Been there, thought that

Having cruised for 20 years, it is refreshing to see that Royal Caribbean has maintained, if not enhanced, its level of service and cruise experience. A recent 12-night cruise of the western Mediterranean out of Barecelona offered a refreshing resurgence in service, food and organization. To be fair, this cruise may not be for everyone for several reasons.   The itinerary originally included Nice, France, Rome, Venice, Salerno, Bologna, Italy and Kotor, Montenegro. Due to port conditions in Bologna, Split, Croatia was added to the itinerary. While the itinerary is outstanding, several of the ports are 60 to 90 minutes from excursion sites.   Rome is a prime example as the port of Civitavecchia is easily a 90-minute ride depending on traffic.   Also, as is the case with Mediterranean cruises, excursions are generally geared around historical sites including cathedrals and government buildings, so young children may not be interested in many of the excursions. ...

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about cruising, it’s don’t let online reviews set your expectations. One of the challenges of reviewing a cruise is that there are so many variables involved, not to mention individual expectations. Keeping things in proper perspective is a real challenge. In the case of our recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas (our ninth on RCCL and third on the Navigator) )exceeded my expectations – by a long shot. The atrium at the entrance of the Navigator of the Seas' promenade   Why?   Because in many ways Royal Caribbean continues its Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde approach to cruising. The Dr. Jekyll (who was the nice guy) was seen by the service and outstanding friendliness of the ship’s staff, service, food, entertainment – in other words, the cruising experience. Royal Caribbean continues, so it seems, to take on the role of the evil Mr. Hyde in its policies and miserable ability to communicate with its customers. The...

About this review:   Stan Zoller is a freelance journalist and journalism educator.   Information in this review is an independent viewpoint based on individual observation. No complimentary services, meals, or lodging were provided by Royal Caribbean.                         It’s no secret that the cruise industry is becoming more and more competitive.   What was once deemed as a vacation for the rich and famous, if not just the rich, is now a common vacation for individuals and families from all cultures, heritages and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Promenade             For families, cruising the Caribbean can be utopia with a plethora of activities for passengers of all ages and itineraries that offer an array of opportunities for vacationers.        ...