I am a frequent cruiser and usually choose Royal Caribbean. I am a Diamond member of Crown & Anchor. The 2018 Panama Canal cruise was disappointing compared to previous experiences on Royal Caribbean

Boarding in Miami : out of 20+ cruises, this was the worst, most disorganized boarding process I’ve ever seen. First of all there was seating for less than 25 people in the shuttle waiting area at the airport, and all these elderly people were having to stand while wrestling their luggage, many for over an hour. Once at the port it didn’t improve. I’m at Diamond level and still had to wait in seemingly endless lines. They sent us through a long group of waiting rooms to wait till it was time to board the ship. Of course the waiting room was at the extreme other end of the terminal from where you board. Eventually they called classes Pinnacle through Diamond to board. We were taken up one level, expecting to walk on the ship in a matter of minutes. OH NO! We must have walked at least a half mile, back in the same direction we had walked on the floor below, only to stand and wait while they took about 10 people at a time on the ship. Why? We already had our sea passes. This group had all been on multiple cruises and knew the ropes, to go directly to the Windjammer for lunch, but we weren't allowed to use the elevators.

On day two when we went to the Windjammer for breakfast, there was no ice. The orange juice was lukewarm, the water was warm and tasted like salt. We were very disappointed that the menu selections at dinner have been narrowed down. No more cold soups! Two of my companions always ordered cold soup and sherbet every day on past cruises. Re bread selection, instead of passing it by the waiters, it was left on the table, and there was no opportunity to get your favorite bread or roll every day and get seconds. Read more