Just Picture It Now

Actually Doug, hotel operations is a much larger department than sales is. Hotel operations encompasses all the passenger experiences aboard a ship, from accomodations to food, etc. This is a much more demanding position than the one Ms. Bauer had in sales.

As an avid cruiser and also knowing how large the "hotels" are with Royal Caribbean, I don't doubt how demanding the position is. My Parents and Nephew booked a cruise with me on Freedom of The Seas last year, and we booked with them to experience this new ship. The 8 of us enjoyed the accommodations and food.

So am I to understand that this "promotion" came on the heals of sending out just 3 termination letters to Travel MLM's and Card Mills? Is this all Royal Caribbean intended on doing?

John, you're a smart guy. Changes like this don't take place in Corporate America mid stream if the mission is accomplished or projects such as this are going as planned.

You and I both know there are many other Travel MLM's out there that need to be addressed and Ms. Bauer was the face of this Corporate Position.

If this move was as successful as everyone is telling me it is, why was she moved?

OUCH! Obviously Lisa Bauer was NOT doing what Royal Caribbean wanted her to do, so they moved her and replaced her with someone who they think can take care of this mess. If you’re going to terminate relationships with Card Mills and Travel MLM’s then terminate them and get it over with. (You better make sure they’re actually MLM as well! LOL!) It’s now December and they made this decision to terminate long before the October letters were sent.

She’s come across as arrogant and holier than thou, unwilling to discuss the issues with anyone. (Including Travel Weekly, Joystar, and YTB) So now she’s going to make sure all pillows have a mint and toilet paper is stocked.

Face it. She screwed up and that’s why she was moved.

You remember that Scott Tomer said he would NEVER do business with Royal Caribbean again. I know I'll never sell them again even if things get patched up. What they did was a slap in the face and I'm glad they realize what a huge mistake this was.

Guys;

While I agree that the terminations of just three Agencies while keeping relations with the likes of Magic Johnson Travel was a huge marketing blunder, we can't assume that this is over and Royal Caribbean is willing to open talks at this point.

Likewise, Royal Caribbean has some really nice product and YTB has done considerable business with them which was growing.

Scott, Coach, and Kim have always made the right decision when it comes to the health and growth of our company.

It's yet to be determined exactly what this move will bring to either side of the table.

Time will tell on this. I do not see it as a demotion at all. She comes from a hotel background (large land based resorts) and when the SVP of Hotel Ops opened, I suspect she tossed her hat into the ring. I don't know but I suspect.

As someone else said, Hotel Ops encompasses the ENTIRE client experience on board a ship--cabins, food, maintenance, entertainment, shore excursions, shopping, etc.

And, someone also said that the SVP of Corp Communications moved her. Well that would not be her job--he job is to convey the message.

And she was not replaced to my knowledge. There is someone in the role as "acting" and they are in search of a replacement.

All I know is that YTB doesn't need RCCL....RCCL needs YTB!

Royal Caribbean has never been very “forward” with anything they have done concerning this Card Mill and Travel MLM issue. We still don’t know who the 3rd Agency is do we?

It’s all a big secret.

Perception is reality, and since Royal Caribbean has never clarified the issues going on, they leave it up to us to speculate and spread rumor instead of coming out and saying “This is the way it is.”

It’s a poor business move and is creating more questions than answers in who they are and where they stand.

Perception is reality, and since Royal Caribbean has never clarified the issues going on, they leave it up to us to speculate and spread rumor instead of coming out and saying “This is the way it is.”

It’s a poor business move and is creating more questions than answers in who they are and where they stand.

I couldn't agree more.

This week will mark 2 months since "The Letter” was sent out to just 3 Agencies, with no news of any more, (with maybe the exception of MyCruiseBookings.com) and no further clarification of what they consider a “Card Mill”. They’re “not required” to tell anyone anything, and it’s all a big secret just who the 3rd Agency is. (And believe me…I’ve tried!)

My “perception” of Royal Caribbean has always been that they consider themselves better than all the rest. It came across when I dealt with them directly for clients, and when I was sailing with them personally. It’s an arrogance that I believe hurts them. This situation, for me at least, adds fuel to that perception.

I’m quite confident that most everyone would like to know what’s going on inside Royal Caribbean right now, on both sides of the fence, but noboby seems to know.

While this move to Senior VP of Hotel Operations may very well be a “promotion”, the timing of it just makes everyone go…”What?”