PhillyLady

Well, RC is only one cruise line out of over fifty ocean cruise lines and almost thirty river cruise lines. People who are upset are taking all of this too personally--cruising is a BUSINESS.  The market is extremely competitive, yet only 15% of Americans have even been on a cruise!! Loyalty can only go so far as compared to the great untapped market of potential new future cruisers!

RC has been in existence not yet 60 years--compare that with Cunard's over 180 years.  

The first cruise I ever did was on Chandris cruises--which later became Celebrity, and is now owned by RC.  I have seen some cruise lines disappear completely.

I am waiting for Celebrity to introduce their river cruises--aren't they now trying to compete with Viking?  And didn't Viking decide that just river cruising was not profitable enough, which is why they now have ocean vessels and expedition vessels?  

CHANGE is a given--enjoy the ride and test out all the waters.  I always say, I am loyal to cruising (not any particular line)!

Well, I was just in both ports less than two weeks ago, so I would have to say it really depends on what you like to do.

I deliberately chose the Western Caribbean itinerary because I LOVE to visit Mayan ruins and climb temples.  But hey, that is hot, strenuous work, and may not be completely "kid-friendly." 

However, Roatán is more of a diverse cultural place to visit, with a lot of poverty. Husband went scuba diving here, which he enjoyed, while I took the submarine tour. I really enjoyed seeing all of the underwater life up close, but overall I found the island lacking shopping opportunities (my favorite pastime!), and I cannot really vouch for any of the beaches. They did push the sloth/monkey visit a lot, but it started raining, and the people who went told me the sloths hid away from the rain. The port area was okay, with a pool and some smaller shops.

On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised by Costa Maya, although first we took a Mayan ruins tour out to Chacchoben. The port area is very busy and clean, with a LOT of shopping, and two great pools, although you are supposed to buy drinks or food in order to use them. 

Perhaps you can look on the Youtube and compare? I would say just get off in Costa Maya and buy a tee shirt and/or use the pool, but you may not have time to take an excursion outside like we did.  I, personally would probably not be in a hurry to return to Roatán because it did lack a lot of the ancient history found in other W. Carib stops, but that is just me.

Have a great time!

I do not think Matt was rude or wrong.

Just because Celebrity made a decision, does not mean that RC has to follow. IMO, RC was really trying to hang onto that port stop as long as possible.  It is really hard to give up a port that you own,  and where you have made substantial investments.

Again, the Labadee stop has been a discussion topic ever since the Haiti gang violence exploded, and was back and forth on shaky ground.

You will get all your money back somehow, so there is no real loss suffered. If you have travel insurance that includes missed ports, then you can apply for an additional refund. 

I am headed to Iceland in July on Celebrity--hopefully volcano eruptions will not make me miss some ports, but what happens, happens.  So glad I made it to Santorini a few years back; I know many travelers may have missed that port this year due to severe earthquakes.  Still waiting to rebook my Israel tour (cancelled due to war) and my China rivers cruise (cancelled due to Covid). Just lost hundreds of dollars last month because I cancelled my Brazil tour; I decided I did not want to share my bank account information with the Brazilian government (new Brazil visa rule). 

Life goes on!

Very nice summary, Matt.  You presented a well-rounded overview with a neutral perspective. For me, this is not a "controversy," but a current management decision.

Yes, bottom-line is that RC is a business, and wants to grow its passenger lists, and especially attract newbies.  

I do think those cruisers who like complex itineraries should not select monster ships anyway, as it takes more time to get everybody off and on at a port, especially if tenders are required. 

I agree that this issue may change in a few years anyway, so no need to overly stress.  After cruising for more than five decades, I just enjoy being on the water somewhere on some kind of ship (smile!).

Well, I have been on two cruises in the past two years or so where one of my excursions was cancelled as soon as I stepped on board--one on RC last week in Cozumel, and another on Princess in Istanbul--no advance notice or refunds, all became onboard credit.

No complaints from me--I just rebooked new excursions and used the credit for that. Or, because I rarely prepay gratuities, it could have been used for that, or some other on-board expense, such as shopping or photos. 

In no way, shape, or form did I think the cruise lines were trying to "take advantage" of me. Changes happen all the time!!

And I am probably one of the cruisers who WOULD book Icon with just two port stops, because the ship is so huge that it would take forever to explore, and I want to get my money's worth!

RC has been going back and forth with Labadee for a few years now, trying to preserve that stop even with all the chaos ongoing in the country.  People who pay attention to the news know that it was always an up-in-the-air situation. RC must also negotiate with different places to add a new port stop, which could take time and effort.  Yes, I would get off in Ponce,--it is a very pretty colonial city and there are nice beaches nearby. (I actually drove there from San Juan once.)

Travelers who book cruises should know that they are mainly paying for a CRUISE; the port stops are a very nice component but are never guaranteed. 

Last week on our cruise we were at a table for twelve in the main dining room for our fixed eating time, but only six of us (three couples) showed up for the week.   Strangely enough we were not too far apart geographically in our homes, so we had a great time every night talking and sharing. Going to dinner was a very pleasurable event! 

Often we have been assigned just a table for two, which is fine as well.  

I certainly understand that poor table mates can be a real downer...

I've never booked a Caribbean cruise two years in advance, as they are usually much easier to arrange as compared to other destinations in the world. If you are flexible as to ship and itinerary, you can have a lot of choices, and maybe even find some bargains about a year in advance or less.

I have booked Med and other European cruises two years in advance, but this year I ended up booking a European cruise only five months in advance.  I will say that booking the more complex cruises later means a bit more scrambling to arrange and pay for expensive air, diverse shore excursions, etc. on a shorter timeline.

Yes, the cruise cycle was always set up for Winter (late April) as the end of one season, and the next beginning right after that! I remember how eagerly I used to wait for the new brochures to be published so I could review them!

I LOVE cruising to Bermuda. I think the pink sand there is some of the softest and most lovely in the world.  There are also many historic places to visit, such as mighty forts. Bermuda is also famous for its golf courses.   I have been there a few times--pay attention to the weather forecast, as the island is not quite as warm as the deep Caribbean. However, May/June should be good as it is warm and Spring-like, similar to all of us.

I have sailed there with two different SIL's, and even my MIL, so it will be enjoyable for you to be with family, as it is a pretty relaxing cruise. 

The last time I was there I did a snorkeling trip in the Bermuda Triangle and I saw two shipwrecks down below, because the water is so clear. 

You can take a ferry over to the city of Hamilton from King's Wharf port, which has a lot of shopping and places to see, as well as very good restaurants.  There are several quaint British-style pubs also. 

I also really like St. George's--the small historic town has an artsy vibe. 

We have also taken the local bus and gone to a nice resort hotel for the day to enjoy the pool, restaurants, and beaches. My brother even took a cave tour once. 

Finally, I live in Philly, so driving to NY/NJ is always an easy commute, and with shorter cruises the parking is affordable. 

Have fun planning, and have a great time!

Well, I was just in Costa Maya this past week, and actually the port area is a lot nicer than I thought it would be, given all the  online complaints. Yes, there are a lot of vendors, almost too many, but no, they do not bother you that much. It is actually a very fun place to shop, to explore, or just to relax (great pools). Everything was pretty neat, attractive, and safe. 

Okay, we headed out to the Mayan Chacchoben ruins first, so there are other things to do and see beyond the port. 

i happen to really like Western Caribbean itineraries from Florida (NOT Galveston, too far to fly), so I look forward to seeing what RC does with this area. 

Just paid off my Celebrity Eclipse cruise for July 2025, leaving from Amsterdam to Iceland and Ireland. 

I'm now starting to finalize hotels, air and excursions!

I'm looking forward to the ports and the sea days.

When I was much younger I have to say I actually did not really pay any attention to the ship name (true story!).  I would just look at the itinerary and the price, and then book the cruise.  Yes, I did end up going on the same ship a few times, but purely by accident, and sometimes it was in a different location in the world!

I actually had to research to find the names of a few of the ships I have sailed on in the past five decades-- I am still missing a few!

(That is why you will never see my list of ships sailed under my name. )

However, I have always enjoyed being on the water, so it would not bother me at all which ship I cruise on in the future, although there are many cruise LINES I have not yet tried, like Costa, Virgin, and MSC, but that does not mean "never!"

I believe that the fee structures are being created to reduce needless travel agent work for those who may end up cancelling, or for those who may want complex and time-consuming reservation assistance.  Otherwise, the travel agent works for "free," but could realize only a small commission overall.

My current agency charges a fee only if you cancel your cruise, which I have paid once.  The fee would have been waived if I rebooked a different cruise, but I just did not have a destination in mind at the time (or I was arranging a ski trip for my husband instead!). 

Booking cruises (and tours) is actually a bit more rewarding for agencies as compared to booking just flights and/or hotels. 

Perhaps you saw the (travel) news last year that AA tried to cut out agencies and encourage folks to book flights directly on their websites; the approach backfired, and led to a huge drop in reservations from agencies.  I know Viking cruises really tries to get its customers to book directly by swamping us with mailings every month. 

Well, I certainly do not need any travel advice or recommendations, but I do like using agencies for the convenience, and the buffer between me and long phone waits. I do think there are many wonderful, qualified agents who could be very helpful to the somewhat overwhelmed new cruisers.

Well, this topic is popping around everywhere on travel sites, but those who are world and long-term travelers (like me) just advise all to be cool and calm, and realize historical events are ALWAYS occurring around the world and through time, and often affect leisure travel in some way, shape, or form. Since most of us cannot change anything in the big picture, we just have to keep a positive perspective and hope for the best--although always be prepared, and have contingency plans!

I became a cruiser because my father took me on my first cruise when I was a child, decades ago--my father became a cruiser because he joined the Navy when he was only seventeen to fight in WW II, and fell in love with water adventures. 

Remember when you travel that YOU personally are the one that influences the opinions of others that you meet, so do not dwell so much on poor impressions.

Best wishes, and bon voyage--I will be in Mexico, Honduras, and Belize in less than one week on my RC cruise--and I am sure the local citizens will warmly welcome me--and my dollars (Ha-Ha). By the way, I speak fluent Spanish, so I have no worries about people talking poorly about Americans!

I am another person who 100% tries to avoid connecting rooms. Yes, I do think they are noisier, mainly because there is a gap at the bottom of the door for noise to pass through, versus a solid wall in regular cabins.  I can definitely speak from past experience!

I make every effort to avoid that type of cabin, as well as any cabin that has fold-down style beds above the regular beds when there are only two of us traveling.

However, when I book a guarantee (not too often), it is usually because I am on a more casual fun cruise, versus a serious bucket-list cruise. For my more serious itineraries I always prebook a specific room on a specific floor (I want cabins above and below me to reduce noise) in a specific location (far away from noisy elevators, laundry areas, crew areas, etc., etc.), usually more in the middle of the ship. 

For me, sailing to Bermuda means a lovely balcony is important, because the views are phenomenal, especially arriving and departing out of the port(s).  Besides that, I will not be hanging around in the cabin too much. 

The soft pink sands of Bermuda are some of my favorite in the world!

I started cruising as a child, way back in the dark ages when there was only one restaurant and one set dining time (even kids dressed for dinner), bunk beds in cabins, no televisions, no cell phones, no Internet, and so forth. Cruising was marvelous--we kids ran around, explored the ship, talked to everyone, swam in the pool, made lots of memories. Everything was very formal and polite. 

Nowadays parents seem to be much more indulgent and worried about their children's enjoyment factor, yet unwilling to be too strict. No, I do not mind children on a cruise, and I have sailed many times with them,  BUT...

I was on a cruise once with hundreds and hundreds of children, and some of them slammed the glass doors to the theater so hard the doors shattered--I think the cruise line said they were going to charge the parents for replacements.  We have the same problem with the beach towns in our area--packs of teens at their parents' summer homes run wild all night, disrupting and possibly vandalizing.  The shore towns in NJ are now putting in place strict curfews and heavy fines or even arrest for parents. ( https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/wildwood-new-jersey-teens-curfew-enforcement-jersey-shore-2025-20250402.html#:~:text=Wildwood promises stricter enforcement of its rules on late-night,in the Jersey Shore town.&text=As the Jersey Shore gears,rein in unruly teen behavior.)

Perhaps what is needed is really just more parental control! 

Yes, I do like RC and all the bells and whistles--we are sailing on them in less than two weeks, and I would certainly love to try out Icon. But I think of those cruises more as fun getaway escapes. I agree RC markets much more toward families nowadays, and they seem to be bringing in a lot of new, younger cruisers. There is a lot of money on the table for engaging families as future dedicated cruisers.

When I want a SERIOUS cruise with a focus on itinerary as well as amazing excursions, then I absolutely veer toward Celebrity and/or Princess, because the two lines are sophisticated, yet still active, and feature the big ship experience full of activities. And yes, I have sailed Cunard, Holland America, NCL, Viking, and Carnival multiple times as well as other lines! In my opinion, each line has a niche, so it is fun to flit from one to another for a different experience.  Not sure I can do Disney or Virgin, but they are certainly recognized for their unique cruising perspectives.

As I always say, I am loyal to cruising!

Christy,

Welcome to the RC Boards.

I highly recommend you DELETE all personally identifiable information (name and reservation number) on your post.

You are creating a security risk and setting yourself up for potential fraud.   You should create a nickname to use on this website.

MODS--Please help delete her image due to security risk!

Well, I have been reading a lot about how most media outlets no longer feel comfortable doing April Fool's jokes anymore, but I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Shipmate/CruiseLine.Com with this headline:  

"Breaking Cruise News: Cruise Lines Now Charging for Deck Chairs"

"Peace on the Pool Deck You won’t believe one! Reports are coming in that major cruise lines will be charging passengers to reserve deck chairs—yes, the same chairs that used to be free!  Goodbye Chair Hogging!"   

Okay, I had to read the story, which almost sounded believable, but yes, it was all a joke.  I just hope the cruise lines don't get any ideas!

April 12, 2025 Radiance of the Seas

(Celebrity Eclipse in July)

2 hours ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

I gotta throw this out. Are the art salepseople as over the top as some in Effy Jewlery aboard ships or in port? 

 

Honestly, I used to collect Effy jewelry when Mr. Effy Hematian was first starting out, and he did not even use the Effy brand mark then. The designs are intricate, with lots of innovative use of colors (especially sapphires), and very creative.  However, I never bought any Effy on a cruise ship--prices are much better in department stores during sales. I stopped buying when the gold became more lightweight, and the diamonds moved more to single cut rather than brilliant cut. I do think the Effy brand is really overextended these days--they even sell it in JCP!

Here's what I do know with jewelry--the daily spot gold price, the diamond prices index, the current selling prices of designer items (of course I have to know many designers!), the GIA diamond certification levels, and so forth.

All cruise ship workers are just clerks, more or less earning an hourly/daily wage. They are not gemologists, or anywhere near an expert. Their only goal is to sell something, but I have nothing against that, as they are earning a living. Many people seem to like to spend a bit while on vacation.

As the shopper, it is my responsibility to be as fully informed and as knowledgeable as possible about whatever I am purchasing. I love to shop, so I know a LOT about MANY things. 

However, I will say I know ZIP-ZERO-NADA about gambling, nor will I ever learn, because it is just not in my area of interest. But I do find cruise ship casinos fun--just to walk through! And yes, we ALWAYS take formal photos on the cruise ships--I like to see how my hair styles change. And I also love the little Cunard bear mascots!

Please add PhillyLady--Radiance, April 12. 

My suitcase is already half-packed!

Oh PUHLEEZE,

Shopping is NEVER a scam if you know exactly what you want, you know its value, and you know how much you want to spend. There is nothing "sickening" about Park West--it is just a vendor with a selling angle.  The article you posted only shows that an employee somewhere made a mistake, which can happen any place.

If your wife was not knowledgeable enough about what she was purchasing, then that is on her.  Your insults against the company are just silly. Art auctions are just another form of entertainment.

Everyone in my family has purchased art at one time or another on a cruise ship--and we are all very happy with our purchases.

And yes, I know A LOT about art, and antiques, and jewelry and fashion (and of course, travel), but I never spend a DIME on expensive alcohol (nor do I drink at any of the free parties) because I have no interest, because as a long-term dance aficionada I put my health first (and I have been cruising more than five decades.). Seeing drunk cruisers in the hot tubs is just sad. 

In fact, I am often disgusted when I see overweight cruisers pile their plates high with food, and I have to look away. 

So, you just have to learn to walk on by and let each to his own.  I will be at the art auction next month--I may not purchase but I certainly like looking at human creativity from around the world and through time. And then at night, I will be dancing away, sober and happy.  I always lose weight when I cruise!

This is an interesting discussion, and it is truly unfortunate that world events often ruin many great travel destinations. Discussed on the RC blog yesterday was the update that Celebrity Cruises has completely removed Labadee from its port lineup, and its ships will no longer call there. Are Celebrity clients perhaps refusing to stop there, so that is why the port is eliminated?

Although I understand that Labadee itself is more or less considered safe, I am very sad about the situation in Haiti. I personally will probably not book any RC cruises with this stop at this point in time. 

A while back cruise ships used to stop in Tunisia, and this port was on my bucket list because I really wanted to visit the ruins of Carthage. In 2015 there was a horrific terrorist attack there, killing 22 tourists, and all cruise ship visits stopped. 

I see that this year there are some ships once again stopping at La Goulette, but I will not go there yet. It may be another decade before I feel it is truly safe again. I suppose I feel that as a tourist I would like to see Haiti as a nation be stable before I travel there--I cannot separate a fun beach day from all the violence and tragedy happening in that country. 

It is quite a pity. 

4 hours ago, GoldenTimeHero said:

First cruise ever was on Indy back in August 2022 

You are a baby cruiser!  You will have to do several a year to catch up! (Smile)

Did you not read the responses almost right above your question?  The traveler is always responsible!

18 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Voyager in 2002 for my honeymoon. 1st cruise of any kind ever. Might play a role in why I think any ship below Voyager class is small.

I also sailed RC for the first time on the Voyager back in 2002.  I think it was the biggest ship on the seas then. 

No, it was not my honeymoon, but a while later (Ha-Ha). My first cruise was in 1973, so you can imagine the difference in cruise ship size and amenities over all that time.  No, 1973 was not my honeymoon either--I was still a child!!