AOS - RCI -> Thanksgiving Sailing Comments

[dcastro]

Just got back from the AOS. I only have 2 words to describe my vacation "cost cutting". RCI has gone down dramatically. The very best thing we encountered, was our Assistant Waiter in the main dining room. He's been the best we've ever experienced anywhere. Service overall was 4.5/5. There were a few hiccups here and there but nothing out of the ordinary. Decent entertainment for a cruise and round the clock activities. However, these cost cutting practices are killing the experience and downgrading the quality of RCI's product offering.

 

It is very sad to the point of sometimes ridiculous. For example, during main dining on Thanksgiving night, they ran out of Pecan Pie (the Chef's recommendation for dessert). We never saw our waiter once he recommended pecan pie. They also discontinued the gala buffet. In all honesty, although food was very good the main dining menus were marginal at best. I had the pleasure of conversing with the Chef and he was clear explaining that the menus come from Miami. They do not choose what to offer.

 

The Windjammer no longer has variety. Everyday you will find the same identical items, and they are much more limited that years past. For example, there is no consideration for international guests and their eating habits. Also, I think the reduction in staff affected the quality of service as it was very common to find several empty/dirty tables constantly whereas I've never seen that before in my previous 7 cruises with RCI.

 

The carpeting is worn out everywhere, missing buttons in elevators, rusted balcony corners (my wife stepped on a piece of rusted metal protruding from a balcony corner and suffered a minor cut), the jacuzzi tub in our room was inoperable (notified and fixed two days later), the mini golf was flooded with water (clogged drains) and you could see the fiberglass underlining the broken green artificial turf. The window in our cabin was never cleaned from the outside and it was covered in sea salt.There is a chipped glass on the forward stairs between 3rd and 4th floor and another replaced by a cheap plastic panel. This ship needs a lot of work.

[Nothin' But Sun]

Great, not what I want to hear as we will be on her in Jan.:( As far as the Gala--never cared but I hope I don't notice the other stuff.

[bike1964]

You sure you were on the right ship? We just got back on the same cruise on 11/9, and I thought the food in the Windjammer was very good and the service as well. We were always offered beverages from the staff, and they would clean the tables off as soon as someone got up, cause there was usually someone waiting for the table during peak times.

 

Regarding the condition of the ship, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary as far as wear and tear, and they were always cleaning. Public bathrooms were kept clean and well stocked too.

 

My only complaint was the embarkation process @ the Pan Am pier, but after getting in what appeared to be @ least an hour long line, we were asked if anyone was Platnium, Diamond or Dt or in a suite, and we were escorted to the very front of the line.:) We were eating lunch in the Windjammer by 12:15!! Great criuse.

 

I am sorry you felt the cruise/ship were sub par, but we loved it.

[travelntreats]

I had friends on this sailing as well and will be very interested to hear what their review was of the ship since they were on it last year at Thanksgiving as well. They are very upfront when it comes to a review and I can trust their judgement. Will report their review as soon as I hear from them this week.

 

To the OP.... sorry the ship had such noticeable cost cutting issues that you experienced.

[wadadligirl]

I was also on this sailing with fifteen other members of my family. And we have no complaints. Our head waiter and assistant waiter were very attentive and some nights members of our party had seconds. We had second seating and never once noticed a shortage. The gala buffet is now the midnight buffet on a smaller scale. Everyone had a great time.

[dcastro]

I may be a bit different rating cruises. My first cruise with RCI was on the maiden voyage of the Explorer of the Seas. After that sailing I was impresses but it was only that sailing. After the second sailing with RCCL, there are 2 things that make me sail again with RCI. My 2 children. ;)

 

Getting on the ship wasn't ideal but it moved amazingly fast. Like you mentioned, once they noticed we were on a suite we were escorted to a much shorter line. Ten minutes and five bucks (tip for porter) later we were getting on the ship. The ship was kept as clean as possible all the time. I agree. The crew did simply an amazing job. I still get annoyed by the photographers and the fact that they wont take a picture with your camera but what can I do.

 

Let me give you examples of why I say what I say, on 2 consecutive days the main entree for dinner was lamb and the main dessert was apple pie, plus in one occasion they ran out of the plate they recommended. lol

 

The ship itself needs a bit of TLC. The crew is good but can improve with better attention to detail.

[ckrobyn]

With regard to the comment about wear and tear.....the AOS is scheduled for Dry Dock in either April or May 2009. I guess having 3500 passengers onboard 365 days a year will wear out a ship ;)

 

I am sailing in February, and I do expect to see some normal signs of wear and tear - this never bothers me. I would however be very upset if the ship was not clean ....and the AOS has always been very clean :)

[dcastro]

The wear and tear is a bit too much but still acceptable. I sailed the Voyager on teh last sailing before its dry dock and it was in horrendous conditions.

 

You will see the use in AOS and with the exception of the mini golf, everything else can be enjoyed pretty much normally.

[CruiseTobey]

My wife and I just got off the AOS for the "Thanksgiving cruise", 11/23 - 11/30. I am an early riser (~5:30AM) and was able to walk the ship very early in the morning. I made specific note of the condition of the ship and could best describe it as a "1-year-old car".

 

Yes, there were some worn carpets, and one button was missing from an elevator (I believe Deck 4 near the Schooner bar), but the ship is otherwise in very, very good condition. If you have a cruise booked in the near future - no worries, you will not be disappointed.

 

My assessment of the food in the dining room would be 4.5 out of 5. The food was delicious, the presentation nice, and the waitstaff very helpful and attentive.

 

Beware Sara-Michelle (you'll soon find out who she is). Unless you really like to shop, I think you will agree that she is easily RCCL's most annoying shill.

 

In closing, unless you are very picky, there is little that you will find lacking with AOS; she is still a beautiful ship

 

CruiseTobey

[nanfromatlanta]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. We are scheduled to board on 12/21.

[sealeggs]

We have sailed her the last 2 years on Mothers Day. This ship is in remarkable shape for carrying 3500 plus passengers a day every day. She isn't worn she is experienced. We are considering sailing her for Mothers Day 09 for the 3rd straight year.

 

Everyone have a great Christmas, and those that sail her before us let us hear how your experience is.

 

Sealeggs

[maggieq]

We just sailed her for the 2nd time in May of this year. Yes, she's not as "up to date" as say the LOS or the FOS but we both (boyfriend and I) that she was in great shape. We had excellent wait staff...we even had the same head waiter from our Mariner cruise....who came over to us once he recognized us. What spoiled this particular cruise for us (not ruined completely) was the constant loud obnoxious people. I have always loved sailing from San Juan and we have always had a great experience but not this go around.

 

 

I do think that you need to lower your expectations on RCCL now.(perhaps I will get flamed for this but....)..what they have is a great product, best entertainment, activity options, etc.

 

We don't cruise for the food and in fact on our FOS cruise hardly even went to the dining room. who can really eat that much every day????? If that is your priority then I think you need to try another line.

[Kikkycat]

I'm sailing AOS for the first time (first cruise too!) in late January, and I already know I am not going to be looking for worn carpeting or a missing elevator button. I'm going to be looking for the most fun cruise I can have!

[popeye0429]

:DJust off AOS on 9/16... We had a fabulous time and didn't spend anytime looking for things to complain about. The MDR was great for our group & the couple times in WJ for lunch were more than satisfying!

 

We found the staff most helpful & accommodating. We have been fortunate to "bond" with our waiter & assistant who were tremendously friendly & helpful.. a truly memorable dinner experience (hard to believe that these two gals could show us such a grand time when they are soooo busy)...THX! Lui & Janelle!!!!

 

We tend not to go for the entertainment (except..maybe BINGO) and find quiet corners to relax..chat..play cards..zzzzzzz(snooze)...have a beverage..our best time on the ship was when the ship was in port & almost EVERYBODY GOT OFF.. it was really quiet everywhere..nobody at the pools.. WJ pretty quiet.. nobody in the lounges..WOW..really a whole ship to yourself!!!!!...(pls. don't spread this secret...)

 

We've cruised a few times and are on board to relax.. EAT... and leave the rest of the mess at home. The cruise is always over toooo quickly and we can only wait .. wait .. wait for the next one... wish I was on board.......

 

AOS is special to us & we have NOOOOOO complaints!!!!!!!

 

Thanks! AOS crew!!!!!

[Deborito]

I try to look on the bright side of situations. As long as my room is clean and there is food to eat I will be happy. I won't be keeping track of wear and tear or areas that need repair. We are going to enjoy ourselves no matter what comes up. Debbie

[dcastro]

I already lowered my expectations but when one pays so much, you look for attention to detail. If you owe RCI $0.01 out of your $9,000 cruise, you are not fully paid. I am the same way with them.

 

Just beware, cruises are becoming like airlines removing perks and things I was used to, like th gala buffet. Not that I ever ate in one of those, but I missed it.

[Traveler723]

I tend to agree with the OP. I was on the Thanksgiving cruise. The carpet in our cabin was badly stained and worn. The food in the Windjammer was the same every day and so mediocre. The MDR had good menus some nights and horrible menus on others. In fact, one night, the only dessert offfered was apple piel

I will say the staff were EXCEEDINGLY good and friendly. The ship is beautiful and Mike, the cruise director was great.

My biggest complaint was that one day at the pool, a family took over an adult jacuzzi and put in a little boy around 6 and a little girl, around 2 in diapers!!!!! Not one member of the staff was there, the waiters saw and did not say a word. I felt ill and did not go in that jacuzzi again. I follow rules and appreciate others doing the same.

I think you can have a great time, enjoy your cruise and still see it for what it is: a good time with a few flaws.

[whiteway906]

With regard to the comment about wear and tear.....the AOS is scheduled for Dry Dock in either April or May 2009. I guess having 3500 passengers onboard 365 days a year will wear out a ship ;)

 

I am sailing in February, and I do expect to see some normal signs of wear and tear - this never bothers me. I would however be very upset if the ship was not clean ....and the AOS has always been very clean :)

 

How long does dry dock normally last? There is a gap in AOS's schedule from April 26 to May 6th. Maybe this is its dry dock time.

[breti]

I, too, just got off the AOS Thanksgiving cruise. There is *nothing* wrong with the ship. Is it a little worn? Sure. Most noticeably the hallway carpets. Rusting? Not anywhere that I saw (indeed, there were people painting the ship all the time). Mini golf was fine every time we went (even in the rain). The food was good in MDR and Windjammer. Yes the lunch menu was essentially the same every day, but the hot dishes and soup changed every day. The MDR never ran out of what we asked for, but even if they did, so what? We have been at restaurants that have run out. It happens, and life goes on.

 

Our head waiter talked specifically about the late night events and how they simply used to throw tons of food away (literally) as people would come, take a few pictures, and then not eat much. They found that one late night event (which they do still have poolside) brought people out and they would indeed eat. Personally, I don't care of it is a cost saving measure for RCL...it does seem wasteful to make all that food and throw it away, and to make the waitstaff work extra hours every evening just so we can overeat.

 

So, have no worries: the ship and trip are wonderful.

 

--Bret

[scayuga]

:rolleyes: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder