reserving of seats

[lady_cruiser]

I have to agree with the majority of people. You get what you pay for. I sailed in a Grand Suite once and at the time all I got extra was access to the concierge lounge. Now I sail either in a Jr. Suite or regular balcony cabin. I sail because I enjoy the sea and different ports-of call. If RCL wants to reserve the front row seats to a show, to a certain group of people, LET THEM. I'll can find a chair on another row and still enjoy the show. If they want to reserve chairs near the pool LET THEM. I'll find a lounger, out of the sun, on an upper deck and still enjoy the book I am reading. The point is that I am on a cruise.

 

If I pay $100 extra to have a front row seat at a concert than I feel that I deserve that front row seat BECAUSE I PAID FOR IT. It is the same with cruise ships, those you can afford to pay the big bucks should get what they pay for. I was raised never to be jealous of someone else's good fortune and I am glad that at the age of 60 I still hold the same values of life that I learned as a child.

 

There are too many cruise lines out there to choose from. The way I figure it that if a person doesn't like the way they are being treated than they should cruise on another line or stop cruising all together.

[Debde]

Old topic:rolleyes:do a search there are dozens of these threads:rolleyes:....move on...

 

 

Now now-it has earned the god given right to enter the club of tipping and dining room attire threads !! ;) :D

[PCWalton1]

Gosh, when you fly on a plane does it get you all upset that the passengers in first class have nice big leather seats, deluxe mixed nuts instead of pretzels and free booze? They pay more, so they should get more. Very common concept.

 

Very well said. You get what you pay.

[hockeyken]

:confused: You keep saying you've paid "more overall, over the years". If you had, you'd be in suites AND have the perks. The portion of your trip costs for long distance airfare does not go to RC. Stop complaining. You do have a choice.

[chriskwarren]

Getting more by paying for more is no problem with me. If I were flying, and someone paid first class, I have no problem with that either.

 

However, if someone from first class came back to coach and took my seat (and I were barred from their seat in first class) I would get pretty upset.

[Toddcan]

sigh...

 

Here we go again with this topic.. ok, fine, you sucked me in, so I'm exercising my right to type my opinion :)

 

Yes, I fully plan on enjoying my upcoming cruise.

No, I won't get all stressed out when I see unused reserved seating for suite guests.

 

HOWEVER... (snicker..)..

Seats on a first class section of a plane is not the same thing. They are taking nothing away from me as a coach passanger. Heck, give them foot massages for all I care.

 

However, when I'm walking around the deck looking for seats, I instantly have something taken away from me when they removed that section of seats from the area that I used to be able to sit in.

 

Get it now? I used to have it. They took it away.

 

Is this a show stopper? haha.. heck no. will I still love my cruise.. heck ya.

 

Give the suite guests anything you want as an incentive as long as it does not change my cruising experience, I'm fine with it. Although it's a small detail... having a reserved limits an option I used to have.

 

Same thing goes for reserved seating in the shows.

[Ladylouwho]

Getting more by paying for more is no problem with me. If I were flying, and someone paid first class, I have no problem with that either.

 

However, if someone from first class came back to coach and took my seat (and I were barred from their seat in first class) I would get pretty upset.

 

BINGO! Somebody gets it! That is exactly what is happening, RCI is spending virtually nothing by roping off loungers for suite guests to claim they are giving more "perks", the suite guests are generally not using the roped off loungers and instead are continuing to use the regular loungers.

 

So yes, unless they force the suite guests to use the roped off seating, then indeed if the suite guest uses the regular seating, they are indeed taking away something from the non-suite passenger.

 

If there is a full airplane and Joe 1st Class decides to sit in row 16 seat B in Coach but regular Joe who was originally assigned into Coach but now finds it full decides to take the empty seat in 1st Class and is denied....well..hmmm.

 

 

Colleen

[DEIx15x8]

sigh...

 

Here we go again with this topic.. ok, fine, you sucked me in, so I'm exercising my right to type my opinion :)

 

Yes, I fully plan on enjoying my upcoming cruise.

No, I won't get all stressed out when I see unused reserved seating for suite guests.

 

HOWEVER... (snicker..)..

Seats on a first class section of a plane is not the same thing. They are taking nothing away from me as a coach passanger. Heck, give them foot massages for all I care.

 

However, when I'm walking around the deck looking for seats, I instantly have something taken away from me when they removed that section of seats from the area that I used to be able to sit in.

 

Get it now? I used to have it. They took it away.

 

Is this a show stopper? haha.. heck no. will I still love my cruise.. heck ya.

 

Give the suite guests anything you want as an incentive as long as it does not change my cruising experience, I'm fine with it. Although it's a small detail... having a reserved limits an option I used to have.

 

Same thing goes for reserved seating in the shows.

 

Exactly, it's not about giving them a perk for the extra money they paid. I don't think anyone can complain about that. It's the fact that they are taking something away from everyone to do it that is wrong. I don't see why more people don't understand that, but at least some are.

[Ladylouwho]

If I pay $100 extra to have a front row seat at a concert than I feel that I deserve that front row seat BECAUSE I PAID FOR IT. It is the same with cruise ships, those you can afford to pay the big bucks should get what they pay for.

 

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

[ManOfTheHour]

This is an excellent benefit and I plan on taking advantage of every perk that's offered to me on all upcoming cruises.

 

That's it exactly. Book a suite, then you won't have a problem with it.

 

Does anyone else think that this comes of as really rude, or is it just me? Ridiculous.

 

 

At the expense of other passengers? I think it stinks. If you want your special benefits it should be given to you in the privacy of your cabin, i.e., champaign, free specialty restaurant dining, insuite dining, etc. but to have it blatantly flaunted to everyone that you are a "suite" guest, by sitting in areas that should normally be available to everyone is just tacky.

 

Regardless of where it is, if its something they get that everyone else doesn't it can be seen as an expense for other passengers. Champagne, free specialty restaurants, in-suite dining: all cost the cruise line more, thereby "hurting" everyone else. But it doesn't hurt us, because they pay more! Not just for the extra space in their room, but for all the other perks RCCL decides that they should have for being ridiculously rich and paying that much money.

[stevekc]

I just came off the Freedom on 6/7 and I will tell you that all the reserved seating for suite guests at the pool was occupied during the day when we were there.

I know because we were fortunate enough to be among them.

There were also chairs available elsewhere as well.

On the sea days they were broadcasting a reminder on the pool deck periodically about the proper etiquette for using all chairs. It's really a shame that adults have to be told about proper etiquette.

We have a family of 4 yet only used 2 chairs because that is practical as not all 4 of us really are going to layout at the same time. We swim, get ice cream, ride the flowrider etc.. If we happen to all end up there at the same time we SHARED.

 

As for the reserved seating in the theater, we went up there once for a show and IT was full.

We had to split our family for that show that evening. However it was centered in the upper balcony and we don't care for that seating so that was the only night we utilized those seats.

I did look up there the rest of the week and it was pretty well full each show.

 

So the folks that are paying for those perks seem to be using them, however more importantly they aren't taking up space in the unreserved areas.

 

We did not see / experience the seating at the ice rink so I am unable to comment on that.

Just sharing my recent actual experience onboard.

[Ladylouwho]

I just came off the Freedom on 6/7 and I will tell you that all the reserved seating for suite guests at the pool was occupied during the day when we were there.

I know because we were fortunate enough to be among them.

There were also chairs available elsewhere as well.

On the sea days they were broadcasting a reminder on the pool deck periodically about the proper etiquette for using all chairs. It's really a shame that adults have to be told about proper etiquette.

We have a family of 4 yet only used 2 chairs because that is practical as not all 4 of us really are going to layout at the same time. We swim, get ice cream, ride the flowrider etc.. If we happen to all end up there at the same time we SHARED.

 

As for the reserved seating in the theater, we went up there once for a show and IT was full.

We had to split our family for that show that evening. However it was centered in the upper balcony and we don't care for that seating so that was the only night we utilized those seats.

I did look up there the rest of the week and it was pretty well full each show.

 

So the folks that are paying for those perks seem to be using them, however more importantly they aren't taking up space in the unreserved areas.

 

We did not see / experience the seating at the ice rink so I am unable to comment on that.

Just sharing my recent actual experience onboard.

 

Yes, well, you are one of the first groups where the reserved seating has been during the high, busy season (summer). I would expect ALL pool seating to be utilized. I am surprised that you say there were plenty of loungers available in the regular seating. Is RCI doing a better job of patrolling the chair hogs? I have heard rumors of this. That would be nice as we are on Liberty in July. I heard they were using stickers as to the time that books and towels were left alone to sun themselves. That would be a good thing.

 

We have booked suites or 2-3 cabins at a time on every RCI cruise since 2003. RCI doesn't seem to get who pays what now-a-days. From 2003-this year we have spent a certain amount per year on RCI. We usually have 6 guests we pay for, either a suite or two to three cabins. At least twice a year, often 3 times a year. Diamond, not Diamond Plus. Stockholders, but always suite or balconies. So RCI has cut benefits for us immensely since last year.

 

We were prepared to just basically continue to book them 2-3 times per year, suites or two -three cabins each time. Spend freely in the bars, casino, excursions, etc. But RC decided that we were expendable, so then we agreed.

 

In May, we canceled a cruise on the Mariner of the Seas to take a cruise on NCL in Europe instead. We will sail the Liberty in July (because of family obligations) but will book another cruise line over the December holidays. We would have booked the Voyager out of Galveston at Christmas or New Years.

 

No more booking on RCI only or even looking at RCI first. Good job RCI! Way to handle your long term, loyal, customers. Your management strategy should be studied in all the major business schools. Kind of the way they study the New Coke debacle, lol!

 

Colleen

[stevekc]

Yes, well, you are one of the first groups where the reserved seating has been during the high, busy season (summer). I would expect ALL pool seating to be utilized. I am surprised that you say there were plenty of loungers available in the regular seating. Is RCI doing a better job of patrolling the chair hogs? I have heard rumors of this. That would be nice as we are on Liberty in July. I heard they were using stickers as to the time that books and towels were left alone to sun themselves. That would be a good thing.

 

 

Colleen

 

If you read my post again you will notice I said "there were chairs available elsewhere" I never said there were PLENTY of chairs available on seadays. That would not be an accurate assessment in my opinion during the cruise.

As for it being the busy summer high season, the Freedom had a approximate passenger count of 3900 during my cruise and I believe it can accommodate over 4200? So certainly not a maximum crowd yet the suite guests were using the provided perks adequately I thought.

I thought they were doing a better job of patrolling the hogs but I never witnessed any sticker placement.

I will acknowledge that the pool chairs on seadays always seems to be a challenge and it's unfortunate that so many people are so selfish that they provide a problem for others.

[donaldsc]

What is wrong with the class system. If I pay more for my cabin, I should not have to contaminate myself by associating with the rif raf.

 

Also, that fact that you had to pay a lot for air fire, hotels, etc., is immaterial. In the end, it comes down to what you paid for the cabin.

 

DON

[Ladylouwho]

What is wrong with the class system. If I pay more for my cabin, I should not have to contaminate myself by associating with the rif raf

 

DON

 

LOL!! And yet you stay in a suite on a ship? How often do you think they shampoo the carpet or for heavens sake even clean the bedspread? And how about the upholstery on the couch or chairs? Who knows what people have done or what kind of things or fluids have been left on the upholstery. EEWWW!!! The Riff Raf?? What about human beings in general, high bred or high horse??? LOL!!!

[ChipLondon]

To be completely honest, I really don't care what other people get or don't get. I know what I signed up for when I booked my cruise, and that is all I expect. I go on vacation to relax, not stress out. :):)

 

Correct......................, Although as Suite Guests do pay more, (and therefore like First Class flight passengers) they should get some extra perks. Therefore I think reserved loungers is a good one for them. However I also think that such perks could also be available to really loyal customers who have clearly also spent alot of money. This is not a class system it is simply enabling those that want to spend more on a vacation to do so. Nobody is moaning about those that pay for spa treatments getting special massage and facial treatments. We should all get what we pay for.

[ChipLondon]

Am I hearing 1st class,2nd class,3rd class?

 

 

Er.......... No, you are hearing, Inside cabin = no window, Outside cabin = window, Balcony cabin = larger cabin with balcony, Suite = larger again with extra benefits. As in we all get different facilties depending on the amount we choose to spend at the time.

[carhirer]

I agree that all this resentment is a bit silly.

 

But I wonder whether we would all react differently now if we were to watch the film "Titanic" (you know - the one with the nasty Brit class distinctions and the Irish music soundtrack)

[Toddcan]

What is wrong with the class system. If I pay more for my cabin, I should not have to contaminate myself by associating with the rif raf.

 

Also, that fact that you had to pay a lot for air fire, hotels, etc., is immaterial. In the end, it comes down to what you paid for the cabin.

 

DON

 

'xuse me sir, do you have any Grey Poupon? :rolleyes:

[MAZANDSTEVE]

I wonder, if you couldnt find a seat and there were some in the reserved area and you just sat in the reserved area, would they ask you to move?;)

[Toddcan]

I wonder, if you couldnt find a seat and there were some in the reserved area and you just sat in the reserved area, would they ask you to move?;)

 

There are several threads on this topic, and I've read that the answer is yes. (unless, of course you are a suite guest).

[MAZANDSTEVE]

There are several threads on this topic, and I've read that the answer is yes. (unless, of course you are a suite guest).

 

 

Has anyone actually sat in them and been asked to leave?

[chriskwarren]

Should the crew then be checking the regular seats for folks who should be sitting in the reserved section and asking them to move there if there is room?

[DC2OC]

Has anyone actually sat in them and been asked to leave?

 

Yes we have.Did not notice the sign.Funny thing was on the EOS the seats were nearly empty as the suite guest preferred to sit elsewhere .....Frank

[lady_cruiser]

A ship is just like an airline. You have first, second or business and coach classes. If there are empty seats in the first class section they remain empty.