We will always be loyal to royal, but what is happening????

We are D+ but this was our 1st time on the BOS. My spouse and I "make our own good time" but there are some scenarios that were odd to say the least.

*no robes provided, as, I was told, "just not enough to go around

*Windjammer food was good, but cold. I think we shall stick with the specialty restaurants.

*A charge for room service? We used to enjoy our breakfast & coffee on the balcony

*We are both RC Club Royale members.

No more T-shirts to purchase with your points?

*Purchased 20 $5.00 scratch off with our points & did not win a single $$$

*Smoking and non-smoking casino portions are not monitored, hence, all the casino is "smoking"

*Concierge/Diamond Lounge...sweat pants, shorts, babies, cold food, no bartender one night? What is going on?

*spa services are back to the "hard sell"

purchased, the 1st day, 2 massages, with the idea that they would add an additional 15 minutes to the 50 minute massage. It turn out that the additional 15 minutes was a consultation with a hard sell of products. Up sell, should be on your nickel....and NOT mine!!! I should receive a full 65 minute massage, with sales at the front desk. Come on RC..you know better!!!

*Children in the concierge lounge & in the casino? Really....call them what you will....but , they are bars!!!

*People in the casino, leaning there chairs forward to "save" a machine. This is sooooo local casino and very dangerous!!

Once again, we are loyal to RC....we will not change, but they really need to look at what is happening to their product.......sorry...just had to rant!!! Love you all & Merry Christmas!!!

I share your concern.

Something's changed at RCI, and not for the better, in my opinion.

I understand cost-cutting, but what they've done lately strikes me more as cutting corners, and I think a few too many have been snipped.

Oh that's quite sad about the room service fee. I always enjoy breakfast in the room just one time.

We are D+ but this was our 1st time on the BOS. My spouse and I "make our own good time" but there are some scenarios that were odd to say the least.

*no robes provided' date=' as, I was told, "just not enough to go around

*Windjammer food was good, but cold. I think we shall stick with the specialty restaurants.

*A charge for room service? We used to enjoy our breakfast & coffee on the balcony

*We are both RC Club Royale members.

No more T-shirts to purchase with your points?

*Purchased 20 $5.00 scratch off with our points & did not win a single $$$

*Smoking and non-smoking casino portions are not monitored, hence, all the casino is "smoking"

*Concierge/Diamond Lounge...sweat pants, shorts, babies, cold food, no bartender one night? What is going on?

*spa services are back to the "hard sell"

purchased, the 1st day, 2 massages, with the idea that they would add an additional 15 minutes to the 50 minute massage. It turn out that the additional 15 minutes was a consultation with a hard sell of products. Up sell, should be on your nickel....and NOT mine!!! I should receive a full 65 minute massage, with sales at the front desk. Come on RC..you know better!!!

*Children in the concierge lounge & in the casino? Really....call them what you will....but , they are bars!!!

*People in the casino, leaning there chairs forward to "save" a machine. This is sooooo local casino and very dangerous!!

Once again, we are loyal to RC....we will not change, but they really need to look at what is happening to their product.......sorry...just had to rant!!! Love you all & Merry Christmas!!![/quote']

 

I am a member with Casino Royale as well, so I spend time in the casino.

 

Charge for room service has been since March I believe, and you can still get continental breakfast, including coffee to have on the balcony for no charge. Windjammer is not good food period in my opinion, but that has been the case since I have cruised with RCI in 2006, I only go there for breakfast and then it is only for made to order eggs/omelettes, and fresh squeezed juice.

 

The robe issue would be disappointing if you like to use them, and they should be available for those who do. In the casino, we get a t-shirt almost every time with those "Free spins" on that ridiculous machine. I usually toss the ticket, as I do not want anymore of them. Maybe I should keep them and send them to people who want them. I cannot yet comment on the smoke in the casino, as I am a recently quit smokers, and while it did not bother me too much on the last cruise, we shall see going forward. As far as leaning chairs... well you will need to address the aggressive people that cannot get it through their heads when one of us say "He is in the restroom, there is money in the machine." :rolleyes:

 

Now as far as the diamond lounge, the attendant told me on the Independence that with the exception of cocktail hours (5-830pm) shorts, and very casual attire were permitted. Which is good, because I am not going to get dressed to get a morning espresso before or after my trip to the gym, nor while I am out and about during the day. This seemed reasonable.

 

Finally, I do not understand the "We will always be loyal to Royal." Why? Companies should be loyal to me, to earn my dollars... not the other way around. The minute I am not happy with any company or product, is when I stop using it. No "loyatly perk" is worth a product that I am not happy with.

 

I am going on Brilliance myself in October... I love the Radiance class, and am looking forward to it. I think 2018 is full for me at this point, but I am hoping to give MSC a try in 2019. Not because I am unhappy with RCI, just like trying different products.

I am truly sorry that your cruise did not live up to your expectations.

We are D+ but this was our 1st time on the BOS. My spouse and I "make our own good time" but there are some scenarios that were odd to say the least.

*no robes provided' date=' as, I was told, "just not enough to go around[/quote']

 

For almost a year now, robes have been "by request" because many people don't want them, but don't turn them back in, resulting in shortages.

 

Did you ask for the robes? Were you then flatly told "no"?

 

*Windjammer food was good, but cold. I think we shall stick with the specialty restaurants.

*A charge for room service? We used to enjoy our breakfast & coffee on the balcony

 

The charge for room service went into effect in May. It does not apply to continental breakfast. You can still enjoy your coffee and some basic breakfast items on your balcony.

 

*We are both RC Club Royale members.

No more T-shirts to purchase with your points?

*Purchased 20 $5.00 scratch off with our points & did not win a single $$$

 

I have some t-shirts for you. My email address is in my signature. ;)

 

I used to buy megamillions tickets occasionally. Never won anything.

 

 

*Smoking and non-smoking casino portions are not monitored, hence, all the casino is "smoking"

Did you complain to the casino manager?

 

*Concierge/Diamond Lounge...sweat pants, shorts, babies, cold food, no bartender one night? What is going on?

Children have been allowed in the Lounges for quite a long time now.

Sweat pants and shorts are showing up in almost all of the venues on board these days. Civilization is going to hell in a handbasket. ;) :D

 

*spa services are back to the "hard sell"

purchased, the 1st day, 2 massages, with the idea that they would add an additional 15 minutes to the 50 minute massage. It turn out that the additional 15 minutes was a consultation with a hard sell of products. Up sell, should be on your nickel....and NOT mine!!! I should receive a full 65 minute massage, with sales at the front desk. Come on RC..you know better!!!

They certainly should give you the full 65 minute massage. Did you insist on that?

 

 

*Children in the concierge lounge & in the casino? Really....call them what you will....but , they are bars!!!

Again, children have been permitted in the lounges for a very long time. When I see a child in the casino, I find someone and report it.

 

*People in the casino, leaning their chairs forward to "save" a machine. This is sooooo local casino and very dangerous!!

I would have just turned them upright and walked on. (or taken the slot machine, if that was the situation.)

 

Once again, we are loyal to RC....we will not change, but they really need to look at what is happening to their product.......sorry...just had to rant!!! Love you all & Merry Christmas!!!

 

And a happy new year to you, too. :)

I started sailing for my first time with royal around 2007[emoji682] or so. I can tell they are cutting corners to save money [emoji408]and I applaud most of their decision ex, chocolate on your pillow [emoji933], midnight buffet etc, but sometimes they seem really ridiculous in some of their strategy.

2-3 years ago we had enough [emoji1361]and wanted to try something different. [emoji52]MSC was our experimental cruise line and although the ship was beautiful and more elegant that royal in my opinion the crew was really rude with a visible face of I don’t care.

[emoji1600]So what are my options?

🛑Carnival ? I won’t even give you my opinion

[emoji6]MSC? Nice ships, amazing MDR food but a negative vibre around the ship

[emoji13]NCL? Maybe but it’s completely different to Royal concepts and the crew can be a hit or miss

[emoji851]Celebrity cruise? 0 experience with them but doing a little reacher will I be bored onboard due to the target demographic ?

🤡Disney? Saving it for my kids, not now

So what is really left?

Yeah we are continuing heading back to royal[emoji127]

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So what is really left?

 

Princess

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I think the Robes issue will get worse and worse.

Sometimes on a ship more then half of the guests are Platinum and above. I guess they don't have that many.

I rarely use them, but shall confess that it has never crossed my mind to tell the steward to take them back.

I shall endeavour to be better at this.

R

I don't understand the loyalty thing, a theme that comes up quite often on CC. I also don't agree with OP's negatives except for the Casino which has become a de facto smoking lounge on most RCL ships.

Perhaps food was disappointing in the WJ but generally I find it is very good and the choice superior to other lines I have sailed with. Robes, I can request if I need them. Children in concierge lounge don't trouble me and I believe they have every right to be there. I also really don't care what people wear in Concierge/Diamond lounge. A rigid dress code as on Cunard would be a problem for me. Fee for room service is hardly a deal breaker for me.

I do agree that the spa experienced is tainted with the hard sell. It is a problem on other cruise lines as well but luckily, going to the spa is not a big deal for me. If I do decide to go for a treatment then I am prepared for the sales pitch and know how to shut it down politely.

Forget "loyal to Royal". Their loyalty is to attract new cruisers who typically spend more on board, not to those who regularly choose them. Also, you are limiting your self to just a small number of the amazing ships out there, to itineraries only Royal offers, and to one type of cruising experience. Best decision we ever made was top pledge loyalty to no line.

We like Royal a lot and will continue to look at them as an option, but they are hardly the only one.

[quote name=Mikew0805;54785837

Finally' date=' I do not understand the "We will always be loyal to Royal." Why? Companies should be loyal to me, to earn my dollars... not the other way around. The minute I am not happy with any company or product, is when I stop using it. No "loyatly perk" is worth a product that I am not happy with.

.[/quote]

Exactly! Blind loyalty encourages more cutbacks. As long as the ships are full, the cruise lines will continue the cutbacks.

You can have the robe from my cabin. I do wonder what percentage of cruisers wear them.

People often forget that marketing and product offerings need to mimic societal expectations. They cannot maintain standards for 25% of the customer base and remain solvent. Society is becoming more relaxed, we see it in hotels, airlines and restaurants. It is unfortunate as I do feel it down classes the experience, but as a business person I completely understand hat they are doing. With each regression they have maintained capacity sailings. Believe me that no amount of complaining will fix this until they see a retraction in capacity due to changes in their offerings. If the product fails to meet your acceptability standards, it is time to take your money elsewhere. That is the only way to send an international for-profit business a message. Complaining, while continuing to purchase their offerings will not.

We always give our robes back to our room steward for someone else to use.

The dynamics of cruising has change drastically from our first one 30 years ago when basically the only cruisers were old retired folks (like me now) and honeymoon couples (there was only one family on that cruise), and only one or two ports to cruise out of on the mainland. As you expand your customer base they will bring different expectations and behaviors that most cruise lines have to adjust their product and what we experience, whether it Is good or bad.

I wouldn't go back because I would get tired of playing bingo, the only decent buffet was a once a week midnight affair, tiny casino and workout facility, etc...

As I age I am understanding that I am the only one that determines my happiness. Nothing in life is perfect, even if I think I deserve it from everyone.

Hope everyone is wowed on your cruises.

Forget "loyal to Royal". Their loyalty is to attract new cruisers who typically spend more on board, not to those who regularly choose them. Also, you are limiting your self to just a small number of the amazing ships out there, to itineraries only Royal offers, and to one type of cruising experience. Best decision we ever made was top pledge loyalty to no line.

 

We like Royal a lot and will continue to look at them as an option, but they are hardly the only one.

I don't get the loyalty thing with Royal either. Their loyalty program isn't even good and especially not good enough to justify being loyal to a single line. You don't get hardly anything with it of real value. A robe, lapel pin, and access to a lounge that everyone complains about anyways? :D

it has never crossed my mind to tell the steward to take them back

I will admit that it never occurred to me to turn the robes back in, either. I just never thought about it. We never EVER use them. I will do this from now on if there is truly a shortage. They can have mine, for sure !

I am not loyal to royal, agree with some of the items, have never liked WJ on any ship on any decade. Also casino smoking can be bad , Celebrity is the line for you no smoking at all there and 99 percent of the ship. We did Brilliance last year in Europe concierge and staff were by far the best I have ever seen on any ship. Next cruise for us is a charter on Celebrity which is adults only with lots of music from 70's stars like Michael MacDonald and America

I don't get the loyalty thing with Royal either. Their loyalty program isn't even good and especially not good enough to justify being loyal to a single line. You don't get hardly anything with it of real value. A robe, lapel pin, and access to a lounge that everyone complains about anyways? :D

Everyone holds value in different things. I am mainly loyal because I like their product. If I ever get burned, that may change. For me the balcony discount holds value (sometimes). The biggest benefit right now is the MGM benefit in Las Vegas. My wife and I are in Vegas quite a bit, but prefer shows to gambling so we don't climb the ranks very fast. The benefits of show pre-sales, hotel discounts, and free parking offers us quite a bit of monetary savings.

While we mostly cruise royal we jump lines for the price and value except Carnival. We're done trying them. Always disappointed.

We've been cruising a lot since 2001 and yes there have been a lot of cut backs but the nice thing is its still affordable for us. We do use the robes especially if we have a balcony and would keep asking till we got them.

We don't use the casino so can't comment on it.

I miss the free room service...but we have been cutting back on eating breakfast anyway at home so we sometimes just order the free part or go to the Buffett.

Use your money for the product you want. That speaks louder then words to these cruise lines...it's all business. It's nice we have so many choices of cruise lines.

People often forget that marketing and product offerings need to mimic societal expectations. They cannot maintain standards for 25% of the customer base and remain solvent. Society is becoming more relaxed, we see it in hotels, airlines and restaurants. It is unfortunate as I do feel it down classes the experience, but as a business person I completely understand hat they are doing. With each regression they have maintained capacity sailings. Believe me that no amount of complaining will fix this until they see a retraction in capacity due to changes in their offerings. If the product fails to meet your acceptability standards, it is time to take your money elsewhere. That is the only way to send an international for-profit business a message. Complaining, while continuing to purchase their offerings will not.

100% agree!

Once again' date=' we are loyal to RC....we will not change, but they really need to look at what is happening to their product.......sorry...just had to rant!!! Love you all & Merry Christmas!!!

And this is exactly why they do it, and why they get away with it :cool:

Loyalty to a friend or family can be a wonderful thing. Loyalty to your country can be patriotic. Loyalty to a corporation is just plain silly.

 

I do agree that the spa experienced is tainted with the hard sell. It is a problem on other cruise lines as well but luckily, going to the spa is not a big deal for me. If I do decide to go for a treatment then I am prepared for the sales pitch and know how to shut it down politely.

Before laying down explain that you are only getting a massage, you don’t want any conversation, and your not going to buy anything, then I ask them is this acceptable, they finish I tip them and leave.

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*Windjammer food was good' date=' but cold. I think we shall stick with the specialty restaurants.

[/quote']

 

Royal will be glad to see this. Their plan to drive people to Drink Packages and Specialty Restaurants is working and is helping their bottom line.

You’re missing out not trying other lines, at least have some new experiences. Unwavering loyalty will not lead to product improvement. Nothing major but little straws on the camels back