There’s a lot to like about cruising, and RCCL in particular. But my biggest issue with cruising is it seems that everyone on board is super nice, room cleaners, waiters, etc. because they want more tips. We spent almost $700 in MANDATORY tips by the end of the cruise and still felt we had to give more and more. The staff is excellent, and they no doubt deserve to be paid well, but it’s just depressing that the cruise line puts that on their CUSTOMERS to pay their employees directly. Especially when these costs are not taken care of up front. You go on a trip that you’ve paid for months ago expecting to only have minor expenses here and there. I’m dreading our credit card bill.

There were also many minor annoyances with this cruise in particular. Very limited hours on the soft serve ice cream, one TINY “pool” for babies in diapers, and they aren’t allowed anywhere else. Not even the identical pool directly next to their pool, which looks exactly the same, and which my toddler frequently climbed into on his own as the other one was constantly filled with people, there was literally no room for him. And I was told he couldnt be in THOSE three inches of water, he had to be in the OTHER three inches of water.

I spent thousands of dollars to come on this cruise and Royal Caribbean can’t even give me a free popcorn? You want my $2.50? Really? Joe Shmoe can order five lobsters free of charge but you’re gonna charge me for a small popcorn. It’s such a small thing that really becomes annoying and puts a damper on the whole experience. Read more