Thanks for the great tips, as I take the travel addiction beyond where commercial flights can get me this will be important.
Any operators you have had good experiences or all case by case?
Regards,
Stefan
Karin Sinniger said:
Stefan: if the boat has a problem you want your money back. You may be lucky to deal with a reliable agency that will do this, but not all are. For example, when my trip to the Titanic was cancelled because the Russian boat operators decided they needed a permit that was impossible for the trip operator to get in time, I was luck my agency refunded me. Other agencies didn't and this left their customers out of pocket for a lot of money. Had my agency not refunded me, because I used a credit card to book, I would have got my money back. I had to pay credit card usage fees, but I consider this an insurance cost I am happy to pay.
I didn't do the WANT trip because they wouldn't accept credit cards or put the funds customers sent into an escrow account at a bank that would require customers to agree to the removal of the funds in that account to pay for the trip.
I am going on the Bouvet trip leaving March 24th because the tour operator and agency I have booked through did allow payment by card.
If you simply MUST book with an operator that refuses to let you use credit cards or put your money in a segregated account, then don't book until they have sent you the permits and try not to send any money until right before the trip is due to leave (minimizing chances for something to go wrong). Sure you run the risk that the boat will be full, but better to be on the next trip than lose money.
Thanks for the great tips, as I take the travel addiction beyond where commercial flights can get me this will be important.
Any operators you have had good experiences or all case by case?
Regards,
Stefan
Karin Sinniger said:
Stefan: if the boat has a problem you want your money back. You may be lucky to deal with a reliable agency that will do this, but not all are. For example, when my trip to the Titanic was cancelled because the Russian boat operators decided they needed a permit that was impossible for the trip operator to get in time, I was luck my agency refunded me. Other agencies didn't and this left their customers out of pocket for a lot of money. Had my agency not refunded me, because I used a credit card to book, I would have got my money back. I had to pay credit card usage fees, but I consider this an insurance cost I am happy to pay.
I didn't do the WANT trip because they wouldn't accept credit cards or put the funds customers sent into an escrow account at a bank that would require customers to agree to the removal of the funds in that account to pay for the trip.
I am going on the Bouvet trip leaving March 24th because the tour operator and agency I have booked through did allow payment by card.
If you simply MUST book with an operator that refuses to let you use credit cards or put your money in a segregated account, then don't book until they have sent you the permits and try not to send any money until right before the trip is due to leave (minimizing chances for something to go wrong). Sure you run the risk that the boat will be full, but better to be on the next trip than lose money.
Stefan: if the boat has a problem you want your money back. You may be lucky to deal with a reliable agency that will do this, but not all are. For example, when my trip to the Titanic was cancelled because the Russian boat operators decided they needed a permit that was impossible for the trip operator to get in time, I was luck my agency refunded me. Other agencies didn't and this left their customers out of pocket for a lot of money. Had my agency not refunded me, because I used a credit card to book, I would have got my money back. I had to pay credit card usage fees, but I consider this an insurance cost I am happy to pay.
I didn't do the WANT trip because they wouldn't accept credit cards or put the funds customers sent into an escrow account at a bank that would require customers to agree to the removal of the funds in that account to pay for the trip.
I am going on the Bouvet trip leaving March 24th because the tour operator and agency I have booked through did allow payment by card.
If you simply MUST book with an operator that refuses to let you use credit cards or put your money in a segregated account, then don't book until they have sent you the permits and try not to send any money until right before the trip is due to leave (minimizing chances for something to go wrong). Sure you run the risk that the boat will be full, but better to be on the next trip than lose money.
I have never done any of these big ticket cruises, could you expand on your comments about the protections and best practices from these?
Karin Sinniger said:
Note WANT won't accept credit card payments and doesn't have an escrow system for deposits--simply a "seggregated account at their bank." I was interested in this trip until they confirmed this to me today. It's simply too much money to risk losing given the lack of protections. Karin
Note WANT won't accept credit card payments and doesn't have an escrow system for deposits--simply a "seggregated account at their bank." I was interested in this trip until they confirmed this to me today. It's simply too much money to risk losing given the lack of protections. Karin
Replies
Karin I will be on that voyage i hope to meet you
Stefan Krasowski said:
Karin,
Thanks for the great tips, as I take the travel addiction beyond where commercial flights can get me this will be important.
Any operators you have had good experiences or all case by case?
Regards,
Stefan
Karin Sinniger said:
Stefan: if the boat has a problem you want your money back. You may be lucky to deal with a reliable agency that will do this, but not all are. For example, when my trip to the Titanic was cancelled because the Russian boat operators decided they needed a permit that was impossible for the trip operator to get in time, I was luck my agency refunded me. Other agencies didn't and this left their customers out of pocket for a lot of money. Had my agency not refunded me, because I used a credit card to book, I would have got my money back. I had to pay credit card usage fees, but I consider this an insurance cost I am happy to pay.
I didn't do the WANT trip because they wouldn't accept credit cards or put the funds customers sent into an escrow account at a bank that would require customers to agree to the removal of the funds in that account to pay for the trip.
I am going on the Bouvet trip leaving March 24th because the tour operator and agency I have booked through did allow payment by card.
If you simply MUST book with an operator that refuses to let you use credit cards or put your money in a segregated account, then don't book until they have sent you the permits and try not to send any money until right before the trip is due to leave (minimizing chances for something to go wrong). Sure you run the risk that the boat will be full, but better to be on the next trip than lose money.
I have never done any of these big ticket cruises, could you expand on your comments about the protections and best practices from these?
Karin Sinniger said:
I leave for Bouvet March 24, 2015 and I have been to several Capes around the world
I alawys travel in luxury anyways!
Note WANT won't accept credit card payments and doesn't have an escrow system for deposits--simply a "seggregated account at their bank." I was interested in this trip until they confirmed this to me today. It's simply too much money to risk losing given the lack of protections. Karin