Sandy

Recently I posted a message about the importance of insurance, especially when dealing with an outfit like Renaissance. <BR>We didn't have any, and the unthinkable happened. My husband had a heart attack one month before sailing. Thankfully he survived. <BR>Renaissance would not refund, transfer the tickets to another couple, or postponed our trip. We waited up until sailing day, hoping we could still go, but the doctors said no. Our friends sailed without us. On returning they reported that someone was occupying our cabin. Shame on you, Renaissance! Where is your sense of fair play or decency? We paid for that cabin. It should have remained vacant! Why add insult to injury? We feel so violated. <BR>

Paul Therault

<BR>Sorry to hear about your husband's illness. <BR> <BR>Seems like people will not listen to all the negatives concerning Renaissance. They THINK they are getting a real good price (even seasoned cruisers). Strange. They should find out what the tours cost in advance and compare them with other lines. They should find out what other company's guidlines for tipping are and COMPARE. Find out what they are paying up front for the cruise. The company is using YOUR money and it is NOT refundable (such as only paying the deposit as with other reputable cruise lines). <BR> <BR>Everyone states us travel agents are not commissionable with Ren. BUT WE ARE. We just do not wish to sell Ren. Someone stated we only get a maximum of $500 for booking a Ren. cruise. I would love to make $500 on a cruise! <BR> <BR>People never think ahead. How many people are stranded in airports when the Ren. flight is late and they miss their connecting flight. Who pays???? Guess who!!! <BR> <BR>Some of their exquisite charter flights even stop in other countries to pick up passengers. Go figure. <BR> <BR>If only internet people would LISTEN and not spring for the high pitched sell of the Ren. agents. People say "oh, they are so helpful." You bet they are!!! <BR> <BR>I hope and pray your husband is feeling better. <BR> <BR>A caring TA, Paul

Sally

Sorry about your illness. We sailed with Ren and had an absolutely wonderful trip. I would encourage anyone to sail with them. However, with Ren and with our first two cruises with RCCL and with our "more expensive than usual" vacations, we always purchase vacation insurance. <BR>To everyone else, don't listen to a disgruntled TA, sail Renaissance and have a superb cruise and land vacation. If you look back over these boards, for some reason Paul has made it a crusade to bad mouth Renaissance. Ren does have severe penalties for changes and cancellations but they offer a first-class land/cruise for much less than a first class price.

Jamey

Luckily I'm not speaking from personal experience; but my neighbor lost 100% of her cruise without having insurance when she was booked on Renaissance and there was a death in the immediate family. They were totally unsympathetic and would not allow her to re-book at a later date etc. A similar situation happend to my cousin with another cruise line (I believe it was Holland America) and she too did not have insurance...they allowed her to re-book on a later date with no penalty whatsoever. It taught me NEVER to pay Renaissance all that money upfront, actually I'd never consider sailing on Ren after the way they treated my neighbor. There are too many reputable cruise lines then to give money to Renaissance!

Paul Therault

<BR>Message to Sally, <BR> <BR>Gee whiz, is that the best name you can call me? "Disgruntled." I like that. I've been called a whole lot worse in these forums. <BR> <BR>I've been on 56 cruises and I give my observations and advise. You can take it, or leave it. <BR> <BR>You are reading my posts, but you are biased. You have your mind made up. No one will change it. <BR> <BR>If you look back, I stated the food, service and ships of Ren. are fine. But these are the only three positives. <BR> <BR>I will gladly sel Ren. again if they change their policies, get rid of their hidden charges and change their demeanor. Again, study my posts. <BR> <BR>I have a small agency and I worry about my customers. I do not want any "disgruntled" vacationers. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR> <BR>

Scott

This is a message for Paul (TA). I was wondering did you know how much more the tours were on the ship? And if so couldn't a smart cruiser buy any of the tours on the island? Thats what I've always done. I've never cruised Renaissance, but am considering the Tahiti cruise. The pricing for a 10 day cruise is significantly less than that of i'ts competitors for 7 days. I've heard very good things from other cruisers and not so good from others. I've been on 12 Carnival cruises and I think the food is good but not great. I am expecting the food to be better and the entertainment to be less. Could you offer anymore real insight. I'm really not worried about the tipping, how much more could it be?

Jack

Having traveled on the Ren from Athens to Istanbul,I must agree that Paul has made some valid points. First, let me say that the ship, service, & food were very good. <BR>Some of the bad points aside from having to pay up front were: <BR>1. They tried to charge my wife and I $200 for Turkish visas that cost $40 each.--When we first signed up they charged us $100 for the two visas and did not know at the time that the visas were only $20 each then. In spite of having paid all the expenses up front, they tried to get an additional $100 when Turkey raised their visa rates. My feeling was that I had paid them $100 three months before and if they hadn't gotten it by then, it was their problem. <BR>2. When we signed up, their brochure gave their tipping recommendations. Once on the ship, we were given new tipping recommendations that were twice that stated in their brochure. (Much,much more than any cruise ship I had been on previously-and we've been on many. <BR>3. Their tour packages are higher than any we've seen before and the many of the ports were remotely located from town. Conde Naste magagzine Jan issue states, "Shore excursions are super organized, but prices are high for what you get." <BR>4. I also feel that their port charges seem to be very high. Royal Carribean was overcharging and settled a class action suit because of it. <BR>As I have stated earlier the ship,service and food were very good. However, when considering all of the above, I find that I did not get any better deal with Ren than I could have gotten with many high end cruise lines. <BR> <BR>As Yogi might have said,"the price you pay ain't the price you pay."

Scott

Jack could you elaborate on the tipping. How much was it? And why didn't you buy the tours from the natives? I'm very interested as I am considering them.

Jack

As I recall, the total they asked for regarding tips was $40/day/couple. <BR>Since the ports were remotely situated from the towns in Haifa and Ashdod, there wasn't much opportunity to find cabs that one would normally see crowding around cruise ships. This may not be a problem concerning your cruise destination. <BR>Again, let me repeat the ship,food etc. was very good. The entertainment was poor and no one gives away free lunches. <BR> <BR>

Bobbie

Sandy I don't understand why you didn't buy the insurance on your own. Renaissance explains that they do not arrange for insurance, but do recommend <BR>several insurance companies for one to so on their own. We called one that our travel agency always recommends even when we go on other curise lines. <BR>We had a cruise booked on Ren for Nov. but my husband had to have unexpected surgery and we had to cancel. The insurance company reimbursed us.

Jack

Sandy, <BR>Thanks for reminding me about another of the negatives regarding the Ren criuses. <BR>Another thing I do remember that turned me off about the Ren cruises, is that they quoted me a price for travel insurance(and it was definitely one that I could have accepted) that was about double than I did sign up for with AAA. These weren't suggestions, they were quotes.

Scott

Jack, was that $40/day for the room steward and waiters or was that $40/day for each individual wait staff. That does sound very high. But a tip is just that. If someone earns it, fine. You sound very unhappy with your cruise. I've never been on a cruise that didn't offer tours off the ship. That sounds different as well.

cash

Hey folks, Cruise lines give RECOMMENDED tipping guides - doesn't mean you have to follow them. We loved our Ren. cruises, but their suggested tipping policy is way too high and we tipped what we felt was appropriate. You have the control to do what you want here. <BR>We did the western Med last March - I did compare the shore excursion costs with those of a couple of other lines and they weren't much different. Don't feel imtimidated by printed words if you don't feel them satisfactory or correct - use your common sense.

Sue Risch

We took Renaissance's Tahiti cruise over Christmas on the R4 and had a terrific time. Everything from start to finish went like clockwork. Hawaiian Airlines was great, on time and the service was very good. The cruise was terrific and our stateroom was excellent (with a balcony). We bid on this cruise at an online site and got a fantastic deal. I don't know how the Ren cruises are to Europe but the South Pacific one was excellent. We did buy the insurance because of their policy, but I'd buy it for any cruise. My feeling is...if you don't like the cruise line's policy, don't sail with them; there are many others to choose from.

Kathy

Here is another negative Ren story!! We were booked on a Ren cruise this coming July.(Med Medley, 15 days) While reading itineraries the other night I found out our Ship R5, is not cruising the Mediterranean but is now a cruise of the Baltics. I emailed, Ren , no reply. I called and they were not sure but did finally confirm my fears. The itinerary was cchanged and we were not even notified. what kind of cruise line does this? I am very upset and I still have not heard directly from Ren nor have I received an apology. I am very leery of dealing with this line again. <BR>

Howie

We were also booked on the same cruise, I believe, for July 12, 2000. We also heard circuitously about the cancellation and in fact have not received any official mail notification (or e-mail) from Rensaissance, except that they acknowleged when called, that the cruise was indeed cancelled! Not only that, but because of exchange rate fluctuations for the Canadian Dollar, we LOST over $270.00 when Renaissance refunded us (I guess we should be thankful that they did at least give us a refund). They simply refuse to take responsibility for this loss to us and so we have had to swallow the difference for the Problem THEY created! We may not be the most experienced cruisers around but we have taken 15 cruises with HAL, Celebrity (our FAVOURITE!), RCI, and Princess. It is clear that had Renaissance handled things properly, we would probably use them again but NOT NOW and so they have lost a lot of potential business. <BR> <BR>Finally, about the only thing that Renaissance indicated to us by way of accommodation, was that they were offering $250.00 pp coupons for another cruise booking with them. Indeed! We had a better response from RCI when they missed a port due to an engine room fire. They not only gave ship-account credits of $100.00 per cabin but also $250.00 pp coupons as well. In relation to the coupons, I sent a letter to RCI actually commending them on how well they handled the emergency, and yet they still felt compelled to send us coupons! <BR> <BR>The bottom line is, unless you like gambling in more than the shipboard casinos, DON'T BOOK RENAISSANCE!!!!

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi all, <BR>I can not understand why Ren's tipping policy is so high. Apparently Ren does not pay their employees at all and they probably charge them for room and board. <BR> <BR>Most employees of other lines (except those that work for the lines that do not have a policy) get paid approx. $60 per month ... free room and board. Therefore I do tell my customers to please tip at least the standard amount even if the employee screws up a bit. If they give you great service put a little extra in the envelope. <BR> <BR>As far as taxis in foreign countries, I advise my customers to NOT take a chance. For their own peace of mind, pay the extra money and go with the ship's tours. Caribbean, of course, is different. <BR> <BR>Even in the Caribbean leave plenty of time to get back to the ship since taxis have a tendency to break down. <BR> <BR>Paul

Howie

Just to let everyone know, it's been at least two weeks and we still have not received anything in the mail about Renaissance's cancellation of the July package for the Med that we had booked. We have also not seen any evidence of those promised coupons, not that I am surprised given their totally cavalier attitude we experienced when dealing with this issue. <BR> <BR>On a related matter, you may be interested to learn that there are now a number of insurance companies that will NOT insure Ren cruises! <BR> <BR>So, they seem to have an excellent product, but the risks one takes in order to experience this are simply not worth it!

Paul Therault

It is quite unbelievable that people are continuing to listen to the Ren. high pressure salespeople (they are really high pressure even though they do not come off as such). <BR> <BR>People on this forum call me a cry-baby and other assorted names that I would care not to repeat since I push my customers away from Ren., but simply put, Ren. is NOT a reputable cruise line. <BR> <BR>When I travel on vacation, I wish to have peace of mind. I would rather spend an extra $1,000 than have the fear of losing $2,000.

Howie

Well said. One can simply not trust this company to deliver. That's how they keep down their costs, among other things!