21 Jan - Commodores Meeting, our second "art lesson" and a night in the casino!

21 Jan, 1 PM - Notes of Commodore's meeting with passengers to discuss the compensation package and changes to the itinerary post Rio. 

Com announces:

• No change to the compensation package previously offered by Cunard/Carnival
• Communications charges reduced to 50%, with free emails from TV.
• Negotiate individual compensation packages (met with cries of NO!)

First speaker (English) suggested that a passenger sit in be organised to prevent disembarkation and embarkation in Rio.

2nd speaker (American) states that the idea life's dreams can be replaced by a few dollars is absolutely ludicrous. Ridicules the reduction of communication charges.

Com - Communication restrictions must be put in place to avoid overloading the system.

3rd Lady (American) requests a conference call with Carnival head office.

4th Lady (American) points out that a non stop voyage however luxurious the conditions are on board is NOT what she purchased. Therefore wants a full refund under the trades description act for return of goods/services that fail... (lost the plot a bit).

5th (Brazilian) asks to have the ship stop in Brazil before getting to Rio

Com - No stopping, except for urgent medical problems approved by the ships doctor.

6th - (English) expresses the view that the compensation offer is NOT acceptable.

7th - (American) Questions if Rio could be reached sooner if the ship increased speed.

Com - Assures the ship is running at full power and the published time is realistic.

8th - (American) addresses passengers (not Commodore) and advises that ALL passengers should stick together in all compensation claims

9th (European) - Points out the bad PR and asks for FREE DRINKS - also calls for a sit in at Rio

10th (American Lady) asks for explanation of incident in FL.

Com - time of sailing did not contribute to incident. Avoids question as to responsibility.

11th (American lady) wants to disembark at Rio and receive full compensation for post Rio trip.

12th (English) Wants air fare included in compensation.

13th (English) warns Com not to "rile the English"

14th (American) wants to arrange communications between passengers.

15th - (English) wants to know why no notification was given prior to leaving FL

Com - avoids question

16th (Irish) wants details of airfare costs.

17th (American) wants to leave at Rio and receive full compensation.

18th (American) post Rio, will the ship be more stable in heavy seas.

19th (English) More questions about compensation package, wants to arrange a class action and encourages passengers to "stick" together and not accept individual settlements.

The rest of the question were along similar lines, but delivered with considerable more passion. I left at 1:45 and got on with enjoying myself... yawn!

We attended the watercolours class again today and Ann was surprised if not a little miffed that my picture might be selected for showing in the gallery!!! Can you believe it - the teacher said that Ann's attempt was 'beautiful' but mine was 'artistic'. Hidden talents - I'm dead chuffed.

Ann's

Mine

A "Salty Sea Dog" observes the sundown over the starboard bow!

It's 11.00 pm on Saturday and we have just got back from the Karaoke - not great. We had a lovely dinner where, guess what, we had fish! It was called roughey which apparently is a fish from NZ - very nice. 

After dinner we went to the casino where 32 corners came up again and Ann won a packet on 22. 

We are trying to figure out how to play craps and have managed to observe a game tonight - very complicated and fast with its own language - I don't think we will get the hang of it and if you are a novice you are not well tolerated on the table. It was good entertainment and passed a few hours.

We continue to sail the ocean waves and the sea has been rough all the way so far. I think Ann's now got 'sea legs' (grin) or maybe 3 "Cocktails of the Day" can act as an additional stabilizer for the ships roll and pitch. 

Both of us are walking around the deck about 4 times daily to try and keep active but with high winds its rather difficult to keep your balance. We are fast approaching the equator and its hot and humid but you can't sunbathe as the deck chairs and sun loungers are battened down for fear of them being blown around. I am looking forward to calmer weather and landfall, as constantly being in motion can be a bit tiring.

"Revolting" Passengers and the Sit-in at Rio
The plot thickens and passengers are now banding together and talking about staging a sit - in when we get to Rio. Those that are due to disembark are threatening to stay in their cabins and refuse to get off without the promise of a full refund - its all becoming a bit of a farce and the Commodore is getting some abuse when he holds meetings with the passengers.
Everybody is talking about compensation all the time and it's getting rather tedious. Having said that of course they have a point.

More later

Jack

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