Ethrivas wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:51 am Last year was my first time on 70k tons of Metal and one thing i really found absurd was the t-shirt case.
There was a queue-matic, there was a TV channel displaying the number, etc.
As we all know, time is really precious onbroad. Why in hell do i have to follow this and work my ass off to grab a souvenir?
Instead;
We can choose t-shirt, sweatshirt, tanga, hoodie (whatever with size we want) while buying our cabin and it can be added to our fee. Then while broading, we can get those along with our passcards.
I am talking about the current year's official merc. Maybe one piece per person. If people wanna buy bands merc or additional pieces or past years' merc, then they may choose to rot in the queue of endless doom :)
At least we can save the time of those who are after the souvenir. (i rest my wristband case btw )
Hope Andy finds this convenient...
Yes indeed, the venue (in this case RC) gets a percentage. This is fairly standard practice at most concert venues, and is also the reason why bands aren't supposed to sell merch on the boat "under the table" out of their staterooms...although that rule has been sidestepped a few times over the years .Phoenix wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 6:42 am All merch complaints can be directed to the appropriate Facebook group - I think it's called 70,000 Tons of Merch Complaints?
I wish we could do that, and it's a system that's been suggested yearly. But there's some sort of deal with RC keeping them from doing it, else they would have already. All we can do is tell them last year was a disaster (and it was), and hopefully they listen.
There is a trick to getting merch semi painlessly, though it does involve lack of sleep.Pellaz wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:18 pmYes indeed, the venue (in this case RC) gets a percentage. This is fairly standard practice at most concert venues, and is also the reason why bands aren't supposed to sell merch on the boat "under the table" out of their staterooms...although that rule has been sidestepped a few times over the years .Phoenix wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 6:42 am All merch complaints can be directed to the appropriate Facebook group - I think it's called 70,000 Tons of Merch Complaints?
I wish we could do that, and it's a system that's been suggested yearly. But there's some sort of deal with RC keeping them from doing it, else they would have already. All we can do is tell them last year was a disaster (and it was), and hopefully they listen.
Remember that most current-year 70K merch is also available at the kiosk in the Promenade and, it's been alleged, at another kiosk on the pool deck, but I have yet to lay eyes on that one. Rumors of its existence persist, however.
One thing that we've concluded on the "Merch Complaints" FB group is that there are no easy answers. 60 bands, potentially 120 separate items of band merch (each band can bring two items, although not every band does), and all sales must be processed through Royal's POS system.
I give them credit for spending some Actual Money and adopting the numbered ticket system. It helped, some, but there are still some problems with it.
Same experience here also. I vowed NEVER to stand in that line again after I did it my first time. No t-shirt is that precious to me to waste time like that again. I do like to acquire a 70K shirt that is in my size. This is a fine balance of waiting until the line dies down on the Promenade deck, but before they run out of my size. And they do run out.Phoenix wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:36 pm After my first year, where I waited in line for a hilarious amount of time, I decided it wasn't worth it for any of the exclusive shirts (though I'm sad I missed DT's very pretty one this year). Now I just grab one of the girly tanktops when the Promenade line dies down, and call it a cruise.
Because they are pretty?
Holy shit! There is indeed such a FB group. -,-
Got my 70K shirt on the pool deck last cruise.
Video proof or it didn't happen.
You are referring to Robin. Robin is amazing :)Pellaz wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 6:37 pm
Seriously, about the "70K Tons of Merch Complaints" Facebook group, it has seen a lot of great discussion as to why some well-intended solutions to the problem just aren't possible, with input from 70K's "Merch Maven" in charge of the merch (whose name I forget right now).
She also posts advance info as to which bands are bringing merch and what kind. Highly recommended if you have an interest in band merch and the tricky logistics of having so many bands represented onbroad.
Exactly! Went on a hunt once for the supposed pool deck 70K T-shirt kiosk at advertised time/place, it didn't exist. I did find the mythical self-serve ice-cream machine tho, haha!
That is strategically placed where the bands get off stage. I can't tell you how many band members I saw there after their sets eating ice cream cones as I was heading to the aft elevators! So metal!
It definitely exists, at least in 2015, because I got mine from there too. Don't know if it's open permanently or just at certain times though. I was just around the main merch area contemplating if I should join the ridiculously long queue and a guy suggested if all I want is 70k merch I should go to the pool deck because it's a much smaller queue, and it wasn't difficult to find.
I'd swear the soft-serve machine wasn't there for us the first year we were on a larger ship (Liberty) and maybe the following year on the Indy. Hours seem to be limited, too. (On Carnival they have soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt, and they're up 24 hours, damnit. )
slayergeek wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:33 pmThere is a trick to getting merch semi painlessly, though it does involve lack of sleep.Pellaz wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:18 pmYes indeed, the venue (in this case RC) gets a percentage. This is fairly standard practice at most concert venues, and is also the reason why bands aren't supposed to sell merch on the boat "under the table" out of their staterooms...although that rule has been sidestepped a few times over the years .Phoenix wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 6:42 am All merch complaints can be directed to the appropriate Facebook group - I think it's called 70,000 Tons of Merch Complaints?
I wish we could do that, and it's a system that's been suggested yearly. But there's some sort of deal with RC keeping them from doing it, else they would have already. All we can do is tell them last year was a disaster (and it was), and hopefully they listen.
Remember that most current-year 70K merch is also available at the kiosk in the Promenade and, it's been alleged, at another kiosk on the pool deck, but I have yet to lay eyes on that one. Rumors of its existence persist, however.
One thing that we've concluded on the "Merch Complaints" FB group is that there are no easy answers. 60 bands, potentially 120 separate items of band merch (each band can bring two items, although not every band does), and all sales must be processed through Royal's POS system.
I give them credit for spending some Actual Money and adopting the numbered ticket system. It helped, some, but there are still some problems with it.
Get in the line between 5 and 6am. Hang out and chat with your fellow cruisers. Get your low number around 8am, get some breakfast, come back about 9am get your merch, be there to see the first show at 10am. It has worked for me every year (give or take the opening act, especially before the number system)
Would it be great if they had a better system, absolutely. Would I rather sleep in, of course. That being said, if you want merch, want merch in your size and before it sells out, and don't want to miss bands...this is what you do.
Yes, and the later in the morning it get's the more there are. Some people starting sleep where the line will be starting at 2 or 3am.ollyhills wrote: ↑Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:27 amslayergeek wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:33 pmThere is a trick to getting merch semi painlessly, though it does involve lack of sleep.Pellaz wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:18 pm
Yes indeed, the venue (in this case RC) gets a percentage. This is fairly standard practice at most concert venues, and is also the reason why bands aren't supposed to sell merch on the boat "under the table" out of their staterooms...although that rule has been sidestepped a few times over the years .
Remember that most current-year 70K merch is also available at the kiosk in the Promenade and, it's been alleged, at another kiosk on the pool deck, but I have yet to lay eyes on that one. Rumors of its existence persist, however.
One thing that we've concluded on the "Merch Complaints" FB group is that there are no easy answers. 60 bands, potentially 120 separate items of band merch (each band can bring two items, although not every band does), and all sales must be processed through Royal's POS system.
I give them credit for spending some Actual Money and adopting the numbered ticket system. It helped, some, but there are still some problems with it.
Get in the line between 5 and 6am. Hang out and chat with your fellow cruisers. Get your low number around 8am, get some breakfast, come back about 9am get your merch, be there to see the first show at 10am. It has worked for me every year (give or take the opening act, especially before the number system)
Would it be great if they had a better system, absolutely. Would I rather sleep in, of course. That being said, if you want merch, want merch in your size and before it sells out, and don't want to miss bands...this is what you do.
Are there many people waiting around at that time?
slayergeek wrote: ↑Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:03 amYes, and the later in the morning it get's the more there are. Some people starting sleep where the line will be starting at 2 or 3am.ollyhills wrote: ↑Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:27 amslayergeek wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:33 pm
There is a trick to getting merch semi painlessly, though it does involve lack of sleep.
Get in the line between 5 and 6am. Hang out and chat with your fellow cruisers. Get your low number around 8am, get some breakfast, come back about 9am get your merch, be there to see the first show at 10am. It has worked for me every year (give or take the opening act, especially before the number system)
Would it be great if they had a better system, absolutely. Would I rather sleep in, of course. That being said, if you want merch, want merch in your size and before it sells out, and don't want to miss bands...this is what you do.
Are there many people waiting around at that time?
I would say at 3am maybe a dozen. I would say by 6am there might be 100, by 10am I would say 300+ in line. Those are swag's (Super Wild Ass Guess's), so somebody call BS if you disagree with these numbers.ollyhills wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 10:31 amslayergeek wrote: ↑Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:03 amYes, and the later in the morning it get's the more there are. Some people starting sleep where the line will be starting at 2 or 3am.
What we talking like, twenty? A hundred?
Probably more than that I reckon. I cannot remember how early I got there in 2018 but it was EARLY . And I reckon there were already at least two dozen there.slayergeek wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 11:11 amI would say at 3am maybe a dozen. I would say by 6am there might be 100, by 10am I would say 300+ in line. Those are swag's (Super Wild Ass Guess's), so somebody call BS if you disagree with these numbers.ollyhills wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 10:31 amslayergeek wrote: ↑Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:03 am
Yes, and the later in the morning it get's the more there are. Some people starting sleep where the line will be starting at 2 or 3am.
What we talking like, twenty? A hundred?
cowboy71 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:12 pmProbably more than that I reckon. I cannot remember how early I got there in 2018 but it was EARLY . And I reckon there were already at least two dozen there.slayergeek wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 11:11 amI would say at 3am maybe a dozen. I would say by 6am there might be 100, by 10am I would say 300+ in line. Those are swag's (Super Wild Ass Guess's), so somebody call BS if you disagree with these numbers.
Hated how disorganised it was, and how easy it was for people to cut the queue.
Really hope there are some improvements this year.
I believe it is 8am. My goal is always to have my shirts before the first band goes on at 10amollyhills wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:24 amcowboy71 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:12 pmProbably more than that I reckon. I cannot remember how early I got there in 2018 but it was EARLY . And I reckon there were already at least two dozen there.slayergeek wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 11:11 am
I would say at 3am maybe a dozen. I would say by 6am there might be 100, by 10am I would say 300+ in line. Those are swag's (Super Wild Ass Guess's), so somebody call BS if you disagree with these numbers.
Hated how disorganised it was, and how easy it was for people to cut the queue.
Really hope there are some improvements this year.
What time do they even open up?
slayergeek wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:05 amI believe it is 8am. My goal is always to have my shirts before the first band goes on at 10amollyhills wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:24 amcowboy71 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:12 pm
Probably more than that I reckon. I cannot remember how early I got there in 2018 but it was EARLY . And I reckon there were already at least two dozen there.
Hated how disorganised it was, and how easy it was for people to cut the queue.
Really hope there are some improvements this year.
What time do they even open up?
This will be my first cruise so I obviously haven't experienced the merch queue but just from a numbers perspective, I can't understand why the lines would be so long. At a typical show that is 3-4 hours long, there's 400-500 people and there is never really any merch lines. The cruise has 3000 people and spans multiple days. Logically, how can there always be a line?JoAnnamayhem wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:34 am After I saw the Kalmah tote being offered my mind quickly changed regarding standing on line for a ticket!
The issue is, with the band specific merch each band only brings a very limited amount of merch. You need to stand online to obtain a ticket with a number, when your number is called that's when you are able to go visit the merch area. People start lining up hours before the tickets are available to ensure they receive a low number so they have access to the merch before allot of it is sold out. So there isn't always a line, but if you get to the ticket line late in the morning, you will be waiting longer for a higher number.dcmetal02 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:03 amThis will be my first cruise so I obviously haven't experienced the merch queue but just from a numbers perspective, I can't understand why the lines would be so long. At a typical show that is 3-4 hours long, there's 400-500 people and there is never really any merch lines. The cruise has 3000 people and spans multiple days. Logically, how can there always be a line?JoAnnamayhem wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:34 am After I saw the Kalmah tote being offered my mind quickly changed regarding standing on line for a ticket!
Sorry for the newbie question just trying to understand.
Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense.JoAnnamayhem wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:08 am
The issue is, with the band specific merch each band only brings a very limited amount of merch. You need to stand online to obtain a ticket with a number, when your number is called that's when you are able to go visit the merch area. People start lining up hours before the tickets are available to ensure they receive a low number so they have access to the merch before allot of it is sold out. So there isn't always a line, but if you get to the ticket line late in the morning, you will be waiting longer for a higher number.
There are other merch areas set up around the boat for only 70k items and these lines are much shorter.
It's a good question. The problem is, there are 60 or 61 bands onbroad and on average, each band brings 2 items each. (T-shirts, maybe CDs, accessories, etc.) Some bands bring no merch and some bands bring 3 or 4 items. You also have 70K logo merch there, too. The merch area takes up a HUGE portion of the top level of the main dining room.dcmetal02 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:03 amThis will be my first cruise so I obviously haven't experienced the merch queue but just from a numbers perspective, I can't understand why the lines would be so long. At a typical show that is 3-4 hours long, there's 400-500 people and there is never really any merch lines. The cruise has 3000 people and spans multiple days. Logically, how can there always be a line?JoAnnamayhem wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:34 am After I saw the Kalmah tote being offered my mind quickly changed regarding standing on line for a ticket!
Sorry for the newbie question just trying to understand.
I agree. I sacrifice sleep, but by getting in line between 5 and 6am, I get my shirt before the first band goes on at 10.
The number of bands doing boat-specific shirts is INSANE!AstridDragon wrote: ↑Mon Jan 28, 2019 4:10 pm https://m.facebook.com/groups/692202747 ... 9064717349
Merch pictures coming out!
I desperately want the Delain and Visions of Atlantis boat shirts so I'll be lining up for sure.
Users browsing this forum: toby and 139 guests
70000TONS, 70000TONS OF METAL and the 70000TONS OF METAL logo are registered trademarks of Properties of Metal Ltd. and are used under license.
© 2009-2023 UMCruises International Ltd. All Rights Reserved.