I found a very intersting article on ExpertCruiser.com's website titled "Banned from Royal Caribbean for complaining too much." The article discusses a couple who were faithful clients to Royal Caribbean, averaging two cruises per year for the past three years, but said that they often filed many complaints with the cruise line during each cruise. I found this article to be of particular interest becuase the banned couple live right here in Cleveland, Ohio! Crazy, right?! There's even a clip from Channel 3 News interviewing the couple that's included with the online article.
Apparently the couple submitted formal complaints to the cruise line about everything from the woman's birthday greeting being delivered to the wrong stateroom, to her husband being locked out of their stateroom and stuck on the balcony for three hours because of a latch jam in their door. Royal Caribbean tried to work with the couple, offering discounts and onboard credits in an attempt to keep the couple's business, until the cruise line eventually decided they no longer wanted the couple's business at all.
After each cruise, the unhappy couple would post reviews of their cruise experience on cruisecritic.com, including all of their complaints about the cruise as well as all of the compensation packages and incentives that they were offered each time. Seeing this, some board members felt that this couple complained their way to unfair discounts and believed that they were teaching others how to scam the cruise line.
A few weeks later, according to the article, "Royal Caribbean abruptly notified the couple that they were no longer welcome on any Royal Caribbean International ships, including the company's subsidiaries Celebrity and Azamara. Ever."
What a wild story! I've never heard of a cruise line banning customers for traveling with them before. Do you agree with Royal Caribbean for excercising their right to ban this couple from all of their cruises? How would you have handled this situation if you were the Public Relations practitioner for Royal Caribbean?
To view the complete article, check out http://expertcruiser.com/advice/royal-caribbean-says-get-out-of-here-to-couple/
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Port of Call
I was talking to my best friend Bryndi today, and she told me she heard some advice from a co-worker about the port of call and how boarding the ship works when going on a cruise. We both had a lot of questions about this and were unsure of how this whole process works, so I'm very glad that she was able to pick up some tips from her co-worker. I'd like to share these with you now.First of all, her co-worker said that if you have your confirmation number with you, as well as your passport and driver's license ready to go when arriving at the port of call, you get to bypass a huge line of cruisers and go straight to the customs on the ship. If you don't have all of this information ready to go, you apparently have to wait in a huge line with a lot of other cruisers that could take a couple of hours to get through. That sounds like no fun at all, so we'll be sure to have all of that information with us and ready to go when we arrive!
After passing through customs, her co-worker said that our luggage will be taken to our room and we'll then proceed to a cruise ship orientation. Here, they will go over important safety information, address other important information about the ship, and allow all of the cruisers to put on a life vest and locate the nearest life boat. Once this orientation is over, passengers are free to begin roaming and exploring the ship, and can also choose to go on deck and wave to the surrounding spectators as the ship begins to set sail. Bryndi and I have already decided that we'll definitely be doing that!
We're supposed to arrive at the port at 2pm, but our cruise doesn't actually depart til 5pm, so apparently those three hours will be spent going through customs, participating in an orientation session to get acquainted with the ship, and exploring the ship. Does this sound right to all of you veteran cruisers? Do you have any additional tips or information for Bryndi and I? Let me know!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A Base Tan...Get One.
With all of this talk about fun in the sun and laying on the beach, I think it's only appropriate that I touch on tanning safety and encourage you all to be smart about your sun exposure whether going on a cruise, going to the beach, or even just spending time outdoors right here in Ohio when the sun's out (which has been happening a lot lately, thank goodness)! I'll be sure to practice what I preach when Bryndi and I set sail on our cruise as well.
While there are many areas of sun safety that I could address, I wish to focus on the importance getting a base tan. Before going on a trip where you'll be spending a great deal of time in the sun, I think that it's incredibly important to get a base tan. Not only will this make you look better in pictures (as you won't be ghostly white when you begin your week at the beach), but it will also allow you to tan easier and burn less. This means that you won't have to suffer from those painful sunburns that make your skin blister and peel, causing you a lot of discomfort and the rapid loss of your tan which you worked so hard to acquire. Base tans can even protect you from sun poisoning and skin cancer. Chelsea Handler even mentioned the importance of a base tan the other night on Chelsea Lately, her latenight show on E!
To get a base tan, one must go to a tanning bed and purchase a tanning package, typically for either two weeks or a month before heading to the beach. Now, I know this might spark controversy, as many people are very passionately against tanning beds and often refer to them as "cancer coffins," but I think in this type of a situation going to a tanning bed is actually a very smart, healthy decision. I know that tanning everyday isn't smart and not at all healthy for one's skin, but when preparing for a trip or an extended period of time outdoors which will include a significant amount of sun exposure, I support using a tanning bed and greatly encourage purchasing a tanning package. I think it's much better to start slow and get that base tan, rather than to hit the beach white as a ghost and shock your skin with extreme sun exposure. I've gone to the beach both with and without a base tan, and I can honestly say that I had a much better time when I did have a base tan that when I didn't. When I had a base tan I was able to enjoy myself and spend a lot of time swimming and laying out in the sun, rather than hiding inside and covering myself in lotions and aloe vera gel all week.
While excessive tanning is unhealthy, I think getting a base tan before spending a lot of time in the sun is very important and will only benefit you. I know I'll be purchasing my tanning package in the next few weeks to get my base tan before heading to Florida and hopping on board "The Majesty of the Seas." I'm actually pretty excited about it too!
What are your thoughts on this? Am I crazy? Also, check out my friend's blog, http://truebeautyfanatic.blogspot.com/ as she'll be reviewing what tanning lotions work and don't work, as well as discussing lots of other great beauty tips and skin products to purchase (or to avoid!) as well!
While there are many areas of sun safety that I could address, I wish to focus on the importance getting a base tan. Before going on a trip where you'll be spending a great deal of time in the sun, I think that it's incredibly important to get a base tan. Not only will this make you look better in pictures (as you won't be ghostly white when you begin your week at the beach), but it will also allow you to tan easier and burn less. This means that you won't have to suffer from those painful sunburns that make your skin blister and peel, causing you a lot of discomfort and the rapid loss of your tan which you worked so hard to acquire. Base tans can even protect you from sun poisoning and skin cancer. Chelsea Handler even mentioned the importance of a base tan the other night on Chelsea Lately, her latenight show on E!
To get a base tan, one must go to a tanning bed and purchase a tanning package, typically for either two weeks or a month before heading to the beach. Now, I know this might spark controversy, as many people are very passionately against tanning beds and often refer to them as "cancer coffins," but I think in this type of a situation going to a tanning bed is actually a very smart, healthy decision. I know that tanning everyday isn't smart and not at all healthy for one's skin, but when preparing for a trip or an extended period of time outdoors which will include a significant amount of sun exposure, I support using a tanning bed and greatly encourage purchasing a tanning package. I think it's much better to start slow and get that base tan, rather than to hit the beach white as a ghost and shock your skin with extreme sun exposure. I've gone to the beach both with and without a base tan, and I can honestly say that I had a much better time when I did have a base tan that when I didn't. When I had a base tan I was able to enjoy myself and spend a lot of time swimming and laying out in the sun, rather than hiding inside and covering myself in lotions and aloe vera gel all week.
While excessive tanning is unhealthy, I think getting a base tan before spending a lot of time in the sun is very important and will only benefit you. I know I'll be purchasing my tanning package in the next few weeks to get my base tan before heading to Florida and hopping on board "The Majesty of the Seas." I'm actually pretty excited about it too!
What are your thoughts on this? Am I crazy? Also, check out my friend's blog, http://truebeautyfanatic.blogspot.com/ as she'll be reviewing what tanning lotions work and don't work, as well as discussing lots of other great beauty tips and skin products to purchase (or to avoid!) as well!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Fort Lauderdale Fun!
As I mentioned yesterday, since we're going to be staying in Fort Lauderdale for a day before our cruise departs, I thought I'd do some research on Fort Lauderdale for today's blog and see what the city has to offer! Here's what I found:
I began my research with a simple Google search and found a really great website that I'd like share with all of you. The site is http://www.sunny.org/ and it lists everything from current weather to hotel and restaurant information, to pictures, videos, and even event information. The event information tab was of particular interest to me as we were just discussing tonight in my night class on PR and the Internet (the class that this blog was assigned for) about how all great websites have an events section with specific dates, times, and locations listed. A few upcoming events that are listed include Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators games, a riverwalk downtown, and a beach volleyball tournament. And those events are just for the next three days! I tried to click on May 13th to see what events are happening in the city that day, but the calendar only lists events through April. I'll just have to be sure to check back in May and see what events are listed! Regardless, I still thought that the events section was a nice touch and I wanted to be sure to point that out.
I also noticed on this website, which is the official site of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, that they offer a lot of great "cruise and play" packages. These are awesome deals which include hotels and excursions for a few extra days before or after taking a cruise. I think it's really nice (and smart) that the Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau recognizes that many of the people visiting their city are going on cruises, and therefore try to accommodate them as best as possible and make the most of their location. Talk about knowing your audience!
Based on my research, Fort Lauderdale looks like a beautiful, classy area in Florida, and I'm very excited that Bryndi and I will be spending a day there! Have any of you been to Fort Lauderdale before? Feel free to let me know some of your favorite spots in the area if you have, and to all my readers, be sure to check out http://www.sunny.org/!
I began my research with a simple Google search and found a really great website that I'd like share with all of you. The site is http://www.sunny.org/ and it lists everything from current weather to hotel and restaurant information, to pictures, videos, and even event information. The event information tab was of particular interest to me as we were just discussing tonight in my night class on PR and the Internet (the class that this blog was assigned for) about how all great websites have an events section with specific dates, times, and locations listed. A few upcoming events that are listed include Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators games, a riverwalk downtown, and a beach volleyball tournament. And those events are just for the next three days! I tried to click on May 13th to see what events are happening in the city that day, but the calendar only lists events through April. I'll just have to be sure to check back in May and see what events are listed! Regardless, I still thought that the events section was a nice touch and I wanted to be sure to point that out.
I also noticed on this website, which is the official site of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, that they offer a lot of great "cruise and play" packages. These are awesome deals which include hotels and excursions for a few extra days before or after taking a cruise. I think it's really nice (and smart) that the Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau recognizes that many of the people visiting their city are going on cruises, and therefore try to accommodate them as best as possible and make the most of their location. Talk about knowing your audience!
Based on my research, Fort Lauderdale looks like a beautiful, classy area in Florida, and I'm very excited that Bryndi and I will be spending a day there! Have any of you been to Fort Lauderdale before? Feel free to let me know some of your favorite spots in the area if you have, and to all my readers, be sure to check out http://www.sunny.org/!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Good Samaritans
A few days ago, I posted a blog entry titled "Transportation Turmoil" and expressed concerns that Bryndi and I had regarding how we're going to get from the airport to the port, and from the port back to the airport after our cruise. I'm happy to report that these problems have all been solved and that all of our transportation has been taken care of for the cruise!
I talked to one of my friends who lives in the Miami area, and she offered to pick Bryndi and I up from the port and drive us to the airport on Monday May 17th, after we return from our cruise. I was so happy she offered to do this for us! We're very thankful for her generosity and willingness to make the 45 minute drive from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to take us to the airport. She's also saving us a great deal of money as it would have cost us about $90.00 to take a taxi so, needless to say, we're very thankful. We'll have to do something nice for her for sure!
As far as the drive from the airport to Miami, and from our hotel in Miami to the port go, we were still unsure of our plans and were nervous of how this was going to work out. After hanging out with a few friends from home this past weekend over the holiday break, however, these worries were all washed away. It turns out a friend of ours who I've known since high school has two good friends who used to live in her hometown but have since relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She told us that they're a young couple and a lot of fun, and that she thought sure they'd be more than happy to pick us up from the airport, take us to the port, and even host us that night if we wanted, so we wouldn't have to find and pay for a hotel! Our friend called her friends right there on the spot, but had to leave a voicemail. Two days later, however, I received a text from my friend that said her friends would be happy to pick us up from the airport, and that they would LOVE to have us stay the night with them at their townhouse in Ft. Lauderdale and then drive us to the port the next afternoon for our cruise! Talk about an answer to our prayers!
We're so blessed to have such great friends who are either helping us with transportation themselves, or who have found friends of theirs that live in the area who can provide us with transportation while we're in Florida! This just proves that it really is a small world that we live in afterall (thank you, Walt Disney), and that you never know which of your friends might know someone who knows someone who can help you out!
Now that we're going to be staying in Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami for a day before our cruise, does anyone have any specific places that we should check out or things that we should do while were there? We know we definitely just want to lay out on the beach for pretty much the entire day, but are there any great restaurants or hot spots that we should check out that evening? I'm not very familiar with Fort Lauderdale myself, so I'm going to research the city for tomorrow's blog and I'll let you all know what I find out! Stay tuned...
I talked to one of my friends who lives in the Miami area, and she offered to pick Bryndi and I up from the port and drive us to the airport on Monday May 17th, after we return from our cruise. I was so happy she offered to do this for us! We're very thankful for her generosity and willingness to make the 45 minute drive from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to take us to the airport. She's also saving us a great deal of money as it would have cost us about $90.00 to take a taxi so, needless to say, we're very thankful. We'll have to do something nice for her for sure!
As far as the drive from the airport to Miami, and from our hotel in Miami to the port go, we were still unsure of our plans and were nervous of how this was going to work out. After hanging out with a few friends from home this past weekend over the holiday break, however, these worries were all washed away. It turns out a friend of ours who I've known since high school has two good friends who used to live in her hometown but have since relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She told us that they're a young couple and a lot of fun, and that she thought sure they'd be more than happy to pick us up from the airport, take us to the port, and even host us that night if we wanted, so we wouldn't have to find and pay for a hotel! Our friend called her friends right there on the spot, but had to leave a voicemail. Two days later, however, I received a text from my friend that said her friends would be happy to pick us up from the airport, and that they would LOVE to have us stay the night with them at their townhouse in Ft. Lauderdale and then drive us to the port the next afternoon for our cruise! Talk about an answer to our prayers!
We're so blessed to have such great friends who are either helping us with transportation themselves, or who have found friends of theirs that live in the area who can provide us with transportation while we're in Florida! This just proves that it really is a small world that we live in afterall (thank you, Walt Disney), and that you never know which of your friends might know someone who knows someone who can help you out!
Now that we're going to be staying in Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami for a day before our cruise, does anyone have any specific places that we should check out or things that we should do while were there? We know we definitely just want to lay out on the beach for pretty much the entire day, but are there any great restaurants or hot spots that we should check out that evening? I'm not very familiar with Fort Lauderdale myself, so I'm going to research the city for tomorrow's blog and I'll let you all know what I find out! Stay tuned...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Video Footage of "The Majesty of the Seas"
I found this video on YouTube today that takes viewers all around "The Majesty of the Seas" to get a first-hand look at what the ship is like. There are some great shots of the deck, the pool area, the dining room, and the entertainment available on the ship!
Watching this video got me even more excited for this cruise and made this trip all the more real to me. Now that I've seen video footage of the exact ship that we'll be cruising on, I feel like I have a little better idea of what to expect! I'm a very visual learner so seeing this video was something I really enjoyed! Check it out for yourselves and let me know what you think! Just click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIoGtpHUkIw
P.S. 41 days until Bryndi and I leave for the cruise!!! I'm SO pumped!!!
Watching this video got me even more excited for this cruise and made this trip all the more real to me. Now that I've seen video footage of the exact ship that we'll be cruising on, I feel like I have a little better idea of what to expect! I'm a very visual learner so seeing this video was something I really enjoyed! Check it out for yourselves and let me know what you think! Just click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIoGtpHUkIw
P.S. 41 days until Bryndi and I leave for the cruise!!! I'm SO pumped!!!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Transportation Turmoil
So, although the free cruise package that my best friend Bryndi won includes free airfare (which is totally awesome!), we do have to pay for our transportation from the airport to our hotel, from our hotel to the port, and from the port back to airport after our cruise. While I'm not complaining at all, because we're very blessed with this cruise package and know that this is a very small price to pay for everything that we're getting, Bryndi and I are both a little stressed about the transportation situation and want to get things figured out soon.
We've looked into taxis, but they're super expensive and we've decided that we will only take a taxi as an absolute last resort. We're also trying to find a hotel that provides shuttle service, but we're not having very much luck. A friend of mine who's from the Miami area recommended taking a super shuttle or a shared ride. I'm not too familiar with these, but we're willing to look into them and give them a try. We also checked on airport shuttles available through our airport (which is Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport), but they only go to the various hotels located nearby and we need to go all the way to Miami which is where our hotel is and also where our port of call is for the cruise.
Do any of you have any suggestions for us? Let me know your thoughts!
We've looked into taxis, but they're super expensive and we've decided that we will only take a taxi as an absolute last resort. We're also trying to find a hotel that provides shuttle service, but we're not having very much luck. A friend of mine who's from the Miami area recommended taking a super shuttle or a shared ride. I'm not too familiar with these, but we're willing to look into them and give them a try. We also checked on airport shuttles available through our airport (which is Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport), but they only go to the various hotels located nearby and we need to go all the way to Miami which is where our hotel is and also where our port of call is for the cruise.
Do any of you have any suggestions for us? Let me know your thoughts!
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