International Cafe

[shanecindy21403]

Whatever happened to common courtesy? Yes people can sit where they want when they want. If you are just sitting there reading, gaming, knitting whatever you may be doing common sense should kick in when the area gets busy and move on. Like Floaterboat said there literally thousands of places to sit and do your thing. In a venue like IC and Vines people go to those areas to have a beverage or a little something to snack on. It's inconsiderate to assume that I want to get my order go up 2 flights and walk half a ship to find a seat. When you've been hogging the seats for 2 hours playing board games. Is it asking too much to have a seat for 10 minutes?  

[aprilsp88]

1 hour ago, grouchomarx said:

 

1 hour ago, grouchomarx said:

It's the people who have the courtesy that make life livable.  I for one always try to be that way in life

 

Agree. I always try to be considerate, and appreciate people who's the same.

[stoneharborlady]

35 minutes ago, FloaterBoat said:

 

 

By your logic....Did we both pay thousands of dollars, or just the folks looking for seats to sit down at IC?  If the people sitting playing games or reading, ALSO paid thousands of dollars to enjoy their cruise...how then are they wrong in taking advantage of the freedoms afforded to them? No one is denying that people need seating to consume their food....the debate is whether people that spent the same money are able to sit wherever they want...and they can.   We are not squeezed into a cruise lol, this isn't a city bus, it's not cramped.  There are literally thousands of places to sit and consume your cheese sandwiches or whatever.

You are correct.  But if you have your cheese sandwich, plus a bowl of hot soup and a cup of coffee, it then becomes a bit difficult to manage finding a place to sit and eat.  I think we are all aware that everyone has paid their fare, but for Heaven's sake, we are discussing restaurant space.  

[Potstech]

So if I buy a cup of coffee and find a place to sit how long am I allowed to be there as I read my book and drink my coffee?  10 minutes? 30 minutes? 2 hours? Some people are just making a big deal out of a no problem issue.  Sorry but I will sit there as long as I want, read my book and continue to watch people until Princess indicates otherwise. Again if someone does not like that then the problem is with them and they need to take it up with Princess.  Next seating is Jan 11.

[npcl]

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

What a silly answer you wouldnt expect to be let go in a coffee shop in Los Angeles and sit there reading or people watching without purchasing a coffee they would soon ask you to leave so why do you think it is OK to sit in the area of IC designed for those wanting to sit and purchase a coffee.

Actually not so.  I frequently visit Starbucks.  Have seen people sitting there for hours studying, reading, having business meetings without purchases. Have seen meetings of 4-5 people where maybe one might buy.

 

Now exactly what area of the IC was designed specifically for drinking coffee?  Do you mean the area that is part of the bar? or do you mean the seats with the low tables that surround the entertainment area?  

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, npcl said:

Actually not so.  I frequently visit Starbucks.  Have seen people sitting there for hours studying, reading, having business meetings without purchases. Have seen meetings of 4-5 people where maybe one might buy.

 

Now exactly what area of the IC was designed specifically for drinking coffee?  Do you mean the area that is part of the bar? or do you mean the seats with the low tables that surround the entertainment area?  

I usually get there early to get a window seat by an outlet to plug in my surge protected strip to plug in my laptop, phone and camera while using my OM to order my drinks so I don't have to get up

[npcl]

34 minutes ago, shanecindy21403 said:

Whatever happened to common courtesy? Yes people can sit where they want when they want. If you are just sitting there reading, gaming, knitting whatever you may be doing common sense should kick in when the area gets busy and move on. Like Floaterboat said there literally thousands of places to sit and do your thing. In a venue like IC and Vines people go to those areas to have a beverage or a little something to snack on. It's inconsiderate to assume that I want to get my order go up 2 flights and walk half a ship to find a seat. When you've been hogging the seats for 2 hours playing board games. Is it asking too much to have a seat for 10 minutes?  

 

So where exactly do you draw the line if someone gets one cup of coffee can they then stay for an hour if it is busy or maybe the cruise line should post a notice that one can only sit for 5 minutes.  Or if there is major entertainment scheduled may then food service should be stopped so those that want to watch should get priority.

 

Who makes the decision on when someplace is too busy when there all of the tables that someone at them, but with some seats unfilled?  When there has been no open table for 5 minutes?

 

The thousands of people on the ship all have different views for how they want to use a given space and their time.  THe cruise line has established the area to be multipurpose and that is how people use it.

[aprilsp88]

1 hour ago, grouchomarx said:

People just hanging out or playing games don't NEED to be in a food venue.  They can be anywhere.  So why not let the seats for those who want to eat, if it is at a crowded time? 

They don't need to be there, but they might prefer the location, just like people who wants to eat there prefer it for convenience. It's first come first serve, not chair hog. 🙂

 

I won't occupy it just reading during lunch hour, but I won't feel upset if anyone do so, after all, reading and eating have the same priority. 😉

[Paula_MacFan]

I replied a couple times a few pages back, and don't expect that everyone now chiming in has read all the replies.  But to all the people saying 'go sit somewhere else' -- I reported our experience on the Regal in October was that when we couldn't find a place to sit with our food near the IC or even ANYWHERE on the lower level, and took our food up one level, we were approached by a waiter who said we weren't supposed to have food there and could we please quickly consume it.   

 

This was (apparently) an isolated incident as no one else here has reported it, but I assure it happened to us.  So THAT is my complaint, that if Princess is going to say you can't take a plate of dessert from the IC area up one set of stairs to another available table, then the IC tables should be used for eating and drinking, and not playing games.

 

And for all the people saying 'I've never seen that happen before', I say I've never seen people dressed inappropriately in the MDR or hog a whole row of seats in the theater, yet we have hundreds of threads about THAT.

[c-boy]

8 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I replied a couple times a few pages back, and don't expect that everyone now chiming in has read all the replies.  But to all the people saying 'go sit somewhere else' -- I reported our experience on the Regal in October was that when we couldn't find a place to sit with our food near the IC or even ANYWHERE on the lower level, and took our food up one level, we were approached by a waiter who said we weren't supposed to have food there and could we please quickly consume it.   

 

This was (apparently) an isolated incident as no one else here has reported it, but I assure it happened to us.  So THAT is my complaint, that if Princess is going to say you can't take a plate of dessert from the IC area up one set of stairs to another available table, then the IC tables should be used for eating and drinking, and not playing games.

 

And for all the people saying 'I've never seen that happen before', I say I've never seen people dressed inappropriately in the MDR or hog a whole row of seats in the theater, yet we have hundreds of threads about THAT.

Bazinga !

[voljeep]

This thread is so much better than that boring surge protector blabbering I know more than anyone else, I've never been wrong, I am the forum xpert

[cruzsnooze]

4 hours ago, majortom10 said:

What a silly answer you wouldnt expect to be let go in a coffee shop in Los Angeles and sit there reading or people watching without purchasing a coffee they would soon ask you to leave so why do you think it is OK to sit in the area of IC designed for those wanting to sit and purchase a coffee.

I've paid a fare to be on the ship and there's no posted or implied restrictions on seating. . Why do you compare apples with oranges, it doesn't help your point of view. I feel just as entitled to sit in a non restricted public place on the ship as anyone else who may or may not have bought a coffee. When there is a restriction Princess will post it or let you know. For example, anyone cannot sit in the sanctuary, club class, on the bridge...............you get the idea. No place in or around the IC is restricted or as you wish it was - designated for those purchasing a coffee. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by cruzsnooze

[stoneharborlady]

15 minutes ago, voljeep said:

This thread is so much better than that boring surge protector blabbering I know more than anyone else, I've never been wrong, I am the forum xpert

Only on the butter subject.

[cruzsnooze]

Or the fashion police threads or tipping threads, this is a newer complaint reserved for very entitled passengers 

[aprilsp88]

I wouldn't feel entitled or privileged if I want to eat in IC, I would go find other seat if none is available.

 

I would be considerate if I happen to read there, I would offer my seat to people who needs it more.

[greenie082756]

Obviously this on going "conversation" is getting out of hand.

 

So, with that being said, I would like to share that something good came out of a crowded piazza near the IC.

 

This was around 10:00 am ~We only wanted espresso's and got them. Looked around and did not see an available table for us to sit. Okay, yes I was a bit disappointed but we turned this around to an adventure and voila! We found some fantastic loungers on the Promenade deck and now it has become a routine. Grab some coffees and go outside, sit on a lounger and watch the waves go by. I found this to be very enjoyable as did my husband. Lemons turned into lemonade.

 

[npcl]

1 hour ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I replied a couple times a few pages back, and don't expect that everyone now chiming in has read all the replies.  But to all the people saying 'go sit somewhere else' -- I reported our experience on the Regal in October was that when we couldn't find a place to sit with our food near the IC or even ANYWHERE on the lower level, and took our food up one level, we were approached by a waiter who said we weren't supposed to have food there and could we please quickly consume it.   

 

This was (apparently) an isolated incident as no one else here has reported it, but I assure it happened to us.  So THAT is my complaint, that if Princess is going to say you can't take a plate of dessert from the IC area up one set of stairs to another available table, then the IC tables should be used for eating and drinking, and not playing games.

 

And for all the people saying 'I've never seen that happen before', I say I've never seen people dressed inappropriately in the MDR or hog a whole row of seats in the theater, yet we have hundreds of threads about THAT.

IF you went up one level then you probably took your food into Alfredo's.  Where they certainly would have said no.  You could go up two levels to Crooners and had no problem.

 

The problem is that the IC is not strictly a food venue.  While one can get a few food items there, it is also an entertainment venue, a bar, etc. As I recall, Princess even described the Piazza as the social center of the ship in its marketing literature.

 

Seldom have I seen an issue with seating in the morning.  Usually the problem times are once the bar opens and also when entertainment is scheduled.  At any given time, out of all of the chairs there  you might have a couple of people reading, and maybe one group playing games. You are more likely to have groups socializing, eating, watching the entertainment, getting drinks at the bar, etc.  Seen far more problem with two people taking up space with 4 seats, and the other seats going unused. Also have seen large groups come in had grab all of the empty chairs and circle them around a couple of tables, leaving perfectly good tables, unused due to no chairs.

 

 

Edited July 31, 2019 by npcl

[Paula_MacFan]

48 minutes ago, npcl said:

IF you went up one level then you probably took your food into Alfredo's.  Where they certainly would have said no.  You could go up two levels to Crooners and had no problem.

 

The problem is that the IC is not strictly a food venue.  While one can get a few food items there, it is also an entertainment venue, a bar, etc. As I recall, Princess even described the Piazza as the social center of the ship in its marketing literature.

WOW -- No, we DID NOT take our food into Alfredo's.  That is obviously a restaurant but thanks for assuming where I went.  Actually, we sat at a table in the walkway between Bellini's and the photo area, and the waiter who asked us to quickly finish our plates was serving from Bellini's.  So it's interesting you suggested we take the food to Crooner's another level up.  Not sure why that would have been any different.

 

And I'm guessing you haven't read through the whole thread, as several people have pointed out, the OP never once mentioned the Piazza as a complaint about people taking up space -- the complaint was specific to the IC area.  Nobody is saying people can't gather in the Piazza.

Edited July 31, 2019 by Paula_MacFan

[npcl]

45 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

WOW -- No, we DID NOT take our food into Alfredo's.  That is obviously a restaurant but thanks for assuming where I went.  Actually, we sat at a table in the walkway between Bellini's and the photo area, and the waiter who asked us to quickly finish our plates was serving from Bellini's.  So it's interesting you suggested we take the food to Crooner's another level up.  Not sure why that would have been any different.

 

And I'm guessing you haven't read through the whole thread, as several people have pointed out, the OP never once mentioned the Piazza as a complaint about people taking up space -- the complaint was specific to the IC area.  Nobody is saying people can't gather in the Piazza.

I have read the entire thing. The OP was talking in general about the IC.  With the exception of the Royal class, the Princess fleet does not have any dedicated seating around the IC, for the IC.  It shares seating with the Piazza bar and with the Piazza.  The Royal Class is a little bit different, in that there is a few tables inside of a railing which is not present on the entire rest of the fleet.  With the Majestic they went a bit farther and renamed the Piazza bar to also be called the IC as well as the service area. Though I suspect that it is still a bar as well.

 

Now how many people were using the tables inside the railing by the IC for cards or reading?  I noticed you mentioned that no one was talking about the area outside of the IC and into the Piazza, but yet you mentioned no tables were available there. Since this OP was specifically complaining about those people reading or playing games in the IC area, was there anyone actually doing so in that space or was it filled because so was the rest of the Piazza seating. I suspect that you would have had more people eating things from the IC in the rest of the Piazza seating then you had people playing games or reading in the seating inside the railing near the IC.

 

Bellini's is a bit different (the staff seems almost a bit snobbish), but I have not had a problem taking food/coffee from the IC up to Crooners, have seen others doing so as well.  For some reason out of all of the bar areas on the ship, Bellini's tends to, for back of a better term, a bit more restrictive.

Edited July 31, 2019 by npcl

[PescadoAmarillo]

Frankly, Princess solved this problem for me by filling the Piazza with loud activities all day long. It’s been years since I’ve gotten anything other than coffee to go at the International Cafe. 

[stoneharborlady]

9 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Frankly, Princess solved this problem for me by filling the Piazza with loud activities all day long. It’s been years since I’ve gotten anything other than coffee to go at the International Cafe. 

Yes, there is that.

[cruiserdru]

30 minutes ago, npcl said:

 The Royal Class is a little bit different, in that there is a few tables inside of a railing which is not present on the entire rest of the fleet.  With the Majestic they went a bit farther and renamed the Piazza bar to also be called the IC as well as the service area. Though I suspect that it is still a bar as well. 

 

Clearly, you have not been on the Coral Princess. The area around the IC (but not the coffee bar) is railed in. Perhaps to separate it from the Casino. The coffee servers did not wait on tables. You went up to their bar and placed your order and they asked if you wanted a take-out cup. During 10 days on the Coral, there was never any lack of seating in the area for IC customers although there were a number of times that people were pursuing other activities in the area. 

[Lindaru]

3 hours ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I replied a couple times a few pages back, and don't expect that everyone now chiming in has read all the replies.  But to all the people saying 'go sit somewhere else' -- I reported our experience on the Regal in October was that when we couldn't find a place to sit with our food near the IC or even ANYWHERE on the lower level, and took our food up one level, we were approached by a waiter who said we weren't supposed to have food there and could we please quickly consume it.   

 

This was (apparently) an isolated incident as no one else here has reported it, but I assure it happened to us.  So THAT is my complaint, that if Princess is going to say you can't take a plate of dessert from the IC area up one set of stairs to another available table, then the IC tables should be used for eating and drinking, and not playing games.

 

And for all the people saying 'I've never seen that happen before', I say I've never seen people dressed inappropriately in the MDR or hog a whole row of seats in the theater, yet we have hundreds of threads about THAT.

 

I never doubted that it happened to you.  I was just saying that I did not experience that.  I think I would have gone to guest services and asked them about that.  If that is Princess' stance, then that needs to be made known to all passengers.  If not, then staff needs to be educated.

 

[Lindaru]

38 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Frankly, Princess solved this problem for me by filling the Piazza with loud activities all day long. It’s been years since I’ve gotten anything other than coffee to go at the International Cafe. 

Me, too.  We took our pastries and my lattes either up to the cigar lounge or to our suite.

 

[modes]

On 7/30/2019 at 3:42 AM, majortom10 said:

What really gets me annoyed is the sit down area of the International Cafe is always very busy and is often difficult to get a seat. Many sit there playing cards/ reading or on their tablets for considerable time without purchasing or ever intending to purchase anything or use International Cafe. It is bad mannered when there are plenty of areas around the ship where they can sit and read etc.

Totally agree.