Aloha, Aloha!

I'm so dissapointed you were dissapointed with the Mariner! Ouch. But you bring up a couple of service points that were lacking, and you should feel free to express these to RSSC...I hope you did with the onboard form. Waiting 3 days for a snifter?? My goodness...I would have instigated a muitiny by then! <img border="0" alt="[c]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> JK. Your comments on the Butler aren't the first I have read where they have been more than lax. Quite frankly, if the butlers are just for show, you might as well stay in a Penthouse C. I don't want to have to be doing follow up, that is the butler's job. And your special request should have been honored! If there is one thing I can't stand is inconsistency. I am sorry to hear that if the ships sails at full capacity the service levels drops. RSSC prides itself on its staff to passenger ratios, and consistency should be the same, whether they are sailing at full or 75% (our case in March).

I do know that you can only dine at Signatures once if the ship is full, but you can waitlist and get lucky. We had dinner at Signatures 3 times on our recent cruise, but that was as a result of of the ship not being full. I understood at the time that the menu changes every 10 days. So it looks like you just missed it. In our case, we were able to try the two menus at Signatures.

Unfortunately with the shops, RSSC leases them to a company who runs them (the staff aren't really full RSSC either). They really don't have much control over them (we found this out from the jewlery designer we befriended in our cruise...the same applies to the casino).

I guess what you need to find out for your upcoming cruise, before you decide to cancel it, is how full it is going to be. Given that Canal Cruises are 14 days, you will probably get a similar demographic sailing and possibly another full ship.

Aloha Gatowoman:

Thanks so much for your posts!!

The ship was at about 650 passengers, so I guess as close to full as you can get, but again, the first time we sailed, I believe it was at 700 !!

I did also want to mention that I really did try to find some folks to chat with, and I finally discovered where all the lively folks hang out (regardless of # of years) -- either at the Lauderettes, or at Bingo !! I started to go to Bingo every afternoon, I actually won the first game I played and won $102 !! I met some very fun Bingo buddies there and most of the ladies I "hung" with were probably in their 70's. I guess a part of it is just knowing where to look!!

I did send my concerns to Radisson on my comment card at the end of the cruise. I tried to use the same tone as in my post, more disappointed, based upon our first Radisson experience compared to this one.

I almost feel badly critizing a company like RSSC that tries so hard to set such a high standard. Trouble is, the first time we sailed with they, they ACHIEVED IT, making themselves a "hard act to follow."

The jury is still out for the trip in November, but again, thanks to all for your input!!!

Mahalo nui loa.

I find it hard to believe that we were on the same cruise. Our perception was so different. Of course then,
we did not pay for a butler, who did not perform his duties. We were in a penthouse C and called for room service for our shrimp cocktails. I will admit that this was not the most social cruise, I've been on, but this cruise was very port intensive. One of the reasons we chose this cruise, for the ports. We had only one sea day and two days we were in port ( San Francisco & Victoria ) until 11:00p.m.
Not a lot of time for hanging around the lounges or casino.

I hope, those of you, who have upcoming cruises on the Mariner, will not be discouraged, I know you will have a great time.

Betty

It is not surprising - same cruise different perceptions. There could have been someone on Aloha cruisers trip the first time that felt the way she did this time.

So much of a cruise is the experiences we have on board and different likes and dislkes for food entertainment etc. If we happen to meet people we really like, find a great waiter or have the best room steward onboard this can make the whole trip. One person slipped up on the cake for the birthday but it reflects on the whole experience. People are people and there will always be human error. Any of these things dont gel quite right our enjoyment and perception of the whole experience changes.

I think the most remarkable thing happened when I did a back to back on the Song. There was an entertainer a magician, first week standing ovation. Same exact routine done just as well the second week flopped. WHY?? The mood of the audience, the weather was not good, it had rained all day all these things change things dramtically.

Sheri my dear I did not mean to say you were complaining. That is the problem with the "written word" it can be read differently that it was meant by the author. I also spoke to some of the people in that room I mean we WERE loud. They all had the same response you heard. I just wish I was involved you were having so much fun.

I rarely mention a previous post.... but i just have to say the Joanne post about he brandy and the ashtray made me laugh out loud for about 10 minutes. Believe me with the hideous travel/business day i have had that was huge. Thank you Joanna, i would just love to have brandy with you and Tony any time.
Cindy

I totally agree with Ngaire's point about how the same cruise can seem very different depending on your point of view. You don't need to look any farther than CC where you can read MANY cruise reviews which describe the same cruise but in very different lights!

Aloha Cruiser - I wish you the best in your decision about your November cruise. I'm sure this can't be an easy decision.

Masaki

Aloha Cruiser:

Thanks for taking the time to give us your impressions of your second RSSC cruise.

I think it's valuble to know the range of service that can sometimes occur. I'm sure RSSC was interested in hearing your observations as well.

After all, if guests don't tell them what's happening, they may not know what areas need attention.

We are looking forward to our second cruise this fall, I hope our experience will live up to our memories of our last cruise.

Thanks again to all for your input.

As a business owner myself I always appreciate it when a customer will take the time to mention something that didn't meet their expectations, or an area in which they see room for improvement. I think that is the most valuable gift you can get!!

As you said Margo, otherwise how can we get any better?

Masaki, you are right too, this makes it very tough to decide about what to do with the Panama Canal in November !!!

I will continue to be a happy member of these boards and will look forward to the future observations of "Returning RSSC Cruisers" -- I would love to hear their impressions "The Second Time Around."

Mahalo nui loa to you all and have a great day !!!

(After all if the worst thing we have to worry about is that our second RSSC cruise wasn't as fabulous as the first, I sure count myself as very lucky indeed!!)