Diamond has left my family stranded!

[cruiseluv]

Bill, you raise a pretty bleak albeit true picture of the impact that this Diamond fiasco will have on Radisson. Although I wasn't directly affected by the Diamond cancellation I can't help but wonder how material will the repercussions of this fiasco be on the overall financial condition of the company and how it will affect the well being of their other ships. Will there be cost-cutting measures taken that will impact the maintenance, service, food etc. in the rest of the cruises in the near term?

[NHcruisers]

Cruiseluv--

 

I have a good sense, from personal communication, how savvy Mark Conroy is and his personal commitment to the RSSC vision. He would not jeapodize this vision. Thus, I do not think there will be any change in maintenance, service, food in the near or long term. More generous compensation for individual cruisers might have changed this opinion --

 

Bill

[JoAnne B]

"Again, what contingency plans could they have set up?"

 

Without knowing the terms of the original lease, it's impossible to outline a contingency plan. What I do know is that RSSC was not planning to renew the lease. Losing the PG did open reconsideration of renewal with a possible move to the Pacific. She would have been well suited for that itinerary. However, I don't think the Diamond was ever in their long-term plan. Yes, absolutely, the loss of the season will be very costly to the corporation. I'm not sure how many cancelled passengers will actually use the future credit. However, filling cabins that would otherwise be vacant on the remaining ships amounts to marginal revenue, and not necessary losses. Regardless, RSSC will pay dearly for the cancellations.

 

None of us wants RSSC to cut quality in order to recover from this fiasco. I, for one, hope that they will bring this situation under control, reimburse cancelled passengers for out-of-pocket losses, and work with them on new bookings. Sometimes handling a problem well turns an angry customer into a loyal customer. It is the way the problem is handled that really counts. I trust that RSSC is listening to the complaints, frustration, and in some cases, anger. I would suggest that those who have specific complaints email RSSC and follow-up with snail mail. While there have to be limits to what they will do to satisfy cancelled passengers, they should be given the opportunity to respond to individual complaints.

[NHcruisers]

Joanna B.--

 

Okay, enough is enough.

 

You assert that RSSC had no intention of renewing the lease. You are categorically wrong. And yes, I know this for a FACT. (I suspect that I know RRSC and RSSC's management better than you do.) Enough of your poorly informed guesses based upon your anger.

 

If you are out of pocket expenses, TAKE INSURANCE NEXT TIME. YOU, and only YOU, made the decision to SELF INSURE to save money, now live with your decision. Don't blame RSSC (or any other line) and expect them to make you whole after the fact. What ever happened to personal responsibility? You want the best of all worlds, i.e., not pay insurance and then have somebody bail you out when things go south.

 

Again, I reiterate my sympathy for those affected. Whether the compensation offered is fair, I'll leave that determination to the affected individual's own opinion. But your anger at RSSC because you lost money on incidentals while choosing not to book RSSC air OR not to take insurance just to save money, is just in MHO, misplaced.

 

Bill

[JoAnne B]

Bill

 

Obviously you did not read my posts closely. I stated quite clearly that I was not out any money and had no personal financial losses. I am however, frustrated (not angry--I think that is projection on your part) by the poor communications by RSSC. Information initially provided was in direct conflict with the written offer subsequently provided. As of today, I still do not know how my reservation will be handled by RSSC.

 

I do however have empathy for those who did incur financial losses or are left without viable options for the cancelled cruise. Did you by any chance read the posts by those whose insurance refuses to cover failure of the vendor to provide service? Whether cancellation insurance is a good investment or a sucker bet is fodder for another thread. I've done my own analysis and would be more than happy to share it in the appropriate thread.

 

Now, why don't you calm down, take a blood pressure pill or a Valium, and give it a break. I am willing to admit that you are the resident expert on everything related to RSSC. Enough said.

[NHcruisers]

JoAnne B--

 

I agree. Enough said.

 

I would consider it a pleasure to cruise with you, and I mean it. Maybe we can take Valium together!!

 

Please have a good night!

 

Best regards,

 

Bill

[ocngypz]

It's about $4 million in losses. However, net bookings for 2005 so far are up 32% over last year... so the line is in good shape.

 

Poor Stanley.. what was the poor fella going to do? Lost his casino monopoly........had to try something new!!

 

Perhaps it's just a situation of "turn about is fair play". I seem to recall an abrupt lease cancellation of a certain ship named Hanseatic.. which cost the owners dearly...........

 

Funny little ship, Diamond. But so easy to sell as full charter. RATS!

[yogagal47]

we just received the news today-i immediately got online and looked for cruises for the same departure city/time frame as our Diamond Sept 24 Rome to Venice cruise. we were traveling business using miles. I found a Windstar Rome to Malta Cruise then called American Airlines and we booked our return flights Malta-London-Chicago-Denver and were able to cancel our original return flights with only 100$ or so in change and tax fees. I have no interest in another Radisson Cruise. I feel they took these Diamond bookings in bad faith and will not support them. How sad...By the way, we were able to great a great deal on the Windsurf-having sailed them before, I feel good about sailing with them again

[Dolebludger]

yogagal47:

 

 

My TA informs me that Radisson IS making canceled folks whole for their out of pocket expenses, so this is something you might want to check out. We were not personally canceled, but I inquired as we too would not want to do further business with a line that would not do this. Rather, we cancelled what is now the Diamond's last cruise, mainly because of timing and personal/family matters. But the fact that the cancelations would virtually guarantee a packed ship on this last cruise, and our experienced belief that the Diamond is not at her best when "packed" was a factor.

 

But again, I have been reliably informed that Radisson is reimbursing canceled guests for things like airline cancelation fees, lost airline points, and hotel cancelation fees.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[yogagal47]

How very disappointing . Will be rebooking and cruising Windstar(Windsurf)9/25 Rome to Venice. We were to have sailed Diamond Rome to Venice. Fortuantely I was able to change my business air(using miles)on American airlines to return from Malta instead of Venice.

[goodshape]

My son had booked the Diamond for a Sep cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome. He found out today it was cancelled. This after calling Radisson in Dec and being assured that the September cruises would operate and then we booked the air tickets. Shame on you Radisson - you knew how long your lease was on the Diamond....

[ZAMOST]

We were booked on the Diamond for August 27. Took a while for all of us to agree on date, cruise line, and itinerary. Any suggestions?

 

WindSurf around Portugal/Spain in September or

WindStar/WindSpirit itinerary of the Greek Isles in September or

consider Seabourn, Crystal, or are these cruise line prices not particularly comparable.

 

Thanks. Freethinking is appreciated.

[yogagal47]

I have chosen to switch to Windstar, having sailed with them twice before-once in tahiti on the windstar and once on the windsurf nice to Rome. both cruises were wonderful and we met such lovely fellow passengers. the demographic on crystal and seaborne will definitely be different(older) and the ship's atmosphere more formal but certainly overall more luxurious. We enjoyed our cruise last year on the Diamond-venice to istanbul. the cabins were larger than on windstar and the food probably a step up. we are looking forward to taking the rome to malta cruise as the itinerary is great and we will be getting a good deal on a suite-my parents will be sailing with us celebrating their 50th anniversary ! best of luck with your plans

[svanelle]

I wanted to respond to a couple of responses.

 

Windstar does exactly the same cruise at the same time that we had booked the Diamond for. We were on the June 18 Istanbul to Athens. We had the two for one deal, so the cost was $2100 per person. When all of this came crashing down, I checked Windstar's price and it was $3600 pp. I had my TA check the next day and Windstar was already sold out anyway.

 

Also, there ARE cruises to the Greek islands, but they are difficult to find. Royal Olympic does the same itinerary for the Greek Island part. They are in bankruptcy proceedings. Did I want to take a chance on something else iffy? Not really. Louis Cruises also does the same itinerary. Has anyone ever heard of them?

 

What I felt the worst about was that I had independent guides lined up, who had done a lot of e-mailing with me and were very helpful. So, at this point, this is my plan: We will fly into Istanbul, use our independent guide and hotel that I'd already booked. Then, we will fly to Athens, where we will join up with a Globus tour that uses the Louis cruiseline. I know it won't be anything like the Radisson cruise, but I'm sure it will be better than taking the ferry to get to the islands. This will get us to our destinations that we'd planned on seeing and been studying for the past two years. I won't get to wear my new evening gown and shoes I'd bought just for this trip, though. Sigh!

 

Our time was limited to after my son's graduation and before college starts and hopefully, before it becomes too dreadfully hot. We're stopping in Egypt for a couple of days too.

 

I hope this gives a few people some alternative ideas. It's not what I was dreaming of, but it will do the job.

[yogagal47]

my parents were booked with us on the 9/24 diamond rome to venice and were eager to celebrate their 50th anniversary in Venice. They were able to change their outbound flights and start in Venice .They will then join us in Rome to board the Windstar in Civitavecchia for the rome to malta cruise. we were all lucky that we were able to rebook award travel on american airlines and can leave malta, spend one night in london and then catch return flights to the states. I credit the agents at American's Advantage program for their patience in working with us. I am sure you will enjoy your Globus Trip-a friend of ours is an executive with the company and took his family on a trip to Spain this past summer. They had a fabulous time! Cheers, Julie

[new_cruiser]

svanelle,

 

I'm glad you were able to find an alternative. The sad thing is that a few weeks before the Diamond was canceled, the Windstar had a promotion that made their cruise a bit less than your Diamond fare . That ship is around 140 passengers so when the Diamond got canceled it filled up fast and the price shot up to what you saw. Given the small number of cruises from the main lines running that route and the small size of a number of the ships, there are probably many others in your same boat (or lack of boat).

 

Other ideas:

Island hopping with the ferries doesn't sound bad. Not the same experience as a cruise, but it does allow going to a wider variety of islands or staying longer in a spot that interests you. If we enjoy the area on the cruise, we might go back sometime to do the island hopping thing.

 

Charter a boat - my son did this with some friends to visit the Greek isles and loved it. Cost is pretty reasonable and they will go where you want, tailor the menu to what you want, etc. Also not the same as a cruise, it can be a nice experience.

[WesW]

svanelle,

 

Kudos to you for your great attitude and positive spirit! In the face of

an adverse travel situation, you created what looks like a very enjoyable

alternative...thanks for sharing your winning approach--you have set

a good example for all of us if we face a similar situation..have a blast

on your trip--tho I would make your spouse take out for a special Greek dinner appropriate for your dress & shoes...r/wes

[Iamboatman]

From the press release I received today it seems clear that Radisson had absolutely no intention of purchasing the Diamond and was aware of its sale back in late December. It also knew that its lease was up and that the only way it would be able to continue using her was to enter into a new charter with the new owner (as, apparently, the original charter agreement had a "termination on sale" provision). Apparently the negotiations continued from late December until January 24th when Radisson was informed that the negotiations had ended.

 

I don't know what the prospects were for a new charter agreement or if there ever were any. Clearly, Radisson knew there was no charter agreement after May 2005 back in December.

 

It would seem that only those who booked their cruises during the period of December 25-January 25, or who booked air, etc. during that period, were really subjected to any harm non-disclosure by Radisson. (I guess anyone who lost out on booking a replacement cruise that was available during that period might also, but I think that might be limited to a very few people, if any.)

 

I think Radisson probably decided what was the "right" thing (if not perfect thing) to do for those who booked during that "December 25-January25" period and then gave the same compensation to everyone else.

 

I don't think Radisson is to blame for the early sale of the Diamond or the new owner's desire to put their business plan into effect. It seems it was as surprised as everyone else at the early sale. Not great business planning...back when the Diamond was first chartered...but hopefully the sting of the problem will not be too bad for too many.

[JDF]

We were booked on the Diamond on a B2B sailing in November. After reading on the board about the "potential" cancellation(s) all the "red" flags went up. Our TA had the standard "corporate response" from RSSC, full refund of deposit and a $250 pp credit to be used by the end of 2005.

 

Unfortunately after comparing our schedules with RSSCs itineraries, there was not a cruise we could schedule. Per our TA, sorry but you'll lose the credit they're offering you if you don't cruise in 2005. WRONG!

 

Shot off a polite/professional email to Conroy. Phone call within a week, why sure Mr. JDF you and your partner can use your coupons in 2006, plus the 5% on-board booking discount when you booked the Diamond on the Navigator.

 

So, I'm/we're happy. Just waiting for for the 2006 Calendar.

 

Jim

[markRichmond]

Svanele, we were on the same cruise on June 18th and were also considering going and then flying over the Athens. I didi not know there was a cruise available from there! Looks like a very similar itenarary.

Mark

[awatt]

JDF- How did you find out the contact info for Mr Conroy? Thusfar all we have is the email for the Diamond cust service helpdesk, and have gotten no reply from them as I'm sure they are inundated.

[JoAnne B]

Try: mconroy@radisson.com

 

He actually does read and respond to emails. In spite of my complaints about RSSC's handling of the sale, I've never blamed Mark Conroy personally. I suspect he's well on his way to an ulcer by now, and will need a long vacation before all of our problems are resolved. Hopefully you'll find him a helpful resource!

[awatt]

Thank you Joanne B! You have been an excelent resource on the boards,thank you.

[JDF]

Joanne B is correct.

 

On our last cruise on the Navigator, I sent him an email complimenting RSSC, the ship, crew, etc. He immediately replied thanking me for my business.

 

With our cancelled booking on the Diamond, reservations was providing me the proverbial "canned" response. Decided to shoot Conroy another email -- situation was taken care of.

 

Good luck!

 

Jim

[awatt]

Thanks JDF!