ChrisK2793

We found that immediately post Pandemic the food to be as good as ever. But about the time the menus were changed was the BIG dropoff. Cruised in November 2022 and then the same ship again in Feb 2023 and the difference was shocking. I've railed against new leadership ad nauseam but you can almost pinpoint the change of leadership to the drop in quality. Although to be fair, I've never had a great meal in Chops. Only just decent and not worth the extra fee. So maybe I was just lucky before and it's always been generally subpar.

And that means nothing. Is someone who doesn't like that system and wants to tip in cash ever going to be happy? Your playing word games. This is like suggested attire in the MDR. Bottom line is you can remove, without being questioned. Why complain about service? So now people who read what your saying will feel they need to complain about potentially great service because they feel an excuse like that is required. Dangerous game to play with a crew members job. This is why Royal seems to have a don't ask, don't tell policy. Occasionally they may say is everything OK? And trust me hearing yes followed by whatever like I tipping cash makes them happy they don't have a complaint on there hands. 
I can't speak for others but my last trip automatic gratuities would have been $240. I spent $765 in cash tips. Made specific people very happy.
Frankly the services of those I did not have individual contact with stunk anyway. Public restrooms were discussing etc. But I'm not falling for subsidizing the crews salary. Pay your executives less. Pay your share holders less. Pay your employees more. 
Next time I will trash a random specific employee to justify the quote think is gospel. See that doesn't sound right. Just be honest. Repeat....Royal Caribbean guest services does not require a reason of poor unsatisfactory service to remove automatic gratuities.
I can understand not agreeing with folks who do this. That's your right. Free country and all. But don't twist the reasons acceptable by interpreting the quote the way you see fit vs how it's actually done. And how it actually plays out. It's an option that exists. And that's how it works and plays out.
Cash tippers aren't cheap. They just don't fall for the mind games. There is nothing gratuity about automatic gratuities. 
I know...I know. I'm the devil now. 
A. It's how I feel.
B. It's how it really works / plays out when people do it.

It's about having an opinion outside of the group/masses around here and it's just not allowed. Several of you have just proven it. Why is "I have never had a bad meal on Royal" more valid then those who claim they have had. Maybe those who only have had good meals have the bad taste buds etc? It's such a one sided argument. Can you not see that? Everyones past experiences are valid. Not just the positive ones. All should be taken with a grain of salt. One size does not fit all etc. But the negative reports shouldn't be dissected because they have to be categorized in one of your pre conceived limited views of "complainers are"...
 
 

For every reasonable criticism and or complaint about Royal Caribbeans food, there are three who will blindly compliment and defend it to no end. Those positive reviews should always be taken with caution (and a grain of salt) IMHO.
 

Big difference in Food Quality between pre and post pandemic. We were on one of the last RCL cruises before the shutdown. I am celiac and must do GF. RCL used to provide me with cakes, pies, etc., heck even other people wanted my desserts and meals. Not anymore! Our last cruise on an Oasis Class was a disappointment. Food quality at the windjammer was “golden corral” level. MDR food quality very low. You will have a better meal at Ruby Tuesday or Perkins. Desserts for celiac’s are all pudding based now. No Cakes, No Pies, only puddings! They still have a good crème brûlée however that does get old on a long cruise. Going to try Celebrity in a couple of weeks. If not better will be looking for a new company to sail with. It’s a disappointment, retired now and staying in Florida for the winter trying to do several cruises each season and now having to shop for a new cruise company. Sad! RCL very SAD! 

The cruise itself is GREAT ……. it’s just the food that’s been very subpar.  You got lucky with hot fish LOL ……. We haven’t gotten any entrees after a long wait with a temp above lukewarm 🤣😂

‘Being new here, you’ll quickly learn that there’s a group of people who will viscously attack you if you say anything other than everything on Royal is God’s literal gift to the universe ………. I’ve been on many Royal cruises and I agree ……the food quality has steadily declined since Covid ………. The higher the cruise prices go, the worse the food gets.  I’m on Allure right now and the food in the MDR has been no better than the food in Windjammer, and that’s not saying much. 

in fact, with the new menus, the “free” food on the menu in the MDR each night, is the exact same food you’ll find in the Windjammer that night.  We usually do unlimited specialty dining (which has also gone down  a lot in quality since Covid) ….. but we booked this cruise last minute and figured we’d try the MDR this time since it’s only 4 nights …… big mistake …….. yes, the specialty dining food quality has gone down since Covid, but it’s nowhere near as bad as the “free” food in the MDR.
AND GO …….. Let the attacks on me for saying all that begin in …….3…….2……..1      LOL 🤣

‘Being new here, you’ll quickly learn that there’s a group of people who will viscously attack you if you say anything other than everything on Royal is God’s literal gift to the universe ………. I’ve been on many Royal cruises and I agree ……the food quality has steadily declined since Covid ………. The higher the cruise prices go, the worse the food gets.  I’m on Allure right now and the food in the MDR has been no better than the food in Windjammer, and that’s not saying much. 

in fact, with the new menus, the “free” food on the menu in the MDR each night, is the exact same food you’ll find in the Windjammer that night.  We usually do unlimited specialty dining (which has also gone down  a lot in quality since Covid) ….. but we booked this cruise last minute and figured we’d try the MDR this time since it’s only 4 nights …… big mistake …….. yes, the specialty dining food quality has gone down since Covid, but it’s nowhere near as bad as the “free” food in the MDR.
AND GO …….. Let the attacks on me for saying all that begin in …….3…….2……..1      LOL 🤣

The most annoying cruiser is the one who has no concept of space and think they're the only people around. Walking down the middle of a busy promenade and they just stop randomly.

Probably the same people that take their good ole time stowing their bags while boarding a plane.

Why can’t we take posts at face value and not do a personal “Columbo” forensic check on their posting history? Not sure it’s relevant myself.

Thanks …… after 45 minutes on hold …… the C&A person came on the phone …… I told her I was calling to setup our Diamond plus gift  …… she said please hold on for just a minute ……. 2 minutes later I was sent to the reservations line que, then it hung up on me UGH LOL 
 

Crown loft ……. It’s bigger and only 1 floor directly above the grand suites, coastal kitchen, and suite sun deck.  The crown loft floor is also more private than the grand suite floor.

Kevin Phillip in the British Pub on Wonder of the Seas.  We first met him when he was performing in the British Pub on Symphony.  He’s EXCELLENT!!
 

I'd steal a couple of his pool towels and return them as my own. Then call it even....

Same, saw him on the Symphony and he is really good.  He knows a ton of songs and takes request.

Kevin Phillip in the British Pub on Wonder of the Seas.  We first met him when he was performing in the British Pub on Symphony.  He’s EXCELLENT!!
 

Kevin Phillip in the British Pub on Wonder of the Seas.  We first met him when he was performing in the British Pub on Symphony.  He’s EXCELLENT!!
 

Our level just updated to Diamond 💎 Plus today!  I’m actually on hold now waiting to set our choice up LOL 😂 
 
https://dlxffu6hwewxp.cloudfront.net/cas/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/18063159_CAS_MemberBonus_Amenity_List_v3.pdf
 
 
 

So it has nothing to do with making it easier on the crew...or anything to do with the lack of new employees. They are eliminating positions. Both onboard and shoreside. At least they're letting current crewmembers complete their existing contracts before letting them go.
So the workload will increase for those who remain employed. I wonder if their pay will increase...doubtful as that would fly in the face of their cost-cutting.
Pretty cynical to try and couch this as an environmentally-friendly action when it's just about profits. In my opinion, they're just gaslighting by claiming they're taking these actions because they want to help save our planet. They're doing this because they want to save expenses and increase their own profits.
Frank DelRio was clear when he indicated that NCL would rather raise prices and fees and sail at lesser capacity with loyal customers...instead of lowering prices and sailing at higher capacity with new and return cruisers. That is NCL's post-shutdown strategy. 
I think that will backfire.... but, who am I?
I am an Ambassador on NCL (Pinnacle equivalent) and decided to sail Royal after the return. Now I'm Pinnacle. I feel I'm in a good position to compare prices, services, ships and...especially...loyalty programs.
It's Royal! Hands down!
Just my humble opinion.

If they only clean once a day they had better leave us a lot of towels. I have never had a towel dry fast enough to use a second time. I don't mind reusing a towel, I do at home, but I refuse to use a damp towel to dry off with.
I would also wager there will be a LOT more plates, cups, etc, in the hallways.

Then the cruise lines can pay them more, and just charge a little more for the cruise.  On my own, I individually tip a lot more than the pittance they supposedly get from the auto-gratuities. Assuming, RCL even gives 100% of the auto-gratuities to the crew and doesn’t keep a chunk for themselves.
 

LOL. Well that did it. Now people will definitely never remove them again. Saying that solved everything. People are not going to change their minds on this based on what others say, so why bother? That's what I'm trying to say. And yes like it or not, I don't believe anyone has the right to tell anyone else what to do or how to spend their money. I think 99 out of 100 times they will do the opposite because of not liking feeling told what they should do. So why get into it in the first place. 

The only thing booking onboard does for you is it gets you a cheaper deposit.  Waiting until April to book though, will probably make your overall cruise cost much more expensive ……… you are correct, all the “sales” and “discounts” are illusions ……. The best way to save money on cruises is to book them as early as possible.
 

I'm more for charging a higher price, then cutting back on goods and services. Especially on a vacation. Nobody wants more limited menu choices or services on that special week of the year. Everything goes up in price. That's a given. But change the very dynamics of the goods and services people come to expect and you run the risk of changing your customer base as well. For me personally it's been one change after another right after I made non refundable Payments for 2023 & 2024. I now no longer feel I'm going to get what I signed on for. And who knows what changes/cut backs are coming next. I firmly believe you need speak up if you want to be heard. Just in case you read any of this Royal. Hey, you never know. Lol.

My major concern would be clean towels.  When we cruise warm/beach itineraries, I usually need extra towels due to extra showers, even though I try to reuse them.  Then there is the paperwork that is dropped off in the evening.  I suppose that could be folded and stuck behind the room number?  Clearly, there are some logistics to work out.