Man Overboard! Should cruise lines stop beverage packages?
Published Saturday, September 12th 2015 - Updated Saturday, September 12th 2015
Categories
The sounding of the alarm, and the annoucement saying "Code Oscar" should send chills down everyone's backs. It means that the ship must be stopped immediately, and designated crew drop and board a lifeboat to go on a search and rescue of someone who has gone overboard.
Almost too frequently posts on Facebook are reporting and filming rescue attempts of people who have gone overboard. The frequency of these posts have increased significantly, and coincidentally the numbers seem to have increased with the implementation of the beverage packages. In most cases, it is also reported that these people were heavily intoxicated. The lucky ones are found and rescued. There are an unfortunate number that do not get rescued and are reported missing or worse.
What is the cause of all of this? Suicide attempts or mental illness? Perhaps. Too much drinking and of a good thing? Maybe. At least from the posts one can assume that the majority of these people are those who over indulge and drink irresponsibly. Is it to make sure that they get their money's worth from the beverage packages?
Granted, the beverage packages are a great deal for those who would enjoy their drinks even without a beverage package. It can save them a lot of money in the long run. It is not uncommon for people to complain that their bar tab was over $1000. It is also a great deal for those who wouldn't have purchased those tempting refreshing frozen drinks that are offered to you (at a price) by the pool or at the theater. But are they the result of over intoxication, or would these people still drink as much without it?
Every time a ship needs to stop for such an occurance it costs. It costs the cruise line money to send out a crew. It costs time, and can create delays or even cancellations to the next port of call. Possibly costing you and your fellow passengers a shortened visit or even a cancellation to the next destination that you were excited about visiting because the cruise ship is on a strict schedule. I'm not saying that they should not go in search of that person, but pointing out the inconvenience these occurances can cause.
What are your thoughts? Are people ruining a good thing? Do you think that the cruise lines will illiminate beverage packages? Do you think that the cruise lines should eliminate beverage packages?
* Please note that this does not reflect the opinion of Cruise Planners.
The sounding of the alarm, and the annoucement saying "Code Oscar" should send chills down everyone's backs. It means that the ship must be stopped immediately, and designated crew drop and board a lifeboat to go on a search and rescue of someone who has gone overboard.
Almost too frequently posts on Facebook are reporting and filming rescue attempts of people who have gone overboard. The frequency of these posts have increased significantly, and coincidentally the numbers seem to have increased with the implementation of the beverage packages. In most cases, it is also reported that these people were heavily intoxicated. The lucky ones are found and rescued. There are an unfortunate number that do not get rescued and are reported missing or worse.
What is the cause of all of this? Suicide attempts or mental illness? Perhaps. Too much drinking and of a good thing? Maybe. At least from the posts one can assume that the majority of these people are those who over indulge and drink irresponsibly. Is it to make sure that they get their money's worth from the beverage packages?
Granted, the beverage packages are a great deal for those who would enjoy their drinks even without a beverage package. It can save them a lot of money in the long run. It is not uncommon for people to complain that their bar tab was over $1000. It is also a great deal for those who wouldn't have purchased those tempting refreshing frozen drinks that are offered to you (at a price) by the pool or at the theater. But are they the result of over intoxication, or would these people still drink as much without it?
Every time a ship needs to stop for such an occurance it costs. It costs the cruise line money to send out a crew. It costs time, and can create delays or even cancellations to the next port of call. Possibly costing you and your fellow passengers a shortened visit or even a cancellation to the next destination that you were excited about visiting because the cruise ship is on a strict schedule. I'm not saying that they should not go in search of that person, but pointing out the inconvenience these occurances can cause.
What are your thoughts? Are people ruining a good thing? Do you think that the cruise lines will illiminate beverage packages? Do you think that the cruise lines should eliminate beverage packages?
* Please note that this does not reflect the opinion of Cruise Planners.
Leave a Reply
indicates a required field
