Royal Caribbean secrets (merged)

[want2gosailing2]

I realize you don't have that many posts, so I am going to assume you are more of a lurker. However, you have been a member of cruise critic since May 2005. Are you telling me you have never read one of the many chairhogging threads? They appear on most of the cruise line specific boards. This could have just as easily happened on any of the major cruise lines.

 

 

I have read many posts that have talked about chairhogging threads not one of them ever said anything about a 30 minute rule had I known I probably would'nt of posted what I posted on the topic of what RCCL does'nt tell you because its obvious the whole staff does not know the rules even in the area that they manage. Because other guests heard the language and they were very rude even to the pool manager thats why upper management got involved. I apologise for not posting daily but I actually only get on this site to look for fun excursions so if that makes me a LURKER in your book of standards I guess thats what I am.

I agree it could of happened on anyother cruise line but the chairs is'nt the whole issue it was the language used towards my wife. I really dont think what we did was chairhogging I just simply got a chair close to the pool so my 69yo mother did'nt have to walk so far to get in the pool.

[PantherFan]

IMO, I don't think you were chair hogs. You were using the chairs and your son was there.

 

I have seen people leave a towel and a well worn magazine on a chair all day or if someone leaves they don't bother to pick up the used towel or garbage.

 

I think that something needs to be done about the "saving" chair issue because it is annoying not to be able to enjoy the pool area because someone is reserving a chair that they are not using.

 

If there were plenty of chairs then those people were being rude----no matter where they were from. I am very sorry that RCL didn't handle it well, I am often frustrated with how RCL handles things as well.

 

If something like that happens again go to the loyality ambassador and express your concerns.....their job is to make you happy and have helped us in the past with some ship issues.

 

Please give RCL another chance, some people have the "I am on vacation so, I don't care about others attitude" and unfortunately, you found some of those jerks.:rolleyes:

[Tranquil Waters]

We just returned from Liberty. The biggest secret that RCCL won't tell you unless it happens is you are only allowed to be away from your chair by the swimming pool for 30 minutes. If you are away longer your chair can be taken by another guest. We had great chairs in the second row right in front of the dance area where all the pool shows are, we swam say in the hot tubs all morning then went down to get a bite to eat at the windjammer our son stayed at the pool he saw them come take th chairs but being a kid there was nothing he could of done. We were gone 37 minutes and our chairs were taken by the rudest guys from Brazil I have ever met. To make this a short story words were exchanged (mainly in spanish and directed to my wife because I guess in Brazil they attack the weaker sex) to the point we were ready to go to the fists but being the very first day I decided they really werent worth ruining my whole families vacation. Management got involved and they apologised several times for the other people because they were very rude to the staff as well.(This was not pool Management it was the Hotel Mangaement the pool management did'nt know the rule even existed) As for the seats well we lost them because RCCL in fact did aknowledge there is a rule somewhere (they said it was on something we signed?) we lost our seats to the rudest people we have ever met on a cruise ship. At this point I am concidering going back to Carnival. RCCL should of stepped in and solved the situation before it got out of hand.

I want to add that it was overcast and there were many chairs with towels on them all day and not once did anyone sit in them or even come by to check on the towells. We gad 3 bags and drinks on our chairs The Brazilians watched us leave than timed us. So if you have good seats don't stay away longer than 30 minutes(even if you are swimming) because RCCL will not stick up for you they would rather allow the rudest people to enjoy the pool.

 

ON RCCL FOR THE BEST SEATS BRING A TOWELL AND A STOPWATCH AND YOU ARE SET!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OK, if I understand your description of what happened, you went to lunch and when you came back more than 30 minutes later there was someone else in your chairs. So far so good - according to RCI policy.

 

Then you say "words were exchanged". This is where I get confused.

 

I assume the current occupiers of the chairs were enjoying the pool area at this point? So how did the "exchange" start. I would have to assume that you approached them and had "something" to say? If the tone of your post is any indication, I have to think - perhaps - you were not exactly pleased that you no longer had your prized chairs?

 

I have to wonder what was said to these people that got them upset? :confused:

 

Perhaps it was a case of you thinking you were "in the right". The family from Brazil knowing they were "in the right" (they did have RCI policy on their side :) ). And perhaps things got out of hand on both sides?

 

Just a thought.

 

But I do agree that if RCI could get their act together. Decide on their policies. And then actually enforce those policies consistantly. Then misunderstandings like you described might not happen as often.

[frito58]

Is this really a fact or is it rumor/speculation?

 

I'm not sure how you can prove it, but it seems like a lot of jackpots where hit in the first couple of nights on our last cruise. I hardly ever play slots but I did the first night on the AOS on the rumor that they pay early and I hit a $1000 on the Wheel of Fortune machine and $300 more the next morning.

[Majesty Fan]

Just got back last week from Radiance and there was sign by the mail pool that charis could not be reserved and after 30 minutes towels were discarded. I never saw this enforced. In fact we sat in the shade and if we wanted to be in the sun we wnet to the pool. This pool rule was also listed in the cruise compass. I bring a beach towel from the hotel or area where we stay prior to the cruise. As the towels are too small and someone is less likely to move a big beach towel. Sorry that did happen but those are the rules.

Lexi

[krmlaw]

We are getting side tracked by the 30 min rule ....

 

I got one for ya, even if it says "new bookings only" you can still get the lower price. EVEN on tuesday sales.

[Quampapetet]

The biggest secret that RCCL won't tell you unless it happens is you are only allowed to be away from your chair by the swimming pool for 30 minutes.If you are away longer your chair can be taken by another guest.

 

No offense meant, but I must say, I haven't even been on my first cruise yet, but I know that you're not allowed to save chairs like this and that it is posted on a sign/signs on the ship in the pool area(s) (I have seen photos of the signs that others have posted on here).

 

If you leave the pool area, take your things with you. If you come back to the pool area later on, you can find another chair to sit on. If you don't want to lose your "ideal place" chair, don't leave it. Nobody owns the chairs and everybody has a right to use them, no matter how good or bad of a location they are. And, hey, it might just make somebody's day for you to give them a chair in a good location when you leave for lunch!

[want2gosailing2]

No offense meant, but I must say, I haven't even been on my first cruise yet, but I know that you're not allowed to save chairs like this and that it is posted on a sign/signs on the ship in the pool area(s) (I have seen photos of the signs that others have posted on here).

 

If you leave the pool area, take your things with you. If you come back to the pool area later on, you can find another chair to sit on. If you don't want to lose your "ideal place" chair, don't leave it. Nobody owns the chairs and everybody has a right to use them, no matter how good or bad of a location they are. And, hey, it might just make somebody's day for you to give them a chair in a good location when you leave for lunch!

 

I don't think you got the whole picture the chair issue was'nt my main complaint it only led up to the main complaint which was the man calling my wife names such as a PUNTA and she was'nt even in the conversation she was just standing there. There were 2 guys the one I was having words with and the one yelling at my wife for the LOVE OF GOD get off the chair deal. I know about the 30 minute rule now and it would'nt of even been an issue had the pool Manager even known of the rule. I just posted it on a topic what RCCL does'nt tell you, which I still have'nt found it in writing yet. In the hopes of a new cruiser such as myself has this happen they just walk away from it and not question it. I have only been on 3 cruises and never even sat by the pool the only reason we did this time was because at 10:30 it was overcast and there were open chairs and my mother did'nt have to walk as far. I like the upper deck better anyway its more peacefull and has better sunlight.

 

Again the chairs arent what got me to post what I have posted it was the name calling.

 

As far as saving chairs we were'nt my son was swimming and watched them move all our stuff. There were 2 open chairs right next to us they just had dry towells laying on them.

PS There are no signs on the Liberty but I wish they would of put the up before I got on it LOL.

[Quampapetet]

If the rude ppl were your complaint, you shouldn't have posted a message in a thread about things RCCL didn't tell you that emboldens and repeats the whole message about chair-saving, which, if you read your original post, is the main message of your post, whether you intended it that way or not. RCCL can't tell you if there are rude ppl on the ship or not (prob'ly 'cause there will be some on every ship! ;)).

 

Your son is not allowed to save chairs for you - that would be part of the "do not save chairs" rule RCCL has.

 

That's nice that you'd be perfectly fine with them moving somebody else's stuff, just as long as it wasn't yours and didn't impact your cruise/life.

[want2gosailing2]

If the rude ppl were your complaint, you shouldn't have posted a message in a thread about things RCCL didn't tell you that emboldens and repeats the whole message about chair-saving, which, if you read your original post, is the main message of your post, whether you intended it that way or not. RCCL can't tell you if there are rude ppl on the ship or not (prob'ly 'cause there will be some on every ship! ;)).

 

Your son is not allowed to save chairs for you - that would be part of the "do not save chairs" rule RCCL has.

 

That's nice that you'd be perfectly fine with them moving somebody else's stuff, just as long as it wasn't yours and didn't impact your cruise/life.

I'm not sure I said I was fine with them moving other people stuff I said dry towells from chairs in which no one had been to all day instead of 2 bags drinks and towells in which one was a beach towell from home, as a matter of fact it would be chaos everyone would just move stuff and make up a time that people were gone? (my Son) No one said he was saving chairs I just stated he was there and watched them he did'nt approach them which is exactly what he should of done. And as far as the chair inccident they did'nt tell me so the this was a correct thread for me maybe not you but for me it was. If I did'nt say what lead up to the complaint it would'nt of given their reason for cussing out my wife and calling her names?

Another thing for you information the MGR. upstairs talked to both of the guys, both had different stories one of them said we were gone for an hour and fifteen minutes and was very rude to her and she was more shaken up by them than my wife was.

 

And your right I really don't care what you do on a ship but if its negative and impacts my Life period I would prefer it not be done.

 

Now I have 5 couples I cruised with the year before one couple has been on 7 cruises (4 on RCCL The others Carnival) and they never heard of the 30 minute rule if I had known I probably would of moved my stuff with me to go eat. Another thing none of this even took place untill I asked the Pool MGR. about the rule and he said he knew of no rule that why I pursued it in the first place. The MGR. upstairs did'nt even know where the rule was just that we signed something with it on it.

Cruises are fun this was my first bad experience on any ship but have read of alot of bad experiences on this site. I had one and wrote about it and hopefully it wont happen to someone else sorry its got you in a tizzy.

 

And lastly if you married I hope you husband would stand up for you honor like I did for my wifes right or wrong. visa versa if your a man.

 

NOW GET OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[STEVE-O]

Get back on topic??? I think this chair-saving, rude cruisers, uninformed employees matter has been massaged to death!

 

 

Oh..... Thank you!

[cyscopup]

Get back on topic??? I think this chair-saving, rude cruisers, uninformed employees matter has been massaged to death!

 

 

Oh..... Thank you!

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!

[RevSmith]

Chair saving at the pool....

You know...I really have no interest in sitting in the sun, by any pool...seems like a waste of time...but it seems to me, if everyone who wanted to sit there sat there and then when they went to eat or to do other activities on the ship that took more than 20 minutes relinquished the seats they occupied...there would be enough seats for everyone at any time of the day. But for some strange reason...people think that they should save these promo seats...in this particular location, for the duration of the cruise, so that the can either:

1: contract skin cancer

2: make their skin turn leathery prematurely

3. age

4. feel important

5. incoveince people that are trying to do the right thing

I'm so glad I live in Florida...and know what how to treat others and the sun with respect!

There are NO important secrets about saving seats in the sun:)

[early 30's couple]

Ok, the thread has been hijacked enough. Let's ignore all the chair hog stuff and move back to telling secrets about the diferent ships/ports.

[cruisegirl]

I really dont think what we did was chairhogging I just simply got a chair close to the pool so my 69yo mother did'nt have to walk so far to get in the pool.

 

I don't think I'd ever have enough nerve to take someones pool chairs 30 minute rule or no 30 minute rule. But I will admit I've been very frustrated by not being able to find a pool chair and seeing towel after towel laid on chairs holding them often times for hours. That's not really fair in my opinion. I'm not saying that's what you did. I just wanted to comment on the discussion.

[Bethee99]

The 30 minute rule is posted a few places.

[English Jane]

OK, nobody has posted about ch*** h*gg**g for some time now, I'm envoking the 30 minute thread rule, that particular discussion has now been moved ...

 

now, things they don't tell you about RCCL - usually, you meet a lovely group of people.

[Tranquil Waters]

OK, nobody has posted about ch*** h*gg**g for some time now, I'm envoking the 30 minute thread rule, that particular discussion has now been moved ...

 

now, things they don't tell you about RCCL - usually, you meet a lovely group of people.

 

I would say good luck with that one. Threads will go where they will go.......:)

[Laurie12820]

Not sure if this is really a secret, but the staff in the dining room are willing to go above and beyond. On my first cruise my BF at the time ordered steak and fries almost every night even if it wasn't on the menu. He got it and for some strange reason they didn't have A-1 sauce the first night, so every night there after there was a bottle of A-1 at his place setting. Not sure where they got the A-1 sauce, it was probably on the ship, just hadn't been located yet, but the waiters really do a great job of remembering certain requests of certain people.

[Laurie12820]

P.S. When people tell you "You'll never see these people again", don't believe it. I said this to DH when I was trying to convince him to go on the Love and Marriage show for our Honeymoon. He was adamant that he didn't want to, so the night of the show we sat up in the balcony, drinks in hand and when they called for Honeymooners DH shot up out of his seat (guess he really loves me). So, needless to say, we were on the show and we won. People on the ship heckled us all week, some even gave advice, poor DH was regretting his decision. So once we were off the ship I assured him we'd never see any of them again.

 

Boy, was I wrong!

 

When we went on our Anniversary cruise a year later, we were sitting in the Windjammer with my parents for lunch on embarkation day and this woman approaches DH and I and says "Hey, you guys were the Newlyweds on the Love and Marriage show on the Empress last year!" DH's jaw just dropped, as did mine....Made me look like a complete liar!

[Echo Queen]

P.S. When people tell you "You'll never see these people again", don't believe it. I said this to DH when I was trying to convince him to go on the Love and Marriage show for our Honeymoon. He was adamant that he didn't want to, so the night of the show we sat up in the balcony, drinks in hand and when they called for Honeymooners DH shot up out of his seat (guess he really loves me). So, needless to say, we were on the show and we won. People on the ship heckled us all week, some even gave advice, poor DH was regretting his decision. So once we were off the ship I assured him we'd never see any of them again.

 

Boy, was I wrong!

 

When we went on our Anniversary cruise a year later, we were sitting in the Windjammer with my parents for lunch on embarkation day and this woman approaches DH and I and says "Hey, you guys were the Newlyweds on the Love and Marriage show on the Empress last year!" DH's jaw just dropped, as did mine....Made me look like a complete liar!

 

LOL that is too funny.

[nhrenee]

Here's my tip for people who have the RCI Visa Credit Cards:

 

You earn double points for any RCI purchases. That includes the onboard purchases. So we take about $3000 off the card in the casino and just use that cash to pay off the card when we get home. Thats an additional 6000 points on our card for discounts on our next cruise!

 

Just that alone gets us a $50 onboard credit for the next trip!!!!

 

Kathy,

Doesn't that count as a cash advance on the credit card?

[nhrenee]

If you pick out your favorite bar, tip the bartenders really good the first couple of nights you'll notice your tab at the end of the other nights is "less" than it should be.

We did this on the Rhapsody and our drinks were much stronger!

[Tranquil Waters]

Kathy,

Doesn't that count as a cash advance on the credit card?

 

No, it does not count as a cash advance - at least at this point in time.

 

It will come simply as an RCI charge (from you seapass card). In other words, your entire seapass bill (while itemized for you in a statement that you get the morning you leave the ship) is just presented as a single charge on your credit card as from RCI. They do not separate it out as being different from any of your other onboard purchases. It is a "casino purchase" - if you will.

[sj25]

My mind just came up with I am getting a $200 ship board credit in Feb. and really don't want to spend that on the ship...so yes going to the casino and ask for cash which will be charged to my sea pass...and now have the cash to spend the way I would like.:)