Cruise from hell: Passengers reject “unacceptable” compensation after violence breaks out
As the dust settles on last week’s cruise ship controversy which saw a family of 26 evicted from a 10-day cruise of the South Pacific, the finger of blame is getting a good work out with many guests unsatisfied with the initial response to the incident.
News.com.au reports Carnival Cruise Line has apologised to guests and announced they will be offered a 25 per cent Future Cruise Credit as “a goodwill gesture”.
“We sincerely regret that the unruly conduct and actions of the passengers removed from the ship in Eden may have prevented other guests from fully enjoying their cruise on Carnival Legend,” said Jennifer Vandekreeke Vice President Australia Carnival Cruise Line.
But many of those affected believe this doesn’t go far enough.
“I won’t be travelling Carnival ever again so a 25 per cent off a future cruise in my eyes is unacceptable,” Mark Morrison told News.com.au.
“To add insult to injury... they charged us a $19.54 credit card convenience fee to settle accounts before disembarkation this morning.”
This news comes as an investigation from 3AW has suggested the cause of the argument might be something as simple as a thong being stepped on.
One member of the family known as Zac, told 3AW Radio, “This is all over a thong, not a foot, a thong being stepped on and being instantly apologised for.”
The accounts from people aboard the ship during the incident make for pretty grim reading, with one of the passengers describing the scene as a “bloodbath”.
“We are so scared after witnessing a traumatic experience with yet again the same offenders. It was a bloodbath,” the passenger told Nine News.
“We will not be leaving our cabins and are truly scared for our safety and what could happen in the next 24 hours.”
Carnival Cruise Line has released a lengthy statement addressing the incident.
“Safety is the number one priority for Carnival Cruise Line, we take a zero tolerance approach to excessive behaviour that affects other guests and we have acted accordingly on Carnival Legend,” a spokesman said.
“The ship’s highly trained security staff have taken strong action in relation to a small group of disruptive guests who have been involved in altercations on board.
“The ship’s security team is applying our zero tolerance policy in the interests of the safety and comfort of other guests.
“Carnival Legend is currently on a 10-day South Pacific cruise scheduled to be completed in Melbourne where the ship is currently homeported.”
What are your thoughts? Do you think the incident was properly dealt with? Do you think more could have been done? Will this make you less likely to book a cruise?