Where are the “standards” on the older large ships? -- Voyager of the Seas 11-22 thr

[Onessa]

I admit that I was prepared for this year’s Thanksgiving cruise aboard the Voyager of the Seas not to live up to last year’s aboard Splendour of the Seas. I am not a fan of the larger ships so I was altering my standards. We had a great time but some little things bothered me.

My disappointment went beyond that which I had expected – I was prepared for the large-for-large-sake proportions of the ship, and for the confusion that goes with getting thousands of passengers on and off the ship at each port, and for a more impersonal nature of the cruise. But I was not prepared for some of my other disappointments – a real lack of entertainment and activities, the poor scheduling of those activities that were scheduled, and the state of the ship.

If you did not have tickets to the ice show, on ice show nights there was no show. On non-ice show nights, the shows were lacking in pizzazz – the magician was simply a magician, he could not have been classified as a “showman” or as an “illusionist”, he was just a magician. We had really loved all of the entertainers on our previous cruises -- I just found nothing to love on this cruise.

While I don’t cruise for the on-board activities, I was surprised at how few there were. And I was disappointed as to the scheduling of activities. Among our stops were Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples (Pompeii) –all your basic 8:00am to 5:00pm ports -- yet the bulk of the teen and adult activities were scheduled between 9:00am to Noon or during main seating. Teen program had the "living room" all afternoon and only really started anything during the main seating time - then took a bit of a break to start up again at 11:30pm or after midnight (not conducive to the early morning excursion times).

On the Splendour, we at least had live shopping programs. The Shopping Director slipped in a few tidbits about the ports beyond the QVC like litany of goods available at the Guarantee shops. In Athens the shopping director offered to help us to the subway stop and with the trains to get to the Acropolis without going on any of the ship’s excursions. On Voyager the only information we could get from ANYONE was the names and locations of the guarantee shops. We were routinely discouraged from attempting any excursion on our own. Not everyone wants to follow someone around – some of us really want to do this on our own – and not get charged $84 per adult for a bus trip to Florence that has a “convenient” stop at one of the guarantee shops. At $84 per adult (times three adults), we could easily afford a private driver and the train would have been a fraction of the cost.

But what most surprised me was the condition of the ship. While the Splendour was an older ship, all of its teak was sanded and had a fresh coat of polyurethane, the carpets may have been worn in spots but were clean, there were no ding-marks on woodwork or walls – all had been patched and painted, and the artwork was dusted and maintained. On the Voyager all of the vinyl upholstery was permanently stretched out of shape and much had rips. The carpets were badly stained. There were marks on the walls and woodwork throughout the ship and in the cabins. Decking was splintered and cracked. The sculptures were dusty and the tapestry artworks were curling at the corners. Apart from one day when we saw some window washers, we never saw any of the crew tasked with maintenance or public-area cleaning projects.

Good cruise, still lots of fun but I’ll stick to my instincts – in the future, Radiance-class or smaller only for this cruiser!

[scayuga]

There are definate advantages and disadvantages to both class of ships. Many cruisers prefer the intimacy of the smaller class Radiance ships and others enjoy the addition of the Promenade and Ice Rink that the Voyager class offers. I have read threads relating similar complaints about entertainment recently on ALL classes of ships including the Radiance. I do not think that is a reflection of any one particular class. As for the condition of the Voyager - she is scheduled for "dry dock" May 1, 2009 and will certainly be spruced up...perhaps the Splendor has already been that route.

We shop wherever we like at our own risk and have never depended upon Guarantee shops on cruises. Actually most of the best deals we have found have been in shops - not guaranteed. We have always found that the vast majority of onboard activities take place during the day between 8-5 with the exception of special activites or parties. Other ship board activities are available at your discretion. If you had taken the time to get the Ice Show tickets I am sure you would have been impressed.

[Mark_K]

Yes, Voyager is getting a little worn - it's scheduled for a refurbishment after it's April move to Europe.

[luvscruising2007]

We are taking Voyager on 1/25 and now I am getting a little concerned. I probably wouldn't notice the stained carpets or lack of polishing of the fixtures. However, we really enjoy the shows and on all of our previous cruises we have been very pleased. Some of the shows naturally were better than others, but all were entertaining.

On the Explorer the ice show was shown several times, and not during the evening show time. I think we saw the ice show in the afternoon of a sea day.

As I think about it, we have seen a show every night on our cruises. Quest and Love and Marriage were both later in the evening, about 10:30pm.

Are these changes a cost cutting measure? I sure hope not.

[wolfcathorse]

– a real lack of entertainment and activities, the poor scheduling of those activities that were scheduled...While I don’t cruise for the on-board activities, I was surprised at how few there were. And I was disappointed as to the scheduling of activities. Among our stops were Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples (Pompeii) –all your basic 8:00am to 5:00pm ports -- yet the bulk of the teen and adult activities were scheduled between 9:00am to Noon or during main seating. Teen program had the "living room" all afternoon and only really started anything during the main seating time - then took a bit of a break to start up again at 11:30pm or after midnight (not conducive to the early morning excursion times).

 

this is the Cruise Director responsiblity...who was your CD? As stated above the ship is due for drydock. RCI sends all its ships into drydock for maintenance every 2-3 years

[piercetc4]

we are on the 1/ 25 sailing as well- i feel sure we will have lots of good shows to go see- maybe in the past with such a port intensive sailing they have had a bad turn out at night for the shows so they cut back there for those cruises?? we mainly try to cruise voyager class ships and have never been dissappointed with the shows or activities- there is always something to do -

sorry your cruise didnt meet your expectations- at least you were out seeing wonderful things over thanksgiving week instead of home cooking.....lol:D

[Loyal2RCCL]

The Voyager is well past due for a drydock. While on her this past April, I was shocked by the condition of the ship. I've never seen an RCCL ship so worn and broken down... almost everywhere you went there were musty/moldy smells. The public areas were very ratty looking which gave the appearance they were dirty (although I highly doubt they were, since the crew was constantly cleaning). Above the bar in the disco the ceiling was dripping water on the poor bartenders heads and there were several leaking pipes on Deck 1 in the crew areas.

 

One of our friends is an officer onboard and he said the ship is falling apart and is way overdue for a major drydock. He told us that RCCL had cancelled previously scheduled drydocks to keep the ship in service and things are just starting to break down. In his words-- the Voyager is the worst ship in the fleet as far as the overall condition of the ship.

 

I will say, we had a great time, the food was good, the entertainment and service were excellent as well. It's just shocking to step aboard a RCCL ship and see such worn out surroundings.

[Cindy]

Wow! I was on the Voyager last March and she appeared to me to be in very good condition. Was there a bit of worn upholstery or carpet here and there? Yes, but nothing that stuck out to me as desperately needing refurbishment. They were replacing carpet throughout the public areas during our cruise.

I thought the entertainment offerings on the Voyager were about the same as the other large RCCL ships I've been on...Explorer and Mariner. I have noticed on all three ships that the ice show is the "main" entertainment on the nights it's performed.

[want2seaitall]

I certainly don't want to knock the OP's opinions. I truly appreciated all reviews...good and bad. But everyone's experiences will be different. Out of curiosity, I went to check the reviews of those who sailed the Voyager in November...and they were all positive...receiving 4 and 5 stars.

[firefly333]

I was not prepared for some of my other disappointments – a real lack of entertainment

 

At least it sounds like you had entertainers you had not previously seen. That was my biggest dissapointment with voyager. They pulld a sort of illusion show from the SOV I had seen twice before. They pulled two out of four of the main singers from SOV. On top of that, they listed the piano player as a comedian, so I didnt notice I had seen him too. He was good, but I had seen him the year before on the Rhapsody.

 

I couldnt believe how little in the way of new shows they had on a ship I had never cruised on before. Dissapointing I admit. What were the chances of almost NO new shows on a ship I hadnt cruised before.

 

I thought Voyager was beautiful, I must not be that picky, but I loved it.

[sustyse]

Yes, Voyager is getting a little worn - it's scheduled for a refurbishment after it's April move to Europe.

 

Glad to hear this news as we are doing a Med cruise on Voyager in Sept'09.

[terri23]

I am shocked that someone cruising to Florence, Rome and Naples - three of the most wonderful cities on the planet - is bummed about RC's on-board entertainment and lack of shopping guidance.

[Ladylouwho]

I was on the same cruise as the original poster. 11/22/08 sailing of the Voyager to the Med. I haven't posted a review or anything yet as I am still trying to get into reality and the time zone changes.

 

Our recent cruises have been on newer ships. Freedom a few months back, and Serenade before that. The Voyager is 10 years old. I did notice the carpet was a little faded in color. The decor seemed a little dated, but only in comparison to the new ships. I certainly did not think the ship was "falling apart". We had top notch service in the Main Dining Room with Jose and Mustaffa. They were personable, professional and always thorough. Best Dining Room service we have had in awhile. Both left the ship when we did for their 6 week breaks. Our cabin steward did a fine job although we told her not to bother with our cabins (two connecting D1 balcony) in the evening as we were gone on excursions all day and had late dining. We just wanted plenty of ice, which she always provided, in fact giving us the larger ice buckets right away. Chocolates every night piled up on the counter as we don't eat them.

 

My husband and daughter called down to the concierge last minute for ice show tickets and thought the show was great. Love and Marriage was funny as usual and the quest was fast paced and funny. We did not attend any other shows. We had daily all day excursions and only did the casino a couple nights and the British pub one night. Great singer in the British pub.

 

We did all Royal Caribbean excursions, pricey but excellent. We had a fabulous, but exhausting time. Italy and the French Riviera are beautiful and the sights we saw breathtaking and the history (Pompeii, the Colosseum) awe inspiring. We can't wait to go back. The one week Mediteranean is very port intensive, we actually spent very little time on the ship during the day.

 

Getting on and off the ship in Barcelona for us was the easiest thing we have ever seen. The flights back and forth are horrendous but we arrived day of sailing, got off the plane, into a minivan cab (4 people, 6 suitcases) and were at the port in 1/2 hour and literally walked on the ship. No wait AT ALL!!!! When we left on 11/29 we again walked off the ship, grabbed our bags and were in a cab in the span of about 15 minutes!!!!

 

We tendered once, and docked at the other ports. I noticed no big deal getting on and off. A little wait for the tender returning to the ship but, come on, what do you expect?

 

We sail the Voyager again later this month for a New Years Eve Caribbean cruise out of Galveston. Obviously a completely different type of cruise than a port intensive European cruise. We look forward to enjoying the actual ship more and have absolutely no hesitation about the Voyager.

 

Any questions about the Voyager, ask away.

[browneyes7]

Thanks for the review. I'm sorry you were disappointed in some areas. We were on the Voyager for 22 days in April/May on a Transatlantic/Med. cruise. I didn't notice any of the things you were tallking about, but then again, I'm not very observant about things like that. We had a wonderful time on our cruise, and I thought the Voyager was a beautiful ship. I will definitely cruise on her again, when possible.:)

[shallwechat]

i look forward to my trip on the voyager on january 18. at this point, with the way things are in the world, i would be glad to be on a plastic boat with a rubber ducky. it is sssssooooo time for a vacation.

 

i look forward to seeing everyone that week and plan on having a good time on my aft balcony!

[LasVegascruisers]

we are on the 1/ 25 sailing as well- i feel sure we will have lots of good shows to go see- maybe in the past with such a port intensive sailing they have had a bad turn out at night for the shows so they cut back there for those cruises?? we mainly try to cruise voyager class ships and have never been dissappointed with the shows or activities- there is always something to do -

sorry your cruise didnt meet your expectations- at least you were out seeing wonderful things over thanksgiving week instead of home cooking.....lol:D

I like your attitude!!!! :)

We are on the 1/25 sailing too. I'm confident that we are going to have a wonderful time! Any show on a cruise ship has got to be better than another night of TV at home, right?

[luv2cruzfrmtx]

 

We look forward to enjoying the actual ship more and have absolutely no hesitation about the Voyager.

 

Any questions about the Voyager, ask away.

/

 

I was getting a little nervous till I read your post. We are sailing 1/11/09. I can stand a little wear and tear because I just want the ocean and the relaxation. My house is worn and torn after hurricane Ike but I stll love it and feel comfortable here. I'm sure the Voyager will suit me just fine.

 

One question. How comfortable are the beds? My DH is pretty picky and he hated the Rhapsody beds in 2005 and 2006. Carnival beds are wonderful. Tell me what to expect on the Voyager as far as how comfortable, bedding, etc.

[Ladylouwho]

/

 

I was getting a little nervous till I read your post. We are sailing 1/11/09. I can stand a little wear and tear because I just want the ocean and the relaxation. My house is worn and torn after hurricane Ike but I stll love it and feel comfortable here. I'm sure the Voyager will suit me just fine.

 

One question. How comfortable are the beds? My DH is pretty picky and he hated the Rhapsody beds in 2005 and 2006. Carnival beds are wonderful. Tell me what to expect on the Voyager as far as how comfortable, bedding, etc.

 

We had D1 category balcony cabins. The bedding was very comfortable, with plenty of pillows. We really enjoyed our cruise and like I said I never noticed anything wrong with the ship. The public restrooms I used were clean and I often saw workers cleaning, polishing and they were also painting on the outside while in port. The carpet is older and just seemed faded. No problem. The decor wasn't new and seemed a little dated again in comparison with the newer ships. No problem.

 

I am sure the Voyager will look beautiful after refurbishment during dry-dock next year, but for now the old girl is still doing fine! We board her again in 23 days in Galveston. We can't wait.

 

Enjoy your cruise on the Voyager in January '09!

[wrp96]

One question. How comfortable are the beds? My DH is pretty picky and he hated the Rhapsody beds in 2005 and 2006. Carnival beds are wonderful. Tell me what to expect on the Voyager as far as how comfortable, bedding, etc.

 

The bedding on all RCCL ships has been replaced since you last sailed Rhapsody.

[robbinsca]

Does anyone know when the dry dock is scheduled? The only timing I see is "after its move to Europe in April" and we are on board in June.

[firefly333]

Does anyone know when the dry dock is scheduled? The only timing I see is "after its move to Europe in April" and we are on board in June.

 

I think I read someone that dry dock is in May. .... so before your cruise.

[Aprille]

Does anyone know when the dry dock is scheduled? The only timing I see is "after its move to Europe in April" and we are on board in June.

My guess would be the first two weeks of May since the first scheduled cruise after the April 19th transatlantic from Galveston is May 13. So, in between Caribbean and European seasons which is what I assumed from "after it's move to Europe in April". :cool:

[TEXASMUNK]

From some folks who will be sailing with us in January....they are on VOS now on the transatlantic.....

 

The reports of VOS "falling apart" or being a "rust bucket", etc,etc,etc...as far from true.

 

Their comments are that the ship is in great shape...

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

[VASOXFANN]

I am shocked that someone cruising to Florence, Rome and Naples - three of the most wonderful cities on the planet - is bummed about RC's on-board entertainment and lack of shopping guidance.

 

You beat me too it! :rolleyes:

[CalGal777]

Does anyone know when the dry dock is scheduled? The only timing I see is "after its move to Europe in April" and we are on board in June.

I Its starting May3...so for you everything should be all clean and shinning. I will be on the TA 4/19 but for me any cruise where the ship doesn't sink is a good cruise.