Comments forms

GadgetWorld@ wrote:
>
> Many cruise lines give incentives to insure that the forms are filled
> out like raffles which encourage people to give high ratings to improve
> their chances of winning.

Huh??? Are you saying they give a prize to the passenger for
filling out the form and give them only to people who give high
ratings?

Bill

Ray <ray@> wrote:

>On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:44:44 -0400, GadgetWorld@ wrote:
>
>>Many cruise lines give incentives to insure that the forms are filled
>>out like raffles which encourage people to give high ratings to improve
>>their chances of winning.
>
>Hi Jerry,
>
>What do you base this statement on?
>
I've sometimes wondered whether the cards with high ratings had a
better chance of winning the raffle, but I would hope not. The raffle
incentive is to encourage people to fill out the forms. The cruise
director may lobby for people to give high ratings, but I don't think
it really has an effect on the raffle.

I usually do fill out the comment card. My only objection to this is that
many of the Cruise Directors tell you that you MUST give an EXCELLENT rating
to everything. I think that only negates the real purpose of the comment
card in the first place.

If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these comments
about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the "additional
comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly feel about the
question. If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be damned if I am
going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I should.

Just my opinion!

Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific

"Rosalie B." <gmbeasley@> wrote in message
news:4uce84d277bf54iv2tcr4gf84a4dmiek80@...
> Ray <ray@> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:44:44 -0400, GadgetWorld@ wrote:
>>
>>>Many cruise lines give incentives to insure that the forms are filled
>>>out like raffles which encourage people to give high ratings to improve
>>>their chances of winning.
>>
>>Hi Jerry,
>>
>>What do you base this statement on?
>>
> I've sometimes wondered whether the cards with high ratings had a
> better chance of winning the raffle, but I would hope not. The raffle
> incentive is to encourage people to fill out the forms. The cruise
> director may lobby for people to give high ratings, but I don't think
> it really has an effect on the raffle.

On Jul 23, 11:28 am, "Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezb...@shaw.ca> wrote:
> I usually do fill out the comment card.  My only objection to this is that
> many of the Cruise Directors tell you that you MUST give an EXCELLENT rating
> to everything.  I think that only negates the real purpose of the comment
> card in the first place.
>
> If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these comments
> about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the "additional
> comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly feel about the
> question.  If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be damned if I am
> going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I should.
>
> Just my opinion!

I tend to avoid negative comments about individual service staff ...
unless they were totally messed up ... Have bascially if you can't say
anything nice about someone don't say anything attitude in this
regard ... but like you I won't gush over something that wasn't up to
par ... I'll ignore it ...

but ... I will unabashedly criticize managers and above ... and
corporate policies ... and food/decor/entertainment selections ... for
any failing ...

I like to get my point across without hurting some low level
worker ... who may very well be trying his/her best and is generally
fine ... but failing somewhat for any number of reasons ...

Tobie Gerbrandt wrote:
> I usually do fill out the comment card. My only objection to this is that
> many of the Cruise Directors tell you that you MUST give an EXCELLENT rating
> to everything. I think that only negates the real purpose of the comment
> card in the first place.
>
> If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these comments
> about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the "additional
> comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly feel about the
> question. If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be damned if I am
> going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I should.
>
> Just my opinion!
>
> Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific

Let me just add a, "Me too," to what Tobie wrote. When I get pressured
about anything, including comment cards, my natural instinct is to press
back. I go on cruises for the pleasure of cruising, and not for the
pleasure or reward of the crew and staff. If they do a good job, that's
reflected in my report card of them. If they give me UNREASONABLE
hassles or don't do what I reasonable expect of them, then I reflect
that in the comments.

--
Nonny

Nonnymus
I'm not who you think I am. I'm not who
I think I am. I am what I think you think I am.

"Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezbull@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:Z6Ihk.128334$gc5.1238@pd7urf2no...
>I usually do fill out the comment card. My only objection to this is that
>many of the Cruise Directors tell you that you MUST give an EXCELLENT
>rating to everything. I think that only negates the real purpose of the
>comment card in the first place.
>
> If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these comments
> about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the "additional
> comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly feel about the
> question. If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be damned if I am
> going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I should.
>
> Just my opinion!
>
> Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific

Can you give us examples of people deserving failing grades on a cruise?

I'm not sure I've seen service that deserves a failing grade on any of our
cruises, with the possible exception of the concierge on the Liberty of the
Seas.

--Tom

>
> "Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezbull@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> news:Z6Ihk.128334$gc5.1238@pd7urf2no...
>>
>> If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these comments
>> about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the "additional
>> comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly feel about the
>> question. If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be damned if I am
>> going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I should.
>>
>> Just my opinion!
>>
>> Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific

"Tom K" <tkanitra@> wrote in message
news:48879ae7$0$20901$607ed4bc@cv.net...>
> Can you give us examples of people deserving failing grades on a cruise?
>
> I'm not sure I've seen service that deserves a failing grade on any of our
> cruises, with the possible exception of the concierge on the Liberty of
> the Seas.
>
> --Tom
>

Hi Tom K

On one cruise we were on, we had a Handicap cabin. Our room steward was
about the worst that could possibly be.

1. The ice bucket was almost never filled. I took to finding the dolly in
the hall and getting my own ice, because I knew it wouldn't be done.

2. The sheets were not changed by mid -week. We mentioned it and he said
he had changed them which was not true, the tear that was in my sheet the
first night was still there.

3. The fold-up shower chair had not been cleaned in weeks and mould was
growing on the tiles behind it.

4. We had mentioned these things, along with the blood spots on the wall
and he did nothing about it till we called the Head Housekeeper, and showed
her all these things personally.

This is one exterme example of BAD service, it improved imensely after the
Head Housekeeper came.

I have rarely, on 50+ cruises rated the very lowest mark, but you asked for
an example. There it is. Mostly we have had exemplary service both from
the cabin staff and the dining room staff, and I have made favorable
comments, and even tipped extra when the service was outstanding. I usually
make a point of including the name of the person who does a good job in my
report brcause those things are noticed and these members of the staff are
treated accordingly by the higher-ups, but I refuse to elevate the comments
above what I think they deserve.

Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific

"Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezbull@shaw.ca> wrote:

>
>
>>
>> "Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezbull@shaw.ca> wrote in message
>> news:Z6Ihk.128334$gc5.1238@pd7urf2no...
> >>
>>> If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these comments
>>> about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the "additional
>>> comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly feel about the
>>> question. If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be damned if I am
>>> going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I should.
>>>
>>> Just my opinion!
>>>
>>> Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific
>
>"Tom K" <tkanitra@> wrote in message
>news:48879ae7$0$20901$607ed4bc@cv.net...>
>> Can you give us examples of people deserving failing grades on a cruise?
>>
>> I'm not sure I've seen service that deserves a failing grade on any of our
>> cruises, with the possible exception of the concierge on the Liberty of
>> the Seas.
>>
>> --Tom
>>
>
>Hi Tom K
>
>On one cruise we were on, we had a Handicap cabin. Our room steward was
>about the worst that could possibly be.
>
>1. The ice bucket was almost never filled. I took to finding the dolly in
>the hall and getting my own ice, because I knew it wouldn't be done.
>
>2. The sheets were not changed by mid -week. We mentioned it and he said
>he had changed them which was not true, the tear that was in my sheet the
>first night was still there.
>
>3. The fold-up shower chair had not been cleaned in weeks and mould was
>growing on the tiles behind it.
>
>4. We had mentioned these things, along with the blood spots on the wall
>and he did nothing about it till we called the Head Housekeeper, and showed
>her all these things personally.
>
>This is one exterme example of BAD service, it improved imensely after the
>Head Housekeeper came.
>
Our first cruise, when we got to our cabin there was an ash tray with
cigarette butts in it in the cabin. It stunk the cabin up. I wanted
to call housekeeping and complain, but Bob wouldn't let me. He said
just dump it in the waste basket, but that wouldn't have gotten rid of
the smell. So I went and found his cart just down the corridor and
put the ashtray on it. That steward wasn't very good about filling
the ice bucket either. But we didn't give the lowest grade, just not
a high one.

>I have rarely, on 50+ cruises rated the very lowest mark, but you asked for
>an example. There it is. Mostly we have had exemplary service both from
>the cabin staff and the dining room staff, and I have made favorable
>comments, and even tipped extra when the service was outstanding. I usually
>make a point of including the name of the person who does a good job in my
>report brcause those things are noticed and these members of the staff are
>treated accordingly by the higher-ups, but I refuse to elevate the comments
>above what I think they deserve.
>
>Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific
>
>

"Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezbull@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:1tOhk.128738$gc5.26503@pd7urf2no...
>
>
>>
>> "Tobie Gerbrandt" <chezbull@shaw.ca> wrote in message
>> news:Z6Ihk.128334$gc5.1238@pd7urf2no...
> >>
>>> If I hear the CD or any of the wait staff or stewards make these
>>> comments about the cards, I make a point of mentioning that in the
>>> "additional comments" area, and answer the questions the way I truly
>>> feel about the question. If any item deserves a failing grade, I'll be
>>> damned if I am going to mark it "Excellent!" just because the CD says I
>>> should.
>>>
>>> Just my opinion!
>>>
>>> Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific
>
> "Tom K" <tkanitra@> wrote in message
> news:48879ae7$0$20901$607ed4bc@cv.net...>
>> Can you give us examples of people deserving failing grades on a cruise?
>>
>> I'm not sure I've seen service that deserves a failing grade on any of
>> our cruises, with the possible exception of the concierge on the Liberty
>> of the Seas.
>>
>> --Tom
>>
>
> Hi Tom K
>
> On one cruise we were on, we had a Handicap cabin. Our room steward was
> about the worst that could possibly be.
>
> 1. The ice bucket was almost never filled. I took to finding the dolly
> in
> the hall and getting my own ice, because I knew it wouldn't be done.
>
> 2. The sheets were not changed by mid -week. We mentioned it and he said
> he had changed them which was not true, the tear that was in my sheet the
> first night was still there.
>
> 3. The fold-up shower chair had not been cleaned in weeks and mould was
> growing on the tiles behind it.
>
> 4. We had mentioned these things, along with the blood spots on the wall
> and he did nothing about it till we called the Head Housekeeper, and
> showed
> her all these things personally.
>
> This is one exterme example of BAD service, it improved imensely after the
> Head Housekeeper came.
>
> I have rarely, on 50+ cruises rated the very lowest mark, but you asked
> for
> an example. There it is. Mostly we have had exemplary service both from
> the cabin staff and the dining room staff, and I have made favorable
> comments, and even tipped extra when the service was outstanding. I
> usually
> make a point of including the name of the person who does a good job in my
> report brcause those things are noticed and these members of the staff are
> treated accordingly by the higher-ups, but I refuse to elevate the
> comments
> above what I think they deserve.
>
> Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific

Gotta agree... that was unacceptable. I guess my thought process was that
most of us would try to correct something before it got to the point of a
failure... which you obviously did. Still... I'd have to agree with your
rating in this case.

--Tom

Yes, perhaps the winning comment form is chosen by random and it could
be one that isn't filled in at all,but passengers think that a negative
form will lessen their chances and a complimentary form will greatly
increase their chances.

The prizes for winning the raffle range from a free cruise (picked once
a year from all the forms collected on all ships in the line to $100
cash).

A far better way to learn what passengers think is to have an anonymous
interviewer on board who would pick people at random to ask about their
impressions and ideas for future ships, cruises and experiences over a
drink.

Cruise lines would get a deeper impression and be able to resolve any
problems that have not been resolved and lots of feed-back on what made
the passenger book and what it may take to get his whole: family,
friends, co-workers, association, church, club, neighbors, employer,
school etc to book a cruise.

This would be the most cost effective manner to get a handle on trends
in booking, before those trends effect the cruise lines bottom line!

Inspector Gadget