Aos 11/21/04

[bobbyd6363]

Okay, so what exactly is the solution to this problem? Is RCI supposed to exclude Puerto Ricans from this sailing? Prescreen potential passengers for "rudeness?" I'm wondering what the cruise line could possibly do here that would not get them in major trouble for discrimination. They could raise the rates, but that just eliminates a certain socio-economic group. Are people on this thread and the other one mentioned stating that rudeness is a function of income? I've seen a lot of complaining on these two threads but no real solutions offered. What is to be done about this problem?

 

I can certainly understand feeling a distaste for "rudeness." I would not appreciate being physically shoved or pushed by anyone anywhere. What I really don't get is the annoyance people verbalize for announcements being made in both English and Spanish. How does this cause a problem for anyone? When I flew to and from Paris this summer on American Airlines, all announcements were made in English and French. No big surprise there and sure did not cause me any hardship. I would assume that a cruise which departs from a largely Spanish speaking territory would of course include that language in its announcements, just as I would assume that a cruise leaving from Galveston would make announcements in English. Don't cruises which depart from American mainland ports "cater" to those populations as well?

 

I truly don't understand this mentality. If I travel to a distant land to take a cruise, I would appreciate being in an environment which highlighted the culture, music, and language of the host port. It would just seem logical that the "locals" would be "catered" to, particularly if they were the majority on the ship as people have described in these two recent threads.

 

When I sailed the AOS, the passenger base was 60-70% PR. We had a blast. We noticed that they tended to speak louder than we do, but I do not neccessarily associate loud conversation with being rude, I think it is more a cultural difference. I noticed the elevator nonsense as well, but frankly, I've been annoyed by that syndrome on every cruise I've ever taken. We did observe that there was a latin music bar, which we enjoyed a couple of times, but there were certainly other alternate venues available as well. We sailed the AOS Thanksgiving week 2003. Have things changed so radically? And again, what is the solution that people are seeking from RCI?

First let me address the "raise the rates" question - yes! HMM! If I am not mistaken RCI charges regular rates for sailings that originate out of Miami, New Orleans, New York etc. Is this not true? Well how come they don’t offer the same sort of low rates for those port sailings? Are they guilty of "eliminating a certain socio-economic group"? I paid a pretty high price to sail out of San Juan as did others but we were never offered such cut rate fares, so we too were discriminated against since we too are "a certain socio-economic group".

As for the language thing - "from a largely Spanish speaking population. Well I don’t want to be the first one to tell you but the folks that live in PR are US CITIZENS! Yep and US Citizens are SUPPOSED to speak English. How come RCI doesn’t start doing announcements in Italian, Portuguese etc for sailings out of NY?

I am not sure about your Thanksgiving sailing out of PR, but on our sailing - EVERY NITE WAS LATIN FESTIVAL. Where was the English speaking Americans that paid full price, flew thousands of miles and dumped tons of money into the casino and bars FESTIVAL?

I guess we should all take out Polly Anna pills for our next cruises...

[mafig]

Complaints about the AOS have cropped up for years. Especially at this time of the year. Prices are low, the cruise is discounted to the Puerto Rican population, and they take advantage of the good deals. I also think the lower prices leads to many group bookings. By this I mean people traveling in groups, be it family or friends. When a small family travels, it takes a few days for the children to get the feel of the ship, to make friends, etc. Here they have their friends, cousins, etc., with them. A great chance to "show off." The same woman who would never raise her voice, will shout at the top of her lungs to get her friends' attention. And the men, they do have their buddies to impress!

 

 

Royal Caribbean can't say "no Puerto Ricans."

 

If you want to cruise the southern Caribbean islands, you might look at the 10-day cruises out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. They are slightly more expensive, yes, but the airfare is less.

 

My mother-in-law is Puerto Rican and lives on the island now. She laughs about the type of cruisers who take advantage of these low rates. She says some of them have never left the island, so they don't know how to act!

 

I mentioned sailing out of San Juan to my dh, (who, you can gather is half Puerto Rican) and he said absolutely not! Visit yes, but he doesn't want to cruise out of San Juan, especially when rates are low.

[nrdsb4]

First let me address the "raise the rates" question - yes! HMM! If I am not mistaken RCI charges regular rates for sailings that originate out of Miami, New Orleans, New York etc. Is this not true? Well how come they don’t offer the same sort of low rates for those port sailings? Are they guilty of "eliminating a certain socio-economic group"? I paid a pretty high price to sail out of San Juan as did others but we were never offered such cut rate fares, so we too were discriminated against since we too are "a certain socio-economic group".

As for the language thing - "from a largely Spanish speaking population. Well I don’t want to be the first one to tell you but the folks that live in PR are US CITIZENS! Yep and US Citizens are SUPPOSED to speak English. How come RCI doesn’t start doing announcements in Italian, Portuguese etc for sailings out of NY?

I am not sure about your Thanksgiving sailing out of PR, but on our sailing - EVERY NITE WAS LATIN FESTIVAL. Where was the English speaking Americans that paid full price, flew thousands of miles and dumped tons of money into the casino and bars FESTIVAL?

I guess we should all take out Polly Anna pills for our next cruises...

 

 

You misunderstood my comment about excluding a socio-economic group. I should have written "raising rates SIMPLY excludes a certain socio-economic group, but does this solve the problem?" Some would say yes. Others who have written on this and other similar threads seem to suggest that this is not a socio-economic issue and the true problem lies with Puerto Ricans in general. I have read sentiments of this type many times on these boards.

 

As far as languages go, if cruise lines have 60% Italian or Portuguese speaking populations taking cruises out of New York, it wouldn't bother me if they used those languages. Why should it? Puerto Ricans are Americans, true, but they were a Spanish speaking population long before they became Americans. I guess they missed the law that was passed saying that they are "supposed to speak English." I think RCI is just paying respect to their culture by making announcements in Spanish, and it's difficult for me to understand how this hurts anyone.

[BEVGOO]

I wasn't going to put in my 2 cents worth but I will. We have sailed out of San Juan right after Thanksgiving 2000 Granduer, 2001 Galaxy, 2003 Constellation and 2004 AOS. EVERY CRUISE HAS HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM SAN JUAN. Every cruise has had the problems mentioned above. We always think it will be different this crusie. IT NEVER IS. Even different cruise lines it is the same. We still have and good time and even made friends with a wonderful couple from Arkansas last year that cruised with us this year. WE WILL NEVER SAIL OUT OF SAN JUAN AGAIN. I am using capital letters on purpose. We were told by the crew that the people from San Juan are offered special rates. I think they said maybe $300 PP. I paid much more that that plus air and tips. Why not just offer super rates to everyone? Airfare from the U.S. is extremly high. Lower rates would allow a more even mix of people on the cruise. If this thread isn't bumped, I'll be suprised. And as someone mentioned above, you can meet rude people wherever you go.

[bobbyd6363]

God knows I love to spark conversation and boy this one thread sure has!

 

BEVGOO - thanks for your comments! And yes you are right - from reading all the posts on these types of threads IT NEVER GETS BETTER! Interestingly this thread hasnt gotten deleted but I am sure it will soon.

 

I wonder if the cruise lines offer discount rates for cruises that originate from Naples, Italy and places like that? It would be interesting to see the comments from folks on those cruises.

[xpcdoojk]

All I have to say is you folks that have been long term readers of CC that are complaining about the ship being full of locals that cruised at reduced rates should be ashamed of yourselves. This has been happening every year since 2001. Every November around thanksgiving the ship is overrun with locals who got a better price. Why would you think this year would be different? What is the purpose of this forum if people who read it everyday don't learn anything?:confused: I have cruised twice out of San Juan and I prefer it because it opens up the entire southern caribbean on a 7 day cruise! I have spent pre and post time at some wonderful resorts in Puerto Rico, and I would go back tommorrow.

 

jc

[mafig]

God knows I love to spark conversation and boy this one thread sure has!

 

BEVGOO - thanks for your comments! And yes you are right - from reading all the posts on these types of threads IT NEVER GETS BETTER! Interestingly this thread hasnt gotten deleted but I am sure it will soon.

 

I wonder if the cruise lines offer discount rates for cruises that originate from Naples, Italy and places like that? It would be interesting to see the comments from folks on those cruises.

 

Actually, there are many posts from folks who cruise the Med. in the summer, especially in August, complaining about the europeans who "take over" the ship. The complaints are about the children running amuk, europeans not speaking English (gasp), and smoking! This is to be expected.

 

Read the posts! Around this time of the year, people complain about

old Floridians and the "grump' factor.

 

The Bermuda sailings are full of New Yorkers!

 

Be informed, people, about when you sail and where you sail from.

[cruzfiend]

We were on the Adventure in January and then the Golden Princess in October. We had a great time and didn't encounter any of the problems that I am reading on this thread. It must be the time of year in which you go. :)

[mafig]

We were on the Adventure in January and then the Golden Princess in October. We had a great time and didn't encounter any of the problems that I am reading on this thread. It must be the time of year in which you go. :)

 

Exactly right, cruzfied.

 

When Spring Break rolls around, instead of reading about misbehaving Puerto Ricans, it will be out of control kids!:eek:

[hottm22]

Hi Mike-

 

Dont Let this Cruise Turn you away from Cruising or RCCL! I was on this trip too. I was VERY Disappointed as well. Not to be rude or anything but it seemed as if there were 90% of the people from Puerto Rico on Board!! I thought the ship was beautiful...The Shows, in My Opinion were the WORST I have ever seen on RCCL! I was VERY Disappointed by them. If you want a GREAT Cruise Take the Mariner next time! Same Ship but out of Port Canaveral and Everything is Done right on that one!!!!

[bobbyd6363]

hotm22 - I totally agree about the shows - they sucked

[Seaside2358]

So when is a good time of year to cruise on AOS to avoid the off season rates?

[DIGTHIS]

HI,

"They could raise the rates, but that just eliminates a certain socio-economic group."

THE PROBLEM IS AS MENTIONED ABOVE THEY LOWER THE RATES TO FILL THE SHIP. YOU PAY $1000 FOR YOUR SUITE AND LOCALS ON AN UNFULL SHIP PAY $250. RAISING THE RATES ISN'T NECESSARY - JUST KEEPING THEM WOULD "GUARANTEE" ME THE VACATION I PAID FOR. ANOTHER PROBLEM AS TOLD TO ME BY THE CREW IS THAT THE WEEKS WHEN RCI GIVES AWAY THE SHIP THERE ARE NO TIPS TO BE FOUND. ALL FREE ACTIVITIES ARE WELL RECEIVED AND THE A LA CARTE ACTIVITIES ARE IGNORED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY CRUISE LINES DON'T SEE THIS. MAYBE IT IS JUST BUSINESS. WHY DO AIRLINES OVER BOOK, THEN HAVE TO FEED ME HOUSE ME AND STILL GET ME TO MY DESTINATION? MAYBE THAT IS WHY THEY ARE ALL GOING UNDER.

 

WHATEVER, I WILL BE ON THE AOS IN APRIL FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE GOOD NEWS IT IS SCHOOL OUT IN THE NORTHEAST SO THE RUDE PEOPLE WILL ALL HAVE PAID THE SAME AS ME AND THE BAD NEWS IS WE ALL HAVE PAID MORE THAN ANY OTHER WEEK OF THE YEAR.

 

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE WORST CRUISE OF YOUR LIFE IN JUST ONE WORD?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F A N T A S T I C

 

 

DAVE

[AlanM03]

how was the cruise otherwise? The only time I've ever run into RUDE people was on a Norweigan cruise when about 12 very DRUNK Americans decided to take over the pool deck, hot tubs etc....... No one stopped them....

[raerae]

Hi Mike-

 

Dont Let this Cruise Turn you away from Cruising or RCCL! I was on this trip too. I was VERY Disappointed as well. Not to be rude or anything but it seemed as if there were 90% of the people from Puerto Rico on Board!! I thought the ship was beautiful...The Shows, in My Opinion were the WORST I have ever seen on RCCL! I was VERY Disappointed by them. If you want a GREAT Cruise Take the Mariner next time! Same Ship but out of Port Canaveral and Everything is Done right on that one!!!!

Actually we booked the Mariner for next Dec. 4th while we were on the AOS. ;)

 

I just want to add to the people that don't understand our disappointment that I have sailed out of PR several times (once during the same time) and this was the WORST. I was physically pushed out of the way in the buffet line and there was no apology. I also saw an elderly couple get stuck in an elevator because they were forced back as they attempted to exit the elevator on their floor by people PUSHING onto the elevator. I was also told by a Puerto Rican woman that she, her daughter and 3 grandchildren were cruising for $500. for the entire family?!?! Does this seem fair to you guys? I mean that entire family paid less than my DH & I paid for one of us! :confused: The crew was very discouraged also...so it is not just a few passengers that were disappointed! This is just my opinion on MY cruise experience. I have enjoyed 8 other cruises so I do have something to compare to!

 

Cindy

[bobbyd6363]

This is just my opinion on MY cruise experience. I have enjoyed 8 other cruises so I do have something to compare to! - Cindy

Cindy - I am with you there! I have been on over 20 cruises since 1983 and have to say this was the absolute worst pack (mob is better word) of people I have sailed with in my life. I also agree with you on the fare that the locals paid to sail on the AOS. I have been on cruises out of Texas on NCL where they offered lower rates to the Texas natives but NOTHING like the cut rate fairs the locals got in PR! WOW! I cannot understand where RCL thinks this is profitable.

Since I am a ‘long term reader of CC” I would like to point out that I have sailed out of San Juan (twice) and NEVER had these problems before. And yes those cruises were in October and November so someone tell me how I should know this “sort of stuff” happens the same time every year? Someone please send me a link to the “posts since 2001” about the locals over running the ship every November and thanksgiving.

[xpcdoojk]

Bobby I can assure those posts did occur in the past, as I sailed in February 2002 on the AOS out of San Juan, and during the October/November sailing time in 2001 the boards were alive and posts were poofing. Remember in April of this year the boards migrated from infopop to the current format, and all posts before that time went bye bye. Many of them had already suffered a poofing death.... :D

 

I can't tell you how many times over the past 3 years I have gone through this same stuff in this forum!:p They usually deteriorate into an anti puerto rican form, and bye bye...:mad:

 

jc

[megr1125]

Sheesh.....on our cruise, 25% approx of the pax were from SJ. They were rude....sorry, it is the truth! I work with several Puerto Ricans, they agree that many people from the area are nasty!

 

Second, MANY announcements, especially near the end of disembarkation were ONLY in spanish! This is NOT FAIR to those of us who do not speak spanish! That was our problem. In a FOREIGN COUNTRY I would not expect everyone to speak English if that was not their native language. HOWEVER, Puerto Ricans carry US PASSPORTS! Last time I looked English was our native language! Point is, RCCL should not assume that everyone withour a flight home on sunday is puerto rican!

 

I thought the cruise itself was great, but there is no excuse for RCCL to not attempt to move people along and keep, for example, 25 kids from SITTING on the floor outside the teen disco BLOCKING an exit!

[xpcdoojk]

Sheesh.....on our cruise, 25% approx of the pax were from SJ. They were rude....sorry, it is the truth! I work with several Puerto Ricans, they agree that many people from the area are nasty!

 

Second, MANY announcements, especially near the end of disembarkation were ONLY in spanish! This is NOT FAIR to those of us who do not speak spanish! That was our problem. In a FOREIGN COUNTRY I would not expect everyone to speak English if that was not their native language. HOWEVER, Puerto Ricans carry US PASSPORTS! Last time I looked English was our native language! Point is, RCCL should not assume that everyone withour a flight home on sunday is puerto rican!

 

I thought the cruise itself was great, but there is no excuse for RCCL to not attempt to move people along and keep, for example, 25 kids from SITTING on the floor outside the teen disco BLOCKING an exit!

Posts like this are painting with a very broad brush, and show a level of ignorance and intolerance that usually leads to poofing. JMHO

 

jc

[megr1125]

Deana, just got around to reading your review and comments and I agree....maybe it was the time of year we cruised......my mom and I had a great time though and we will cruise again....just not from SJ!

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am glad that several shared ours.....!

 

ANd I guess that any cruise is a good cruise.....heck, as long as I don;t have to be at WORK or see commercials that my profit sharing dollars are paying for, i will be happy...now if i can just win powerball tonight!!!

[DMorris]

Deana, just got around to reading your review and comments and I agree....maybe it was the time of year we cruised......my mom and I had a great time though and we will cruise again....just not from SJ!

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am glad that several shared ours.....!

 

ANd I guess that any cruise is a good cruise.....heck, as long as I don;t have to be at WORK or see commercials that my profit sharing dollars are paying for, i will be happy...now if i can just win powerball tonight!!!

Thank you very much.. I did enjoy our cruise, but that had to do with the group I sailed with. We too will not leave from SJ again... just our preference.

[atonal1]

...now if i can just win powerball tonight!!!

Nope!! Sorry, I'm going to win Powerball tonight. But, just to be fair, when I win, your next cruise will be on me!:D

[raerae]

Excuse me but.....I was planning on winning the powerball tonight. :D I'd be willing to split it with you both if we all have the winning numbers! If not.... and only I win, I'll pay for both of your next cruises. :cool:

Cindy ;)

[xpcdoojk]

I never buy any lottery tickets, but I would be willing to cruise with you, even out of San Juan since you are buying! ;)

 

jc

[nrdsb4]

Bobby I can assure those posts did occur in the past, as I sailed in February 2002 on the AOS out of San Juan, and during the October/November sailing time in 2001 the boards were alive and posts were poofing. Remember in April of this year the boards migrated from infopop to the current format, and all posts before that time went bye bye. Many of them had already suffered a poofing death.... :D

 

I can't tell you how many times over the past 3 years I have gone through this same stuff in this forum!:p They usually deteriorate into an anti puerto rican form, and bye bye...:mad:

 

jc

 

 

This is true.

 

Just out of curiosity, I clicked on the OP's screen name. He has 3 posts, all of them are the ORIGINAL POST of a NEW thread called AOS 11/21/04. All three of these threads were started within 10 minutes of each other on December 3. Why would someone with no posting history start three different threads with the identical title and slightly different opening lines within 10 minutes of each other? Seems the OP knew this subject gets some people burned up and just wanted to sit back and watch the fireworks. Oh well.