cancelled Italy trip April 18-26, 2014

[carpenta]

We were just informed that ABD is not doing this trip although it is already sold out. I was told they could not insure a trip that is "Disney enough"????? Never heard of that excuse. My thoughts are that ABD planners were not aware that the first weekend is Good Friday as well as Easter so I am guessing there was "no room at the inn". Also the Vatican is most likely closed to public tours. Having already made our plane reservations etc, etc I was told that we would be reimbursed for the penalty to change the tickets. In our family we have to make our vacation plans over a year in advance so this really makes us quite upset. Not too happy right now and I wonder how many more people who signed up for this trip are on these boards?

 

[twentyco]

We are in the same boat, and also not very happy. I was told the same thing that you were told. Am looking now at other options. Grrr ....

 

[carpenta]

We are in the same boat, and also not very happy. I was told the same thing that you were told. Am looking now at other options. Grrr ....

We have traveled with Tauck Bridges before and they do the same trip itinery (basically) as ABD. They begin a day later than ABD .but very very similar. Our other trips did have a family feel much like ABD with many families consisting of 3 generations. Price is less expensive and tips are included in the price. Now we are leaning towards Tauck for our vacations are basically "set in stone" for our family.

 

[sayhello]

Wow! That's kind of ridiculous they waited until this late to figure all this out... I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope maybe Tauck can serve your needs...

But, that said, I personally can't imagine wanting to be in Rome under those conditions, missing out on the Vatican, dealing with the crowds. But then, I'm not Catholic, so that might have something to do with it! The weather would likely be way better in April, though...

Again, sorry.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

Wow! That's kind of ridiculous they waited until this late to figure all this out... I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope maybe Tauck can serve your needs...

But, that said, I personally can't imagine wanting to be in Rome under those conditions, missing out on the Vatican, dealing with the crowds. But then, I'm not Catholic, so that might have something to do with it! The weather would likely be way better in April, though...

Again, sorry.

Sayhello

Thanks Sayhello. Since we have already seen the Vatican and had a private tour of the Sistine Chapel (with DCL in 2007) we were looking forward to seeing the Pope at St. Peter's. (we are catholic). Easter in Rome was our highlight. We have put a "hold" on the Tauck trip so we have to decide quickly. Straightening out the airfare with all the costs is now our nightmare. You know how pleasant the airline companies can be.

 

[Tozzie]

I am sorry this happend to you, in 2008 and 2009 ABD cancelled both of my trips and it was truly disappointing. I hate when they do this because they seem to hold all the cards in situations like this.

If it makes you feel any better DCL today cancelled my cruise that was supposed to leave in 3 days now I am in a mess to change my vacation plans.

 

[carpenta]

I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I hope you can find another cruise quickly. I can understand that ABD cancels because of few travelers but this trip was sold out(??????). Was your cruise with DCL or another line? We also had a RCL cruise cancelled and it really is a pain to find another that will fit into the schedule already committed for vacation. Sometimes the cruise lines takes for granted the customer since a large number are retired (not so much on DCL) and plans are more flexible time wise. We also booked the Germany trip through ABD next summer......it's hard to have a good feeling about ABD now.

 

[twentyco]

That is horrible about the cruise! At least with this we have some notice and can try to figure things out. Unfortunately my daughter had her heart set on this particular trip (she really wants to make that mask in Venice ....) I am looking to try to rebook it for sometime in the summer, and then see if we want to try to do something else during her Spring Break. The only other ABD during her break is the Galapagos Islands, which my husband would probably want to do with us, so we don't want to do that one when he can't go (he doesn't want to go to Italy particularly), so just changing to another itinerary isn't an option either. It is very frustrating and hard to feel very good about any of this; we talked to ABD when we booked, and they said that the Italy trips never cancel because they are so popular, so we were really counting on this one and had already booked airfare, etc.

Anyway, we will figure it out, I guess. My daughter is taking it better than I am, but that may be because she doesn't have to figure out the new arrangements!

 

[carpenta]

Tauck does the mask making in Venice. Check it out.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks Sayhello. Since we have already seen the Vatican and had a private tour of the Sistine Chapel (with DCL in 2007) we were looking forward to seeing the Pope at St. Peter's. (we are catholic). Easter in Rome was our highlight. We have put a "hold" on the Tauck trip so we have to decide quickly. Straightening out the airfare with all the costs is now our nightmare. You know how pleasant the airline companies can be.

Well, see, that totally makes sense to me. I know Bobo912 has been happy with most of her Tauck tours, so hopefully theirs turns out to be a good Italy alternative! (And you KNOW how much I hate the airlines! It's rare that any dealings with them are anything but unpleasant!)

I am sorry this happend to you, in 2008 and 2009 ABD cancelled both of my trips and it was truly disappointing. I hate when they do this because they seem to hold all the cards in situations like this.

If it makes you feel any better DCL today cancelled my cruise that was supposed to leave in 3 days now I am in a mess to change my vacation plans.

Tozzie, were you on the Magic cruise for 10/20? Oh, no! I just cannot imagine having plans pulled out from under you THREE DAYS before the cruise! It's one thing if it's an emergency (but still a pain!) but to have it happened because of DCL's poor planning (no lee-way in their schedule) just really sucks. I hope you get your plans all worked out. I know some other folks have managed to move to the Dream or the Fantasy, or a later Magic cruise. Fingers & toes crossed for you! I just can't imagine...

That is horrible about the cruise! At least with this we have some notice and can try to figure things out. Unfortunately my daughter had her heart set on this particular trip (she really wants to make that mask in Venice ....) I am looking to try to rebook it for sometime in the summer, and then see if we want to try to do something else during her Spring Break. The only other ABD during her break is the Galapagos Islands, which my husband would probably want to do with us, so we don't want to do that one when he can't go (he doesn't want to go to Italy particularly), so just changing to another itinerary isn't an option either. It is very frustrating and hard to feel very good about any of this; we talked to ABD when we booked, and they said that the Italy trips never cancel because they are so popular, so we were really counting on this one and had already booked airfare, etc.

Anyway, we will figure it out, I guess. My daughter is taking it better than I am, but that may be because she doesn't have to figure out the new arrangements!

So sorry this happened to you guys! I had one of my ABD's canceled back in 2009, but it was when the economy tanked, and was not exactly a surprise. I was fortunate that there was another itinerary (Alaska) that departed just the day before my Montana trip was supposed to go, so with ABD's help, I got it all switched. I hope you can work something out!

Sayhello

 

[twentyco]

Tauck does the mask making in Venice. Check it out.

Yes, I see that now --- thanks for the tip. I looked at Tauck last night, but for some reason did not pull up the Tauck Bridges tour, just the regular tours, which are really different. In reading the description, it's hard for me to tell if you just watch them making masks, or if you actually make one yourself. Do you know? I can just call them to ask, since this is really important to us (go figure ...) The Bridges tour looks pretty good; we can also re-book ABD for a week in June instead, so I am a little torn, but my daughter also really wants to see the Uffizi, so Tauck may be the better option for us at this point.

 

[carpenta]

Yes, I see that now --- thanks for the tip. I looked at Tauck last night, but for some reason did not pull up the Tauck Bridges tour, just the regular tours, which are really different. In reading the description, it's hard for me to tell if you just watch them making masks, or if you actually make one yourself. Do you know? I can just call them to ask, since this is really important to us (go figure ...) The Bridges tour looks pretty good; we can also re-book ABD for a week in June instead, so I am a little torn, but my daughter also really wants to see the Uffizi, so Tauck may be the better option for us at this point.

I don't know if they make the masks but I would assume so because both companies "borrow" from each other. We have been in Florence before but we did not get to see the Uffizi Gallery so this is a big treat for us. Tauck does do Pisa which we traveled years ago and do the customary holding up the tower. It is a nice trip to do especially for the kids. There are four kids signed up as of today 10 yrs, 11yrs, 12yrs, 14yrs. We traveled with Tauck before on their Bridges tour and they are quite similar in service but no Disney pins....

 

[twentyco]

I don't know if they make the masks but I would assume so because both companies "borrow" from each other. We have been in Florence before but we did not get to see the Uffizi Gallery so this is a big treat for us. Tauck does do Pisa which we traveled years ago and do the customary holding up the tower. It is a nice trip to do especially for the kids. There are four kids signed up as of today 10 yrs, 11yrs, 12yrs, 14yrs. We traveled with Tauck before on their Bridges tour and they are quite similar in service but no Disney pins....

I could definitely live without the pins, but the mask making is a deal-breaker for my daughter. I called Tauck, and they said it's just a demonstration, not actually making one. So I think we are going to stick with ABD and just go a different week .... which is a huge pain in the neck, but after some juggling around I think we've figured out how to make something work for June. The weather will be hotter then, but what can you do. I'm contemplating trying to squeeze the Uffizi in during our "free time" in Florence, but we'll see --- that might be a bit tight. Fortunately my daughter knows enough about art that we can probably do it without a tour guide and she will be happy. We are still really disappointed to not be going in April, though. I hope you guys get to see the Pope --- I was in Rome many (many) years ago, and saw John Paul II do Christmas Eve mass -- it was pretty amazing. Hopefully you and your family will have a wonderful time despite all of this hassle.

 

[carpenta]

I could definitely live without the pins, but the mask making is a deal-breaker for my daughter. I called Tauck, and they said it's just a demonstration, not actually making one. So I think we are going to stick with ABD and just go a different week .... which is a huge pain in the neck, but after some juggling around I think we've figured out how to make something work for June. The weather will be hotter then, but what can you do. I'm contemplating trying to squeeze the Uffizi in during our "free time" in Florence, but we'll see --- that might be a bit tight. Fortunately my daughter knows enough about art that we can probably do it without a tour guide and she will be happy. We are still really disappointed to not be going in April, though. I hope you guys get to see the Pope --- I was in Rome many (many) years ago, and saw John Paul II do Christmas Eve mass -- it was pretty amazing. Hopefully you and your family will have a wonderful time despite all of this hassle.

We booked Tauck today for the fact that we already had vacation time scheduled. I am jealous you got to see John Paul in Rome. When in Florence you could skip one of the scheduled trips withABD to see the Uffizi. When we were in Alaska with ABD we skipped an activity for a day so we could take a tour of Denali National Park. Our guides were fine with that and even dropped us off to catch the bus. I am told that you should purchase your tickets ahead of time for the Uffizi for they only allow so many in at certain times. We walked bye when we were in Florence and it was quite a long line. It looks like we got to switch the airfare furious and now is the time to pull out my Italian phrase book again. One thing that worked for us that years ago I had read about this Fancy star rated restaurant and wrote for reservation in Italian, well as best as I could, for our visit. We got them and when we arrived we were treated like rock stars. The chef even came out and spoke to our daughter when she asked for pasta that was not on the menu. Best pasta we ever had. It really paid off to write in their language from an American I guess.

 

[Bobo912]

We were just informed that ABD is not doing this trip although it is already sold out. I was told they could not insure a trip that is "Disney enough"????? Never heard of that excuse. My thoughts are that ABD planners were not aware that the first weekend is Good Friday as well as Easter so I am guessing there was "no room at the inn". Also the Vatican is most likely closed to public tours. Having already made our plane reservations etc, etc I was told that we would be reimbursed for the penalty to change the tickets. In our family we have to make our vacation plans over a year in advance so this really makes us quite upset. Not too happy right now and I wonder how many more people who signed up for this trip are on these boards?

Wow! Is that all the explanation that was offered? I can understand the trip being cancelled if ABD felt it wouldn't live up to their standards or guest expectations, but a little more explanation seems in order. I'm so happy you were able to find an alternative with Tauck. We're traveling with ABD next summer, but I'm planning to do another TB trip in 2015 and will probably give them our business in subsequent years, as well.

I am sorry this happend to you, in 2008 and 2009 ABD cancelled both of my trips and it was truly disappointing. I hate when they do this because they seem to hold all the cards in situations like this.

If it makes you feel any better DCL today cancelled my cruise that was supposed to leave in 3 days now I am in a mess to change my vacation plans.

Tozzie, why was your cruise cancelled with such short notice?

 

[Tozzie]

Tozzie, why was your cruise cancelled with such short notice?

Well the official excuse is "weather chanllenges" prevented DCL from finishing the work when they crossed the atlantic. With the reports from the cruise board of over 100 contractors and 2 cranes working in PC to finish, Poor planning on the Part of DCL, they simply didn't allow enough time for the amount of work they planned.

I managed to salvage part of my vacation but I am not happy with DCL at the moment.

 

[carpenta]

Wow! Is that all the explanation that was offered? I can understand the trip being cancelled if ABD felt it wouldn't live up to their standards or guest expectations, but a little more explanation seems in order. I'm so happy you were able to find an alternative with Tauck. We're traveling with ABD next summer, but I'm planning to do another TB trip in 2015 and will probably give them our business in subsequent years, as well.



Tozzie, why was your cruise cancelled with such short notice?

We were surprised that Tauck gave us a free pre night in the same hotel that the group are staying just for being a returning guest. We are traveling with ABD this summer also ( if they don't cancel) to Germany. Right now my wife is so disappointed that she is thinking of switching that trip too. But all in all it so far has worked out, well after days of unduly stress. As you know Bobo Tauck does offer a good product also. Thank for your kind thoughts.

 

[sayhello]

Well the official excuse is "weather chanllenges" prevented DCL from finishing the work when they crossed the atlantic. With the reports from the cruise board of over 100 contractors and 2 cranes working in PC to finish, Poor planning on the Part of DCL, they simply didn't allow enough time for the amount of work they planned.

I managed to salvage part of my vacation but I am not happy with DCL at the moment.

I would tend to agree with your assessment, Tozzie. And totally understand your feelings towards DCL right now. I've heard rumors on the DCL board that folks just off the Fantasy were told they may cancel the cruise on the 25th, also!

Sayhello

 

[Tozzie]

We were surprised that Tauck gave us a free pre night in the same hotel that the group are staying just for being a returning guest. We are traveling with ABD this summer also ( if they don't cancel) to Germany. Right now my wife is so disappointed that she is thinking of switching that trip too. But all in all it so far has worked out, well after days of unduly stress. As you know Bobo Tauck does offer a good product also. Thank for your kind thoughts.

Sorry, I seem to have hijacked your thread. I am glad that you were able to salvage your vacation. Not exactly what you wanted to do but were able to make alternate plans.

 

[carpenta]

Sorry, I seem to have hijacked your thread. I am glad that you were able to salvage your vacation. Not exactly what you wanted to do but were able to make alternate plans.

Never apologize for misery loves company. I am glad to hear you were able to get "half a pie". To me it seems the Disney satellite companies (DCL and ABD) need to refocus their mission statement and put the customer first. Poor communication is not an attractive attribute for any company.