Royal Caribbean Port — Attraction in Seattle

If negative stars existed they woukd get even lower. Cliff note version, DO NOT SAIL ROYAL CARRIBEAN RIGHT NOW!!! As experienced cruisers, we have never experienced elder abuse.... until now. My senior parents planned their dream Alaska cruise aboard the Quantum of the Seas for the last year. They made sure to buy the travel insurance in these uncertain times just to make sure everything was covered. Royal carribean booked their flights and were responsible to ensure their flight would get then to the ship timely. Less than 24 hours before the flight, Delta cancelled their direct flight that was planned for the last year. Since this is a Royal review I will skip the Delta mistreatment and simply move to the only flight we could get them on left in 5 hours. We scrambled, but made it happen. Since that was the only flight that would get them to the ship timely, it added the unplanned expense of an additional hotel. Royal Carribean or the insurance claim to not be responsible for this. The flight changes required my senior parents to be split from the rest of the party that are helpful to assist them with limited mobility issues. This added additional stress to my parents, and despite requests to switch flights to pair up kore able bodied for assistance, that was not permitted. Fast forward to parents go back to the airport for the transfer to the ship. They meet up with the rest of the party and said it felt like Christmas to be together traveling to the port to board the ship. One of the requirements is a covid test 2 days before sailing. They took the tests, but the results remained pending and the plan was they woukd test at the dock with a rapid test if the results remained pending like they were when they caught that early flight. Unfortunately, and unaware to everyone, one result was positive. Now we all know, you can't board positive so as dissapointing as that is, we get it. For the record she was completely ASYMPTOMATIC, so without the test there was no indicator. However, mistreatment and elder abuse as a result is unacceptable. Immediately they put my senior parents (both of them, even though only one positive test) into a cold warehouse area for hours. They were separated from their medical bag and mobility device as it was already loaded onto the ship. My parents, who have health issues, were housed here for literally hours, not.offered any water or snack while they waited for their medical bag and mobility device. NEITHER ITEMS WERE RETURNED. At 4pm when the ship was set to sail, my parents were kicked out of the building WITHOUT THEIR MEDICATION AND MOBILITY DEVICE and were told that RC would not assist further with any transportation to include a cab... and they had to leave the building. The door was locked behind them. My dad is a veteran in his 80s and was literally kicked out on the street without his walker or any of his medical supplies. My mother was kicked out without her meds as well. The travel agent worked hard to get them a hotel that night and a direct flight home the next day. To the writing of this over 2 weeks after, my parents have NOT BEEN REDUNDED FOR THE CRUISE EITHER THROUGH ROYAL CARRIBEAN OR THE TRAVEL INSURANCE PURCHASED.

To further break their hearts, the rest of the party was cleared to sail and was permitted to board so their dream Alaska cruise with family was unfulfilled and those memories are forever missed.

STAY AWAY FROM ROYAL CARRIBEAN UNTIL THEY TREAT VETERANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS...

Most photos submitted were early first day before most had boarded. Only crowded picture posted is the horrible disembarkment process.

We booked this cruise 8 months in advance. Due to emailed discounted excursions we booked a couple. Just weeks before the trip we got the RC app and tried to book onboard complimentary RipCord, WiveRider and Puzzle (escape room) all spots were booked. 2nd day on cruise more slots opened for sale at $50 for 2 min.

In Seattle check in went fast. We boarded and tried to get food but WindJammer had already closed so we went to our room. Very clean and well appointed.

Continued to explore the very crowded ship. We tried the SeaPlex (activities) area. Super crowded with long lines for everything. Thought maybe sit in a jacuzzi. All crowded and people wanting to get in.

I lead this part about dinning with the staff was amazing everywhere. Buffet was PACKED always. Seating difficult if available all meals. Specialty restaurants cost more $$ but you can get in for average food. Main dinning room and service was good. Food was OK. Not much flavor and appetizers were better than meals.

Again staff everywhere was great but food was subpar and everywhere is super crowded.

Since we can’t get to any activities tried the gym. Lots of cardio but a little difficult to get on machines and get the few weights.

The most disappointing part of the trip was getting off the boat in Vancouver. They give you a schedule and gathering point to wait for your time. We had breakfast and arrived at our gathering point at scheduled exit time. No announcements are being made. I went to ask at the exit gangway and stairs are blocked and we were told to go back. It felt like the episode on Titanic where they locked those not worthy downstairs.

I returned to our gathering point with our group. An hour past our exit time and no instructions we decided to line up to exit. We got off and and into the luggage pick up area. Super crowded. They were on 17 exit baggage and were supposed to be on 33. Again we were roped off and YELLED at by several staff. This was so disorganized. Some people’s luggage would arrive, they would move for it then more YELLING to get back and unable to get you luggage that is right there. Another hour later they release our corralled area. Most of our group got there luggage but some luggage was missing amongst our group. We asked and got no help. We took it upon ourselves to walk through other group numbers. We found our properly labeled missing luggage in other numbered group areas.

Now that we have our luggage 2 hours after the scheduled time we try to follow the signs for Uber pick up. Signs say one way staff instructed to go another way. Ultimately another guest showed us the way about a half mile away from the port down the street and over two blocks in the rain.

Overall i think the only way to see Alaska is on a cruise. Expect to have great service on boat but subpar food. Crowds everywhere with the the inability to participate in most activities. Lots of specialty restaurants available at an additional cost that they have people out trying to sell you. They were empty the first few days but more busy as people get frustrated with the inabilities to find seating at the included WindJammer buffet, Two70 and the Solarium cafe. We asked staff if it’s always this crowded and they said the next scheduled cruise had an additional 400 on it. I can’t...

This port is decent. I was able to get dropped off by my uber driver right up front. We got out though, and there was no clear direction on where we needed to go to drop off our bags. We ended up walking back down away from the entrance more, towards bus terminals and found a porter willing to take our bags. Once inside, we were quickly shuffled through check in and security. There was a lack of signage compared to other ports (NYC, Baltimore, Miami) but gernally once inside you just followed the crowd.

Getting out was another experience, some of which may be related to the cruise. The luggage areas were well marked, ours was all together, which was nice. Then walking out we were asked if we needed airport transportation. I was planning to uber (XL was about $100+Tip) and there was a shuttle bus for $68 for 2 adults and 2 kids. We were fortunate that we got right on a shuttle, but between traffic, being on a bus, and where they drop you (theres a parking lot for busses pretty far from the main terminal) it added some time and effort to us getting to our united bag check compared to an uber. Probably worth the $50 savings, but keep this in mind based on your party and their walking capabilities. There is NO bathroom available for use on the bus, so go before you board, a kid had to go before we left and held it...