Paul Therault

<BR>Just to keep you all informed....Ren. has just instituted a new insurance polcy to implement it's new cancellation policy. <BR> <BR>It is now offering insurance through Access America. <BR> <BR>Access America is a reputable company doing business for many years. <BR> <BR>My experience with Access America has proven fruitful. <BR> <BR>All claims have been paid albeit much paperwork. At times payment has been more than the claim (up to the maximum value). <BR> <BR>Most travel agents remain sceptical concerning the "new" Ren. even with the new pledges to travel agents. <BR> <BR>Frank Del Rio Co-CEO has instructed it's sales force to steer direct-booking inquiries to a local travel agent. <BR> <BR>He has amended Ren.'s Web Site to state "contact your travel agent." <BR> <BR>He has promised to produce ads that include the line "see your travel agent" or a similiar phrase. <BR> <BR>He stated Ren. is also seeking to rejoin ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) and is willing to post a $1 million bond that ASTA can use in its consumer awareness campaign. <BR> <BR>He stated Ren. wishes to join CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). <BR> <BR>He has not, as yet, contacted Nacoa (National Association of Cruise-Oriented Agencies). <BR> <BR>Nacoa Agencies are not, as yet, selling Ren. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>P.S. Please do not come down on me, I am just stating published news reports. Thanks. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Tish

Paul: <BR>I am not "coming down on you" BUT we past passengers that love Ren already know all this stuff. They have a newsletter that comes to all of us. We really don't need to be updated by someone who hates Ren anyway. I don't really care whether they deal with travel agents or not just as long as they keep doing the great job they are doing for the vast majority of us. No product - travel-related or not - is wonderful for everyone. That is the way the world is. <BR> <BR>Would you consider discussing on this forum cruises that you have taken and enjoyed? A positive approach would be appreciated by those of us who are tired of your ranting about Ren and NCL. <BR> <BR>Thank you. <BR>

thulewx

Author Tish says "Message: Paul: I am not coming down on you BUT " ... BUT she goes on to "Come down on you." Sheesh - Paul's was a completely straightforward accounting of the news - plain facts - but you insist on saying "We really don't need to be updated by someone who hates Ren anyway." <BR> <BR>Well maybe this post wasn't intended for the ones who've gotten lucky with Ren - your mind would never be changed anyway - maybe it's for those who were considering Ren for their first cruise - but it appears you don't want them to be informed... how self-centered....

Tish

Oh dear, dear. I am self-centered instead of trying to get Paul to talk about his fun times instead of fussing about Ren. Somehow I assumed that someone new looking at a possible Ren cruise would look at their website or some of the many posts already here and other spots. <BR>

Paul Therault

<BR>Great, someone came to my rescue. <BR> <BR>Too bad Trish came back on line. <BR> <BR>Please Tish....read all my posts and study them thoroughly. <BR> <BR>I agree, thousands of passengers sail Ren. and have a wonderful cruise. I was on one of their ships 6 years ago and I enjoyed myself. <BR> <BR>I am simply stating Ren. was not a reputable cruise line. Not only have many people suffered but Ren. was giving cruising a bad name. This was bad for us all. <BR> <BR>The CEO admits mistakes were made. I did not say this....he did. He fired half his board of directors. <BR> <BR>Tish, I love cruising, I have sailed 60 times. Four times this year with 3 additional coming up. <BR> <BR>Disney, Windstar, Carnival and Silversea.....all wonderful experiences this year. How could you have missed my posts defending Carnival. Of course I was treated like dirt for doing this. Possibly this is the reason I am the only travel agent that writes on this forum. It is a no-win situation. <BR>I do not make much money but I love my job. <BR> <BR>When I sail I inspect everything. Fire doors, sprinklers, galley, decor, cleanliness....and do you know, late at night, even though it is pitch black on the bridge, there is really a master working....you can see his shadow hulking over the radar. <BR> <BR>I attempt to give advice on this forum since I am an experienced traveler and most of my posts are positive. Sometimes I make mistakes and I apologize. <BR> <BR>Travel agents seem to have a bad name even though they are dedicated to consumer awareness. <BR> <BR>I mentioned NCL in the past and I am not bringing it up again. <BR> <BR>Toodleloo, <BR> <BR>Paul

Joe

Just my opinion, but I feel all information is important to help us non-professional cruisers make informed decisions. The ultimate choice is ours, isn't it? Thanks to all who care enough to help.

Howie

I for one have appreciated Paul's insightful comments and find the others' 'inciteful' comments to be unnecessary and ill informed. I have personally suffered in the past from their unfair practices but also know a number of friends who have loved their cruises on Ren. I still think Celebrity as a cruiseline has it right but am very glad that Ren is finally awakening and realizing that in addition to having a good product on the sea, they simply must treat their customers more fairly when there are problems and this may indeed be happening. I might even reconsider my personal "boycott" once I begin to hear more encouraging bits of new such as that posted by Paul.

G.Nathan

I agree with the poster that Paul is disguntled because Renaissance has not, until recently, paid a commission to TAs. When you read Ren's policy, you know in advance what the refund policy is. If you want to book for a few weeks and wait and see if something better comes along, then Ren is not for you. In its price range, it has no peer. Whatever is in their control is done well. I've seen threads on this board and on other boards that talk about poor service, bad food, unsanitary conditions, poorly trained staff, expensive add-on's on NCL and Orient and other lines. Itineraries are modified and cancelle if they are not making money.If Paul's clients don't even trust his advise to buy travel insurance, he probably does not have a reputable name in the business, since a TA must rely on reputation and referral to build a successful agency. His more recent posts try to show his concern for the traveler, but I'll stick with my gut feeling that he is just looking to keep himself busy by typing away in the middle of the night.

Theresa

Thanks Paul for the info!

Paul Therault

<BR>Message: Thanks Theresa, you made my day. <BR> <BR>We all hope that soon Ren. will be back to being the fine upstanding cruise line it once was. <BR> <BR>Paul

G.Nathan

Good Afternoon Paul, What is it about Renaissance that keeps you up all night? Is "fine upstanding cruise line" your euphemism for "commission-paying"? Hope you get a good nights sleep soon. It can make all the difference. G.

Patsy

Thank you Paul for the update. I for one WAS one of the Renaissance casulties years ago and hate Renaissance! Now that they are updating their policies I might even give them a 2nd chance because I do like their itineraires. For the past few years I've been sticking close to HAL and found them to be fabulous in all reagards. Thanks for sharing the info.