Matt Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 I was inspired by a discussion in another thread about getting frustrated by how much a price discrepancy there is between refundable and non-refundable fares. So what is something onboard a ship, or while booking, that frustrates you? Let's keep this non-covid related stuff. Just things on a cruise, or in the planning process, that frustrate you. Another example: Inconsistent rules about dress code Not enforcing chair hog rules Tanner, Neesa, ChessE4 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 In the spirit of keeping this to defining the "most" frustrating thing... Inconsistency. Different ships, different crew members, different agents implementing the same thing differently. From the suite experience on newer ships with Royal Suite Class, to one ship allowing Johnny Rockets with the UDP while another won't, to a loyalty ambassador who implements their own version of the program rules and everything in between. Pick a policy, process or procedure and apply it equally across the fleet. Papamillz2, JC Pats, Sharla and 12 others 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 The always tried and true IT issues. They must be hiring those IT "professionals" that graduate from those online classes you hear advertised on the radio. "You don't know what a computer is to IT pro in 6mos!" I'm glad they don't run Med schools. emmef, Neesa, Traveler and 7 others 5 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Customer service pre-cruise pales in comparison to the service received on a ship. Along with all the inconsistency and IT issues I can absolutely see how this deters new customers away from sailing with Royal Caribbean. MicDay, columbus_cruiser, Traveler and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 26 minutes ago, Matt said: Inconsistent rules about dress code Not enforcing chair hog rules 19 minutes ago, twangster said: Inconsistency. Different ships, different crew members, different agents implementing the same thing differently. From the suite experience on newer ships with Royal Suite Class, to one ship allowing Johnny Rockets with the UDP while another won't, to a loyalty ambassador who implements their own version of the program rules and everything in between. Pick a policy, process or procedure and apply it equally across the fleet. It's not a policy or rule if it's not enforced. MicDay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharla Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 FCC reinstatement and the fact that there is no central place to look up FCCs based on C&A numbers or your name. Papamillz2, PPPJJ-GCVAB, mdgwow and 16 others 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNCFanatik Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 -Automatic pre-paid gratuity on drink package purchases -Cruise Planner. Trying to keep track of pricing and sales to feel like you arent overpaying and differences in Ships on prices on Cruise Planner items -Just general consistent enforcing of any rules onboard -Dynamic pricing on cruises and trying to keep track once cruise is booked prior to final payment -Out of pocket expenses on the ship where you feel like you constantly are being asked to spend more and more aboard ship. I understand from a business perspective why its done but still frustration. Would rather see some tiered pricing with amenities included when booking a cruise rather than onboard constantly being hit up especially with small children and the arcades, ice cream and sweet shops JC Pats, JasonOasis, dr martini and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNCFanatik Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 12 minutes ago, Sharla said: FCC reinstatement and the fact that there is no central place to look up FCCs based on C&A numbers or your name. And if we are talking about FCCs, If i pay for my family, I wish they would give a total FCC and not individual FCCs per family member. S.Marie, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ian T and 10 others 6 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBCcruiser Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 I have not sailed on RCI for ten years, but the fact that I can't see everything purchased like excursions, drink packages and gifts purchased all in one place is frustrating. On NCL it lists all items included and purchased on a summary page. With RCI I have to toggle between My Calendar and Order History. I still can't see where my gifts are listed though. I bought wine for the stateroom. rjweber3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockerDom31 Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 I wish it was easier to do "mock bookings" online to plan out cruise costs. First, you can't get to the breakdown of the "final cost" of the cruise (including the total cost of the prepaid gratuities, fees, taxes, etc and any discounts applied) without putting in personal info. I just put in fake info just to get past this page but it's annoying nonetheless. And the annoyance continues when you try to re-price after booking since you have to go through that process all over again when there is a sale. Also, you can't get the cost of things like beverage, dining, or spa packages until you actually book and see the prices in the cruise planner. You can make guesstimates, but prices for these things vary ship-to-ship, sailing-to-sailing. I'll happily concede my points if these are no longer the case. My wife and I watch every single penny that goes into and out of our lives so we like being able to get the "big picture" cost. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ian T, SebagoSue and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBCcruiser Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 27 minutes ago, UNCFanatik said: And if we are talking about FCCs, If i pay for my family, I wish they would give a total FCC and not individual FCCs per family member. I have noticed that that is common with NCL and Princess too. I agree, it is a PITA, especially if you booked your children. columbus_cruiser and UNCFanatik 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmondFarmer Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 The biggest frustration I have experienced is having a booked sailing chartered. This is likely monetarily beneficial to Royal so they do it by choice. I was very upset when a hard to get suite I had booked a full year prior (on release day) wasn’t available on any of the alternative sailings offered. I would prefer Royal forecast the number of expected charters and market them accordingly before opening them to the general public, thus avoiding potential let down for already booked guests. Shame, shame. Other than this, Royal Caribbean is a rounding error from perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Onboard, the elevators. 4 elevators in one cluster, yet only 1 ever seems to be in use. Online, the lack of detail on a reservation given. Can't look up FCC, can't view the full invoice. HBCcruiser, Neesa, fireclan and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 01020 Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Booking a cruise on Royal Caribbean's website is clunky...at best. Instead of just showing all available cabins and clicking on them to see a price, you need to click a category, then a section and then you see available cabins! When I sign into my account, I shouldn't be required to re-enter my name, address, etc. That should be pre-populated! Please add a courtesy hold option while booking. (Norwegian has this and I've used it several times.) If I need to cancel a booking, let me do it online instead of calling. (Celebrity does!) Bottom line, Norwegian's and Carnival's websites are much more user-friendly than Royal Caribbean's. sk8erguy1978, Neesa, Floski and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Agreed, searching for cruises is cumbersome. While their search supports searching by specific days in a month (if you know how to manipulate the URLs), you can only pick specific months through the UI. I'd like to see the ability to save searches, too. Again I do that by having a spreadsheet with specific URLs, but that should be offered on the UI itself. Also add the ability to sort by cheapest price by cabin class, not just cheapest overall price. Even Expedia cruises lets you do this. JC Pats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Agree with everyone who says the online booking process needs to be more user-friendly and sensitive. I get particularly frustrated when I want to check dates/regions that are more specific than the options offered. For example, if I'm looking for a Western Med cruise between 15 September and 15 October I really really really don't want to have to hunt amidst early September/late October sailings and those going to other destinations such as the Baltics, Canaries and Greek Isles but at the moment that's precisely what I have to do. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Baked Alaska and JC Pats 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 I'm frustrated that Royal isn't honoring my $18/day deluxe bev package on my next cruise!!!! But seriously, as others have mentioned - the difficulty in pricing out a cruise. Finding cabins is a real chore. And the crazy fluctuations in costs. I checked the DBP one day and it was $50/day, and the next it was $67. I'm still holding out for better pricing. mathbees, MelKaps, MicDay and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Okay number 2. Having to re-enter my details over and over again when searching for a cruise. CAS #, age, state of residence, etc. I should be able to enter that once per session or login and it already knows my state, my age, my CAS#, etc. Sharla, Snotarni, FionaMG and 17 others 16 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Much of the redundancy that has been stated...i.e the fact that their IT doesn't keep track of much, bad search results, etc. The whole thing when you don't drink and share a room. My biggest is the lack of solo options. As a childless, widowed, cat lady I want to enjoy things too. I don't want to be forced into tables with strangers judging my life choices if I eat in the main dining room. Mrs. RoyalMoyal, JC Pats, FManke and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Va4fam Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 The lack of a real-time usable app that you can use pre-cruise and during cruise for reservations, id/room key, map, drink package, menus, wifi etc. Being able to track my account balance on the app would be better than the in room tv. rjweber3, HBCcruiser, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Pats Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 So yes to all the above but the biggest frustration is pricing for single occupancy cabins. I get the financial end of the double occupancy policy, but I have seen so many times where the single occupancy total price (not including taxes) for the same cabin is more than double, the double occupancy total price (not including taxes). Soo frustrating to see a good per person price, do the mental math to what double should be and then get deflated with sticker shock with the actual price. PPPJJ-GCVAB and rjweber3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Line cutters...in the WJ, at a bar, waiting for doors to open at a show, at the ice cream machine, getting on /off the elevators. I know it's not RC specific, but it seems quite a few people lose their manners on vacation. Momof4crazytocruise, parkyy2k, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 6 others 7 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 So many great responses...all of which I can say "I AGREE"!!!!! Craig 01020 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhilding10 Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 1 hour ago, melmar02 said: Line cutters...in the WJ, at a bar, waiting for doors to open at a show, at the ice cream machine, getting on /off the elevators. I know it's not RC specific, but it seems quite a few people lose their manners on vacation. THIS! I'm normally a very laid-back, relaxed person anyway, and not too much gets to me. I can go with the flow pretty easily in almost any situation. But when I walk up to the bar, or the buffet in the WJ, or any other sort of line/waiting situation, it's not hard to "read the room" and see who's there, see where the line forms, and see who's probably been waiting a few minutes before you. But I'm always astounded at the amount of people who just walk right up and couldn't care less or don't bother to check around, and expect simply because they are there, it's their turn and no one else matters. That really frustrates me and usually shows me the people I avoid trying to start a conversation with or getting to know, and very quickly points out the nice people I will try to talk to while waiting for other said "problem children". Craig 01020, sk8erguy1978 and rjweber3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelKaps Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Waiting for tenders to disembark the ship at a port. This was especially problematic at CocoCay before Perfect Day at CocoCay. I haven't been to a port with tenders in several years, but the waiting period was the worst. One time we just missed the cut off for the tender and we were told to start boarding the next one. They had us waiting 30 minutes before it was completely full to leave. Our other party made the previous tender and had to wait for us. A few years ago on Grandeur, the line for the tender went down the entire hallway on Deck 2 and wrapped around to the other side of the ship. rjweber3 and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 Response time from customer service. When I elect to make a direct booking, I'll have an occasional question that I really don't need an immediate answer so I'll use the message feature on the website. Primarily because I don't really want to wait on a phone line and fine with an email response in a few days. My experience has been very poor with receiving any response within weeks (if I get a response at all). An other frustration is the "less than straight forward" way they advertise, buy one item get the second 50% off. I've become rather cynical about the sale promotions because they're cleverly packaged and really aren't good deals. They just keep the prices high on the first item to cover any discount on the second package/item. ChessE4, rjweber3 and PPPJJ-GCVAB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted April 23, 2021 Report Share Posted April 23, 2021 The Casino Royale as a whole is unorganized and frustrating especially when dealing with the players program. There is absolutely zero consistency across the fleet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 Luggage delivery on embarkation day. We have experienced not getting our bags until well after dinner (in a suite, no less) and more often than not the bags in front of our stateroom are not ours while our bags are somewhere down the hall. Why bother with luggage tags indicating the exact room if they're not going to organize the luggage using them? ChessE4, rjweber3 and TXcruzer 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 2 hours ago, cruisellama said: Response time from customer service. When I elect to make a direct booking, I'll have an occasional question that I really don't need an immediate answer so I'll use the message feature on the website. Primarily because I don't really want to wait on a phone line and fine with an email response in a few days. My experience has been very poor with receiving any response within weeks (if I get a response at all). An other frustration is the "less than straight forward" way they advertise, buy one item get the second 50% off. I've become rather cynical about the sale promotions because they're cleverly packaged and really aren't good deals. They just keep the prices high on the first item to cover any discount on the second package/item. Here’s a great tip but don’t tell everyone Use Facebook messenger to either their actual Facebook page or the Crown and Anchor Facebook page. I’ve used it twice and gotten what I need in under 2 hours. Sharla, Mrs. RoyalMoyal, SpeedNoodles and 5 others 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 10 minutes ago, Jill said: Here’s a great tip but don’t tell everyone Use Facebook messenger to either their actual Facebook page or the Crown and Anchor Facebook page. I’ve used it twice and gotten what I need in under 2 hours. Twitter also IRMO12HD, cruisellama and Neesa 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter6251 Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 8 hours ago, twangster said: Okay number 2. Having to re-enter my details over and over again when searching for a cruise. CAS #, age, state of residence, etc. I should be able to enter that once per session or login and it already knows my state, my age, my CAS#, etc. Actually, as on any run-of-the-mill website, once you sign in to your account, it should bring and populate all your information that is entered in your account profile. cruisellama, FManke, Craig 01020 and 5 others 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep1 Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 Inconsistency across the board... When encountering problems in booking, refunds, FCC's , etc. I seldom get the same answer from reps twice... I do get my issues resolved but usually takes several calls before somebody gets its right. used to bug me more when something would go wrong and seems like everybody else never had that kind of problem. After reading enough here and around the web I see plenty that I'm happy didn't happen to me. C+A losing almost 14 years of my info, didn't and doesn't sit well with me. After almost 3 years of back and forth we are only now starting to see a little progress. Again a zillion calls to make something happen. I gave up years ago trying to decipher their math... That will give you ulcers that you could fly a Boeing through... PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep1 Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 15 minutes ago, Jill said: Here’s a great tip but don’t tell everyone Use Facebook messenger to either their actual Facebook page or the Crown and Anchor Facebook page. I’ve used it twice and gotten what I need in under 2 hours. Thats where after 3 years I'm very slowly making ground on trying to recover the 14 years of my records C+A "misplaced". Jill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownHolly Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 I'll chime in with agreement on finding rooms. I would much prefer to see which rooms are available, and then what it takes to book that room - 2 people? 3? 4? Etc. And show the cost (options). It's so much click click click click. Laborious. Aside from business decisions, I'll also agree with chair hogs and elevator issues. Craig 01020, PPPJJ-GCVAB and HBCcruiser 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 I find it frustrating that cruises on Celebrity do not count towards your Crown and Anchor points. Jill, Neesa and cruisellama 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VoidoftheSeas Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 My biggest frustration is just that you can't really search by room. You have to click into every sailing individually to see if a given room is available. I've not really had much to complain about during the sailings themselves. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Craig 01020 and KristiZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 8 hours ago, wordell1 said: I find it frustrating that cruises on Celebrity do not count towards your Crown and Anchor points. Whats sad now is Azamara and Celebrity had reciprocity to including point count. rjweber3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffB Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 However, if I've got this right, what ever your Captain's Club level is on Celebrity, for example Elite, is treated as Diamond if you sail aboard an RCL ship. There is no cross-over between Celebrity Elite Plus and Diamond Plus though. I don't know about Zenith to Pinnacle ...... I'll never get there anyway. rjweber3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 10 hours ago, deep1 said: Thats where after 3 years I'm very slowly making ground on trying to recover the 14 years of my records C+A "misplaced". Hmmm......I think I better screenshot my past cruises page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted April 24, 2021 Report Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Jill said: Hmmm......I think I better screenshot my past cruises page. I have my room keys from all of my cruises. ChessE4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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