Royal Caribbean Fights Back!

[Cruising89143]

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2006/01/16/story7.html

 

http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/

 

Family members of missing cruise ship passengers form group. If this has already been posted further back in this thread I apologize but I didn't see it.

[1corona4u]

If you think he met with foul play, then why not let them have the pax list.everybody on it could be a witness or suspect.

 

The more they know about the pax list the easier it can be to solve the crime. i.e. what if JHS ex boyfriend happened to be on the list

 

As has been mentioned, more than once, there are privacy policies, and laws, in this country. I'd be really hot if someone gave my info to someone other than a legal/law authority investigating a crime, such as the FBI. The Smith's have NO business, or right to have the pax list.

[ILoveScotland]

I haven't posted to this thread before now, but as I continue to read it I just have to say that it's like watching one of the crime TV shows or reading a good mystery novel. As others have said, the public really doesn't yet know what happened to George. I liked the interview with former FBI profiler Van Zandt who believes it is either homicide or accident but not suicide. He made a lot of sense.

 

Like others I'm also very curious about how it will all end. Did young Josh push George overboard while he (GS) was sitting on the balcony rail having a smoke? Did the Russians throw him off the balcony? Did he go out for fresh air and in his drunken state he sat on the balcony and fell? Is Jennifer involved even though she doesn't appear to be?

 

Regardless of the eventual outcome I believe that these young men--and Jennifer, too--are ultimately responsible because of their heavy drinking, especially their drinking of the absinthe. Everything I've read or heard from RCCL makes sense, and I don't believe there has been any cover up.

 

The parents and others in George's family are hurting so badly they are lashing out at any and everything, and while most folks get to do such things in private, theirs is a very public display of their anguish. It's easy for me to say they need to let it go, but I'm not in their shoes. I guess I do wish for their sake that someone close to them--a spiritual advisor, a counselor or someone--would help them find more productive ways to deal with their grief.

 

Jennifer is an enigma to me. I won't be home tomorrow to watch Oprah, but I have the show set to record. I'll be very curious about what she says, especially with the RCCL President on the show as well. Oprah has become a pretty tough interviewer who takes no nonsense from anyone, so it should be an interesting show to say the least.

 

That said, I'm ready for the next chapter on this saga of a thread.

[rcicruiser]

I agree I would not want my name released to them. They do not have a right to it. That would be an invasion of privacy.

 

As far as Rita goes she acts like their best friend in front of them then after they are off the show says maybe meeting Tara Reid and George taken a picture with her upset Jennifer. I notice she cut off the former FBI profiler Cliff when he wanted to say a few things but he got them in anyway.

[ts01854]

As has been mentioned, more than once, there are privacy policies, and laws, in this country. I'd be really hot if someone gave my info to someone other than a legal/law authority investigating a crime, such as the FBI. The Smith's have NO business, or right to have the pax list.

 

I apoligize if my post was misconstrued. What I meant is that the investigating authority should have access to all pax names and residences.

[1corona4u]

I apoligize if my post was misconstrued. What I meant is that the investigating authority should have access to all pax names and residences.

 

They do have it, and have had it for a long time. And if I heard the Smith's right, last night, so does their attorney. I will go back and watch it, but I'm sure that was mentioned.

[rcicruiser]

1courona4u Bree Smith is an lawyer should she know that and where is their lawyer they need to be told to be quiet. They are not help their cause. They keep coming up with this stuff about people telling them all this stuff. As far as I know the person from the US consulate was not on the ship if he was did her see the indentation. From the pictures I do not see one. They think George was dead or injuryed when he went over.

 

Bree was attacking DR Lee because he said he could not tell by the picture if there was an indentation.

 

They believe the Sandlers because they came forward, but they did not even know how many rooms they where down from the Smith's cabin.

[jillybabes]

Hi

When are you going on Sovereign??? We are booked for May 1st and hoping that is when you are scheduled too. :cool:

[1corona4u]

Hi

When are you going on Sovereign??? We are booked for May 1st and hoping that is when you are scheduled too. :cool:

 

No, but let me see if I can change it..that'd be fun.:) I have a JS, so not sure there are any left...I'll get back to you.....:)

 

Just checked, and they have plenty JS's left. The only issue I have, is, the one I booked is a 3 night, and this one is a 4 night....and it goes up to $300.00 for that day, which I would have no problem paying, if it was a port day, and not a sea day....I'll have to think on it a bit....I'll get back to you.....:) Thanks for asking....

[1corona4u]

1courona4u Bree Smith is an lawyer should she know that and where is their lawyer they need to be told to be quiet. They are not help their cause. They keep coming up with this stuff about people telling them all this stuff. As far as I know the person from the US consulate was not on the ship if he was did her see the indentation. From the pictures I do not see one. They think George was dead or injuryed when he went over.

 

Bree was attacking DR Lee because he said he could not tell by the picture if there was an indentation.

 

They believe the Sandlers because they came forward, but they did not even know how many rooms they where down from the Smith's cabin.

 

Exactly.

[spub]

Being familiar with many boards, but new to this one, let me start by saying that I have read and enjoyed every post in this thread. Quite informative as well as entertaining.

 

I offer this as a small breather in between the other posts. It is intended for humor purposes only, and not meant to offend anyone, or make light of the seriousness of such a situation in the real world.

 

Warning. Some strong language ahead.

 

http://sites.gizoogle.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.msnbc.msn.com%2Fid%2F10836208%2F

 

BTW, will be taking our first cruise on the Enchantment this March.

 

Spub

[Barefoot_Pirate]

Gator, thanks for those Smith web sites, hummmm guess I could offer to help Dr. Moto by being his psychic reader..... I would offer my assistance to Rita, but clearly my psychic readings would have way too much credability for her.

[curlyd]

I find it funny that the Smith's are taken issue with Dr. Lee, he is trying to help them. Maybe things between Jennifer Smith and and the Smith's are not all that good. After all you never see them together. It looks like the Smith's are fighting now with everyone who was on that ship.

 

My friend was at this taping of Oprah last week (week before, am losing track of time). She said the Smith's are brought into the show via video and they basically say they are not communicating with JS as they believe she knows more than she says. Possibly having something to do with it.

 

Won't go into more detail but Oprah handles JS very well. JS wants RCI to apologize and wanted them to pay her airfare home.

 

I will have it set up to tape tomorrow.

[Leafpeeper]

I doubt we will ever know exactly what happened--sort of like Aruba. The most reliable witness was the retired cop in the adjacent cabin. He said he saw 3 men leave after 4am and then heard one voice in the cabin. Was George talking to himself or was his killer talking to him? We;ll never know. Did his friends rob him and kill him and leave someone there to dispose of the body? The cop said he heard a voice on the balcony. Then he heard a thud. Sounds like George may have sat on his railing and fallen off. We'll never know the truth--can only wonder. The cop said he noticed a chair against the balcony the next morning. Did George use it to climb up on the balcony and accidentally fall off? We can only wonder.

 

I would never criticize George's parents after their loss. They have every right to saw whatever they want. I don't blame them for their actions. I would not be as in control if my son was lost at sea. I would be despondent.

[wolfganghowell]

Apologize for what?

[wolfganghowell]

Leaf - I would agree with you up until criticizing George's parents. I started out sympathetic for them but to listen to the lies, half truths and twisted accusations they have leveled - I don't agree. I agree with the poster who said that a spiritual adviser, a psychologist, a grief counselor could do so much to help these people because they have a lof of emotion to channel. But when it manifests itself in a damaging negative way - that to me is wrong and should not be tolerated.

[shirleygr]

I never heard more than one liquor emporium mentioned.

 

His folks may own some real estate - again never saw that in the papers and like you I live in Fairfield County

I heard that on the channel 8 news, but I will try to do some looking around online tomorrow on my day off and see if I can find more definitive information. Just too tired to do it now. Of course, now I'm really curious to see what I'll find. :rolleyes:

[tispwisp]

This is a great thread. Very informative and I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and theories.

 

I am 60% accident and 40% foul play. This may be far out there, but there are some issues I have with Jennifer and Josh that I find really strange. You see a lot where younger men or adolescents have crushes on someone older. Jennifer is older than Josh and very pretty. What if Jen flirts with Josh and he would do ANYTHING for her? (Has happened before). I don't know how much George was worth or if he had a life insurance policy, but it wouldn't be the first time a spouse was killed for financial gain. It just seems so strange that Jen was "conveniently" absent during some of these crucial moments, also many of her comments are strange that have been noticed before.

 

I have read Dateline's transcript and Josh is very adament - too adament, that Jen had nothing to do with it:

 

Josh signs the statement and after the initial business is over, makes a point of defending Jennifer and implicating the casino manager.

Josh:

She has no idea what happened. She was with another man. The casino manager, Lloyd. You need to get him in here. I’m not letting her go to jail. I’m not letting her go to jail...

 

The physical evidence and the statements from the detective next door certainly indicates that this was a very tragic accident, but the comments and actions of some of the other people involved, show that there may be something more.

What do you think?

[EdandNipper]

Okay...so yet another talk show (Oprah) is involved in the continued rhetoric. I hope this time, whatever is being aired on Oprah is presented honestly and responsibly. I'm not getting the media coverage to date. I am not understanding the attacks against RCI. Why has so much coverage been so one sided? Why does the media appear to be holding this familes hand and assisting them in making it look like RCI has acted irresponsible or been involved in a cover up? Does anyone really believe this? I fail to see how RCI is in anyway responsible for this very tragic incident. I do understand why RCI has to fight back. It may never be known if this resulted from an accident caused by Mr. Smith due to his own actions, an accident caused by someone else's action, or if it was a murder. I understand the families grief but I don't understand the hostility. Maybe some of that hostility should be directed toward the FBI for possible investigative failures. The only issue I fault RCI for is passenger safety and security failures. Those failures that would permitted a group of passengers and maybe a member of the ships crew, (Casino manager/etc) to be so out of control and disruptive. We have all witnessed it on various cruise lines at one time or another. I'm talking about that one individual or group who's destructive and disruptive behavior is allowed to continue far beyond what is acceptable or safe. Where is the enforcement of shipboard rules?

 

No doubt, a lot of the fuel feeding this fire is bad media coverage and mis-directed hostility. It's very tragic and sad. I hope the family finds the closure they need soon.

[kenf333]

Never mind

[1corona4u]

Never mind

 

Jeezzzzz.....I hate it when people do that, LOL...now I will be wondering all night what you were thinking.:D ;)

[FinelyCruising]

I also still think that Jennifer Smith caring now and playing the grieving widow is a little too much too late. She may not have done anything to her husband but her actions on the ship before she was told he was missing where a little strange. They where not the perfect honeymoon couple that the family wants people to believe.

 

I don't think anything has been portrayed one way or the other by JHS. If anyhting it's the publics expectation that as honeymooners they were kinder adn gentler, and well, that's just not how they acted on this night. JHS is certaintly entitled to grieve, and I would never begrudge her that for any reason.

 

I'd have to think she is so heavy with emmotions, and so filled with regret for the fact that there is no way in the world she can turn back the hands of time, and neither can George. All of this has to be an incredible nightmare for all involved. Unfortunately many, many people create tragedies when they drink to this kind of excess, and as these two did by the sheer stupidity of it.

 

I don't feel sorry for either of them, they certainly opened the doors to their own set of circumstances.

[kenf333]

Jeezzzzz.....I hate it when people do that, LOL...now I will be wondering all night what you were thinking.:D ;)

 

Yeah me too, I just find it interesting reading all those articles earlier in the thread, and now see some going after a ghost, lol!

[tispwisp]

Yeah me too, I just find it interesting to have read all those articles earlier in the thread, and now see folks going after a ghost, lol!

 

Ken - Sorry if my quote from Dateline has been posted before :o . Thought I read through them all and didn't see this particular one. Oh, well could've missed it - there are a lot of posts in this thread!

 

Great thread keep the thoughts coming and I'll keep reading! I agree that Oprah should be interesting tomorrow. I'm most curious to see what everyone has to say...

[kenf333]

I don't feel sorry for either of them, they certainly opened the doors to their own set of circumstances.

 

Yes we know they drank alot, they were celebrating, and as most would say prior to this you could do that on a ship and have no problems. Obviously things happen on a ship just like they do in most cities. But you have to feel for everyone involved, we know RCCL did not want this to happen, nor did the Smith's. Think about what you say before you say you say you don't feel sorry. I could see you saying that if one of these people were driving drunk, but the captain was driving.