<BR>Sam, I just state facts. I (whoops, I just said "I" twice) do give my advice at times which, of course, you do not have to listen. <BR> <BR>When it comes to cruising, you have a lot to learn and my "advice" is for you to not cruise. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Paul you have a lot to learn about facts. Facts are objective. Commments like, "Luck of the draw" are subjective. My advice to you is don't post until you learn the difference.

I am not a regular to this board, but I have been reading through this thread and another one about Carnival and am surprised to see the attitude of Paul towards people unhappy with their vacations. I fly over 100,000 miles per year on business and vacation and take at least two cruises per year. I've had good experiences and bad ones, but I've never had my travel agent blame me when a travel provider gives poor service. I'm glad that I don't have a travel agent like Paul. It seems that to him, the travel provider is always right, and it is just the vacationer's expectations which were inflated when they have an unfortunate experience. My travel agent (and I suspect most)goes to the wall for me when a hotel, airline or cruiseship doesn't provide good service (which isn't all that often). If I had an agent like Paul, whose attitude is basicially "tough, you should have expected it", I would find another agent pretty fast.

<BR>Dear Robert, <BR> <BR>I do not believe you understand my posts. <BR> <BR>I go to bat immediately for my customers if they have an unfortunate experience. <BR> <BR>I imagine you are addressing the lady who had an undesirable experience with her roommate. This is beyond my control and the control of the cruise lines. I also explained the cruise-line obligation. I stated when a single person comes to me and requests a share, I explain the negatives. This is my job even though common sense will tell you or anyone that a bad experience may occur. Sure I will write a letter even though I know nothing will come of it. <BR> <BR>You may pick apart this post if you like and if it warrants a reply, I will reply. <BR> <BR>I continuously fight for passenger's rights. At this time I am fueding with RCCL and Celebrity with their transfer program. They do not give physical cards to the passengers. When questioned, they state "their names are on the manifest." Quite often lately the passenger's names are not on the manifest and are denied bus boarding unless payment is made. This is not an expected experience and I certainly go to bat for my customers. <BR> <BR>I love to brag ..... I know I am one of the best TA's in the world and my clients know it. I do not advertise. My business is all word of mouth. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Paul, <BR> <BR>Since you believe you're, "one of the best TA's" and we know how you like to brag. Why don't you tell people how they can better handle a situation that is negative, instead of telling them it's a lost cause. Why would anyone want to deal with an industry that doesn't want to deal with them.

<BR>Sorry Phil, I explain all aspects of a vacation before the vacation. <BR>In this way I cover myself also. I repeat, I do go to bat for any client that has a legitiment and reasonable complaint. <BR> <BR>It was very sad that the lady was put in a cabin with an undesirable. I would be upset if it happened to me but I also know the policies of the cruise lines that offer single shares. If they catered to all the uncompatible roommate's complaints it would be a logistical nightmare. Why can't you understand this! <BR> <BR>I believe you are trying to get my goat. It does not upset me but I am getting very tired of writing these posts. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>

Paul, <BR> <BR>as usual you still didn't answer the question. With all your experience and wealth of knowledge. Why don't you give the reader some ideas or options on how to handle an already bad situation. <BR> <BR>You instead tell people I told ya' so. For instance, look at Sam's post. I think that is what people are looking for when you make a comment. Surely being the best TA around you can come up with something better than your previous post.

Don't listen to Paul, he has no credibility here. He is so biased that it is not even funny. It's like asking the NRA or HCI for an unbiased view of gun control, never going to happen. <BR> <BR>I posted my own horror story with Carnival about 6 months ago and Paul told me that I didn't actually experience what I said that I had. He knew my own experience better than I did. Perhaps he took the cruise and I didn't? <BR> <BR>I have had many good and bad experiences on cruises. I thought Carnival had MANY good qualities. BUT, I will never sail them again for 2 reasons: <BR> <BR>1. Carnival attracts the college age party crowd. If I want that I'd go to Cancun and stay at a beach motel. <BR> <BR>2. Carnival's crews are completely apathetic to your problems and/or concerns. They absolutely couldn't care less if you die on the boat. <BR> <BR>Why do you suppose it is that Paul talks Carnival up so much? They pay more commission. Why do you suppose that is? Because they have the lowest repeat business in the entire industry.

Thanks Justin, <BR> <BR>My sentiments exactly!!!!

<BR>Sorry guys, I earn the same commission whether I sell a Silversea or a Renaissance or a Carnival. I return the remainder to my customers. <BR> <BR>As far as repeat business. Carnival has all the lines beat only because they are the largest cruise line in the world. It stands to reason. <BR> <BR>This is also the reason they incur the most complaints. <BR> <BR>Paul

Each of us has different expectations of a vacation and different requirements to make us happy. <BR> <BR>Because Paul is in the industry you seem not to get his point about the single share. It IS a pig in a poke and a gamble. <BR> <BR>It seems that the posters want the bargain rate of a guaranteed share without accepting the risk that they will get a rotten roommate. <BR> <BR>If you don't like this risk -- pay the single supplement or look for someone to share with. One person I spoke with paid for the cruise on the installment plan so she could get what she wanted. <BR> <BR>Also note that ANY line can have a rotten employee or a bad experience for you. And it is YOUR right to select which Line you will use. <BR> <BR>You need to read as many opinions prior to booking as you can; think about human nature; evaluate what is most important to you and what you can let slide and then go on your vacation with the attitude that you are going to have fun. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately even with this prep you can still have a lousy time. Life should guarantee that if you plan well it will go well, but there are no guarantees for anything. <BR> <BR>Remember when you pay a low price -- you get the backup/service that you pay for. <BR> <BR>It's the same old story -- be a wise consumer -- and give them the message best by giving or withholding your business. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Lucy <BR> <BR>PS I had a wonderful time on a Carnival ship, but there were others that I spoke with who did not like it -- they did not like the 70s ship style or the service level or ....-- to each his own. We are not the same and even on the same ship we do not have the same experiences.

<BR>Dear Lucy, <BR> <BR>You are an intelligent lady. We need more people like you on this forum. <BR> <BR>Paul

The troller strikes again.

<BR>It seems Lucy gets part of it - it is a gamble to go on a single share - but it does not mean that someone is to expect poor service (for paying a "cheaper" rate than the exorbitant single supplement) or having to put up with a roommate that is doing something illegal and the cruise line doesn't give a damn! Also - I wonder how much interest her friend is paying on that "loan" from the cruise line - you could probably take another cruise for what she is paying in interest. She is right in saying that bad things happen on all cruise lines, but most cruise lines would have at least TRIED to make up for the inconvenience or lousy service.

Hey YYY, <BR> <BR>Don't you mean, "most GOOD cruise lines would have least tried to make up for inconvenience or the LOUSY Service?"

O.K. All of you Carnival critics have gotten me nervous (I'm afraid you're right). We got a free Carnival cruise for 2 for a 6A cabin. We've since upgraded to their Penthouse Suite (category 12) on a Western Caribbean and added 2 kids (12 year old boy and his 30 year old half-sister). <BR> I don't expect much from Carnival but I did think the kids would have fun. We upgraded to be able to get away from the hoards (we're on the Triumph so I expect a lot of people). I would expect the food to be edible and plentiful but not much better. I would assume with 3,000 passengers it would have to be "assembly line" and not gourmet. So what's the bottom line? Will our children demand tatoos (sp?) and body piercing when they return? Would you really cancel? Some of the people on these boards really HATE Carnival (compared to cruisecritic.com where they all love Carnival). I have spoken to a TA who's a family friend and she told me that the line has gotten much better in recent years.

<BR>Hi Suzanne, <BR> <BR>Do not listen to the negative posters. You will have a wonderful time and the food is great. Your children will also have the time of their lives. <BR> <BR>Since you posted your fears. Please post when you come home. <BR> <BR>Paul

Ah, the Spectre of Canival rears its ugly head once again. I believe the love hate realtionship happens to deal with the demographics of the party posting. <BR> <BR>If you come from a more reserved background it seems to me that Carnival is not for you. Those that gravitate towards the more glitzy and superfluous surroundings seem to view Carnival differently in a positive light. RCCL is a close second now to Carnivals drapings. It would be like Atlantic City vs. Las Vegas. If you like that kind of stuff these cruise lines are for you.

Suzanne <BR> <BR>We were on the Triumph Easter week this year. After reading all the negative posts here, I was prepared for mediocre food, hoards of renengade chldren, nonstop partying and substandard service. We found NONE of that! <BR> <BR>The food in the dining room was very good, much better than our last cruise with Carnival in 1995. NO screaming masses of children. Lots of them around, esp teenagers, but I saw no problems with them. <BR> <BR>The service was outstanding -- our waiter, busboy and cabin steward couldn't do enough for us. Every employee we had contact with was as pleasant. <BR> <BR>The only problem we encountered which was mentioned here was the lack of chairs on deck and the people who saved them, then never used them. <BR> <BR>My husband and I are mid forties, professionals, well traveled. This trip it was just the two of us, but our two children loved the last cruise. <BR> <BR>Relax and enjoy -- some people are NEVER happy and most of them seem to post here! <BR> <BR>A

To the last poster considering your comment of negative posts. You have to ask yourself, "Why are there so many negative comments?" <BR> <BR>I really find it hard to believe that so many people would go to such great lengths to make up stories concerning this cruise line. Do you? <BR> <BR>I'm glad that some of you have had good experiences. The fact still remains that all the negative posts have the same common trait. The service is poor. <BR> <BR>I would think any of us could put up with the menial problems if we felt our needs were being adddressed in a courteous manner. In 90% of the cases this is not the situation with CCL. <BR> <BR>