Fun in the Sun--Low on Brew

We always have had a good time on Royal Caribbean, but this cruise had a few problems.  Upon our arrival, we wanted to celebrate with a cocktail and had a hard time finding a bar open.  After finding one, we had to wait in a long line to get to one of two bartenders working hard to please many customers.  You would think that RC would be ready to help all the fresh passengers get in the vacation spirit.  They also were out of beer for my husband by the time we made it up to the front.  It seemed like lack of bartenders and crowded bars were a theme throughout the cruise.  We are not big drinkers, fortunately, but found that very unaccommodating.  The ports were fabulous, and we really enjoyed our excursions, which were not RC, and that leads to another problem.  RC makes it seem like all other excursions are not allowed to leave the ship until RC excursions have gone--via announcements and literature.  We almost missed ours, until we made our way down and complained.  The crew member graciously let us on and acted like we could have gone at anytime.  Mixed messages were definitely sent.  Our dinner service was slow, and we missed at least one show due to this.  It was not our waiter's fault.  He was also assigned to a large, convention type party that would come in extremely late and get him way off schedule.  He should not have been put in charge of our table, knowing his station was linked to this party full of singles, coming and going as they please. Food is good and plentiful with RC, but we did run out of butter before the cruise is over.  Disembarkation was crazy due to heavy fog, which is understandable, but one would think the crew would be well-versed in disembarkation procedures in light of delays.  It almost seemed like everything was brand new to so many of the crew.  This has not been our usual experience with RC.  In spite of all the annoyances, we still enjoyed the cruise and will go again.