Near riot on Silhouette on 5/27

[Orator]

Passengers should be capable of controlling their own behavior. Any results of improper behavior are due to some not being capable of self control. Celebrity, or Immigration, or Port Authority might trigger anger and frustration, but in the end it's passenger behavior that determines the results. I realize that some handle stressful situations differently; however those whose reactions create a danger to others should be removed from the ship. As every Captain has said: "Passenger safety comes first".

[Wansbrough]

That's already been determined - quite a few posts ago.

Just adding my voice too..... :p

[cruisemom42]

Passengers should be capable of controlling their own behavior. Any results of improper behavior are due to some not being capable of self control. Celebrity, or Immigration, or Port Authority might trigger anger and frustration, but in the end it's passenger behavior that determines the results. I realize that some handle stressful situations differently; however those whose reactions create a danger to others should be removed from the ship. As every Captain has said: "Passenger safety comes first".

 

So I assume you hold the passenger who first pushed their way into line (apparently at Celebrity's direction) to be at fault? :confused:

 

From the OP's original post:

 

I had a man who pushed in front of me at the direction of someone from Celebrity-I told him he was not going to go before me and I pushed around him. This was totally inappropriate and uncalled for on Celebrity's part.

Teanne

Aboard Silihouette

 

Also, it seems in general that a great many of the posters who've responded would flunk a reading comprehension test.

 

-- The poster was not waiting to get off the ship; she was already in the immigration line.

 

-- The poster says there was pushing and shoving but nowhere does she say that she shoved anyone. When I read "I pushed around someone in line", I do not read that as "I pushed someone," but more like "I went around them and inserted myself back in line in the place I previously occupied."

 

Finally, for all the defenders of Celebrity doing this as their "right" -- if it is their right, why are other cruise lines NOT doing this in St. Petersburg? And why, when Princess tried it a few years back, did they quickly desist after reportedly hearing from SPB immigration about it?

 

It's bad enough that the cruise lines are less than truthful about the visa situation in SPB, scaring folks off by incompletely "warning" them that they cannot get off the ship without a visa or a ship tour (completely omitting the option of taking a private tour with a licensed operator)... But this interference in the immigration line seems beyond the pale. I'd never choose Celebrity for a Baltics cruise if this becomes a recurring issue.

[Orator]

So I assume you hold the passenger who first pushed their way into line (apparently at Celebrity's direction) to be at fault? :confused:

 

From the OP's original post:

 

If an official from the ship directed the passengers to enter the line then the passengers in line who refused to comply would in MHO be at fault. If people crashed the line without direction from Celebrity then they would be at fault. A potential "riot" situation begins with two passengers who have an argument. if one of the participants says to themselves that a verbal confrontation is not worth the potential harm. Not all people are rational and often emotions take over and that's when we have problems. I know because I've been guilty of irrational behavior that had the potential to cause problems for others. Fortunately the other party was more rational and decided to let it go. People have a choice and hopefully they make the right one.

[hubofhockey]

Nobody should be encouraging anybody to push anyone else.

 

I agree with Cruisemom. This problem seems particular to Celebrity. We did our itinerary with Princess and, once we were off the ship, there was zero involvement from anyone from or affiliated with the cruise line. I also don't believe it took that it took any considerable time to get out. The most lasting impression was how cranky Russian Immigration employees were. They were kind of nasty.

[DYKWIA]

If an official from the ship directed the passengers to enter the line then the passengers in line who refused to comply would in MHO be at fault. If people crashed the line without direction from Celebrity then they would be at fault.

 

What's an official off the ship - The Cruise Director, any employee coming along for the ride, a tour guide, a land based tour guide?

 

Off the ship, in the Immigration Hall (which could have customers from other ships) instructions from Celebrity employees to stand back and let others jump the queue / push in are probably ultra viries.

 

Once off the ship, if I'm say waiting to board a train and I see a Celebrity Tour wanting to get on the train do I need to give way there as well if they demand it? This would have been useful to know when we visited Santa Margarita when our Celebrity Tour all had to queue up behind others to use the Public Conveniences, it would have been useful for the tour guide to instruct others to stand aside.

Edited May 30, 2017 by DYKWIA

[sollyman]

I really didnt want to get into fine details but...

 

Although St Petersrburg has 7 berths, in reality ships the size of Eclipse and bigger mean that only 4 are usuable at any time...i.e. one per Terminal. Smaller ships dock upriver near the city centre.

 

There will never be passengers from more than one ship disembarking at the same Terminal at the same time.

 

Just to be clear, there may be the odd occasion where more than four ships dock on the same day but two of them have to be "small". Even then arrivals are staggered so people dont disembark at the same time.

Edited May 30, 2017 by sollyman
additional information

[Orator]

I've never experienced what the OP experienced. I do know that in Port Everglades and Port of Miami an officer from Guest relations, often the GRM stands at a rope and opens it for Zeniths and Suite passengers to expedite Customs and Immigration procedures. I do believe that even if one thinks a direction is unfair, unnecessary, or just plain stupid, its much easier to comply than argue.

[PRH]

Remember this is Russia, folks. What happens here does not equate to most other ports of entry when going through their immigration process.

 

 

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[Fouremco]

I've never experienced what the OP experienced. I do know that in Port Everglades and Port of Miami an officer from Guest relations, often the GRM stands at a rope and opens it for Zeniths and Suite passengers to expedite Customs and Immigration procedures. I do believe that even if one thinks a direction is unfair, unnecessary, or just plain stupid, its much easier to comply than argue.

This is a common practise with other cruise lines too. Priority passengers aren't simply escorted off the ship, they are escorted to the front of the Customs/Immigration lines.

 

This thread from the RCI board describes a situation earlier this year where a passenger became irate when suite passengers were being taken to the head of the line. Very reminiscent of this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2452725&highlight=suites+disembarkation+priority

[Travelling Paddies]

I have learned something from following this thread - Celebrity need to introduce changes to their practices if they do not want to lose customers. I am booked on a cruise to Alaska with Celebrity later this summer, my first with this company, and if I am treated the way that some of the previous posters seem to think is acceptable (i.e. As a second class citizen if I am not on a cruise organised excursion), then it will also be my last cruise with this company. There are, after all, other companies offering similar services.

 

My next cruise will be a Baltic cruise and I now know, for certain, that will not be with Celebrity.

[Orator]

I have learned something from following this thread - Celebrity need to introduce changes to their practices if they do not want to lose customers. I am booked on a cruise to Alaska with Celebrity later this summer, my first with this company, and if I am treated the way that some of the previous posters seem to think is acceptable (i.e. As a second class citizen if I am not on a cruise organised excursion), then it will also be my last cruise with this company. There are, after all, other companies offering similar services.

 

My next cruise will be a Baltic cruise and I now know, for certain, that will not be with Celebrity.

 

The ratings show that the vast majority of cruisers really enjoy Celebrity. You might be surprised to see so many repeat passengers on your cruise. It will be very difficult to find a mainstream or premium line that doesn't have a class system in place. The more you pay, the more you get. Not restricted to just cruising.

[awhcruiser]

I don't know of any cruise line that lets passengers go ahead of those who have ships excursions booked. Good luck.

I have learned something from following this thread - Celebrity need to introduce changes to their practices if they do not want to lose customers. I am booked on a cruise to Alaska with Celebrity later this summer, my first with this company, and if I am treated the way that some of the previous posters seem to think is acceptable (i.e. As a second class citizen if I am not on a cruise organised excursion), then it will also be my last cruise with this company. There are, after all, other companies offering similar services.

 

My next cruise will be a Baltic cruise and I now know, for certain, that will not be with Celebrity.

[luvtheships]

The ratings show that the vast majority of cruisers really enjoy Celebrity. You might be surprised to see so many repeat passengers on your cruise. It will be very difficult to find a mainstream or premium line that doesn't have a class system in place. The more you pay, the more you get. Not restricted to just cruising.

 

 

Yes and that is why the janitor does not make as much as the nurse at the hospital

 

Nor does a mail carrier make the same as a dentist

 

I would bet that among all 4 of the above mentioned professions that they all have different living conditions too

 

There is nothing wrong with that either so please don't say we are all entitled to the same things in life as it takes some effort to attain these things...and no one is stopped from trying to attain these things

 

Ok back to celebrity. Yup it was on Russian soil so celebrity had no standing to cut the line but they did anyway

 

Those pax paid more for this privilege That's a fact

 

Did the op HAVE to let them pass in front of him/her? Nope. Could celebrity have forced her/him to move aside? Nope

 

Do most pax realize that it's not wise to cause a ruckus on foreign soil? Yup

 

What does the op do?

 

Either learns the ropes

 

Or

 

Books elsewhere

 

Or

 

Stops vacationing far and wide because it's all over this sort of stuff

 

I hear passport control at Charles degaulle is 2 hours long

 

And let's not forget all the fun it is in Italy!!! They know how to cope though.

 

 

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[Knolmom]

Three years ago, Celebrity tried to do his and were rebuffed by Russian immigration. We did not experience this when we toured with SPB, we were first off and first through immigration. Perhaps Celebrity has again began to " grease the palms " of Russian immigration officials. I wouldn't think this would last too long as the Russians who run the private tours have much more sway with Russian immigration. I guess it will turn into a " bidding war" between the corrupt Celebrity tour operators and the independent tour operators.

[ECCruise]

Maybe you should read the thread since no one is talking about that.

 

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[ECCruise]

Maybe you should read the thread since no one is talking about that.

 

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Meaning that all cruise lines let their tours disembark first.

 

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[Pushka]

Meaning that all cruise lines let their tours disembark first.

 

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Which they don't. Last Princess cruise they used two different gangways.

 

I might just send SPB tours an email to alert them we might get delayed if Celebrity do this in July. ;)

[ECCruise]

Which they don't. Last Princess cruise they used two different gangways.

 

I might just send SPB tours an email to alert them we might get delayed if Celebrity do this in July. ;)

That is what I am saying. All lines do Not do that.

 

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[Orator]

Which they don't. Last Princess cruise they used two different gangways.

 

I might just send SPB tours an email to alert them we might get delayed if Celebrity do this in July. ;)

 

When conditions and Port Authority permit Celebrity also uses a separate gangway for ship sponsored tours.

[81Zoomie]

We are sailing to SPB in August. My husband received an email from Celebrity today touting the benefits of their tours. First item was "Guaranteed first off ship."

[The_Big_M]

 

If an official from the ship directed the passengers to enter the line then the passengers in line who refused to comply would in MHO be at fault.

 

The line is off the ship. Outside Celebrity's control. Celebrity staff don't have blanket authority to cut lines off the ship.

[The_Big_M]

We are sailing to SPB in August. My husband received an email from Celebrity today touting the benefits of their tours. First item was "Guaranteed first off ship."

 

Yes, no dispute there.

 

The issue here is what happened _after_ getting off the ship...

[guy999]

to rephase this discussion for the celebrity supporters, what if I sailed in on say a princess cruise, and got off of the ship and went to passport control and then celebrity cruise staff basically walked in front of all of the princess people and then cut them off. because from what I read that's essentially what happened.

 

f

[Jade13]

This is a common practise with other cruise lines too. Priority passengers aren't simply escorted off the ship, they are escorted to the front of the Customs/Immigration lines.

 

 

 

This thread from the RCI board describes a situation earlier this year where a passenger became irate when suite passengers were being taken to the head of the line. Very reminiscent of this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2452725&highlight=suites+disembarkation+priority

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe I witnessed this off a HAL ship in Ft Lauderdale last year. We were in the Global Entry line and there was a separate line for suite passengers. HAL would stop the Global Entry line ever so often and let suite passengers go through.

 

 

 

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Edited June 1, 2017 by Jade13