Hi folks,

The word going around the Royal Caribbean board is that the individual room stewards(i.e. one room steward is assigned a group or rooms and handles cleaning and service for those rooms) are being replaced by what amounts to a 'cleaning staff'.

This of course lowers the quality of service and removes any personal touch, even if they wanted to the folks in the newly organised groups are too overworked to provide any personal service.

I just thought I'd check in the other boards to see what the standard was on the other lines, (and check out the service on my cruise in a couple of weeks) before planning my next cruise.

Thanks!

If true, this is HORRIBLE. Along with all the other erosions around the industry, this is yet another way the cruise experience is being watered down and diluted and being turned into nothing more than a floating facsimilie of a land based resort.

[ 03-22-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

The change has already occured according to folks who just got off ships, so it is more than a rumor.

Unless the program hasn't been inauguranted on Granduer yet, this rumor is unfounded. And I find it likely that room stewards will remain. Don't forget about all the rumors that started because of the JR charges. I'm sure that is the only one that is true. As for the future, who knows.

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Originally posted by Sokker14:
I was on the Granduer of the Seas last month and, while we enjoyed a stay at the dock instead of in the islands, the traditional room stewards were certainly there, as were the towel animals, good service, and chocolates each night.

Unless the program hasn't been inauguranted on Granduer yet, this rumor is unfounded. And I find it likely that room stewards will remain. Don't forget about all the rumors that started because of the JR charges. I'm sure that is the only one that is true. As for the future, who knows.

What I have to say is though, at least the rates on RCI, Carnival, NCL, and Princess are relatively low. When I sailed on QM2, the service and food were no better. Now they are charging for Todd English. At three to four times the price, I'd rather be paying extra for RCI or Carnival than Cunard.

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Yeah but that was last month, this is now, today.

[ 03-22-2004: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

In this day and age, seems that where one Line goes another follows.

My Stateroom/Cabin Steward is very special on a cruise or a crossing! He's catering to ME -attention that I expect, for which I'm paying, and for which he/she will be compensated.

A 'cleaning crew' is like Molly Maid Service, different people each time - give me my regular 'cleaning lady' any day!

[ 03-22-2004: Message edited by: Green ]

As these ships get larger, operations take precedence over personalization. They become 'people processors'. They seem to overlook the aspect of cruising is often the memories of the people you meet, the personalized service you are afforded. I board ship for that period of feeling like you are NOT amoung the masses. Those special moments when a kind steward knows your name and the simple pleasure of knowing how you like your coffee or tea prepared. That is the product that cruising offers that means more to me than a rock climbing wall, soaring atrium, mega spas or purchasing a tailor made suit on my cruise.

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Originally posted by PamM:
I fail to see what benefit this proposal has for RCCL? Maybe I am daft, but they still need the same number of staff, with the same number of cabins to see to, morning and night.

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Good points Pam. Frankly I don't see how this change (even if it is true) would make any financial difference to RCI.... for all the reasons you point out. I also really don't care who cleans my cabin so long as it's done well and without interruption. There have been cruises when I've known my cabin steward and others when I never saw them. It didn't change my enjoyment of the cruise one way or the other. In both cases the cabin was kept very well. If a personal relationship with your cabin steward is required for enjoyment of a cruise vacation... well then maybe you need to get out more!

Back in the day when the actual cabin steward was at your beck and call, such as taking room service orders, delivering them, etc. it was more important to have a specific steward and to have a relationship with them. Of course this was also when you had a call button next to your bed to ring them. Today, room service is ordered and delivered by a separate department on most cruise ships (via TV or phone), and you don't even directly tip the cabin steward (or anyone else) with automated tipping in place on most ships. If you want an extra pillow, again, you call room service and many times someone else will deliver it.

I understand why everyone *thinks* they need their own personal steward (even though he/she still has 20+ cabins to clean), but the reality of it is that it's just not necessary in today's cruising environment.

Personally I think this is just more hysteria from the CC Royal Caribbean board. Lately people over there have been fabricating rumors about RCI such as paying for all deserts all in an attempt to raise emotions. Why? Because they are so upset over a test that RCI is conducting regarding a fee for Johnny Rockets. They will say just about anything right now to get people riled up. Don't fall into the trap.

Take it all with a grain of salt as it's really nothing to get your knickers in a knot over.

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Originally posted by PamM:

As with other comments made, an allocated steward/ess knows your ways pretty quickly, fancy having to explain each day to someone different, for eg, that you want your ice bucket filled at 4pm and not when the beds are turned down, so many things.

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Yes, but hotels are often very good at knowing your preferences, especially good hotels. Playing devils advocate... how about the passengers that get stuck with the crappy cabin steward. They get no relief and have to deal with the same problems over and over again for the length of the cruise.

There are usually good and bad points to every change.

Again, I'm not nearly convinced RCI is even making this change based on what I've read on other ridiculous posts at the source of this rumor.

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Originally posted by eroller:

If a personal relationship with your cabin steward is required for enjoyment of a cruise vacation... well then maybe you need to get out more!

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I disagree Eroller, it's the same concept as having the same waitstaff every night at dinner.

[ 03-24-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]