*LIVE* from Mariner of the Seas - PROBLEMS!

[mojo4trav]

I will elaborate more upon our return, but after making Diamond status on this cruise, we are rethinking our loyalty to RCCL.

 

In the latest of a week full of surprises, we were notified upon attempting entry into the Solarium today after our Rasul treatment in the spa, the Solarium was closed for the remainder of the cruise. It was reserved for the exclusive use of the "Bears" group onboard. After calling to speak to the Guest Relations Manager, who was unavailable, I was told that the RCCL Office in Miami made the decision to close this area for the group for the remainder of the cruise due to security issues. Security was posted at each entry/exit to the Solarium to ensure compliance with this restriction. This meant that my wife and I had to walk up and over to get the the other end of the ship. It also means that we are no longer able to use the Solarium.

 

After I have been harassed throughout the week by the members of this group; via cat calls, splashes of water while walking through the Solarium, I have HAD ENOUGH!

 

There is a MUCH more noticeable presence of security on this cruise, in addition to RCCL Security, there is a contracted firm (no less than five guards) which seems to be protecting this group.

 

I am VERY dissapointed with RCCL and hope that others who were on this cruise make RCCL Management aware of their concerns. My wife and I are VERY tolerant people, but RCCL chose to segregate the general population from this group and has catered to their repeated misbehavior throughout the week.

 

While I cannot verify any of the rumors, I heard several people from this group have been escorted off at port, due to harrassment of other passengers. Regardless, the tolerance of; hands down the pants/shorts of others, and other outward sexual behavior is more appropriate for home, back in the cabin, or a full charter.

 

Royal Caribbean touts itself as 'family friendly' and this cruise, fellow CC'ers, has been FAR from anything remotely close to 'family' oriented.

 

:(

[GMoney]

 

Royal Caribbean touts itself as 'family friendly' and this cruise, fellow CC'ers, has been FAR from anything remotely close to 'family' oriented.

 

:(

 

I guess it all depends on how you define family. ;)

[CanuckCruizer]

Pardon my ignorance but what is "Bears" - I have no idea. Sounds like you are not having a good time and that is not good!

[PhoenixCruiser]

UGH!! When will they learn their lesson?? :mad: That is why I hate traveling with large groups :mad:

 

###

[mojo4trav]

Pardon my ignorance but what is "Bears" - I have no idea. Sounds like you are not having a good time and that is not good!

 

This should help people who may not already know who the 'Bears' are...

 

http://www.*****/

[CanuckCruizer]

mojo - now I get your drift-lol. We just got off the Serenade and apparently a similar group has chartered out the whole ship coming up very soon and all the crew is extremely nervous about it because on past cruises things have gotten very "out of hand" apparently.

 

Try and have a good time on the rest of your cruise - but I would definitely write a letter to RCCL - especially about the Solarium being closed to you as you are a paying passenger and should be entitled to use it the same as the next person.

 

Good Luck!

[GulfCoastCruiser]

I can certainly understand your frustration. We would be livid. Who are the Bears? Sounds like RCCL is trying to confine this rowdy group to the Solarium so that others can enjoy the main pool without harrassment. We have never encountered anything like that, so I'm interested in how RCCL handles this after the cruise. Keep us posted.

[mohavemommy]

My feeling here is that there are several hundred (possible thousand) people on board and the Solarium should not be closed because of one group.

[FishGeeek]

WOW I would be so pissed if they closed down areas of the ship for a group! We were on the Mariner last week and used the SPA several times and my parents spent lots of time in the adult pool.

 

BTW, mojo4trav if you happen to be up a the front desk can you ask them if they found a cell phone in room 3554 or 3552? My wife lost it. If you have any luck please email me fishgeeek@yahoo.com

 

Brian

[Stormlover]

I hope the bears are not on our cruise next year. RC could have told its passangers about the very large group, maybe given guest a chance to change their booking. That is totally not right for them to exclude you or any passanger from one of the best places on the ship. I would have been a raving lunatic had they said I couldnt use the salarium, they would have been giving me a refund an flight home. They guarantee your happiness. No way would I have put up with that. :D What a crock of --it

RC should be ashamed for allowing this to take place. Sounds like the regular folks were discriminated against. :rolleyes: Looks like you have one more day hope it is enjoyable.

[FitzLA]

There definatley are some that are responsible for giving the rest of us a bad rap. Sorry you had such a bad time. I would be pissed too. If they are causing so much of an issue, I would think RCI would escort them all off the ship. It is under their power to do, and if they had to close down an area for them, it seems as though they were more trouble than it was worth.

[ccxnola]

Mojo,

I am going to make the assumption that you did not know the 'Bear Cruise' was your cruise AND that RCCL did not advise you of the fact that they would have such a group on board (and as a group, usually with behavior that is offensive to many people) that would offend many other guests on the cruise.

I would be SOOOO unhappy about buying an expensive ticket on your cruise and then restricted to only portions of the ship so that 'they' could have their group indulgences that I would make ALL RCCL staff (Captain, Cruise Director, Purser, et al PLUS the C&A representative and other shore staff) VERY aware of my unhappiness and DEMAND a refund or at least a future cruise at NO COST!!

All that said, I personally have no prejudice about any group (ethic, religion, or any other personal preferences you wish to consider) when they do what they want to do as a separate entity - BUT...when the individual behavior infringes on the happiness and comfort of others in the 'public', then in my personal opinion, it is not acceptable - and this seems to be your situation.

[FitzLA]

Mojo,

I am going to make the assumption that you did not know the 'Bear Cruise' was your cruise AND that RCCL did not advise you of the fact that they would have such a group on board (and as a group, usually with behavior that is offensive to many people) that would offend many other guests on the cruise.

I would be SOOOO unhappy about buying an expensive ticket on your cruise and then restricted to only portions of the ship so that 'they' could have their group indulgences that I would make ALL RCCL staff (Captain, Cruise Director, Purser, et al PLUS the C&A representative and other shore staff) VERY aware of my unhappiness and DEMAND a refund or at least a future cruise at NO COST!!

All that said, I personally have no prejudice about any group (ethic, religion, or any other personal preferences you wish to consider) when they do what they want to do as a separate entity - BUT...when the individual behavior infringes on the happiness and comfort of others in the 'public', then in my personal opinion, it is not acceptable - and this seems to be your situation.

 

You are correct. It would be the same thing if it was a straight group of S&M lovers or something. Its not the persons preference, its the outward flaunting of things that should be kept private.

[flagger]

Now look I happen to love M&M's and there is a whole group of us M&M lovers going in January.

[zotzer]

It sounds like a very unenviable position to be in...for both the non-bear passengers and RCI. Can you imagine the headlines in the press: "Royal Caribbean puts 500 gay men off the ship and strands them in St. Thomas"?

 

This is a lose lose situation. I'll be eager to hear if they attempt to make it up to you all. Best of luck, and so sorry this has happened to you guys!!

T

[Sue L]

There is a similiar thread going on the Carnival board about a large group of swingers on the inspiration and the problems they were causing. I guess it doesn't matter what line you are on.

 

 

Sue

[Jumbiecruiser]

I see they are on NCL next year. Making their rounds from cruise line to cruise line. Let's hope that they stay there.

[GMoney]

It sounds like a very unenviable position to be in...for both the non-bear passengers and RCI. Can you imagine the headlines in the press: "Royal Caribbean puts 500 gay men off the ship and strands them in St. Thomas"?

 

This is a lose lose situation. I'll be eager to hear if they attempt to make it up to you all. Best of luck, and so sorry this has happened to you guys!!

T

 

Sorry Tracy, but I have to believe RCI knows exactly what it's getting into when they book these groups. The only reason they do it b/c the pax in these groups usually spend much more than traditional pax.

[Jumbiecruiser]

IMHO it does not have anything to do with their sexuality but their actions on board ship. There were passengers who were on board the Princess sailing last year that witnessed things out by the pool that should not have been done in public. They were making porn movies while on the ship. That is the problem. If Royal Caribbean is turning a deaf ear to this then they are just as guilty.

 

Also to close down the Solarium to all other guests but this group is wrong. Maybe RCI is trying to limit the exposure of this group but it is still wrong.

[FrancescaH]

I'm so sorry!! We were scheduled to be on the Mariner on November 5 but discovered via the web and the board here half the cruisers were part of a motorcycle rally and as we are cruising with our about to be 2 year old son and their website seemed to discourage kids being in attendance, I called and had our booking changed to December 3. My fears of what could happen are exactly the kinds of things you are dealing with. I would definitely write up your concerns in your survey at the end of the cruise and follow it up with an email/letter/phone call to RCCL customer service.

[crazeekayaker]

:mad: That is so "just not right"! I would be so disappointed. They should not keep other passengers from using any part of the boat. Thank goodness next year's cruise for them is on on an NCL. The cruise lines should have an asterisk on the dates that these people (or other groups like them) have reserved, just for a heads up. Because I would hate to be in a room next to someone making ugly noises and comments...that is for sure!!!

[zotzer]

No worries, Patrick! Maybe they change lines every year so they can spread the wealth (and the headaches! LOL)

T

[crazeekayaker]

:eek: I am going on the Mariner 5/13/07 and I am wondering how can I find out if there are any groups on my sailing? Anyone? Will RCCL tell me? Please help... Nothing against the M&M folks...I happen to have the same fetish (actually more of a Reese's pieces kinda girl)... but not the gay porn thing... please help!

[Jumbiecruiser]

:eek: I am going on the Mariner 5/13/07 and I am wondering how can I find out if there are any groups on my sailing? Anyone? Will RCCL tell me? Please help... Nothing against the M&M folks...I happen to have the same fetish (actually more of a Reese's pieces kinda girl)... but not the gay porn thing... please help!

 

No cruise line will tell you about groups booked on board. Use Google and search for groups.

[PH8]

Oh man,I would be LIVID!:mad: I think the ones inconvenienced should be getting some kind of compensation.

 

I do remember a few months back someone posting on here to "warn" other cruisers that this group was going on the MA Oct 15th..........

 

That poster got an earful how horrible she was to "discriminate" against a group of gay men.........lucky for her, she did change her cruise...smart lady........

 

Tonite someone else posted a thread how one of RCCL's ships is being booked by a similar large group in january(I think)...............that thread also got pulled.......

 

I think there should be a way to let us know if ANY extremely large groups have booked............we may not be into the same things as them and wish to book another...........

 

And before you bash me,I am not just talking about gay groups(even though the porn part of the Bears grosses me out),but any LARGE organization............I,for one,would not really care for the motorcycle based cruises..........I dont wanna wear leather........haha!