Why not reserved seating for shows?

[2910car]

Just off Oasis where we had to book all shows months in advance. However, there is no actually reserved seats so still had to wait in line 1/2 hour each evening, then the mad dash for seats.

 

Wouldn't it be great if you could reserve actual seats when you make the show reservations, just like you do in land theaters?

 

Cruise line could benefit by guests in shops or casino instead of waiting in line.

 

All they would have to do is number the seats - doesn't seem that hard. Even some movie theaters now have reserved seating. Of course people without reservations could still be admitted 10 minutes before to fill in any empty seats. What do you think?

[Ocean Boy]

I think RCI's IT department has enough problems already.

[reallyhooked]

not a good idea. go early & you get to pick the seat you'd like

[cruisenfever]

I think RCI's IT department has enough problems already.

[bouhunter]

I think RCI's IT department has enough problems already.

 

Yeah I can just imagine the mess they would make of that......:D A thread here on reserved seating would probably hit 500 posts on day one :)

Edited July 21, 2015 by bouhunter

[ColoradoGurl]

not a good idea. go early & you get to pick the seat you'd like

 

Isnt it the same as "book early" and get the seat you'd like? I haven't been on a ship that requires advanced reservations for shows though so I don't know how much of a cluster F- it is :) Seems like the original poster has a point, since people have to be diligent to book early, and then they also have to stand in line early in hopes of actually getting a seat. These are some of the things that keep me from booking an oasis class ship. It doesn't seem fun to have to deal with this stuff at all.

[ewenix]

You would have to manage that to death. The current reservation just gets you in the door for the show, then 10 minutes or so prior to showtime they can just let in X number of people for the seats that are available.

 

Onboard someone would have to police the reserved seats, and they can't manage to keep people from sitting on the floor in the aisles already.

 

You'd also have to have someone trying to manage people who want to change seats and showtimes.

 

Currently they just give out a set number of tickets and after that you're in the wait line. It's much simpler model, if you wanted reserved seats you're just going to increase the cost for manpower and whatever management system that would be needed. The management system would increase hardware demands which means physical space that may not be available, plus increasing the power draw and cooling needed.

Add any development cost for the system, plus ongoing maintenance.

[A&L_Ont]

I think RCI's IT department has enough problems already.

 

OB, taking you comment a bit further, I'd hate to see Ticket Master get in on the deal. Next thing you know Stub Hub will have tickets for sale for the 9pm ATS.:eek:

[Langley Cruisers]

...there is no actually reserved seats so still had to wait in line 1/2 hour each evening, then the mad dash for seats.... Wouldn't it be great if you could reserve actual seats when you make the show reservations, just like you do in land theaters?

 

I understand your frustration but disagree with you on this. It would never work. For one thing, people are on vacation and may tend to change their mind. I, personally, have not gone to a show because I was too tired, was having fun doing something else, just didn't feel like it... pick your reason. No harm done because my "reserved" seat in the theater went to someone in the stand-by line. Everybody happy. :D

[yolanda1]

Just off Oasis where we had to book all shows months in advance. However, there is no actually reserved seats so still had to wait in line 1/2 hour each evening, then the mad dash for seats.

 

Wouldn't it be great if you could reserve actual seats when you make the show reservations, just like you do in land theaters?

 

Cruise line could benefit by guests in shops or casino instead of waiting in line.

 

All they would have to do is number the seats - doesn't seem that hard. Even some movie theaters now have reserved seating. Of course people without reservations could still be admitted 10 minutes before to fill in any empty seats. What do you think?

 

I understand your point, but there are a couple of reasons why it wouldn't work. Firstly, Royal are incompetent and it would be a disaster, and secondly, it favours early bookers, and people who book their cruise later might find it difficult, if not impossible to book anything. Add to that the fact that people could book seats and then not show up. It would block all the seats.

 

I think the best way to ensure that you can have the seats you want is to book a suite as one of the perks is that you don't have to book at all. I appreciate that this option isn't possible for all, but it does address the seating issue :)

[dacsmom]

Great idea, but it would probably be a nightmare to implement. I was on the Allure and got to the theater about 15 minutes before the shows. I'm sure if you are set on a particular seat or you had a very large group you would have to be first in line, but there really aren't many bad seats.

[Havingfun2010]

Just off Oasis where we had to book all shows months in advance. However, there is no actually reserved seats so still had to wait in line 1/2 hour each evening, then the mad dash for seats.

 

Wouldn't it be great if you could reserve actual seats when you make the show reservations, just like you do in land theaters?

 

Cruise line could benefit by guests in shops or casino instead of waiting in line.

 

All they would have to do is number the seats - doesn't seem that hard. Even some movie theaters now have reserved seating. Of course people without reservations could still be admitted 10 minutes before to fill in any empty seats. What do you think?

 

Booking the shows in advance helps with controlling the limited seats. Meaning if you have a reservation, you get in. I can't imagine trying to get everyone into a reserved seat! That would be a mess.

 

You don't need to wait in line. They open the doors 30 minutes before, and you walk in. If you arrive before the 30 minutes because you really want the front seat, than you do wait in line. Plus, by arriving early, you have a chance to settle in, get a drink, etc.

 

Even without the reservations, I'm at the show early enough to grab a drink and find a seat.

 

I think it's a good system, and from what I have experienced two times, it worked.

 

I even missed one of my shows, and went into standby and had no problem getting into the show.

[2CatsInFlorida]

Since the shows had to be booked in advance they might as well allow assigned seating.