Comments

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  David Paul Appell January 23, 2010 at 5:07pm

  Re cruise ships and Haiti, 2 things:
  
  1. An AP story today about the controversy of ships visiting Labadee:
  
  Without This, We Don't Eat
  
  2. Surely by now you've heard of Arthur Frommer's controversial call to action this past weekend:
  
  Shouldn't the Federal Government Charter Several Large Cruise Ships...
  
  Thoughts?

  http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CB_HAITI_VACATIONS?SITE=CALAK&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
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  Marcia Raffel Levin January 21, 2010 at 8:11pm

  As to all the noise about Royal Caribbean continuing its calls at Haiti, the people who benefit from those calls are Haitians who have no industry, no income and the 100 or so employees who maintain and work on the island are supporting many people. Similarly any purchases made on the island are made to Haitians. There are many things to dislike in this world, but this isn't one of them.
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  Marcia Raffel Levin January 21, 2010 at 8:09pm

  Just left the gorgeous new Silver Spirit, Silversea's latest entry into the luxury sweepstakes. I attended and elegant cocktail party and dinner, watched Michael Fienstein perform, spent the night and watched a lovely naming ceremony at Port Everglades this morning.
  I have had the good fortune to sail on Silversea several times since the line first launched and it is comforting to see that not only are things as wonderful and I remember them, but amenities are more varied and the wonderful deco decor welcoming and gracious. One of those amenities is two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segnment.
  Silversea is a big ticket cruise, but for those who don't mind the cost, it is a life-changing cruise experience.
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  Emma Krasov January 21, 2010 at 4:29am

  This sounds right. Tourism is an industry, it brings economic growth. Feeling guilty on a personal level while traveling in the third world is different. I guess, spend more, tip generously.
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  Mary Alice Kellogg January 21, 2010 at 3:19am

  I just attended the CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) annual press conference this morning and the Haiti issue was right up front. All -- industry folk and the press attending -- seemed to agree: to NOT go to Labadee would put an additional 150 Haitians out of work. Haitian employees who, I might add, are probably now in the position of supporting their surviving friends and families who have lost their own livelihoods. In addition, RC is delivering pallets of water and food to the effort to alleviate suffering.
  Those who see some downside to this are short-sighted at best. Of course I would go, and think RC is doing the right thing. Put it this way: what if people decided to not go to New York post-9/11 because it seemed inappropriate? Guiliani encouraged all to come, dine, spend money in the neighborhoods hit hard by that tragedy, and he was right.
  RC should be applauded for doing what it can. And if, as a potential passenger, you don't think it's right then just don't go.
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  José Balido January 20, 2010 at 10:08pm

  Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are still docking at the company's walled-off and heavily guarded Labadee beach compound sixty miles from the epicenter of the earthquake that has all but wiped the small Caribbean nation of Haiti off the map. Some people, passengers included, are disgusted by the action, while others applaud the company's decision to donate proceeds from visits to Labadee, agreeing with the company's position that Labadee tourism is vital to Haiti's recovery.
  
  First World tourism in an increasingly impoverished Third World has always been a delicate issue, but rarely is it so starkly brought to light as this week in Haiti with Royal Caribbean's actions. Where do you stand? Would you go? And is Royal Caribbean doing the right thing?
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  David Paul Appell December 18, 2009 at 11:01pm

  Just came across this, in case any of our journalist members are interested:
  
  Advertorial writer for high-end cruise lines
  
  High-end, American, luxury travel magazine is looking for cruise experts for advertorial assignments in bi-annual publication. We need writers who are very familiar with the high-end cruise lines in the industry, and be able to write compelling advertorials to drive sales for each cruise line. Writer needs to be familiar with and aware of each line's branding and the characteristics that set each apart. Must also be well-traveled, as the advertorials often focus on different destinations around the globe.
  
  Please send writing samples, your resume, and your rate per word.
  
  Thanks,
  Heather
  New York
  looking4freelance@yahoo.com
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  LINDA HERRON December 18, 2009 at 5:52pm

  MAX - main concerns are service and food - that is what my clients complain about. It also concerns me when cruise lines are so desperate for business they are giving it away. To me that sounds like money concerns on their part. They will do anything to get clients.
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  Gailen David December 18, 2009 at 5:26pm

  I found the tipping article very interesting. I think it must be an American thing that we feel so compelled to tip even when it was already included. I think that passengers feel that the employees are still very underpaid even when the "included" gratuity is dispersed to them. I think it is the one stressful part of a cruise; my favorite way to vacation!
  
  
  As far as NCL goes...I did not have a bad experience on them but only an adequate one which is why I normally choose another line.
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  Max Pesling December 18, 2009 at 5:21pm

  What are your main concerns with regard to Norwegian, Linda? Haven't cruised with them lately.