Add drunken, unsupervised CRUISES to the legends of Spring Break. Well over 1,000 teenagers embarked the Navigator in Miami. Was this in part because of the policy that legalized drinking of beer and wine for those who looked over 18 was reportedly rarely enforced? Parents who were either unknowing or turned a blind eye to the drinking policy did so with the hope that the ship was a sanctuary away from questionable hygiene in Cancun, the next best place for Freak Week. With advance bookings showing teens dominating the demographics, one would think RCC would beef up security. However, RCC, in their quest for profit, actually often solicited underage drinkers. The effect was dramatic. Our corridor was so noisy at all hours of the night (and day) that several of us called security nightly to seek the quiet necessary for sleep. Forget relaxation.

Experienced cruisers and travelers that we are supposed to be, you might ask why we picked Spring Break and why the Navigator. I fly over 100K annually now for over 10 years consecutively and my wife is a 20 year veteran travel agent making the Silverseas, Seabourne and Crystal our current preferred lines. But, being a part of a group, economics and personal demands forced the date and cruise lines. Let me add that the RCC sales rep and headquarters left s lot to be desired. Specific questions such as how to handle a request by a handicapped member of our party were met with form letters, which didn�t address the question.

The Navigator IS the newest and best-equipped ship on the seas. The activity areas, spa, health club and entertainment areas were excellent. And there were adult only (over 16) areas. While we wanted to take home our Jamaican steward, Emancia, we noted more than occasional morale problems with other employees. Notable was a photographer who wanted us to hurry, a bartender who appeared unresponsive and a bar manager who dressed down a waitress in public view. Shore excursions, as exemplified by our overcrowded and undersupervised Sting Ray Snorkel Tour, seemed to be limited only by the number of people who would sign up and pay. Yet, room service and dining room service were timely even if the food was a little better than average (Johnny Rockets and the pastries/desserts were notably pleasant exceptions). The shows were mediocre. The additional cost specialty restaurants were not a good value. One note for those who enjoy wine: bring it on board and pay the corkage!

The Navigator is physically elegant but lacks the personality and organizational support to pamper adult cruisers.To be sure, if you are over 21 then avoid school breaks.

what did you expect on spring break?

You mention three of the top cruise lines, your wife is (or was) in the travel business and you're slamming RCCL. Give me a break.

This type of ship is the ideal spot for spring break. No worries for drinking and driving.

Forget Spring break. I agree we should have known better. But, RCCL blew it on every other aspect from booking, boarding, tours, added security all the way to on boat morale.

My experiences on RCCL are similar. For the price, I think you get a lot, although for the over-35 crowd I'd say Princess is a notch above in all aspects other than the ships themsleves. There's no beating those new RCCL ships, especially the 24-hour in-cabin Internet access.

QL

The suites on RCCL are so gorgeous. I really like the jetted tub in the marble bathroom of the CAT. A suites on RCCL. Mordern interior, nice colours!

This horror happened to us several years ago. We booked a cruise not realizing it was spring break. It was on RCCL Monarch of the Seas. We did not have teens so much as hundreds of young kids taking over the pools, the decks, everything. The noise and chaos were a nightmare. While I understand spring break may bring more children on a ship, I do think the cruiseline has a responsiblity to accommodate ALL passengers and should monitor behavior to some extent, i.e., kids racing across the deck to dive into the pool, etc., screaming through the hallways, and such. They have just as much responsiblity to provide decent accommodation a hotel would, IMHO. I wrote them and they sent us a $200. credit toward a future cruise, but I haven't been back on RCCL since so unfortunately, it went to waste.

We did the Voyager of the Seas last year at spring break and really loved it.

My only complaint was our cabin. I booked the 5 of us (my wife and 3 kids) into a suite (Cat A, Owner's Suite). I was very disappointed that the designers didn't use a nice solid door to separate the living room from the bedroom (they relied on a curtain). It struck me like some of the "junior suites" in Vegas, just an oversized room.

There was a massive plasma screen TV on a pedestal that rotated back and forth between the bedroom and the living room, if you closed the curtain, you lost the TV.

The suite was big enough, RCCL should have put a more thought into it. Disney's 1BR and 2BR suites and Carnival's 1Br Suite (on the Pride) are still the best cabins we've seen at sea.

I disagree, because I really like the new design of the RCCL Owner's suites (Cat.A).
On the Radiance and Voyager Class ship the suite looks pretty similar, has a cool TV, entertainment and lighting system and nice living room. I speak for only two persons in a cabin. Then there is no problem with a separation to create a two room suite.
Size is just fine! Nice concierge lounge with good drinks and snacks for free!

RCCL president, Richard Fain, responded to my letter with basic lip service. "Sorry your 'fellow cruisers' were porly behaved" without owning up to the understaffed security. Would bring to the attention of the cruise director about alcohol being served to anyone over puberty.
At least Marysunshine got a $200 credit which she never used again.
The last comment, "Hope to serve you again" was extremely wishful.

We cruised this past spring break on Celebrity RT from Charleston SC. No spring breakers, just a small handfull of children. We saw several RCLL, Carnival, and Norwegian ships pull into port with us and spill drunken youngsters, though! I am in my 30s, and had a great time on this line that supposedly appeals to the "older" crowd. (Same price range as the others too)