Cruising's pain points

[Nanny8]

Chair hogs do what they do, because they can. They're a symptom, not the problem. CC contributors (and the overwhelming majority of cruisers IMHO) detest chair hogs. Personally, I don't do poolside deck chairs as I prefer to read in the shade but when I wander the deck with my coffee at 6-7 AM I'm stunned by the early morning array of books, towels, purses, wraps etc on display.

 

The cruise companies are the problem because they take the path of least resistance. It's appeasement over conflict. Whereas most cruises will, at most, give chair hogs a dose of stink-eye for their transgressions, a significant percentage of chair hogs are loud, crude and ill-mannered. Of course they know what they are doing is in violation of most cruise lines' policies. They just don't care and, unfortunately, there are no consequences.

 

I've always thought the simplest solution to this problem is a "tag" system similar to beach towels. The towel / pool attendant has a supply of tags that can be attached a deck chair. When a person arrives at the pool they are given a tag that they sign for and which they attach to their chosen chair. The rules should state that an absence from your chair of longer than 15 minutes will result in the tag (and any articles on and around the chair) being removed. No one can sign for more than one chair. No occupying of chairs without a tag. Problem solved. Fairly and equitably.

 

Upon initial implementation a great hue and cry from the chair hogs can be expected but, once they realize the game is over, they'll (grudgingly) accept the rules.

 

I just don't get why such a small minority are allowed to bully the polite and respectful majority.

 

End of sermon! (and don't get me started on the "theatre seat savers!!!")

 

Cheers!

HTP

:cool:

On our last Carnival cruise they did something like this. They walked around every 30 minutes and removed towels from chairs that were 'abandoned'. It took a lot to extra staff to man this but it meant that chairs were available. I rarely use chairs by the pool as I too prefer to read in the shade but I was able to have a chair by the pool for a short time on this cruise and actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was nice to see that the cruise line took this seriously.

[MicCanberra]

On our last Carnival cruise they did something like this. They walked around every 30 minutes and removed towels from chairs that were 'abandoned'. It took a lot to extra staff to man this but it meant that chairs were available. I rarely use chairs by the pool as I too prefer to read in the shade but I was able to have a chair by the pool for a short time on this cruise and actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was nice to see that the cruise line took this seriously.

 

I have never had an issue as I would rather swim than sit by the pool. if there are no chairs, I just ask if I can leave my towel and thongs by someone's chair and swim. No big deal for me but then I can see why it is for many.

[editor@cruisecritic]

That's great to hear Nanny8!

 

Carolyn

 

On our last Carnival cruise they did something like this. They walked around every 30 minutes and removed towels from chairs that were 'abandoned'. It took a lot to extra staff to man this but it meant that chairs were available. I rarely use chairs by the pool as I too prefer to read in the shade but I was able to have a chair by the pool for a short time on this cruise and actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was nice to see that the cruise line took this seriously.

[editor@cruisecritic]

The worst safety briefing we ever endured was on a Costa ship out of Barcelona. Totally jet-lagged, it was an hour long and consisted of about 45 minutes of sails pitches for shore ex, spa, etc. and a very brief safety segment. Ugh.

 

Carolyn

 

The safety briefing sucks. I realize it's almost entirely out of their control though I just wish there was a better way to conduct it.

 

I'd say not enforcing the smoking rules. People smoke in comedy clubs, on lido, and on balconies where they're not supposed to. I have a severe allergy so this can really ruin my day.

[WupperAV]

I hate upselling and Princess is one of the worst with Shares. It's too high in the first place. They push their art which is just a copy. We have originals from all over the world.

After being a pilot and an airplane mechanic I believe in the safety briefing every time. I memorize exits and where my flotation device is so I can find it in pitch black. we had a flood on Deck 8 of a ship at 3AM but I instinctively went toward the closet for the life jacket but when I found dry carpet was awake fully and could see the Ocean. I don't want to rescue someone because they didn't listen.

Edited December 6, 2016 by WupperAV

[kbset]

The number one thing I think all cruise lines can and should improve is their food. There is so little fresh seafood onboard ships and fresh fruit is limited and there is not a lot of foods from the areas in which you are cruising. Why would I go to Jamaica to eat a hamburger or hot dog? That makes no sense. I would like to see a lot more fresh food and also menus that suit the area in which you are cruising. I don't want to spend the day in Rome and then get on the ship only to find out it is Asian night in the MDR. I think that the corporate menus, which were meant to insure quality have unfortunately done the opposite. The menus should be geared to the itinerary in which the ship is sailing. I would not mind paying extra in order to have better food and menus designed for the area in which I'm sailing.

 

And while I'm at it, the ship's gift shops need to be rethought and items should be purchased that reflect the ports the ship is visiting. This way if someone was on an excursion and never got to buy anything from say, Grenada, they might have a selection of spices, beach towels and batik from Grenada to choose from.

Agree 110%!!!

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

[MicCanberra]

I am finding more things that were previously included are now being charged for than ever before (ten years ago). :( On a bright note, the cost of cruising hasn't really increased.

[Enforcer]

Hi,

 

I voted "other" because the standard of the food has declined.

 

One of the options is "The check-in process: How long is too long?"

 

The only place I personally have found the check-in queues to be excessive is the USA, they aren't as efficient as other places that I have cruised from, I think it's mostly down to the personnel that they employ, it seems as though every person you meet in the process just want to have a chat with you, this is very nice but it holds everyone up. Then trying to get through the photographers!

 

Pete

[Bizmark'sMom]

There are cruises where those things don't happen at all.......you pay more, but you get much better service, without chaos or crowding. I don't know about cruise line transfers or port excursions (not my thing), and I've never seen scans for contraband.

 

The real "pain point" that I see and that I don't think can be avoided is the limits on fresh fruit, especially on longer cruises. On my last (15 day) cruise, they ran out of strawberries (not a big deal), and lemons and limes (no more cocktail or iced tea garnishes). It was the lack of garnish in my cocktail that really made it hit home!

Agreed!

 

I had none of those issues on my last cruise. The biggest issue was how sad the vegetables and fruit were looking after the second week. And that they started to ration hot chocolate packets.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Good point re cruising not increased, at least significantly, in cost....

 

Carolyn

 

I am finding more things that were previously included are now being charged for than ever before (ten years ago). :( On a bright note, the cost of cruising hasn't really increased.

[Pudgesmom]

Just like the airlines, as long as costs are rising and passengers choose by lowest price, the quality will decline.

 

We have continued to enjoy low fares, but many of the "pain points" listed in the poll are the result of cost cutting. More people for the amount of space, fewer employees per person, upcharges for items which used to be included, and lower quality food are what people get when cruise lines try to squeeze every last dollar out of their costs to preserve low fares.

 

Several years ago, we took what was now our last mass market cruise. If we don't have enough money for an upgraded line, we don't cruise. We choose an alternate vacation.

Edited December 6, 2016 by Pudgesmom

[srlafleur]

I selected three that most irk me. Basically, I don't get too fussed over anything; lines, changes, and all are to be expected at some point or other. My three choices are things I've seen handled really well, which gives me a point of reference to say, "please address these like (this other line, this other ship, this other port)":

Lunch -

please open a dining room. It's so much more pleasant to sit and be waited on after the cattle prodding and hurryupandwait in the terminal.

Speaking of the terminal - that varies so widely than it's annoying. Some places have it together, with clear signs and people directing passengers, some...not so much.

And, finally, the same goes for gathering for excursions and disembarking on port days. Some lines/ships have it together and some seem like it's their first time ever dealing with it.

 

Chair hogs don't bother me personally, since I prefer my own balcony or a quiet place in the shade, I've never really had any trouble with people saving seats in venues, though it can be an annoyance. I don't understand why everyone gets up in arms about "nickle and diming". I've always had to pay for some things on board, even 30 years ago. I'll buy what I want to pay for.

For the most part the rest hasn't given me much trouble.

Edited December 6, 2016 by srlafleur

[ducklite]

The best cruise we've ever taken we had (almost) none of the concerns mentioned by other CC'ers or in the poll.

 

Upon arrival we were deposited right next to the ship and our baggage was handled for us. We showed our boarding documents and passport and were allowed to board, quick photo on the gangplank and then an escort by a crew member into the lounge where we were handed Champagne to drink while filling out the required forms. Took them up with passports, got our photos taken, got room keys, and were free to leave. Cabins were ready and we were escorted to our cabin. Our luggage was already in the room.

 

Took a few minutes to get settled and then went to lunch. No lines, plenty of seating. Back to the cabin and unpacked then went to muster which was held inside in the salon and took about fifteen minutes. The Captain introduced himself and a couple of the other staff.

 

We were all released and most went and got a drink then we went upstairs to sail away.

 

Overall the food ranged from good to excellent, and we never ran out of fresh anything. The Chef buys local and takes people to the local markets in some ports--no extra charge.

 

in fact no extra charge for any food in any venue(maybe caviar?), tours of the galley, some shore excursions, and the bridge is open most of the time.

 

Shore talks aren't a pitch, they are informative and they have plenty of info to give you to DIY. The shore excursions they offer are generally speaking a decent value for the price.

 

No chair hogs, no stupid "contests" by the pool. No kids. An enforced dress code which is country club casual every night.

 

By the second day the majority of the staff know everyone by name.

 

The list goes on.

 

The minute we stepped foot on that ship, we knew we'd never go back to a mass market cruise. "180 degrees from Ordinary" is their tagline, and it is the truth.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Awesome suggestions, SuiteTraveler.

 

Carolyn

 

 

The number one thing I think all cruise lines can and should improve is their food. There is so little fresh seafood onboard ships and fresh fruit is limited and there is not a lot of foods from the areas in which you are cruising. Why would I go to Jamaica to eat a hamburger or hot dog? That makes no sense. I would like to see a lot more fresh food and also menus that suit the area in which you are cruising. I don't want to spend the day in Rome and then get on the ship only to find out it is Asian night in the MDR. I think that the corporate menus, which were meant to insure quality have unfortunately done the opposite. The menus should be geared to the itinerary in which the ship is sailing. I would not mind paying extra in order to have better food and menus designed for the area in which I'm sailing.

 

And while I'm at it, the ship's gift shops need to be rethought and items should be purchased that reflect the ports the ship is visiting. This way if someone was on an excursion and never got to buy anything from say, Grenada, they might have a selection of spices, beach towels and batik from Grenada to choose from.

[Host Anne]

Hi Carolyn ~ no of the items in the poll are an issue or of concern for us. My biggest concern these days is the cutback in staff. I continue to experience it on each cruise we take. It impacts so much of the cruise experience and not in a positive way. It's impacting our decision to take more land based versus cruise vacations.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Anne. That's a good one to add.... If cruising loses its reputation for the service aspect, which is one of the things that IMHO makes cruise a special way to vacation, it could be a big challenge for criuse vs. land.

 

Carolyn

 

Hi Carolyn ~ no of the items in the poll are an issue or of concern for us. My biggest concern these days is the cutback in staff. I continue to experience it on each cruise we take. It impacts so much of the cruise experience and not in a positive way. It's impacting our decision to take more land based versus cruise vacations.

[jmf123]

I have never had an issue as I would rather swim than sit by the pool. if there are no chairs, I just ask if I can leave my towel and thongs by someone's chair and swim. No big deal for me but then I can see why it is for many.

 

Just wondering about an idea to help the 'chair-hog' issue. Maybe make little cubbyholes available for people (who don't want a lounge chair), to leave their towel and flip-flops in while swimming.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Definitely!

 

Carolyn

 

 

Just wondering about an idea to help the 'chair-hog' issue. Maybe make little cubbyholes available for people (who don't want a lounge chair), to leave their towel and flip-flops in while swimming.

[crystalspin]

None of those options causes me too much distress... Maybe we've been lucky, but there's never been "chaos" either arriving at your home port, or getting off or on in ports...only once did we have a problem upon disembarking....a handle broke on our suitcase.....

 

I do detest the rows upon rows of "saved" loungers on sea days....

 

We eat a late breakfast before boarding, so we don't have to partake in the "feeding frenzy" the seems to be the 1st thing folks want to do on the ship!

 

...snip...

 

I guess I haven't been cruising long enough to see a major change in food on HAL (first cruise about year 2000), and in fact have experienced far more personable MDR servers on our last couple cruises, enough to consider going back to traditional dining!