 |
 |
|
Name: Carlos Leute
Email: carlosleute@sprynet.com
Age: 30
Occupation: Manager
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-IV
SailingDate: 3/20/94
Itinerary: Windward Islands Southbound
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 100
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 98
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 20
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 100
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 79
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 23 Aug 1997
Time: 12:16:12
Remote Name: 199.174.170.133
Remote User:
Comments
I was 27 when my family took this cruise (Mom, Dad, & Brother (age 25)). This was my
first cruise and expectations were rather high. We
all met in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and flew together to Antigua. As we didn't participate
in the line's Air program, the arrival in Antigua was,
well, very latin (I know how this is, I've lived most of my life in LA). Our American
Eagle flight arrived at the same time as two wide-body
aircrafts. This created an intense rush at the airport's luggage and immigration
facilities. I do remember a few other Renaissance
passengers arriving which seemed to be rushed through the formalities; I assume they were
part of the Air program. Next time, I would
highly recommend entering it, if only for that convenience. When we arrived by a cab-bus
at the pier, there were two Renaissance ships
docked, as well as two Windjammers. One could very clearly see who went where. Renaissance
passengers were casualy elegant;
Windjammer passengers were in cut-offs and T-shirts. We presented ourselves at the
gangplank and were allowed aboard to the lobby.
There were perhaps another six passengers there at the time. My brother and I helped
ourselves to the champagne being served while
my father registered the two suites. Our luggage got to the suite before us! Being that we
were 'the kids', our suite was slightly smaller
than that of our parents. However, it is large enogh to be very comfortable in. The
bathroom was of decent size. The cabin was very nicely
appointed. Quiet elegance would best describe everything in the cabin and on board. The
cabin had a TV/VCR combo set and plenty of
amenities in the bathroom. I had brought in my own CD player stereo which we placed on the
large dresser. Since both my brother and I
are single, we loved the Swedish/Norvegian female staff that attended us. Closet space was
sufficient for a couple. Since casual alegance
is the theme, there isn't much need of having to hang up several suits, plus tuxedo, plus
several evening gowns. Our parents suite was
about 30% larger which gave a comfortable sitting area. I suppose that with the exception
of size and location all cabins were basically
the same. How much can you differentiate between all suites anyway? The open seating
restaurant, although located quite low midship,
was supperb. The attention of the staff was excellent (kitchen and Waitstaff was mainly
Austrian), as was the menu (several choices for
each course - all delectible), and a good wine list tailored to the menu. The word had
spread that our family spoke German, something that
the staff enjoyed a lot. This was to prove very nice. On my mother's birthday (as well as
two others that day out of 100 passengers!) the
Chef prepared a special Austrian desert which my parents rated excellent as they had tried
it several times before in Europe. Also, in my
case, I had the steak & eggs for breakfast daily. On the last morning, they served
filet mignon to me. Great detail!!! The composition of the
passengers was in the 50-65 range. Active AARP's I'd call them as a generalization. Apart
from my brother and I, there was one other
college aged woman, and one eight year old. The eight year old certainly drew a lot of
attention, but there were no kids activities from
what I remember, so I can't recommend this cruise line if you are expecting this aspect.
Also, the trips, etc. were geared a bit to the active
side which is why I rated this cruise lower in regard to senior citizen aspects. These
passengers were, in general, early boomers. They
wanted a bit of excitement but not too much. The crew was very professional in all
aspects: knowledgable of their jobs, efficient, caring,
and smilling. The head officers were Italian, the hotel staff Scandinavian. Everyone was
extremely accessible and they very quickly
remembered our names. Overall, it was a young crew, which suited me just fine as it gave
me someone to talk to other than my family.
They would thus give me good tips on where to go out at night. Shipboard entertainment...
None really to speak of. Yes, there was a disco
which my parent's age group seemed to enjoy a lot. I stayed glued to the lounge. Elegantly
appointed, it was also the best place to meet
the officers after hours. The drinks were served very quickly. Our piano player knew many
songs by heart and had sheet music to just
about anything else. One of our fellow passengers was a singer and she gave a few
impromptu performances of Broadway tunes. I very
much enjoyed the sense of space. The lounge was quite large, something I enjoy (I hate
being in a place with a lot of people). The casino
consisted of one blackjack table and a few machines. Without a doubt, gambling is not a
major reason the passengers chose this ship. Still,
the table was well visited. The library was adequatly stocked. The Video library was very
well stocked and I was able to catch up on a few
movies I had missed out on. So, overall, the entertainment factor isn't Renaissance's
strong point. However, we mostly ended up very tired
after the trips so we just wanted to go to sleep. Being that the Renaissance IV and her
sisterships have such a shollow draft, we were able
to go to places none of the mega liners could dare to go to. Of particular interest was
Union Island. This was essentially a day at the beach
for all (ferried via Zodiaks) plus jet skies and a beach we only shared with three other
boats (each of them less than 40'). The shore trips
were well chosen. My parents took a few and enjoyed themselves a lot. My brother and I
chose mostly day trips to other nearby islands
(Mayreau & Mustique were fantastic!!!). We both enjoyed the Passion (a sailing
catamaran) a lot. (My brother cought a fish on one trip in
Bequia which the kitchen staff on the Renaissance beautifully cooked for him that night!).
If there were negative aspects of the
experience, I'd say the following would have to be included: no children activities, too
much day time activity for non-active seniors, some
(very little) rust - although they did have a painting crew around, and I suppose a very
limited night life for someone my age. I also very
much enjoyed the casual factor on board. Without a doubt, the large majority of passengers
owned their own tuxedos, etc. back home.
But all activities on board were more casual. However, very conservative suits showed up
during most dinners, only once or twice did I
wear my blue blazer. Overall, I enjoyed this - my first cruise - inmensly. I particularly
enjoyed the high class passengers which knew better
than to throw their oppulence around. I doubt I will ever find this kind of ambiance on
any of the mega ships. If you enjoy some exclusivity,
first class treatment, meals, and accomodations, then Renaissance is for you. If you would
rather have large atrium lobbies, Vegas style
shows, casino, and your once in a lifetime chance to wear a tuxedo other than in your
wedding, then don't bother. You won't fit in and will
just have a bad time; instead, try the mega ships.
Name: Aaron Heighton
Email: aaron@heighton.com
Age: 38
Occupation: Fixed Income Operations
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Renaissance-IV
SailingDate: August 12, 2000
Itinerary: South Pacific
Cabin: 6050
FoodDiningRoom: 50
CruiseDirector: 50
CabinComfort: 50
FoodRoomService: 50
CruiseStaff: 50
CabinAmenities: 50
FoodLidoDeck: 50
DiningRoomService: 50
CabinQuietness: 50
FoodMidnightBuffets: 50
CabinSteward: 50
ShoreExcVariety: 50
FoodVariety: 50
DeckService: 50
ShoreExcValue: 50
GoodForHoneymoon: 50
CasinoStaff: 100
PrivateIsland: 50
GoodForFamilies: 50
LoungeService: 50
TenderService: 50
GoodForSeniors: 50
BeautySalonStaff: 50
EntertainmentLounges: 50
WheelchairAccess: 50
ExerciseFacilities: 50
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 50
BeautySalon: 50
EntertainmentPoolside: 50
CruiseActivities: 50
Casino: 50
AirSeaProgram: 50
MedicalFacilities: 50
ShipCleanliness: 50
EmbarkDisembark: 50
DiscoNightclubs: 50
DeckSpace: 50
Stabilization: 50
ShopsOnBoard: 50
SpaceRatio: 50
OverallCruiseValue: 50
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 23 Oct 2000
Time: 17:40:14
Remote Name: user-2ivebo6.dialup.mindspring.com
Remote User:
Comments
Please help us to encourage Renaissance Cruise Lines ("REN") to change their practice of ignoring
consumer complaints and denying accountability for the actions, or inactions, of their global
representatives. The Better Business Bureau of SE Florida discloses "Our file experience shows that
this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau. Specifically our records show a record of
no response to a customer complaint brought to its attention by the Bureau."
Our return from a REN August 12th cruise from Tahiti was interrupted by a fuelers association strike
over which REN clearly had no control.
Our complaint, and claim in the amount of $348.73, is based on the negligent manner in which REN
global representatives managed the crisis. Examples include:
§ Deceiving customers. Flight information was collected by REN representatives three (3) times with
the advice that attempts would be made to reprotect passengers on connecting flights. Upon arriving
in LAX not a single REN representative was aware of any attempt to reprotect passengers. My
connecting airline, Continental Airlines, confirmed that no attempt was made to reprotect my wife or I.
§ Withholding material information from customers. While REN was aware of the strike situation well in
advance of the actual event, they intentionally waited until passengers were stranded enroute to the
airport to disclose the information. By this time passengers were not in a position to take control of
making alternative flight arrangements.
§ Discrimination when determining which passengers receive a voucher for overnight accommodations
necessitated by missed connections.
We have aligned with several other passengers, many of which are members of the on-line Cruiser
Club found at http://www.heighton.com/legacy.html , to champion this consumer cause. Our complaint
and claim have been documented with REN via Certified Mail.
Please consider aligning with us in our pursuit of Corporate accountability. Your involvement in our
cause coupled with your influence in the travel industry would likely cause REN to reconsider their
approach to consumer complaints.
Full details including correspondence with REN can be found at our Cruiser Club website indicated
above.
Want to book your cruise at a great rate?
Click here.
Questions or comments? Mail to webmaster@cruiseopinion.com.
Copyright ©1996-2001 CruiseOpinion.com. Last modified: November 10, 2000.