This is my second Royal Caribbean cruise, and it seems to be geared so much towards getting you to purchase something on board, it has now put me off. You get room a room, and food - everything else you have to pay for. Everything is so expensive as well, although they try to make it look good value. I will now be trying other cruise lines -this Cruise has put me off Royal Caribbean.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Arrived at the terminal early, however still people getting off, so lots of confusion. There was no direction as to what to do, or where to queue. However once the bags dropped off, the rest of the process went easy enough.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Windjammer food was ok, although as the cruise went on it got pretty samey. Didn't bother with the fine dining. This is my second RC cruise, and previously you could get squash in the promenade cafe, however they have take this away and only water is available (standard coffee/tea is available however I drink neither). If you didn't take a soft drinks package you were limited to what you could drink when the windjammer was closed. It would be nice to get squash in the cafe.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Didn't really get involved in any on board activities, although there seemed to be a lot going on.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Stage shows were good - I wouldn't say exceptional, however I do appreciate the hard work that goes into the what they do. The magician and ice show were the best.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Staff tried hard, although things went downhill in the windjammer when there were tons of people. They just couldn't cope, so plates piled up. When there were only a few people plates were taken away as soon as you finished eating, and you were offered drinks to accompany your meal. Staff do work hard, but you can tell sometimes there are not enough for the number of people. Room attendant was excellent, and very friendly.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Ship design ok, with plenty of places to relax. Room not the cleanest when we arrived (crumbs in drawers) however it was kept clean during the week. Lifts are a nightmare - you can be waiting ages for one, and sometimes they just don't move at all. If you slightly disabled you've got no chance of getting easily around without lots of waiting.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Cabin practical with lots of storage, however it does look dated. Not many mod cons. Shower was great though with the water coming out at great force - I felt like I was being massaged each time I had a shower.
Ship tip
Don't be prepared to be wowed, and expect lots of hard selling. They are constantly trying to get you to buy something be it drinks packages, watches, jewellery, spa treatments. I like shopping, but they go overboard pushing it. The prices are not good either - you can get much cheaper at home.
Two hour journey to get to Florence for two hours, and then two hour journey back - prepared to be shattered by the time you get back. Florence is lovely, but two hours doesn't give you enough time.
Good - they opened the doors...I got off. Good luck if you go to the windjammer before getting off...2000 other people have the same idea - I ended up not eating there and just grabbed some pastries
I have never gotten a check after dinner in a main dining room on a RCL ship. Never got a check after a gourmet breakfast is a specialty restaurant on a RCL ship. Never got a check after a gourmet luncheon on Labadee or Coco Cay. Never got a check after a gourmet luncheon in the main dining on embarking day on back to back cruises. Never got a check in my suite for any breakfast.
besides the buffet and gross sandwich and nasty pizza Royal charges for every other food place carnival has free guys burgers guys pig n ancor ,blue iguana buritto bar and Indian food in the back plus buffet and delicious pizza
I have been on Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean. RC is my favorite!! I have never felt pressured to spend money. As already stated, they have to make a profit and that profit doesn't come from your cabin fare-it comes from the extras.
in my opinion RCCL is one of the best. I'm not a picky traveler though. you got a bed and food and entertainment, I'm cool. I've been on Carnival a few times and like them as well and boy will people complain about them. next month will be my first time on Princess so we shall see, but I think Royal is fantastic. Like others said, just say no thanks and move on.
There is a video made by NBC News called "Big money on the high seas". Very interesting video. You get much more than your room and food. Entertainment, casinos, pools, hot tubs, various ports of call, housecleaning done for you, meeting new friends. You get what you pay for. Some guests pay 36,000.00 for a suite on the Anthem for a 12 day cruise, others pay 1,000.00 per person for a 12 day cruise on the Grandeur. To each their own.
We are currently on Freedom of Seas cruise and have felt no pressure at all. Like previous poster, we dont attend the seminars. Loving the cruise so far!
maybe it's the way of the world now on cruises. it is good to compare anyway. I'll do another cruise line at some point and see if it's the same. if it is I'll just have to live with it.
my first ever cruise was on queen Victoria. they didn't try to pressure you to buy like royal Carribean did. it was some years ago so maybe they are now doing the same. I do think I need to try another cruise line anyway just to compare. Thank you for your comments.
If you want to compare vacation pressure try a visit to Disney world I have been on royal for years and have never experienced what you speak of but I never have fallen for the shopping seminars or the 10 dollar watch sales when you look at what you get for your cruise fare royal is a bargain the royal family hates to loose you give carnival a try you will be back if I can help you in anyway please message me 😢
I have enjoyed RCL for a long time and never felt pressured to buy anything. What were they trying to get you to purchase? As for being on vacation, most prices were reasonable and comparative with other cruise lines.
All the cruise lines do this. It's called profit. From a business point of view, the cruise ships basically are at a break-even point when they sail away full. The extras is how they make money and stay in business competively.
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