An Open Letter To The Ocean Jewel(Saint Petersburg,FL)-NoPokerContent

[toddw217]

My apologies to the board if this is anappropriate. As stated in the title, there is no poker content. However, as the Ocean Jewel does offer poker and is mentioned on occasion on this board, I felt this would be relevant and could offer insight to those considering making the trip.

For those that are unaware, the Ocean Jewel is a ship out of Saint Petersburg, Florida, anchored some distance off shore where gambling is legal. Shuttles 'run' patrons from shore out to the ship itself.



July 5, 2005

Titan Cruise Lines, Inc.
100 First Avenue South, Box 2006
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701

Re: An Open Letter Regarding My Experience with the Ocean Jewel – July 3, 2005

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I cannot recall encountering a business as poorly run as your operation was on July 3, 2005. Based on this experience, I assure you, I will not patronize your operation again and will suggest others avoid your business.

Arriving at John’s Pass at approximately 5:30 in an effort to board the 6:00 shuttle, a friend and I were disappointed to find a free for all dash of pushing and shoving was required to determine the order for boarding the shuttle. Those that were not as fast or strong, or perhaps impolite is a better description, were left behind and told simply to wait to catch the 8:00 shuttle. As we had high hopes for a fun filled evening, my friend and I did just that, returning to the staging area an hour ahead of the shuttle’s expected 8:00 departure. After standing in the uncovered, un-fanned staging area for the next 90 minutes, every person waiting was drenched in sweat. The shuttles eventual arrival at 8:30 was a welcome relief. My friend and I were fortunate to board this shuttle now aware of the battle strategies required.

The one positive of the evening revolves around the speed in which the shuttles are able to move passengers to the Ocean Jewel. We were out to the ship in no more than 30 minutes. Unfortunately, with the shuttle arriving at the Pass at 8:30 and going through the unloading & loading process, we arrived at the Ocean Jewel at approximately 9:30.

The enthusiasm of our arrival was quickly dashed as we were greeted with the tables that were open, being filled with players in every direction. As this was the night before a Holiday, a crowd could reasonably be expected. Unfortunately, Management of the Ocean Jewel did not seem to have this foresight as many tables sat unopened.

Eventually, we were able to find a seat at a Blackjack table. The dealers and waitresses we encountered were adequate. Being charged for a drink is rather disappointing in a casino, but this is an insignificant part of your firm’s problems at this time.

Unfortunately, we found the process for departing the Ocean Jewel to be perhaps more poorly planned than the process to get to the ship. Needless to say, after attempting to leave at 11:30 (which was scheduled for 10:30), we boarded the shuttle back to shore at 2:00 in the morning. Frankly, my friend and I had to buy ‘club-style’ bracelets from a couple on board in order to make it on to this 2 a.m. shuttle. We paid a ridiculous price, but had we not done so, it easily would have been 4 or 5 in the morning before we got back to shore. Through the process of attempting to depart the Ocean Jewel, your employees were completely disrespectful and were outright yelling at your patrons.

My friend and I spent 9 hours (5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.) of our time dealing with the Ocean Jewel and her myriad of problems. For that, we were able to enjoy perhaps 2 hours of gaming entertainment.

The sheer number of areas in which service from the management and staff of the Ocean Jewel fell completely short of any reasonable expectation is mind-boggling. I have undoubtedly rambled at points here, but I also have no doubt that I have not adequately conveyed the severity of the poor service provided by your operation.

One can only hope that a competitor who understands not only the gaming industry, but a service industry in general, will park a ship next to yours. Should that competitor appear, Titan Cruise Lines and the Ocean Jewel will easily be defeated. Until that time, there are many places to choose from that offer superior service, superior facilities, and a superior value that will attract my business.

For those that continue to patronize your operation, I wish you good luck in improving any and all aspects of the way in which you do business. Regardless of any changes you make, I will not be a customer again. As such, no response to this letter is expected or required. Please remove my name from any and all mailing lists.

Regards,



J. Todd Wilson


Cc: Electronic posting at www.twoplustwo.com under B&M Cardrooms

[NoTalent]

Wow that sounds pretty bad, I'm sure some of the FL 2p2ers will appreciate the info. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[Etaipo]

"Until that time, there are many places to choose from that offer superior service, superior facilities, and a superior value that will attract my business."

Uhh...Hard Rock $2 no fold 'em hold 'em?

I sympathize with your letter, but unfortunately, they are the ONLY game in town, and I have to put up with all the hassle whenever I have a live play fix.

Anyways, things could always be worse...you could have gotten stuck on the boat all night, +5 hour ride back to shore, which is what happened to me the last time I went.

Anyways, did you never get to play poker? And paying for drinks? Something is wrong there, drinks are supposed to be free while gambling.

[toddw217]

As far as other places to play - I was thinking more about Biloxi/Carribean/even Vegas. I only play a couple times a year so the $150 weekend junket to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi would be well worth it.
I definitely sympathize if you can play often - the $2 game at Hard Rock or the Ocean Jewel - neither are very good choices.

We never did get to play any poker. There was another post maybe a week ago from someone planning a trip that he never got to take, so I don't really have any insight on the poker room.

I don't know what the story was with drinks - we were drinking beer - maybe liquor was free.

Sorry to hear you may have had an even worse experience!

[kiddj]

Is there any indication that the situation is like that there all the time? Here's what I have so far:

1. They have, and have had, mechanical/maintenance issues.
2. The hotline representative, although courteous, gave incorrect information on shuttle status.
3. Shuttle boarding to go out there is a clusterfukc.
4. The number of gaming tables open, (which is probably proportional to the lack of adequate staff), was not adequate.
5. The staff that was there was not courteous.
6. They charge for drinks, even though the FIRST PAGE of their web site advertises "free drinks while gaming".
7. Shuttle boarding to leave is difficult and clusterfukcy as well.

Did I miss anything?

[Etaipo]

yes

8. The waitresses aren't hot [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

All kidding aside, I have found the poker room to be great. The staff is courteous and friendly, there is adequate management, the dealers are quick and competent (except for one, and she was passable). They will fill requests as long as there is enough people (i.e. they will try to start a STT for you on request, they will bump up limits on request, they will lower rake when short handed upon request, etc).

Plus there are plenty of donks that frequent the boat.

[toddw217]

I really don't know if it's like that all the time or not. I have to think that it's better on a Wednesday (or whatever day) afternoon when there aren't nearly as many people. But if I'm going to go, it's going to be on a weekend night - and they clearly can not handle that.

Your summary is pretty good. It would have been nice to have more tables open and to have our drinks comped, but that's really not my problem. The 2 hours of gambling was OK - certainly not great - but OK. It's the 7 hours of everything else that is a problem for me. And wasting 7 hours simply is not worth it.

[kiddj]

NO HOT WAITRESSES?!?!?!??! WTF? [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

This sucks though. In order to be able to go out there, I have to plan in advance. My wife isn't into gambling, poker, (or boats for that matter), so it's not easy to just go out there whenever. I have friends that may be interested in checking it out, but they're pretty much waiting on me to scout it out first.

If I plan on going out there next month for my birthday, I will be super-pissed if everything doesn't go smoothly.

But no hot waitresses....? [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Bill Bixby]

You went through ALL this just to gamble? Man you need to get some help, im serious. You need to step back for a second and take a look at your life. Not trying to berate you, just trying to help you man. Good luck

[steamboatin]

Bill, I think you might not understand. You get on a shuttle boat that takes you out to International waters. Once you get on the shuttle, you are committed unless you want to swim 20+ miles back to ST Pete. The other departure point is closer but a very long swim.