Name: Lore Rosen
Email: ETGC485@AOL.COM
Age: 56
Occupation: self-employed
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Rhapsody
SailingDate: 4-24-98
Itinerary: Ensenada-Hawaii-Kawai-Maui-Oahu
FoodDiningRoom: 65
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 65
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 70
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 65
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 85
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 65
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 70
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 70
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 22 May 1998
Time: 14:39:03
Remote Name: 152.163.205.237
Remote User:

Comments

The embarkation was a mess due to the problems encountered for those who had transfers from RCI in getting from San Diego to Ensenada. For example, most
of us arrived in San Diego at about 12 pm and did not board the ship in Ensenada until 7 or 8 pm. They didn't seem to have enough buses or help hired for this
purpose. There must have been at least 1,000 passengers who needed this transfer and it was not handled well -- very disorganized.

The ship was beautiful but much of the carpeting -- in public rooms, as well as cabins -- was stained and old-looking, as was the upholstery on the chairs in
public areas. This was surprusing on such a new ship.

The main problem was the food, mainly in dining room. We were second seating and were simply shocked at 1. The quality of the food served 2. The number of
items -- even those featured for that meal-- that were simply not available.

Basics like bananas were not available until third or fourth day into the cruise. It seemed as though at every meal, at least 2 or 3 things we were told 'We're out
of that, Sir or Madam.' This happened to our tablemates as well. Bagels were not available until the day before we disembarked. When we ordered a steak well
done it always came back rare. Sent back, it was returned to us rare again. The steaks, prime rib, etc. were poor quality and chewy. The smoked salmon I
ordered one day was very bad-looking and after one taste, I realized it was bad. Shrimp cocktail consisted of canned baby shrimp. Buffets consisted of lots of
tuna and mayonnaise loaded sandwiches along with very poor quality fruit -- oranges and pears, some apples and unappealing desserts. Other exotic fruits
were unavailable. They did often have a melon ball fruit cup as an appetizer at lunch and dinner. The cones used for the soft ice cream were very stale. The
food situation simply was unacceptable on a ship of this caliber.

Our dining room wait staff seemed quite inexperienced and service was extremely slow. This might have been better tolerated had the food been up to par.

Cabin steward service was excellent, and so was room service, which we ordered for breakfast several mornings.

Pursers were rude and arrogant to the point of being offensive. Many other passengers commented on this. It was shocking.

The entertainment in the main theater was very good. We had Frankie Avalon one night and an Italian singer - Renato. The pianist-magician was also very good.
The lounge singer-pianist was excellent and we could have done with more of her. She was only on for 1 hour or so and not every day it seemed.

There could have been more of a variety of interesting things to do aboard ship. There was a lot of the ship-shape exercise stuff, but the gym was always so full
that there was little room.

Comments: Beautiful ship but not kept up very well. Food quality poor and they were out of a great many items on every menu. Entertainment good on the
whole. Deck and afternoon entertainment poor. Need more good lounge entertainment. Pursers shockingly rude. Cabin stewards and room service excellent.
Cabins comfortable and quite spacious.

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