How has RCCL changed since the 90's?

[sail2day]

I haven't cruised on Royal Caribbean since the 1990's and I was wondering what if anything has changed since the 90's. Is the food the same? Is the service the same?

 

:)

[Lynnees]

The food has definitely gone down. Not to say it's that bad but it certainly doesn't have the quality it used to.

 

Before I continue, this is personal opinion only as many won't agree and each person has their own expectations.

 

I feel the personal service has gone down. That isn't to say that staff don't do a fine job as, for the most part, they do. However we find we don't know or get to know many of the staff as they are just too busy. We used to chat with our steward and waitstaff. Now they are so busy because of cutbacks that other than getting a bit of information, there is no real communication anymore.

 

Ships are crowded and big giving the feeling of a huge inpersonal hotel.

 

All of my statements are based on personal feelings only. I started sailing before ........well I can't remember it was such a long time ago. There are the changes I've seen.

 

Not to say we won't cruise, but certainly continue to do so. These are just the differences I've seen over the many years.

[rncruiser]

I have been cruising with RCI since the 80's and have seen many cost-cutting measures over the years. They haven't impacted my wanting to cruise with them, but I do miss some of the things they use to do. There use to be a basket of fruit in every cabin every day, as well as decks of playing cards. There were prizes for daily trivia such as drinking glasses. And trivia wasn't just a sheet that you picked up in the library at your leisure, but an actual daily contest. The food quality is definitely not what it was, but it's still good and I've never yet had anything I didn't like. Soda use to be free in the dining room. I'm sure there are many other ways costs have been cut as well. Both noticeable and not. However, cruising also costs less than it did 20 years ago. I am now paying less for DH and myself for a 7 night cruise then I paid just for myself for the same cruise years ago. I will gladly live with the cutbacks if it means I can still afford to cruise.

[It'sRC4ME]

I first cruised in 2000, and the three things that come to mind that have changed since then are these:

 

Fewer courses/choices in the dining room. I don't think the quality has gone down that much, but instead of the appetizer/soup/salad/entree/dessert format that they had then, now soups are grouped with appetizers, and there's usually only one featured salad, and no choice of dressing.

 

The second thing ( and this one really bugs me) is that they used to have stacks of towels by the pool, and you could take whatever you needed. Now you get one "pool" towel left in your stateroom, which you can exchange at the pool for a new one if necessary. maybe I was greedy, but I used to take four towels at a time. (two to cover the deck chair, one for actually drying off, and one to fold up and prop my book on so suntan lotion didn't rub off my leg onto the book cover.)

 

Also, the souvenir glasses on my first cruise were heavyweight glass and worth the extra cost of the drink, and now they are plastic and not worth it.

[nosmothj]

We first cruised in the mid 90's and yes things have changed. As others have said it would not stop me from cruising and it is still a great vacation.

Food has gone down some still very good and selection has been reduced.

More people less staff. The staff work so hard it seems they have very little time to get to know them.

 

One major thing and I have to be carefully with the way I put this. The country that the staff come from has changed a lot. On our early cruise you had lots of Caribbean cruisers and they always seemed to be very happy and out going people. The dinning room staff came around and cut our salads with a smile.

Now it seems a lot of staff come from the eastern European. And they also work very hard however I find they are not as open and fun loving.

Lets say I miss the NO PROBLEM MUN attitude.

[cb at sea]

I agree with the eastern European employees--they are hard-working, but not as friendly!

I, too, agree that the food presentation and selection has gone WAAAY downhill! It's not just fewer choices, but RCI used to have real silverware, now, it's stainless. They used to have molded butter pats, now, it's the wrapped kind (messy). Dining used to be a wonderful experiences, now, it's almost like being in an Outback/Chili's type place. There were no "specialty" restaurants, because they weren't needed! The dining room was super-special in the past!

I'd rather pay a bit more, and have the feel of luxury again!

[ckrobyn]

What a great idea for a thread :)

 

I just started cruising a little over 2 years ago, so all I know is what RCI is doing now. I have no frame of reference!

 

It's interesting to see where the cutbacks are.......

[skiiergirl]

The food has definitely gone down. Not to say it's that bad but it certainly doesn't have the quality it used to. .

 

Defintely have to agree there. Most nights I can find something on the menu and have never left the dining area hungry but it definitely it not what it used to be.

 

Before I continue, this is personal opinion only as many won't agree and each person has their own expectations.

 

I feel the personal service has gone down. That isn't to say that staff don't do a fine job as, for the most part, they do. However we find we don't know or get to know many of the staff as they are just too busy. We used to chat with our steward and waitstaff. Now they are so busy because of cutbacks that other than getting a bit of information, there is no real communication anymore.

 

Ships are crowded and big giving the feeling of a huge inpersonal hotel.

 

All of my statements are based on personal feelings only. I started sailing before ........well I can't remember it was such a long time ago. There are the changes I've seen.

 

Not to say we won't cruise, but certainly continue to do so. These are just the differences I've seen over the many years.

 

I agree this varies by personal experience. I do not find this to be the case. Our steward and waitstaff always find time to chat with us. But then that may be because Mr. Ski is such a character and always engages them in conversation. The only place where we have seen "service suffer" in the dining room is when they changed it over so the waiter has to handle the wine whether done as a package or bought by the individual bottle. We miss the wine somelier!!!! Even though we don't get wine often at dinner we wish the somelier was back to handle that aspect so the waiters would have more time to deal with the food aspect.

 

I have been cruising with RCI since the 80's and have seen many cost-cutting measures over the years. They haven't impacted my wanting to cruise with them, but I do miss some of the things they use to do. There use to be a basket of fruit in every cabin every day, as well as decks of playing cards. There were prizes for daily trivia such as drinking glasses. And trivia wasn't just a sheet that you picked up in the library at your leisure, but an actual daily contest. The food quality is definitely not what it was, but it's still good and I've never yet had anything I didn't like. Soda use to be free in the dining room. I'm sure there are many other ways costs have been cut as well. Both noticeable and not. However, cruising also costs less than it did 20 years ago. I am now paying less for DH and myself for a 7 night cruise then I paid just for myself for the same cruise years ago. I will gladly live with the cutbacks if it means I can still afford to cruise.

Well said.

 

The chocolates on the pillow are of a lesser quality. Mr. Ski and I used to try to steal the other person's chocolate before they got to it. Now by the end of the cruise we have a whole stack of chocolates on the table that aren't eaten. As far as the "courses" in the dining room. We still go by the old way. We still order appetizer AND soup AND salad AND entree. What we sometimes skip is dessert. Years ago there was no way we would skip dessert. Now many nights there is nothing on the dessert menu that appeals to us. We don't like the fact that the dining room lunch menu no longer changes daily. We used to enjoy going to the dining room for lunch a couple of times a week. Now the menu doesn't entice us even with the daily special, etc. I had a thought and now I lost it. Old age! There was another cost savings I thought of that we aren't crazy over...but now it has left me! But we agree that with the cost of "living" going up these cost saving measures had to be taken. The price of cruises are less than they were years ago. Also, years ago, they would "split" the beds every morning for the rooms that have "twin" beds and then put them back together every evening. They don't do that any longer either. There are lots of things that have changed and while we "miss" some of them...it doesn't stop us from cruising or having a great time while cruising. Some of them are small changes and most people wouldn't notice and some of them are "larger" changes that we wish they hadn't changed.

[cot427]

I even noticed from 2002, that the food and presentation have gone down. Also, the personnel has gone down little by little. I feel that even though RCCL has the most innovative ships, i still find them competing with other lines. Take for instance the anytime dining, started by NCL and Princess. Now even Holland America is doing it as well as RCCL. Now its up to Carnival. I also find them cutting back on the drink stations, and the ice cream. Only 1 place to get free ice cream on freedom. i remember you used to be able to get it by the pool, windjammer, and the royal promendade. no drink stations except for the windjammer, which closes after lunch for cleaning. They are really cost cutting everything, but I'm afraid every line is doing things like this. Cruising is not what it used to be, at least thats what my friend who is a diamond on RCCL now said.

[nosmothj]

There have been lots of changes for the good also. A lot more activities ice skating, rock climbing, surfing, mini golf etc. They have a lot more to do and ships are a lot better laid out. All of these things come at a price. I think also in general prices for cruising has come down.

 

I work in banking and always here about the old days. I remember when banking machines and debit cards first came in. It was going to be the end of staff and customers protested. Now try to get rid of the machine or take away the debit cards!!!!

[Lynnees]

Although I agree they have come up with more activities, pretty well all of them are for the young or young acting people. There is nothing there really for the older folk.

 

I guess that's all part of appealing to the families and ignoring the older generation that was there for them when they were starting out and needed the bigger money.

 

Wow - I sound a bit pompous there so don't anyone tell me so.

 

Nevertheless, I am beyond the age of flow riders and such and find it disappointing that they have developed nothing for this age bracket.

 

As for the food, once again that is subjective but I feel the quality has really gone down. Of course that is why they have come up with the alternative dining rooms which we frequent to get the quality we used to have.

[BobBeaSea]

Have things changed? You bet they have! My first two cruises with RCI were in '90 & '93. The differences are across the board whether it be food, amenities, # and quality of service personnel etc. etc. The 2 positives are ship construction (RCI is excellent at this IMHO, even for those who do not like big ships) and price - it's dirt cheap compared to years ago and no doubt the reason for the first part of my post - you can't get something for nothing so something has to give. RCI is still an enjoyable product :).

[nosmothj]

Nevertheless, I am beyond the age of flow riders and such and find it disappointing that they have developed nothing for this age bracket.

 

It is a little strange since the population is getting older. You would think they would want to get more 50 plus out.

 

What wopuld you suggest as activites for the 50plus people. I my self being 50 still rock climb skate and play the mini golf.

[RevSmith]

Along with many of the changes already listed the ports have changed... They have all become so commercial and very similar. I remember Cozumel back in the early 90's it was quaint and cute, now it's nothing but shop upon shop upon shop...and what the heck is Costa Maya all about...I don't get it:confused:

[BigDawgRonAZ]

Wow, boy things have changed. Has the service and food gone down, probably, but not enough to hinder my vacation. I still enjoy the meals but in general, there has been a little bit of a drop off in food quality. You can tell they are trying to cut expenses. Which is what any good business would do.

 

I also noticed that the staff is a little less friendly. I used to walk through the ship and have everyone say hello, good morning, whatever. Now, it seems most look away or will say Hi like you would when you saw somebody you disliked but needed to be nice.

 

However, these are "minor' things and we still enjoy a cruising, especially my kids. They enjoy the bigger ships and all the stuff to do...so it's still a great bargain!!

 

The one thing I would like see brought back is the Ship-Shape program. I know they still have it onboard but its nothing like it used to be. On one cruise, I earned enough ship shape dollars to buy almost every ship-shape item. I do miss that!! Bring back more ship-shape activities and give away items!

 

I still say a bad cruise is still as good as a great day at work!!!

 

Bon voyage

[CruiseKeeper]

The food has definitely gone down. Not to say it's that bad but it certainly doesn't have the quality it used to.

 

I agree, the food lacks the pizazz it used to have. One thing though, I believe we paid MORE for our first 7-day cruise 14 years ago than we will be paying for our next 7-day on their brand new ship. I guess the money had to come from somewhere...:rolleyes:

[LAKaye]

I haven't cruised on Royal Caribbean since the 1990's and I was wondering what if anything has changed since the 90's. Is the food the same? Is the service the same?

 

:)

 

To the OP---you have me very curious. You list quite a number of ships that you've been on, but you do not list the RC ships. Which grand old ladies of the fleet have you been on ?

 

Well, back in the day there were midnight buffets every single night; formal nights had a sherbet course; there were wine sommeliers. Chocolate was not at all scarce for dessert as it is nowadays. The dining room was open for lunch every day of the cruise; the Windjammer had fruit punch! Soda was free. The staff was not stretched as thin as it is today.

 

On the other hand today I can enjoy a gym that is as well equipped as mine back home; I can get acupuncture in the spa; I can enjoy the perks of the Concierge Club; and I can revel in the time spent out on the helipad!

 

Bon Voyages~~

 

Leslie

[crusinmama06]

Ah yes cruising in the 90's on RCCL was different. And not in the service...and of course not in the ammenities available on the ship cause they are doing great in that department.

 

The food seems to have gone down. I used to look forward to the Midnight buffet everynight and my chance to go chocolate crazy. It was more of an event back then. An event not to miss.

 

Now it just seems like the food is there...an addition to the experience but not a big part of the experience.

[skiiergirl]

Although I agree they have come up with more activities, pretty well all of them are for the young or young acting people. There is nothing there really for the older folk.

 

I guess that's all part of appealing to the families and ignoring the older generation that was there for them when they were starting out and needed the bigger money.

 

Wow - I sound a bit pompous there so don't anyone tell me so.

 

Nevertheless, I am beyond the age of flow riders and such and find it disappointing that they have developed nothing for this age bracket.

 

As for the food, once again that is subjective but I feel the quality has really gone down. Of course that is why they have come up with the alternative dining rooms which we frequent to get the quality we used to have.

 

 

I think that is why they still have bingo...for us old foggies! LOL! Sometimes they have it twice a day! It is too expensive for my poor budget though!

 

Oh yeah....back when we started cruising, bingo was a pool game (free) and the prize was a keychain or maybe a baseball cap!

[ckrobyn]

For anyone in the know...

 

What was it like with the ship's photographer in the 90's??? Was your pic taken at every port? Were the prices to buy pictures ridiculously expensive then too??

[crusinmama06]

For anyone in the know...

 

What was it like with the ship's photographer in the 90's??? Was your pic taken at every port? Were the prices to buy pictures ridiculously expensive then too??

 

Well yes in 97 and 98 they had the same old pirate at the dinners taking pictures with ya. :rolleyes:

 

And the welcome aboard photos. I really don't remember the shear amount of pictures that they do now as they did then. And sorry but I don't remember the prices either.

[DonnaK]

On our first cruise (not with RCI), when you came onto the pool deck, you were greeted, handed as many towels as you wanted, and then you selected pool chairs which were tagged with your name and reserved for you for the day!

[NancyK0904]

Well, I just looked at our shipboard charges on the Legend in '97, the photos were 5.95 at that time.

 

I agree with many of the changes over the years but it is so much cheaper to cruise now then years ago. We recently found the only picture we purchased on our first cruise way back in 1978, brought back many happy memories. Really wish I was as organized then and could tell you what we paid for everything.

As was stated by many, the lower prices do allow more frequent cruising.

 

Happy cruising

[katiel53]

My first cruise was in 1981 on Home Lines. We had assigned seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had to PAY for chairs at the pool. Drinks were cheap BUT the cruise for an INSIDE room was almost as much as a balcony is today on RCI.

 

We have sailed on RCI for many years, as well as other lines. Things have changed for sure. We don't have the great dinners we had, we don't have cheap drinks, and probably the one constant is the casino. No good pay offs then and the same holds true for us.

 

But, if you think of all the new things on RCI, rock climbing, Adventure Ocean, mini golf, all cost money. We are still paying less than we did. My whole point is that if you WANT WHAT YOU HAD, you can have it by paying more than you do on RCI. You can go to Oceania (sp) Seabourn etc.

 

If you aren't willing to pay more, then I guess you have made your choice. How much has the cost of living gone up in the last 10-20 years? Something has to give on the mainstream cruise lines.

 

If you don't like the changes, and I don't like all of them, I can choose to go somewhere else, perhaps if you too decide that, you will be happier or if enough people leave, RCI will raise prices and then we can all have what we had before.

 

I know I would rather keep sailing even with the changes and cruise 2-3 times a year than go on one super-expensive cruise yearly. JMO

[Hey! Jude]

I remember our first cruise and more than half of the ladies wore floor length full ball gowns on formal night. I always wondered how they got them into their suitcases. As the years progressed we saw fewer of them.

People packed outfits for theme nights. We saw poodle skirts and rolled up jeans and sweaters on 50 60's night. Lots of people wore cowboy boots and hats on western night.

I had a different full outfit for every dinner and hubby had 2-3 suits plus a few sports jackets - worn at every dinner.

I have to admit I like the option of eating casually for dinner - not necessarily in the dining room and not feeling like we missed out. We certainly pack lighter than we did back then.