padrek

Pre-pandemic I routinely sent e mails to the Concierge, Dining Co-ordinator etc. pre cruise with dining requests etc. and ALWAYS eceived a response - which I appreciated. Now, post pandemic I receive NO response and have the impression that perhaps my e mails are not being either received, or they are not allowed to respond to guests, even a long time Pinnacle as I am. Can anyone shed any light on this subject? Thank you

Does anyone have e mail addresses for Serenade's Dining Room Manager and Hotel Director.

Thank you

:)When I was there for the 2-9 October cruise it was Patrick Olin. He acts as if he is not particularly "interested" in what is going on; however ship is very well run and so apparently he both sees what is going on, takes corrective action, and is liked by his many employees.

For what it is worth - I have called AQ each of the past three days, July 29, 30, 31, and each time have been assured that American Queen is now on its scheduled Upper Mississippi itinerary.

Recently aboard Navigator I was told be a Head Waiter that RCI had recently issued instructions that shorts were OK at dinner in Main Dining Room except on Formal Nights.

Last yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon I called AQ and asked about my trip on August 2nd, which CC indicates has a changed itinerary. The very condescending sales person denied that any changes have been made to the 8/2 trip itinerary, said none were contemplated, and then said I was the FIRST person who had called with this question. Since I knew that my TA had previously inquired, and now reading all of these posts from people who have also called, it is obvious that he was barefaced lying to me. For what purpose I wonder? Lying to passengers seems to be part of the cruise line culture - always cover up, ignore all that you can, dissemble, etc. rather than telling people "up front" which virtually every company which advises on customer relations says is the most important part of a companies relationship with their customers.

Cruise Critic news states that cruises on the American Queen thru the August 2nd cruise - that I am booked on, have been changed to Ohio River trips due to high water. I have not heard from AQ and do not wish to go on the Ohio River trip as I did it last summer with AQ. Does anyone have any info on this?

Personally I thin k NCL is making a mistake with these constantly changing and increasing service charges. I also suspect that there will be a backlash. They seem to be embracing the "European model" of tacking a service charge onto the total bill for everything. Personally I much prefer to pay "upfront", in other words make a trip all inclusive, at least as far as tips are concerned. I would prefer to pay a higher upfront fare and not have to contend with 18% "service charges", high daily tips, charges on Room Service orders etc. I want to know the cost of a trip before I leave, not be "nickeled and dimed" to death while aboard. Their a la carte charges in many restaurants will also come back to haunt them. Personally I dislike the "cover charges" and only reluctantly tolerate them, but will not go and pay a la carte charges when I have already paid for my meals in my cruise fare. Unfortunately cruise companies believe that it is all about their "lead in" fares, but experienced cruisers are not duped.

So nice to see that finally RCI is going to listen to their passengers who almost universally HATE Dynamic Dining. Too bad their retreat can't be extended to Quantum Class ships; however they were designed around the concept and do not have a large dining room space/area.

Hi

I too will be on this trip - my first on the Empress however I have done the Queen on both Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. These experiences were great with good food, service, Riverlorian, tours etc. Will be at Davenport Hotel the night before with you and will forward to saying Hello then.

The Apostolate of the Sea, part of the National Catholic Bishop's Conference of Bishops, provides Catholic priests to various Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity, etc. Each individual line determines when/if they wish to have a priest aboard. The priest usually is responsible for also providing a non-denominational "Protestant" service also. Royal Caribbean's policy, as I understand it, is to request a priest for their ships for Christmas, Easter, longer repositioning cruises etc; however they are not carried on other trips. AOS recruits and "vets" priests and assigns them in accordance with the policy of the individual cruise line. You will not however know whether or not their is a priest assigned to your cruise over Christmas, Easter etc. until you arrive aboard. On RCI there will NOT be a priest aboard at the request of the cruise line on other trips. Occasionally a priest, travelling as a regular passenger will be aboard, and ask to celebrate Mass. RCI would usually publicize this fact in the daily Compass and all would thus be welcome to attend.

I used the word "donate" tongue in cheek, just as others took it. I certainly don't need peteukmcr to remind me that I was fed, accommodated etc. in return for my $150K. The question is - the benefit is supposed to be a "free" seven day cruise, valued up to $2400, and now with their new rules RCI inflates the cost of the cruise to essentially double what you can buy it for yourself on the web, then deducts the $2400 and you wind up paying just a few hundred less than you would have paid without the Pinnacle "Free Cruise". To me this seems to be "bait and switch".

No - not the cabins that I have occupied or looked into.

I hear you all but isn't the bottom line question: whether or not we wish anyone, other than our known Cabin Attendant , entering our cabin at any time without our permission- whether we are in it or not. Personally I do not

Just saw on Cruise News that a Mini Bar attendant was arrested on Quantum after he allegedly "groped" a sleeping passenger when he entered the room to check the mini bar. I have long been very uneasy with these people having access to my cabin when I am away as I have no relationship with them as I do my Room Steward. Too frequently they barge in almost without knocking, or without waiting for a person to get to the door and answer it, or continue into the room even when they can hear the shower going and thus know that the room is occupied, or - and it happens all too frequently - they charge you for items that you have not used - probably when they have missed something on their rounds and decide to charge it to any cabin so that it will not be charged against them, hoping that by the time the pax notices the charge - probably on the last day when the bill arrives -there is little they can do about it.

Anybody else feel uncomfortable about these people unknown to you entering your cabin?

Why may I ask are you posting a new Thread when you already know that one has been posted quoting the announcement?

I recently made Pinnacle after "donating" $150K+ to RCI and received my $2400 "Free" 7 day cruise certificate. Then I tried to use it for a seven day "free" cruise, only to be told that the $2400 is deducted from some "standard" rate only shown on the reservationists computer. It matters not that the website shows, for example, a price at/near $2400, which thus should qualify for a free cruise- THEIR standard rate the reservationist says shows a rate at least twice what the web is showing - so deduct my $2400 from their "secret" rate and the cruise will COST me $1000 - about what I can buy it on the web for. Confusing - you bet. Suffice it to say that reservationist could not find me a cruise between now and July1st which would cost me less than $850 out of pocket - about the same as I could buy the trip on the web today.

These are the NEW rules fostered I assume by the same RCI bean counters who made the Future Cruise Credit program almost worthless some months ago by eliminating all its attractive features.

They seem to work so hard to drive passengers away for the sake of short term gain.

Just got a notice from RCI via my TA that RCI is going to "postpone" the introduction of Dynamic Dining on Oasis and Allure (and other ships I assume) until" later in the year". Dare I think that the comments of thousands of upset customers about DD on Quantum have been heard???

Probably not - for when did RCI listen to passenger complaints - but perhaps this is a first - maybe having a new President foretells a change of attitude.

Just got off Quantum's first 11 night. Dynamic dining menu's remained the same for the entire trip, although the menu's are different in each of the "no fee" restaurants. Please note that the number of items in each section, e.g. appetizers, entrees, desserts, are fewer in number and are mostly "Avant guard items", e.g. flatbread pizzas for 1st course, than usual in a main DR. There are few salads and fewer soups no matter where you go. With fewer menu items, there are seemingly fewer choices when you return to a restaurant unless you repeat your favorites. Dinner menu in American Icon is the same as lunch menu with two additional items in each category (American Icon is only no fee restaurant open al lunch except for Coastal Kitchen, reserved for Pinnacles and Suites).

I also was on the first Barcelona "off load" by Oasis. Most of the particulars are noted above, as is the fact that 4900 people were off loaded most efficiently and expeditiously. I was amazed at how well it was handled.

Malaga port call was great, but do take the shuttle bus to town as the distance is greater than it looks. As we departed there were several thousands of locals gathered in the area to cheer us off.

Hi

This mornings news here in NH highlights Grandeur's delayed sailing yesterday, Sat 4/12, due to extreme norovirus problems on the two prior cruises. Does anyone have any further details to share?

Thanks

Hi

The RCI website says that Explorers arrival back at Cape Liberty scheduled for Friday, 1/27 will be delayed one day arriving on Saturday, 1/28 and departing that same day for a cruise to be shortened by one day. Does anyone have any more info. on this?

Thanks