Theft on the Celebrity Xpedition

[mememe123]

At least five passengers were missing cash on Celebrity's Xpedition sailing in the Galapagos. In my case $700 was taken from a locked safe. The staff of the Xpedition never apologized, never offered any explanation of what to do or what was expected. The only thing I was told was "A report has been sent to Miami and don't worry about your cash". After returning home, I contacted Guest Relations and was told it was my responsibility to safeguard cash and I should bring my possessions with me--bringing my cash with me when I leave the ship. She also stated anyone could report a theft and it is not Celebrity's responsibility cash was stolen from a locked safe. After a few other conversations with Celebrity, I was refunded $300 which is the limit of their responsibility. Even writing a letter to the President of Celebrity did not help with this problem. Why does Celebrity recommend using the safe to guard possessions, then tell you to take cash with you when leaving the ship? In my opinion, the treatment from the staff of Celebrity does not reflect Celebrity's Vision Statement.

[uktog]

I am sorry you lost some cash
I do think though your post is lacking in some details - like how long ago did this happen etc and as you are a first time poster and have a rather interesting user name be prepared for some challenging posts

[mememe123]

Sailing was September, 2009

[GD2J]

I'm a little curious why you would bring $700 in cash on a cruise that is specifically billed as all-inclusive, so you don't need money.

[Caroldoll]

it not all inclusive. I have used Celebrity many times. Have they changed.

This is disturbing as we bring money with us.

[swigso]

Originally Posted by Caroldoll

it not all inclusive. I have used Celebrity many times. Have they changed.

This is disturbing as we bring money with us.

This sailing is totally all inclusive, no bar bills, no tips all excursions included.
But you would still need money if you planned on a post cruise stay,
Although I usually take T/chqs so that if they are stolen I can get an immediate refund.

[mememe123]

Most of the shops in the Galapagos Islands do not accept credit cards.

[GD2J]

Originally Posted by Caroldoll

it not all inclusive. I have used Celebrity many times. Have they changed.

This is disturbing as we bring money with us.

As pointed out, the Xpedition sailings in the Galapagos are all-inclusive.

What day in the cruise did the funds go missing?

[barante]

Frankly, I want some evidence of this happening. I cannot believe that we haven't heard a peep on this board about this before. It's possible that no CC members were on that cruise but unlikely. The whole ship must have been talking about this the way gossip spreads. So show me.
I say this with a lifelong career in journalism, including covering the Soviet Union and South Africa. I go by my instinct and there is something missing here. Give all the facts you have and then I will consider the allegation. Any failure to list the cruise dates and your cabin number will brand the initial report as bogus.

[Richiebaseball]

Originally Posted by barante

Frankly, I want some evidence of this happening. I cannot believe that we haven't heard a peep on this board about this before. It's possible that no CC members were on that cruise but unlikely. The whole ship must have been talking about this the way gossip spreads. So show me.
I say this with a lifelong career in journalism, including covering the Soviet Union and South Africa. I go by my instinct and there is something missing here. Give all the facts you have and then I will consider the allegation. Any failure to list the cruise dates and your cabin number will brand the initial report as bogus.

We're so lucky to have a real, live journalist on here to keep us all on the up and up. Head on over here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...58948&page=230 and see what you can dig up. Let us know when it'll be on 20/20.

Happy Investigative Reporting!

[barante]

Seems that it happened. However, I note that the post on this thread that led to this discussion appears to be the first report by a person who identifies him/herself as a victim. The previous posting is hearsay. For that reason, this first report is unnecessarily vague and oddly timed after so much time had elapsed. Also, if it had happened to me, I certainly would have a demanded a copy of the initial report to Miami so that I could have pursued the matter. The post indicates that the poster did not have such a report, leading the cruise line to regard this as a brand new matter.
In my 10 cruises I have never had a problem with safes. In all years of traveling I have never had a problem with safes, whether individual ones as on cruises or huge hotel safes where I stuck a sealed envelope containing my valuables.
When I left the safe open accidentally on a recent Grandeur of the Seas cruise, nothing was missing.
A final comment: If seven people had stuff missing Celebrity should have had no trouble in identifying the culprit and hanging him, or whatever they do at high seas these days.

[mememe123]

An initial report was sent to Miami which I have a copy of. In addition, I have the reports from some of the other individuals which were sent to Miami. I did a follow up after returning home and have talked to Celebrity reps on various occassions. The reason this is being posted now instead of in September is because I was giving Celebrity enough time to rectify the situation--which they never did. In my opinion, they could care less.

[The_Big_M]

Originally Posted by mememe123

The reason this is being posted now instead of in September is because I was giving Celebrity enough time to rectify the situation.

Which is completely understandable.

Most people don't go off half-cocked and throw around unsubstantiated accusations straight away... though there are a few examples on this board.

[PrincessCarolyn]

Originally Posted by GD2J

I'm a little curious why you would bring $700 in cash on a cruise that is specifically billed as all-inclusive, so you don't need money.

I've brought that much (more actually) when I've cruised before. I use it in the casino when I play Black Jack and I use it at the end of the trip when I have a balance for drinks and excursions and specialty restaurants-I try and pay cash at the end so I don't end up like millions of fellow Americans-In debt! Bringing $700 on a cruise is really not that out of the ordinary.

Mememe-I'm sorry you lost your money-it really stinks. Was it one of those electronic combo safes??? How could someone get in there?
I suppose I can see how the cruiseline (any line for that matter) isn't giving you the full amount-if they didn't have a number in mind/written on paper (They gave you $300 which is their limit) they would go broke because they would have to take everyones word. I'm not saying you aren't telling the truth. But imagine if they paid EVERYONE who said "I have 495$ missing!"

Hope it all gets sorted out meme

[tjunmin]

Hi mememe

Sorry to hear about what happened to you on that cruise. We always consider the in-room safe "safe" and leave all our valuables in it. Unfortunately I would not expect Celebrity to cover losses beyond their limit of responsibility; it is just the nature of doing business transactions with corporations.

[Albert Ross]

Originally Posted by PrincessCarolyn

I've brought that much (more actually) when I've cruised before. I use it in the casino when I play Black Jack and I use it at the end of the trip when I have a balance for drinks and excursions and specialty restaurants-I try and pay cash at the end so I don't end up like millions of fellow Americans-In debt! Bringing $700 on a cruise is really not that out of the ordinary.

On a ship that is all inclusive, that does not have a casino, and where you do not pay for shore excursions, and you do not tip I would say that $700 was totally unnecessary.

[alwayshappytocruise]

Originally Posted by Albert Ross

On a ship that is all inclusive, that does not have a casino, and where you do not pay for shore excursions, and you do not tip I would say that $700 was totally unnecessary.

So what's your point...what would you consider the "necessary" amount of cash? Is having $300 stolen from your safe more to your liking?
Lynda

[Flyguy35]

So a cruise ship that only carries 96 passengers has a number of state rooms that have money stolen from them and the captain could not investigate how it was done. I think even Inspector Clouseau could have figured this out. If it was a crew member I believe the captain could have ordered a search of the crew cabins. With so few people on this ship compared to the mega ships the powers of deduction could have easily solved this crime.

It is too bad that it happened and that proper steps were not taken early to figure out how such a thing could occur on such a small ship.

[Muushka]

To the OP:

1. I believe you

2. I don't question why you brought $700. That is not the issue here

3. Thank you for the reminder. I (wrongly) assumed that if it is in my safe, it is safe

[Papa T]

Clearly the ship's staff has the ability to open the safe, but access to the master key/combination/code is usually limited to a security officer. But . . . no security plan is 100% effective. What about travel insurance or even homeowners insurance? Is there a possibility they would cover the balance of the stolen money?