nerak

There was a response to this thread earlier and it seems to have been removed. I personally have cruised RCI ten times. My husband and I married and we cruised two times with RCI. On our third time, we were met at the port, had his passport taken from him (which we were later told by customs during a phone call was illegal since it is not customs agents working the port), and talked with by RCI cruise staff with armed security standing by ... in front of everyone else who was boarding the ship in Puerto Rico. Yes, my husband WAS on the SOR at the time of all cruises. Apparently RCI had only tried to contact us the day before to let us know he would not be allowed to cruise. Of course we were already in PR and had no clue. After talking with us, we realized the staff did not know why he was not being allowed to cruise, especially after having been onboard twice before, and actually told us that we seemed like decent people. And we are...my husband has been sober for 24 years and committed his crime while drinking 24 years ago. It was his first offense and only offense. Unfortunately the law regarding the SRO was new and he was put on it when he technically should not have been on it. He has since been removed.

Regarding the original OP and his situation, I am telling you this so you will be prepared. I don't know how it will go for you but I do wish you the best and hope for happy cruising. I'd rather cruise with you than many of the fellow cruisers who are so drunk they can't find their room, a crew member who will not leave my teenage daughter alone, or someone the cruise line does NOT know their past and is not watching. We are all entitled to our mistakes in life and have the opportunity to show who we truly are each day in the present.

Personally, we are now okay with the ruling by RCI...except for the fact that so many people in charge, making the decisions, are probably just as guilty of something in their past, they just were not caught or did not turn themselves in as my husband did, whether it was a sexual action, driving while intoxicated or stealing a company ink pen.

We now travel on land and love every bit of Athens, Santorini, Istanbul, etc. Thank you RCI ... original OP, consider land travel if this doesn't work...it's amazing and a great big world out there.

BTW, my husband still receives platinum offers from RCI on a regular basis. :)

On the Serenade: Ashley (male, very sweet) - India, Errol - Honduras (great with magic and napkin folding...he used 10 napkins and folded a complete person for us), Albert (made me a tea list just like a wine list)- Hungry, Burhan - Turkey, Rohman - Indonesia and head waiters Urdely - India, Richard - India, Vejay - India, Francesco - Portugal .... and many more :) All from 4 cruises 2004-2005

On the Voyager: Mehi - Transylvania, Riza - Turkey (was on Serenade) 2003

The Adventurer: Loli - Philippines, Michelle - South Africa 2002