Ngaire, I'm really glad that you addressed this thread. Personally, I'd far prefer to look at the positive aspects then dwell any further upon the negative, which seems to be the direction so many threads take on the other board.

We've been on 4 RSSC cruises and each one was outstanding. Our last cruise on the Voyager to the Baltics was superb in every way imagineable. Service was probably the best we've ever experienced - and we were tremendously pleased with service, cuisine, suites, etc. on all our cruises.

We're hopeful that RSSC hones in on their new tier program incentives and refurbishments and there is less dissent and more to look forward to in the future.

We'll be booking a cruise with RSSC in 2007 and we have very high hopes that that cruise will be everything wonderful that we've experienced during our past 4 cruises and come to expect on future cruises.

I am brand new on this board, and you all have helped me breath a sigh of relief. I've been reading the negative posts on the other board, and since we have 2 Radisson cruises booked for 2006, I was concerned. However, it was refreshing to read such positive posts, and my husband and I thank you for this!!! I look forward to reading more happy posts!
Esther

Esther,

Welcome to LCT! We love when new members post here. I have three cruises booked next year - I guess that's my vote of confidence for RSSC.

I also love the upbeat vein of postings here. They are well worded, by experienced RSSC Cruisers, and when you meet LCT members they warm, terrific people.

Esther: See I told you!!!! So happy you are here Joanna

Welcome, Esther to a "Breath of Fresh Air" - aka: LCT!

Hope you will post often!

Thank you for such a warm welcome. I feel at home already!!!
Esther

Esther, you just fire away with questions if you have them, as we are all here to help those new to posting here. Glad you joined us! What are the cruises you have planned for the future? We are always eager to hear where folks are going!

Hi Ester and welcome! All that negativity on Cruise Critic is good for one thing, we get new faces here! I am glad you found us :)

Hello Esther! We're all here for ya. Although I'm not much help, having only been on one RSSC cruise. But I'm a great cheerleader! :ch: (Or so I'm told!)

Just wanted to say again "thank you" to all who responded to this thread - not that I was too worried :D but just enough to ask.

And as I promised, we'll report back for sure with our impressions.

Thanks much!
--Rebecca

I wont post on CC because it would cause a big reaction, just not worth it.

Okay, I understand. I probably shouldn't be posting over there either. ;) Sometimes I just can't help myself!
:ch: :ch: :ch:

LeeAnne,
I should follow your example. Posted something nice about RSSC tonight and have been taken to task for it. After all these years, I know some people just like to stir the pot. But I hate for people who are considering RSSC to read what I believe to be untruths and not see another opinion.

See, Betty, that's exactly why I do it. As someone who was just in the mode of researching cruiselines (Oceania and Windstar), I truly relied on the postings on the boards. Like I've said before, I try to seek a pattern, rather than put too much stock in one person's perception (especially if that person sounds like a complainer!). And I always appreciated it when people made an effort to post balanced opinions. Patterns did begin to emerge, and I think I got a pretty good picture of what the experience on each cruise line would be like. One I chose to book (Windstar, going in six weeks!) and one I chose to hold off on booking (Oceania -- not ruled out, just not chosen for this year, I picked an RSSC cruise instead).

jhp
We're on the Aug 26 British Isles cruise and the end of November a quickie 4 night, which is something we'd not consider except for the overnight in Key West! Love Key West and it's a long drive for us, so this works out just fine. And we're waiting anxiously for the 2007 schedule to come out.

LOL and then there is the Silverseas way. From the My Voyage personal information page you fill out...




And then there is this funny company that sales a great bed that cruisers love HAL

That bed looks a lot like what I have here at home. But I'm never very trusting of the pillows I'm going to get; I don't think that "therapeutic foam" is the kind I use. Whatever, they are easy to smush in that bag.

Esther, welcome to LCT!

Boy our RSSC experiences have just been plain wonderful. We've been on Mariner, Navigator and Voyager. Our stewardess on Voyager last summer had to have been the best one onboard. Our Butler was fantastic. We have felt that way about all of our RSSC cruises. I too read that thread on CC, and thought the same as many of you, the poster was angry about the cancellation of the dive excursions, and thus spent the rest of the trip just looking for things to complain about - some people just do that. Our philosophy is that nothing is perfect, and we've been cruising for some 36 years now and been on them all from mass market to luxury, but spending your time looking for negatives is a waste - we've never had a bad time on a cruise (even on Carnival), but then we refuse to spend money to have a bad time!! Or spend our whole trip looking for negative things.

An interesting story, last year on Voyager, on the Monte Carlo - Rome portion, several groups boarded, companies that were bringing their employees or sponsors, etc for free. There was one lady and everytime we saw her at the bar she was complaining like crazy - hated the ship, didn't like the cabin, thought the food was awful, not enough to do (remember she and her husband were on this trip free so to speak) and all she did was compare it to Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas!!! How much fun RCL was, the food was better, the staff nicer, lots more to do, and how they had been in the Royal Suite, and it was so much larger (duh) and so much nicer and had a baby grand piano, I mean she just went on and on and on! Now in my opinion if you are going to compare RSSC with something, compare it apples to apples, not apples to brocolli!!! RSSC and Royal Caribbean aren't even in the same level of cruising - not that RCL isn't and can't be fun - LeeAnne, going with your kids, RCL is a great cruise and they will love it, thus you will enjoy it too. If we were taking our kids and grandkids, we'd seriously consider doing RCL, we've been on them and they are great for what they are, mass market, but they certainly don't compare with RSSC on the same level.
Whoa - I've rambled on too long. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Blackbird what Silversea has is what RSSC is going to have soon, a whole lists of things that you can specifically request for your cabin.

Cool, it's a level of service that while may be small, adds to the total experience.

<img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" /> to the lady that tried to compare RSSC to RCI. I just do not need a rock climbing wall to cruise. :rolleyes:

taking a break from work now after 3 months at sea work just doesnt seem right!!
i ask all out there to take a look at the entertainment onboard rssc ships they made some changes and without too much saying too much i am curious as to what others think
food for thought
kenny smiles was released by the new agent? and was only brought back when guests kept lpooking for him on rssc
my understanding (again told through others)
is that six star entertainment took over from paul mcevoy and in order to make money ask 5%
from each entertainer
which means the ones that were there when paul contracted them now work for 5% less

guess what??? they are not coming back
i have spoken to many and have been told teh same thing why should i give up an extra 5%???

dont blame them!!

on our last cruise we had a comedian (85 yearsold) forget his lines !!hell he almost fell of stage!!

another asked sam the cruise director to please
take hime off stage !he was that bad


the peter grey tehune singers gone from the navigator

i could go on an don but wont bore you all

just asking if anyone else has noticed that
such a fantastic line as rssc is starting
to fail oh so badly in providing inferior
entertainment while we are paying premium tarif!!!

lastly CREW CAPERS
this is really nice to see the crew do a canned
show(the last show the can broke _a disater!!)
but again is this rssc getting the crew to do more and save on entertainment!!!

just a question !!
great show/great concept but not stage entertainment that we are paying for


back to work

enough!!!

vjd

I know the shows are important to many people and they look forward to good entertainment- we rarely ever go - I'll write when I get home, after Feb 8, a report on what we found on Mariner - just hope it's as wonderful as past cruises - I think it will be and looking forward to 17 days/nights of fun, relaxation and new experiences - we have always found the food to be excellent - Joanna

Crew Capers was great. The people involved are so proud of what they are doing and compare it to a "Broadway show." They were having so much fun that it made it fun for us. I have great affection for these people who take care of us and enjoy seeing them have fun.

As for Kenny Smiles (and I have never seen him) I was told by one of the upper echelon of Rad that his humor is too blue for Rad.

Ardis

The entertainment was constantly complained about when it was handled by Paul McElvoy and people were demanding the entertainment improve.

Crystal and many other lines use 6 star. I was under the understanding that RSSC went to 6 star to improve the entertainment. Dont know the ins and out of all of this as far as the financials go or if it was a savings for RSSC or not but that was my understanding.

Kenny Smiles is indeed very popular and I do know that the guests really wanted to be sure he stayed on and they made that known. So glad he is still onboard and entertaining guests.

Whether that has been an improvement with 6 star I really am not sure. Like Joanna I seldom go to the shows. Entertainment is also subjective. You hear one person say "the show was fabulous" and another say "what a dud that was".

The Crew Capers I dont think is saving them on entertainment. They never had a show at all at the Captains Farewell party so it is an addition not something the crew are doing taking a paid entertainers place. For me, even if they mess up I think it is a lovely thing to do and from the crew I have spoken to they love doing it. If they mess up it really doesnt matter.

We love Kenny!

JoAnne, you would love the Meridien. It offers 12 types of pillows!!

Just to post a comment to agree with Doug and other posters....I visited the Navigator when we were in the same port on the Diamond. There was a whole group who went over. As soon as I sat down a barmaid came over with a glass of Chardonnay (my drink of choice) and welcomed me back by name!!!! She also asked about my parents who had cruised with me before. I was shocked. I hadn't been on the Navigator in almost 2 years!!! Not that I need for them to remember my name OR my drink, but it sure impressed the heck out of me!!! :app:

I REALLY enjoyed my 2 cruises on the Navigator. I like her size too. It's more intimate.

Yeah, and lets not forget that ice skating rink! ;) ( although my parents and my daughter did love the ice skating show).

Do you remember if her name was Arlene? When we were on Navigator this summer there was a waitress by that name and she was unbelievable! After the 2nd day she knew everybody's name and what they liked!!

Kenny Smiles, too blue? LOL! Those who read my travelogue may remember that the ONLY "blue" comment he made in his entire show one night happened when he was picking on ME! And it was a doozy. I'll never forget it (and my Mom still teases me about it.) I adored him, and he was just as much fun to run into in the hallways and chat. I'm just disappointed he won't be on the Mariner when I'm on it!

Welcome Ester, you will love the people here, warm and friendly!! I've not cruised with any of them and feel like I know so many already!! It's just the way it is here....
Cindy

We're Kenny fans too. Sometimes we have loved the production shows and other times, the shows have been just okay. But, even though we've paid for luxury, we have also realized that RSSC is not going to have the same entertainment for us as a ship with 3500 passengers. We had the Platters on one cruise (RCCL) and some well known comics too.

We had a pianist named Kemble on our first RSSC Cruise. He played the lounges and won many awards for his classical playing. He did more Broadway on popular music on the cruise. The lounge was FULL every night he was there. We hoped to see him on another cruise, but, have not. He was a top entertainer to us and we have his CD.

And Sheri, I've had the same experience with Arlene on Navigator, but, also on Mariner - Pinky, who was a waitress and now is Shore Excursion Mgr on Mariner (so I am told) remembered us and our post dinner drink.

I think that it's a great amenity, not necessary, but sure makes you feel that you were welcomed. I wonder if they have some kind of photo and name recognition system for the employees before you board?

Kathy, we wondered the same thing when we were on the PG last Nov-Dec. When we were waiting in the lounge to check in two of the bartenders came in almost as if they were looking for us. We decided they must have some system whereby they remind themselves of who we are. With all the passengers who cross their paths it would be impossible to remember everyone. At least we trust it's not our bad behavior that makes us memorable!

Kathy and Maria,

I am ASHAMED to admit that I don't remember her name!!!! I don't think it was Arlene though. She was very pretty and petite...and I remember her name suited her, and that it was unusual....that's all I remember!! I should take notes like so many others here do. You THINK you will remember everything, but you don't! Or at least I don't! :(

Not that she would be in the same place, but she always served me pre-dinner at the little bar "in the hallway" where the harpist played. What a sweetie though.

I wonder if it possible to get a list of the bar staff from a particular cruise??

Sheri

Just finished reading CC's negative review on the Navigator. It's a pity Cinbeach's cruise wasn't perfect and I had to remind myself I was on the same cruise. So the ship listed....for two days out of 10 we had choppy sea's, rock and roll. It's a ship after all. Her other complaints were hard to believe for we talked to many other passengers and heard nothing but praise. I consider myself a Navigator groupie after 50 days so I send to Cinbeach a big Archie Bunker razzberry :p

Sheri,

I usually don't remember names, my memory is like swiss cheese full of holes. I remember her though since we were on Navigator for 14 days and she was sooo remarkable. Really sweet. I hope she gets promoted.

Hey, Suzie, she considers me unstable! LOL! (At least that's what I assume she meant in her little dig -- although she might have meant "flat bottom".) ;)

We love Kenny Smiles, too. We just make sure not to sit anywhere near when he performs and can "get" us!!!!
Esther

Boy did I learn THAT the hard way, Esther! :D

Victor, sorry to learn about the changes on your recent Navigator cruise and the less 5% to entertainers. Tom and I have never been on the Navigator but I've heard from quite a few that this is their FAVORITE of all the ships. We too love Kenny Smiles and wish he were on board the Mariner now. The Peter Grey singers and dancers on the Mariner right now are really GREAT! We've seen excellent ones (WC on the Voyager last year) and some that are just so-so at best. I can honestly say the ones here on the Mariner right now are excellent! Bruce Meadows (who was on the WC with us) has rejoined the group and there is lots and lots of talent. We had dinner a few nights ago with Larry Boggs (PG singer). Not only does he have the most gorgeous voice, he's also getting his Master's degree at NYU. He is no slouch! Last night the PG show was "Here There and Everywhere" and it was all Beetle songs....really great. I sure wish Ngaire was onboard, she would have gone crazy!
From my experience, the better entertainment is on the longer voyages....not on the 7 day cruises. I'll have a better feel when we complete this SA trip in March but as for entertainment, we're off to a great start here.

Marcie
OT, but I love your kitty! We have 2 little black girls--Katy and Ruth. (We should have named them Thelma and Louise.)
Esther