Promoting poor etiquette?

[topnole]

Find that comment a bit rude -- topnole, I didn't even read your post for that very reason. A couple of para's with no break -- fine. Way beyond that -- nope.

 

 

 

I haven't been reading up on all the "new or pretend to be new" perks a suite class holds, having them at different hours doesn't seem any different to those that can book private Flowrider times (at that is open to all to book.)?

 

 

 

So someone says long paragraphs are hard to read. In response to another comment I say I used paragraphs to satisfy them and I'm the one who is rude? And b/c of that you didn't read the comment. Seriously. Oh I'm so hurt you didn't read it. Why don't you go find a safe place at Harvard where no one will be rude to you or hurt you re feelings.

[jaspercat]

So someone says long paragraphs are hard to read. In response to another comment I say I used paragraphs to satisfy them and I'm the one who is rude? And b/c of that you didn't read the comment. Seriously. Oh I'm so hurt you didn't read it. Why don't you go find a safe place at Harvard where no one will be rude to you or hurt you re feelings.

topnole, you missed -- I didn't read your long winded comment at all due to no para breaks. The poster commented and I agreed. End Of.

[topnole]

topnole, you missed -- I didn't read your long winded comment at all due to no para breaks. The poster commented and I agreed. End Of.

 

I missed what? End of? What does that even mean? Perhaps your sentences should be more "long winded" so you could explain what you mean to say. You are a total hypocrite calling people rude. I'll continue to enjoy my cruises and honestly could care less if I'm criticized for my writing style when using an iPhone to type this stuff in. All my points are valid whether you read them or not. Hope that isn't too rude for you miss sensitive.

[John&LaLa]

Am I missing something on that page? All I see is

 

"Exclusive Access to Signature Activities".

 

I think I figured it out.

 

Under the heading Experience Crafter it says 'sessions at signature activities like FlowRider before they open to anyone else. (ie extra sessions)

 

Under VIP Guide it says 'Skip the line with the Royal Genie as your fast pass, ensuring priority boarding and departure, as well as escorting you to shore excursions and other activities.

 

Combine them and you get skip the line at FlowRider ;)

[Lionesss]

Just wondering how many cruisers would even take advantage of a flow rider "pass" like "cutting" those waiting in line because of a star class booking.

 

Um, not me, and probably not DH.

More so for the young at heart.

 

So there are probably more grown-ups out there booked in these suites that would never ever use this.

 

So, why can't everyone just wait their turn.

Or offer one special time as stated earlier.

 

Thanks.

[John&LaLa]

Just wondering how many cruisers would even take advantage of a flow rider "pass" like "cutting" those waiting in line because of a star class booking.

 

Um, not me, and probably not DH.

More so for the young at heart.

 

So there are probably more grown-ups out there booked in these suites that would never ever use this.

 

So, why can't everyone just wait their turn.

Or offer one special time as stated earlier.

 

Thanks.

 

The line cutter in question was an elderly gentleman. Age has little to do with it.

[topnole]

There is no perfect system, you are right.

 

I don't know actual hours, so just for discussion sake.

 

Say advanced hour was 10 am - 11am. And "regular hours" were 11am - 3pm. What I propose is adding an hour from 9am - 10am for Star class. Regular hours are still "open to all", but the additional one hour per day is for Star class. I never said you had to shut down the sports deck for this; you just create a gold card additional hour at the feature.

 

I'm not fully up to speed on the various suite classes; so don't know who is open to the benefit or not. It would seem more than 11 cabins though<?>

 

Actually, it is only for 11 cabins on the whole ship (Allure). It's the six 2 bedroom aqua suites and 5 others (can't recall all their names but I think most of the others were the biggest loft suites). There are 4 genies total on the Allure (3-4 suites each). There are way more suites, but those are sky class or sea class and they don't get near the benefits of star class. It is a relatively small amount of people that will have special line privileges if they keep that perk. That is why giving them their own hour each day was probably viewed as a total waste of the flowerider resources. I know this because my folks had one of the 2 bedroom aqua suites and we were just next door so in their cabin a lot. This was the week before what is now the infamous Pez problem. We had no issues on our cruise and I personally never once saw the star class line used. Not once. I know it was but heard it was minimal and didn't really impact anyone more than a few minutes.

 

I really don't care how they implement it and perhaps your idea is a good one and would be preferred by most. My main point in all of this is that it seems a few regulars were very pissed that their time on the flow rider was reduced to some extent. However, in my experience the regulars have had it so good since RCI has had flowriders that I find it funny they seem to be saying they are done cruising RCI unless they address this issue. The issue being one cruise with one guy eating into their flow time. The system has been rigged towards advanced riders and they benefit almost every cruise but for one week one of their own screws them over and all of sudden RCI needs to formalize policy to their liking that benefits them more or they will stop cruising RCI. When has RCI implemented policy let alone consistently anywhere?

 

I just view all of this as very parochial and somehow this one example is used to illustrate how RCI is treating regular cabin cruisers like me as steerage. Just read this thread, those exact words have been used. A debate is a good thing and I appreciate your comment and views but I do realize that if we demand change and somehow it happened we may not like the results. And for what? Because one old guy acted like a 12 year old brat for a week and took a little too much of some regular's flow time for their liking. Lastly, let me just say this, I rarely stay or will stay in a suite and I'm an advanced rider so me pointing out that advance hour is unfair to others and that the new star class system seemed to work fine in no way benefits me. Anyhow, cheers and happy flowriding.

[topnole]

The line cutter in question was an elderly gentleman. Age has little to do with it.

 

And one who likes to pull his pants down and show off his speedo from the pictures that I think you posted.

 

By the way, the picture of the dog in the pool (re: Navigator) that you posted on that Harmony thread was hilarious. I've seen a lot of your posts. That one takes the cake.

[mil76]

So should we base time on the sports court based on who is better at basketball or soccer or dodgeball or whatever? What about the ping pong tables? Seriously, you think being a good flowrider merits certain riders their own hour to the exclusion of others. I guess that is fair to you in your mind. But to others I'm sure they would think otherwise. I like advance hour too and use it but I also realize there is nothing fair about their system with and with out the new star class perks. Just seems to me almost all the autguments here are so hypocritical.

 

Well, the Sports Court already has events which lead to the exclusion of others. What if I want to play basketball or soccer but they have it set up for a volleyball tournament and I can't play volleyball? Also keep in mind that they don't have rules (yet) on the Sports Court where if a Star Class guest is shooting hoops during open play, they must get at least 1 out of every 4 shots. And what about that exclusive Teen Flowrider hour? There's nothing stopping someone from getting to the advanced Flowrider level but Teen Level isn't happening for most of us, no matter how much we spent on the cruise.

 

The key is that all of those events, including the advanced stand-up hour, are spelled out in the Cruise Compass, and guests know to make alternative plans if they don't meet the requirement. Like I said previously, if they want to do specific hours for Star class cruisers to have exclusive use of the Flowrider, just put it in the compass so I know not to show up, or do it outside of normal operating hours. Just don't hijack the time I'm assuming I am able to fairly use the facility. I don't see what's so hypocritical about that.

 

And get real on the idea that only "good" Flowboarders can do advanced. If you can push yourself in from the side on your own but can only stand motionless and not steer, carve, throw tricks, whatever, you are considered advanced. Doesn't sound like the FLOW Tour to me. If someone wants to go Flowriding so badly at 8:00am, they usually figure out how to start themselves pretty quickly, and I find myself helping people do so every cruise. When my youngest son got tall enough to do stand-up on the ships, the first thing he learned was how to start himself so he could do the advanced hour. Took him about 5 turns during open session and he could hardly stay up on the board once he got started, but he was now considered an advanced rider according to RCCL.

 

Just wondering how many cruisers would even take advantage of a flow rider "pass" like "cutting" those waiting in line because of a star class booking.

 

Um, not me, and probably not DH.

More so for the young at heart.

 

So there are probably more grown-ups out there booked in these suites that would never ever use this.

 

So, why can't everyone just wait their turn.

Or offer one special time as stated earlier.

 

Thanks.

 

It's already known that one very frequent cruiser, who also cruises in Star Class, takes advantage of the cut the line perk on the Flowrider to the fullest extent possible. I was on Allure with him two years ago on fall break, and just missed him on Oasis by a week last fall. So that tells me I have a pretty good shot at being on one of these "your chances of it happening on your cruise are very low" cruises in the future.

[topnole]

 

The key is that all of those events, including the advanced stand-up hour, are spelled out in the Cruise Compass, and guests know to make alternative plans if they don't meet the requirement. Like I said previously, if they want to do specific hours for Star class cruisers to have exclusive use of the Flowrider, just put it in the compass so I know not to show up, or do it outside of normal operating hours. Just don't hijack the time I'm assuming I am able to fairly use the facility. I don't see what's so hypocritical about that.

 

It's not like advanced hour is spelled out to guests that don't know what it means. Every cruise I'm on people come during that hour only to get turned away. So many people do make plans to use it in the morning and can't b/c they are newbies and what advanced hour means isn't explained at all in the compass.

And get real on the idea that only "good" Flowboarders can do advanced. If you can push yourself in from the side on your own but can only stand motionless and not steer, carve, throw tricks, whatever, you are considered advanced. Doesn't sound like the FLOW Tour to me. If someone wants to go Flowriding so badly at 8:00am, they usually figure out how to start themselves pretty quickly, and I find myself helping people do so every cruise. When my youngest son got tall enough to do stand-up on the ships, the first thing he learned was how to start himself so he could do the advanced hour. Took him about 5 turns during open session and he could hardly stay up on the board once he got started, but he was now considered an advanced rider according to RCCL.

 

I was on once for a week as a proficient rider well past loading on my own and was told by the staff that I wasn't advanced enough and I would have to wait until regular hours. I was pretty annoyed but what could I say, I didn't know anyone there. So there is more variation in this than you might be aware of and obviously no enforced policy. I lost 6 hours of riding time on that trip but I didn't take to CC and demand RCI change policy.

 

It's already known that one very frequent cruiser, who also cruises in Star Class, takes advantage of the cut the line perk on the Flowrider to the fullest extent possible. I was on Allure with him two years ago on fall break, and just missed him on Oasis by a week last fall. So that tells me I have a pretty good shot at being on one of these "your chances of it happening on your cruise are very low" cruises in the future.

 

I'm guessing this will be ironed out by the time you are on a ship with him again. And honestly, I was just on a trip with him and he wasn't star class. He hogs time either way so prepare for long waits regardless if Pez is on your week.

 

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure I've been on cruise when you've been on. You seem reasonable and like one of the regulars who isn't just trying to maximize their own time or monopolize the flowrider. But many regulars do and I have an issue with this just as much as I would star class trying to hog the flowrider which has been limited to just one person on one week so far. An who really knows how much exaggeration there is in those Pez reports that have now taken on a life of their own by those who weren't even there?

[mil76]

To be honest, I won't stop cruising Royal because they don't do advanced. If they have it, I'll be there, but if they don't, I'll still be there the first open hours since it's less crowded. I have been on Navigator cruises where they never do advanced, and I've been on a Liberty cruise where advanced is only 30 minutes with advanced riders lined up the whole side of the Flowrider at the opening time. I've seen more cases of a noob waiting in line until their turn during advanced and the staff still giving them a sympathy run, rather than someone who could actually start themselves getting bounced. I'll be the first to admit that I don't tell everyone how simple it is to get to advanced, but usually if I see someone gets the bug I'll let them know and show them how to do it, sometimes to the chagrin of other regulars.

 

I get more annoyed when they don't do BOTB/Flow Show (whether I should make it or not), but I have been on cruises where they didn't do that either and I keep coming back.

 

A huge part of my enjoyment of cruising is the friends I meet onboard while Flowriding. I know people who were noobs many cruises ago who I gave pointers to are now RCCL regulars and are good enough to be considered for BOTB.

 

As for this Star class thing, I've said all along that I'll find out for myself in October and make my own decision, and there's a decent chance I'll be on with Pezz. Hopefully he won't be Star class that week.

[ronsex]

I am curious as to what the upset and argument would be if there were 20 people standing in the premiere line waiting their turn.

 

No doubt the process would be one person from each line which quite honestly is the same as three people in the premiere line, or one person in the premiere line. The upset appears to be that a small group of passengers who are paying a ton more bucks gets to use the service MORE than someone else.

 

There are only 11 Star Class suites. I'll be in one this coming Sunday and have no interest in the flowrider. And I will assume that the majority of guests in these suites won't either.

 

Now if I were interested in the flowrider, the suggestion that I should have access to it before everyone else at 9AM or after everyone else at 6PM is ludicrous. No doubt that should that become the policy RC would schedule that hour or hours at a peak time during the day. And that would probably have a couple passengers enjoying it all to themselves....

 

It seems to me that RC could come up with a better policy if there were only one person in the premiere line that repeatedly wanted to use the flowrider. Something along the lines of one premiere to five regular.

 

I'll have a clear view of both flowriders from our suite so I'll be able to see how busy the premiere line is....

[John&LaLa]

Not sure why you feel opening the venue early is ludicrous. That is exactly what Royal's website is promoting.

[Lionesss]

The line cutter in question was an elderly gentleman. Age has little to do with it.

 

 

 

OMG:eek:

 

 

 

 

I guess what I was trying to state was that although age should not matter, I dont feel everyone who is in a star class suite could use this to get more frequent turns. Thats all.

 

Safe travels.

[Lionesss]

I am curious as to what the upset and argument would be if there were 20 people standing in the premiere line waiting their turn.

 

No doubt the process would be one person from each line which quite honestly is the same as three people in the premiere line, or one person in the premiere line. The upset appears to be that a small group of passengers who are paying a ton more bucks gets to use the service MORE than someone else.

 

There are only 11 Star Class suites. I'll be in one this coming Sunday and have no interest in the flowrider. And I will assume that the majority of guests in these suites won't either.

 

Now if I were interested in the flowrider, the suggestion that I should have access to it before everyone else at 9AM or after everyone else at 6PM is ludicrous. No doubt that should that become the policy RC would schedule that hour or hours at a peak time during the day. And that would probably have a couple passengers enjoying it all to themselves....

 

It seems to me that RC could come up with a better policy if there were only one person in the premiere line that repeatedly wanted to use the flowrider. Something along the lines of one premiere to five regular.

 

I'll have a clear view of both flowriders from our suite so I'll be able to see how busy the premiere line is....

 

 

 

 

You said it better than when I tried.

 

Thanks

[John&LaLa]

OMG:eek:

 

 

 

 

I guess what I was trying to state was that although age should not matter, I dont feel everyone who is in a star class suite could use this to get more frequent turns. Thats all.

 

Safe travels.

 

Absolutely, but I can also see a group or family of FlowRiders booking an A1. Cost PP goes way down with a large group. Definitely a worst case scenario

[A&L_Ont]

Actually, it is only for 11 cabins on the whole ship (Allure). It's the six 2 bedroom aqua suites and 5 others (can't recall all their names but I think most of the others were the biggest loft suites). There are 4 genies total on the Allure (3-4 suites each). There are way more suites, but those are sky class or sea class and they don't get near the benefits of star class. It is a relatively small amount of people that will have special line privileges if they keep that perk. That is why giving them their own hour each day was probably viewed as a total waste of the flowerider resources. I know this because my folks had one of the 2 bedroom aqua suites and we were just next door so in their cabin a lot. This was the week before what is now the infamous Pez problem. We had no issues on our cruise and I personally never once saw the star class line used. Not once. I know it was but heard it was minimal and didn't really impact anyone more than a few minutes.

 

I really don't care how they implement it and perhaps your idea is a good one and would be preferred by most. My main point in all of this is that it seems a few regulars were very pissed that their time on the flow rider was reduced to some extent. However, in my experience the regulars have had it so good since RCI has had flowriders that I find it funny they seem to be saying they are done cruising RCI unless they address this issue. The issue being one cruise with one guy eating into their flow time. The system has been rigged towards advanced riders and they benefit almost every cruise but for one week one of their own screws them over and all of sudden RCI needs to formalize policy to their liking that benefits them more or they will stop cruising RCI. When has RCI implemented policy let alone consistently anywhere?

 

I just view all of this as very parochial and somehow this one example is used to illustrate how RCI is treating regular cabin cruisers like me as steerage. Just read this thread, those exact words have been used. A debate is a good thing and I appreciate your comment and views but I do realize that if we demand change and somehow it happened we may not like the results. And for what? Because one old guy acted like a 12 year old brat for a week and took a little too much of some regular's flow time for their liking. Lastly, let me just say this, I rarely stay or will stay in a suite and I'm an advanced rider so me pointing out that advance hour is unfair to others and that the new star class system seemed to work fine in no way benefits me. Anyhow, cheers and happy flowriding.

 

I just went to the RC suite perks page and this is how it "reads" as a straight quote.

 

Star Class

Experience Crafter

 

Your Royal Genie grants you exclusive access to one-of-a-kind experiences, like private Shore Excursions, VIP seating – and sessions at signature activities like FlowRider®, before they open to anyone else.

 

 

Sky Class

 

Exclusive Signature Activities

 

Your Concierge can set you up with exclusive early access to your favorite signature activities, like FlowRider®, Ripcord℠ by iFLY® and the rock climbing wall.

 

 

 

The way this reads in my eyes is all Star Class Cruisers get private flow riding for themselves. This would happen in after open riding hours. Sky CLass cruisers would get early riding privlidges, what ever than means???

 

My interpretation of these the flowriding perk for suite guests gives both classes a flowride advantage. It goes from 11 suites to all suites except for JR suites turning it into a gong show when the perk is not clearly spelled out.

 

Is it pre or after hours, or is it during all open hours? It seems to be unclear by RC actions VS wording of the perk. All you need is one person to demand it, and if it unclear and it can turn into a mess. Obviously that is what happened.

Edited May 27, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[topnole]

I am curious as to what the upset and argument would be if there were 20 people standing in the premiere line waiting their turn.

 

No doubt the process would be one person from each line which quite honestly is the same as three people in the premiere line, or one person in the premiere line. The upset appears to be that a small group of passengers who are paying a ton more bucks gets to use the service MORE than someone else.

 

There are only 11 Star Class suites. I'll be in one this coming Sunday and have no interest in the flowrider. And I will assume that the majority of guests in these suites won't either.

 

Now if I were interested in the flowrider, the suggestion that I should have access to it before everyone else at 9AM or after everyone else at 6PM is ludicrous. No doubt that should that become the policy RC would schedule that hour or hours at a peak time during the day. And that would probably have a couple passengers enjoying it all to themselves....

 

It seems to me that RC could come up with a better policy if there were only one person in the premiere line that repeatedly wanted to use the flowrider. Something along the lines of one premiere to five regular.

 

I'll have a clear view of both flowriders from our suite so I'll be able to see how busy the premiere line is....

 

On the little bit it was used in our week I was told they did one star class then like 5 regular line people, then another star class, etc. So it isn't like they rotate from each line each time.

[Mac303]

Royals new Suite program has the possibility of creating some pretty unhappy cruisers. They have now introduced “priority lines” at signature activities and this has already caused some people to get really upset because it basically allows the priority guest(s) to monopolize an activity if they want to do so. While this won’t affect many who cruise it could have the possibility of ruining an experience for those who enjoy an activity onboard and are happy to wait their turn in line with the masses. If a guest that is not in a certain suite class has to wait in line for over 30 minutes and a priority guest gets to use the same activity 3 or 4 times while they wait it will create some very unpleasant people. I’m having a real problem trying to support a company that is basically promoting poor etiquette amongst cruisers. Hopefully I am not alone on this.

 

The original post above spoke to RCL promoting

"poor etiquette among cruisers"

 

I see it differently, RCL has added perks to those who pay the price of a suite.

 

If a particular guest takes an unfair advantage of the program/perk that is hardly RCL promoting poor etiquette,

I would imagine that guest may be this way in all parts of his/her life.

 

If what has been posted is true, this is an issue with one guest, not with the suite program.

 

Mac

Edited May 27, 2016 by Mac303

[topnole]

I just went to the RC suite perks page and this is how it "reads" as a straight quote.

 

Star Class

Experience Crafter

 

Your Royal Genie grants you exclusive access to one-of-a-kind experiences, like private Shore Excursions, VIP seating – and sessions at signature activities like FlowRider®, before they open to anyone else.

 

 

Sky Class

 

Exclusive Signature Activities

 

Your Concierge can set you up with exclusive early access to your favorite signature activities, like FlowRider®, Ripcord℠ by iFLY® and the rock climbing wall.

 

 

 

The way this reads in my eyes is all Star Class Cruisers get private flow riding for themselves. This would happen in after open riding hours. Sky CLass cruisers would get early riding privlidges, what ever than means???

 

My interpretation of these the flowriding perk for suite guests gives both classes a flowride advantage. It goes from 11 suites to all suites except for JR suites turning it into a gong show when the perk is not clearly spelled out.

 

Is it pre or after hours, or is it during all open hours? It seems to be unclear by RC actions VS wording of the perk. All you need is one person to demand it, and if it unclear and it can turn into a mess. Obviously that is what happened.

__________________

 

 

 

 

That's interesting. Not sure what that means either. In my week I'm quite certain there was nothing for sky class. Only star class got any benefit on the flowrider. I am curious though because if sky class had certain privileges on the sports deck activities that would be whole different story as there are a lot of sky class suites.

 

Sometimes (actually a lot of the times) you get the feeling that the right arm isn't working with the left arm on RCI. Some website or marketing group wrote these but in practice on the ship I think this level of perk is being reserved for Star class only. I could be wrong and/or perhaps these perks are not quite figured out yet by the ships and will change with time in practice.

Edited May 27, 2016 by topnole

[ronsex]

I'm confused....

 

If the perk is as it is apparently printed for Star Class guests... before it opens to all... then why the need for a separate stanchioned line? Does the separate line actually exist?

 

Or is the wording they used confusing because they meant before opening for some of the other services?

 

It ought to be an interesting week watch the flowrider from our balcony....

[topnole]

I'm confused....

 

If the perk is as it is apparently printed for Star Class guests... before it opens to all... then why the need for a separate stanchioned line? Does the separate line actually exist?

 

Or is the wording they used confusing because they meant before opening for some of the other services?

 

It ought to be an interesting week watch the flowrider from our balcony....

 

It seems the way the perk is being implemented is a little different than what is in marketing literature. Star class hasn't been getting special times to use the flowrider but instead there is a priority line where they don't have to wait as long as they would if they were in the regular line. So they do like 5 regular riders and then 1 priority line rider. So if 20 people in the regular line and two star class in line they would go twice while a regular rider would go once before the entire regular line cleared. As to why I'm not sure any of us know and who knows if RCI even knows.

 

During my week there were no issues with the star class line and it was used very rarely and not for long. It apparently was a problem the week after my trip due to one regular pinnacle cruiser. I'm guessing this perk will continue to get changed/refined over time if there are other weeks where there are issues.

[pinkrosesdeb]

If you are willing to pay a lot of extra money to book a suite, I don't feel like it is "poor etiquette" to expect more. I think it is an intelligent assumption. Why would anyone pay all that extra for a suite if they weren't getting anything additional? If you want the perks, you gotta pay the price. You do have options and it is all up to you what is important to your vacation.

[IceManCan]

This post WAS written about the flowrider. The lines on a busy day can be 45 min to an hour long for someone to get a 1 min turn. To let someone ride every 4th rider would give the priority rider 12 min of flow time to an average riders 1 min. Imagine if 3 or 4 suites used this perk on a sailing? The lines could be 2 plus hours... totally unacceptable. This will negatively effect many cruisers vacations. If I find this happening on a cruise I am on I will publicly voice my displeasure with said rider. I don't care how much you.pay for a suite. You are negatively effecting my vacation. Said.suite guest would not be very welcomed.after a few days of this. I see problems with this policy coming in very short order

[cruzsnooze]

This post WAS written about the flowrider. The lines on a busy day can be 45 min to an hour long for someone to get a 1 min turn. To let someone ride every 4th rider would give the priority rider 12 min of flow time to an average riders 1 min. Imagine if 3 or 4 suites used this perk on a sailing? The lines could be 2 plus hours... totally unacceptable. This will negatively effect many cruisers vacations. If I find this happening on a cruise I am on I will publicly voice my displeasure with said rider. I don't care how much you.pay for a suite. You are negatively effecting my vacation. Said.suite guest would not be very welcomed.after a few days of this. I see problems with this policy coming in very short order

 

If you dared publicly voice your displeasure at me or mine I'd have security all over your aggressive behavior. You have the same advantage to pay for a suite as anyone else and get the perks that go with it. The said rider has EVERY RIGHT to use the perks afforded them by RCL. Voice your displeasure to RCL.

Edited May 29, 2016 by cruzsnooze