Cruise Talk: Premier Big Red Boat 2

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Topic: Premier Big Red Boat 2

firsttimecruiser
Just Boarded
Member # 1549

posted 09-01-2000 11:25 PM

I have booked my first cruise on BRB 2 and have since heard many negative comments. Should i consider cancelling and if i do, what problems or losses can i expect? Cruise date is Oct 7. New York City to Canada. I would appreciate all comments.

Thanks,
Bill

Posts: 5 | From: li,Pa,us | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Ðraikar
First Class Passenger
Member # 1153

posted 09-02-2000 01:16 AM

Bill, How much did you pay for the cruise ? I know its rude to ask but I was thinking of going on her even with the problems she has now.

Ðraikar

Posts: 1710 | From: USA, New York | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

firsttimecruiser
Just Boarded
Member # 1549

posted 09-02-2000 10:14 AM

The adult fare was under 600.00 each with children under 17 at 500.00. This included taxes and port charges. It is a 7 night cruise and sounds like a good deal but with the bad press I was second guessing and trying to decide if this was the cruise I wanted or if there was a way to cancel without losing money and trying to book with a different cruise line. I will be cruising with a party of 8 adults and 3 kids.

Posts: 5 | From: li,Pa,us | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 09-02-2000 10:39 AM

I really would think very very carefully. When you think how much is being spent by all of you that is a lot of money to loose.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Fanatic
First Class Passenger
Member # 1427

posted 09-02-2000 11:10 AM

I'd take the chance and go. If it's a rotten cruise - COMPLAIN! Make a pest of yourself and keep at them. Two things (hopefully) will then happen: they'll give you some goodies to make up for it, and the service will improve. I found out if you make yourself a squeaky wheel, they'll give you the grease. I do that when I fly, not just sitting down and taking it when flights are canceled, etc., and I've always ended up with lots of neat things, like free upgrades, discounted tickets, etc. (once I got a First Class seat and to show their further apologies, several bottles of a very good vintage of Cabernet). Be a pest, a bother and a nuisance. You're the paying customer - you forked over a great deal of money to them to purchase their product. They have the obligation to satisfy you.

Fanatic

Posts: 98 | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-02-2000 11:40 AM

I agree with fanatic up to a point.
Do complain if a service does not meet your standards.
Do it politely and don't become a nuisance to other fellow travellers who may be perfectly satisfied and enjoying themselves.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Fanatic
First Class Passenger
Member # 1427

posted 09-02-2000 01:45 PM

Topgun is right - I should've pointed that out. When I complain - and I do when I'm not satisfied - NEVER do so in front of other passengers; you'll end up looking like an idiot and cause discomfort among others. If you're at a purser's (or airline ticket) window, keep your voice low, be polite but firm. Tell them what you expect, and if they try to whittle you down, hold your ground. Keep a record and any evidence of what caused your displeasure, and contact the main office if the situation was not resolved to your favor. I've done that with the airlines after horrendous things have happened, keeping on them, answering their responses, and you wouldn't believe the things I got. For example, after one really bad experience - and I was staying overnight in a hotel at my expense, simply because I had just returned from Europe and did not care to continue the marathon of sore-butt flying, so I decided to stay in a hotel and have a fresh start in the morning - once I got home, I contacted the airline with a complete chronicle of everything that had happened. I told them that the night I spent in the hotel was wasted, as I was up all night with worry. Well, to make a long story short, they apologized profusely, gave me a free round-trip domestic ticket good for a year with no blackouts, AND they reimbursed me for my hotel stay, without my asking for it, because my "restless night" (as they called it) was their fault. I was satisfied.

Fanatic

Posts: 98 | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

firsttimecruiser
Just Boarded
Member # 1549

posted 09-02-2000 02:02 PM

Thank you for all the good advice. Has anyone had a PLEASANT experience with Premier or Big Red Boat 2. I would like to think that my pre-cruise worries are not going to occur. It sounds like a great itinerary. Is there a site where I can check out pictures of this ship?

Posts: 5 | From: li,Pa,us | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 09-02-2000 03:28 PM

Before I sailed the Rembrandt this summer, I heard an incredible amount of horror stories and warnings. The Air Conditioning broke down on our cruise and I left the ship in Nassau because of illness. But the trip was still pleasant and the crew working under duress was extraordinary. Not once did any of them loose their cool and believe me they were yelled at by many upset cruisers. We received another free cruise for it and I will go back on the Rembrandt. I say go for it. If you count your total expenses its a lot of money but all in all you got a good deal. I was fortunate enough to have bought interruption insurance from an independent supplier. Even with that incident, it was a very pleasant cruise with many good surprises.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-02-2000 06:47 PM

Re Premier, they have a web site. Just punch it in on your browser.
There are a couple of reviews on BRB at [URL=http://www.travelpage.com/poll.htm.] Both of them fairly positive although not up to date.
Hope this helps. Don

[This message has been edited by topgun (edited 09-02-2000).]

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

paulaf
First Class Passenger
Member # 1493

posted 09-02-2000 07:04 PM

I know how you feel! I can't speak for the BRB but we recently took our first cruise on the Rembrandt out of Baltimore of 7/22 and was very apprehensive due to the bad press about this ship. The prior cruise to ours had air-conditioning problems and was reported on the local news as the "cruise from hell." I am pleased to tell you our experience was overall positive and we are eager to cruise again. I also learned that unfortunately there are those who will complain about everything! Best of luck to you.

Posts: 10 | From: Baltimore, MD 21220 | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Tim in Fort Lauderdale
First Class Passenger
Member # 953

posted 09-02-2000 11:25 PM

Premier and the BRB II in particular, have had quite a tough time this summer. BRB II experienced several breakdowns, as have Rembrandt and Seabreeze.

Most recently, Premier was expelled from the International Council of Cruise Lines, stores have surfaced about tips being witheld by the line and used to pay expenses and now they are frantically tryinf to restructure their operations by selling off ships and looking for someone to re-captialize them.

Even their CEO, Bruce Nierenberg, admitted to a major trade publication that they are "in bad shape".

That said, I hope you purchased third party insurance whihc covers for supplier default (Bankruptcy) and that you paid with a credit card.

Tim

Posts: 1468 | From: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

ocngypz
First Class Passenger
Member # 1555

posted 09-03-2000 09:12 PM

I have sailed Premier a couple of times - last one Fall '98. All cruises were great fun. Would I go back now?? No I would not, especially since I could just as easily spend the same amount of money on a mainstream line and have a pleasant, decent cruise experience.

Many people work too hard for their vacations. Why should they have their vacations spoiled by an undercapitalized cruise line??

They are in tough financial shape by their own admission. I'd stay away.

Posts: 343 | From: Newport, RI USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

billee
First Class Passenger
Member # 1133

posted 09-05-2000 01:13 PM

We've had over 300 clients on the BRB2. As long as everyhting went OK, most raved about the cruises, especially the crew & service. Even when the cruises were cut short due to technical problems, most passengers still remarked about the wonderful crew & service. Everyone said they received grewat value for the price paid. As far as Premier's financial situatiuon, they owes my agency over $23,000.00 in refunds and commssions. Repeated request for the money have been ignored. Get insurance...NOW!!

Posts: 159 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Tim in Fort Lauderdale
First Class Passenger
Member # 953

posted 09-06-2000 06:43 AM

Billee,

I tried to contact you via e-mail and it bounced. Can you e-mail me privately? I want to speak with you about your Premier commission $$$ situation.

Tim

Posts: 1468 | From: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

billee
First Class Passenger
Member # 1133

posted 09-06-2000 10:10 AM

Timber:

Try to get through now, it should be OK

Billee

Posts: 159 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

tslee2
Just Boarded
Member # 1564

posted 09-07-2000 10:57 AM

Bill,

I too am booked on the October 7 cruise, and I was very concerned about the negative information floating around about BRBII. However, the reviews that I have read on other message boards have, for the most part, been very positive, and folks seem to have enjoyed themselves - even on the cruise that was in the news regarding the broken generator. The people on that cruise seem to be saying that the press interviewed the grumpiest travellers they could find to make a story. They said that the staff was very accomodating, friendly, and helpful in handling what was (by their accounts) a minor inconvenience that was quickly fixed. Hope this helps...maybe I'll bump into you on the boat!

Tony

Posts: 5 | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

firsttimecruiser
Just Boarded
Member # 1549

posted 09-09-2000 04:47 PM

Thanks for all the replies. We decided to go even with the bad press hopefully we will have a great time. I will post an update after the cruise.

Posts: 5 | From: li,Pa,us | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

billee
First Class Passenger
Member # 1133

posted 09-11-2000 01:52 PM

We just had a group of 66 passengers return from the Sept. 2 sailing. All went well and everyone (at least all that called)had a great time. Evweryone raves about the service. Keep your fingers crossed.

Posts: 159 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

dede
Just Boarded
Member # 1518

posted 09-11-2000 05:29 PM

We are booked on the BRB II in March 2000. I too have been monitoring several cruise web sites and observed both positive and negative feedback. Do purchase 3rd party liability insurance to put your mind at ease. I plan to maintain a positive outlook and to have an wonderful adventure!
Dede

Posts: 7 | From: Hayward, California, USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

tslee2
Just Boarded
Member # 1564

posted 09-14-2000 05:02 PM

Just received word from my travel agent that Premier has gone under, and that everyone who's book a cruise should contact their credit card companies NOW to get the charge reversed. Bummer. Was looking forward to that cruise....

Posts: 5 | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

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