Cruises Only, Miami, FL - Royal Carribean cruise on MS Monarch of the Seas - tickets unfairly cancelled for non-payment

Cruises Only, Miami, FL - Royal Carribean cruise on MS Monarch of the Seas - tickets unfairly cancelled for non-payment

Cruises Only (Miami)

I booked January 30,2004 for cruise on February 6, 2004 on the MS Monarch of the Seas (Royal Carribbean). I paid in full (Have fax from him to that effect) and looked forward to my trip. I even Emailed Nathan to thank him for his excellent customer service.

Found this company on Hot Wire - well, did I get burned. The night before cruise I contacted the cruise line to input my passport info and to my surprise in red letters it said - RESERVATION Cancelled.

I immediately called the cruise line and was told my reservation had been cancelled at 11:31PM on January 30, 2004 for non pay of fare. I then called Cruises Only and Marita proceeded to tell me that she could put me on a different ship at a much higher fee, oh, I couldn't have insurance since the booking was so late, but the fees for booking would be forgiven.

Mind you I had already purchased and paid fees for insurance and booking. Theses fees were on my credit card. In my upset I failed to realize the new ship was Carnival - a company I detest - until it was too late. I might add it was 11:30PM when all this was happening. At 6AM PST I contacted Marita to cancel - oh you shouldn't have booked she said, if you cancel you will not get your money back, I have already put the charge through.

I complained loudly and the Customer Service Supervisor, Eileen, said you should not have booked, but I will give you a $200 voucher on any future booking for your trouble and I will make sure to refund your credit card for the insurance and booking fees you paid. I explained that on February 3, 2003 I spoke in the morning with Nathan and he said my tickets were to be picked up at the pier. The cruise line assured me that they notified Cruises Only on January 31,2004. Well, what did happen?

Can you tell me if this has happened with any other citizen out there? I did not get the $200 voucher, the charges were not removed from my credit card, and Eileen did not return my call - so much for customer service. I was burned and I want the public to be aware of this happening...I had to pay a much higher fee, had a lesser ship and feel I was completely manipulated by this company If this was a freak event I would be grateful to know it was so, but they were just too slick.

What if I had gone to the pier, there would have not been any way for me to go on this ship - it was sold out; which I believe is why Nathan did not try to book me again on the 3rd of February when I contacted him about the tickets. And, isn't it odd that on said Feb. 3rd he did process my credit card for the insurance and booking fee.

S. Heeter

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