There you go Donefor, Luci to the resue as always!!!

Perhaps Luci can help me too! Why do I have to log in for every visit now please?

Is anyone else seeing black background sometimes? (Well quite often actually!)

No Luci, I haven't been on a visit to a Port House - unfortunately!!!

Hi Magsy
Not changed my name to Luci but as Luci hasn't replied yet, here are the answers.
Luci posted a message about needing to log in

ALL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
As of Sunday 22nd October 2006 the auto login system will be removed. This is to ensure the security of the site is not compromised and in preparation of a software upgrade. Can all members please ensure they know their passwords prior to this date as password entry will be required on visiting HT after the above date?

Remember, you can change your password in your profile to something memorable.

luci

The Halloween theme appears this time of year, soon to be replace with bonfire night (if Van/ admin stay true to form) and then the Christmas theme.This should disappear when you log in, unless you have it selected in your profile.

Raych
Hope you kept the paper work from your first cruise, should be interesting to read how, with the first one, you meet all the t+c but not with the second

Peter

Aaaah Peter, thank you, as ever the absolute oracle! Unfortunately this is really the only thread I read so if that was posted here I must just have missed it somehow, but anyway, it's lovely to know that 'he who knows everything' is still here, ready to save the bacon of people like me! I do hope you are well Peter. Been on any more cruises?

I am completely with you in your question about the difference between the two applications. There shouldn't be a difference as far as I can see!

I wonder how long the lucky few (who have actually had their cruises confirmed yet again, by the paper this time) will have to be patient???

Thanks Peter
Magsy, there is an announcement at the top of the page about the auto loging being disabled. This is in preparation for a software upgrade we hope to do in the near future. Everyone now has to log in each visit to the site.

The Halloween theme is now available for those that want to use it. You can select it by going into your Profile at the top of the page. The default theme is subsilver.

luci

hi ,i havent looked in for a few weeks,and then with this new system had fogotten my password!!Earlier i got a different colour background now its back to normal.what is happening?
i gathersome are still getting the runaround...i fail to see how people do not match he criteria when they did originally..it seems they moove the goal posts to suit themselves.
i hope we get to hear w
hen it will be on watchdog,that might shake them up again.
it was great to hear that a good time was had by a couple ofpeople who got their cruises it must help those who are still waitingto keep fighting.
now i have to find out how to change my password to an easy one!!!

Hi to all those still waiting for there cruises, I am still one of you.
I think that the DE knows that by reading this website the ones still waiting will not give in until justice has been done.

I am pleased for those that have had there cruises and had a great time, I take heart with that and it will keep me fighting for my cruise having never been on one before.

Does anyone know if they are still sending the 90 odd names per quarter to the travel company.

Happy Halloween to All

Botoxman

just curious have any of you had a private message from a film co wanting to know your experiences ofthe offer??hve thy just targetted a few or all?/
i havent done anything about it yet.

I got the PM too.
Carol suggest you follow it up. People that have been featured on these type of programes tend to get cruises

Think they just sent the Pm to recent posters.

Peter

thanks for your answer,its good to now it was other people as well. i had my cruise last year not for £10 as i got msc opera so paid£150 still good value but £10 would have been better as promised.
i do hope the ones waiting get there cruise it sems to have goneon so long.its good to know they ae still fighting for it.

I have today received a letter from the Greatest Newspaper in the World - stating that my 'claim' for a £10.00 Cruise is not valid. They say I have not qualified, although I had sent them sufficient evidence that I had fully complied with all terms and requirements at every stage.

It seems to me that their strategy, to quantify the financial exposure and ultimately to reduce the provisions in their accounts, is now to send anyone who contacts them a 'get lost' response. This is equivalent to a 'stalemate' letter issued by companies fending off complaints for Financial Services before they go to the FSA/ Ombudsman.

The reference on mine was 6376 - I wonder if that is sequential and indicates the total of such letters issued? If you have had a similar letter can you post on here when you received it and the reference no please? This may confirm how many people have received such a response. Sadly, unless they read HT, the majority will now probably give up.

Unfortunately the Greatest Newspaper in the World has no idea of customer service. It has no consumer code of conduct to follow, and does not belong to any voluntary or statutory complaint resolution service. Yet it regularly takes up the role of consumer champion to warn its readers, and expose the perpetrators. An outside observer of these events may conclude this is hypocrisy of the worst kind.

I am going to commence the legal action now as per Marcus.

An update on what happened to the Greatest Promotion Company in the World, who was at one stage running the offer, can be found at:-

http://www.newsco.com/productsandservices/archive/nwbi/2006-04/lunch

Hi Wallecan,
Bad news but I am sure only momentarily! Interesting that reference number isn't it!
I will pm you with further information regarding this cancellation Wallecan!

Hi
i too have had the old rejection letter. Reference no is 9787. My legal action is starting on Monday once I have decided how much i believe i am entitled to.
I wont let them get me down.
Good luck to all those others

Hi Wallecan, don't know if this is any help, my cruise was validated on Oct 12th, my ref no is 8518

Thanks guys for the ref numbers. They are not allocating these as they issue the accept / reject letters so must relate to something else - probably an amalgamated database of 'complaints' built up since they took over. They still have 'thousands' of unhappy people known to them and this latest attempt is to bring it to a closure. They seem to be accepting a few and rejecting the rest. If they hear nothing further from the rejects they think they can draw a line and wrap this up, closing off the provisions for liabilities in their accounts.

Is there any logic to the criteria used for an 'accept'? I send them copies of everything with my last letter 2 weeks ago, including:-

1. Initial 'confirmation that I had a cruise' letter - after sending them the vouchers (2004)
2. Subsequent cruise allocation letter with details & dates (2004)
3. Photocopy of my completed acceptance of the allocated cruise (2004)
4. Letter from Jt MD following complaint which states that this would be resolved and I would be contacted (Jul 2005)

I was rejected. What is it that those who have been accepted have done which is different? Any information / evidence appreciated.

Cheers

Hi Wallercam
My rejection letter was dated 6409 I contacted them 18th or 19th October. I applied for 2 cruises both using the the same methods of posting on the same dates etc. I have had 1 cruise and got as far as giving my credit card details for the second, and I have a personal letter from Director of marketing company to say that I could have my cruise, but at a later date.
I telephoned the DE with regard to the knew message, prior to writting and the lady only took my post code and said didnt need me to send my correspondence as proof, she took it twice as if she were just looking on a database, and said she would pass it to those dealing with it.
We have obviously been on their database at some time to recieve the vouchers and other DE takeover letter.I also had a phone call offering alternatives to the cruise,but didnt make note of the date. It would be interesting to find out why we have been removed.
I am gioing to BBC in London this Thursday to record my piece re cruise. I think the object of the feature is to find out what their criteria is.
I was also contacted by Dom and phoned them to relate my story, but going to see what happens Thursday. Hopefully they will have a solicitior to look at my paperwork and give me some help.
I'm determined to get my cruise, and not let the DE get away with the way they have handled this, or treated us.
Will keep you all posted , wish me luck, and if there are any points that you think I should mention please pm me.

Hi Wallecan and fellow sufferers. My rejection letter was dated 19th Oct with a reference number 9979.
I have approached my legal advice insurers with a view to taking legal actionand I am awaiting their reply. My paper work seems to be the same as others so I cannot see why they say we do not qualify. Good luck Raych with your filming, hope the camera is working this time.
Cheers PIB

Best of luck Raych. Do you know when the programme is likely to come out as I'll make sure to watch? This whole fiasco has gone on far too long and there really is no excuse for the way they are treating people. I think lessons may have been learned for the future and companies are getting cold feet, as I haven't seen any more of these 'fabulous offers' around for ages.

Hi Wallecan
My rejection letter was dated 12 October and was numbered 6483. My friend who is also still waiting received her letter the same day but not sure of her reference number.

I have sent all my documents to a lawyer and am waiting his advice before proceeding further. We are determined not to give up and am following everyone's updates with interest.

Good luck Raych be sure to let us know viewing details.

Regards
Kate.

Its amazing after 2.5 years that this forum is still going and I suspect there are also a lot who just read and never post, but are in the same position, having had recent rejection letters. If you are one please do consider making yourself known here. The more weight and support evidenced the better for all of us.

Its time to take action. I did yesterday using the online small claims court service at http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk

It was much easier than I thought and I paid the £120.00 fee (recoverable on court ruling in my favour) online by credit card. You just need to be clear about the grounds for the action and the redress. I am claiming £1,038 (less £10.00) being the cost of a comparable 7 day med cruise with single supplement. I obtained this 'quote' using the Thompson web site.

Next step is for the court to approve the claim form and then the ball is in the defendants court. The possible outcomes are:-

* No response with 30 days - I then apply to court and get ruling in my favour.

* They decide to settle out of court.

* They contest and I attend court hearing (having invited the Daily Mail etc along)

* I win case

* I lose case (although I would not have pressed the proceed button if I thought there was much chance of this, but I am prepared to take the risk)

So we will see what happens.

I know there are many others thinking of doing the same now after having had the 'get lost' letter - there really is no alternative.

Raych - good luck for Thursday - do let us know how you get on.

Things are getting interesting again