Griffith Family travel to Australia and NZ

We have just returned from the same cruise and were disappointed in the whole RCI experience. We are Platium Crown & Anchor frequent RCI customers and without exception this was the worst cruise we have experienced. We solely put this down to the lack of leadership by the senior technical and hotel managers.

Before we boarded in Sydney we received an email informing us that the ship would be sanitised as there had been an  outbreak of Norovirus on the previous cruise. 

However 3 days into our cruise the passengers no longer had access to self service food and beverage and it was very apparent that Norovirus issue had returned and this was quietly confirmed by the staff. Our issue was that it was never officially confirmed by the Captain or Hotel Manager leading to a degree of complacency amongst some of the passengers 

regarding hygiene protocols. 

Every single crew member on the ship was mobilised to help. This was noticed in both The Windjammer & Park Cafe where staff such as Junior officers, entertainment and activity staff were drafted into assist in the distribution of food and beverages causing long queues of passengers at both outlets. These were duties that were done on top of their normal working hours which led to staff being fatigued and dispondant

There was definitely a shortage of crew and the extra work load led to a lack of attention to detail and service delivery.

The crew did their best but were let down by their management.

not sure what a McLaren Vale experience actually is, but an alternative to paying $189 for a four year old is either not to go at all or look for an alternative tour operator.As it was your first cruise, maybe you were not aware of alternatives to the cruise line whose prices can be pretty high to say the least. They work on the principle of fear hoping that most passengers will book with the ship's tour rather than risking a private operator.