Travel agent error with Stay and Cruise package holiday

gmwill

Hi MSE Forum Members  

Last week we booked a Stay and Cruise holiday which was advertised by quite a well known travel agent. The package included all flights, a seven day stay in Zante followed by a seven day cruise from Piraeus (Athens Port). 

On receiving our confirmation we checked the timings and found that our flight from Zante to join the ship in Piraeus was scheduled to arrive at Athens Airport at 12.20pm.  Further investigations left us extremely concerned that check-in for our cruise was between 9 and 12, with the ship setting sail at 1pm. A taxi from Athens airport to Piraeus takes 40 minutes, so even if the flight is on time, we were more than likely to miss the ship.  

On reporting the problem (and their error) the travel agent has now suggested that we should transfer to Athens the day prior to our sailing, with a one night stay in that area in order to be able to join the ship on time the next day. This will obviously result in us losing one day of our holiday in Zante and the hassle of moving to another hotel for just a one night’s stay. 

We feel very annoyed that the agent made such a fundamental error with the advertised package which, if we hadn’t taken the time to investigate the timings ourselves, would have resulted in us (and maybe many others who have also booked this package) missing the ship. 

We’re unhappy with the alternative offered, as we feel that it is not now the holiday we thought we had booked, Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Caz3121

gmwill said:

We’re unhappy with the alternative offered, as we feel that it is not now the holiday we thought we had booked, Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. 

what resolution are you wanting? do you want to be able to cancel for refund...have you asked if that is possible?
Many of the Zante Cruise and Stay options include 6 or 7 nights Zante then one night Athens before joining ship. I find it too stressful to plan to arrive somewhere on day of sailing so would always want to be there the day before at least. When packing up in Zante use hand luggage for the majority items you may need in Athens and put toiletries at top of main suitcase so no need to fully unpack.

gmwill

HI Caz

Thank you for your reply. 

We have asked if we could transfer our payment to another holiday but the travel agent won’t allow this as they say that they have offered a suitable alternative. So I guess we are just going to have to accept this or lose our money. 

Interesting to note that, after we alerted them to the error, the agent has changed the package on offer to six nights Zante, one night Athens before joining the ship which is what you have experienced in the past!

Would be interested to hear how you found this holiday as you have obviously done it several times 😊

NoodleDoodleMan

I'd be tempted to consider accepting their "solution" reluctantly and advise them that you reserve the right to complain and seek compensation in due course - as they have created an unrealistic timetable of flights etc. in order for you to join the ship.....keeping a paper trail of all correspondence of course.

I have no idea if that might be a workable scenario - I'm sure the resident sources of knowledge can offer an opinion.

I would omit any reference to other passengers possibly being in danger of missing the sailing departure - that's irrelevant to your case.

Westin

You have not mentioned the date but have you check to see if there actually is an earlier flight ZTH ATH on the cruise day?   If not then I think your only option would be the option put to you by the agent, travelling the day prior.