On Mar 17, 12:38*am, "Tom K" wrote:
They didn't just use Cruise Critic, they used "Usenet" (R.T.C.) as well.


According to one of the articles I read, anyone chosen from Cruise
Critic received an email from Cruise Critic requesting permission to
release email information to RCI.

So anyone in RTC who simply started getting RC email was probably
selected based on RTC posts if you don't post in any other forum.

I didn't get an email from Cruise Critic and when I got the first RC
email I deleted it. It said something like RCI has an offer for
you...bla bla bla. Since I wasn't looking for a cruise I hit delete
and moved on. Had the email made it clear what it was really all
about, I would have been aboard Liberty of the Seas with the rest of
you (figured out in hindsight). I'm glad you all had a fun time. Wish
I had been there but my world didn't fall apart for not. None of the
subsequent RC email I received mentioned anything about what I should
or should not post. In fact if you look through the archives my posts
about RCI have probably been about 50/50 positive/negative. Based on
the content of any RC email I received I just figured it had something
to do with Crown and Anchor. At no time did they ever offer or hint at
a quid pro quo. In fact, some of the email solicited opinions about
the RCI product so I'm inclined to believe the "focus group" aspect of
RC.

And full disclosure(!): I have not attended any RC event thus far, but
since I get RC email I assume I am a RC. In 2008 I took 3 RCI cruises
- two out out of Bayonne and booked for the convenience of taking a
cab to the ship. The second and third were booked while aboard to get
the low deposit/OBC perks. I enjoyed all three. I have one RCI cruise
and one Celebrity cruise booked in 2009. But I also took one on
Holland America in January.

Warren