Travel agent refusing to refund

Rocket_Scientist

First of all, my thoughts are with the people of Israel who are suffering so much. 

We booked a package of flights, hotel and a cruise with a UK ABTA travel agent. The cruise line have changed the cruise from Israel, Egypt and the Med to just the Med. Out of a 10 day cruise, only one original port remains. 

Now of course I get this. But I now have a holiday which bears no resemblance to what I booked. And I would never have booked the new itinerary as we have been there before. We also paid a premium for the original itinerary. 

Now my TA is refusing to do anything as the cruise line say this is a ‘minor change’. 

Surely as my contract is with the UK travel agent I am entitled to a full refund? If anyone knows anything about UK travel industry law I’d be very grateful. We are under time pressure as we have less than a week to resolve this. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Might this be an insurance situation?  Have you spoken to your insurer?

TELLIT01

I'm not sure, but presumably a travel agent is precisely that  an 'agent' acting on behalf of the tour operator and your contract is with the tour operator, not the travel agent.

eskbanker

Rocket_Scientist said:

the cruise line say this is a ‘minor change’

What do their terms say about itinerary changes?

Rocket_Scientist

The travel agent is the tour operator intheir T&Cs, 

Westin

Are you travelling imminently?

The name of the travel provider and the cruise line might be useful to post so others can look at t+c’s.

Rocket_Scientist

I’m travelling with Celebrity. The TA is Iglu, who are the tour operator as I have booked flights and a hotel as a package with them. 

Although in their T&Cs they can do this, and alter the itinerary, UK law says they cannot without offering a refund. 
Iglu are refusing to refund or rebook.
The citizens advise say I am entitled to a refund, but as I am going on Saturday, there is no time to sort this out. I’ve just spent 90 minutes on the phone and Iglu just say no. It’s so frustrating. 

silvercar

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2808979-celebrity-apex-–-october-16-26-2023-–-10-night-israel-egypt-and-med/page/34/

Lots of discussion on there. Some saying that celebrity are offering the option to rebook another cruise at on other time.