6-13 some observations

[39august]

Voyager is looking great! She is beautiful and most carpet seems to have been recently replaced. We experienced two new menus, I believe on the last two nights. The lamb was superb and the Thai shrimp was excellent. I was not impressed with the panko crusted fish. Strangly, the first night's usual featured herb-crusted cod was delivered to me without either herbs or crust; just a plain piece of baked fish! Service was as usual very good everywhere. The singers are very talented and the ice show outstanding. I have two complaints, however. The Concierge Lounge was not open in the evenings. Instead all pax qualified for the CL were directed to the Cloud 9 Lounge on deck 14. It was far too small for the number of pax. There were over 170 Diamond and + on board, as well as all the folks in suites. Also, service was poor as the concierge,and hisassistant were overwhelmed. There was always a long line to get drinks. I am used to a lounge where you are allowed to get your own drinks, but that was not the case on Voyager. I did, however, pour my own wine a few times. Another problem is with the smoking bars and lounges. Only the Champagne Bar is non-smoking. On Jewel in Jan., the Schooner Bar and several others were non-smoking. Not so on Voyager. I could not enjoy the entertainers in either the Schooner bar or the Pig and Whistle pub. Smoke just poured out of both. Walking by the pub in the promenade, even in the daytime, you got a huge dose of smoke. And going thru' the Schooner bar to the theater was not pleasant. I wrote up both these concerns on my comments card. As usual, I really enjoyed the Promenade Cafe for snacks. We had a lovely aft balcony which was very quiet. That is my usual place for a last drink before bed. Oh, and by the way, we took on board in checked luggage our usual box of wine and plastic liter of Canadian whiskey, no problems at all. In fact we had all our luggage by 2:30 PM. I would be glad to answer any questions.

[hungt23]

Did you counter rough seas or just smooth sailing?

I am leaving on the VOS this Sunday so I am just wondering.

Thanks.

[39august]

It was a bit rough the first night. The rest of the time was smooth sailing, despite some high winds the last day. Our weather in ports was perfect!

[wolfcathorse]

39August - WHO was the master...they were supposed to be rotating masters when you got off. Did you have Capt Frank?We had heard Capt Gerry would not be returning. Did you hear who would relieve Capt Frank????

[beach_lover_58]

Are the menus the new leatherbound ones?

[cruizinmimi]

39August - WHO was the master...they were supposed to be rotating masters when you got off. Did you have Capt Frank?We had heard Capt Gerry would not be returning. Did you hear who would relieve Capt Frank????

 

The Capt. was Capt. Frank. I did not ask who was coming on because I did not hear anything about Capt. Frank leaving on April 13th.

[cruizinmimi]

Are the menus the new leatherbound ones?

 

I believe that 2 of the nights we got leatherbound menus. Not all nights though. You could smell the ink from the leatherbound menus. They must have been brand new. At least that is what our waiter said:D

[cruizinmimi]

39august

I hope you do not mind me jumping in also. We too just got off the Voyager of the Seas (April 6-13).

These are just my opinions

SHIP - it was a little worn, but still very beautiful. The crew is always working to keep everything clean. I went on the Voyager right after its inaugural, so it has been a few years.

 

SMOKE - I totally agree with you about the smoke. I wish they would have had a non-smoking bar. I'm allergic to smoke, but still managed to go in the casino to play some. The casino was good to alot of people:D I did pay for this later as I have a major sinus problem now and sore throat, but well worth it;)

 

WINDJAMMER - I thought the food was great and well presented. I am probably the only one that likes the buffet style serving still instead of the stations. When we were on the Jewel - people were just walking all over the place and jumping in front of you to get food. Not a pleasant experience.

 

SHOWS - Excellent. Voyager did a great job and the Rcl singer & dancers were great!! Eric Dowes, CD, is a hoot. Kudos go out to him. Ice show was fabulous, and the Quest is always hilarious.

 

VAULT - I was not impressed with the music selection or the Vault. JMHO.

 

CONCIERGE - I really enjoyed the Cloud Nine being the CL for the evening. I got a great shot of the sunsets. It was very crowded, but it was better being in there than the Cleopatra's Needle.

 

LOYALTY AMBASSADOR - I found it very difficult to work with this LA. She was not put out her sign up sheets until she was at her desk and then it was just for that day. By the time you got up there to sign up, the day was full and she was not let you sign up for the next day. I found this very odd. BUT we did manage to get a NextCruise.

 

PORTS OF CALL - My favorite was Roatan. We went to FinsnFlippers, a private beach resort. This was absolutely the best day of the whole cruise:D Cozumel - well, what can I say, it's Cozumel. We did not get off in Progresso. Had a wonderful, relaxing day on the ship.

 

Embarkation and debarkation - what a breeze on both parts. I think Galveston really has it together in this respect. Just wish they had some better hotels to stay at.

[39august]

We enjoyed our day in Progresso. First we walked down the seemingly endless beach. Then we visited with an American who has a business there. His shop has some really beautiful and authentic Indian arts and crafts. We then did the AutoProgresso tour of Merida, spending some time near the plaza and in the cathedral, built in 1561, and Governor's palace, completed a few years later. We also enjoyed our Victor Bodden tour of Roatan, and especially enjoyed the Butterfly and Parrot Garden. West Bay is gorgeous!! Both our tour guides were great!

[Mark_K]

I believe that 2 of the nights we got leatherbound menus. Not all nights though. You could smell the ink from the leatherbound menus. They must have been brand new. At least that is what our waiter said:D

Yes, that's important because food tastes much better when it's ordered from a leatherbound menu. :)

[firefly333]

I couldnt remember if I liked the herb encrusted cod and got it and didnt like it too much, liked everything else I ordered. The shrimp with the lobster were tiny. Last time we had 4 big shrimp with the small lobster. Thats by far my favorite meal.

 

I loved the ship, no complaints. I was on Easter week. It is odd that the CL lounge is supposed to be in the card room, thats probably too small too.

 

Smokers. I was surprised how few smokers I encountered. I usually go up and sit with them in the morning by the pool and there were only a few. Either the smokers were all sleepy heads on my cruise? Maybe fewer smokers are cruising RCL?

 

I thought the SOV was easier to sit around chatting with folks, but still loved the Voyager a lot. We had that Russian guy skating. I think it might have been his last performance or something, he was great. Maybe it was someone else's last performance on the ice, I wasnt clear who was leaving after my week.

[firefly333]

West Bay is gorgeous!! Both our tour guides were great!

 

I just love the West End of Roatan. I think it does my soul good to see it. Its one of my favorites, if not my favorite place to see. Im ever so glad I got to go on the week voyager did Roatan.

[Buccaneergirl]

It's funny that you say you are used to getting your own drinks in the CL because we were on Enchantment last week and for the first time I had to get my own drink. Which I liked, but was not used to since we had previously sailed on Mariner (w/2 bartenders) and Radiance where the Concierge, Willy, served all the drinks.

Mariner and Radiance had a full CL evey evening, but last week dh and I got to sit in the CL a couple of times all by ourselves(7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and talk to Julian(concierge) and it was wonderful.

Great review and let's hope they make more bars non-smoking soon.

[alwzcrzn]

39august

 

I hope you do not mind me jumping in also. We too just got off the Voyager of the Seas (April 6-13).

These are just my opinions

 

SHIP - it was a little worn, but still very beautiful. The crew is always working to keep everything clean. I went on the Voyager right after its inaugural, so it has been a few years.

 

SMOKE - I totally agree with you about the smoke. I wish they would have had a non-smoking bar. I'm allergic to smoke, but still managed to go in the casino to play some. The casino was good to alot of people:D I did pay for this later as I have a major sinus problem now and sore throat, but well worth it;)

 

WINDJAMMER - I thought the food was great and well presented. I am probably the only one that likes the buffet style serving still instead of the stations. When we were on the Jewel - people were just walking all over the place and jumping in front of you to get food. Not a pleasant experience.

 

SHOWS - Excellent. Voyager did a great job and the Rcl singer & dancers were great!! Eric Dowes, CD, is a hoot. Kudos go out to him. Ice show was fabulous, and the Quest is always hilarious.

 

VAULT - I was not impressed with the music selection or the Vault. JMHO.

 

CONCIERGE - I really enjoyed the Cloud Nine being the CL for the evening. I got a great shot of the sunsets. It was very crowded, but it was better being in there than the Cleopatra's Needle.

 

LOYALTY AMBASSADOR - I found it very difficult to work with this LA. She was not put out her sign up sheets until she was at her desk and then it was just for that day. By the time you got up there to sign up, the day was full and she was not let you sign up for the next day. I found this very odd. BUT we did manage to get a NextCruise.

 

PORTS OF CALL - My favorite was Roatan. We went to FinsnFlippers, a private beach resort. This was absolutely the best day of the whole cruise:D Cozumel - well, what can I say, it's Cozumel. We did not get off in Progresso. Had a wonderful, relaxing day on the ship.

 

Embarkation and debarkation - what a breeze on both parts. I think Galveston really has it together in this respect. Just wish they had some better hotels to stay at.

 

My DH and I were on the Voyager and found the ship and our GS to be in really good condition. Our highlights included dinners in Portifino's and the excellent service that we received from Mimi and from Scherlon.

 

We enjoyed being in the CL on 14 Cloud 9 as we had a great veiw of the water and sunsets. We also received excellent service fromMartin Sanchez in the CL. This was our 3rd trip on the Voyager in the past year and a half and we enjoyed every minute of it. Hope that this helps someone else looking to cruise.

[Lamar Cheeks]

On Voyager two weeks ago and had a marvelous time.

 

Didn't notice the smoke so much on the Promenade, but did notice the CL got crowded during "happy hour" and you had to wait for drinks.

 

We were on the Jamaica-Grand Cayman-Coz itinerary.

 

Great time had by all. Weather was marvelous.

 

Galveston is OK. During the day seems like a great resort town ... when the sun sets, not so much.

[ksjserv]

I would like to extend my comments as well. We sailed April 6-13 also.

 

We arrived at the terminal around 12:15pm but didn't get to our cabin until after 2pm. We had Priority boarding which went very quickly, until we got to the area where they were taking pictures for the Seapass card. It took us 45 minutes to get our pics taken because of the long lines.

 

It is a beautiful ship and I especially liked the Royal Promenade area. The Cafe Promenade has pizza, sandwiches, desserts, coffee, tea, cookies until 2am. Their pizza is pretty good.

 

We were in the Carmen Dining Room for the Main seating at 5:30pm. We sat at a table for 8 and our table mates were really nice. We all hit it off great. Two of us were from Texas, one from Louisiana and one from Denver. Had a great time dining with them, took lots of pics of each other.

 

As far as our waiter and assistant waiter....that left much to be desired. He was extremely slow, didn't do the usual stuff that we are used to getting from other cruises. He only cleaned up the crumbs after the main cours before dessert twice, it took him two days to remember to offer pepper from the pepper mill to the guests, only separated out silverware prior to dessert one time. Never came around and asked if anyone needed or wanted anything else. Brought two at our table the wrong items for dinner, never offered a second cup of coffee. We've been on many cruises and have grown to expect good service. By the way, we were at table 292. In spite of all the negatives about our waiter, the food was good. My favorite was the Thai Shrimp, Lobster, Black Angus steak.

 

The food in the Windjammer was good, except for the bacon the first couple of days. I've heard that several people commented on the bacon that it wasn't cooken enough....should have been crisp but it was limp and soggy. By Wednesday, the bacon was cooked good and crisp. FYI if you want to take a break from the dining room and just hang out, the Windjammer doesn't open until 6:30pm for dinner.

 

Pig & Whistle is fun....lots of singing by Jim Moody. The Schooner Bar just has a piano player...those of you that have sailed the Rhapsody and know Derek Lewis in the Schooner Bar on that ship will be disappointed in the entertainment n the Schooner on the Voyager.

 

Drink prices are just as they were on the other ships.....around $5.95 without the special glass.

 

The shows were good. On one headliner night we had Merrill Osmond from the Osmond Brothers entertain and the Piano guy on another night was really funny. The Ice Show is a MUST SEE....don't miss it. It was one of the best shows on the ship.

 

Debarkation took a long time for us. We departed from the ship on time but the line to get our luggage was very long. Once we got our luggage the wait to go to customs was pretty quick.

 

Just our own personal opinion....we like the smaller size ship....sizes like the Rhapsody, Vision and any of those with around 2000-2500 people.

 

If you're sailing the Voyager enjoy it...enjoy the parades thru the Royal Promenade, the shopping. Ladies, if y ou don't want a real one get yourself one or two of those "temporary tattoos". I got 3 and love them....still to afraid to get a real one.

[ksjserv]

I would like to add that the Cruise Ambassador has short hours in the event you would like to book to get your onboard credit for your next cruise. Her hours were 9am-11am and 6pm-8pm. If you can, get up there early in the day to sign up. I think she allows 20 minutes per person. If you have your form filled out with a credit card number she will just take that from you and send a confirmation to your cabin.

 

By the way, I forgot to say that our cabin steward Rosen was great. They only bring ice to your cabin in the early evening.....if you want it more often be sure to tell your steward.

[39august]

If your room steward only brought ice in the evening, he was not doing his job. You are supposed to get the ice buckets filled both AM and PM. We also asked our steward, Dennis, to keep our collapsible cooler filled, and he was very good to do so.

[ksjserv]

If your room steward only brought ice in the evening, he was not doing his job. You are supposed to get the ice buckets filled both AM and PM. We also asked our steward, Dennis, to keep our collapsible cooler filled, and he was very good to do so.

 

Yes, we're used to getting ice at least twice a day during our cruises, but this steward, who was very good did say that RCCI only lets them bring ice once a day unless requested for more often. I also noticed that the little metal ice buckets were smaller than the usual size we've always had before.

[takeavacation]

My last cruise in Feb. (on the Mariner) I was told the same thing about the ice -- only 1 time per day unless you request lots of ice. Some new policy -- I guess ice helps cut costs somewhere.......:confused:

[39august]

We didn't ask for AM ice on either the Voyager or Jewel in Jan. So I think this is something some of the stewards are telling folks, but not really RCI "policy".