We could add Full Metal Cruise which is a cruise, just like 70k, bands, sold out, in september 2023, with an additional back to back cruise with bands also announced and with many cabin categories already sold out too.PotatoPotahto wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:06 am Is it a requirement that the criticism be constructive?
Wacken 2023 - Bands announced, tickets on sale and sold out already - Takes place in AUGUST 2023. That's 7 months after 70k. They have their shit together.
Metaldays 2023. Bands announced. Personally don't know about their current ticket situation lol. Takes place in JULY. 6 months after 70k.
Graspop. Bands. Tickets. June.
NovaRock. Tickets but no bands. June.
Alcatraz. Tickets but no bands. August.
Brutal Assault.
Masters of Rock.
Copenhell.
John Smith.
Hellfest.
Summer Breeze.
And that's just Europe.
USA has Aftershock, Mad With Power, MDF, Full Terror Assault, ProgPower.
Andy can only rely on "But it's a vacation too!" for so long. It might as well be October. That's 5 months to sailing and not only do we not have bands, we don't have shit. No cabin prices, no sales dates, not a single useful thing. Not to mention the payment plan cutoff date is in 3 weeks exactly. How can you cut off the payment option that makes this thing accessible to many of your fans when literally none of them know how much the full amount is going to fucking cost.
It's gotten to the point the "Who do you want to see" posts and "remember how much fun it is?" posts are just starting to piss me off.
I'm not excited anymore. I'm not even going. If I had more notice it might have been possible, but Andy's refusal to do things properly has me out for 2023, and I know I'm not the only one.
Yes, Andy, you read that right:
It is YOUR actions that are making your "sure thing" customers give up on YOU. Not the cruise. YOU. Figure it out.
That's basically where I'm at, but I'm also US-based in a state where it's stupidly easy for me to get back and forth to FLL/MIA. I've already got flights and before and after hotel stays booked. If 2023 doesn't happen, I'll just cancel and get my refunds/credits.cegr80 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 6:50 pm Each one is entitled to their opinion in the matter. I agree with everyone's opinion so far, meaning I am also restless due to lack of information but at the same time trying to keep it cool because I love this boat so much.
It all comes down to transparency. Andy does not like to communicate things until he is ready. He's been like this for years and I find it hard to believe he's gonna change that. I'm not excusing him, in fact we could all appreciate some honesty now whatever the issues are.
Let's try to get through this together, sailors. Tough times indeed but we shall prevail
Bullshit.
A glance at the website says dates were announced in May. Yes, the economy has probably worsened since then. But the hard truth is, people who will go through the lineup with a fine toothed comb aren't the target audience here, nor are the people whose attendence is contingent on a few hundred bucks here and there for unknown cabin prices. Its people who enjoy the experience and are interested in a reliable cross section of bands in the Caribbean. Stressing yourself over this benefits nobody.PotatoPotahto wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:48 amBullshit.
My first cruise was 2016. Bands were announced in May and booking codes were sent to veterans when there was 224 days to go. That's over 3 months ago at this point.
Hell 2015 bands and codes were announced in mid MARCH.
2017 - Bands on July 7. Booking codes sent to gold survivors July 19th.
2018 - Booking codes sent July 7th. Bands started July 3rd.
I'm not gonna go on, because 19/20 were obviously not the best. But this isn't "how it's always been." It's new and it's bullshit.
PotatoPotahto wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:48 amBullshit.
My first cruise was 2016. Bands were announced in May and booking codes were sent to veterans when there was 224 days to go. That's over 3 months ago at this point.
Hell 2015 bands and codes were announced in mid MARCH.
2017 - Bands on July 7. Booking codes sent to gold survivors July 19th.
2018 - Booking codes sent July 7th. Bands started July 3rd.
I'm not gonna go on, because 19/20 were obviously not the best. But this isn't "how it's always been." It's new and it's bullshit.
I had a 6 people party with 4 potential new cruisers ready to go this time. These 4 new cruisers gave up in July for the late announcements and the late news.
Yep. I know of 3 people who were seriously interested in booking with me. Now, it's down to one.
This. Announce the lineup in October, but open sales in May when you announce the dates, which means you have a boat.cowboy71 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:34 pm And if liquidity (ready access to funds for ship deposit, bands etc) is/has been an issue - why not open sales early but with a "Line-up Guarantee" like Shiprocked do?
Cancellation Policy
Line-up Guarantee: All deposits and payments, including waitlist reservations, made prior to our initial artist lineup announcement are refundable (less a $75 per person administrative fee) for up to 14-days only, following the date of our initial artist lineup.
I would be ABSOLUTELY happy to lock in my booking early if I had the option to pull out if say the first 10 bands sucked.
Shiprocked opened booking up April 5, with the first bands announced May 19th. If 70K did similar it would be a win-win. If say bookings opened 6 weeks ago and I put my money down, I would have paid $1,000 Australian less for a cabin, and Skipper would have $6k of my money in his hot little hands.
Yeah, to get the vacations during 70k dates, I had to ask until last monday. I didn't, I'm considering vacations in february, since its still summer here in Brazil.metalforever wrote: ↑Wed Sep 28, 2022 6:00 pm considering other vacations if this doesn't work out soon !
There is a very good rock cruise , that is well organized in February that runs 2/13 through 2/17 and some of the money goes to charity. The Rock Legends Cruise .Mr.Kito wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:53 amYeah, to get the vacations during 70k dates, I had to ask until last monday. I didn't, I'm considering vacations in february, since its still summer here in Brazil.metalforever wrote: ↑Wed Sep 28, 2022 6:00 pm considering other vacations if this doesn't work out soon !
But I'm officially out. That's not a matter of wanting anymore, its a matter of not being able to make it...
I have to consider other vacations, now.
Not constructive criticism, but thanks Andy.
I'll check it out, thanksmetalforever wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 3:14 pmThere is a very good rock cruise , that is well organized in February that runs 2/13 through 2/17 and some of the money goes to charity. The Rock Legends Cruise .Mr.Kito wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:53 amYeah, to get the vacations during 70k dates, I had to ask until last monday. I didn't, I'm considering vacations in february, since its still summer here in Brazil.metalforever wrote: ↑Wed Sep 28, 2022 6:00 pm considering other vacations if this doesn't work out soon !
But I'm officially out. That's not a matter of wanting anymore, its a matter of not being able to make it...
I have to consider other vacations, now.
Not constructive criticism, but thanks Andy.
F*** NEW GUY BRIAN!Ti7aNiC wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:40 am I feel like people are so frustrated that they are being a bit irrational here. Truth be told, Andy could probably open booking and initial band announcements on October 30th, just 3 months prior to sail, and still have the boat practically sold out. Hell, he could probably delay even worse than that. I say 'practically' as I believe the fewer but more expensive cabins are the hardest sell, but that all the interior quads and doubles would easily be booked solid.
3,000 tickets. That's really not many. Wacken was sold out in like 24 hours and that was 80,000 or so people. All that needs to be done is one or two heavy hitters and UMC is set. We all know the overall lineup will be varied enough to make almost anyone content. And the festival itself is the true draw, moreso than the lineup. We know this. Us Survivors are so damn spoiled to say things like 70k needs a band such as Powerwolf or Blind Guardian to generate hype; in reality they absolutely don't. I mean, Michael Schenker? Rage? Anthrax? Give me a break.
As well, so what if we know of 125 or so bands ruled out? Metal Encyc has an archive of some 150,000 bands. I thought I saw Statsman say there was some 2000 unique bands on the combined 70k wishlist. I even bet we could list every band that has previously played 70k, rule out who we know + inactive bands, and we'd still have a pool of enough to make a 60-band lineup.
And every single year I personally know people who say they are skipping but end up onboard. 2023 will be no different. I mean, if Behemoth is on I fully expect to see Giffy chatting up Nergal onboard. That sentiment can be expanded to any survivor and their favorite band(s).
At the end of the day, though, I totally agree with the core message here: Andy needs to learn how to delegate responsibility and they absolutely need to be more transparent with their patrons. I have mentioned this in every feedback survey I have ever filled out. I absolutely feel like complaining here does nothing, though - we aren't telling Andy/UMC anything they don't already know. I also feel really bad for the social media team having to deal with all the vitriol from people while Andy sits in his high horse thinking "hmm nah I'll wait another week." It's like the security on the pool deck the last night, telling people not to crowd surf, not allowing people to mosh in the hot tub anymore, literally dragging people (me) out - but then Andy himself is fucking crowdsurfing.
Don't call me out like this I don't want to go in 2023 and I'm hoping nothing forces meTi7aNiC wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:40 am
And every single year I personally know people who say they are skipping but end up onboard. 2023 will be no different. I mean, if Behemoth is on I fully expect to see Giffy chatting up Nergal onboard. That sentiment can be expanded to any survivor and their favorite band(s).
I think Burning Witches might be the only band on that lineup that I'm interested in that I haven't seen multiple times. Rose Tattoo I'd definitely hit both their shows. But I just can't see pulling the trigger on another MORC for those two bands. The last couple I was on just weren't that fun for me. The overall vibe changed a lot from the early days, but maybe that was just the political climate at the time.cowboy71 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 4:04 pm I dont mind the rock legends cruise lineup but unfortunately its definitely not a lineup I'd travel to the USA for.
Monsters of Rock Cruise is though. That lineup is mint for me to be honest. Given the names that are already ruled out for 70k, it will struggle to have a lineup I like better than the MORC one.
Truth be told....he practically DID. First band announcement today, just two days prior to the 30th.
Yep. I'm sure we'll have a few "I'm not coming!" folks on board. I've been really iffy on next year but I've never QUITE pulled the trigger and mentally cancelled outright.And every single year I personally know people who say they are skipping but end up onboard. 2023 will be no different. I mean, if Behemoth is on I fully expect to see Giffy chatting up Nergal onboard. That sentiment can be expanded to any survivor and their favorite band(s).
It would almost be easier to be White House spokesperson than to be UMC's social media czar and deal with the bullshit, from above AND below. --Almost.At the end of the day, though, I totally agree with the core message here: Andy needs to learn how to delegate responsibility and they absolutely need to be more transparent with their patrons. I have mentioned this in every feedback survey I have ever filled out. I absolutely feel like complaining here does nothing, though - we aren't telling Andy/UMC anything they don't already know. I also feel really bad for the social media team having to deal with all the vitriol from people while Andy sits in his high horse thinking "hmm nah I'll wait another week."
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