bucky0926

Just got back from zip lining and swimming and some of these responses are just wow.

It doesn't matter if I'm a male or female. Why should it? Having my mother watch my son while I'm out gambling, drinking or going to church doesn't matter. Why should it?

My request was a pillow and blanket so my mom can sleep on the couch while I'm out. That was it. The steward asked me if she was moving in. I didnt mention that.

I don't know any of you and none of you know me. I've owned several restaurants and owned a night club in San Francisco. I know what customer service is. If I didn't I wouldn't have been successful with my businesses.

If I saw my bar back grab a customer's glass with a dirty look, he/she would have had a talking to. Because that unsatisfied customer may not come back and that hurts my bottom line.

I'm very partial to people in the service industry. Having had restaurants and having to work in them I know how hard it is to serve people. I know there are great people and there are difficult people you must deal with all day. Having experience that I am very aware of not being in the same class as 'difficult people'.

Doesn't matter if this is RCL, Ncl, Xxx whatever cruise lines. If I'm given attitude when none was given I'll be irked.

 

I came on cruise critic to share how I felt and more than anything to vent because I am passive aggressive and won't say anything unless it's really egregious.

Having vented, I seem to have triggered so many as if Im bashing their child. Like some poster who bashes my children and never even met anyone of them. This was my first critique thread and will probably be my last. To those with kind words and tips thanks.

 

So far my cruise has been better. The casino was very good to me even though baccarat isn't my game of choice, it was very kind to me.

My steward has had a change of attitude and comes by asking if I need anything constantly. When he asked if I needed my room turned down for the night and if I needed the couch made, I said no its fine. He kept asking in an apologetic tone. Maybe he was having a bad day. I get that and that's why I wasn't going to complain to anyone higher up.

Still annoyed me and I vented.

Here's to a great rest of my cruise, cheers.

 

 

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

There are some on here that will stick up for their favorite cruise lines no matter what. You are allowed to vent, and if you felt you were getting attitude you probably were. I sailed on Anthem in April and everyone was great except for the future cruise desk. I found them to be rude and not full of information. It seems the question I asked meant they had to look something up, they kept me waiting and didn't even look it up. So yes there are RCL employees who are not the best. As far as the food is concerned my DH and I found Carnival (yes Carnival) to be it equal and at times even better. And there are less places to eat late at night on RCL then we were used to. And now that room service is a charge its not so easy to just order up those fries. You complain if you want to. To those who don't like it they will post any way-just ignore.

As a side note, I also like to gamble but the most I ever get is an offer for $50 in free play-never a cruise (LOL). Try to enjoy, it will get better. And if not tell the casino that you want an NCL cruise next time.

What are the odds of falling into the water? I'm sure (similar to a jet ski or any other water sport) that it is possible, but I'm hoping that maybe due to the shape & the fact that you control your own vessel that you often are able to stay on board? Has anyone that has done this personally, fallen in?

Also, do you control your speed? or just direction?

I think the odds are pretty low of falling into the water but I guess it could happen. Like I said my DH and DS were going very fast and making tight turns but didn't even come close to falling out. You do wear a life vest. Call and ask they are really nice and helpful.

RCI should be more concerned with the automatic 12.36 charge on Anthem for the mini bar which we never touched. I did get a credit but it seems to be a matter of fact that half the cruisers get charged and they hope that either they don't notice or won't bother to call. Plus the web site on firefox doesn't work. Fix those glitches and then worry why a particuar waiter got a couple of 4's instead of all fives.

On Anthem the first day in the WJ my DH ordered two drinks. The first one came up as pay and the bartender told him it would be updated and he would not have to pay. By the time he ordered his second drink there was no charge (about a half hour later). Upon checking my charges 2 days later I noticed that we were given a credit for the first drink. So go ahead and order away-charge or not you will be credited.

I was on Anthem last month and no one asked me to give them 5's. Not the MDR staff nor my steward. Could it be that people with MTD who often sit with different staff are not approached for this? We did sit in the same section with the same captain but had 3 different crews for our 7 night cruise.

I originally asked for the cheapest car to rent. But after looking at prices (all within 20 dollars of each other) I am now asking for the best company to deal with.

Years ago, when my son was four, and before everyone had a cell phone my family went to Orlando. I booked a car, I think it was budget but I wouldn't swear to it. My husband left me at the airport with my son all the luggage and boarded the shuttle to pick up the car.

Two and a half hours later when he still didn't come back I started to panic. There was an undercover police officer who saw I was freaking and asked me what was wrong. I told him and he said he should be here shortly and that sometimes it does take that long. While conversing with him they called my name out over the loud speaker to go to a courtesy phone. It was the rental company saying my husband was fine and was in the process of finishing up the paperwork. He had them call because he knew I would worry. Waiting in the airport for 3 hours to rent a car is crazy.

So now I would like to hear where fellow cruisers had good and bad experiences. How long did you wait for shuttle? How long did it take to pick up the car? How was drop off? Were you pushed for extra insurances or charged differently than your contracted rate? Since I'll be on vacation I would like it to be as hassle free as possible. So far I'm leaning toward Alamo because I want to pick up at the airport and drop it by Port Everglades and they were the only company who had half way decent reviews. They were the most expensive but for the price difference it might be worth it. Thanks in advance for responding.

Sailed Anthem 4/2/17 and requested 10:30 to 11:00am. After parking walked into the port at 10:30, a friendly woman with the I Pad came up to us. She checked us in and we were sitting in the WJ by 10:40 already having breakfast/lunch. We were done by 11:00. It was our first RCI cruise so had no special status at all. It was the easiest embarkation process I have ever been through. When I sail Carnival I usually buy something called faster to the fun to A) get us on board a little faster but more importantly b) have our room ready for us as soon as we embark. Worth the 60.00 to me so don't have to carry our carry on with us until rooms are ready. RCI does it right. At 11:00am from the windows we noticed the line to drop luggage with the porters had already grown significantly. Get there at 10:30 and it should be a breeze.

the big mac?

lmfao

When I was on Anthem from 4/2 to 4/9 in the smoking section a guy was lighting up joints all the time. Nice guy, very friendly. None of the other smokers said a word. And since the venues for smoking were hardly cleaned no one from RCI said anything b/c they were never there. To each his own.

Am I the only one that cannot see the picture?

I cannot see it either

Try any of the Wyndham brands, e.g. Ramada, Microtel, Baymont, HoJo, etc. They aren't always the nicest, but I believe that all of the brands still have smoking rooms (I don't book them, I just noticed that they are available when I am checking rooms).

That's the problem. As I stated it doesn't have to be fancy but bugs, mold, and filth are out. The ones in Fort Lauderdale all have bad right ups with the problems I mentioned.

Found a place called Bali Hai. Small motel but got good write ups with being clean. Booked a smoking room. I can go without smoking in the car because I can always pull over to have a smoke. But don't want to get up in the middle of the night get dressed, go outside to have a cigarette. Thanks to all who responded. Now to find a car....

You may want to carefully check out car rental companies and their smoking policies. Hertz charges a $400 cleaning fee when a car is returned with evidence of smoking.

Thanks for the heads up on this. I was not aware. Its been quite a while since I've rented a car.

Thank you very much.

Hilton allows smoking and I would book but 25 per night to park the rental is a little steep.

According to Marriott reservations all North American hotels are smoke free (Guess I should start cruising Europe).

Still on the hunt.

Hilton Marina is the only one I could quickly find.

 

The Courtyard Ft Lauderdale Airport/Cruiseport (address of 400 Gulf Stream Way) is not flagged as non-smoking on the Marriott website (only one in Ft Lauderale area that isn't) but the website for the property is vague on that issue; I suggest you call direct.

Thank you very much.

Last question first. A little reading on the board would reveal that there are no rental car drop offs in the port, but several close by, with shuttles.

 

As to which is cheapest, you just have to do the research.

 

As to smoking, do a Google search for "Ft Lauderdale smoking hotels". Surprising results.

When I do that search hotels come up that do not offer smoking so that search is useless. I figured someone on this board smokes and knows of a place.

We are cruising on 8/20/17 and will be going down to Fort Lauderdale on the 17th. Looking to rent a car for 17 till the 20th.

What motel/hotel still have smoking rooms? Just came back from Vermont and the whole state doesn't allow smoking rooms in hotels any longer (not planning on going back any time soon). Doesn't have to be fancy but do need it to be clean and a refrig in room would be appreciated. Also doesn't have to be directly in port area if we can drop the rental at PE. Beach access would be nice but not a deal breaker.

Also where can I rent a car cheap for those days (17 till 20th). I was wondering if any of the car rental places have a place at PE where we could drop it and get on the ship. Any ideas are welcome.

Just another reason for healthy younger people to get insurance-in case something happens to your parents that prevents you from going on vacation-you get refunded. Started buying trip insurance (never from the cruise line-overpriced and not as inclusive) when we went to Israel b/c parents were not in the best of shape. And now that I'm older and not in the best of shape it offers me piece of mind. Always try to get it within 2 weeks of booking because then any pre existing conditions are covered as well.

Let me tell you OP you are courageous-I would have been freaking out and driving 22 hours doesn't sound like much fun. Hope you and your son had some good lasting talks and may he be safe when he protects all of us. Please thank him for me for his service.

The pop-up mesh hamper has been with us on every cruise. Got the idea from this site. It stows easily in the closet and when the bag of laundry special comes around I can just grab the hamper and pull out what I need to send out.

Make sure you bring something to write with. I don't believe they put pens in the desk drawer now.

I have a cloth case for money, passports essential documents, etc. Had like 5 pens in there and took them all out because I figured I would just get one on board-there is always one in the stateroom. Wrong! First RCI cruise on Anthem 4/2/17 and no pen. Had to ask cabin steward for one. He explained that RCI no longer does the "pen" program. Bring a pen and I like the idea of a highlighter for things on the cruise compass-will make this a staple for our future cruises.

Zip lock bags, boca clips, large beach bag with pockets (hard to find these days), kindle, vacation vault. Any promise from the cruise line in terms of obc, shore excursions, wine waiting for us, etc. I always ask for an email confirmation and bring copies in case we were supposed to get something that we didn't, I have the email as proof.

Phones we have left out charging. Used to put my bridge camera in the safe but it didn't fit on Anthem so just left it out. No problems. My kindle is a fourth generation (but I do love it) and I leave it out at night as I like to read a few pages to help me fall asleep. Its usually with me during the day. Don't bring tablets or lap top since never buy the internet and don't need it then.

But when I go to the beach in any port I always use a vacation vault locked to my chair so that when DH and I go snorkeling we don't have to worry.

No escape room on Allure.

Thank you

Just got off Anthem and we loved the escape room (missed getting out by 1 second). Is there an escape room on Allure? And if so when do you get to book it?

Tonight is formal night -- lobster was already on the menu:).

Not surprised that I got the incomplete info from my friend. He was the one who talked me and DH into going on a RC cruise. I had to tell him about the dynamic dining being gone. BTW he misses the DD and felt the offers at the MDR were not great and not as much to choose from. Also said that 3 of his dinners came out of the dining room cold. I think he might be searching for a new cruise line when he gets home (cruises every 2 to 3 months-usually on anthem since we live in NY and its easy to get to the ship.

That is what Lady Hudson had said too, not sure where njaloha is getting the information that not everyone got off the ship.

 

It should be easy off in Bayonne with them only collecting customs forms.

 

Glad you are feeling better today and were able to go into port.:)

Just got a call from a friend on this cruise who is pissed. He said everyone had to get off and go through customs. He was just planning on staying on the ship. Also said that many people missed their excursions since the wait was so long going through customs. But they didn't get off with their luggage so they all have to go through customs again. How else can they tell if someone is smuggling something in? He said RC is making up for it by serving up lobster tonight. I sail Anthem this Sunday (he wanted us to go with him but the dates didn't work) and hope there are no problems.

I assume they can fix it by then as they plan to get back from PC in 1.5 days Friday to Sunday. Maybe we can eek out an extra day ;) monday if fine with me lol.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not so fine with me as we sail next Sunday on the 2nd. LOL