Works for me too!!!!!

$140 per 7 days for all inclusive would be fine with me.

Like Crystal, I enjoyed the Song because of the social atmosphere due to all-inclusive. The Observation Lounge was always full before dinner with passengers coming in for a drink and socializing with each other. Made the cruises really special.

$140 works for us too! I hope RSSC is reading this thread.

I want a credit for the $140. I don't drink.

I agree one hundred percent. Drinking with me is rare but I enjoy it when I do. I love Mudslides and Ramos Fizzes. But each time I order a drink I am weighing the calories involved against those saddle bags and that stomach I am constantly fighting.

I'd gladly pay the $140 for the week. All-inclusive would be great.

I agree with Marcie - not having to sign checks is a big bonus. Certainly wirth $140.

Peggy

I know it has been said before but not having to sign chits on the WC was most enjoyable!!!! - you'll be glad to know I read this before posting as I had put an "s" where the "c" should have been in chits (by accident!!)- the "s" is how I feel about non inclusive

Yes, I'd definitely be willing to pay more for an all-inclusive. In total, RSSC could net more than on the charging it does now. People really don't drink to excess in that situation, I've found. Most of us want to feel fine the next day for our activities. Not to mention the calorie factor McKeever notes.

It seems this thread is in danger of devolving into another revisit to the divisive "all-inclusive" issue, displacing the more informative and useful Seven Seas Society tiers discussion we’ve been having. Some topics are just going to keep bugging people no matter what anyone says or does about them. Our's (the LCT and Cruise Critic RSSC boards) is the all-inclusive, or rather 'include booze', issue.

Thus, I feel (self-) compelled to remind other posters and readers that alcohol itself is a divisive issue, one that caused a majority of the US population (some have argued: "a very vocal minority"; notice a parallel?) to amend our Constitution ± 85 years ago to ban booze entirely. Well, that didn't work; pretty clearly it made the situation worse, in fact. Aside: it’s too bad those who now insist on a similar prohibition on drugs didn't learn from our nation's earlier experience, but that's a perhaps even more divisive issue, one certainly best left for another time and forum.

RSSC provides space for, and announcements of, 'Friends of Bill W' meetings on board its ships, often scheduled during cocktail hour, because alcohol itself has bad effects on some people. I hope we agree that forcing people who are addicted to alcohol and thus cannot use it at all, to help pay for the rest of us to use it freely, is at minimum a bit perverse. After all, alcohol is somewhat different than desert, although I might be hard-pressed to argue those differences with a diabetic cogently.

I suspect that belaboring the all-inclusive issue in this thread might turn off those at RSSC who have struggled with that issue, and are now reading with attention and interest our musings about the popularity and merits of the various Seven Seas Society tier benefits they've mentioned (floated?) in earlier postings (trial balloons?) My real purpose here is to keep that channel open.

Well, pardon me for having an opinion and wanting to keep RSSC aware, if they pay attention at all to these boards, that it's not a dead issue.

It *is* true, though, that we've wandered away from the original topic of this post. :)

Maybe we should refocus the topic?

Masaki

Count Florida, Re: Friends of Bill meetings

On the WC they did have meetings, at least twice a week or so. All inclusive certainly didn't seem to keep AA members away.

I think there will always be the issue of people who want all inclusive and others who do not - if you hardly drink or have one drink a day I understand not caring about all inclusive - I doubt that it means a recovering alcoholic has never taken an all inclusive cruise - I see all inclusive as a "perk" much like SSS tiers - so what's the big deal if we discuss both on the same thread???

As far as I'm concerned, I would like to see Radisson consider all-inclusive even if it meant leaving off a perk for SS tiers (which makes my response "on topic"). Out of curiosity, do SilverSeas passengers complain about all inclusive?

Donna:: You're the best -

I think what Count Florida was saying is that the genesis of this thread is what tier benefits do we prefer, not the all inclusive debate that has been done ad nauseum if you have been here long. The tier thing is not going to include all-inclusive option per their website, as that is not an option on this line except for WC. So he suggested we talk about the other perks that we might like, so that Radisson could hear(read) them. In doing so (sorry, Count) he did expound on his opinion of the very issue he was asking us to stop discussing.

Donna, the thing about Silversea, if you ever "shop them" is that their prices are so much more expensive than Radisson. Other than the all inclusive, I see from my one cruise (that I loved) there are no benefits. Everything seems the same, at least it did to me from my one cruise. They just don't discount till closer into the cruises, and then they offer comparable prices on some cruises~

Olivia: I think we all know what Count Florida was saying ... he does not seem like somene who needs us to interpert his message (s) ...bottom line if Raddison reads the board they are a bunch of smart, savvy, well traveled people and can sift through our SSS perks and inclusive perks - no need for separate thread -

Olivia, I have "shopped" Silversea and you are right they are more expensive. But, at 296 guests for Silver Cloud/Silver Wind and 388 guests for the Shadow and Whisper, you are looking at the reason why they are more expensive. I don't think all-inclusive is that much of a factor. Plus, by discounting cruises in a different timeframe than Radisson, SilverSea has chosen a marketing strategy that works for them.

I do understand that this thread is intended to convey our views on SS tier benefits to Radisson's managment, and our board members have made many positive suggestions. I do not expect "all-inclusive" to be a part of the tier benefits for SS members as that would be an unworkable situation. But, if Radisson truly monitors our comments, then I would like them to know that as a repeat customer, I prefer less tier benefits and an all-inclusive policy for everyone.

I so appreciate LCT and my fellow board members. It's nice to discuss our opinions in such an open and respectful manner.

I believe one of topics we discussed was about atmosphere, the way all inclusive really contributes to the experience, for me is it really a priority for Radisson to be all inclusive, of course not: but I feel as like some of the other passenger probably feel is when for example when I am losing hundreds of dolllars in the casino and I order a Cape Codder and when its delivered I am asked for my Card, its kind of aggravating, but its not the end of the world, I would think though you would probably want to keep me in the casino as long as possible. For example the cheapest casinos in Vegas let you drink for free when you are gambling, but I believe its not all about alcohol, when my wife and I sailed on Voyager in 2003 Athens to Barcelona I believe our bar tab for the ten days was like $89, not that we dont like to have a few drinks, but people just really seem to not mingle in these public areas when you have stocked bars in your rooms for free. I truly do not feel its about the money for most people, just one more added feature to add to the wonderful experience when cruising Radisson.

Frank

Crystal, believe me that Mr. Conway and company know only too well that 'all-inclusive' is a live issue. And thank you, jhp for emphasizing one of my points. The other is that there are people who will just not cruise (or visit-attend) where they are giving away booze.

My wife's best friend (and long ago maid of honor) and her husband were seriously considering joining us for the Montreal to New York leg of the Navigator's fall repositioning two years ago, until she learned of the free liquor in the room and at dinner. That killed their participation cold, to all of our detriment. They are absolutely lovely people, but we (at least I) learned something from that experience. Twern't pretty, neither.

I do try and be as clear as I can, to the point of being altogether too wordy. That's my problem. I'm just too old to change, though I try.

I haven't expounded MY position on all-inclusive. My position is RSSC needs to get people out of their staterooms and into the public areas so they meet and mix with other cruisers. I will start a NEW THREAD on that topic (unless someone beats me to it), to reiterate and refine my views, share some what I believe are candid, non-confidential comments from RSSC, and listen to other's views again.

Meeting delightful people is perhaps THE reason we're still cruising, and have stuck with Radisson despite a growing number of gripes. Of course, this board really helps to introduce fellow-cruisers too. The Seven Seas Society tiers can help or hurt this effort, depending on how it is set up.

I agree with southernlady Donna that trying to work '"all-inclusive" to be a part of the tier benefits for SS members as that would be an unworkable situation'. This thread has had a lot of worthwhile thoughts and exchanges. If RSSC reads it and thinks, we'll all be better off come next year. If not, well, let’s be positive and hope for the best.

The Count always has a way with words. :)

Masaki

Donna: It is easy for those with fewer days on Rad to say they want all-inclusive versus better tier benefits. We all have our desires and must subjugate our desires to the benefit of most passengers.

I have to guess that these people are in the minority, and if they feel this way... there are lots of other cruise ships for them to choose from. My sister Merrily (whom many of you have met) is a recovered alcoholic yet a very social person who has no problem being exposed to "free alcohol" at a party or on a cruise.

Donna, I agree with you.......I would like to see Radisson consider all-inclusive even if it meant leaving off a perk for SS tiers.

Sorry for my bristle, and badly stated response. The inertness of emails and internet boards have a way of making things seem other than intended, and I took something well-meant badly. I apologize.
But let's not discipline ourselves to stay on topic TOO much. Some of the most fun we've had on these boards have come from odd tangents.

My intent was certainly not to hijack the thread but to raise what I thought was a "counterintuitive" way to enhance the experience rather than just adhering to the conventional wisdom of adopting a frequent guest program (which btw has been demonstrated to only really be effective to small sub-segments of consumers regardless of category and price level).

What I do hope is that the folks at Radisson realize how special their product is - which is why everyone on this board is so eager to offer input. Many companies would KILL to develop a customer base as passionate about their products as Radisson has done over the years!

Well said Lawrence! When God was giving out brains, you were the first in line!!

That is why you want Lawrence on your team for trivia

a person on our last cruise-SS Whisper, (bartender....sorry i seem to have a recurring theme here...) told me that it is well known that Radisson has an unbelievable following among what he called the "alum". I think alot of SS/ goes back and forth with Seaborn AND Radisson. He says alot of Raddison people go nowhere else. I believe him, but think if the prices were the same, people would surely give it a try. Another nice thing to mention, and this may be part of the new tier thing (which i got a letter on Sat), is they offer "early embarkation" for i think...$100.00 each. Now i know that seems alot, but really if you are at a hotel, and want to head to the ship say at 10:30, have lunch and relax, it is nice.

I agree - we have only cruised Radisson and are diehards - BUT yes I would give SS a try if ports and $$$ were right

No big deal to me....I wouldn't spend $100 for that (certainly not $200 per couple!) We still go to the ship 12-1:00 and have lunch even if the cabin isn't going to be ready until around 2:00. Lots of better ways to spend $ IMO.

That's a real RSSC profit center if passengers are willing to pay that!

Ouch $200 per couple to board early???? I hope this is not Radisson's idea of a perk???

I keep reading all these posts with interest. I do not have a multitude of nights with RSSC but I will be happy with any little extra I receive - what ever they are, if any. Afterall, I still continue to sail with them without the perks now. I believe in loyalty to a great product.
PS: Now if they wanted to remove that $$$ single supplement!!!! this would be one happy camper. But I know that will never happen, so I will sail on, enjoying every cruise.

We'll never make it to any kind of elevated tier level, and that's fine. We are convinced that Radisson is ideal for us, and we'll just sail happily along.

Donna: It is easy for those with fewer days on Rad to say they want all-inclusive versus better tier benefits. We all have our desires and must subjugate our desires to the benefit of most passengers.
REPLY:
What are the right number of days on Radisson to have an opinon on inclusive vs tiers?

Radisson also sells limorsuine transfers Port Everglades to Ft Lauderdale airport. If I remember correctly, they were $140 (might have been per person) for a five minute trip. Who in their right mind would purchase such a transfer? Of course, there might be someone. Same with getting onboard two hours earlier for $200. Now, this would really be a bad thing if they start enforcing the 3:00pm embarkation time for everyone else. We have gotten used to "free" early boarding.

BTW, I believe Silversea already sells early boarding for I think the same $100 per person.

Isn't early boarding one of the perks of Amex Platinum? Or did I dream that?

Amex Plat gives a special line.

Sorry guys, I sure didn't mean to offend anyone......we felt the $200 was justified as the boarding time was 3:00, and we had to leave our hotel at 11:00 after just a few hours sleep.(plane delayed to Barbados BIG time). It sure was nice to have our room ready at 11:30 with a nice bottle of champagne and room service ready to go. i know it is alot, but we are used to living in an airport, just couldn't wait i guess.

Cindy, no offense taken. For most of us, we have been able to board 1200-1230 without paying anything.