Dorine,
I just had a terribly rude experience with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the agency handling this cruise, and I thought I'd report this matter to you right away as I'm extremely upset.
As you know I cancelled the cruise on November 11th last month, and Cynthia expressly told me that I will get my credit for the $700.00 ($750.00 deposit less $50.00 cancellation charge)LATEST by 3 weeks. I confirmed this in writing with Cynthia immediately.
Its been over a month now, and instead of getting a credit, a FURTHER charge of $50.00 was debited to my account. Assuming this was an error, I spoke to a Marissa at the agency, explained the problem, and left a message for Cynthia to call me back. Two days later Marissa left a message for me stating that it takes 7 to 8 weeks to get this refund, which is NOT what I had been informed, and had confirmed in writing with Cynthia.
Today I spoke to someone else (Cynthia seems to be always "on the other line and not available")who mumbled her name (think it was Bobby or something)and I had to rehash this problem all over again. Now this person claims that I will get my refund "in a few weeks" but in the meantime they have to charge my account $50 more for the cancellation fee!!! When I insisted that that is NOT what I have been previously informed and confirmed, and I stated that I'm reporting these fraudulent charges to my credit card company then she backed off and said she would issue the $750.00 credit to my account, and then she immediately HUNG UP the phone, without waiting for a response from me.
This was easily the rudest experience I've ever had with any travel agency, and I'm extremely disappointed. From the beginning I have never received ANY paperwork or invoice regarding the cruise, Cynthia has not bothered to return phone calls, I am told one thing and then the story changes, and now this rude hangup on a customer. Any thoughts of even going on this cruise now should the opportunity arise and have now completely gone from my mind.
In fact, if I don't get my credit right away I am going to report this agency to the local and national Better Business Bureau next week, it might save other people some grief in the future. Anyway, thought I would definitely let you know this situation as soon as possible.
Take care, and Hello to Herb as always.
Sam |
