Just off Freedom-towels and drink vouchers

[musicfam]

We cruised Freedom last week and they had lifted the towel check-out program.We were pleased until we realized that with no "investment" in their towel, the chair-hogs were worse! (My daughter got up at 7 a.m. to get a chair by the pool. They all already had towels. She found ONE in the smoking area.)Folks left towels on chairs and went to lunch, shopping and Bingo. Worse, they just walked away from their towels on chairs when they were through and you never knew if the chair was really reserved. And forget the deck patrol. They are worthless.

 

Another welcome change were Diamond and above drink vouchers on your Seapass card. That was great. When they tell the bartenders they are offering this, it will really be nice!

 

Overall, it was a fantastic cruise!

[leaveitallbehind]

We cruised Freedom last week and they had lifted the towel check-out program.We were pleased until we realized that with no "investment" in their towel, the chair-hogs were worse! (My daughter got up at 7 a.m. to get a chair by the pool. They all already had towels. She found ONE in the smoking area.)Folks left towels on chairs and went to lunch, shopping and Bingo. Worse, they just walked away from their towels on chairs when they were through and you never knew if the chair was really reserved. And forget the deck patrol. They are worthless.

 

The towel policy was similar on our recent Independence cruise as well. However when we mentioned the chair hog situation in the Solarium, they began monitoring it and placing "30 minute" time cards on chairs. They then came back after and removed towels where the cards still were. They also directed other guests to those chairs.

 

Not sure if it was as a result of us mentioning or just coincidence, but at least in the Solarium they began enforcing it.

[Host Jacquelyn]

More details on the drink vouchers, please! :D

 

Were they in place of the Diamond Lounge? How many per person per night? If you did not use all in one night, would they roll over to the next night, or is it 'use it or lose it'? Was there still a Diamond Lounge?

[molly361]

Since you liked the drink voucher idea please put that on your survey. I was told it is a trial program and they are waiting to see how it works

 

We hope it is still there when we board the FOS in November. Thanks

Edited March 28, 2014 by molly361

[UCF_Knight]

They should attach 30 minute egg timers to each chair. If you aren't there to reset your timer at least once every 30 minutes so it doesn't run out, you lose the chair and all of your personal effects are thrown overboard.

[leaveitallbehind]

Since you liked the drink voucher idea please put that on your survey. I was told it is a trial program and they are waiting to see how it works

 

We hope it is still there when we board the FOS in November. Thanks

 

I would like more detail on the long term plan with the program first. If it is only to supplement the Diamond Club and to provide alternative venues for D / D+ / Pinnacle to enjoy the current cocktail hour, then fine.

 

But if the longer term plan is to reduce the current unlimited cocktail hour in the Diamond Club by restricting it to 3 per member per night -or- to limit who ultimately has access to the Diamond Club by replacing certain tier access to outside venues only with the drink vouchers, then that would be an entirely different outcome and I'm not sure how good that would be.

 

Need more information as to what is the long term intent of this program. In other words, a "trial program" for what?

Edited March 28, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[lmp29]

i love the egg timer idea on lounge chairs!:D

[Trekker954]

I would like more detail on the long term plan with the program first. If it is only to supplement the Diamond Club and to provide alternative venues for D / D+ / Pinnacle to enjoy the current cocktail hour, then fine.

 

But if the longer term plan is to reduce the current unlimited cocktail hour in the Diamond Club by restricting it to 3 per member per night -or- to limit who ultimately has access to the Diamond Club by replacing certain tier access to outside venues only with the drink vouchers, then that would be an entirely different outcome and I'm not sure how good that would be.

 

Need more information as to what is the long term intent of this program. In other words, a "trial program" for what?

 

 

Will not like this at all. We have more than 3 drinks while socializing in the club. We also like meeting others who cruise often and chat about our next adventures.

[musicfam]

To clarify...Three drinks each between 4:30 and 8p in bars excluding MDR, Vintages and one other. Can't remember the third. The Diamond Lounge was still open. A bit less crowded. We had our entire family with us and this allowed us to enjoy happy hour with them. The crew had not been adequately in-serviced on the plan, though and it created some confusion. Will be a great perk when they get the bugs out. We love the DLounge, too, so hope they do not discontinue.

[molly361]

To clarify...Three drinks each between 4:30 and 8p in bars excluding MDR, Vintages and one other. Can't remember the third. The Diamond Lounge was still open. A bit less crowded. We had our entire family with us and this allowed us to enjoy happy hour with them. The crew had not been adequately in-serviced on the plan, though and it created some confusion. Will be a great perk when they get the bugs out. We love the DLounge, too, so hope they do not discontinue.

 

 

Thanks I knew that they were in addition to the DL-

 

To alleviate some of the crowding during the cocktail hour.

[leaveitallbehind]

Will not like this at all. We have more than 3 drinks while socializing in the club. We also like meeting others who cruise often and chat about our next adventures.

 

I don't know what the intent is - which is my concern. I agree that there are scenarios with the long term of this program that would not be appealing. That is why I would like to know more about the plan before I would endorse it.

 

The Diamond Clubs can get very crowded and overflow lounges are frequently used for the cocktail hour. The skeptic in my wonders what the underlying goal is as the voucher program only recently came into play - coincidentally with recent years overcrowding.

Edited March 28, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[loeytalldog]

And forget the deck patrol. They are worthless.

 

I 100% agree on your assessment on the Deck Patrol on FOS. I write it every time on my survey!

Edited March 28, 2014 by loeytalldog

[cello56]

I hope that they are stilling trying the drink coupons on our June cruise. Personally to ME, I think the three drinks is more then generous. They are offering you an evening cocktail hour. Not a night of free drinking. My opinion.

[molly361]

I hope that they are stilling trying the drink coupons on our June cruise. Personally to ME, I think the three drinks is more then generous. They are offering you an evening cocktail hour. Not a night of free drinking. My opinion.

 

 

[leaveitallbehind]

Thanks I knew that they were in addition to the DL-

 

To alleviate some of the crowding during the cocktail hour.

 

Perhaps I am too much the skeptic but I would still like to know what the long term plan is. If that was all that was in mind, then no need for a "trial" - just put the coupons in place.

 

I realize fully that currently the vouchers are in addition to the Diamond Club with the DC still in business, and that this is to help reduce the crowding during the cocktail hour. And certainly with the recent and continuing ship revitalization program adding DC's to every ship (except Majesty) they will not be discontinued. I get all that. And if that is the only long rang plan, then great - I am all for it.

 

But with the ongoing crowding issues, I can foresee a scenario - as example - where Diamond members would be issued the vouchers only for use at any bar but no longer provided access to the lounge, which would then be for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle. Or perhaps restrict DC drinks as well to 3 per person per day. Or maybe a combination of both.

 

I'm really not trying to fan any flames, just thinking that there could well be a longer term goal in mind other than just to alleviate the current crowding at the DC's - and that may not be appealing to all. Just would like to know the long term direction before I endorse the current "trial".

Edited March 28, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[musicfam]

I meant to add that they did not roll over. In fact, when we went to the DL, we did not use all of the vouchers. One can only drink so much in the time allotted!

[Beach1]

I meant to add that they did not roll over. In fact, when we went to the DL, we did not use all of the vouchers. One can only drink so much in the time allotted!

 

Were the drinks limited to same drinks in DL or could you get frozen drinks or other mixed drinks?

[thptrek]

I don't mind the chair hogs at all. If I see a pile of wet towels on some chairs and nobody is around I just throw them to the side and take the chairs. Another strategy is just take towels and move them to one chair.

[Smokey Mountain Tim]

I hope that they are stilling trying the drink coupons on our June cruise. Personally to ME, I think the three drinks is more then generous. They are offering you an evening cocktail hour. Not a night of free drinking. My opinion.

 

100% agree!

[musicfam]

Do not know about frozen drinks. I asked for a martini. Not included but Vodka tonic was. Could not use voucher in specialty restaurants. either.

[bloodymary]

Do not know about frozen drinks. I asked for a martini. Not included but Vodka tonic was. Could not use voucher in specialty restaurants. either.

 

Vouchers have been put into use to save overcrowding in both lounges as an extra,(nice to have a free drink at pool at 5 before going to room to change)

Or with a freind at the casino bar or eny bar . You can not get cocktails in D lounge or Concearge.

[topnole]

I don't mind the chair hogs at all. If I see a pile of wet towels on some chairs and nobody is around I just throw them to the side and take the chairs. Another strategy is just take towels and move them to one chair.

 

Went to the restroom. Gone max 5 mins and put my key and shirt under my towel. I come back and dirty towels laying on my chair. Nice!

[audome78]

but with the ongoing crowding issues, i can foresee a scenario - as example - where diamond members would be issued the vouchers only for use at any bar but no longer provided access to the lounge, which would then be for diamond plus and pinnacle.

 

ding ding ding...we have a winner!

Edited March 28, 2014 by audome78
CHANGES

[leaveitallbehind]

ding ding ding...we have a winner!

 

...I hope I am wrong.

 

And as long as I am being skeptical I will also add the D+ will likely lose access to the Concierge Lounge, which will then be Pinnacle and Suites.

Edited March 28, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[tserface]

We mostly just have one, and maybe two sometimes so the voucher thing would work out great. Also, being able to go to any bar would mean not missing out of some things going on elsewhere if the club is too full. I think this is a great idea.

 

Tom

 

I hope that they are stilling trying the drink coupons on our June cruise. Personally to ME, I think the three drinks is more then generous. They are offering you an evening cocktail hour. Not a night of free drinking. My opinion.