Very, very disappointed with the hard sell on Liberty of the Seas

[legaljen1969]

Yes, But the OP had a point that needs to be made. I would hate this hard sell treatment. And i hope rcl management read her post and stop this. It makes for a very unpleasant vacation. ;)

The sales pitches do seem to have increased, but I have found that a simple "No Thank You" is usually sufficient. I am glad they have stopped the announcements coming into the staterooms at all times of day and night. If that were still the case, I bet people would complain even more.

[vacationlover_mn]

... I am glad they have stopped the announcements coming into the staterooms at all times of day and night. If that were still the case, I bet people would complain even more.

 

My DH and I were actually a little worried on HOS, about the lack of hearing announcements, in case something serious happened :) Then, a crew member mentioned that if there is something serious happening, you can hear the announcement in your room. Later in the week, we actually had a room announcement- there was a missing person! Fortunately, she eventually showed up :)

[MrsHBrand]

We were just on the LOS 2 weeks ago and found that we did not have the same experience with the "hard sell" the OP did. We were occasionally asked as we were walking by a stand but I just smiled and say "no thank you" and that was it. We were never approached in the MDR, speciality restaurants or Windjammer.

 

but I suppose some people view things differently and get worked up over little things.

[OKCcruiser8]

Just off LOS yesterday. We were approached the first day a few times in the WJ during lunch. We also had one person interrupt a conversation in the main dining room the 2nd night. But, thanks to this thread, I wasn't surprised. We simply said "no, thank you" to them & they moved on. Although, I do find it inappropriate to interrupt a conversation. I didn't really consider it a hard sell. Chops seemed to be the ones most guilty of it.

[famof4togo]

You guys must be super thin, flexible and acrobatic. It's hard enough to get one person in the tube showers much less a couple trying to get in some extra movement. LOL

 

 

I thought the same thing...I can barely figure out how to shave my legs in that shower, short of some impressive Kama Sutra moves I can't see sex being a possibility in that shower lol....

[bingo3]

Maybe I'll just make a paddleboard before my cruise that says "No thank you, don't even ask", and flip it up when they start! I can be tacky too and hawking is tacky. It is sad they have to resort to that. And people worry about what someone wears to the dining room! ;p

[sparkinator99]

Maybe I'll just make a paddleboard before my cruise that says "No thank you, don't even ask", and flip it up when they start! I can be tacky too and hawking is tacky. It is sad they have to resort to that. And people worry about what someone wears to the dining room! ;p

 

I just look them in the eye and say very clearly "go away" It works with sales people, religious door knockers, and the annoying people who stand in the street at lights with signs begging for money.

[Cel_cruise]

I am on Liberty now and definitely have NOT experienced the hard sell.

 

We have been approached twice to see if we were interested in specialty dining - I just tell them that we are all set -already having 3 reservations. Technically - we only have 2 but they are more than happy to just say 'excellent, enjoy' and move on after that. Very easy, polite, and not unreasonable. I believe we were at Sorrentos for one of them and WJ for the other.

 

Yesterday I was sitting in the promenade during my daughters cupcake class and someone from the spa stopped by to suggest a keratin treatment because of my curly hair. Tactical error on my part here in how I responded. I said 'No thank you, I embrace my curls.'. This was an opening for another attempt to sell. I should have just said 'No thank you, I'm all set'. Or ' Thanks for the suggestion' and taken the pamphlet and turned away. But - honestly - she was really nice and funny and I had nothing else going on so it wasn't an actual issue!

 

 

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[cruising meemee]

We just did two weeks on Liberty in Feb and loved it. Sure, they have tables set up for different things, but if you are not interested just walk past them. Some people might be looking to buy the drink package or whatever. We did all meals in the dining room except for Johnny Rockets twice. This was our fifth time on RCL and we have another one booked for next Feb on the Liberty. Your vacation is what you make it. We had fun and still love RCL over other lines.

[trippintex]

just be nice and smile at them and say no thanks my be another time

[bnorris10]

It's easy when you have one young child. On our next cruise, we will have our 14, 14, 16, 19, and 20 years old with us, who will not be kept captive in the kids club.

 

And kids that old can be told if the DO NOT DISTURB SIGN is on the door then do not enter the room

[FSUNole]

Chops seemed to be the ones most guilty of it.

They reduce the quality of their product and make you pay an up-charge once you've already paid to get into he up-charge restaurant and they wonder why they have to beg people to go there...

[kz1231]

We're sailing on Liberty on Sunday. I hope it's not quite as bad on the hard sales as you're describing, but I guess we'll just armor up and be prepared.

 

I do have a question. When we've sailed with RC in the past they put a lock on our credit card for $300 per passenger. I called and the agent said they do nothing of the kind. Can anybody share whether this has happened with them?

 

Our first cruise was on Liberty in 2008. I so hope this is a good trip. We really need it.

 

Thanks all!

Kristen

[Clarea]

... I do have a question. When we've sailed with RC in the past they put a lock on our credit card for $300 per passenger. I called and the agent said they do nothing of the kind. Can anybody share whether this has happened with them? ...

I've seen some authorizations show up on our credit card during the cruise. They eventually fall off leaving only the charge for the final bill.

[slg1979]

We're sailing on Liberty on Sunday. I hope it's not quite as bad on the hard sales as you're describing, but I guess we'll just armor up and be prepared.

 

I do have a question. When we've sailed with RC in the past they put a lock on our credit card for $300 per passenger. I called and the agent said they do nothing of the kind. Can anybody share whether this has happened with them?

 

Our first cruise was on Liberty in 2008. I so hope this is a good trip. We really need it.

 

Thanks all!

Kristen

 

 

I have heard they do put a hold on your credit/debit card per person per day. How much? I have no idea. I always put down a little cash since we purchase everything before hand. See you on the ship Sunday!

 

Maybe ask the question on the main royal board? I'm sure you'll get an accurate answer.

 

Sarah

 

 

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[kz1231]

Off the Liberty last Sunday. We were never approached during our dinner in the MDR. Nor were we approached

while eating in the Windjammer at breakfast or lunch. Maybe I just have a scowl on my face.

 

 

LOL... we're leaving Sunday. I'll pack my wicked resting B face!

[NYcornfield]

I love cruising both RC and Disney... but I do think the pull down bed placement is awkward (and not for privacy reasons because my husband and I "nap"). I was afraid I would knock myself out going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. But the cost is so much better and we always enjoy ourselves.

[KansasK]

We were on the Liberty about a month ago. There were no employees interrupting us in bars or at lunch or dinner trying to sell packages for specialty dining. At the entrance to the Windjammer, one employee was behind a podium of sorts trying to sell these packages, and people walked by him or stopped if they wanted to. He was no longer there by day 5.

 

We were on the Navigator last March and the first day was the worst for being approached while in a bar, at lunch or dinner, even, and off and on all week. I think they must have realized this was not a good approach in that it annoys passengers and stopped it.

[grapau27]

We were on the Liberty about a month ago. There were no employees interrupting us in bars or at lunch or dinner trying to sell packages for specialty dining. At the entrance to the Windjammer, one employee was behind a podium of sorts trying to sell these packages, and people walked by him or stopped if they wanted to. He was no longer there by day 5.

 

We were on the Navigator last March and the first day was the worst for being approached while in a bar, at lunch or dinner, even, and off and on all week. I think they must have realized this was not a good approach in that it annoys passengers and stopped it.

This has happened on our last 3 cruises but rather than being an inconvenience it is a perfect opportunity to book at least 1 specialty restaurant and obtain a great price.

[DrHfuhruhurr]

We have a lot of teens, there is NO WAY we are having sex a few feet away from them separated by a curtain! Plus, they go to bed after 1:00 am, and sleep until noon.

 

Ha! I was going to say the same thing. I am not having sex in the same room with my kids. I don't care if they're shut in the closet--it ain't happening. I don't even want to have sex with them on the same floor of the house. ;p

 

Edit: Whoops, sorry. Didn't realize this was a zombie thread.

Edited November 30, 2017 by DrHfuhruhurr

[nealstuber]

Agree! Nope, not just you. A curtain???? No way! :eek:

 

Now a Couples Rasul Spa Treatment on the other hand ... :evilsmile::halo::')

 

CB

 

 

 

I don’t think they have Rasul on Liberty. ☹️

 

I’m totally with OP on the hard sell thing, especially at dinner, especially when there’s also the give me a 10 guilt trip going on. It did not used to be this way on RCCL and we’ve seen it get more prevalent with each RCCL cruise we’ve taken over the past 5 years. Conversely, we’ve seen Carnival make a strong rebound on the service front and while the entertainment on Carnival will never be ice or water shows, they’ve started to make up for it with much more live entertainment on the Lido and in the Atrium and Lounges. We used to be willing to pay a premium for RCCL over CCL, but not now.

 

I’m totally not with OP on the curtain thing. If you’re not making noise, you’re doing it wrong! We’ve gotten the kids their own room since they were 5 and 7 and it’s never been more than a couple hundred to make that happen.

 

 

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[BecciBoo]

I have already commented but just had to amend....I never have a problem with hawkers on board. If they approach, I just shake my head or wave them off...they never encroach if they already sense you're a "NO". I never talk to any of them.

 

As for sex...I would never subject my children nor grandchildren to that, even with a real wall...too noisy:*

 

In over 20+ cruises, we've only had a rotten time once, but not on this line! I think the most astute comment on this thread is this one, Your vacation is what you make of it. So true! Sad that the OP had to waste a week on Liberty...If we'd only known, I'd have taken their cabin in a heartbeat!.

[Smyles]

The sex thing?

OMG, are you serious?

Any parent who travels with kids should not be expecting sex during the vacation. True for a cruise, a land-based vacation, a camping trip, or ANY kind of travel.

Curtains, dividers, privacy screens, whatever - nothing works. Travel with kids = no sex. Get used to it!

 

(although creative use of bathroom time may be worth further consideration..........:evilsmile:)

 

 

I thought this was why they have kids club and teen programming. Kids club = empty cabin.

[nealstuber]

I thought this was why they have kids club and teen programming. Kids club = empty cabin.

 

 

 

When our kids were younger, we told them we were going to the art auction and they immediately expressed interest in going to the kids club. As they got older they caught on and now all we have to say is “We’re going to the art auction” to get our kids to give us our space home.

 

 

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[TexasJayde]

I don't understand your point. I'm giving an honest opinion... I have been on many cruises now with 3 different lines, RCI, Carnival, and NCL and we have never felt like had to pay for specialty dining before on any other lines. The food wasn't ever what I would call bad with RCI or Carnival.

 

NCL food in the main dining room was pretty much inedible and we will eat anything, I like McDonalds. It was lower quality than a Kids Cuisine. I'm not sure where "Karma" needs to come into play. But if It was a lifetime experience for me I would still be appalled at the quality of the MDR food. Had a great trip otherwise! And I would have wanted the heads up to know we would be spending $400 that trip for specialty dining.

 

i have to agree. we cruised on ncl jade a couple of years ago and the food was just not good. whereas on nccl or carnival, you can find food just about anywhere at any time, ncl was considerably more difficult, as we don't buy the specialty dining. however, i will say this about ncl, their entertainment was topnotch.