What keeps you sailing with Royal?

[JohnGaltny]

As I read your reply, a thought jumped into my head -- all businesses want more profits and the bean counters are always looking at ways to cut costs. Whether it was GM in the 70's or a telecommunication company in the 90's (and I worked for them back then and they were brutal at cutting costs) or a vacation provider (hotel or cruise line) today. The choices that they make are important. Sacrificing safety, would be an unwise choice for sure, so it comes down to employee numbers to deliver their product -- which clearly has happened: less cabin stewards, less wait staff (including bar service) and the list probably has others less noticeable.

 

From reading other posts on other boards, other lines have done the same as Royal.

 

At the end of the day, if I have the fun I anticipated on the cruise, I will be back -- because that is what I cruise for: a fun vacation. We always seem to find a cruise priced at what we are willing to pay. I don't recognize the term 'premium cost' simply because, what is available as entertainment (from what I have read and been told by people I trust) other lines 'won't be giving me my kind of premium entertainment experience' -- therefore it isn't 'apples to apples' anyway.

 

Interesting thoughts Paulette.

 

I don't disagree about most of what you said and I actually support that the business of RCI (and any business) is to maintain or increase profit. However, I suggest that there is a line (admittedly difficult to quantify) where the bean counters MUST give way to the Quality Control/Product Management considerations.

 

As a much more critical example, I was a member of the Board of Directors of a local hospital in the 90s (remember "managed care") and cost reductions were critically important to survival. HOWEVER, at a point, reductions in staff (particularly nursing) began to affect patient care and patient satisfaction. The Board of Directors actually ORDERED the CEO to dump $1,000,000 into nursing immediately. Now I fully admit that a not-for-profit medical facility is a whole different world from an elective vacation but the business principle remains the same. Cost reduction is important but so is QA and client satisfaction.

 

From what I am seeing in many threads and hearing from many posters, RCI may be crossing that line.

 

Great discussion. Thank you.

Edited April 15, 2015 by JohnGaltny

[Cruising_Tiger]

There is very little keeping on RCL ships. I have a couple of cruises already booked at much more reasonable prices, but it looks like that they will be the last on RCL for quite a while. The service on RCL has declined and the prices have been constantly rising. Compared to the other cruise lines, RCL is very expensive. As more cruisers select other cruise lines, RCL will eventually get the message. It's too bad, I've enjoyed my time on RCL.

[davy jones]

It's not just Royal, it is the industry.

 

First, I will state that we are not "loyal" to any cruise line. We like cruising, not a specific line. Our 25 cruises have been on 8 different cruise lines. Since the cruise lines are not that much different, it comes down to price and itinerary. The lure of a couple of free drinks or snooty perks doesn't influence our crusing decisions.

 

We are booked on Royal later this year. After that cruise, we will assess whether cruising is still for us, on any line. Those who still say "WOW" on any large cruise line are either first time cruisers, or those who easily fall for the marketing pitch. Our cruise last fall on the Explorer was good, but we could see the effect of the cutbacks. From recent postings, it appears that the cutbacks have increased across most lines, not just Royal.

 

We have reasonable expectations, and we keep lowering them. Sadly, all of the lines are on a race to the bottom. One cuts, the others follow. One raises prices, the others follow. Each cutback may be "small" but the sum of the cutbacks is becoming larger and larger. I can live with reasonable price increases for the same product, but large increases for a diminishing product are unacceptable.

 

Sadly, we may be reaching the point where the allure of ocean crusing (not the ship) is being overcome by the increasing cutbacks. When that happens, we will vote with our $. The downward spiral will not end until the $ votes add up.

[xpcdoojk]

What other cruise lines have a flowrider? :confused:

 

I only book cruises that fit whatever budget I feel the cruise is worth. There are super cheap cruises on RCI, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, HAL, etc. There are super over priced cruises on those same lines too.

 

Bogohoax, seems to be the silliest complaint of all time in this forum. Who cares what they call the mechanism to price their cruise. You either book because the price fits your personal value formula or not. Just because it is a stupid gimmicky marketing ploy seems to be a poor reason to pick another cruise line.

 

I will cruise with any cruise line, but I prefer RCI still, this is even after the disastrous Liberty cruise during Spring Break.... not RCI's fault, but still there was a lot to dislike about those five days.

 

I wish, I lived in Florida, so I could take advantage of the super cheap cruises. I wish I was retired (and rich) so I could pay for whatever I want and go whenever I wanted.

 

jc

[setsail]

It's not just Royal, it is the industry.

 

 

 

Those who still say "WOW" on any large cruise line are either first time cruisers, or those who easily fall for the marketing pitch.

 

.

 

I can see you have a handle on why people who love cruising continue to cruise:rolleyes::eek:

[iancal]

We are Diamond. I do not think that we will be sailing again with RCI.

 

We were on a Voyager cruise last month. The cutbacks in food, entertainment, and service were very obvious. We saw it on our Oct. Serenade Med cruise as well but not to the same extent.

 

Prior to our March Voyager cruise we did a Feb cruise on Sun Princess. The differences in food quality and service levels were astounding. They made us realize how far RCI had dropped.

 

Diamond level is nice but for us it in no way compensates for the overall drop in our cruise experience.

[setsail]

We are Diamond. I do not think that we will be sailing again with RCI.

 

We were on a Voyager cruise last month. The cutbacks in food, entertainment, and service were very obvious. We saw it on our Oct. Serenade Med cruise as well but not to the same extent.

 

Prior to our March Voyager cruise we did a Feb cruise on Sun Princess. The differences in food quality and service levels were astounding. They made us realize how far RCI had dropped.

 

Diamond level is nice but for us it in no way compensates for the overall drop in our cruise experience.

 

The thread/title is about people who continue to cruise rci and why they come back:rolleyes:

 

We love the ships/crews and the way rci has evolved and changed over the last 30 years since the Songs

Edited April 15, 2015 by setsail

[dplusd]

I can live with reasonable price increases for the same product, but large increases for a diminishing product are unacceptable.

 

Well said and I totally agree.

[iancal]

Oh. Then our answer would be that nothing keeps us sailing with RCI since the last two cruises-notwithstanding our Diamond status.

[chipmaster]

Interesting thread and for us we seemed awfully skewed to one line but it came down to many factors

 

1) schedule/ports: Got to meet that first

2) price/value and mood at the moment

 

RCCL has a neat marketing line and I see their ads, want to do it and every time just didn't make it on 1) or 2) I know that once I've decided on 1) then I go to 2) but if only one line meets 1) I will go whether Carnival, NCL or Disney for that matter.

 

Cruising is but one of many type vacations so its hit or miss.

 

All things being equal $ would go RCCL over Princess/Carnival. A thought experiment for inside on RCCL and balcony or outside on Princess would go Princess and Carnival never makes the mix, even suite to inside. The one experience going budget wasn't enough to swing me to go. I have a minimum standard when it comes to cruising :D Kind of like saying would a take a big suite at Motel6 over any room at Holiday Inn

[molsonschooner]

I see a lot of comments on cutbacks and how other cruise lines are going the same way. People have mentioned how cruising is a business and the company needs to see a certain profit. I have to wonder if this same logic would not apply to land based vacations. Those businesses also have increasing expenses so I would think that you might see some cutbacks there also. Or perhaps raising the overall cost of the vacation package. I can't say for sure as I have not personally been to a land based resort.

[JohnGaltny]

I can live with reasonable price increases for the same product, but large increases for a diminishing product are unacceptable.

 

Sums up the discussion succinctly.

[American Bear]

We are Diamond. I do not think that we will be sailing again with RCI.

 

We were on a Voyager cruise last month. The cutbacks in food, entertainment, and service were very obvious. We saw it on our Oct. Serenade Med cruise as well but not to the same extent.

 

Prior to our March Voyager cruise we did a Feb cruise on Sun Princess. The differences in food quality and service levels were astounding. They made us realize how far RCI had dropped.

 

Diamond level is nice but for us it in no way compensates for the overall drop in our cruise experience.

 

 

RCL's highest levels of their loyalty clubs offer the most benes., but take a lot longer to get there then other cruise lines.

So trying other cruise lines isn't as bad as you may think, you'll gain higher levels faster.:)

[xpcdoojk]

Sums up the discussion succinctly.

 

Actually, it only sums up your point of view...

 

jc

[klingoncruiser]

How did we come to this? We are Diamond+, but rarely sail on RCI any more. Our last cruise was not good on the Navigator. So many things were just way below what they used to be. We now sail NCL repeatedly due to price,port line up, and the overall laid back feel to their cruises. I have no doubt that eventually, they too will cut back so far I no longer sail on them. :rolleyes:

 

You would think RCI would read these kinds of things and try to figure out how to stop the hemorrhaging of once loyal customers, but I guess not. It is a shame when you put more effort into increasing you stock price than passenger who make that happen anyway if they are kept happy.

[American Bear]

Interesting thread and for us we seemed awfully skewed to one line but it came down to many factors

 

1) schedule/ports: Got to meet that first

2) price/value and mood at the moment

 

RCCL has a neat marketing line and I see their ads, want to do it and every time just didn't make it on 1) or 2) I know that once I've decided on 1) then I go to 2) but if only one line meets 1) I will go whether Carnival, NCL or Disney for that matter.

 

Cruising is but one of many type vacations so its hit or miss.

 

All things being equal $ would go RCCL over Princess/Carnival. A thought experiment for inside on RCCL and balcony or outside on Princess would go Princess and Carnival never makes the mix, even suite to inside. The one experience going budget wasn't enough to swing me to go. I have a minimum standard when it comes to cruising :D Kind of like saying would a take a big suite at Motel6 over any room at Holiday Inn

 

 

Don't really understand your comment.

In many areas you may not have noticed, RCL is falling behind, while raising cruise, drink, and gratuity prices, and neat marketing can't hide it.

You mentioned $, $ is never equal between RCL and Carnival, and we could add NCL and MSC to the list.

RCL is almost always the highest.

You mentioned minimum standards, let me suggest NCL 'Haven', or the MSC 'Yacht Club' to you!

Talk about service, NCL and MSC offer upscale service experiences in their 'ship within a ship'. And I mean UPSCALE!

Both cruise lines meet you at the pier, escort you though ticketing, and you have a private concierge to assist you the entire cruise.

Oh yea, in the Yacht Club, they give you free drinks, hot and cold snacks, a small private buffet a private bar, all in the private area set aside for you, and then will escort you through the ship to their private restaurant!:D

Can you handle that much service? The best is yet to come,,,,,

You'll pay to get in the MSC Yacht Club 'about' what you'd pay for a RCL Jr. Suite !:eek:

All I got to say is I got stock in RCL, and I thank you for being loyal, but we do most of my cruising elsewhere now.:)

[awestover89]

How did we come to this? We are Diamond+, but rarely sail on RCI any more. Our last cruise was not good on the Navigator. So many things were just way below what they used to be. We now sail NCL repeatedly due to price,port line up, and the overall laid back feel to their cruises. I have no doubt that eventually, they too will cut back so far I no longer sail on them. :rolleyes:

 

You would think RCI would read these kinds of things and try to figure out how to stop the hemorrhaging of once loyal customers, but I guess not. It is a shame when you put more effort into increasing you stock price than passenger who make that happen anyway if they are kept happy.

 

But is there really hemorrhaging? Sure there are a decent number of people here on CC who say they no longer cruise RCI, but it still seems like most of their cruises sell out. Their Q1 earnings statement is coming out Monday, I'm interested to read it.

[Paulette3028]

We are Diamond. I do not think that we will be sailing again with RCI.

 

We were on a Voyager cruise last month. The cutbacks in food, entertainment, and service were very obvious. We saw it on our Oct. Serenade Med cruise as well but not to the same extent.

 

Prior to our March Voyager cruise we did a Feb cruise on Sun Princess. The differences in food quality and service levels were astounding. They made us realize how far RCI had dropped.

 

Diamond level is nice but for us it in no way compensates for the overall drop in our cruise experience.

 

You mention that "cutbacks in food, entertainment and service were very obvious" -- so what cutbacks in entertainment did you experience on Voyager?

 

Then you mention "the differences in food quality and service levels were astounding' on Sun Princess -- but you make no mention of entertainment.....so therefore you could be leaving out any mention of entertainment on Sun Princess because (1) they did not offer any entertainment or (2) it was of a lesser quality and you choose not to mention it, or (3) something else, that I did not mention.....which is it?

[depplep]

With the exception of one terrible cruise, we've always been very happy with the experience, the service, the ships, for the most part, the food. We've thought of seeing if the grass was greener on the other side, but we're happy enough to stay with Royal. I think if we ever did it would be one of the upscale lines like Regent.

[davy jones]

I can see you have a handle on why people who love cruising continue to cruise:rolleyes::eek:

 

I know what wows me, and it is not a fancy atrium or promenade. They are decoration and I can see them at the local upscale mall, fancy hotel, theater or casino

 

What "wows" me on cruises and keeps me coming back is the ocean. Relaxing and looking out over this seemingly endless, beautiful creation that man can not build or control. We can only try to get along with it. This feeling is even greater at night, when you can also see the sky and stars in full.

 

That, and a different port each day. The rest I can get on land.

[TheGinBoy]

I'm waiting on my sixth cruise, aboard Explorer OTS, all the previous five have been with RCCL also.

 

I've just really enjoyed the excellent service, the younger crowd compared to many of the other cruise lines that service the UK / Europe, and the big pretty ships.

 

Yay for big pretty ships.

[cocacola86]

Anyone ever listen to Royal Caribbean blog podcast, if you haven't check it out. My parents are thinking of coming with us, they've never been on a cruise or to the Caribbean is it better for a 5 day or a 7 day?

[DarthGrady]

I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but when we look at some of the prices I don't know if I could pay some of the prices. Don't get me wrong my DW and I really want to sail Royal but some of the ships are just enormous. Why when I look at Royal and the prices, I think of Carnival. I know there not glamorous but what if that's all some people can afford, there MDR is excellent, Guys Burgers is addicting. Anybody else have thoughts on this? Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Royal or anyone who decides to cruise with them.

The loyalty program is my favorite thing about RCI, and that most of the friends we've met over the years also go Royal. That's mostly due to the loyalty program as well, as it fosters camaraderie better than the other lines.

 

But as others have said, the ridiculous "sale" prices have been giving us a reason to look at other lines as well.

[Coralc]

Not very much anymore.

[judygund]

Their perks for Diamonds is a biggie for us...Too many cut backs otherwise.