One More ‘Notch’
in Cunard's Six Shooter
By Mike Groves
An elderly couple have become the latest victims of the heartless cruise company that call themselves Cunard, when earlier this week Lord Justice Ward slashed the couples original compensation award from £22,000 to just £12,000.
Mr & Mrs Milner, from Alwoodley in Leeds had booked a 15-week round-the-world cruise during the Queen Victoria’s maiden voyage in 2008. For this ‘privilege’ the couple paid out a staggering £59,052 for what should have been a cruise of a life time but alas it was not to be, because as we often see on Cruise Bruise it became yet another cruise that transcended into ‘the cruise from hell.’
It also mattered not to Cunard that these guests had paid a small fortune for the Cunard experience, because the company eventually reverted to their normal stance of showing just how heartless and aggressive they can be towards those who fail ‘to toe the line.’ But what is always so ironic with this company is that the Milners, and I for that matter, didn’t toe the line because we stood up for JUSTICE and it is Cunard who continually fail in this regard.
The Milners Cunard experience was so poor that the couple quit the ship within a month of their 103-day voyage!
No matter Cunard refunded the couple £48,240 for the remaining leg of their missed cruise the Milners clearly felt this was not acceptable, more so when the problems that caused them to leave in the first instance started the very first night on board.
All the Milner’s wanted for their money was ‘the cruise of a lifetime’ but all they got was pain and heartache on board, pain and heartache Cunard ensured would continue once they got off the ship as well because they actually dragged this elderly couple all the way to the Court of Appeal to argue over a measly £10,000!
This sum of money means a lot to many people, not least a couple in their twilight years but not for this multi million pound ‘profit making’ company, they wanted it back! Cunard clearly felt aggrieved that the couple had been award compensation in the first place – how dare they!!
Mr Milner, 68, and his 70-year-old wife were herded around like 'like gipsies' according to one quote after they complained about constant banging noises in their cabin which deprived them of sleep. Although given temporary residence in another suite they were not permitted to unpack, nor was the problem fixed in their own cabin because before long they soon found themselves back there for yet more sleep deprivation. Didn’t the CIA once use this technique?
Regular Cruise Bruise readers will remember the Queen Victoria has come to our notice before, with incidences of Norovirus and previous poor treatment of guests. You may actually recall one report where guests were told to purchase their own flowers ‘if they wanted them on their table’ and if that wasn’t bad enough, they were also charged for drinking water!
The couples health has now deteriorated from this ordeal with Mr Milner contracting mouth ulcers and his wife suffering 'breathing problems'. You still wish to take a cruise with Cunard?
So as saddened as I am to hear of Mr & Mrs Milners horrendous ordeal at the hands of Cunard, a company that feels it is the elite in cruising and passenger comfort, I am not really surprised how they continue to stoop to gutter level and in this instance mentally torment an elderly couple for the sake of £10,000
Cunard went to the Court of Appeal in London in their greedy attempt to get the original compensation payout of £22,000, ordered by county court Judge Shaun Spencer QC, reduced. They really do walk around as if its still the Wild Wild West – take no prisoners and do as they please!
One More ‘Notch’ in Cunards Six Shooter
Cruise Line Wins Settlement Appeal
By Mike Groves QGM
Cruise Bruise Security And Safety Advisor
April 24, 2010
