Cruise line MS confusion!

[FreeTime]

I booked a cruise using points, or so I thought. I called MS to tell them that I had received the vouchers that I was expecting back from DCL and would be sending them in (I was advised by them to do this). These would give me 25% off of points. The person I spoke to said that I didn't have a reservation only a "documented interest." I asked if that meant that I was still able to make changes. He said yes since the $75 fee had not been charged yet and I really didn't have a reservation. So we invited a guest to come with us. I called to make the reservation and was told that I already had one! That means that I would have to pay the change fee. I was so angry! I ended up sending in the vouchers and writing a letter explaining what I was told. Do you think that I should push this if they don't change the reservation without a fee or let it go? I knew that there would be a change fee if I elected to make changes, but I was told that I didn't even have a reservation so I don't think that I should be penalized. How would you handle this?

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

I agree with you! If MS told you wrong information, and then handled the situation according to the wrong information, then the blame lies on MS. I would push the issue. If they had their info. correct, then none of this would have ever happened. Let me know how it turns out!

 

[FreeTime]

I will keep you posted. I am hoping to hear something this week. If it doesn't work out, I am going to have to break the news to grandpa that he definately is not going or come up with the money and get him a cabin.

 

[Dean]

It sounds like you were trying to book a new cruise while on DCL. If so, you can't so it until you get off but it must be done within 3 days of getting off the boat. So you must call DVC right away to get the points reduction. If it's within 14 months but not to the 11 month booking window, you have to call MS to express interest, then call back at the 11 month window. I'm assuming you contacted them and gave them a credit card to use for this reservation. If so, the only confusion was whether you had an existing reservation. It sounds like you did but either MS was confused OR you had originally called before the 11 month window but indicated you wanted to book with the points discount and they did so once the 11 month window opened up.

Would the $75 change fee really be a make or break for doing what you were planning anyway. Even if you could get them to waive the $75 fee, it might cost you the points reduction which would be worth far more than the $75.

 

[FreeTime]

Actually I booked using vouchers that we were given after we got off of the ship for problems with the cruise, not rebooking while on board or within the 3 days. MS called me today and took care of everything. However, since we added a person they said that early dining was full so that would be changed on the reservation. I got the 25% off point reduction per person and the fee waived. So it all worked out. Now I haev a long wait until it is time to sail again.

But good info, Dean. I didn't know that you could get the rebooking discount using points.