Thanks for all the replies. Didn't mean to start a war! ha!<BR><BR>Still have never heard a word from RCCL, but did get a letter in the mail today asking me to join their Crown & Anchor club. Thought that was pretty amusing!<BR><BR>I agree that one bad employee shouldn't spoil the whole company, but the company should be more concerned with their customer service. <BR><BR>We will just move on and not give them anymore future business.<BR><BR>Good idea about Ombudsman. I love that column!

Paula. The only thing you may get is a discount coupon for future travel with RCCL. If you booked with a TA, take my advice pursue them for misrepresentation. They are not protected by foreign registry and other insulary shields.<BR><BR>And they as an "agent" according to the courts are supposed to be serving your interest if they charged you a fee for their services. Not my opinion, but the law.

<BR>It is sad what happened to Paula. RCCL I am sure will give you some sort of compensation when your experience is sorted and you are warranted compensation. This will take quite some time. Also, I am sure you will hear back from Lost & Found. RCCL is good at returning items left behind in your stateroom.<BR><BR>Someone stated to sue the travel agent. If Paula had used a travel agent she would have been told which cabins had minibars and which suites had tubs.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Not if they don't know what they are doing Paul. I don't think travel agents realize that they need to view themselves the same way other professional "Agents" see their job function.<BR><BR>One empowered to act for or represent another: an author's agent; an insurance agent. <BR><BR><BR>Agents are not representing the best interest of their clients a large majority of the time and therein lies the problem.

<BR>Beg to differ. If a travel agent does not serve his clients to the best of his/her ability he/she not only loses a client but also all the people who that client talks to. <BR><BR>Go ahead pick that apart too. It is your sport.<BR><BR>Paul

I see Paul then the money and time invested by the person automatically reverts back to them? <BR><BR>And with the high volume travel agents out there they really don't care. I think they should be held liable for their actions.

Paul thanks for the feedback on RCCL. Hopefully over time I will hear something. <BR><BR>We did you a travel agent, but unfortunately they hadn't been on that ship and just had the pictures and layouts from the brochure. I doubt I will use them again in the future, but certainly wouldn't think of suing over something that minor.

<BR>I hope you do too Paula. Next time be sure to ask your travel agent a ton of questions. Do not be shy. If the agent does not have the answers, talk to the owner. You see, there are quite a few agents that have taken a few courses but have never traveled anywhere. Make sure to talk to an agent that is experienced in the area to which you will be traveling.<BR><BR>Better luck next time.<BR><BR>Paul

If you don't plan on seeking retribution for something so "minor" as paying for things that weren't there why did you even bother with this post. If you go to a restaurant that is supposed to have a certain caliber of service and it doesn't, do you go oh ho hum my loss?<BR><BR>I just don't get some of you folks, especially this Paul guy. You treat your vacations like a crap shoot. That's acceptable? What is wrong with you folks. Your vacations are far and few and sometimes costly and it's okay if what you have paid for is not available? I have some AOL stock I would love to sell you (I am just certainly puzzled). If I was told a car was supposed to do certain things and it didn't I would return it or get a partial refund. What makes this any different?

<BR>OK Mr. xxxx, since you mentioned me I must ask you to please tell us all how to effectively handle cruise line complaints. We will be so grateful for your help since you know the industry so well.<BR><BR>Paul

First I would start by recommending no one listens to you.

To XXX,<BR><BR>I have called the cruise line, written a letter of complaint, and emailed a complaint. I may also write to Ombudsman. I have also filed a complaint with my travel agent. I am not sure what else to do. What do you suggest?<BR><BR>I wanted to post to make other travelers aware of some things I had found out on my trip so that maybe they would not encounter them.<BR><BR>I appreciate seeing feedback from other posters as well as warnings. I think others probably do as well.

I would start by filing a letter of complaint to the attorney generals office of consumer fraud in your particular state against the TA for misrepresentation.<BR><BR>The better business bureau is a waste of time. They are funded by most of these large corporations.<BR><BR>Follow this up with letters to all your local news & media.<BR><BR>Finally cc all these complaints to RCCl to show them you mean business, and will not be poo poo'ed away.<BR><BR>Keep every piece of paper and documentation.<BR><BR>And finally knowing the cruise industry is immaterial Paul. Knowing how to deal with large corporations is the point. And no one likes bad publicity.