Captain Morgan Proescher runs Commodore Cruises and Events. Yep, that means that Commodore Cruises are run by a Captain Morgan, or at least a would-be Captain Morgan. And the pirate culture is quite apparent if a dispute arises. To a pirate you can give them money all day long and that is just fine with him. But if you are to try to get a legitimate refund back, you will discover that a cruise with a pirate is not nearly as fun as the liquor ads would have it. In fact if you sign on to have an event with them the last clause in your contract illegally states that your only remedy in the event of a dispute is their chosen arbitrator. The clause also seems to indicate that they consider themselves above California law and subject only to Maritime law, the law of the high seas. I would advise any consumer wishing to book an event with them to do so if you are rich enough to fully pay for your event then and there. On June 8, 2013 my daughter Ashleigh and her fiancé Ryan contracted with Commodore Cruises and Events of Alameda, California, to hold her wedding event on one of their ships in June 20, 2015, over two years in the future. At that time they gave Commodore a deposit of almost two thousand dollars, one of a series of deposits towards the total cost of the event. A second payment was due six months prior to the event. Unfortunately because of job losses and other financial circumstances they were unable to make the remaining deposits and final payment for the event and so notified Commodore . They explained to them that they were still willing to go ahead with the event if they were willing to bill them. They expected that if Commodore would not work with them and allow them to be billed for the balance, they expected Commodore to deduct their time and trouble from my deposit and return the balance to Ashleigh and Ryan. California law and civil law generally do not allow deposits to be administered punitively. Actual costs incurred are valid under California law. In this case, the only legitimate costs they could see in this case are the costs of labor and materials involved in selling and executing the contract. It would be ridiculous for Commodore to assert that the cancellation of their wedding event months in advance of the date of the event could have deprived the company any business. Amazingly, the company stated that it fully intended to keep the entirety of the deposit citing a contract clause that is clearly illegal in California. They now fully intend to pursue their rights under the California Consumer Remedies Act, including a claim for treble damages as per California law, other California consumer protection law, to let other consumers know of Commodore’s unconscionable business practices, a complaint to the National Marine Maritime Association, etc. Of course, all of this occurring at a time when they should be planning for the best day of their lives has been extremely emotionally trying on myself, , and either they or myself may seek additional damages for the emotional distress as well.