Rhapsody Of The Seas Letdown

[firefly333]

OK everyone, you HAVE to admit, if you got onto a ship and the pool was CLOSED, Windjammer was CLOSED and the casino was CLOSED...you wouldn't be angry?

 

I would be downright livid.

 

And $20? That is a joke. My question is WHY didn't RCCL try to give them at least some onboard credit. I have seen them offer compensation for less.

 

glad to see someone who isnt lashing out at the people who had a sub-par cruise.

 

Just for instance one of the posters who got off the ship after dry dock said if RCI had at least warned them about shutting off the water those two nights they would have filled a jug or something so they had some extra water for brushing their teeth and wouldnt have been surprised. RCI might just have been trying to prevent folks from running water and saving it because processing water is expensive??? Maybe that is why they did not announce it ahead of time.

 

Im not saying it would ruin my cruise, it would just make me think less of how RCI handles cruises since it was my first cruise on Rhapsoday. You old timers obviously feel the OP should not have complained. I think this was a little over the top as far as problems and RCI should have offered at least $100 on a 7 night or $50 on a short cruise or just something to show they cared. Thats all I was saying. $20 is nothing in today's world.

[2ladies]

Actually, I think $20 is a bit of an insult!!:D

[loungelizard]

What good is onboard credit when there's nowhere open to spend it? If I was on this cruise you can bet I'd be rattling some chains...the conditions on this cruise were unacceptable and RCI should step up and make things right.

[Cruise-Nut]

I don't mean to sound harsh...but this issue seems to come up quite frequently. We had a bad cruise in 1998, a very bad cruise on another line. We no longer sail with that cruiseline. We have since learned quite a bit more about travel. "Trouble Free Travel...And What to do When Things Go Wrong" by Nolo Press is a great book.

 

"Lack of Enjoyment" is not covered by your cruise contract. The cruiseline agreed to provide certain accomodations and food for the length of your cruise. Ports are not guaranteed, amenities and such are not guaranteed. We received the offer of a 2 category upgrade and a fruit basket if we cruised with that line again within a year. No thanks.

 

It does make you angry, but RCCL (and this other cruise line) provided and fulfilled their part of the cruise contract. It is up to you, as the consumer, as to what you decide to do with your future vacation dollars. I don't believe you will receive any additional compensation.

 

I agree 100% with Pbhunt. Well said.

 

It is like if I had a bad experience with a restaurant - I just don't go back. I figure why spend the time arguing and whining about it. It is great that you let them know your disatisfaction but if you were not happy with the outcome - don't cruise with them anymore. It is very easy!

 

 

No need to whine - you may think you are getting revenge by talking bad about RCCL but most will go by thier own experiences not yours.

[Mystang101]

Thank you to the people who are not yelling at me. For the others, I find it hard to believe that you are essentially saying it would be OK with YOU if YOU were on a cruise and this had happened. Are you saying you would be happy paying the same as people did a month later, after all the quirks were worked out? I'm sorry, but not me. I feel that if I pay for a cruise, and I know very well what to expect, THAT is what I should get. I did not spend $299 on an inside stateroom because I want MORE enjoyment out of my cruise. And that includes ALL of the amenities offered by the cruise line.

 

For the record, I did a LOT of research on the ship before booking, that is how I heard about the drydock. When making my decision, I asked many questions about the drydock, and NOBODY on the other end of the line knew ANYTHING about it. I was put on hold for every question I asked. "I hear the ship will be in drydock right before our sailing" "Oh, it shows nothing here... Hold on I'll check for you" "I undersand the ship is getting new bedding, is that right?" "Hold on, let me see if anyone else knows" In reality, RCCL had no intention of telling us there was a drydock scheduled, which is not right. They are the ones who know what is involved in a drydock, not me. Not to mention, when we were told about the delay, we were told 4 different excuses by 4 different RCCL reps:

 

1) "We have no information for you at this time, all it says is they are sailing here as we speak"

 

2) "Bad weather caused rough seas on the way to Galveston, which knocked out some plumbing. They are making repairs en route."

 

3) "One of the engines has some problems, and they are on the way, but with that engine down, it is taking much longer..."

 

4) And finally the truth from a server (Who was amazing!) at dinner... "We were all helping with the repairs and trying to get as much done as possible before we sailed for Galveston. Some employees were also late because they were at Mardi Gras in Alabama the night before..."

 

 

Also, as I posted previously and most people must have missed, I have cruised on RCCL before (as well as Carnival), and I absolutely LOVED RCCL... My issues only involved THIS sailing, and the way they responded. My letter and email were a last ditch effort to them, AFTER I spoke with them at the terminal, was referred to the pursors desk, sent to the Crown & Anchor Society upstairs, and given the shove off from each one because it was not their job to take care of it.

[Cruise-Nut]

Thank you to the people who are not yelling at me. For the others, I find it hard to believe that you are essentially saying it would be OK with YOU if YOU were on a cruise and this had happened. Are you saying you would be happy paying the same as people did a month later, after all the quirks were worked out? I'm sorry, but not me. I feel that if I pay for a cruise, and I know very well what to expect, THAT is what I should get. I did not spend $299 on an inside stateroom because I want MORE enjoyment out of my cruise. And that includes ALL of the amenities offered by the cruise line.

 

For the record, I did a LOT of research on the ship before booking, that is how I heard about the drydock. When making my decision, I asked many questions about the drydock, and NOBODY on the other end of the line knew ANYTHING about it. I was put on hold for every question I asked. "I hear the ship will be in drydock right before our sailing" "Oh, it shows nothing here... Hold on I'll check for you" "I undersand the ship is getting new bedding, is that right?" "Hold on, let me see if anyone else knows" In reality, RCCL had no intention of telling us there was a drydock scheduled, which is not right. They are the ones who know what is involved in a drydock, not me. Not to mention, when we were told about the delay, we were told 4 different excuses by 4 different RCCL reps:

 

1) "We have no information for you at this time, all it says is they are sailing here as we speak"

 

2) "Bad weather caused rough seas on the way to Galveston, which knocked out some plumbing. They are making repairs en route."

 

3) "One of the engines has some problems, and they are on the way, but with that engine down, it is taking much longer..."

 

4) And finally the truth from a server (Who was amazing!) at dinner... "We were all helping with the repairs and trying to get as much done as possible before we sailed for Galveston. Some employees were also late because they were at Mardi Gras in Alabama the night before..."

 

 

Also, as I posted previously and most people must have missed, I have cruised on RCCL before (as well as Carnival), and I absolutely LOVED RCCL... My issues only involved THIS sailing, and the way they responded. My letter and email were a last ditch effort to them, AFTER I spoke with them at the terminal, was referred to the pursors desk, sent to the Crown & Anchor Society upstairs, and given the shove off from each one because it was not their job to take care of it.

 

 

A little testy aren't we?

[lori450]

Pat - superbly said.

 

My heart goes out to the OP. He has every right to feel used and abused. These are our vacations....events we save up for all year. What, if not pleasure, is the object of a vacation.

 

I recently stayed at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in NYC. The customer service was beyond excellent. Even though there were some problems during our stay, the way they chose to resolve them, made our trip even more delightful. There are ways of resolving problems like a "mensch". Sadly, RCI has forgotten how to do that. The writing is on the wall. I have sold my stock, because it may not happen today or tomorrow, but these incidents eventually add up and business will suffer. I sincerely hope someone catches on and changes the RCI attitude, bringing back the days of good service and good values.

 

Sadly, there is no good answer to this problem other than RCI stepping up to the plate to do the right thing. Again, I hope someone at RCI reads this thread and contacts the OP. I would think it would be money well spent. What better advertising is there than doing the right thing. I, for one would not only cruise on RCI more, but be thrilled to give them some great word of mouth. Good will = increased profits.

[lori450]

Testy??? He has every right to be upset. I find that comment unneccessarily insulting.

[Coralc]

I really do understand your anger & frustration. We were every bit as angry after the "bad" cruise. We wrote letters to everyone, including Kathie Lee Gifford :D (Not as much internet back then) What I am trying to say is that the cruise line gave you a cruise. Not the best one, but they fulfilled the terms of their contract. It is legalese, but somebody writes that stuff that covers them.

 

If they offer you a credit or something off of a future cruise within a year...will you go? They never refund, and the cruise lines generally seem to try to ignore complaints about previous cruises. Venting is good, but it will not change bookings or the opinion of others. :) I don't know that there is anything cruise line can do that will make you happy.

 

And the Nolo Press book is really interesting, especially the parts about travel agents, (who are they REALLY working for?) and it also covers bad cruises and such. I think it is out of print, but available on websites. :)

[Mystang101]

I really do understand your anger & frustration. We were every bit as angry after the "bad" cruise. We wrote letters to everyone, including Kathie Lee Gifford :D (Not as much internet back then) What I am trying to say is that the cruise line gave you a cruise. Not the best one, but they fulfilled the terms of their contract. It is legalese, but somebody writes that stuff that covers them.

 

If they offer you a credit or something off of a future cruise within a year...will you go? They never refund, and the cruise lines generally seem to try to ignore complaints about previous cruises. Venting is good, but it will not change bookings or the opinion of others. :) I don't know that there is anything cruise line can do that will make you happy.

 

And the Nolo Press book is really interesting, especially the parts about travel agents, (who are they REALLY working for?) and it also covers bad cruises and such. I think it is out of print, but available on websites. :)

 

Again, As I have stated before, I never did ask for a refund... Just some credit toward another (hopefully better) cruise experience. If some people are reading enough to tear me apart over the minor complaints, they should have seen that as well.

[Coralc]

Sorry. I am not discounting your complaints. Or "tearing?" you apart?:rolleyes:

[MoeGirl]

Sorry you had a bad experience in Febraury. Went in April with my mother and we had a blast.

[TPKeller]

Just an exercise... try to put yourselves in the shoes of a first time cruiser. Remember the anticipation. The unknown. The thrill of first seeing and then walking into that humongous ship!

 

Then imagine yourself walking around your first ever cruise ship among the sights that were photographed and posted by the OP on the consumerist board. Welders in the buffet. Spools of cable sitting on the deck. Pool blocked off with "crime scene yellow" tape.

 

I would suppose that a fair number of us here on these boards would not be here today, if that had been our first cruise experience. Many would return from that trip and conclude what a waste of time and money this cruising thing is...

 

Here's another... we love cruising... I would suppose that many of us have spent some amount of time trying to talk to our friends and family about joining us on a cruise. Imagine if after months, if not years, finally they have agreed to go. Then after all your talking, selling and sharing with them your anticipation, you get to the ship and find it as the OP did. How do you explain that to your friends and family? It's not your fault, but I would feel horrible, and I would be very unhappy about the situation, and your chances of a repeat group cruise have just about evaporated.

 

Just some thoughts.

 

Theron

[Mystang101]

Yet ANOTHER satisfied RCCL customer... From the very same cruise I was on.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/royal_caribbean.htm

[TPKeller]

Yet ANOTHER satisfied RCCL customer... From the very same cruise I was on.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/royal_caribbean.htm

Interesting site... but their description of RCCL is seriously outdated! It was written before Navigator came into service (2002)!

 

Theron

[Mystang101]

Interesting site... but their description of RCCL is seriously outdated! It was written before Navigator came into service (2002)!

 

Theron

 

Sorry... It's the 2nd story down on the page... It's the same cruise I was on, Feb 18th 2007...

[zantedeschia]

Yet ANOTHER satisfied RCCL customer... From the very same cruise I was on.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/royal_caribbean.htm

 

I was amused by the woman who complained that the airlines don't charge you for a baby. They certainly do if you want to put them in a seat of their own. Probably my worst flying experience was someone trying to steal my infant daughter's seat (which was paid for) - they kept telling me to put the baby in my lap. Stewardesses kept coming by asking me if I had bought her seat and to see her ticket. I was kind of like I'm sorry the flight is full but it doesn't give you the right to steal my seat.

[dc-snoopy]

A little testy aren't we?

 

A little obnoxious aren't we?

[Terpnut]

It is like if I had a bad experience with a restaurant - I just don't go back. I figure why spend the time arguing and whining about it. It is great that you let them know your disatisfaction but if you were not happy with the outcome - don't cruise with them anymore. It is very easy!

If you get something bad or receive poor service at a restaurant, a good manager will usually try to make it right by giving you a discount or giving you something else. This is what the OP is expecting from the cruise line.

 

The key here is that a cruise is prepaid with no ability to chargeback, but a restaurant meal is paid only after food and services are satisfactorally rendered. Thus the cruise line has huge leverage as compared to other types of entertainment or food providers.

[Hondu]

I guess the Die Hard Supporters of RCI are telling the OP and others on that cruise that "you got what they paid for."

 

Here is a lesson that them and RCI can learn about real customer service and that when a person pays for a product/service, it should be delivered.

 

We were in Ketchikan 2 weeks ago and bought a tour on the dock for our family of 5 that included Saxman Village. It was by a well known tour company which is mentioned on many cruise boards. After a good start where we saw and photographed several eagles, the bus broke down just as we reached Saxman. The driver told all of us (about 20 passengers) to wait at the front of Saxman and he would be back with a another bus. We waited for more than 25 minutes and insteading of spending 1 hr at Saxman, he gave us a 5 minute history of totem poles and took us back. It was not what we paid for.

We went and complained to the owners expecting a partial refund. There were no argument or shouting. The owner agreed that we were shortchanged and credited my cc for the full amount.

That is customer service, not lip service.

[Mystang101]

I guess the Die Hard Supporters of RCI are telling the OP and others on that cruise that "you got what they paid for."

 

Here is a lesson that them and RCI can learn about real customer service and that when a person pays for a product/service, it should be delivered.

 

We were in Ketchikan 2 weeks ago and bought a tour on the dock for our family of 5 that included Saxman Village. It was by a well known tour company which is mentioned on many cruise boards. After a good start where we saw and photographed several eagles, the bus broke down just as we reached Saxman. The driver told all of us (about 20 passengers) to wait at the front of Saxman and he would be back with a another bus. We waited for more than 25 minutes and insteading of spending 1 hr at Saxman, he gave us a 5 minute history of totem poles and took us back. It was not what we paid for.

We went and complained to the owners expecting a partial refund. There were no argument or shouting. The owner agreed that we were shortchanged and credited my cc for the full amount.

That is customer service, not lip service.

 

Sorry about you excursion. Wow. Now you have to go on another cruise to see what you wanted in the first place! Lol! That's all I was expecting from RCCL... Some credit towards another. Like I've said earlier, I have sailed them before, and I know what they can do. I have also sailed Carnival, but preferred RCCL. However, if their attitude is "You got what you paid for" I'm not to sure whether or not to go back. How bad does your trip have to be to get a credit? Do you have to fall off the ship?!?