RCL Voyager of the Seas?
 

Considering taking Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas to the Western Caribbean in August for our honeymoon. We are first-time cruisers. Anyone been on this ship/itinerary? Is it hurricane season in August? How is the food? Thanks in advance.

Whether or not you will encounter a hurricane depends on when in August you will go. Late August is risky - Hurricane Andrew devestated Florida in late August. I live on the Gulf Coast and I always cruise in the summer due to my job, and have never had a problem in June or July. In August, even if you don't have a hurricane, you can have a lot of tropical depressions, which can mean rain on your vacation. Late August and the month of September are the height of Hurricane season. <BR>As far as the Voyager, it is an incredible ship! I am booked for early June. This will be my second time on the ship. So much to do, I didn't get to do it all the first time!!! My only complaint would be the food. it is ok in the buffets (midnight included), inconsistent in the dining rooms(sometimes great, sometimes just ok), and very good in the specialty restaurants like Johnny Rockets and Portofino's. Overall, I highly recommend the ship.

Hi Beth, I hate to be the bearer of bad tiddings, but I would suggest another choice for a honeymoon. My wife and I booked a honeymoon in Nov. of 2000 with RCCL. We anxiously anticipated what we thought would be a trip of pampering and good food. UH AHHH!!! The food was served cafeteria style in the casual lounge which claim, and I quote "The Same Elegant Cuisine" as the main dining room. Well, if you like a Ponderosa steak house or Arbys you'll love their food. The rooms are ultra small, and we had the large suite. Everyone's got their handout for a tip. And they nickle and dime you for about everything. I was charged 0.86 for a cup of coffee on one of the upper lounge decks. In my opinion this had to be the worst experience of a vacation let alone my honeymoon. May I suggest an all inclusive trip with nothing to worry about, except enjoying yourselves. If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me.

Thanks for the insight. Had no idea RCCL is that bad. I've heard that they charge for everything. Is Celebrity any better? Another one we are thinking of the Celebrity Century. Thanks again!

I am sorry that Greg had such a bad experience. I noticed Greg didn't mention whether or not he had been on the Voyager. I have, and I had a good time. Like I stated above, the food was not as consistent as I liked, but everything else was great. <BR>I have sailed on Royal Caribbean many times and have had very good experiences each time. Sure, there are a few snafus, but that can happen on any cruise ship, any cruise line. I have heard people complain about Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, etc. Of course, I constantly hear complaints about Carnival. But there are thousands like me who have a wonderful time - why do you think the cruise industry is growing? <BR>Unfortunately, a growing trend is for ALL cruise lines to start charging for extras. But the only things I was charged for outside of drinks and tours was eating at Portafino's. <BR>I have never sailed on Celebrity, but I constantly hear very good things about them, especially the food. The only problem you will have is that you will be limited to one ship if you sail in the summer to the Caribbean. Plus, Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean! <BR>Good luck in your decision, and let me know if you would like any additional info.

<BR>Hi Beth, <BR> <BR>Do not let the "average" food ruin the total experience of the Voyager. <BR> <BR>I have sailed and can truly say I had the most enjoyable time of any of my 67 cruises. <BR> <BR>The ice show is spectacular. The attention to detail such as the gold bullion imbedded in the floor, the corridors that wind with dioramas at every turn, the collections of old radios and TV's. I can go on and on. You will not see it all in 7 days. I am sailing the Explorer next month. <BR> <BR>Granted the food is average but you get plenty of it. The waiters undersand and put many entrees on the table for you to choose if you do not care for yours. <BR> <BR>In any event, the desserts are the best. <BR> <BR>Do take the negativity in this forum chase you away from this ship. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>

Please don't let Greg's bad attitude turn you off to RCCL. I've sailed with them many times and have had WONDERFUL experiences. You can have a bad experience anywhere. I've had some very bad experiences in five start hotels. Mostly, you vacation is what you make of it. If you're going to concentrate on little bothersome things, then you'll ruin the vacation for yourself. Both RCCL and Celebrity offer a great vacation for the money.

Hi Again, <BR>I don't want to be rude, but I would still beg to differ with the opinions of the others following my last comment. I have lived all over the world, and traveled all over the world. Granted every vacation should be taken with a grain of salt. But, when your brochures show one thing, and what you get is completely the opposite that is more than bending with the wind. Several examples would be: being charged 0.86 for a cup of coffee on one of the lounge areas, having 80% of the night entertainment close before it's posted times, and the food was not bad it was atrocious. I'm glad to hear the other people had a good time, but when I pay top dollar for accomodations and service. I expect the same in return. Another side note, I recently watched a program on The Learning Channel. It basically warned the public about what I am already posting.

Just curious Greg, two questions: 1) exactly which Royal Caribbean ship did you sail on 2) How many cruises have you been on? I would be willing to bet some of your negative experiences would be due to your travel agent not telling you everything you needed to know. Please answer.

Hi Cathy, <BR> <BR>I think it's immaterial which ship I was on, since most of my discontent lies within the contradiction of RCCL's advertising. They show a brochure with well dresssed people eating succulent food. When you get on the ship it's people in cut-offs being served hamburgers. <BR> <BR>Yes, this was my first cruise, and my last. I grew up in Europe, have lived in Bermuda, Switzerland, Austria, Paris, and more. I have traveled all over the world. Ther are some trips I have been on with no running water. In all cases I had a good idea what I was in for. I was not shown pretty pictures, nor did they have paragraph upon paragraph misleading me in to thinking I was going to get more than what I expected. <BR> <BR>Yes, I am also holding the travel agent acccountable for this nightmare as well. When you get robbed by several thieves you prosecute all of them, but you go after the one holding the gun.

Greg in this world you get what you pay for. You can't expect Crystal service for Rccl prices.

We are sailing on the Voyager of the Seas in April. I have read hundreds of posts and almost as many reviews on other travel/cruise forums. While occasionally there are a couple of negative comments, overwhelmingly people seem to be wow'd by this ship. I have even had people email me telling me that they would go again in a heartbeat. I find it interesting that Greg doesn't want to tell anyone which ship he sailed on. If my trip were that terrible, I would be happy to post the name of the ship.

Dawn, the ship was the "Sovereign of the Seas". And as to the childish remark of you get what you pay for. I have paid the same amount of money to stay in a five star hotel in Paris right near the Sorbonne. It was for 10 days. I enjoyed some of the best food I have ever had in my life. Along with many many other amneties. I spent 5 days/ four nights on that ship, and did not get 1/4 the kind of service, food, or luxuries afforded to me on dozens of other vacations costing the same amount. I'm sorry but when the rst of the world can provide the things I expected, when one company cannot, You have to say there is a problem.

Dawn, the ship was the "Sovereign of the Seas". And as to the childish remark of you get what you pay for. I have paid the same amount of money to stay in a five star hotel in Paris right near the Sorbonne. It was for 10 days. I enjoyed some of the best food I have ever had in my life. Along with many many other amneties. I spent 5 days/ four nights on that ship, and did not get 1/4 the kind of service, food, or luxuries afforded to me on dozens of other vacations costing the same amount. I'm sorry but when the rst of the world can provide the things I expected, when one company cannot, You have to say there is a problem.

Greg in another post you mention your web site of www.royalcaribbeansucks.com and invite people to go to it. You state in your web site that you went on a RCCL in 1998 and your fiance falls off a horse. You are suing RCCL (why? I don't know!!). Now your going on your honeymoon on the same RCCL cruise line? It doesn't make sense to me. <BR> <BR>Please explain why!!

Sorry Greg. Just reread the web site and see that you were not the person involved. <BR> <BR>

Hi Karl, <BR>I was just trying to show that I was not the only person burned by this line. And also, to what extent their lack of customer service will go. But thanks for asking.

Hello Greg <BR>I agree with you that anytime anyone puts out their hard earned money for anykind of vacation experience, that person deserves to know exactly what they are paying for and what to expect. <BR> <BR>The Sovereign is now one of Royal Caribbeans older ships. It primarily does 3-4 day cruises and a good travel agent would have told you that short cruises do tend to attract people who are more "casual" about the cruise experince. Shame on the travel agent! This is another reason why I love the internet and boards like this. I can get a great deal of advice to be able to make an informed decision. <BR>Don't give up on cruising just yet, Greg. You may enjoy a longer cruise with a line like Celebrity. Better food and perhaps a line that matches your expectations better. And good luck with dealing with your hopefully EX travel agent! <BR>

Hi Cathy, <BR> <BR>I was not aware of this, and do primarily hold the travel agent responsible. Although, the brochure that RCCL supplies concerning this type of cruise is not in the most remote way what we had to deal with. I to wish I had seen this web site prior to my honeymoon. That is why I have been trying to inform people of this misinformation supplies by RCCL. <BR>

Greg <BR>Because the SOS is one of the older ships in RCI's fleet is a lame excuse for what you experienced. Actually, SOS is not that old as far as a ship is concerned(The Pacific and Crown Princesses, QE2, Marco Polo, etc. are all older and kept in fine shape). RCI also promotes the fact that they now have the youngest fleet in the industry. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, you had to experience exactly what RCI's slogan says: "Like no other Vacation on Earth."