Cruise lines cut back toiletries

[1Melanie]

Are you suggesting you would change cruise lines, after being “loyal”, due to a reduction in toiletries?


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Nope, last cruise to So Am was underwhelming. The food was not as good as it used to be. Cagneys now charges for sauces (Good grief!) and some appetizers like crab cakes. The meats were like rubber. The Asian restaurant was junk, (for reference, I’m part Asian, a product of C& H, grew up in Hawaii where we have good Asian food.) Entertainment was good. The gym was crowded unless you got there at 6:30 am. Too many sea days, ugh! Couple port cancellations due to weather. (Not their fault.) Activities were so so. I think we played most of the trivia games. Embarkation/debarkation was an awful experience. So much for priority boarding especially when they ask you to make an appointment. (They blamed the Argentinians & Chileans for that.) Shore excursions were poorly organized. Housekeeping cut back to once a day. No turn down service. No cute little towel animals and chocolates on your pillow. Only experience with RCCL was a short Bahamas cruise a year ago. Not sure if they’ve digressed in service since then. I have nothing else to compare it to. That’s why I was asking. But I was happy enough. Last 5day Carnival trip to Caribbean was as expected but also cut back on some of the usual stuff. At least their food and offerings are better than NCL. The entertainment not so much. The cut back in toiletries was an annoyance more than anything when you’re used to having them provided. The prices of the Haven suites, where they have great toiletries and amenities, has skyrocketed so we settle on a regular room instead.
My husband wants to take one of those looong world cruises but I think my maximum tolerance for being at sea is 11 days on any ship. I enjoy cruising but it’s no longer as special as it could be.
At least the COVID restrictions in most places have been lifted.

 

[1Melanie]

I haven’t tried Carnival yet, but I’m sure I will.

I was on Celebrity in January and I thought it was fine, though not great.

I have D+ status on Royal and got convinced to go on one in Sept and a couple more next year…but I think it’s seriously gone downhill in the last few years.

I’ll be on Virgin Voyages again next month, and other than the ship trying to kill me and my friends it’s great! (There are some obvious new build issues…floors misaligned, insufficient signage, wood by the bed - which caused me to still feel pain in my arm since I hit it, etc).

All of these cruise lines have the large liquid soap dispensers. On Royal I’m supposed to get the upgraded toiletries, but they’re also crap so I bring my own (and have since I started traveling).

Who has the best toiletries, you may ask? Windstar. L’Occitane.

Among other items, I’ve bought this for travel:

Aveda Refreshing Bath Soap. Lot of 20 Bars. Total of 25oz

https://a.co/d/6BXE2Y7

It’s just so easy to bring your own and know you’ll be happy.

And btw, the “loyal” reference was partly in jest since cruise fanatics use it all the time as a means to justify their status and expectation that the company will be loyal in return…which it never is. Royal and NCL and all the others are in it for one reason and one reason only: profit.


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So true.

 

[1Melanie]

Are you suggesting you would change cruise lines, after being “loyal”, due to a reduction in toiletries?


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My favorite so far is Holland America.

 

[dannybaker]

No toilet paper , towels, or pillows are next. Lol

 

[Wingo99]

Just came off a carnival ship. They had plenty of shampoo and body wash separately on the wall in the shower. Also got some bars of soap.