Queue Jumpers and other minor inconveniences

[Winters in NZ]

A few folks seem to get in a panic on the day of disembarkation. Waiting in the Celebrity Theatre aboard the Mercury on Friday in San Diego, there were a few who stalked out positions in the outside corridors and steps, even though a numbering color-coded tag system is used to disembark. These folks who feel the need to occupy space that is required by others as they navigate towards the gangway, should perhaps be escorted into the proper lounges to avoid congestion of these thoroughfares. The management of the waiting lines for the awaiting buses was handled quite nicely by the pier staff, although there was the odd couple who successfully dodged the line-ups. I suppose a "hats off" to them for ingenuity is in order. I noticed some of them skulking around the concrete pillars and then sneaking ahead when staff were pre-occupied. Kind of reminded me of my years in junior high when hungry souls waited in the slow moving cafeteria line. Anyways, some of the scenes made for great theatre and entertainment, particularly when one couple was tracked down by the vigilant staff and forced to return to the back of the line. All that work and planning to be the first one on the bus...down the drain.

[FTLcruisers]

My husband works at the port and often works in the customs area during disembarkation and he always has stories of people who get to the front of the line to go through customs but their luggage and family are way in the back of the line. They get so upset when he tells them that they must wait for their family and luggage. All that strategic movement to get to the front of the line and for what? To get out 5 minutes earlier than someone else - doesn't seem quite worth it. But, that's people for you!!

[paulsang]

They are usually the same folks that push ahead of you in the buffet line....

 

....ooohh, that just melts the frosting on my cake!:mad:

[jwright98]

They are usually the same folks that push ahead of you in the buffet line....

 

....ooohh, that just melts the frosting on my cake!:mad:

 

What's with that? I just got back from my first cruise, and some folks would just walk right in front of you at the food stations, or for coffee. I know I wasn't invisible. I guess I wasn't aggressive enough by politely waiting for the person in front of me to select their food. Geez.

[geoherb]

We had self-disembarkation on our last Princess cruise. They let us carry our luggage off the ship instead of packing suitcases the night before. They still offer the traditional way for those people who can't manage their own luggage.

 

I saw several people who jumped ship early only to find out their bags weren't out yet. They weren't happy. But if you have a green luggage tag, you need to wait until they let the people with green luggage tags off the ship. Otherwise, you'll find out that the bags with green luggage tags haven't been unloaded.

[Denny01]

I agree with the oveall view of line jumpers, but in relation to buffets, are you saying cutting in line to get your fill is the same as when I'd step up to a buffet to pick up one item and leave. To me, that isn't cutting in line, that is just stepping over and taking away the 'targeted' item instead of waiting in the line that has people going through the buffet to get their plates filled.

 

I have stepped over and picked something up without going through the full buffet line, and am aware of not blocking anyone who is moving along it. So in my mind, that is OK. Just wondering if other people think that is all in the same bag as cutting into line to get on/off the ship, onto the bus, into a place, etc.

 

And no, this isn't an attempt to rationalize it away, if a lot think that is cutting in line, I'd rethink my rationale.

 

Denny

[txsloth]

I agree with you Denny. Especially with the station setup on the S-Class ships, I don't see how anyone can truly be accused of "cutting" since there really is no identifiable "starting point" at most of the islands.

[Denny01]

I agree with you Denny. Especially with the station setup on the S-Class ships, I don't see how anyone can truly be accused of "cutting" since there really is no identifiable "starting point" at most of the islands.

 

Loved the S-Class buffet setup and all the options. I thought is was a riot when some reviewer complained that the Solstice buffet 'didn't change that much'. What?? How could you tell with so many options. Loved it.

 

And S-Class is not a good example since there are stations in the round, and cirlces don't have a start or end!

 

Denny

[dkjretired]

I agree with the oveall view of line jumpers, but in relation to buffets, are you saying cutting in line to get your fill is the same as when I'd step up to a buffet to pick up one item and leave. To me, that isn't cutting in line, that is just stepping over and taking away the 'targeted' item instead of waiting in the line that has people going through the buffet to get their plates filled.

 

I have stepped over and picked something up without going through the full buffet line, and am aware of not blocking anyone who is moving along it. So in my mind, that is OK. Just wondering if other people think that is all in the same bag as cutting into line to get on/off the ship, onto the bus, into a place, etc.

 

And no, this isn't an attempt to rationalize it away, if a lot think that is cutting in line, I'd rethink my rationale.

 

Denny

 

Agree with you Denny, a polite excuse me is usually all that is needed or even asking...That does not apply however to something like a carving station, omelet line or god forbid for Ed, a waffle line...

[lcmslady]

Denny,

 

I think your approach is a 'grey' area. If there is no one trying to get that item, then you're probably not cutting into line.

 

I do tend to stand patiently and just move down the line without cutting in and out but I do sometimes get irritated at the ones who stand in one place forever trying to make a decision and holding up the line. You can't make a decision before you get there?

 

Don't get me started on folks who clog the stairways waiting to get off when the ship is cleared by customs!!! They make me crazy - the attitude that they are better than others and shouldn't have to wait burns me up!

[emileg]

I agree with the oveall view of line jumpers, but in relation to buffets, are you saying cutting in line to get your fill is the same as when I'd step up to a buffet to pick up one item and leave. To me, that isn't cutting in line, that is just stepping over and taking away the 'targeted' item instead of waiting in the line that has people going through the buffet to get their plates filled.

 

I have stepped over and picked something up without going through the full buffet line, and am aware of not blocking anyone who is moving along it. So in my mind, that is OK. Just wondering if other people think that is all in the same bag as cutting into line to get on/off the ship, onto the bus, into a place, etc.

 

And no, this isn't an attempt to rationalize it away, if a lot think that is cutting in line, I'd rethink my rationale.

 

Denny

On a recent cruise on the Summit, some of the buffet stations have an entrance from two sides. When you get to the middle, some people accuse you of cutting ahead when in fact you are in line from the other side.

[oceanbear]

I believe that buffet “line cutting” is a “grey area” at least for me. If I return to the buffet line for a single item, like a piece of bread or butter, I don’t go to the end of the line. Also, if I have no interest in salads or entrees, I often skip around to the carving station if it is open., but I don’t do this if it’s going to cause others in line to then wait for me. In all other lines, I wait my turn.

[phoenix_dream]

I am a rule-follower by nature, and normally believe in waiting my turn in lines. It is a rare instance where that is not true. But I will confess there have been a couple of times where I may have been accused of some of the behaviors described on disembarkation day. Why would I do that? On at least a couple of occasions I can think of (and there have thankfully been few!) we have almost missed our plane due to a delayed disembarkation.

 

In one of the cases, we booked our flight to allow sufficient time for us to get off the ship and get to the airport. Unfortunately, the airline bumped up our flight a full hour, and then there was a significant delay in disembarking due to Customs. As it was we literally had to run, dragging our 80+ year old relatives along with us. I thought one of us was going to have a heart attack or heat stroke. If we had missed our plane we would have likely been stranded for at least a day or longer with two elderly, disabled relatives trying to get home. This is a true story. We did, by the way, attempt to discuss our issue with the staff on the ship who were handling the disembarkation but they wouldn't listen/did not care. They did ask people to step aside so those with tight connections could get through as the disembarkation was running so late, but no one was willing to do this.

 

On the only other occasion, we booked our flight at a reasonable time only to have the disembarkation delayed until almost 10:00 am. Yes, you read that right. We were again frantic to meet our flight and did a little creative nudging to get near the front.

 

I can't completely condone this, I only can describe why I have done it a couple of times. I will say, also, that in each case we had absolutely no cooperation from folks who had plenty of time to get to the airport, or who drove to the port. When asked to step aside to help people in our stressful situation no one was willing to do that. Not saying two wrongs make a right, just trying to show that sometimes people are doing what they are doing for reasons that are more complicated than pure selfishness.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Denny, I don't have a problem with what you do. I do the same thing. I do not push anyone aside; I simply wait for an opening, grab the one thing I want, and go away. No harm, no foul, in my view. I would not do this at the waffle station or any other specialized station, only in the long buffet line.

[DocJohnB]

 

I have stepped over and picked something up without going through the full buffet line, and am aware of not blocking anyone who is moving along it. So in my mind, that is OK. Just wondering if other people think that is all in the same bag as cutting into line to get on/off the ship, onto the bus, into a place, etc.

 

And no, this isn't an attempt to rationalize it away, if a lot think that is cutting in line, I'd rethink my rationale.

 

Denny

Strictly in that spirit, Denny. Would you have done it (attempted it) in the wardroom? I don't know, it is a close call, IMO.

[floridatravelersforlife]

Im 6 '3" and ripped You cut in front of me and I merely walk around you. If you say anything you will get a paragraph of expletives deleted.

 

Just make my day.

 

There is no excuse. Can't plan adequately is your problem not mine.

[aandjw]

I've seen the type of setup on the S-Class referred to as a "scramble" vs. a buffet - since there are so many stations, and you don't necessarily go from station A to B to C.....the term comes from Disney Theme Park restaurants. If you think you get looks from cruise ship passengers if you "cut" - imagine it at EPCOT!!

 

 

jw

[Denny01]

Strictly in that spirit, Denny. Would you have done it (attempted it) in the wardroom? I don't know, it is a close call, IMO.

good point, John, and the right word is 'attempt' it in the wardroom. think I'll just work on getting what I need on the first pass, and if I want another, I'll ask my wife to cut in line for me.....yeah, right that would work out well, yeah right.

 

Den

[oceanbear]

Im 6 '3" and ripped You cut in front of me and I merely walk around you. If you say anything you will get a paragraph of expletives deleted.

 

Just make my day.

 

There is no excuse. Can't plan adequately is your problem not mine.

You've been cruising since 1952 and you are "ripped". Did you start cruising when you were 10?

[Texed]

You've been cruising since 1952 and you are "ripped". Did you start cruising when you were 10?

 

Hello Bear. :)

[Scotsnomad]

You've been cruising since 1952 and you are "ripped". Did you start cruising when you were 10?

I was 10, 10 months old and had my first birthday on a P&O ship on my way out to Singapore !!!...

 

Getting back to this thread, if I needed to 'grab' an item, I would ask the person in front of it to pass me it, explaining that I had missed it first time round. I would not cut in as you are more likely to get someones back up doing that:)

[floridatravelersforlife]

You've been cruising since 1952 and you are "ripped". Did you start cruising when you were 10?

 

I was 2 and currently I cycle 100 miles per week and work out.