I know this is supposed to be a "happy board", but sometimes things I hear don't make me happy.

On other boards, like CC, there have always been trolls, flamers, and nit-pickers who complain. Disregarded! But recently, some believable and worrisome problems have been reported. For example, here are three of them.

1. In the case of the recent Diamond cancelation fiasco, some canceled cruisers were told (by members of this board and by Radisson) that Radisson would reimburse them for airline and hotel penalties, and other put-of-pocket expenses of this nature. Now, it has developed that Radisson is refusing to do this. And this problem overlays the larger problem of Radisson's failure to protect itself in its lease agreement against being deprived use of the ship in the event of a sale.

2. Capt. Broussard (sp?) of the PG will be leaving the ship tomorrow, for good! Why? Nobody knows, except for the fact that the skipper isn't too happy about it, as he has been the Captain since the PG first sailed. The experience of the Captain is important to cruisers, as he makes the ultimate call on whether water near a port is REALLY too rough to visit, and other things that make sure if a port is missed, there is rally a good reason.

3. It has been reported that the pay of the maintanence staff on the PG has been cut in half. This is of concern, as I've cruised on ships where the maintanence staff wasn't very motivated when I had a plumbing or AC problem --- and I don't want to do it again.

I don't want to be a chronic "worrier" and I'm certainly not trying to start any arguments! Rather, a Radisson cruise is a bit of an investment to us. In the past, they have been worth it. Now, I'm starting to wonder. Can any of you throw any light on the situation?

Thanks,
Richard