Is Taiwan tilapia causing an international embarrassment? He shares 4 thoughts and sighs, 'It’s not worth it'

Recently, a Taiwanese tourist took a cruise to Japan but faced travel disruptions due to bad sea conditions and the cancellation of the itinerary, as well as issues with lifeboat transfers, sparking consumer disputes. Travel writer “Lao Hei,” who has sailed around the world, posted on his Facebook fan page today (21st) to share his personal cruise experiences. He pointed out that Taiwan’s tourism industry is already struggling, and it’s truly not worth damaging a sector with great development potential because of this.

The fan page “Lao Hei Views the World” stated in a post that it’s “quite normal” for cruise trips to change routes due to poor weather or to use lifeboats for disembarkation when port water depth is insufficient. As a result, many people who take short cruises do so mainly for the “ship experience.” Especially on short routes where the geographic area covered is small, the likelihood of itinerary cancellations is higher due to difficulties in turning or time constraints.

He pointed out that according to the contract, cruise companies have no responsibility or obligation to provide compensation if they change or cancel itineraries for safety reasons. Moreover, in bad weather, they usually only inform passengers via announcements and temporary written notices, without providing meteorological reports or refunding shore excursions that have already been sold. “The cruise company has to consider safety while also trying to get passengers ashore as much as possible. In their hesitation, the time for disembarkation gets shortened,” he said. He believes that “the point is not whether you see the traffic lights, but whether you return safely.”

Regarding disputes over cruise travel, he said, “If passengers don’t trust the cruise company, then they shouldn’t take the cruise. Demanding compensation is unreasonable.” Finally, he emphasized that he has no connection with the cruise company in question. He also noted that Taiwan’s tourism industry is already in a tough state, and it’s not worth hindering a travel sector with development potential. “The tense relationship and mutual distrust between Taiwanese consumers and businesses have already caused a lot of lose-lose situations and social regression.”

After the post went up, some netizens responded, “My family also experienced a change of docking islands due to bad sea conditions while cruising the Mediterranean,” and “Amid disappointment, it’s easy to develop a mentality that money makes you king, and you need compensation to soothe even minor losses.” Another netizen sarcastically commented, “Taiwan tilapia,” and “being made a laughingstock.”