Royal Caribbean Fights Back!

Well, I'm glad to see this... this should make for an interesting read... thanks for posting it!

Well, that is a good read. The corporate wheels sometime grind slow, but it is good for RCI to get their side of the story out there.

Thanx Laura.

Well done, Royal Caribbean. A very professional response to a horrible situation. It wasn't an editorial, just the facts. There a wasn't a hint of vindictiveness in the entire release. The really sad thing is that everyone is a victim in this whole mess. The family, friends, crew, and corporation. No one came out of this without losing something.

I appreciate your posting the RCCL release for all of us to see and read. ;)

I cannot believe the "retired" Captain called it a boat....sheesh :eek:

When did he leave RCI, I wonder? Was it voluntarily?

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When did he leave RCI, I wonder? Was it voluntarily?

Our 12/2/05 sailing was his last sailing. Rumor among the crew was that he was pressured out.

Let's hope they kick butt!

Our 12/2/05 sailing was his last sailing. Rumor among the crew was that he was pressured out.

Pressured out by who I wonder?

I cannot believe the "retired" Captain called it a boat....sheesh :eek:

 

When did he leave RCI, I wonder? Was it voluntarily?

 

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LOL, I know. I think he was just following Dan's lead.:rolleyes:

It is good for RCI to express thier view. I am comfortable with the entire statement. Shame on the media for making this more controversial than it need to be.

Our 12/2/05 sailing was his last sailing. Rumor among the crew was that he was pressured out.

I can't believe that RCCL would be stupid enough to "ask" him to leave at a critical time like this. To me, that would appear to make them look like they, the captain or RCCL, did something wrong.

Just my opinion.:confused:

I'm glad to see RCI become more aggressive with telling their side of the story. I still stand by my comments on another thread that the wife is not telling everything she knows.

I can't believe that RCCL would be stupid enough to "ask" him to leave at a critical time like this. To me, that would appear to make them look like they, the captain or RCCL, did something wrong.

Just my opinion.:confused:

And that is exactly why I asked ;)

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I can't believe that RCCL would be stupid enough to "ask" him to leave at a critical time like this. To me, that would appear to make them look like they, the captain or RCCL, did something wrong.

Just my opinion.:confused:

Yeah, I think so too, so I think it's speculation/rumor. Either that, or he was so affected by the whole thing that he decided to retire early. I'm sure it was unlike anything he had ever been through before, and more to come I'm sure.

Happy Birthday!

Wow! That's all I can say. Bravo for RC for speaking up.

BonVoyage

Dawna

I'm glad they addressed the issue that the wife claims RCI left her standing on the dock alone and wouldn't allow her back on the ship. That sounded very suspect to me. Made no sense whatsoever.

Interesting. I completely understand the desire of both parties to cooperate with the FBI and their gag orders however this is more information than anyone has given in the case. By information, I mean statements that can be backed up by hard evidence. RCCL clearly has carefully documented their role in handling the Smiths and if they are correct in their statements should have no problems backing up their claims with telephone records, FBI records, and Turkish police records. The Smith family so far has not offered anything other than blind accusations and speculation.

I think that the wife knows more than she's letting on. She may not be responsible for her husbands death but I think she is trying to look like more of a victim to her family and her inlaws so that the speculation stays away from her and she doesn't get questioned endlessly about her behavior and her husbands behavior on the cruise. It is always better to blame someone else when tragedy strikes because then you have someone tangible to focus your anger on. For the Hagel-Smith family, the anger is being focused on RCCL.

Good for them, I'm glad they released this statement and if all is true I hope they quickly clear their name in court with the evidence.

Interesting. I completely understand the desire of both parties to cooperate with the FBI and their gag orders however this is more information than anyone has given in the case. By information, I mean statements that can be backed up by hard evidence. RCCL clearly has carefully documented their role in handling the Smiths and if they are correct in their statements should have no problems backing up their claims with telephone records, FBI records, and Turkish police records. The Smith family so far has not offered anything other than blind accusations and speculation.

 

I think that the wife knows more than she's letting on. She may not be responsible for her husbands death but I think she is trying to look like more of a victim to her family and her inlaws so that the speculation stays away from her and she doesn't get questioned endlessly about her behavior and her husbands behavior on the cruise. It is always better to blame someone else when tragedy strikes because then you have someone tangible to focus your anger on. For the Hagel-Smith family, the anger is being focused on RCCL.

 

Good for them, I'm glad they released this statement and if all is true I hope they quickly clear their name in court with the evidence.

Stuff on Rita Cosby right now, MSNBC. I am even more repulsed by George's mother, and her attitude. She talks about RCI attacking?? Is she totally brain dead?? They are the ones that have been attacking for MONTHS now!!!!

Thanks for posting that, Laura. Interesting reading. I think Royal Caribbean did what they could. Their followup was good for something the cruise line had nothing to do with.

It's such a titillating sort of incident to follow. And unfortunately we are all fascinated by this sad event. Thanks!:)

1corona4u:

I caught the remarks that Mrs. Smith (George's mother) made on Rita's show.

PhoenixCruiser:

Capt. Lachtaridis retired on Dec. 12th. I read in a post from a Brilliance cruiser this past summer (before this incident) that Capt. Michael was planning on retiring in December. He had been with the company some 20+ years. He was with Admiral Cruise Line (Eastern/Western Cruise Lines) before RCI bought that company.

1corona4u:

I caught the remarks that Mrs. Smith (George's mother) made on Rita's show.

 

PhoenixCruiser:

Capt. Lachtaridis retired on Dec. 12th. I read in a post from a Brilliance cruiser this past summer (before this incident) that Capt. Michael was planning on retiring in December. He had been with the company some 20+ years. He was with Admiral Cruise Line (Eastern/Western Cruise Lines) before RCI bought that company.

Thank you for setting the record straight on his retirement. I did not think RCCL could, or would, be that stupid to "ask" him to leave. ;)

I watched the interview yesterday on MSNBC and those lawyers are so...so...so...ARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH. My niece married one so I can't say. Only the lawyers are going to come out of this with some satisfaction. The captains theory is totally, completely plausible. You got 1 jerk and his bimbo wife on a honeymoon. They lack the maturity to know when to quit drinking. Like some men, George gets violent when totally smashed. He's in the elevator with his bride as she flirts with the casino employee. Gets her back to their room, gets enraged with jealousy, and kicks her out. He falls or runs into something busting his lip/nose (and you know they can bleed as much as a scalp wound). To cool off he goes to sit on the rail on the balconey where he finally passes out, falls onto the awning and into the sea. Meantime, bimbo is passed out in a hallway after wandering around wondering where to go after hubby got mad that she flirted with another man. They'll make a TV movie outta this!

The Captain was interviewed on I believe the Today show yesterday morning where he re-iterated some of the statements that was in the press release.

Based on this latest development, I believe the woman is somewhat embarassed of her actions that night (being found asleep in the hallway, etc) so is trying to implicate RCCL as much as possible.