Cruise Talk: Anyone been on a Renaissance Cruise lately? (R1 or newer)

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Princess Cruises' highly anticipated second Sphere-Class ship, the stunning Star Princess, which is currently being built by Fincantieri, has reached a major milestone with the successful completion of its sea trials. The ship is on track to welcome its first guests on October 4, 2025, sailing the scenic Mediterranean from Barcelona.During these final sea trials from August 9–12, Star Princess departed the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy,...

Latest News...Big fun will be available to more Carnival guests with a larger variety of options as Carnival Cruise Line adds short itineraries into the mix for its Excel-class ships in 2027/28. Mardi Gras will be the first Excel ship to offer shorter cruises for the first time. Carnival Celebration, homeporting year-round from Miami, will continue its popular seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean...

Latest News...Let the memory-making begin – the ultimate family vacation is finally here. Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Star of the Seas* arrived today in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, for the first time. With just one week to go before the first vacationers set sail on the vacation of a lifetime, more than 2,000 Royal Caribbean team members came together to welcome the newest Icon Class ship ...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Anyone been on a Renaissance Cruise lately? (R1 or newer)

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Anyone been on a Renaissance Cruise lately? (R1 or newer)

Pam I Am
Just Boarded
Member # 361

posted 03-09-1999 06:03 PM

Just like you, I've cruised before. And just like you I've had some positive and some not so positive experiences.

I'm thinking of taking the R3 inaugural cruise in late August to Tahiti. The only way I've been able to find anything out about this ship is to look it up directly through Renaissance Cruise Line's web site. It's an excellent website...and appears to be the only real way to book a cruise, on the R3.

The prices and discriptions sound too good to be true! That's why I'm asking. Anyone who as been on the R1 or R2 (or maybe even the Renaissance VII or VIII)...please let me know.

Posts: 1 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Mar 99

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 03-09-1999 09:12 PM

Pam,

You are right about Renaissance wanting you to book directly with them. In general, they do not book through travel agents in the US. We have brief reviews of the R One and R Two at http://www.travelpage.com/cruise/renaissance.htm and we have reviews by TravelPage.com readers at http://www.travelpage.com/yourfav/yourfav_cruise.htm

Joe at travelpage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Mary
First Class Passenger
Member # 316

posted 03-17-1999 11:04 AM

We are booked on the R1 for late May and I booked basically on a few good reviews. Like you I was attracted to the prices. We did book through a travel agent (so it isn't impossible) and it wasn't until later that I learned of their policy of encouraging direct bookings. Since we are paid in full I am hoping we made the correct decision. (With the travel advisory for Turkey issued by the State Department today I am beginning to worry more about world affairs than the ship.)
If Joe at the Travel page is "listening" I am curious as to what the inside buzz is on how Renaissance's policy of direct bookings is working for them. I recently read of poll of cruise travellers saying 90% of them preferred to book through an agent.

Posts: 35 | Registered: Jan 99

Jeannette
Just Boarded
Member # 206

posted 03-27-1999 09:49 PM

I booked on the R-1 after reading 40-50 reviews. Almost all were uniformly excellent. The best source is AOL. Even cruisers with experience on 20-30 cruises said that Renaissance was a terrific deal and a great experience.

Posts: 1 | Registered: Mar 99

JanC
First Class Passenger
Member # 198

posted 03-28-1999 01:26 AM

If you go to stutt.com and go into the Wheelhouse section there is a very comprehensive article on Renaissance Cruises and covers all of their policies including the following: You save $500. by paying up front. You must be fully paid 120 days in advance. If you have a deposit down (which is quite steep) and cancel, the deposit is forteited. They do not offer cancellation or other types of insurance. You must do this on your own. No smoking. No one under 18 allowed on board. One thing not mentioned is that they are terrific on last minute bookings (if you can manage that) and even waive the single supplement on certain occasions. Since they want your business directly, their agents seem to be very anxious to be of service.

Posts: 17 | Registered: Dec 98

KimG
Just Boarded
Member # 257

posted 04-11-1999 12:30 AM

Pam, see my comments to Katina 's 3/26/99 Renaissance question in Cruise Lines thread. New ships (R1 - R6) will be identical - very pretty, elegant, not real big (<700 passengers), no movie theater, no video arcade, not geared to kids at all (who're not even allowed after 3/1/99), because the shore excursions really are the entertainment, at least on the R1 itinerary (Greek Isles). Very well organized, almost undetectable ship motion unless bad weather or out on open seas, shore excursions led by fantastic local guides (excellent command of English). 98% friendly service, management listens when you (rarely) have a complaint. Only complaints - room service menu EXTREMELY limited (about 12 items), no real "frequent cruiser" discounts or program (yet), and skip dinner with the captain if invited - he was a chauvinistic boor (and bore!). Unless you're 20-something and/or looking for at-sea entertainment and glitz, you'll enjoy!! We're going again this Xmas on the R2.

Direct booking policy must be working - I scoured the web, AARP, AAA, USAA, employer travel desk, and called 8 of the largest and highest-recommended (by Frommer) cruise brokers trying to get a better price for our next Renaissance cruise, but consistently got the same message - NO agent commissions, so most agents will not recommend them unless you ask. They continue to be sold out though, and just this week introduced a "past guest" discount notification system via email that promises "spectacular", "substantial" discounts available only thru this email system. I remain skeptical - so far snail-mail "past guest" discounts have only been $100-200 per person (even for top owners suites), and if you refer a friend who buys a cruise, you get a $100 shipboard certificate - big whoopee - unimpressive. But they seem to be listening to feedback, so keep your eyes on them.

Bottom line - prices are as advertised but check cabin dimensions on their web site, terrific ships, service, food good (but not spectacular), fab destinations - go for it!

Posts: 6 | From: Dallas TX USA | Registered: Mar 99

743743
Just Boarded
Member # 7

posted 05-25-1999 01:08 PM

R 1 cruise to Mediterranean and Israel ending in Turkey, Feb, 1999- excellent in cruise and land portions. highly recommend.
BUT, most of the passengers are older and couples.

Posts: 7 | From: Cape Coral, FL, US | Registered: May 99

743743
Just Boarded
Member # 7

posted 05-25-1999 01:18 PM

I have had experiences with R-1 and R-8.
Great ships but completely different in style, cabins and passengers.

The smaller R-8, to me a single passenger, older age-about late fifties, was boring during cruise times. there mostly are older couples, more affluent persons who group together. little recreational/entertainment activities. However, it has a wonderful "yacht-like" environment with excellent decor and cabins. My cabin was on the purser level and huge. Staff are quite good and the excursion agencies and hotels are wonderful. Food was satisfactory but not as good as RCCL.

I am booked on R-3 in Nov to Tahiti. I expect it to be wonderful like the other
trips.

Posts: 7 | From: Cape Coral, FL, US | Registered: May 99

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...