reserving of seats

[Lejardin]

Just got back from RCCI cruise and let me tell you there were tons of empty seat in the 'suite' section. While I have no problem with the concept, they really need to revisit this initiative and determine whether it is really needed at all. I don't see the point really for having so many unused loungers in a nice area.

[bajathree]

Just got back from RCCI cruise and let me tell you there were tons of empty seat in the 'suite' section. While I have no problem with the concept, they really need to revisit this initiative and determine whether it is really needed at all. I don't see the point really for having so many unused loungers in a nice area.

 

 

....and when i was on Indy in April EVERY reserved seat was taken daily....maybe in that case they should then go rope off more seats:D...your right i think they need to revisit this and figure they might need more reserved seating:D

[bajathree]

I'll bet there isn't 1 person that would complain about a price drop. That's a benefit that suites don't have. You book a suite, you pay for the suite, that's it there are no price drops.

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!.... because BOY, is that the truth.....when I shelled out 10K for an OS and watched all balconies drop across the board on my sailing to $899/pp...and they were all throwing a party, i don't remember placing posts and starting threads complaining away:rolleyes:I just said i was happy for them:)

[Retired LEO]

Ok, I've had enough fun here. I hope that those of you that know me know that I'm just kidding. It's just that these threads get rediculous.

 

Yes I do book suites. Would I use the reserved section on the deck? No way, I'll feel like I'm at home. I have a deck and pool that's used daily so it doesn't interest me.

 

Reserved seating in the theatre? I hate the balcony. I like the bottom towards the middle.

 

Reserved seating at the Ice Show? The reserved seats are the first row on the side. I like the end towards the top. I like to get out when it's over, not wait 15 minutes for the crowd to thin.

 

The CL? No desire what-so-ever. I like to be out where the fun is. Not sitting in some stuffy room because I'm allowed to.

 

My favorite hangout on the ship is the Skybar (On those ships that have them) I'll be there from 11am until dinner time daily. I have met the nicest people there. And once we get to talking yes I will buy you a drink. Except on my last cruise. I had a woman want to buy me a drink. I thought that was wierd.

 

Bottom line.

 

KEEP ALL YOUR PERKS AND LET ME HAVE SOME FUN

 

See ya onboard

[Retired LEO]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!.... because BOY, is that the truth.....when I shelled out 10K for an OS and watched all balconies drop across the board on my sailing to $899/pp...and they were all throwing a party, i don't remember placing posts and starting threads complaining away:rolleyes:I just said i was happy for them:)

 

That's funny. I posted that 5 1/2 hours ago and not 1 person came on here to say that they wouldn't take a price drop.

[aloha43]

Those loungers ARE prime real estate. On the Voyager, Freedom classes, DH and I LOVED sitting up on those tiered decks. Great view of the pool, no one walking around you all the time, just a great place to be. We always got out there early enough to get on the first tier. It was fabulous. So am i going to miss them - yes. Will it ruin my cruise - no. But I don't think it is right to say they are seats no one wants anyway - not true - they were my favorite place of all to lounge for the day.

 

Ok....I stand corrected. I had heard somewhere that they weren't that good. I have never seen the roped off area yet.....so I am wrong.

 

I just thought the seats near the pool were the most wanted real estate. :)

[aloha43]

So, you wouldn't sit in a non suite section around the pool? Guess you need to stay in the suite section so that you don't 'give up' any of the perks you deserve. This is a very good comparison in my mind. The first class passenger pays for that seat and uses it, they don't take a seat from someone in coach. Since you paid for a suite you then need to stay in your section and not take my non-suite seat.

 

However, for the reasons I listed in an earlier post I will bet that many people who have 'paid for this perk' will not use it. That's what bothers me.

 

I never intended for people to think that I will use the non-suite seats. That is just wrong.

 

I will use the one they reserve for me no matter where they put it. Period. Where it is doesn't really matter to us. (Even though I will be looking like a human on display, and hope there aren't too many people throwing things at me.) :D

 

Just as....if I decide not to eat in the MDR, I will give up my seating so someone else can enjoy it.

 

I am not one of those....."I am in a suite, so I'm better than you" type of person. I respect others and am only there to have a good time. :)

[amybear912]

I'll bet there isn't 1 person that would complain about a price drop. That's a benefit that suites don't have. You book a suite, you pay for the suite, that's it there are no price drops.

 

I have seen price drops for suites before... Heck, the suites on my Serenade cruise in Feb2010 have dropped twice since I booked our balcony...

 

Besides, my price drop doesn't interfere or restrict your use of a public area of the ship...

 

Nice effort though...

[Ladylouwho]

Let me just say this.....I sailed Indy back in April ....Owners Suite passengers paid over $10k/cabin for that sailing.... One month before the sailing many "regular" cabins were still open and they dropped prices across the board to $899/pp for balconies and $699/pp for interiors. You don't think that those that paid 10K weren't entitled to some extra perks when others jumped the same sailing for under $1500/cabin:confused:there better be some suite perks available or they will have people jumping out of those cabins quicker than you can imagine.......Wake up and smell the coffee....it's those high price suites that make the profit for the cruise lines and with tuff times the cruise lines are doing what they have to do to keep those people from "jumping ship".

 

Look at it this way....if you didn't have those people paying those high prices making up for a lot of the profit of that sailing, the cruise lines wouldn't be able to afford to drop prices on other cabins like they do....so in essence those suites are subsidizing a good portion of that sailing.

 

So first you come on complaining about why people are still discussing this topic and now you are complaining in your most recent post on this topic that no one responded to your above quoted post on this topic? Ok, here goes.

 

So you spent $10K on an OS. Great. A lot of us spend $10K or more on two or three balcony cabins, easily, that take up the same amount of real estate that your OS does. Plus we have 6 people in 3 cabins racking up our sea pass cards with drinks, gambling, Specialty restaurant surcharges (for 6 every time) and of course the big tickets, those 6 excursions in every port, money spent in shops, bingo, etc,etc,etc. DH, I and two of our daughters (teens) and their two friends take up the same space as an OS and spend about the same $ for cabins but probably spend a lot more money on board than 2 people in an OS.

 

So what exactly is your point? That we get price drops all the time? Not true. I see price drops on suites. Plus, I bet there are more suites handed out as upgrades or for a small upgrade charge than there are good connecting balconies seeing major price drops.

 

You have your opinion and assume that you pay more if you have a suite. Sometimes you probably do, sometimes you probably don't. I have booked suites and balcony cabins, usually in multiples, sometimes I pay more for the suite, sometimes I pay more for the multiples. We tend to like the connecting balconies because of the multiple bathrooms that allows us. We have teen GIRLS, those bathrooms are priceless!!!! No amount of suite perks or extra space can make up for that extra bathroom or two. lol!

 

Happy Cruising,

Colleen

[Ladylouwho]

That's funny. I posted that 5 1/2 hours ago and not 1 person came on here to say that they wouldn't take a price drop.

 

I would take a price drop if offered any day of the week. I didn't think anyone needed to respond to your post and say they wouldn't take a price drop. If I booked a suite well out in advance and saw the price drop and I was eligible for the drop, I would take it, wouldn't you?

 

Happy Cruising,

Colleen

[Ladylouwho]

Ok, I've had enough fun here. I hope that those of you that know me know that I'm just kidding. It's just that these threads get rediculous.

 

Yes I do book suites. Would I use the reserved section on the deck? No way, I'll feel like I'm at home. I have a deck and pool that's used daily so it doesn't interest me.

 

Reserved seating in the theatre? I hate the balcony. I like the bottom towards the middle.

 

Reserved seating at the Ice Show? The reserved seats are the first row on the side. I like the end towards the top. I like to get out when it's over, not wait 15 minutes for the crowd to thin.

 

The CL? No desire what-so-ever. I like to be out where the fun is. Not sitting in some stuffy room because I'm allowed to.

 

My favorite hangout on the ship is the Skybar (On those ships that have them) I'll be there from 11am until dinner time daily. I have met the nicest people there. And once we get to talking yes I will buy you a drink. Except on my last cruise. I had a woman want to buy me a drink. I thought that was wierd.

 

Bottom line.

 

KEEP ALL YOUR PERKS AND LET ME HAVE SOME FUN

 

See ya onboard

 

So you were having some fun, ok. Well you must be one of those guys with a "Dry" sense of humor. No wonder you stay away from the pool.

 

Actually, I am like you, I have a pool and live in Texas were we get more sun than we even want. So I am not one to sit at the pool all day. But I do like to relax by the pool with DH from time to time.

 

As I have said, Suite Guests should get plenty of perks. But this particular perk is getting a lot of RCI's big spending customers miffed. So why not try some other perk instead? That is all. And again, if RCI would train its employees to enforce its own rules about chair hogging, none of us would be having this delightful conversation.

 

Happy Cruising,

Colleen

[vboxer]

I don't agree either.

 

If it said in the RCL rules that ALL public spaces on the ship should be utilized by everyone regardless of how much they paid, then your point would be taken. But their rules state otherwise.

 

I see your example as a form of jealousy......if I can't have it, or see you get it, and I can't have it, then you shouldn't get it either. It sounds very childish.

 

If you want it, book a suite. It's that simple. Pay more, get more. Pay less, get less.

 

I agree 100 %

[vboxer]

So, you wouldn't sit in a non suite section around the pool? Guess you need to stay in the suite section so that you don't 'give up' any of the perks you deserve. This is a very good comparison in my mind. The first class passenger pays for that seat and uses it, they don't take a seat from someone in coach. Since you paid for a suite you then need to stay in your section and not take my non-suite seat.

 

What ??

A suite guest CAN use the suite reserved seats, if HE likes.

Otherwise he can use every other seat on the ship, wherever he want (it may depends from the wind, from the sun position, etc...).

The other guests have to think as those reserves seats didn't extist.

Again: I'm never been in a suite, because they are too expensive for me.

[deedon]

As I have said, Suite Guests should get plenty of perks. But this particular perk is getting a lot of RCI's big spending customers miffed. So why not try some other perk instead? That is all. And again, if RCI would train its employees to enforce its own rules about chair hogging, none of us would be having this delightful conversation.

 

quote]

I agree 100% since i started this thread i have envoyed reading the comments and debate, i am not in favour however respect other views. Despite all the cuts and my threats of going elsewhere i have booked my next cruise and surprise surprise i am sticking to RCI, med on I of S, 2 weeks time

[gramgill]

that proves my point, on my recent cruise i paid around £2000 ( app $3500) pp for a z class, that was discounted due to late booking, that is about average we have to pay for our cruise, including travel (and RCI do get a cut of that). if people want a chair by the pool or thatre go early or take your chances. RCI needs to clarify reserving of seats or no reserving of seats and the rule should apply to all. I am not jealous nor am i complaining, as someone accused me of, i am simply expressing my opinion and joining in a debate, like most people do on these boards, i dont ask others to agree nor do i have to agree with them

 

 

Well can i express my opinion and agree with you, having been in both a suite and normal cabin i do not agree with this reserving of seats, poolside, theatre or anywhere. I found in my suite that i had a bigger balcany area(the perk of a suite) and spent most of my sunbathing time there and RCI does make money of booking flights. i wont say how much i paid for my suite including flights incase dw looks in lol. the total cost should be looked at but RCI should start rewarding loyalty or lose valuable clients. To make all this cuts and changes in the current rececsson is silly, encourage us back not scare us away

[CTCcruiserr]

I like reading posts and do not usually post - but after reading this one I felt compelled to add my two cents - I always book suites - why - because I enjoy the extra space - I do not use many of the perks that are associated with suites because like many that have posted previously I can lay out in my backyard next to my pool and get all the sun I desire and the CL lounge is usually crowded and not worth the effort for a free drink. But, these perks were put in place by RCCL, not the individuals booking suites. As having cruised on several cruise lines in suites I can certainly state that with the exception of Carnavel, RCCL has the poorest suite benefits of any other cruiseline and I believe this was their effort to encourage suite passengers to continue booking with them instead of another cruiseline. It is competition and most people are very aware of what they get for there cruising dollar. If you check the other cruiselines and see the perks that they give to their suite guests you will see that RCCL took the cheapest route possible - reserving space in different venues for suite passengers - costs them nothing - not unlike free internet (Princess) or stocked bars (several cruiselines).

[dizzlepop]

In a plane they took away leg room from coach for first class. It's all about money, pay more for a cabin with a view, a balcony etc.... you buy upgrades and suite guests did that.

 

Just have to give props to my fav airline JetBlue Airways -- most legroom (33-34")! No first class; everyone gets plenty of legroom, leather seats, FREE Direct TV :D

 

~gigi

[Wilda]

Absolutely right. We pay extra to get better seats for concerts as well. Many pay extra for 1st class seats on a plane or many as we have pay extra for suites in a hotel or on a cruise ship. No problem. We all understand that.

 

But this is different. They rope off loungers for the suite guests and the suite guests are continuing for the most part to sit in the regular loungers but the non-suite guests cannot sit in the roped off empty loungers even if they can't find an empty lounger in the regular sections. So there are empty loungers in the roped off sections and books and towels sunning themselves on many of the loungers in the regular section for hours on end while the non-suite guests are trying to find loungers together to sit and relax.

 

This is a management problem of RCI's own making. If you want to give roped off seating to suite guests, do it! But the suite guests then shouldn't be taking the seats of the other guests. And RCI should be monitoring the loungers that have books and towels sunning themselves for hours on end where the owners of the books and towels are who knows where.

 

If I pay $300 for a seat up front in a concert venue, that doesn't give me the right to take a different seat in the middle of the venue if I choose to do so. I am supposed to sit in the seat I purchased. Same as on an airplane.

 

 

I mean just because someone books a Grand Suite for a total of four guests on an RCI ship and I book two connected balcony cabins for a total of four guests on the same RCI ship doesn't give that suite guest the right to take my two cabins instead because he decides he likes the idea of two bathrooms instead of one for four people, does it?

 

This is not a matter of jealousy, this is a matter of practicality. Yes, you get what you pay for. Everyone knows that. But why rope off loungers for people that are not going to use them and then let those people take seats in the regular seating area away from the non-suite guests?

 

Well, I guess if you were a company whose management was bound and determined to PO its long term, loyal, non-suite guests than that is exactly what you would do.

 

JMO,

Colleen

 

This logic makes no sense to me at all. Are you saying that suite passengers have to sit in the reserved seats? And the rational is because if you can't sit in "their" section, then they shouldn't be allowed to sit in "your" section?

[cruzincurt]

It seems to me that if you booked a suite so you can get "free" drinks in the CL, you need to talk to a financial manager...or better yet, let me manager your money for you.

 

Who needs a concierge? I learned how to pick up and dial a telephone in first grade. 26 cruises, never had the need for a concierge.

[WeLuvVacation]

vboxer (and others)...

 

1. Do you understand that this is a new perk for the suite guests?
   
2. Do you understand that this perk specifically takes things away from the non-suite guests that they used to have?
   

If your answer is yes, then I assume you feel it's ok to take things away from some guests, and give it to other guests who pay more, correct?

 

Suite guests have always paid more. No one is arguing that. But, now.. they get even more than they used to. I don't have a problem with that, except it comes at the expense of the non-suite guest.

 

If you understand all of that, and still see that as acceptable, then THAT is the point where we differ. I just want to make sure you understand this perspective.

 

So... induldge me further. Just give me your opinions on the following what-if situations. The question is: Would it bother you if suite guests were offered the following as new perks (yes, or no)

 

1. The late seating in the MDR is reserved for suite guests only.
   
2. Casino is reserved for suite guests only on Tuesday from 7pm-10pm.
   
3. Window Seats in the WJ are now reserved only for suite guests.
   

 

Indulge me further......

 

All RCI cruises that depart from or stop at a US port are reserved for US cruisers only.

 

See where we can take your well thought out logic, Mr. Spock.

[Ladylouwho]

This logic makes no sense to me at all. Are you saying that suite passengers have to sit in the reserved seats? And the rational is because if you can't sit in "their" section, then they shouldn't be allowed to sit in "your" section?

 

Many people have been comparing these roped off loungers to first class airplane seats and expensive concert seats. I was stating that if someone purchases a first class seat on an airplane that first class seat ticket doesn't give them the option to sit in coach. Just as the purchase of a concert ticket in the front section of a venue doesn't give one the option to sit in another seat in the back of the venue. I wasn't using logic at all, I was just stating the facts. But thanks for bumping my post up, lol.

 

I book suites on occasion and I believe if RCI wanted to give a "real" perk to suite guests they would give them a private sunning area and maybe even their own smaller pool or hot tubs. Other cruise lines do this. Who would care? If you booked a suite then you would have paid for this perk.

 

But to rope off a couple of sections in a very busy part of the pool area, on the steps leading to the bar, doesn't seem like a real perk and it obviously isn't sitting well with some high paying non-suite guests (many of whom book suites on occasion) because many of the reports coming back are that these seats are not being utilized and the empty seats cannot be used by non-suite guests when they can't find other seats together near the pool. This is an issue of practicality.

 

And again, if RCI would just train its employees to enforce its own rules regarding towels and books left alone all day to sun themselves then this issue would be moot.

 

In the end it is a management decision, and it just seems like another poor one.

 

Happy Sailing,

Colleen

[WeLuvVacation]

So A LOT of RCI's pax are MIFFED over the suite reserved area by the pool????

 

I DOUBT that very, very much.

 

I do not even believe that a lot of CC/RCI cruisers are all that MIFFED!

[Panda3]

I think the reserved chairs is a wonderful benefit for those that spend the big bucks for the suites!!

 

###

 

Me too! I've never stayed in a suite but I think if you have the money to blow and spend on a suite, why not get a perk?

[mgdsld]

We have just got off Independence and I can say that i really enjoyed all the extra benefits given to us Suite guests. If people are upset by this then they should book a Suite. We paid probably three times more then some other guests so should have extra perks. I do not feel at all guilty using these perks long may they last. Sue

[hawkfish]

This logic makes no sense to me at all. Are you saying that suite passengers have to sit in the reserved seats? And the rational is because if you can't sit in "their" section, then they shouldn't be allowed to sit in "your" section?

 

 

Good point, Wilda - Part of the OP's point was that the new rules are a return to a class system. But this logic would indicate that many of this group WANT this classification of Theirs v. Ours. That just doesn't make sense.

 

It's like so many things in life - sometimes you have to pay more for them. If you really want those chairs, you'll figure out a way to pay for the suite. If you don't want to pay for the suite, then you haven't placed as high a value on the chairs that you think you have.

 

Toddcan - my analysis applies to this as well. If RCCL implemented the policies you have suggested/hypothesized, it would no longer be worth it to me and I would take my money elsewhere. For some people, it would be ideal and would continue to patronize. I wouldn't begrudge them - I would just move on to a vacation that better met my needs.

 

And just because I have to know - RCCL Suite Life, why was it weird that a woman wanted to buy you a drink?