Cruise Talk: Voyager of the Seas

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...Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the debut of the all-new Norwegian Aqua to Port Canaveral, Fla. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, where she commenced her inaugural season of round-trip Caribbean cruises as the newest ship in port. This past weekend, approximately 3,700 guests embarked on Norwegian Aqua's first week-long voyage to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla., her initial homeport ...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today reported first quarter Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $2.70 and Adjusted EPS of $2.71. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger than expected pricing on close-in demand and lower costs mainly due to timing. Royal Caribbean said that it is increasing its full year 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $14.55 to $15.55...

Latest News...Holland America Line announced itineraries for its two Grand Voyages sailing in 2027, offering guests the choice to embark on an ambitious 129-day circumnavigation of the globe on the 2027 Grand World Voyage or a 70-day, region-specific in-depth exploration on the Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage. As revealed today by the cruise line's president Beth Bodensteiner to guests on board...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Voyager of the Seas

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Voyager of the Seas

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 12-23-1999 11:37 AM

For those of you who have already sailed on the Voyager of the Seas, what did you think of the cruise director and cruise staff?

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 12-23-1999 01:19 PM

Jeff Martin was our cruise director. He did a great job keeping 3000 plus passengers happy. Also had to put together new programs never seen at sea before, like rock climbing instruction, ice skating, and in line skating. And the entertainment with the roving street performers. Of course the cruise director had many assistants, and they were the most visible throughout the day. But considering all the passengers onboard and all the hype I read about prior to the trip they did a great job and surpassed all my expectations.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 12-23-1999 02:24 PM

Thanks, MagnmPI! On my last cruise our cruise director was NOT good at keeping everybody entertained, and it made such a big difference in our overall experience. We're sailing at the end of February, so I wonder if we'll have the same cruise director. I know they work 3 months at a time, usually, so we might end of with someone new, depending on when he switches off.

What did you think of the food? I've heard mixed reviews. Do you reccomend that we make a reservation at the Italian restaurant? Portofino, is it?

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Debi
First Class Passenger
Member # 936

posted 12-23-1999 06:48 PM

Laura,

I had no opinion on the cruise director, but I'll jump in on Portifino.

The selection was excellent - a full 7 course meal - and the decor outstanding. The main problem was that they were way too busy (people were walking out irate after waiting 1-2 hours for their dinner) and food preparation quality suffered (undercooked or overcooked). But I'll bet they will solve that quickly. You might want to make reservations the first night for Wed or Fri because these are shore days and it's nice to pick your time to eat, and then ask other passengers who have eaten there how it was after the first couple of nights.

It's definitely worth the $5pp surcharge, if they've fixed the problems.

Debi

Posts: 52 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Debi
First Class Passenger
Member # 936

posted 12-23-1999 06:48 PM

Laura,

I had no opinion on the cruise director, but I'll jump in on Portifino.

It's definitely worth the $5pp surcharge, if they've fixed the problems.

Debi

Posts: 52 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 12-24-1999 07:53 AM

Without a doubt, make reservations for Portifino as soon as you can after embarkation...it will fill up quick. If there is something in the main dining room that you absolutely have to have on the same night you eat at Portofino's just order it from room service later.

Also on the first day when you're exploring the ship, don't let the bar waiters by the pool trick you into trying a $5.95 bon voyage drink in your honor...they try to play it off like it's free. If they aren't doing this on your trip that will show that RCI listens to complaints.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Debi
First Class Passenger
Member # 936

posted 12-24-1999 11:45 AM

*LOL* Glad to hear we weren't the only ones duped into buying those silly $7 (including tip) bon voyage drinks in the souvenir plastic glasses because when a waiter comes by and hands you something, you assume it's free! We hadn't even left the dock yet so we were still technically 'cruisevirgins' and so we just considered it a learning experience.

We brought home the containers and made slushy drinks in them the other night while we looked at our cruise photos, and that was fun.

Posts: 52 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Jm
First Class Passenger
Member # 219

posted 12-26-1999 10:04 PM

Do make reservations as soon as you get on board for Portofino. Food is very good. I guess we were lucky. We did not have to wait long to get served. Also found staff very friendly. Eager to please. If you prefer one dinig room over another you must change that right away also. I saw people changing their dining room and seating right after we got on board.

Posts: 47 | From: Laurencr Harbor, N.J. | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Nanoo
Just Boarded
Member # 970

posted 12-29-1999 11:02 AM

Hi! This is a question for anyone who has travelled on VOTS. I was just wondering how much it costs to rent skates (both ice and inline). There are so many hidden expenses aboard cruise ships these days! Also, with over 3000 people on board, does the pool area get really crowded? Which dining room is more preferable?? Thanks for any advice in advanced!

Posts: 1 | From: Mississauga, ON, Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 12-29-1999 06:11 PM

I had orginally planned to walk the entire ship making a list of activities and their prices, but as soon as I got there, I sunk right into vacation mode. My wife's $40. dollar haircut pops into my mind right now though. Anyways, as for deck space around the pool, we always found room to lay out, but most of my days were a little on the windy side. If you hit some real nice weather, which is most likely, I could see it filling up more. But the spa, sports area, 2 buffet restaurants with 4 lines, and the Royal Promenade below decks tend to spread people out.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

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...