Luvstocruise2

I have always thought a fairy was female (at least in the Disney realm), but that is an interesting perspective F27TW, maybe it is time for the world to have male fairies ( I believe in equality), I could see all the prim and proper conservative types going nuts over that!

But seriously, I would almost think we have a better chance of getting torpedoed on our cruise than an upgrade (though an upgrade from our "Steerage Class" outside view to balcony would be nice-torpedoed, uh no...).

Since I have not been on RCI yet, I can't wait to see the differences first hand in food and service. Having said that, my perception is Disney is a great experience, but has many things that are irrelevant to me (chararcters, Disney movies, the kids programs,etc.). I actually looked at the Fantasy for a seven day cruise and just about gagged at the pricing. When I booked the 7 day Magic cruise back a few years it was the same price as 7 days on Freedom in February at the time(and Disney had a 25% CDN resident discount at the time that made it doable). The Dream is way overpriced.

If you have kids and never did Disney it is worth doing for the experience, but from discussions at the DISboards, I felt the 3 day cruises are not worth it. There were a lot of comments about Dream and Fantasy having way too small pools for both the kids and adults. My at the time 12 year old had fun-spent his time in the pools way more than kids club, but once on that ship was enough even he said.

I think Disney makes a killing on these short cruises. There are a lot of DISboard users that seem to be willing to pay any price because it is Disney.

FWIW

While the presence of these officers may have had wait staff fawn over them, neglecting the customers who are the bread and butter of the cruise line is unthinkable. Especially *if* the poor service was brought to the officers attention and they did not do anything to rectify the situation. I think the CEO of RCI would have a very different view of this poor level of service if nothing had been done after being confronted. Officers and/or Managers are employees of RCI, and at their level should be well aware of the paying customer. While I appreciate reading about these things so I am aware, the OP's experience of this shoddy customer service should documented as a complaint to the RCI head office.

FWIW

I have found this an interesting topic, as we had sailed last in Feb 2012 but On Disney. I will be interested to compare Royal's food to what we had on that cruise. I had cruise in '95 on NCL with not very memorable food, so I don't expect 3 star Michelin quality anyway. In defence to the cruise lines, all the things that make up a cuise, food in one thing I want to be reasonably good, but I know if I want the best, I would have to pay probably a lot more.

Here is the breakdown posted from:

http://www.cruisemarketwatch.com/home/financial-breakdown-of-typical-cruiser/

<<<

Financial Breakdown of Typical Cruiser

Ever wonder where the money goes? Here is a break down of the estimated 2013 average cruise revenue and expense per passenger for all cruise lines world wide. The average per passenger per day is projected to be $200.85, with $152.39 ticket price and $48.47 on board spending (average cruise duration 8.5 days, median duration 7.0 days).

A financial breakdown of typical cruiser (worldwide, across all cruise lines)

Revenue Expenses

Ticket $1,311

Onboard Spending $417

-Casino & Bar $222

-Shore excursions (cruise line portion) $81

-Spa $40

-All other onboard spending $61

Total spending $1,728

Other operating costs $251 14.5%

Agent commission $225 13.0%

Ship fuel costs $221 12.8%

Corporate Operating Costs $200 11.6%

Payroll $190 11.0%

Depreciation/Amortization $166 9.6%

Victualing (food) $104 6.0%

Onboard and other $76 4.4%

Other and transportation $57 3.3%

Interest Expense $54 3.1%

Total Expenses $1,543

Profit before taxes $185 10.7%

Sources: Cruise Market Watch’s proprietary Cruise Pulse™ and Port Pulse™ databases, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Carnival Corporation and plc, NCL Corporation Ltd., Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and DVB Bank.>>>

Interesting Insight, food is not anywhere near the cruise lines biggest expense. If enough people complain about food quality, they can alway raise prices across the board, or the trend might be more specialty restaurants.

Bottom line for me, I don't mind average good food most of the time (Breakfast and Lunch) and if I want to have a treat, I'll book a specialty restaurant. On our upcoming cruise, I have Portofino 1 night, and I will try the Johnny Rockets at lunch one port day.

FWIW

Two things come to mind:

1. On our Costa Cruise eons ago (1989) I thought it was odd to have a muster drill hours after we left port (and in really deep water).

2. Watching the reaction of my wife during the "Captain Philips" movie where they "launched" the lifeboat off the aft of the ship! I told here it won't be that dramatic hopefully if we have to leave the ship "in a hurry".

Seriously,

I always pay attention to the Muster procedures.

FWIW

Thanks Cruisingator2

We used a travel agent to book this and while had price comparisons between our upcoming AOS cruise, we just got pricing from Princess that was higher. NOS and Jewel were also more expensive, but I think it was a "ship almost full" issue that drove up prices on the same dates, so we picked AOS.

While I am 58 I think I act like I am 18 sometimes (just for fun though)-WHAT?? no bellyflop contests on Celebrity?? LOL. One of the attractions of RCI to us is the ship's complement is not all geriateic "Valet Walker Service". Sometimes it is fun to watch the crazy stuff just for the entertainment value. (Though I will pass on crowds in a constant drunken stupor all the time).

Though it sounds like there are nice attributes to Celebrity that may be interesting - good food, and a less frantic atmosphere. I survived a Disney cruise a few years ago, so I can handle being around plenty of kids.

My curiosity about Celebrity vs Royal is:

Given similar cruises and times of year, etc. how much more expensive is Celebrity, is it like twice the price or just 20 or 30% more?

Well you learn something new everyday they say...

I thought most Americans like unsweetened tea. Like another Poster, when on DCL the tea was unsweetened. I actually like to put a spoon or so into my ice tea, but some ice teas that are sweetened have like have a half glass of sugar in it!! Up here in Canada most places serve presweetened iced tea.

Funny thing if you want to get technical, sugar solubility in water or tea is almost infinite so to speak. Sugar is a non ionic compound, and therefore can be added to water until it is virtually a thick syrup!! If it was like a salt, you would hit a limit ( not going into a super saturated sitation!). That was my issue with pre sweetened tea- way too much sugar for my liking! I will add my own.

To the poster that it doesn't taste the same, could be that commercial ice tea is sweetened with other sugars other than sucrose-the sugar we typically use from the grocery store. (Glucose and Fructose could impart the taste difference). Sorry if this is too much information!

FWIW

No doubt cruise company cruise documents are meant to be "rear end covering" but I agree with others that the PR disaster will have more effects to come. I think the only thing that may help the cruise industry is the outcomes of class action suits will act as a deterrent to cruise companies to cut too many safety corners.

I have a real aversion to trying Carnival (even though I was on Costa years ago before Carnival bought them) considering the problems of late. I was fine with that cruise I had on Costa, but the Concordia incident was "not helpful".

What may happen is a slow march upward in cruise costs to passengers as I wonder if the whole mainstream industry (RCI, Carnival, NCL, etc) can afford to let this type of thing happen much- bad for future business so to speak.

Thanks Norbertsniece,

I saw another thread or two about My TIme DIning fiascos, and just feel more comfortable with something traditional, especially since the ship we will be in will be sailing during most evening meals.

Enjoyed reading your posts on your cruises.

Nope not "ignorance is bliss" I hear you, but going into the whole affair, Carnival has had too many issues lately that seem more than coincidence. From a business perspective, they can fix their problems, (remember that CNN mentioned their engineering problems relating to the fires and generator issues are "fleet wide". Now maybe if RCI has a spat of similar problems...yes, I heard of the issues with the fire on Grandeur, etc. but RCI has seemed to have had less problems lately that didn't make their ships completely dead in the water. I know, there are always risks...I guess we can all hope they don't mushroom into fleetwide disasters.

FWIW

Glad to see someone mention the price of the fresh squeezed orange juice so now can see what a good value the replenishment drink package is.

I am not much of a drinker, but do like sodas and wanted bottled water for port days as well as to try some of the frozen drinks. Thanks to the poster that mentioned the price of the fresh squeezed juice at Windjammers!

Not sure if everyone saw CNN today with the investigative piece on the continuing woes of Carnival. It is stories like this that will drive cruisers to other companies like RCI.

This story was posted on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/17/travel/carnival-cruise-triumph-problems/index.html?iref=allsearch

Seems there were more problems than the public knew. I am sure all cruise companies have skeletons in their closets, but I feel more relieved I am trying out RCI especially after reading this. I would expect more customer drain from them after this.

On a positive note to others, I did my final payment for our March cruise on AOS out of San Juan today. Even got our desired Early Sitting for MDR. The stories of long waits at My Time Dining didn't sit well, so I am relieved about getting the first sitting. THe travel agent we used at CAA told us dining can free up during the lead up to the final payment date and she was right o the money on that!

FWIW

While I am trying RCI (Adventure of the Seas), it will be by far the largest ship I have yet to sail on. I found Disney Magic at ~90k tons as big enough, and having sailed across the Pacific twice and Atlantic 3 times as a kid, on a ship of about 26K tons, I am slowly working my way up!

To me, some of the things are more for kids and young couples (flowrider and rock climbing I will pass on, but the ice rink show and different places to eat, and an adult pool area are fine.

After the Concordia accident, I don't want to be on a ship in distress that has 6000+ people never mind the crew compliment. The Adventure will be big enough for me! I just pray I don't find the ship like being on a sardine can packed in with over 3000 people. Seems most people find Voyager Class fine, so I am eager to try it.

FWIW

Thanks Ocean Boy

Was thinking it would be a letdown if the only free places to eat was Windjammers and Cafe Promenade during the day. we expect to have some lunch maybe in the dining room a few days as it may be quieter.

To be safe and have enough room for photos, I plan on bringing my point and shoot digi Canon camera with extra battery pack and SD cards as well as my Iphone. The Iphone is so convenient, but I may fill it as I like to take some vids as well. So both will help!

HI all,

If any of you RCI experienced cruisers can help shed light on this:

I understand on embarkation day-Windjammers and that Cafe Promenade is open for all meals, can you get Lunch or Breakfast most days in the MDR?

We will be on a port intensive Southern route in March 2014 and hope we don't have to eat every breakfast and lunch in Windjammers. ( I figure 3000 people plus...every morning could be choatic-we were spoiled on that Disney Cruise as they always had a main dining room open.

Looking forward to clarifying that!

While we have a kid, we will be travelling just a couple and I am fine with kids being around me. I expect the parents to be responsible for their kid's behavior too. On the other hand, I am not allergic to kids as some cruisers might be, where they are just looking for someone's kid to ruin their holiday.

Apart from the lessons you wants kids to learn in public, I still read the "riot act" to my son to be on good behavior.

I had heard of horror stories on Carnival, and I hope RCI doesn't have the issues I had heard about misbehaviors. Of course, Youtube has some interesting vids of bad behavior-adult and child alike!

FWIW

Saw this and had a chuckle, since I felt that it was pretty accurate in many areas. Having sailed on NCL, Costa and Disney - I found Disney the best of our experiences. Disney attention to detail is incredible.

We are booked on RCI's AOS for March Break-our first RCI cruise, but are going just as a couple, as our 15 year old teen son said he will pass to spend time with family friends over the March Break, even though he had a great time on Disney.

We were on the Disney Magic over 2 years ago (Magic- one of their original class ships). We both will probably be comparing the two experiences. I am very open, and while Disney was very good, I figure RCI should be okay. We are looking forward to different islands as we have done the Western Caribbean and other southern route via NCL and the the East via Costa way back.

We were lucky when we did the Disney Magic, we went in February and got a 25% discount from Disney for that time of the year. RCI was still cheaper at the time, but we wanted to try the Disney experience. With kids that are 12 and under, Disney has many "Wow" factors -fireworks at sea, character breakfast, Disney productions etc. I can take Disney occasionally- not eat sleep and drinking it.

Can't say anything personal about RCI- but some observations:

Disney-

-the ship goes to sleep about 11:00 PM or so-lots of young families with kids.

-no casinos

-great idea for dining rotation

-free sodas

-allows water, pop, wine, etc on board- nowhere near the hangups about that which is a bit of a turnoff for us, regarding RCI-but if it helps keep fares low, so be it.

- a more traditional cruise we found...looking forward to some interesting variety on RCI's Voyager Class ship.

-never felt crowded except at sailaway party.

-staff very friendly, never pushy to sell stuff etc.

-Adult pool area on Disney was well supervised-no kids running wild there.

-Kids very well behaved, regardless of age on the cruise we were on.

FWIW

Dan