I heard that CTI was "taking all the fun out" by canceling pool games due to noise and some other things like that. Is this true?
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I heard that CTI was "taking all the fun out" by canceling pool games due to noise and some other things like that. Is this true?
Where did you hear this?
Hi Jeffmon :) good to see you so active on the board, hope your other endeavors are going well!!!
It was posted on the CTI Facebook page....
Thanks columbo! Everything's going well, only 64 more sleeps until we return home to CSS.
We had pool volleyball almost every day when we were at CTI two weeks ago.
I don't know if this is true or not. However, i do know this.....in the recent past, some people on the island have "misbehaved". It seems that they were launching waterballoons at the catamaran and one struck a lady on her breast. This is or can be detrimental to all of us. Can you figure out who pays the ultimate bill when Couples loses a multi-million dollar law suit? The management team and board of directors has issued a few new rules that pertain to CTI and I would guess the rest of the resorts. Basically, if you do or participate in something that is harmful to another's vacation, you will be removed from the resort. I know this opens up a lot of "What ifs", but just use the logic that the Couples staff uses....they always put the thoughts and feelings of others before their own. Everybody wants to have a good time and should, but we must all remember that there are others there that want to have a good time also.
Respect,
Billy
I also found the following in another post from Randymon.................
After lengthy discussions between the management, the directors and the shareholders, please be advised that we intend to enforce the following rules of conduct relating to Nudity and Tower Island.
We will not be allowing any flag hoisting on Tower Isle.
Any behavior that violates or intrudes on the vacation experience of any of our other guests will not be tolerated by management, including but not limited to, launching water balloons from the island.
There will be absolutely no nudity on the mainland. Our spa area is strictly off bounds for groups in the evening.
I'm not gonna worry about it too much. Thanks for the responses though.
That particular "thread" on the CTI facebook page sounded to me as if some people are offended by the idea that the management and "The Family" (presumably the Issas) want CTI to be/stay classy. I have no issue with taming things down to a classy level. "Classy" would eliminate a chick puking all over herself at the swim up bar (yes she did!). "Classy" would eliminate a bunch of rude drunks being so loud as to intrude on someones wedding (yes they did!).
We enjoy partying, and we drink our share of "all inclusive" drinks, but some people have no class and have no idea where to draw the line. If "taking the fun out" gets rid of those clueless, classless people then CTI will be better off for it.
As for the comments on that facebook page to the effect that the staff are being treated as servants and being instructed to not talk with guests, I have a tough time believing that. I will believe it when I see it. However that goes against Couples long-standing method of staff/guest relations.
Bottom line: have some respect for your fellow guests and the staff, and you'll have a great vacation!
I just returned from CTI last Saturday. The entertainent people told me themselves that there will be no more games played at the pools. For example: ring the bottle, trivia, taboo, etc. (games that you could instantly win prizes for). Instead, they do things differently. There is still pool volleyball and now they go on the beach and recruit people to play games at a certain location, or they will roam around and play games with a group...no biggie really! If you win, you are given fake money that can be used to purchase prizes (such as small bottles of rum, jewelry, etc.). They have a casino night where they let you purchase items with your winnings. However, the entertainment crew has 6 people now, I think they used to have 2-4. They are more personable than ever. They spend more time talking with guest. There is still fun and games, its just different.
Hope this helps
Glenda
Allans-Angel, your Bottom Line was stated well! If all would follow that advise everyone would have a fantastic time at ALL the Couples Resorts!Quote:
Originally Posted by Allans_Angel
I was one of the people who commented on the CTI FB review and just to set the record straight, my comments have nothing to do with the resort being classy. Allans_Angel is taking a leap in assuming it has to do with puking, partying and drunks. I couldn't agree with you more that keeping CTI classy and not having people puke and act like they just turned 21 is a very good thing. I would have hoped that other people, especially repeaters, would have not jumped to such harsh conclusions and assumptions.
We were at CTI from April 9-17 for our tenth year in a row to Couples (6th to CTI). Yes, the Issa sisters were there, but they have been there during our same time on several previous trips so I'm not sure it had anything to do with them. But during this trip, it's true that pool volleyball was only played after multiple pleads each day to Mr. Henry. All other games and daytime entertainment are also no longer allowed to take place on the main beach or pools, but must be played in the game room. Personally, we felt that this really is taking the fun out of interacting and being social while on the beach or around the pools. The entertainment staff will tell you that they are not allowed to be doing anything unless it takes place in the game room. I think that's a shame since I am not going to spend my vacation time in a game room, when I can be on the beach. For many years we have enjoyed getting to know other guests and staff during various daytime activities, such as the newlywed game, Jamaica trivia, tropical bingo, couples olympics, scavenger hunts, games of skill (put the ring on the bottle), among others.
It's possible that these changes may have something to do with the Island incident others have referred to below, in particular the water balloon. Though if you are on the Island, games are still allowed and don't have to be played in a game room. But if that is indeed the case, I completely understand. And if CTI wants to change it's vibe that's fine too. I'm not against change. Ultimately, they know what the majority of their customers want. Having gone back to CTI for several years, for only the atmosphere and the staff, it's a bit disappointing.
It's possible we were there during an 'off' week. There have always been little changes that we've experienced from one visit to the next, but these were enough to make us re-think booking CTI again. We had already booked CSA for 2012 prior to our 2011 trip anyway. I'm not saying these changes are things that would deter others or make your vacation any less enjoyable. But for us, for what we like in a vacation, the changes impacted our stay.
I like to think, and would hope other 'long-timers' on here would agree, that when it comes to Couples and this board, I'm a huge Couples fan and tend to be pretty unbiased when asked about the resorts.
Amy, thanks for posting on this thread so we can hear a more detailed version of your story other than what we saw on Facebook. I had posted on the facebook posting as well expressing my concerns from this. I haven't been to CTI or a couples resort before, but am going for my wedding/honeymoon. I had liked the idea of games and stuff by the pools and beaches and was looking forward to it. Hopefully Couples will see that people aren't happy with everything being stuck to the game room and find another way to "keep things Classy".
I'd have much preferred the rabble-rouser had used a formal Couples site where management would see it and reply, as opposed to venting off in a private group. I mean, he took the time to complain to Mr Henry (he says) but posts where nobody but folks that sub to a private group can see it?
Amy, you are right on with your comments. I enjoy using the "Meet up at Couples" message board and making plans to meet new friends and socialize, and I am offended by people who automatically assume that there is a direct correlation between doing social activities with groups of people and being trouble-making classless drunks.
But there will always be some classless drunks at any resort. They will be classless no matter if they are on the beach or in the game room. I know that CTI has had some issues out on the island and at the Buddha pool, and they are doing their best to put a stop to the raucous behavior. But the facilities and the games are not the reason these people are that way, so don't punish the masses because of the few. Remove the occasional puking drunks, not the games.
I was at CTI in March, 2010. While we were out on the island, a couple people had too much to drink and threw up. There was a moment of "ewwwwwww" from the others but then everyone just moved past it and continued to enjoy their vacation. What is Couples supposed to do about that? Close down the island?
We love CTI because it is a very social resort, and that is why many of my Couples friends love going back there. Mr. Henry is a class act and a smart guy. I would hope that he realizes why there are so many CTI repeaters and doesn't do anything to change the vibe there.
This will be our third time at CTI in August 2011 and the games by the swim up pool were always a great time had by all. I'd hate to see that change and have everything moved inside the game room.
There was a great post to that same thread from a young lady that just got back...
...and experienced NOTHING like what had been described in the "warning" from the OP on FB.
Where is this post on FB? I searched and I am not finding anything.
Hi...I have debated whether or not to respond to this thread only because I am not one to fan flames , so to speak but some of the reactions to this original post have made me feel compelled to jump in.
First let me state I too LOVE Couples and TI is my all time favorite place to be!!I too just got back from CTI.We went 4/21- 4/30 and are already booked for April 2012.
So that being said, I do have to agree that something is off right now at TI.The vibe is just a bit uptight.The staff seems to be dealing with something that I nor other guests are privy to and they seem a bit on edge.I have no idea why that is, they are certainly too professional to discuss the situation with guests.But I did notice it, and I do hope that whatever is going on there, is resolved quickly. The staff has always been CTI's strongest asset!
I can't speak about the lack of games being played because we spent all our time on the island and don't know the goings on at the beach nor pool areas.
I also want to say that when someone reviews something that we as loyal guests presume to be a negative, it is unfair for all the harsh criticisms that come their way.It is not always done with malice intend.
The message board is designed so that people can give varying opinions and offer truthful observations. I know how loyal we all are because of our love of all things couples, however through some of these observations and criticisms Couples can only benefit.
I will be returning to CTI next April and look forward to seeing all my old friends, and hopefully all the staff that makes CTI an experience, rather than a vacation.
Well stated, Allans_Angel. I would expect management to step in and remove the offenders for all the incidents you mentioned. I am all for a good time, but we must be respectful of each other. We were married at another resort three years ago, and I can only imagine how upset I would have been if a drunk disrupted our wedding.
THIS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Justdiane
I was apprehensive about this in March. I waited until my friends returned with the "real story". Now I'm concerned. Especially when another set of Amigo's has decided not to come back with us next April after just having been there. The staff is the reason we have been returning as often as we can since we first discovered the resort in 2006. It's what makes CTI...oh heck it will always be COR to me the best place on earth and the place I want to spend my vacation dollars. Couples. do not screw this up. Your staff IS your resort.
Will be watching closely to see this is resolved.
Had it been a balanced, thought out complaint, and not a boy crying wolf, he would have never seen return fire. From the very first post after his initial one, people were getting afraid they wouldn't have a good time...first timers at that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Justdiane
For someone to post their opinions as facts and leave these people afraid to show up because "all the fun is gone", how is that fair? Let's also consider that there were conflicting reports in the very post, as well as acknowledgment of the real problems (documented and experienced), all of which he ignored in his bellyaching.
honestly, how many negative things have I said towards anyone here or in any Couples group (official or otherwise)...none. This one seriously rubbed me the wrong way with his approach and inability to accept facts concerning situations that have occurred/do occur and misrepresentation of what's really happening. OBVIOUSLY not all the games were canceled, and not all the staff is very unhappy. People who just got back spoke to that.
Also note that this message board "is censored" according to said individual and not for the purpose you and I agree it's for...for so he claims.
The issue of obnoxious behavior is not unique to Couples Resorts. I was on a business trip recently (another Caribbean island) and witnessed truly disruptive and drunken behavior by a group of people who simply did not know when to stop drinking. We all have seen how alcohol affects conversation content and volume. This experience was truly intrusive.
Management faces a very tough task here. Guests' definition of fun varies greatly. For some, it is relaxing with a loved one in an environment intended to reignite the spark that first brought them together. On the other end of spectrum, fun is defined by playing games and drinking - the latter being the usual root cause of all problems. Acoustics also play a role in management decisions. Loud yelling echoes off the buildings and disturbs the subdued, classy and romantic vibe we are trying to deliver.
You would be right to assume that recent incidents on the island and at Buddha pool and swim-up bar have set in motion the owners' decisions on what constitutes proper behavior at a Couples Resort.
Our challenge is to provide activities that are balanced and that can be enjoyed by the majority of our guests vs. a few who are intent partaaa-ing til they can no longer stand.
Suffice to say - it is a work in progress, but we intend to maintain the integrity of our brand and deliver on the promise of what our best guests expect - newbies and multi-time repeaters alike - namely, a high quality, Jamaican-infused, romantic, all-inclusive experience with unsurpassed value.
BTW - I was just at CTI April 12-19 as Deborah and I renewed our vows after 15 years of marriage. I was very happy with the vibe at the resort this time.