Aloha,this is your captain speaking.
Have any of you seen the post at that other board (CC) " Changes at Radisson" ? Seems like nothing ever stays the same ! Hoping this is just rumor.
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Ugh ... got sucked back into reading the CC Radisson board which reminded me why I don't read it very often any more.

Though the aforementioned thread is interesting -- hope Mark Conroy's job is secure! :(

Masaki

I thought it was a provocative thread, though somewhat disconcerting. There was also a very good review of a Navigator cruise.

Not to cause panic but I also heard some strange rumors while on the Navigator last week. I think the CC board is Rumor Control and voiced my concerns to Ngaire and Karen.
As with all reviews, "different courses for different horses"...I thought the soups were outstanding!! :app:

I guess I should comment on these events. The problem is that I dont like to make statements where I am "guessing" and then people taking those opinions as fact. In a privately held corporation there is much gossip and conjecture and yet no one knows what the situation really is, you cannot see the "books" like you can in a publicly traded company. So below is simply "my take" on things and that could be quite wrong. I dont have insider information, this is purely my opinion.

There were layoffs in the corporate office a week ago. Two VP level people in Sales and Marketing and then some others in middle management level. These were not unexpected everyone knew that they were coming. In fact they seemed to take longer than many would have anticipated. While it is very sad to see some friends leave it is probably the best move for the company. They have two less ships now, The Song is gone and the Diamond is gone. They were a little top heavy to begin with - this was inevitable.

The Song and the Diamond as much as people loved the ships were expensive to operate and not really profitable for the company. They really did need to go. Although the Diamond cost the company a lot of money when the lease was pulled. There is no doubt they would have highly preferred to run it though at least this years European season.

It has been tough in the cruise industry for the last 3 years. This year it is my understanding that RSSC will make a profit in 2005 and will probably do well in 2006 as well.

As to the rumor they will get down to three ships in my opinion that has already happened. The Navigator, the Mariner and the Voyager. The PG is just managed by RSSC so although everyone sees it as a RSSC ship it is in a different category.

The next RSSC ship to go will be the Navigator, but in my opinion that wont happen anytime in the near future - probably not until they have a new ship. That is ONLY my opinion based on my logical assessment of the situation. My GUESS and this is ONLY a guess a new build will be announced in about a year after a profitable 2005 and a profitable 2006 on the books. Hopefully by then the exchange rate will have improved also.

The last year has been difficult with the introduction of a new software program for the company that was full of bugs and problems. We are now coming out the other side and while not perfect by any means it is improving and there are many features that are so much better now. The system allows their Omaha reservation office to have more control once again reducing the need for so many people in Fort Lauderdale.

As to Carlson's committment to the cruise line it has always appeared to me that the family really seems to value the cruise line. I personally would be completely shocked if the line was merged or sold. I dont see that happening based on the observations I have made over the last five years. Once again I DONT know I am just stating an opinion.

I think RSSC is handling things well, tough times do require tough measures to ensure the success and future of a company. The problem is the perception of events can be viewed so many different ways - this of course is nothing new.

The conjecture and rumors will fly around as they always do with any major changes. Dont take anyones opinion including mine as fact. Just keep in mind that only time will tell.

I read that thread yesterday, with mild interest at best. Until *I* see that *my* enjoyment of RSSC's ships is threatened, I'll be right there. If and when *I* don't have a great time, then I'll just vote with my checkbook/credit card.

My expectations are possibly poles apart from somebody else's, and where they would be traumatized, I wouldn't. Or vice versa.

My opinion only.

Changes are not necessarily a bad thing and, in many instances, can result in dramatic, positive outcome. It all remains to be seen.

In the meantime, and unless I, personally, experience any dissatisfaction in my cruising with RSSC, I will continue to sail on my cruise line of choice - RSSC.

I've chosen not to lurk on other cruise sites. Maybe a good thing!

Some friends have been talking about doing a Panama Canal cruise. I told them they could count us in if we do it with Radissson. My personal opinion is that they are a very elegant line with wonderful cuisine and shows. Long after we disembarked from the Navigator, Dave and I carried on at breakfast every morning about how much we wished we were back on board again. I agree, Denise, if I'm going to cruise, it's going to be with RSSC.

Trish

Trish, I'm with you and Denise. As long as Radisson continues to provide an excellent product, I don't have a desire to sail on another cruiseline. However, I do keep my eyes on the Silver Seas itinerary and if the right combination of price and place came about, I would consider them.

Like you Trish, I don't lurk on any other cruise sites. By the time I keep up with LCT, I don't have any more spare minutes left. So, you'll find me here each morning with my cup of coffee and each evening (sometimes with my glass of wine - you can usually tell ;) ). Of course I don't admit to the other times during the day that I check in here. As you can see, I'm addicted!!

I am feeling a little bit better now that I read your post, Ngaire. I know it is only your opinion but what you said makes business sense. I hope you are right.

We are relatively new to cruising and have only cruised on Radisson. I would sure hate to see them sell out or lose their luxury status. I am going to continue to dream about our upcoming wonderful Radisson cruise and anxiously check everyday to see if their 2006 schedules are out!!

While I haven't read the CC thread...it seems certain to me that some people just love to speculate about the possible demise of a cruise line's service and quality. These folks often spend an inordinate amount of time finding reason to justify their "opinions".

Like many of you, I find it better to hang out here and get the facts rather then some doom and gloom speculation.

When Ngaire give an opinion, she if quick to emphasize that she is giving an educated thought. Her frankness is what I value in a cruise expert and agent!

Ngaire, I read your post with particular interest, b/c I am new to RSSC, and really to cruising. Of all the lines I researched, RSSC just seemed like the perfect "fit" for me---elegant, intimate, yet down to earth and relaxed. I VERY occasionally lurk on CC (I really don't like it there very much) and did see that particular post...it worried me, b/c I decided on RSSC precisely BECAUSE it wasn't a "mega-ship."

I so love this group, and I have a great feeling of trust in all of you----I read your opinions and observations and feel so grateful that I found my way here.

Oh, and Donna, LOL---I have the same daily "contact" with LCT---morning coffee and evening glass of wine, LOL. Once, I even stole time while at work to jump on for a few minutes...Yes, I am addicted, too, but what a great addiction. :lct:

Remember all the negative posts when the Diamond switched from Swedish stewardesses to Asian stewards? There has been no fall off in service. Like Denise and others have said, not all change is bad.

Of course, I too will run not walk if I "personally" experience a negative change.

Demimnpearls just be warned that the addiction gets worse when you travel with and meet all the wonderful happy people on this board. When I looked at John's pictures of the first year of LCT it really hit me what a unique and wonderful group this is. I am so glad you found the boards and are enjoying the LCT'ers and you are an LCT'er now yourself.

I really think these changes will have no affect on the shipboard experience at all. I did not post about this when it happened because I sincerely think RSSC is a great product and will continue to be a great product, and this really does not affect the passenger travelling on RSSC.

I am with you too Marc. As much as I love RSSC and the people involved the product has to stay excellent. If it does not we will all find another place to cruise. Right now I am a very loyal RSSC fan.

Any concerns for Radisson's future that I might have are based not on personnel changes involving personnel that I don't even know! Rather, they are based by what appears to be an increasingly shrinking fleet. I've been a repeat Radisson guest for over three years now. In that short period, I recall when Radisson was a six ship line, with ship sizes ranging from the little SOF to the 700 guest Mariner and Voyager. Itineraries are being lost. In Sept/Oct '03, we were booked on the SOF for Scotland, Ireland, and England. Had to cancel due to birth of grandson. The SOF left, and so did this itinerary, which I have been unable to find on Radisson since. Seabourn is the closest I can come. And, as we are fans especially of the Paul Gauguin and its "dedicated" itinerary, we find the silence deafening as to plans for doing this itinerary with another ship when the PG goes in '06 or '09.

It only stands to reason that a line can't offer the same variety in itineraries with three ships as it can with six. And that is our concern.

Thanks,
Richard

Ngaire--I stand forewarned, LOL!!! Both Jean and Margo will be on my cruise, and I can't wait to meet them. I'll be going to the May 1st brunch, too, and already feel part of the gang. I am definitely an LCT-er, and am already thinking ahead to future itineraries in future years. Until I hear or experience otherwise, those future cruises will be on RSSC--I just keep feeling that the RSSC style is perfect for me. Keep us posted!!