Promoting poor etiquette?

[Thetrail]

I disagree. Seats in the theater that had been available to all are not available to non-suite guests. Same for some lounge chairs around the pool. The guest services worker that waits on suite guests is one less worker available for non-suite guests. When a person (suite guest) gets to move to the "front of the line" for some activity, it comes at the expense of everyone else waiting in line, so it most certainly does affect the cruise for non-suite guests.

again if you can't afford a suite, you can't afford it! Begrudging someone for getting extra perks, that they most certainly pay for is just being childish and envious. It will only make you bitter. Grow up and enjoy your cruise, if possible...:rolleyes:

[Thetrail]

You have been living a blessed life style way too long. If you ever knew, you have forgotten what working hard for your vacation is like.

 

If you think that the quality of life for those who don't pay for the privileges of a suite life when cruising has NOT changed,, you are mistaken and possible have been afflicted with elitism.

It's not the fact that you have paid for this extra service, it's the attitude of high brow better than thou.

Then again, it's not your fault. Royal has given you special lounges to stay away from the masses. They have roped off special sunning areas near the pool. They have given you concierge's to take care of all your special needs, private entrances when embarking on the ship.

 

let's see, an inside cabin passenger can no longer sit anywhere they want near the pool, has to wait longer for service because staff has been reallocated to take care of the suite guest, can't go into the theatre early and get the good seat (must wait until the suite life folks decide where they want to sit first), can't have access to that special dining venue,,,,,,,,, but according to you

"Your car is still the same, just as the cruising experience is the same for non-suite guests". yep, the inside passenger experience is the same AFTER royal ensures the suite life people are tucked away.

 

BTW, after 12 cruises, I can't remember the last time I was not in a suite. I just remember where I came from. I don't utilize all the benefits afforded me. I think it's wrong to rope off and block off areas for special people. I look just as stupid sitting on the toilet as do guests in an inside cabin.

"I can't remember the last time I WASN'T" in a suite, who cares!! First of all any non suite guest can saunter into the theater any time they wish to get a good seat. Explain to me how other than the concierge, there are "extra" crew to take care of just suite guests. Your royal genie, how many on a ship? Suite life people are only tucked away if they choose to be. Your argument about elitism, give me a break, better than thou attitude, says who! Read the quote at the beginning of my post,talk about hypocrisy and elitism......K.O.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Edited May 20, 2016 by Thetrail

[Big Beer Gut]

I think many are misinterpreting what the OP is referring to. I don't know what the activities are, but it sounds like it could be something like the flowrider, where suite guests might have access to a much shorter line that basically allows them to use the flowrider over and over again at the expense of non-suite guests that are waiting in the "normal" line. I don't think OP is referring to a one-time thing, like getting to the front of the guest services line, or priority tendering, or dining.

 

This is exactly what was happening at the flowrider on the Allure. However as I read the Suite Perk description, it refres to before opening of the attraction, not unlimited cuts while other guests are waiting. Seems like the Allure is adopting some new rules.

[mek]

I don't think this is true. Suite pax make up a really small percentage of pax overall. On the few ships that have it, Star Class is a minuscule number of pax. Special seats by the pool? Where ? On oasis and quantum class the suite area is completely removed from the pool. On voyager and freedom class, reports are that the suite area on pool deck has actually moved to an undesirable location. And even when it wasn't it was like 12 loungers ? In a theatre that seats over a thousand there was a small row reserved. And many thought it was not a great location.

 

Sorry but this seems like a really over blown issue.

 

Well, I think it's overblown also. As far as seats in the theater - when we were on Serenade last month we always sat in seats that were adjacent to the area for the suite guests. We basically had the same view of the stage as they did and were close enough to chat with the guy who always sat across from us. No biggie!

 

The only "perk" I see for the suite guests is they can generally arrive at the last minute and still get a seat without having to search. We enjoy arriving early to get an aisle seat, which DH requires, and playing cards until the show starts.

Edited May 20, 2016 by mek

[Curly-Q]

You have been living a blessed life style way too long. If you ever knew, you have forgotten what working hard for your vacation is like.

 

Quite frankly, I'm offended by your remarks! At be beginning of our cruising history, we cruised in an inside cabin, then moved up to an ocean view cabin, then to balcony cabins. Finally, we were able to afford a suite; actually we booked a suite for a special anniversary, but we loved it and now find it difficult to NOT cruise in a suite.

 

We HAVE worked very hard our entire life and have NO guilt over sailing in a suite -- we weren't born into it, we didn't steal it, we earned it! We're not looking to laud our suite benefits over the other cruise mates, but we enjoy them, we paid for them and we will use them!

 

We don't have a blessed life, we worked for every dang thing we have and now can enjoy what we worked so hard for! For all those non-suite guests who are envious of the suite perks, get busy earning your way toward suites; and if that's impossible, don't begrudge those who do book suites and all the perks that come with them.

[Duke Mazer]

Other than maybe the north star or Flow rider where it this "etiquette" issue.

 

Forgetting this class warfare 99% vs. 1% stuff, let's stay on point what is changing here? How is this new star class taking away from the others.

 

Priority seating, embarkation, disembarkation, nope that's the same. They get their own restaurant already there, didn't have it before not having it now. They get internet, drinks, speciality restaurants, so I can get that to for a fraction of the cost. still not seeing why I need to freak out here.

 

Let's call a spade a spade here, is the OP freaking over the flow rider. So we have this nightmare senario of a mythic evil 1%'er that gets on and on the flow rider while poor Timmy from steerage looks on and doesn't get a turn.

 

This just won't happen, and if did it would be extremely rare. Sure there are jerks in Suites, but there are Jerks in inside, oceanview and balconies too. I'm fairly certain the tons of people that cut the lines on my last cruise were not all suite guest.

[A&L_Ont]

This is exactly what was happening at the flowrider on the Allure. However as I read the Suite Perk description, it refres to before opening of the attraction, not unlimited cuts while other guests are waiting. Seems like the Allure is adopting some new rules.

 

I would sooner have it opened after or before hours for a bit of private riding than being able to cut in. As a Star class cruiser that is the way to do it IMO. The best part of the flowrider is getting to know the folks you are riding with as you meet great folks there. That is the spirit of flowriding.

[RiotAct]

You have been living a blessed life style way too long. If you ever knew, you have forgotten what working hard for your vacation is like.

 

If you think that the quality of life for those who don't pay for the privileges of a suite life when cruising has NOT changed,, you are mistaken and possible have been afflicted with elitism.

It's not the fact that you have paid for this extra service, it's the attitude of high brow better than thou.

Then again, it's not your fault. Royal has given you special lounges to stay away from the masses. They have roped off special sunning areas near the pool. They have given you concierge's to take care of all your special needs, private entrances when embarking on the ship.

 

let's see, an inside cabin passenger can no longer sit anywhere they want near the pool, has to wait longer for service because staff has been reallocated to take care of the suite guest, can't go into the theatre early and get the good seat (must wait until the suite life folks decide where they want to sit first), can't have access to that special dining venue,,,,,,,,, but according to you

"Your car is still the same, just as the cruising experience is the same for non-suite guests". yep, the inside passenger experience is the same AFTER royal ensures the suite life people are tucked away.

 

BTW, after 12 cruises, I can't remember the last time I was not in a suite. I just remember where I came from. I don't utilize all the benefits afforded me. I think it's wrong to rope off and block off areas for special people. I look just as stupid sitting on the toilet as do guests in an inside cabin.

 

 

#CruiserLivesMatter

[Doug S]

I have no problem with special seating at events or poolside, or dining priority or exclusive dining venues, inclusive drinks, and private lounges. Concierge service, priority tenders and boarding/disembarking are also a suite perks that make a lot of sense. Where I think it gets touchy, and waives status right in other cruisers' faces is jumping to the front for activities, like flow rider, slides, or zip lining. There has already been a thread on here about a confrontation among guests in a long flowrider line when Gold Pass guests tried to jump to the front. If they don't already do this, I think RCI would be better served allotting a reasonable time that was exclusively for those guests and not have them bumping heads in the same lines. That is just asking for trouble.

[mek]

again if you can't afford a suite, you can't afford it! Begrudging someone for getting extra perks, that they most certainly pay for is just being childish and envious. It will only make you bitter. Grow up and enjoy your cruise, if possible...:roll eyes:

 

People would be surprised how many who can afford to book suites sail in regular cabins. The type of cabin folks book many times has nothing to do with how much money they have.

Edited May 20, 2016 by mek

[RadioRob]

I don't think Royal is promoting poor etiquette. People do that themselves. I saw a young man with a purple card swap places with an older lady with a walker who seemed to be struggling in line. As he was walking up to the theater instead of waltzing right in, he asked her if she was ok and when she said she was just getting tired, he sent her in and stood in her place. It was a very thoughtful thing to do that did not hurt anyone else. I've seen others act like pompous fools talking down to people.

 

It's up to the person on how they act.

[Panda3]

People would be surprised how many who can afford to book suites sail in regular cabins. The type of cabin folks book many times has nothing to do with how much money they have.

 

 

So true! The wealthiest people I know sail in inside cabins.

 

 

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[topnole]

I would sooner have it opened after or before hours for a bit of private riding than being able to cut in. As a Star class cruiser that is the way to do it IMO. The best part of the flowrider is getting to know the folks you are riding with as you meet great folks there. That is the spirit of flowriding.

 

From what I saw it would be a huge waste of resources to open it an hour early or keep it open late just for star class. There just aren't many,if any, that would even do it so on a normal basis the poor staff would have to work even more hours. The system worked just fine on my recent cruise on Allure that had the new star class system. I am an active flowrider and can assure you there wasn't a bunch of people cutting in line.

 

You clearly are a flowrider yourself and know the culture. So you also know flowriders know the staff as well as any passengers get to know any type of staff. The staff would never let a group of star class overtake the flowrider as is being hypothesized by a few people who haven't even experienced a cruise yet with star class in place. As I said before, this is a non issue and I'm sure if there were some star class trying to monopolize flowrider time it would be snuffed out very quickly by the staff. Personally, if I were star class I'm sure I'd use the perk a little but more like take a ride, hit a lounger for 20 minutes then ride again when it would've been about my time anyhow. So more of a convenience of not have to protect my place in line when I go sit with my wife, go to the restroom, or whatever. Regulars do this all the time anyways by holding places in line for each other.

 

And for the record, it isn't set up so that they just cut in line. They had a different line and apparently let 5 or so regular line people go and then let a star class go, then 5 regulars, etc.. I only heard this from others on my trip because the star class line was never used while I was flowriding and I was on the flowrider quite a bit. Apparently this happened just a couple of time and not for long. So no one was felt impacted in anyway from what I heard. So again, a big non issue that is being stirred up by people that have no experience with the system and just want to speculate doom and gloom for some weird reason.

Edited May 20, 2016 by topnole

[DebJ14]

I personally don't think that RCI is going far enough regarding the cruise within a cruise model. I would like to see it extended to every ship in the cruise line. We always book suites because we like the extra room and a bit more luxury. You would really be upset if you knew some of the unadvertised perks that we have received. Things like private tours, meals with Sr. Officers, private parties, etc. It's NOT about separating ourselves from "steerage" or the masses, we just enjoy a certain level of luxury and service. Buy the cruise that meets your expectations and fits your budget and I will do the same.

 

If you haven't tried MSC Yacht Club you should give it a go. You really feel like you are on a separate cruise than the rest of the folks with the private lounge, private pool, private pool, private restaurant, private pool bar, butlers etc. The butler even escorted us all the way to the bus for our tour and made sure we had seats and a bottle of water. I especially was impressed with the Yacht Club drop off at the pier. That butler insisted on carrying our carry on bags onto the ship in Miami. Our butler escorted us all the way to the gangway (front of the line) at the time we selected to debark. You are treated royally from beginning to end, and it was about the same price as a GS on the ships without the Star service. Oh, and all the booze in the YC and YC restaurant was included too.

[tserface]

I don't think the people are any more special. They just paid more for better privileges. It doesn't make them any better as people, it just means they were willing, or able, to pay more. It's smart for RCI to make more distinctions like this because suites make them so much more dollars than inside cabins.

 

They could also accomplish some of this by charging for things (like shows, flowrider, iFly, etc.) and having that be included for the suite guests as part of the price. That would also make people think about hogging reservations they weren't sure they wanted to use. If they had to pay $5 for the iFly and got charged if they didn't show up they might not be so quick to just grab reservations.

 

Tom

 

BTW, after 12 cruises, I can't remember the last time I was not in a suite. I just remember where I came from. I don't utilize all the benefits afforded me. I think it's wrong to rope off and block off areas for special people. I look just as stupid sitting on the toilet as do guests in an inside cabin.

[SonicShip]

They could also accomplish some of this by charging for things (like shows, flowrider, iFly, etc.) and having that be included for the suite guests as part of the price. That would also make people think about hogging reservations they weren't sure they wanted to use. If they had to pay $5 for the iFly and got charged if they didn't show up they might not be so quick to just grab reservations.

 

This model is already happening with the specialty restaurants. The Star Class Guests receive complimentary specialty dining throughout their entire cruise.

[A&L_Ont]

From what I saw it would be a huge waste of resources to open it an hour early or keep it open late just for star class. There just aren't many,if any, that would even do it so on a normal basis the poor staff would have to work even more hours. The system worked just fine on my recent cruise on Allure that had the new star class system. I am an active flowrider and can assure you there wasn't a bunch of people cutting in line.

 

You clearly are a flowrider yourself and know the culture. So you also know flowriders know the staff as well as any passengers get to know any type of staff. The staff would never let a group of star class overtake the flowrider as is being hypothesized by a few people who haven't even experienced a cruise yet with star class in place. As I said before, this is a non issue and I'm sure if there were some star class trying to monopolize flowrider time it would be snuffed out very quickly by the staff. Personally, if I were star class I'm sure I'd use the perk a little but more like take a ride, hit a lounger for 20 minutes then ride again when it would've been about my time anyhow. So more of a convenience of not have to protect my place in line when I go sit with my wife, go to the restroom, or whatever. Regulars do this all the time anyways by holding places in line for each other.

 

And for the record, it isn't set up so that they just cut in line. They had a different line and apparently let 5 or so regular line people go and then let a star class go, then 5 regulars, etc.. I only heard this from others on my trip because the star class line was never used while I was flowriding and I was on the flowrider quite a bit. Apparently this happened just a couple of time and not for long. So no one was felt impacted in anyway from what I heard. So again, a big non issue that is being stirred up by people that have no experience with the system and just want to speculate doom and gloom for some weird reason.

 

I will continue to wait in the regular line even with my purple band on. When the line wraps back making it 40 minutes is typically when I disappear until later in the day. As for the crew I have to got know many of the crew over the years, to the point that I have ridden with them after hours when the wave is shut to the general public. If you appreciate what they do and be nice to them they will remember you.

 

I do see merit in it being open specially for Star class guests, perhaps one night of the cruise for an hour. It would be no different than "teen" hour or the "over 21 age" hour that Oasis Class ships offer during the week. I'd be there for the entire hour, even if it was only me riding. I have been renting the wave at least twice a cruise for the last 3 years. A benefit like that to me would be well worth it even if one night of the entire cruise. If they are running it free to Star Class for an hour or renting it to paying guests the crew are still working as It would be happening after hours.

 

Perhaps the Sky Class entrance of 1 for 5 on the Quantum Class ships, with one wave, is not a bad idea. For 2 wave ships I do not see it as an important item. The other thing to remember is this is only for Oasis and Quantum a Class ships.

[time4u2go]

again if you can't afford a suite, you can't afford it! Begrudging someone for getting extra perks, that they most certainly pay for is just being childish and envious. It will only make you bitter. Grow up and enjoy your cruise, if possible...:rolleyes:

 

You missed my point. I wasn't begrudging anybody for anything, and I'm certainly not bitter. People that pay more should get more. I was responding to someone that stated that extra perks provided to suite guests have no effect on everyone else.

Edited May 20, 2016 by time4u2go

[Godiva830]

I prefer to sail in suites because I can only cruise during the busiest times (summer/school holidays) and by no means am I rich lol I'm a NYC public school Kindergarten teacher and I scrimp and save to pay for a suite. I want those extra perks that come with a suite. I sailed on Oasis 3 weeks ago (spring break) and it was a sold out sailing. Being able to go to the suite deck to take the sun was nice bc I didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn and fight with the chair hogs for a chair. I was on the last sailing before the new added suite perks were added and it would've been nice to utilize the flow rider suite line for the flow rider instead of waiting for 40 minutes to watch my bf do it [emoji6] but like people said, majority of people utilizing that perk would be a small percent, during non peak sailings. Wait till summer or school holiday breaks when families are traveling in suites, then the staff will need to make some sort of policy. Let the kinks work itself out.

 

 

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Edited May 20, 2016 by Godiva830

[Fat Paul]

If you haven't tried MSC Yacht Club you should give it a go. You really feel like you are on a separate cruise than the rest of the folks with the private lounge, private pool, private pool, private restaurant, private pool bar, butlers etc. The butler even escorted us all the way to the bus for our tour and made sure we had seats and a bottle of water. I especially was impressed with the Yacht Club drop off at the pier. That butler insisted on carrying our carry on bags onto the ship in Miami. Our butler escorted us all the way to the gangway (front of the line) at the time we selected to debark. You are treated royally from beginning to end, and it was about the same price as a GS on the ships without the Star service. Oh, and all the booze in the YC and YC restaurant was included too.

 

I have become interested in taking an MSC cruise since they are matching loyalty program. I believe that it was Mr. Maxwell that did a review of his MSC cruise and seemed very happy with the overall product. We are booked in a Royal suite on one of the smaller ships next month, we will see if Royal has stepped up their game regarding the suite program. If not then we are considering switching to mostly land based vacations or moving to a more upscale cruise line. Royal Caribbean has been very good to us in the past but we are starting to see some downgrades to the service they provide. We are hoping that the suite experience is enhanced to keep up with what other cruise lines are doing.

[Thetrail]

#CruiserLivesMatter

That is soooo funny......K.O. :)

[Thetrail]

People would be surprised how many who can afford to book suites sail in regular cabins. The type of cabin folks book many times has nothing to do with how much money they have.

Who said it did.....K.O.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[#Loyal2Royal#]

Just throwing my .02 Cents in ... and that's about all it's worth. We just booked into a Star Suite on Oasis ... and trust me, we aren't rich or snobs and I won't be butting into lines of folks wanting to enjoy their vacation as well.

 

But .... for thoses who are wondering why people book these suites. For me ... it's pretty much going to be the last time I cruise and will still be able to participate in everything. I was diagnosed with MS ... and while that's isn't the end of the world by any means ... realistically I'm not likely to be zip lining or flow riding anytime in this lifetime ... Although i'd really LOVE to do both. I'm in a wheelchair ... and it's simply easier on me, my husband ... and actually the other passengers for me to "be a Star".

 

Star suites get perks ... we are escorted onto the ship. Great for me ... but i'm also not tying your elevator up with my wheelchair and crap that travels with me. Having a Genie to make shore excursion reservations gets me half a chance of finding one of the very few wheelchair accessible tours on a tropical island. It's beautiful ... and I want to see it too. Asking for a reservation at a speciality restaurant thru our Genie let's the staff in those restaurants know i'm coming in a wheelchair and they rearrange the furniture to accommodate me. But that also means your waiter won't be dumping your dinner in your lap because he tripped over my chair that is sticking in an aisle. My Genie takes me past lines, into the very few spots in shows that are wheelchair accessible ... and finds my husband a chair so he can sit next to me. So yea ... am I gonna use the Genie service ... yes sir. I sure am ... but considering there are 3,500+ people on Oasis, there are 40 people with Purple Cards. How bad could it be? If you see me, say hey, let's have a drink and you can come watch the water show from my Aqua Theater Suite.

 

Speaking of etiquette ... just a few notes .... climbing over my wheelchair to get in the elevator, dropping your kid in my lap so there is room for you to squeeze in or fart in my face (think about it ... being at butt level isn't a perk) and laugh is pretty poor etiquette as well.

 

Let's all be kind to each other ... it's not hard and you're mom would be proud of you.

[Panda3]

Speaking of etiquette ... just a few notes .... climbing over my wheelchair to get in the elevator, dropping your kid in my lap so there is room for you to squeeze in or fart in my face (think about it ... being at butt level isn't a perk) and laugh is pretty poor etiquette as well.

 

Let's all be kind to each other ... it's not hard and you're mom would be proud of you.

 

Thank you for bringing some logic back to this thread. And, it sounds like those things happened to you - outrageous.

[Fat Paul]

Just throwing my .02 Cents in ... and that's about all it's worth. We just booked into a Star Suite on Oasis ... and trust me, we aren't rich or snobs and I won't be butting into lines of folks wanting to enjoy their vacation as well.

 

But .... for thoses who are wondering why people book these suites. For me ... it's pretty much going to be the last time I cruise and will still be able to participate in everything. I was diagnosed with MS ... and while that's isn't the end of the world by any means ... realistically I'm not likely to be zip lining or flow riding anytime in this lifetime ... Although i'd really LOVE to do both. I'm in a wheelchair ... and it's simply easier on me, my husband ... and actually the other passengers for me to "be a Star".

 

Star suites get perks ... we are escorted onto the ship. Great for me ... but i'm also not tying your elevator up with my wheelchair and crap that travels with me. Having a Genie to make shore excursion reservations gets me half a chance of finding one of the very few wheelchair accessible tours on a tropical island. It's beautiful ... and I want to see it too. Asking for a reservation at a speciality restaurant thru our Genie let's the staff in those restaurants know i'm coming in a wheelchair and they rearrange the furniture to accommodate me. But that also means your waiter won't be dumping your dinner in your lap because he tripped over my chair that is sticking in an aisle. My Genie takes me past lines, into the very few spots in shows that are wheelchair accessible ... and finds my husband a chair so he can sit next to me. So yea ... am I gonna use the Genie service ... yes sir. I sure am ... but considering there are 3,500+ people on Oasis, there are 40 people with Purple Cards. How bad could it be? If you see me, say hey, let's have a drink and you can come watch the water show from my Aqua Theater Suite.

 

Speaking of etiquette ... just a few notes .... climbing over my wheelchair to get in the elevator, dropping your kid in my lap so there is room for you to squeeze in or fart in my face (think about it ... being at butt level isn't a perk) and laugh is pretty poor etiquette as well.

 

Let's all be kind to each other ... it's not hard and you're mom would be proud of you.

 

Good points. I, like you have this wonderful disease. I am diagnosed secondary progressive M.S. I am not in a wheelchair (yet?) but I walk with forearm crutches and am flirting with a scooter. One of the reasons that I like a suite is that on a bad M.S. day I can hang around the cabin and still be able to enjoy the cruise. If I don't feel up to going to the dinning room for dinner I can still get a decent meal delivered to the room. Also, you remind me of an early mentor of mine when I was first diagnosed. She used a scooter at times and a chair at others. She told me that the butt level view was at times enjoyable but the smells could be less than enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your experiences, stay well and humorous.