How do I complain effectively?

[Poodlesnoot]

I just got off a 5 south Cruise Tour and 7 day Whittier to Alaska cruise...it was fantastic until we had the transfer from the peir to the Airport in Vancouver and had to listen to the idiot bus drivers' rant about global warming, Hummers vs economy cars, high gas prices, and real estate in Vancouver costing more than a bus driver can afford (mind you he was pointing out really nice residential within biking distance of downtown), and how Starbucks were ruining his city...it was a typical Canadian Socialist Rant when his passengers all probably have worked hard and understand more about making a living and how economics work than the idiot driver. It was just a rotten ending to a good trip.

[heartofamerica]

I just got off a 5 south Cruise Tour and 7 day Whittier to Alaska cruise...it was fantastic until we had the transfer from the peir to the Airport in Vancouver and had to listen to the idiot bus drivers' rant about global warming, Hummers vs economy cars, high gas prices, and real estate in Vancouver costing more than a bus driver can afford (mind you he was pointing out really nice residential within biking distance of downtown), and how Starbucks were ruining his city...it was a typical Canadian Socialist Rant when his passengers all probably have worked hard and understand more about making a living and how economics work than the idiot driver. It was just a rotten ending to a good trip.

 

Do you really feel that upset that you feel the need to complain? Are you expecting some sort of compensation?

[Druke I]

I'd just "let it go".

 

There are fools everywhere.

[jpancake]

Was this something that was being broadcast over the microphone or was he chatting with some of the passengers?

[Northender]

I think you just did :(

[bjboothman]

Don't sweat the small stuff. You got to where you were going without accident or injury on an undue delay? That's all that matters. Paraphrasing Druke, lots of idiots cross our paths, but do we really need to "turn them in"?

[LARGIN]

I'd just "let it go".

 

There are fools everywhere.

 

I agree... At least the views were nice on your way to the airport...

[jff50]

had to listen to the idiot bus drivers' rant about global warming, Hummers vs economy cars, ...it was a typical Canadian Socialist Rant when his passengers all probably have worked hard and understand more about making a living and how economics work than the idiot driver. It was just a rotten ending to a good trip.

 

In response to the title of your post--I would suggest that this is not the way the complain effectively (or rationally). This sounds like more of a rant than the "idiot bus driver's". I guess that ranters can come in all shapes and sizes.

 

If you need to be in favor of global warming and Hummers to be a typical American Capitalist, I'll take the Canadians.

[Baxter]

We had the same experience in St. Thomas on a snorkelling excursion. The person in charge of the excursion spent much of time ranting about politics, and complaining that they really don't make much money from the cruiselines. We were irritated and did not tip, but we didn't let it ruin or vacation.

[coiran]

I don't let the little things ruin my cruise!!

 

Ron

[geoherb]

I tend to tune out blathering bus drivers. If you wanted to complain, you should have asked him to stick to talking about the points of interest that you were going by and leave the politics out. Or as you're getting off the bus, hand him a note saying that you'd normally tip the driver and the best tip you could give him is to stop yammering away about global warming, etc.

[mii]

Very simple. "let it go".

 

Marilyn

[NAS-KARR]

HEY,,,,WELCOME TO THE WORLD. WE ALL ENCOUNTER GOD'S CREATIONS EVERYDAY.

OUR BUS DRIVER,FOR A 6 HR. TOUR OF DENALI NAT'L PARK IN ALASKA READ POEMS ALL TOUR LONG..........YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, "JUST DEAL WITH IT", DROP IT AND MOVE ON.

[spongerob]

We had the same problem in Montreal. A driver went on and on about how great Canada's social system was versus the US. Little did he know I grew up in Canada and could tell him that the largesse he was so proud of came mostly from tax transfers from western Canada, where people still worked for a living. Then I asked why there were so many homeless people about. I saw more in Montreal than I had the previous week in NYC.

[Pam in CA]

I agree that this was inappropriate. Any political, religious or otherwise discussion on the part of a Princess representative that isn't directly related to what you are viewing isn't appropriate and should be reported. On our Marakesh tour in May, we had a tour guide spend hours going and coming back giving us a lecture on the life of Mohammed and the Muslim religion. It would have been fine if it were related to the history of Marakesh or applied to what we were seeing, but we had at least six hours of religious lectures. I reported it to the Tour Desk when I got back. In your case, I'd write to Princess Customer Relations and list the things that the tour guide discussed that you felt were inappropriate. If you don't hear anything back, I'd just let it go.

[Toto2Kansas]

If you think it was bad enough to alert the cruise lines, in other words, if it bothered everyone on the bus, then you will need the bus number and the name of the driver.

Otherwise, just blow it off. It has happened to many of us before where we have had an irritating transfer or tour opeartor. Maybe he was just having a bad day.

Unless the tour company gets many many complaints about this driver, there is nothing they will do anyway.

But if it makes you feel better, than by all means write a letter of complaint, but I would not expect anything but the typical form letter from Princess in response.

[torpeedo]

Have had similar experience in Jamaica & Panama. Just ignore & enjoy your excursion.

[bdjam]

Iwe had the transfer from the peir to the Airport in Vancouver and had to listen to the idiot bus drivers' rant about global warming, Hummers vs economy cars, high gas prices, and real estate in Vancouver costing more than a bus driver can afford (mind you he was pointing out really nice residential within biking distance of downtown), and how Starbucks were ruining his city...it was a typical Canadian Socialist Rant when his passengers all probably have worked hard and understand more about making a living and how economics work than the idiot driver. It was just a rotten ending to a good trip.

If you care to complain, send a letter to Princess Passenger Relations – you can get the address from the Princess website. Personally, I would have tipped the guy $20 – fossil fuels – and whatever else is contributing to global warming - and Hummers that are run with no thought to fuel economy aren’t doing a thing to help the environment and we as a people should be conscious of that fact rather than blindly going along hoping that the inevitable – the depletion of oil reserves – doesn’t happen. If nothing else, his ‘idiot rant’ made those on the bus think. Vancouver is a beautiful city – the driver probably has watched its beauty be covered up by the result of corporate expenditures…perhaps in the same situation, any of us would harbor the same feelings.

 

That being said, there’s a time and place for everything – this might not have been the right place, but somehow I think the greater good has been served…even if just one person on that bus got the message.

[zachnlucy]

OUR BUS DRIVER,FOR A 6 HR. TOUR OF DENALI NAT'L PARK IN ALASKA READ POEMS ALL TOUR LONG

Were they at least poems about Denali?

[Cal Cruiser]

It is funny that you have just found out how the the people in other countrys feel about the people in the USA.

It all boils down to MONEY. Some like us some don't no big thing. People in other countrys think we all have to much money and they want some of it. I feel it is best to treat every one the way they treat me. So if the driver talks nice I tip nice if not sorry no tip. He will learn Money talks and Bull Shi Walks.

[kruisey]

I just got off a 5 south Cruise Tour and 7 day Whittier to Alaska cruise...it was fantastic until we had the transfer from the peir to the Airport in Vancouver and had to listen to the idiot bus drivers' rant about global warming, Hummers vs economy cars, high gas prices, and real estate in Vancouver costing more than a bus driver can afford (mind you he was pointing out really nice residential within biking distance of downtown), and how Starbucks were ruining his city...it was a typical Canadian Socialist Rant when his passengers all probably have worked hard and understand more about making a living and how economics work than the idiot driver. It was just a rotten ending to a good trip.

Have'nt gas prices gone up and up on both sides of the borders.?

He is right there is now a Starbucks on nearly every corner in Vancouver? :eek:

Forget it mate we all have the odd off day.....and maybe he thought you guys had the same feelings .....he was treating you as though you were local....not strangers....we are neighbours you know....ar'nt we? :)

[bdjam]

It is funny that you have just found out how the the people in other countrys feel about the people in the USA.

Why would this driver think that everyone on the bus was from the US?

[rambill]

Make sure to call the company from your Hummer while sipping on a Vente double mocha latte. Make sure you're still parked in front of Starbucks before calling and that the engine is idling with the AC blasting. Make sure to tell them you're in a hurry because you have to get to the closing on that new house you just bought on the ocean......Poor people make life so unbearable! :p

[spongerob]

...we are neighbours you know....ar'nt we? :)

 

Yeah, but we're the kind of people who leave the stereo cranked up until all hours of the night. :)

 

It is a little stupid here. I can say that - I drive a car with a 2.3 litre engine.

[mr green]

I just got off a 5 south Cruise Tour and 7 day Whittier to Alaska cruise...it was fantastic until we had the transfer from the peir to the Airport in Vancouver and had to listen to the idiot bus drivers' rant about global warming, Hummers vs economy cars, high gas prices, and real estate in Vancouver costing more than a bus driver can afford (mind you he was pointing out really nice residential within biking distance of downtown), and how Starbucks were ruining his city...it was a typical Canadian Socialist Rant when his passengers all probably have worked hard and understand more about making a living and how economics work than the idiot driver. It was just a rotten ending to a good trip.

 

This has happened on 50% of our trips to and from airports/docks. It is part of cruising, a little information, and a plee for a tip. Similar to the last part of most bus tours that I have taken in the U.S. and other parts of North America. Get used to it! john