So what has Changed over the past 8 years?

[nealstuber]

We we board the Navigator in three weeks, it will be 8 years since our last cruise on RCCL. Geography and timing and pricing put us on other lines since then but we're very pleased to be back.

 

So what has changed?

For the Better?

For the Worse?

 

We expect some cutbacks as all of the lines have kept prices more or less steady in the face of increase costs but we are hoping the shows (especially the Ice show) and dining experience (late seating, large table) will be as much fun as we remember. Also have fond memories of parades on the promenade and great deck parties.

[Merion_Mom]

We we board the Navigator in three weeks, it will be 8 years since our last cruise on RCCL. Geography and timing and pricing put us on other lines since then but we're very pleased to be back.

 

So what has changed?

For the Better?

For the Worse?

 

We expect some cutbacks as all of the lines have kept prices more or less steady in the face of increase costs but we are hoping the shows (especially the Ice show) and dining experience (late seating, large table) will be as much fun as we remember. Also have fond memories of parades on the promenade and great deck parties.

 

Wow. There must be a full moon. Or maybe it's the changeover for DST.

 

Read this thread:

 

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1937836

[emeraldcity]

What has changed? The portions got smaller at dinner, which is awesome because they used to bring too much and it was so good you filled up before dessert (which will never do). Instead of a fancy garnish on your plate, they try to make the entire plate a work of art. And they introduced Savory Bites in the bread tray ... we need at least 3 per person for every dinner on board.

 

Hmm ... let's see ... what else? Music? No. That hasn't changed. There's still live performers playing music in multiple venues throughout the ship. Ice shows ... no change -- still getting rave reviews. Production Shows? Nope, no change ... still relatively well done, with the occasional discriminating viewer giving them a thumbs down. And there's still a nice mix of headliner entertainment, featuring well-known names.

 

The Kruz Comics vanished from the Royal Promenade, or maybe they just morphed into Shrek and Company.

 

The midnight buffets fell off the schedule, but they hired a crew of watermelon carvers to create daily edible art to delight the eye in the Windjammer.

 

Frequent cruisers have a few venues reserved for their own use so the square footage of space available to the plebian masses is probably reduced by 2%.

 

A fresh batch of chair hogs boards every ship every week, along with 2-3 thousand pleasant , excited people eager to make new friends. that hasn't changed either.

 

Basically, nothing major has changed ... enjoy your cruise.

[peteukmcr]

You can take 2 bottles of wine per cabin on board at embarkation, any taken on board during the cruise will still kept until the final evening.

 

You cannot purchase a bottle of liquor from the duty free shop and take it back to your cabin, it will be delivered on the final night of the cruise.

 

MDR menus are now presented as a 3 course meal, but you can still order an appetiser, salad, entree and dessert (and multiples of each) if you require.

 

No chocolates on your pillow at turn down, unless in a suite I believe.

 

Ice in your stateroom is only provided upon request.

 

My Time Dining will take up the top level of the MDR.

 

Pool towels are now collected and returned to a towel station and there is a $25 charge per towel if you don't return them by a specified time on the last evening of the cruise.

 

Coffee and tea facilities in JS category cabins and above.

Edited November 3, 2013 by peteukmcr

[nealstuber]

Thanks to all who have posted here. As you can tell from the time of this post, we are very excited!

[Trekker954]

In the past eight years, I feel the average age of passengers has dropped considerably. This may be ship specific, but for Royal, younger and younger couples, singles and families are sailing. Therefore, the music venues, entertainment and even trivia are more up to date.

[LBumb]

bigger ships with more amenities for sure

[KeywestK]

Added-charge specialty restaurants are appearing on all the ships following refurbishments. They are heavily pushed and promoted once you are on board the ship.

[Paulette3028]

We we board the Navigator in three weeks, it will be 8 years since our last cruise on RCCL. Geography and timing and pricing put us on other lines since then but we're very pleased to be back.

 

So what has changed?

For the Better?

For the Worse?

 

We expect some cutbacks as all of the lines have kept prices more or less steady in the face of increase costs but we are hoping the shows (especially the Ice show) and dining experience (late seating, large table) will be as much fun as we remember. Also have fond memories of parades on the promenade and great deck parties.

 

My DH and I went on our first cruise in February 2004....and we will be going on our 14th cruise over Thanksgiving Weekend, with our 15th scheduled for June 2014. Many people have had more been on more than us and go back further in time.

 

What I can say is simple, with the changes the cruise lines have made (to reduce their costs and keep pricing as reasonable for cruisers as possible with the cruise line goal of full sailing ships) -- the experience has remained a very good one for us.

 

Smaller portions at dinner....that is fine...if I want more, I just ask...and get it. No chocolates on my pillow ....that is fine...if I want an extra dessert, I can order room service.

 

I have one simple request from my room steward....keep the ice bucket filled...and viola....it always is. Ask and you shall receive.

 

Our first experience was on Navigator....we were blown away. The friends we had cruised with on that trip were veterans of many cruises....we got hooked....we loved it...an we have enjoyed every cruise we have taken since.

 

If there is a problem on board, we bring it to someone's attention and viola, it gets handled.

 

I have been a happy cruiser....or maybe I am easy to please, when I am LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A GREAT TIME.

Edited November 3, 2013 by Paulette3028

[hellsop]

We we board the Navigator in three weeks, it will be 8 years since our last cruise on RCCL. Geography and timing and pricing put us on other lines since then but we're very pleased to be back.

 

So what has changed?

For the Better?

For the Worse?

 

We expect some cutbacks as all of the lines have kept prices more or less steady in the face of increase costs but we are hoping the shows (especially the Ice show) and dining experience (late seating, large table) will be as much fun as we remember. Also have fond memories of parades on the promenade and great deck parties.

 

The biggest changes in 8 years is probably the shift from gratuity envelopes standard tipping all being handled behind the scenes, and walk-off disembarkation options.

[nealstuber]

All sounds good... Since they did away with the midnight buffet, is there a brunch?

 

Can't believe ds was HALF his age last time when we did a voyager repo ower thanksgiving.

[Paulette3028]

All sounds good... Since they did away with the midnight buffet, is there a brunch?

 

Can't believe ds was HALF his age last time when we did a voyager repo ower thanksgiving.

 

Some of the ships still have 'Midnight buffets' (some start at 11pm - disco dancing on the pool deck) -- some of them are not quite as elaborate as in years past - but still plenty to eat....and anyway -- dinner was only a few hours ago.

 

If they just did a 'late night dessert buffet' -- I would be thrilled.

[nealstuber]

Pros I have ascertained so far:

$45 per day drink packages

Improved loyalty program

Improved Cc meet and mingle

2 bottles of wine per room

Cons

No Rasul in the spa

No robe in rome unless you are platinum

Tips up to 12 bucks per day

 

Still there:

Tube TVs on Navigator

Bonafide formal night

Show every night

Breakfast and lunch not brunch at se

Few casino perks

[oneputt18]

No Rasul in the spa

 

Rasul?

Googled it it says messenger or prophet in Islam

 

Never mind, I found it.

Edited November 9, 2013 by oneputt18

[emeraldcity]

Rasul?

Googled it it says messenger or prophet in Islam

 

Never mind, I found it.

 

I dunno. I think a prophet in the spa might drive away paying customers. :)

[Merion_Mom]

I dunno. I think a prophet in the spa might drive away paying customers. :)

 

But profit in the spa is very popular with the management. :D

[nealstuber]

Rasul was a couples.mud bath ;). Discovered it on Celebrity 12 years ago and enjoyed on the mariner and voyager too.

[nealstuber]

After taking our cruise I am pleased to report that RCCL has maintained the quality level that DW and I remembered from 8 years ago. In fact our dining and the entertainment was better than 8 years ago. And Rasul is still there too (but it needs some help). Full review coming soon!

Edited December 3, 2013 by nealstuber