I can't resist the temptation to comment on the article with this title in the news section of this site.
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Originally Posted by The Article
Police officers, who were not wearing uniforms at the time of the incident, testified the tourists hit them, bit them and pulled their hair.
Prosecutors presented dozens of pictures that showed the officers' injuries, including one of a bite wound that required stitches.
This is the sort of conduct that is characteristic of "riff-raff" rather than polite society.
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Originally Posted by The Article
The tourists from Brooklyn are to be sentenced Monday for their guilty pleas to different charges, among them beating a female police officer and using indecent language. Defense attorney Steadroy Benjamin said he was satisfied the deal was reached once the trial was under way because it gave everyone an opportunity to hear evidence from both sides. Those offenses are considered minor and usually carry a fine.
That's pretty light for an A&B rap.
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Originally Posted by The Article
One of the tourists, Shoshannah Henry, testified she felt the amount was twice what they believed was owed.
If there was a misunderstanding about the fare, getting into a scuffle most assuredly is NOT the appropriate way to resolve it.
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Originally Posted by The Article
All six were sailing on the Carnival Victory and were from New York City.
Unfortunately, actions like this in foreign countries reflect negatively on ALL Americans who travel overseas. When foreigners do not welcome us, it is often because other Americans have conducted themselves in this way.
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Originally Posted by The Article
Carnival Cruise Lines has informed Antigua they will stop calling at the island, which is considered one of the more elite and pricier islands in the Caribbean.
Carnival Cruise Lines has long had a reputation for attracting the less than genteel among us, and incidents like this tend to indicate that not much has really changed in spite of the line's attempt to rid itself of its reputation for throwing a "floating frat party" on every cruise of a decade ago. I suspect that the blend of Carnival's passengers with Antigua's heritage of British correctness probably is akin to a mixing oil and water. Carnival's decision to stop calling there will make room for more calls by other lines that will be a better match for the island's social standards. In the end, both will be better off -- Carnival's passengers will be happier going to islands that they find to be less "stuffy" and Antiguans will be much happier not having to deal with as many passengers from cruise ships who behave in this way while ashore.
I also seriously hope that other cruise lines will take note of this incident and realize that filling cabins with undesirables will make them unwelcome in foreign countries and restrict their options for ports of call.
Norm is probably right. Personally, I am not comfortable around people of either extreme, but I have found the vast majority of my fellow cruisers on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean to be within two standard deviations on the bell curve.
Unfortunately for Carnival, or any cruise line for that matter, people do not come bar-coded for their personality traits. If we did, they could [and probably would] scan and screen us at the terminal. I have learned from much experience that you surely cannot tell by looking at people which ones think they should rule the world. I have met snooty looking people who were loose as a goose and "riff-raff" looking people who blew me away with their social graces and cultural adaptability.
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Re: "It's Over for Antigua Six, Five Plead Guilty"
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Originally Posted by Phil&Liz
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Originally Posted by Rev22:17
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Originally Posted by The Article
Antigua, which is considered one of the more elite and pricier islands in the Caribbean.
Norm.
By whom?
Phil & Liz
Very good point!! I have a feeling that you will find out!!
I do know that Carnival sails some of the most modern ships afloat. I am planning on trying them for the first time in the near future. I probably don't have the proper social skills and am probably not genteel enough to sail some other cruise lines anyway.
I also want to complement you on your quote from Margaret Thatcher.
I just love that one!
Debra
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With integrity nothing else matters; without it nothing else matters.
I"m sure that there are "low lifes" on all cruise lines, not just Carnival. I bet that there are even some who sail Celebrity. But I am curious, Norm; have you ever sailed on a Carnival ship? Exactly how do you come to these conclusions regarding Carnival. Frankly, I find your snobbishness & elitism towards Celebrity just a annoying as Nursedebra's obsession with bashing Celebrity at every conceivable opportunity.
Norm used to be a big fan (and stockholder) of Princess until RCI lost to Carnival in the purchase of Princess. Norm is now a stockholder of RCI and big promoter of Celebrity/RCI - and puts down Princess/Carnival at every opportunity.
How in the world can any cruise line figure who the problem passengers will be? Can't be done!
These New Yorkers were absolutely stupid to argue/fight. They should have paid the fare, got on the ship ... and maybe then fought the situation.
__________________ I cruise the Emerald Princess, Eastern Caribbean on April 16, 2012
"It's Over for Antigua Six, Five Plead Guilty"
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