Currently on Sojourn, very large group on board

[wripro]

Yes, but that's their problem, not ours.

[Flamin_June]

You've got to hand it to the Russians.......

 

.... Or else they'll take it.

[DUHCAR]

you've got to hand it to the russians.......

 

.... Or else they'll take it.

 

lol.

[Stabilizer]

I know, it's hard to steer clear of louts when they are in the way.

 

I thank my lucky stars I was born in the West. Those types of people have lots of attitudinal baggage and possibly feel that they don't fit in. Hence the aggressive behavior and defensiveness.

 

 

Thank you for your psychological insights into Russian group behavior, Markham. Along with you, I am glad I was born in the West (farther west than you, I take it). I knew it would be just a matter of time before certain nationalities were identified as being boorish (Mexicans and Russians) or thoughtful, caring and deferential (Japanese).

 

Unfortunately, group behavior of most nationalities and affinity groups can be loud and overbearing; that's what happens when large groups get together especially in a confined space. Obnoxious, I agree and I'd hate to be on a ship with any large group.

 

Noel Coward said it best: "Why do the wrong people travel, travel, travel and the right people stay at home?"

 

The wrong people will continue to travel, travel, travel, and the right people…well, they'll have to find ships and hotels that cater to others like themselves, or ensure there are no large groups aboard before embarking, or else stay at home in the West, with only the most appropriate and acceptable attitudinal baggage.

[Grumpy Wombat]

We are straying into dangerous waters with all this talk of nationality and stereotypes. In my experience as a reasonably seasoned international traveller you will come across rude and obnoxious behaviour/attitudes anywhere and everywhere. Some people simply don't know how to behave in a respectful, civilised manner especially if they have never set foot in the more "exclusive" environment of a luxury cruise ship. If you are thrust into an unfamiliar environment it's easy sometimes to be a bit intimidated so responding inappropriately is perhaps understandable. I'm not defending bad behaviour at all but I can see how it can happen in certain circumstances. Of course Alcohol plays a major role here too.

 

On our recent Norwegian cruise we saw a very loud and rowdy group of Brits off the Queen Victoria in a Stavanger cafe who were making a nuisance of themselves. We also saw some Americans being incredibly rude to a local store owner whose English wasn't perfect. So how's your Norwegian guys?

[Buccaneer_1]

I still think you should name and shame the group involved. That should either stop or accelerate the stereotyping this is devolving into. Godwin's Law can't be too far from being applicable if it continues without refocussing on the bad behaviour itself.

[markham]

You know, with all the hubbub surrounding Mr Putin these days, maybe there's a bright light at the end of the "what to do about vulgar passenger?" tunnel for the Seabourn faithful.

 

Now that Russia is stressing self-sufficiency by banning imports of British cheese and Dutch pork etc, maybe Russia will launch an alternative luxury cruise line for all of its patriots? Yes, a home away from home, and one endorsed by the leadership, no less.

 

I have always believed in competition as being a good thing for the market- any market- and this could be a win-win in obvious and less so ways. The new line could have more a certain type of captain and hotel manager (ex military?), specialist tour operators and feeder hotels who cater to their customers' behaviors. And do something for Russia's unemployment problette. And best of all, there would be no need for the new line to cater to foreigners with their prudish manners, unless someone from our readership wants to try it and do a cruise review. That should do it.

 

Happy sailing!

Edited August 10, 2014 by markham

[Martita B.]

In my years of sailing Seabourn I've only encountered one man, once, who was obnoxious and very rude to me ~in the Club, the Pride. This man who frequented the Club in the evenings over indulged in drink/ alcohol. He would sit at the bar with his sweet wife who could not restrain him. They were from Florida.

I tried to avoid him as did the other passengers. After this cruise I never saw them aboard any Seabourn ships.

MB

[Jim Avery]

In my years of sailing Seabourn I've only encountered one man, once, who was obnoxious and very rude to me ~in the Club, the Pride. This man who frequented the Club in the evenings over indulged in drink/ alcohol. He would sit at the bar with his sweet wife who could not restrain him. They were from Florida.

I tried to avoid him as did the other passengers. After this cruise I never saw them aboard any Seabourn ships.

MB

 

That's a shame Ms. M. There is always one somewhere. In my experience, Texas Girls are worth being nice to.:D:D

[Martita B.]

Jim

Most Southern gals are simply bred to be cordial, gracious and kind ~~ of course there are exceptions. Some can be quite scheming ~ Scarlet 'OHara comes to mind! :D

Fortunately,I've not been aboard with a large group who are unruly.

Happy, safe travels

MB

[123linz123]

I think you should give us name of company and we can then make comments about company on social media. I suspect this is not what they would consider appropriate behavior of their employees and should know about it as it does not reflect well upon the company.

 

 

This is quoted from a previous post in this thread

 

"Yikes! A heavy traveler friend of mine was on that sailing. Alas, she is a corporate exec with Mary Kay and one of the folks over Asia for their company. I'm sure she'd be interested in feedback on how they were disruptive so that she can work to prevent that in the future."

 

So from this comment I assume it's Mary Kay

 

Please see next post, sorry......... my mistake

Edited August 10, 2014 by 123linz123
Information incorrect

[jenidallas]

This is quoted from a previous post in this thread

 

"Yikes! A heavy traveler friend of mine was on that sailing. Alas, she is a corporate exec with Mary Kay and one of the folks over Asia for their company. I'm sure she'd be interested in feedback on how they were disruptive so that she can work to prevent that in the future."

 

So from this comment I assume it's Mary Kay

 

No, that was in reference to an allegedly Chinese group on a different line. And I'm still curious about that one....

[123linz123]

No, that was in reference to an allegedly Chinese group on a different line. And I'm still curious about that one....

 

Sorry, I apologize, my mistake

[wripro]

Besides, if it had been Mary Kay, all the passengers would have been dressed in pink!

[Emperor Norton]

Do I mention the atrocious Japanese/Chinese dining room or elevator etiquette here? Or their smoking habits? Perhaps I should go into detail about what the travel reps from that part of the world did to a Regent ship.

[johnnycruise]

This sounds ghastly. I mean, it's bad enough when you have a paying passenger group from the same country on board that is large enough to think that they "own" the ship and set their own standards.

 

Ghastly indeed, especially when that contingent is British. They still seem to think Britannia rules the waves.:rolleyes:

 

 

Perhaps you should consider a yacht charter for your next holiday so you aren't bothered by those with the means but without the upbringing you require for a pleasurable sailing. You won't have to worry about traveling with the Russians, Belgians, Japanese, North Koreans, Spaniards, Germans, Danes, Israelis, Lebanese, Indians, Brazilians, Moldavians, Greenlanders or the Welsh - especially the Welsh!

[markham]

When's your next cruise and do tell, will you be bringing toddlers?

 

And be specific, please.

 

Happy sailing!

[jenidallas]

Perhaps when they install the next round of evening shows for the Grand Salon, they should mix in some contemporary Broadway. Avenue Q's "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" perhaps?

[lincslady]

I know they were not on a Seabourn cruise, but can someone tell me who Mary Kay are, please?

 

Re national characteristics, it is funny how often we do conform to what is expected by the other nationalities - and I mean all of us, including us Brits. When we recently met the group of Russians on board, we guessed where they were from instantly, just by looking at them and their behaviour. No doubt they did the same about us! (If they were interested enough).

[Jim Avery]

I know they were not on a Seabourn cruise, but can someone tell me who Mary Kay are, please?

 

Re national characteristics, it is funny how often we do conform to what is expected by the other nationalities - and I mean all of us, including us Brits. When we recently met the group of Russians on board, we guessed where they were from instantly, just by looking at them and their behaviour. No doubt they did the same about us! (If they were interested enough).

 

A more or less quick translation of "Mary Kay" would be a Boots cosmetics counter on steroids and sold through multi level marketing. Prizes given regularly to the top performers are usually pink in color. Used to be that the top producers got to drive pink Cadillacs.:eek: Not sure if there is a UK equivalent. Hope this helps.:D

[lincslady]

Thanks Jim - sounds like a souped up Avon maybe?

 

People keep asking who were this group on Sojourn, maybe cruising kirby has a good reason for not saying, but if not we would love to know! And also obviously whether Seabourn office have had anything to say, that is if you complained.

[Les Picantins]

The guilty party in this situation is not the obnoxious group, it is Seabourn. I can't imagine for a minute that Seabourn expected such a large group of freeloaders to behave themselves while providing them with an open bar. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that one out. Shame on Seabourn for not putting their loyal guest's comfort first.

 

I would also like to know the name of the group, if only to satisfy a simple curiosity. But the real blame goes to the greediness of Seabourn management.

[Mr Luxury]

Name and shame them is what I say.

[Nevian]

The guilty party in this situation is not the obnoxious group, it is Seabourn. I can't imagine for a minute that Seabourn expected such a large group of freeloaders to behave themselves while providing them with an open bar. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that one out. Shame on Seabourn for not putting their loyal guest's comfort first.

 

I would also like to know the name of the group, if only to satisfy a simple curiosity. But the real blame goes to the greediness of Seabourn management.

 

Les Picantins,

How right you are. It takes very little wit to work out what will happen in these circumstances. Seabourn is in grave danger of losing its brand image along with loyal customers.

 

Brand image is the most elusive of all as customers age, die out etc. but brands last a long time if well cultivated. Since the Hal management takeover, there have been regular hiccups in the Seabourn story. Loyal customers, as dialogued here on CC are watching, let us hope management take heed. It would be a crying shame to lose the brand image and the cruise experience we love. It costs way more in money and time to recover than the short term gains of group sell offs.

 

Ultimately we will vote with our feet!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Tillylovesseabourn]

I absolutely agree with you, but my question is where would we go??

 

All of the luxury lines seem to mix large groups and loyal customers, so there is not a line i know that you wouldn't experience this problem on.

 

I do believe that the lines should have specific weeks in their calendar that group bookings are permitted, and let them sail together. The rest of us wouldn't be too concerned then.

 

I just cant imagine the groups being massively profitable, with the amounts they consume, maybe I'm wrong!!