I didn't mind that he was comped. For the most part we all get the same service so I don't see the difference. (well not the room upgrades)

Arlene, I am probably one of the great exceptions to that rule.
My first cruise on Radisson was during the inaguaral season of the Voyager, I had had major problems after I booked...cancelling cruise, moving my date, downcrading cabin with no monetary recompense.
I then called Operations and 2 days later I was upgraded to a Penthouse suite. I cannot tell you how I was treated. It was as if I actually were a queen....dinner with the Captain, the cruise director, the lecturer, Sandra, social hostess, etc. I never had a dinner without a senior cruise member...everyone knew my name from the day I arrived. Operations had told the HD to make sure I was well taken care of, and boy, was I.
I know that is the exception, but it does happen to people much less important than a columnist.
To say the least, it was the createst of my 19 cruises, and will never happen again.
Lynn