A parimutuel parable

Cruise Travel, July-August, 2005 by Alan Strauss

Many years ago there was a race track called Tropical Park in Miami. As I recall, the owner was doing fine with attendance and gate receipts. But he wanted to attract more affluent customers, so he built his track "bigger and better" for the bigger bettor. Someone asked him, "Do you want to lose the $2 better? After all, he has kept you in business." The owner ignored the advice, and went ahead with the BIG upgrade of his track.

Tropical Park is no more, the nearby Hialeah Race Track is no more, and race tracks all over the country are really hurting for people, let alone the $2 bettor.

I heard about the meetings in Miami where all the big-wigs of the cruise industry met to discuss their business and its "promise of the future." They said, "The low prices are hurting us." So they are building bigger ships to hold more passengers and get more money. "Raise prices to the pre-9/11 level," they said. Of course the big ships cost more money to build, so they "tap the $2 bettor," who they think wants all the glitz and sparkle of their monster ships.

I have been on 27 cruises, been loyal to Eastern Steamship Lines (no more), Dolphin Cruise Line (no more), Royal Caribbean and Carnival for 14 times. Loyalty counts, and whether they call it "repeat customers," "past passengers," or whatever they wish, the $2 bettor is still there.

Will history repeat itself? I hope not. The $2 bettor still has only $2 to bet. Don't chase him away; you will never get him back. If you don't want him, that's fine; he will find a place that still respects loyalty.

Alan Strauss, Carol City, FL