InDaPast

53 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

The cruise lines keep saying how they want us back and how we should rebook, but they are really not doing themselves any favours!

This subject is being discussed from a slightly different angle from a thread I started >>

A comment was made whether it's right to judge a company on a once in a 100 year event. I say, absolutely!

Do we judge the Captain of the Costa Concordia on his appearance & charm? Or is he judged on what decisions he made before & during the sinking of his ship (a once in a lifetime event for most people involved)? I think any company should be judged on how they act during a crises.

Full disclosure..I'm retired from a profession that constantly taught & trained for situations where everything goes wrong. 90% of my work was routine, the remaining 10% was very stressful. During that 10% time a moment might occur where you had to make a split second decision. If you made the wrong one you or someone else might die........your career might be over or you might go to prison. If you choose correctly, you may be a hero or just receive a pat on the back.  We constantly trained for that event. Fortunately, I never faced that moment.

I tell people that Law Enforcement/Fire Dept/Military & certain health care folks don't earn their salary most of the time. They earn their pay because they may have to make a life & death decision & live (or die) with the consequences.

IOWs, when the poo-poo hits the fan, reputations are made or sunk.

I've just watched >>>

https://viking.tv/index/story/a-message-from-our-chairman

I'm impressed. He states that sailings are cancelled until July 1 & that folks who are booked will be offered a 125% FCC or refund. It sounds straight forward enough. It's the kind of straight talk I appreciate. I'm interested in what you all think about it.

9 hours ago, Nic6318 said:

 

 

......snip.....

If you feel the cruise lines were unfair to people andat it affects your perception of their business practices, then don't cruise again. Is that what you are trying to ask? Whether the way they have handled cancellations is going to affect our decision to cruise in the future? 

 

......snip......

I believe way down on the list of things they will actually be worried about will be how they handled the return of funds during this crisis. Somehow I keep thinking that there will be more substantial things to consider in the future.

 

 

Yes, I definitely will judge a cruise company on how they've dealt with their customer's deposits. It won't be the only consideration on who gets my money, but will count for a major part of my decision making for my next cruise. (I have no deposits on any cruise now).

For many folks, the money paid for a cruise might be substantial for them. Having that money tied up for a FCC for a long time for a trip that may or may not be able to make, might be very worrisome to them.

1 hour ago, mayleeman said:

I think the cruise industry just took a big step toward reversing its image in the public eye by sinking the piratical Venezuelan patrol boat. 

 

"Cruise ships: keeping the seas free"

Yea, I also thought was funny (as long as no one was hurt, which appeared to be the case)....straight out of a B-grade comedy movie, eh?

20 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

Sure, let's judge these companies by how they reacted to a situation no one has faced for over 100 years.
.snip......

I agree with you.

EDIT...I realize you were dealing in sarcasm, I should have written, "I agree with that" .

3 hours ago, Nic6318 said:

Hi InDaPast

.........snip...........

You have heard about how some people have had issues, I have heard them too, but I have also heard the same with some airlines. Have you had an issue? I haven't had an issue.

.......snip........

I believe what you are seeing as a significant issue being very minor when looked at as a whole. 

........snip........

I believe the airline situation is entirely different. Folks HAVE to fly.....to do business, to socialize at the destination, have a vacation, etc.

Cruising is a luxury & a destination within itself. We pick the cruise based on our perception of how enjoyable it will be for us. That is the thrust of what the cruise companies present to the public...Choose us, we will make you feel like a millionaire, Look at how happy everyone is on our ship, Our staff loves to love you, You deserve this!

Yet now, that same industry presents a image as being less loving & friendly, when it comes to dealing with deposits. I liken it to a trophy girl/boyfriend of yours who you always thought really loved older men/women, but now realize they're really only interested in your money.

Yes aungrl, I've seen a couple of posts that indicated that, but I thought there were some folks who had problems with them.....let's see if we get further feedback on them.

Howdy All

I've been a many year browser on this site & have enjoyed reading your posts, reviews, etc.

Have taken several cruises in the past, the longest being for my 2nd honeymoon...err....that's the 1st honeymoon with the 2nd wife which was from our home in Portland, OR, (a few minutes to where the ship was right after the wedding), to FL via the canal. I think the voyage was close to a month long. Portland isn't a usual embarking point, but the HAL ship was in dry-dock & we combined it's next 3 cruises which started in other cities to make it one long voyage.

Anyway, the reason I've signed up here is to get your feedback on a subject that's been floating in me mind since this whole mess started.

The cruise lines have spent millions of dollars telling us what fun & happy places their ships are. They've told us that they want nothing more than to make us happy. I won't even touch on the nightmares that have happened on ships with stricken passengers in the last few weeks, but am interested in another aspect.

I've read the overwhelming number of posts about difficulties folks have had in trying to get their money back & the roadblocks that have been put in place by the same companies noted above.

Soooo...don't you think that even in the future when vaccines to prevent/cure this curse is available, those same companies will have damaged their reputations to such an extent, that it will be years before people start trusting them again. I'm of the opinion that the idustry has negated millions of dollars worth of advertising (& years of it) by their shortsightedness, or lack of a reserve cash fund.

As an aside, is there a cruise line that has acted above board with all of their customers (not just in isolated occurrences) in promptly refunding monies paid? If there is, that company should be at the top of anyone's potential cruise list.

Will be looking forward to your thoughts.