Have any Italy ABDs happened since 2020?

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I have been abandoned by ABD and it was awful. I posted about it at the time and I won't go into intricate details again. I asked the local Adventure Guide for help but I was told that his job was over when the trip ended; I called ABD in the US and they reiterated what the Adventure Guide said, despite me basically begging for help. The AmEx platinum concierge team, who only booked airfare for our trip from HK to Shanghai, were the ones to help me. Mind you the next day (after tips were opened it seems) the local Adventure Guide texted me to see if he could help (on his time), but at that point I had been up all night and had made alternate arrangements. I seriously hope that ABD has changed since this time. I did talk to a manager at HO and they gave me a monetary discount towards an already booked vacation, which seemed okay at the time (but I did have to jump through many hoops to speak to a manager). Just thinking about how awful it was still brings back some of the fear I felt at the time, not knowing where we'd spend the night if I couldn't make alternate flight arrangements out of HK (hotel was fully booked as were most of the hotels with a typhoon heading bearing down on HK). Has ABD changed? Based on the above posts it seems that they haven't. I don't have any trips with them (I have taken 8) and don't have any plans to book any. For now I am happy to make my own plans that I can cancel at any time without penalty.

 

[Magnum_PI]

I have been abandoned by ABD and it was awful. I posted about it at the time and I won't go into intricate details again. I asked the local Adventure Guide for help but I was told that his job was over when the trip ended; I called ABD in the US and they reiterated what the Adventure Guide said, despite me basically begging for help. The AmEx platinum concierge team, who only booked airfare for our trip from HK to Shanghai, were the ones to help me. Mind you the next day (after tips were opened it seems) the local Adventure Guide texted me to see if he could help (on his time), but at that point I had been up all night and had made alternate arrangements. I seriously hope that ABD has changed since this time. I did talk to a manager at HO and they gave me a monetary discount towards an already booked vacation, which seemed okay at the time (but I did have to jump through many hoops to speak to a manager). Just thinking about how awful it was still brings back some of the fear I felt at the time, not knowing where we'd spend the night if I couldn't make alternate flight arrangements out of HK (hotel was fully booked as were most of the hotels with a typhoon heading bearing down on HK). Has ABD changed? Based on the above posts it seems that they haven't. I don't have any trips with them (I have taken 8) and don't have any plans to book any. For now I am happy to make my own plans that I can cancel at any time without penalty.

Wow. I am so sorry. Can I ask what year this happened?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Wow. I am so sorry. Can I ask what year this happened?

This was the China trip in 2016 (which was a phenomenal trip).

 

[JGM]

ABD just cancelled the rest of April’s trips. Plus I just noticed how much they raised the price. Were we betting on how long ABD stays in business?

 

[sayhello]

ABD just cancelled the rest of April’s trips. Plus I just noticed how much they raised the price. Were we betting on how long ABD stays in business?

I'm assuming you mean the rest of Italy's April trips, as there are still a few April trips scheduled for other destinations.

Sayhello

 

[JGM]

I'm assuming you mean the rest of Italy's April trips, as there are still a few April trips scheduled for other destinations.

Sayhello

Yea. As this forum is about Italy that is obviously what I was referring to

 

[sayhello]

Yea. As this forum is about Italy that is obviously what I was referring to

Just wanted to be sure, because people cross-post in threads all the time.

Sayhello

 

[JGM]

Just wanted to be sure, because people cross-post in threads all the time.

Sayhello

LOL If you say so

 

[sayhello]

LOL If you say so

Seeing as you joined 19 days ago, and I've posted here since 2006, yes, I think I know what I'm talking about.

Sayhello

 

[NYLibrarian]

Hi NYLibrarian,

I saw in your post that you are planning for a June 2022 Italy ABD tour and wanted to reach out to connect and see if we are booked on the same trip. My husband, daughter and I will be (hopefully/fingers-crossed) on the June 3 Italy tour (Rome, Florence, Venice).

Our trip leaves on June 29th…hopefully. Have a great time!

 

[WeLoveABD]

Yea. As this forum is about Italy that is obviously what I was referring to

Snarky!

 

[Gemini1131]

Anybody here on the 5/3 trip? Curious if they have heard anything yet from ABD about their trip as at this time they would be the first to go

 

[jillinastoria]

We just got an email that our Italy trip, planned for 8/9 to 8/16, has been cancelled. It's already listed as "not available for booking" on the website, and honestly I'm not super surprised. It was the cheapest of all the August trips and I assumed enrollment was low.

We're hopefully changing to the 8/12 to 8/19 trip, and will be fine if that works out. And maybe this is in a strange way a GOOD sign, that they are really trying to make the summer trips happen?

 

[cindianne320]

We just paid for our June trip in full... Hoping that means we are good to go, as we can't change the dates, as it's tied to the beginning of our cruise.

 

[jillinastoria]

We just paid for our June trip in full... Hoping that means we are good to go, as we can't change the dates, as it's tied to the beginning of our cruise.

Good luck! I am anxiously awaiting any reports about the 5/3 trip, hoping it's a go ...

 

[Gemini1131]

I’m watching closely to. I’m on the may 30th trip. Still going as far as I’m aware

 

[leannak]

I’m watching closely to. I’m on the may 30th trip. Still going as far as I’m aware

Is anybody here on the 5/3 trip? Did anyone get their box yet?

 

[Gemini1131]

Saw on a Facebook group that the 5/3 trip officially stated today. Someone posted their pictures of the colosseum tour!

 

[jillinastoria]

Saw on a Facebook group that the 5/3 trip officially stated today. Someone posted their pictures of the colosseum tour!

I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Saw on a Facebook group that the 5/3 trip officially stated today. Someone posted their pictures of the colosseum tour!

I see Dusty is one of the guides. He was the guide on that same trip several years ago when Val & I did our first non-US ABD. Really, really nice guy and excellent guide. Also, the step-on guide Christina is the same one we had.