I am not sure that the added cost for Royal over other cruise line is really worth it with the service levels not being at a higher standard as it used to be. Cutting cost may have lost them the edge. We did not book our next cruise on board as we usually do, because we want to compare with other options. Maybe the bigger the ship is not always the better ship...
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Getting on the ship was a good experience, they helped us get to the counter as my husband needed wheel chair assistance.
Once they got us to the counter I was on my own getting him onto the ship which was a struggle up the ramp for me but I made it...
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
We did not find the food to be anything special. It by far was not as good as the Freedom of the seas cruise last year. Main dining was not to our liking as well. Everyone at our table was dissatisfied and had to return our meals at some point during the cruise as it was not prepared as ordered. Not many choice for low carb/diabetic choices either. I was provided what they said was a sugar free dessert option on the first night. My glucose level jumped from 74 to 289 after dinner. The second night it went from 84 to 198 also indicating that it was not a sugar free dessert. We discussed the issues with our head waiter each night with no changes. The maître 'd stopped by on the last night and asked us how our dining experience was and I honestly told him the same thing and he said you should have told us earlier, but I did tell out waiter... He said well be sure to fill out the survey and give the service a 10 and the food the lower score as it was no the servers fault for the food not being prepared as ordered. Pass the buck and not resolving the issue at hand is not what I consider good service.
Café Promenade
4 out of 5
Great midnight snacks for my husband... My husband loved the pink cake and coconut cookies.
Windjammer Cafe
2 out of 5
Food choices are not what would be expected based on previous cruises. All the places seem to have the same limited food choices. The cruise line is trying to push people into the specialty dining instead of the complimentary dining options. This in my opinion has lowered the quality of this dining option,
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Pools were good, but allowing people to drink in all the pools is not necessary. I realize that people are on vacation, but should not be getting hammered in the pool next to children swimming. The more people drank the louder the crowd got. Move to the adult pool only if that is how you want to entertain yourself.
Casino Royale
2 out of 5
Very tight on slots... Spent a lot of money and never hit anything big. Usually we win enough to keep playing, but not on this ship...
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Shows were great and loved the reservation process. Top notch performers for sure..
Children's Programs
No children traveling with us.
Service and Staff
2 out of 5
Staff and service does not seem to be as friendly and engaged with the passengers as on previous cruises. You could pass them and say hello and you might get a response, where in the past they were all greeting you no matter where you were on the ship, We were told one night in the Main dining room after waiting a very extending time that he was sorry for the delay but they were very busy.... Really, this is a cruise with assigned dining. Did you not know how many were coming and staff properly?
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Great
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
Great size and beautiful balcony. The issue was the AC did not work properly. I told our room attendant several times and he said it was our patio door not being closed properly, but even when he closed it, it still did not work properly. I was dripping with sweat on formal night. literally had sweat dripping from my face. Our attendant said why at you sweating.... Again I told him the AC was not working properly and could he have it looked at. NO formal pictures as I tried to curl my hair for over an hour for it to be wet with sweat in the end...
ATV and Beach adventure.... SUPER !!! had a blast riding though the jungle on the ATV.. well worth the money and then to the beach for lunch. Great food served on the beach.
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