Appalling Brilliance

[Fran Harp]

From what I have heard, Micki, it really is the salaries.

 

Getting paid in dollars these days is like getting a HUGE cut in pay. They just can't afford it, and don't think that they deserve to work for less. There are many opportunities to be had at home.

 

:(

 

Well, while it is *mainly* the salaries, there are other things as well, Micki is right. However, for those who live in North America, it's a good salary - for those who live in Europe, the exchange is so bad it's ridiculous. I just heard of one captain whose wife is Hungarian - he says the value of the salary in Hungary has dropped by about half given the exchange - and the value in Norway has dropped by 1/3.

 

In the case of Brilliance, Captain Petter left after 25 years with the company. There is no pension for RCI crew. They just get dropped. Anyone would feel bad about that. But it makes more sense to go home and work.

 

Fran in Toronto

[Aubiecruiser]

First off, there are way too many holes in the OP's story. :confused: If there were not enough tables in the lower dining room, why not just go up the stairs and have them seat you in the My Time section??

For us the Brilliance is our favorite ship, and we are about to sail on her for the fourth time out of our last 5 cruises.

For our Med cruise on the Brilliance in Sept. we were offered My Time Dining and jumped on the offer. As port intensive as this cruise is there is no way we would consider main seating. (Don't like to eat before 8:00 anywhere, especially on vacation) and late seating is like 9:30. That would seriously cut into our casino time, so My Time is great. Our cruising friends and us will be trying for 8:30 every night at the same table, something we were told we could do so it's just like have a set dining time, just at the time we prefer.

Aubie

[tocanada]

I was on this cruise and had second sitting for dinner on the main floor without any problem. I had a great table with wonderful table mates and waiting staff (Mario and Sun).

 

I doubt if I will ever do "My time dining" as I prefer to have the same waiting staff and table mates each night. I also do not like pre-paying gratuities especially when it is just being shared amongst everyone.

 

Brilliance was my first RCL ship and will probably always be my favourite. I am looking forward to being back on board after dry dock.

andrew

[cyukuk]

Aubie

 

"Too many holes", you weren't there how can you know?, and just which hole would you like filled ?

 

You said it all, you would not have been affected since you don't like early dining.

 

However, you cannot "walk upstairs" to My Time dining at your convenience, you are either on it or not for the duration of the cruise AND the time you dine is entirely at the discretion of the M' D /RCCL . You may be lucky and get what you want but, read my Post, most people on this crossing could not.

 

I said earlier that you hadn't heard it all, too much went on, but how about this ; The M' D was checking who, on Main Dining, had booked for Chops or Portofino's and allocating their seats to other guests for the night !

 

At the risk of repeating myself, this bunch of cruisers were, in the main, of the traditional type who wanted to dine with the same people every night and retain the same waiting staff. It is extremely boring to have to explain every night that you can't take masses of garlic or whatever other prediliction you have.

 

I understand there were many D and D+ members on this cruise, 400 ish, and it doesn't seem very smart to upset loyal customers in this way.

 

My Time could be a valuable asset to have on a ship but not when it is at the expense of the service we have all become accustomed to.

 

Luv

Cy

[reallyitsmema]

Aubie

 

"Too many holes", you weren't there how can you know?, and just which hole would you like filled ?

 

You said it all, you would not have been affected since you don't like early dining.

 

However, you cannot "walk upstairs" to My Time dining at your convenience, you are either on it or not for the duration of the cruise AND the time you dine is entirely at the discretion of the M' D /RCCL . You may be lucky and get what you want but, read my Post, most people on this crossing could not.

 

I said earlier that you hadn't heard it all, too much went on, but how about this ; The M' D was checking who, on Main Dining, had booked for Chops or Portofino's and allocating their seats to other guests for the night !

 

At the risk of repeating myself, this bunch of cruisers were, in the main, of the traditional type who wanted to dine with the same people every night and retain the same waiting staff. It is extremely boring to have to explain every night that you can't take masses of garlic or whatever other prediliction you have.

 

I understand there were many D and D+ members on this cruise, 400 ish, and it doesn't seem very smart to upset loyal customers in this way.

 

My Time could be a valuable asset to have on a ship but not when it is at the expense of the service we have all become accustomed to.

 

Luv

Cy

You didn't actually participate in "my time dining" though so I don't see how it made for such an "appalling" cruise. I also don't see why you feel your diamond status has anything to do with this situation. Gold and platinum cruisers are also loyal customers too.

[SherriZ366]

Aubie

 

"Too many holes", you weren't there how can you know?, and just which hole would you like filled ?

 

You said it all, you would not have been affected since you don't like early dining.

 

However, you cannot "walk upstairs" to My Time dining at your convenience, you are either on it or not for the duration of the cruise AND the time you dine is entirely at the discretion of the M' D /RCCL . You may be lucky and get what you want but, read my Post, most people on this crossing could not.

 

I said earlier that you hadn't heard it all, too much went on, but how about this ; The M' D was checking who, on Main Dining, had booked for Chops or Portofino's and allocating their seats to other guests for the night !

 

At the risk of repeating myself, this bunch of cruisers were, in the main, of the traditional type who wanted to dine with the same people every night and retain the same waiting staff. It is extremely boring to have to explain every night that you can't take masses of garlic or whatever other prediliction you have.

 

I understand there were many D and D+ members on this cruise, 400 ish, and it doesn't seem very smart to upset loyal customers in this way.

 

My Time could be a valuable asset to have on a ship but not when it is at the expense of the service we have all become accustomed to.

 

Luv

Cy

I'm confused -- was MyTime on deck 4 (the larger deck) or deck 5 of the dining room for your cruise?

[gatour]

HI Again

 

1. All Gratuities must be paid up front !! so tip us regardless of what service get! Have a different waiter every night etc etc.

 

2. You cannot make a booking for whenever you want since it relys on staffing levels to operate, it should really be te-titled RCCL Time Dining. Most people were being offered times that they did not want, please bear in mind that this was a cruise that attracted a more elderly clientel most of whom cannot eat late at night.

 

The general opinion was that RCCL were forcing a system onto passengers who did not want it and why should we roll over !!!!

 

Luv from Scotland

Cy

 

I will only comment on item 2. For sake of argument, the ship sailed with 3/4 elderly passengers (75% of total passenger load) and all of the dining rooms were traditional. Now if all of the aforementioned elderly passengers wanted early seating and no other passengers wanted early seating, guess what 1/3 (25% of the total passenger load) of the elderly passengers would be forced into late seating, with absolutely no control of their dinner time unless they wanted to eat at the Windjammer.

 

With anytime dining they would have a little more control, although it may not be exactly what they want.

[cyukuk]

SHERRIZ366

My apologies for the confusion which I began in Post 1 by not proof reading my own work!, My Time was on the upper deck, 5.

 

"Dyslexia Rules K.O." !!!

 

REALLYITSMEMA

 

Unfortunately everyone was affected by this situation, it was impossible to talk to anyone who had not been involved in some way.

 

I had no intention of questioning the loyalty of ANY particular grouping, I picked Diamond as an example because that was the only group of whom I had any personal knowledge.

 

All

 

Final story, then I got to go and do some planning for our Jewel cruise in June !!

When our stateroom attendant came to welcome us I made the usual small talk about her homeplace and her work, on the lines of how many cabins was she looking after etc. She said that RCCL had instructed them "not to talk about working practises" !!!

Anyone know why ??

 

Luv

Cy

[SherriZ366]

SHERRIZ366

My apologies for the confusion which I began in Post 1 by not proof reading my own work!, My Time was on the upper deck, 5.

 

Deck 5 would comport with all the reports of MyTime on Brilliance and Serenade that have been posted on CC.

[RCCL Cruise Couple]

Wow i am sorry to hear you had a bad experience. We did the 10 nite panama canal just before your cruise and it was excellent. We had early dining, had an excellent staff both for our room and dining service. We also talked to much of the staff and they were either getting off the ship and done with their jobs or staying on and couldnt wait to do Europe. Your trip doesnt even sound like the same staff we encountered. We loved our trip, hope your next one is better.

 

We were on your cruise and chose My Time Dining in advance of sailing. We ate in the 5th floor My Time Dining area 8 times. Six of the eight times our choice of times wasn't possible....we started jokingly calling it "Their Time Dining." Wait staff was still good if not a bit harried a few times. One of the worst organizational things we saw besides being told when it was more convenient for RC to seat us at My Time Dining was the M'D and Head Dining Room Waiter for My Time Dining rushed in and out of the My Time Dining tables trying to determine if or when you could be seated even after you showed up on time for their preferred time reservation. The line waiting to be seated at My Time Dining was mixed....those just showing up with those who had made My Time Dining reservations. The M'D and Head Waiter never asked who was who therefore it made for those with reservations standing in line with those that were ahead of them without reservations. We sincerely hope that RC does away with My Time Dining. We are relieved to know that our next sailing on Liberty this coming fall isn't having My Time Dining.....never again!

 

Bill and Beth

Loved Brilliance and cruise minus "Their Time Dining."

[Fran Harp]

I was on this cruise and had second sitting for dinner on the main floor without any problem. I had a great table with wonderful table mates and waiting staff (Mario and Sun).

 

I doubt if I will ever do "My time dining" as I prefer to have the same waiting staff and table mates each night. I also do not like pre-paying gratuities especially when it is just being shared amongst everyone.

 

Brilliance was my first RCL ship and will probably always be my favourite. I am looking forward to being back on board after dry dock.

andrew

 

Hey, Andrew, how are ya? Lousy weather we're having here (again.)

Brilliance is my favourite as well - and the now-former-Captain Sundet also my favourite.

 

Just had a conversation with a friend who was also on this cruise. She and her mother travel back to England in the spring, across to Florida for the winter, and are seasoned sailors. She says:

 

"My Time Dining was no problem. A part of Deck 5 upstairs was used. Downstairs Deck 4 in the Minstrel Dining Room was regular assigned seating.

The cruise on Brilliance was one of our best. The staff were helpful and friendly, lamb chops in the Windjammer to die for, and the chef in the Mongolian grill did us a really nice fresh stir-fry when we asked.

 

The Captain announced that the ship would be going to Plymouth rather than Falmouth, because the harbour in Falmouth is more exposed and the tenders would have a rough ride. The harbour in Plymouth is more sheltered, and the tenders would not get tossed around. The decision was made by the Captain for passenger comfort and safety. It's his decision to make. We took one of the tours in Plymouth because it was actually possible to get off the ship, which doesn't always happen in Falmouth."

 

So, although the OP saw it from one perspective, that is NOT representative of the cruise, in my mind. I would not make my decision to sail based on the opinion of the OP, frankly.

 

Fran in Toronto

[PrettyLA]

Sorry to hear you had a bad time.

[tocanada]

Hey, Andrew, how are ya? Lousy weather we're having here (again.)

Brilliance is my favourite as well

 

The Captain announced that the ship would be going to Plymouth rather than Falmouth, because the harbour in Falmouth is more exposed and the tenders would have a rough ride. The harbour in Plymouth is more sheltered, and the tenders would not get tossed around.

 

Fran in Toronto

 

Hi Fran. I am still in England. It's lovely here. The bluebells in the woods are fantastic.

 

Having endured Falmouth once before, I was very happy to go to Plymouth instead. The tender trip in Falmouth was rather like being on a roller coaster going through a car wash. Not something I want to repeat.

Totally off topic, the Eden Project tour from Plymouth was excellent.

andrew

[sandmor1]

Hi Fran. I am still in England. It's lovely here. The bluebells in the woods are fantastic.

 

Having endured Falmouth once before, I was very happy to go to Plymouth instead. The tender trip in Falmouth was rather like being on a roller coaster going through a car wash. Not something I want to repeat.

Totally off topic, the Eden Project tour from Plymouth was excellent.

andrew

Hi Andrew, following on from your last posting, I have phoned RCL and cancelled our prepaid gratuity for the Freedom in September. I thought I was doing the right thing, when I booked but now I'm not so sure. I definately do not want Anytime Dining. Our first table mates have made sure we would never want anything other than...large table...2nd sitting:) :)

sandra

[Jimmers]

We had first seating on the same cruise and never noticed any problem with the seating arrangements. Ate in the dining room every night except two. We decided to go to Chops on the fourth night and had no problem getting a reservation. There were many empty tables when we went.

 

Our group had considered anytime dining but elected not to go that route. Too many things to go wrong IMO. Glad we didn't since we noticed long wait lines outside the anytime dining hall.

 

I must say the food on the BOS was the best of my four RCI cruises. I have several issues with the BOS that would steer me away from her in the future but the dining experience wasn't one of them.

 

Aside from that my first TA was more than I had hoped for. The weather was simply perfect. Each stop along the way became our new favorite place. The countries and people we're great. And even though the prices there are outrageous we're so glad we stayed over a night in London.

 

Jimmers

[Fran Harp]

Hi Fran. I am still in England. It's lovely here. The bluebells in the woods are fantastic.

 

Having endured Falmouth once before, I was very happy to go to Plymouth instead. The tender trip in Falmouth was rather like being on a roller coaster going through a car wash. Not something I want to repeat.

Totally off topic, the Eden Project tour from Plymouth was excellent.

andrew

 

Yes, my friend was also on that tour, and really enjoyed it. She has gone in and out of Falmouth a few times....and was glad not to have to do it. She also clarified that the port change was published well in advance of the cruise, as well as being announced by the Captain.

 

It was great here for a couple of weeks - flowers are all blooming. Now down to 0 again, and risk of frost tonight. Sigh. Is there no end to it????

 

Fran in Toronto

[heavychevy]

Rick, Brilliance is indeed owned and operated out of England....

 

So Captain Hakan is back? Hmmm, wonder if he's got his "package" yet.

 

I was sorry to see Captain Petter go. RCI's loss.

 

Fran

 

what would make you think that this captain got a "package"?

[FlyingPhotog]

I hope this same dining snafu doesn't happen on our Serenade cruise in June. They're offering "My time" :rolleyes:

 

I thought they have always had "My Time Dining" a.k.a. Windjammer, a.k.a. room service.

[Fran Harp]

what would make you think that this captain got a "package"?

 

I sent him something as a thank you gift for the incredible treatment we got from him.....and he *did* get it. :D:D

 

Fran in Toronto

[tally10]

The weather was excellent, we did the Great Circle route which swings pretty far North but had following winds and seas the whole way.

 

I haven't , I hope , laboured the points but other things were, no greetings folder from the Conciege and that apparently was my fault for only booking 8 months in advance !!

 

The contrast between this ship and others in the Fleet was so great that I kept looking around for the TV cameras !! I have two more booked on Jewel and Independance and then I am seriously seaching around for a RCCL alternative. Anybody got a recomendation ???

 

Luv

Cy

 

Just wanted to tell you that we did the Brilliance transatlantic this past December and did not care for the experience, mainly because of the dining (BEFORE the "My Time") and service. However, with trepidation, we proceeded with our March 30 transatlantic on the Jewel and it was wonderful! The food was still subpar, but not quite as bad as the Brilliance. No "My Time" as yet. Even though they are twin ships, the Jewel was SO much better. Give RCCL another try. You may be surprised. Chops was wonderful, though, and it is what cruise dining should be for free.

[truffles2]

We were on this cruise. Plymouth was not a last minute substitution. Also, we had early seating on Deck 4 with no problems.

Agree with Andrew that the Eden Project was quite interesting.

[heavychevy]

I sent it to him :D:D We were treated so well on the Brilliance, I just wanted to say thank you.....and he *did* get his package....

 

Fran in Toronto

 

 

my family was on the ship early january and we wanted to send a package too. what did you send? and how do you know he got it?

[Fran Harp]

my family was on the ship early january and we wanted to send a package too. what did you send? and how do you know he got it?

 

email me at franota at rogers dot com

 

 

Fran

[Fran Harp]

Just wanted to tell you that we did the Brilliance transatlantic this past December and did not care for the experience, mainly because of the dining (BEFORE the "My Time") and service. However, with trepidation, we proceeded with our March 30 transatlantic on the Jewel and it was wonderful! The food was still subpar, but not quite as bad as the Brilliance. No "My Time" as yet. Even though they are twin ships, the Jewel was SO much better. Give RCCL another try. You may be surprised. Chops was wonderful, though, and it is what cruise dining should be for free.

 

I think this is one of the reasons people really just need to get out and figure out for themselves what they like and don't like, and not use other people's opinions as a basis for decision. Tally10 (both of them) were in the next cabin - we know each other, yakked over the balcony, went sightseeing together, and we're friends too! If you ask them, it wasn't such a good experience in terms of dining room and service. If you ask us, it was the cruise of a lifetime and we had a ball.

 

Fran in Toronto

[tally10]

I think this is one of the reasons people really just need to get out and figure out for themselves what they like and don't like, and not use other people's opinions as a basis for decision. Tally10 (both of them) were in the next cabin - we know each other, yakked over the balcony, went sightseeing together, and we're friends too! If you ask them, it wasn't such a good experience in terms of dining room and service. If you ask us, it was the cruise of a lifetime and we had a ball.

 

Fran in Toronto

 

It IS all subjective. Just read all of the reviews and come away with what is important to you. I would place the Brilliance at the bottom of my cruise list. I don't know if we would go on her again even at half price. Yes, I agree with what Fran said. There were some good aspects and you make the most of them and meet new cruise critic friends and that makes the experience more fun. I am just comparing her to the other ships we have cruised on. We have been on the Jewel twice and both were excellent cruises. Even with the 20+ ft seas and DH's noro, we just really enjoyed the Jewel and it was a great crossing (March 30th transatlantic). I am just so glad we didn't cancel after our Brilliance experience as we had planned. The Jewel staff and customer service were fantastic.