alfaeric

In terms of lines for shows, we have been on a ship where the lines were broken up by: Key, Suites, Pinn with reservations, reservations, and stand by. But that was one ship out of 4 different Oasis ships in the past year and a half. And we've been on a ship where the reservations line wasn't a line except for people doing in themselves- the staff didn't come out and remind people how to line up. So it was easy for people to cut in line just when the doors open. (Which was interesting, as that ship was the only one who had signs for the aqua shows showing where to line up). So the shows thing is incredibly variable. Which is pretty normal....

If you are a lobster fan, on the second formal night, it's lobster night in the MDR. And then the next night, lobster is in the CK menu.

Don't know anymore. When we were there, it was a couple of months into the new terminal being open. And we heard that there were issues with some of the transportation companies being allowed into the port. Maybe that's fixed now. But it sucked enough that we will probably avoid going to Galveston anytime soon. While it's theoretically similar to Orlando and Port Canaveral, realistically, it's much more complicated for Texas..

Couple of things, first, Celebrity IS building smaller ships, compared to Royal- they are the general size of Vision and Radiance class ships. Perhaps you don't think they are small enough, but they are building them- one just entered service a month ago. Second, it's been over 14 years an Oasis ship has been sailing. Which seems like a pretty long time. And they keep selling out- with the addition of new ones. How much longer do you need before time tells? The economy of these ships is pretty easy- they use less fuel than the Freedom class ships for 50% more passengers. Let alone far more expensive stuff and things to pay for. Icon class is an amplified version of that. The "small" ships are pretty large in the Quantum class ships- but they are sailing to Alaska, so can get into small-ish areas. And can at least tender passengers. But I would not think of them small at all. So how many more years do you need?

We've walked it- with luggage. It sucked. The reason we walked it was that there were no taxis, and Lyft would not schedule a car for us. Then when we went for a second cruise a day later- the limo that we scheduled canceled the day before we got back to port. So we once again tried a taxi and Lyft. Both failed, again. Thankfully, there was a bored Lyft driver waiting for anyone to show up, so we negotiated a ride from him. We were not happy with the transport at the port.

I'm still wondering what ships the strategy isn't working for. Even the ships you mentioned, they were full, so the "off season" when the kids are in school doesn't seem to matter much.

If cruises are full, who cares if there are kids on them and the "strategy"? Full is full. I know we sail Oasis ships because we like the ships. Never have had kids.

You've been on them and they are empty? Or just that you've been on them? Not sure if you've tried to book a cruise recently, but ships are more sold out than not, especially the Oasis class ships and very especially the Icon. Which are the very family centric ships. We were just on the Symphony before Christmas and it had a lot of kids for both weeks, and prior to that were 3/4 on the Liberty- again, lots of kids. Seems to me the massive ships to attract families is working pretty darned well considering how expensive they are to get just a handful of cabins.

For cruises less than 8 days, which big ship is it not working on?

Are you talking ship or port? Not that it really matters- as posted before, using the elevator on the ship isn't a big deal. And there are escalators to go down in the port. Strolling off ~9am is really smooth for all of our recent cruises.

Not that it's any of your business, but we find it easier. And faster. It's nice to not have to wade through the crowds trying to find their bags.

Do you really think the line was slow because people carried their luggage? Last I checked, the slowness was people not checking out of security fast enough, due to issues or not knowing they need their seapass card. Maybe you have problems wheeling your luggage around, but other's don't.

At least there are options for smaller new ships. I can't see RCI making a new ship much smaller than than a Quantum ship. Doesn't make economic sense.

Technically, the Royal Caribbean Group is building smaller ships. The Celebrity Edge class has ~3000 passengers. So roughly Voyager class size. And Silverseas new ships are sub 1000 passengers.

Only if you use them. We've been doing self-disembarkation for many years, and have had no issues using an elevator to get to the disembarkation deck. Then you should be going down a series of walkways to the 2nd story of the port building. From there, it's either an elevator or escalator down- they won't let you use the stairs if you can't really have a free hand.

Easy solution that a person can do- 1) be nice to the people you interact with. That way they are not stressed. Even when you have an issue, be nice. 2) if you feel they need more money- tip them more money. We'd all pay for it anyway. 3) keep their jobs quick- so that they can maximize their time off, and if they can get off in a port, can find free wi-fi (which is in most ports). If you don't like how RCI is treating their employees, I really don't see how continuing business with them is a good idea.

So what is your goal, then? Certainly you have one, since it matters so much that people think you are not exactly accurate.

Have to pay for a stamp, though. Let alone the cost of the postcard.

According to Britannica, the word free can be used as a verb, adverb, AND adjective. https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/free#:~:text=free (adjective),free–floating (adjective) Not that this adds to this thread what so ever. Free *whatever* means that the *whatever* didn't cost anything, making it an adjective. Free burger, free person, free society, etc. But why make such a big deal about this, anyway? It hardly helps people find the free burgers on board with free fries that they can have with free tea. It's not feeing to me to worry about.

Even so, are they being PREVENTED in communicating with their families? Or do they have to pay a bill to the telecommunications system they chose to use, just like everyone here on this board? I don't know about you, but I have to pay for my phone, internet, and cable. Communication with my family isn't free, either.

Just out of curiosity, what is your goal with this thread? Do you think posting here will change RCI's behavior? Or do you want other cruiser to do something about it? And if you do, what something do you want other cruisers to do? Again, you've made claims that they are working in inhumane conditions without any protections, which is fine to claim, but it isn't true. But lets assume it's true- what do you want this forum to do?

If you honestly think it's abusive to the worker, contact the USCG. As has been pointed out, there are regulations that cover the workers. Don't make up things that are not true for whatever reason. And tip them so they can pay for the internet and uniforms that people are so upset that they have to pay for. You claim that it's that important- $10 is 5 HOURS of time they can use. I'm sure a lot of people want to think they are good people, too. And instead of posting on a board that really does little, you talk to them, make them feel valued, make sure you keep their work as little as you can, and then tip them for the work they do. Outside of not cruising, there's not much else you can do.

Our resident seafarer has pointed out that they are covered under international laws. You think they are not, but they are. https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/lang--en/index.htm It's not perfect, nor does it cover what you think it probably should, but it's international law.

that's a lot of stress. Something I'd do everything to avoid.

WRT uniforms, do people not know that mechanics need to pay for their own tools on top of the required uniform? Multi thousands of dollars up front to get a good enough tool set- takes years to pay for it all, and there's no guarantee that you will use it enough to pay it off. Relative to US costs of living, mechanics don't make that great of money, so this is a massive burden on them. This includes the ones working for huge corporations. The ones that pay for computers for higher paid employees. And I sometimes wonder that since we are putting a face to the work, we fell more for these guys vs the ones in the engine room, or the ones who are shipping stuff to us overseas. For us, we like to talk to everyone we encounter, and do our best to make their jobs easier and more pleasant. Let alone tip them- $10 is 5 hours of internet?