So, exactly how "pampered" should we expect to be??

[4merlurker]

:confused: I read alot of posts where people stress the fact that they go on the cruise to be "pampered". That they pay X amount and expect to be "pampered". "pampered" this...."pampered" that......blah blah blah.

 

So................what does pampered mean and does it matter what category cabin you are in?

 

What is your idea of being "pampered" and what is your experience? Would you consider it a bad/disappointing cruise if you weren't "pampered"? :rolleyes:

 

~Lurker

[Lamar Cheeks]

As a big family, we travel in lower, inexpensive berths ... we are pampered because an attendant cleans up our room ... we get room service promptly ... the waitstaff stumbles all over themselves trying to help us ... and there are drinks available at our beck and call, if we so choose.

 

That's pampering to us, but we're like the Clampett Family ... :D I think others might have higher expectations.

[iluv2bcruising]

As a big family, we travel in lower, inexpensive berths ... we are pampered because an attendant cleans up our room ... we get room service promptly ... the waitstaff stumbles all over themselves trying to help us ... and there are drinks available at our beck and call, if we so choose.

 

That's pampering to us, but we're like the Clampett Family ... :D I think others might have higher expectations.

 

Hey Jethro!!! :D I agree (from one Clampett to another) and I will add...I don't have to fix one meal for a week... I'm transported to some beautiful locations without having to deal with 4 kids bickering in the back seat...and there are workers all over the ship just waiting to entertain me....that is complete and total pampering in my opinion!!!

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

That's pampering to us, but we're like the Clampett Family ... :D I think others might have higher expectations.

 

 

LOL!! Good one. :D

 

Seriously, Lurker, your question is a very good one. Lots of people get over-inflated ideas of having your own personal butler follow you around the ship, and your own massage therapist on retainer to boot. ;) As Lamar said, it's very nice to have somebody clean your room twice a day and replace wet towels on the floor with fresh ones, room service available 24 hours a day, and the like. But it's also true that the suites offer a bit more "pampering" than the standard cabins. For example, on a Grand Suite or above you get afternoon hors d'oeuvres delivered to your suite, and on many ships you have access to a concierge lounge and concierge services.

 

Of course, there are also "spa junkies" like me who always book at least one spa treatment, which is a sure-fire way to feel pampered, but also comes at a pretty hefty price tag. I think you can still get a manicure or pedicure for $50, but that's the cheapest treatment I'm aware of. You can also have your laundry done for you, but that's not free either.

 

There are little touches that mean a lot, too -- the towel animals in your room, a dining room waiter who remembers what kind of bread you like and brings it without asking -- things like that can add to the pampered feeling. So there are a few things that you wouldn't likely find at a luxury hotel, unless you were a major VIP, but for the most part I think it's all about letting somebody else do the cooking & cleaning for you. Just knowing that you can totally R E L A X from the moment the muster drill is over. There's nothing quite like it. :)

[4merlurker]

looking forward to a little pampering!:)

[medolee]

I think EVERYONE is pampered!!! We don't have to cook---we don't have to clean the bathroom---don't even hafta make the bed---I can sit out by the pool and somebody will come by and bring me drinks---what is beeter than this!!!!

Don't hafta drive anybody to all their games and practice--They do everything cept' wipe for ya---I'ma lovin a cruise!!:)

[ducklite]

I'm booked in the Royal Suite. What do I want to keep me feeling "pampered"?

 

Room steward:

 

Um...clean my room (like in no dust--at least not enough that I can write my name LOL!), make my bed if I haven't beaten you to it, and straighten it a bit if I have :) and wipe the bathroom sinks.

 

Don't need to give me ice usually, I'll ask if I need it, and I'll ask at least a few hours in advance.

 

Take away the damp towels and replace with fresh--although you'll never have to pick them up off the floor. I don't throw them there at home, and I'm not gong to start because I'm on vacation. They'll be hung over the towel rack, and in the absence of one they'll be over the tub side.

 

Take care of any dry cleaning or laundry needs that I have.

 

Don't disturb me if the do not disturb sign is hung out.

 

Room Service and wait staff:

 

Deliver any room service I request in a timely manner, hot and fresh.

 

Bring food and beverage to my table in a timely manner.

 

Keep the water glasses full.

 

Clear empty plates in a timely manner.

 

Be patient with my husband when he asks you what ingrediants are in the different food items because he's picky and with me when I ask you to check with the kitchen on my order due to my allergies.

 

Concierge:

 

Handle my spa appointments accurately. As long as I get a hot rock masage at some point in time and it's not the day we're in Cancun or the middle of dinner, I'm happy.

 

Assist me with information as needed, and if you don't have the answer, at least make an attempt to find out--ie where can I buy a Wocket in Cancun? I'm not expecting miracles, but at least make the effort.

 

That's about it--I'm pretty low maintenence!

 

Anne

[CruiseMark]

If you stayed at a Holiday Inn next to a mall with a food court, would you feel pampered? That's what it's like, in my opinion. If having the amenities of a Holiday Inn and mall service feels like pampering, then it is. Other people only stay at the Four Seasons and eat at Ruth's Chris steak house every night - those are the people who are disappointed.

 

To us, we do feel pampered simply for the reasons stated in earlier posts. We don't have to cook, clean and everything we need is at our disposal. That's what we "expect" for the price we paid.

 

If you're expecting those commercials where "My butler knew not to wake me beofre 8:00" and "My suite was filled with roses", you WILL be disappointed.

 

You get what you pay for. And even with this years higher prices, it's still a tremendous value.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[FinelyCruising]

I pamper myself by taking a cruise. The rest of it while on board usually works itself out.

[critterchick]

I disagree, Mark. We stay at Westins and Luxury Collection hotels. We eat at fine restaurants. We feel spoiled and pampered to death when we’re on a cruise. In my daily life, I am tailgated, given the finger by yahoos in SUVs who think that 85mph in any lane is acceptable (I only go 80:D ), yapped at by opposing counsel and their seriously deranged clients, subjected to long lines, heavy traffic and cats yowling to be fed as soon as I wake up or get home from work (DH cleans the litterboxes, so I am very pampered in that respect.) I have to make the bed, do the laundry, and sometimes I even have to cook. :eek:

 

On a cruise, the staff smiles at me constantly (I think it helps that I’m smiling from the moment I get on board), says, “thank you,” and “my pleasure, madame” (I would prefer Miss, but that never happens anymore,:( although sometimes I get “milady,” which is really cool), somebody makes my bed, brings me food and drink, drives the ship, sometimes lets me win the casino, entertains me, does my laundry if I ask, and generally makes it so that I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to, except disembark at the end.

 

Sure, there are always things that are less than perfect, but I've sent back overcooked steaks at some of the best restaurants in town, too. You just have to roll with the punches.

 

By the way, anybody can have a stateroom filled with roses - it'll just cost you a fortune.

[debandbill]

Lucky you in the RS...that is pampering! But thought I would tell you this:

 

RCI has an initiative called Save Our Seas instituted, I believe, several years ago after being fined for dumping black water and such. Part of that initiative includes a program that is posted in your bathroom regarding towels. It states that if you want a towel changed to please drop it on the floor otherwise, if its hanging they will assume that you will reuse it a time or two. I have to step out of my comfort level to do this as I am a neatfreak and respector of cabin attendants but that is what they want you to do....so feel even more pampered ....throw you towels on the floor.

 

(Actually, I wrap mine all together in a neat roll..dry side out if possible so my cabin attendant doesn't have to handle yucky wet stuff...I'm hopeless! :rolleyes: )

 

Deb

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

(Actually, I wrap mine all together in a neat roll..dry side out if possible so my cabin attendant doesn't have to handle yucky wet stuff...I'm hopeless! :rolleyes: )

 

Yep, that's what I do too, and for the very reasons you mentioned. My apologies if I came across as a slob. :)

[dc-snoopy]

Personally, I feel that there is more to the cruise-board pampering than basic Holiday Inn (or any hotel) service. On a cruise, you have one cabin attendant that handles your needs for the week. You don't have a cleaning staff that goes through the hotel and spends the whole day doing four floors of rooms and has no idea who is staying in the room. You get introduced to your cabin attendants, either by lookin at the information in the cruise services book, or more typically, but meeting him/her on boarding day as they are usually around. You can talk to them and they remember individual requests/needs. You also have the same wait staff in the DR all week and they too can remember specific requests from night to night. Our waiter on the Jewel kept track of what people were ordering and his recommendations included side notes to some people based on previous eating habits. Our assistant waiter was great with keeping track of everyone's wine. Two parties at our table had the wine packages and I was just ordering one bottle at a time (since DW can't drink due to meds). I would drink 1/3 to 1/2 a bottle and she would cork it and save it for the next night. The next night, she would check out what my tablemates want and serve us all the right wines (including mine from the night before) to us all. The asst waiter from the next table over, whom I had asked for wine recommendations from, the night before, remembered and had more comments for me the next night, etc. It is more like eating in a mid-range restaurant where you are a regular and they know something about you. How they can manage to do this for the dozens of people they get each week over and over is amazing (I do this type of memory thing around here for various activities but my audience doesn't change weekly).

 

To me, it is like mid-range hotel and restaurant service with more personalized service. I don't expect the butler that follows me around, but I get much more personalized service than I get at other hotels and I travel significantly (I've probably stayed in six or seven hotels this year already due to various travelling).

[syndyj]

I don't expect to be pampered any more than when I go on any vacation,I do expect to get my money's worth on vacation and that means fully enjoying the experience, I have never had a bad vacation.

 

I liked my first cruise for the entire crusing experience; visiting different ports, dining, ship activities, tours and just relaxing and exploring the ship. I would expect that my room would be made up, that I will be served drinks and after a week dining at the same table with the same servers, I would think they should remember little details like what drink you usually like to have with dinner. I willnot be upset not having towel animals or the turn down service with the chocolate, surely this will not make or break my vacation!

 

 

But I do not think they spoil you on the ship compared to being at an all inclusive vacation, you still have to buy drinks, pay for transfers, spa services etc. The MOST pampered I have ever been on a vacation was at La Source Resort and Spa in Grenada, from the time we were picked up at the airport in a limo, to the daily spa treatments, the gourmet dining, being served drinks on the beach, and being treated with a bottle of champange, cake and card for my birthday I have never felt more "pampered" and ALL this was included in the all incusive price.

[island lady]

LOL!! Good one. :D

For example' date=' on a Grand Suite or above you get afternoon hors d'oeuvres delivered to your suite, and on many ships you have access to a concierge lounge and concierge services.

There are little touches that mean a lot, too -- the towel animals in your room, a dining room waiter who remembers what kind of bread you like and brings it without asking -- things like that can add to the pampered feeling. So there are a few things that you wouldn't likely find at a luxury hotel, unless you were a major VIP, but for the most part I think it's all about letting somebody else do the cooking & cleaning for you. Just knowing that you can totally R E L A X from the moment the muster drill is over. There's nothing quite like it. :)

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Hi la croisiere s'amuse!

I forgot about those nice little "happy-tisers" to enjoy while we are getting ready for dinner....nice!! :)

 

Your ideas of cruise pampering are many of mine....don't you just love it! :D

 

2 months to go yet....2 months...2 long.

 

Cheers!

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

2 months to go yet....2 months...2 long.

 

Ohh, I feel your pain!! Almost 5 months until the family cruise, over SEVEN months until the Mediterranean cruise. THAT's the one that's got me drooling. :D

[Smiles3usa]

I think those who cruise expecting to be pampered are in for a huge disappointment, most times. Particulary, if they are cruising on a main-line (i.e., mass-market) cruise line. Even with the royal suite, you only get the same food, activities, spa treatments, that every other bloke who has paid $299 for his week cruise. If you want to be "pampered" and are prepared to pay for it, start by looking at a luxury cruise line, and getting their best accommodations, and selecting the best excursions. But then again, some think that dinner at Olive Garden's with no dishes to clean afterwards is pampering. To each his/her own.

[PhinsAndGills]

 

RCI has an initiative called Save Our Seas instituted, I believe, several years ago after being fined for dumping black water and such. Part of that initiative includes a program that is posted in your bathroom regarding towels. It states that if you want a towel changed to please drop it on the floor otherwise, if its hanging they will assume that you will reuse it a time or two. I have to step out of my comfort level to do this as I am a neatfreak and respector of cabin attendants but that is what they want you to do....so feel even more pampered ....throw you towels on the floor.

 

 

Deb

 

My Dad pointed this one out... and it made me giggle (please know that I say this as a funny little observation, we are NOT criticizing at ALL... I reuse my towels on board...)

 

They ask you to re-use your towels each day, but every night when you go into the dining room and sit down, they place the napkin on your lap and take away the plate that did nothing but hold your napkin. They then wash that plate (with the thousands of others) to prepare it for the next evening of napkin holding...

 

ironic, isn't it.;)

[MrsPete]

I agree that the "pampering stuff" can sometimes be over-played on these boards, and it can lead to inflated expectations. For example, everyone seems to just gush about the waiters onboard. I've always been very pleased with ours, but they're not doing anything super-extraordinary or above-and-beyond the waiters at upscale restaurants at home. (Please understand: I'm not knocking them in any way, I'm just not putting them on a pedestal.) If you come onboard expecting to automatically find rose petals on your bed, a cabana boy on your balcony, etc. then you'll be disappointed. If you expect a nice room, good food, and realistic service, then you'll be pleased.

 

I completely agree with the people who say that they feel pampered just because they aren't cooking, cleaning, and driving in traffic for a whole week! I won't own up to being a Clampett, but I might be a distant cousin. I've always been very pleased with the service on my cruises!

[KKeeganS]

I guess it depends on who you ask. My husband would probably rank service & pampering low on his list of things that appeal to him about cruising. I pointed out to him while we were on our last vacation that this means less to him because he always has someone else doing his cooking and cleaning, etc. As the person who spends 51 weeks a year in that role, I do feel pampered, as MrsPete said, just by virtue of getting the week off. Not only is it nice to leave chores in someone else's hands, but it's fantastic that they are so friendly and efficient while they do them (the same can't be said for me while I'm cleaning or cooking, I'm afraid :p ). Having a cabana boy or butler doesn't interest me - that's not my style. I'm quite happy with the quality of service we've found on Celebrity and RCI.

 

I wish I were on a ship right now!

[island lady]

Ohh' date=' I feel your pain!! Almost 5 months until the family cruise, over SEVEN months until the Mediterranean cruise. THAT's the one that's got me drooling. :D[/font']

 

I do envy you that Med cruise!! Sigh.... :)

I did two in the last 3 years, and miss it already. They were both small ships, with top notch service.

 

My next cruise is the other experience with the huge ship, and large crowds. But, something different is always nice, and I am very excited about doing the Mariner that I can board so close to my home. Though I do like the small ships the best.

 

Cheers!

[glr068]

My idea of being pampered is simplly...I don't have to fix my own coffee in the morning. I have clean bath towels with every shower, I get my bed made every morning. Someone is always around to pick up my dishes at meal time. I'm a simple man who likes the simple life and for 7-10 days a year, I get to be that man. For 7-10 days, I don't hear a phone ring, I don't have to listen to the TV blasting, I don't have to fight driving in bumper to bumper traffic, I get to experience fine dining every night if I choose. To me that is being pampered.......;)

[hstrybuf]

While DH and I probably have different ideas of being pampered, not having to listen to phones ringing all day is at the top of both of our lists. (at least until all the ships have cell phone service :( ) I like not having to cook, clean, get up at the same time every day, have my food and drinks brought to me, ahhh so many things.

[NAHA]

When my DH and I were anticipating our first cruise, I laugh when I think back to what we thought was going to be "pampering". One of the things we thought was that we could eat lobster any time of the day, every day! :p

 

Of course, it fell a little short of our fantasies, but, nontheless, it was still one of the most wonderful experiences we ever had. With the exception of our room steward, who was the worst we ever had on a cruise. But we survived and learned she was the exception to the rule.

 

"Pampered" to us is: sharing a ship with a couple thousand other people who, for the most part, are a very happy smiling bunch, unlike work. No time schedule other than what we choose for ourselves. No cleaning the bathroom, the bedroom, no cooking, yet great meals, being called "Madame". Dressing down during the day, dressing up at nite and going out for dinner and a show! To top it off, residing in a beautiful environment in the middle of the ocean.

 

The Celebrity "temporary exile" commercial is a little over the top, but those of us who love cruising know exactly how they feel!

 

Mary

[Nliedel]

I don't know that I agree with everyone. I have stayed in Ritz Carlton's and eaten at Ruth's Chris and I am more than fine on a RCI Cruise. My room steward is almost always perfection, the waiters are great and I have fantastic converations with interesting people. No the food is not amazing anymore.. well so what? It is darn good..

 

So, someone will clean up after you (even is you are a slob.. which is rude in my opinion), cook for you, serve you food and put booze in yoru drinks. People will smile at you too!! It always is nice to be the first one smiling, but if you aren't usually the crew will still smile.. I love RCI Cruises. Love them. I had a chance to "jump ship" to another line a week ago but in the end RCI was a better deal. I am thrilled that I get to keep sailing with them.