Candocruises

We just got off Allure on 12/19 and started hearing rumors on the last night of the cruise that a more stringent mask policy would be enforced on the next sailing.  During this 8 day cruise nearly everyone grudgingly complied with the existing marks policy, however capacity limits on the elevators, in public bathrooms, etc were somewhat ignored by most passengers.  It was great being back at sea but the reductions in activities and shows was disappointing.  Like you I am not a “medically qualified” professional but the assessment that the new variant is little more than a common cold is right on.  It’s to bad that the media and certain bureaucratic dynasties continue to fan the flames of Covid hysteria at the expense of our country, the cruising industry being a microcosm of the deleterious results we must endure in order to enjoy our lives.  There never has been nor will there ever be a virus free event among groups of people living their normal daily lives.  Sail on!!
 
 
 

We just got off Allure on 12/19 and started hearing rumors on the last night of the cruise that a more stringent mask policy would be enforced on the next sailing.  During this 8 day cruise nearly everyone grudgingly complied with the existing marks policy, however capacity limits on the elevators, in public bathrooms, etc were somewhat ignored by most passengers.  It was great being back at sea but the reductions in activities and shows was disappointing.  Like you I am not a “medically qualified” professional but the assessment that the new variant is little more than a common cold is right on.  It’s to bad that the media and certain bureaucratic dynasties continue to fan the flames of Covid hysteria at the expense of our country, the cruising industry being a microcosm of the deleterious results we must endure in order to enjoy our lives.  There never has been nor will there ever be a virus free event among groups of people living their normal daily lives.  Sail on!!
 
 
 

We just got off Allure on 12/19 and started hearing rumors on the last night of the cruise that a more stringent mask policy would be enforced on the next sailing.  During this 8 day cruise nearly everyone grudgingly complied with the existing marks policy, however capacity limits on the elevators, in public bathrooms, etc were somewhat ignored by most passengers.  It was great being back at sea but the reductions in activities and shows was disappointing.  Like you I am not a “medically qualified” professional but the assessment that the new variant is little more than a common cold is right on.  It’s to bad that the media and certain bureaucratic dynasties continue to fan the flames of Covid hysteria at the expense of our country, the cruising industry being a microcosm of the deleterious results we must endure in order to enjoy our lives.  There never has been nor will there ever be a virus free event among groups of people living their normal daily lives.  Sail on!!
 
 
 

We just got off Allure on 12/19 and started hearing rumors on the last night of the cruise that a more stringent mask policy would be enforced on the next sailing.  During this 8 day cruise nearly everyone grudgingly complied with the existing marks policy, however capacity limits on the elevators, in public bathrooms, etc were somewhat ignored by most passengers.  It was great being back at sea but the reductions in activities and shows was disappointing.  Like you I am not a “medically qualified” professional but the assessment that the new variant is little more than a common cold is right on.  It’s to bad that the media and certain bureaucratic dynasties continue to fan the flames of Covid hysteria at the expense of our country, the cruising industry being a microcosm of the deleterious results we must endure in order to enjoy our lives.  There never has been nor will there ever be a virus free event among groups of people living their normal daily lives.  Sail on!!
 
 
 

We just got off Allure on 12/19 and started hearing rumors on the last night of the cruise that a more stringent mask policy would be enforced on the next sailing.  During this 8 day cruise nearly everyone grudgingly complied with the existing marks policy, however capacity limits on the elevators, in public bathrooms, etc were somewhat ignored by most passengers.  It was great being back at sea but the reductions in activities and shows was disappointing.  Like you I am not a “medically qualified” professional but the assessment that the new variant is little more than a common cold is right on.  It’s to bad that the media and certain bureaucratic dynasties continue to fan the flames of Covid hysteria at the expense of our country, the cruising industry being a microcosm of the deleterious results we must endure in order to enjoy our lives.  There never has been nor will there ever be a virus free event among groups of people living their normal daily lives.  Sail on!!
 
 
 

EXACTLY!
 
Next time, instead of spending on a cruise, I may just fly to a destination and put my cash into hotel room service and other local dining options.

Ordered room service breakfast once and never again. Showed up 1 1/2 hours after the requested time (we had given up waiting, gone to and gotten back from the WJ) and I sent it back. No tip, no nothing. Another indication of the continuing, ongoing deterioration of RCL's quality and commitment to customer service

Oh.....and maybe this is to hide the fact the gratuities are going up as well....seems to be lost in the uproar about the room service.....smart on their part I guess but just another negative mark on RCI as far as I am concerned.
 
Disappointed with this news to say the least.

I would be lying if I said I didn't think this was a money grab.  I have been loyal to Royal Caribbean since the very start, never wanting or needing to cruise with another line.   I know the argument can be made that it is simple to walk to *insert dining venue here* and get your breakfast and take it back to your room.   That's not the point, the point is there is a perceived value in cruising, and by slowly eliminating all of these values, aren't they becoming less of a value and more of an expense?   I fully understand the bottom dollar, and I can appreciate all of the suite benefits, and specialized offerings Royal offers.  But to me, this feels like just one more thing that now has an additional fee outside of my cruise fare, and when will it stop?  
 
To roll this out in 12 days seems very ill-timed at best.  I sail on Allure in 45 days and I have the 12 night Anthem scheduled for December for my annual Christmas vacation.  I love Royal Caribbean but the disappointment is very real for me as a consumer who gets to choose where his discretionary dollars are spent.   I think it's time I start exploring what the other lines do and do no offer, and what their value is.  

I totally agree with you.  They should at least consider not charging certain levels of the crown and anchor program.  Nickle and Dimming Everything.

One of the things that impressed us when we started cruising 15 years ago was how nice it was to be able to dress up and enjoy being amongst an entire ship of passengers all trying to look their best.  You did not dare go to the MDR in the evening unless you were in compliance with the "evening dress' recommendation.  Over the last few years this standard has not been enforced and in fact most nights it looks no better than your local McDonalds at lunch time, and sometimes even worse than that.  RCL should return to their previous standards.  For those slobs who are just to stressed out by having to get dressed up while on vacation RCL should rope off a section of the MDR or possibly dedicate the upper floor to accommodate those who wish not to look descent and come to the MDR to "eat" instead of a dining experience.  

One of the things that impressed us when we started cruising 15 years ago was how nice it was to be able to dress up and enjoy being amongst an entire ship of passengers all trying to look their best.  You did not dare go to the MDR in the evening unless you were in compliance with the "evening dress' recommendation.  Over the last few years this standard has not been enforced and in fact most nights it looks no better than your local McDonalds at lunch time, and sometimes even worse than that.  RCL should return to their previous standards.  For those slobs who are just to stressed out by having to get dressed up while on vacation RCL should rope off a section of the MDR or possibly dedicate the upper floor to accommodate those who wish not to look descent and come to the MDR to "eat" instead of a dining experience.  

One of the things that impressed us when we started cruising 15 years ago was how nice it was to be able to dress up and enjoy being amongst an entire ship of passengers all trying to look their best.  You did not dare go to the MDR in the evening unless you were in compliance with the "evening dress' recommendation.  Over the last few years this standard has not been enforced and in fact most nights it looks no better than your local McDonalds at lunch time, and sometimes even worse than that.  RCL should return to their previous standards.  For those slobs who are just to stressed out by having to get dressed up while on vacation RCL should rope off a section of the MDR or possibly dedicate the upper floor to accommodate those who wish not to look descent and come to the MDR to "eat" instead of a dining experience.