Comments on: Queen Mary’s little gas problem http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sarah http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27261 Sarah Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:56:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27261 Shari, Please keep in mind that you aren't getting the good cruise stories on this site. Millions of people go on cruises every year without a problem of any kind. The fuel fee is an old issue and the fees were well publisized at the time they were being charged. They were by no means hidden fees like this article suggests. Now is a great time to book a cruise because fares are low. Shari,

Please keep in mind that you aren’t getting the good cruise stories on this site. Millions of people go on cruises every year without a problem of any kind. The fuel fee is an old issue and the fees were well publisized at the time they were being charged. They were by no means hidden fees like this article suggests. Now is a great time to book a cruise because fares are low.

]]> By: Shari http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27153 Shari Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:30:09 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27153 My husband has been talking about wanting to take a cruise. Everything I read on this site tells me that I shouldn't. So glad to hear about all of this before I go and make the mistake of booking a cruise, because I know that the deplorable business practices I read about here would have my blood boiling by the end of the cruise. My husband has been talking about wanting to take a cruise. Everything I read on this site tells me that I shouldn’t. So glad to hear about all of this before I go and make the mistake of booking a cruise, because I know that the deplorable business practices I read about here would have my blood boiling by the end of the cruise.

]]> By: barbie45 http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27083 barbie45 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:05:55 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27083 Al, I do not think your idea would be very practical or popular. we might have a mutiny on board. On several cruises I have been on the service has been horrible; On others very good. Maybe we just use those tips for the real horrible staff for your proposal. just kidding, Al, I do not think your idea would be very practical or popular. we might have a mutiny on board. On several cruises I have been on the service has been horrible; On others very good. Maybe we just use those tips for the real horrible staff for your proposal. just kidding,

]]> By: Travel News and Stories for 11/11/2009 | U Reader | Your daily news stop station ... http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27081 Travel News and Stories for 11/11/2009 | U Reader | Your daily news stop station ... Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:44:27 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27081 [...] Queen Mary’s small gas problem When Mel McBeth and his mom requisitioned a journey on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 final year, they weren’t awaiting any one more charges. But that’s only what they got when the journey line helped itself to an additional $180, which it claimed was a fuel surcharge, on the day they paid for their vacation. http://www.elliott.org [...] [...] Queen Mary’s small gas problem When Mel McBeth and his mom requisitioned a journey on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 final year, they weren’t awaiting any one more charges. But that’s only what they got when the journey line helped itself to an additional $180, which it claimed was a fuel surcharge, on the day they paid for their vacation. http://www.elliott.org [...]

]]> By: Michelle http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27063 Michelle Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:01:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27063 I agree with Chris. Short of some unexpected, worldwide crisis, if you are incapable of making a viable financial plan that will include fuel costs in the price of a cruise, you either need to hire better people or get out of the cruise business. Same goes for airlines, bus companies, etc. I agree with Chris. Short of some unexpected, worldwide crisis, if you are incapable of making a viable financial plan that will include fuel costs in the price of a cruise, you either need to hire better people or get out of the cruise business. Same goes for airlines, bus companies, etc.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27045 Sarah Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:07:38 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27045 I completely agree LeeAnne. Tips should not be removed unless directly related to the crew's performance. If you go on a cruise, budget for at least the recomended tips. They are well published in advance and should not be a surprise. I completely agree LeeAnne. Tips should not be removed unless directly related to the crew’s performance. If you go on a cruise, budget for at least the recomended tips. They are well published in advance and should not be a surprise.

]]> By: LeeAnne http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27041 LeeAnne Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:19:33 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27041 @AL - I strongly disagree with you on that suggestion. The crew on cruise ships work very hard to make sure passengers have a memorable vacation. Their pay is based on an assumption that they will receive the tips that are recommended by the cruise line. It would be terribly unfair to them to penalize them financially for the cruise line's unfair billing practices. It's certainly not the crew's fault! They are hardworking people who often leave their families for months at a time to be able to earn a decent living and give their families a better life. I hope you can see how wrong it would be to make THEM pay for the corporation's unfair practices. @AL – I strongly disagree with you on that suggestion. The crew on cruise ships work very hard to make sure passengers have a memorable vacation. Their pay is based on an assumption that they will receive the tips that are recommended by the cruise line. It would be terribly unfair to them to penalize them financially for the cruise line’s unfair billing practices. It’s certainly not the crew’s fault! They are hardworking people who often leave their families for months at a time to be able to earn a decent living and give their families a better life. I hope you can see how wrong it would be to make THEM pay for the corporation’s unfair practices.

]]> By: AL http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-27032 AL Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:30:10 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-27032 I wonder how long the cruise line staff would support the unwanted and unneeded fare hike, if passengers used the monies allocated for "Tips", to pay the extra fees. I wonder how long the cruise line staff would support the unwanted and unneeded fare hike, if passengers used the monies allocated for “Tips”, to pay the extra fees.

]]> By: Merlin http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26980 Merlin Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:48:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26980 Carver, don't bother trying to find the logic in barbie45's comments. There is none to be found. Replying to her only encourages her to keep commenting. Many of Chris's fans are hoping that she'll go away and take her nonsensical ramblings somewhere else, allowing this web site to return to its former, readable state. Carver, don’t bother trying to find the logic in barbie45′s comments. There is none to be found. Replying to her only encourages her to keep commenting. Many of Chris’s fans are hoping that she’ll go away and take her nonsensical ramblings somewhere else, allowing this web site to return to its former, readable state.

]]> By: Carver Farrow http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26978 Carver Farrow Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:51:49 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26978 @barbie45 I think that misses the point. The OP isn't unhappy with the $180;. Its the way it was done. Transparency and finality are two values in consumer transactions, both of which are missing in this situation. @barbie45

I think that misses the point. The OP isn’t unhappy with the $180;. Its the way it was done. Transparency and finality are two values in consumer transactions, both of which are missing in this situation.

]]> By: barbie45 http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26951 barbie45 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:53:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26951 I just wish the cruise lines would advertise one thing - the final cost. Queen Mary is a luxury cruise not a cheap Carnival special . If you are unhappy with 180.00 -simple do not go. I just wish the cruise lines would advertise one thing – the final cost. Queen Mary is a luxury cruise not a cheap Carnival special . If you are unhappy with 180.00 -simple do not go.

]]> By: Aaron Gold http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26945 Aaron Gold Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:54:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26945 Fuel charges are stupid. Imagine if you went to Target, bought and paid for a toaster for $22, and then was stopped in the parking lot and told there was a $2 fuel surcharge because of the cost of diesel fuel to chip it to the store. Any other business takes its operating expenses into account and adjusts prices accordingly. Why can't cruise lines and airlines do the same? I am yet another person who travels a lot but does not consider cruising as a vacation, and it's because of shenanigans like this. Thousands of dollars spent elsewhere. Are you listening, Cunard? Nah, probably not. Fuel charges are stupid. Imagine if you went to Target, bought and paid for a toaster for $22, and then was stopped in the parking lot and told there was a $2 fuel surcharge because of the cost of diesel fuel to chip it to the store. Any other business takes its operating expenses into account and adjusts prices accordingly. Why can’t cruise lines and airlines do the same? I am yet another person who travels a lot but does not consider cruising as a vacation, and it’s because of shenanigans like this. Thousands of dollars spent elsewhere. Are you listening, Cunard? Nah, probably not.

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26942 Joe Farrell Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:25:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26942 I have not set foot on a cruise ship since 2005. It was my third time. First time was for a solar eclipse specialty cruise - so I had no frame of reference. 2nd time was a Disney 4 night with a special needs child - third time was in 2005 on RCCL. The RCCL was in a suite- and boy was I disappointed - no special amenities, no special boarding, no special access to perferred times for anything - no special tender access. Not even a departure bottle of champagne, well - there was a warm bottle of champagne in a buck without ice - $45 plus tip if we opened it. So, yeah, I understand the nickel and diming. Never again. Never will I set foot on a cruise boat again. I took hot tea, grabbed glass, put ice in it - and they then wanted to charge me for iced tea. Thats it - I"m done. Your annoying practice of charging me for everything except the crappy food you serve in the buffets or at the BBQ's turned me off for good. The constant drop in the service and amenities provided, coupled with the constant hand out for a tip to simply do your job - thats it. Done. And there are more and more people who object to the business practices . . . I have not set foot on a cruise ship since 2005. It was my third time. First time was for a solar eclipse specialty cruise – so I had no frame of reference. 2nd time was a Disney 4 night with a special needs child – third time was in 2005 on RCCL. The RCCL was in a suite- and boy was I disappointed – no special amenities, no special boarding, no special access to perferred times for anything – no special tender access. Not even a departure bottle of champagne, well – there was a warm bottle of champagne in a buck without ice – $45 plus tip if we opened it. So, yeah, I understand the nickel and diming.

Never again. Never will I set foot on a cruise boat again. I took hot tea, grabbed glass, put ice in it – and they then wanted to charge me for iced tea. Thats it – I”m done. Your annoying practice of charging me for everything except the crappy food you serve in the buffets or at the BBQ’s turned me off for good.

The constant drop in the service and amenities provided, coupled with the constant hand out for a tip to simply do your job – thats it. Done. And there are more and more people who object to the business practices . . .

]]> By: Mike http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26930 Mike Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:43:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26930 I'm sorry, but fine print or not, by now fuel prices should be built into the price of the cruise or airfare that you are buying. We aren't talking about a customer beinging 20 bags aboard either, we are talking about a standard charge that tehc ruise line will shell out no matter who their customers are. Sailing a ship costs money and they all know how much it will cost them. It is also sad that just to take a flight or go on a cruise I need to read through more fine print than I did when I bought my first house. There is no excuse for that. I’m sorry, but fine print or not, by now fuel prices should be built into the price of the cruise or airfare that you are buying. We aren’t talking about a customer beinging 20 bags aboard either, we are talking about a standard charge that tehc ruise line will shell out no matter who their customers are. Sailing a ship costs money and they all know how much it will cost them.

It is also sad that just to take a flight or go on a cruise I need to read through more fine print than I did when I bought my first house. There is no excuse for that.

]]> By: Doug http://www.elliott.org/blog/queen-marys-little-gas-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-26911 Doug Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:42:57 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9392#comment-26911 Entirely justified from a hard-nosed business standpoint - but obnoxious enough to prevent me from EVER considering one of their cruises. Entirely justified from a hard-nosed business standpoint – but obnoxious enough to prevent me from EVER considering one of their cruises.

]]>