Royal Caribbean lays off 400, most are from S. Fla.

I guess when fuel tops out we will find out how our economy can't afford the extremist environmental protection laws. Every nation that can do off-shore drilling is while we sit on our hands concerned about the environment. Florida has a vast oil supply off our shores and China is working with Castro to shiffon it out. Our country has the safest and best drilling technology in the world.

I took a Royal Caribbean cruise in May on Enchantment of the Seas and really felt taken for a ride. The food quality was HORRIBLE! The presentation was great, but the taste was really bad. I am sure corporate had already started cutting corners in the kitchen to save money in an attempt to keep profits high even with rising fuel costs. I spent quite a bit of money for that cruise and felt ripped off, even in their "up scale" speciality restaurant where you pay additional fees to dine. I will never sail on Royal Caribbean again!

john wrote:

I guess when fuel tops out we will find out how our economy can't afford the extremist environmental protection laws. Every nation that can do off-shore drilling is while we sit on our hands concerned about the environment. Florida has a vast oil supply off our shores and China is working with Castro to shiffon it out. Our country has the safest and best drilling technology in the world.

You have no clue. Environmental Protection Laws ? Nope....The price for oil has very little to do with demand or supply these days. Speculation Vapor, similar to Enron, another Bush Buddy getting rich. The US still exports oil.

Republicans R Bogus wrote:

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You have no clue. Environmental Protection Laws ? Nope....The price for oil has very little to do with demand or supply these days. Speculation Vapor, similar to Enron, another Bush Buddy getting rich. The US still exports oil.

And even YOU are wrong lol. Oil is a market. And at $4.00 a gallon people are still paying for it. What people are willing to pay dictates price - nothing else.

john wrote:

I guess when fuel tops out we will find out how our economy can't afford the extremist environmental protection laws. Every nation that can do off-shore drilling is while we sit on our hands concerned about the environment. Florida has a vast oil supply off our shores and China is working with Castro to shiffon it out. Our country has the safest and best drilling technology in the world.

The oil companies have leases, and own hundreds of untapped areas off shore in which to drill. They have chosen not to at this time as they want their oil buddy Bush to give them more leases before he leaves office, and the sheeple just let it all happen.

Sailboats the technology of the future

Corporate Greed wrote:

I took a Royal Caribbean cruise in May on Enchantment of the Seas and really felt taken for a ride. The food quality was HORRIBLE! The presentation was great, but the taste was really bad. I am sure corporate had already started cutting corners in the kitchen to save money in an attempt to keep profits high even with rising fuel costs. I spent quite a bit of money for that cruise and felt ripped off, even in their "up scale" speciality restaurant where you pay additional fees to dine. I will never sail on Royal Caribbean again!

With so many things to do in a cruise ship the only thing you think about is FOOD. You must be above 250 lbs and I don't think they will miss you.

I wonder if any of the "Top Exectives" will volunteer to take a pay cut. "Too much of our profitability is being eroded by the increase in fuel prices. This is unacceptable and we are evaluating everything we do to find ways to do it more efficiently and effectively," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer Are they looking at themselves and their jobs and performance as well?

This CEO sounds typical. They are all about the profit and do not care about people's livelyhood. And drilling will not solve the problem, it would take ten years to get oil. Do you really want to see More oil rigs and tar flowing in on the beach. I dont. The reason tourist's come to florida is the beaches and the weather. Hello.

Well wrote:

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With so many things to do in a cruise ship the only thing you think about is FOOD. You must be above 250 lbs and I don't think they will miss you.

I wouldn't waste 2 cents going on a cruise. Yeah, to be stuck on some floating ghetto with a bunch of lowlife scumbags for a week, sounds like heaven and then to top it off, visiting even bigger ghettos on those god forsaken third world islands.

Cruises are going the way of the airlines. Next you'll be paying for each bag you bring on and you'll have to bring your own food, too. All of the attractive performers will be replaced with ugly old hacks with nasty dispositions.

Look at all the positive benefits of high oil prices. Fewer noisy flights, less crowded airports, less congested roads, no crowds at the beaches, easier to get to the ports with fewer cruise passengers,and a lot less tax money for idiot politicians to spend with all the laid off tourism workers.

I see you believe all the lies from the gutless weasels Bush/McCain and the traitors running Big Oil.
WE CAN NOT DRILL OUR WAY TO $1 GALLON GAS YOU IDIOT !!
The only thing drilling will accomplish is Billions $$$ more profit for Exxon & Shell.
Gas will not drop one cent!!!!!
Stop Drinking the Republican Kool-Aid.

john wrote:

I guess when fuel tops out we will find out how our economy can't afford the extremist environmental protection laws. Every nation that can do off-shore drilling is while we sit on our hands concerned about the environment. Florida has a vast oil supply off our shores and China is working with Castro to shiffon it out. Our country has the safest and best drilling technology in the world.

yoohoo wrote:

Really, the only reason to go on a cruise is for the food! Youve been on one cruise, youve been to all. Every single cruise line has the same activities, itineraries, shows, etc. There is NO distinction whatsoever.
Hopefully in the future, when all these cruise ships go out of business they will be converted into transportation liners, just like in the past.

Well some take routes that are more suited to throw your significant other overboard than others. I imagine the diseases vary from ship to ship depending on the origin of the crew.

Time to start looking for roommates

Ted wrote:

I wonder if any of the "Top Exectives" will volunteer to take a pay cut. "Too much of our profitability is being eroded by the increase in fuel prices. This is unacceptable and we are evaluating everything we do to find ways to do it more efficiently and effectively," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer Are they looking at themselves and their jobs and performance as well?

Does that include cheating??? Rumor has it that Royal Caribbean is now trying to short change those employees of their severance pay. My friend was told one thing verbally and the paper work given him shows a week shy of the severance promised. More than one person found the same thing. SHAME ON YOU Royal Caribbean. If you are that bad off you have to cheat your employees, a layoff won't help you recover. Honesty and Ethics will. Stockholders BEWARE

Certainly most of the commentary so far is on the quality of the food or the heartless management that has laid off non-essential workers. What about all of the non-essential workers on the government payroll? Could tax payers one day get the same cost reduction RCL's shareholders are about to receive?
As one whose work involves constant travel, when it is time for a vacation, a cruise can be one of the most relaxing, and enriching leisure experiences anyone can have. Lectures, ports of call, reading for pleasure on a quiet corner of a beautiful ship, dancing before bedtime, tasting quality wines, exploring another culture, small towns, museums, arts and crafts, it is all there for the price of a quality hotel daily rate. Cruises are competitors for leisure travel dollars like Nevada, Palm Springs, Colorado, Doral or any other resort you can name in this world. Companies offering the best value for the money will thrive and grow. The ones that try to cheat, and squeeze out its paying customers will only get one chance at those dollars. As consumers in a free economy you have a ton of choices for leisure. Whether it is casino gambling, skying, snorkeling, golf or just sightseeing, thank God you have the opportunity to reach into your wallet and pay for the choices you can afford. If all you can afford is a walk in the park with your first mate, be thankful for that too. If you want to know how to afford more, read The Richest Man in Babylon.

Well wrote:

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With so many things to do in a cruise ship the only thing you think about is FOOD. You must be above 250 lbs and I don't think they will miss you.

My point is, Royal Caribbean is and has been cutting corners everywhere that they can at the expense of the quality of the passenger's overall cruise experience. Cruises are usually known for their cuisine. Dining is a part of the cruise experience along with many other factors.
If you are on a ship at sea for 5 days, you do have to eat. If all that you are served is swill, it does become an issue for most. Of course, being from Boca, you probably go 5 days or more without eating while you admire your skeleton in a mirror. Perhaps you are on the Boca Cocaine and Champagne diet. That would explain your crass attitude. Oh wait, just being from Boca explains that!

Corporate Greed wrote:

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My point is, Royal Caribbean is and has been cutting corners everywhere that they can at the expense of the quality of the passenger's overall cruise experience. Cruises are usually known for their cuisine. Dining is a part of the cruise experience along with many other factors.
If you are on a ship at sea for 5 days, you do have to eat. If all that you are served is swill, it does become an issue for most. Of course, being from Boca, you probably go 5 days or more without eating while you admire your skeleton in a mirror. Perhaps you are on the Boca Cocaine and Champagne diet. That would explain your crass attitude. Oh wait, just being from Boca explains that!

Living in Boca makes my life easier.
Every time I want to eat something I go to your mon house, if she is not in bed with a low life, she will feed me.

Leave the cruise ships alone. They are still the only perfect place to commit murder.