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Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions from
Tim Larison. Tim is this site's webmaster, the moderator for
the discussion lists, and a certified Travel Agent.
Will I get "spam" email if I join your email lists?
We have a "no advertising" policy on our email lists.
Almost all of
the messages you will see are devoted to cruises and cruise
discussion. I catch most of the spammers before they can send
email to the list. If an unauthorized "spam" message
does slip through, the person who posted it is either removed from the list
or is not allowed to post to the list again without first getting
his or her message approved by the list moderator.
As the list sponsor I will include a short unobtrusive ad below the
text of the messages. The limited advertising helps
pay for the cost of this website.
Can I advertise a product or service on your email lists?
No.
This also includes no advertising in your signature line.
I want to tell people about
another cruise website on your lists. Can I do that?
Other websites can be mentioned if you think they are a good
resource for cruise info. However, if your only reason for
joining the lists is to draw
members to another web site, then don't join the lists and don't
post information about the other website. If your
prime reason to join the lists is to learn about and discuss
cruises on the list, then we'd love to have you as a list member.
How do I see the list archives?
When you join a discussion list you will have access to the yahoo
home page for that list, which has search capabilities of the list
archives.
Are the messages on the lists moderated?
Most members can post freely to the lists without moderation.
Only when a person has posted advertising or inappropriate content
in the past are his or her posts moderated. I do from time to
time post messages to get the discussion back to cruises if I feel
the flow of the messages is drifting off-topic. For example,
on one of the lists a discussion about smoking onboard started to
turn into a "smokers rights" debate - this was off the topic and the
discussion was redirected to again focus on cruises.
I didn't see a "question of the week" this week on the list.
Where was it?
On most weeks I will post a "question of the week" to each list to
stimulate discussion. When I am traveling or unavailable there
will be some weeks with no "question of the week" posted.
Can I post questions to the list, too, or do we just discuss the
"question of the week"?
You certainly may post questions! The question of the week is
designed to stimulate discussion, but other questions by list
members are always welcome. If you have an idea for a future
"question of the week" that you don't need an immediate answer to, I
am always open to suggestions.
Are the lists protected from email viruses?
Yes. The yahoo software the lists are hosted by has anti-virus
protection. Also no attachments are allowed to be sent to the
list (attachments are the most common way to spread viruses).
I am a subscriber to the lists but I have stopped getting email
from the lists. What should I do?
Yahoo puts email addresses on a "bouncing members" list if there is
a problem reaching your email address. Please contact me and I
can check if your email address is on the "bouncing" list and
reactivate your email address if it is.
I asked you for a quote on a cruise but I ended up buying the
cruise elsewhere. I now feel funny talking about the cruise on
your list. Can I still discuss the cruise on the list?
You certainly can! I often do price quotes for people that do
not result in a sale - the "no obligation" part of my service means
that. Many members on the lists have their own travel agents
they work with (not me) but they still contribute to the lists.
I found a good deal on a cruise on the internet. Can I tell
others about it on the list?
Please do not use the lists to promote the services of a travel
agent or a good price you found elsewhere. Let's keep the list
discussion to different cruises and cruise experiences.
I am a travel agent. Can I join your lists?
Travel agents are welcome to join in the discussion. Please do
not post a link to your website or post advertising. You may
include your email address in your signature line, but you may not
solicit sales on the list.
I want to post a message to the list not related to cruises - I
am not sure if it is appropriate. Can I go ahead and post it?
If you are unsure if a message is appropriate please check with me
first. A "post now, apologize later" attitude is not
appreciated.
Don't these lists take alot of time for you to run?
The lists do take some time to monitor and run, but I enjoy it and I
have learned much from the other members on the lists!
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