Noticed Changes in RCL Cruising Overall

[Milwaukee Eight]

On 7/29/2019 at 3:37 PM, HBE4 said:

 

It won't be long before the kids are lying to their parents about who they are hanging out with, why they need to borrow money or what time they will come home at night.... What goes around, comes around.

How do you figure this?  Lying to parents?

[Milwaukee Eight]

I don’t get it......  if cards are available in the gift shop, what’s the problem?

[johnjen]

On 7/30/2019 at 7:30 AM, SuiteLady said:

On my last 2 Royal sailings I did not find this at all.... except that popcorn cost $3.95 and yes, I bought it a few times-no biggie.  Only one night of waiter parades in the MDR, which was not bothersome at all to me.  Free cards were available at Guest Services, as a lady in front of me asked, and received them.  Prices in the stores r always high... I hit the “sales” on the promenade, then a little better, or shop in port.  Never saw them not sale alcohol in the stores onboard, HOWEVER I never sailed European sailings, so I think the other posters r right about  it being different on these sailings!  I love Royal and any day I’m on a cruise ship is a good day!  Hoping, going forward, u have a more positive experience.

These were just some observations I made recently. And thanks.

[Ocean Boy]

On 7/29/2019 at 10:57 AM, mattb31 said:

 

I've sailed Celebrity, yes, and most of the things mentioned were the same, it doesn't have anything to do with the ships being more upscale. There was still the dining room "parties" etc, the trivia prizes were no more than like pens or pencils, the shops were super expensive, and there wasn't much enforcement on the deck regarding chairs or kids in the solarium.

 

I actually thought RCL did a way better job of keeping kids out of the solarium than Celebrity did.

I have sailed Celebrity also and I agree with you. I think the two cruise lines are much more alike than they are different.

[johnjen]

On 7/29/2019 at 3:39 PM, canuck_in_clearwater said:

We were on the same cruise and the chair saving and U16s in the solarium was the worst I have seen on Royal Caribbean.  We use MTD so never had to put up with shenanigans in the MDR.  Disappointed in the very casual dress, however; in the MDR there were shorts and jeans on formal night including the same U16s from the Solarium wearing JEAN SHORTS on formal night.  We spoke to the Head Waiter and he did nothing.  On the other hand, no prizes at each trivia worked for us as we won the RAFFLE PRIZE!  Was able to share with our trivia teammates.  Used the RCL backpack on the rest of our vacation before it ripped on the airplane on our return to Canada.  Oops!

Overall it was a great cruise, wasn't it? Of course, we had two raffle tickets but I think we forgot about the drawing.....that Beatles act was fantastic!

[Iamcruzin]

45 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I don’t get it......  if cards are available in the gift shop, what’s the problem?

The problem is that you have to pay for them.

[Milwaukee Eight]

50 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

The problem is that you have to pay for them.

If it’s something you want or need to enjoy your cruise, why not pay for them?  I would (don’t play cards except in the Casino on a cruise). 

 

Royal used to to provide pens in each stateroom but now they don’t. We bring our own now. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Milwaukee Eight

[legaljen1969]

On ‎7‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 11:28 PM, John&LaLa said:

 

I think they are charging for cleaning it up. 😇

That makes sense.  I can only imagine how much gets dropped and spilled all over the place.

 

[legaljen1969]

On ‎7‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 1:48 AM, UKWLDCruise said:

 

I received a free pack in my room on Royal Caribbean right up until the mid 90s but wouldn't bother now as there are so many free card games you can down load.

There are people who do like to play card games in a social setting, to enjoy the people they are around without the use of electronics. Low tech/no tech fun- interacting with other human beings. 

Sure there are games where you can play online with other people, but then you have to be "on line" to participate and buy the package for your phone to have internet. I use my phone very little when onboard the ship. I prefer to just turn my phone off for the time I am onboard.

 

Downloading card games also takes out the social aspect. Playing online or computer games together?  You're just a bunch of people sitting around staring at phones.

[Iamcruzin]

31 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

If it’s something you want or need to enjoy your cruise, why not pay for them?  I would (don’t play cards except in the Casino on a cruise). 

 

Royal used to to provide pens in each stateroom but now they don’t. We bring our own now. 

I agree but the theme of the thread is about the changes. On the Celebrity board a while back they were complaining how they stopped receiving the personal stationery in the stateroom. Who's writing letters these days? I don't even write checks anymore. Yes I understand if you are cruising with the same line for years you see a lot of cut backs it's discouraging.  However there are also some big improvements. Royal as the least expensive wifi service that I have come across. Even if it's not on sale it's still reasonable for unlimited service for surf and stream. If cutting costs from items that are obsolete in the 21st century helps keep the cost down for other services than I all for it. 

[Iamcruzin]

42 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

If it’s something you want or need to enjoy your cruise, why not pay for them?  I would (don’t play cards except in the Casino on a cruise). 

 

Royal used to to provide pens in each stateroom but now they don’t. We bring our own now. 

I agree but the theme of the thread is about the changes. On the Celebrity board a while back they were complaining how they stopped receiving the personal stationery in the stateroom. Who's writing letters these days? I don't even write checks anymore. Yes I understand if you are cruising with the same line for years you see a lot of cut backs it's discouraging.  However there are also some big improvements. Royal as the least expensive wifi service that I have come across. Even if it's not on sale it's still reasonable for unlimited service for surf and stream. If cutting costs from items that are obsolete in the 21st century helps keep the cost down for other services than I'm all for it. 

[jagsfan]

On 7/29/2019 at 11:17 AM, Cru1s1ng2009 said:

Side note: I thought only Carnival gave out playing cards at GS.

Funny you mentioned that. I just ran across two decks of unopened Carnival cards that must be around 30 years old. I had put them in a safe place and never saw them till last week. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by jagsfan

[legaljen1969]

1 minute ago, Iamcruzin said:

I agree but the theme of the thread is about the changes. On the Celebrity board a while back they were complaining how they stopped receiving the personal stationery in the stateroom. Who's writing letters these days?..... If cutting costs from items that are obsolete in the 21st century helps keep the cost down for other services than I'm all for it. 

I can definitely see your point about writing letters, but I don't think cards are as obsolete as formal stationery.  I do not miss the cards and would not be upset if the cards went away.  As I said in a previous post, I bought some in the gift shop one time for my grandmother so that she would have a little souvenir from the ship. 

I would use the stationery to leave notes for my steward if I knew I wouldn't see him or her during the day.  I would also use to write down things.  Usually what people use sticky notes for, or whatever.  Just saved me from having to bring my own paper onboard.  So perhaps they could still provide some sort of paper and pen, just not stationery? 

[jascruise]

26 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

 Who's writing letters these days? 

Moi!

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

 

 

Royal used to to provide pens in each stateroom but now they don’t. We bring our own now. 

True story.... On one cruise after arriving in the cabin our steward stopped in for intro and to see if we needed anything. After speaking  with me he asked me if I had a pen so he could write it down. After giving him the pen he wrote the request down on his arm next to several others. So, apparently, staff gets neither pens nor paper.

[Iamcruzin]

31 minutes ago, legaljen1969 said:

I can definitely see your point about writing letters, but I don't think cards are as obsolete as formal stationery.  I do not miss the cards and would not be upset if the cards went away.  As I said in a previous post, I bought some in the gift shop one time for my grandmother so that she would have a little souvenir from the ship. 

I would use the stationery to leave notes for my steward if I knew I wouldn't see him or her during the day.  I would also use to write down things.  Usually what people use sticky notes for, or whatever.  Just saved me from having to bring my own paper onboard.  So perhaps they could still provide some sort of paper and pen, just not stationery? 

Cards aren't obsolete. Free cards and other freebies from the past are obsolete. I remember when the airlines provided a meal. People would complain how awful the meal was and then complained when they stopped serving them. The service industry changes all of the time and if the product no longer is providing you the service that you are accustomed to than it's time to move on. The only problem is that nobody wants to give up their the cruise line status and start over on another line. Those loyalty programs work to maintain a lot of clientele. For me it's for the price and itinerary that I base my decision on and I have learned to lower my standards of expectations on any line. Between the ships becoming more like condominium complexes than a voyage on the open sea and the overall decline in general cruising has become just a form of transportation to me. I'm now looking a cruise lines that I would have never considered in the past.

[Iamcruzin]

25 minutes ago, jascruise said:

Moi!

And you mail them?  I can't remember the last time I used the postal system for a non package item.

[Iamcruzin]

46 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

Funny you mentioned that. I just ran across two decks of unopened Carnival cards that must be around 30 years old. I had put them in a safe place and never saw them till last week. 

I have so many things lost in a safe place some where.

[Iamcruzin]

17 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

True story.... On one cruise after arriving in the cabin our steward stopped in for intro and to see if we needed anything. After speaking  with me he asked me if I had a pen so he could write it down. After giving him the pen he wrote the request down on his arm next to several others. So, apparently, staff gets neither pens nor paper.

OMG! You just can't make this stuff up. Let's just hope they don't stop providing toilet paper.

[true45]

I read somewhere about having to bring water bottles?

 

Are the bottles of water I can buy for my cabin not fine anymore?

 

Thanks - a few years since we have sailed RCL.

[Clarea]

1 minute ago, true45 said:

I read somewhere about having to bring water bottles?

 

Are the bottles of water I can buy for my cabin not fine anymore?

 

Thanks - a few years since we have sailed RCL.

 

Have not seen anything about this.

[Iamcruzin]

10 minutes ago, true45 said:

I read somewhere about having to bring water bottles?

 

Are the bottles of water I can buy for my cabin not fine anymore?

 

Thanks - a few years since we have sailed RCL.

They are  available but I think they charge $40 for 6 bottles. I'm not sure of the exact price but they were unreasonably priced which is why people will big their own.

[HBE4]

3 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

How do you figure this?  Lying to parents?

 

If parents are encouraging their kids to lie,  they'll grow up thinking lying is ok.

 

Of course, all kids lie to their parents at some point. I know I did. But it was sparingly. I've met people that lie even when they don't need to. I guess they get a thrill  of lying just for the sake of lying.

[HBE4]

43 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

True story.... On one cruise after arriving in the cabin our steward stopped in for intro and to see if we needed anything. After speaking  with me he asked me if I had a pen so he could write it down. After giving him the pen he wrote the request down on his arm next to several others. So, apparently, staff gets neither pens nor paper.

 

I hope you got your pen back. I've been tempted to write on the mirror using my wife's lipstick when I can't find pen & paper. But I guess that could be a bit creepy.

 

1 hour ago, legaljen1969 said:

I would use the stationery to leave notes for my steward if I knew I wouldn't see him or her during the day.  I would also use to write down things.  Usually what people use sticky notes for, or whatever.  Just saved me from having to bring my own paper onboard.  So perhaps they could still provide some sort of paper and pen, just not stationery?

 

Agreed.  There are also a few hotel chains that don't provide pens and stationary anymore.....but still have the bible in the nightstand.

 

[Biker19]

28 minutes ago, true45 said:

I read somewhere about having to bring water bottles?

Late year RCI changed their policy on being able to bring water on board, so you may have read that folks are bringing it on now to avoid the high cost on board.