Professional complainers net $36,000 bonus

Source: Off Radar Cruise News

With the concerning news that a British couple namely, Terence and Cynthia Milner that were awarded 22,000 GBP (over $36,000 USD) in compensation for what they claimed to be "an experience was so horrible that they had to get off the ship early in Hawaii, at which point they were in a terrible state." it sends alarm bells to the rest of the Cruise Industry, especially those that operate in the UK market.

The couple in question purchased a 15 week long round the world cruise for the tidy sum equal to around $100,000 on Cunard's Queen Victoria.

The main issue we understand originated from the first night, when they heard an alleged unbearable noise in their cabin. Subsequently the couple were relocated to a number of alternative cabins, yet continued to find each replacement cabin as unsatisfactory as the first. It reached the point of no return, whereby they could no longer stand for it, at which time they took matters into their own hands and proceeded to disembark.

By way of compensation Cunard refunded the couple a figure in GBP that amounted to nearly $80,000 USD for the precise portion of the cruise they missed (even if by choice), however the Milners decided to initiate further action by taking Cunard to court, which resulted in their award mentioned above. The lions share of the award money was given for "distress and disappointment." This will breed fear into the heart of observing Cruise Lines due to the precedence that the case may portray in the UK market at least, which despite the current recession is growing in cruising terms.

Interestingly a separate division of the settlement was awarded to compensate for the value of £4,300 in cocktail dresses that Mrs. Milner bought, which she claimed that she would unable to wear as the formal attire would only serve to remind her as an "unwelcome reminder of the cruise."

Following the sad trail of events and passport of problems that the Milners claimed to have endured, it appears that they were first moved to a cabin which was actually fitted for the disabled and situated close to (within noise range of) the engine and the constant sound was too much to bear. They were promptly moved to another cabin, however the couple we understand were concerned that they would not be able to occupy it for the whole cruise as it was booked by another couple joining the cruise later on. It was at this juncture, that the British couple who apparently were covered in mouth ulcers and experienced breathing difficulties, decided to disembark the Queen Victoria in Hawaii, where they actually took a 6 week vacation, even though they claimed to be "exhausted and inconsolable."

Professional complainers or otherwise, this case could spark future claims and set a concerning precedence for others passengers to follow.