Report Slams RCL in Haiti

[bmazzo]

Yes, Port au Prince has been devistated by a terible earthquake and there has been much loss of life. This is very unfortunate but all of the worldwide humanitarian aid agencies plus countless countries from all over the glob are pitching in and doing everything they can. Includinf RCCL with their pallets of food, donations ect... Yes they need help and yes, they need money and it is very important that they continue recieving aid. The big picture here is that despite the devistation in Port au Prince, most other areas of Haiti are untouched and it is essential that their lives remaine as normal as possible. Their lives have already been disrupted by this tragedy and the last thing they need is for companies like RCCL to pull out, basically eliminating the incomes of literally hundreds of families livehoods further compounding Haiti's problems. I live in New york and liken this to 911, Yes it was horrible, but it was extremely important that we continued to shop, go to the theater, movies, resturants, whatever. We had to move on, as hard as it was, even with the rubble still burning. We still needed to live even after so many died. Thank goodness people still traveled to New York during that time. It softened the blow. Haiti (and RCCL) has nothing to gain if Royal Caribbean or Celebrity reorder their itineraries to another port. It will only compound Haiti's problems.

[bmazzo]

Just found this on another post!

 

 

#309

January 27th, 2010, 06:21 PM

I just wanted to mention, I have been working with the Haiti Relief Airlift and we have been swamped with supplies and cargo. RCCL has stepped up and to date has shipped 1.2 MILLION pounds of relief supplies into Labadee and counting. They have been a huge help in getting supplies into the country.

[crischickie]

This was an opportunity for a communist sympathizing organization to get their "15 minutes of fame." They stirred up a controversy which got them press time, which is what they wanted.

 

So, according to them a natural disaster hits one side of a country and RCL should institute an economic disaster on the other side of the country out of "sympathy." Imagine how many cruises from Florida would need to be canceled over the years because of hurricane hitting there. They wouldn't want the "suffering" Floridians to be upset by vacationers cruising from their ports.

 

What morons!

[bmazzo]

Agreed!

[ehfl]

The actions suggested in this report would not bring any substantial relief to the Haitian people.

 

Cruise ships are not cargo ships. There are many cargo ships headed to Haiti that can carry many tons of supplies. Using a passenger ship for cargo is very inefficient. Blocking a port with a large passenger ship, when the docks are needed for cargo ships is a backwards move.

 

Labadee is many miles from the destruction in the capital. There is no safe way to move people to Labadee, and Labadee is not equipped to handle refugees. There are many safer places closer to the city, where refugees fleeing the capital can camp out.

 

There is no shortage of labor in Labadee. What they need in terms of labor are people who can dig through rubble, dig latrines in the camps, etc. There are plenty of unemployed Haitians that can and are doing these jobs.

 

It would not be beneficial to keep the money from toursims from flowing into Haiti, just in order to look like they are doing something.

[hawkshoe]

I have to admit that I wasn't to keen on RCCL's decision to keep docking in Labadee. I still have some concerns regarding my upcoming trip there. That being said, I think the article in question is ridi ulous. The proposals they have made for how RC could better assist in this disaster are laughable.

[Mark_K]

Anybody who thinks Labadee is a good place for a tent city is clueless. The whole thing is less than 1/2 square mile, and I'm sure there are a lot better, and bigger, sites that aren't a seven hour drive from Port-au-Prince.

 

Also, why is it that only Royal Caribbean should be dedicating cruise ships to the relief effort?

Royal is the only cruiseline with a port in Haiti. Also they are not the only one helping the haitians. Carnival has donated $5 million compared to the $1 million RCL contributed

Any ship dedicated to housing would not be at Labadee it would be in the waters outside Port-au-Prince. Any ship converted and used for cargo would not dock at Labadee, it would dock at Port-au-Prince. All cruise lines are capable of dedicating ships to the effort, but RCI is the only one that people think should, it makes no sense.

 

Also, Carnival did not say they were donating $5 million, if you read their release closely, they are including in that amount money they plan to collect from passengers, etc. They never really stated how much the corporation itself was donating - just a large contribution. I have to admit it was a good publicity move, though. Get credit for donating $5 million without actually having to do it yourself. This is what their release said:

 

".. The $5 million donation includes a large corporate contribution along with monies raised from a variety of fundraising efforts coordinated by Carnival Corporation & plc's cruise brands, both in their offices in North America, Europe and Australia and throughout the fleet. "

[yarlenna]

My DH (who is not a RCI fan) has just told me that next year, my birthday present will be a RCI cruise. I am very very happy. Love what RCI is doing in Haiti, and am am so happy that my DH is putting his money where his heart is. (We were on the Freedom the day of the earthquake - to celebrate my birthday (early I know) already.)

[rushedmom]

A post from someone that was on the Solstice and stopped at Labadee.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=22824304&postcount=45

 

This is a great post!

[JTJ]

They should liquidate their assets pay off the debts and give what's left to the relief fund.

[hoop4321]

what a ridiculous "article". The older i get the more i realize the saying "no good deed goes unpunished" is true. RCCL didn't have to do anything, but they have stepped up and become a big part of the relief of Haiti, especially the future of Haiti. With RCCL getting so much heat for the good that they do, would you blame them if they bowed out of any response for Haiti's next crisis??? There WILL be a next one, hurricane season is months away. Rather than just send money as Carnival did....RCCL sent money and brought supplies. With the recent news of money not making it to the needy there, they brought things that were harder to monopolize, to make a bigger impact on the suffering. That anyone could criticize anyone for helping is stupid and pointless.

[TEXASMUNK]

That buys this tripe garbage "reporting" is a fool!

 

They want money...not for help, but for the "foundation!!!!

 

P.T. Barnum said it best, 'There is one born every minute"

 

Anyone buying into the evil corporate trash is brain washed by these hard core left wing, stident, "let's turn the whole world into a third world nation" people..

 

If you are so opposed to RCI's actions...MATCH the dollars they are already spending...if you won't dig into your own wallet and spend that amount of money, SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!

[JsMom2]

Seems like the overwhelming response to the article is the same as mine. Absolutely ridiculous!!

[Islandbear]

A post from someone that was on the Solstice and stopped at Labadee.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=22824304&postcount=45

 

 

Great Post!

[mtchg]

They should liquidate their assets pay off the debts and give what's left to the relief fund.

 

..This post was written satirically, but actually in the article's author's 'perfect world'...this would be the case. Make that "Perfect Socialistic World".

 

..when you realize the source is an anti-capitalistic organization; and the "suggestions' are made through "RED...colored glasses"; ....then you understand the real purpose of the article is to "stick it to THE MAN".....not for anything constructive.

 

Mitch

[crusinmama06]

What I find the most absurd about that article is that Royal Caribbean should take ships out of commission and park them in Labadee as hotels - and while what a wonderful and heart warming picture that would be.

 

Let's discuss -

 

All of the people who paid for the non-refundable airfare to board flights to fly to those ships -- now out of their money, who pays for that?

 

All of those people who paid for the hotels to stay in pre-cruise/post cruise - will now be out of that money or just cancel -- who pays for that?

 

Non refundable rental fees. Non refundable travel insurance.

 

Yep, that would have been responsible. :rolleyes:

 

On another note - did anyone happen to catch Anderson Cooper's report on CNN the other day? He snuck past the roadblocks the Haitian govt had set up using BULLDOZERS to keep the public from going out to look at the dumping sites where they have the mass graves. Anyway, they haven't even covered the bodies up. They used the bulldozers to set up roadblocks but didn't use them to properly cover up the bodies with dirt. :eek::(

[coxswain]

What I find the most absurd about that article is that Royal Caribbean should take ships out of commission and park them in Labadee as hotels - and while what a wonderful and heart warming picture that would be.

 

Let's discuss -

 

All of the people who paid for the non-refundable airfare to board flights to fly to those ships -- now out of their money, who pays for that?

 

All of those people who paid for the hotels to stay in pre-cruise/post cruise - will now be out of that money or just cancel -- who pays for that?

 

Non refundable rental fees. Non refundable travel insurance.

 

Yep, that would have been responsible. :rolleyes:

 

On another note - did anyone happen to catch Anderson Cooper's report on CNN the other day? He snuck past the roadblocks the Haitian govt had set up using BULLDOZERS to keep the public from going out to look at the dumping sites where they have the mass graves. Anyway, they haven't even covered the bodies up. They used the bulldozers to set up roadblocks but didn't use them to properly cover up the bodies with dirt. :eek::(

 

 

 

 

Are you saying it can't be done ?

 

 

Try searching P&O Canberra Falklands

 

 

 

 

 

jj........

[TEXASMUNK]

Ever notice how those with a socialist bent are so willing to "volunteer" the resources of others to a cause?

 

Curious if their personal financial commitment has been made of whether, being socialists, they prefer others to donate and care while they sit back on their pinnacle of superiority and only gaze down on those that actually are doing something for their fellow man.

 

Side note....did you know, thus far, US citizens have donated (cash) close to twice as much as the US governemnt has committed which is already 5 times what the rest of the world has donated?

[crusinmama06]

Are you saying it can't be done ?

 

 

Try searching P&O Canberra Falklands

 

 

 

 

 

jj........

 

Oh I know it can be done. I saw it done with Katrina when the ship was sitting in the port that was hit. I sailed on that ship after it came back into service.

 

But after reading your posts over the years, I can just imagine the diatribe that would follow from your vacation being cancelled if Royal Caribbean decided to take one of your upcoming cruises and reroute the ship to be used as a floating city for refugees. :cool:

 

And that's just you. Now take you times the number of weekly passengers onboard one Royal Caribbean ship times the number of weeks it would need to sit in Haiti.

 

The number of dissatisfied customers claiming that Royal Caribbean ruined the rest of their lives, the lives of their children, grandchildren, neighbors and neghbors' grandchildren because their vacation plans were cancelled.

 

And P&O Canberra - sold for scrap - 1997

[cruiserbryce]

unfortunate that so many companies that have no obligation have done so much and are still given a hard time for not doing more:rolleyes:

[klingoncruiser]

Garbage article from a garbage group. RCL is to be commended. Lots of this kind of "corporate bashing" these days. What nonsense i that article.:mad:

[Ocean Boy]

Are you saying it can't be done ?

 

 

Try searching P&O Canberra Falklands

 

 

 

 

 

jj........

 

 

Where did she say that it couldn't be done? In fact her post is pretty clear as to intent.

[coxswain]

Oh I know it can be done. I saw it done with Katrina when the ship was sitting in the port that was hit. I sailed on that ship after it came back into service.

 

But after reading your posts over the years, I can just imagine the diatribe that would follow from your vacation being cancelled if Royal Caribbean decided to take one of your upcoming cruises and reroute the ship to be used as a floating city for refugees. :cool:

 

And that's just you. Now take you times the number of weekly passengers onboard one Royal Caribbean ship times the number of weeks it would need to sit in Haiti.

 

The number of dissatisfied customers claiming that Royal Caribbean ruined the rest of their lives, the lives of their children, grandchildren, neighbors and neghbors' grandchildren because their vacation plans were cancelled.

 

And P&O Canberra - sold for scrap - 1997

 

 

 

 

 

So theres no reason to stop them doing it - infact is it not a fact the U.S Gov could commandeer any U.S flag cruise ship and compensate the cruise line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

jj......

[Ocean Boy]

So theres no reason to stop them doing it - infact is it not a fact the U.S Gov could commandeer any U.S flag cruise ship and compensate the cruise line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

jj......

There is a great reason for RCI not doing it. It is called bankruptcy. And what is your point about the US government and Us flagged ships? RCI has no US flagged ships. Seems pretty moot to me.

[njoyndride]

What I find the most absurd about that article is that Royal Caribbean should take ships out of commission and park them in Labadee as hotels - and while what a wonderful and heart warming picture that would be.

 

You are right...and think about it....if this happened in your area would you really travel 100 miles away from family, neighbors and what you know? Coming from earthquake country and experiencing 1989 (nowhere near this amount of damage) travel was difficult, both DH and I were instrumental in getting our respective places of employment to a place where people could work, helped neighbors, etc. I recognize the magnitude in Haiti is unthinkable compared to what we experienced but it makes the above that much more difficult. My point is everybody was concerned about those around them, getting their town back in working order and weren't inclined to flee.