Consumers misunderstanding cruise offer and it’s rules, and later … Discovering “truths” ! Where does the problem lie ?

It only makes sense today, that so many folks are misunderstanding cruise line offers and not prepared for the rules that go along !   Even as a 25 year cruise specialist veteran, if I didn’t have the backing and additional insight from my own staff, I too, might find myself left hanging dry !

 

Where does this misunderstand/confusion lie ?

So many offers ?
So many rules ?
Is the cruise line mis-representing their offers ?

 

Just last week, while I was cruising, I overhear several folks and their complaints, saying …
The cruise line offer said …

·         FREE UPGRADES. I thought I would get them, once I got onboard.  REALLY !

·         FREE ONBOARD CREDIT UP TO $600.  Where’s mine ?  REALLY !

·         FREE DRINKS.  Why are you cutting me off ?  REALLY !

·         GRATUITIES INCLUDED.  REALLY !

 

And yes … I asked these folks … Did you buy your cruise on your own or with an agent ?
None had bought from an agent. REALLY ! (ooops, sorry)
 
Could it be, these folks …
Didn’t know the questions to ask when they bought ?
Or possibly … ‘Self’ interpreting the offer/rules ?

 

In reality, the 1^st issues lies in the ‘false advertisement/assumption’, that buying your cruise on your own is “so simple” !  Yep,  all you got to do is, call the cruise line or just buy online.

If so simple … Then WHY ???

·         So many consumer issues/complaints over mis-interpretation of offers and rules ?

·         Do we still have travel agents (cruise specialists) ?  Why do the cruise lines pay agents (specialists) to help the consumer ?  Guide the consumer ?  Protect the consumer (from themselves) ?  Why did I not hear any complaints from folks who bought from an agent ?

 

I’m not undermining the fact, that cruise line offers, may not be, “all” they seem to be !  Matter of fact, I agree !  And think folks might want to consider  hiring a "lawyer" before making their purchase !

Instead, I’m asking … How many times does it take for these folks to get burnt, before finally understand “where the problem” lies ?  It's buying on their own !

 

Sure, lots of folks buy on their own, over and over, and have no problems.  But maybe what they wanted or interpreted or 'that transaction' ... "Was simple".   Keep  in mind, this cruise may not be like the last nor like the next.  What you think today, is not necessarily the same rules for tomorrow !

Just today, I had a client call me, believing, what he saw online, might save him $34pp from his original cost.  Oh yeah, it did kind of look that way.  However, once I got  down to the ‘nitty-gritty’ with rules and more, he would owe another $24, with the cruise lines ‘new offer’ !  Had he bought on his own, and made this change on his own, he would have had to pay it !

Agents are here to help the consumer !  Even if it’s NOT … “What you want to hear” !

Consumers are better off ‘knowing the truths’, then show up to their cruise being oblivious to what they ‘think they bought’.  Do you not agree !

I'll ask you to call me for your next cruise (434/800) 237-3832 … And not be left …

·         Guessing

·         In confusion.

·         Paying more than you need to

·         Not receiving what you should

·         With the wrong type cabin or location

 

*      Tell you ... Even what you don't want to hear or like !

Or keep buying on your own, while staying angry, throughout your whole cruise (as I saw these folks last week) !

 

Next article ... May 25 ... See you then !