venicia

I will only repeat what I wrote earlier.  Being on the ship with that particular group was the worst cruise we have ever been on in over 50 cruises. I'm sorry that it has upset you, but the facts remain the same.  I as well have observed many times when children were not behaving and cruisers were rude to staff and unmannerly, just never as bad as that cruise was.  Was it all of the 1500 persons????? Truthfully it seemed as though it was double that and the persons not with that group were the outsiders.

I wish I had taken video to show you some of the disgusting treatment and obnoxious behavior of these persons.  It wasn't only the children that were running wild, the adults were totally rude and unmannerly.  They would push elderly and disabled persons aside to get on the elevators, they would have their books and papers laying all over tables and chairs that were not reserved for them.  When crew would ask them to move some items, they would be verbally loud and not comply.  

By the 5th day it was getting so unruly that many cruisers were telling them to move or just pushing their stuff on the floor.  We observed one male, I don't know if you would call him an elder or what, but there was a section reserved for the group and at one time the elder screamed at the waiter "you don't serve me like that" and knocked the plate of food to the floor.  We were there and that ended our eating in the MDR.

The hot tubs were always packed with the children and yes they had ice cream in there, dropping it on the floor and no one cared.  The Wipe Out Cafe was reserved for them only the entire week, I have on idea how long it must have taken the crew to clean it as it was a disaster area.

Would you like me to continue?   

Again I will say, NEVER AGAIN with this group and if it upsets you, well, then that's just how it is.

Once was enough for us, NEVER again with that group.  This was on Oasis and I had to beg DH to ever go on a Royal ship with me again.  For the first time in our lives we could not wait to get off our favorite class ship.  The way they treated the crew was beyond horrible and I don't know why they are still allowed to ruin other cruises vacations by being obnoxious and rude.

Yes, they bring their own music and food and there are areas that are reserved for only them the entire week.  Expect to see rude unmannerly behavior all over the ship.  As mentioned before:  NEVER AGAIN.

Sometimes I simply stop in the middle of a survey and delete it.  Other times I complete it.  I recently did a survey after staying at The Dolphin at Epcot.  Almost everything was excellent except for the waitress in the dining room at breakfast.  I explained the issue in totality and also added my name and email address on the survey.   Two days after submitting the survey response I was contacted by the assistant manager of the restaurant.  I provided him my telephone number and he called me.  We discussed what had happened as well as why I did not report this at the time.  I was with a friend that never wants to be around confrontation and would rather just leave than become involved in issues.

The reason I mention this is going forward I'm going to finish my survey's in the same manner.  If there was a problem I will mention it on the survey and I will provide my name and email address.  I wonder how many times I'll be contacted???

My last two cruises I was not asked one time about giving 10's  and I don't remember being asked about the survey.  The ships were the Enchantment and Oasis.

Thank you John&LaLa, missed our email a few months ago when on Oasis and had the experience of trying to book while on board.  We absolutely will head there for lunch upon boarding.

I absolutely LOVE your fur baby!!

Is it possible to book Coastal Kitchen in advance on Harmony?  It seems each Oasis class ship is a bit different in this respect.  For those that have sailed on Harmony were you able to book dinner for every night on the day you boarded?

Thanks in advance

Yes, they had really good hor dourves and the bar service was excellent.  The crew was fantastic!  We had quite the experience on the ship.  We were having a great time in Key West and when we got back on the ship I checked my emails and friends were checking up on us because of the hurricane!  What hurricane???  The next day we had a tour scheduled for Cuba and it rained off and on during the tour, but we were able to jump off and on the motor coaches.  By the way, this was one of RC tours and it was excellent except for the weather.  The motor coach's were new and very comfortable.  We were going to explore on foot after the tour, but by then the wind and rain was really nasty.  We went back to the ship and stayed dry but we  will be repeating either this cruise or a longer one to Cuba.  

That night I told my husband we are only sailing around the island as you could see lights off in the distance, he said he just thought they were other islands.  At 7 am the Captain made an announcement to the entire ship that due to the hurricane he chose to cruise around the coast of Cuba so passengers could get a restful night sleep.  This did mean we would get back to Tampa later than we should, but he also told all passengers that had scheduled air or other arrangements to bring their doc's to guest services and they would be attempting to assist those passengers.  Internet was opened for everyone and we headed back to Tampa following the hurricane.

We arrived in port 2 hours later than scheduled, but we were safe, we had a good cruise back and I have been in many, many more windy and rough seas than what our Captain took us through.  I cannot say enough GREAT, GOOD things about the entire crew on this ship.  Fabulous and by the way, the food was very good.  As I mentioned, we will be going back to do more exploring, but thought you would like to know you are embarking on a very nice ship.  

Viking lounge has a section reserved for the Diamond Club.  There are 3 drinks per day placed on your sea pass card and they can be used around the ship.  

Was on Enchantment in January and it is one of my favorite ships.  I LOVE the Oasis class, but we all enjoyed Enchantment.  There were 27 of us and everyone had a fantastic time.  The crew on this ship is among the best in the fleet.  

It kind of bothers me to hear someone call it a "rust bucket", yes it is an older ship.  I probably resemble a "rust bucket" to many, but I am still out there enjoying my cruises.

Our entire group all expressed how much they enjoyed this ship, their cabins, the entertainment, the food and again, the amazing wonderful crew.  

Now that we are retired, always either a JS or if on Oasis class ship, Grand Suite.  We enjoy the Coastal Kitchen and the suite lounge and the reserved sections for Suites.

If not on Oasis class, we will check the Diamond lounge, but found it a bit to over crowded for us.  Very happy to have the drinks loaded on our Sea Pass and we can enjoy our drinks out and about the ship.

Excellent review, we board this Saturday and your review made me so anxious.  This is our first cruise on MSC and we are in the YC.

6 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Are they back to Valet parking again?  The last few times, it was not done when we used them.  You kept your keys, and then retrieved your own car.  The DH would wait with the luggage while I drove up to load up.  

They did in April, I think they are back to being more established again.  They were hit very hard with the hurricane last year and then they assisted the "Vets for Parking" by allowing them to use some of the lot.  I think since  Oasis came to the port and it such a large ship that they like to park the vehicles themselves.  We had to wait a few times before when persons were trying to park properly and not take 2 spaces.  The port increased the price for them because of Oasis and of course they passed the increase along to the clients.

I like using them, especially when we do our lady cruise trips.  Very nice for the women to pull up and have someone put their luggage on the shuttle and when we return we usually get a porter that walks us and the luggage to the shuttle.  The ladies love it and yes it is a few dollars more but amazing how convenient.  

1 hour ago, SandraLee said:

So, are you saying you do not wait for their shuttle at the end of the cruise? They have enough shuttles?

Correct, when you get off there are usually 3 or more shuttles waiting for you.   The amount will depend on the ship you are on, for Oasis when we got off in April there were 5 shuttles parked there.  Of course they fill each shuttle before it heads to the lot but that does not take long at all.  

Yes, we tip the driver when they drive us to the port and also when they take us back to the lot.  They do ALL the lifting of the heavy suitcases.  You remain seated while they take all the luggage off the shuttle and then you get off.  

Each person has their own manner of embarking on their cruise, ours is when we get on the shuttle. Vacation has then started.

I have to agree with the others about Park & Cruise, we have been using them for years.  Excellent service and what we appreciate most about them is the shuttles are sitting there waiting for you when you disembark.  When you get to the lot, your car is pulled up at the drop off point.  They even help you put the suitcases in your car and then off you go.

The Park & Cruise at Port Canaveral is the best we have ever used at any of the ports we drive to.  Also, the price is almost half of what the terminal is.

I'm going to reply to this post, because if it was the Koshrika group he is talking about then I know exactly how horrendous his cruise was.  

We unfortunately were on a cruise with them on Oasis and it was beyond doubt the worst cruise in the 40+ cruises we have ever taken.  This group commanded every aspect of the cruise and don't even try and tell me just go with the flow.  When you are in the dining room and the apparent group leader knocks the plate out of a servers hand and shouts, that's not how you serve me.  When kids are running rampant through out the ship night and day and screaming and shouting, jumping in and out of the little pools in the solarium, that is to be adult only and the crew is being shouted at to leave them alone.  When they are bringing loads of books and placing them on all the table in the schooner lounge and then laying down and sleeping on the sofas and chairs there.  When several areas are closed down only for their admission, when they are constantly screaming at the crew for some issue.

I should write a book about this horrendous cruise, I cannot express highly enough how terrible they treated the crew.  In all my years I have never witnessed anything so unmannerly or disrespectful as this large group of persons.  We will NEVER cruise again with this group if there is any way to know in advance.  When there is a group that is is horrible, they should be made to hire their own boat and have their own servers that they can treat like servants.  

If you ever see this group is booked on a cruise you want to take, DON'T DO IT!  They have an excellent reputation as the worst 

group you will ever be around.

Were you able to view the pictures? I had the 8 oz filet which was very good

 

Sent from my Google Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Able to see all your amazing photo's, but rack of lamb jumped in there.

Please do not go back to post them, we have always found your taste buds are so similar to ours I just was wondering what you ordered.

You do a fantastic job with your review, hope some day we will be on the same ship at the same time.

thank you!

Joan

Hi Chris,

We were wondering what you got to eat when in Butcher's Cut. Think the thread got a bit hijacked. We have heard so many different comments about the steak and taste is subjective, but you have never led us wrong on your food choices. Yes, we love the fact you report the good, the bad and the FANTASTIC!

Thanks!

I am so happy to see you are going on Seaside! I absolutely love your reviews and photographs.

We will be on Seaside in December and your reviews have always been excellent and provide wonderful information.

Looks like you have a great hotel, but OMG the Fontainebleau, what a place. Enjoy yourself and we will be following along gathering info for our cruise.

We were on Oasis when the group was on and we will NEVER, NEVER EVER cruise when they are on the ship again. It was horrific and the way they treated the cruise line employees was horrific. Yes there were areas closed the entire time that we were not allowed to enter. The children ran wild, up and down the halls, the elevators were a nightmare.

You really need to read some of the posts from that January cruise. We have cruised 43 times and have never encountered anything as awful as that cruise. Fortunately we had a grand suite to hide in and yes, that is what we did quite a bit, hide away in our cabin.

We were seated close to the one group in the dining room and one of the men in the group, I took it to maybe be an elder knocked the dinner plate out of the servers hand and yelled, that is not the way you serve me!

One way or another if they were on the cruise I booked, I guarantee you I would be changing that date.

The deck you are on is not listed on the set sail card, I think it is probably to prevent someone using it if you lose it. The cabin number is listed, but not the deck. At least that is how it has been for us.

What a disappointment for you. We are so looking forward to our cruise in December. It will be the first time on a MSC ship and we are sailing on Seaside. We expect it to be different from other lines we have cruised with, but one never knows until you go out there and try it for yourself.

Could you share any of the good things you found on the ship?

I am very happy to hear that it is not at all like Carnival as that is our least favorite cruise line.

It is wonderful there a variety of cruise lines as well as the various ships that we can choose from so we all can enjoy our time at sea.

Totally agree about Bernard's tours in St. Martin. You can reserve it on line with a very small deposit, then when ported simply walk to their tent and pay remaining amount. We found them to be among one of the best tours and always highly recommend them to our friends. They have a selection that you can choose from.

http://www.bernardstours.com/

We haven't taken any tours in San Juan for several years now so I can't really recommend any. It is a very easy city to wander about and the free trolley is great to get you from one location to another.

We now have 3 pools, the one that is screened in, the one in the side yard and the one in the far back corner of the yard. One really is sufficient!!!

I thought I could get a quick walk in with the dog, well we got a run in instead, half way around the block it started pouring again.

Florida has been getting drenched for the past 2 weeks.

One little problem, when leaving Baltimore for our flight home we both had issues loading our boarding passes. Really, really glad I had decided to print them, just in case. Just in case is exactly why I wanted to be sure there were no oops moments.

Great idea, but even in this day and age there are still persons traveling that do not have that ability.

I must be cheap but I have always given the porter a $5 tip. Never have been asked to give $10-20......

No not cheap at all, there were 4 ladies in our group so $20.00 for the 4 of us. And we all appreciated how quickly we were able to get to our shuttle.

Off Oasis on April 15, we had 10 am luggage tickets. We left our cabin around 7:30 am and wandered about a bit. We went to deck 5 to have coffee and pastry. We had no problem locating a table, but again, we were having coffee and food. We took turns using the restroom as our drive is a two hour drive. There was basically no line to get off (the area is directly across from where we were sitting.) I asked a crew member that was directing persons off if our ticket would be called early and she told us we could go immediately.

We exited the ship and got to the luggage storage area. The porters are lined up waiting for cruisers. We got a porter immediately and we walked to our ticket area. He loaded all our luggage including our carry on's and in no time at all he had us at the Customs person. Yes, we by-passed a huge line and I would do it again. The porter took our luggage to a Park & Cruise shuttle, unloaded from his cart and we gave him a $20.00 tip. Was it worth it! OMG, YES!!!

This was the quickest we have ever cleared customs. Just like anything else, you can pay the porter to move you or you can wait in line. You made the decision.