You can imagine that over time I receive some interesting emails and letters. It goes with the territory but every once in a while I am unusually impressed. When that happens, with the permission of the writer, I will publish it here.
Last month, one of my best friends and his family went to Europe on vacation. They went to the Blue Duckling Restaurant in Prague and discovered that one of the employees is a proud alumnus of Royal Caribbean’s dining staff. Shortly thereafter, I received this correspondence:
Dear Mr. Goldstein,
I believe you have many activities and I am sure you are very busy.
Truly I do not believe this email will come to you but I feel that I have to give a try.
This impulse – to write you – I have got thanks to meeting or better to say to serving the family of your friend living in New York. They are on the trip in Europe and they visited our restaurant Blue Duckling in Prague (Czech Republic). On the way back home I was thinking what a coincidence. I was working for RCI in dining department (Majesty, Explorer, Voyager) for a few years and I told them that they can thank your company for the service they have got today. I have learned so much with your company and not only to serve. I have learned about people, about cultures, about psychology, about understanding, about guests needs.
I finished my last contract in Galveston because I wanted to settle down three years ago. I went to Dublin where I got a job as a restaurant manager. In Ireland, they know what a level of service is with RCI. Then I moved to Prague with “big eyes“ I would utilize my experiences but I was wrong. In Czech they don‘t know what is it. So here in Prague my way to find a job doing what I wish to do is harder.
But the reason why I am writing is just to say THANK YOU for what I could learn in RCI. I believe that not too many people can realize what it means to have this opportunity to work for RCI. I have realized that today and I know it gave me a lot. It was a very hard job but I also know nothing is for free.
I wish you honestly all the best, especially health and to your company god speed.
With kind regards,
Richard Blasko
Wow. Thank you Richard for summarizing in a few words what makes our people and the Royal Caribbean culture so special. To our readers, if you’re in Prague, please try the Blue Duckling Restaurant.
I can certainly appreciate this post. We just returned from the Freedom of the Seas on Sunday and in all of my cruises ive never had such a fabulous waiter. Keron Gobern took the best care of us we could have ever asked for. His service was beyond top notch. We were so sad to leave him after the week!
We’re glad to hear that you had such a wonderful time onboard Freedom of the Seas, Suzanne. And we particularly appreciate you sharing such kind words about Keron, we will be sure to pass your compliments along.
I have just come back from a fab cruise on Voyager of the seas ,it was my first cruise and i just loved every minute of it, the only thing i found to complain about was the price of the wine,as it is the only thing i drink i have to say i found it very pricey.also if the photos were a reasonble price people would buy more
Linda
We are happy to hear you enjoyed your first cruise, Linda! We appreciate your feedback and will be sure to pass this information along to the appropriate departments.
WOW! That was such a great letter. My husband and I will be setting sail on our 2nd cruise this November aboard the Oasis of the Seas. I can’t tell you how impressed I was when we sailed on the Oasis last year. It was our very first cruise so we had no expectations. We had always heard wonderful things about RCCL, but we indeed expierenced it for ourselves. You are definitley treated like “Royalty”. From the stateroom attendant, the waiters, bartenders, entertainment, etc. We were BEYOND impressed. I must say…I doubt we will EVER cruise another line. Thanks you Royal Caribbean!
Thank you for the generous praise, Jessica. We always strive to provide our guests with the most memorable experience possible, we’re glad to hear that we succeeded. Thank you for sharing the wonderful experience, we look forward to seeing you onboard again in November.
Adam, I love RCI. It’s simply the best cruise company overall. We saw Carnival’s efficiency at Port Everglades and it simply doesnt compare to Oasis’ Terminal 18. It was quite the experience. We were so disappointed in Carnival. That first impression was not good. Oasis was amazing and just beautiful and delivered the WOW factor just as I had expected and truly exceeded every single expectation that I had, which with so much propaganda, was already high. I just want to bring to your attention this article on Cruise Critic about Royal Caribbean vs. other cruise lines dealing with early departure. I will never go to any other cruise line that is not RCCL but other people will. Some people are changing cruise lines and it’s very sad to see that. I just want to bring this to your attention and maybe wanted to know your opinion. Thanks. RCL’s BIGGEST fan.
http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2011/08/30/hurricane-irenes-heroes-and-zeros-6-cruise-line-crisis-responses/
Thank you for sharing your comments and the article with us, Ricardo. We appreciate your support and enthusiasm for our brand.
My family and I were on the Freedom of the Seas the week of Aug 14th. We had the best time during our dinner because of our waiters, Richard Kerr and his assistant Oliver. These two men made our dining experience the best, as if they were part of our family! We saw Oliver up at the Windjammer and he made sure to come over to my husband and I to see if there was anything that we needed. We weren’t even sitting in his section. They both showed that their jobs were more than a job to them. They were there to make sure we had a fantastic time…and they did a great job at it!! It was very sad to say goodbye to both of them on our last night. I hope to sail the Freedom again and would love to see if I can have these two men serve me again!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us, Jaclyn. We’ll be sure to pass your message along to our staff and we hope to have you back onboard Freedom of the Seas soon.
Hi RCL,
My wife and I took my two young children on a cruise around the South Pacific, New Years 2010. I was sceptical on cruising but I gave it a go. The children loved the cruise, it gave my wife and I time to ourselves, and really connect again. It was better than fantastic, it was amazing, from the first step on the ship to the last step off.
Thank you RCL and your staff for a wonderful journey.
Kind regards
Thank you for your kind words, Craig. It gives us great pleasure to hear that you and your family had such a remarkable experience onboard. We hope to have you back onboard in the future.
I returned from the Explorer of the Seas on August 27th. Hurricane Irene was with us the entire cruise.. starting behind us, through us and eventually ahead of us..due to inclement weather most of my time was spent in the Casino. The entire casino staff made my vacation truly amazing.. You have some dedicated workers and due to them I am going to be planning another cruise on the Explorer of the Seas. This is my 3rd cruise with royal caribbean, and they have all been great.. BUT I am coming back to this specific ship due to the crew members alone!
My family and I recently returned from our 2nd Cruise on Royal Caribbean. Our 1st was on the beautiful Liberty of the Seas and our 2nd the majestic Allure of the Seas. Aluure being extremely huge has a multitude of activities and many areas to hang out. Our personal favourite was the Boardwalk. Also loved Park Cafe!The kids enjoyed the Carousal and all the fun Characters and I loved the Aqua Theatre!…..even when nothing was happening! Our Waiters were excellent! Actually choked up saying goodbye…. I wish I remembered their name…. (Our sailing was August 21st – 28th – Table 524) I must commend RCI for excellent service and a very classy Ship! One thing though…Is it me or are the Rooms and Corridors smaller? We did have a few hitches with Hurrican Irene, but Capt Zinni was great and we did eventually get to the Bahamas! Thank You RCI! See you soon! Liberty Vs Allure! Ilove them both!
Thanks for sharing your onboard experience with us, Dahlia-Ann. We hope to see you onboard again soon.
My husband and I just returned from our 35th cruise. This on Voyager of the Sea was the 4th or 5th with RCL. I must say although our service in the dining room and Windjammer was fine the food was the WORST we have EVER had on any cruise line. Also the entertainment was horrible! I would never suggest this ship to anyone unless you just want to sleep and read a book
Very little activities onboard either. Maybe it was because it was the first sailing of the Voyager from New Orleans and I won’t make that mistake again. Boarding the ship was a living nightmare and getting off was not the best either. I must say even at the age of 60+ we still prefer Carnival food and great broadway/Vegas type shows to what we saw last week.