No Mariner credit - is this fair?

[doublebzz]

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my initial post. The fact of the matter is that during a 15 minute conversation, he made one passing reference to not receiving the Mariner Day credits. My intent in starting this thread was getting a read on how others felt about HAL's policy in this regard and certainly not in having my friend castigated as a "whiner."

 

Actually, I'm quite surprised that the majority opinion seems to come down on HAL's side predominantly based on the necessity of maintaining the sanctity of the Mariner Society rules. As a retired career military officer, I, more than most, appreciate the need for rules and standards. However, even in a military environment, extraordinary circumstances sometimes dictate some flexibility in applying those rules.

 

I can understand and accept many of the arguments for not awarding Mariner Days if one does not actually sail. However, I do find bizarre the notion that some have expressed that a cruise is some sort of achievement or accomplishment that "earns" some reward rather than a seagoing vacation which is what it is.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Bingo!!

 

I'd rather get at least a partial refund in a similar situation.

 

I do think that if you have to cancel last minute, or close to it, and the cruise line is able to rebook the cabin they should be required to refund your money up to the amount of the rebooking.

 

Gee -- HAL owes us a bunch of money if they did that.

[jtl513]

However, I do find bizarre the notion that some have expressed that a cruise is some sort of achievement or accomplishment that "earns" some reward rather than a seagoing vacation which is what it is.

It is called the Mariner Rewards program, and most rewards are earned for some actions. It this case the action is coming back to HAL rather than choosing a different line. Hardly bizarre.

[Katie333]

My personal feeling is that it would be nice if he got the credits. HAL received the fare for that cabin, and they may have been able to re-sell it and get yet another fare (or even if they upgraded another passenger for free, they undoubtedly created some goodwill with another party). So HAL is not out financially, and the idea is that they reward you for spending money with them.

 

I totally get that this is outside policy, and thus I don't think HAL ever would offer this. Just my personal opinion that it would not hurt as a gesture of goodwill.

[jtl513]

Just my personal opinion that it would not hurt as a gesture of goodwill.

Yes it could hurt. Unless it is done retroactively for everyone who has been in that situation it could create a massive amount of ill will.

[arewethereyet]

[quote]I do find bizarre the notion that some have expressed that a cruise is some sort of achievement or accomplishment. [/quote]
Me too. I have a lot of cruises and other vacations behind me. I've never thought of them as accomplishments. I've just been fortunate enough to have the time, money, and health to take vacations.

YMMV

[sail7seas]

[quote name='doublebzz']Perhaps I wasn't clear in my initial post. The fact of the matter is that during a 15 minute conversation, he made one passing reference to not receiving the Mariner Day credits. My intent in starting this thread was getting a read on how others felt about HAL's policy in this regard and certainly not in having my friend castigated as a "whiner."

Actually, I'm quite surprised that the majority opinion seems to come down on HAL's side predominantly based on the necessity of maintaining the sanctity of the Mariner Society rules. As a retired career military officer, I, more than most, appreciate the need for rules and standards. However, even in a military environment, [b] extraordinary circumstances[/b] sometimes dictate some flexibility in applying those rules.

I can understand and accept many of the arguments for not awarding Mariner Days if one does not actually sail. However, I do find bizarre the notion that some have expressed that a cruise is some sort of achievement or accomplishment that "earns" some reward rather than a seagoing vacation which is what it is.[/quote]


[B] I have bolded what I think is the point.
While it is sad your friend suffered a heart attack and missed his cruise, that is not 'extraordinary circumstances' in the travel world. Events of that sort happen daily. There are deaths, accidents, illnesses, travel delays, weather and all sorts of circumstances that prevent a guest from boarding the ship.

It is not extraordinary but everyday event. Yes, extraordinary for the heart attack victim but not for any cruise line.

[/B]

[RuthC]

[quote name='Katie333']I totally get that this is outside policy, and thus I don't think HAL ever would offer this. Just my personal opinion that it would not hurt as a gesture of goodwill.[/quote]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=royalblue]It would hurt me to know that the poster was given the days for a heart attack when I wasn't given the days for a death. I think death is at least as "extraordinary" as heart attack. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Tampa Girl]

[quote name='jtl513']Yes it could hurt. Unless it is done retroactively for everyone who has been in that situation it could create a massive amount of [B]ill[/B] will.[/quote]

Absolutely. And such is the reason for travel insurance.

[rafinmd]

[quote name='Tampa Girl']Absolutely. And such is the reason for travel insurance.[/QUOTE]

Travel insurance??????????????????????

What insurance company gives mariner points for missed cruises?

Roy

[serendipity1499]

[quote name='Katie333']My personal feeling is that it would be nice if he got the credits. HAL received the fare for that cabin, and they may have been able to re-sell it and get yet another fare (or even if they upgraded another passenger for free, they undoubtedly created some goodwill with another party). [B]So HAL is not out financially, and the idea is that they reward you for spending money with them.[/B]

I totally get that this is outside policy, and thus I don't think HAL ever would offer this. Just my personal opinion that it would not hurt as a gesture of goodwill.[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]I bolded your sentence in which you stated HAL is not out financially.. Sorry, but you are incorrect! The Psgr had his heart attack two days before departure..How would you expect HAL to resell his cabin within two days time..[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]Of course HAL is out financially! HAL does not make a profit on their sold cabins..They make their profit on what a Psgr spends on board! The average Cruise fares have not kept up with inflation & have not increased in the past 10 years.. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]Several years ago Phillip217 a long time Hotel Mgr & Bruce Muzz another HM on Cruise ships explained the difference between revenue & profit makers for all cruise lines..These facts were also confirmed in a TV program about an NCL ship, several years ago..[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]This is a partial quote of Phillip's Post: You might want to read his post No. 57 on this thread: [COLOR=blue][URL="http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=956159"][COLOR=#0000ff]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=956159[/COLOR][/URL][/COLOR] [/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Quote The average breakdown on REVENUES on a cruise ship, largest to smallest are:
1. Passage
2. Art (until the recent financial downturn)
3. Shorex
4. Boutiques
5. Bars
6. Spa
7. Casino[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=red]8. Photos[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Over the past year, Art has dropped to around #7 on REVENUE[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=red][/COLOR]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=red]The average breakdown on [U][I][B]PROFITS [/B][/I][/U]on a cruise ship, largest to smallest are:
1. Art (until the recent financial downturn)
2. Bars
3. Boutiques
4. Spa
5. Casino
6. Shorex
7. Photos
8. Passage

Over the past year Art has dropped to around #5 or #6 on PROFIT. Unquote [/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]All cruise lines keep the full amount of the cabin usually 90 days before sailing..[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Cheers...:)Betty[/SIZE]
[COLOR=blue][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/COLOR]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=blue] [/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[serendipity1499]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]Forgot to mention that Bruce Muzz Post No. 46 on the same thread I mentioned above..Here is a partial quote of his post..[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Quote One needs to know the very important difference between a "huge money maker" and a "huge PROFIT maker".
one needs to be aware that cruise lines dedicate incredibly valuable onboard space based on PROFITS generated - not on revenues generated.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Unquote[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#ff0000][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]Betty[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[hrhdhd]

[quote name='HokiePoq']Is that a recent change? We were forced to exchange our Delta miles for magazine subscriptions a few years ago much to our dismay.
I had to ditch my Hilton points for merchandise recently. At least they gave us something, but I prefer those who do not take away your benefit before you accrue enough to get anything of value.[/QUOTE]

Here's a link to the announcement of the change:

[url]http://news.delta.com/index.php?item=1283&s=43[/url]

As of 1/1/11, Delta miles do not expire.

[doublebzz]

[quote name='jtl513']Yes it could hurt. Unless it is done retroactively for everyone who has been in that situation it could create a massive amount of [B]ill[/B] will.[/QUOTE]

Did it create a "massive amount of ill will" when HAL initiated Mariner Days for onboard spending a few years back and folks prior to that new policy received nothing?

[Tampa Girl]

[quote name='rafinmd']Travel insurance??????????????????????

What insurance company gives mariner points for missed cruises?

Roy[/quote]


None, to my knowledge. What I was referring to, not very clearly, was some posters' suggestions that at least a partial refund was due.

[arewethereyet]

Serendipity1499, good stuff. Thanks for re-posting.

[dan1618]

[quote name='rafinmd']Travel insurance??????????????????????

What insurance company gives mariner points for missed cruises?

Roy[/quote]

None. But then he would get his money back and wouldn't need to complain about paying and not getting Mariner Days.

[Jemima]

OP's friend had the options of taking HAL's insurance, taking out 3rd party travel insurance, or assuming the risk. He chose the later. That choice could easily have caused even more loss. What if the friend had suffered the heart attack several days later on the cruise rather than two days before? He could easily have then faced costs of emergency transport and non-US medical costs.

[Vict0riann]

Reading OP's first post again made me wonder: How would it work if HAL said to his friend, "OK, we'll give you Mariner days, because you didn't bother to take out insurance, but for someone with insurance who has to cancel we won't give Mariner days?" That wouldn't be fair either, because HAL got their money either way. All or nothing at all, I say! We've never had to cancel after final payment, but we always have insurance, and would not expect anything back from HAL - I think they're good to refund port fees! :) Ann

[sail7seas]

[quote name='doublebzz']Did it create a "massive amount of ill will" when HAL initiated Mariner Days for onboard spending a few years back and folks prior to that new policy received nothing?[/quote]


[B] Of course, that did not create a 'massive amount of ill will'. We were all equal.

You are trying for your friend to be enriched in ways others before him were not. It effect, you are asking HAL to initiate a new policy for his benefit.

THAT would create a 'massive amount of ill will'.

[/B]

[jtl513]

[quote name='doublebzz']Did it create a "massive amount of ill will" when HAL initiated Mariner Days for onboard spending a few years back and folks prior to that new policy received nothing?[/quote]No - but it would have if [B]some[/B] had been given credit and others had not. I said "Unless it is done retroactively for[B] everyone[/B] ...". You want your friend to get special treatment.

edit: sorry, Sail, we were co-typing :)

[sail7seas]

[B]John,
We're on the same page. :)
[/B]

[Krazy Kruizers]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]So after reading some more of this thread........[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]When do I get the money I am due??[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]When do get all that retro-active days for sailing in the PS and Neptune Suites??[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]And the money we spent for dinners, shore excursions, drinks, etc.??[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]Yikes -- I bet HAL should put us up in the PS for quite a few cruises!![/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]Just kidding!![/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT]
:D

[sail7seas]

[quote name='Krazy Kruizers'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]So after reading some more of this thread........[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]When do I get the money I am due??[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]When do get all that retro-active days for sailing in the PS and Neptune Suites??[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]And the money we spent for dinners, shore excursions, drinks, etc.??[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]Yikes -- I bet HAL should put us up in the PS for quite a few cruises!![/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]Just kidding!![/SIZE][/FONT]

:D[/quote]



[B] Me, Too....... Me, too. :D [SIZE=1](Just kidding!!!! ...... or maybe not! :))[/SIZE]

[/B]

[doublebzz]

[quote name='sail7seas'][B] It effect, you are asking HAL to initiate a new policy for his benefit.

THAT would create a 'massive amount of ill will'.

[/B][/QUOTE]

No. I'm asking that HAL initiate the policy tomorrow, next week, next month, whenever for the benefit of all us that book cruises as of the date of the change in policy.