madforcruising Posted April 12, 2009 #26 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Tucker, I think we agree on more points than we disagree.:) While I presonally have withdrawn cash for non-casino useage as well:o I agree that it´s probably a good decision for them to have the 3% fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frascot Posted April 12, 2009 #27 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I was very disappointed when I heard that RCCL was cutting back. As diamond members we enjoyed going the the CL before dinner for drinks. It was a wonderful place to see friends and meet new people. I wonder if RCCL is being penny wise and pound foolish. We used to look at RCCL first to see if they had an itinerary and sailing date that we liked. It was our first choice. We've been on lots of different lines. In February we were on Celebrity. Noticed changes there. RCCL had a lot of things we really enjoyed, the ship shape dollars, the wine packages and the CL for diamond members. We also liked the other "extras" including the coupon books. Celebrity has also cut back, but you can still bring 2 bottles of wine when you embark. Over the summer we were on HAL and you could bring wine on from any port. It was Italy, Spain and Greece, so it was great. This spring we're going on Carnival, and we know that it is not Celebrity or HAL or RCCL, but it met our needs. Fall we'll be on HAL again. Winter it could be HAL or maybe NCL. It could be RCCL, cruising is a great deal. Food, entertainment, lots of great ports it is all a wonderful and we wouldn't do anything different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flacruiser Posted April 12, 2009 #28 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I love to cruise no matter what the "amenities" are. That is just what they are, amenities. Go on your cruise and enjoy every minute of the vacation, because in these trying times, many people cannot afford to go on any type of vacation, much less a cruise. I am grateful I can still go on a cruise. With or without extra rolls. With or without a gift from C&A! Quit whining and start looking for the good things in life, that you can still afford to go on a cruise! :D :D Many people are losing their jobs now, and can't even afford to buy dinner! Well said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougp26364 Posted April 12, 2009 #29 Share Posted April 12, 2009 We have cruised at least 75 times. Over the last several years we have been "loyal to Royal" with over 40 on RCCL. With the advent of RCCL cost cutting measures, we too have looked to cut cruising costs. We have found that other cruise lines, especially Princess, often offer equally enjoyable cruising experiences at lower cost than RCCL. It is suggested that when choosing to take a cruise consider itinerary and total costs. Also do homework from sites such as Cruise critic remembering that people may have various opinions about a single issue. Try to ignore statements from those who have an obvious bias towards a particular cruise line. In that past we've stuck with Royal for the benefits and the experience. With RCI's lowering of the bar, now we'll be doing as you suggest. Shopping with our dollars more than with our desires. I guess we were in the minority that were willing to pay a little more for the experience and the perks RCI provided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneylil Posted April 13, 2009 #30 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I spoke to the hotel officer on the Independance of the Seas in March and he said by eliminating the chocolates the fleet saves $450.000 per year. They have to throw out all the candy thats not eaten even if its still wrapped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted April 13, 2009 #31 Share Posted April 13, 2009 We started in the early 80's line was grand on cruise ships then. We had free soda at meals Fruit basket in each cabin The food of course the dinning room was the only place other than your room for dinner but it was the best land or sea. Ah, yes, I remember sailing in the early 80's, as well. Don't forget the deck of cards, as well as the little bottles of shampoo and conditioner & shower caps. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted April 13, 2009 #32 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Still, I'm one of those odd ducks that would just as soon see the quality remain and the price be a little bit higher than other cruise lines. I guess that doesn't work when you're constantly having to attract new cruisers to you line in order to remain inovative and build bigger and better cruise ships. I'm with you!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted April 13, 2009 #33 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I spoke to the hotel officer on the Independance of the Seas in March and he said by eliminating the chocolates the fleet saves $450.000 per year. They have to throw out all the candy thats not eaten even if its still wrapped. I'm not trying to be smart, but is this $450,000? I read that an airline saved over a million dollars a year by taking one black olive out of each salad in first class. Little things can make a big difference. As my grandfather use to say, I'm saying that to say this... I just turned Diamond and will not get to use able to use th CL unless I am on a Freedom class or Oasis. Kind of stinks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frascot Posted April 13, 2009 #34 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Has anyone written to RCCL to express their thoughts? If they know how people feel, they may bring back some of the perks. After all it is a buisness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan_de_bouff Posted April 13, 2009 #35 Share Posted April 13, 2009 OMG why all the cut backs ? is it to fund these larger ships ? At this rate it will be called budget cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougp26364 Posted April 13, 2009 #36 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Has anyone written to RCCL to express their thoughts? If they know how people feel, they may bring back some of the perks. After all it is a buisness. Yes and they have a lovely form letter personalized with your name on it that they'll send back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted April 13, 2009 #37 Share Posted April 13, 2009 This list of cutbacks now EXCEEDS the list of what was included. It's very disheartening. If I read the included list today, I'd hate to see what it would look like. INCLUDED: 1 cruise I'm thinking that may not be too far away, Pete...........;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted April 13, 2009 #38 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I'm thinking that may not be too far away, Pete...........;) How confusing. I can no longer find my words of comparison. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majesty Fan Posted April 13, 2009 #39 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I am a diamond plus member but have not cruised RCI since Oct 07. In 06 and winter 07 we did a 7 night Disney cruise and 3 night. The service compared to RCi was wonderful. No paying for cokes, t disney shows, food was not that good but the amneities were good. Castaway Cay is fabulous. Embarkation is great too Sept 07 we went to Hawaii on Radaince a 15 night cruise. from the moment we got to the Port of La to the monent we get off there were issues. First it was sheer caos at the port no direction. This was not all RCI fault. Charged almost $115 for a coke cup but then trying to get it filled at a bar was a issue. chair hogs everywhere. no notice that there was a diamond lounge only. Hubby likes to have espresso and the CL diamond lounge does that but no espresso in the diamond lounge. Our first port was a tender and since we could not get into the CL lounge we asked to the CD for priority tender tickets. Was told that was for DP or CL only. I told him asfter this cruise was my diamond plus cruise. He did get us priority tender tickets. There were also just little things that were not good. Debarkation was the last straw. We had priority tender tickets. We were suposed to get off first. Well it was a night mare. None of the Cruise staff did anything to help. There were only 2 custom agents for #3000 people! Handicapped people who could not make it into the show lounge had to wait till everyone was through. There was fghting in the line to get off. We did not get off the ship until 1030 and we were number 2 group. We have not cruised royal since. We jumped ship to Carnival. Much cheaper and closer. Plus every ship has water slide and mini golf. I would like to try freedom but with all the negativity just am happy with both Disney and Carnival. Oasis what a joke. I have no plans to ever set foot on that. We are booked on the Wonder for Oct and Dream for Jan! Lexi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted April 13, 2009 #40 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I am a diamond plus member but have not cruised RCI since Oct 07. I, too, am a Diamond Plus and next year will be the first time in over 10 years that we do not have a RCCL cruise planned. We are now looking at HAL, Princess and Celebrity. I am very disappointed in some of the changes that have been happening in RCCL over the last several years and the direction in which they are heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madforcruising Posted April 13, 2009 #41 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I am a diamond plus member but have not cruised RCI since Oct 07. In 06 and winter 07 we did a 7 night Disney cruise and 3 night. The service compared to RCi was wonderful. No paying for cokes, t disney shows, food was not that good but the amneities were good. Castaway Cay is fabulous. Embarkation is great tooSept 07 we went to Hawaii on Radaince a 15 night cruise. from the moment we got to the Port of La to the monent we get off there were issues. First it was sheer caos at the port no direction. This was not all RCI fault. Charged almost $115 for a coke cup but then trying to get it filled at a bar was a issue. chair hogs everywhere. no notice that there was a diamond lounge only. Hubby likes to have espresso and the CL diamond lounge does that but no espresso in the diamond lounge. Our first port was a tender and since we could not get into the CL lounge we asked to the CD for priority tender tickets. Was told that was for DP or CL only. I told him asfter this cruise was my diamond plus cruise. He did get us priority tender tickets. There were also just little things that were not good. Debarkation was the last straw. We had priority tender tickets. We were suposed to get off first. Well it was a night mare. None of the Cruise staff did anything to help. There were only 2 custom agents for #3000 people! Handicapped people who could not make it into the show lounge had to wait till everyone was through. There was fghting in the line to get off. We did not get off the ship until 1030 and we were number 2 group. We have not cruised royal since. We jumped ship to Carnival. Much cheaper and closer. Plus every ship has water slide and mini golf. I would like to try freedom but with all the negativity just am happy with both Disney and Carnival. Oasis what a joke. I have no plans to ever set foot on that. We are booked on the Wonder for Oct and Dream for Jan! Lexi I´m sorry but I don´t even understand half of your rant. Radiance does not hold 3000 people, Radiance has no DL, but only a CL and up to 07/01/09 D & D+ have access to the CL. :confused: But however, happy cruising with Carnival & Disney.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frascot Posted April 13, 2009 #42 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I think that all the cruise lines need to stop thinking that bigger is better. They keep building these mega ships and then they have to fill them up. I have enjoyed the rock walls and even the ice shows. However, I can't see being on a ship with 5000 other passengers. To me something has to give. In order to have any type of service on that big of a ship you need to have a large staff. Large staff means that some of the other "extras" have to go. The cuts are made to all the ships. They want to fill these larger ships, so they'll keep the CL open to diamond members there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted April 13, 2009 #43 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I think that all the cruise lines need to stop thinking that bigger is better. They keep building these mega ships and then they have to fill them up. However, I can't see being on a ship with 5000 other passengers. . I'm with you 100%! I prefer the mid-size ships of the Radiance and Vision class. I will not sail on the mega ships, period. But, it seems that RCCL is plowing forward in cutting costs and building bigger and bigger ships. They are now marketing to the families and at the moment seem to be keeping their ships full. Time will tell if they can keep their huge ships full. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temple1 Posted April 14, 2009 #44 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Hmmmm, I have yet to try one of the larger ships. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and try them all out. Geez life is so darned difficult sometimes. I was going to leave my signature off on this response, but this is now my first reply so. :confused: ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mems Posted April 14, 2009 #45 Share Posted April 14, 2009 OMHO, The "Hey Day" of cruising is over. Those new ships are big amusment parks on water. Okay if you like that kind of thing. It will appeal to young families who have listened to seasoned cruisers stories about how wonderful cruises were. Sorry to say it's not the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeofus Posted April 14, 2009 #46 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Does anyone else recall the WJ open after the show? Am I crazy? I remember going up there every night after the show - and we were quite surprised last summer to find it closed. Could it be the show was later on the Med. Cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted April 14, 2009 #47 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Does anyone else recall the WJ open after the show?Am I crazy? I remember going up there every night after the show - and we were quite surprised last summer to find it closed. I was surprised to see the WJ closed on my Panama Canal cruise 3 weeks ago, too. I can remember it being open till after midnight and going there just to sit and talk after a show. Another one of their cost cutting measures, I guess. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted April 14, 2009 #48 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Windjammer closes at 9:30 PM now. But that has been since 2007 at least. I recall it being open later than that in prior years as well. But not anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCRUISR Posted April 14, 2009 #49 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I also want to say that I realize all things change from generation to generation. I don't mean to sound like my depression era parents who would recall the days of this and that costing only a nickel. Yes... we have all witnessed change and even though I may want to b***** about it, we have had a certain comfort zone on RCCL. Happy cruising on whichever line you choose. :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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