I am not surprized. With all the lawyers we have in this country they will because somebody sneezes.
TM
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CRUISES
Century 4/1998
Mercury 4/2000+4/2006+7/2007
Sensation 4/2002
Infinity 4/2003
Summit 4/2004+4/2005
Carnival Liberty New Year's Eve 2007
Liberty of the Seas 5/2008+11/2009
Solstice 4/2009
Oasis 4/2010
Allure 1/16/ 2011
Equinox 4/11/2011
I just read an article on the internet that stated that, Costa in recent days has suspended Schettino,announced it is no longer paying his legal fees and has signed on as a civil party in the prosection,a move that positions it as an injured party and would allow it to seek damages in the case of a guilty verdict. Now I am not claiming to be a lawyer or anything just stating what the article said.
When you set up a company that has a lot of expensive assets, you set up a holding company that owns everything from the chairs to the vehicles be they vans or cruise ships.
Each section of your business works as an independent trader but rents the chairs etc at an exorbitant rate from the holding company, now each company makes a small profit/loss for tax and the holding company takes the big money.
Now put your holding company in a nice little tax haven and you have it made.
It is the way of the world.
The looser on this one if the insurance company gets out of paying will most likely be the Italian taxpayer.
I've seen some different figures thrown around, ranging from the lower end of a refund of your fare plus 30% off your next cruise, the the higher end in the millions.
I'm not sure what a reasonable level of compensation would be, but I think people are playing mind games here. Multi-million dollar claims, and refund + 30% voucher are both insane, and that's what both parties are playing at.
The multi-million dollar claims are based on the hope that if they ask for something insanely high, they'll get something ridiculously high. Costa on the other hand, hope that if they offer something insanely low, they'll get away with something ridiculously low.
Sadly, I had one experience in this subject and the secret words areMARITIME LAWYERS...If I had been a passenger on the Concordia I certainly would check out if there is going to be a "class action suite". I seriously doubt that Costa will be in the cruise business in the future. I am not sure about where Carnival fits into this, but they will obviously take a major financial hit, but eventually come up smelling like roses after investors buy up the downgraded stock.
Carnival Splendor cruisers were given there money back for the failed cruise plus given a new, free 7-day cruise on any Carnival ship.
They also had all of their expenses to get home, etc, paid.
Does the Costa/Carnival line think they can get away with paying them for their cruise, their clothes, valuables and expenses (American Embassy was no help and charged) and ANOTHER CRUISE!!! How about the people who have died.. That is "chutzpa" on their part and if I had to as others did wait hours to climb down the ladder to a MAYBE waiting overcrowded life boat and talk about the psychological damage done to them and their families. I don't know if the fine print on the back of our tickets talks about incompetent Captains....Yes, there many of us who will cruise at the drop of a hat, but for those people who have not yet cruised or who have had doubts...the entire cruise industry will suffer. The mega ships will be cruising with empty cabins,dropping their prices and profits to stockholders.
The level of this tragedy, certainly should put the compensation to each passenger to a new, never been seen before level, in my mind, but, is there a cap on what they cruiseline can actually pay to each?
I think, first off, its too soon to speak of any kind of settlement. I can only believe there are years ahead of flashbacks,and trauma, for many. The tragedy is only 9 days old,and still unfolding.
To insult the passengers now, with the paltry amounts of compensation, only inflames the situation....Lawyers and the courts will be involved for many years in this sad mess. I for one, think the Captain, will not see a courtroom, he will take the cowards way out.
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Trip, with her book & tea!
Chat Hostess & Board Moderator
Costa is only offering a 30% discount on a future cruise
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parrot Mom
Does the Costa/Carnival line think they can get away with paying them for their cruise, their clothes, valuables and expenses (American Embassy was no help and charged) and ANOTHER CRUISE!!! How about the people who have died.. That is "chutzpa" on their part and if I had to as others did wait hours to climb down the ladder to a MAYBE waiting overcrowded life boat and talk about the psychological damage done to them and their families. I don't know if the fine print on the back of our tickets talks about incompetent Captains....Yes, there many of us who will cruise at the drop of a hat, but for those people who have not yet cruised or who have had doubts...the entire cruise industry will suffer. The mega ships will be cruising with empty cabins,dropping their prices and profits to stockholders.
Parrot Mom
Costa cruisers involved in the accident are at present only being offered a 30% doscount on a future cruise?
Costa Concordia: Cruise Firm faces US Lawsuit
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