dmt273 Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Just back from cruise on Anthem this ship does nothing but try to nickle and dime you to death, the crew poorly trained even stated by Officer on board that crew is a problem they will quickly tell you what they will do and not due and say if don,t like it report them looks like all want off this ship . Cruiser be aware to save being upset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Just back from cruise on Anthem this ship does nothing but try to nickle and dime you to death, the crew poorly trained even stated by Officer on board that crew is a problem they will quickly tell you what they will do and not due and say if don,t like it report them looks like all want off this ship . Cruiser be aware to save being upset If you could provide specifics, this would be useful as I'd like to know as the "nickle and diming" could be part of the normal things that Royal charges for that other lines might not or might charge less for, although I will admit that there was a lot of hustling on sea days while we were aboard the Liberty, more so than on other Royal cruises. Surprised to hear of a poorly trained staff, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 I believe part of the problem is the rate which Royal and other cruise lines are adding new and larger ships. Because the number of cabins have gone up so fast, very hard to get good crew members. In the past the crew seem to spend much more time in lower levels before being moved up, and then they were promoted much better trained. Now it seems they just need bodies to fill positions. Every time I have talked to senior offers about y issues with crew regardless of the problem the same point is always made. "They are young kids, who try hard" I'm sorry but try hard is not good enough, the newer members of the crews really need much better training. While the number of ships, ports, lines is way up for cruising the service quality has failed to keep up with this growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Vitale Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 While I agree that with the substantial increase in ships/ports/itineraries there are many more positions that need to be filled, but I do find this to be a poor excuse. Im not sure that the traits that make good crew members are learned in training. Being energetic, willing to help, going above and beyond and a positive attitude are intrinsic. Now FINDING young people with those traits in the Phillipines, or Russia, or Croatia, etc. is the challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 I have to agree with Todd. The cruise lines are expanding at such a pace that they can't recruit the same quality of people as in the past. While I've had exceptional service of late, I do remember a time (1994) when the MDR servers all had to have prior experience at European hotels before they could get hired. I don't think that level of experience is required any longer. Todd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmt273 Posted May 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Well such as $4.95 for egg,$4.95 for burger or pancakes if get room service,all other breakfast items free no so on others, just finish Serenade and the Liberty this year and just canceled Navigator and Rhapsody all this year going back to Azamara, put it in the fare and avoid the surprise once you are out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegal2539 Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 I feel that all cruise lines, Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, Royal, Holland America and Celebrity nickle and dime all passengers. The employees can be very aggressive when trying to get you to buy the drink of the day, a photo package, specialty shops, etc. They are trained to push for the profit. I have noticed something on all the cruises I have been on within the last two or three years. The older the employee and longer he has worked for the cruise line, the more friendly, outgoing, helpful, they are. The young employees almost act like they are afraid to talk to the passengers or try to help them. They aren't very outgoing like they were 3 or 4 years ago. I believe it has to do with training but also trying to get people to work for them, they need to hire more for the newer ships. If you have ever looked at the job section of the different cruise lines, the amount of jobs available is plentiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Just back from cruise on Anthem this ship does nothing but try to nickle and dime you to death RC makes its money with onboard spending, but it is completely optional. I never felt pressured or pitched to buy anything, unless I engage with them to start with. But I actually like this approach because it is more modular. Meaning, we all get on for a base fare and then have the option of buying drink packages, dine in specialty restaurants, book massages, etc. I'd rather that than paying for services/products I will not use. the crew poorly trained even stated by Officer on board that crew is a problem they will quickly tell you what they will do and not due and say if don,t like it report them looks like all want off this ship . I have not experienced this, but I'd be interested to hear some examples of the poorly trained crew. What transpired that disappointed you so much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Well such as $4.95 for egg,$4.95 for burger or pancakes if get room service,all other breakfast items free no so on others, just finish Serenade and the Liberty this year and just canceled Navigator and Rhapsody all this year going back to Azamara, put it in the fare and avoid the surprise once you are out there I would expect a difference, and perhaps some disappointment, as the two lines are vastly different. Azamara is billed and priced as an ultra-luxury line whereas Royal is not. However, given that Azamara is owned by Royal, they're still getting your money one way or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 I feel that all cruise lines, Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, Royal, Holland America and Celebrity nickle and dime all passengers. The employees can be very aggressive when trying to get you to buy the drink of the day, a photo package, specialty shops, etc. They are trained to push for the profit. I was listening to a podcast this morning that was comparing Royal to Disney, and they made a very good point. Disney front loads the profit onto the price of the cruise, whereas the other lines don't and rely much more on onboard revenue, which is part of the reason they are so much cheaper. According to the host, he watched a program that said the Royal didn't break even on a seven day cruise until after day three because the price is lower to get people onboard in addition to the expenses of the newer ships (e.g., water show, ice show, Broadway show, etc.). To me, the mass market cruise lines follow the Las Vegas model. Discount the rooms and make up the money elsewhere, be it in the casino, specialty dining, drinks, etc. The upside is that you are only paying for what you want. The downside is that you end up paying more onboard. Is Royal perfect? No! In fact, charging for late night room service and Johnny Rockets were two of the things that turned me off to Royal for a time and actually attracted me to Carnival, where I can get a much better burger (Guy's) that is included in the cruise fare. That said, I don't find myself ordering late night room service, although I do think $7 for Johnny Rockets is too much and should be comped or greatly reduced for C&A members, albeit it is a good deal when compared to a land-based Johnny Rockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegal2539 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 DocLC, I agree with you completely, especially with Guy's Burger Joint. When I found it I thought I had died and gone to heaven. A cheeseburger is my meal of choice and it is so good, greasy, big, tasty and the fries are fantastic. Candie DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 I have not experienced this, but I'd be interested to hear some examples of the poorly trained crew. What transpired that disappointed you so much? I have had officers (other Royal Ships never cruised on Anthem) doing the same thing making excuses for the crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 $4.95 for an egg ? Where ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegal2539 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Matt, I don't think I would use the work pressured, but here are a few examples. The constant barrage of photo employees wanting to take your picture, embarking or disembarking. I have had a few put their hands on me and try to pull or push me over to the employee in the whale costume or whatever costume they are wearing. I don't appreciate being touched, pulled or pushed by someone I don't know. In the MDR the photographers wanting to take your picture and badgering you to do it, several times I have had to say no five or six times. The after dinner drink employee in the MDR really pushing that drink hard. Those would be some of my examples. As for poor training, I will refer to the newer, younger employees who don't seem to have the gift of making a passenger feel special. The room steward, whose rooms have increased steadily, and doesn't have time for the small things, towel animals, candy of your pillow, getting a bucket of ice for the passenger in the evening. I have had these problems and I think the customer service industry just requires a certain type of person to work in this area. My good, better, best experiences certainly outweigh the bad experiences. Many employees have gone above and beyond to make my stay on a ship memorable. Candie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 The constant barrage of photo employees wanting to take your picture, embarking or disembarking. I have had a few put their hands on me and try to pull or push me over to the employee in the whale costume or whatever costume they are wearing. I don't appreciate being touched, pulled or pushed by someone I don't know. In the MDR the photographers wanting to take your picture... With us it is the opposite, the photographers see Reynaline and they know it is 5 to 10 picture time. For some reason I still do not 100% understand Filipinos love photos, good photos bad photos, any photos. So I know just add $300 dollars to any cruise for her photo package. At least because of the total number of pictures the per unit price looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I was listening to a podcast this morning that was comparing Royal to Disney, and they made a very good point. Disney front loads the profit onto the price of the cruise, whereas the other lines don't and rely much more on onboard revenue, which is part of the reason they are so much cheaper. According to the host, he watched a program that said the Royal didn't break even on a seven day cruise until after day three because the price is lower to get people onboard in addition to the expenses of the newer ships (e.g., water show, ice show, Broadway show, etc.). That's creepy, I was listening to this same exact podcast today during my morning drive.... The Canadian lady talks as fast as Matt does. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Matt, I don't think I would use the work pressured, but here are a few examples. The constant barrage of photo employees wanting to take your picture, embarking or disembarking. I have had a few put their hands on me and try to pull or push me over to the employee in the whale costume or whatever costume they are wearing. I don't appreciate being touched, pulled or pushed by someone I don't know. In the MDR the photographers wanting to take your picture and badgering you to do it, several times I have had to say no five or six times. The after dinner drink employee in the MDR really pushing that drink hard. Those would be some of my examples. As for poor training, I will refer to the newer, younger employees who don't seem to have the gift of making a passenger feel special. The room steward, whose rooms have increased steadily, and doesn't have time for the small things, towel animals, candy of your pillow, getting a bucket of ice for the passenger in the evening. I have had these problems and I think the customer service industry just requires a certain type of person to work in this area. My good, better, best experiences certainly outweigh the bad experiences. Many employees have gone above and beyond to make my stay on a ship memorable. Candie This was apparent to us on the first day. She was polite enough, but didn't go out of her way at all. When I (half-)jokingly left a note on day 3 begging for a towel animal, she did it, but told me that they were only allowed to do it every other day. I think we got three for a 7-day cruise. I know, that's really trivial. We took (Tood's, I believe) the suggestion of giving her a gift bag with a bunch of goodies in it, but I'm not even sure if it was appreciated or thanked for. We won't be doing that again. It was only our second cruise, and we definitely noticed a degradation of service from the crew compared to last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Just heard that Carnival is having guests select whether they want nightly turndown service or morning clean up service and you can't request both. While I don't know if this is fleet wide or just a trial, it would seem to be a move to reduce costs by freeing up stewards to clean more rooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Wow...that's pretty rough. Pretty soon you'll be swabbing your own toilets ! I can forego the turn down service....but I gotta have clean towels in the AM. I can make my own bed if that helps ! DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegal2539 Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I truly believe that I am on a vacation that I paid a large sum of money to take . In a hotel, you get your bed made every day and if you want clean linens you just have to put a sign on the door. I understand the costs of clean linens, (washing, drying, ironing), the cost of the employees to do this work but cruise lines are making more now than they ever have and the services are going down. I think it was Princess who told me no more towel animals unless passengers ask for them. I am sorry but I love seeing them when I walk in to my cabin. No more candy on the pillow. Hard to get ice in the ice bucket, then why put a bucket in the cabin if they aren't going to fill it. These are all small things but it is my vacation and I want this kind of service. I shouldn't have to ask for all of the little things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenM Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 This was apparent to us on the first day. She was polite enough, but didn't go out of her way at all. When I (half-)jokingly left a note on day 3 begging for a towel animal, she did it, but told me that they were only allowed to do it every other day. I think we got three for a 7-day cruise. I know, that's really trivial. We took (Tood's, I believe) the suggestion of giving her a gift bag with a bunch of goodies in it, but I'm not even sure if it was appreciated or thanked for. We won't be doing that again. It was only our second cruise, and we definitely noticed a degradation of service from the crew compared to last year. Say it aint so!!!! I haven't gone on a cruise in 10 years, we have Harmony booked in November and I LOVE the towel animals :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmt273 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Candie I am sure everyone cruising is cruising because they can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael A Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 While I can't speak for curising on Anthem when my husband and I were on our last cruise (November 2016) for my birthday, I asked our cabin attendent to make it extra special! Needless to say I had a different towl animal every night. Just goes to show a little please and thankyou go a VERY long way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 While I can't speak for curising on Anthem when my husband and I were on our last cruise (November 2016) for my birthday, I asked our cabin attendent to make it extra special! Needless to say I had a different towl animal every night. Just goes to show a little please and thankyou go a VERY long way! Now wait just a doggone minute here....are you a witch? WE MUST BURN HER!!! Michael A 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael A Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Now wait just a doggone minute here....are you a witch? WE MUST BURN HER!!! I'm Not a Witch or a Her for that Matter... I just know how to what what I want! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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