Cruise Lines Forcing Local Companies Out of Business

[gottago2mexico]

This article was posted in the Tribune today. It basically describes how the cruise lines, particularly Carnival Cruise Lines, are forcing locally owned companies in the Bahamas out of business with strongarmed tactics.

 

This is not only local to the Bahamas, but is also happening in other cruise locations such as Mexico as well. Something to definitely consider when deciding on a shore excursion to book, and whether to go through the ship or directly with an independent provider.

 

http://www.tribune242.com/business/11062009_BASE_business_Page1-Lead

[palmtre2]

It's a shame the cruise lines can't work with the locally owned companies to provide a profitable association for both. There are enough tourist dollars to go round - it's just the the cruise lines believe the lion's share to be theirs. From our very first cruise we have tried to use local (and recommended by these boards) tour operators and have truthfully enjoyed these excursions the most.

[gottago2mexico]

From a follow-up article on the subject by the Tribune:

 

"Tribune Business has previously reported that both Dolphin Encounters and Sunshine Cruises have seen major cruise lines and ships cancel tour contracts within the past year.

And Blackbeard's Cat became the latest casualty when Carnival dropped it from its list of tours for passengers, the suggestion being that the cruise line was unhappy that the company was still marketing itself via the Internet, rather than Carnival's on-board marketing programmes."

[TheWog]

From a follow-up article on the subject by the Tribune:

 

"Tribune Business has previously reported that both Dolphin Encounters and Sunshine Cruises have seen major cruise lines and ships cancel tour contracts within the past year.

 

And Blackbeard's Cat became the latest casualty when Carnival dropped it from its list of tours for passengers, the suggestion being that the cruise line was unhappy that the company was still marketing itself via the Internet, rather than Carnival's on-board marketing programmes."

 

So the company can continue on. Based on this paragraph it doesn't say the company went out of business. There are also other tourists on the island for land based vacations. If the company was created specifically to work as a cruise line agency that is one thing, but if they had a contract that was canceled or not renewed they can continue on and get customers on their own as they appear to have done via the internet, etc.

[gottago2mexico]

So the company can continue on. Based on this paragraph it doesn't say the company went out of business. There are also other tourists on the island for land based vacations. If the company was created specifically to work as a cruise line agency that is one thing, but if they had a contract that was canceled or not renewed they can continue on and get customers on their own as they appear to have done via the internet, etc.

 

Yes, in the case of the company mentioned in the last quote, but not the case if you read the article in the previous post that states companies are going out of business as a result of this.