50 Million Guests Can't Be Wrong

#RoyalWOW

Royal Caribbean International®

Celebrates Major Milestone

50 Million Guests

This year there has been a lot of negative press and attention to the cruise industry.  While the majority of the press was aimed at one particular cruise line, all lines have seen an impact.  The industry is strong and in the long run, this will only be a small blip on the radar.  In fact, Royal Caribbean International has just welcomed their 50 millionth guest onboard their ships.

We live in what seems like "tragic times".   Every night on the news there are more stories with sad news about death, injury, and disasters, than there are uplifting stories with happy endings.  Through  the marvels of technology, we are connected in ways never before imagined and can be "live" on the scene anywhere in the world as news breaks out.

Unfortunately, there are many people that have considered cruising, but were not certain it was right for them.   When prospective first-time cruisers listen to the news and hear only negative "facts", it is understandable that they have doubts, and often decide to stay within their comfort zone.

Here is an Uplifting Story With More Happiness to Come

Royal Caribbean International was founded as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1968.  They currently operate with a fleet of 21 ships, two of which are the largest ships afloat in the entire industry.  There are three more ships being built over the next 3 years.

When you go on vacation, whether it be on a cruise, or to a hotel nearby or far from home, you have some expectations about your experience.    Royal Caribbean strives to deliver the "WOW" to each and every guest each time they sail on one of their ships. 

Royal Caribbean, upon achieving this milestone, has demonstrated that it has delivered on that goal over the years.  Guests who sail on RCI are very loyal.  In fact their Crown & Anchor® Society just recently expanded their tiers to recognize members with 700 or more cruise points (which reflect the number of cruises, nights, and type of accommodations).

Celebrating All Year

Royal Caribbean is celebrating this milestone all year long.   Currently they are asking guests to submit their "WOWs"  via Facebook, Twitter, or other means.  For more information see their 50 Million Guests Page.   Watch this video to learn more about this milestone.

As part of this year-long celebration, we are collecting your ideas about what you'd like to see on the next Oasis-class ship.  Maybe your idea will come to life ...   What Would You Like to See on Third Oasis-Class Ship

CONGRATULATIONS ROYAL CARIBBEAN ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT 

On a personal note, I'd like to thank Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President Sales and Trade Support & Service, and the entire Royal Caribbean family for being such great travel partners.  Together we strive to exceed our guest's dreams day after day.   It is pretty easy to do when we can offer such a great product as RCI delivers the #RoyalWOW.

Costa Fined - No Criminal Charges in Italy for Concordia

Costa Cruises has made a €1 million ($1.3M) plea bargain settlement with an Italian court to limit its criminal liability for the capsizing of the Costa Concordia last January with the loss of 32 lives.  This move means that Costa Cruises will not face any more criminal charges and will now aim to participate in the forthcoming trial as an injured party opening the door for the company to seek damages for the loss of the ship.

A judge in Tuscany accepted the plea agreement for Costa Crociere, a division of Carnival Corporation in connection with the shipwreck off the island of Giglio in January 2012. 

Legal proceedings will continue Monday with a hearing to determine whether six of the line’s employees including Concordia captain, Francesco Schettino, and Mr Ferrarini, the company's crisis management chief.  Captain Schettino is expected to be indicted for multiple charges including manslaughter and abandoning ship before his passengers.

Although Costa Cruises has paid only €1 million in order to limit its criminal liability, the civil costs will be very much higher.  Costa still faces civil lawsuits by the relatives of passengers who drowned while trying to flee the ship, as well as by survivors who have turned down the firm’s starting offer of about €11,000 per person in compensation. Italian consumer group Codacons had advised passengers to reject the offer and instead called for a €125,000 minimum for each passenger.There has been at least one seven figure settlement already to the youngest victim of the shipwreck, a 5 year old boy.

Meanwhile, salvage operations continue off the cost of Giglio.   By late summer it is hoped that the ship will be floated off the rocks.

For Complete Coverage of this tragedy see the following blog post:

Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident