Can anyone help solve a situation

[evandbob]

If someone needs a front seat because of a disability, they are entitled to it.  Sometimes others on the bus are not aware of the disability, so if questioned, they should be told.

 

To answer the original question from the OP: we've done both switched seats and kept the same ones, depending on whether there was any guidance from the bus operator or tour guide.

 

If personal belongings were left on the bus for safekeeping, then of course that needs to be respected.  If not, a bus took us as a group to a beach or attraction, then it really didn't matter who sat where on the next part of the bus ride. 

 

We have done some escorted land vacations where one's "assigned" seat changes by 3 rows every day, front to back and side to side.  That gives everyone a chance to sit up front or on a particular side.

 

In my working days, I often switched seats after lunch break when attending an all day conference, I got to (kindly) chat with some folks I would not have met that way. 

[K&RCurt]

In your situation, OP, there is no excuse for A) Not moving out of the seat assigned to you by the driver or B) asking you to move from the alternate seat.

 

I really don't get these "groups" of people on vacation who have to be continually attached at the hips 24/7.  What could possibly be so important that you have to be able to be near Aunt Ethyl, Cousin Cletus and Biff from next door the entire trip?

 

My previouis example, that some understood and others disagreed with is outside the parameters of your situation.  In your case those trying to bully you and your husband were clearly in the wrong.

[bakersdozen12]

3 hours ago, rjrice1 said:

Ok. Thanks for the responses

My husband and I just finished an excursion of Bermuda 

Did not know we were put in a group of 28 

2 coaches

Hubby has medical issuers,   recent cancer survivor., open heart surgery and just recover from broken neck.  Also 71 yr young 

The other in a group knew that he needed that seat.  Driver assigned it to him

We got off potty break and kindly ask if we can have the seat back 

Told us we are switching it up. Move to the back.    

So we sat in the front seats 

Told us to move.  Its for their group 

We didnt.   3 of the men started to attack my  husband'  yelling in his ear.   Dont ever disrespect our group.  

One had his hand up to my face 

The driver did tell them to back off

However continue with comments

Very sad that bullies continues 

Same group continues this on the ship until an employee stopped it

This group was young folks either 

 

Your situation was clearly a little different then just "we wanted the same seats and someone took them."  Your husband clearly needed a specific seat for a physical reason, of which the bus driver was aware.  I blame that bus driver for allowing the situation to escalate the way it did. I've been on tours where someone had to sit in a specific seat for the tour for some reason or another.  Heck, my husband was that person once, due to a knee injury.  The bus driver made it clear from the get-go that a certain seat was reserved for someone, and that was that.  I'm sorry that you had to deal with such rude people, and I hope you were able to enjoy the tour despite that.

[MalleyCat]

We always get the same seats. We're also usually in line to get back on the bus at least 10 minutes before the designated time, so it's never been an issue. My OCD wouldn't have it any other way. 

[sprint180]

This is a different issue then just sitting in random seats.  Why did he need a specific seat?  I usually sit in the same seat I came in but if someone is in my seat I find a different on.  Not a big deal.  People sometimes leave stuff in their seats or want to sit on a certain side to see both views.  

[rjrice1]

1 hour ago, sprint180 said:

This is a different issue then just sitting in random seats.  Why did he need a specific seat?  I usually sit in the same seat I came in but if someone is in my seat I find a different on.  Not a big deal.  People sometimes leave stuff in their seats or want to sit on a certain side to see both views.  

Posted it 

[pblack]

[mom2tcdx2]

19 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

Exactly. I never heard of anything so silly as expecting to sit in the same seat when reboarding a public conveyance. Maybe if it is just a quick potty break but not when a stop on a tour. If someone asked me to move from “their” seat, I would probably ask to see their ticket 😉

I of course will not sit in the front seats if there are people with mobility issues. And typically would not take a seat with personal items in it but I think it is rude to leave something just to save your seat. If you have to have a particular seat, get back to the bus on time.

 

To me I always thought the idea of returning to the same seats, allows people more ability to determine if anyone from the group is missing.  People start to notice who they were seated by, if that changed every time the excursion stopped you take more chances of someone possibly being left behind.  

[2wheelin]

41 minutes ago, mom2tcdx2 said:

 

To me I always thought the idea of returning to the same seats, allows people more ability to determine if anyone from the group is missing.  People start to notice who they were seated by, if that changed every time the excursion stopped you take more chances of someone possibly being left behind.  

That’s scary. I expect my tour guides to count noses after every stop—not rely on someone “noticing” if I am missing. 

[cruisinmeme]

It becomes a mess if someone takes your seat, you pick another seat, throws that person off and chain reaction. Many many tour guides ask that you return to same seat. Avoids a world of problems. 

We take state side bus trips and casino trips. They always say return to same seat. People today just care about me me me so lets see if me can piss off a bus of people.  I really care less where i sit but it just makes good sense to keep your same seat. We will all arrive at same location at same time.lol

[cruizergal70]

1. If this wasn't a private tour, you should always expect to be in a bus with dozens of other people.

2. Did the bus driver really assign that seat to your husband or did you just get a good seat? Was it designated a handicapped seat? What was special about the seat?

3. If it was assigned,  did you ask the bus driver to enforce his assignment?

4. Did you speak to the driver when you saw that the seat was occupied?

 

Bus rules are pretty informal. Most people, when they know someone has a medical condition, will comply with your wishes.

[MEUB1112]

20 hours ago, mek said:

Well what if the drive is scenic and one side of the bus has the view on the first half of the trip and the other side of the bus has the view going back?  It would be totally unfair to start changing seats in a situation like that.  What's the big deal about returning to the same seat?

I may be in the minority, however, that is the situation I have observed. A scenic ride to a beach on St Kitts I believe, there are some overlooks and if you sat on the hillside of the bus you missed the views. It did amaze me that a family moved to the other side for the trip back. The bus was full.

[2wheelin]

1 hour ago, cruisinmeme said:

It becomes a mess if someone takes your seat, you pick another seat, throws that person off and chain reaction. Many many tour guides ask that you return to same seat. Avoids a world of problems. 

We take state side bus trips and casino trips. They always say return to same seat. People today just care about me me me so lets see if me can piss off a bus of people.  I really care less where i sit but it just makes good sense to keep your same seat. We will all arrive at same location at same time.lol

OMG! I had no idea the gravity of the situation. If the guide asks people to return to the same seat—do so. Otherwise sit where you want as it does not matter to the guide.

So there is a chain reaction. Doesn’t bump someone out the back door and as you said, you will arrive at the same time.

[rjrice1]

1 hour ago, cruizergal70 said:

1. If this wasn't a private tour, you should always expect to be in a bus with dozens of other people.

2. Did the bus driver really assign that seat to your husband or did you just get a good seat? Was it designated a handicapped seat? What was special about the seat?

3. If it was assigned,  did you ask the bus driver to enforce his assignment?

4. Did you speak to the driver when you saw that the seat was occupied?

 

Bus rules are pretty informal. Most people, when they know someone has a medical condition, will comply with your wishes.

Yes. The driver told us to sit there.  A two person seat ..  2nd row.   One of them was Claustrophobic.    She had the very first seat and we were told you best not ever sit there

Really do think it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't a group thing 

Yes it was a private excursion 

Driver added us to their group 

Edited October 4, 2019 by rjrice1

[sanmarcosman]

6 minutes ago, rjrice1 said:

Yes. The driver told us to sit there.  A two person seat ..  2nd row.   One of them was Claustrophobic.    She had the very first seat and we were told you best not ever sit there

Really do think it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't a group thing 

Yes it was a private excursion 

Driver added us to their group 

Thank you for your answers.

Edited October 4, 2019 by sanmarcosman

[msmayor]

Husband and I once took a tour on an open-air vehicle where there were multiple rows of seats, five people in each row.  Tough when there are many couples who want to sit together.

 

My husband and I were in the back of the group and by the time we reached the vehicle there were only two seats left...one on the far left of one row, another on the far right of the row in front.  I'm fine with not sitting next to my husband but we asked if either of the groups would just shift down so we could sit 'together', front and back...but both rows refused to shift.  Was I miffed?  Yes...All I asked was to slide down one seat, and no one was willing.  

 

The driver never said seats were assigned.  So...at one of the stops toward the end of the tour, we purposely returned to the vehicle early and took two seats side by side.  One woman was very vocal about not having her seat...and pointed at us stating we weren't sitting in our 'normal' seats.  A kind gentleman very firmly said "Ma'm, those two have been sitting apart from each other the entire tour.  Leave them be to sit together for the ride back...you'll survive being apart from your spouse.  They managed, for a while, you can too."

 

I wanted to buy that man a drink.

[taglovestocruise]

On 10/4/2019 at 1:18 AM, FLCruise7 said:

We were on a tour and when we returned to the bus, someone had taken "our" seats. I told them we were sitting there and they said someone had taken their seats. I even told them we were with the couple across the aisle, but they stayed right there. Pretty rude I thought. If we hadn't been traveling with the other couple, I wouldn't have said anything and just found other seats. 

Agreed, I think someone like K&RCURT is pretty rude. I would hate to sit a large table with anyone who changes seats every night. At least in the MDR you can request a table change to get away from rude self centered people. They can keep the phycological experiments within their own puzzling family. 

[evandbob]

21 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

That’s scary. I expect my tour guides to count noses after every stop—not rely on someone “noticing” if I am missing. 

 

I find it funny when the tour guide walks up and down the bus aisle to count noses.  Many times they miscount or get distracted by a question, and have to start over again.

 

I think it's much easier to just count the empty seats.  If the bus has a capacity of 48 seats, and the guide had a group of 42, then there should just be 6 empty seats.

 

 

[2wheelin]

3 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Agreed, I think someone like K&RCURT is pretty rude. I would hate to sit a large table with anyone who changes seats every night. At least in the MDR you can request a table change to get away from rude self centered people. They can keep the phycological experiments within their own puzzling family. 

We have always sat with strangers in the MDR at a large table. People would move around every night. Couples still sat together but sometimes wife on one side of hubby and sometimes the other. Much easier to converse with others this way. No one ever complained or left because of it. But then we were not the rude self centered people who had to have the same chair every night.

[2wheelin]

1 hour ago, evandbob said:

 

I find it funny when the tour guide walks up and down the bus aisle to count noses.  Many times they miscount or get distracted by a question, and have to start over again.

 

I think it's much easier to just count the empty seats.  If the bus has a capacity of 48 seats, and the guide had a group of 42, then there should just be 6 empty seats.

 

 

That might require a degree in common sense.

[Floridiana]

On 10/4/2019 at 4:37 PM, mom2tcdx2 said:

To me I always thought the idea of returning to the same seats, allows people more ability to determine if anyone from the group is missing.  People start to notice who they were seated by, if that changed every time the excursion stopped you take more chances of someone possibly being left behind.  

 

This became important when one lady was missing and the guide didn't know who. He just wondered why the count came up short. The people who had been sitting near her knew who she was. She was eventually found in a different bus where the guide wondered why his count came out one too many. The guides were inexperienced. Otherwise they would have contacted each other immediately. Both busses were standing next to each other for the longest time.

 

On a different bus in Mexico, the experienced guide immediately went hunting for the missing person, found her walking to a different bus. A good thing that we knew who had been sitting on the now empty seat.

Edited October 5, 2019 by Floridiana

[TNcruising02]

6 minutes ago, Floridiana said:

 

This became important when one lady was missing and the guide didn't know who. He just wondered why the count came up short. The people who had been sitting near her knew who she was. She was eventually found in a different bus where the guide wondered why his count came out one too many. The guides were inexperienced. Otherwise they would have contacted each other immediately. Both busses were standing next to each other for the longest time.

 

On a different bus in Mexico, the experienced guide immediately went hunting for the missing person, found her walking to a different bus. A good thing that we knew who had been sitting on the now empty seat.

My husband and I have gone on a lot of tours where you hop on and off the tour bus or tram throughout the tour.  Everyone always goes back to the same seat, whether the driver mentions it or not.  This came in handy on my last port tour when one guy was missing.  Everyone who sat near him knew what he was wearing, so the bus driver knew who to look for when she went to find him.  He had lost track of time.  Anyway,  besides being a respectful thing to do it also helps when someone doesn't come back at the required time.  

This is different than a tour bus dropping a bunch of people off at the beach and then picking them up later.

Edited October 5, 2019 by TNcruising02

[Floridiana]

If there is a medical reason for a specific seat, nobody else should claim it.

[CruisingAlong4Now]

On a shore excursion that had two buses.  Each bus less than half full.  Our bus made it to the destination but barely.  We were told to use the other bus for the trip back to the ship.  DH and I boarded bus, took seat that had NO belongings on seats or in overhead rack.  Bus starts to fill for return trip to ship. Guy comes over to DH and me and tells us we are in his seats and we have to move. I'm exhausted and hot. I tell him we were told to take any unoccupied seat and that's what we did. (Some seats had belongings on them.) He starts yelling at us, shouting that we took his seats.  I'm already settled in seat - my belongings are placed in overhead and seat pocket. water bottle in arm rest, etc.  he won't stop shouting at us. I finally give up and move all my things to another seat, about 4 rows back.  Didn't stop him from complaining to everyone around him about us during the whole trip back.  BTW, other people from our bus also "took" seats from prior passengers, but no one else "complained".

 

I told him that was not his seat, it belonged to the bus company.  If I had had more energy I would have asked to see his purchase receipt showing he had bought that seat.  

 

This was on a Seabourn cruise.  Shows that having money doesn't mean you have any class.

 

The tour guide was busy finding the stragglers who always delay tours, so she was not near the bus.

[NantahalaCruiser]

On 10/4/2019 at 4:18 AM, FLCruise7 said:

We were on a tour and when we returned to the bus, someone had taken "our" seats. I told them we were sitting there and they said someone had taken their seats. I even told them we were with the couple across the aisle, but they stayed right there. Pretty rude I thought. If we hadn't been traveling with the other couple, I wouldn't have said anything and just found other seats. 

When the dominos start falling you have to go with the flow. They gave you a valid reason (no fault of their own) why they were sitting there and yet you asked them to move anyway - seems like there was plenty of rudeness to go around and you were part of it.