Reflection to be taken over by Sect on 09/09/13

[Despegue]

On my next cruise, there will be a very large group of a scam organisation called " Abraham Hicks".

More than 1200 followers of this scam, invented by a couple claiming to channel Abraham and other fictional or deceased persons, will have "seminars" onboard, for which they have to pay 400$ a person for twelve hours of brainwashing .

Now, I am frankly appalled that Celebrity cruise lines is first of all encouraging scam artists like this to feast on their victims' money, and secondly, allows such huge group which will no doubt take over many parts of the ship thus decreasing the cruise experience of those enlighted souls NOT willing to be scammed by Abraham Hicks and " Esther", the surviving female part of the couple.( husband Jerry died from cancer although they claimed all diseases can be cured within days by focussing on the Abraham Hicks teachings:eek:)

 

All of this is happening on the 09/09/13 sailing of Reflection.

 

Would you like to cruise with over 1000 Sect members?

[CathyCruises]

Okay, I am hoping this is a joke. Or I would be rushing to the phone to cancel my cruise!

[cruisegirl1]

I would be hesitant to sail any ship with 1000 from any group. That is nearly half the ship - no way. The actual group makess no difference.

 

M

[Karen@Steve]

I think I would have to cancel although many will have already booked their flights and otehr things. This just would make me very uncomfortable as I detest these types of organizations. Glad I'm not booked on this cruise and I hope that those booked are comfortable with it or can make other arrangements.

[Despegue]

Sadly , no Joke...

 

This cruise is a once in a lifetime holiday for us as we invited both the parents and parents-in-law, costing us well over 15.000$ .

I am extremely frustrated and worried.

Maybe 15000$ is not a lot for some, but for us, that is a significant contribution for a second holiday:mad:.

 

Hoping now that it will not be that bad and they will not try to recruit my family:eek:

 

Positive point.: their seminars are during sea days meaning more sun loungers available and less crowded decks and pools...

[H2OH!]

I would be hesitant to sail any ship with 1000 from any group. That is nearly half the ship - no way. The actual group makess no difference.

 

M

 

i agree. whenever a group, any group, takes up more than half the ship, I would rebook.

[miched]

I have never heard of that group.

 

I would like to know how the OP found out about it.

 

Can't imagine people going on a cruise and than paying to be brainwashed. There must be something wrong with their brain to begin with.

 

 

.

[d4m]

So unfortunate for you and your family. At least you'll be able to dine together and have the pool with 1,000 less people. What a plus. Hope that this turns out better than you are worried about.

 

I would feel the same way. Heard about that group and booking awhile ago and it has been advertized

[justcrusn]

You are cruising with 1,000 people eager to spend their money foolishly!

Why not have your own "seminar"?

Print up some t-shirts to sell?

Bring a "magic channeling crystal" to rent out?

 

You could easily pay for ten cruises!

lol

[drfun48]

i agree. whenever a group, any group, takes up more than half the ship, I would rebook.

 

I disagree. A ship full of supermodels would be quite OK with me.

[dkjretired]

I found out through another poster on a thread rearding weak bookings for this year's Med. sailings. As our sailing is nearly full and the other comparable ones still wide open, this caused an investigation...

 

The sect publishes books etc. it is it seems a sort of Scientology scam...

 

I have been browsing theirmforums just to get more info regarding this scam, and it is scary. They are absolutely out of touch with reality, brainwashed by these teachings.

 

Did you put this on your roll calls and have a discussion with them about it.

[ghstudio]

At a minimum, I would find a way to be in aqua class (which they aren't selling for this group) and thus isolate me from dining room issues, however, to be honest, I would seriously consider cancelling this cruise (final payment is not due until the end of this week.

[fredflint]

no real reason to get stressed be glad they are not 1000 square dancers wanting to dance everywhere and hogging all the floor space ( no offence to any real square dancers just needed an example)

 

imagine if they were 1000 IRS agents! They could all be pretty nice people, they may be nice but misguided people.

[Despegue]

Flights and hotels already booked, no way of refunds, ( parents in law come from Russia), no way to change holidays at work for all parties.

Celebrity has NOT informed anyone regarding this issue.

I have warned the Roll call, but this roll call has very few participants and most are not experienced cruisers..l

[cruisestitch]

Frankly, I would not worry and would continue with the plans you have made. Their seminars will be keeping them busy and away from the public areas on sea days, making the ship more comfortable for the rest of you. I sincerely doubt that they will attempt to recruit you or your family -- that is a violation of the Celebrity Code of Conduct, and would put them in jeopardy. I won't quote the entire Code of Conduct but just the first sentence of this paragraph:

 

"Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes: uninvited physical contact, solicitation, "

 

So Solicitation is not allowed. Any attempt to approach you in relation to joining or supporting their beliefs could be immediately reported to Guest Relations, but I doubt that they would ever be so foolish.

 

I suspect that they will go unnoticed even with such a large number of them.

[boogs]

Flights and hotels already booked, no way of refunds, ( parents in law come from Russia), no way to change holidays at work for all parties.

Celebrity has NOT informed anyone regarding this issue.

I have warned the Roll call, but this roll call has very few participants and most are not experienced cruisers..l

 

None of the cruise lines will notify you of a large group. Won't happen - ever! They will never deliberately give people a reason to cancel!

[Lois R]

Flights and hotels already booked, no way of refunds, ( parents in law come from Russia), no way to change holidays at work for all parties.

Celebrity has NOT informed anyone regarding this issue.

I have warned the Roll call, but this roll call has very few participants and most are not experienced cruisers..l

 

Hi,:).....this is a very port intensive cruise. Are you going to be touring

most every day? I see there are 3 sea days in 11 nights and maybe

they will be in their seminars during those days.

The days in port? The group shouldn't really affect you.

 

I do understand your hesitation but at this point it sounds like you

and your family are in a "go" position.

 

As for Celebrity informing all the passengers? I think this has been

a topic before....unless the group charters the entire ship? I doubt

they are going be sending out information to anyone.

 

Hoping you and your family have a good time anyway:)

[ghstudio]

Frankly, I would not worry and would continue with the plans you have made. Their seminars will be keeping them busy and away from the public areas on sea days, making the ship more comfortable for the rest of you. I sincerely doubt that they will attempt to recruit you or your family -- that is a violation of the Celebrity Code of Conduct, and would put them in jeopardy. I won't quote the entire Code of Conduct but just the first sentence of this paragraph:

 

"Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes: uninvited physical contact, solicitation, "

 

So Solicitation is not allowed. Any attempt to approach you in relation to joining or supporting their beliefs could be immediately reported to Guest Relations, but I doubt that they would ever be so foolish.

 

I suspect that they will go unnoticed even with such a large number of them.

 

I think you are being a bit foolish if you believe that the ship would enforce that policy. If any sort of solicitation occurs, it would probably be by members trying to recruit other members...not the organization that chartered the trip.

 

There really is nothing you can do, other than moving to Aqua Class, if possible, to minimize any impact. However, given the group, they will likely just find each other and gather in smaller groups doing whatever this group does. It's a big ship and it should be pretty easy to find someplace where one of the smaller groups isn't holding court, so to speak. Not sure how this will effect dining times....it may be that the group just let everyone dine when they want so they haven't planned a big "all hands" dinner. If so, their impact should be minimal.

 

It's hard to say how any group will effect others.....I doubt that any would be as bad as the "american girl" cruise where dolls who took up their own seats in the buffet, etc.

 

It will likely work out OK....I would personally try to avoid the cruise, but if you are locked in then this group sounds like it may effect you far less than some other groups.

[cruisestitch]

I am aware that people are not allowed to sell things on the ship -- a form of solicitation -- even something as apparently benign as the jewelry/crafts leader selling beads outside of the specific workshop times has not been allowed.

 

If I was on board any ship, and any other passenger approached me proselytizing about anything, from religion, to politics, to a charitable fundraiser like a "walk for life" or anything else I can think of, if a simple "no thank you" didn't rebuff them I would not hesitate to head to Guest Relations. And I believe that the offending passenger WOULD hear from management about it.

[BamaD]

I love the idea of AQ - it would definitely insulate you! This might be the kind of group that disappears while onboard.. I'm assuming a 'religious bent' that might keep the group away from the casino, pool, or Martini Bar:)?

 

If the truth be told, I once ran screaming from a cruise because Celebrity had scheduled an "American Girl" event with about 1,000 dolls, little girls and mommies! It was Thanksgiving 2010, on the Solstice!

 

I find it interesting how few groups I can actively imagine holding a prejudice (pre-judgiment) against.... but Abraham Hicks and American Girl dolls (on a cruise).... I stand my ground:eek:!!!

[Despegue]

A sincere thank you all formthe advice...

Like with all things in life, we will make the best out of it...

 

I will talk to,the travel agent and Celebrity Belgium and see what can be done to make our cruise as enjoyable as possible:)

[jackdiamond]

Flights and hotels already booked, no way of refunds, ( parents in law come from Russia), no way to change holidays at work for all parties.

Celebrity has NOT informed anyone regarding this issue.

I have warned the Roll call, but this roll call has very few participants and most are not experienced cruisers..l

Does Celebrity ever inform passengers of groups which are booked? As a matter of fact, I have never been aware of this type of notification.

[TLCOhio]

I disagree. A ship full of supermodels would be quite OK with me.

 

Despegue: Sadly ' date=' no Joke... This cruise is a once in a lifetime holiday for us as we invited both the parents and parents-in-law, costing us well over 15.000$ [b']Positive point[/b].: their seminars are during sea days meaning more sun loungers available and less crowded decks and pools...

 

Despegue: A sincere thank you all formthe advice...

Like with all things in life' date=' [b']we will make the best out of it[/b]...

 

I will talk to,the travel agent and Celebrity Belgium and see what can be done to make our cruise as enjoyable as possible

 

Yes, challenging and frustrating situation. BUT, some fun, interesting comments above. Glad you're focused on the potential, maybe, positive for less crowded pools, etc. Good luck!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 131,742 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[ghstudio]

This is actually getting very interesting. If you want to book a C2 cabin on that cruise with Celebrity, you pay $3339 per person (plus taxes,..). You can book that same cabin through Abraham-Hicks for $2220 !!!!!

 

That's not what I expected :) Seems like some on that cruise might just want to join the group and save $1100 a person. You might lose 1-2-3, etc, but $1100 pp might well be worth switching....before final payment, of course.

[dkjretired]

Does Celebrity ever inform passengers of groups which are booked? As a matter of fact, I have never been aware of this type of notification.

 

No, they actually avoid it and it is difficult to find out who is on group cruises unless you do a lot of independent research.