Point and Click

7/14/20091:17:55 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

I am an avid reader of a famous travel magazine and in its ombudsman column was this letter. I can not print the letter or read it word for word but let me give you the run down.

The reader complains:

I know I should use a travel agent but I am an experienced traveler and I know what I am doing so I like to book my travel on line.  I used this on-line agency and booked my 14 day trip on ......cruise line, They had a great price and I found the sailing I liked. I booked my trip and after receiving my confirmation was shocked to see that I did not have a confirmation number for my cruise, after calling the on line agency they had stated that the price that I booked was no longer available and the rate would be higher.  I was a little irritated but I let them book it any way. When I received my new booking I noticed that they had put me in a cabin with a port hole at the end of the ship. I then called customer service and was rudely told what did I expect for the price!  I then asked for the owner, After speaking to this very nice man he told me he would take care of it.  I then received a new confirmation number and found out that I received a better cabin so I thought.  I boarded my ship and went to my cabin, at this point I realized I was under the disco!  I tried to change my cabin but was unsuccessful.  I had a noisy cruise and when i called the on-line agency again this time the owner was as rude as his staff but gave me a $100.00 credit towards my next cruise with them.  I booked the following year with them again and ran into a similar problem, I pride my self on my knowledge of on-line booking and don't know how this happened.......

I know my opinion I s biased but with a real travel professional this could have all been avoided with person to person contact and the caring and knowledge of someone who has extensive knowledge of their product and a personal relationship with their client. you decide for your self.