WAYNO

We are definitely loyal to Royal. We are comfortable with how it all works, and even how it all doesn't work sometimes. We keep coming back. As a D+ with no chance of making Pinnacle, I do let my thoughts stray to maybe other cruise lines, but then I come back to my senses. Familiarity is comfortable. Plus, we've loved every cruise with Royal.

Apparently this is a name recognizable to many, but not to all. This thread is the first time I've associated the name with a position. So, what's the payback to a struggling company to employ a regional TV personality recognized by only a relatively few passengers?

In this world of canned, pre-paid luxury, we are easily disappointed. Such downfalls are common in the airlines, restaurants, hotels, and yes, cruise ships. I can complain and only further disappoint myself, or just count my blessings, which are many. I am sorry your cruise was so dismal. It's probably time to consider vacations elsewhere, as on a cruise ship, you get what you get, little will change, and you'll continue to be disappointed.

That's the craziness of their system. We did receive a certificate on day 1 on a recent cruise. Throughout the cruise we both received enough points to qualify for a substantial upgrade . At the end of the cruise, the casino manager refused to issue us a new and upgraded certificate, saying we'd then receive an equivalent upgraded certificate on day 1 of the following cruise. That didn't happen. We received a certificate on the last night of the next cruise, and only for the points accrued during that cruise. I'm not really bellyaching. It's all different ploys to get us back on a ship. And for them, it works. I've discovered too, no matter what certificate I use or don't use, a new offer will quickly come in the mail anyway. I get often, multiple offers per week. Many of these offers are quite lucrative.

My experience. Your experience may be different... Some items, such as soup or spaghetti, are prepared in batches, so you might have little say in how much salt was added. On individually prepared dishes, such as vegetables or steak, just ask for no salt or reduced salt at time of order.

Oh yes. If we didn't experience it ourselves, it couldn't have happened. Do we know this person hasn't lurked on this site long before, and never got up the nerve or had the need to join or post? And now, knowing this site is not always kind and gentle, this poster may have proven to himself the reasons he was afraid to post earlier, and wont post again.

I'm gonna see this a little different. It's no secret RC's customer service is not what it used to be. This is not a trend confined to only RC. It's the trend of customer service everywhere. Many of us have attempted contact with them over customer service issues and have received no response at all. So, a frustrated customer vents. I've vented a time or two myself. When RC has full ships, customer service isn't a priority. But they should be embarrassed to know the things that are often discussed on a forum such as this. Right now, with full ships, they are fat and happy. But when there's a downturn for any reason, and they need to be competitive to lure customers, it's discussions such as this that they should be concerned with.

Or print 'em at home. I print a sheet on card stock with our names etc., laminate them, cut them apart, and tie them to the duck with curly ribbon.

Sounds like he is in the wrong business. He has many more things he should be attending to other than worrying about me and my Cruise Ducks.

Not me, but my Wife is on this cruise with a friend.

Yep, crap happens, and I'm sorry for this. I pay most of my cruises up-front just to avoid this, but I didn't always do it this way. And when I paid in quarterly (or whatever) installments, Royal hounded me with reminders when the payments were due. Do they no longer do so? I even continue to get reminders to pay my balance even when I owe nothing. Anyway, let this be a lesson, for everybody. We are part of a busy world with busy lives.

We've come a long way and are very much spoiled to even think of Voyager-class ships as small. These ships are still huge, and quite magnificent.

I have bought a lot of cigars while cruising Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. I am told all my Cuban cigars from these places are fakes, but whoever is making them is doing an exquisite job. I bring them home to share with my Cigar smoking friends, and we thoroughly enjoy them. I miss the cigar lounges on Royal, and I have never gone to the other smoking areas to partake in a cigar. I bring them all home.

I don't remember ever experiencing a mosquito problem, anywhere while cruising. Bathrooms... many tourist spots have bathroom attendants that actually keep the bathrooms usable, even for an American...but we are expected to tip with each visit. That's fine with me to get a clean bathroom.

I agree too, plan your own celebration! Expecting a cruise line to celebrate for you, you could be disappointed. For important birthdays, or even our 50th anniversary, Royal knew of these occasions but did nothing.

Good to hear, if they are really doing Skagway. Skagway is a fun port. You can spend the money, and get on the train, bus, or other excursions, or just stay in town and shop all day.

I do not understand "wait list". I always schedule the early dining, but on recent cruises, my itinerary says 5:15/5:30 (wait list). And we are seated immediately, every time. Simultaneously, on our last 3 cruises since November, there has been a surprising number of empty tables.

We've done the Bayonne to Maritime Canada cruise in early September, which is a similar weather pattern. It was never warm. It was like being on the Oregon Coast in Summer. Looks beautiful, but bring some wind-breaker type clothes. The ocean was generally not rough, with the exception of outrunning a Hurricane (Dorian?) on the last day. Anthem of the Seas handled these seas remarkably well.

We have found, officially, canned soda is not available with any package. But, especially depending on the ship, canned sodas may still be available. We both have/had the Refreshment Package, Prime free Casino drinks, and Diamond Drinks. On Symphony recently, canned sodas were readily provided, anywhere. On Navigator, canned sodas are nearly universally denied, unless a passenger just happens to be tight with a server or bartender. Believe me... Tips matter!

Door decorations are very fun for us. As we're approaching our room, we recognize we're getting close, just by seeing the countdown of other recognized door decorations in our hallway. Back in 2016, we were gifted a door magnet with our names on it. We've never since been on a ship without it. This magnet was sold by an internet blog site of our past. I would like to see such a magnet available from this site. @Matt We add other things to our door decor as we travel. Funny too... We cruised with our Son recently. He was in a different cabin, so we hung a magnetic note pad on our door so we could keep in touch if the wi-fi didn't work. Never did he have an occasion to use this note pad, but other random folks would occasionally leave us a nice note. That was fun too.

The earlier the better, both in getting on and getting off the boat. Flying from the Pacific Northwest, often to Florida, we're battling very long days, against time zones, and with often very inconvenient flight options. Earlier bark/de-bark times give us a larger window to find doable airline connections, as well as shuttle and/or motel connections.

We were also given an accessible Junior Suite for an upcoming cruise. Initially we were receiving a comped Junior GTY, but I asked to be close to an elevator if possible. Next thing we knew, this accessible cabin was assigned.

The ABC's were on my bucket list. Since my cruise there last fall, but not including Bonaire, the complete ABC's will remain on my bucket list.

@Ampurp85 Your blog is so nice and upbeat. Thanks. I will look forward to reading of your cruise. Have fun!

Actually, I do care. I know folks look forward to getting all dressed up for a night out at a nice place, and I do my best to respect that. Dress your best is doable for me, as there's nothing I can wear to look really dressed up. It's far easier for my Wife. A nice top and even slacks, and she looks quite dressy.