Voyager Review - NYE cruise Fiji & NZ

[mr walker]

Interesting to read of MTD experiences. On our first 4 cruises on RC we always did 8:30 'traditional". The only downside we experienced was 'wasting' time after the early (7pm) show, waiting for 8:30.

 

So when we saw our TA booked us MTD on our Voyager 14N we thought we would try it. So we just rocked up after the show, so around 8pm and got seating (on a 6 or 8 ) with others straight away. The service & company were variable, but around night 5 we were seated with 4 other couples, enjoyed both the staff service & the company & joined that group for the rest of the cruise. We all just turned up at 8:15 and got 'our' table and staff.

 

For our recent B2B2B on Rhapsody, we made reservations by phone before our trip for all 34N for 8pm for MTD - party of 4. We turned up around 8 each night and were seated quickly in the same section and mostly the same staff on a table for 4. There were some issues about which table we got and some service was better than other. By leg 3 we spoke to Head Waiter and he arranged the same table for us at same time each night. He would actually call our room if the party before us finished early to see if we wanted to come earlier.

 

MTD is a little different & there can be some issues & we all have different expectations, but all in all DW & I were happy - we are half glass full people, happy to be on a cruise.

 

As we are a group of 10 on our upcoming 3N we have elected for 8:30 traditional for convenience,but will most likely choose MTD in the future.

 

Happy cruising.

[aussielozzie18]

Hi Aussielozzie18, a couple of questions.

In regards to the MDR, how big is your family, I know it doesn't excuse Mr grumpies behaviour but I have always found Anytime/select dining to be much easier with 2 people than with four let alone a group of 6 or more.

Last cruise we had 18 (wife's birthday bash) for 2 of the nights and we could only ever get a 6pm seating on either two or three tables. If we rocked up with 6 or 8 of us we always had to wait at least 1/2 hour (which for me was very reasonable).

The other query was, in relation to the C&A happy hours. We will be Diamond for our cruise due to reciprocal rights (Elite with X) and it will be our first RCI cruise. Did you happen to hear anything from any other guests? If so did they mention what times they had them?

 

cheers Mic :D

 

Hi Mic,

Just a small family. Yes, we did request to be seated at a table by ourselves. Seating with others was not offered though.

 

Sorry, don't have any info on C & A happy hours.

[MicCanberra]

Hi Mic,

Just a small family. Yes, we did request to be seated at a table by ourselves. Seating with others was not offered though.

 

Sorry, don't have any info on C & A happy hours.

 

Thanks, perhaps someone else will chime in with the info.:D

Edited January 18, 2015 by MicCanberra

[avalon007]

Hi Mic,

Just a small family. Yes, we did request to be seated at a table by ourselves. Seating with others was not offered though.

 

Sorry, don't have any info on C & A happy hours.

 

 

My advice - always ask to sit with others on a shared table straight away - it's quicker to get a table & good to socialise. It doesn't mean you will be put on a table with other people all the time, but I find if you come across to the staff as super flexible & willing to make their job easier, then they look after you.;)

[avalon007]

Thanks, perhaps someone else will chime in with the info.:D

 

I think but not 100% sure it's 5-7pm?

[Aussie FF]

Hi Mic.

 

Congrats for making it to 'free drinks level'.:)

It's 5pm to 8.30pm.:)

We usually fit in a few before dinner, and have time after dinner to go back and have a few more.:D

 

Now we just need to organise when we can have a few drinks together.:D:D

Edited January 18, 2015 by Aussie FF

[megsie]

Mic,

Last year on Voyager, the Diamond cocktail hours event was held in the 19th hole bar. It will be nice to see the new Diamond Lounge. Last year there was only ever a handful of people in the lounge. Don't forget your SeaPass is loaded with three free drinks at some/?most bars (not dining rooms) for use during the cocktail hours as well. Sometimes you have to tell the waiters though. Also as we are Diamond on RCI and crossed to Elite on Celebrity we had to enrol in the Captain's Club on Celebrity before our Solstice cruise. I think you have to join C&A on RCI when going across from Celebrity. Just in case, worth checking if you didn't already know.

[Lilfrog79]

Thanks for the Info on MTD. Can I just ask are the main shows on the same time each night? Like I remember usually there's an early seating and late seating. Do you remember tHe times of the shows each night? I think they generally stay the same from recollection. I'm thinking if I can work out the show times I might be able to book my dining times in advance so I don't encounter Mr Rude. I don't know if my patience is as good as yours hehehe.

[aussielozzie18]

Thanks for the Info on MTD. Can I just ask are the main shows on the same time each night? Like I remember usually there's an early seating and late seating. Do you remember tHe times of the shows each night? I think they generally stay the same from recollection. I'm thinking if I can work out the show times I might be able to book my dining times in advance so I don't encounter Mr Rude. I don't know if my patience is as good as yours hehehe.

 

Day1 - 7.45pm only

Day 2 - 8.45pm & 10.30pm

Day 3 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 4 - 8.00pm & 10.30pm - 3D movie not a Show

Day 5 - 8.45pm & 10.30pm

Day 6 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 7 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 8 - 6.00pm & 8.3pm - 3D movie not a Show

Day 9 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 10 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 11 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 12 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 13 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 14 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

 

Knew those Cruise Compasses would come in handy for someone:)

Edited January 18, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[Discodaisy]

Thanks for posting the show times. I will chat to my family about dinner as we have a table of 5.

[MicCanberra]

I think but not 100% sure it's 5-7pm?

 

Hi Mic.

 

Congrats for making it to 'free drinks level'.:)

It's 5pm to 8.30pm.:)

We usually fit in a few before dinner, and have time after dinner to go back and have a few more.:D

 

Now we just need to organise when we can have a few drinks together.:D:D

Thank you both for this info, I may not worry about a drink's package at all.:D

[MicCanberra]

Mic,

Last year on Voyager, the Diamond cocktail hours event was held in the 19th hole bar. It will be nice to see the new Diamond Lounge. Last year there was only ever a handful of people in the lounge. Don't forget your SeaPass is loaded with three free drinks at some/?most bars (not dining rooms) for use during the cocktail hours as well. Sometimes you have to tell the waiters though. Also as we are Diamond on RCI and crossed to Elite on Celebrity we had to enrol in the Captain's Club on Celebrity before our Solstice cruise. I think you have to join C&A on RCI when going across from Celebrity. Just in case, worth checking if you didn't already know.

Thanks Megsie, we have joined and our 'My cruises' status has us as Diamond. So happy hour only gets you 3 drinks or is that for anywhere other than the Diamond lounge.

[megsie]

Thanks Megsie, we have joined and our 'My cruises' status has us as Diamond. So happy hour only gets you 3 drinks or is that for anywhere other than the Diamond lounge.

 

Sounds like you're well organised.

The SeaPass loaded, daily free drinks are if you want to have a drink in different bars during cocktail time other than DL. Handy if you're travelling with family or friends who would not be allowed into Diamond Lounge. Otherwise in the DL, unlimited drinks during cocktail time. Depending on the waiter and DL concierge as to what they'll give you for free - usually, wine, beer, sodas - not sure which cocktails or mixers. They had alcoholic cider last time as well.

[MicCanberra]

Sounds like you're well organised.

The SeaPass loaded, daily free drinks are if you want to have a drink in different bars during cocktail time other than DL. Handy if you're travelling with family or friends who would not be allowed into Diamond Lounge. Otherwise in the DL, unlimited drinks during cocktail time. Depending on the waiter and DL concierge as to what they'll give you for free - usually, wine, beer, sodas - not sure which cocktails or mixers. They had alcoholic cider last time as well.

 

Excellent news, this means we can use our 3 free drinks up at the Sky bar for just before sailaway. Thanks for the additional info, most helpful.:D

[cruisine21]

Do you have to pay for Giovanni's Table when you make the reservation online?

 

 

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[boeckli]

Do you have to pay for Giovanni's Table when you make the reservation online?

 

 

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I believe you do.

[Lilfrog79]

Day1 - 7.45pm only

Day 2 - 8.45pm & 10.30pm

Day 3 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 4 - 8.00pm & 10.30pm - 3D movie not a Show

Day 5 - 8.45pm & 10.30pm

Day 6 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 7 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 8 - 6.00pm & 8.3pm - 3D movie not a Show

Day 9 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 10 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 11 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 12 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 13 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

Day 14 - 6.45pm & 8.45pm

 

Knew those Cruise Compasses would come in handy for someone:)

 

Thanks so much for posting ALL the times. That's awesome. This review has been super helpful, and I think knowing what I k ow now, will make my cruise just that little less problematic!!!! :)

[Aussieflyer]

Do you have to pay for Giovanni's Table when you make the reservation online?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Anytime I have booked restaurants or extras online before a cruise I have always had to pre-pay.That's why some people like to wait till they are onboard if they have OBC.

[aussielozzie18]

A family member has informed me that it was the Suva Police Band that we saw perform on the dock in Suva. Wish I could upload a photo, their uniforms were impressive.

Edited January 19, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[avalon007]

A family member has informed me that it was the Suva Police Band that we saw perform on the dock in Suva. Wish I could upload a photo, their uniforms were impressive.

 

 

I cruised to Fiji with my parents when I was a kid & I can still remember the police band with the white zig zag hemmed skirts on the men.

 

I remember mostly though the locals singing Isa Lei (Fijian farewell song), hope they still do it?

[thrilled4time]

Making the MTD reservations is proving a most frustrating experience!!!! :mad:

Having entered most of the info for a 2nd and 3rd time, when i got to the checkout phase, their system bombed out and now won't let me back into the booking once looged in ..... arggggghhhh !!

I had the same experience for MTD on for Feb 5th cruise. I called reservations or else the Shore Excursions desk (Sorry, don't remember), but they ended finishing all of them for me. So now I am set for the nights I want MTD :-)...good luck.

[easytiger]

 

 

For anyone worried about booking Voyager, I think the idea that there are some new registrations with bad reviews is a very interesting point. They say that about 5% of cruisers are on Cruise Critic, and I can't remember what percentage of those actually does reviews.

 

There will be things that are not perfect, but there are a lot of people that keep coming back, and sometimes it is what you make it. Sometimes you can be very tired before you get on board and it can make people grumpy.

 

Writing this review would have taken quite a while, and I enjoyed reading it, and hope it has helped people feel better about Voyager. Cruise lines and their staff are doing their best most of the time, which is like how it happens on land. :)

 

 

Many thanks for the review. I am finding it strange however that some people seem to be taking offence at the many negative reviews that have been posted on the Voyager. We were on the repositioning cruise after dry dock and whilst we had an enjoyable time, many of the issues that have been raised, we experienced first hand. You will find that all the reviews are very consistent in what is being reported so I am hoping RCI is paying attention. There are many issues that need to be resolved with understaffing being the priority. Having spoken to customer relations after our cruise, they themselves admitted that there were many notes on their computer about this ship. I am not a professional whinger, rather a concerned customer who has other cruises booked with this company. I'm pleased that the OP had a wonderful cruise but let's not bury our heads in the sand about the issues on this ship.

Edited January 26, 2015 by easytiger
spelling

[suerocks666]

Wow. I just wanted to say thank you for posting such an informative and detailed review. I too have been getting worried about some of the VOTS reviews I have read. My husband and I are cruising on her 22nd Feb to NZ it's our 20th wedding anniversary. After reading your review I feel much better. We have cruised before, twice on Carnival, but this is our first RCI cruise and the first time without our kids.

I think I can now excitedly look forward to our cruise.

Thanks again

Sue

[Lilfrog79]

Many thanks for the review. I am finding it strange however that some people seem to be taking offence at the many negative reviews that have been posted on the Voyager.

 

I don't think people take offence at these negative reviews, I think it's more of a case of, some of the things you read are pretty silly. It seems to me that overcrowding is most CERTAINLY an issue on board VOTS. It seems like this $80m refurb was just a clever marketing ploy to cram more rooms on board. That's a bit disappointing.

 

I am boarding on the 5th Feb and I really am not looking forward to lining up for 20 minutes for a coffee, especially after paying $400 odd for the premium (non Alcoholic) drinks package. However I'm not going to let this ruin my holiday. I go on board not expecting a lot, and hopefully I am surprised.

 

And I also agree that about 5% of cruisers are professional wingers. On board and off. So considering out of some 3500 passengers on each voyage there's only a few who log on to complain and gripe, that's not too bad.

 

;)

[aussielozzie18]

Wow. I just wanted to say thank you for posting such an informative and detailed review. I too have been getting worried about some of the VOTS reviews I have read. My husband and I are cruising on her 22nd Feb to NZ it's our 20th wedding anniversary. After reading your review I feel much better. We have cruised before, twice on Carnival, but this is our first RCI cruise and the first time without our kids.

I think I can now excitedly look forward to our cruise.

Thanks again

Sue

 

My pleasure Sue. Have a lovely kid free anniversary cruise:)

Edited January 27, 2015 by aussielozzie18