Have I become a grumpy cruiser?

So I was going to write and tell you about my time on Navigator of the Seas, but have decided that can wait until next time and instead i would share with you my main gripes whilst being on a cruise – I don’t know whether I have been on to many (if that is possible) or if I am getting old before my time, but here is my list (which started to be my top ten but then seemed to get longer), and was actually written whilst sitting in the Star Lounge on the Navigator of the seas when number 2 on the list started to frustrate me.

1) Being constantly harassed to ask if we wanted to make bookings and pay extra to dine in the specialty restaurants – we found this was a daily bugbear every day with the crew member not taking no for an answer. On the first day whilst having lunch and had been on board for a whole hour the waiter from Giovannis table came to our table, and after 20 minutes had to politely be told we would not be dining in his restaurant and considering it was an Italian he was not accepting a cheese and tomato allergy was a good enough reason not to dine there. It just seemed every mealtime the alternative dining venues would be coming around asking.
2) Children being allowed to run riot whilst their parents sit and enjoy their drinks, not keeping an eye on them and then no telling them to stop running or to sit down and be quiet. We had 4 children allowed to race each other round the room and shouting at each other with no respect to other people in the bar, and even nearly knocked the waiters full tray over.
3) Bar staff taking your order and forgetting it and then continuing to take effect other orders before getting yours – this happened to my partner in two different bars on the Navigator of the seas as he had a soda package so they didn’t need to take his sea pass, and I was paying for my cocktails. They would bring my drink and then remember my partner had ordered a drink and said they would bring it straight over but continued to circle the room collecting orders before bringing it over – up to 20 minutes after reordering the drink.
4) People saving sun loungers and not been there all day as been ashore or elsewhere on the ship. A lot of cruise lines do now seem to be moving to a 30 minute rule but how strict this is monitored I am not unsure.
5) People allowed into the main dining room on formal night wearing trainers and bach flip flips or jeans and shirt but no tie or jacket. This happened on Navigator of the Seas and was disappointed to see that they had been allowed into the restaurant, whereas on P&O I have seen people turned away or given a jacket out of the cupboard.

6) Having to pay 18% service charge on drinks and then the Spanish tax/UK vat/any other tax they can think off. It always amazes me how the cruise lines add on extra taxes if in Spanish waters, UK VAT if on a UK cruise, or extra service charges on the drinks. Why can’t this be built into the price of the cruise?
7) Having to fight for seats in the buffet restaurant and then eating separately as one person has to stay behind to save the table.
8) Johnny Rockets/Sabor/ Main dining room for lunch not open on port days – we found on Navigator of the seas on a port day the only place open for lunch was either the buffet restaurant or Sorrentos (Coffee Shop). I asked why ohnny Rockets wouldnt be open on a port day until 4.30pm and was told it would be quiet on board to which i replied that why I would want to go there as it would be easier to get a table.

9) Having to wait until 9pm on embarkation day for suitcase (and even more annoying to find it has then been damaged). We often get to the port for around 11am so it always surprises me why it takes so long for your case to arrive. One of our cases had been damaged – the handle had been ripped off and there was no sorry note or what to do next, so we had to queue at guest services (which on embarkation day on Royal Caribbean is not ideal as there was many people queuing to have their gratuities removed.
10) The Adults only Solarium/retreat area having children in it. This seemed to happen every day on Navigator of the Seas and no-one was policing it.

11) Photographer’s coming round the table at dinner wanting to take your photo when u have a plate of food. Always makes me laugh when they come round when you eating your dinner and ask if you want a picture, some of them take no well, but others get a bit upset – why would i want a picture of me eating my dinner?
12) On the last couple of days in the main dining room/cabin steward when the crew come round and beg you to score them a perfect 10 on the survey. This always makes me cringe as its almost like begging from them, and I do feel sorry for them as their tips rely on it. One time we were told that our waiter would only remain working in the freedom dining restaurant if he got 10’s as only the staff with 10/10 got to work in there and he didn’t want to be downgraded a floor.

So what are your main gripes of being on a cruise? Have I missed any? Do you agree with any of the above or am I just being a grumpy cruiser?

Have a good couple of weeks and I will tell you about my trip on Navigator of the Seas next time

Kerry

xx