Monday, April 13, 2009

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas

Our trip began on April 3, 2009. We departed Little Rock, Arkansas en route to Galveston, Texas. Although the ship did not sail until the 5th, we decided to go in a few days early and enjoy the sites of Galveston.

Needless to say Ike did a pretty good number on Galveston Island. Destruction everywhere. The Strand, was almost a ghost town. However, Galveston has done a pretty good job at rebuilding in such a short time. The Seawall side, Gulf side, was a bit more active the channel side. All the little souvenir shops that once were filled with tourists, are no longer. Some of the stilts they were built on were there, but that's pretty much it. The Flagship Hotel, one of Galveston's landmarks stood skeleton-like on her now destroyed pier. Holes in the structure allowed a clear view through the hotel. The bridge access is no longer. She sits cold, abandoned and lifeless upon her pier that not too long ago was bustling with customers.

However bad, it was no where near the destruction of the Great Hurricane of September 1900.

We enjoyed our stay. I would be remiss if I did not give credit to the Comfort Suites located on 89th Street. Friendly, clean and very accessible. Highly recommend this hotel.

Sunday morning found us at Lighthouse parking on 29th Street. We reserved and paid via the Internet, for the week it cost $50 for secure parking. We parked, they put our luggage on a bus and drove us to the terminal. Our bags were picked up by porters and we were directed inside. Being Platinum members of the Crown and Anchor Club, we spent absolutely 5 minutes at check-in. Then directed to an elite, maybe not the right word, but heck it fits, waiting area. My DW (darling wife) ran off to the restroom. By the time she got back we were allowed to board. Wow, on the ship at 11:30'ish.

We made our way to the Windjammer dining room, as our cabin would not be ready until 1p.m. We had lunch, and a very nice lunch to say the least. After lunch we took a stroll around the ship. Found a nice little lounge, The Aquarium Bar, where we met Oana, pronounced "wanna." She was very pleasant and took very good care of us each time we visited the lounge.

One o'clock the cabin is ready! We scurried up to Deck 6 and found our cabin, 6634. It was a very nice cabin with a balcony. We have found that on our longer cruises, 7 days plus, the balcony really adds space and doesn't give you that closed in feeling.

We met Dale our cabin steward. Very nice gentleman and throughout the cruise he kept us very neat and provided all we asked.

The dining room the first evening did go quite as planned. Arriving for dinner at 8 p.m. we found that our table for eight, already had seven seated. The folks seemed friendly, and our then to be waiter did offer to "add" another chair. Not! A bit upset, I requested the head waiter. Hey, I was not going to add another chair to an already crowded table. The head waiter, Erwin, took immediate care of us and seated us a new table. For sake of privacy and all the laws and acts that could apply, I will not mention names or make up fake ones. Seated was a young couple, husband, expectant wife and, husbands mom. Very delightful folks. Our wait staff included Vincent, our waiter, and Dimitri, the assistant waiter. I must mention Roderick. He was the dining room bar staff. This guy was good. Each night he brought a cold beer for me within minutes of us being seated.

The couple and mom informed us they would not be at formal night because they failed to bring proper attire. I really have to give them credit for upholding the dining room dress code, as many others were flagrantly dressed. But then I guess it really is all about them.

So formal comes. We report to our table knowing we would be lone diners. Our wait staff did their thing and as we were enjoying appetizers, Erwin, the head waiter, appears with a couple in tow and seats them!!!!!! That's cool, we always enjoy company. But what will happen the following night. Remember we were seated at that table to an already full table. Erwin assured us the would add leaf to the table and there would be plenty of room. There was.

The added couple, both Texans, dating, were absolutely charming. It was her first cruise, his fourth or fifth. They got stuck in a little intimate alcove in the dining room. She expressed her desire to be seated in the main room and she was accommodated.

Dinners were great, maybe a few were only good, but for the most part great. This trip we did not eat breakfast in the main dining room at all. And only ate one or two lunches which were by my standard, okay. The best lunch we experienced was the special lunch for Platinum, Diamond and Diamond Plus members. As we understand it, the Voyager is the only ship that does this lunch. It was great. We were seated with Simon, the ships inventory officer. He was very polite and very interactive. Wine was served, your choice, red or white. Followed by appetizers, salads, soups and main course. We both enjoyed the grilled halibut.

I have probably gotten ahead of myself a bit so I will attempt to catch up. The casino was not kind to us. Although my DW experienced a few nice pay-offs, I can say that maybe next time we should just write RCL a check for the casino and cut our losses early. But then what would be the fun of that. My best experience was the roulette table. Started with $20 and walked off with like $110. That went back to the three card poker table, ugh!!!!

Casino bar staff was horrible, except for Gary. He befriended us the very first day in the Aquarium Lounge and I can honestly say he took great care of us. Whether he saw my wife or me, he always asked where the other was, so he could bring us what we wanted.

Entertainment was good. The ice show, not as good as we experienced on the Mariner of the Seas, none-the-less, pretty spectacular when you consider the jumps and lifts they do on a moving ship!

BMW, a three piece band that was touted as Ballroom Dance music. Well, yes, I guess ballroom music, as they did Cha Cha's and Tango's and Rumba's, as well as Swing, Waltz and a few others we had no idea about. The songs they sang, well lets just say they did not have a great command of the English language, so those songs were lacking. For the most what they played was good, not great, but good. However, every song was too long. I think they did the looooong version, which made dancing a challenge. No dancer wants to leave the floor because they are tired!!!!! We'd dance one song and have to sit out the next three just to catch our breathe! The bar staff during BMW's sets were actually non existent. We just never got to any of the other venues so I cannot comment.

Derek Lewis in the Pig and Whistle, oh my gosh. This guy was great. He touted a "5 minute party" and boy did he bring it. He got folks up to sing karaoke and just never belittled them. Heck they got me up to sing and no I was not drunk!!!! Derek just had a way about him. His tee shirts read, "Adult Day Care (at night)." One of his CD's was titled "Live at the Seven Eleven." He had the place laughing so hard. He is a must on your agenda.

We are not big tour people, but this trip the DW wanted to do some things we hadn't done before. So she booked the Mexican Cuisine Tour in Cozumel. Chef Luis was outstanding. Best part, you get to eat what you cook. We did an appetizer, an entree and a dessert. And being it a Mexican affair you know the margaritas were flowing freely, as was the cervesa!!!!!!!! Great tour if you like to cook (or drink.)

In Roatan we did the Dolphin Encounter at Anthony Key. A bit different from the usual "swimming with the dolphins" kinda thing. Here, it was a very structured encounter. Told how to stand in the water, when to pet, etc. But it was so very educational. They told us about "dolphins." Their structure, capabilities, diet, habits etc. We really enjoyed this tour, well worth the dollars. Not many folks can say they've been kissed by a dolphin!!!

Oh gosh, I forgot to mention Johnny Rockets!!!! A++++++, is all I can say. The staff fantastic, the service outstanding and their little entertainment was marvelous.

And here is a late thought, how in the world could have forgotten this. The Mystery Dinner in Portofino's. The night began with champagne in the High Notes lounge. The actors/actresses were introduced. The show began. Omigosh, never laughed so hard. The players were fantastic and the meal 6 stars. Don't want to say too much, so as not to spoil your adventure!!!! Yes there was an additional charge of $49.95 per person, but it was absolutely worth every dime!!!!!!!

We chose to use the Express Disembarkation. Only glitch here was too many people in one place trying to get out. Lighthouse Parking picked us up at the terminal and returned us to the car. All in all, we were off the ship and in our car heading for home by 8:30 Sunday morning.

The only two complaints I have, one of which RCCL really had no control over and one they did. First, too many rowdy children. Let me quickly define rowdy. Running and rough housing in the dining room; actually wrestling in the stairwells; and then the ones that were waiting for elevators either on the top or bottom decks. They'd run in and push all the buttons before the doors closed and ran out ad had a laughing fit, thinking this was funny. My question, where the hell were the parents?????

Second complaint, and this seems to be one of my ongoing complaints with all cruise lines. Why post a dress code if it is not going to be enforced? Appalling dress in the dining room, adults and children included. Formal night, saw one gent walk in with a cotton shirt unbuttoned to mid-chest, with jeans, but he did have a coat on! Too many folks, young, old, male, or female, with tee shirts, shorts, flip flops etc. I fault the ship personnel. If you're gonna put a sign, with a dress code listed, at the front of your door, by gosh you better have someone there enforcing the code. On the same line. Dining starts at a designated time, and I believe the doors close for that seating 30 minutes after if begins. I did see dining room staff close the doors. However, again no one was there to enforce it. So you had folks walking in 45 minutes to an hour late and they got seated and served. Not right, period.

If they are not going to enforce the policies set forth, then remove the policies and let everyone wear what they will and show up when they want.

All in all it was a great voyage and a good time was had by the two of us.

If you have any specific questions please drop me an email or post a comment.

Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy review.

Link to pics: this should lead you to all 10 albums for the Voyager 4/5/09 Click Here