I Lost Ten Pounds on a Transatlantic

[MommaBear55]

11 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said:

I know OP was talking about the Odyssey, but on a related note…

While my DH and I LOVE the big ships, I am a little worried, my mom (78) will get worn out on the oasis.  It’s not really her age, but she is a bit out of shape and has asthma.  I made sure we got a somewhat central room by the elevators and stairs, so hopefully that helps 🙂.  But, I’m 100% sure she will be blown away by how awesome everything is 🙂

Maybe she could start walking now? Even if she did 3, 3 minute stints around the house daily, then went to 4 minutes, etc.  It does add to the enjoyment not to be fatigued after walking. 

[Ride-The-Waves]

On 11/16/2023 at 4:27 PM, sjb317 said:

I, too, was always a fan of the smaller ships but since we resumed cruising after the pandemic, the smaller ships just seem old and not very well maintained.  I was on Grandeur for a week this summer and it was the first time I have ever felt bored on a ship. Not much to do after 5pm.  I ended up spending more time than usual in the casino which is something I typically don’t do.
 

Sherri🙂

Interesting.  Do you think that is intentional on the part of RCI?  Trying to "encourage" you to move to the larger ships which are likely less costly to operate per person per mile.  We love the "smaller" ships.  Have cruised extensively on Azamara, our favorite line pre-pandemic.  Have also cruised on Hurtigruten to the Antarctic and the "smaller" celebrity ships.  It seems that RCI is focusing on its behemoths and letting the rest of the line disintegrate.  It also appears that RCI is charging small ship prices for sailing on the behemoths, especially the "nickel and diming" on board.  

Edited November 18, 2023 by Ride-The-Waves

[Jimbo]

On 11/16/2023 at 4:27 PM, sjb317 said:

I, too, was always a fan of the smaller ships but since we resumed cruising after the pandemic, the smaller ships just seem old and not very well maintained.  I was on Grandeur for a week this summer and it was the first time I have ever felt bored on a ship. Not much to do after 5pm.  I ended up spending more time than usual in the casino which is something I typically don’t do.
 

Sherri🙂

Yes, that ship is lacking something. Like " Walking Dead" in the evenings.

[sjb317]

1 minute ago, Jimbo said:

Yes, that ship is lacking something. Like " Walking Dead" in the evenings.

That’s funny but true!

 

Sherri🙂

[sjb317]

17 minutes ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Interesting.  Do you think that is intentional on the part of RCI?  Trying to "encourage" you to move to the larger ships which are likely less costly to operate per person per mile.  We love the "smaller" ships.  Have cruised extensively on Azamara, our favorite line pre-pandemic.  Have also cruised on Hurtigruten to the Antarctic and the "smaller" celebrity ships.  It seems that RCI is focusing on its behemoths and letting the rest of the line disintegrate.  It also appears that RCI is charging small ship prices for sailing on the behemoths, especially the "nickel and diming" on board.  

Not sure I would say it’s Royal’s attempt to “encourage” people to move to the larger ships but based on the appearance of the ships we have sailed on since 2021,  the larger ships seem to be where their money is going. 
 

Sherri🙂

[Qextor]

On 11/18/2023 at 6:17 AM, Ride-The-Waves said:

Do you think that is intentional on the part of RCI?  Trying to "encourage" you to move to the larger ships which are likely less costly to operate per person per mile.

I think it's more the law of unintended consequences - less money is allocated to maintaining smaller less profitable ships, so they show their age more.  I try my best to steer away from conspiracy theories; ignorance and incompetance are usually more accurate theories.

[Calvin]

On 11/17/2023 at 6:02 AM, happy cruzer said:

Reviews that complain about things like the rock climbing walls, flow riders, etc. always lose me.  Those things are in addition to the traditional venues.  Things do change and sometimes go missing - that could be worth a moan.  But having additional new items even that have a few associated don't really affect the rest of the cruise.

 

Love the big ships with lots to see including people watching on the "play things".  But do realize that someday mobility issues or personal preferences may mean changing to smaller ships.

I'm with you!  I love the many options that big ships carry, but I don't always have to partake.  I enjoy just watching others...

[notscb]

On 11/16/2023 at 8:55 AM, Ride-The-Waves said:

Mistake to leave HAL even at the bequest of friends.

Sounds like you boarded a Royal ship expecting a HAL experience. You were bound to be let down.

[LooneyCruzer]

We are also on the spring TA and booked 11 AFT. It is a long ship but all the distance just gets us in shape for all the walking required on the port stops and excursions. 
The same food on every single cruise is different for everyone. They try for consistency and perfection but when churning out 3k+ meals 2-3 times a day, there will always be disappointments. 
Expectations are always unique to each experience. 

[cruisingjandb]

We were on the Odyssey last year at 69. We do not do flow riders or bumper cars or climbing walls. We are all about shows and food now. The food was good, you just have to pick and choose. I am pushing my wife around now in a wheelchair but did not find it to long. I am sure we may of stopped and rested sometimes. I just hope we are cruising in our 80's .

[Morecruisesplz]

2 hours ago, cruisingjandb said:

We were on the Odyssey last year at 69. We do not do flow riders or bumper cars or climbing walls. We are all about shows and food now. The food was good, you just have to pick and choose. I am pushing my wife around now in a wheelchair but did not find it to long. I am sure we may of stopped and rested sometimes. I just hope we are cruising in our 80's .

I hope you are also. Enjoy your cruises!

[Germancruiser]

The OP was on the wrong ship, can´t put it any other way. I was just wondering how he could stick it out for so long. I started with RCI- back in 1996 and loved it. The bigger the ships got the less I liked RCI. I stopped very early sailing with them- the biggest ship was the then brand new Voyager o.t.S. The last was Brilliance- after 8 years of sailing exclusive with X ( along with their Vision Class of ships the Radiance Class was where my favorite. ) - in 2008 and even back then I noticed how much they changed. So I simply stick with X or Cunard- and I am sill sailing with them.I have no desire whatsoever to sail on these floating Resorts. They are prefect for families- and - as they are very popular people love them - so all good- there are cruise lines and ships for every taste these days.

Edited February 12 by Germancruiser