Had a bad cruise

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It's the way it isl

Bad day at the crusie is still better than a day at the office ...

I sometimes wonder who posts on this site. The posters usually side with the cruise lines. Dissatisfied customers are often dismissed as whiners or with great expectations. I wonder why.

I'm sorry you had a bad time.... I took a Celebrity cruise (it was the Summit) on that same itinerary and had a great time, but as with all companies, sometimes there are employees that aren't as good as others..... It sounds like you hit that bad combo cruise.... I would definitely send a note to the cruise line listing the good and the bad. I always do that - even though I'm not sure if anything ever comes of it - because companies can't fix what they don't know. You may have complained onboard and got no action - but I would still do it in writing... It always makes me feel like I've at least tried...... I hope you at least had awesome views of the glacier (I love that place) and the beautiful Alaska scenary......

TravelUSA just joined the board. First, post is a rip on a cruise line. Does make you wonder ???? I think all complaints of this type have to be taken "with a grain of salt.:

It does. Hasn't been back either. Hmmm. I wonder too. You often see this sort of thing.

Also the comment about dinner at 8:30 and the show at 9 pm. Celebrity has always had the show for late seating prior to dinner at least they did on the several cruises we have done with them - perhaps they didn't read their program???

I still say a bad day at a cruise is still better than a good day in the office.

And Aristotle, I am not siding with the cruise line. I guess I am just more forgiving. I had bad experience with Celebrity last year. It was the cabin steward. I just work around him and I still had a good time. You spend your hard earn money, you make the best out of it. Why make yourself miserable?

Aristotle: Its more believable from someone who is a regular poster and if what they are saying makes sense. For example the comment about no food after 2200. Room service is open isn't it? And a show at 2100 and dinner at 2030? Usually dinner times are set to allow plenty of time for a show afterward. It just doesn't ring true I think. Sometimes someone has a bad time and decides to slam the cruise line by producing negative pub, then you never see them again. It makes you wonder. Conversely you do see bad reports which are supported by other Fordorites. These one post wonders OTOH draw skepticisism and with good reason. I think. JM2C.

Larry, I think I want to catch a BH game when I stop in Chicago next. Just saw pictures of the ice crew. All I can say is wow!

I haven't seem thaem. And I'm ashamed.

I agree with Debi, I'd send a letter to the cruise line. We just went on our very first cruise and had a great experience on Holland America to the Alaska on the Inland Passage.

All the employees were supper nice. Food was great, but had one meal I didn't care for as much as the others, but I didn't complain so it was my fault for not asking for something else. We had dinner in the dining room 6 of the 7 nights. We had open seating and wouldn't pick anything else.

You will hit a larger crowd and might even find someone else that was on your cruise over on cruise critic forums. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/index.php

Utahtea

My only point is that there seems to be a reflexive reaction to complaints about cruise lines. People do have bad cruises, and very often cruise lines could have prevented the problem. Cruise lines are difficult to deal with, and that is a fact of cruise life if you choose to cruise. There are other ways to travel and maybe they are better. At least the alternatives should be considered.

If I was on a cruise line and found them difficult to deal with I just would not use them again. However my own experience on the lines we have used reflects good CS and necessarily so because of the competition out there. We've done 4 cruises with Princess and 2 each with CCL abd RCI and have never had a bad one really. Have there been problems? Yes, a couple of times and I did complain and was satisfied w/ the replies I received. Had they totally blown me off I'd never go back. I have read all too often about poor CS on NCL, Costa and MSC and until I see this trend improve I won't use those lines but OTOH it seems to me that other cruise lines have a higher standard or value for CS.
As for the other point I suppose we will just disagree. I don't necessarily think folks here reflexively side w/ cruise lines. I think many here can sense when a poster has legit complaints vs. just someone who wants to slam a line for its own sake. In many cases Fodorites ask relevant questions and make constructive suggestions only to never again hear from the OP which ends up being their one and only post ever. To me that says something. JM2C
Cheers, larry

Larry, well said, and I echo your sentiment.

Thank you Eschew. I appreciate that. Cheers, Larry

I wouldn't discount a negative review of a cruise just because it was a first-time poster. When someone who isn't active online has a bad time and wants somewhere to vent, this is likely where they would end up. However, I think the points made above (about the seating/show times, for example) do raise some legitimate questions.

If the post was about a smaller organization--like hotel or a restaurant or a travel agency--I can see a competitor or disgruntled employee (are employees ever "gruntled"?) post something maliciously. But cruise lines are too big for this to matter...

...but the worst part is that I now have that "So you had a bad day..." song stuck in my head!

.....I think the points made above (about the seating/show times, for example) do raise some legitimate questions......

But that is exactly what raised my suspicions about the original posting. On every cruises that we have been on with two dinner settings, the show times have always been arranged to accommodate both settings. When there was one setting or open setting time, then it was your responsibility to time your dinner for the show. That comment ....We had 8:30 dinner and the shows started at 9:00...... as a rant and throwing in the kitchen sink. It you are going to complain at least be truthful.

Triathelete: Why did you mention that song? Its been in my head for 4 days now.

I am not going to Utube to find this song

If you go looking on You tube look up the "Pink glove dance" Seriously it pretty cool.

I had a bad experience to on my Celebrity cruise last April. Same senario with some of the food(the dinner was better). They hardly did any karoke(only on formal nights). I know it's not their fault with the ocean being rough and the captain made several announcements to be careful moving around. A lot of people got seasick and fell. The location was perfect and transportation as well. The only thing I really thought it was disorganized was disembarkment back home. A lot of us go through some bad experiences. We learn and take it for the future cruises.

I'd been singing for a while "dance me to the end of love" after going to his concert, that was enough!

You guys always trash those who are not members of the club.

Don't be so judgemental and be open to understand the points being made. BTW guys who is keeping the minutes for the next meeting? I did it last time.

Hi Larry

I'll keep the minutes - but don't forget the refreshments!!!

Its a deal.

Where is the meeting and when?

Your place amigo.

I am really sorry you had a bad time, it seems Celebrity cruises have upset quite a few custoemrs as there seem to be some really bad reviews on http://www.cruise.co.uk website most of which are complaining about the way Celebrity cruises is cost cutting.

Not sure what you mean as I followed the link and it took me to the home page. I looked up the reviews for this ship, the Millineum and found some fair to poor reviews though most were in the 4-5 star range. A few did mention the issue you brought forth though most reviews were pretty positive.
BTW the new X ships, those of Solstice class, are getting very good reviews. In a readers poll of CN Traveler the Equinox was voted the best of the large cruise ships. I do think most cruise ships have done some cutting back due to the economy and imagine X is in the same boat. No pun intended of course . We are hoping to sail the X Silouette in Oct. 2011 for a Holy Land cruise. Cheers, Larry

Larry, what are the stops for your Oct 2011 Holyland?

Rome
Palermo
Alexandria (2 days)
Ashdod
Haifa
Mykonos
Naples
Rome.

Just finished a fine 14 day cruise in the Med on the Celebrity Eclipse. First-class crew, services and food. Marvelous ship. Shows were acceptably average but it is difficult to mount Vegas-caliber entertainment at sea and I have seen worse shows in Vegas. Highly recommend both Celebrity and the Eclipse.

That's an interesting itenary, with Rome round trip. Mine stops at Port Said and Alexandria instead of Alexandria for 2 days.

Our trip starts next month in Athens and ends in Rome with quite a few common stops. I'll try to do a trip report.

That sounds great. I'll look f/w to that TR. We once had a port stop in Rome but didn't get to see St. Peters b/c we had shorts on. Well it was hot and we didn't know there was a dress code so perhaps we'll try to go a few days early to see more of Rome.

Larry - We did a private tour in Rome and saw the Vatican - on a private tour of Rome. We paid extra to have a private tour in the Vatican and it was so worth it. We were all dressed appropriately but my brother was wearing shorts (longer type) and it was OK. I think they are more concerned with the ladies - or maybe he was just lucky. But - if you are there you really should take the tour. It was almost surreal just to stand in the Sistine Chapel. Actually I was more blown away by St Peters. What an incredible experience. If you want the name of the tour company let me know.

T69: Hmmm. We did see the Sistene Chapel and if all goes well we will be departing out of Rome next Oct. and we are planning to go in a ew days early so yes please send me this guys name. I know its along ways off but it copuld be useful. Thanks again. . BTW we leave in about one month for India with a 4 day stop in Hong Kong on the way back. Our last vacation was Oct. 2009 and buddy we feel really overdue.

HI Larry

we used http://www.romecabs.com Heard about them on cruise critic. Everything was handled so well - including immediate respose to emails etc. Check out the website - if you are in Rome for a few days you may find a tour that takes in some sights you weren't able to see on your day in port. If you have done the Sistine tour you can still see St Peters on its own. We did learn a lot with the tour guide that others missed and saw so much more than the ship's tour.

Enjoy your visit to India. We loved Hong Kong but were there prior to 1997 but I don't think too much would have changed.

Sounds like you need a vacation so enjoy!!

T69, romecabs@yahoo.com is not a valid email address and that's listed on their web site. Help?

Hi Eschew

I just emailed them and it didn't come back. With the time difference we shall see in a few hours. The owner is Stefano Costantini and his other email is info@stefanorometours.com.

Here is the other website that has more info on tours
http://www.stefanorometours.com/

Let me know how you make out and I will post again when I hear back from him.

Eschew - which cruise ship are you on? We have an October Holy Land cruise on Azamara in October (starts in Athens, ends in Rome)....

Eschew - I had a response from Rome Cabs and that email is correct - maybe you had a letter missing or something - try again!!! When are you going to be in Rome?

T69, very soon ... arriving October 18.

Debi, we are on the Pacific Princess, a smaller ship with less than 700 passenegers, leaving Athens on October 6, with stops at Santorini, Patmos, Kusadasi, Haifa, Ashdod, Port Said, Alexandria, Sorrento, Capri, Rome.

We will spend a few days in Athens prior and a few days in Rome after.

ParrotMom is going to be on a Celebrity ship doing Holyland in October as well, I think we miss each other by 2 days in Rome. ... After the trip, we should trade stories.


T69, the email address on the web is romecabs@yahoo.com and not the one that you have. I will use the email address you have instead. Many thanks.

Eschew

Actually I emailed them at romecabs@yahoo.com and got a response I also used the other address that I gave you and they responded there as well. I think there are some gremlins somewhere!!

T69, I used the email you gave and no problem. I have reply back from them alrady. The price just gets better. 370 euro for 2 people, 400 euro for 6 people. I just need to get 4 more people. They will pick up at hotel and return us to hotel.

They have private guide for Vatican (60 euro) plus 19 euro each for no line priority entrance.

Thanks for the info!

Eschew - you are very welcome. You won't be disappointed. We used the private Vatican guide and were very happy we did. I believe that the 60 euros is the price of the tour and the 19 euros is the actual admission charge. They buy the tickets ahead of time as part of the tour so you don't have to stand in line. We learned so much more by having the private tour. We actually made arrangements on cruisecritic ahead of time to have people join us. We ended up having 4 couples which really brought the price down. When are you going?

We will be in Rome on Oct 18. The day tour I am booking is for Oct 19. I posted info on Crusie Critics roll call already and see what happens. They can get all the tickets ahead but we were told to book the Vatican tickets on line for 1 or 2 pm and get the no line ticket ourselves. (We pick up the admission ticket at the entrance?) I will double check and see if they can get tickets for us for the Vatican ahead of time as well. They said don't book the guided tour tickets as they don't take you to the Barsillica. Their Private guide will.

I am booking it for 2 people for now, and can change the number of people later. (up to a week before so I can confirm via email while on baord) They will pick us up at the hotel at 9 am and return us to the hotel at 4:30 pm. Who knows, we may meet people on the ship and invite them to join us. 370 euros for 2, 400 euros for 4 and 450 euros for 6.

I am less concern with the cost than the fellow travellers. A smaller group is more managable so I wouldn't mind even with only 4 people. Probably get more space in the car. Do you know what type of car they use?

HI Eschew

We didn't have to book our entrance tickets ahead of time but when you do it online (he sent you the link I believe) you just book the tickets for the 1 or 2pm entrance and pay for them. When you meet up with your Vatican guide - he will go ahead and pick the tickets up and give them to you. You then proceed with the guide and bypass the regular line. I don't know if I said this before but the Basilica was the most memorable of the tour. Of course it was all mind blowing to be standing there - looking up at the Sistine ceiling etc but the Basilica was just blew me away. The nice part of having the private tour is the fact that they can tell you so much that you would never know just walking through it. As an example the stunning paintings are not really paintings at all but are mosaics. Even knowing that you could never tell but it makes them that much more impressive. Here is a good website to look at before you go http://saintpetersbasilica.org/

Have you made arrangements for a tour in Athens? We had a great private tour there as well.

Thanks T69, I have posted on the roll call and so far no action. There is only about 20 couple on the roll call and there have not been too much activity so I have no expectation. We are suppose to meet a bunch of people at the Athens airport, maybe I will get a couple (or two) to join us. Romecabs has told me that if I can give them 10 days notice, it would be good enough. It maybe pricy for 370 euros for just the 2 of us, but they will have a dirver and a a/c Mercedes (a limo for a day will cost that much anyway). Maybe we should just live it up if no one is joining us.

As to Athens, we are staying at the Baby Grand Hotel, it is a small boutique hotel. You should look them up at their web site, it is interesting.

We have booked Delphi for a day tour, and a morning tour to Acropolis before boardng (ship leaves port at 10 pm). We still have some free time but we intend to walk around and take in some local sights and sound, or just relax after a long travel day.

Eschew - looks like a very unique hotel. We stayed at the Plaka hotel so we were right in the middle of things. If you have a chance before you do too much walking around take the little tourist train http://www.suite101.com/content/fun-things-to-do-in-athens-a122172. You get a great overview of the area and see some of the attractions you may want to go back and spend more time at. You will have a better feel for the area if you take it. You are certainly getting close to sailing date now - Enjoy!!

T69, yes, it is a "fun hotel", with the Minis as front desks and the graffiti decor. The "tourist train" looks very interesting ...

So far, after putting the info on the roll call for 2 weeks, no one has asked about the Rome Day Tour yet. If it is just for the 2 of us, it is way too expensive at 370 euros plus the 60 for the private guide, plus entrnace, tips etc, that would be 600 euros for 8 hours.

Since the Quirinale hotel is right at the centre of everything, is walking an option? Does the roads (or freeways?) has sidewalks and we can stop in front of the destinations and take pictures?

The hotel is 1.7 Km to the Forum and the forum is only 700m to the Coliseum according to the map. My next step would be google earth the destinations and see if we can take a walking tour.

Hi Eschew. You could do the tour in stages. You could walk to some (depending on your stamina!) Basically you won't be on Freeways in that part of the city. You could always get a local cab. The Vatican and St Peters are further away so perhaps a walking tour in the am and then take a cab to the Vatican as they recommend not to go in the am to avoid the major crowds. You are actually going at a good time. I recommend the Colosseum (your hotel is close to Trevi Fountain so you could see that) and the Pantheon for sure.
I wouldn't bother with Circus Maximus - its just a grassy area with with remnant marble basically. The Vatican, Sistine chapel and St Peters are all together of course so take that in after lunch.

You can get little tourist maps when you are there that guide you to the highlights. Here is a very good website. http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome.htm This will help with your priorities.

T69, cab fare from hotel to Coliseum is about 8 euros, to Vatican is about 16 euros. So we are now looking at cabbing for DW and I, unless we can find the required 6 or 8. I have no bits on the roll call, so my next "try" would be at the flight over to Athens when I may met up with fellow crusiers who had not made plans.

There is a small group taht had organized a tour but it is on arrioval day and the tour is from the pier to the hotel, with stops. Not what I had in mind.

I had checked out the maps and pics and Circus Maximus is a fgrassy field. But, as the road is one way, if I want to go back to the hotel after the Coliseum, it will drive past there, at least according to my map point Europe driving directions.

If I book Romecabs, I will see most places. If I do walking tour, I will miss palces as it take time to travel (walk) rather than a dedicated driver taking to to the next stop.

So my alternate plan without the Romecabs are as follow:
Morning cab to Palazzo Nuovo where the mnonoument is. Walk to Forum and the Coliseum.

Time permitting, cab from Coliseum to Pantheon, walk to Trevi fountain (5 blocks) and Piazza Quirinale and cab or walk to hotel (5 blocks)

Quick lunch at hotel and then cab to Vatican, with pre-bought tickets (no line, and guided tour) self guided walk to St Peter's and cab back to hotel.

If time is tight, we will miss the Pantheon, which I hope is not a big loss but we will be back at another time anyway (we hope).

Evening walk to National Art Gallery (2 blocks) and Santa Maria Degli Angeli (1 block from hotel). This could be done on the arrival day.

This hotel was picked for the location as it is centrally lcoated.

What do you thinkÉ

Eschew - sounds good but to me the Pantheon was a real highlight. It is unbelievable so try to fit it in if at all possible. Hopefully you will meet up with some fellow travelers as we did when you are on the cruise who are staying over as well. You do see a lot more with the private tour but this way you are hitting all of the main spots. (and a good reason to return) Your cruise is not far away now and I envy you as our next cruise isn't until next summer. Too many other things happening right now. Bon Voyage!!!!!!

Thanks T68, flight is Sunday and will arrive Atherns on Monday noon. 9 and a half hours, direct flight.

I will keep in mind the Pantheon, we might catch it on the day before depending on what time we arrive at the hotel. I am hoping to get some people interested on the flight over or while on baord.

Cruise critic meet and greet is now on the embarkation day at 9:30 pm instead of first sea day (day 4) so there is more time to "sell" the tour and get partners.

We will have internetat the hotel and the ship so I can still book while on the road.

Thanks for all your help. Maybe I'll see meet up with you one day and buy you a beer. It would be great if I can get you, Percy and Larry all at the same time, that would be a heck of a fun time.

Eschew have a great time. Yes a get together would certainly be fun - especially as we now have been dubbed "the club"

Bon Voyage and really try to see the Pantheon - it is a real wonder.

Eschew: have a great time. It would be cool to meet up some day w/ all you guys. One never knows. 1st round is one you.

Arrived at Athens today. Hotel is as advertised ... unique.
It is walking distance to a lot of things and we have walked to Plaka, passing the market, the square, the flea market etc.
Stopped in a few old churches along the way and at the Square and Plaka, saw the Acropolis at a distance. Going to Delphi tomorrow. I think it is 2 hours bus ride there, joined a group and part of 40 people. Pick up and return at hotel so it's all cool. I think I may start a new post and put it as a trip report, except I may try to report this as clsoe to daily as possinle. Since I have to check work email daily anyway ... ... I might as well have a bit of fun while I am on the net (on their dime).
Thanks guys, and yes, Larry, I will buy the first round. But you will have to buy the rest . Let's go 15 rounds just like boxing. Since T69 will vote with me so that's final!

Eschew - thanks for posting. Will look for your report wherever it is. Larry's in trouble I am voting with you!

Looks like I'm in BIG trouble. . Have fun and look f/w to your TR's.