The is the person you want to speak to at Three Counties.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/threecounties/presenters/stephen_rhodes.shtml

Just click on the link at the bottom of the page to send him an e-mail

thanks Trisantona i will contact him now!

Transferred from a separate topic:

JayDoubleuu
New User...

Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 1

2 HTPoints

Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 5:17 pm Post subject: Rise Travel Cruise Promotion

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I tried to contact Rise Travel or many occasions without success. In the end I wrote to The Daily Express, Rise Travel, my MP, BBC Watchdog, BBC Working Lunch, The Advertising Standards Authority, Trading Standards Authority and I contacted the Citizens' Advice Bureau. Trading S5tandards and the Citizens' Advice Bureau were very helpful but my MP not only got a reply but made things happen. He was brilliant and I have just returned from my cruise!

I can not understand why Rise Travel are still in business it is virtually impossible to contact them; phone calls and letters are completely ignored.

Why not contact your MP? You may well get a good response!

Hi Everyone.

I too can confirm that i had a call from Rise today.

She said she was very sorry after all the trouble that I had gone too to find someone to share a cabin, but that they were making no more cruise bookings until they have a satisfactory outcome from their current negotiations with the Daily Express.

Obviously we are not privy to the contract between the Express / MKM / Rise so we can only guess what the problems are!

I was told they would contact me again if the negotitaions were successful - guess its a case of sitting tight for now.

Hi everyone
I've not posted for a while but catch up every day to see how things are going. I was gobsmacked to say the least when I read todays news about our cruises! Does anyone know if this will apply to booked and confirmed cruises( I am due to go on 18th July) as well as those not booked yet?

**** must have known somethibg was going on so why get people like Janet's hopes up just to dash them again?

Hope everything works out for all, but wish I was one of the lucky ones who have already been
Cheers
Pat

Here is some info on my own situation,
I cancelled my cruise a month ago due to a road traffic accident, R**e advised me I was not allowed any other dates, and I could not transfer the trip to a family member, so I assumed someone would benefit from my cancellation, I even advised the forum in case some person wished to contact R**e and try their luck, possibly 2 people may have benefited if they were prepared to share ?
So horror upon horror my tickets have now arrived for my cruise on the 16th and no one has benefitted from my accident, not even R**s it would appear, as they could have had 2 persons in my cabin and possibly 2 happy cruisers.
I was 1 who slagged off those who cannot be named, I was rude and argumentative, and to this date I would do the same again.
Some people on this forum took exception to my attack on R**e, why I cant understand as in my opinion I was entitled to a cruise as I carried out my end of the transaction.
we are still to see the majority of participants of this promotion obtain a cruise, yes it's nice to see them happening, but please dont forget there is in my opinion a lot of work to be done by the Express and R**s
This site is still of vital importance to a great many people who still have to find it, please continue to help and support those who are still in limbo.
This site has been great, supportive, helpful, informative and not forgetting humerous, can I thank all those who have helped me over the months, can I also thank all those who make this site possible from us the user to the administrators, Van & Luci in particular, me I'm sailing off into the sunset in a metaphorical way, will watch from the side lines. but bowing out, someone may still benefit from my cancelation on the 16th May by contacting R**s and asking about my room on the permier deck P104, if you have no ties and can leave soon give it a go.
Goodluck.

Dave

Hi from Ibiza

The Melodians have arived and invaded IBIZA, so far all is going well.
Not had much time to read the post on the forum regarding the post from CunnardQueen whilst we were in Malta, but some notes/advice from experiences so far -

Alitalia - get to the check in queue early, as by the recommened check in time - theres loads of people queueing, we all met up in the Costa Coffee bar (as its the only thing open during the night) we were first to check in.
The food on Alitalia is to put it politeley "poor", si f you have chance eat before boarding the plane......
Arrived at Milan 9am local time, had to wait until midday to depart due to other passengers (non HT / DE) arrving later.
Had the misfortune of being behind on DE (non HT) passenger on the coach to the port who mentioned to one honeymooning couple - that at least they had a cheap honeymoon - the guy said what 700UKP each - she said no a tenner - then preceeded to make the newly weds angry by explaining the whole 10pound saga to them....
Beware of non HT 10UKP idiots
The bus journey is another 2 hours from Milan to Genoa, where you are shuffled through the check in process, given a ID card and after completing the registration process you are free to board the "ship" I keep calling it a boat and getting berated by Cunnard Queen for that.

I was fortunate enough to be given an upgrade, (I think most of the DE reader have) from the depths of the Bahamas Deck to the Oceanic deck, sofa, bunk bed, 2 single beds, bath/shower and WC.
The cabin staff are great and will do anything to assist.

The meal arrangements - FYI - unless you are Italian - the rule of thumb is you eat at the 2nd dinner sitting. This has caused a few problems with some folk with medical conditions, but we are all coping.
The regime goes -

Buffet Breakfast
Seated Lunch or Buffet lunch
Afternoon Tea
Evening Sitting Meal
Midnight Buffet
drinks are included at breakfast, coffee is at buffet dinners and teas, all other drink including water etc are chargeable.

Excursions -
Personally I went on the Pompeii visit, lots of walking, probably to much, just got a cab into the town in Malta for 10Euro each way
Went on the shopping Tunisian trip (which was a mistake) they run a shuttle bus to the same place for less money.... we did go to a "palace" first for which they charge you 2.5 Euro to go in.
The Medina (market place) is the hub you will be given a display of fine rugs you can purchase for 2,500 Euro and less. (YAWN)
then its full on in your face hastle included shopping down narrow streets where you can probably for a price buy anything, including as me and another passenger were offered hashish. I declined the offer due to the rather threatening looking customs officials, but ot be fair the formalities were quite effortless.

Anyway its getting late or is it early this is an insight into my trip so far
hope everyone else departing next week has a great time

regards

IAN and the rest of the HT crew...

Thanks Ian for such a comprehensive report on your cruise so far. Many questions answered & the odd excursion enlightened.
Enjoy the rest of the cruise.

Dizzy

Ditto from me! Keep on enjoying it!

hi from the sun kissed beaches of Ibiza, cruise is going well and pleased to see another ht member has found time to give out some infor to the rest of the cruisers, wont drag on too much but going to ad a couple of things and these are only personal observations so please be guided accordingly ok ....
If you havent cruised before you WILL have a great time and see everything through rose coloured specs!,

If you have cruised before read on
we do have a good cruise and it worthy of poss 500-800 UKP though wouldnt be happy if l had paid much more than that, the ship does cater very well for the non uk passengers the rest of us 160 brits really do stand out and excell at the captains party with every body dressed as per the guidelines, the foreigners seem to have trouble with the word jacket and tie. the food on board is of a good quality, though dinner is rushed coffee is best to be asked for as its not offered, the service is very slick on board and has impresed me the most. if your a water over at meal times ask for a jug of iced water, other wise its botled and charged for, a great selection of drinks at captains party, champagne martinis, which are superb!!!!!,manhattens and fruit punch. plentiful as well as our red faces shows in the photos, the steaks are possibly the best l have tasted!! with french fries, depending on your waiter NELLON table 71,73 will really spoil you such attentive service is outstanding and he does msc proud!!! the fact he manages to provide wine at a good price will ensure a kind tip!
shops are plentiful onboard, duty free shop is a bargain!! photos range from 6euro to 16 euro drinks are very reasonably priced, if your a buffet lover be aware that as soon as the buffet opens there is mad stampede to get there, hang on for 15 mins and you cn walk leisurely in,
On embrkation, if you havent got a rest table no in you room, go to the lounge mentioned for thje Maitre d and get your request in!
if this seems garbled and mixed up, the reason is the ibiza scene only seemed to come alive around midnight and the shuttle bus left at 3am, it was a lovely walk back.........
Entertainment has been different, spent 1 hr watching puppets !!!!!!! a lady summed that up ! my son used to like that kind of thing, then he turned 10 !!!! her comments still raise a very big smile !!!!
Cabin stewards are attentive and very helpfull, theo on 0CEAN DECK CABINS in the area of 21-33 cannot do enough to help. the midnight buffets are petty good, gala midnight one tonight, gather its taking a couple of hours to prepare!!
take an adaptable plug for your camera or phone
the very forward lounge over looking the bow is air conditiond and a haven of tranquility if you want a nice cool room !!!

im actually enjoying the whole experience, how l havent been chucked overboard yet l dont know, try as l might l do compare it to QE2and l know l shouldnt !!! thick lv finally convinced atwales its a ship and not a boat, its only taken 5 days, but we are all having great time onboard,

Do please be aware that there are other express readers who will have paid much more than tenner, and other passengers as well, l do think its only considerate that you bear in mind this when you discuss the fare!!!!! and also a lot of people havent discovered this HT site!!!!

l wasnt quite aware just how much interest my previous postings had caused, thought it was only being read by a handfull of people, how wrong l was!!!
to those sailing off on Monday, we will wave from the coach, you will see us all suntanned and very red faces at the airport, the drink l can assure you has nothing to do with it!!!! But Bon Voyage to the rest of you and my you have calm seas and expandable trousers!!!
travel agents should brace themselves for a flurry in cruise queries a few l fear are now hooked on this wonderful world of cruising,
Good luck everybody, we are already stockpiling for the al italia flight home, l will never complain again about the alloof cabin crew of the worlds favourite airline, at least their food you know what it is!!!!!
Oh flight times, l does appear the flight times are very mixed and we would appear to be bussed to the airport and just have to wait beit it 1hr or 9hr at least there are snacks and hot drinks you can buy, lm still traumatised by heathrow , it was shut between midnight and 5am!!! had it not been for atwales and his obervations , l would have had a very dull seat !!!!!!
enough now .lm off to get something long and cool in my hands.......
as always
Cunardqueen

Thanks for all that extra info, Myles. EVER so much appreciated.

Have a great transfer to Malpensa, and a lovely flight home - with better nosh than the flight out!!

Fay

As ever with the humour Myles. One line I dare not say which..............
Thanks for brightening a dull day Myles. Enjoy the last night party everyone, we know you won't let us down.

Dizzy

Myles, you are a veritable star and have really earned your nickname although it shouldn't be restricted to Cunard! I know that we will all be waiting for your full review with bated breath, so don't anyone even think of throwing you overboard! You still have virtually two full days of cruising and I am sure they will be as good or better than the last five! Enjoy the rest of your time and have a safe journey home!

Very many thanks Ian and Myles for your observations, they really brought the Melody alive for us and I for one can't wait until 4/7. Fancy some idiot boasting about what he had paid in front of complete strangers, I'm surprised he wasn't lynched. It seems there is going to be quite a bit of hanging about at the airport, and probably the same on the return journey - I know my return flight is later than Lilac Labrador, Tony W, Thomas and Phil, but as long as the bar is open I'm sure I will survive.

Enjoy your last couple of days. We all look forward to your full reports when you get back.

Incidentally, I have seafaring connections (both Royal and Merchant Navy) and was always told that you could put a boat on a ship but could never put a ship on a boat!

...but aslemma, you can put a ship in a bottle!! I know, 'cos I got one

( a lovely xmas present many years ago )

Elaine xx :lol:

I've always fancied one of those Elaine but have never managed to get one.

Aslemma,

If you search Google then you`ll find several places yo can buy ships-in-bottles, but why not build your own??? It can`t be that hard!!

Here is a link for the kits:

http://www.hobbyplace.com/woodmodels/shipinbotl.html

Happy gluing!!

hi all
It was lovely to read the posts from Ian and Miles. It sounds as though a brill time is to be had on the Melody Cruise.
I have e-mailed Stephen Rhodes at Home Counties about R***. It would be interesting to hear what they say about already booked cruises, if they bother to ask the question that is.It would put peoples minds at rest hopefully.
Happy cruising to all
ann

Dave hy sorry to hear about your holiday. had you taken out Rise travel insurance? if so can you not make a claim. They have been offering alternatives, not very good ones for example a week self catering in spain or portugal. or 175 pounds compensation. maybe a visit to cab Citizens advise bureau would help don't give up my husband was told to expect a call in Sept or October as they cancelled his cruise for 2nd April for which he had taken leave , which was not easy to get.