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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Buddy McKinney
Email: budmckinney@earthlink.net
Age: 54
Occupation: Sales
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: 09/05/99
Itinerary: Greek Isles-- Istanbul to Athens
Cabin: 6037 cat. G
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 60
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 40
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 70
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 50
FoodVariety: 70
DeckService: 70
ShoreExcValue: 30
GoodForHoneymoon: 50
CasinoStaff: 70
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 30
LoungeService: 60
TenderService: 60
GoodForSeniors: 50
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 50
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 60
OverallPortsofCall: 60
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 70
CruiseActivities: 50
Casino: 70
AirSeaProgram: 60
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 70
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 60
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 70
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 14 Sep 1999
Time: 21:40:28
Remote Name: sdn-ar-001tnknoxp167.dialsprint.net
Remote User:
Comments
My wife and I left Knoxville one day early to spend time in New York. We enjoyed our stay
in NY. We went to JFK at
4:00 pm and the check in with World Airways was very quick and easy. At 8:45 pm we boarded
and started our 9 hour
flight to Istanbul. Anyone planning this trip with World Airways should be prepared for
the smallest seats I have ever
seen and the hottest plane I have ever been on. It didn't matter how much you complained
they would not cool it off. It
was not just one flight crew, it was done on the round trip. I got so hot that I sweated
so much that I am so congested
now that I can't talk.
The two day stay in Istanbul was very interesting. We had several small after shocks that
would keep you on your toes.
The hotel we were in was the Renaissance Polat which is a very nice hotel but very
expensive. Breakfast costs about
$22.00 per person and the evening meal about $40.00 per person. You had to pay these
prices because the hotel is
isolated and a taxi ride to somewhere else would off set the difference.
The boarding process is very easy and in less than 15 minutes you are on board and being
escorted to your cabin.
We had a Cat G cabin with an obstructed view, very obstructed with a lifeboat and very
little can be seen out the
window. We had plenty of storage space and were very pleased with our cabin. We ate the
buffet mostly and was very
pleased with all meals. We did not want to play dress up to go to the reservations only
cafe's so we used the very
casual buffet. No complaint with the food at all, very well pleased. The night shows were
not very good but this is a port
intensive cruise so very little was expected on the night life. Renaissance Cruise Lines
really push their very expensive
port tours and will do nothing to help you if you don't use them. We took tours in
Istanbul, Rhodes, Kusadasi, Santorini
and Athens. We spent almost $800.00 on 6 tours and did not feel like we got much for what
we paid. The highlights of
Athens at the end of the cruise is a joke. We paid $60.00 each and got 1 hour and 20
minutes to tour the Acropolis
and then rushed to your hotel for check in. The hotel in Athens was the Divini Carivel and
it needs a lot of work. We
had one 4.9 quake while there and several small after shocks. Again the nerves are tried.
If you want a feeling of total
isolation you get it from Renaissance on the back end of the package. The very hateful
women, especially one named
Maria, are never there and when they are you get no help and a hateful attitude. On the
last day in Athens a bus load
of us had a tour to Sounion that left at 4:45pm and Renaissance had told us they would
have someone at the
Hospitality deesk at 4:30pm to give out luggage tags for the transfer to the airport the
next day. At 4:30 Maria shows
up and states she will not give out anything until she gets her table set up and when we
try to explain that we had a
tour leaving at 4:45 she said that we could either wait on her or not have any information
about the departure the next
day and that she would be leaving that night at 7:00pm. So we left late on the tour.
I would not do this package with Renaissance again even if it were free. The air service
in a small seat is horrible, the
luggage pick up at Istanbul is a major confused mess and the Renaissance people in Athens
are terrible. Most people
who read this will probably have already booked with Renaissance and under penalty from
day one so all I can say is
good luck and I hope the best for you. If Renaissance will dump off 684 people in two
countries that have been hit hard
with earthquakes with no concern for your safety tells me they have money problems and
they will put dollars ahead of
your safety. I love to cruise and will cruise again but I will stick with Celebrity or
RCCL from now on, never again with
Renaissance. Renaissance has a good idea with the air-cruise package at a reasonable price
that most people can
afford but the air needs improving and the 4 hotel days need to be taken out and 2 more
cruise days put in.
I hope this will help someone considering Renaissance.
Name: Nicole Rossi
Email: nrossi@ropers.com
Age: 32
Occupation: Attorney
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: September 1 to 12th
Itinerary: Istanbul to Athens
Cabin: C
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 88
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 70
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 50
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 80
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff: 100
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 100
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 75
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 17 Sep 1999
Time: 19:44:10
Remote Name: ccmgate.ropers.com
Remote User:
Comments
My husband and I just returned from our honneymoon aboard the R-1 (Istanbul to Athens).
Despite the many warnings
I received about Renaissance we both were thrilled about the entire trip. Overall I would
highly recommend
Renaissance and we plan on cruising with them in the future.
A few things to point out. First, the booking agents are not always above board. We were
told we would fly commercial
airlines. After we paid (remember, it is non-refundable) we learned we were on a charter.
As this was our honneymoon
and I had had bad experiences with charters, I was not interested in fying a charter on
this trip. When I approached
Renaissance with this they denied the misrepresentation and after a few rounds with the
manager he threatened to
cancel our trip. I finally was able to get an air credit and got a better deal on a
commerical airline. CAVEAT, do not
believe everything the agents tell you.
Irrespective of the terrible service we received from the booking agents we loved
everything about this trip. The hotel
in Instanbul was beautiful and the service was fabulous. The ship was great. We had a
private balcony (so worth the
extra few hundred dollars). The room was very large and well appointed. The staff was
great, always very helpful. The
food was very good and the open seating and country club attire was a nice touch. Don't
expect too many activities on
the ship, that is not what these cruises are about. overall, you will not want to get off
of this boat when the cruise is
over.
We had a great time at each of the destinations. We took two of the Renaissance tours.
They are very expensive and
the excursion desk will not help you arrange your own itinerary. The tour guides were all
locals who very very
educated and articulate. I would recommended taking one or two just for the ride.
Athens is a dirty and poor city. Renaissance does its best to make your stay enjoyable,
but there is not much to work
with in that city.
One final note, ignore most of what you read on these opinion pages. Anyone who says the
R-I is bad must be a travel
agent who is angry about the fact that Renaissance does not give our commissions. This is
a great deal and a great
ship. If you want miniture golf courses and all you can eat buffets, go somewhere else.
Name: Kevin Henry
Email: kevin@henry2.freeserve.co.uk
Age: 29
Occupation: Insurance
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: Sept. 10
Itinerary: Athens-Instanbul
Cabin: 8023 -B
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 60
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 92
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 93
DeckService: 99
ShoreExcValue: 60
GoodForHoneymoon: 50
CasinoStaff: 72
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 10
LoungeService: 88
TenderService: 75
GoodForSeniors: 96
BeautySalonStaff: 82
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 65
EntertShowLounge: 20
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon: 88
EntertainmentPoolside: 79
CruiseActivities: 60
Casino: 60
AirSeaProgram: 88
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 93
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 22 Sep 1999
Time: 05:42:02
Remote Name: 194.168.238.141
Remote User:
Comments
Hats off to Renaissance Cruises. I've been on five other cruises, all with Royal
Caribbean, and this criuse was one of
the best. The R1 ship is beautiful, clean, and the staff is extrememly helpful and
friendly. My wife and I were very
impressed with the patience and friendliness of the staff, even when they were treated
rudely by some passengers.
We really liked the casual dress, no smoking, no children, and eat when you want policies
aboard ship. The ship has
four restaurants and two of them take reservations. The food is very good, especially in
the main dining room. We
enjoyed the Italian and Grill restaurant, but found the food not quite as good in the main
dining room. The service was
excellent and the staff were geniunely interested if you enjoyed the meal. Our only
compliant is that it is very difficult to
get a table for two and you end up sitting with different people everynight.
The cabins aboard the R1 were immaculate. We had a B-class cabin which was bigger than
most hotel rooms and had
a huge balcony. We heard from other passengers that the other rooms were very nice and
comfortable. The ship
showed a nice variety of movies and tv programs.
This ship is mainly geared towards seniors, so it is quiet and relaxing. There were only a
few couples younger than 50
and most people were older than 60. Becasue of the age group there are not alot of
shipboard activities planned. The
major activities planned were the shore excursions, which were excellent. Although
expensive, the tours were handled
very well and the tour guides were excellent.
The port of calls are great. Athens, the Greek Isles, and Istanbul and wonderful places to
visit and Renaissance does
a good job of scheduling tours to see the important sights. As oppposed to other cruise
lines, Renaissance does not
have a limit to the number of people who can sign up for the tours. We really liked this
because on most other cruise
ships, the tours sell out and the passengers are stuck on their own.
If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing cruise with great ports of calls (and really nice
hotels) this is the cruise for you.
No kids, no smoking, casual, and a very clean ship. We will defintely try to take a
Renaissance cruise in the future.
Name: John R. Marler
Email: jmarler@marfam.com
Age: 54
Occupation: Computer Mfg
NumberOfCruises: 14
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: 10-5-99
Itinerary: Istanbul - Athens
Cabin: 8035 - B Class
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 50
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 2
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 2
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 2
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 50
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff: 2
PrivateIsland: 2
GoodForFamilies: 10
LoungeService: 25
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 100
EntertainmentLounges: 75
WheelchairAccess: 50
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 75
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon: 100
EntertainmentPoolside: 70
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino: 2
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities: 90
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 2
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 25
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 18 Oct 1999
Time: 19:36:03
Remote Name: 216.70.143.164
Remote User:
Comments
The only negative we can say is the communication between customers and sales/customer
service is the worst I
have had. They tell you anything they want to get you off the phone. We were told not to
check into the flight until
1:00 PM and found that they accepted check in at 10:00 AM! The seat you get on the way out
is the seat you get
on the return!
The Cruise and land staff are EXCELLENT. We loved the shipboard treatment and the food in
the main dinning
room was excellent enough that we found no need for the reservation only Grill. The
Italian Room was just as good
as the main dinning room, but for full freedom, we ate our meals in the main room.
Excursions are Strenuous and for handicap access - just not available. This is the nature
of the sites, not the cruise
lines. We loved Istanbul and the people. Athens was too crowded and had the worst taxi
drivers I have ever
experienced. We located a wonderful driver and hope to share him with anyone who asks us.
Except for Corinth, I
could have not felt I missed not going to Athens.
The airline on the way out treated us to good food and service. On the return, we got the
feeling that the cruise line
did not care and the food was substantially less quality and the service was a lot less
that the way out.
I would recommend the cruise with the warning that you demand communication and do not
book until you are
absolutly convinced that you have, in writing, exactly what you are bargaining for. Keep
in mind that if youbook
early, you pay a penalty as the cruise line discounts deeply as the date for departure
closes in. If cabin assignment
is not imperative, then the email bargains can save you 60-70%!!
Name: S. Zuorski
Email: zdocx@aol.com
Age: 48
Occupation: Dietitian
NumberOfCruises: 12
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: 11/19/99
Itinerary: Jerusalem/Istanbul
Cabin: 8017H
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 70
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 80
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 70
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 70
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 60
AirSeaProgram: 80
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 50
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 60
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 30 Nov 1999
Time: 10:34:15
Remote Name: spider-tm071.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
I thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. We selected this cruise specifically for its itinerary
and land component and we were not
disappointed. Check in in JFK with World Airways was simple and the 8 pm flight to Israel
long. However, the flight crew
worked hard to provide adequate food beverage service and we were able to sleep a few
hours. It is unfortunate that we
'lose' time when traveling east and we arrived in the afternoon, effectively decreasing
our land experiance time. The
transfer to the Hyatt Hotel in Jerusalem provided us with our first tour opportunity. The
hotel was lovely and cabs to other
parts of town easy to arrange. All shore excursions were 1/2 price this cruise and we took
advantage of this. We chose the
Masada/dead sea tour and it was amazing. An important point here, our cruise had many
elderly(not fit middle agers too)
who overestimated their physical ablities. If the tour description says'strenous and where
appropriate shoes' please
believe it! Bus tours make my husband and I cranky and we would probably try to arrange
our own tours next time. The
price could not be beat this cruise! We embarked at Haifa, a simple procedure. Our cabin,
least expensive inside, was
very comfortable and roomy. We had queen bed and room enough for a loveseat, plenty of
storage space. We hardly saw
our stewardess, but we got a prompt response for every request. We ate in both the main
dining room and the two
reservation restaurants(no problem getting a reservation time).No assigned tables, dinner
companions or seating times.
The food for lunch and dinner was delicious. Breakfast at the buffet provided more variety
and was tastier than dining
room. No midnight buffets. Coffee etc available in cafe 24 hrs. The entertainment in the
lounge was very enjoyable. I have
seen the big megaproductions (lipsynched) on Princess and RCI and I liked being up close
and personal with the
performers doing their own voices. Most entertainment was over by 10:30 pm. There are some
nice trios playing in the
small lounges the rest of the evening. We, who like to ballroom dance, missed the few
opportunities provided. However,
the jacuzzi was available all night!Not closed at 9pm like most cruises. Minor point, the
Deck chairs/lounges are not
comfortable for reading. The cruise is port intensive. We chose going on our own in
Antalya and Cyprus. We took the tour
to Ephesus in Kusadasie. Our group was the first to the site that day. Wonderful. Probably
going at the end of the season
is a bonus in terms of weather and crowds.We needed the day at sea for rest. The ship had
some difficulties with
electricity etc but this provided only some minor inconveniances and we pulled into
Istanbul on time. The Polat hotel is
beautiful, if a little remote. We took a tour first day to get our bearings and went on
our own after that. Adventures
everywhere. You could spend a week in Istanbul. A word about security. Some of the
complaints I have read are actually
due to extensive security requirements. This is not a part of the world where security is
irrelevant. Lines and staying with
your baggage is a consequence. Our flight home was even longer, but again that flight crew
worked hard.(My parents
returning from Princess trip, San Diego to Oakland took longer to fly home.) Obviously,
first class would have been more
comfortable. I found R1 provided exactly what I expected , excellent ports, fine service
at a very moderate price.
Name: Mike Goldman
Email: goldman@sunlink.net
Age: 57
Occupation: Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: 12/9/99
Itinerary: Athens-Crete-Rhodes-Kusadasi-Istanbul
Cabin: 7041-C
FoodDiningRoom: 78
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 99
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 99
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 99
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 99
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 99
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram: 99
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 75
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 21 Dec 1999
Time: 11:21:37
Remote Name: m1330.sunlink.net
Remote User:
Comments
Never having traveled with (or heard of) Renaissance before, we were a bit leery. We were
pleasantly
surprised! When we arrived at the airport, the check-in procedure had been well organized
by
Renaissance, with personnel to direct passengers and answer questions. Renaissance
contracts with
World Airways (which I vaguely knew) for air-sea connections. Having heard horror stories
about charter
airlines, I was leery of them, too. I was pleasantly surprised! Air service was good and
departure was on
time. Seating is 3-4-3 and business class is available. There was adequate legroom,
although the seats
may be narrower than on other widebodies. We arrived in Athens on time. On arrival at
Athens,
Renaissance staff were available and directed us to our ground transportation; the entire
operation was
well organized and went smoothly. We were booked for three nights at a luxury hotel as
part of our
package. Friends of ours who opted for a lower-cost package were booked into a different
hotel, which was
just as nice as ours. A large variety of optional tours was available; we selected
several. Again, the
arrangement for purchasing tours was very well organized. Generally, the cost of the tours
was on the high
side, which led to some initial grumbling, but the tours turned out to be worth every
penny. The guides
were knowledgeable and we felt that we had received our money's worth. The only exception
was the
'Highlights of Athens' trip, which focused on the Parthenon and seemed to fly us past
everything else.
Meals in Athens (except as part of a tour) were not included. Ground transportation from
the hotel to the
city was provided by hotel shuttle. Transfers from the hotel to the ship were as well
organized as all the
other movements of people. The ship (R-One) is only about a year old, very clean, and our
cabin
(Category C - outside balcony) included a queen-size bed. Cabin personnel were efficient,
and the ship
personnel were friendly (some of them don't speak English very well, particularly where
contact with
passengers is not expected). There are 4 restaurants: one buffet, one open seating, two
require
reservations. On boarding, a crew member told us that the open seating restaurant was
better than the two
reserved seating ones. This was good advice. The food overall is acceptable, but not
outstanding, and the
quality was better in the open-seating restaurant. Incidentally, open-seating means just
what it says -- no
assigned tables. Food portions were smaller than what you typically see on cruise ships.
This is a positive,
not a negative. Less wastage and less waistage. Also, no midnight buffet; food service
stops after 9 PM.
Renaissance cruises are adult (over 18) only and the ship is non-smoking. Even outside
areas are
non-smoking. Nonetheless, there were smokers aboard who thought they wouldn't be noticed
if they
smoked outside on their balconies. They were wrong! The R-One is a relatively small ship
(684
passengers), so there are only two shops and the casino is likewise small. Also, evening
entertainment
takes place in a large lounge, rather than in a separate stage area as on larger ships.
The quality of
entertainment was very good, except for one comedy act, which was mediocre. Renaissance
contracts with
an agency to provide song-and-dance routines, and the shows were high-energy. The
after-hours
entertainment consisted of very danceable music and there was a disco available (but we
didn't go there).
The age of the passengers ranged from about 18 to over 80 and there was enough for
everyone. The ship
offers personalized laundry service or do-it-yourself. Unlike other ships we've been on,
Renaissance
charges for the use of the washers and dryers. One of the negatives of the ship is that
there are only 2
washers and 2 dryers for 684 people. Needless to say, tempers frayed a bit as a result of
the wait for
machines. Port calls in Crete, Rhodes, and Kusadasi included optional tours, some of which
we took.
Again, we felt as if we received our money's worth. In all cases, on-your-own time was
available for
wandering around or shopping. Renaissance has a tipping policy in line with most other
lines, but they also
offer a prepaid tipping plan, in which tips are added to the price of your trip. We liked
this because the
tipping issue is never fun. Our debarkation in Istanbul was as well organized as the
embarkation, with
transfers to the hotel being smooth and efficient. Because the ship arrives at 8 AM,
Renaissance arranges
optional tours that day, so that no time is wasted waiting for your luggage at the hotel.
Optional tours of
Istanbul are also available, as in Athens, along with evening entertainment. We purchased
several of these
and every one was well worth the money. As in Athens, you can purchase as many or as few
tours as you
like. On departure from Istanbul, the flight left at 6 PM, so an additional tour was
available for killing time.
Transfers from the hotel to the airport was as well organized as anything I have ever
seen. Passengers
were assigned buses and luggage was tagged with the same bus number. At the airport,
luggage had to
be personally identified or it was not loaded. On arrival at JFK, as before, Renaissance
personnel were
available to direct passengers through the airport. One significant negative about the
return flight --
because it left Istanbul at 6 PM, arriving JFK at 10 PM, no domestic connections were
possible. This meant
an overnight stay at an exorbitant NY hotel or motel, generally with early morning
connections back to the
airport for departure. Typically, international arrivals are early enough in the afternoon
that domestic
connections are possible. Would we travel with Renaissance again? In a New York minute!
Well organized,
excellent value for the money, good personal skills.
Name: deana baudonnet
Email: deanasuemd@aol.com
Age: 31
Occupation: physician
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-R1
SailingDate: 12-14-99
Itinerary: Istanbol-Athens
Cabin: 4026
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 65
CruiseStaff: 30
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 93
FoodMidnightBuffets: 0
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 75
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess: 0
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 65
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 70
MedicalFacilities: 70
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark:
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace:
Stabilization:
ShopsOnBoard: 70
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 50
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Dec 1999
Time: 16:50:52
Remote Name: spider-tn011.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
Firstly, may I make abundantly clear I am not a travel agent. I am a physician who
believed the hype, that is
a top ten cruise line. I was concerned about traveling to Greece and Turkey during this
time of unrest and
antiAmerican sentiment. However, I thought a cruise would be a safe alternative given
their knowledge of
the region if the unplanned were to arise. Of course the unexpected occurred and the true
nature of the
company was revealed. The bottom line, so as to not belabor the point, is that this
company is concerned
with only their own agenda. No deviation, regardless of reason is permitted. This is all
in the name of
keeping the price low. The bargin basement service can provide no assistance, not even a
phone number
to the airport or names of airlines who fly to the United States. The reception desk staff
is trained to care
for nothing and provide no assistance whatsoever. If you have ANY medical emergency or
urgency, I
strongly urge you to seek definitive medical attention in the States since the ship
physician may not be
treating you to the expected standard of care. I will include the strengths as the coffee
is great, the cabin
stewardess was outstanding in service and concern, and the cabin was quiet. Room service
consists only
of sandwiches (that's because there is no room service per say, the overworked cabin
stewardess must
fetch it), probably to again minimize costs, and there is no midnight buffet. They will
nickel and dime you to
death, everything is an advertisement for something you can purchase, but the tour of
Ephesus is worth
the cost.
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