Freecall

Varoo, you are partially correct.

The seepass directs people to a muster station. On the seapass are a letter and a number 'A1' for example. This means Muster Station 'A', section '1'.

The muster station will be a physical room (in the case of 'A' it will be the front muster station, usually the theater, then B & C and possibly D on larger ships further to the rear).

Within the muster station there will then be sections, so section A1 will be indicated by a paddle board.

You are correct that within that system each section leader may then be instructed to do something other than take you to an assigned lifeboat (some may not be usable of course) but in the simple scenario each section relates to a single lifeboat.

The system is actually much more sophisticated than most people realize. It is no longer necessary to take a role call for example, although this is done during a drill.

 

Since no one is assigned to a particular lifeboat, or even a lifeboat area,

Although I totally agree with the point you make regarding the way it used to be done when we all went to the lifeboats, the above statement is not really correct.

Everyone (including staff and crew) is assigned to a lifeboat. In the case of passengers, your lifeboat number is printed on your seapass card.

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At least with X, when you get to a level you stay there.

Those of us who cruise with other lines as well as X will be aware that this does not apply to all cruise companies.

Take a look at the Peninsular Club for example (P&O - one of the Carnival brands).

To maintain Ligurian Level (the top grade) you have to have not only 2500 points which are issued in much the same way a the Captain's Club scheme but you also have to have a run-rate of 201 night in the past 1,095.

Yes that's right, only if you ensure you are on board for 1 in 5 nights of your life do you keep the benefit.

;)

Next time you do a muster drill just take a good look at those doing the organizing. There is usually the general mix of entertainers, bartenders and waitstaff trying to keep some semblance of order. To their credit they usually do the best that they can although frequently struggle when somebody awkward comes along who does not want to be told what to do.

In a real emergency however remember that they are only one short training course ahead of the rest of us.

Let us hope that none of us ever have to experience a real emergency.

:eek:

As others have said, Santorini tendering can be slow. It is not really the tenders that are the issue though. When you reach shore, then what?

You still have to get up the hill and the lines for the cable car can be very long. At the end of the day you just have to take it as it comes.

Be as early as you can and hope that there are no other ships in port.

I get up extremely early and enjoy reading on the balcony.

Logical solution to problem :

Get up later.

If the four of you are sleeping in the same bed, you might find it easier if you book two rooms, bit more expensive but worth the extra[emoji41]

 

 

Not half as much fun though I bet.

:D

If I was working in a call center and somebody called and asked me to sort that out I would be more than happy.

Sounds a far more interesting thing to sort out than the usual boring stuff.

On S Class some of the 'obstructed view' balconys are simply the ones above the specialty restaurants on Deck 6. No real obstruction at all.

 

The other thing the OP, who is from the US, is not taking into consideration is that once assigned, you can generally move to any other open cabin in your category. I have done this successfully.

They have always been happy to let us move if we want and we still save $1,000.

Mostly Greek apart from the Ecuadorian crews on the Xpedition.

Remember that the statutory crew members have to have European certificates to operate the ships as (with the exception of the Xpedition) they are European ships.

They are absolutely larger...

Absolutely!

I would say that the only downside is the lack of cover (no sunshsde, no rain protection, some soot problems and -some cabins- reduced privacy).

Otherwise it's all upside.

Fantastic views.

Lindsay has been on the cruise circuit for quite a few years now.

Always seems to be popular.

It would not be a problem for me although I do remember that there was a bit of a fuss made by some when she was launched.

the wine from the enomatic machines was awful! It tasted very stale in comparison to the fresh bottle we had the night before. After that we lost all interest in the machines.

I was so convinced that the machines were not being used that I took a picture of a couple of the cabinets.

After a week, although they had changed one of the bottles for a different wine, the others all had exactly the same in them!

My advice, order from the Sommelier.

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There yo u have it. Dont like your table bribe someone to change it. somone siad money talks it seems to me it screams and shouts and stamp its feet. (diplomaticaly)

Oh dear, let's hope not!

Of course you are. Even if in the end you decide that rcl is not for you, you will have had a lot of fun finding out.

I wonder if, as newer ships get quieter and smoother, our perceptions change. I remember older ships which vibrated so much sometimes that you could actually see the walls shake enough to blur vision.

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I grab a drink then run to a different bar and get one for my family member. I still have to run all over the ship, which is a pain in the tail.

..........and you still enjoy your holiday?

Just chill and relax, don't spend your whole life trying to cheat the system.

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