We used to sail RCCL often, but have recently switched to Celebrity. Back on RCCL due to a great itinerary, we could really see the differences. Just little things, but it will return us to Celebrity for our future cruises. Royal is just a bit too nickle and dime, and the amenities are just that much less special.

Overall: After spending the winter in the Caribbean, this Transatlantic repositioning was not planned well by the crew. With lack of cable signal for much of the crossing, RCCL did not provide alternate TV viewing so the same comedies were shown over and over, no movies on in-room TV (although shown on the outside pool screen at 7pm and 10pm on freezing cold, windy nights - seriously? ) For entertainment, the crew clearly had been "thinking" about how to supplement, with a couple of crew talent shows, but, again, RCCL, PLAN for the cruise from headquarters. This is a 14 day cruise. Also, daytime activities were sorely lacking in creativity. Every sea day had the same quizzes, expensive bingo a few times, and, of course, the requisite "bargains" on the promenade. And from 10 to noon, overlapping activities and then nothing in the afternoon, except more quizzes.

As many have reported for all RCCL sailings, the constant "sell" does get old. In the dining venues, even MDR, people coming around to push the specialties. Read more