Of course I am for all inclusive. When touting my favorite line to my friends who have never sailed on RSSC, it is difficult to explain why alcohol isn't included when RSSC is considerably more expensive than their favorite mass market cruise. I must say, I would not be investigating SilverSea if Radisson was all inclusive.

The geek in me would love web cams on the bows of the ships. I would also like to see the RSSC website updated more often than it is. For example, the new Society benefits page says this:

Log on this summer for details on exciting new benefits for Seven Seas Society members for 2006!


Well, it's fall now and we still haven't learned the exact details. :)

Claudia,
We sailed Oceania when they were Renaissance, do they still have fridges in the room? Big deal to us, and that is one thing that does not exist on mass market lines, or so i've been told. Sounds like everyone is looking at SilverSea, yikes.
Cindy

Ooo, yeah! Webcams on the ships!

I have only been on one RSSC cruise (ok, two technically since it was a B2B). I have been on 5 charters on other lines --- Stella Solaris in '91 (I think), Greece & Turkey; Royal Clipper '01, Caribbean; Marco Polo '02 (we were supposed to go on Renaissance but they went bankrupt), Baltic; Veendam '03, Alaska. Our cruise on the PG was the best we have ever experienced, of course. We did a pre-cruise cruise the week before our charter! We loved it and are so glad we chose RSSC for our first non-chartered cruise.

The inclusive (mostly) thing was extremely nice. We drink our share of wine/spirits, but it's the signing for sodas and bottled water that kills us on other lines. We only had wine with lunch once (it's French Buffet --- you have to drink wine!) Our first evening in La Paleete, one of the bar wait staff tipped us off about ordering after dinner drinks to take to the Grand Salon. But, still, we had a $2500 bill at the end of 2 weeks. OK, 6 excursions (3x2=6), 18 dives (10+8), 2 or 3 massages, a few drinks from the pool bar, a few things from La Boutique, gobs of Stuart's photos, $200 cash advance!, etc.

We're going with Colonel Wes on Silver Shadow next year on the "Diver's Delight" itinerary. It was he who hooked up with Brown and Keene, via the CC board last year when I was investigating booking a pre-cruise cruise! I was looking for another cruise for 2007 that would provide the diving opportunities like the PG has, but a bit closer to home than French Polynesia. The Royal Clipper has a marina platform, but cruises the eastern islands. We wanted to dive in Grand Cayman, Coz, Belize, etc, in the west. The Seaborne ship that has the platform seems to have problems with it functioning properly. So, when I saw one of Wes' postings indicating he was booked on the Nov. 2006 "Divers Delight" itinerary on Silversea, well, that's close enough to 2007 and the Silversea experience should be great!

What I think would be great for RSSC, well for me anyway, is a Paul Gauguin-like diving opportunity but in the Caribbean, closer to home for us east coasters. I realize that's going to require a small size ship with a marina platform and perhaps the Caribbean islands don't have the lagoons that would provide the smooth seas required to lower the platform. But, that would be a great draw, I think.

We're excited about trying Silversea, but hope to have the opportunity to go on more cruises with RSSC. This is a wonderful board and I thank all of you for so much fun and info!

Wonderful ideas I have been reading.
How about Radisson web site?
I would like to see it user friendly and actually
work. Expecially the passenger information page.

--All inclusive alcoholic beverages/agreeable to not stocking in room bar [less waste]
--Improved entertainment/activities--this often becomes the tie breaker that sends us to another line

I completely agree!
Also, the photographs you buy from the ship's photographer... I'd like them digitized, if that's a word.

Karen, I too am a geek, and RSSC seriously needs a new web design/programming team. It could be so much better, and more interesting.

Webcams on the ship, I would love that too! A webcam that turned inwards perhaps, onto the pool deck so that LCTers could gather for group stalk shots!

If I were Mark Conroy, I would realize that "all inclusive" cruises DEFINITELY makes a huge difference in the entire socialization of passengers on board. (i.e. happy campers with no one in a Funk ) :banana:

Signing those chits puts me in a FUNK!!! Seeing empty lounges before dinner puts me in a FUNK!!

Why ARE there such empty lounges before & after dinner. This was part of our negative
feelings re: entertainment!?

If they would go to "all inclusive" I feel they could do away with the in cabin bar set up.
I also feel that that would really help the pre dinner lounges. I feel if someone wants to bring their own booze on board great let them.

I hate to write this, but now I understand Radisson wants a 200% single supplement if a single person wants to do a segment on the 2006 world cruise. I would like to tell Mark Conroy I think that is outrageous.

For 2007 single supplements will be available for the world cruise until 12/31/05 then they could also disappear.

Yep, everyone is in their room having their drinks, and ordering room service. if we were ALL in the bar having a tiny snack and FREE coctails, we would all be together and not bothering those poor room service people, plus my poor room steward constantly bringing the limes...........i'm subtle i know Joanna....
Cindy

One more point, if you are not sick of me already. On SilverSea, we NEVER saw anyone obnoxiously "over served" . Really, no one even tipsy. No difference from Radisson, and the drinks were free all day. People really don't want to just throw down coctails all day (well rarely), they just want to have one when they want too, usually with a group.....
cindy

Here are a few things I've suggested to Mr. Conroy:

1. Cut out the included set-ups (liquor, not the water and soft drinks) in the rooms, substituting "Happy Hours" - open bar in all venues - from an hour or so before dinner through the dinner hours - so no one feels obliged to go into the dining room for their "free" pre-dinner cocktail. Make set-ups in the suites at reasonable cost optional, with ordering instructions available on the preference form that you get with your tickets.

2. When planning the following year's itineraries, invite the cruise consultants from the ships as well as key travel agents (i.e., Ngaire and others who aspire to her exalted levels of knowledge and service). Also, invite written input WELL IN ADVANCE from a selection of past passengers, not only those with 200+ nights, but also some who have made just 3 or 4 cruises with RSSC and those in between, selected randomly. LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. Doesn’t mean you have to do what they say, just listen and carefully consider.

3. Have annual Seven Seas Society sailings with top executives and those responsible for itinerary planning on board. During these cruises, schedule open meetings like those on during the Voyager shakedown cruises, to help communications between the powers what be at RSSC and us cruiser-clients, who think we know better how to run the cruise line. IMPORTANT: In one meeting, put the Itinerary Planners up front and make them explain why they route ships like they do. My favorite, now several years old, would be to explain why the Mariner's world cruise went from So. Africa and Ascension or St. Helena direct to Fortelisa, bypassing Rio?
3-b. Offer special Society savings for this annual Society trip: 1% discount for every 5 days previously cruised on RSSC, so 100 days, 20% off; 300 days, 60$ off; 500 days = free! (Actually, never suggested this before; just thought of it now.)

4-a. Replace enough of the tubs on Mariner - all categories - so that anyone who wants one can have one. These tubs are dangerous, and they know it!
4-b. Provide night-lights in the bathrooms, so you don’t have to go from blissful darkness to blazing light to see what you're doing in the middle of the night. (Interim solution: bring a three-way tap with a night-light plugged into the end of it, and plug the tap itself into the 120 volt shaver outlet in the overhead above the sink area. HOWEVER, before you leave home, make sure you grind down or cut off the fat part of the wide prong on the tap, because the ships have old style receptacles, without one of the sockets bigger to accommodate the wide prong. If the light bothers you too, but you're not sure what I mean, drop me an e-mail [see profile] and I’ll answer questions and even send a picture if you're stuck.) THIS IS NOT HAZZARDOUS if you only plug shavers, etc. into the other sockets on the tap.

[if i start cutting off something on a cord........woah, i think i saw in a post that we were worried about a harmless travel iron. that sounds like a great idea for the night light.....but i do not trust myself to make that "device"

Cindy,
To answer your question about Oceania, all suites Concierge level (category A3 and above) have mini-fridges.

When I was on the Diamond Mark Conroy had an open forum and one of the things he discussed was the all inclusive liquor policy. He said it was one of economics, that RSSC cannot afford to lose the income they make annually on drinks. A passenger then asked why the prices weren't raised a bit to make it all inclusive. He indicated there were too many non-drinkers that objected to raising prices to accommodate those who wanted all inclusive. I am sure someone will ask him again on the President's cruise and it will be interesting to hear the update.

We had the exact same conversation with M.C. at dinner on the W.C. and the exact same answer. I still contend that for those who do not want all inclusive, there are other ships to chose from. I think the vast majority of RSSC passengers would be willing to forego the in-suite bar set up (they can always provide their own) in order to have liquor all inclusive 24/7. As we witnessed, the lounges were NOT empty pre and post dinner nor did people drink more than they normally would (Cindy you're right on!)

We also had an open forum in the Constellation Theater with M.C. and Capt. Dag where passengers could ask questions like Count Florida is suggesting. It was very beneficial!

Just came up with the idea that you could buy an ID card that entitles you to All Inclusive on ships. They do it for soft drinks on some of the mass market lines. Then there'd by no signing. Maybe it'd be a different color room card. I'd pay $150 to 250. per week to have the drinks included per person. All people withing a cabin would have to buy this to make it available so I couldn't keep buying and having DH drink from my All Inclusive Card!

Wouldn't you still need to pull out your ID? That sort of seems tantamount to signing a chit. Or am I not understanding the concept?

Kathy, I am not crazy about that idea, it's too mass market to me. It's much more simpler to just make us all inclusive.
I can't imagine if we gave up our room bottles, how it would be too costly for the cruise line to include drinks. I know Mark and I don't drink 2 bottles of spirits on top of the gratis wine a week.

We do not know what the cost of drinks are that are included in the tariff, they certainly are not "free" as is so often quoted, their cost is included in what you pay.
We do not drink liquor or wine and we buy our cruise for the service, the ambience of the ship, the days at sea, the entertainment and cuisine, and hopefully, a wonderful group of fellow passengers.

This is a pretty easy question to answer analytically. I wonder why Radisson just doesn't do some discrete choice analysis. It's a proven method used all the time in extremely complex industries, like pharma and financial services.
They could use the following test samples:

1. People who have never sailed on Radisson
2. First time cruisers who have booked but not yet sailed
3. Cruisers who have completed 1 cruise
4. Cruisers with varying levels of nights on Radisson.

The brands to be compared would be Radisson, Oceania, Silversea, Celebrity, and Crystal. They should be able to determine what the relative utilities are for different levels of features (truly all-inclusive vs. partially inclusive vs. non-inclusive, etc.).

It's then easy to calculate impact on likelihood of moving customers through the acquisition/retention funnel and of course the optimized fare levels. Having worked with a number of clients in the travel & leisure industry over the years, I've found that the m.o. for executives is to make decisions based on their gut experience (this is also true of executives in retailing except for Neiman Marcus, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy from what I have seen) rather than using quantitative best practices.

OK, so it works on Seabourn and Silversea to be all inclusive including drinks, but not on RSSC? I am sure that there are a lot of non drinkers on those cruises as well, and nobody seems to complain about it. Then there is the comment about having to raise the prices if they were to include drinks, but we have observed this year some signifcant price increases over last years fares already. While Silversea, seems to be offering pricing that is more competitive on similar itineraries than the less than all inclusive Radisson cruises.

I agree with Cindy. We have never found anyone on Silversea getting obnoxious by being "over served." We have however, found people paying for drinks on other Mega Ships that have gotten totally plowed and belligerent. So, that sounds like a good excuse, but what it really comes down to is just plain profit, which I don't think anybody here objects to.

What most small luxury ship cruisers want (myself included) is convenience. They don't want a mega ship experience where you sign for everything, anymore than they want to deal with the cattle call mentality when it comes to getting on and off the ship, or assigned dining for that matter.

From the things that I have read there are so many areas that RSSC really excels in. Service is great, size of cabins are larger than most, more verandahs than any other luxury cruise line, great food, and some of the highest space to passenger ratios in the industry, but IMHO this is one area that they have really missed the mark on.

Just my two cents, for what it is worth, which probably isn't a whole heck of alot!

Don, I think you are so correct. I still contend that there is "the right fit" for everyone and based on this board and many many passengers that I've talked to onboard who do not post here the MAJORITY all would love to see RSSC go all inclusive 24/7. The consensus also seems to be that passengers would be willing to give up the in-suite bar set ups to make this a fiscal reality for RSSC.

I'm sure that Ngaire has talked to more passengers in her gazillion RSSC cruises than all of us put together and this was #1 on her list.

The Tribe Has Spoken!

I'm not crazy about the all inclusive card. I think all that would do is encourage "some" passengers getting "other" passengers free drinks for their friends and I hate the idea of whipping out some stupid card when you want a drink. Very un-classy, very un-Radisson like IMO. Radisson is a LUXURY product and I hope it always stays this way.

I agree Marcie, if the drinks were included throughout the ship, the in room bar setup wouldn't even get used that much, therefore would be pretty easy to give up. I think most people would rather be out on deck or in one of the lounges socializing with friends rather than be in their rooms anyways. Just long as you could order that bottle of champagne (or whatever else you like to drink) gratis from room service when you want to be alone with the one you love, sit out on the balcony and just watch the world go by.

Don and marcie: I agree with both of you -

Marcie makes sense, I think the majority would agree as well. Maybe we should do another one of our scientific poll :)

I think it would be simpler to have all inclusive. We hardly touched the alcohol in room. I hate drinking in the room, and always went to the lounge for my cocktail, besides, can't have a cosmo in my room. Hubby had maybe had a tiny drink just after returning from shore before we went to the lounge for our pre-dinner cocktails. I gave my bottels to the room stewardess. Never opened the champange as hubby gets nasty headaches from the stuff.

What I did like was the water/soda in the room. I enjoyed that coming back from shore excursion and at night.

Personally, I don't care about the in room alcohol. Didn't find the drinks expensive in the lounge and you are quite right, I don't think that most RSSC customers would drink more than they normally would included or not. I know we would not. I only saw one lady get drunk on the wine and she had cocktails before dinner, but I think she would have been drunk regardless.

I think Marc Conroy should improve the store on his Alaska cruises. We were very disappointed in what was available.. Hubby was very surprised that they didn't have more Alaskan gold jewelry as was I or quality Alaskan souveniers.

I honestly think since this is not a "giveaway" that they could do better in the "store/shopping" area.

I know we would not. I only saw one lady get drunk on the wine and she had cocktails before dinner, but I think she would have been drunk regardless.

Mrs Moose what made you think she might have been drunk "regardless"????

I'm still trying to figure out where to put a drink card. It is hard enough trying to remember to take my room key to dinner & lunch. And those stupid glasses so I can read the menu at dinner. At least for lunch I can point.
I am also curious the the "regardless" lady also.

I am also curious the the "regardless" lady also.

Me, too, as I do NOT want to be viewed as someone who would get drunk "regardless" what exactly does that mean??????

Betty, you can wear the glasses on top of your head (I do that most of the time now). Don't know about the room key or a drink card. I'm sure you'll think of something!

It makes me wonder how we/our group has been viewed many times. i'm sure not well. When we were on the Voyager, one of the first cruises, the designer of the sculpture on the pool was on board, he was a good friend of capt. Dag. From his town. Well, we hit it off, and we were sure the entire crew talked, we closed everything everyday, they joked, but you just haate to think that you have that regardless drunk thing!!! We are still in contact with them, great memories.....

My thoughts on the drink card was that it WAS your room card, which you need anyway to get on and off the ship and into your room! My thought was that it was compromise between NO all inclusive drinks for those who aren't interested and those who were. My first choice is all inclusive any time and anyplace.

Ironically, on the PG in May, our pre-dinner cocktails we almost all inclusive between the Sailaway, Amex Party, the Seven Seas Party, The LCT Party Ngaire hosted, The Welcome Party and the Farewell Party and the night we were invited to dine with the Captain, we were invited for drinks by the Captain in the lounge. The one night there was not an RSSC Party, we met friends in their room for their own party. I think our bar bill was strictly for a few after dinner drinks in La Palette and it was about $100.00 for two.

As usual, Ngaire has hit the nail on the head. When I consider a European cruise, the first item I look for are the ports. At least two that we have not visited. And then, a 10-12 day cruise. To travel so far from the U.S, and only spend a week there is not in our 'logic book.'
I have met Mr. and Mrs.Conroy a few times. I suggested a 2 day stay at those ports which lend themselves to extensive sightseeing which cannot be accomplished in a day. For example. Livorno for Florence, Pisa, the Tuscan hills.
Sorrento for Capri, the Amalfi drive, Pompeii.
On our first cruise with Silve Sea, in April, we had two days in Portovenere.
Mrs. Conroy agreed with me. She was with Crystal at the time. No reaction from Mark. Silversea stop at a few Med. ports which are rare for RSSC.
Corsica, for example, is intriguing, I'm told. Sardinia, another.

That's one of best things about going on a World Cruise Neville. You overnight and spend 2 or 3 days in special ports. The entire cruise is so much more relaxing without the rush rush rush.

And if you get a few sea days thrown in sometimes too..makes you feel like you are really on a cruise

I, too, like longer port visits. On our upcoming cruise, we have overnights in Hong Kong, Hong Gai (for Hanoi), Saigon, Bangkok, and Singapore. Just four seas scattered through 14 day trip. I understand why Radisson has so many seven day cruises; just with only four ships now, they need to make sure that there are enough longer sailings (or great back to backs) to satisfy those looking for longer cruises.