Vancity Cruiser

What makes me loyal is this website. I like to be in the know when I travel. We enjoy the planning process and Matt and the crew around here give us great tips. This type of site doesn't exist for other lines and the general cruise sites are full of trolls. We will try another line though. Price increases are the main reason. Post Covid service and costs have drastically changed. Unfortunately this is a universal issue not just with Royal. I would encourage all of us to continue to be constructive critics and hope for change. Another reminder is that this site isn't run by RCCL and is full of good helpful people.  

I am loyal to no one. I prefer Royal for comfortability - I know what I'm in for. But I am NEVER loyal to a business and can't see it ever happening. It's a business that wants to make money, as it should, off of me. 

I think good deals can still be had even on shorter notice.  Everyone is wanting the newest and biggest ships and I'm over here booking older ships with no care as to the time of year.  If its a good deal and it gets us on the water I'm booking it.  We did just book a Grand Suite Large Balcony on Anthem for next year and while it might have been more expensive, it was the last suite for the sailing and that is one of my bucket list cruises.  
It just boils down to how flexible you are and what exactly you want.  People are spending money like their pants are on fire right now, even buying cars at 15 percent interest not to mention the mortgage rates.  When people are out of money or tired of giving it all away, prices will eventually come back down. 

We have never tried another cruise line, 21 cruises all on Royal, I'm one of those that believe, if its not broke, don't fix it. I guess I like the routine and know what to expect, even though service and other things have changed, I still think its the best bang for the buck. So I guess we are considered loyal in the fact we never shop other cruise lines.

I also do not like the continuing price raising and those of us who have been cruising for a long time bemoan these price increases because we liked what we had, however, cruising still remains a much cheaper option than most vacations (unless you enjoy spending your vacations camping).

Did he look like this?
 

Yes.
All the prices across the board have increased by 50% or more. I booked a balcony this past Nov on Allure for Oct this year at $563pp, this is the current price

 
Just book something in April and prices have increased by $300. 
I also posted in another thread how the dining packages have increased, and it seem like the sale prices won't be the same.

I’m afraid this kind of apathy and incivility are not confined to leisure activities.  I think that, in general, many people are no longer operating under the accepted norms of civil society.  I wish it weren’t the case, but I see it everywhere.  Common courtesy and manners are passé and no longer recognized, appreciated or practiced.  It’s sad to see.

I get what you're saying. We are Celebrity loyalists but have plenty of Royal cruises under our belts, the last one aboard Allure of the Seas out of Port Everglades a year ago in June. (we live in Fort Lauderdale). The situation you're describing is not confined to Royal Caribbean cruises. It's happening industry wide. That is because "we've been found out." Long term cruisers can remember the days when cruising was a past time of seasoned travelers. While that's still true, cruising has become a very popular, mainstream way of taking a vacation. Everyone here has experienced the kinds of behaviors you describe as the old formalities of cruising have given way to a much more relaxed style which has the potential of being abused by passengers who drink too heavily and have few child rearing skills producing unruly and disrespectful kids. That's what happens when the travel flood gates opened post COVID with thousands more folks than before with "travel revenge" who had never booked a cruise vacation started booking them ..... liked the value and repeatedly returned. 
Celebrity has a different vibe than Royal and the passenger cohort tends to be older and more sedate. There are periods when school is in session that you don't even see kids about. Celebrity markets an upscale cruising experience - no waterslides and go-karts. Royal markets family fun with amusement park features. While Royal offers the exclusivity of suites, Celebrity offers "The Retreat" and "Suite Life" a concept the previous Celebrity President, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo brought to the line. That was part of a fleetwide modernization program that featured new Edge Class ships and major modifications to Solstice and Millennium Class ships. It was a pretty successful undertaking that mined a market of cruisers willing to pay for the exclusivity this concept offered. The rest of the cruise industry has followed with most lines offering this kind of thing. Of late, Suites are in high demand across the cruise line industry. They are pricey and can be hard to find at a reasonable per-day, per-person cost.
You probably know your loyalty points cross over if you choose to sail aboard a Celebrity ship. So there is that. If you want to pay for exclusivity and the usual quiet and serene surroundings that begets, be prepared to open your wallet for that. There is also Silver Seas - also a RCG product - offering small ship luxury at a price. Perks don't cross over and that is because you don't need them. Everything is included in the whopping cruise fares.  Finally, Celebrity offers two small expedition yachts and one luxury, all suite yacht for 100 guests.  The fare for a sailing on one of these three offerings is astronomical - IMO, anyway. Personally, I'd rather take two cruises in a Balcony or Ocean view Cabin than one cruise at the same price as two of those in a suite. YMMV.   

When we started with Royal, guests were a bit older, more subdued, respectful. Food was better, service was better, things were a slower pace and relaxed. We liked it.
Since, Royal marketing has turned the ships into amusement parks, people are brash, many are inconsiderate not only with other people but with the crew and ship. On our last cruise kids (I think), on two occasions, kicked room service trays down the hall, strowing food and ketchup down the passage.  There were reports of door decorations stolen. People are just inconsiderate. One showed up at the Chefs Table, the high end meal on RC, looking like he just walked in off the beach. Others would show up at the MDR 30 and 45 minutes late while others were being served entrees, expecting to start their meal.
Now, we feel like we are simply obligated in ways since our loyalty perks are important and we would hate to start over with another brand. I understand the marketing but cruising is turning into a floating state fair amusement park. Civility is on the decline in favor of loud wiz bang and colors.

We are Pinnacle and were loyal to royal until a year ago.
The service, food and overall experience for the money has reached bottom for us. They've driven any value out with their pricing and reduction of services. We, like many pinnacle members have jumped ship to other brands and have found better experiences for less money. 
Everyone should keep track of all the money spent on things like WiFi, specialty dinning, drinks packages, spa visits etc. once tallied up many would be surprised at just how expensive RCL has become.
Princess' Crown Grill price for one visit is $39.99 - RCL's  Chops is $89.99
Princess' Absolut & Soda is $7.50 - RCL's is $13.99
These are just a few examples of where RCL is gouging their customers to pay for their new ships - which BTW no longer cater to people without children. They've gone head on with Disney which left us looking elsewhere. We are glad as we've found wonderful cruises on MSC Yacht Club, Princess' Suites.
Stop being loyal - you're being gouged. Who cares if you get 4-6 free drinks a day when you've overpaid by $100's if not $1000's of dollars.
We wished we had never drank the KoolAid that is Crown & Anchor. On average it takes $150,000 USD to reach Pinnacle - I cringe at having spent that on a 3 star cruise line.

What I'm most curious about is now that Royal is now hiring for that position again, why was Mr. Van Fleet let go in the first place. We could only speculate. First thought would be if he was up for contract renewal either Royal offered a lower salary and he refused it, or he wanted a higher salary and Royal refused it. 

Short update:
Made call yesterday via wifi no problem.
Baby boy is showing "no signs of stress and is a sweetheart". We told them he is super picky eater. Left him with 4lbs of pre package deli chicken and cheese. Told them to mix in his food, but hasn't been working. We said start hand feeding him the deli separately from the dog food. He never says no to a slice of chicken or cheese. LOL. Hand feeding works best. He's 2 and a half but still a baby in many ways. Told them if they run out to buy more and we will pay upon return. 
Today is St Thomas. 
Was planning to make our own way via taxi to Megan's Bay (about $45 less than excursion). Still waking up. Late night last night. Comedy show and then love and marriage show. Had a blast but up till 1am. So this morning is a slow start. LOL.
Again, full review to come
Thanks all!

So.......drum roll.............
 
I did it!!!!!!!
 
I'll get into more post trip. But the psychological effects of many bad hard tight years vs the long anticipation vs reading too much of people's opinions vs the build-up vs the need for it to be perfect after a really long time, etc. Well it made the perfect storm. If it wasn't perfect it at least could have been in my head. Not living up after a decade of not being able to go anywhere was terrifying. You could right a book on it. 
 
Lots to say. Nothing bad. Will be updating. 
 
Wasn't planning on buying internet and broke down an hour ago and did. 
 
Didn't want to deal with the real world (and the cost), but it's hard to not look at your phone. Who sang that song that goes.........etc was driving me crazy. Little things like that get to you.
 
Unfortunately, the real world came with an issue. The pet hotel left a message that my little 9lb boy is not eating. He gets like that. We told them. 2 pages of typed information and instructions. They know where we are and said they understand if we can't call but they are looking for ideas to get him to eat. We are trying to figure out if with T Mobile and wifi ( if and how ) we can call and potential cost? At sea now. St Thomas tomorrow. DH is messaging with T Mobile rep right now. 
 
OK he is telling me rep is saying to download whatsapp and we can call over that via wifi and not accrue any costs. This sound right to anyone?

Very simple. Create a contest in which Royal Caribbean give one lucky person a lifetime cruising pass. Enter the contest. Rig things so that I win the contest. Resign in shame. Keep the pass.

I never do well in these exercises because to be king for a day requires that I think like a king for that day. 
That means I must stop thinking about my personal needs or desires and I must think about what is best for the kingdom.  Rarely are the two the same.  

Forget famous companies - the United States of America is the world's largest debtor (more than double the next highest, Japan).

Reassuring to see the lifeboat floats in a non standard orientation. 

"Oh &%#@!"
 

Sworn to fun, loyal to none. 😉 

Definitely not loyal.  On multiple occasions Royal has provided an over the top experience and on multiple occasions Royal has stated loud and clear they feel no need for any loyalty in our business relationship.   From those multiple occasions where they threw me under the keel it was absolutely clear we have nothing more than a business relationship. 
I sail multiple lines and during the restart I made a point of spreading my money across five different cruise lines.  Two of those were Royal and Celebrity but the other three were not in the RCG family.
Royal is the line I like the best, right now, but I will continue to test the waters elsewhere to validate I still feel that way and Royal will continue to throw me under the keel when it suits them.  I do most of my cruising with Royal but I'll eagerly cruise with other companies when something catches my eye just as Royal will drop me like a wet paper bag full of groceries if they can make a dollar more with a cancellation.
I feel like we both have a very clear understanding of our business relationship and it is not exclusive in either direction.  I think we are both okay with that.  

Sure hope Icon doesn't catfish us 😬

So.... what are we thinking? She made it on the ship? She's sitting at a hotel, miserable while her husband is having the time of his life while making the crew run around for no tips?  They both missed the ship? They are both on board and loving it?  Its all been a giant troll and we all fell for it?  I need to know how it ends!! 

I bet you’re a lot of fun at parties. 🙄

Someone needs a shot of happy juice!  
Wow…I am so sad to read just how worked up and angry you have gotten yourself!  You are definitely full of negativity so probably a good thing you have decided to not sail…otherwise you would subjecting many innocent people to a week of HELL…from your vibes!  When people (talking about you here) allow their attitudes and unhappiness to take over their world…it’s best they stay clear of the rest of us who want to enjoy life and can take the good with the bad and the ugly with the beautiful.  Life is not a bowl of cherries but heck…I choose to be happy 😃 because…well…why not?
Go home and sulk and be miserable 😩.  Hope you don’t impose your misery on everyone on your way back home!  They don’t deserve it!