Twice in your post you made reference to them losing money and them wanting to ‘suck every last dollar’. That statement implies that the delay was malicious and planned based on the financial status of the boat at the time. The fog just happened to be a convenient excuse at the time. Had there been no fog, would you think they would have staged a ‘fake’ breakdown to recoup their money? And who would make that call? The pit? The captain? The crew? Wouldn’t you think that this is just a job for most of these people and they too want to go back home and sleep in their bed rather than on the boat stuck in the Gulf all night just like you? How much bonus did the crew/staff get for the delay other than overtime for the extra hours? Does the extra profits offset the bad publicity hurt future business for the boat? (You are telling a LOT of people right now about your bad experience just by these posts.) Bill, it would be hard for me to believe that this was a staged event orchestrated just to pull a few more dollars out of your pocket especially having the dock to close. My point with the crude ship is that if it were simply money, that ship would have been parked at the dock on time last night. We (my company) have PLENTY of money, unfortunately there's no ship valets! No one, the company or the crude ship wanted the delay. Yes, it’s a part of doing business, sh*t happens…. On a crude ship as well as a gambling boat.

The poor treatment was inexcusable for whatever reason of the delay. You are a customer who pays the bills on that boat! The extra cost of drinks, food, etc. when there is a delay are just a part of doing business in their line of work and should be budgeted for. But, unexpected delays happen, on boats, planes, and lots of places. Every effort should be made to minimize inconveniences and discomforts when this happens. A FREE ship to shore call should have been the first thing they offered. Most people (like you) probably had a cell phone anyway and that part was probably not a such big deal. You are right in your complaint if you were not treated properly, I whole-heartedly agree here. Medical emergencies, I believe, would have been addressed fog or no fog. Were you suggesting that they air lift healthy people off the boat to go to work on time? That may be stretching hospitality a bit far, but free drinks, phone, and food as well as a few pillows and blankets would not be out of line.

As far as the warnings go, how many people would read & heed anyway? I bet MANY people would just think, sure things can happen but just not to them or not on ‘this’ trip. It happens to the ‘other’ guy. How many warnings have you walked by in your life? Ever do anything THEN read the instructions and warnings last? I doubt many people that are excited about the possibility of hitting the casino and making some money would be scared off too easily by a sign posted at the door warning of a potential fog (or other) delay. I know I pray for the time when a casino is losing money and I am forced to stand there and take it! I wouldn’t be looking for a couch to sleep on. I would want to call my boss and explain that the circumstances were clearly beyond my control and I would expect him to realize that. Then I would RUSH back to the casino hoping no one go my spot while I was calling my boss. After all, if I hit big enough, I don’t need a boss anymore!
Even though I disagree that the fog delay was 'planned' I am sorry you had a bad trip. Will you EVER go out on a cruise boat again? There are other perils of boating besides fog... like s i n k i n g .... Now there's a complaint!