What cut backs?

[dmndlil]

It used to be that you picked up towels by the pool and no one really kept track of how many you had. Now, you get one per person in your room, and they keep track of how many you have and you could get charged for missing ones.

 

On the Freedom, we had 2 pool towels in our room. We were also able to get additonal ones (without a sea pass) as needed from the pool attendant. They did not seem to care how many we requested, nor did they keep track.

[stacyeb]

I am so sorry for the harsh words between some of you. I did not intend to begin an arguement, but instead was looking for some clarification. I see by reading through the posts that several others need it too. My inlaws must not have listened very intently about our cruises the past few years because while talking with them that they really have no expectations - which will be nice.

 

Honestly, we are a simple family and appreciate the cruise for what it is - a vacation. Oh I like to feel special and feel like I'm upper class, but truely we are just a simple family enjoying the simple things. This will only be my kids second cruise and most of their memories were based on being with friends & family and the warmth of the sun. As for my husband and I this will be our fourth cruise. We have always just enjoyed the time away from the phone and time together (as corny as it sounds).

 

Will I miss the chocolate on my pillow? Yes, but it won't effect my cruise at all. It was just a little treat is all, my husband always fell asleep before he even ate his. The gift, if I don't get one, I will be a little sad, but in truth I still have no photo in the frame I received, but I do use the total bag weekly - great for library books. My husband and son would love the baseball hat, but they won't miss it if they don't expect it. Johnny Rockets has always been an extra charge since I have been cruising so no difference there. The only coupons we ever used was the free spin in the casino(I won a key chain and was thrilled-I'm such a dork), the 2 for one drink coupon and the wine (2 bottles lasted our entire cruise). As for the midnight buffet - the first time we tried it and took the food to our room, but fell asleep before we even got a few bites. After that we just looked as we headed to our room. Room service - Every cruise I tell my husband "We are ordering room service this time!", but were never in the room long enough and have never done so. The only time we were in our room was to change clothes and to go to sleep.

 

Again I thank you for all your thoughts and comment and apologize if harsh words were exchanged. I have loved cruising with Royal. I was just just loooking for clarification. We look at our cruise vacations as an inclusive experience. To quote a good friend "No ups, no extras" Okay sometimes upgrades and extras for us.

 

I prefer not to have expectations, then perks seem like a surprise when you get them! For my money I want a clean room, 3 meals a day and riding on the open water to places I haven't seen before. I love the opportunity to do and see things I wouldn't experience in my "normal" life with my family. We have gone ziplining, snorkeling, horseback riding, rock climbing, and seen broadway style shows that we never get the opportunity for the 5 of us to do together at home.:)

[RUBBER DUCK]

I couldn't find a pencil or pen in my room. Very annoying, found an old mascara pencil that someone must have left behind to fill out the survey. Didn't mention how annoying it was not to have a pencil as I figured that we passengers have probably absconded with all the pens/pencils further hurting RCI's bottom line. All those sticky fingers form the masses. Or maybe its the crew, heh, could be their sending them home! Anyone think that could be what happened to the chocolates!

 

I have about 6000 pens from Marriott, I have to remember to bring one of them with me on my next cruise. I'm a RCI stockholder and will do what's necessary to improve their bottom line.

 

I guess you kinda proved your own point? :confused: When you bring a pen next time, bring a hilighter too. They're nice for marking on the compass what you plan to do and make it easier to find quickly.

[ivycruise]

I guess you kinda proved your own point? :confused: When you bring a pen next time, bring a hilighter too. They're nice for marking on the compass what you plan to do and make it easier to find quickly.

 

Exactly! You win, I was wondering how long before someone finally caught on......Sorry no prize though Rubber Ducky

[stacyeb]

I must admit I was a bit surprised how passionate people are about some of the cut backs. But that was makes us each special, we are all different.

 

Happy Cruising!!

[hcat]

Sorry to change direction here........ but why should we care if there are trays in the Windjammer???? I see alot of whinning about things AND some of them have some merit (not much IMHO)...... but trays????????????????? some people must just need to complain!!

 

people slip & fall quite a bit on food spilled on the floor--the trays used to contain much of that--just a small item but a safety concern!

[jmraggs]

It used to be that you picked up towels by the pool and no one really kept track of how many you had. Now, you get one per person in your room, and they keep track of how many you have and you could get charged for missing ones.

 

Not true on Navigator, no more towels in your room and you must pick one up by the pool area and go. No signing, no room number etc. So what used to be is now what is.:D

[Cruisin KLS]

Back from AOS on 02/08/2009

 

we received no chocolates - but didn't really miss them

No more C&A gifts - We both got hats.

No more Party under the Stars w/buffet - There was a party under the stars, but I think it was raining that night

CL only for D+ and Suites (Jr. not included?) - no idea

Changes in prices for after hours Room Service and JR (no biggie) - room service charged late at night $4 I think and JR was $4.99 but we had past guest coupons.

 

As far as the trays in the dining room, they would be nice to have so you could carry a plate with hot food and a bowl that may have fruit or a salad.

 

This was our 6th cruise, 2nd with RCCL and although there were changes we noticed, it was by far our favorite cruise so far. Have a great time...any day on vacation is better than a day at work.

[SimplyAddicted]

In case you haven't noticed, cut backs are now taking place in just about every industry. Sure, it is affecting all of us and none of us are too happy about it. If you are able to cruise now, you are fortunate. Please be grateful for that. I know I am.

[patnolen]

I've actually asked the cabin steward not to deliver the chocolates, it was a waste. As far as the buffet, other than looking at the art of it, it's not really needed on most ships because there's food on the promanade all the time.

[FLACRUISER99]

Funny nobody has mentions the food. Don't get me wrong it tasted great but the ingredients are low cost. Is it amazing that the chefs can do such a good job preparing it. On one Formal night on the Mariner this January they had Surf & Turf. A shoulder steak fillet & 4 50-60 count shrimp. I would be embarrassed to serve this to guests in my home.

[monn_a]

Would someone who's cruised in Jan or Feb 2009 please verify the following list that I believe notes the changes in 2009 onboard NOTS?

 

No chocolates (no biggie)

No more C&A gifts (REALLY bummed about that)

No more Party under the Stars w/buffet (liked the idea, but no need to eat again)

CL only for D+ and Suites (Jr. not included?)

Changes in prices for after hours Room Service and JR (no biggie)

 

Could anyone who's sailed lately verify please? I'm leaving on 3/19 and am really touting RCCL and this ship to the friends who are going. I don't want to disappoint them when certain things are missing! Thanks in advance!!

 

I just cruised in January...

 

No chocolates (unless in GS or higher)...we were in a JS

I got a baseball cap (number 5 I think)

There was a party under the stars and a buffet, though I didn't eat...I sat in the VC and watched...it was cold

They did add a price for after hours room service and JR was $1 more (but still a good price).

[petesweet]

Dont brag to them about the pillow chocolates at night. I've read that it's not 100% every ship but only the larger suites are getting them. I know it's a small thing but I know I've often mentioned getting them to other non cruisers. Turn down service is still pretty neat though. :) If they happen to get the chocolates then all the better! :D

 

Bring a box of chocolates and bribe the steward to put them on their pillows!!:D

[petesweet]

I just returned from VOS on the 11th (it seems like years ago now...LOL). I found the service in the Windjammer as well as the dining room to be exceptional. It might be just that we got lucky, but I doubt it. Our cabin attendant was phenomenal as well.

 

There are no more chocolates on the pillows, but who needs them? There is no more midnight buffet, but once again, did anyone really need to an additional meal at midnight??? There was no gift for returning cruisers, but who needs another photo frame of tote bag?

 

There WERE wonderful moments on board, great weather, several beautiful Caribbean sunsets, and interesting table mates.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Barb

 

No gift for returning guests? Oh, no!! :( But I need about ten more ballcaps! Seriously, I did enjoy that perk. We gave the caps away on the ship, and that was fun. (Our last two cruises were B2B, so in a few months' time we ended up with four ballcaps.) I hadn't heard that this was discontinued since our cruise last month.

 

I would think the most "famous" of the cruise expectations is the fancy midnight buffet. It certainly makes sense that they do not do that any more, but that might be something your in-laws have already heard about and might miss, so you might let them down gently. The other things they will never know about, probably.

[tomko2]

I will also miss the welcome back gift. Presents always make me smile.

Never went to the midnight buffet so that I won't miss. The charge for late night room service won't bother me either; by the time I get back from the casino I am just looking for my bed.:o

Kathy:)

[PALADINE17]

Hello everyone i am new to the forum and would like to welcome myself. Also had a quick question i noticed you had the countdown to your cruise would someone please point me in the right direction as to how to set that up? Also i will be cruising in May to Alaska are loved all the dining options including room service are the cutbacks that noticeable.

[petesweet]

It used to be that you picked up towels by the pool and no one really kept track of how many you had. Now, you get one per person in your room, and they keep track of how many you have and you could get charged for missing ones.

 

We never got charged. We checked them out for shore excursions, and when we left them in the room, the steward removed them. No charge to us even though we did not check them back in. I wondered why we needed to check them out.

[petesweet]

Getting rid of the chocolates is not only good for the environment ;) but really good for most peoples waistline...

 

You mean people actually ate that "wax"? I don't miss that at all.

[petesweet]

Would someone who's cruised in Jan or Feb 2009 please verify the following list that I believe notes the changes in 2009 onboard NOTS?

 

No chocolates (no biggie)

No more C&A gifts (REALLY bummed about that)

No more Party under the Stars w/buffet (liked the idea, but no need to eat again)

CL only for D+ and Suites (Jr. not included?)

Changes in prices for after hours Room Service and JR (no biggie)

 

Could anyone who's sailed lately verify please? I'm leaving on 3/19 and am really touting RCCL and this ship to the friends who are going. I don't want to disappoint them when certain things are missing! Thanks in advance!!

 

We were not on the Navigator but on Explorer. We got ball caps on January 11 sailing and also on January 23 sailing. We became diamond by the second leg of our B2B and were admitted to CL, although we went only twice. No chocolates. Don't know about the party.

[Papa T]

Would someone who's cruised in Jan or Feb 2009 please verify the following list that I believe notes the changes in 2009 onboard NOTS?

 

No chocolates (no biggie)

No more C&A gifts (REALLY bummed about that)

No more Party under the Stars w/buffet (liked the idea, but no need to eat again)

CL only for D+ and Suites (Jr. not included?)

Changes in prices for after hours Room Service and JR (no biggie)

 

Could anyone who's sailed lately verify please? I'm leaving on 3/19 and am really touting RCCL and this ship to the friends who are going. I don't want to disappoint them when certain things are missing! Thanks in advance!!

 

We cruised on Freedom in January and Mariner in February . . .

 

Chocolates in GS and above only

Got C&A gifts on both

Parties under the stars on both

Separate diamond lounge on Freedom - great improvement - it has windows unlike Voyager class CL. On Mariner the CL was open to diamond members and the big dance lounge in front of deck 5 was open to diamond members from 5 until 8 since there were 600+ diamond members on board.

They do charge for room service after midnight.

Not sure about any change in JR charge since diamond members get a coupon.

 

Both cruises were great - none of the changes I've experienced have diminished my satisfaction with the overall cruise.

[Papa T]

We never got charged. We checked them out for shore excursions, and when we left them in the room, the steward removed them. No charge to us even though we did not check them back in. I wondered why we needed to check them out.

 

Has anyone ever actually been charged for towels??? - short of getting caught taking one off of the ship at the end of a cruise

[amybeth4]

I've been a member of these boards since 2000 (but because I haven't posted in the past few years, my posts are back to zero) and now that I'm back, I'm still seeing the same comments from people who get SO annoyed when someone makes a minor little complaint. If one person says they hate that for example, there are no trays in the Windjammer anymore, another poster has to make mean comments about how they're obviously pigs (or need "wheelbarrels") (oy) and how could they let TRAYS destroy their vacations? For God's sake, it's just a little comment.

 

When I was on my cruise last week and decided to eat by the pool, and had to walk into the Windjammer and get a plate of SALAD and a separate bowl for dressing and then juggle a bowl of FRUIT. Then I had to bring them back out to my deck chair and then walk BACK inside to get my iced tea; you better believe I thought, "Boy I wish I had a tray so I didn't have to make two trips." I don't see how that makes me a PIG or a complainer.

 

Minor inconveniences that people note do NOT mean they're screaming and complaining and should cruise on another line. I can NOT believe so many people on these boards constantly think every single thing about every single cruise is and should be PERFECT.

 

Siiiigh.

[jmraggs]

I can NOT believe so many people on these boards constantly think every single thing about every single cruise is and should be PERFECT.

 

Siiiigh.

 

Life is not perfect, maybe they have the same troubles in daily life and the same thought pattern gets absorbed into cruising!:rolleyes:

[jrljel]

Gee, I didn't anyone was complaining. All we were doing was trying to figure out what was different so that you knew what to expect and DIDN't complain while onboard! I LOVE RCCL, or I wouldn't have sailed with them so many times.

[newton4311]

Has anyone ever actually been charged for towels??? - short of getting caught taking one off of the ship at the end of a cruise

 

I think they charge for pool towels about as much as they enforce the no reserving pool chairs rule.