Voyager of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
It was been a while since we have cruised with Royal Caribbean. We have cruised this same itinerary with Royal about 15 years ago. We chose this cruise because we really like waking up on a different island every day. We are not fans of Sea Days.
I had read a lot about the changes on Royal ships since the beginning of 2023, and was prepared for them.
The new once-daily cabin service didn't bother me in theory. When we embarked on Voyager and met our cabin attendant, we asked for morning service as we would be off the ship each day. We asked for ice to be replenished again in the evening. While he provided this for us every day, it was the only thing provided other than the morning service. I was surprised that when we had napped in the afternoon, our bed coverings weren't pulled up when we came back to our cabin late at night. We received fresh towels each day, but if we showered in the afternoon, they were not replaced in the evening. While I knew I wouldn't receive a full service in the evenings, I didn't realize there would be NO service at all. As I have learned from reading many blogs and sites, the cabin attendants are working as many (or more) hours as before. Their # of cabins to service has increased by about 60%. I saw this first hand when I realized how far down the hall my attendant was working on other cabins.
Cabin Review
Cabin was listed as an "oversized balcony". I don't believe that's what we got. Rooms were OK. There is a serious lack of electrical outlets. Bedding and mattress were excellent.
Port Reviews
Barbados
Serious problem at this and other ports - "cab" drivers barking at passengers to sell them a island tour. When we just wanted to go to a specific place, this was a HUGE PROBLEM! Something needs to be done to eliminate this practice. We went to Harbour Lights beach club for the day. It was a beautiful day on the beach.
St. Croix
We took a local tour of the island, stopping to see the "beer" drinking pigs, and then on to the other side of the island to Carambola Beach Resort for the day. It was only $50 per person, including the time at the resort. It was a GREAT day!
St. Lucia
We did a Royal Caribbean excursion here - the jeeps to the waterfall and beach. We were very disappointed in this excursion. The ride was 1 hour each way to the waterfall, and the waterfall was nothing special. The fumes from the jeeps were very bad, and made several people nauseous. After coming back to the port area, we were taken to a beach for 50 minutes. Would not recommend this excursion.
St. Maarten
Serious problem at this and other ports - "cab" drivers barking at passengers to sell them a island tour. When we just wanted to go to a specific place, this was a HUGE PROBLEM! Something needs to be done to eliminate this practice. We ended up in a van after having made it very clear we just wanted to be dropped off in Marigot on the french side of the island. Another couple was on the van and decided that is what they wanted as well. After we were in the van and on the way, the driver began to argue with us about the price we were going to pay, and was trying to push a island tour on us. It got nasty, but he finally capitulated after the other couple agreed to the tour. This is unacceptable. I have lived in third world countries where bait and switch are common practices, but did not expect it here. It was the worst part of the entire cruise - these "cab" drivers who do this at every port we visited other than St. Thomas & St. Croix.