It Ain't What It Used To Be

[fifty]

:( Just back from 9 day Brilliance cruise and I will try to be as objective as I can be regarding my personal feelings and observations of RCCL. I have not cruised RCCL for about two years and convinced an old friend to join me, telling her what a great experience crusing is and how wonderful RCCL is. Well, I felt a bit foolish having lavished such praise when, in fact, I can say this cruise experience was only mediocre, at best.

 

First, let me say, the staff was supurb, as usual with the exception of not being able to take out enough cash on the casino account as I had deposited 2400 USD that I happened to have in cash and did not want to keep in my room. When I requested more than $100 USD, I was informed that because I had a "cash" account, I could not take more than 100 out per night! I would have preferred to have been told that so I could keep more money out but I suppose that left me with a bigger credit at the end of the cruise! BTW, I did hit $1000K on a twenty at the wheel of fortune!

 

I suppose my biggest dissapointment was in the quality of dining room food. When I first cruised with RCCL about 10 years ago, the DR food was all at least four star. This past cruise, there were a few occasions and dishes that ranked high and deserved praise but for the most part, the experience left a lot to be desired. There were perhaps two good dishes that we sampled the entire nine days. We dined at Portofino's and the servie and food were sublime. The Windjammer was sooo boring, with the same menu every day for nine days!

 

The fourth (I think) night there was a tremendous racket in the ship that sounded like someone in a fight (or several someones) to the point that it awoke quite a few people, some of whom called the desk. We had an early tour the next day and were exhausted after having been up from 2 a.m. until 3 a.m. due to the noise.

 

I also want to add that others were complaining about the DR and Windjammer food (unsolicited) as well as the middle of the night noise so I know I was not alone in my observences.

 

I thought that perhaps the Magic had worn off due to a few cruises under my belt but feel that unfortunately, RCCL has become only a step or two up from Carnival, now catering to those who are new at crusing and who have never experienced the "good ole days" that I fear are gone forever on RCCL. I did not know what to say to my friend other than "it used to be.... this has never happened before.... etc" It was sort of embarassing to have pumped up the cruise experience and then be let down. She doesn't plan a cruise, so I guess she wasn't too impressed with RCCL. At least it was warm and the isalnds were beautiful. Again, the crew was wonderful and I feel badly for them that RCCL corporate offices have made the decisions they have, making their jobs all the more difficult.

 

Just my opinion - which is - RCCL has really dropped the ball.

[bullsfan]

I have never been on a cruise where the Windjammer had the same menu everyday. How odd. The salad bar was the same but never everything else. Now I am not so sure about our upcoming cruise...........but we will find out I guess. I am so sad to hear you had such a bad experience. I hope ours is better in a couple of weeks.............

[fifty]

I want to say that we did not have a "bad" time but it just isn't the way I remember. There is always the sea view cafe upstairs from Windjammer which was great. I am trying to be as objective as I can and perhaps it was just my view that was askew!

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise! ;)

[Jules215]

Fortunately, being awakened between 2 and 3am, wouldn't have been a problem for us, as we never got back to our cabin before then!! :D :D :D

 

Until we got sick anyway.

 

But, I'm sorry your sleep was disturbed, and that the experience wasn't what you remembered it being...After all the anticipation, a real bummer I'm sure.

[fifty]

Unfortunately, I had been out until the wee hours the night before with "kids" half my age and kept up with them pretty well - which is why I desperately needed the sleep before an early tour!! What's the old saying - The mind is willing but the body unable? - I guess a few years ago, the lack of sleep would not have been a problem..... :p

[Jules215]

I hear you!!...Staying out that late isn't my norm anymore either, but geeeze, did we have a blast doing it on the boat.

[LAKaye]

I thought that perhaps the Magic had worn off due to a few cruises under my belt but feel that unfortunately RCCL has become only a step or two up from Carnival, now catering to those who are new at crusing and who have never experienced the "good ole days" that I fear are gone forever on RCCL.

 

Sorry to hear of your disappointment. You hit the nail on the head with the opinion about catering to those who are new at cruising. New folks will never know what once was. If they like what they get today, they will return again in the future.

 

The magic of the cruise product you and I knew is gone; thankfully the magic of being at sea on a ship and traveling to beautiful and interesting places and countries is still there. :)

 

Leslie

[Bakincakes]

Sorry about your cruise....it must have been quite embarrassing for you to have sung RCIs praises and then have to experience something so disappointing.

 

You aren't alone in your observations about the food and the overall diminished cruise package on RCI.

 

You know how it goes..you don't miss what you never had and the "newbies" just don't get it. RCI is counting on that and will continue to dumb down their cruises.

 

But at least you had great weather and had the company of a good friend.:)

[Jules215]

Out of sincere curiosity, and because I've read several statements along the same line, what have you found has changed in the cruising experience for you??

[Brad1185]

I fear that I will have the same problem on the Independence this June.

 

I have really played up RCI to my wifes parents who are going on the Indy with us and they have only experienced one cruise on NCL.

 

So when we booked last summer, I really made RCI sound soooo much better than NCL or other mainstream cruise line.

 

Now with the cutbacks, I think Im going to be embarrassed especially when they have their first meal in the dining room.

[fifty]

I think the most obvious difference between ten years ago and this last cruise was the diminished quality of the dining room food (and even the Windjammer's food). I was ill with a cold the last two days but my friend observed several diners (at breakfast) talking about how they used to have the flourless chocholate cake in the DR and now only have it in Portofino's. They complained to the Head Waiter and were served the cake in the DR the last night of the cruise.

 

We did, indeed, have the lobster tail with three or four tiny shrimp and again, it was okay but nothing to write home about. I remember the DR food to be consistenlty above average and something to look forward to at the end of the day. After a couple of days of mediocre food, we tried Portofino's and every dish was delectable. It was difficult to go back to the DR food after that experience.

 

So, in answer to your question, I think the quality of the food would be the most disappointing change between then and now. I think that if someone has just begun to cruise, they obvioulsy would not miss what they had not had but for those of us who remember "the way it was", it's just not the same. I do believe that the great dining experience was a large part of the cruise experience but I doubt if it will ever come back to RCCL and l can't help but miss it. Hope that answers your question. Again, just my opinion, as an "older" cruiser traveling now without my children.

[gxchan]

Out of sincere curiosity, and because I've read several statements along the same line, what have you found has changed in the cruising experience for you??

 

Glad you asked because I am wondering too. I've only been on 3 cruises, one a year since '05 with two booked for '08, but keep hearing about the good old days. I'm sure things have changed but I'm afraid I'm one of those newbies who doesn't know what I'm missing. Would love to know. Thanks!

[DeepWaterMariner]

:( I thought that perhaps the Magic had worn off due to a few cruises under my belt but feel that unfortunately, RCCL has become only a step or two up from Carnival, now catering to those who are new at crusing and who have never experienced the "good ole days" that I fear are gone forever on RCCL.

 

I pretty much agree with the OP's opinion except the food on Carnival might be better than RCCL's. Catering to new cruisers is probably good for the bottom line since experienced cruisers are probably less likely to spend as much money on the ship as the new cruisers. Unfortunately we old salts are less satisfied with the product which tends to drive us away to other cruise lines.

[TahoeBob]

 

You know how it goes..you don't miss what you never had and the "newbies" just don't get it. RCI is counting on that and will continue to dumb down their cruises.

 

 

your act is getting very old, when you say stupid things like the

"newbies" just don't get it

well the old timers are stuck in a time warp.

 

some time ago i asked you if you are so unhappy with RCI why do you still cruise with them.

 

I am still waiting for your answer!

 

I will say that I am shure that crusing has changed over the years, but what has not changed. I have been on three cruises

so I really can not say what is better. The first time I went to disneyland was in 1963, I still go almost every year. it is different now than it was 44 years ago some things are better now and some things are worse. If I spent all my time complaining about Disney I would not go. Thats the part I do not understand you.

[cb at sea]

We found our trip on Brilliance to be about the same as yours, regarding the food. We did, however, have superb service from almost everyone except the Casino employees. They were rude to the point of actually making a complaint to the pit boss.

I think our next cruise may be on a different line, just to see if the dining is still "upscale".

We are not true "foodies", but do dine in nice restaurants at home and in Vegas--I felt like I was eating at Chili's every night--not my idea of "fine dining!"

[cb at sea]

We found our trip on Brilliance to be about the same as yours, regarding the food. We did, however, have superb service from almost everyone except the Casino employees. They were rude to the point of actually making a complaint to the pit boss.

I think our next cruise may be on a different line, just to see if the dining is still "upscale".

We are not true "foodies", but do dine in nice restaurants at home and in Vegas--I felt like I was eating at Chili's every night--not my idea of "fine dining!"

[SusieV]

First, let me say, the staff was supurb, as usual with the exception of not being able to take out enough cash on the casino account as I had deposited 2400 USD that I happened to have in cash and did not want to keep in my room. When I requested more than $100 USD, I was informed that because I had a "cash" account, I could not take more than 100 out per night! I would have preferred to have been told that so I could keep more money out but I suppose that left me with a bigger credit at the end of the cruise!

 

I was wondering if you had also put down a credit card to secure your account? It seems odd that you would not be able to withdraw in that case, since you said you just did not want to keep the cash in your room.

[dfishner]

I fear that I will have the same problem on the Independence this June.

 

I have really played up RCI to my wifes parents who are going on the Indy with us and they have only experienced one cruise on NCL.

 

So when we booked last summer, I really made RCI sound soooo much better than NCL or other mainstream cruise line.

 

Now with the cutbacks, I think Im going to be embarrassed especially when they have their first meal in the dining room.

Royal or any other mass market line I found the food to be fair to good, anyone thinking the the food is 4 or 5 star will be dissapointed. I cruised on the NOS this past December and had a great time, Windjammer food was good as always and they did change the entree every day. The dining room is beautiful and the food is mediocre. I knew that the first time I went on a RCL ship so kept my expectations in check when it comes to food so I can honestly say I have never been disappointed. There is chops and portofinos which are both excellent speciality restaurants, Have a great time I am sure you will really enjoy your cruise. Food is a subjective topic.

[Sue L]

Here is a completely different perspective of the same cruise. Amazing the OP and this couple were on the same ship.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=691094

[bullsfan]

Here is a completely different perspective of the same cruise. Amazing the OP and this couple were on the same ship.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=691094

 

I have been thinking the same thing. Since we are going to be on the Brilliance in a few weeks I have been watching threads on the Brilliance. The scope of opinions on the service and food have me baffled. I am simply going to just go and know I will have an awesome time despite all that has been said here.

[Jules215]

We were very happy with the food we had on our cruise...Dining room and Windjammer...But, I'm one of those who feels if I don't have to cook it, or clean up after it, I'm a happy camper...Oh, and while I don't care too much for Chili's, I do like my neighborhood Applebee's, so guess I'm a "newbie" who's easily satisfied!! :D

 

In my defense, I have eaten in many finer restaurants, but what almost always stands out to me more in those cases, is the atmosphere the food was served in, and not the food itself...Just not a big foodie here I guess.

 

But for those who are, and who feel the quality in that area is lacking these days, then that's fair enough...Aren't there other "higher end" lines that might be worth an upgrade to, and who would cater more to, those who still want that type of experience??

[bullsfan]

.....But for those who are, and who feel the quality in that area is lacking these days, then that's fair enough...Aren't there other "higher end" lines that might worth an upgrade to, and who would cater more to those who still want that type of experience??

 

I am a newbie too, so to speak, so I wonder the same thing. Does Celebrity fit into that upgraded experience? We have only sailed on Royal so we don't know what any other line is like and have nothing to compare it to.

[LAKaye]

Here is a completely different perspective of the same cruise. Amazing the OP and this couple were on the same ship.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=691094

 

Indeed, it was a different perspective: the focus was on the weather and the itinerary. The OP stated that their biggest disappointment was the food quality.

 

There is nothing amazing about this.

 

What is significant to me is likely not the same thing that is significant to you.

 

Leslie

[Fran Harp]

I suppose my biggest dissapointment was in the quality of dining room food. When I first cruised with RCCL about 10 years ago, the DR food was all at least four star. This past cruise, there were a few occasions and dishes that ranked high and deserved praise but for the most part, the experience left a lot to be desired. There were perhaps two good dishes that we sampled the entire nine days. We dined at Portofino's and the servie and food were sublime. The Windjammer was sooo boring, with the same menu every day for nine days!

 

 

I can understand some of the concerns - they do interfere, but I am not sure they would spoil a cruise experience for me. I just got off the Brilliance in December after 15 days, and the Windjammer did not have the same boring menu every day, *and* they will make special dishes if you ask for something. I think this is a teeny bit of an exaggeration.

 

Fran in Toronto

[clearwaters]

Here is a completely different perspective of the same cruise. Amazing the OP and this couple were on the same ship.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=691094

 

...I don't believe any of them mentioned the dr food. I think that was the most significant part of the OP's negative opinion.

 

And, although I am set to take my first cruise with RCI shortly, from the posts I have read it seems to me the cruise line is basically saying-without actually saying it: "If you want top quality food anymore on our cruises, you will have to pay a premium for in Portofino's and/or Chops at about $25 dollars a person. Period."