Cruise Talk: Anyone been on a Renaissance Cruise lately? (R1 or newer)

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Anyone been on a Renaissance Cruise lately? (R1 or newer)

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Topic: Anyone been on a Renaissance Cruise lately? (R1 or newer)

Pam I Am
Just Boarded
Member # 361

posted 03-09-1999 06:03 PM

Just like you, I've cruised before. And just like you I've had some positive and some not so positive experiences.

I'm thinking of taking the R3 inaugural cruise in late August to Tahiti. The only way I've been able to find anything out about this ship is to look it up directly through Renaissance Cruise Line's web site. It's an excellent website...and appears to be the only real way to book a cruise, on the R3.

The prices and discriptions sound too good to be true! That's why I'm asking. Anyone who as been on the R1 or R2 (or maybe even the Renaissance VII or VIII)...please let me know.

Posts: 1 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Mar 99

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 03-09-1999 09:12 PM

Pam,

You are right about Renaissance wanting you to book directly with them. In general, they do not book through travel agents in the US. We have brief reviews of the R One and R Two at http://www.travelpage.com/cruise/renaissance.htm and we have reviews by TravelPage.com readers at http://www.travelpage.com/yourfav/yourfav_cruise.htm

Joe at travelpage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Mary
First Class Passenger
Member # 316

posted 03-17-1999 11:04 AM

We are booked on the R1 for late May and I booked basically on a few good reviews. Like you I was attracted to the prices. We did book through a travel agent (so it isn't impossible) and it wasn't until later that I learned of their policy of encouraging direct bookings. Since we are paid in full I am hoping we made the correct decision. (With the travel advisory for Turkey issued by the State Department today I am beginning to worry more about world affairs than the ship.)
If Joe at the Travel page is "listening" I am curious as to what the inside buzz is on how Renaissance's policy of direct bookings is working for them. I recently read of poll of cruise travellers saying 90% of them preferred to book through an agent.

Posts: 35 | Registered: Jan 99

Jeannette
Just Boarded
Member # 206

posted 03-27-1999 09:49 PM

I booked on the R-1 after reading 40-50 reviews. Almost all were uniformly excellent. The best source is AOL. Even cruisers with experience on 20-30 cruises said that Renaissance was a terrific deal and a great experience.

Posts: 1 | Registered: Mar 99

JanC
First Class Passenger
Member # 198

posted 03-28-1999 01:26 AM

If you go to stutt.com and go into the Wheelhouse section there is a very comprehensive article on Renaissance Cruises and covers all of their policies including the following: You save $500. by paying up front. You must be fully paid 120 days in advance. If you have a deposit down (which is quite steep) and cancel, the deposit is forteited. They do not offer cancellation or other types of insurance. You must do this on your own. No smoking. No one under 18 allowed on board. One thing not mentioned is that they are terrific on last minute bookings (if you can manage that) and even waive the single supplement on certain occasions. Since they want your business directly, their agents seem to be very anxious to be of service.

Posts: 17 | Registered: Dec 98

KimG
Just Boarded
Member # 257

posted 04-11-1999 12:30 AM

Pam, see my comments to Katina 's 3/26/99 Renaissance question in Cruise Lines thread. New ships (R1 - R6) will be identical - very pretty, elegant, not real big (<700 passengers), no movie theater, no video arcade, not geared to kids at all (who're not even allowed after 3/1/99), because the shore excursions really are the entertainment, at least on the R1 itinerary (Greek Isles). Very well organized, almost undetectable ship motion unless bad weather or out on open seas, shore excursions led by fantastic local guides (excellent command of English). 98% friendly service, management listens when you (rarely) have a complaint. Only complaints - room service menu EXTREMELY limited (about 12 items), no real "frequent cruiser" discounts or program (yet), and skip dinner with the captain if invited - he was a chauvinistic boor (and bore!). Unless you're 20-something and/or looking for at-sea entertainment and glitz, you'll enjoy!! We're going again this Xmas on the R2.

Direct booking policy must be working - I scoured the web, AARP, AAA, USAA, employer travel desk, and called 8 of the largest and highest-recommended (by Frommer) cruise brokers trying to get a better price for our next Renaissance cruise, but consistently got the same message - NO agent commissions, so most agents will not recommend them unless you ask. They continue to be sold out though, and just this week introduced a "past guest" discount notification system via email that promises "spectacular", "substantial" discounts available only thru this email system. I remain skeptical - so far snail-mail "past guest" discounts have only been $100-200 per person (even for top owners suites), and if you refer a friend who buys a cruise, you get a $100 shipboard certificate - big whoopee - unimpressive. But they seem to be listening to feedback, so keep your eyes on them.

Bottom line - prices are as advertised but check cabin dimensions on their web site, terrific ships, service, food good (but not spectacular), fab destinations - go for it!

Posts: 6 | From: Dallas TX USA | Registered: Mar 99

743743
Just Boarded
Member # 7

posted 05-25-1999 01:08 PM

R 1 cruise to Mediterranean and Israel ending in Turkey, Feb, 1999- excellent in cruise and land portions. highly recommend.
BUT, most of the passengers are older and couples.

Posts: 7 | From: Cape Coral, FL, US | Registered: May 99

743743
Just Boarded
Member # 7

posted 05-25-1999 01:18 PM

I have had experiences with R-1 and R-8.
Great ships but completely different in style, cabins and passengers.

The smaller R-8, to me a single passenger, older age-about late fifties, was boring during cruise times. there mostly are older couples, more affluent persons who group together. little recreational/entertainment activities. However, it has a wonderful "yacht-like" environment with excellent decor and cabins. My cabin was on the purser level and huge. Staff are quite good and the excursion agencies and hotels are wonderful. Food was satisfactory but not as good as RCCL.

I am booked on R-3 in Nov to Tahiti. I expect it to be wonderful like the other
trips.

Posts: 7 | From: Cape Coral, FL, US | Registered: May 99

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