The Evolution of Cruising

[RCVoyager]

After our poor experience on the Carnival Mardi Gras last month, my wife and I have talked several times about what we didn't like.  I think the biggest overall disappointment is the evolution that has come not just to Carnival, but all of mainstream cruising.  We don't want an "app" we have to schedule everything we do.  In fact, other than touching base with the people at home once or twice during the week, we want to put our phones in the safe and leave them there.  We don't want "My Time Dining".  We much prefer the same table with the same waiter and assistant, a paper menu in a nice folder, at the same time each night.

We like a daily ship newspaper and schedule on our bed each night and announcements delivered by the Captain at noon each day.

We are forced to live our lives on our phones and laptops.  Vacation is a way for us to get away from technology.

Several years ago, we had to come to grips with the idea of automatic gratuities.  We didn't like it at first because some passengers took advantage of the workers by poorly tipping or not tipping at all.  We adapted and now see that is better.  We still be sure to bring a few extra 20s on board for those we recognize for good service.

To us, this new way of cruising is not better.  We will, in all likelihood, become "former" cruisers rather than adapt.  There are lots of land based vacations out there.

Technology does not make the cruise line better able to serve its current customers.  It allows the cruise line to jam more people onto the ship and "serve" them with less staff.  Sad to us.

As an additional rant, who in their right mind builds a new cruise ship without a Shuffleboard Court and an unusable walking/jogging track but with a roller coaster at sea that can't be used most days?  Carnival, that's who.  The others are sure to follow.

Anyone agree?  Or are we just spoiled Americans?

 

[GatorCruiser]

The world has become more consumerist and that’s reflected in the cruise lines as well at least in the mass market cruise lines. Try a smaller boutique cruise line, it may be more traditional. 

[tjcruisers]

I’d imagine for everybody who wants a traditional cruise, there are a thousand who don’t. I don’t like having to do everything on app, but I get it. 

[Atlantix2000]

Apps showing schedules allow flexibility that paper schedules don't.  They can be updated throughout the day if the weather/illness/etc causes a change to an activity/show/etc.  It's also more environmentally friendly than printing something that is only valid for a single day.

You can eat at the same time with the same waiter whether you do "My Time Dining" or traditional.

There's no shuffleboard because most of Royal (and Carnival's) guests have never played it!

Much of your complaints are a generational issue.  I mean this in the kindest way possible, but it sounds like you are older than the target market for the mainstream cruise lines.  There's nothing wrong with that, but you may need to seek out smaller, more luxurious cruise lines to find what you are looking for.

[steverk]

Royal still prints the daily paper. You can ask your stateroom attendant or guest services. There's no telling how much longer this will be true, but it's true now.

Shuffleboard has never been my thing, but I can't think of a royal ship that doesn't have it.

[TXcruzer]

3 minutes ago, steverk said:

Royal still prints the daily paper. You can ask your stateroom attendant or guest services. There's no telling how much longer this will be true, but it's true now.

Shuffleboard has never been my thing, but I can't think of a royal ship that doesn't have it.

The paper compass availability varies from ship to ship. We have been accommodated at times, but more often than not, we are told it is not available any longer. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Last week on Mariner, we were in one of the new far forward Panoramic ocean view cabins (1L) which is NOT one of the suites but just categorized as an ocean view.  I am assuming that, since we had just made Pinnacle, the room attendant brought us a paper Compass every night.  I was really surprised but very happy to get it.  As most know, I despise the app and having the paper Compass was so nice.  It'll be interesting to see if we continue to get the paper Compass on future non-Suite cruises,  I'm sure that if I ask, we could get one...it was just very nice to get one without having to ask.

[cruisellama]

Publicly traded companies have an obligation to increase the value of those companies to the stockholders - yes the mass marketed lines can increase the bottom line by increasing efficiencies through technology and automation, reducing personnel costs.   If the service / experience become negative to the point of losing a customer base, then they adjust the other way.  Those of us who remember a "better" days of more attentive cruising are not the new market lines are positioning to capture.   They're setting up for the next generations that don't have the same expectations (experience) we may have had.  They'll expect technology and experiences over the personal service touch.  

If you like cruising, you don't have to necessary adapt.  There is also the option to go to a premium, inclusive experience line.  We're being nudged that way.  We'll see what things look like after getting through the planned 2024 bookings.

[RCVoyager]

35 minutes ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Apps showing schedules allow flexibility that paper schedules don't.  They can be updated throughout the day if the weather/illness/etc causes a change to an activity/show/etc.  It's also more environmentally friendly than printing something that is only valid for a single day.

You can eat at the same time with the same waiter whether you do "My Time Dining" or traditional.

There's no shuffleboard because most of Royal (and Carnival's) guests have never played it!

Much of your complaints are a generational issue.  I mean this in the kindest way possible, but it sounds like you are older than the target market for the mainstream cruise lines.  There's nothing wrong with that, but you may need to seek out smaller, more luxurious cruise lines to find what you are looking for.

I tend to agree with your points.  Maybe, at 58, I've become an old codger. We have discussed the smaller lines, and that will probably be how we continue, assuming we do.

With regard to My Time Dining, we have used it in the past without much of an issue.  However, on the Mardi Gras, there were people lined up the length of a football field, on their phones, at both My Time and traditional, waiting to be notified their table was ready.

I get your point about shuffleboard... not many play.  There is no excuse for that sorry walking/jogging track that is always widely used on every ship I've been on.

And while my original rant about the technology still stands, and as the biggest Carnival apologist on this board over the last 10 years or so, 6500 passengers on that ship is cruising malpractice.  I no longer recommend that line at all, and everyone here can correctly say "I told you so".

I joked to my wife that when I pulled my suitcase from under the bed the last day, there was a family sleeping in it.  She rolled her eyes, but I heard her retell it to one of her friends.

[JasonOasis]

I don't know if you are spoiled Americans or not.  I just think you are use to how cruising was for decades and not a fan of what it is evolving into. 

Truth is you don't have to participate in my time dinning every cruise I've been on has both traditional dinning where you get the same waiter every night and my time dinning.  The paper version of the cruise compass going away was only a matter of time because it is a complete waste of resources and not to mention millions and millions of dollars spent per year buy both the paper and the ink.  

The large ships aren't for everyone however cruising on a smaller ship tends to favor people like yourself who are interested in a more intimate, personal form of cruising. 

But the truth of the matter is during the pandemic both Empress and Majesty of the Seas left Royals fleet and Odyssey and Wonder joined the fleet and this past Q3 Royal for the entire quarter sailed at 110% capacity. They are bring on Icon and Utopia within the first 7 months of 2024, that is a massive amount of capacity Royal has brought and is bringing on since Odyssey in 2021. And again according to Royals Q3 results demand remains at an all time high even in 2024 when 2 additional massive ships join the fleet.  

Cruising across the board from Carnival all the way to Silver Seas, heck even the Ritz Carlton now has its own ultra luxury cruise brand is more popular than ever and there truly is something out there for everyone at every price point.  And all of these cruise lines are integrating more and more technology into their ships so people can stay connected to family and friends and so people can work.  Some people who can work from anywhere in the world do work while on a cruise.  

Looking at the industry as a whole it has moved away from what cruising was in the 90s and even early 2000's and that shift is paying dividends.  If it's not your cup of tea any longer that is totally fine that doesn't make you a spoiled American it just makes you you, and you like what you like and there is nothing wrong with that. If you feel like its time for you to move on then by all means do that because there are a lot land based vacation that will cater to your needs.

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, RCVoyager said:

After our poor experience on the Carnival Mardi Gras last month, my wife and I have talked several times about what we didn't like.  I think the biggest overall disappointment is the evolution that has come not just to Carnival, but all of mainstream cruising.  We don't want an "app" we have to schedule everything we do.  In fact, other than touching base with the people at home once or twice during the week, we want to put our phones in the safe and leave them there.  We don't want "My Time Dining".  We much prefer the same table with the same waiter and assistant, a paper menu in a nice folder, at the same time each night.

We like a daily ship newspaper and schedule on our bed each night and announcements delivered by the Captain at noon each day.

We are forced to live our lives on our phones and laptops.  Vacation is a way for us to get away from technology.

Several years ago, we had to come to grips with the idea of automatic gratuities.  We didn't like it at first because some passengers took advantage of the workers by poorly tipping or not tipping at all.  We adapted and now see that is better.  We still be sure to bring a few extra 20s on board for those we recognize for good service.

To us, this new way of cruising is not better.  We will, in all likelihood, become "former" cruisers rather than adapt.  There are lots of land based vacations out there.

Technology does not make the cruise line better able to serve its current customers.  It allows the cruise line to jam more people onto the ship and "serve" them with less staff.  Sad to us.

As an additional rant, who in their right mind builds a new cruise ship without a Shuffleboard Court and an unusable walking/jogging track but with a roller coaster at sea that can't be used most days?  Carnival, that's who.  The others are sure to follow.

Anyone agree?  Or are we just spoiled Americans?

 

Unfortunately cruising as we knew it is over. Just like everything in 2023, you either accept technology and leverage it or you live under a rock for the rest of your life. I find some aspects of the new cruising to be way better than the old version. If you want to disconnect then put the electronics in the safe and enjoy your vacation. It’s going to be very difficult though to do anything “extra” w/o either pre booking activities/dinners exc without your phone. If you think a land based vacation is any better, you are very wrong. Most of this change that you dislike is based on corporate greed so regardless of whether you are on a ship or land based vacation the result will be the same. My advice is to just be a sheep and go with the herd and enjoy your “new” cruising experiences! 

[Freegirl]

As I always tell my kids (and my elderly mother) - the ability to adapt to change is the key to happiness.

 

[tonyfsu21]

26 minutes ago, Freegirl said:

As I always tell my kids (and my elderly mother) - the ability to adapt to change is the key to happiness.

 

This is very true. Once you face the reality that things are going in one firm direction and that technology is only going to get more advanced then you can begin to accept & adapt. 

[ChessE4]

I don't like too much technology, so I sympathize. But I have found value in the App (I let my wife handle it), I arrange traditional dining, I use touch screens throughout the ship, and I don't sweat shuffleboard as teens usually have it. We are usually on smaller vessels with amore traditional atmosphere. That said, Central Park is great on Oasis class. We dress for dinner even if others don't, so we have a great time.

[JFCruise]

I understand why the Compass is slowly going away, even if I don't like the idea of having to use my phone during a cruise - and being under 40 with a kid, I'm probably part of the target audience of RC.

I've had a couple of cruises in the past year - and while I did have to sometimes use my phone around the ship, we tried to limit it as much as possible.

Going to the pool? Leave it
Dinner? Leave it, unless we predict the kid will be fuzzy and -yes - we're gonna lend it to him so he can play some games instead of running around the MDR.
Excursion? Take it, because obvious.
Show with a reservation? Take it
Late night wandering/bar-ing/casinioing? Leave it

I'm also of the idea that - unless there is a situation at home that requires it - I'll never get the internet package. And I'm also a firm believer in Traditional Dining. Screw having to wait in line, I'm on vacation.

[DoomSlayer]

Like it or not, these decisions to build floating amusement parks is Royal's (And other cruise lines) attempt to take market share and revenue away from traditional vacation destinations like Disney, Universal, and other parks.  Icon is a perfect example of this, and I have no doubt Royal will be successful in this.  This works well for shareholders and families that would already be considering amusement park vacations.  These families generally spend a lot of money on vacation and will be a huge revenue generator for Royal.  They may lose a few, once loyal, customers that do not appreciate the changes, but the number of new passengers will certainly outweigh the loss of existing customers.  Businesses call this churn, and as long as the customer churn results in positive revenue, businesses will take the risks and continue to introduce change in attempts to generate even more revenue.  Also, a big trend in most business is more self-service (through technology) and less hand-held personalized service (as this is costly). As an investor, I appreciate it when companies are innovative, competitive, have increasing revenue streams.

Currently, die hard cruise traditionalists have choices by choosing older ships that accommodates their no-frills vacation expectations, but as time goes on and older ships are sold, updated, or decommissioned, they will be forced into adapting or abandoning cruise life.  Yes, we can romance about the old days of cruising, but at the end of the day, we just need to accept that the industry is going to change.  Cruising used to be seen as "an old person's vacation", but by making these changes, cruising has become more inclusive and is quickly becoming a "family vacation".  We saw a similar conversion in Las Vegas.  It used to be just a destination for gamblers and buffet enthusiasts.  In the 90's and early 2000's, the Vegas strip began a huge transformation and started to become a family destination.  Prices went up, demographics changed, and more customers were attracted which brought in a lot of money to the casinos outside of gambling revenue.  As long as the majority of customers are willing to pay the new prices, the change will occur.

Personally, I love these changes in the cruise industry.  I am a proud grandpa and happy to take my kids and grandkids with me knowing that everyone will have a great time on board.  I am the grandpa that loves to surf and boogieboard on the flow rider with the kids and grandkids (and I am getting good at it).  I am the grandpa that loves seeing the "fright" on the kids' faces as they zipline over the boardwalk.  I am the grandpa that loves trying to teach the grandkids to ice-skate in the middle of the ship on sea days.  I am the grandpa that loves snorkeling and beach time with the kids in various ports.

I guess in summary, you are not wrong to fell as you do.  If you find a cruise line that is a better fit for your expectations, then by all means, try it out and possibly change your loyalty alignment.  Royal will more than likely continue to push forward with technology and enhancements regardless of how you fell about it as an individual -- they will not remain loyal to those that cannot adapt to these technology changes over time.

[tonyfsu21]

5 minutes ago, JFCruise said:

I understand why the Compass is slowly going away, even if I don't like the idea of having to use my phone during a cruise - and being under 40 with a kid, I'm probably part of the target audience of RC.

I've had a couple of cruises in the past year - and while I did have to sometimes use my phone around the ship, we tried to limit it as much as possible.

Going to the pool? Leave it
Dinner? Leave it, unless we predict the kid will be fuzzy and -yes - we're gonna lend it to him so he can play some games instead of running around the MDR.
Excursion? Take it, because obvious.
Show with a reservation? Take it
Late night wandering/bar-ing/casinioing? Leave it

I'm also of the idea that - unless there is a situation at home that requires it - I'll never get the internet package. And I'm also a firm believer in Traditional Dining. Screw having to wait in line, I'm on vacation.

I would like to shut the phone off but I’m wrapped up in technology. Between texting the kids and wife on the ship, checking the Ring cams at home and responding to some quick emails the internet package is a must have. 

[tonyfsu21]

5 minutes ago, DoomSlayer said:

Like it or not, these decisions to build floating amusement parks is Royal's (And other cruise lines) attempt to take market share and revenue away from traditional vacation destinations like Disney, Universal, and other parks.  Icon is a perfect example of this, and I have no doubt Royal will be successful in this.  This works well for shareholders and families that would already be considering amusement park vacations.  These families generally spend a lot of money on vacation and will be a huge revenue generator for Royal.  They may lose a few, once loyal, customers that do not appreciate the changes, but the number of new passengers will certainly outweigh the loss of existing customers.  Businesses call this churn, and as long as the customer churn results in positive revenue, businesses will take the risks and continue to introduce change in attempts to generate even more revenue.  Also, a big trend in most business is more self-service (through technology) and less hand-held personalized service (as this is costly). As an investor, I appreciate it when companies are innovative, competitive, have increasing revenue streams.

Currently, die hard cruise traditionalists have choices by choosing older ships that accommodates their no-frills vacation expectations, but as time goes on and older ships are sold, updated, or decommissioned, they will be forced into adapting or abandoning cruise life.  Yes, we can romance about the old days of cruising, but at the end of the day, we just need to accept that the industry is going to change.  Cruising used to be seen as "an old person's vacation", but by making these changes, cruising has become more inclusive and is quickly becoming a "family vacation".  We saw a similar conversion in Las Vegas.  It used to be just a destination for gamblers and buffet enthusiasts.  In the 90's and early 2000's, the Vegas strip began a huge transformation and started to become a family destination.  Prices went up, demographics changed, and more customers were attracted which brought in a lot of money to the casinos outside of gambling revenue.  As long as the majority of customers are willing to pay the new prices, the change will occur.

Personally, I love these changes in the cruise industry.  I am a proud grandpa and happy to take my kids and grandkids with me knowing that everyone will have a great time on board.  I am the grandpa that loves to surf and boogieboard on the flow rider with the kids and grandkids (and I am getting good at it).  I am the grandpa that loves seeing the "fright" on the kids' faces as they zipline over the boardwalk.  I am the grandpa that loves trying to teach the grandkids to ice-skate in the middle of the ship on sea days.  I am the grandpa that loves snorkeling and beach time with the kids in various ports.

I guess in summary, you are not wrong to fell as you do.  If you find a cruise line that is a better fit for your expectations, then by all means, try it out and possibly change your loyalty alignment.  Royal will more than likely continue to push forward with technology and enhancements regardless of how you fell about it as an individual -- they will not remain loyal to those that cannot adapt to these technology changes over time.

100% on point! I could not agree more with this statement. 

[JFCruise]

@tonyfsu21 - everyone is different, of course. But I have no need to check emails during vacation, either personal or work. I usually pre-work times with my wife on the ship so we don't really text, and if we do, we rely on the terrible texting on the app.

[RockerDom31]

I had only started cruising in 2019 so unfortunately I don't have a reference of what cruising was like back in the day. However, I imagine Royal does extensive research and have a backup plan before implementing a technology-forward approach. I think that the cruise shutdown and its aftermath accelerated and validated many of their tech initiatives (such as the e-muster, which seems to be universally well-liked).

 

[bretts173]

Cruising is no different to anything else, it changes constantly with generations. And like everything else if you don't adapt you just become old, grumpy and negative.

I definitely don't have today's music as my favourite but if I am travelling in the car with my kids (13 and 15) we compromise and share our tastes around. I won't let them tell me my music is awful and I won't say that about theirs, while not my taste if it's popular then an awful lot of people must think it's good.

If I ever get to the stage where I am negative about things it will be time to move to something else.

 

[RCIfan1912]

Man I just love all the new technology and ships especially from Royal Caribbean. I completely understand some older more traditional people not liking the direction too. With Icon specifically I have heard solo cruisers are not happy because this ship seems to be strictly a family destination. 

"Brandon the weekend cruiser* on YouTube has basically said this. He is trying other lines despite being Pinnacle. He doesn't have kids, and Virgin voyages seems to be the one he likes best now because there are no kids. 

The point is if Royal Caribbean is changing too much and you don't like it there are many options. Cunard will always be what it is and that is holy cow traditional. Maybe that's the place for some. 

Also I just want to say I absolutely love having the Internet on the ship. It's just great not being completely out of it for a few days and having email. When I used to get back from say Bermuda I used to have hundreds of emails to sift through. That was a pain the butt. Now they get checked regularly. With Star Link on this last cruise Internet was fantastic! Holy cow fast and reliable. 

[ChessE4]

The most successful cruise lines will accommodate multiple lifestyles. Corporate officials who manage organizational change find it helpful to explain the purpose of the change and how to navigate through it. This blog helps RC cruisers with industry changes. I was very reassured, for example when Matt published his tutorial on proctored covid testing - it really lowered my stress level at that unusual time. And all the guidance about using the App for checkin has been super useful. When we struggle with change, it's important to ask for help.

[bobroo]

I know I echo the OP @RCVoyager, but the change I do not understand is why was hospitality allowed to completely leak out the bottom of this cruising thing?

[Psycho and Barb]

23 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

since we had just made Pinnacle

Congratulations!!!  That's a heck of a milestone!!

[BrianB]

@WAAAYTOOO Congratulations on reaching Pinnacle!

I like the paper copy of the Compass too. I like to scan it rather than scrolling through my phone…although I’ll check my phone occasionally to see if anything changed since the compass was printed. That happens sometimes.

On day one when I meet my cabin attendant I advise him/her of my preferences. I like the early cabin service…I let him know that my used towels that I would like replaced are folded neatly and on the shelf (I think throwing them on the floor is rude…but that’s just me)…I let him know that I don’t need service on crew drill day (saves him time) and also on turnaround day when I do b2bs. He will change the bed linen the night before…less work for him and I can access my cabin after CBP.

I also let him know that I would like a printed Cruise Compass each day. He will put it on my bed each evening for the next day. I hope this doesn’t change, but who knows…

[PL8SWPR]

 

Always use MyTime Dining.  Set our dining time as 7:15 each night when we booked.  Day 1 on the cruise we just finished we asked for a specific table as we were walking to another.  No problem.  Upon exit, we asked them to reserve that same table for us every night of the cruise. Again, no issues.

Showed up every evening around 7:05-7:10 and never waited more than a minute or 2 to be seated.

[Jolly Ogre]

40 minutes ago, PL8SWPR said:

 

Always use MyTime Dining.  Set our dining time as 7:15 each night when we booked.  Day 1 on the cruise we just finished we asked for a specific table as we were walking to another.  No problem.  Upon exit, we asked them to reserve that same table for us every night of the cruise. Again, no issues.

Showed up every evening around 7:05-7:10 and never waited more than a minute or 2 to be seated.

Yes. This is what we do and have never had a problem.

I do not use the app and will not. I lock the phones in the safe and don't take them out until disembarkation day.

I am a Luddite, it is against my religion to use technology while on vacation.

[RCVoyager]

On 11/5/2023 at 9:46 AM, JasonOasis said:

I don't know if you are spoiled Americans or not.  I just think you are use to how cruising was for decades and not a fan of what it is evolving into. 

Truth is you don't have to participate in my time dinning every cruise I've been on has both traditional dinning where you get the same waiter every night and my time dinning.  The paper version of the cruise compass going away was only a matter of time because it is a complete waste of resources and not to mention millions and millions of dollars spent per year buy both the paper and the ink.  

The large ships aren't for everyone however cruising on a smaller ship tends to favor people like yourself who are interested in a more intimate, personal form of cruising. 

But the truth of the matter is during the pandemic both Empress and Majesty of the Seas left Royals fleet and Odyssey and Wonder joined the fleet and this past Q3 Royal for the entire quarter sailed at 110% capacity. They are bring on Icon and Utopia within the first 7 months of 2024, that is a massive amount of capacity Royal has brought and is bringing on since Odyssey in 2021. And again according to Royals Q3 results demand remains at an all time high even in 2024 when 2 additional massive ships join the fleet.  

Cruising across the board from Carnival all the way to Silver Seas, heck even the Ritz Carlton now has its own ultra luxury cruise brand is more popular than ever and there truly is something out there for everyone at every price point.  And all of these cruise lines are integrating more and more technology into their ships so people can stay connected to family and friends and so people can work.  Some people who can work from anywhere in the world do work while on a cruise.  

Looking at the industry as a whole it has moved away from what cruising was in the 90s and even early 2000's and that shift is paying dividends.  If it's not your cup of tea any longer that is totally fine that doesn't make you a spoiled American it just makes you you, and you like what you like and there is nothing wrong with that. If you feel like its time for you to move on then by all means do that because there are a lot land based vacation that will cater to your needs.

Nice response Jason.  Thanks for the thoughtful reply.  I think "not our cup of tea" is correct.  We did a VRBO beach house with our family a year or so ago.  We had our own pool and a little used beach, though there were several walkers passing throughout the day.  We did the local restaurants and avoided the 5 to 6 PM rush.  There was plenty to do in the area.  It was great for our family group.

We also, just the two of us, have done two of the best trips we've ever done in the last couple of years.  One was a VRBO in Providenciales not near the Beaches Resort but still on Grace Bay.  That beach is gorgeous and when not near the big resorts sparsely used.  The other was in St. Croix.  The beach wasn't great, but there is sea glass there by the bag full.  We're hooked on that.

This past trip reminded us, we want less cruising and more of St. Croix!

[DaveOfTheSeas]

I appreciate the app but also like the printed version. Will the Compass be available as a PDF? That way I won't waste a tree but I like the layout.

[RCVoyager]

5 hours ago, bobroo said:

I know I echo the OP @RCVoyager, but the change I do not understand is why was hospitality allowed to completely leak out the bottom of this cruising thing?

My observation is that technology allows less, and in fact almost no, person to person interaction.  Once you lose that, hospitality goes with it.  Less staff can serve more people, and technology is the crutch that allows it.

On the Mardi Gras, we only saw our stateroom attendant two or three times all week.  In one of those interactions, I asked him how many rooms he "has".  His reply was 35.  I don't know what the norm used to be because I never asked that question before.  But 35 seems extreme and is a number that disallows any extra attention to be paid to any of them.

[Robert Cole]

The Compass is simply too big to effectively navigate on a cell phone.  Most restaurant menus are as well.

 

[texaskstar]

I hope you let Royal and Carnival know what you think, because posting on an internet message board is going to change anything or matter at all to them.

 

Sad to say, I don’t think Royal or Carnival will care though.  They are full speed ahead on scooping up new first time cruisers.  That, combined with the insane demand they’re seeing right now, isn’t really going to motivate them to change back.  Quite the opposite really.  We do appear to be heading towards a recession in 2024, so that may cause demand to dip.  If so it may cause Royal to start listening more.  However, a decrease in demand is NOT going to make them start printing a daily Compass.  Again, quite the opposite as it saves them money.

I’ve got some cruises planned on a few different classes of ship with Royal and I’m going to really evaluate which one I think is best for me and will likely start to focus in on that class.  Oddly enough, the ship I’m most looking forward to is a Radiance Class ship (I have other sailings on Voyager and Oasis class ships and am still looking for a Quantum Class ship to go on).  That would be my only other suggestion to you is to go try a Vision or Radiance Class ship if you prefer the cruising style from the previous century, it was nice era after all.

Oh, and I 100% agree with you on having to rely on your phone so much.  I hate that, and it isn’t just with cruising either, it’s everywhere on vacation - fights, hotels, theme parks, transportation, it never ends.

[RCVoyager]

33 minutes ago, texaskstar said:

I hope you let Royal and Carnival know what you think, because posting on an internet message board is going to change anything or matter at all to them.

 

Sad to say, I don’t think Royal or Carnival will care though.  They are full speed ahead on scooping up new first time cruisers.  That, combined with the insane demand they’re seeing right now, isn’t really going to motivate them to change back.  Quite the opposite really.  We do appear to be heading towards a recession in 2024, so that may cause demand to dip.  If so it may cause Royal to start listening more.  However, a decrease in demand is NOT going to make them start printing a daily Compass.  Again, quite the opposite as it saves them money.

I’ve got some cruises planned on a few different classes of ship with Royal and I’m going to really evaluate which one I think is best for me and will likely start to focus in on that class.  Oddly enough, the ship I’m most looking forward to is a Radiance Class ship (I have other sailings on Voyager and Oasis class ships and am still looking for a Quantum Class ship to go on).  That would be my only other suggestion to you is to go try a Vision or Radiance Class ship if you prefer the cruising style from the previous century, it was nice era after all.

Oh, and I 100% agree with you on having to rely on your phone so much.  I hate that, and it isn’t just with cruising either, it’s everywhere on vacation - fights, hotels, theme parks, transportation, it never ends.

Indeed, I eagerly completed my survey with 2s and 3s rather than my normal 9s or 10s.  I even gave a 0 to one restaurant for abysmal service, cold food, and entrees that arrived before appetizers.  I noted that in my opinion, the people attempting to serve us did what they could. Two of them had 8 tables and the food came from 2 decks below via escalator.  It's been almost a month since I completed it.  I haven't heard anything and doubt I do.

[DaveOfTheSeas]

On 11/6/2023 at 2:14 PM, Robert Cole said:

The Compass is simply too big to effectively navigate on a cell phone.  Most restaurant menus are as well.

 

I bring a laptop so the PDF (I have one zoom meeting I'd like to attend) so would be fine on that. It costs them nothing to post the PDF somewhere.