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Tallinn

We took the Voyager out of Galveston on April 4. The ship was delayed due to fog. Since we live in Houston, we just checked with RC throughout the day for boarding time updates. It was very convenient to be able to wait at home and not have to worry about where to wait and what to do while the ship was delayed. Galveston is a convenient embarkation port for those within a few hours driving distance, but it's not the most attractive port for out of town tourists. There won't be nice beaches like Florida and the island is kind of rundown even more so after the hurricane. The main attractions are probably the historical architecture that survived the hurricanes. The embarkation process was as bad as others have posted. We waited 2 ½ hours in line before getting to our cabins. I could see the elderly and young children getting tired and weary. It's really a bad way to start off a vacation. 
We had a standard ocean view cabin. The furniture was dated, but in good condition. The cabin was clean and well maintained. Our cabin attendant was really friendly and professional. He did a great job and we were more than happy to tip him above the customary amount. 
The ship staff was exceptional- patient, solicitous, helpful, and really went out of their way for the passengers. I can't say enough how great the staff is on the Voyager. My child loved the Adventure Ocean (the kid's club) and the staff there. A lot of other kids became so attached to the staff that some were crying on the last night when they had to say good-bye. There were plenty of activities- performing skits, games, movies, dance party, etc. I was so pleased with how well they looked after my child, I was happy to tip the staff at the end of the cruise. The only problem I encountered was the check-in and check out process- there would long lines of parents on the crowded days. 
Overall, the food was average. It was probably the same consistency as a Luby's or IHOP. Some dishes were better than others. There was a wide variety in the Windjammer and even a picky eater should find something they like. Because I was with my 7 year old, spending one hour or so for dinner in the MDR was not easy and we opted for Windjammer most nights. I would cut the Voyager some slack on food- preparing meals for over 3,000 passengers for a week is difficult at best and so I didn't expect high end gourmet. During the ship talk, the cruise director mentioned that tens of thousand of pounds of meat and vegetable are loaded onto the ship for a week's cruise, so it would be impossible to prepare that much food spot on every time. 
We enjoyed Raotan and Cozumel, but not Costa Maya. It didn't have much charm and there's mot much to see around the port or town. Unless you take an excursion inland, there's not much to do except shop at this port. 
This cruise is targets Texans and those from neighboring states. We've lived in Texas for 15 years and have grown used to the customs and attitudes in this part of the country. The only reason I'm going to mention what happened to us on this cruise is so that people not familiar with this part of country aren't surprised. During our first in the main dining room, as soon as we approached our table and before we even took our seats or could say hello our dining companions asked us if we were middle eastern. As soon as I said no, their faces lightened up and smiled. During the first 30 minutes of the first dinner- they commented on well I speak English. I was born and raised in the US but I don't think they understood that people from all over the world legally immigrate to the US and have children who are just as American as anyone else born here. They also asked me if my child was named after a cult. Another dining companion lectured us on how the government is taking away our rights, etc. We were lucky that we missed these dining companions during the rest of the cruise- they weren't in the MDR the few other times we had dinner there. Not all passengers were like this and most passengers were friendly. But don't be surprised at ignorant questions or comments especially if you're not a typical middle American. 



Wonderful Crew, Good Ship, Problematic Passengers

Ever since living in the Northeast for the past 10 years, we have decided to take our big family vacation during Winter Break in February. We have been purchasing 2 cabins in order to accommodate myself, my husband, and our two boys. In my lifetime, I have NEVER experienced such a disheartening trip as this one on Voyager of the Seas, February 14, 2010! I agree with many of the other reviews, NEVER again! 
I especially chuckled at the remarks made by 1stCruiser80, I totally agree, we were there!!! 
However, we were not there until Tuesday, meeting the ship in Cozumel, thus making our trip a 5-night cruise. After countless agonizing hours of trying to find a flight, because of snow in Atlanta, we were able to arrange a flight into Cozumel, with the help of Delta Airlines, doing their very best to get us to Houston on Monday, and then onto Cozumel early Tuesday morning. The shocker came when we finally arrived at the Pier, and we were stopped, not once, but three times, by Security and by RCI representatives, as all of our names were not on the registry. Anyone can imagine our embarrassment as we are lugging our baggage ourselves down the Pier, only to be shoved aside rudely at each checkpoint, and asked to please get our luggage out of the way, by both Mexican Security and Royal Caribbean! I was dumbfounded, as I had verified prior, with three different members of Royal Caribbean Personnel at their Executive Offices, that the ship would most definitely be expecting us, our family of 2 cabins! This went on for quite sometime, eliminating any hopes of seeing Cozumel, so as it turned out, my family had ONE port of call, that being the southern tip of Grand Cayman. We were not able to enjoy Cozumel, and we never saw Jamaica. 
We have decided that the young 33-year old captain, who was bragged about for his young age, did not have the proper experience for such a large vessel. Weather is weather, but come on, NO other Port anywhere out there to stop at, for THREE FULL DAYS at SEA! And, not to mention the lolly-gagging going on, now that we have 3 days at sea and cannot get into Galveston because of the fog! That ship should have been well within Galveston Harbor long before the fog set in. 
As mentioned, I have been on numerous cruises in a very wide range of diversity, from Carnival to Premier's Big Red Boat, Norwegians SS Norway, to the QE2, from the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, Europe to the tip of Norway and the Midnight Sun, the Bahamas and Barbados, and most recently, all on Royal Caribbean, believing that our little Platinum Status actually stood for something! Don't be fooled! We were met with attitude and arrogance from Day 1 at home, trying to get there, and it continued on until the last moment. I was in such a state of shock that this is "my" Royal Caribbean, the ones who send me countless mailings of how important My LOYALTY is, one cruise away from Diamond status, and I believed it! 
The topper was at the end of the cruise, the staff decided to tape and seal shut the "Comment Boxes" for the comment cards. Never have I witnessed such a thing! We, being seasoned cruisers, knew what to say, and we had already deposited our comment cards the day prior. We watched as fellow passengers tried to poke holes in the sealed Comment Boxes to deposit their comment cards, to no avail. This did not seem right........ 
But, what about US, the passengers, what do we get in return.....oh, that's NOTHING! 
We picked the itinerary for this trip, not the ship, and had previously cruised on Voyager in 2005, but now she is old, rusty, and tired. Live and learn. 
This was by far the most disappointing, most horrible trip of a lifetime, leaving us with no memories. Certainly Royal Caribbean is not new to the cruising industry, but one would think so. 
My advice, Know Before You GO!!! 


Don't Be Fooled by Royal Caribbean - Status Means Nothing!!!

Ilulissat

Nov 3rd 2009 departure Carnival Sprit aft cabin 6333   my 3rd cruise 2nd on carnival  .   In this review I will take about embarkation, debarkation, ports of call, food, ship, and shore excursions.    
First off if you have to complain about the food or services on this cruise you should not have taken a carnival cruise, you get what you pay for. Over all it was well worth the money. The embarkation was easy, I got there at noon. No wait in line to get documents 30 min wait in seats for our # to be called. Drop off your carry on luggage in your room and go up to the buffet and have lunch check out the ship, your room should be done by the time you are done.    
The food in the main dining room was very good. If you got something bad or you did not like it just send it back and order something else, don't complain later. You can order anything and as much as you like off the menu not just one off each section.  The buffet was normal with a lot to chose from .You can have lunch or breakfast for a nicer time in the main dinning room. Anytime dinning is not anytime dinning. It opens at 5:45 you need to be in line by 6 or 7:30 or you could wait an hour. YOU MUST TRY THE STAKE HOUSE AT LEAST 1 TIME. FOR THE $30.00 EXTRA PER PERSON IT IS WELL WORTH THE $30.00. (Do not bring the kids)AN Unreal EXPERIENCE AND SOME OF THE BEST FOOD YOU WELL EVER HAVE. I went on dress up night took coat off nice short sleeves on no problem.    
Do not buy shore exertions from carnival except for the dolphin thing in Ixtapa-Zihuatenejo, Due to the ship may not stop some times and you get a refund then .You can go online to check out the things to do or book on line or at the towns. There are always people at the docks to take you some where bargain with them a lot .In Zihuatenejo you can go on line before the cruise and reserve  for $25.00 each a beach break at the 3rd best resort in Mexico the Tides . THIS IS A MUST DO http://www.tideszihuatanejo.com/   You are on the best beach a $5.00 taxi ride away 10 min. you get a shower room a pool and padded beach lounges towels and unreal service. They will set tables up right be hind your chairs for lunch on the sands of La Ropa Beach the best beach and go for a chute ride in the sky for $30. We spent $20.00 each for lunch. There is shopping right off the ship and a short walk in to a very small town to shop.    
Acapulco was a real disappointment. When you get off the ship 100 people will try to rip you off for taxi's and shore trips. It was hard to get to the street though all these people, where prices drop from say $15.00 for a cab to $5.00.you can find some deals 50% less for trips if you get further out of the dock area.    
Manzanillo has another beach break for $30.00 (you get $30.00 coupons for drinks towels and food), sit at the pool not the beach bring your boat towel to save money. At las hadas Resort   (http://www.manzanilloresorts.com/) cab ride $6.00 to it $10.00 back to ship pay no more they will start real high. Nice big pool and nice beach no waves. You must get out of the dock yard for the cheap taxies. There is a bus on the docks for $2 to take you to a small downtown no bargaining at the shops.    
Debarkation was easy if you have an early flight tell the gust services deck. Your # will be called to get off boat starting at 8:30 if you are smart get an set at 7:30main bar area and not have to wait in line.    

great

My better half (mcbarbee) and I had a fantastic time aboard the Vision.  We met a lot of nice folks, went to terrific ports and basked in terrific weather.  It seems a good time was had by all, even though we had to shuffle our port schedule around when we turned back towards Galveston for a few hours to meet the US Coast Guard chopper and off-load an injured passenger the first night out to sea.  We were told someone fell down the spiral staircase from the Promenade to the Casino and broke her leg.  OUCH!!  We met lots of nice people at the CC Meet & Greet Party.  Hello everyone!  The entire staff and crew aboard were fantastic!  The food was tremendous and service impeccable.  You have GOT to go to Johnny Rocket's. Best burgers I ever had and REAL ice cream shakes.  The dining room waitstaff took the time to get to know each of us and ask or automatically bring what we chose to drink during or after dinner. Several times, our waiter anticipated that my wife difficulty in choosing an entree, so they brought extra dinners for us to taste and share. Warm, friendly and professional.  Very impressive.  We spent out last night at the Porto Fino specialty restaurant.  We had already paid for 4 seats as the friends who were supposed to travel with us had to cancel at the last minute.  We invited our new tablemates, Scott and Barbara, to dine with us that evening.  We had a great time and they were great company.  Real classy folks, we'll be seeing them again, soon.    Our first stop instead of Cozumel was Roatan HN. We were here once before and thought it was really a nice place to visit.  We went to the Fins and Flipper Key resort.  What a place!  The whole area is ramp accessible so I could use my scooter.  Even the ferry shuttle over and back was great.  Very helpful for those with difficulties walking or needing assistance. They helped lift the scooter on the boat and on the dock area and back again.  The island is fantastic with great nature paths, swimming pool and snorkeling areas.  the pool had lots of shade trees, lounge chairs, patio tables.  The drinks, beer and food were VERY reasonable and service was very good.  The place was immaculate!  The only thing negative I could see was they need more restrooms on the upper levels near the pool.  Five drinks and 3 food items totaled $27.00! Whoa!  Speaking of drinks, the libations on board were pretty pricey.  Five and six plus dollars for a beer and regular cocktail and up to $12 for specialty drinks and martinis.  These were quite a bit more then we paid from then a year ago.  I realized why the drinks were so expensive when we went to some of the shows.   They were very, very well done.  Very professional.  I was practically dragged to the "Ice Show" having no interest in ice skating at all.  The show was FANTASTIC!  Great skating, stunts and acts on a rink about 1/4 the size of a regular rink.  Remarkable! Even the Jambalya contest poolside was fun.  And tasty!  The chef from Australia beat out the Louisiana chef on the taste and presentation vote.  Go figure.  Of course, our steward was phenomenal.  He jumped through hoops for us.   All in all, a really great trip.  My wife really did a yeoman's job planning and arranging everything.  Way to go mcbarbee, thank you!  Let's do it again real soon.  

Best 7 days on the seas.

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