Tell us your pros and cons about RCCL [Archive]

madforcruising

01-23-2005, 06:06 AM

I can´t see the RCCL forum without any posts, so I just thought about starting one.

I think it might be fun to hear about all the things you like or don´t like about Royal Caribbean.
You could also post suggestions about what they should change, add, take away. I think you got it.

I´ll start right away

I like their ships. To my liking they are well designed and easy to get around.

I don´t like that they stopped showing us the desert samples on a tray at the end of dinner. I liked that much more than the lousy menu they give you now.

Elizanessie

01-23-2005, 07:43 AM

I like the choice of sizes of ship etc RCCI gives....For us we prefer the large ships.

I dislike how everyone looks at you as if you are mad in the dining room when you ask for a Well done steak... :eek:

Liz

madforcruising

01-23-2005, 07:44 AM

yuyi64

01-23-2005, 08:46 AM

I like the how "light and airy" their ships are, with lots of glass and ocean views from almost any public room. I also like their elegant but understated decor as opposed to Carnival's glitz. I wish all their ships would have at least one 24-hour dining venue and more food venue options like Carnival has. Overall I think RCCL does a good job in servicing their guests and offers a lot of value if you're willing to cruise at other than peak times.

Cruiserlisa

01-23-2005, 09:17 AM

I like that the Windjammer has oatmeal every morning. Along with toppings that I like. I also like their embarking. It always goes fast.

I don't like their Casinos. They always seem to be tight.

Cruise Cat

01-23-2005, 09:42 AM

Cold Food (pancakes, frenchtoast, and waffles) everyday for breakfast in the Windjammer (both on Rhapsody and Vision). Tried to explain to them the operation of a steamer, but the crew kept re-opening the lids to let the food get cold and hard again. Don't know how they ever pass the CDC inspection on food temperature.

MadCnty

01-23-2005, 08:56 PM

I really like the attitudes of the employees... They always seem to be in a "good" mood even with the long hours they work...
I dislike the "sticky" shower curtain on most of their ships... The newer enclosers are much better...

joeyancho

01-23-2005, 11:53 PM

Where do I start? I like, friendly cabin stewards, coffee to my room first thing in the morning, two desserts, fruit soups, midnight comedy, jogging track, classy decor, live music, afternoon tea, friendly waiters, meeting nice folks, cigars on my balcony, champagne bar, Voyager class ships......you get the idea

Catnip

01-24-2005, 07:52 AM

I like the layout of their ships--easy to get around. And I love all the glass in the atrium area's---I love a nice view of the ocean, so you'll know you are on a cruise ship instead of a hotel!

I don't like how managment is these days. The employees (wait staff and room stewards) seem to be overworked and there are less employees than over the past years. There used to be employees in the Windjammer that would take your tray to your table for you (for handicappoed people or elderly folks) and you don't see those anymore.

mammallama

01-25-2005, 09:39 AM

Love the ships! The variety of activities on board is another plus. I've always had wonderful staff, very attentive. The ships always seem to be sparkling clean.

Dislikes: Only that I can't afford to go more often.

Stretch

01-25-2005, 01:07 PM

I dislike how everyone looks at you as if you are mad in the dining room when you ask for a Well done steak... :eek:

Liz

I dislike the looks and arguments I get when I ask for a rare/med. rare steak. Please, no shoe leather on my plate.

Elizanessie

01-26-2005, 08:56 AM

stretch....When I cook a good decent piece of well done steak I can assure you it most certainly does not taste or look like shoe leather......perhaps you should take some cooking lessons and try it sometime :p

xpcdoojk

01-26-2005, 09:30 AM

Liz, most American men like their steaks, thick, charred on the outside and warm and blood red in the middle. We are a more primitive country. :D

Stretch is a pretty accomplished cook by male standards, too. :)

I like the ships. I like having active options. I can not stand laying out by the pool. So, I like miniature golf, basketball courts, indoor golf video, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, large video arcades. I wish that they would use the big Voyager class ships on more interesting itineraries because they are stuck doing these port intensive 7 day cruises and you really can't do everything that the ships offer. I do like the smaller crowds on the smaller formerly called megaships like the Legend. I wish the food was better, but I wish that about every place I go to eat out her in town too. I wish that the shore excursions were limited to people of similar age and that they were more fairly priced, but this complaint would hold for all cruise lines.

jc

CruisinCelt

01-26-2005, 01:03 PM

Liz, I'm with you--can't stand any pink on my meat at all! :eek:

I love balconies, room service, the great people I've met, exploring the ships because they are all different... I've never cruised anything but RCCL, so can't compare, but until I can afford extreme luxury, I don't see any need to switch, either!

I wish the shops would stock larger sizes! As quite a few of cruisers seem to be of the "fluffy" and "extra-fluffy" persuasion, how about letting us buy Royal Carribean t-shirts, too?

madforcruising

01-26-2005, 01:14 PM

I wish the shops would stock larger sizes! As quite a few of cruisers seem to be of the "fluffy" and "extra-fluffy" persuasion, how about letting us buy Royal Carribean t-shirts, too?

You are soooo right!

Mimi

01-26-2005, 05:37 PM

I love how one can order a full meal from room service! :)

Abridalmaven

01-26-2005, 07:41 PM

I like the ships. I like having active options. I can not stand laying out by the pool. So, I like miniature golf, basketball courts, indoor golf video, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, large video arcades
I agree plus open airy ships. The NCL Dawn felt slightly claustrophobic to me.

More cruises out of NY/NJ is all I want.

mariapd719

01-27-2005, 02:15 AM

I love the ships, the crew, the food, the pools, the pool bands, the drinks, the shows, the bars and the atmosphere

BUT I wish they had better itineraries - Seems like Carnival has a lot of great itins to choose from but RCI basically has the same W&E caribbean ports. Id like to see more "exotic" locales without having to cruise for 10 days or go to PR to depart

Adventurer

01-27-2005, 06:35 AM

I like the ships. They are beautiful and clean. I LOVE the Schooner bars. :D
I really LOVE the solariums, beautiful, quiet and usually kid free. ;)

I don't like the singing, dancing waiter show in the dining room, and pirates trying to get me to pose for a photo with them while I'm enjoying my dinner. Dinner is where I want to be able to relax and enjoy the meal and the company of the people at the table while getting great service without interuption.

Stretch

01-27-2005, 12:26 PM

[QUOTE=xpcdoojk]Liz, most American men like their steaks, thick, charred on the outside and warm and blood red in the middle. We are a more primitive country. :D

Stretch is a pretty accomplished cook by male standards, too. :)

Thank's for the vote of confidence. I developed my taste for what I call properly prepared steaks while living in Charleston, SC.
Prior to that I thought that all steaks were of the Western Sizzlin variety. There was a restaurant called the White Horse Inn that had a sign prominantly displayed as you entered saying that they absolutly refused to cook a steak over med. rare.
My personal preference has been called "Pittsburg" or "Black & Blue", which are one in the same. I like a steak to be approx.
1 1/2" to 1 3/4" think. (filet, tenderloin, or rib eye), season with fresh pepper and sea salt, and perhaps a touch of worstershire sauce, get your grill really hot, and I mean really hot and cook for approx. 3 1/2 to 4 minutes a side. Never ever turn a steak more than once unless you want it dried out. The outside should resemble a well done steak but the inside should be cool and red. All you need now are, a fresh spinich salad, some grilled, marinated portobello mushrooms, broiled baby asperagas spears, twice baked-stuffed potatoes and a good red wine. Cabernet, Syrah, Shiraz, Merlot or in jc's case an Amarone'. I'll stack my steak up against anyones. That's the way a steak should be served, IMHO.
Chef StretchO

mariapd719

01-28-2005, 12:51 AM

Oh God Stretch ...I burn all meat - I got food poisoning once from meat that wasnt cooked well and was a vegetarian for 4 yrs. Now My hamburgers are hockey pucks and my chicken is dry and thats the way I like it :D You just got to put alot of sauces on them and you dont know the difference....

Waitress: how would you like your hamburger... med rare, medium or well

Me : Burnt...really really really extra well done burnt

Waitress :eek: :confused:

xpcdoojk

01-28-2005, 09:09 AM

Stretch

01-28-2005, 09:45 AM

Unfortunately you do need to worry about hamburger, and unfortunately I now cook my hamburgers to medium well. But a good tenderloin is not going to make you ill if you prepare it properly like Stretch suggested. The bad stuff is only on the surface of the good cuts (if at all), and therefore you only need to cook the exterior for safety.

jc

Hey, I got sick as a dog once from bad oysters but that hasn't stopped me from eating them. That was just bad luck, a one time deal so I don't dwell on it. Come to think of it, we used to eat tartar sandwiches when I lived up nawth. Just ground steak, spring onions, salt, pepper and mix it up and slam it on a kaiser roll. Them's good eatin's!
StretchO

jc, do I detect a bit of bickeritus in your writing today, you ought to have that looked at! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif
StretchO

xpcdoojk

01-28-2005, 10:55 AM

Hey, I got sick as a dog once from bad oysters but that hasn't stopped me from eating them. That was just bad luck, a one time deal so I don't dwell on it. Come to think of it, we used to eat tartar sandwiches when I lived up nawth. Just ground steak, spring onions, salt, pepper and mix it up and slam it on a kaiser roll. Them's good eatin's!
StretchO

jc, do I detect a bit of bickeritus in your writing today, you ought to have that looked at! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif
StretchO

I remember eating hamburger meat out of the refrigerator raw and cold as a child. It wasn't allowed, but it was pretty tasty as I remember it.

Stretch, I hate to disagree with you on a thread in which I have built you up to be some guru chef, but I have yet to click at triangle on any thread in which you have flamed me. Therefore, no bickeritus... sorry! :p

jc

Abridalmaven

01-28-2005, 08:18 PM

I remember eating hamburger meat out of the refrigerator raw and cold as a child. It wasn't allowed, but it was pretty tasty as I remember it. Oh yes, I did love it. And now when I make a meatloaf (a rare happening), I just HAVE to taste it to make sure the seasonings are JUST right.

worfsmom

01-28-2005, 08:59 PM

.... Being Canadian.....

MAD COW :eek:

Host Pammy

01-29-2005, 05:30 AM

Having done just one RCI cruise, 9/19/04 Mariner of the Seas and 4 Carnival cruises I can honestly say this: The ship was by far the most gorgeous one I have sailed on. Very classy. Carnival could take a few tips here. But the couple things I found Carnival had RCI beat on was the dinner food in the dining room and the nightlife, RCI really seem to shut down around midnight most evenings. RCI does a better breakfast and room service offers a lot more choices including hot breakfast which is great!! Over all, I'd say they're pretty equal if you compare new ships to new ships.

gardencat

01-29-2005, 07:54 AM

MAD COW

I'm not sure about this, but I don't think cooking will save you from mad cow disease ( I have no idea how to spell the human version of that disesase so I'll stick to mad cow).

Cooking should reduce your risk of food poisoning but I think your chances of getting mad cow are more governed by which part of the animal you are having ( if the animal had mad cow to start with).

But I digress, to drag this back on topic... I liked the big Voyager class ships when travelling with my teenage son. There was lots to do and lots of it was physical, at that age you need to tire them out during the day! For myself I don't need a rock climbing wall or skating rink, although the adults in our group did play mini-putt, but for teenagers it was great. At the same time the ship had enough relaxing type stuff, nice bars and lounges to keep me happy.
I enjoyed Rhapsody and would happily go again but think the bigger ships offer more options for the younger cruisers.

xpcdoojk

01-31-2005, 12:12 PM

.... Being Canadian.....

MAD COW :eek:

Mad Cow unfortunately won't be eradicated even with well done. The thing you worry about is E coli which has killed more than Mad cow on this continent by several hundred fold. E coli can be killed by cooking to higher temps.

did a little search on e coli
"One of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne and waterborne illness. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. E. coli O157:H7 was first recognized as a cause of illness during an outbreak in 1982 traced to contaminated hamburgers. Since then, most infections are believed to have come from eating undercooked ground beef."

did a little search on mad cow disease...
"We don't know the agent that causes BSE, but we do know the following:

The agent must be small - The agent's size must be as small or smaller than a virus.
You can't kill it by cooking or freezing - Much higher temperatures than those used in cooking or sterilizing are required to kill it.
Disinfectants don't work - Normal chemicals that you would use to disinfect surfaces for bacteria and viruses (Lysol, Betadine) are not effective.
It does not appear to have genetic information (nucleic acids) - This finding has been questioned. "

jc

Bunti

02-02-2005, 01:52 AM

The really huge pro is the wide variety of things one can do on a RCL ship at any given time. There is truly something for every age and ability.

I really loved the promenade on the Explorer class, and the solarium, while DH enjoyed the pub, DS the Pool deck and the Casino. all at the same time, all having the times of our lives, and then sharing them with each other as well. Is there anything better?

RiverRev

02-03-2005, 06:30 AM

I have a son whose idea of a great vacation is to stay within 2 miles of home and play baseball twice a day. So here is the best part of a Royal Caribbean cruise... Having him say, "Dad, I think I want to be a platinum cruiser by the time I'm 21." :D

TONY

02-03-2005, 07:50 AM

Well first I'll preface it by saying that I have only been on one RCI cruise.

PRO:

The ship was beautiful

Embarkation was the best I have ever done

Got 9 days for the price of 7 :rolleyes:

Room service menu
CON:

I found it to be not as "party" as Carnival which we are used to.

Some of the activities were poorly scheduled.

In the effort to make dining so high class, the food selection was not appealing to us.

xpcdoojk

02-03-2005, 03:44 PM

Brn2Crz

02-03-2005, 06:50 PM

Oh yes, I did love it. And now when I make a meatloaf (a rare happening), I just HAVE to taste it to make sure the seasonings are JUST right.

Oh my Gosh,OH my Gosh,Oh my Gosh.....

I am so thankfull for someone to have said this.....I thought I was the biggest,freakish neglected child in the world...
My Mother used to do this...and gave it to us...(I am 40) I especially remember
when she was making meatloaf,or meatballs..because it would have crackers and seasoning in it....Oh,you don't know how thankfull I amto hear this.
My Mom,passed away in June 03...and this is the one thing I could never forgive her for....(spoken lightly,of course)
I don't do it now....it totally grosses me out...Due to my many years in the Food Safty business though...But again,thank you for letting me know my Mom was not crazy!!

Brn2Crz

02-03-2005, 08:07 PM

Ok..Well that had absolutly nothing to do with the topic.

Things I love about RCI...SO many..But...
They provide a great product...(beautiful ships,plenty to do...the experience of so many different places,great staff ,clean comfortable safe surroundings.Relaxation,celebrations,family time,personal time) at a very affordable price.I love their Loyalty program (for the most part) I love that they are trend setters,and not followers.I love their willingness to make a mistake,and their common sense not to give into every whim,the cruising public may seem to want.I love that I can drive 20 min to get on a great ship,or fly anywhere in the country,and get an equally priced vacation.I love that my son ,is developing the same love of the Ocean,and beach life that I love...and that he knows the names of 1/2 the RCI ships...
I love that I can go on a weeks vacation,and not be exausted or dissapointed when I return.I love that I can plan my entire vacation,with one phone call.

Dislike...Huummm....quality,or variety in shows.Lack of seafood in the DR,charging for sodas in the DR...only because it is so tacky to have to sign fo a drink all the time,and very pricey excursions...

skybuffalo

02-03-2005, 10:45 PM

The Navigator of the Seas

Pro
Excellent service by all
The towel animals
The parades
The Royal Caribbean singers
The Capt and his wife meeting with the group

Con
The coffee was too strong for me. It took me two days to find the right mix of milk and sugar (I normally drink it black).
Disembarking. Lack of communications on scheduling

Overall, fantastic ship and outstanding crew.

madforcruising

02-06-2005, 04:12 AM

Thanks for all replies, keep them comming.

sailinglisa

02-07-2005, 09:08 PM

What I liked about RCCL:

The food was pretty good - about on par with Princess.
The ships are lovely - again about on par with Princess.
Staff was friendly.
Drinks were strong and reasonably priced.

What I disliked about RCCL:

Embarkation - far worse than Princess but better than Carnivore......waited for almost an hour in lines and still did not move!
Debarkation - what a nightmare! We were in the dining room and did not hear our color called (we had early debarkation - white tags) - and when we got out, we were shocked at the line that wound around TWO levels of the atrium to get off the ship - the debarkation personnel were rude and did not want to answer one simple question.
The placement of the rock climbing wall on the Majesty is ridiculous - blocks the view from the Viking Crown Lounge.
Bathroom was smaller than I have had on any of my cruises (Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Premier and RCCL).

If this sounds like I had a bad time, I didn't - in fact I have a second cruise with RCCL booked for this fall on the Enchantment. But, I will be going back to Princess again and again......

rubrrick

01-04-2006, 01:12 PM

One of the things that my DW and I enjoy about RCCL is the size of their cabins.
Their service is not as good as Celebrity, but the price more than makes up for that.
My DW has been on Carnival twice, before we were married. In those days she enjoyed the party atmosphere. I have not tried Carnival
I enjoy the openness of the RCCL ships. Great windows to the water below.
We have so for, not had any complaints about the food. We know it is not gourmet, but very edible.
Actually some of our best meals to date was on our last cruise on the Westerdam.

Rick

BobBeaSea

01-04-2006, 04:29 PM

This is a tough one for me as I have only been on 3 cruises, all with RCCL. First 2 were on Sovereign-back in the days when she was the biggest ship, last was on Voyager in '05. I like the look of the ships...they look like ships ought to look, at least in my mind. When we were in St.Thomas you can see the ships docked from across the bay walking into town...Voyager looked like a ship, the Caribbean Princess looked like a meatloaf with the end cut gone and Glory, well Glory looked like Glory.

I found both ships I've been on easy to get around, well laid out. I can't comment on other lines' ships having not been on any.

I liked being able to buy booze in the ship's store and taking it to my cabin (for a fee)...sadly, this is gone. I am thinking of trying another line just for the sake of change however I think I will try Radiance class first, they look like beautiful ships.

Note: I love steaks as mentioned above - Chicago style - charred on the outside, rare to medium rare on the inside.

webecruisin'

01-04-2006, 04:47 PM

....
MAD COW :eek:

Denny Crane!

rubrrick

01-05-2006, 07:51 AM

I liked being able to buy booze in the ship's store and taking it to my cabin (for a fee)...sadly, this is gone. I am thinking of trying another line just for the sake of change however I think I will try Radiance class first, they look like beautiful ships.

.

It was so easy to purchase liquor to take back to your room. We loved it for parties. Now, RCCL wants $60.00 per bottle. It just makes so much more sense to bring it aboard. Someday I hope they bring back the $9.00 consumption charge.

Rick

grangermom

03-20-2006, 08:34 PM

What I love about RCI:

Beautiful ships
Waiters treating my kids like first-class citizens
Two desserts if I want them
The Quest!
Soft-serve ice cream machines
Fitness centers looking out over the ocean

What I don't love:

Those lame shows where they do things like "rockin' through the ages."

That's all I can think of.

Jsme

03-21-2006, 04:30 PM

I have only been on one RCI but I leave in 15 days for my second one and the Freedom in November will be my third.

We loved RCI when we cruised 2 years ago on one of her ships. We loved the Champagne Bar. That was my favorite. I liked the diningroom for breakfast better than the buffet.

Cruisin Angel

04-06-2006, 07:56 AM

I"ve been on PRincess and Disney.. but never on RCCL.. I'm just wondering which you prefer... Princess or RCCL? I'm taking a 2 week cruise to Hawaii and want to pick the better of the two ships. There will be kids in our group.

Jane

05-03-2006, 08:24 AM

Here are the things I like about rccl

Pools and hot tubs stay open 24 hours

The way the pools are set up, I love that ledge all around with the water, its so great to sit there during the day

Full room service menu...you can order dining room food if you want

Adult only pool section..sometimes you just dont want to be bothered so its nice to be able to go there

I agree with tony the deck parties on carnival are way better than rccl

I am in love with the voyager class ships.....as many cruises as I have been on I just love stepping on one of those boats, dont think there is another boat that can compare

I also like that they have a seperate disco for the kids, now I havent been on carnival in a while so they may have changed, but I found it very annoying to have to wait until after 11:00 so the kids could get done before we could go to the disco or party areas, on RCCL kids are on their own deck, totally seperate from everything its great