Hi fello cruisebees. Got back from Spain last Sunday but it has taken me all week to thaw out - bone cold from the inside out and never been soooo glad to be back in a centrally heated house. Have only scanned the last few pages but it seems that mixed messages are continuing. Great news the Alii has a Cabbie cruise. Sometimes wonder if I should have held out resolutely for my original offer (Carib) but guess compared to others I'm very lucky with what I've got. Spoke with cousin's husband whilst away who is pianist on Princess Cruise Line. He looked at MSC brochure and quite honestly couldn't believe what I'd paid for cruise. He reckons A1 deal and high standard guaranteed throughout. Haven't quite worked out where Phil M has been and why so much concern? Hi Phil, glad to hear that you're back from whereever it was that so panicked everyone and like you have been entertaining grandchild this pm (13 months old), absolutely fabulous but my oh my, very very tiring. Popped over to neighbours who were firmly ensconced in beer/wine and rugby. Declined a small tipple on the grounds of being wholly responsible grandmother. Made up for it tonight though!!!

Well done Phil,

Good to see you back on line.

What happened when you visited R**E? Would love to hear your account of the visit.

SA

Hi Melanie,

Amid all the usual self congratulatory drivel the rest of us are still trying to get something out of the so-called "cruise for every reader" promotion.

I have taken legal advice on the issue and it is all down to the offer being made and the similarity of that offer to the original.

If the guaranteed Med cruise they are offering in 2006 in a single cabin or is it just another "offer". How guaranteed is their guarantee? They have to offer this at the very least because this essentially WAS the offer (excluding the date (year) of the cruise!!)

The shared Med cruise is not comparable to the original - read the text. Therefore NOT a fair alternative.

Self Catering in Spain offer - what is the value? It is unlikely that it will be near the cost of the original cruise offered and therefore not a fair alternative.

Fight to Boston or Washington, I've just checked out flights to Boston but would guess flights to Washington are much of a muchness. Return flights on BA (not always cheapest) are £179. Again you would not get a cruise for this so the offer is not a fair alternative!

£150 cheque .. hardly bears a mention when one compares it to the cost of a seven day cruise as originally advertised by our Judith and the newspaper. Aagin not a fair alternative.

Essentially the only "offer" made to you that matches the original is offer number 1 but this is still unspecified and the "real" offer ibehind it s unclear. My take is that they must clarify what option 1 actually is. As it stands offer 1 is too vague for you to make a decision on. The other offers do not compare in financial terms with the original offer made and to which you collected vouchers as part of the contract.

Of course if someone is daft enough to accept a lesser option they the party (agency) making the offer is not at fault. For example they could offer everything they have to you PLUS a sixth option of a used teabag. if someone chose option six so be it, its a free country after all.

Do NOT be pressured, you want a cruise, its up to them to clarify offer 1 clearly to you - and in writing before you make your mind up. If you have any doubts go to a lawyer and seek advice, alternatively try your citizens advice bureau as a start. You are not alone and do not be lulled into feeling you are.

Take care, and Good Luck,

Silver Arrow

Amid all the usual self congratulatory drivel the rest of us are still trying to get something out of the so-called "cruise for every reader" promotion.

Silver Arrow....that`s a bit harsh isn`t it?

Would that be the same "self congratulatory drivel" which gives some people hope that it is possible to get a cruise as promised, albeit with difficulty?

And the same "drivel" which they will no doubt post when successful.

Let`s not make the people who have had confirmed cruises feel guilty about it - this site is a two way road and in this topic we are all trying to achieve a common goal.

Hi Tony

Sorry, but I don't think that my response above was too harsh.

I find it rediculous that cries for help and guidance like the one from Melanie should be swamped by advice that Boots are offering 2 for one or details about zoo visits.

Lets keep this section of the site open for help and lets try and keep the sentimental views and drivel out of it as much as we can. This might cause a little stir among a small group of drivellers (sorry) but my belief is that there are hundreds if not thousands of people still out there who want guidance on how to handle the situation they have through no fault of their own been dropped into and left on their own. Thats why they have come to this section of the site in their droves. Advice on Boots cosmetics will NOT help them.

I wonder if you read beyond the first few lines of my response. If you did great - I hope that others will do too and can see that the game is not over - the answer is to stand firm for the cruise.

Have a good day,

Silver Arrow

Silver Arrow
As I've said before we have to be careful not to split this helpful, informative and useful thread into 'haves' and have nots'. I would still be a 'have not' if it wasn't for the help, advice and information gleaned on here.

It's not just self-congratulatory to be posting successes. For a start, SA, the relief felt when you know you've managed to get a cruise is the main thing, especially after months of phone calls, emails etc. It's only natural to tell everyone who has helped you along the way.

I'm no counsellor, but I reckon this thread is good therapy and helps keep everything both good and bad in perspective. The humour and the occasional side-tracking from the main issues make me laugh and as this offer has mostly been taken up by 'singles' then being able to share experiences is a very good reason to post positive, negative and occasionally off topic.

Please be more tolerant!

PLEASE let's stop arguing with each other, we've been helped tremendously by this forum and I don't think we should let personal differences get in the way of the general atmosphere of helpful advice and humour - let's face it, we've needed a laugh now and then, and reading the bickering just sours life for us all. We're bound to have differences of opinion from time to time, but if we could discuss the issues involved instead of bickering then we'd all benefit.

Well done, Alii, great news

Fay

Hello Silver Arrow

I can understand your frustration (see my earlier post about only getting the vouchers and no other offers), but I still find it encouraging to see that some people are still getting confirmed cruises.

I don't mind that there is the occasional post about 2 for 1 sun cream offers at Boots, as I don't think that it detracts from the other messages about the rest of us still fighting for what we were promised.

The posts from people who are getting excited because they've been given a cruise are only there because those people have been using this site for hints and tips as to how to get them, and they therefore demonstrate to the rest of us that there is, for some, light at the end of the tunnel (although, in my case, I think it's a train coming the other way!).

This is just a personal opinion, and you, of course, are entitled to yours as well, but I say, keeo up all the posts - good, bad and indifferent - until we can all take advantage of the 2 for 1 sun cream offer.

Graham

hi all
well said allisu. I agree with you. if not for the peoples views, help, guidance and humour i'd have given up and just have waited for an offer to come my way instead of fighting for my rights. so what if there is a bit of so called "drivel" Congrats are in order to all who secure? a cruise and because others are genuinely happy for them let it be written. I wish everyone could get a cruise and as long as they are trying i am behind them too.
ann

Hi melanie,
if you look at the who's going where thread and find some dates for the melody where there are only a couple of people going,get in touch with ****(i know its easier said than done )and say that these dates would be acceptable for you and ask them to try to get you on these.let them know you are with HT it may just work. Its worth a try anyway.
annj

Hi Silver Arrow,

I wonder if you read beyond the first few lines of my response

I certainly did and have just re-read (as it was rather late whwn I got in from work this morning!)

It is a very relevant post and just the sort of thing needed as part of the overall picture of what different people are experiencing with this `offer`.

I still feel that your post would have been equally relevant without the opening salvo.....perhaps more widely read without that distraction in fact.

I do know what you are saying about the light-hearted banter and chat.(Call it "drivel" if you must!) which can always be `scrolled` past if you are not in the mood and the red mist is closing in!

This is often the result of elation at getting somewhere or as a pressure-release valve for people who are so frustrated that they will either laugh or cry.

I believe it is called a "coping strategy" in psychology circles.

Anyway, we`ve all had a say now so let`s move on to something serious..............can I use my Boots points for that suntan lotion offer?

Tony

PS Fay......I don`t think we are `bickering`, just having a side discussion of differing opinions.

Nobody`s called me `baldy` yet, so we can`t be bickering!!

Am Ibeing blind again my age or something,Ihave checked last few pages and cant find phil from the post i gather he has been on.where oh where is it???carol

Definitely time to change the subject, mind you you have all really lifted my spirits over the last few weeks. I must look so silly laughing out loud to my computer some nights!
Found some cruise jokes on various sites:

Diary Entries of a Young Woman on a Cruise Ship:
Dear Diary,
MONDAY: What a wonderful cruise this is going to be! I felt singularly honored this evening. The Captain asked me to dine at his table.
TUESDAY: I spent the entire afternoon on the bridge with the Captain.
WEDNESDAY: The Captain made proposals to me unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
THURSDAY: Tonight the Captain threatened to sink the ship if I do not give in to his indecent proposals!
FRIDAY: This afternoon I saved 1600 lives.

A young single guy on a cruise ship is having the time of his life. On the second day of the cruise, the ship slams into an iceberg and sinks, but our guy manages to grab on to a piece of driftwood and, using every last ounce of strength, swims a few miles through the shark infested sea to a remote island.Sprawled on the shore nearly passed out from exhaustion, he turns his head and sees a woman lying near him, unconscious, barely breathing. She's also managed to wash up on shore from the sinking ship. He makes his way over to her, and with some mouth-to-mouth assistance he manages to get her breathing again.

She looks at him, wide eyed and grateful and says, "You saved my life, I'm so grateful, you're my hero. He suddenly realises the woman is Cameron Diaz. Days and weeks go by. Cameron and our guy are living on the island together. They've set up a hut, there's plenty of fruit on the trees, and they're in heaven.Cameron's fallen madly in love with our man, and they're making passionate love morning, noon and night.

Alas, one day she notices he's looking kind of glum."What's the matter, sweetheart?" she asks "We have a wonderful life together, I'm in love with you. Is there something wrong?Is there anything I can do?" He says, "Actually, Cameron, there is. Would you mind putting on my shirt?" "Sure," she says, "if it will help." He takes off his shirt and she puts it on. "Now would you put on my pants?" he asks. "Sure, honey, if it's really going to make you feel better," she says. "Okay, would you put on my hat now, and draw a little moustache on your face?" he asks."Whatever you want, sweetie," she says, and does. Then he says, "Now, would you start walking around the edge of the island?" She starts walking around the perimeter of the island. He sets off in the other direction. They meet up half way around the island a few minutes later. He rushes up to her, grabs her by the shoulders, and says, "Mate! You'll never believe who I'm sh***ing!!"

The passengers on a cruise ship were fascinated by the sight of a bedraggled, bearded man on a small island. The ship passed slowly by as he desparately shouted and waved his arms.
"Who is that person on the island?" one of the passengers asked a ship's officer...
"I have no idea," mused the officer "but every year when we pass that island he goes crazy."


The Cruise Ship Magician

A magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem The captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to understand how the magician did every trick. Once he understood he started shouting in the middle of the show:
"Look, it's not the same hat,"
"Look, he is hiding the flowers under the table,"
"Hey, why are all the cards the Ace of Spades?"
The magician was furious but couldn't do anything; it was, after all, the captain's parrot.
One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself floating on a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean with the parrot, of course. They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for a day and another and another.
After a week the parrot said "OK, I give up. Where's the ship?"

Scarlet oh Scarlet, thank you for these they are ab fab great. I have tears reading them.
Had to log on just to reply.

Dizzy.

Very good Scarlet!

As one member who has already had a lovely cruise.I cant even begin to compare any of the alternatives offered. ie weekend breaks/flights/self catering holidays.
My cruise.including a twin cabin for sole use,was priced by Thomson's,at nearly 4 figures.Not forgetting a private taxi Thomson's ordered while in Tenerife,to meet me at Manchester airport,to take me home,as my flight had been cancelled,the previous evening,because of technical problems.
If anyone decides,to take the alternatives offered good luck to them.
But none of them will compare to a luxury cruise.
As i have said many times.I feel sorry for those still fighting,to get what they saved up for[Vouchers],and a cruise.
There will be many of pensionable age,who like myself,would never be able to afford,something like a cruise,and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
So i hope you keep on fighting.

William.

Ooh dear now what have I started

Silver arrow - thanks for your posting - your guidance and advice is very much appreciated by my friends and myself who are all getting a bit drained in trying to secure our cruises, and wanted to know if any of the other options were worth accepting. The general feeling appears to be to either hang out for the Sept 2006 cruise or accept the money and close the book. It seems very unlikely we will be offered a cruise this year unless we share, allocation is all full ....

annj - thank you too for your direction, is definately worth a last shot ...

Aah William 71 - i could hug you right now, you've given me my fighting spirit back
Scarlet - loved the jokes

hi phil
so you are back with chris and I on the 10/10. so glad you got sorted. did you get the balcony suite? vivien

ps I'll get the bells in