Independence- lack of quality/service?

[LuvWilliam]

We have been on a lot of RCI ships. Love the service on all of them. We are not needy people, even tell our stateroom attendant we don't need anything but clean towels every few days. We like a good bartender or cocktail waitress but other than that, we are easygoing people. That being said, i am traveling with my family and can't say the same for all of them! (my parents like good waiters in the MDR!) I keep reading reviews on the Indy over the last couple months and a lot are saying how the service has depreciated on the ship. Any reports? We are on the first cruise when she's back from over the pond. (nov 15th)

[retird]

Do you really expect an answer that will set your worries to rest. I am sure you will get responses that are both positive and negative and only you will be able to know whether the service is up to your parents standards once you are on the cruise.

[abridalmaven]

Not very recent but last January. I loved that ship and every server or attendant were pleasant. But my take is that people respond in kind to how they are treated. We rarely have bad service in places we go. Maybe I am naive, but I feel if you act nicely to people they will go out of their way to help you. I found this worked when I had my own business also. My employees were like family ( some actually were) and everyone of them would do anything I asked. Key here was asked not demanded.

[wales4ever]

When you look at reviews, discard the absolutely terrible ones and the overly fantastic ones. Just get an average of the rest and you will have a better idea.

[happidaze]

Again, a while ago, last November and there was no negativity regarding the service we received, nor was there the time before that.

 

A lot of the time it can be the way they are spoken to at first or treated, but then again, they should respond with a positive, well mannered attitude or service, even though it must be extremely hard at times for them

 

Saying that the service on the RCI ships are no way up to the service received on Thomson ships, totally different ships that you cannot compare, but the service is outstanding in comparison

[ChipLondon]

The only thing I would say is that all ships have good and not so good crew members, my only concern for you is the fact that the ship has just returned from Europe. The staff might take a while to adjust to the expectations of US guests, which are different from some Europeans.

I know from experience that was an issue last year when the ID first sailed in Florida, although I found the staff to be be good in general, I did overhear comments from US guests that expressed concerns.

 

........... We are on the first cruise when she's back from over the pond. (nov 15th)

[Mines]

The only thing I would say is that all ships have good and not so good crew members, my only concern for you is the fact that the ship has just returned from Europe. The staff might take a while to adjust to the expectations of US guests, which are different from some Europeans.

I know from experience that was an issue last year when the ID first sailed in Florida, although I found the staff to be be good in general, I did overhear comments from US guests that expressed concerns.

 

I do not think that British expectations are very different from American. Even when sailing from Southampton, only three countries dominate the racial distribution of clients, USA, Canada and UK.

[Fat Paul]

I once had a coworker that complained bitterly about everything. She always had crappy service in restaurants, bad treatment by store clerks and awful vacations. I learned to take everything she said with a grain of salt. Some people think that finding fault with everything makes them look discerning.

[Ocean Boy]

I do not think that British expectations are very different from American. Even when sailing from Southampton, only three countries dominate the racial distribution of clients, USA, Canada and UK.

 

What does country of citizenship have to do with racial distribution?

[hairymelon]

I sailed on Indy in June and had a wonderful time. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and friendly, the ship was clean and the food good. I am very laid back person and like to get on with people and also show respect to those providing a service and I think that probably helps a lot :)

[leaveitallbehind]

Excellent service on Indy last March - going again this March and expect the same.

[bournemouth air]

We just got off Indy last weekend and would say the service wasnt as good as previous years.

 

Bathrooms wasnt cleaned as well as before. Staff on squeeze bar was very misrable.

 

 

 

 

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[leaveitallbehind]

We just got off Indy last weekend and would say the service wasnt as good as previous years.

 

Bathrooms wasnt cleaned as well as before. Staff on squeeze bar was very misrable.

 

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...and you commented on the poor soda quality on your other thread. Sounds like there were a number of things you didn't care for.

 

As asked by another poster on that thread, did you bring any of this up with guest services?

[avazah]

I was also on Indy in January. I know Indy has since left Florida for Europe for the summer, but the few months before my cruise (and the few weeks since she returned to Florida for the winter), there were LOADS of bad reviews. I was also quite nervous, since it was our first cruise.

 

We had a blast. The crew was fantastic! Our server in the MDR was very friendly and provided excellent service (almost a bit too excellent -- he always insisted we try another dish, even though I knew we couldn't finish all the food!). We really didn't ask much of our stateroom attendant, but she was totally fine and very polite. I have dietary issues and the staff in the windjammer were JUMPING to find out if I could or couldn't eat something and were totally willing to help out.

 

I don't think you need to worry. People who are looking for problems will find them. Enjoy your cruise :)

[wong1071]

We came off Indy on Saturday and had an excellent time. we only came across one miserable bar tender (in the casino) but otherwise all service was excellent. Our waiters were very attentive and our room attendant was very good. It was quite sad on the last night to overhear so many people removing tips at guest services :rolleyes: Maybe it happens too often and the "bad service" is from people who feel despondent.