Travel Agent Scam

[Suzanne T]

First off I will say this was the first time trying to go on a cruise which is why I used a travel agent because I was clueless. May of 2022 I hired a travel agent, Kenneth Madden owner of KRM Vacation and Travel in Searcy, Arkansas to book a cruise for my mom as a gift for her 70th birthday. My mom has been fighting cancer and we thought a cruise would be a good option where we could all spend time with her and she could do everything with us since there is so much to do on the ships. He proposed a 5 day cruise on Allure of the Seas out of Galveston with two stops. There were 16 of us booked. He was paid in full by July 2022. I had asked him about all the travel documents, he said he would print off everything for us and get it to me a few days before we were leaving. He called me 5 days before our departure day and said Royal Caribbean booked the wrong cruise for us and they will not fix it and make it right. I was in shock. He kept telling me there was nothing he could do. He said his sales rep and RC messed everything up. After contacting RC to see what to do, all they kept asking me for was booking information. I told them I do not have any of that I used a travel agent. They said there was nothing they could do for me. I started asking the travel agent for the booking information. First he was telling me he would have to find it all and get it all together, then he started telling me there is not booking information because it was a group booking. I called RC Group sales and they also asked for booking information and again I explained the situation, they said would you like to three way call him so we can ask for the information, I said that would be great. So we did and he said I am moving on and hung up on us. Still the RC said they could not help me without that information. They did ask for a few names of people that were going and did look at past, present, future and canceled bookings and told me there were no bookings with any of our information on them. He did not book the cruise. I was so upset at this point because he took all that money from me, had us plan this entire trip for 9 months and lied to me the entire time. I have gotten all of my money back but that does not fix this. To rebook this trip the earliest would be May of this year when all 16 people could clear their schedules and it would cost almost double since last year when it was done. May did not give us the rooms that we wanted either. I truly feel like he is a professional scam artist. I have contacted the attorney general because he really should have some type of repercussions for this. The reality is we may not be able to rebook this trip while my mom is in good enough health to go. Any advice would be appreciated on what to do next. 

[Keanoknick]

So sorry this happened to you.  I hope you and your family are able to find a way to go on and enjoy the type of cruise you originally planned on.

[samcanadian]

Best to leave a review on their Google page.  I'm glad you got your money back, but sorry that you're missing out on your vacation.

 

Google page HERE

[Xaa]

Sorry for your experience @Suzanne T.  That's heartless.  He clearly made the mistake and tried to blame the cruise line.  I am glad that the money was refunded back to you and I certainly understand how there is still palpable loss.

[Suzanne T]

39 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

So you are saying the travel agency washed their hands of the responsibility and refuse to fix the issue or refund you?

I have gotten all the money back that I gave him. He still refuses to give me and RC the booking information so RC could try and help me get a cruise rebooked and said there was nothing he could do and he was moving on. What I have found out which he will still not admit to is that there was no bookings for my family which is why he refuses to give me any documentation because there is none to give.  

[AshleyDillo]

1 hour ago, Suzanne T said:

Any advice would be appreciated on what to do next. 

Only advice I could give would be to work with a reputable TA to see if you can't plan something. This site is sponsored by MEI Travel and they have agents who can shop for the cruise you are looking for.  I know you have been burned before, but a good TA is invaluable for this type of planning and coordination.

[WAYNO]

You are lucky.  In spite of a failed cruise, you got your money back.  That sounds more like an irresponsible or unscrupulous travel agent than a scam. 

 

And that's much of why I never use a travel agent.  An irresponsible employee of an otherwise decent travel agency, or an unscrupulous or irresponsible travel agency itself... the results are the same.  Unless I'm on top of everything myself, I'm not comfortable. 

[bigmoose7563]

I truly understand being upset over the whole situation and I understand that this TA messed up big time by never booking the cruise and won't take the responsibility. I'm just trying to understand that if the money was refunded then what exactly was the endgame to the "scam". Or is this just a term being used from being upset with the situation. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

@Suzanne Tvery sorry to hear about this horrible experience.  Very glad to hear that you got your money back !

This won’t help you now, but if you decide to try again, be sure that when you pay some or all of your cruise fare, it goes directly to the cruise line rather than any payment going to the Agency itself.  In other words, you credit card charge should say “Royal Caribbean” (or whatever cruise line you book).  The charge should never show the sale going through the Agency.  Even though I use a travel agent 90% of the time, my charges always come through Royal Caribbean.  Better luck next time !

[Linda R]

My travel agent sends me the reservation confirmation the day it is booked.  You should get it right away.  I was scammed once, about 35 years ago and did not get any money back.  Also lost airfares and hotel.  I have now had the same travel agent for about 30 years.  They are worth their weight in gold!  She has saved me thousands over the years.   Sorry this happened to you and do not get discouraged using a travel agent in the future.

[Suzanne T]

50 minutes ago, bigmoose7563 said:

I truly understand being upset over the whole situation and I understand that this TA messed up big time by never booking the cruise and won't take the responsibility. I'm just trying to understand that if the money was refunded then what exactly was the endgame to the "scam". Or is this just a term being used from being upset with the situation. 

The scam in my opinion is he took my money and lied all the way up until he had to come up with a different lie to cover that lie. I feel like he took advantage of me not knowing anything about booking a cruise. He sold me a product that I feel he had no intention of delivering. Personally, his dishonesty is why I feel like he is a scammer. 

[Neesa]

I'm so happy you recouped the monies. How disgusting this human took advantage of you and your situation, I understand it will be hard to trust again. The good news is you are here, on this site. We will do everything we can to turn this around for you if you can have faith and allow us. 

Please go to the home page and fill out that yellow form. MEI travel not only sponsors but takes an active part in our conversations here. You will be matched with a reputable agent, one who has compassion and has proven themselves or they don't represent that company. 

It's a great idea, cruising is special, quality time with the ones you love is something that must be put on the front burner. When you meet your TA (they will contact you shortly after you submit during business hours I use [email protected].  @Sharla) they will do their best to understand your specific situation.

Given your criteria the MEI TA may previously have a group booking known to them or manage to create something so wonderful you will have renewed faith. You were not meant to work with that ugly person, please don't give up. 

And like previous posters have opined, your reservation confirmation comes right away, book that sailing and don't pay the entire balance until it's due date that way you will be able to take advantage of price decreases and favorable promotions. 

Please don't let that jerk take away your joy, do what feels right in your heart.

[Ampurp85]

The good thing is you received your money back. The sucky thing is your vacation was ruined. It sucks because this unscrupulous person never made a booking. Had they, Royal could have tried to make things work. The current prices are much higher than they would have been booked last year. I wish you the best luck and welcome to the boards.

[mikeMTL]

I used Harr Travel for my first cruise a week ago and went off without at hitch, very pleased

[Blulady]

I am so very sorry this has happened and I hope you contacted police to file fraud charges.

 

For our first cruise, we used a local TA and the results were lackluster, but thankfully not disastrous (he charged us $20 booking fee - I've since learned there should never be a booking fee.)  We now use Michelle Cunningham w/ MEI Travel and she is wonderful.  Like others who have been posting, I agree - MEI will take very good care of you.  Harr Travel is incredibly reputable as well.

 

Best wishes and big hugs!  You deserve so much better than what you received.