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#1
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Refund hassles on cruise
I was just talking to my parents, who were supposed to be in Brazil for
a 3 week cruise. They flew from upstate New York to New Orleans to get on the ship. They were refused entry to the ship because they lacked the proper visa and didn't have certification for yellow fever shots. They are experienced cruise takers; they never had a problem like this before. They booked through a travel agency on-line and further talked with them on the phone to set everything up. They never were given specifics of what papers were required before they left. They had their passports, but at no time were they informed of the visa or shot requirements. After they were refused boarding, they had to get a hotel in New Orleans and pay big bucks for plane fare home. The cruise fare was $8300. They also paid $1300 for "insurance" to the agency in case something happened. The whole fiasco looks like more than $10k down a rathole. How could they possibly know what paperwork is required if no one tells them? It seems to me that some kind of refund is in order. Contact with the travel agency, insurance provider, and cruise line all say tough luck. My parents are in their 80's and don't need this kind of hassle. Is anyone familiar with situations like this and can suggest a course of action? Thanks SD |
#2
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Refund hassles on cruise
surf_dude wrote:
I was just talking to my parents, who were supposed to be in Brazil for a 3 week cruise. They flew from upstate New York to New Orleans to get on the ship. They were refused entry to the ship because they lacked the proper visa and didn't have certification for yellow fever shots. They are experienced cruise takers; they never had a problem like this before. They booked through a travel agency on-line and further talked with them on the phone to set everything up. They never were given specifics of what papers were required before they left. They had their passports, but at no time were they informed of the visa or shot requirements. After they were refused boarding, they had to get a hotel in New Orleans and pay big bucks for plane fare home. The cruise fare was $8300. They also paid $1300 for "insurance" to the agency in case something happened. The whole fiasco looks like more than $10k down a rathole. How could they possibly know what paperwork is required if no one tells them? It seems to me that some kind of refund is in order. Contact with the travel agency, insurance provider, and cruise line all say tough luck. My parents are in their 80's and don't need this kind of hassle. Is anyone familiar with situations like this and can suggest a course of action? Thanks SD Dear Surf Dude, Unfortunately, I'll bet that they just received a $10K lesson. Unfortunately, the limits on Small Claims court cases are not this high so that is not a vehicle. A regular damage suit could easily cost this much in just legal fees. Does New York have a travel Consumer Protection agency that you could talk with? Most cruise documents make it very clear that the responsibility for Visa and Medical clearance matters are the traveler's. A reputable travel agent should have inquired of them if they had their visas and medical documents before the trip, but then a lot of the internet travel sites are little more than "bucket shops" which provide a minimum price for a minimum service. Visa requirements vary depending on the passport that the traveler is traveling with. They also change frequently enough to make it worthwhile to always double - or triple - check with the countries involved. You have not named the Cruise Line, the on-line agency involved, or the state the agency is located in. This information might be very useful to other travelers. California, for example, requires that "sellers of travel" be registered with the state and pay into a fund for reimbursement of travelers. One regular "contributor" to this newsgroup operates a "travel agency" that does not really sell "travel" so one does have to be very careful with whom one is dealing and just what is being purchased. Good luck in getting some of the money back, John in LALALand (On the Left Coast) |
#3
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Refund hassles on cruise
"surf_dude" wrote in message t... I was just talking to my parents, who were supposed to be in Brazil for a 3 week cruise. They flew from upstate New York to New Orleans to get on the ship. They were refused entry to the ship because they lacked the proper visa and didn't have certification for yellow fever shots. They are experienced cruise takers; they never had a problem like this before. They booked through a travel agency on-line and further talked with them on the phone to set everything up. They never were given specifics of what papers were required before they left. They had their passports, but at no time were they informed of the visa or shot requirements. After they were refused boarding, they had to get a hotel in New Orleans and pay big bucks for plane fare home. The cruise fare was $8300. They also paid $1300 for "insurance" to the agency in case something happened. The whole fiasco looks like more than $10k down a rathole. How could they possibly know what paperwork is required if no one tells them? It seems to me that some kind of refund is in order. Contact with the travel agency, insurance provider, and cruise line all say tough luck. My parents are in their 80's and don't need this kind of hassle. Is anyone familiar with situations like this and can suggest a course of action? Thanks SD There is no responsibility on the Cruiseline for this. You 'might' be able to sue the TA 'IF' you can prove negligence against them. Unfortunately it is going to be an uphill battle. This is a reminder that people should use only reputable TA's and this is even more important when the cruise is going to ports that are not what is known as 'standard ports' like the Caribbean. There are many TA's that specialize in these more exotic cruises our tours and one should book through them instead of doing it themselves or using a discount or local agency. Very sorry this happened to them. Jim |
#4
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Refund hassles on cruise
surf_dude wrote:
[snip] I was just talking to my parents, who were supposed to be in Brazil for a 3 week cruise. They flew from upstate New York to New Orleans to get on the ship. They were refused entry to the ship because they lacked the proper visa and didn't have certification for yellow fever shots. [snip] Thanks SD I was on a Brazil cruise last spring; the visa and yellow fever innoculation requirement (which is required to get the visa) were CLEARLY laid out. I have no idea who failed your parents, but I'd bet they didn't carefully read everything they received in advance. The cruise line furnished much of the paperwork and a recommended visa agency. It was just about a year ago I got the YF shot. Sigh. |
#5
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Refund hassles on cruise
surf_dude wrote:
How could they possibly know what paperwork is required if no one tells them? Have you read all the paperwork the travel agency and/or cruise line supplied? If not, I suggest you do so. In all likelihood, the "telling" took place in writing rather than verbally. If so, it's likely that you have no recourse. Years ago, we cruised along the Pacific coast in S. America on PRINCESS and the need for us to get a yellow fever shot was made abundantly clear by paperwork from the cruise line. Since you mention that your parents own passports, a newsgroup reader can infer that they are experienced international travelers. Didn't they ever get visas for any of their other trips -- cruises or otherwise? (Of course, previous visa requirements may be irrelevant in this post September 11, 2001 climate. Now, more countries are requiring visas for US citizens to retaliate for the treatment their citizens are receiving when they try to visit the US.) |
#6
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Refund hassles on cruise
surf_dude wrote:
The cruise fare was $8300. They also paid $1300 for "insurance" to the agency in case something happened. The whole fiasco looks like more than $10k down a rathole. $1300 for insurance on a $8300 cruise? WOW! Next time, I hope they shop around! |
#7
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Refund hassles on cruise
On Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:00:24 -0500, Johnnie
wrote: $1300 for insurance on a $8300 cruise? WOW! Next time, I hope they shop around! I don't know if it's reasonable but rates are age related. |
#8
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Refund hassles on cruise
Princess Travel Care provides 75% 'any reason' credit towards a future
cruise (90% for Gold coverage), even for cancellation on sail date, and it seems to me Celebrity has similar coverage. Wouldn't this provision apply if the insurance were purchased through the cruise line? |
#9
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Refund hassles on cruise
Brian wrote:
On Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:00:24 -0500, Johnnie wrote: $1300 for insurance on a $8300 cruise? WOW! Next time, I hope they shop around! I don't know if it's reasonable but rates are age related. Yes rates are age related, BUT if my clients get a better overall deal with the cruise line as is the case almost always with the over 70 set, I sell that even though I make a hell of a lot more commission on CSA and Travel Safe. You do right by your client, unless of course you are a mega mega web ticket factory and then caveat emptor. Joseph Coulter cruises and vacations www.josephcoulter.com |
#10
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Refund hassles on cruise
but with the over 70 set, they usually have something pre-existing and the
cruiseline insurance won't cover that. "Joseph Coulter" wrote in message news Brian wrote: On Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:00:24 -0500, Johnnie wrote: $1300 for insurance on a $8300 cruise? WOW! Next time, I hope they shop around! I don't know if it's reasonable but rates are age related. Yes rates are age related, BUT if my clients get a better overall deal with the cruise line as is the case almost always with the over 70 set, I sell that even though I make a hell of a lot more commission on CSA and Travel Safe. You do right by your client, unless of course you are a mega mega web ticket factory and then caveat emptor. Joseph Coulter cruises and vacations www.josephcoulter.com |
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