Ride-The-Waves

Just off a TA on RCI's Odyssey of the seas.  And LOST ten pounds over 16 days.  Terrible food and overpriced specialty restaurants.  Never again in RCI.

Just back from a TA Civi to Fort Lauderdale on Odyssey and actual lost ten pounds.

Not intentionally.  

We did limit eating to twice/day with a late breakfast an early dinner.  Ate dinner in four special restaurants on the 5 restaurant plan.

The best of those was Giovanni's.  Chops was horrible: service spotty and the filet was the worst we have had on the high seas.  Had better filets in the Solarium Bistro, twice.  Best "free" restaurant was the Solarium Bistro.

The ship was less than acceptable.   Maybe we are getting along in years and superficial glitz doesn't impress anymore.  Flow riders and the other "attractions" are useless to us.  The theater comes close to being useless in that seating does not permit placing feet under the seat in front so you end up uncomfortable with knees in your chest.

The ship is way too big (long) for "guests" over 25 years old and obviously designed for playtime.  Takes a long time to get to a venue from just about anywhere.  Our cabin was on the hump of the forward.midship elevators and the last 5 days we did not go aft of the after elevators except once to eat at Giovannis.  Terrible layout designed only to accommodate the play yards.  First 2/3rds of the transit we did attend enrichment lectures in 270.  A crazy place where the large windows let the sun in right in your face.  Uncomfortable seating, as well.

Medical?  Hah.  My wife bumped her shoulder into a bulkhead enough to cause continuing discomfort.  So, off to Medical (you cant get there from here) and was seen quickly when we finally found it.  Released with in 3 minutes with an admonishment to not come back.  It hurts...  So what?  The "prescription" was to go back to the cabin and rest.  My spouse will be 82 in three weeks, but no one in Medical cared.  No Motrin or other pain meds offered.  They did provide a chemical cold pack that did not work.

Overall food quality was Blah, at best.  Best meal was Carbonara in Giovannis.  Best restaurant was the Solarium Bistro which we enjoyed almost exclusively the last half of the transit (see the loss of 10 pounds).

Prices on board were/are crazy.  The on board restaurants don't come close to those ashore in quality or service, yet their prices are at least double of similar fares ashore.

This was our last/final time on an RCI ship.  We are Diamond-Plus, but is not an incentive to spend time on a horrible ship and suffer terrible overpriced service.

Next cruise is on HAL in the Spring.  We enjoyed a Panama Canal transit on HAL before this return to RCI.  Mistake to leave HAL even at the bequest of friends.

One thing to remember - the heat can be terrific.  Petra in the early AM is best.  We had several people leave the ship to overnight ar Petra just to avoid the heat,  Wadi Rum is fascinating and not to be missed.

Flight Ease (HAL) provides better and less expensive options than booking direct with a specific airline.  Best way to understand is to use a flight matrix, such as google.com/flights, then check Flight Ease for their routing.  Works best on long haul overwater flights (Europe/Asia/South America).  US Domestic does not provide similar savings or options.

Cruise fares have more than doubled since the end of the "official" COVID pandemic (COVID remains a serious threat to health on board and ashore).  The "real" issue is taxation.  Foreign flagged ships, specifically cruise ships in this discussion, pay little to no US federal tax.  This despite the vast majority of passengers sailing from US ports are AMCITS and several cruise line corporations have equities traded on US stock exchanges.  The issue surfaced during COVID as cruise lines begged to be included in special Congressional fundings to mitigate COVID loses and were denied since they were not US entities.  The doubling or more of cruise fares and associated incidentals is effort by cruise lines to recapture losses experienced the past three-plus years.

8 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

 Don't assume that people who prefer to print their passes aren't comfortable with tech.  It's just a preference for this particular situation.  

Agree.  Can't send email at the moment thanks to Spectrum.

Bill:  You are a very brave mariner...

Time to stop.  Just an added comment relative to the difference between the authorities of a USN captain and a commercial master...  Please do not denigrate the responsibilities of a USN captain...

Appreciate your perspective.  The original post was directed at the professionalism of the master by someone who has little to no experience, except as a cruise passenger.  That is unconscionable and similar to criticizing the pilot of a commercial aircraft for not being able to land his/her aircraft prior to boarding.  Are there people who should not be masters?  Of course.  Same as there are people who should not be pilots, school teachers, policemen, etc.  To suggest that a master is incompetent based on innuendo and hearsay is just wrong.

The real issue is the critical comment demeaning the character and professionalism of the master/captain.  This type of insinuation should not be permitted on CC.  These people are professionals.  They know what they are doing.  They don't need obtuse comments by those who have little to no experience in ship handling.  Speak from 30 years service in the US Navy.

On 9/15/2023 at 1:28 PM, Roz said:

When I book flights through river cruise lines I get good deals.  When I've tried using Flight Ease for ocean cruises,  there's no savings.  I can't figure it out. 

Quite the opposite experience.  Flight Ease and similar cruise booking activities use bundled fares and flights to get the best prices.  Routing is another story.  Flying across the Pond using business class using Flight Ease provides significant savings, especially on US carriers.  Have found little to no savings for US domestic travel.

On 9/16/2023 at 3:07 PM, kansas2018 said:

The Noordam is sailing to Australia and New Zealand this October. Does anyone know if Holland has plans for cleaning the hull in order to avoid entry deninal

to New Zealand waters. This would really ruin a cruise for many passengers including myself.

Why would one even raise such a negative question?  Has no bearing on whether a cruise ship can enter New Zealand waters.  Corporate and the master on board are well aware of any/all restrictions and plan accordingly.

Of course its "fair,"  Its a business and they can do what they want...and you can walk if you don't like it.

On 9/18/2023 at 2:52 PM, Arkansas cruisers said:

Thank you very much for your encouragement. I did call and talk to a representative at FE. Even though my preferred flight with the more generous layover time was already ticketed, she claims that FE changed me back to the short-layover flight because FE was aware of a high cancellation rate with my preferred flight. (The AA website version I used said the cancellation and on-time rates were not available). She told me that there would probably be another change in three weeks. 
 Does that sound like a legitimate excuse?

 

I also asked about FE’s policy on the earliest flight permitted on the day of disembarkation for FLL.  HAL’s Grand Voyage rep said 3 hours after arrival, but the FE rep said 4 hours after arrival. Pretty ironic, since FE changed me to a 11:15 AM FLL flight after the ship’s 7 AM Fort Lauderdale arrival.

We carry our own luggage off using self debarkation, and take a taxi to the FLL airport, so I think we should be OK if we remain booked for the 11:15 flight, correct?

Flight ease and all cruise line flight consolidators must abide by airline and cruise line connection criteria.  For example, if a ship is schedule to moor at 0700 the first "approved" flight from a nearby airport may not be until 1100 to provide consideration for late arrivals and connection challenges.  Booking flight direct can bypass this limitation and access flights at say 1045.

As seniors we find traveling across the pond(s) best in business class.  Using a cruise line consolidator saves $$$.  That said, we have used so-called "low cost" airlines like TAP (Air Portugal) which flies modern 330neo aircraft and which also offered great rates when booking 10 months out.  

Airlines notoriously change flights and times.  We once needed to travel to Canada from Florida and the airline managed to change our routing to one where we were scheduled to depart and connecting city prior to schedule arrival of the original flight.  Head to RON overnight to make the arrival schedule work.  

People don't much talk about the Amazon when discussing "bucket lists."  We found it to be fascinating and place it right up there with Antarctica landings, China, Africa Safaris and all the wonderful places this world has to offer.  We have managed to visit all 7 continents and also lived in foreign lands.  During our Amazon cruise the ship stopped at Devil's Island which was also fascinating.  It will be very warm, so be aware.  Excursions to fish for piranha, visit local villages and folklife not to be missed.  

The best source of tropical storm tracking I have encountered is "Mike's Weather Page" at spaghettimodels.com. It provides and accurate and unbiassed overview of tropical weather and forecasts.

11 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Crazy stuff.  Other than odd change I might toss in the tip jar at the local coffee shop, I have stopped tipping for counter service.  Just tired of it.  

 

Going off course here, one of our local hardware stores asks if you want to round up credit card charges for a contribution to a local children's hospital. That I kind of like.  Last year they raised $92K.  

If they actually give it all.  Many such endeavors take out a good percentage for their compensation.

9 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

On cruises, my DW and I pay our standard gratuities and then give those who have made our experience memorable extra in envelops.  That’s been our choice.

 

On reflection, however, I believe the whole tipping culture in N.A. has gotten to the point of being ludicrous.

 

We’re in Toronto and now most take-out restaurants and coffee shops have the option for a tip presented when you pay electronically.  You have to decline it, if you choose, prior to paying.

 

For me, tipping used to mean the reward given for superior service.  This is a personal definition for me.  Over the years, this definition has broadened to include regular service in the recognition that most N.A. restaurants underpay their staff with the thought the staff will work harder to get good tips. 
 

I’d really like to see tipping going back to being for superior service.  
 

An interesting thought, what if CEOs such as Jason Liberty for Royal were given a nominal salary with the rest of their compensation made up of tips.  I bet the quality of the food in the MDR would go up markedly!  
 

 

Agree and good comment.  Of course, you do realize that Liberty gets a huge "tip" every year in the form of an annual bonus whether or not RCI does well, or not.

The increasing demand for canceling gratuities is a direct response to RCI's over charging and poor management.  People are responding in the only way they have, by reducing the costs through reducing gratuities.  Maybe,  ut I doubt it, RCI "leadership" will realize their errors and returning to providing a good product by not cheapening it for passengers.

30 minutes ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

 

I have been cruising on RCI since 1988. I can absolutely listen to your argument that we are being slowly heated up in warming water like frogs, claims, oysters, and lobsters that we no longer struggle with mediocre offerings.

 

You are absolutely correct that maybe my two pounds of weight gain each cruise is because of increased sodium intake both water and food. I have to admit, I cannot eat like I could in my younger days and my wife is trying to encourage me to watch what I eat (I guess I am still worth more dead than alive  🤣).

 

Do not think I am a cheerleader. I have not gone to Next Cruise on my last two cruises.

 

I do not think that my past three cruises reflect the level of price point that I want to pay double or almost triple of what I paid.

 

What I am trying to do now is document why I think the quality is lower and the experience is not positive enough to purchase a higher cruise price.

 

You and I know that nothing changes unless it can be documented.

 

Write a review with pictures and explain how it does not meet expectations or exceeds expectations.

 

I am trying to understand your ideas and viewpoints.  I think we are on the same page but for semantics and interpretations which are hard to understand with mere words.

 

Regards,

 

😁

Agree.  Navy chow was so much better than what is being currently offered by RCI.  Actually, with retirement income (30 years in uniform) Im worth more alive than dead.  🫤  Spouse tries to keep me that way.  And, I actually lose 3-5 lbs each cruise by eating better and less with little too snacking.  I only eat in the MDR when "forced" by social custom and others.  Otherwise its special restaurant or the buffet where I can select by sight.

21 hours ago, rolloman said:

I am confident our food onboard ship in the Navy was better and by the way I was a snipe as well.

 

Not sure how long you have been cruising but in the 90's, 2000's up to around 2015 I never had a bad meal onboard a cruise ship. With the variety, service back then if you walked away and said it was horrible chances are you are a hard to please individual. Fast forward to today. It is a condensed, boring flavorless menu with small portions and the service is non-existent because the staff has way too much to do. I don't need to waste time with specifics because anyone with a cruising history knows what I just stated is dead on.

 

I have said this before, and I will say it again...we are being groomed for the removal of the main dining room. In the near future, you will pay for specialty, or you will go to the buffet. The main dining room removal will create more space for specialty dining venues. We can only blame ourselves from years ago when everyone fell for the nominal charge for specialty dining. Ten to 15 bucks, tip included.  Now look what happened! For example, what is Chops now? I believe 70+bucks each?...ridiculous and the food in there has actually has gone downhill.

 

Sure, you will still hear a few say "we had a great time, no complaints with the food". These are the folks who have a limited cruising history or people who will eat anything. I have family who love baloney sandwiches. Sorry, I am not too keen on paying resort prices for low grade food and rushed service and neither should you. The cruise experience has been tainted. 

Oh and you gain two pounds each cruise because of the sodium level in the food and water. 

Celebrity tried the "Main dinning room" removal with replacement by specialty restaurants.  Didn't work.  The real issue is Royal's cutting back on food.  MDRs used to be a nice place to dine some dozen or more years ago.  Even pre-covid it was becoming too noisy with poor food and few options.  And, Yes,forcing you to pay big for a decent dinner in a special restaurant.  Greed!

On 9/8/2023 at 3:06 PM, lovelife said:

I don't think there would be much to launder on day one or the next day. We usually get our special laundry bags when we ask the attendant. I don't recall specifically when on our last Harmony cruise in February but I'm sure it wasn't day one.

Many people land travel prior to a cruise...

2 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Going back to post 11, can you convert to kilowatts for us.

"Kilowatts" is a measurement of electrical current, not mass or weight.  

This is criminal.  For a major company to have such poor visibility with the buying public is nuts, at best.  Using my spouse's old Windows computer I was able to book flights.  Well, at least I think they are booked as I got both a Booking # and an airline confirmation #.  That said the website promised to send email conformation - of course that has not happened.  I also could not print a confirmation as the screen just went into a "do loop."  No assistance either.  How do these people intend to take care of us on the high seas if they cannot take care of us electronically ashore? Really frustrated and even mad!

NOT a good idea.  Scheduled - yes.  However, flight aware showing anywhere between on time (even early) and 1200 noonish.  Give one hour to clear immigration and Its one hour to Civitavecchia.  We always arrive a day early and have stayed overnight at the Hilton hotels at the Rome Airport.  Preschedule a car to the port - many companies provide transportation and are reliable.  Bon Chance!