As someone who checks DailyKos several times a day, but who rarely posts anything, I am much more comfortable reading than writing. I appreciate the kind comments I've received on those occasions when I've posted something - and it takes a lot to move me to post.
Well, it's happened again. Let me explain, and ask for some support.
As baby boomers, my wife and I are fast approaching retirement age; we have both looked forward with eager anticipation to those years we can spend doing the things we've planned over the past couple of decades. One of the things we especially enjoy, and intend to pursue, is travel...and one of the most enjoyable ways we've found to do this is by cruising.
We have been on nearly two dozen cruises so far, on several different lines - Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, Costa, Holland America, and Norwegian. So far, all but a couple of these have been great; I've said before, and say again, that a cruise is as close to experiencing being royalty as most of us will ever get. The pampering that takes place on board is - well, it's addictive.
Most cruise lines do their utmost to provide the best entertainment available in order to lure new customers; some do this better than others. One of the most interesting ways they attract cruisers is to plan and market a "theme cruise". These are usually something like a "baseball fantasy" cruise - where those on board can meet and interact with current and former players in different venues - or an "oldies" cruise - where famous bands from the past do concerts of their hits. Sometimes, the themes are more subdued - an author discusses his/her works, and holds readings, or scholars provide seminars on specific topics of interest. As you can imagine, these cruises can be, and are usually, very popular.
Several weeks ago, I was scanning the posts on Huffington and ran across a short article which announced a newly-advertised theme cruise for Holland America Cruise Line (HAL - one of the Carnival group of cruise lines that generally caters to older, more upscale clients): an opportunity to spend a week with Karl Rove, John Bolton, and several other far right, neoconservative ideologues as the featured guests - giving lectures, seminars, answering questions, and generally being available to "meet-and-greet".
I was shocked. I mean - WTF? I wondered if HAL had revised its business plan to direct its marketing to the remaining 20% of Americans who still call themselves Republicans, basically saying to the rest of us that we were no longer welcome on board the HAL ships...
Having cruised with HAL on a couple of previous occasions, I e-mailed them to ask if this was true, and to inform them that, if it was, I would no longer be a customer. The first response was boilerplate, acknowledging receipt of my inquiry. The second, unfortunately, was ALSO a "canned" reply - so I redirected. I contacted Carnival, the parent company for HAL, and reiterated my anger and disgust at the use of seditious pricks as an attraction, and also told them of the lack of response from HAL. All I got from Carnival was a reply essentially telling me that Carnival wasn't responsible for what HAL does or does not do. To me, this response is not only unacceptable, it is inexcusable. I cannot believe a parent company would not be fully conversant with the plans and practices of one of its subsidiaries, especially when the plan could be detrimental to both.
SO...I took the opportunity to inform Carnival that not only was that not an acceptable answer, it was a reason for me to boycott them, and all of their other lines, as well. This means that my wife and I will NOT be cruising on Carnival, HAL, Costa, Cunard, Princess, or any other Carnival affiliate. I also told them that, as someone to whom many of my friends and associates turn for advice on cruising, I would be letting them know to avoid these cruise lines.
Which brings me here. I know boycotts are generally not very effective, but it is the only way I can personally make a statement to these companies. Cruise lines have been doing less business over the past few years for any number of reasons, so my thought is that every little action could affect them.
I would ask those of you who are cruisers, or who are planning a cruise, or are considering a cruise - or who have been asked by others for advice on cruising - to let everyone know of Carnival's support of these right-wing ideologues, and their lack of consideration for those of us who would never provide funds or comfort to these people. Let friends, neighbors, and associates know NOT to book cruises on the Carnival group of cruise lines. Perhaps that might be enough to convince Carnival that favoring one ideology over another is not the most productive business plan.