howiefrommd

54 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

I think the real answer to the question posed in the title is "yes'" unless and until the paying customers demand proactive crew responses to chair hogs.  As long as the various cruise lines aren't getting a hoard of demands by the customer base, they will continue with a laissez faire approach to the issue.  The cruise lines don't really want to intervene, so they put the onus back onto the passengers to enforce their rules by either taking direct action or reporting the chair hogs to crew members already present on the lido.

 

I have two suggestions for mitigating what has always been the nagging problem:

 

Everyone completing the all-important post cruise surveys should add complaints that the crew are neglecting to enforce the chair hog issue.  When they ask in the survey what could be done to improve service, make a point of suggesting they take the chair hog issue seriously.  They tend to pay more attention those post cruise surveys.

 

A second suggestion would be to have a crew member assigned to issue a time stamped card to any passenger needing to vacate their lounger for a short time.  The card could read something like "RESERVED UNTIL 1:15 PM."  If one is looking for a chair, they could look at the reserved cards until they find one that is expired and either that crew member would be responsible to collect any belongings, or the passenger could remove the items themselves.  Also, the rule should be only one card per passenger.

 

That being said, I have no realistic expectation that either suggestion would ever happen.  Once people are off the ship, they no longer have any interest in the issue until they are once again on board and have something to complain about that nothing is being done.  🤷‍♂️ 

I agree with your posting. For some reason (and I may have this mixed up with Regent, as we tend to cruise them also) you need to complete the evaluation online before getting off the ship.  Either way it is a comment I routinely have left, and yet to ever get a response.

 I do think it is a bit naïve to think the cruise lines really care unless it is something that affects their bottom line.  

The usual knee jerk reaction is referring people back to the “Terms and Conditions”. I have spent a good deal of my clinical life at a major medical school/hospital.  I have been involved in many clinical trials.  Obviously, since attorneys always get involved, there is a plethora of Informed Consents and Releases.  In over 40 years of practice, I can count on one hand the amount of people that read these documents and actually had a question or requested language struck.  
 

So in potential life and death situations, people do not read these documents.  
 

So in the case of a cruise line (whose primary responsibility is to their investor's), whom deliberately hide under foreign flags (to skirt taxes, labor laws and other regulatory issues) and make every effort to evade responsibility, the cheerleaders/defenders have developed the “Haven’t you read the Terms and Conditions” mantra.  I hope these same people remember that the next time they are having surgery, a procedure or entering a clinical trial.  
 

As I previously articulated, had a similar experience with Regent (but in Rome) in which I was assisted by a good TA, certainly not Regent.

Reading these comments reminded me of a conversation with a patient several years ago. He was the CEO of a major hotel chain.  I happen to mention to him a negative experience I encountered recently in one of his hotels.  I am sure he was overjoyed to hear this as he traveled quite some distance for this consultation.  Anyway, he said something that really opened my neophyte eyes.  He said what the customer does not realize is that his responsibility as CEO is to the shareholder. His responsibility is to have a better quarter than the last one.

Unfortunately (especially for those that remember the Raddison/Regent good old days) that appears to be what is at play here.  Those that complain will eventually be given something (above what is currently offered) but most will just move on.  With more and more entities looking into developing (or expanding) the luxury end of cruising this will all play itself out.  
 

At least Regent will have its ever present cheerleaders, hopefully there will be enough of them to make them a viable business five years from now.  Saying that, given the thought that some hedge fund does not buy NCL and do what hedge funds do best.

On 3/5/2024 at 7:48 AM, cwn said:

I fail to understand why anyone would expect the mainland/home office for Regent or NCL holding company to have staff to help passengers in this area. They provide written material and ship staff for this propose.

I respectfully disagree with your premise.  There are certainly instances where people may need assistance with selection of/explanation of excursions.  Whether it is lack of computer capabilities, limited eyesight or other various disabilities,  English may not be their primary language or a myriad of other factors.

Regent holds itself out as a luxury, all inclusive brand.  Having someone assist someone is certainly not asking too much. The passenger pay dearly for cruising on Regent.  The passenger is not cruising on NCL, they are cruising on Regent.

I had a similar situation last year in all places Rome (like Rome does not have enough hotels rooms). Regent sent out notice that they could not secure enough hotel space.  My TA easily found me a room, and of all things, Regent was utilizing (the same hotel) it for the cruise that I was on (for those they were providing rooms for),  My TA went way above the call of duty and provided a private car to pick me up at airport and next day to take me to Civitaveccia (through a company I think called Blacklane). It was amazingly generous and appreciated.

Saying that, I do not need more onboard credit or a few hundred bucks back.  What I need is peace of mind. One of the reasons I have enjoyed Regent is their inclusivity.  If you can’t guarantee a simple thing as a hotel room (which they promote endlessly in their non-stop catalogs that come) either do not offer it or come up with another itinerary.  Itineraries  come out years in advance, certainly enough time to contract enough hotel rooms.
 

17 hours ago, harryw said:

I googled this issue and found -

 

Yes, AirTags are Federal Aviation Administration approved. The FAA ruled that having an AirTag in your luggage is permitted and, in fact, not a safety hazard since the small devices only contain 0.1 grams of lithium, which falls below the FAA's limit.

I just reached out to Luggage Forward and this is their response:

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out, we are glad to assist.

AirTags, or similar tracking devices, are prohibited from our shipments despite having small lithium output. We are not licensed to ship batteries of any sort.

If we can be of any further assistance please let us know and you will also find many answers regarding the service through the below link to our Support Center.
 

Just as an FYI I was reading on another board (and I do not remember which one) that they were told that the could not use AirTags because it contained a lithium battery.

Incorrect post.  Sorry.

As we all know, dress codes usually cause considerable angst on these boards. The reality is, the upcoming generations (who are the future customers) have rarely  worn suits, ties, etc.

Years ago when I was a resident, we had to wear a tie, appropriate shoes, etc.  As I am still involved at an academic medical institution, when I interact with residents and fellows,  I am sure any day now one will be wearing pajama bottoms like you see people frequently wearing in public.  I have not seen a tie in years. 
 

Additionally, to put the new generation mindset into focus, I was in a meeting recently in which I asked a resident to research something and she indicated that she would get back to me.  Kidding around I said, please don’t call me collect.  I received this blank look (all were MDs or MDs/PhDs) and realized that not one person had any idea what that meant.

Personally, dress codes have never been a big issue to me, but I do think we need to tamper down our expectations.

7 hours ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/mediterranean-cruises/athens-to-rome-MNA250927/

I could not find it anywhere, thank you so much. As a previous person noted, it appears to be a charter.  

Was wondering if anyone has and information on the following:

Marina 9/15 - 9/27, 2025 (Rome to Athens)

9/27 - 10/4 - No cruises found

10/4 - 11/29 Rome to Miami 

Any ideas what is happening 9/27 - 10/4?

Thanks in advance.  Howie

Does Oceania have the ability to provide a complete list (and description) of excursions?  I know I have been able to do on Regent, but do not remember it for Oceania.

On Regent they will send you a PDF with all the excursions an descriptions. Personally, I find it easier than going through each excursion online.

Thanks so much.  Howie

Over the years I have sat on numerous advisory panels for CDC, FDA and CMS.  What these Agencies do is they take the panels recommendations (and if they agree with them) the codify it into regulation.  Part of the regulation process is they must publish the proposed regulation in the Federal Register for a comment period.  

I remember one time, they published a proposed regulation requesting "Pubic Comment."  When I thought about this, all of us have become so reliant on spellcheck, it has let our guard down.  When you consider the amount of people (Scientific Advisors, Attorneys, Proofreaders, Typists, etc.) this document went through, yet it still went through.

On 7/5/2023 at 7:36 PM, suzeluvscruz said:

Unfortunately, I am a product of a small private school that, in the 60s, and even today, is rigorous in its discipline in the English language. Look at those who say “less” when you mean “fewer” and who use the subjective as the subject such as “me and Joe….” ( even major publications, I would drive editors crazy!) Fingernails on the blackboard. No one knows what a blackboard is anyway…how about combining “under” with water  when it is precisely 2 words.  Uh oh can of worms now open. 😉

Reading your blackboard comment made me laugh. I was recently in a meeting in which the attendees were all physicians and nurses. I had asked a question in which none of the attendees had an answer. One of the residents said that she would research my concern and give me a call that afternoon. So Howie, being Howie, said “I would appreciate that, but please do not call collect.”

Well it was crickets when I said that.  Turns out not one person knew what a collect call was.  I realize I am at the sunset of my career, but I was not talking party lines lol

Of course not one attendee looked up from their phones at the meeting either. 

10 hours ago, May B said:

Howie, I’ve been curious since you started posting. I think I’m ready to ask. Is the ACP your professional organization? And if so, what other, if pertinent, like ACG or ACC, etc.

 

 

Actually going back in time trained in EM. So I guess ACEP would be the closest professional organization.  However for most of my professional life I have been in research, primarily dealing with Medical Quality of Care/Quality Analytics.  Have been out of the clinical arena for years.  Have been in the public and or private sector for the last 30 years or so.  Now that I am in the twilight of my career, have been dealing with medical education.  Have sat on a bunch of advisory panels at CDC, FDA and CMS.  Happily I can say I will be starting the next chapter of my life, now I just have to figure out what that is lol

On 6/21/2023 at 9:54 PM, oakridger said:

I was on a Crystal Cruise one time on a private excursion of 12 people.  Our tour guide was just shooting the breeze with us on and off as we motored along (in a boat) and I heard him ask one very funny guy in my group what he did for a living.  (It was germane to the conversation; he wasn't being nosy). The guy said, "I fix things, kind of like an auto mechanic".  Yes, he was a medical doctor!  😁

 

~Nancy

Must share something that happened recently.  Went to lunch with a work friend who is a very well respected physician, has a full professorship and has written many scholarly articles, books and papers. We came from work, so we were wearing our Identification Badges.  The wait staff (who was quite young) asked us what MD meant after the name on ID badge stood for and my friend and colleague answered "Mentally Deficient."  Made my day!

Sounds like typical guidance from the attorneys.  Historically (especially if you are employed in the academic world) you are required to disclose any physician - industry relationships (I.e. Pharma, medical manufacturers, consulting, etc.) previous to your presentation.  
 

Since my audiences have been fellow clinicians, I have never had to have the warning you articulated.   

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

We’re your two cruise talks on Crystal?  The reason I ask is one of the items highlighted to the lecturers is that guests enjoy engaging throughout the cruise whether that involves questions or even going for a drink or a meal. 
 

Keith

I know one was on Regent, but I do not remember what cruise line the other one was on.  These presentations were solely for physicians who were getting required CME credits not for general passengers (who probably would be bored to death if they attended). There are several professional organizations that put these together so you can get your required credits while on a cruise.  
 

I have only been on a half dozen or so Crystal Cruises and do not remember if this was one of them. 

I have presented twice on different cruises but for a limited audience. Mostly physicians getting their CMEs.  Although the cruise was free, not how I wanted to spend my vacation.  People would stop me non stop with questions, follow up stuff, etc. I could stay at work for that lol

When I first came to Baltimore, our Medical Center did telemedicine with Renaissance Cruises and that gang (the University based clinical telemedicine staff) had such interesting stories at lunch.  

Just as a follow up question, did Cleveland Clinic provide onboard clinical services or just telemedicine capability?  

One of my colleagues brother (who is also a physician) has been working on cruise ships for several years.  He has had difficulties obtaining a license in the US, but can work via his Philippine Medical License on ships.  I recently had dinner with them and he was telling me that he works for a staffing company based in Florida, and is not an employee to the cruise ship.  He did indicate that he has telemedicine capabilities but I do not remember with what organization.

2 hours ago, CJANDH said:

I guess topic drift is what I am talking about. I have just read all 22 pages to educate myself on the New Crystal. Early posts were helpful. But now the board reads more like a Seabourn review.

In all reality we can all guess, dream and hypothesize, but in reality there is not a person that can tell you what the NC will be like.   Time will tell.  I am not a frequent poster, but when time permits do peruse the boards that I have interest in.  When you look at the OC/NC board there are a dozen or so people or so that make up the majority of posters. Each seem to have their own slant (positive or negative). 

On 5/17/2023 at 10:46 AM, bitob said:

Loyalty to compensation, not to any cruise line. Not surprising. Many of the crew support large families back home

Are you possibly saying that although being away from home for months on end, working endless hours 7 days a week, always having to smile, always having to watch their comments, they may choose finances (in which they may get better gratuities from cruisers on some cruise lines) would go into their decision making process at all.  Tell me it is not so 🙂  

6 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Sidenote.   Our new cabin attendant cleaning cabin today and noticed my Crystal logo tee shirt.  Oh I was with Crystal before they shutdown.  Will you return to them I asked.  Response was no, not really interested.  
 

Unscientific but the poll is now 4 Yes and 4 No on past 4 cruises.  Those 4 cruises were Regent, Oceania and Seabourn (2).  They included 3 housekeeping, 3 waiters, 2 bartenders. 
 

Guests run around the same ratio including some guest lecturers who were on the yes side. 

Have been on several Regent and Oceania Cruises lately and have had similar type of conversations.  Interesting that on both (which were both butlers)  they commented on how generous the passengers on Regent and Oceania where compared to Crystal. I did not expand that part of the conversation.

Several of the crew who previously worked for Crystal (non butler positions) articulated that they will follow what compensates them the best.  

Just spoke with HA and have somewhat (but not complete answer).  It is the "Surf" that is included (for each person.)  When I inquired about the verbiage about the 4,000 minutes, they were clueless.  They said I would have to address this when on board.  

Actually it gets a bit more wacky...from the HA site:

Onboard Credit

US$1,000 per person, Category PS

US$750 per person, Categories SA-SB

US$500 per person, Categoriess A-BC

Prepaid Signature Internet Package (4,000 minutes per person)

Prepaid Crew Appreciation

One Complimentary Shore Excursion from the Collections of Holland America Line

Unlimited Luggage Delivery Service (to/from San Diego only)✤

Initial In-suite Liquor Set-up (four bottles)

"Welcome on Board" bottle of sparkling wine