Just off the Navigator today...Sad

My husband and I enjoy cruising to get away from work, stress of everyday life. Pretty sure that's why we all like to sail. 90% of the crew on the Navigator had no smiles. You had to have all ice, water, coffee, tea served to you from a drink station at the buffet area. I understand that was probably to help with spreading germs. Every time I went, I felt like I needed to apologize for asking for my cup of ice, etc. 18 cruise's I have never seen a staff beat down as I did on this one. Normally, we can't wait to book the next cruise. It will take us a while to get over this experience. My heart goes out to the Navigator staff. Must be a horrible place to work.

I love the navigator but my last cruise onboard the independence the workers were mad every time I asked for a cup of water. I remember they had self dispensers on sorento and cafe promenade and they were all gone so you need to ask every time you want a glass, I can easily drink 2 cups in less than 10 minutes so go figure [emoji19]

I love the navigator but my last cruise onboard the independence the workers were mad every time I asked for a cup of water. I remember they had self dispensers on sorento and cafe promenade and they were all gone so you need to ask every time you want a glass, I can easily drink 2 cups in less than 10 minutes so go figure [emoji19]

Exactly, when you want ice and water it shouldn't be difficult. I am not blaming the staff. It's just like any job. It all comes from the top down. This trip reflected a staff that was not happy at all. Pretty much a downer when it should be "happy".

My husband and I enjoy cruising to get away from work, stress of everyday life. Pretty sure that's why we all like to sail. 90% of the crew on the Navigator had no smiles. You had to have all ice, water, coffee, tea served to you from a drink station at the buffet area. I understand that was probably to help with spreading germs. Every time I went, I felt like I needed to apologize for asking for my cup of ice, etc. 18 cruise's I have never seen a staff beat down as I did on this one. Normally, we can't wait to book the next cruise. It will take us a while to get over this experience. My heart goes out to the Navigator staff. Must be a horrible place to work.

We are just off the Navigator today too. It was not the most consistently happy crew we've seen but I did not have the overall impression of an unhappy, beaten down crew.

As for the Windjammer beverage service, it was the same as it has been for many years...crew putting out filled glasses of the available beverages. Yes, for a glass filled with just ice you would have to ask. That should not have been a big deal or take long. We found the wait staff in the buffet area very attentive and helpful.

We are just off the Navigator today too. It was not the most consistently happy crew we've seen but I did not have the overall impression of an unhappy, beaten down crew.

 

As for the Windjammer beverage service, it was the same as it has been for many years...crew putting out filled glasses of the available beverages. Yes, for a glass filled with just ice you would have to ask. That should not have been a big deal or take long. We found the wait staff in the buffet area very attentive and helpful.

Maybe, I am more a custom to other cruise lines that always have a smile on their face. We haven't sailed RC since 2007. So maybe that is their normal.

Wow, we were on the August 23rd sailing of Navigator and didn't find that at all! We found lots of smiles along with very helpful, friendly staff. I am sorry this wasn't you experience! It was our 9th cruise and we didn't notice any difference with this crew compared to others except maybe more helpful. We booked again while on board.

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Wow, we were on the August 23rd sailing of Navigator and didn't find that at all! We found lots of smiles along with very helpful, friendly staff. I am sorry this wasn't you experience! It was our 9th cruise and we didn't notice any difference with this crew compared to others except maybe more helpful. We booked again while on board.

 

 

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We sail on all cruise lines. You never know what is going with the staff at the time you are on board. Could have been the lady that sailed before us and staying on for a back to back. She went to the Top complaining about people smoking on their balcony. I wondered if she complained about the smoke coming into the promenade deck inside from the casino? It was pretty strong there. I never smelled smoke on my balcony. I will never know what caused the staff to be unhappy. I do know I will never sail RCCL again. And that's okay.

We sail on all cruise lines. You never know what is going with the staff at the time you are on board. Could have been the lady that sailed before us and staying on for a back to back. She went to the Top complaining about people smoking on their balcony. I wondered if she complained about the smoke coming into the promenade deck inside from the casino? It was pretty strong there. I never smelled smoke on my balcony. I will never know what caused the staff to be unhappy. I do know I will never sail RCCL again. And that's okay.

That is so unfortunate! We really don't know what is going on with staff. We have only been on Disney (5) and Royal (4). Our room steward, dining servers (Mytime), head waiter and concierge were the best we have had. We did not notice much smoking though we heard after the fact that someone above our aft cabin was chain smoking on the balcony. We didn't really notice anything. I don't think the smoke was bad in the casino either for our cruise. We definitely didn't notice it on the promenade deck. It was much worse on our Jewel cruise. My biggest complaint was that room service got our order wrong every single time! My hubby was disappointed in the desserts and the food could be improved some. Overall, we have very few complaints. I really am sorry that you didn't have as enjoyable cruise. :(

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Wow, we were on the August 23rd sailing of Navigator and didn't find that at all! We found lots of smiles along with very helpful, friendly staff. I am sorry this wasn't you experience! It was our 9th cruise and we didn't notice any difference with this crew compared to others except maybe more helpful. We booked again while on board.

 

 

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Ditto! I was also on the Aug. 23 cruise, and had very few issues with staff and their friendliness. Sure, of the dozens we would have interacted with, not everyone was perfect...but overall we had no issues.

Everyone has opinions that vary so much. Our trans-Atlantic crossing in 2014 was so smooth and such an awesome cruise but to hear a couple passengers tell it, it was the worst crossing they'd ever been on and the service was awful, blah, blah, blah (as it turns out, I witnessed one of these passengers making a fool of herself at guest services over something she did but tried to blame on staff and yes, she finally admitted she did it but still tried to blame staff). So maybe it's best if OP goes back to Carnival, or whatever cruise line she/he likes the best, and leave Royal to those of us who appreciate it!

We were on the Aug. 16th Navigator cruise and the staff was great as always! We had only one bad experience, they were repairing the balconys for a couple of days and we couldn't use it. I complained to customer service and received future cruise certificates equal to 25% of our room rate. We would sail Navigator anytime.

In general I thought the staff was excellent on our 2 cruises

We cruise out of Galveston regularly (at least three or four times a year), and have never encountered a staff as the OP describes ... in fact, many of the crew members have told us that they'd like to be reassigned to Navigator (or whatever ship is sailing from there) during their next contract. They tell us that the passengers are generally a little different from the stereotypical cruisers ... somewhat less formal, a bit more friendly and personable toward the crew. We've become close with several folks working the staterooms, guest services, dining rooms, shops, and even mid- to upper-level supervisors ... all have been courteous and eager to please. We've got two more such cruises booked, and will likely sign up for a couple more while onboard. We're looking forward to renewing some friendships, as well as meeting some new crew members.

Agree that navigator HAPPY SHIP. we just got off navigator and crew and fellow passengers such a pleasure. Is it the region or staff or.....? Would like to duplicate again but not sure out of galveston.

Agree that navigator HAPPY SHIP. we just got off navigator and crew and fellow passengers such a pleasure. Is it the region or staff or.....? Would like to duplicate again but not sure out of galveston.

Were you on the OP's cruise? I was on the week before and the staff we encountered were wonderful. Not sure if there was a lot of staff changeover between the 2 cruises or not. We wanted to duplicate our cruise too because it was so wonderful so we booked again onboard. :)

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We've had happy, smiling folks...and on other cruises..they looked like they'd been beaten down....every sailing is different. The "unsmiling" ones are not as much fun!

Interesting... In all our cruises (we are D+), we have never experienced this sort of negativity from the crew. We try to be positive ourselves, be friendly, be interested in the crew members and their backgrounds and always be polite and say "thank you." Sometimes, you get back exactly what you give!

... We try to be positive ourselves, be friendly, be interested in the crew members and their backgrounds and always be polite and say "thank you." Sometimes, you get back exactly what you give!

totally agree!

We just got off that Navigator and had a completely different experience. Every crew member we encounter was cheery and happy to help us in anyway we need. It was easy to get water from the Solarium and iced tea in Cafe Promenade. We brought our only water enhancer so used that in the Solarium.

I'm sorry your experience was different.

We just got home off the Navigator. Loved the staff, loved the service. Emily in the Windjammer was all smiles and delightful every day when I ordered my omelet. Richard at the Skybar was all smiles the whole week. (maybe because I gave him an extra dollar tip with every drink I ordered) The people working at the Café Promenade we all smiles. We will be back on Navigator in March of 2016 and I look forward to the time on board the Navigator.

I guess we all see and notice different things on our trips. Thousands of guest's all with a different experience and feeling for the ship and crew.

JoeRum

Just got off Navigator yesterday and felt the crew was amazing. Only bad side of the cruise was the absolutely terrible disembarkation which is why I won't sail out of Galveston again.

Interesting... In all our cruises (we are D+), we have never experienced this sort of negativity from the crew. We try to be positive ourselves, be friendly, be interested in the crew members and their backgrounds and always be polite and say "thank you." Sometimes, you get back exactly what you give!

Same here. I always take these unhappy crew threads with a grain of salt.

Sorry you were disappointed.

Keith

We have noticed on our last three cruises that there was a different vibe with a majority of the crew. They don't have the same pep in their step, smile on their face, song in their voice that used to be there. We attribute what we have observed to staff cuts. The crew has always worked long, hard hours for little pay and of course no benefits. I think they are simply exhausted.

Interesting... In all our cruises (we are D+), we have never experienced this sort of negativity from the crew. We try to be positive ourselves, be friendly, be interested in the crew members and their backgrounds and always be polite and say "thank you." Sometimes, you get back exactly what you give!

Absolutely, true.