BeachGal

"I'm 6'7" and even I can fit in the shower!"

I can totally relate to this.  I had checked out their videos and thought, "Wow, they really know their cruise business," and tried to book with them.  I got the run-around numerous times and had to track them down with multiple emails and calls when I had a question or concern.  The only time they were quick about reaching out was when they needed a payment.  There were a handful of situations that made me realize that providing top-notch travel service is not their priority.  

Just to reiterate my thoughts are first with the people and tourists in Maui impacted.  I have a loved one who was there just two days prior who flew home having enjoyed her visit to Maui.  The resort where she stayed just a few days prior was lost in the fire.   Having sailed on an Ovation Hawaii cruise myself that spent the night in Lahaina the news and pictures are so sad.  It's all strikes very close to my heart and home.  There are few words.  
Having had a number of cruises altered or cancelled over the years I completely feel for everyone who has had a cruise impacted by the wildfires on Maui.  Those experiences have taught me there are stages to manage through with a cruise impacted like this.  Disappointment, anger, upset, bitterness,  etc. will make way to acceptance and the realization that sometimes there is just nothing that anyone could have done to effect a different outcome.  We may not like the manner it's handled, or the communication, but at the end of the day the outcome is the same.   Could they have handled it better?  Absolutely, yet the outcome would still be the same. 
I was fortunate that my Ovation itinerary included The Nāpali coast,  Lahaina and Kailua-Kona.  Even that was a little light on Hawaii compared to the typical Radiance class itinerary back in 2018 and 2019.  As Royal often does with repositioning cruises they seem to put on emphasis on getting there quickly so the ship can can back into full production at its new home port as quickly as possible.  The recent Hawaii itineraries have been less appealing to me for the lack of stops and the "get-there-itis" mentality that many transatlantics also seem to suffer from these days.   
That is one of the issues here and now with just one Hawaiian port of call visit on the current itineraries before debarking in Honolulu.  It should also serve as a note for future consideration for any cruise itinerary with a single critical port of call that defines the cruise.   Stuff happens completely out of anyone's control including the cruise line and in places like Hawaii there just is no way to recover or make up an equivalent experience.  Note to self.
I'm glad to see refunds are being offered.   Hopefully those impacted can manage through this and cruise to Hawaii another time.

@Yo2slick I agree about the benefits that SWA provides.  After some big whoopsies on the part of SWA, I have definitely looked at other airlines, and even other modes of travel (car or train), but I always come back to SWA because of the customer service, the bags fly free (for now), and the fact that I can use points for an almost free flight.  We'll see how long it takes before I am simply driving to port cities and not even bothering with flying!

Yes, that's the one I was looking for. 😊

I'm wondering if this is the post you were looking for?  I remember having a great conversation about which direction Navigator would eventually take.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/24058-navigator-dry-dock/#comment-262116
 

On my last cruise my wife complained that the toilet seat was often wet.
The culprit is still at large. 
 
No on board credit asked for. 

I will admit that it is hideously ugly....but aside from the aesthetics...

I have actually been climbing the stairs in my house repeatedly after reading @Neesa’s blog. I call it “training” for the elevator problem on Wonder 😆

But the red velvet cake!

carnival awaits for pending reservation

OK, I'm in for this one.  Got my pre-cruise hotel booked for an eek-worthy price!

I didn't realize it was across the fleet.
To me ramen is a $2 meal savored by students and starving artists on a tight budget.  You boil it for 3 minutes, add the seasoning packet and eat at midnight when you have a sodium craving.  🙂 
I can't get past the stereotype that it's a staple of the poor.  I guess that includes me because I always have a bulk pack of it from Costco in my pantry.  It's my go to midnight feel like something but too lazy to much effort into it meal.   

Cannibal of the Seas!

Then after reading Neesa's, you'll just have to go out of your way to order food & drinks she didn't, do different activities, etc. Clearly the live blog takes priority. 😁

I have a personal rule of using miles/rewards when I have them. You never know when a company is going to change their policy or decide they no longer honor your rewards.  Do I think that would happen with AA ?  No….but when I have rewards, I use them.  THEN I spend my money.

Great, now we'll have to rely on twangster to interpret anything Matt says since he'll be required to speak in Pinnaclese among us peons.  I think they call it Pin Latin.
 
Congrats Matt, hell of an accomplishment.

Mrs Fan and I did the HOHO bus some years back in Barcelona, so I don't remember exactly which line we used. It might have been Barcelona City Tour bus (the Red one). Keep in mind that at least for our tour, there were several different loops that traversed the city.  So even though we were with a specific line, we had to change buses to get to other parts of the city.  Barcelona is a great city to visit. Also keep in mind that you will need your walking shoes if using the bus.  Tons of steps, hills, etc.  The Sagrada is great, but again lots of stairs if you want to go up into the upper sections.  I assume you know that it has been under constant construction for years and years. So, expect to see cranes, scaffolding and walled off areas.  The La Rambla was a packed mess of overpriced junk shops (it's like the Nassau of Barcelona).  We liked Park Guell and just heading down to the waterfront.
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Oops, Guess I should have looked at the date of OP.  Oh well, maybe this will help out someone else.

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.

Hopefully the “maintenance” wasn’t being done by the crew member seen earlier in the day enjoying tequila from a squirt gun at Senor Frogs. 
 
hold my beer…..

"Oh &%#@!"
 

I think it's the latter for a lot of people. I prefer RC because it's the best fit for us at this point. And achieving a C&A tier that actually is beneficial really doesn't give me any reason to look around. But I'm more than capable of seeing the weaknesses RC has while enjoying the strengths.

That strategy is short sighted and punishes the wrong people. 
If you feel that strongly about the direction of the line, that’s fine. You shouldn’t cruise until you see a change back in the direction you like. 
I used to go to Disney World all the time but their guest policy changes ruined the product for me, so I stopped going.   
 
The hard working crew members deserve better from you if you continue to sail. 

Okay, I'm treading lightly here with no intention to offend. Please don't read on if you are offended easily. 
So I'm Gen X & went a totally different direction then most responses here. At 6 or 10 years old my idea of a cruise vacation was a tire tube floating around our flooded street after a heavy rain. We never cruised as a family, we hardly vacationed. Dinner choices were eat what is prepared or don't eat. Period. We didn't start sailing with our kiddo until she was 12 or 13, only child so she was mature for her age. We of course started with DCL as they catered to the kiddos. 
I'm just saying this because we were careful to anticipate that our family would have to be flexable to the ships culture and mitigated different scenarios ahead of time. Yes I will complain about a missing ice bucket or no trash bin in the cabin but I won't allow it to ruin the vacation I paid lots of hard earned $$ for. 
I am blessed beyond measure with health & love and the ability to sail once in a while. When I look around the world & realize the real world problems right now in this moment in time, yes my friend your post seems a bit whiny. Not to say your disappointment doesn't have merit, you were disappointed and your inability to pivot is frustrating as the things piled up but this I believe was your one off. 
I'm sure if you wait until the kiddos are a bit older you will find your JOY on any ship you choose. Heck my kiddo now eats things that I refuse to, most of which she tried at MDR meals on ships. Please focus on everything that went right, your post does help others cultivate their expectations & allows them to prepare (see @asquared17 & her special milk.)
Thank you for sharing & share on the feedback form you receive after the sailing BUT then put it behind you and do it again in a few years. Remember the kiddos are always watching and listening, the way you handle this will teach them how to handle their disappointments in the future. I think you're an amazing dad wanting this fantastic Holiday for the family, don't allow your efforts and energy to be ruined by the little things. Safe travels 🙂