Royal Champions

[Dave]

The same article is now being run here on MSNBC.

[Dave]

h2oksi,

Thank you for the kind comments. We strive to keep things as unbiased as we can.

I want to assure everyone that although the Royal Champions info implies more than one cruise forum has been infected, cruise-chat isn't one of them.

We have no qualms about squashing any attempt to use viral marketing here - whether by RCI or any other cruise line or travel entity. We derive this authority from our rules, specifically this excerpt: "Do not advertise or solicit anyone in Cruise-Chat.com: Anyone caught soliciting or advertising or posting spam will be banned. This includes requests to be e-mailed, the misrepresentation of one's affiliation with a travel company or service..."

[Jim C.]

Well said Dave. We realize that many come here and find our "rules" to be too strict, but we firmly believe that by keeping this site on the up and up keeps many people coming back. We do not tolerate spam, nor do we allow personal attacks. The same can not be said for other cruise sites.

[Dave]

It would seem this story has blown up in the face of the cruise forum mentioned in the article, and also RCI.

All that said, we will not stifle discussion of this item. However things do need to stay in focus, and we also want to make sure nobody uses this as an opportunity to bash other cruise forums or their members. A hallmark of cruise-chat is that we conduct things with dignity and class.

[cica]

Well said Dave!

[SC Native]

As with any product or company, there are always stories of good and bad experiences. You would think that Royal Caribbean would be happy that the good outweighs the bad, but nooo. As a general rule, you cannot believe that any company is pure good anymore than you can believe that a company is pure evil. I expect this tactic to backfire as many of us who truly love Royal Caribbean will try other cruiselines.

[Dave]

It's one of those things were you go "what were they thinking?" RCI has a good product and enough fans supporting them that they didn't need to do this. Overzealous marketing people.

[matkanmich]

I am not deterred by the Royal Champions article like some of you. I have been on other lines and I prefer this one. Just my opinion.

Dave
Like I said in my message, I like reading the negative comments more than the positive ones. I enjoy the silly things people complain about.

[Dave]

I am not deterred by the Royal Champions article like some of you.

As Briscoe Darling said, "more power to ya".

[spoheat]

Well, our experience was interesting to say the least, but I still posted a positive review So I am just so addicted (co-dependent, enabling) that I just go along with whatever because I know I will cruise again anyhow?

Seriously, It irritates me to read of such a marketing ploy (and I was a marketing major in college and still think this is too far) and makes me suspicious of the line for doing this. Hope they let this program die. I want to read a review and always feel that it is legitimate.