cpayne

You do have the right to switch from TA to non TA/CCL direct.  However, the TA would have to request it and "release" the booking.  I don't believe you can just call CCL and say you no longer want to work with your TA and ask to have them removed.  That's the problem we are running in to.  Our TA no longer exists, but CCL doesn't have a TA to call and tell them to release our booking so we can make changes directly with CCl.  

Our saga continues......

9 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

 

If your TA is out of business there is no way for your card to be charged is there? Since Carnival is not the agent of record but you could still lose your deposits if not canceled by file payment date.

One would think, but I believe the charge for the deposit came through on my card as CCL so assume they could also make the final payment?   

17 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

If you paid the travel agency with a credit card, then you can contact that bank, credit union, etc.

David

Ultimately that's exactly why I"m not worried about getting my deposit back.  Worst case scenario the credit card will "cover us".  What I'd prefer to not have happen, though, is we reach final payment date, cruise still hasn't been cancelled and we get charged the full price of the cruise.  That's just more we have to fight with either CCL or the credit card company.  

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

If she opens a dispute it's against carnival. The payment went to carnival, not the agent so carnival is the one who is the merchant

 

You need to escalate this, start asking for supervisors, not saying ok, I'll wait 4 or 5 weeks. Ask for a supervisor, if that doesnt work ask for their supervisor etc. Dont be so nice about it. Push 

 Trust me I have!  Sat was my 5th phone call and each lasting 1 hr+.  The resolution dept I was told is only open M-F so Sat was merely yet another wasted hour of my life.....

6 minutes ago, Purvis1231 said:

If they are incorporated there should be a lawyers name listed that you could contact. 

The problem is CCL won’t take my word for it that the TA is out of business.  Me contacting the lawyers won’t do any good. CCL supposedly has to complete their own investigation. 🤔

CCL has record of our booking and deposit paid so they were legit.    

2 hours ago, coevan said:

but CCL has your deposit and booking #, correct? 

Yes they have confirmed this.   

We are in the same predicament.  Agency no longer exists.  Website taken down.  3 phone numbers no longer working #’s.  Emails returned as undeliverable.  Our issue is we need to cancel the cruise and CCL won’t allow it.  (5) 1 hr+ phone calls and just this last call did I get CCL to even try to take action.  Assuming CCL does what they say they will (not holding out hopes based on my other calls) CCL will now begin an investigation to determine if the agency truly is closed.  Minimum of 3-4 wks.  They said their investigation will include sending a live representative of CCL to the physical address of the agency in an attempt to verify they are closed.  Seems a bit wasteful and extreme on CCL’s part.  Not to mention it’s yet at least 3-4 more weeks they get to unfairly hold my money.   To be cont....

Discovered our travel agent no longer exists.  3 non working phone numbers, email returned as non-deliverable and website has disappeared from cyber space.  We need to cancel our Oct 31 cruise (non Covid related reasons).   Carnival won't allow us to cancel through them because the reservation was booked through a TA.  5 phone calls this week and still does not appear to be any closer to having this resolved.  The latest hour long phone call I was told it will take a minimum of 3-4 weeks for CCL to "investigate" including CCL will send a company representative to the physical address they have on file for the TA to ensure they do not exist.  ?!?!  Assuming my 5th phone call actually got someone to do something towards resolving this scenario (not holding out hopes based on my 4 other wasted calls) that's another 4 weeks at minimum that CCL will hold on to my $.  I certainly appreciate CCL respecting their relationships with TA's.  However, this seems to be a bit extreme or perhaps there's more that I don't know?  

Anyone have any experience with this?   Any ideas?  Any suggestions?  

Please do not turn this thread in to a discussion of the importance of using a trusted TA, etc.......  Companies can and do go out of business.  These are unprecedented times we live in currently and unfortunately many businesses have fallen victim to circumstances.  Even choosing the best TA could land someone in this situation.  

Thanks. 

I met my spouse on a CCL cruise March 28, 1997.  Sailed Carnival Celebration solo as a single 25 yr old.  Met him the 1st nt at dinner.  I had only been on the ship 30 min due to flt delays.  Was assigned to his table in the MDR. He was 36 and also traveling solo.   Neither of us had ever been married and he more than I was a 110% confirmed bachelor.   Well 5 wks later he proposed, the following week he moved from Dallas to Iowa to be together and we were married 6 months later.  23 yrs later and he’s the only vacation souvenir that’s not eventually ended up in a garage sale!   

1 hour ago, jam19872016 said:

 

Like does he have a car? Oh wait, that's not what you meant is it 🙂 I'm about to post some more of my review 😁

 

 

Thanks for following along. Enjoy your cruise!

That’s exactly the song I was thinking of when I posted that!  My all time fav movie!!

Tell me more.....tell me more....

Glad you enjoyed it so much!  Now I’m hungry, though!   😂

My apologies....it's the Juliana Bridge in Curacao and not the Julianne. 

 We are working on planning our excursions and wanted to share this option for Curacao on Wed, Nov 4 in the off chance anyone else is interested.....

Rappelling from the Julianne Bridge in Curacao!  

The Julianne Bridge is the highest/tallest bridge in the Caribbean and definitely a tourist attraction for Curacao.  We spent 10 days in Curacao in 2018.  The day before our departure we discovered the option to rappel from the bridge, but was too late to arrange due to city permits, etc which are required.  One of the reasons we booked our Halloween 2020 cruise was in order to return to Curacao and rappel the bridge.  

The tour is run by a local police officer from Curacao.  I have been in contact with him and have secured Wed, Nov 4.  If anyone is crazy enough and would like to join us please let me know.  Not likely, but just in case anyone other adrenaline junkie is interested.....  🙂  

Correction....RinCon is Q30.  Approx $4.  Need local $$.  Not US $. 

Correction....RinCon is Q30 which is approx $4.  Need local money though.  No US $. 

Is there an easy way to find all cruises currently calling on ports in Guatemala other than going to each cruise lines individual pages?  

Download the Antigua offline map from google maps prior to your departure. Works with no internet connection and will help you find your way around.  In Central Park there always seemed to be people offering walking tours if you decide to. Not sure how much?  Do your research on Trip Advisor before you go to know what you want to see/do in order to maximize your time. 

Download the Antigua google maps offline version before your departure.  Works with no WiFi connection. Will help you find RinCon!

Top is the chicken plate and bottom is the vegetarian plate. 

We are in Antigua currently for a land vacation. The best restaurant recommendation came from a local.  Rincon Tipico!   For Q50-55 you get your meat ( Chicken most common), boiled potatoes, salad, tortillas and a local non alcoholic drink with free refills.  They also offered a vegetarian plate that was more than I could possibly eat. Couldn’t ask for a more authentic experience beginning with when you walk in the door and the ladies are making your fresh tortillas in the entry way. 

You will need local currency.  Q50 is approx $6.50. 

Download google maps offline version before your departure.  This will work when you are in Antigua with no WiFi. Will get you where you need to go for some good Guatemalan food! 

On 2/8/2015 at 7:17 AM, MVPinBoynton said:

 

Was the panoramic view location at the Hill of the Cross? If so, as of November 2014, it is not recommended that tourists go there anymore due to high incidence of crime against tourists. It did look like it would be a great place for photos of the Antigua area. The below photos show the area I am talking about from town and then close up with a telephoto lens shot.

 

 

This is the Cerro de la Cruz area. We hiked to the top this wk. You can also hire a tuk tuk.  Standard rate for tuk tuk is Q10 total (not per person) each way.   In all my research preparing for this trip I did not see anything current warning tourists to not hike this area. Well worth doing! 

I would think Antigua would be a better option for a cruise ship day tour.  The logistics of getting to the lake could be more time consuming and you only have limited time when visiting by cruise vs land. 

Just hiked it.  We are in good shape, but many others who a were not.   You can go slow, take breaks, etc.    You don’t have to be in shape to do this!  If you have bad knees or mobility issues in general it will be difficult.  It’s worth doing and ride a horse up if needed!  

The weather will determine what you do and don’t see.  Morning tours are typically better visibility particularly this time of year.  We saw rocks spewing from the top of the volcano, lava flowing down the side and lava rock slides.