Banned from cruiseline forever!!

[airlink diva]

I always read what's going on with the other cruiseline boards. Came across a very intresting story concerning a couple that's rather active on this website.
Due to their complaints on cruises, RCCL have banned them for life on their ships, Celebrity and Azamara.
http:www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24711659/
I know that some people think that cruiselines don't read what's placed on this website, but I guess that some cruiselines are.
I know that there are some people that complain about everything. I have a co-worker that's an excellent worker, but this woman complains about everything. I know things are not perfect, but every single day???
I wonder has HAL banned anyone for life?
Here's the link to the review here on cruisecritic of their last cruise
http:www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...?EntryID=33071

[jtl513]

Here's the link to the review here on cruisecritic of their last cruise
http:www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...?EntryID=33071 (http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...?EntryID=33071)
Either there's something wrong with that link, or the review no longer exists! :confused:

[jimgev]

This has made the big time. I just read the story on my Yahoo home page.

[jhannah]

I know things can happen ... but I sense there is more here than meets the eye. Typical complaints aren't going to get someone banned from cruising. Royal Caribbean must have felt that they were being scammed or else they wouldn't have taken this action. JMO.

[cusyl]

Cruise Critic has evidentally removed the negative review, so that link does not work. I would be upset about the bathroom water in the cabin too. Other than what is in the news article I don't know what their other complaints were.
I would think that the actions of the other people that got involved are responsible for them being banned. I would hate to have that happen to me just because I might have been upset with something.:eek:

[Northshorecruisers]

I haven't read the offending posts, will have to see if I can find any of them. I'm sure there were some legitimate complaints - however if all this couple did was to complain no matter what the cruiseline tried to do to apease them - the couple was not happy with the cruiseline at all, they just liked collecting in advance for their next cruise.
Yes, I would have been upset at the sewage backup. Possibly the cruiseline would have done more had they anticipated it would have been appreciated by the couple. But if all cabins are booked, there isn't anywhere they can move them. Even if there were an inside cabin available - what type of complaints would that have brought on?
Anyone can have something happen on a cruise that takes away from the enjoyment of that cruise, but hopefully there are always more good than bad and the vacation is a success. If I had a long list of complaints each time I returned from a cruise, why would I continue to cruise with that line?

[Northshorecruisers]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...?EntryID=33071

Here is the link from the RC board. It works if you go over there and click on it.

Tired clicking on it from here - doesn't work. Guess the review will need to be read by going to the RC board.

[fann1sh]

Sorry - but I tried "copy and paste" from the Royal Caribbean board, and this address didn't work for me :confused:....

[gizmo]

I know things can happen ... but I sense there is more here than meets the eye. Typical complaints aren't going to get someone banned from cruising. Royal Caribbean must have felt that they were being scammed or else they wouldn't have taken this action. JMO.

I agree.

I read the review which was not really that bad. I have seen much worse. The review mentioned sewage smell NOT sewage all over the carpet. I do not think this was based on her review.

I think RCI banned her because they felt they were being scammed. Some said she posted how much she was getting compensated for her complaints. ( it was removed at some point)

Looks like she has moved on to NCL.

[fireman845]

I know things can happen ... but I sense there is more here than meets the eye. Typical complaints aren't going to get someone banned from cruising. Royal Caribbean must have felt that they were being scammed or else they wouldn't have taken this action. JMO.


Totally agree with Jim, There is more here than meets the eye!! Hope they enjoy NCL...

[Mary Ellen]

If it were me, I wouldn't have posted the compensation amounts. I've posted when travel suppliers have stepped up to the plate (or not) when things have have gone wrong, but I'm pretty sure I've never mentioned any compensation. That makes it seem about the compensation. It is also setting up others to expect/demand the same thing - and extreme disappointment if it doesn't.

'Stuff' happens - and to me what sets companies apart is what they do when that 'stuff' happens. It can be a timely explanation, sincere apology, and/or compensation, but the important thing is recognition that something went wrong.

Only knowing what I've read (which I'm sure isn't the full story ;) ), I can certainly see the viewpoint of the cruise line. If every cruise this couple has taken has resulted in their receiving some sort of compensation (and I don't know if it was every cruise), this cruise line isn't a good match for them. If I ran a business with a customer that complained each time they dealt with me, at some point I'd most likely suggest they would be better served elsewhere. Also, as a customer, if I had complaints worthy of writing a letter to senior management each time we did business, I'd be taking my $ to a competitor.

[Odd Ball]

I read the review and a good bit of the thread.

I had the impression that she was bragging about how much money she receives for complaints. I did not see these posts so this is only an opinion from reading comments.

It sounded like she was taking RCI for a ride............

I would think RCI has records of all the complaints. If she made a practice of this, RCI would have a valid reason to ban her.

I wonder if there is a lawyer lingering around. ;)

[Copper10-8]

You don't get banned from a cruise line for being a constant complainer. You don't get banned for listing how much compensation you've gotten out of the cruise line on a cruising talk/message board. You will get banned for running (or attempting to run) some sort of financial compensation scam

[CDRMark]

If ones compensation includes a "Don't talk about it" clause, one may find oneself on the wrong end of the argument if and when one does.
Cheers
Mark

[RevNeal]

If ones compensation includes a "Don't talk about it" clause, one may find oneself on the wrong end of the argument if and when one does.

Correct, Mark. Granted, in this case -- from what I've read -- it sounds like the couple was engaging in a compensation scam, and that is probably the precise reason why they've been banned. Nevertheless, often significant compensation agreements (20% discount + an additional $500 qualifies) contain an oral explicit agreement that the specific dollar amounts are not shared in public. While probably not legally actionable, the Line can view violation of that oral agreement to confidentiality as sufficient grounds for banning. When added to what appears to be a compensation scam operation, I'm not at all surprised that the company did what it did.

[mafig]

This is a couple that travels with a "black light" to hotels and cruise ships.

I believe they bragged about it so much that prior to their cruise on Celebrity Summit some CC members alerted the cruiseline and their light was confiscated.:eek:

[sail7seas]

Why would this couple wish to continue to sail with a company on whose ships they have had a series of 'compensatable events'? Sounds like the cruise lne and this couple should be in agreement they should not sail their ships. Of course, we don't know all the facts and if we did, our opinion might change but from what I have read, the cruise line seems to have reason for this action.

JMHO....

[Host Walt]

Either there's something wrong with that link, or the review no longer exists! :confused:

Tryhttp://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=33071

[wannabatsea]

PLEASE ~ do not post copyrighted materials from other websites on the Cruise Critic boards. You may place links but do not copy and paste copyrighted materials here.

Thanks for your cooperation.

[wannabatsea]

On another note, Cruise Critic has not removed the review discussed and it remains in the REVIEWS section of Cruise Critic.

[Copper10-8]

PLEASE ~ do not post copyrighted materials from other websites on the Cruise Critic boards. You may place links but do not copy and paste copyrighted materials here.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Didn't pay attention to the (c) Will from now on! Thanks for pointing it out and sorry for any inconvenvience!

[localady]

I do hope that these cruisers experience with NCL is much more positive, as we really don't want them to switch to HAL. :rolleyes: I admire HAL's Officers and crew way too much for that punishment! :p

[49holding]

I do believe that there is more to meet the eye here with the banned cruisers unhappiness/ quest for compensation with a few cruiselines...She was a frequent poster on another cruise forum.....I wish her good luck with NCL and whence the honeymoon is over with NCL perhaps HAL will be next

[Sea King]

there is no doubt, no doubt, in my mind that saying just about anything short of high treason will not result in any negative action(s) by HAL

just ask Brian: he began a post about a year ago which had "something to do" with Stein Kruse stepping down:eek: Brian appears to have survived

Greg has written more than one post about how he was treated on certain cruises (I remember one in particular that began in San Diego) .. last time I looked, he was "still welcome aboard"

there's a lot more than meets the eye here:rolleyes:

so, for those of you who want to complain, critique and offer your "honest opinions", go for it with HAL:)

you might even get an upgrade:eek:

[kryos]

I know things can happen ... but I sense there is more here than meets the eye. Typical complaints aren't going to get someone banned from cruising. Royal Caribbean must have felt that they were being scammed or else they wouldn't have taken this action. JMO.
I agree with you. There is far more to this story than that which appears on the surface. No way would someone get "banned for life" just because they wrote a negative review and complained.

I have a feeling these folks have developed a reputation as being far more "maintenance" than they are worth and RCI is just inviting them to take their business elsewhere.

What's the big deal? There are plenty of other cruise lines out there they can sail. Losing RCI and it's associated brands ain't no big deal ...

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

Greg has written more than one post about how he was treated on certain cruises (I remember one in particular that began in San Diego) .. last time I looked, he was "still welcome aboard"

If you're talking about the good Reverend ... HAL even invites him on some "working cruises" to serve as chaplain. So I am sure he is welcome aboard!

You're right ... there's something else involved here. I personally think ... and believe me, this is just speculation, that when RCI offered the OP the additional $500, it was accompanied with a "gag order." They weren't supposed to discuss it ... on these boards or elsewhere. This happens all the time with law suit settlements ... especially ones involving employment issues ... a settlement will be offered with the provision that no party may discuss it. My own brother was involved in one such situation many, many years ago.

My guess is that these folks agreed to the "gag order" and then talked about their settlement on these boards ... and that's what p*ssed RCI off.

Just a hunch, of course ... nothing concrete to base it on, other than the fact that the OP must have done something pretty serious to get banned from a cruise line for life. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Sailorgirlseattle]

But will they have trouble booking on another line? Seems they are known troublemakers at this point, I would think other lines would be real cautious in accepting their business ...

[the2ofus]

I imagine their money will be just as good as anyone else's when they book. The next cruiseline they choose may be less willing to compensate them for their complaints however. But, then again, if they sue for compensation it might be cheaper for the cruiseline to settle than to contest.

[kryos]

You don't get banned for listing how much compensation you've gotten out of the cruise line on a cruising talk/message board.
If that listing of the exact amount of compensation received is made contrary to an agreed-upon gag order to apply to ALL parties ... I'll bet you a big helping of HAL's delicious bread pudding that it can get you banned for life!

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

But will they have trouble booking on another line? Seems they are known troublemakers at this point, I would think other lines would be real cautious in accepting their business ...Believe it or not, some cruise lines will not have heard of them and will accept their money. I honestly don't think they'll have much trouble booking. Now whether those other lines may eventually hear about them and possibly ban them in the future if they start any trouble, that remains to be seen.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[sail7seas]

Lots of settlements are made as business decisions. While the cruise line may expect they will win, they don't want the hassle, potential negative publicity and bother for small sums. We hear all the time of businesses that settle as a 'business decision' rather than because they think they will lose in court.

Who knows the real facts here. Shrug.....

[kryos]

This is a couple that travels with a "black light" to hotels and cruise ships.

I believe they bragged about it so much that prior to their cruise on Celebrity Summit some CC members alerted the cruiseline and their light was confiscated.:eek:
I guess I must be stupid. What's the purpose of the "black light?"

Blue skies ...

--rita

[1cruiselvr]

Those that are regulars on the travel and cruise boards are VERY aware of this couple. I'm surprised they didn't get banned before this. Happy Sailing!

[usha]

I guess I must be stupid. What's the purpose of the "black light?"

Blue skies ...

--rita
If you shine a black light on a surface, it will make any body fluids present literally glow.
Yuck, huh?:eek:

[Copper10-8]

If that listing of the exact amount of compensation received is made contrary to an agreed-upon gag order to apply to ALL parties ... I'll bet you a big helping of HAL's delicious bread pudding that it can get you banned for life!

Blue skies ...

--rita

Yes, if that's in the fine print, you're right! Bet ya a Wang Wang it wasn't;)

[Copper10-8]

If you shine a black light on a surface, it will make any body fluids present literally glow.
Yuck, huh?:eek:

You're right on! It (Black or Ultra-Violet light) is used a lot in Crime Scene Investigations and it's an eye opener!

[altosax]

Tryhttp://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=33071


On it's own, the review is really innocuous. Absolutely must be something else going on.

When I was with the airline, we had similar couples. They were known as Mr. and Mrs. Notagain. :-)

[mafig]

On it's own, the review is really innocuous. Absolutely must be something else going on.

When I was with the airline, we had similar couples. They were known as Mr. and Mrs. Notagain. :-)


Of course it is.

I believe the review was written to be innocent, so they could point to it and say "see, all we did was write this innocuous review, and we got banned," not mentioning the other complaints, and harrassment of the crew, and lord knows what else went on with these two.

[kenish]

This article has been making the rounds in the business press. I think the couple in question fits one or more of the categories:

http://positivesharing.com/2006/07/why-the-customer-is-always-right-results-in-bad-customer-service/

[localady]

If this person is continuely posting negative things about the cruise line via CC to extort from the cruiselines, then isn't it time CC ban her??

I agree with freedom of speech but I also know the CC staff has some discretion re banning folks.

[kryos]

If you shine a black light on a surface, it will make any body fluids present literally glow.
Yuck, huh?:eek:
LOL ... Kakalina explained this on the telephone to me earlier today as well. I honestly never knew that.

Goes to show ... you learn something new everyday.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[jackkip]

Take the time and go read some of her posts. It answered a few questions that I had. Seems like something is always wrong with the service this woman gets. I would really hate to be her TA.

Alot of her post are really confusing also. Some of them just didn't make any sense and really had nothing to do with cruising.

[Seago2]

I think I cruised with them on Noordam!

They had every scam/"money saving" thing going that they possible could, 24/7. Each and every aspect of the cruise was examined for possible compensation later.

At least it appeared that way to me (the tablemate)!

We left them as we disembarked... they were on a B2B and had disembarked so that they could each claim the $25pp compensation for a late departure (we were a few hours late getting into port) and go get some free water bottles at a hotel where some of the pax on the next cruise were waiting.

People like those described in the article are literally accidents waiting to happen!

[Destin Mom]

While it may seem extreme to some, we own short term vacation rentals. From our experience, there are definitely people who try to create reasons for discounts. Clearly, there are reasons to offer compensation (the plumbing leak, no air conditioning, food poisoning, maybe some crazy sea rat infestation, etc) but then again, there are guests who want to push to see what they can get. I just had someone ask for a money back and a discount on next year's stay because (among other things), there were two lightbulbs out in a 6 bedroom house. Most of the claims made by the guest were untrue- so just because someone says it, there is always another side (as several have pointed out). For those of us reading about this couple, we have no way of knowing the whole story. I will tell you we have told guests 'no thankyou' to their business. So, I completely understand. If you want to travel with a black light, counting light bulbs, and documenting every bump in your vacation experience, you probably need a vacation from your vacation and may not make lots of friends along the way.

[Host Michell]

It's actually not this forum ... this is a huge topic on CC today... but having been here for a long time (since 2000, in my "prior life" though my current joined date is fairly recent) I have had a chance to see how things go. This poster has had incarnations on several different lines (HAL isn't one of them so far), so many people here actually DO have some knowledge of numerous posts by her over several years of concessions granted by various lines in response to her complaints, as well as having to make posts correcting/disputing her version of cruiseline policies, etc. In fact, several of the threads generated that way have been deleted, as they have just wandered far afield from cruising, which is what this site's all about.

Still, even knowing what I've seen here... I feel sorry for the poster in question, who seems to have a good bit of her identity tied up in CC and cruising, and status stuff like being a "Diamond cruiser." I think what's happened in the last day, generated by her email several months ago to the MSNBC reporter, has probably been far beyond what she expected. I express no judgment on whether she "deserved" it, as I said on the NCL boards -- http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=777816&page=5

Overall, I'm just left feeling sorry for this person, and I don't think "banning" her from CC will be an issue going forward.

[Host Walt]

After removing several posts we have closed this thread.

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