Trip Cancelled

[Tozzie]

I am quite upset, I received a phone call today and my trip is cancelled, this is the second year they have done this to me. I don't want to nor is it that easy for me to go on a different date, first I already picked my vacation selections for the year and secondly my trip was the only adults only trip they had. I am going to lose DVC points because I was going to DL after my ABD and used points to book a room at GCH and I am not flying that long on a plane to spend 6 days in CA. I used miles for my plane ticket which is now going to be a nightmare in itself. I am disgusted with ABD.

[crashbb]

That stinks!

Check your insurance and the fine print of the booking conditions - sometimes you can get the fees associated with canceling the trip (i.e. airfare/pre or post hotel nights) covered when the tour company cancels the trip on you.

[kjd469]

I'm sorry...that is really rotten. I hope you will be able to figure out an alternative...good luck.

[kristilew]

:grouphug: So sorry!

[sayhello]

Oh, that stinks! I'm so sorry, because it's all the *other* stuff involved in setting up a vacation that gets messed up if ABD cancels. Make sure they know all the costs you incur... their policy states they will cover all reasonable costs associated with changing your trip...

Do you mind my asking what trip it was that got cancelled? The only 2 trips in CA are the Backstage Magic trip and Yosemite. I *almost* signed up for the adults only Yosemite trip... did I dodge a bullet?

Sayhello

[Tozzie]

Oh, that stinks! I'm so sorry, because it's all the *other* stuff involved in setting up a vacation that gets messed up if ABD cancels. Make sure they know all the costs you incur... their policy states they will cover all reasonable costs associated with changing your trip...

Do you mind my asking what trip it was that got cancelled? The only 2 trips in CA are the Backstage Magic trip and Yosemite. I *almost* signed up for the adults only Yosemite trip... did I dodge a bullet?

Sayhello

Yes you dodged a bullet, they cancelled the adults only Yosemite. I only booked the Signature trip insead of the regular trip because that was the 1 adults only trip they had scheduled. The upgrades don't really mean much.

I haven't tried to make alternate arrangements yet as I am still irked by a comment from one of the cast members I spoke to. I am writting a letter and will make my decision in the next day or two. I feel like I am trapped because I used the DVC points to book the GCH and I will lose them if they are not used before September.

[sayhello]

Yes you dodged a bullet, they cancelled the adults only Yosemite. I only booked the Signature trip insead of the regular trip because that was the 1 adults only trip they had scheduled. The upgrades don't really mean much.

I haven't tried to make alternate arrangements yet as I am still irked by a comment from one of the cast members I spoke to. I am writting a letter and will make my decision in the next day or two. I feel like I am trapped because I used the DVC points to book the GCH and I will lose them if they are not used before September.Oh, man! I came *that* close to doing what you did; signing up for the Signature because it's adults only. I guess not enough people thought it was worth the extra $$$ (although a couple of nights at the Ahwahnee was pretty appealing). I can't imagine why they didn't do a "regular" adults only...

You know, DVC and ABD are both Disney. You'd think ABD could do something for you with DVC so that you don't lose out on the points because of ABD canceling. It would be worth asking them about. I just don't understand how ABD thinks this in any way is good customer service. It really makes me think twice about booking with them again... especially on a newer itinerary. I wonder how my Canada trip is looking. I'm afraid to ask.

Sorry again this happened to you. I'd be pretty damned upset if it happened to me!

Sayhello

[Jynohn]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. We almost booked an Ireland trip for this summer, but decided to do it on our own for less money. Now I'm really happy that I did, because I wouldn't want to be dealing with the stress of wondering if my trip would be cancelled or not. My husband is military and it's hard to coordinate leave dates, so rescheduling a trip would be a huge hassle.

I've been wanting to take an ABD trip for a while now, but I really feel Disney needs to rethink their strategies since so many trips are being cancelled, leaving people in the lurch. Like you said, when people tie up vacation time, let alone frequent flyer miles, DVC points, etc., they should do so with the expectation that Disney will follow through with their commitment.

I hope you're able to get things straightened out with DVC!

[lakerz5]

Yes..that is such a bummer:sad1: I think we will just book our plane flights without awards and make sure it's booked by the Disney people once we decide which airline, etc. It would be awful to be in your position trying to recoup points and awards..I really feel for you when you expected such a great vacation....

you have probably helped a lot of people make decisions about how to book their ABD trips with your story...

[slg]

I have been agonizing about this since we decided to book August 1. So many trips cancelled, and its such a hassle. For us it is really a hassle as we are flying to Portugal one month before, and we have places booked etc on that portion of the trip before we fly to Ireland.

We decided that if our ABD is cancelled then we are going to do Ireland on our own. I presume they would tell us before 30 days out, otherwise it will be impossible to get in touch with us. Sigh.

I don't think I will ever book an ABD again. Its too stressful. I spoke with an agent a while ago and suggested they offer less trips and guarantee them, and then add trips as they fill up! They post so many and then cancel.

I think folks are losing faith in ABD and that is way they are not disclosing the information when people call as its a deterrent to book a non-refundable deposit when there are only a couple of people on your date.

Perhaps they grew too quickly, or this is a bad year with the economy. I have taken 4 previous bus tours and I have never heard of any being cancelled.

I soooo hope ours is going to happen, but in a way,I'm resigned to the fact that it may be cancelled. It will certainly save us money.

[Bobo912]

We decided that if our ABD is cancelled then we are going to do Ireland on our own. I presume they would tell us before 30 days out, otherwise it will be impossible to get in touch with us. Sigh.

I was told by ABD last December that we would be notified at least 90 days in advance if the trip was cancelled. We were actually notified 5 months in advance, which made it much easier to reschedule.

[podsnel]

I am so sad this has happened to you, and I hope you'll be able to do something else with those points! It does make me think I will never book ABD with anything other than cash, though- so sorry you had to learn that lesson for all of us.:grouphug:

I sincerely hope they do something to make this better for you-

[Skylarr29]

That is a bummer, they cancelled our Costa Rica adults only too.

[Phil1019]

Hi, I am going on the adults only Costa Rica trip 4/18/09 - I waws told my trip is a go. When were you booked? I am scared now!

[Skylarr29]

Hi, I am going on the adults only Costa Rica trip 4/18/09 - I waws told my trip is a go. When were you booked? I am scared now!

We were on the same trip, it was cancelled. I was called today and they are issuing me a refund because we can not travel on any other dates. We might book another one when next year is released in August.

[Phil1019]

HI, I just called ABD. Was told it is indeed cancelled. The only trip available on those dates is the Viva Italia trip at over $3000.00/person. I told them since they cancelled my trip after I paid in full that they should offer me whatever trip is available for the dates I want to go and they should accept the payment I have already made. They are checking with their supervisor but I won't hold my breath!

[Tozzie]

I am so sad this has happened to you, and I hope you'll be able to do something else with those points! It does make me think I will never book ABD with anything other than cash, though- so sorry you had to learn that lesson for all of us.:grouphug:

I sincerely hope they do something to make this better for you-

I was paying cash for the trip the points were for a post trip week in DL, I am not sure how it is going to play out as of yet but there was a post on the DVC boards about someone who used points to book the ABD trip and the points were returned to her in a regular status. THe problem I have is that most of the points I used expire in September and I can't use them for a different trip as I am bound due to my job by the two weeks I had booked my CA trip for. The more I read this thread the more annoyed I get and I definitely will be looking at other tour operators in the future. This is Diseny not living up to their own standards.

[Skylarr29]

HI, I just called ABD. Was told it is indeed cancelled. The only trip available on those dates is the Viva Italia trip at over $3000.00/person. I told them since they cancelled my trip after I paid in full that they should offer me whatever trip is available for the dates I want to go and they should accept the payment I have already made. They are checking with their supervisor but I won't hold my breath!

I hope it works out. I think that is reasonable. I mean the trip is less than 90 days away and they cancel... I thought they had to do it earlier. I think me and you were the only ones booked cause I was told there was only one other family (but who knows what they tell people)

For us, we decided not to go another date or another trip because I am expecting and I would have had to miss a lot of the fun parts of the trip.

[Phil1019]

Congratulations on the new baby!

[Skylarr29]

Congratulations on the new baby!

Thank you.

[battenburg]

Do you really think that Disney is the only company that cancels their trips if only a handful of people are booked? Everyone probably does this.

[slg]

They might be the only company that has discussion boards!

These boards probably deter people as we're all worried that our tours will be canceled and lurkers won't have any confidence to book. I'm losing faith daily.

Also, I have requested five times now for an ABD brochure to be mailed out to me, and each time I am assured that it will happen. It has yet to arrive. I have asked since August 1.

It is also very frustrating that they won't give us any information about our tours. When I toured with Globus, they told me how many people were booked.

Have they removed the cancelled tours of the site yet? Last time I looked they were still there, but I haven't kept track of all the ones I've read about here.

[Tozzie]

Do you really think that Disney is the only company that cancels their trips if only a handful of people are booked? Everyone probably does this.

I don't really know, but this is the second time they have done this to me and the trip I was booked on was the only adults only trip that was offered for that itinerary and I don't feel they are living up to the standards they proport to hold.

[kjd469]

Please let us know Phil if they give you the Italian trip...I've got my fingers crossed for you!!

[mkmommy]

I know some friends are on a tour in Vietnam right now and there was only one other person going and that tour company did not cancel the tour. I think many of the other tour companies guarantee the tour once you book.

It is a tough call cancelling tours, you want to make money but at the same time if the public does not have faith that you will provide a booked tour no one is going to book your tours.

[Tozzie]

They might be the only company that has discussion boards!

These boards probably deter people as we're all worried that our tours will be canceled and lurkers won't have any confidence to book. I'm losing faith daily.

Also, I have requested five times now for an ABD brochure to be mailed out to me, and each time I am assured that it will happen. It has yet to arrive. I have asked since August 1.

It is also very frustrating that they won't give us any information about our tours. When I toured with Globus, they told me how many people were booked.

Have they removed the cancelled tours of the site yet? Last time I looked they were still there, but I haven't kept track of all the ones I've read about here.

I just chedked and the cancelled dates are still on the website and some of these trips were cancelled prior to them redoing their website. Then again disney's IT department as a whole needs to be fired and revamped but that is a whole other thread.

[travelingirlie]

Aw man! I'm so sorry that happened to you!!!!! Bummer!!!

Well, when I booked my australia trip, we did it through my travel agent who got us info about our trip! I'm not really sure how though, and im not sure if it was just the info everyone gets?? I dont know.


Ps. I live in CA. sooo much to do!! I recommend coming!!

[sayhello]

Do you really think that Disney is the only company that cancels their trips if only a handful of people are booked? Everyone probably does this.I know that Backroads, which ABD is supposed to be modeled after, does not. They guarantee that their trips (with a few specific exceptions) will happen no matter how few people sign up.

Sayhello

[Phil1019]

HI, I just got a call from ABD. Since my Costa Rica trip was cancelled they have offered me the Viva Italia trip for the same dates at the same price that I paid for Costa Rica. I had got the early booking rate plus $100.00 off each person because I went on the Backsatge Magic trip last year. They will not honor what I paid for Airfare. I had got such a great deal on airfare to Costa Rica. $594.00/person. Airfare to Italy via Delta/Air France is $2334.00 for two. I have not decided yet. My daughter really wanted to do something adventureous such as the zipline and white water rafting!

[kjd469]

Wow...that's a tough call. I think they did the right thing in offering the Italy trip at the same price...not sure really how I feel about the airfaire part of it. Will you be able to apply what you paid for your flights to the new trip, or will you lose what you've already paid? I think that would be the deciding factor for me...I'd probably bite the bullet and pay the difference for the new airfare...only if I was truly interested in the Italy trip. From what I've heard it's a wonderful tour...but, admittedly not zip-lining or rafting. Good luck with your decision, and let us know what you end up doing.

[Phil1019]

I do not forfeit the airfare I already paid for Costa Rica since I booked it with ABD. I really was not that interested in Italy. I might just decide on a 7 day Disney Magic Cruise!

[jacksparrowfan]

I do not forfeit the airfare I already paid for Costa Rica since I booked it with ABD. I really was not that interested in Italy. I might just decide on a 7 day Disney Magic Cruise!


Oh!!!! I'm so sorry! I know how much you wanted to go. A cruise sounds really good tho!

[cjordan08]

what a BUMMER!!
I am sorry to hear about your trip.
But everything happens for a reason... Maybe God is saving you from a tragedy.

I know it stinks but you gotta look at things on the brighter side.

[Phil1019]

Well, since my Costa Rica trip was cancelled for 4/18/09, I rebooked another Costa Rica trip for 07/08/09. I was told that THIS trip is just about fully booked. This is my trip of a lifetime! I can't wait. I hope it goes off without a hitch. I was told by ABD that Coata Rica had a earth quake the beginning of Jan. measureing 5.0 on the ricther scale! I am from New England and have no idea what that might feel like and I hope I never do.

[kristilew]

Yay! So glad you're getting to go after all, albeit later than you'd planned. I hope you have a fantabulous time!

[sayhello]

Well, since my Costa Rica trip was cancelled for 4/18/09, I rebooked another Costa Rica trip for 07/08/09. I was told that THIS trip is just about fully booked. This is my trip of a lifetime! I can't wait. I hope it goes off without a hitch. I was told by ABD that Coata Rica had a earth quake the beginning of Jan. measureing 5.0 on the ricther scale! I am from New England and have no idea what that might feel like and I hope I never do.Oh, congrats! So glad it worked out that you could still do Costa Rica! Enjoy, enjoy!

Earthquake, eh? I'm from Southern California originally, so I know what they feel like. I'd still rather not feel a 5.0 while on vacation, though. 3.0, no big deal...

Sayhello

[kristilew]

Well, now they've cancelled Southwest Splendors for June 16 departure. The CM was very smarmy, giving a line about wanting us to have the best experience, which required a large group. Having been reading this thread and dreading the call, I'm afraid she got an earful from me about their poor planning. (I did apologize later, I know she's just reading from a script.)

This certainly helps our budgeting for this year, as we had been up in the air whether to plan for a 2010 trip. We will definitely not be making any future ABD trips until they can get their act together.

What a sour taste after such a good experience last year. I think they just really miscalculated with this economy. (and didn't we all to some extent?)

We may be able to work out going on the June 20 departure, we'll just have to see. She couldn't even guarantee that one would go, so we may just take our money and run, and do our own version of the trip.

Anyone else get calls today?

[slg]

Oh dear! I dread this, every day I dread this.

No call yet, but our trip is July 22. Certainly ABD is cancelling farther out now, which is good for people to plan. However, I have booked non-refundable airfare so if the tour is cancelled, I guess we are going on our own. This really annoys me but what can I do? Just wait and see like everyone else. I certainly wish I could see how many people had booked so far. I was told in November it was 12 or 13, but I don't know if I even believe that anymore.

At the very least ABD should have their website up to date with the cancellations.

[kjd469]

Well, now they've cancelled Southwest Splendors for June 16 departure. The CM was very smarmy, giving a line about wanting us to have the best experience, which required a large group. Having been reading this thread and dreading the call, I'm afraid she got an earful from me about their poor planning. (I did apologize later, I know she's just reading from a script.)

This certainly helps our budgeting for this year, as we had been up in the air whether to plan for a 2010 trip. We will definitely not be making any future ABD trips until they can get their act together.

What a sour taste after such a good experience last year. I think they just really miscalculated with this economy. (and didn't we all to some extent?)

We may be able to work out going on the June 20 departure, we'll just have to see. She couldn't even guarantee that one would go, so we may just take our money and run, and do our own version of the trip.

Anyone else get calls today?


Kristilew...how about joining us on the July 4 Southwest Splendours...it's almost full so is surely a go! Good luck with your decision!

[kristilew]

kjd, as much as we'd love to finally meet you ;) .....we have another family who has planned their annual Sedona trip around our ABD, and DD heads to camp for the rest of the summer in early July. :sad2:

Phil, I'd love to know what you said to get them to agree to the Italy trip at the same price as the Costa Rica trip. I asked if they would do that for subbing the Galapagos trip on the same dates as our original SWS and all they would do is an early booking and loyalty discount. If we could have gotten that trip for such a deal, we would have been thrilled, and happy to pay the airfare difference. (and we would have left our friends in the Sedona dust in a heartbeat!)

kristilew sadly goes off to adjust her siggie :sad: :sad:

[kristilew]

In the mail this afternoon, after getting the call from Disney, got a lovely letter from Tauck. Some excerpts:

"...Tauck is well positioned to weather what will be a difficult year for the travel industry. ...We have zero debt and significant financial resources....we have always taken a long-term perspective....the resulting stability and controlled growth have served our customers well."

"You can be assured when you book your next vacation, your deposits and future travel plans are safe and secure with Tauck."

They have a very astute PR department, hmmm?

[sayhello]

Well, now they've cancelled Southwest Splendors for June 16 departure. The CM was very smarmy, giving a line about wanting us to have the best experience, which required a large group. Having been reading this thread and dreading the call, I'm afraid she got an earful from me about their poor planning. (I did apologize later, I know she's just reading from a script.)

This certainly helps our budgeting for this year, as we had been up in the air whether to plan for a 2010 trip. We will definitely not be making any future ABD trips until they can get their act together.

What a sour taste after such a good experience last year. I think they just really miscalculated with this economy. (and didn't we all to some extent?)

We may be able to work out going on the June 20 departure, we'll just have to see. She couldn't even guarantee that one would go, so we may just take our money and run, and do our own version of the trip.

Anyone else get calls today?Oh, kristilew, I'm so sorry to hear this! Southwest Splendors was such a marvelous trip, and I know you were looking forward to it. If Southwest Splendors during the early summer can get cancelled, I guess anything can! I'm sure it's the economy, but it does show poor planning on ABD's part...

I hope it works out you that you can go in another timeframe. Maybe you should call ABD back, get another person, and try again for the "upgrade" to the Galapagos! Mention you know others who have gotten that offer...

Sayhello

[sayhello]

In the mail this afternoon, after getting the call from Disney, got a lovely letter from Tauck. Some excerpts:

"...Tauck is well positioned to weather what will be a difficult year for the travel industry. ...We have zero debt and significant financial resources....we have always taken a long-term perspective....the resulting stability and controlled growth have served our customers well."

"You can be assured when you book your next vacation, your deposits and future travel plans are safe and secure with Tauck."

They have a very astute PR department, hmmm?I think you should fax that lovely letter to ABD! Help them get a clue!

Sayhello

[Tozzie]

kjd, as much as we'd love to finally meet you ;) .....we have another family who has planned their annual Sedona trip around our ABD, and DD heads to camp for the rest of the summer in early July. :sad2:

Phil, I'd love to know what you said to get them to agree to the Italy trip at the same price as the Costa Rica trip. I asked if they would do that for subbing the Galapagos trip on the same dates as our original SWS and all they would do is an early booking and loyalty discount. If we could have gotten that trip for such a deal, we would have been thrilled, and happy to pay the airfare difference. (and we would have left our friends in the Sedona dust in a heartbeat!)

kristilew sadly goes off to adjust her siggie :sad: :sad:


It is more than likely the price difference the italian trip the difference is about $600 pp the difference in Southwest Splendors and Galapagos Island is almost $2000 pp

[PlutoPony]

In the mail this afternoon, after getting the call from Disney, got a lovely letter from Tauck. Some excerpts:

"...Tauck is well positioned to weather what will be a difficult year for the travel industry. ...We have zero debt and significant financial resources....we have always taken a long-term perspective....the resulting stability and controlled growth have served our customers well."

"You can be assured when you book your next vacation, your deposits and future travel plans are safe and secure with Tauck."

They have a very astute PR department, hmmm?

Have been following ABD discussions for some time now, and was getting close to going ahead and booking. Watching how Disney is handling their low registration trips vs. other companies has pretty much pushed me away and into looking at other options.

Does anyone have recent experiences with Tauk, Globus and the others? How does ABD compare in general?

TIA!

[clarabelle]

Here is a post that might give you some insight on Tauck


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1926919

[Bobo912]

Have been following ABD discussions for some time now, and was getting close to going ahead and booking. Watching how Disney is handling their low registration trips vs. other companies has pretty much pushed me away and into looking at other options.

Does anyone have recent experiences with Tauk, Globus and the others? How does ABD compare in general?

TIA!

I know some people are very frustrated about their trips being cancelled and I sympathize with them. I have to say that I am completely satisfied with the way ABD handeled my cancellation. They have been helpful and courteous and I am very happy with the way things have worked out so far. I would have been upset if the trip had gone off as planned with only 5 or 6 people and my son had been the only child. One of the attractions of ABD trips for us is having other kids along. I have been fortunate and I hope everything works out as well for the rest of you.

[Phil1019]

Hi, I got ABD to offer me the Viva Italia trip because I was persistent and angry with ABD since I was told two weeks prior that my trip was just about full. I asked them which trips were a definite go for the week that I had booked Costa Rica . The agent kept stating she wanted to work with me. The agent put a supervisor on the phone and I reiterated my request. I was told that she would have to check with her supervisor and get back to me. I did not hear from her until the next day. She told me several times that I was extremely lucky that Disney would offer me this trip for the same price except for the airfare. But again I WAS VERY PERSISTANT. You have to ask like you are expecting it. Hey , the most they can say is no! So---- give it a shot!

[kristilew]

We've rebooked Southwest Splendors for the June 20 departure. Anyone on that one?

Our friends we are going to Sedona with on the front end luckily had not booked their airfare yet and were amazingly accomodating to us, thank goodness.

We're hoping this one actually goes, as we literally do not have any other options in 2009.

After this, we will take at least 2010 off from ABD, and watch to see how they handle things next year, if they learn from this year, etc.

:grouphug: to everyone still working on it or still waiting for the other shoe to drop

[PlutoPony]

Thanks for the link to the Tauk discussion.

Interesting, on their website you can check availability of each tour/date. There are very few showing full or limited availability.... they may be having similar problems filling their tours this year.

[lakerz5]

We've rebooked Southwest Splendors for the June 20 departure. Anyone on that one?

Our friends we are going to Sedona with on the front end luckily had not booked their airfare yet and were amazingly accomodating to us, thank goodness.

We're hoping this one actually goes, as we literally do not have any other options in 2009.

After this, we will take at least 2010 off from ABD, and watch to see how they handle things next year, if they learn from this year, etc.

:grouphug: to everyone still working on it or still waiting for the other shoe to drop
I am so happy for you...hope you have a wonderful time. You must be so relieved:thumbsup2

With all the board postings we put our Backstage Magic on Christmas break..but as you found out, even with school breaks there is no guarantee. Glad it worked out for you:)

[sayhello]

So I get to add myself to the ever-growing list. My Sep 5, Adults Only Glacier National Park and Canadian Rockies ABD has been cancelled. There were only 2 families booked. I had to ask the rep to call me back, as I was on my work phone with a user, so I don't have any details or options yet. That's 7 months in advance. I'm thinking of asking if they will switch me to the Alaska trip at the same cost. There are no other Adult only departures for my trip, and the Alaska trip that leaves 2 days before is Adults only.

Or maybe I will just get a refund and cut my losses...

Sayhello

[disneytraveler]

I can understand how you feel on the cancellation. I have not had an ABD trip cancel on me yet. However, many years ago i booked a tour with a company to go to Ireland . It cancelled twice in the same month.:upsidedow
Fortunately i was flexible and work was able to do reschedule me so i could rebook it on the 3rd week. The company just could not fill the buses during the other tours.

[slg]

Perhaps ABD is doing lots of cancellations now in anticipation of low bookings so that they can organize the contracts for cms, hotels and drivers. I'm sure they also have a commitment and contract for them they have to honor. So, once all the dust has settled, maybe there will be less cancellations later than there have been in the past.

I just wish I knew if our tour was a definite go. So far I haven't found anyone one these boards going on it. July 22 Ireland....last time I checked, there were 12-13 people booked. So if anyone is looking for a trip...check that date out!

[kristilew]

slg, that thought occurred to me today as well.

As tough as it is on us to be up in the air, it must be truly awful for the guides to not know if they can count on a job for the rest of the year. From that perspective, I think it is good service to their employees to get things as consolidated as possible, so they can go ahead and be looking for work if needed.

And the hotels and day tours need to know if they'll need to run specials to fill rooms, etc.

I really hope they can weather things and get it together.

Sayhello, I posted on the other thread as well, but so sorry about your trip. I know you were back and forth having a hard time deciding, so it must be double hard to face a change after making a deliberate choice like that.

I do remember how, when the trips first came out in August, we were all a little disappointed. Kind of "meh." I wonder if that happened with a lot of people and combined with the bad economy to lower bookings?

[sayhello]

Sayhello, I posted on the other thread as well, but so sorry about your trip. I know you were back and forth having a hard time deciding, so it must be double hard to face a change after making a deliberate choice like that.

I do remember how, when the trips first came out in August, we were all a little disappointed. Kind of "meh." I wonder if that happened with a lot of people and combined with the bad economy to lower bookings?Thanks, kristilew. I'm not certain how I feel about the trip being canceled. I know there was a period of time when I considered canceling. But then I re-read the itinerary, and remembered what about it had finally appealed to me. But I've been having some health issues (a blood clot in my leg!) and was a little leery of the more "primitive" hotels on the Canadian Rockies trip. So when ABD called, I wasn't really upset. I would have enjoyed it, but I don't know that I was ever 100% sold on the trip like I was with Southwest Splendors.

The Alaska trip does sound good; it stays in some really nice places, too. I'll be happy with that trip, I think, if I get it. I'm really not interested in Europe this year. I guess I'll just wait and see.

I do remember how, when the trips first came out in August, we were all a little disappointed. Kind of "meh." I wonder if that happened with a lot of people and combined with the bad economy to lower bookings?I think that's very likely.

Sayhello

[pipch]

To be fair to ABD no one knew what was going to happen last October. In August when these dates were released the world had not come to a stand still and world and personal finances were in a better place!!

I remember when we were in Costa Rica last year the guide told us of numerous cancelled dates - early in the season, which were not cancelled until very late in the day. I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt and suggest that this year they are just trying to improve and give people far more notice.

I hope next year that they reduce the number of dates made available.... then we will all complain because we can't get the trips or the early booking discount!!
It does seem that the surest time to travel is the school holidays, which I know does not help the adult only travellers...... sorry