Travel agent messed up, we lost our rooms

[kaphil]

Hi everyone, I need a little pep-talk from the experienced cruisers. I booked two rooms on the Wonder for the December 11th three day cruise in June. The travel agent forgot to post my payment and I just found out they cancelled us last week. I've rebooked on my own but our rooms are gone, they said we won't know where we are until later and the rooms will probably no longer be next to each other. Has this ever happened to anyone out there, and if it did how did it turn out for you in the end?

 

[Mjasp]

Not that the TA can do anything for you anyway, the rooms are lost, but what was the reason she gave for not posting your payment.

Joanna

 

[kaphil]

Well, she first said she thought the cruise was automatically paid for once they had my deposit unless she cancelled, which might be true. Turned out they never got my deposit, she said either she pressed the wrong button on her computer or the person on Disney's end did. At least I called DCL to ask a document question or I wouldn't have found out until the docs didn't arrive and we'd be stuck with the airplane tickets.
Always look at the bright side.

 

[mytmouse]

At the very least I would bring this HUGE mistake to the attention of the TA Manager, or even better the owner. As for the TA saying either she or someone at Disney may have pressed the wrong button, there is only ONE key on a computer which sends information---that being the ENTER key. It seems to me that someone is trying to cover their butt in this instance, and should be held accountable. Glad things worked out for you, but this could have turned ugly very quickly. Happy Sailing

 

[my3kids]

Was she able to secure the same rate for you as when you origionally booked? If the prices had gone up, I certainly hope the TA is picking up the difference.

Was it just a local agent? If it was a national one, I sure wish you'd post the name. I don't want to sign up with that one!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

I think your TA should make this right for you. Did they even offer? I would have shied away from using them again, probably.

You at least deserve a hefty onboard credit from them for the loss of your roooms and the inconvenience at this late date of having to reconfigure your vacation.

I love the fact that you are able to look on the bright side of this!

 

[AnnMorin]

Did you get a confirmation? Whenever we book we get a confirmation with our cabin number, sail date, dinner seating time etc printed on it. Did you give the travel agent your full payment? If so where is that money? We are on the 12/13 magic and the 60 day mark was just this tuesday so your 60 day would have been Sat. they said that your cabins were already booked that fast? Hmmm if I were you I would be demanding some answers from the TA!

 

[ppiew]

Mega kudos to you kaphil! Your attitude is very refreshing it is so positive over what could have been a HUGE negative beef! At the very least, I would call DCL and ask them to note your records of the room request being near each other. If you don't get them, ask again at the pier. Again have a great vacation - you have found the way to make your own pixie dust!

 

[CRB#33]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
Did you get a confirmation? Whenever we book we get a confirmation with our cabin number, sail date, dinner seating time etc printed on it. Did you give the travel agent your full payment? If so where is that money? We are on the 12/13 magic and the 60 day mark was just this tuesday so your 60 day would have been Sat. they said that your cabins were already booked that fast? Hmmm if I were you I would be demanding some answers from the TA!

Good post.

Did you put your deposit money on a credit card? Didn't you notice that it was never posted or did you get it back? If DCL never got your deposit, someone must have it?

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by kaphil
Hi everyone, I need a little pep-talk from the experienced cruisers. I booked two rooms on the Wonder for the December 11th three day cruise in June. The travel agent forgot to post my payment and I just found out they cancelled us last week. I've rebooked on my own but our rooms are gone, they said we won't know where we are until later and the rooms will probably no longer be next to each other. Has this ever happened to anyone out there, and if it did how did it turn out for you in the end?

kaphill, when you rebooked on your own, did you call DCL directly? Did you get a GTY room? Did your credit card get charged? I'm guessing that your deposit held your rooms, but when the 60 day mark passed with no additional payment, DCL cancelled.

Your TA needs to do something. As the other posters said, talk to someone in charge. Do not let this go!!

 

[CRB#33]

Okay, I just went back and read this a little closer. What did they do with your deposit money? Did they transfer it to your new rooms?

I agree with others here, don't let this drop. I applaud your positive attitude, but someone royally messed up and you really should be able to be compensated somehow, especially if your rooms are no longer next to each other.

I hope it all works out for you.

 

[jwann]

HEY -- I know this has been a pain in the a** but you are going on a Disney Cruise!!! Category who cares -- you'll have a super time!!!!

 

[momofofo22]

A similar thing happen to me two years ago. I booked with my TA and I had a secret porthole room (5520). When I received my dock (one week before to go) I didn't have my room. I was shocked and my TA too.

My TA booked the cruise through Vacation air canada. They were the one who messed up. I made a complaint and received 300 $ for a future vacation.

 

[CGC33A]

I too had a mess up on a SPR (x2). I booked a specific cabin, had an email confirmation (just the conversation between me & the TA, not the actual one from DCL)for the room request but when docs showed up, it was for a different SPR. Second problem has yet to play out. Booked on board for connecting SPRs for next October Magic. The next morning, the onboard agent (can't remember her name for anything) calls & tells me even though we booked it the night before (I have the little card with the rooms she gives you), one of the rooms is no longer available, so now we are not in connecting SPRs. Hoping for an upgrade to connecting rooms somewhere else, but it's too soon to tell.

 

[hydster]

We have had something similar happen with a local travel agency here in the past (havent used them since of course) but she basically stuck the credit card information on her desk and lost it and completely forgot about it. Carnival of course cancelled our reservation (it was only a short cruise out of Calif thankfully) but still...we had non-refundable airline tickets, hubby was meeting us after a business trip in LAX and he couldnt change his to come back home for anything less than $500.00 (I think that was the price..had something to do with an AMEX rate his co booked) but anyway I digress.....

I called the TA manager and was angry. This was our kids first cruise and we had rooms right next to each other and they cancelled them. I called Carnival direct and they didnt have any rooms next to each other so they offered me one of the suites that wasnt booked (surprisingly) so I called the TA manager and demanded that since the TA screwed up the reservation and didnt pay my bill and I lost the rooms I wanted that they had to eat the difference in the rooms we booked and the suite. They did it but werent very happy about it but it worked out in the end.

I hope you get it figured out!!
Heidi

 

[kaphil]

Well thanks for all the comments, I was just so steamed but am feeling better. You always know how to help.
I did have a printout with our sailing dates, meal seating and cabin numbers but the TA just wrote on it she had forwarded my deposit to Disney. I didn't notice it wasn't on the credit card since I was in California going to Disneyland and my husband paid the bill, he thought one of the Disney Resort charges from California was the cruise deposit. Next time, (and there will be a next time), I think I'll just book direct with DCL. For some reason I thought it would be better to book through an agency.

Hey, like you said, at least we're going, I'm getting away from this winter weather even if I have to walk.

Thanks everyone!