Have been a RC cruiser annually for several years. Although we now have reached our next status level we more than likely won’t continue the tradition. Profitability have obviously become more important than customer satisfaction. Can’t understand how that can continue to be a successful plan.
Having done a few Viking Cruises, which provide more overall value at the end of the day, RC should be rethinking their game plan.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
No embarkation issues.
Antiquated cold environment in terminal.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
A daily follies created by a ship with minimal staff that appeared to be mis directed or ill trained.
As experienced cruisers, this has been our worse experience and more than probably last Royal Caribbean cruise.
The overall boat condition is begging for a redo and the rooms are in need of several repairs.
The worn mattress was covered with foam egg crate to hide its age and we actually had a “repaired” and spotted toilet seat.
The dining experience was a comedy of timing errors. Although the staff was very friendly daily, the apparent cutback of servers allowed for daily timing errors.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Open skating was well managed by show skaters and FlowRider was well managed by its instructors.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
All shows and performers were exceptional as RC hasn’t compromised that factor......yet.
The cruise director Abe was super and visible and friendly to all.
Promenade
5 out of 5
Henry Hood who appears in the Pub was an exceptional entertainer who had the crowds attention nightly.
Service and Staff
2 out of 5
Our room attendant Forba was excellent and keeps this review from being one star.
The best that we’ve had in our cruising career.
Other areas including Royal Promenade coffee stop, pub bar, Chops, lacked the RC experience we had come to expect.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Time to bring it in for rehab.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
Great attendant.
Cabin quality not good. As stated earlier,bed outdated with a foam cover over old mattress.
Toilet bowl discolored and seat repaired with caulk and stained.
Showered soap holder basket broken. Drain backed up to overflow at each shower.
Carpet and couch ancient.
Only walked the immediate Old San Juan area. Many buildings still devastated or under reconstruction.
The shops that were open for business were well stocked and had very friendly and appreciative personnel.
Rented a cabana with friends. Have done this on previous cruises and really enjoyed.
Much like on the ship, personnel lacked friendliness and visibility. Too many cutbacks.
We have enjoyed both Allure and Freedom but between the two our favorite is still Freedom. The Windjammer is a nicer experience on Freedom. Lots of superlatives for the neighborhoods on Allure but for the relaxation part of a cruise which is important to us Freedom excels.
You can still get the deluxe drink package as long as your wife buys the refreshment package. You can’t do it through the online cruise planner, you must call RCI and speak with a rep to get the exception. My wife cannot drink for medical reasons and they gave the exception with no argument after the rep briefly spoke with his supervisor.
I get where you're coming from. I'm cruising to Bermuda in September and wanted to buy the drink package but found out I couldn't unless my wife bought it too and she doesn't drink. I've been on two other Royal Caribbean Cruises and have never had an issue with purchasing the deluxe drink package for myself. Now that they have changed their policy, I am seriously considering looking at other Cruise Lines.
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