Following is the initial letter we sent to Royal Caribbean International® after returning from our "Cruise from Hell":

6/8/98

Dear Sirs:
To put this story into perspective, after saving for a year my fiancee and I booked a cruise with Royal Caribbean to sail on The Majesty from May 17th through May 25th, 1998. It was then another five months before the sailing day arrived.

The nightmare began on our first shore excursion, as we had booked the "Chukka Cove Polo Club Horse Riding Beach Tour". On the trail back from this tour, the "guide" dropped back to talk to other people, leaving my horse and I the first in line. Losing sight of the lead horse, my horse bolted, with no warning, galloping down the dirt road at full speed. I frantically tried to stop him by pulling on his reigns but could not, he was out of control. He traveled at least a 1/4 of a mile at full speed trying to reach the group of three other guides he saw ahead of him. They tried to stop him but failed and he continued to run past them.

I was falling sideways and could no longer hold on and went flying through the air like a rag doll, thrown onto the dirt road where I was knocked unconscious. I will never forget the feeling of my skull hitting the road. I still get upset talking about this unnecessary accident.

My fiancee, Larry Dimondo, took me back to the ship where the doctor on-board kept me in the infirmary for 6 hours checking my pulse and blood pressure and diagnosed that I had a concussion and that my 7th vertebrae was suspicious, as he could barely touch it without my feeling pain. My whole body was bruised and cut up and I was in so much pain I could barely walk the rest of the cruise. (see enclosed pictures)

The following day I was feeling nauseous and having problems walking. I returned to the ships doctor where he placed me in a neck brace and informed me I might need surgery. He scheduled to have me taken to the hospital for further test at the next port of call. You can imagine my fright for the next 24 hours at the prospect of being taken to a foreign hospital with the possibility of surgery.

On Fri. when we reached Mexico I was sent to a hospital for an MRI and X-ray where the results looked normal, but was advised to go to my Dr. when I got back home. The Dr. there gave me medication for the pain and anxiety as I was in an emotional state. I was given a letter saying I was able to go back on the ship to continue the cruise for home.

As if we were not put through enough, when Mr. Dimondo and I returned to our room we found all our belongings were gone! We were told they were sent to the hospital. Obviously the ships doctor had no intention of us returning to the ship, but did not have the courtesy to let us know about it.

After a discussion with Mr. Dimondo, the purser called the hospital to have the suitcases brought back to the ship and we had to unpack everything again. What a mess! A bottle of shampoo was not closed by whoever had thrown all our belongings into our suitcases, and had leaked all over our clothes. This was like putting salt on an already deep wound. Royal Caribbean just added more stress to a nightmarish stressful situation.

I have cruised several cruise lines and I do understand that things can happen, but this accident was due to negligence on the part of the guide leaving my horse and I alone without a "lead" horse to follow. I was the victim. As I do understand my responsibility to handle myself in a safe and cautious manner when taking a shore excursion, I expect also a reasonable expectation of safety and professional conduct be assured by Royal Caribbean to their passengers when offering me a shore excursion via one of their vendors.

Royal Caribbean is responsible for the well being of their passengers. Why weren't there helmets for the riders to wear? Why was the guide so irresponsible as to let a "follow" horse alone on a trail? There were two children in the group and what if a child was injured? I hope that this particular tour will be looked into so what happened to me cannot happen to any one else, especially a child.

I have enclosed pictures of some of my bruises and cuts. I am still having bad headaches and my neck still hurts. I have made an appointment with my Dr. and am hoping this will not be a permanent injury.

Because of this unnecessary accident, my fiancee and I did not get to enjoy the cruise we paid for. I am not the cause of this incident. It was due to the negligence of one of your vendors. Mr. Dimondo and I expect Royal Caribbean to compensate us for our nightmare by either by refunding our money or having the opportunity to cruise again, the way we first intended to.

I will look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,