Conquest Captain Boots Man off Ship for Starting A Protest !!!03/16/08 Cruise

[TriadSteeler]

It is the responsibility of the Captain to make sure that the person who is the object of the Medical Emergency is evacuated in the most efficient manner possible without risking the lives of others on his ship or the lives of the medivac crew (by closing the distance).

 

The captain of the Conquest fufilled these duties to the letter. He also had every right to boot the man off the ship. However, If what the one poster said about how the captain handled the masses is true, then I take exception to that. Why on earth would you tell them you have no control over the situation. You are the captain and you have TOTAL control.

 

The Captain shifted the responsibility to Corporate, and that any issues you have you may contact them after the cruise. We all know that the Carnival rep is going to tell you that you should of taken care of any issues while you were on the ship.

 

That said, the Captain should have stated very clearly to the mass of people that He deeply regrets missing the port, but due to an unavoidable medical emergency the decision was made by me to miss the port. You will be receiving a $25 OBC. Period. End of Story.

 

His response, if true, was a copout and only made an already angry mass of people angrier.

 

I was on a ship that missed a port because of an Azipod failure. There were plenty of people PO'ed there too. Instead of signing a petition, it seemed everyone just quit buying drinks, pictures, etc. The casino was a ghost-town the last day of the cruise.

 

When a port day is missed, I think this is where the CD and the social hosts need to swing into gear and have additional activities planned. This would ease the tensions in these situations and get the disgruntled passengers minds back on their vacation.

 

When this happened to us, there were announcements all day that since we missed the port, they were opening the shops on board earlier than usual and that the casino might be a fun way to spend the day. Basically, Hey Everybody! to assuage your disappointment at missing the port, we'll give you the opportunity to spend more money on the Ship!" Needless to say, that was not real effective.

 

Why not have a few extra bingo games where they only break even (by reducing the price to 2-3 dollars per card) or offer free drinks for a half hour at selected bars.

 

Get the karaoke host up on the lido and have a singing contest.

 

Basically the entertainment staff should have a plan in the hopper that is carried out when ports are missed.

[cathyoo]

I agree with you. Did they even tell everyone what the emergency was or was it a "by word of mouth." I think if they would have said "attention passangers.....one of the Conquest crew members is experiencing complications with her pregnancy....

I'm sure if they just sugar-coated and said "sick crew member" I'm sure people would be a little pissed off, thinking big deal, sick take us to out port.

 

 

 

Not sure of the international laws but in the United States you can't disclose information on someone's medical issues. It is none of the passenger's business as to the diagnosis or the problem whether it is a crew member or a passenger.

[cathyoo]

I also don't like the $25 obc statement. If the ship does not stop at a port you should be refunded the port fees you paid. Anything above that is a credit from Carnival. If your port fees were $20.95 than Carnival is giving you a credit of $4.05 for missing the port. And I would say thanks for the drink. If the port fees were $27.50 than Carnival still owes you $2.50

[big_duck]

You are the captain and you have TOTAL control.

 

Not true, in the case of a medical emergency, final word rests with the ships doctor. Not only is this ethically correct, but can you imagine the lawsuit that would result from the Captain or corporate overruling the doctor and the patient dies?

[cruisecruisecruise1234567]

Yep... that's the case:

 

Carnival's Vacation Guaranteesm

We're so confident you'll enjoy your Carnival cruise vacation, we guarantee it. Carnival is the only cruise line to offer the Vacation Guarantee. Simply book your cruise vacation and sail away on a "Fun Ship." If you are not completely satisfied with your cruise vacation experience, all you need to do is notify us before arrival at the first port of call and you must debark at your ship's first non-U.S. port of call. Carnival will refund the unused portion of your cruise fare and pay your flight back.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/static_templates/vacation-guarantee.aspx

 

 

You might want to clarify that a little better for new people.

 

As someone who has threatened to use the guarantee several times and has gotten off on a couple occasions its not as easy as they make it seem.

1st, your refund is mailed to you in a couple of weeks

2nd,it is your responsibilty to purchase and pay for the airfare and seek reimbursement later.

3rd,the airfare must be economy,so plan on a hotel stay for 1 night at least plus food cost's.There is no economy airfare within 24 hours of flight times from any island (unless you catch a real fluke).If the fare basis is not economy, the airfare will not be reimbursed at all.

[big_duck]

You might want to clarify that a little better for new people.

 

As someone who has threatened to use the guarantee several times and has gotten off on a couple occasions its not as easy as they make it seem.

1st, your refund is mailed to you in a couple of weeks

2nd,it is your responsibilty to purchase and pay for the airfare and seek reimbursement later.

3rd,the airfare must be economy,so plan on a hotel stay for 1 night at least plus food cost's.There is no economy airfare within 24 hours of flight times from any island (unless you catch a real fluke).If the fare basis is not economy, the airfare will not be reimbursed at all.

 

We'll differ to your wisdom. You are after all an expert on cheating the system. :cool:

[CogitoErgoZoom]

One person said she is recovering well now in a Mobile, Alabama hospital.

Best thing I've read all thread!!

[luckycruzer]

on my 1st cruise in 1969..I was on deck late, and noticed the moon kept jumping from port, to starboard..not even a martini had I drank....it was Mia to Nas..didnt take that long in sea time..so..it was a cruise..we were "cruising? !..and on the Monday deps from Mobile...Holiday circles 9 times, yep, that's 9 times to get to 2nd port in a timely, prescribed time of arrival. Eating fuel? yep, so it's been like that for the last 39 years that I know of ! And will be for close ports..no popcorn please for the present fuel surcharge !

[WeBeCruisin']

I If the ship does not stop at a port you should be refunded the port fees you paid. Anything above that is a credit from Carnival. If your port fees were $20.95 than Carnival is giving you a credit of $4.05 for missing the port. And I would say thanks for the drink. If the port fees were $27.50 than Carnival still owes you $2.50

 

I don't know the answer, but is it possible the port fees are pre-paid or are possibly still due if the ship does not make the port, since supposedly that ship has prevented another ship from using the same docking space?

 

As for the statement that Carnival still owes that person the huge sum of $2.50, I think my local supermarket overcharged me 25 cents last week. Whom do I contact to start a petition, demand my money back, and demand a year's free groceries? :rolleyes:

[sixgun8]

I don't know the answer' date=' but is it possible the port fees are pre-paid or are possibly still due if the ship does not make the port, since supposedly that ship has prevented another ship from using the same docking space?

 

As for the statement that Carnival still owes that person the huge sum of $2.50, I think my local supermarket overcharged me 25 cents last week. Whom do I contact to start a petition, demand my money back, and demand a year's free groceries? :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

 

i work in retail and you wont believe how many people come back for refunds of less than a buck! It costs more for me to spend my time doing the refund on that.

[dragonflymy2000]

it sounds like better communication would have solved alot of issues here. im an OR nurse and know for a fact that if she had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy she could have bleed to death in the time for a helicopter to get there , so thank god shes fine. i also think that the man who got so upset wouldn't have been happy no matter what happened or what he was given...some people just like to make waves no matter what.....hopefully all is well

[WeBeCruisin']

.Holiday circles 9 times, yep, that's 9 times to get to 2nd port in a timely, prescribed time of arrival. Eating fuel? yep, so it's been like that for the last 39 years that I know of ! And will be for close ports..no popcorn please for the present fuel surcharge !

 

Yet, if the cruise line got to each port as quickly as possible, then there would be a contingent of whiners complaining that they had been promised a certain number of days/hours at sea and they were being deprived of that and wanted OBCs, refunds, and cosmetic surgery. :eek:

 

Seriously, there are probably just as many cruisers whose primary enjoyment is being at sea as there are those whose main interest is in visiting ports for as long as possible each day.:)

 

A cruise line is in an impossible situation in that they cannot possibly please everyone, but as America becomes more and more of a whining "me, me, me" society, no matter what transpires on a cruise, there will be a large contingent of greedy people demanding financial compensation because the cruise line and all the other passengers didn't comply to THEIR demands and whining. After all, it's THEIR vacation and not anyone else's.

[Gecko7]

I think my local gas station has been overcharging me, who at Exxon do I contact when my daughter gets an ear infection and I miss American Idol? Who should I start my petition about to get them to re-run last nights episode?:rolleyes:

 

This is all crazy.

 

Gecko7:eek:

[WeBeCruisin']

i work in retail and you wont believe how many people come back for refunds of less than a buck! It costs more for me to spend my time doing the refund on that.

 

Not to mention the gas they used driving 25 miles to get that refund.

 

After I left teaching, I was a general manager for several large bookstore chains for quite a few years. People would do anything to cheat, steal or try to manipulate money out of the store. Some would go so far as to take new merchandise (computer programs, etc.) off the shelf and come up to the register demanding a refund because they had been given the item as a "gift" and didn't need it. Many weak District and Regional directors would give them the money, knowing that they were stealing, just to keep a complaint from going to their supervisors.

 

Among the classic attempts to scam were the guy who brought back a five-year-old ASVAB (military aptitude test) book which had answers written in most of the blanks and the guy claimed he had received it as a gift the day before and it was the wrong book.

 

Another situation invovlved a mother who brought in a metal toy that had we hadn't carried in four years and it was all beaten up and dented and stained, and the mother was demanding a refund because she had bought it the day before and it was "defective" and her three-year-old was in anguish because of our horrible merchandise.

 

Another case involved a guy I caught in my office in the back room going through the file cabinets looking for purses. I locked him in the office and called the police and they came and he said he was just looking for a bathroom. The police asked me if I actually saw him with a purse in his hand and when I said no, they apologized to the thief for his being inconvenienced and let him go.

 

Another case involved a guy we caught stuffing CDs into his turban. When the police got there, they informed us that they couldn't ask him to take off his turban because it would involve discrimination and religious/racial profiling. They apologized to the thief and sent him on his way.

 

People would pick up stereos and VCRs and DVDs and just walk out the door with them, setting off the alarm. If we tried to catch them or hinder their escape, we were told we could be sued for physical assault upon them and violation of their civil rights.

 

The happiest day of my life was when I retired, effective three weeks before Christmas. :D

[WeBeCruisin']

Holy Possum Poop! I just realized that my last post may have given people like CruiseCruiseCruise and RCruise 2 new ideas on how to cheat the system. :eek:

[Gecko7]

Nice One!:eek:

 

Gecko7:o

[sixgun8]

Holy Possum Poop! I just realized that my last post may have given people like CruiseCruiseCruise and RCruise 2 new ideas on how to cheat the system. :eek:

 

Like they haven't thought of that stuff already. I am willing to bet that CCC has a ten year old steak sitting in her freezer waiting to sneak onto the next cruise and wrangle a free one becuase of poor food and such.

 

 

Man you are lucky you got out. The seasonal changes simply suck. I am way better off where I am now than when I was at walmart, but still kissing up to the customer that you know is screwing you is just well like eating a manuer sandwich.

[big_duck]

Not to mention the gas they used driving 25 miles to get that refund.

 

After I left teaching' date=' I was a general manager for several large bookstore chains for quite a few years. People would do anything to cheat, steal or try to manipulate money out of the store. Some would go so far as to take new merchandise (computer programs, etc.) off the shelf and come up to the register demanding a refund because they had been given the item as a "gift" and didn't need it. Many weak District and Regional directors would give them the money, knowing that they were stealing, just to keep a complaint from going to their supervisors.

 

Among the classic attempts to scam were the guy who brought back a five-year-old ASVAB (military aptitude test) book which had answers written in most of the blanks and the guy claimed he had received it as a gift the day before and it was the wrong book.

 

Another situation invovlved a mother who brought in a metal toy that had we hadn't carried in four years and it was all beaten up and dented and stained, and the mother was demanding a refund because she had bought it the day before and it was "defective" and her three-year-old was in anguish because of our horrible merchandise.

 

Another case involved a guy I caught in my office in the back room going through the file cabinets looking for purses. I locked him in the office and called the police and they came and he said he was just looking for a bathroom. The police asked me if I actually saw him with a purse in his hand and when I said no, they apologized to the thief for his being inconvenienced and let him go.

 

Another case involved a guy we caught stuffing CDs into his turban. When the police got there, they informed us that they couldn't ask him to take off his turban because it would involve discrimination and religious/racial profiling. They apologized to the thief and sent him on his way.

 

People would pick up stereos and VCRs and DVDs and just walk out the door with them, setting off the alarm. If we tried to catch them or hinder their escape, we were told we could be sued for physical assault upon them and violation of their civil rights.

 

The happiest day of my life was when I retired, effective three weeks before Christmas. :D[/quote']

 

Whoever invented the "gift receipt" is a freakin' retailing genius.

[sixgun8]

Whoever invented the "gift receipt" is a freakin' retailing genius.

 

 

Most places you have to ask for that up front before they start ringing. Can't be done after the fact.

[we2cruze]

Not to mention the gas they used driving 25 miles to get that refund.

 

After I left teaching' date=' I was a general manager for several large bookstore chains for quite a few years. People would do anything to cheat, steal or try to manipulate money out of the store. Some would go so far as to take new merchandise (computer programs, etc.) off the shelf and come up to the register demanding a refund because they had been given the item as a "gift" and didn't need it. Many weak District and Regional directors would give them the money, knowing that they were stealing, just to keep a complaint from going to their supervisors.

Among the classic attempts to scam were the guy who brought back a five-year-old ASVAB (military aptitude test) book which had answers written in most of the blanks and the guy claimed he had received it as a gift the day before and it was the wrong book.

Another situation invovlved a mother who brought in a metal toy that had we hadn't carried in four years and it was all beaten up and dented and stained, and the mother was demanding a refund because she had bought it the day before and it was "defective" and her three-year-old was in anguish because of our horrible merchandise.

Another case involved a guy I caught in my office in the back room going through the file cabinets looking for purses. I locked him in the office and called the police and they came and he said he was just looking for a bathroom. The police asked me if I actually saw him with a purse in his hand and when I said no, they apologized to the thief for his being inconvenienced and let him go.

Another case involved a guy we caught stuffing CDs into his turban. When the police got there, they informed us that they couldn't ask him to take off his turban because it would involve discrimination and religious/racial profiling. They apologized to the thief and sent him on his way.

People would pick up stereos and VCRs and DVDs and just walk out the door with them, setting off the alarm. If we tried to catch them or hinder their escape, we were told we could be sued for physical assault upon them and violation of their civil rights.

The happiest day of my life was when I retired, effective three weeks before Christmas. :D[/quote']

 

The part that gets me (and maybe it's just me) is why sometimes when I have a legitimate return do I get hassled, when the scam artists just have smooth sailing? I guess it's all about knowing how to work the system.:(

At any rate, as in many aspects of life, the liars, cheaters, and trouble makers just make things more difficult for those of us who are trying to mind our own business. The same applies to people who stand in cruiseship lobbies and launch angry protests in hopes of getting money they don't deserve.

[sixgun8]

The part that gets me (and maybe it's just me) is why sometimes when I have a legitimate return do I get hassled, when the scam artists just have smooth sailing? I guess it's all about knowing how to work the system.:(

At any rate, as in many aspects of life, the liars, cheaters, and trouble makers just make things more difficult for those of us who are trying to mind our own business. The same applies to people who stand in cruiseship lobbies and launch angry protests in hopes of getting money they don't deserve.

 

Well honestly from my perspective, I know who the problems are and you just kinda grin and bear it. Then with others if the situation seems funny you have to kinda sort through the facts to determine if it is legit or not. What is probably a hassle as you called it, is simple investigation on our part. My usual questions are does the product work, did you try it, What didn't you like about it. yadda yadda. Sometimes what you say leads us to finding a manufacturer defect, sometime the WAY you answer it lets us know that it is a fraudulant return. Or if it's just you bought it and just decided you didn't want it.

[karenh1127]

I drank the large bottle of water from the minifridge and was charged twice for it but it was only $4.05 and not worth the trouble of going to the purser's desk the morning of disembarking. Besides our cabin steward was great and it was probably just an oversight. Yesterday I was at walmart returning dog food (dh bought the senior type for our 4 year old german shepherd an hour prior) and I noticed all the baskets full of returned Easter stuff. Now this was 2 days after Easter and here was stuffed animals, chocolate, baskets, etc. being returned. How sad! How many grannies gave their grandkids stuff only to have parents return it for the cash or store credit? The world is going to Hell in a hand basket and from the looks of Hell in Grand Caymen, I am not going to enjoy it!!:p

[TheDINGOateMyBaybay!]

This is 100% NOT true.:rolleyes: I work for the Airlines.

 

You might want to clarify that a little better for new people.

 

There is no economy airfare within 24 hours of flight times from any island (unless you catch a real fluke).If the fare basis is not economy, the airfare will not be reimbursed at all.

[allgeeteredup]

This is 100% NOT true.:rolleyes: I work for the Airlines.

I don't care what the subject is about.... I absolutely love your log in name. How clever. Did you see the Seinfeld episode, "Oh, No, the dingo ate your baybay"

[hevuk]

Ship officials don't want to talk to passengers? Ummm, 'scuse me, but all the staff I've encountered on 8+ cruises have been very reachable and forthcoming with appropriate information. That PA system works wonders, too. But then being part of a mob would be SOOO much more appealing than acting like an adult and speaking to a staffer... :rolleyes:

 

 

Inefficient? How so? The Captain announced an unforseen delay due to a medical emergency and followed seabourne and Carnival procedure to accomodate an airlift with the US Coast Guard. He was more than likely directed to sail to a specific position in the Gulf and maintain that until the person was picked up. Jamaica, Grand Cayman or Mexico were either out of that range -OR- didn't have the available medical facilities the person required. YOU don't know that. All you know is your vacation was interrupted and some loudmouth with a similar bend had the audacity to make noise, so you became a lemming.

 

Do you realise how LARGE the Conquest is, how long it takes to reach cruising speed -OR- how long it takes to slow down enough to safely turn about without causing a list to one side or the other? It's 110,000 tons, it doesn't stop on a dime (err... sand dollar?). It takes almost 1.75 MILES to slow down from its cruising speed to a manageable turn speed... then it takes over 2 HOURS to get back to that cruise speed. Then factor in the added fuel use, lost revenue from excursions in Montego Bay, and the OBC given to mitigate some of the loss... yeah, that was the CHEAPER alternative.

 

:rolleyes:

and dont forget the tons of extra food needed to feed the masses who wont now be getting off the ship:eek: