Voyager review ~3/16/2008

[buckanear]

I keep getting harrassed about posting a review, so good, bad or ugly, here it is.

 

I’m going to start this review by saying this… this cruise was hands down the most amazing cruise experience in my life. This was cruise number 5 for me and 6 for DH and I have never been treated like a queen on any other cruise in my life. This trip was about doing, literally, nothing. We’re full time students, we own a full time business and on our days off we work at the pier. This vacation was about recharging the batteries and not being on the run.

Embarkation: Not much I can say here, since I work there, of course it was perfect. The Captain gave a stern lecture during the muster drill that went along the lines of, just because you are on vacation doesn’t absolve you from your parental responsibilities. I guess it was because it was spring break and there were a lot of kids. That obviously fell on deaf ears since the kids used the elevator as their personal entertainment. Apparently the parents didn’t use the elevators or thought it was ok. Security finally got it taken care of.

Entertainment: I’m going to get this out of the way. We didn’t do much as far as going to see shows. In fact, the only time we went to the theater was to play bingo. I actually won a game, but so did 7 other people so it was only $20, enough to cover the card. I did go to a seminar about astronomy with a guest speaker the first two days but scheduling conflicts prevented me from returning. I was kind of bummed because he was very interesting. There was never not something to do. The casino kept my husband entertained most days and he did well enough to pay my shopping bill everyday.

Stateroom: Stayed in promenade room 6595 just above the general store. It was actually very quiet. Only heard the parade noise and the gates below shutting at night. The room could use some new paint, but it was very clean. Our amazing stateroom attendant kept my messiness at bay and made sure that we had everything we needed on Saturday so we could work on Sunday. We made her an Easter basket as a thank you.

[buckanear]

Windjammer: It was pretty good. Standard buffet food. I want to clarify to anyone reading this review about the hand sanitizer issue. Removing the hand sanitizer from the ships is NOT a cost cutting measure. Norovirus is not as susceptible (along with many other virus’) to alcohol. The percentage of alcohol needed and the amount of contact time required makes traditional sanitizer infeasible. Having sanitizer available gives people the impression that they don’t need to wash as frequently and many people improperly use sanitizers and so they are often ineffective at killing bacteria (let alone virus’). I am obsessive about hand washing and sanitizing my hands and I still ended up with the flu on the last day.

 

Ports of call: I am still on the fence about Jamaica. I’m sure it’s a wonderful island, but I was actually scared. Long story short, we went to the recommended shopping area and I was barricaded in a store until I finally bought something. I got back on the ship immediately after that. I wouldn’t do anything that was not arranged by RCCL. Grand Cayman was beautiful as always. We did a snorkeling tour with some CC members. That was a lot of fun. We got to see a boat wreck and a coral reef. That was really cool. I also used the time to shoot my photo assignment, which subsequently was destroyed in the dark room. Cozumel is still a lovely place to visit and I look forward to stopping there again soon. All we do there is go shopping, but you can’t beat the prices. I think my hubby has more fun shopping there than I do.

 

I’m saving my best review for last. This is what made my vacation so amazing.

Staff: From the moment Sylviu came to our table, I knew this was going to be a treat. He always had our beverages at our table within moments of us getting there, our food was so hot that we had to wait for it to cool. Anything we wanted he jumped through hoops to get. Although our tablemates were late every evening, Sylviu came and spoke, at length with us. Perhaps our tablemates tardiness was a blessing in disguise because it allowed us to get to know him on more than just a surface level. By the end of the cruise, we exchanged our information and we look forward to hearing from him throughout this contract (his last) and beyond. His teary eyed hug on Saturday was so genuine that I’m getting teary just thinking about it. Through our conversations he learned that we worked at the pier. I explained to him Saturday that I would not be able to take food off the ship for a lunch and he promised that a sandwich would be waiting in the terminal on Sunday. He was working in the pier serving cookies and juice. My sandwich made it, but one of my fellow co-workers ate it. I always had a full escort for breakfast and lunch in the dining room and my beloved Sylviu always was there with my food. One waiter purposed to me and another purposed to me if the other wouldn’t marry me. I was the hit of the dining room. Hubby thought it was hilarious.

 

Debarkation will always be a nightmare. There was an unusual amount of people doing self-debarkation and customs/border patrol was extra diligent so the lines were backed up more than normal. Nevertheless, the ship was empty on time. I know it’s a slow process and it’s never going to be fun, but that’s the deal when you’re cruising.

[buckanear]

I wanted to end by saying this...

We have four weeks until the Voyager goes back to Barcelona. This trip really was the icing on the cake for this whole experience. I love my job, I love my co-workers (Vince and Andy especially :) ) I love the ship's crew that we work with and to be honest, I really am going to miss this ship.

[Ollie_WA]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for giving such an honest review!! We will be sailing on her in 2 weeks :D ....I can't wait!!

I will be sure to look for you, when we check in!!!

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for your review. Hard to believe that it's almost time for the Voyager to leave for Europe. It seems like she just arrived. Hopefully Texas will have a full time RCI ship in the very near future.

[AllyGirl13]

Thank you for your review. We have ALWAYS had a great crew no matter what ship. (We have our favorites) We are looking forward to our upcoming cruise but want to say hello to you but we will be checking in in priority. How can we say hello to you? Vince & Andy will be cruising with us so it's you who we need to say hello to.......

[Cindy]

Hi Erica! Great job!:) I see you also had issues with the endless elevator games. Glad you seem to be feeling better!

How was check-in today?

[buckanear]

Thank you for your review. We have ALWAYS had a great crew no matter what ship. (We have our favorites) We are looking forward to our upcoming cruise but want to say hello to you but we will be checking in in priority. How can we say hello to you? Vince & Andy will be cruising with us so it's you who we need to say hello to.......

 

You're welcome. If it's not busy, just walk on down the line. I'm usually right where the people stand and wait for the next agent. I like being there because I stay busy.

 

Hi Erica! Great job!:) I see you also had issues with the endless elevator games. Glad you seem to be feeling better!

 

How was check-in today?

I'm doing better. My allergies have really taken their toll this week. I didn't realize that we had such bad pollen until this last week.

Check in was really great today. We had a line for most of the day, but nothing too bad. It's really unusual for us to have a line, so I wonder what the deal is. I worked debarkation as well and loaded the buses for the airport. It was neat but not something I would want to do all the time. Incoming passengers are much more fun than the ones trying to get home :D

[crisndeefromde]

I keep getting harrassed about posting a review, so good, bad or ugly, here it is.

 

I’m going to start this review by saying this… this cruise was hands down the most amazing cruise experience in my life. This was cruise number 5 for me and 6 for DH and I have never been treated like a queen on any other cruise in my life. This trip was about doing, literally, nothing. We’re full time students, we own a full time business and on our days off we work at the pier. This vacation was about recharging the batteries and not being on the run.

Embarkation: Not much I can say here, since I work there, of course it was perfect. The Captain gave a stern lecture during the muster drill that went along the lines of, just because you are on vacation doesn’t absolve you from your parental responsibilities. I guess it was because it was spring break and there were a lot of kids. That obviously fell on deaf ears since the kids used the elevator as their personal entertainment. Apparently the parents didn’t use the elevators or thought it was ok. Security finally got it taken care of.

Entertainment: I’m going to get this out of the way. We didn’t do much as far as going to see shows. In fact, the only time we went to the theater was to play bingo. I actually won a game, but so did 7 other people so it was only $20, enough to cover the card. I did go to a seminar about astronomy with a guest speaker the first two days but scheduling conflicts prevented me from returning. I was kind of bummed because he was very interesting. There was never not something to do. The casino kept my husband entertained most days and he did well enough to pay my shopping bill everyday.

Stateroom: Stayed in promenade room 6595 just above the general store. It was actually very quiet. Only heard the parade noise and the gates below shutting at night. The room could use some new paint, but it was very clean. Our amazing stateroom attendant kept my messiness at bay and made sure that we had everything we needed on Saturday so we could work on Sunday. We made her an Easter basket as a thank you.

 

great review. thanks for such a great review. Is it possible for you or any others to let me know how long it takes to get from houston airport to the pier? We are looking at taking some first time cruisers with us and have heard mixed times and not sure. As you work at the pier you may have a better idea. Thanks again.

[buckanear]

great review. thanks for such a great review. Is it possible for you or any others to let me know how long it takes to get from houston airport to the pier? We are looking at taking some first time cruisers with us and have heard mixed times and not sure. As you work at the pier you may have a better idea. Thanks again.

 

Which airport?

[crisndeefromde]

I think it is houston hobby? they call it. How many are there in Houston? If more than one, is one closer than the other???

 

I really appreciate your help. We are debating taking our friends on the voyager or the adventure. We love the explorer of course but we will just have come back from a nine nighter on her and don't wish to turn around and go back and do the same itinerary with them. The voyager is going to costa maya too.....and I think they would love to see this. My girlfriend wants to see Belize too but we want to take them on a voyager size ship.

[TEXASMUNK]

Hobby: 45 minutes from the pier

 

Bush: 1 hour 30 minutes from the pier

[firefly333]

There are two airports. Hobby is the closer, but I believe only SW goes there. Its about 45 minutes from the port. The main airport is about an hour and a half haul, so if you can, fly into Hobby.

[firefly333]

I think it is houston hobby? they call it. How many are there in Houston? If more than one, is one closer than the other???

 

I really appreciate your help. We are debating taking our friends on the voyager or the adventure. We love the explorer of course but we will just have come back from a nine nighter on her and don't wish to turn around and go back and do the same itinerary with them. The voyager is going to costa maya too.....and I think they would love to see this. My girlfriend wants to see Belize too but we want to take them on a voyager size ship.

 

I just came back Sunday. Roatan is my all time favorite port so far. Second time Iv been there. The water is amazing and its all nice and junglely (ok made up word, but lots of jungle).

[Madd Maxx]

Whoa be it to those that don't get to know the RCI employees. My wife and I had more fun getting to know these employees than any thing else. They care and so did we.

Great review, thanks Greg and Max

[wrp96]

There are two airports. Hobby is the closer, but I believe only SW goes there. Its about 45 minutes from the port. The main airport is about an hour and a half haul, so if you can, fly into Hobby.

 

 

I believe Jet Blue, Airtran, Delta, and American Eagle also fly into Hobby.

[crisndeefromde]

I believe Jet Blue, Airtran, Delta, and American Eagle also fly into Hobby.

 

thanks for the info to everyone. My sister is south of fort worth and she suggested flying to her and she would drive us down too but said traffic is a nightmare getting from the port to the airport so she must have talking about bush. we have also read other reviews stating long times to get to port.

 

this is good info.

[buckanear]

Whoa be it to those that don't get to know the RCI employees. My wife and I had more fun getting to know these employees than any thing else. They care and so did we.

Great review, thanks Greg and Max

 

It's sometimes easy to forget that they are people with families, homes and dreams. I saw so many people act indifferently to the wait staff (Sylviu for example) and then turn around and complain about poor service. Being genuinely friendly, happy and interested made all the difference in the world. I am usually happy and friendly anyways, but I think working at the pier and walking a mile in the crew's shoes made a difference as well.

 

As for the airport questions, it seems everyone beat me to it, but all the answers are there. If you, or anyone else, has any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

[buckanear]

I'm going to post some pics...

This is our room from the promenade (It's the one with the towel monkey and shamrock garland).

Our m&m

Jamaica

Grand Cayman KFC ~ This was too funny to not take a picture of. Notice the arrow on the sign. You can't make this stuff up. LoL!!

Staircase. After a few drinks this baby moves

My beloved Sylviu

[buckanear]

Here's more...

 

The winner of the poker run. What a cutie!

 

The theater. It was pic I literally took while walking and I just snapped it without looking.

 

The ship in Grand Cayman

[firefly333]

I believe Jet Blue, Airtran, Delta, and American Eagle also fly into Hobby.

 

I live in Dallas and drive to Galveston, THRU Houston. At least I knew how far Hobby was from the port. lol. I would have thought Delta flew into the main airport? But if you say so.

 

We dont get Jet Blue or Air Trans up here in Dallas, so I guess I was counting SW as the only flight from here to Hobby that Iv ever priced.

[pmfan]

Loved reading your review and seeing your photos.:D

[Rancher Dave]

Nice pics there Erica! I especially like the KFC one...we saw free roaming chickens while there a few days before y'all. Other than there, Fiji, and my neighbors ranch, we seldom see free roaming chickens these days. I'd love to keep a few at my ranch but the coyotte population nearby would get their fill. The Longhorns even the calves are safe due to their horns and ability to fight off the big bad dogs.

 

 

Chat up the Great Escape event with your fellow Pier Agents and see how many will help out at the event! You have my email to chat about it outside of a thread here.

[Rancher Dave]

I live in Dallas and drive to Galveston, THRU Houston. At least I knew how far Hobby was from the port. lol. I would have thought Delta flew into the main airport? But if you say so.

 

We dont get Jet Blue or Air Trans up here in Dallas, so I guess I was counting SW as the only flight from here to Hobby that Iv ever priced.

 

 

Delta and America fly into both airports. Southwest used to but cut out IAH flights as did Continental cut out Hobby flights. You may see CO planes at Hobby for maint work though.

[AllyGirl13]

I just came back Sunday. Roatan is my all time favorite port so far. Second time Iv been there. The water is amazing and its all nice and junglely (ok made up word, but lots of jungle).

 

Did you snorkel while there & if so where did you go??