What do you believe is the SECRET to getting good service when you cruise?

[Paulette3028]

Over the last few years we have heard cruisers complain about the decline in service from crew and staff members. Yet, some cruisers seem to get great service -- what do you feel is the reason?

[B-52]

Perception.....some people you can never please...others are happy regardless

They would really have to screw me to get me upset....

Otherwise I know exactly what to expect.

Edited April 15, 2015 by B-52

[ChipLondon]

In general I think the service is good, however a nice tip does help along the way.:D

Edited. Treat people the way you want to be treated, some guests are unfortunately very rude.

And yes I know that service should not rely on extra tips, but welcome to 2015.:eek:

Edited April 15, 2015 by ChipLondon

[TxKroozer]

Very simple. Don't expect great service. Be polite yourself and smile. It actually doesn't hurt to smile yourself and say thank you. I think there was an old saying, what goes around comes around.

[luvscruising2007]

We have always had great service on RC ships. With one exception. That was one of our servers on an Explorer cruise. His attitude was strange and he made odd remarks. Not really rude, just different.

 

We are always very friendly toward crew, smile a lot, talk with them when they seem to have time and desire. We use the card in the door to indicate that we want service in the cabin.

 

But, most importantly, we treat the crew with respect. We use please and thank you.

We treat them as equals and not as servants.

 

I also believe that the attitude of the crew comes down from the top, be it the captain or hotel director.

[MommaBear55]

We have always had great service on RC ships. With one exception. That was one of our servers on an Explorer cruise. His attitude was strange and he made odd remarks. Not really rude, just different.

 

We are always very friendly toward crew, smile a lot, talk with them when they seem to have time and desire. We use the card in the door to indicate that we want service in the cabin.

 

But, most importantly, we treat the crew with respect. We use please and thank you.

We treat them as equals and not as servants.

 

I also believe that the attitude of the crew comes down from the top, be it the captain or hotel director.

 

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

[tm3750]

I can't say I have ever been on a bad cruise. There may have been times I didn't feel I was getting what I wanted, and then again maybe I was wanting too much!!!

[cruisegirl1]

We've NEVER had bad service on any cruise, be it RCI or any other line. Oftentimes the crew appears overworked, but they do their best to provide good service.

 

A previous poster said it best. Treat crew ( or anyone for that matter) with respect and you will get the same in return.

 

M

[jules815]

In general I think the service is good, however a nice tip does help along the way.:D

Edited. Treat people the way you want to be treated, some guests are unfortunately very rude.

And yes I know that service should not rely on extra tips, but welcome to 2015.:eek:

 

What Chip said. :)

[TexCruise371]

We have always had great service on RC ships. With one exception. That was one of our servers on an Explorer cruise. His attitude was strange and he made odd remarks. Not really rude, just different.

 

We are always very friendly toward crew, smile a lot, talk with them when they seem to have time and desire. We use the card in the door to indicate that we want service in the cabin.

 

But, most importantly, we treat the crew with respect. We use please and thank you.

We treat them as equals and not as servants.

 

I also believe that the attitude of the crew comes down from the top, be it the captain or hotel director.

 

I could not have said it better! :D

[Justmekaren918]

Just show respect to the very hard working; never a day off during there contract employees! It will form a great 2 way street and the pillars to a great cruise vacation! Yes the tips help!

[Debde]

Expectations. Keep them realistic. Be easy to please. Enjoy where you are. Treat others how you would like to be treated! Smile please and thank you go a long way!!

 

Some people here post as if they feel they should be treated like Kate and William when they step on board.:p

[spookwife]

Over the last few years we have heard cruisers complain about the decline in service from crew and staff members. Yet, some cruisers seem to get great service -- what do you feel is the reason?

 

treat the staff as human beings, not your personal indentured servants. Respect, politeness, and sincere appreciation go a long way.

[bigque]

I start right out establishing a good rapport with them. I'm a happy go lucky kind of guy and when my room steward comes and introduce themselves, we show ourselves friendly, smiling and joke with them and the seem to like and appreciate that. On my first cruise my room steward "Stanley" was from Jamaica and when he came the first time and I saw he was from Jamaica and had the accent, I spoke to him with my "Best" Jamaica accent and we hit it off from right there! On my last cruise I had "Nikki from St. Vincent" and that is how she introduced herself, and so every time she came to the room or I saw her in passing, I greeted her with "Hey Nikki from St. Vincent" and it would always make her smile!

With the MDR staff, I just show myself friendly and show an appreciation for what they do. I always find me one bartender at one of the bars and show myself friendly and joke around a little bit and we get on a first name basis on the first day of the cruise along with a nice little first day tip and I am set with drinks the way I like them for the entire week.

We take a cruise about every other year except this year we booked two. We like the cruise vacation and we go to have a good time. Being a complainer or rude or showing attitude to these people is not in us and besides it makes for a very pleasant cruise! :cool:

[rimmit]

I am Filipino, and I typically make it a point to talk to all the Filipino crew esp. Bartenders. Ask them about their family in the Philippines, etc. I always would get heavy pours, premium alcohol and fast service after a day or two.

[Cigar King]

I think the service is excellent. Period.

 

Let me give you an example. We were at Silk on the Quantum. We were chatting with the waiter, and my wife mentioned how she was looking for some carrot cake, but hadn't found it yet. When the desert came he brought a couple of slices of carrot cake as well. We have lots of experiences just like that. It's not due to tipping either, since we hadn't tipped yet. The crew just works hard to keep you happy.

 

That being said, I'm a BIG fan of tipping. I also think it's important to have some empathy. The job they do is very difficult, and the hours are long. I know I wouldn't be able to do it. I try to keep that in mind when dealing with the crew.

[LMaxwell]

I don't think there is any secret to it. Good service is top down. Management structures service and sets the priority. They also motivate staff and have to keep morale up.

 

I think a lot of people confuse good service with someone being friendly but running like a chicken with their head cut off. Of course being friendly is important, but efficient, correct service is ultimately what defines good service. If management hasn't set up the staff to provide efficient services it is doomed for failure, or at least doomed to mediocrity, and someone being friendly about it doesn't really make up for inefficient service.

 

That is why I feel bad for dining room staff. They really don't provide great service like in the past. It's not possible with the current structure. There isn't enough staff to guarantee great service. But many are friendly and DO work hard.

 

Being appreciative of their efforts does bring out the best of what they have to work with, but the best today is just not what it was 10 years ago.

Edited April 15, 2015 by LMaxwell

[Fat Paul]

A short story to illustrate. I had two older brothers, one was a nice guy (RIP), he always greeted people with a smile and showed others courtesy and respect. He llived a good life trying to not hurt others or make other people's life difficult. Brother number two is the antithesis of brother number one. He argues with everyone, demands "respect" (unearned), treats others with contempt and disdain. Brother number one lived a life that brother number two could only dream of. I watched and learned. I try to be like brother number one and live a better life for it. In short remember the golden rule.

[Tytus]

As stated above - some people are just tough to please.

 

However, for us it is simple, we bring a couple small bags of chocolates from home. I won't name the company, but there is a theme park and town in Pennsylvania named after them. Leave a couple chocolates on the coffee table for your room attendant. Leave a couple more on the table when you leave dinner. We'll normally have the same server in the casino by the end of the week because I drop chocolates on their tray when they bring me a drink.

 

Less than $8 worth of candy generates some top notch service with a smile.

[bigeagle12]

perception.....some people you can never please...others are happy regardless

they would really have to screw me to get me upset....

Otherwise i know exactly what to expect.

 

 

[papaflamingo]

We have always had great service on RC ships. With one exception. That was one of our servers on an Explorer cruise. His attitude was strange and he made odd remarks. Not really rude, just different.

 

We are always very friendly toward crew, smile a lot, talk with them when they seem to have time and desire. We use the card in the door to indicate that we want service in the cabin.

 

But, most importantly, we treat the crew with respect. We use please and thank you.

We treat them as equals and not as servants.

 

I also believe that the attitude of the crew comes down from the top, be it the captain or hotel director.

 

Luvscruisin hit the nail on the head. I'll add that tips often help. We will often pre-tip our cabin steward and in the Diamond or Concierge Lounge. But I don't feel that is really necessary (can't hurt though). But I think the 2 best points are "treat the crew with respect...and not as servants." And " the attitude of the crew comes down from the top." The best service I have ever had has been on ships where the Captain has been personable, visible, and liked by the crew. I really believe that it's a "top down" system.

In addition, when we've run into crew members who just "aren't happy," we've talked with them, asking about their lives and families. It's amazing how just that little gesture of humanity can bring them out of a funk.

[DirtyDawg]

treat the staff as human beings, not your personal indentured servants. Respect, politeness, and sincere appreciation go a long way.

 

Save that treatment for your DH's.:D

[sail7seas]

Courtesy

 

With some exceptions, we have always tried to be respectful and reasonable with crew. Like anyone who has traveled and/or cruised a lot, we sometimes ran across some staff with a bit of 'attitude' and I am not always as polite to them as I usually would be to all crew.

 

I am in agreement the mood and level of happiness/unhappiness of a crew can be traced to senior officers aboard in many, not all, cases.

 

Out of a very large number of cruises, there are very few when we left feeling our service was lacking. All cruise lines seem to have cut back on crew numbers so we all need to be aware there are fewer people working hard to do the same amount of work.

[paul929207]

Treat the staff well. We thank them for the things we do. We try to limit the mess we leave for them. Be polite. Say "Please"

[Honolulu Blue]

I think the secret to getting good service on a cruise is to go on a cruise. I've found excellent service across the board on my trips, and obviously I'm not the only one.

 

Other things I do that may or may help:

 

• Be respectful
  
• Don't make impossible demands
  
• Don't act entitled
  
• Don't blame others for things that aren't their fault
  
• Smile
  
• Say "please" and "thank you", and mean it