Suite Guests....Oasis..... Heads Up...Royal in the wrong direction

[Familygoboston]

Steve:

 

 

Sorry you are getting screamed at on this thread. People don't understand that the suite experience is just what the description says, an "experience" -- not just a bigger room.

 

For what the larger suites cost, you could go on Silversea or Crystal and have a full-ship, all-inclusive suite experience. RCCL knows this and usually goes out of its way to accommodate suite guests -- especially those in the high end suites.

 

Why don't you write to Adam Goldstein and ask why this is being done. I'm sure you'll get a sensible response -- not like some of the answers you're getting on here.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

But for some reason, people who book RCL suites dont know this:confused:...so many other places to spend your money where you will be treated properly! Vote with your pocketbook!

[akcruz]

We as many other suite guests do not use the seats saved for suite guests. We usually sit somewhere else. They only hold those seats until ten minutes prior to the show. Those seats do not take away from anyone. This new policy will not change one thing in the actual theater. Those seats will still be saved until ten minutes prior to the show.

 

I am agreeing with you on that point, but what I was asking is do they hold back more "reservations" for suite guests than just those specific suite seats with the old system?

 

Say there are 1000 seats total in the theater with 10 "suite seats". Can reservations be made for the other 990 or is truly 950 because they hold back 50 spot for suite guests who MAY want to come to that performance?

 

If it is 50 and 60 suite guests show up, what happens? Which 10 would not be able to see the show? Of course that is saying all 950 with reservations showed which I do understand is not likely.

[wvufan]

Although I respectfully disagree with this statement, if that's the way a suite guest should be treated, lets make sure the loyalty program follows the same suit. Keep everything behind closed cabin doors. ;)

No need for any lounges, no need for priority boarding, no need for special breakfast area's and the list could keep going. I don't think many would like that idea but what's good for one should be good for the other don't ya think.:confused:

 

Not a good analogy-those rewards are based on loyalty and not cabin class. Suite guests as well as those who prefer inside cabins (and there are many very wealthy people who do) benefit if they have sailed enough with RCL or Celebrity.

 

I agree with Gonzo 100%.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[bajathree]

With the amount of people that get into the shows on stand-by...I can't see how changing to now NOT allowing suite guests free access to shows changes anything....I mean most all times I see just about everyone on standby get it....except for the comedy show..that is a very limited small venue....even the comedians joke about it. How Royal expects to tell a suite family that just invested maybe 15-20K that they have to stand in a standby line:rolleyes:thats just wrong and why the policy was changed in the first place. I stood loud and clear on the issue on the inaugural sailing when I paid huge $ for a Owners Suite just to be told we were restricted access to a show because we didn't have reservations for it that night. All I spoke to agreed and I guess corporate heard the complaints and the policy was eventually changed.....so why the change backwards:confused:and if only on Oasis not Allure like I heard....then it almost sounds to me like this may even actually be more something the ship may have made the decision on and changed policy...not corporate:confused:

[Ocean Boy]

I think the problem only comes up on Oasis and Allure. Since the first day of Oasis, I've heard of people not getting into shows, making for very unhappy customers. Thus, the reservation system. I 'm not aware of this on any other ships. It's probably not necessary.

 

Bottom line . . . poorly designed ships. It's no surprise that RCI'S next ship will be smaller.

 

I suggest that you sail on one of the two ships before you label them as poorly designed. They actually are amazing well designed and accommodate their passenger loads with ease.

[Debde]

Not a good analogy-those rewards are based on loyalty and not cabin class. Suite guests as well as those who prefer inside cabins (and there are many very wealthy people who do) benefit if they have sailed enough with RCL or Celebrity.

l

 

I'll respectfully disagree with this too!!! :p

If perks are to be had-then each should have them. If someone thinks all perks should be hidden behind closed doors-then so be it for all.

[Ocean Boy]

I'll respectfully disagree with this too!!! :p

If perks are to be had-then each should have them. If someone thinks all perks should be hidden behind closed doors-then so be it for all.

 

The only issue that I have with perks is if one person's perk denies someone else access to a venue that he/she otherwise would have access to. It would not bother me in the least if, for example, a perk gave someone the ability to drink for free at a bar "out in the open" as it doesn't stop anyone else from utilizing that bar.

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

Yikes!! I find all this quite amusing! It never ceases to amaze me how angry & judgmental people become over how others choose to spend their money!;) Good for you if you are super thrifty! Good for you if you can afford the Royal Family Suite! Don't let someone else's choice affect your vacation! Or even your thoughts!:rolleyes: Just make the choice that's right for you & have fun!:D If RCCL isn't your choice, that's OK there are plenty of ships in the sea!;):D

[Ocean Boy]

Yikes!! I find all this quite amusing! It never ceases to amaze me how angry & judgmental people become over how others choose to spend their money!;) Good for you if you are super thrifty! Good for you if you can afford the Royal Family Suite! Don't let someone else's choice affect your vacation! Or even your thoughts!:rolleyes: Just make the choice that's right for you & have fun!:D If RCCL isn't your choice, that's OK there are plenty of ships in the sea!;):D

 

Apparently RCI is our choice or most of us would not be hanging out on this board.

[bajathree]

I suggest that you sail on one of the two ships before you label them as poorly designed. They actually are amazing well designed and accommodate their passenger loads with ease.

 

I think the problem only comes up on Oasis and Allure. Since the first day of Oasis, I've heard of people not getting into shows, making for very unhappy customers. Thus, the reservation system. I 'm not aware of this on any other ships. It's probably not necessary.

 

Bottom line . . . poorly designed ships. It's no surprise that RCI'S next ship will be smaller.

 

Ocean boy is very correct.....these ships being designed poorly is the furthest thing from the truth....these 2 ships (along with terminal 18) are probably the best 2 designed ship on the high seas.

[torpeedo]

I actually don't like the reservation system at all. I think it's unfair to first time cruisers and those who don't cruise often and don't even know that you have to make these reservations or find out too late. I also don't like it because it forces me to make decisions about what I want to do so far ahead of time when the whole purpose of a cruise is to relax and do what you want, when you want. If I decide to go to a show and it's sold out, so what. Oh well, I'll try another time. Suite guest reserved section can stay the same. If it's sold out or full, then try again next show.

We were on the Freedom in Feb and most of the passengers had no idea that there were reservations needed to shows. The Concierge told us that the whole reservations thing was a flop and nightmare for the staff and they were planning on stopping it. Good thing and I don't think anyone would notice since nobody knew in the first place!!

Cruising should be fun and relaxing. We cruised the Oasis once and did enjoy it but I'm not inclined to go back, mainly because of all these reservation issues. Who wants to be on a schedule on a cruise!!! Just my opinion.

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

Apparently RCI is our choice or most of us would not be hanging out on this board.

 

 

Well... it's certainly my choice!!;):D

[Wilda]

With the amount of people that get into the shows on stand-by...I can't see how changing to now NOT allowing suite guests free access to shows changes anything....I mean most all times I see just about everyone on standby get it then why is this even being discussed if most people are granted access?....except for the comedy show..that is a very limited small venue....even the comedians joke about it. How Royal expects to tell a suite family that just invested maybe 15-20K that they have to stand in a standby line:rolleyes:thats just wrong so according to your logic the people that spend the most money for accommodations on the ship should have first dibs on public venues....why? which leads to me to wonder that if I drop $10,000 in the casino isn't it possible that I will have an expectation that I will be treated 'differently' and that perks should be made available to me because of the amount of money I spent in the casino? and why the policy was changed in the first place. I stood loud and clear on the issue on the inaugural sailing when I paid huge $ for a Owners Suite just to be told we were restricted access to a show because we didn't have reservations for it that night i would suggest that like everyone else you make your reservations for the shows in advance. All I spoke to agreed and I guess corporate heard the complaints and the policy was eventually changed.....so why the change backwards:confused:and if only on Oasis not Allure like I heard....then it almost sounds to me like this may even actually be more something the ship may have made the decision on and changed policy...not corporate:confused:

 

Sounds like you really enjoy the product but have a philosophical issue with their policy...I get it, however I respectfully disagree:)

[bajathree]

I actually don't like the reservation system at all. I think it's unfair to first time cruisers and those who don't cruise often and don't even know that you have to make these reservations or find out too late. I also don't like it because it forces me to make decisions about what I want to do so far ahead of time when the whole purpose of a cruise is to relax and do what you want, when you want. If I decide to go to a show and it's sold out, so what. Oh well, I'll try another time. Suite guest reserved section can stay the same. If it's sold out or full, then try again next show.

We were on the Freedom in Feb and most of the passengers had no idea that there were reservations needed to shows. The Concierge told us that the whole reservations thing was a flop and nightmare for the staff and they were planning on stopping it. Good thing and I don't think anyone would notice since nobody knew in the first place!!

Cruising should be fun and relaxing. We cruised the Oasis once and did enjoy it but I'm not inclined to go back, mainly because of all these reservation issues. Who wants to be on a schedule on a cruise!!! Just my opinion.

 

 

I don't doubt that for a second.....the lines sometimes on first day in the CL on Oasis/Allure are just plain CRAZY with people trying to make reservation...I have seen it so bad they actually closed the fire doors so no more could come in.

[Aquahound]

Bottom line . . . poorly designed ships. It's no surprise that RCI'S next ship will be smaller.

 

Poorly designed ships? :eek:

 

Well, that has got to be the first time I've seen anyone say that about Oasis Class. You obviously have not been aboard.

[ausofte]

Good grief, please don't start an "Occupy RCI" movement. You pay for what you get, isn't that what everyone says when RCI is compared to Carnival? Well, you get what you pay for when it comes to category, too. Except, if you all have your way and take away all suite privileges, you don't get what you pay for and those of us who want that exceptional experience are going to take our money elsewhere so we can have it...and leave you "EQUALITY!!! (even though we didn't pay as much)" people to the lesser experience.

[NeuroQueen]

Well, with 3 in our party I wanted a bit of breathing room and saved all year to travel in a GS. Of course the perks played a part in the decision. The biggest perk for me was not having to reserve shows ahead of time. And, no I certainly do not feel I am better than anyone else, nor would I deny someone the opportunity to see a show, it was just attractive to me to be able to be more spontaneous! When we were on Oasis last year I reserved all of the shows ahead of time and guess what? There were times we just didn't feel like going to a show or it conflicted with other activities. While in line for the shows I saw people with gold cards sail right in and talked to many, finding out they didn't reserve ahead of time. I thought, sweet, I'll have to look into that. Well fast forward to this year and our cruise is just six weeks away and I only booked two shows thinking we can be flexible. If it hadn't been for Bajathree I would have been in trouble. So thanks so much!

 

Was it the right thing to do on Royals part to make this decision? That is up to the corporate office. I just wish they would have given us a bit of a warning if it was going to effect our sailing. They certainly could have said this perk was going away in 3-6 months so that we could have prepared appropriately! Thanks again for the heads up as you saved me!

[bajathree]

Well, with 3 in our party I wanted a bit of breathing room and saved all year to travel in a GS. Of course the perks played a part in the decision. The biggest perk for me was not having to reserve shows ahead of time. And, no I certainly do not feel I am better than anyone else, nor would I deny someone the opportunity to see a show, it was just attractive to me to be able to be more spontaneous! When we were on Oasis last year I reserved all of the shows ahead of time and guess what? There were times we just didn't feel like going to a show or it conflicted with other activities. While in line for the shows I saw people with gold cards sail right in and talked to many, finding out they didn't reserve ahead of time. I thought, sweet, I'll have to look into that. Well fast forward to this year and our cruise is just six weeks away and I only booked two shows thinking we can be flexible. If it hadn't been for Bajathree I would have been in trouble. So thanks so much!

 

Was it the right thing to do on Royals part to make this decision? That is up to the corporate office. I just wish they would have given us a bit of a warning if it was going to effect our sailing. They certainly could have said this perk was going away in 3-6 months so that we could have prepared appropriately! Thanks again for the heads up as you saved me!

 

 

You are very welcome:)....enjoy...and I agree...I am sure many have bookings on future sailings that was assumed this still as a suite perk....there was no notice sent out on any level about this change.

[NeuroQueen]

You are very welcome:)....enjoy...and I agree...I am sure many have bookings on future sailings that was assumed this still as a suite perk....there was no notice sent out on any level about this change.

 

Yeah, I'm looking for the Email address right now, not that it will do any good. Thanks again

[momoforeo]

I can understand the desire for the perks for having purchased a suite, however I also see the logistical nightmare. In order to tell every suite guest they can get into a show and sit anywhere without reservations they would need to hold seats aside for every suite guest. Most likely that results in many other guests not able to make reservations for the show and having to wait in a standby line. Now I know if I wasnt able to make reservations I would not waste my vacation time in line for long - maybe 5 or 10 minutes to see a show. I don't know if this is happening and they are getting complaints form those unable to make reservation and yet the shows have room in the theater because suite guests didn't show up and not enough were on the "standby line".

 

Also I don't travel to feel like a second class citizen, and while I don't deny suite guests who pay more their own section of the pool or own section of the theater, those should be the seats available for nonreservations. I don't know how many there are, but if someone if really concerned than make a reservation.

 

I do agree that is the one aspect I don't like about my upcoming Allure trip, the scheduling of shows with meals, etc, but that is my choice.

[krewzin]

I can understand the desire for the perks for having purchased a suite, however I also see the logistical nightmare. In order to tell every suite guest they can get into a show and sit anywhere without reservations they would need to hold seats aside for every suite guest. Most likely that results in many other guests not able to make reservations for the show and having to wait in a standby line. Now I know if I wasnt able to make reservations I would not waste my vacation time in line for long - maybe 5 or 10 minutes to see a show. I don't know if this is happening and they are getting complaints form those unable to make reservation and yet the shows have room in the theater because suite guests didn't show up and not enough were on the "standby line".

 

Also I don't travel to feel like a second class citizen, and while I don't deny suite guests who pay more their own section of the pool or own section of the theater, those should be the seats available for nonreservations. I don't know how many there are, but if someone if really concerned than make a reservation.

 

I do agree that is the one aspect I don't like about my upcoming Allure trip, the scheduling of shows with meals, etc, but that is my choice.

 

 

On Freedom, the suite guests couldn't "sit anywhere;" the suite area was a small roped off area in the balcony. It's not like 'hundreds' were being deprived of seats....it's really no big deal.

[MrCruzdoggie]

I love when they change a policy so I can cry like a little girl on the boards.

[msw1023]

My only issue with this was the fact that the best seats were roped off. I got to the shows early and got the next best seats, then with only a few minutes left, the folks with no reservations were let in and got the primo seats. But it certainly didn't ruin my cruise!

Do JS pax get gold cards? I didn't think they did. May have to book a JS on one of those extra points cruises!

[honeybee85]

I actually don't like the reservation system at all. I think it's unfair to first time cruisers and those who don't cruise often and don't even know that you have to make these reservations or find out too late.

 

I'm sorry but I am calling BS. Every single last cruise I book with RCI I am bombarded with emails to reserve my dinners, shorex, entertainment, etc (as applicable). Constantly. Most starting at 120-90 days before hand.

 

If you don't know its because you didn't read the deluge of emails or never provided your email address.

[akcruz]

On Freedom, the suite guests couldn't "sit anywhere;" the suite area was a small roped off area in the balcony. It's not like 'hundreds' were being deprived of seats....it's really no big deal.

 

Yes the suite guests CAN sit anywhere in the theater they like. However if they want to sit in a reserved suite seat they are limited to those roped off seats. There are a lot more suite passengers than roped off seats.

 

I do not care where the suite passengers sit, I just want to make sure if I make a reservation I get a seat and the suite passenger that did not make a reservation does not take priority over me if there is only 1 seat left.

 

A bit of an exageration, absolutely but I hope you get my point.