alaskan cruise comments

[SCOOBYANG16]

SHAME on all of those who have been complaining about so many things...that takes alot of balls. This is for those complainig about "seat-saving" at the shows. I am part of a big group and yes we did save seats. Doesn't everyone want to sit with their families for the shows? Because some of us went on excursions,theme dinners,etc. it wasn't feasable or possible for all of us to sacrifice an hour or two to stand in line. We took turns. We would have three or four people wait and save seats. Is it fair to say that people should not be able to do those other activities, and if they did they should not be able to sit with their families for the shows? I don't think so. And it certainly isn't reality when you have kids. There were people that were rude to us and said nasty things. Where's the family spirit in that? That's what these cruise are suppose to be about... Maybe some of these complainers should have planned better and sacrificed some of their time to get a good place in line. Don't expect to show up at the last minute and expect to take someone else's seat. As for those who sat at the ends of the rows-expect to have to let people in and out. Also it would have been nice if you could stand up to let people in and out' instead of making people crawl over you. THAT'S JUST RUDE! Can't we set a better example than that for the kids? As for the suggestion of leaving tickets in the staterooms...that will not work as the seats are not numbered. To those of you that were so nasty to us-maybe R Family cruises aren't for you. The R Family spirit is about family and our family wanted to sit together for the shows. Sorry if we ruffled peoples' feathers, but until there is a better system in place-expect us to save seats for our family members! I have NO COMPLAINTS. i FELT VERY LUCKY AND SPECIAL TO BE A PART OF R FAMILY'S CRUISE. Maybe some of you complainers should try another cruise line and see if you are treated as well as with the R family people. THANK YOU R FAMILY CREW FOR A WONDERFUL TIME!!!

[PAPAJIM]

:( I am sure your thread will create alot of dialoge, and not favorable. I feel bad that people have to act innapropriate in certain situations. Name calling etc. is so counter productive.
If your family was their before the venue started it should not have been a problem. This being said : a lady( I use this term loosely) was saving seats next to us. This was the same person whom cut in front of my partner in the kids crew line and said-" I am getting my kid.!" He told her I am here for the same thing, get in line like the rest of us. At the seat saving incident she made it known that she was in absolute control. Someone asked her if the seats were being saved and she got all puffed up and swore at them. Mind you our 7 yr old, with impecable manners was seated next to me.
I think that the children acted better than some of the parents. As the days on the cruise progressed some peoples true colors came out. Ex) Charging the elevators, when an obviously handicapped guest was trying to get off. Please excuse their rudeness-i exclaimed as I held the elevator door for her to get out-avoiding a stampede.
Honestly-It is more beneficial as a society to be kind to one another, than have this exagerated sense of entitlement. I and my family choose the right. It must be so sad for the rfamily team to hear so much bitterness. We however had a marvelous time-despite the rude people-who were few and far between. I think I speak for the majority on board when saying"Well Done RFamily!":) I hope that your family had a better experience than the isolated incident at the show-people cussing at you shows their breeding not yours. Keep your smile on honey-don't let anyone steal your joy! Remember the good and dismiss the bad.

[MommyCheryl]

I can't go with you on the seat saving -- they repeatedly asked everyone not to do it, so why would you? We had zero problem fitting in excursions, dinner, etc. Sometimes you just eat earlier or go to the later show. It's one thing to save a seat while someone goes to the bathroom. It's another to have one person go early and grab an entire center row. Our small group (usually just my wife the kids and I but sometimes another family) came together -- we all waited in line if that's what needed to happen. In one case, we were told a whole row was saved. Then when I made a point of asking how many seats, they acknowledged that they were saving fewer than half. So we took the rest of the row. To make things worse, half of the people they were saving seats for never showed up.

I don't think any of this is worth getting upset or rude over so I'm sorry if people were unkind. But did you ever stop and think that traveling with a big group gives you an unfair advantage when it comes to shows if you are allowed to do seat saving? My wife and I have two young boys -- we split up for Cyndi Lauper because seats were tough to get in the first show and we didn't want to cram the fellas in. But it wasn't easy. (And getting there too early just caused problems for those around us if the guys got antsy -- so we didn't do it. Sure, we sacrified the best seats, but really, every seat was pretty good.) If you're traveling with a posse, you can send a designated seat grabber, but the rest of us don't have that option. All I'm saying is that it would be nice to try to look at things from someone else's perspective.

Besides, during a show, what's the big deal about sitting next to your whole large group? Sit in groups of 2 or 3 if that's what it takes.

That said, though we never got the best seats and had to split up for the one show, we aren't complaining a bit. It was fabulous and we loved every minute.

[kcs2moms]

We just drove in today to SoCal from the cruise, after doing the Oregon coast and the Redwoods. We'd just decided not to do another Rfamily vacation because it was so crowded, and other issues. I'm so glad to hear others were concerned about some of the behavior onboard. We saved and scrimped for this vacation, and so looked forward to it. Within two days our camera was stolen, and it dampened the spirit of the whole trip for us. The behavior at the shows didn't help at all. We had a woman next to us who refused to put her child on her lap, and cussed out everyone who walked in front of her ( we were on an open aisle with a walkway!). It was embarassing for us for our children, who were sitting quietly.

If anyone knows of anyone who arrived home with an extra camera, could you please have them email us? It has a week's worth of family photos from our drive to Washington, and was a huge investment for us- it was a brand new digital Nikon D50. Our kids were devastated that family could be responsible for our loss. The cruise line assures us that staff spotted with such items are immediately fired, and are scrupulous about reporting lost items. We were told by RFamily staff onboard that Gregg said he would put in a request that all lost items be turned into lost and found, but that never happened, despite our asking about it on a daily basis.

I am heartened that Kelli is planing land-based trips, and for less crowded conditions. We hope the teens will have more to do, at an earlier hour (our teen can't make it to 11pm for events to start). We can forgive the ugly behavior, or at least let it go, and we remain hopeful that someone will have an attack of honesty and return our camera. Maybe in a couple of years we'll be ready to try it again. We'll treasure the Cindy Lauper concert, the Belters, and the many wonderful people we met. Our little one came home with a new friend who lives nearby, and our teen spent the entire trip down the coast showing off a new pride in her family, and finding out that having two moms is "wicked awesome" according to kids she met from straight families!

Jill

[Atlpen]

To the OP, saving seats is considered in poor taste. You tell folks that they should not arrive at the last minute and expect to take someones saved seat? Get real. Saving seats for a large group is rude. You either want to see the show or do something else. You cannot have it both ways. So for people to complain about your rudeness is just in my book. Where is your family spirit? Looks like you might have left it at home.

[PAPAJIM]

To the OP, saving seats is considered in poor taste. You tell folks that they should not arrive at the last minute and expect to take someones saved seat? Get real. Saving seats for a large group is rude. You either want to see the show or do something else. You cannot have it both ways. So for people to complain about your rudeness is just in my book. Where is your family spirit? Looks like you might have left it at home.
We did not save seats and made time measures for all to be in line. I don't support saving seats, but find it in very poor taste to see adults being so vulgar in front of children, and acting like fools-that to me is very poor taste.:(

[MommyCheryl]

Papa Jim -- EXACTLY. While I consider saving big blocks of seats to be rude, I don't condone meeting rudeness with more rudeness.

As for the stolen camera, that's inexcusable. But it reminds me that the last day of the cruise my wife came across one of those Volvo bags. She thought it was ours and picked it up (there was no one else in the library at the time). When we got back to the cabin we discovered ours and looked in the one she found. There as an mp3 player. We turned it in to lost and found but it was the last day so whoever lost it may not have checked. If you or anyone you know lost such a thing -- call NCL or r family! It was turned in!!!

[GreatTrip]

It's very odd that some comments seem to suggest disbelief that bad things can happen on a gay cruise. Yes, things will get stolen, people will be rude, conditions can get crowded. None of that is good, but reading through the several threads on this topic and others, I get the impression that some people are actually getting offended that their gay brothers and sisters could be responsible for such things. We came on a cruise a couple of weeks ago to be in a very unique, special environment where we could be open as couples and families. We didn't enter the land of OZ! Gay people can steal, they can be rude, they can refuse make their children sit in their laps during crowded performances (Though honestly I have no problem with that. No matter how many people want to come in the theater, my child deserves his own seat). The point I'm making is that yes, we're unique, but we have millions of similarities to the rest of the world too, some of them are good, and some are pretty bad. You make your own trip. I was in the same crowds, heard some of the same comments, heck I even missed out on Cyndi Lauper, but I wound up finding something else cool to do that I would've missed out on otherwise. I don't mean to diminish people's bad experiences, but we all plunked down thousands for this trip. I certainly wasn't about to let anything take away from my enjoyment of this cruise. Financially willing and able, see you next year RFamily!

[wearefamily]

It's very odd that some comments seem to suggest disbelief that bad things can happen on a gay cruise.

I think for us, it was the difference between previous R Family cruises, and this one, that sparks the disbelief. I know that personal experience is subjective, but it seemed like on the first 2 cruises, people where really bending over backwards to be on their best behavior. This time it felt like "each man for themselves"! I do think though, that with the crowding kept under control on future cruises, we can hope to get some of the "old" feeling back!

[GreatTrip]

Wearafamily, That's an interesting perspective - being a first-time cruiser, it was cool to hear from other former cruisers like you not just how the cruise itself differed (plenty of THOSE comments here :) ), but how some people acted and felt on previous trips. It helps to understand better the frustration some had. I guess I'm glad it was our first here! I had a blast! :D

[kcs2moms]

Wow- I guess the comments that other people are picking on each other on the forums was correct. No kidding- gay people can have issues! However, on a cruise that we all plucked down thousands and thousands for, one should expect basic decency, and even that we can all afford our own cameras. And if the staff ask that small children take a seat on their parents lap, I can't see arguing that a two year old needs their own seat so that everyone can see a show they came on the cruise to see. What I do expect is basic respect for each other. I too witnessed folks refusing to allow handicapped people in and out of the elevators, and a lot of other behavior I'd rather not see again on any cruise. We've vacationed with Olivia before, and never saw that kind of stuff. We also saw lots of stuff being forgotten, and RETURNED. On this cruise there were multiple cameras lost and returned. THAT'S why I was asking one last time. Forgive me- but we lost pictures we cannot get back. It was in the spirit of family that such instances happened. I can believe that much of this was due to the huge crowds, but that does not mean I can't be disappointed that the spirit of a warm and peaceful cruise was not present much of the time. That's what we looked for, and had prepped our kids for. Not Nirvana, no, but a friendly environment in which everyone else had the same agenda- vacation with others who would be equally accepting. I appreciated all the work that the staff put in, and I am not sure how Kelli kept that smile on her face. It must have been a huge effort. We will be back on a land-based vacation where we can have some space if things get so tight again, and where we will not have such an exciting night of crashing waves, which was nobody's fault but was way too mcuh for me!

[mosie]

This was also our first cruise so we don't have anything to compare it to. There were a lot of people and, although it's nice to see R Family doing so well, it would be nice to cut down on the numbers a tad. And, there were so many children which makes it seem so much more crowded.

It's so hard when you have young children to try to control them and be on your most polite and attentive behaviour to other passengers. I found, even with an 8 and 10 year old, that they have no awareness of those around them and no concept of orderly routines in food lineups and lines in general. They also became grumpy near the end of the cruise as there weren't as many activities for their ages than for the teens and wee ones.

I just remember large people (no offense intended...I'm a bit large myself) sitting on the ends of rows at the theatre and rolling their eyes when we wanted to pass by to sit in the centre.

I found most people extremely pleasant and helpful.

[mosie]

About the missing camera...I can't imagine what kind of person can steal or even keep something of someone else's and living with themselves.

I could never, ever even think of doing such a thing. Shame on whoever that was!

:mad:

[PAPAJIM]

About the missing camera...I can't imagine what kind of person can steal or even keep something of someone else's and living with themselves.

I could never, ever even think of doing such a thing. Shame on whoever that was!

:mad:
:mad: I second that emotion-however Karma will come back on that thief and I know it will bite them hard. Have they ever heard of thou shall not steal? stealing realy chaps my hide.
The have-nots always want to take from the halves. We all work for what we have. I am sure the camera owner just did not have a chunk of cash to throw down on a camera! What is worse is they stole your memories on film-that is cold. We are sorry that someone did this to you. Your signs were in the elevator-we read them-please return no questions asked. But they still chose to do the wrong thing-shame on them:mad:

[kmoar]

You know, Like a lot of people, I've had it with the complaints!! I understand for those of you which this was the 3rd cruise, the magic might be waning. It would be that way for anything that you've done 3 times. But this was our first R Family cruise like may others.
It was completely magical for us! Yes it was crowded, but we learned how to beat the crowds. When I saw all those families partying at the Oasis the first day, I had tears in my eyes! It was the most heartwarming experience I have ever had. I finally felt welcome and free to kiss my wife in public! And, we could both hold our sons hand without getting funny looks from people! It was truly amazing and I have no complaints whatsoever! I wish people would just be greatful for this opportunity to spend time with families like ours in a non-judgemental enviroment. Where love is everywhere you look. Sure, we encountered rude people at points, but it was nothing compared to the love we saw. I can't believe some people are considering not doing and R Family vacation again. Where else can we feel so accepted???

Kristin

[2fromTN]

Thank you kmoar!

Can't we all just get along.... Our best friends were 3bees and yes the last two were different than the third. This is a business. Rosie, Kelli, Greg and Dan do have to make some money, otherwise, it can't go on. This cruise was no more crouded than other "non-rfamily" cruises we have been on. This week of "normal" was priceless for me and my partner. We will be there for febuary, looking for all the new friends we met in alaska:)

I too had tears in my eyes when we set sail. I have never seen so many beautiful families. The feelings of joy and of acceptace were truley overwhelming. This was unlike anything we have ever experienced.

Peace and Love out to all,
2fromTN:p

[GreatTrip]

And if the staff ask that small children take a seat on their parents lap, I can't see arguing that a two year old needs their own seat so that everyone can see a show they came on the cruise to see.

LOL The squirm factor of two year olds is more than enough reason to give them their own seat. Trust me on that one. ;)

[DesignerMom]

Jill:

Maybe you should read this part of what you wrote, again.

Our little one came home with a new friend who lives nearby, and our teen spent the entire trip down the coast showing off a new pride in her family, and finding out that having two moms is "wicked awesome" according to kids she met from straight families!

Stolen Camera: Bummer
Rude People: No fun

Child with a new trusted friend and a
Teenager with a new found pride: Priceless

Don't let some random thief change that, or make that the focus.

Only you and your family know if an R Family Vacation is right for you. But don't let some rude and criminal people define the experience you had. Sounds like you should let your kids so that.

Best,

Annmarie

[kcs2moms]

Annmarie-
That's why I included that comment from my child. Trying to put together a scrapbook of our vacation, and not having a week's worth of photos- painful, irreplaceable, and will always paint the week in a different light. Wish it could be otherwise, but all week as we've finally gotten all unpacked and looked at stuff we brought home, it's been "I wish we had the photo of..." I think, having been on other lesbian vacations, I was looking forward to the sense of family that did not seem to be as present. No fault of RFamily, just not the right mix or maybe too much mix because of the crowds and the way people responded to them, the ugliness involved. I've never witnessed so much of it on any other vacation anywhere - one woman almost hit someone passing her in the aisle at one show we attended. She cussed him out as well. That's not the way we saw this cruise when we booked, and it was not the only time it happened. I hope the smaller group in February will make a difference for that cruise, and some of the spirit we read about from other cruises will return. I know I wasn't the only shocked by the behavior on board.We're glad for our child's new pride, but it will take some time for the balance to happen.

Jill

[DesignerMom]

Jill:

Fair enough. My family must have been lucky we did not encounter such situations.

Best,

Annmarie

[teefeb19]

This was the first time the cruise was completely sold out so as far as the crowds, long lines and things like that are bound to happen no matter if you sail with R Family or another cruise. It took forever to find seats for the show that everyone is talking about. When we finally did get seats a woman started yelling at me because I didn't have my child on my lap. She's 6 and I couldn't keep her on my lap. So instead of just letting it go, she walked down the isle we were in and said some other things to us and then kicked me on the way out. It was absolutely ridiculous and childish of her. But you know what; we got a good laugh out of it once my leg stopped hurting and just brushed it off.
This is my second cruise with RFamily and I can't wait to go in July. No matter how crowded it was it's up to you on how you're going to handle it. Either you get mad and ruin your evening or you just go with the flow and have a good time. We even sat on the steps for the Cyndi Lauper show and it didn't bother us at all.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that things that annoy us happen anywhere and it's how you choose to handle it is what matters. I hope you'll consider another cruise with R Family because they trully are the best.