We joined the Mariner of the Seas in Taijing and the queues were awful, there was no organisation or control, it was complete and utter chaos. There was rumours that half of its staff had walked out on RCC including Senior Management.My case with all my medicnes had been confiscated by RCC because it had 2 bottles of "contraband" which caused great distress but was released after one god almighty row. RCC were citing some International Law which made this legal (in their own made up law minds) but no such law exists.The reality was the confiscation of alcohol was to ensure sales on board of their very expensive booze packages which nearly all passengers boycotted. Passengers also boycotted a very hefty $20 per day wifi package . All these packages had to be purchased for the entire length of the cruise, even for my wife who didnt drink.

The shortage of staff and shortages of ice cream, various types of beers at $5 a bottle and numerous other food shortages. This was more evident on board with queues for customer services always very lengthy and an average wait of 2-3 hours to be attended to. Excursions were very expensive and I would recommend anyone to book and plan their own.Also I complained that I had prepaid gratuities when booking only to find that because I boycotted their booze packages that I was charged 18.5% extra on all my on board purchases.

Overall impression was of a business trying every trick on the book to get into the wallets of its customers. Read more