Very rarely does a vacation go off without any complications at all. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for vacationers to come home and, in the middle of their vacation stories, tell family and friends that they wish that at least one thing went differently. Be it weather, accommodations, food, travel or something else.
Then there’s Brenda and Gerald Moran who took complaining to a whole new level. Using internet forums the Moran’s complained repeatedly about their experiences and the service they received from Royal Caribbean. Some of their complaints seemed valid and yet others very petty and pointless. Regardless they continued to cruise with the company (they cruised a total of six times) and continued to voice complaints. So much so that they received discounts and personal phone calls from the cruise line.
When they mentioned on the forums that they were receiving discounts from the cruise line for their complaining many of the forum members suggested that they were “working the system” to exploit all they could and discounts beyond what normal passengers were able to receive. Some forum members contacted Royal Caribbean to make them aware of the complaints which would ultimately lead to the Moran’s being told that they could never again sail with the company.
Sure there is the right to free speech but there is a difference between speaking freely and working the system. If they were in fact working the system then the cruise line did the right thing in my mind but if not then we have to wonder to what extents the cruise lines are going through to silence what is being said about them on the internet.
I’m leaning more towards feeling like they were working the system for two reasons. 1) Why sail with a company that you are not satisfied with six times? With all the cruise options out there why not just pick another one? Vacation consumers are picky and when not satisfied they will tell friends and family and then will not return to the resort, hotel, cruise etc.
2) What does the cruise line gain by banning the Morans? I mean other than a migraine headache! This family will most likely continue to criticize Royal Caribbean so that won’t be silenced. They really don’t save face because they have opened themselves up to a whole new world of criticism. The only logical explanation was that they were being taken advantage of and found a way to put a stop to it.
Then there’s Brenda and Gerald Moran who took complaining to a whole new level. Using internet forums the Moran’s complained repeatedly about their experiences and the service they received from Royal Caribbean. Some of their complaints seemed valid and yet others very petty and pointless. Regardless they continued to cruise with the company (they cruised a total of six times) and continued to voice complaints. So much so that they received discounts and personal phone calls from the cruise line.
When they mentioned on the forums that they were receiving discounts from the cruise line for their complaining many of the forum members suggested that they were “working the system” to exploit all they could and discounts beyond what normal passengers were able to receive. Some forum members contacted Royal Caribbean to make them aware of the complaints which would ultimately lead to the Moran’s being told that they could never again sail with the company.
Sure there is the right to free speech but there is a difference between speaking freely and working the system. If they were in fact working the system then the cruise line did the right thing in my mind but if not then we have to wonder to what extents the cruise lines are going through to silence what is being said about them on the internet.
I’m leaning more towards feeling like they were working the system for two reasons. 1) Why sail with a company that you are not satisfied with six times? With all the cruise options out there why not just pick another one? Vacation consumers are picky and when not satisfied they will tell friends and family and then will not return to the resort, hotel, cruise etc.
2) What does the cruise line gain by banning the Morans? I mean other than a migraine headache! This family will most likely continue to criticize Royal Caribbean so that won’t be silenced. They really don’t save face because they have opened themselves up to a whole new world of criticism. The only logical explanation was that they were being taken advantage of and found a way to put a stop to it.
3 comments:
I love cruises. I even bought stock in carnival and they throw in stock holder freebies :) you got my bob vote
I've been on three cruises and had a great time all three times. I've got nothing to complain about.
Hmm... Agree that they could very possibly took advantage of making complaints. I've made complaints before about hotel services (I am also a frequent traveler). People also asked me to request for compensations. But then... I am too shy to do that. So, nope - I didn't get anything in all those bad experience. One of the worst experience was in Pakistan. You might want to take a look at my travel blog here. This post attracted attention from people in Karachi and they brought this up to their local media. Still, nothing was done - not even an official apoligy from the famous hotel chain!
http://lzbone.blogspot.com/2007/03/bad-experience-with-marriott-karachi.html
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