Very well said Derby.

I am in agreement with every point you make.

Hi ladies, I have been reading over the post regarding this KD Lang issue.  I believe Olivia had your interests at heart when they originally booked her.  Someone had to make the decision whether half of you seeing her was better than no one seeing her, I suppose.  Now that all this feedback has been produced, I doubt if they will ever make this choice again on any of their vacations.  I'm sure the Olivia staff have listened and learned.  They are most likely trying diligently to make up for their mistake and it will have to go down as a learning experience.  Everyone makes mistakes.  It would be interesting to know if KD herself is aware of all this 'chat' among the Olivia nation???

I agree that Olivia provides exceptional trips, as I noted about how many we've taken in the last years. We will continue to travel with them and I doubt we'll ever try a different LGBT travel company, as we've been very pleased with the service they've provided. They have, in the past, rewarded us for our continued patronage, and that has been extremely appreciated. My comment was related to the 1800 women who expect certain entertainment when signing up for a cruise and then not receiving it. I know that I will take into consideration the entertainment when picking out a cruise, although that is not the only reason we choose one. However, had I expected to be delivered of such entertainment, only to find out I had to be one of the chosen to be 'picked' to see kd lang, I'd be sorely pissed off and Olivia would be hearing about it.

Again, I repeat, Olivia is getting too big to worry about upsetting individual couples. That happens when companies get bigger, and is a fact of business. Do we have to like it? No, and that is our perogative. We are the customers, and our opinion should be listened to in the constructive way it is offered.....with constructive solutions, as I provided. We are the ones making Olivia what it is today. Without our continued patronage they wouldn't be getting bigger and better. That, also, is part of business.

We continue to support Olivia, and will continue to travel with them exclusively. However, when issues like this come up, they should do what is best for the consumer. Not to do so on a repeated basis may make the consumers take their monies elsewhere. There are some women out there who already do not like Olivia and I would hate for there to be more like them. I love their vacations and hope to do taking them for the rest of my life. I just hope they continue to listen to us when issues come along that affect us all.

Derby

Yes, we thrive on the great treatment we receive on Olivia vacations. We also feel we get great service for our $$$'s. Many of us on this site have been faithful to them for years regardless of the cost of their very special vacations.

In turn, Olivia has thrived by listening to constructive feedback from the people that, obviously, matter to them the most..their customers. That is what they are getting here & I'm sure that they are truly "listening".

Failures to please everyone everytime notwithstanding, Olivia still provides me among the best vacations possible. . . and, even with the growth, there's something comforting about being greeted and cared for by so many happy and familiar faces each time we meet again.  Where else too, can you meet up with so many friends from so many places at one time again for so much fun?  Still think Olivia's offering a big bang for my buck. . . .

Derby. I agree with your comments. Constructive feedback from someone, like us, who have supported Olivia Travel almost since the beginning.

I love Olivia, and Mair and I have been big financial supporters for awhile.....(7 trips in just over 5 years), but I think they're getting a bit big to worry so much about pleasing all their clients. If kd lang can't do the appropriate 2 shows for the cruise, then maybe they should schedule someone else who can accomodate all the women on the cruise, and schedule her for another time when she's not so busy. If I had scheduled that trip, then found out that this nonsense were happening it would probably be my last trip for awhile. Not that it would hurt them financially. They've gotten to the point where one couple more or less isn't such a big deal.

This site just adds to the frustration. Yes, it's got some good features, but the bad outweighs the good....in my opinion. It takes way too long to navigate, and I simply don't have that much time, which is the main reason I seldom post anymore. I don't have hours to find my way around.......and weeks pass by until I have the time to re-find my way back to my last post. I surely won't be a frequent poster. Did I say they were getting too big?? I kinda like the smaller Olivia......they cared more for what everyone wanted and less about the money.

Derby

Pearl's is a great place to stay in KW.  I'm a frequent flyer there (helps living in Miami).  You must have breakfast there on Sunday, fabulous.  If you are a drinker and are so inclined, do try their key lime pie martini... also fabu.  You MUST also try Pepe's Cafe in Key West as well.  It doesn't look like much from the outside but it is a local's secret.  I went there for breakfast and had fresh homemade coconut bread and wanted to die right then and there.  When I was there I actually got the last two slices of it... so they change up their featured dishes.  I went there for breakfast as well, so check it out.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Florida/Key_West-763140/Restaurants-Key_West-Pepes_Cafe-BR-1.html

Finally found you guys!!! Phew!!  Let me be the first post for August!!

Wow- glad I wasn't sitting in traffic on I 35W in Minnesota!  What a tragedy!! God bless everyone!

Hi to JoCindy- Evergreen-MaryPrade- and BarbG-  Oh and Brewmax !!

BarbG- I know I have spoken with you before about Rv 'ing.  We (Caj and I) still have plans in 3 years to travel to visit my sister in Vancouver. And yes- it is lovely out there- lucky!!

We are going to vacation in KeyWest this coming winter- no Olivia cruise. Going to stay at Pearl's.  Looking forward to it !!

  I don't seem to have as much time to post as before, so ya'll take care and I will write back when I can.     Jeanne 

Thanks, Marigold!  We are very fortunate to have so many beautiful places near to where we live.  We love to travel, especially to the National Parks.

Our next great travel excursion will be to the Mexican Riveria with Olivia.  Our first Olivia cruise.  I'm sure I'll come home with enough photo's to start another olivia.com album!