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Organisational Disaster |
| Reviewed By: Broadbent, Royal Leamington Spa on 2nd Aug 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Rhapsody of the Seas |
Sailed:
March,
2008 |
| Destination: Far East |
Age: 65+ |
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My husband and I have recently returned from a cruise in the Far East, the cruises were 3 back to back cruises. The first cruise started on the 27th March 2008 from Hong Kong visiting Hanoi, Vietnam, Hue, Vietnam, Sanya, China, back to Hong Kong on the 1st April. The second cruise left Hong Kong on the 1st April, arriving at Shanghai on the 3rd April. The third cruise left Shanghai on the 3rd April visiting Fukuoka, Japan, Pusan, South Korea, Jefu island-cruises-summer-holidays/">island South Korea back to Shanghai on the 8th April.
While we were on these cruises we found that there were a number of incidents that we found not to be up to the usual standard we expect of RCI.
Firstly we thought most of the ports the ship was berthed at were some of the most awful ports we have ever experienced. Firstly port stopped for Hanoi was fine, the port for Hue, Vietnam was dreadful nothing there at all, as we had booked for the full day excursion to Hanoi which we knew was going to be 6 hours traveling, we declined booking an excursion which was going to be a minimum of 3 hours traveling, only to find once again that the port for Hue was out in the middle of nowhere and wasn’t possible to go anywhere on your own. Next Sanya, China, was again a big shipping port, way outside Sanya, luckily a shuttle bus was put on. Hong Kong was fine right in the middle of Hong Kong. Shanghai, was dreadful, a new port, and again, nothing there out in the middle of nowhere. We were advised shuttle buses were put on but it would be a 1 ½ hour journey in and out of Shanghai. The rest of the berthing ports were very far out.
Hours wasted on the ship at Sanya, Shanghai and again Shanghai by the Chinese Immigration Authority practically 3 separate days wasted to spoil our enjoyment of the ship.
On the 8th April the ship was returning to Shanghai, unfortunately it was foggy and Shanghai port would not let the ship enter. Everyone of course was delayed leaving the ship, the catering staff put on lunches in the Windjammer and the Edelweiss restaurant (which was not due to be open that day), and the staff did a very good job and put on excellent lunches. We were in the first group to leave the ship, checked our luggage at the open-air warehouse to be put onto the coach. The journey into Shanghai took over 2 hours. We then arrived at the
cruise terminal in Shanghai; in the pouring rain we were met by representative of Voyanna
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who had organised the 3 back to back cruises. We had to wait on the coach for over 2 hours (though their representative could have sent the coach on ahead if they had wished) for other members of the group to join us as so many of them could not find their luggage at the luggage check in shed just off the ship. This was no fault by our travel agent, but caused solely by the inconsistent unloading of the baggage by the Royal Caribbean ship Rhapsody of the Seas.
All these delays at Shanghai meant that we lost a whole day of our holiday in Shanghai.
One of our main complaints is that the Rhapsody of the Seas did not berth at Shanghai Cruise Terminal. This would have meant we could have had a look round Shanghai on the ship’s first visit, and would have saved us half a day on our leaving the ship. We noticed whilst there, that a number of other well known cruise companies were berthed there.
We were extremely disappointed and felt on these cruises we were used as “Guinea Pigs” trying out these cruises for the Chinese market. We understand that in next year’s programme your ship the Legend of the Seas will be carrying out these cruises, and that if the Legend of the Seas had been the ship on our cruises we would have been able to have berthed at Shanghai Cruise Terminal and at other ports nearer the chosen places. We find it very difficult to comprehend a company of your standing who have been cruising for so many years chosing the wrong ship, being too high, to stop at the ports designated.
We wouldn’t normally have complained of the following, but due to other upsets on the cruise decided to mention that the entertainment shows, as usual being very good, were repeated, two of the shows 3 times, we know we were on back to back cruises but didn’t expect to get so many repeats. On the two evenings we were invited to the Crown and Anchor Members evenings, which we always find to be most enjoyable, the second sitting evening entertainment shows were moved from 10.45 to 7.00, the Crown and Anchor Members evenings started at 7.45. The second Crown and Anchor Members evening clashed with a completely new show which was not repeated again.
As you may know (being Crown & Anchor members) we have been on a several RCI cruises this being the very first time we have ever had such an important reason to complain. This holiday was a once in a lifetime holiday for us, as due to my husband’s medical problems we normally only travel in Europe and these upsets has meant that the cruise was not up to our expectations, being basically ruined by all these problems.
The main reason for taking this cruise was to visit my husband's brother's grave at The United Nation's Memorial Cemetary in Pusan. Korea. The best day of the cruise.
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