Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    Chris,
    
    If I were your friends, I would call the RCCL sales office and ask what
    arrangements they have made to deal with this.  South Florida Cruises
    is a big outfit and the cruise line should have contingency plans for
    situations like this.  
    
    If the air is arranged your friends are in good shape, because one of
    the last things the cruise line does is finalize the air.  RCCL's
    number is 800-327-6700.  They normally only talk to agents but I am
    sure that once the situation is explained, they will help.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Jeri Vasquez

    	Thanks Jeri!  They got the message and are encouraged by the 
    message.
    
    C

    This is why I used a credit card for my bookings. At least it
    provides a little protection. 
    
    it is also possible that RCCL has already received your money for
    the cruise from the agent.
    
    			Harold
    

    	They also paid by Visa.  I found out last night that they haven't
    paid off the bill yet.  Would they be covered on the loss by visa if
    they dispute the bill?  
    
    FYI - South Florida Cruises got the payment but RCCL hasn't been paid
    as yet.  RCCl does have the reservation in their name and American Air
    also has a reservation in their name.  
    
    If they know that Visa will reimburse the charge then they may book
    directly with RCCL, although RCCL typically doesn't do this.  There is
    still an outside chance that So. Florida Cruises will get bought by
    another company and the current bookings will go through.  Ya right!
    
    It gets confusing very quickly when something like this happens.  I
    just hope they don't end up on the short end.
    
    Chris

    I believe you should have protection with VISA. I would definitely
    try and bypass the agent and go with RCCL. I would assume they
    would allow this for this special case. RCCL normally does not
    deal directly with the public, the reason is they would be under
    cutting travel agents which they do not want to do. In this case
    the travel agent caused the problems so there is justification for
    you to go directly with them. Since RCCL has not received any
    money yet then the agent is useless to you. Use VISA to get 
    your money back and go directly  with RCCL or a good travel
    agent. Contact the cardholder to determine what to do. I would
    not hold my breath waiting and hopeing the agent recovers or is
    bought out.
    
    				Harold
    

    	Thanks for all the information!  My friends have resolved the
    problem by dealing with RCCL.  RCCL has confirmed their booking,
    allowed them to pay it off with a good discount and FedEx'd the
    Air/boarding tickets directly to them all in 1 day.  Now thats customer
    service.
    
    	As for the remaining balance to So. Fla. Cruises.. Visa and time
    will tell.
    
    	Chris

    
    
    
        This matter is history!!!!!!   We made the cruise thanks to RCCL.
      They were very understanding, as a matter of fact they actually felt
      bad about the whole thing, "even though it wasn't there fault".
    
       RCCL had only received $400 from So. Fla. Cruises, that's out of the
      $3200 we paid to SFC.  RCCL let us keep the same category room but
      charged us for the lowest category plus a 35% discount.  
    
       Before we left I sent letters and contract paperwork to Visa in hope
    that they might help.   Sure enough, two days after we returned we got
    our bill and they credited the whole amount + all the interest payments
    
      It couldn't have worked out any better and we would like to thank
    Chris and the few others that replied.   When this first happened I 
    was at a loss for idea's.   It was only 5 days before the wedding and
    it was overwelming.  Thanks to you guy's the idea's on what to do came
    a little easier.
    
      
                                                 Thanks,   Bob T.
    

    Just an update.
    
    As you know from this note South Florida Cruises filed for
    bankruptcy. They had been in business 9 years.
    
    AAAABCO another large low cost Florida cruise booking operation
    filed for bankruptcy after ""25 YEARS"".
    
    
    So just remember anything can happen at any time. I strongly suggest
    using only credit cards to pay to give you some protection.
    
    My last cruise was booked with Cruises of Distinction of NJ. They
    were excellent and a great price. But one thing was they requested
    checks for payments, they would take credit cards however. I made
    sure that I paid only with a credit card. 
    
    The whole problem is it is very competitive in this business and
    good businesses can bite the dust pretty quickly these dayss
    along with your money. It does not have to  be a shady operation
    the go out of business.
    
    Of course this has nothing to do with cruising itself but any
    vacation in general.
    

    One of the biggest reason that these discount operations are going
    under is exactly the reason that so many folks use them.  Namely, they
    cut their earnings on each booking to the bone.  Sort of like losing
    money on every sale, but making it up on volume.
    
    I have had clients try to wring an extra $25 out of me on a $5000 trip. 
    Sorry, I provide professional service, I work hard to get the best
    deals for all my clients and I am extremely good at matching clients to
    ships and itineraries.  I EARN my commissions.  I do discount, but I
    NEVER play the "make the sale at any price" game.
    
    Take a tip from me, if you are planning on spending a couple of
    thousand dollars for a vacation, deal with someone you know.... or can
    at least find if something goes wrong!  Pay with a credit card and
    remember that the agency who will cut their profit to $10 a cruise to
    get your business is not going to take the time to answer your
    questions and follow up if there are problems.
    
    (i'll get off my soapbox now.......)
    
    -jer