Voyager Review 1/4/09

[buckanear]

Starting first with embarkation. Obviously, we had a very different perspective of embarkation since we were on the other side of the counters. But the fog delay was handled much better than it was last year when we just shoved as many people into the terminal as we humanly could which created an angry mob. This time we turned away anyone in a personal vehicle until the ship had been at the terminal at least three hours. I know this didn’t sit well with people, but I can assure that the only alternative would have been much worse. At least they could go some place comfortable to wait and there wasn’t a horde of hungry and angry people with no place to sit. There were shuttles going to the seawall and two shifts of lunches brought in. To compensate for a lost lunch, RCI gave everyone $20. The ship finally left about 9:30.

 

Stateroom: We were in an oceanview on the 4th deck which is next to studio B and the art gallery. Since there are only 15 rooms in the hallway there is absolutely no traffic and we heard no noise at all from studio B. It was a fabulous room! I’m not a general fan of the small bathrooms since DH and I are on the big side, but neither of us had issues with it.

 

Food: This is an important one to us. The dining room was pretty good. Our wait staff was amazing and they would bring us several different selections for us to try of each course. My only complaint is that things started to become redundant. I don’t eat seafood and I’m not a big beef eater and so there was either pork/turkey or the recurring chicken and veggies. The chicken was unseasoned and the veggies were salty. But the rest of the food was pretty good and piping hot despite being seated on the complete other side of the dining room from the kitchen. The WJ was pretty good for a buffet. There were a lot of selections and fresh fruit. The Promenade Café was a great place for a quick snack. Johnny Rockets is one of our favorite places to eat. For $3.95 we got a great burger and all the fries and onion rings we could eat plus a dessert. At Portofino we did the wine pairing dinner because it was the only reservation time we could attend. The food was amazing, but since we’re not big drinkers I think we would have enjoyed a normal dinner service more. It was still great though. There were hand sanitizers at the dinning room and windjammer prior to entering. We always giggled at the ones in the dinning room since you immediately touch a dirty menu as soon as you sanitize.

 

Entertainment: Cruise director and staff were a lot of fun. Eric has a great sense of humor. He was hilarious in the cooking demonstration. We attended a few shows and they were pretty good. We don’t usually attend the dinner shows since they are usually before the late seating dinner, but this time they had some of the dinner shows after the late seating dinner. I didn’t care for the Gauchos, but they also weren’t 100%. This was their last show on the ship and part of their act wasn’t there. The Quest was hilarious as always. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do for a keychain! Overall, there was never a dull moment onboard the ship. The casino was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the smoke free night.

 

Ports: In Cozumel we just shopped. We had to buy a few gifts for some very special people and Cozumel provided that for us. Then we did lunch. Then we watched the drunken people run down the pier with nothing to stop them from falling in. Grand Cayman we did the “Island Highlights Tour”. It was a dud. Our bus driver left us sitting at some cheap tourist trap for an hour and a half while he got lunch and he got in an accident coming back for us. All he did was show us 2 mansions and the rest of the time he showed us hurricane damaged areas (from 2004) which isn’t what we really wanted to see since we live in Galveston. To compensate for the time lost during the driver’s lunch/accident, he left one stop off. So from 10am to 4pm we went with nothing to eat but chips when our tour was only supposed to be 3 hours. We got some money back for it though. Jamaica we just stayed onboard the ship and enjoyed the view.

 

Disembarkation: We were in the first 15 people off the ship. We arrived in Galveston early and started Disembark early. The ship was apparently empty early as the next group started boarding almost an hour earlier than normal.

[theotherchad]

We've seen these guys twice, and skipped them last time. For anyone who hasn't seen them, it's well worth wathching. A really good show. But after you've seen them twice, it does start to get old. I do think RCCL needs to take a trip to Vegas and recruit a little more variety. For repeat cruisers, it starts getting too repetitive.

 

On the other hand, when there's a show (Like, lord help me, Bowzer from Shanana) that we've already seen, it makes it easier for us to schedule something else. It seems like every time I've skipped something (like a show, a cocktail demostration party, etc.) someone tells me later I was an idiot to miss it!:rolleyes: SO when I'v already seen it, I can skip without worrying about it.

 

Glad you had a good cruise! We'll be seeing you in April!

[Rancher Dave]

Interesting about the hand sanatizers. We did NOT see them our week...then we got off and the next cowd got on so did the sanatizers. :eek:

 

 

I see you left out the part about being snubbed by someone you and I both know...shame on him. He should know by now you are friendly and nice...2x that I have not met Jeff so I can't pass judgement on him yet. Maybe in February or April I will get to meet him.

 

Thanks for the advice on what GC tour not to take. Actually when I go to GC it will be to dive if no family is with me. DD is too young to dive yet so I have skipped diving over the past couple of years.

 

Have another great Sunday at the port this weekend!

[yogimax]

Thanks for the review! We have been on Voyager multiple times and love the ship, the ice shows and the Royal Promenade!

[buckanear]

Dave, I meant to ask about that. They didn't have them out for spring break and I got sick (as did the GSM). I noticed a lot of people with respiratory issues (a lot of hacking coughs) and reports of people either being at the doctor or buying z packs in Cozumel. I got sick as well (again) and I still have no voice yet.

 

I figured I'd let it slide about "you know who" :) since we're neither diamond or suites passengers. LoL. An oversight, I know. You should come down to the PC next time and say "hi". Jeff's gettin' jealous of us.

 

Jeff's been dying to go diving in GC, but since I don't dive he's been happy with snorkeling. We were both kinda disappointed about the tour because we could have just snorkeled like we planned on doing and had more fun. That's what I get for actually wanting to see the island :)

 

Yogi, when are you coming back?

[firefly333]

Entertainment: I didn’t care for the Gauchos, but they also weren’t 100%. This was their last show on the ship and part of their act wasn’t there.

 

I'm glad this was their last week on the ship too. Iv seen them twice, on Voyager last spring and on SOV. I had seen 3 of the shows last spring on Voyager before (and it was my first time on Voyager). I hope they have some new shows finally.

[cruizinmimi]

Hi Erica

Can you tell me if the Pig n Whistle was smoke free (non-smoking venue)? Also, you mentioned there was a night that the casino was non-smoking. Which night, do you remember?

We will be back on the Voyager in March. I hope to see you.

[wolfganghowell]

Thanks for your review - your perspective and comments are always so appreciated. I crack up when you come on roll calls to wish us bon voyage! :) I think I said "hi" last year when we got off Voyager so I'll be sure to look for you again this time.

[wolfganghowell]

Linda - it looks like we are missing each other AGAIN! :D

[buckanear]

Linda, the p&w was listed as non-smoking. The smoke free casino night was Monday night.

 

I'm glad my experiences are beneficial to someone. Make sure you come by to say hi. I used to get crap last season because I would have a line for my station of CC travelers or people would ask for me at other stations. The 4/6/08 sailing I had a line 3 families deep at one point.

[cruizinmimi]

Linda - it looks like we are missing each other AGAIN! :D

 

 

I know. :( We changed from April to the last of March. We shall sail again and I'm sure our paths will cross:D

[baabtx]

Dave, I meant to ask about that. They didn't have them out for spring break and I got sick (as did the GSM). I noticed a lot of people with respiratory issues (a lot of hacking coughs) and reports of people either being at the doctor or buying z packs in Cozumel. I got sick as well (again) and I still have no voice yet.

 

I figured I'd let it slide about "you know who" :) since we're neither diamond or suites passengers. LoL. An oversight, I know. You should come down to the PC next time and say "hi". Jeff's gettin' jealous of us.

 

Jeff's been dying to go diving in GC, but since I don't dive he's been happy with snorkeling. We were both kinda disappointed about the tour because we could have just snorkeled like we planned on doing and had more fun. That's what I get for actually wanting to see the island :)

 

Yogi, when are you coming back?

 

Still feeling poorly after the cruise as well as both of my parents (Dad ended up with over a $1000 bill from the infirmary due to respiratory issues). I swear they need to do away with smoking in the casino and other close quarter areas iin the interior of the ship.

 

I too was concerned at first when we didn't see the hand sanitizers (as there were more children on this cruise) when we were on the Radiance in November (with a much more mature crowd) there were hand sanitizers at every turn (on/off the ship, each dining area or when any type of food was served - including the welcome back/platinum/diamond party). Still was amazed to see folks just walking by the sanitizers which totally creeped me and my wife out...

[firefly333]

Ill have to look for you too when I check in. :)

[J & G]

Linda, the p&w was listed as non-smoking. The smoke free casino night was Monday night.

 

I'm glad my experiences are beneficial to someone. Make sure you come by to say hi. I used to get crap last season because I would have a line for my station of CC travelers or people would ask for me at other stations. The 4/6/08 sailing I had a line 3 families deep at one point.

 

So as Pier Coordinator, what is your responsibilities? We want to find you in two weeks......your review was very helpful!! Are Angie and Janice still there checking people in at the peir also?

[Rancher Dave]

Still feeling poorly after the cruise as well as both of my parents (Dad ended up with over a $1000 bill from the infirmary due to respiratory issues). I swear they need to do away with smoking in the casino and other close quarter areas iin the interior of the ship.

 

I too was concerned at first when we didn't see the hand sanitizers (as there were more children on this cruise) when we were on the Radiance in November (with a much more mature crowd) there were hand sanitizers at every turn (on/off the ship, each dining area or when any type of food was served - including the welcome back/platinum/diamond party). Still was amazed to see folks just walking by the sanitizers which totally creeped me and my wife out...

 

Wow, that is no fun... Was that multiple visits to the infirm or one expensive visit? MIL was $500 for sutures, two visits, and antibiotics after a slip and fall in St Thomas.

[satxdiver]

Thanks for the report. Last time we were on the VOS and later AOS, they allowed smoking in the pub. We had to sit outside because of it. It will be nice to be able to go inside if the smoking has been eliminated. I agree with another poster that they should not allow smoking inside the ship.

 

I am glad to hear that they now have the hand sanitzers available. The last time on the VOS and later AOS, it was not available. I have read that the hand sanitzers are not all they are thought to be. Washing your hands under running water with soap for 20 seconds is a whole lot better. The buffet is of course the most vulnerable area for spreading respitory bugs.

 

I got a chuckle out of your staying on the ship in Jamaica. We have stayed on the ship in other ports particularly GC since we have been there many times and are not beach lovers. We stayed on the ship in Jamaica and were astounded on how crowded it was aboard. We had planned our usual quiet casual day without pax and had a real surprise. I would say about 1/3 of the ship stayed aboard and it was almost like a sea day.

 

Once you have made the obligatory visit to the turtle farm and Hell in GC, there is not a lot to do except the beach. It is a small flat island. The shopping area is nice but the same shops seem to be in every port. The one thing about GC is that it is safe to wander around off the beaten tourist path. I can understand the comments about touring the hurricane damaged area. Incidentally the entire island was underwater during that hurricane.

 

Sorry that your DH was not able to dive in GC. I did a dive there my first visit on the Rhapsody and enjoyed it. I since returned for a week aboard the Caymen Aggressor diving all three islands and had a great time. It is a great dive site but most of the better sites are not accessible when arriving on a cruise ship due to time restrictions.

[abpmillsww]

Enjoyed reading your review! Thanks for sharing.

 

I'll be there Sunday to I'll see if I can find you :)

[buckanear]

satxdiver: I noticed the same thing with people staying onboard in Jamaica.

 

J&G: My job as PC is to be superagent. I check in entertainers, back to back guests and fixing agent mistakes. We also process upgrades as well.

 

abp: I look forward to meeting you and I'm glad you liked the review!

[fun_one]

Cruiseloverandagent:

Thanks for your review! Glad you get to cruise once in a while! I've seen you on the CC boards and enjoy your comments. My husband and I are on 2/1/09 VOS sailing and very much looking forward to it. I was curious about your comment about the "upgrades". We booked a specific cabin (balcony) on deck 8. Who gets upgraded? This will be our 5th cruise on RCCL. Also, was curious about the ice show and getting tickets. Is there one night that is better than another to try to see it? I thought you were supposed to get tickets right when you get on the boat. Thanks again!

Barbara

[baabtx]

Wow, that is no fun... Was that multiple visits to the infirm or one expensive visit? MIL was $500 for sutures, two visits, and antibiotics after a slip and fall in St Thomas.

 

It actually came out a bit over $1500 (dad didn't seem too concerned and he bought travel insurance and will file a claim on his insurance). This was for Chest X-Ray and 3 daily IV's of antibiotics and z-pacs. It did seem to make him feel better toward the end of the cruise, but was a bit bummed as I had high hopes for him being more active on this trip as it's the first time we have all travelled together as a family in 40 years - he still enjoyed his time and was glad me and my sisters had fun together (or the hens as I coined them).

 

They really stick it to you in the infirmary on cost, but he said the doctor was very efficient and the nurses (from Romania) were very helpful and friendly which probably went a long way toward his lack of concern over the cost.

[Jebra]

The delay for boarding wasn't due to fog, it was due to two people trying to smuggle drugs. They stopped embarkation of passengers on the Voyager until customs could find who was responsible, causing the massive delay. We were near the front of the line and heard the news straight from a RCCL crew member and customs officer. The story got passed down a bit in line but obviously didn't make it all the way down.

[buckanear]

That's funny... being RCCL dis/embarkation staff, I never heard anything other than disembark went smoothly and within it's normal time frame once the ship arrived. :rolleyes:

[rsjc]

Disembarkation: We were in the first 15 people off the ship. We arrived in Galveston early and started Disembark early. The ship was apparently empty early as the next group started boarding almost an hour earlier than normal.

 

What did you do to get in the first group off the ship? and what would be normal boarding time if there were no delays?

[buckanear]

I went to the dining room (waiting spot for express) about 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

 

The normal boarding time is around noon, but usually earlier.

[Rancher Dave]

I went to the dining room (waiting spot for express) about 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

 

The normal boarding time is around noon, but usually earlier.

 

 

I thought maybe our mutual friend saw you off in the first group. :D

 

I'd have expected your would have been received more kindly given you interact weekly.

 

I didn't get escorted but then again getting there around 11 or 11150 whatever it was we were so quickly aboard it was no biggie.