Fascinating Email Sent To Some 02DEC Glory Passengers

[CapeCodCruiser]

Originally Posted by mattp269

I meant to make a note above, it's interesting how the 2nd letter that said everything is OK is from Jerry Cahill, the President of Carnival Cruise Lines, a Carnvial Corporation Company, but the 1st letter was from Vicky Rey, CTC, Vice President-Guest Services.........

I would like to know why Ms. Rey didn't send out the 2nd letter.

Matt

Originally Posted by LKYGSR

Perhaps Ms. Rey is no longer employed with CTC and therefore could not send out the 2nd letter??

I was thinking the same thing that Ms Rey's services are no longer required at Carnival. I just wonder if the first letter was approved by Carnival's legal dept. My guess is that the 2nd letter & the generous cancellation allowance came straight from legal!

[MsTabbyKats]

Did anyone else read this?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5095

[Dawgfan]

Booked the DW and I on the Inspiration in Feb 2005 for our 20th anniversary. Has no way of knowing that this was also the cruise for Womynfest at Sea. The only issues we had were really aggressive ladies constantly hitting on my wife and making comments on Lido when she went to get some sun that were inappropriate. I would estimate 75% of the ship was this group and Carnival seemed very accomodating to them, which brings up another issue in that most of the night clubs were booked each night for private parties.

[MrPete]

We've been talking about it all day. Did you miss the thread and stickie?

[MsTabbyKats]

Originally Posted by MrPete

We've been talking about it all day. Did you miss the thread and stickie?

Obviously!

[maggie cruises]

Originally Posted by mattp269

CARNIVAL GLORY
DECEMBER 2, 2012 November 27, 2012
Dear Carnival Guest,
Within the last 24 hours, we became aware of a miscommunication between Carnival Cruise Lines and AlandChuck.travel, who have booked a large special interest group on the upcoming Carnival Glory cruise departing December 2, 2012.
The group, "Drag Stars at Sea," includes several performances by stars from Logo TV as part of a series of private events onboard. When the group was presented to us we were advised that only the performers would be dressed in drag during the private events. However, we are now aware that this was not clearly communicated to members of the group and therefore anyone who wishes to dress in drag may do so. Please keep in mind that our safety and security procedures require guests to present government-issued ID, and to be recognizably that person.
At Carnival, we are proud to carry more than 4.5 million guests every year and we welcome them all aboard. We do not practice any form of discrimination against the LGBT or any other community. We sincerely apologize for the miscommunication and for any unintended offense we have caused.
Given this misunderstanding, anyone on this cruise who wishes to cancel for any reason may do so and will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, as well as reimbursement for any non-refundable travel related expenses.
We constantly strive to provide our guests with a fun and memorable vacation. We look forward to welcoming everyone onboard Carnival Glory and again want to apologize for the misunderstanding and for any offense we have caused.
Sincerely,
Gerry Cahill
President & CEO

What PC!!!!

Carnival is giving people the option to cancel?

They must have gotten so many angry calls from the pax who are not part of the group and they know they can't discriminate toward the group so instead they will let others cancel and even give them extra should that be the case.

I have a very low opinion of Carnival right now...not for the original booking....but for the fact that they are catering to one group of pax over the other.

You can decide which group you think they are catering to.....

[maggie cruises]

Originally Posted by jellzbellz

so happy to get home from work and see that

as I said before... families come in all shapes and sizes. I consider the LGBTQ community to be as family friendly as the rest of us- of course, there are exceptions to ever rule (and every family has a crazy uncle Frank we pretend not to know!).

No, I've never taken a child to a drag show (of course, where I live, there aren't any!) but I am a foster care/adoption social worker and goodness me, but we're all the same on the inside (well some people are missing an appendix or gallbladder I suppose).

actually Carnival is admitting that they know one group or another will feel uncomfortable on this cruise...

[carsastic]

Outstanding response from cahill
And the right thing for all custs
Now the cust can choose
Simply outstanding bravo Gerry Cahill

[MsTabbyKats]

Originally Posted by maggie cruises

What PC!!!!

Carnival is giving people the option to cancel?

They must have gotten so many angry calls from the pax who are not part of the group and they know they can't discriminate toward the group so instead they will let others cancel and even give them extra should that be the case.

I have a very low opinion of Carnival right now...not for the original booking....but for the fact that they are catering to one group of pax over the other.

You can decide which group you think they are catering to.....

I don't see this as "2 groups". I see this as a special interest group that feels entitled to flaunt their interest to "the masses".

I don't see this as a gay issue...afaik being gay doesn't have anything to do with dressing in drag.

Carnival is a family oriented cruise line. Who wants to explain to a child why a man is dressed up like a woman? Actually...who could......???

I find this no different than "a nudist cruise". There's nothing wrong with being a nudist...but other passengers should have the option of whether or not they want to sail on the same ship.

[lastone/off/the/boat]

i knew carnival would do the right thing here. why im not one to jump ship or point fingers.

Thank you carnival!!!!

and to those who are scared of drag queens. go meet one. nicest and excepting ppl you will ever meet.

[RuthlessBoss]

Originally Posted by jellzbellz

so happy to get home from work and see that

as I said before... families come in all shapes and sizes. I consider the LGBTQ community to be as family friendly as the rest of us- of course, there are exceptions to ever rule (and every family has a crazy uncle Frank we pretend not to know!).

No, I've never taken a child to a drag show (of course, where I live, there aren't any!) but I am a foster care/adoption social worker and goodness me, but we're all the same on the inside (well some people are missing an appendix or gallbladder I suppose).

Earlier I wondered if the shows on board could be seen by anyone. I looked at the roll call last 2 pages. It was quite informative. There is a schedule out of when they take over the showroom. It's at 4 P.M. on show days, so I assume the ship's regular shows will go on as usual. Also, that booked members will have a colored bracelet to identify them to attend their main shows. As for smaller venue events, I didn't see anything specific on who can go, but pirate attire is suggested wearing a certain color per event.

[satxdiver]

From a post below this issue has gone viral and if that is so I imagine this has developed into one large blunder for carnival. Their latest missive sounds like an attempt to calm the situation down without upsetting the bible thumpers. In the end no one may be happy however. I just wonder how carnival will handle this if the entire group or a very large proportion decides to take them up on their offer to refund all the money for a departure of next Sunday. They could possiblely but not probable have a half filled ship meaning a big loss for that particular cruise.

[CapeCodCruiser]

Originally Posted by maggie cruises

actually Carnival is admitting that they know one group or another will feel uncomfortable on this cruise...

I didn't read that into it at all - not a whole group - perhaps some people but not a whole group. I also think they realized the first letter would open themselves up for a lawsuit.

[serene56]

is this a chartered cruise? or just a large group booked

[lastone/off/the/boat]

Originally Posted by satxdiver

From a post below this issue has gone viral and if that is so I imagine this has developed into one large blunder for carnival. Their latest missive sounds like an attempt to calm the situation down without upsetting the bible thumpers. In the end no one may be happy however. I just wonder how carnival will handle this if the entire group or a very large proportion decides to take them up on their offer to refund all the money for a departure of next Sunday. They could possiblely but not probable have a half filled ship meaning a big loss for that particular cruise.

I dont think they will have any problems filling the ship, especially if they are discounting the price. I would love, love, love to be on this ship!

[Pauser]

Robbieone:

Your post was very eloquently stated and I am sorry this all transpired. I agree that Carnival handled this terribly. I hope you and your family can put this aside (if you are still going) and have a wonderful vacation.

Best wishes.

[RuthlessBoss]

Originally Posted by serene56

is this a chartered cruise? or just a large group booked

A large group booked .

[NEWORLEANSCRUISER1]

Originally Posted by mattp269

I meant to make a note above, it's interesting how the 2nd letter that said everything is OK is from Jerry Cahill, the President of Carnival Cruise Lines, a Carnvial Corporation Company, but the 1st letter was from Vicky Rey, CTC, Vice President-Guest Services.........

I would like to know why Ms. Rey didn't send out the 2nd letter.

Matt

Maybe she is no longer with the company. Also I would think the PR department at carnival needs some serious remedial training ASAP!! Maybe PR 101.

[MrPete]

Originally Posted by satxdiver

From a post below this issue has gone viral and if that is so I imagine this has developed into one large blunder for carnival. Their latest missive sounds like an attempt to calm the situation down without upsetting the bible thumpers. In the end no one may be happy however. I just wonder how carnival will handle this if the entire group or a very large proportion decides to take them up on their offer to refund all the money for a departure of next Sunday. They could possiblely but not probable have a half filled ship meaning a big loss for that particular cruise.

What's really interesting, unless I missed it, is the group organizer/TA is not even mentioning a refund. Just that Carnival is reaching out trying to undo this royal mess.

[Boytjie]

Originally Posted by RuthlessBoss

Earlier I wondered if the shows on board could be seen by anyone. I looked at the roll call last 2 pages. It was quite informative. There is a schedule out of when they take over the showroom. It's at 4 P.M. on show days, so I assume the ship's regular shows will go on as usual. Also, that booked members will have a colored bracelet to identify them to attend their main shows. As for smaller venue events, I didn't see anything specific on who can go, but pirate attire is suggested wearing a certain color per event.

On most cruise lines where there are organized groups with special events, only people that booked through that group can attend its events - it is a cruise line rule.