cruisefam86 Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 Starting to get worried. This is why I usually like to be in control of my own stuff. Every other time I have email with anything/make a payment he has responded with in a few hours. Today is our final payment date. I emailed him at 9:50am and still no response. So I called. Voicemail over and over saying he’s either on the other line or out of the office. How do I make my payment around my travel agent so my trip won’t be canceled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter D Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 Maybe contact the Agency rather than the agent? cmich068, Reigert2008, Ryan79 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 Any travel agent I’ve dealt with does final payment 2 weeks before it’s due, to avoid issues. I’m sure the issues involve chasing people for payment, them going on their own vacations etc. perhaps as stated call the agency, if there is one, if not call Royal and appeal for a supervisor? I know Royal won’t touch a booking done with a travel agent, I wonder if they’ll make an exception. Sharla, cmich068 and RCIfan1912 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reigert2008 Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 9 minutes ago, cruisefam86 said: Starting to get worried. This is why I usually like to be in control of my own stuff. Every other time I have email with anything/make a payment he has responded with in a few hours. Today is our final payment date. I emailed him at 9:50am and still no response. So I called. Voicemail over and over saying he’s either on the other line or out of the office. How do I make my payment around my travel agent so my trip won’t be canceled? Sorry you are going through this. I wouldn't write off travel agents as a whole because of it. A good travel agent will have a backup person if they are out of the office and generally contact you several days before final payment to arrange for payment. I would recommend that you call the agency directly and have someone at the agency assist in getting your payment taken care of. Remember, travel agents can do much more than just book and take payments. They can also offer invaluable advice and suggestions when needed. They also are critical should there be a major issue, much like the pandemic. If this is a "one off" you may be fine, but if you have had other issues, I would recommend that you start looking for another agency to represent your interests. You've probably seen it on here before, but many of us use MEI-Travel and i have nothing but good experiences with our agent. Good Luck! PPPJJ-GCVAB and Baked Alaska 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisefam86 Posted December 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 5 minutes ago, Pattycruise said: Any travel agent I’ve dealt with does final payment 2 weeks before it’s due, to avoid issues. I’m sure the issues involve chasing people for payment, them going on their own vacations etc. perhaps as stated call the agency, if there is one, if not call Royal and appeal for a supervisor? I know Royal won’t touch a booking done with a travel agent, I wonder if they’ll make an exception. Thanks! I was so worried and after you said this I went back and looked at my invoice from when we booked on the ship and it had a due date of Dec 18. So he has given himself a 10 day buffer! I was having a mini heart attack! We are in a CLS for a price that will never be seen again! PPPJJ-GCVAB, KristiZ, Vancity Cruiser and 7 others 8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 2 hours ago, cruisefam86 said: Thanks! I was so worried and after you said this I went back and looked at my invoice from when we booked on the ship and it had a due date of Dec 18. So he has given himself a 10 day buffer! I was having a mini heart attack! We are in a CLS for a price that will never be seen again! Glad to hear this! It goes without saying that you need to keep after the agent in this case, but I'm sure it will work out. PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 42 minutes ago, steverk said: Glad to hear this! It goes without saying that you need to keep after the agent in this case, but I'm sure it will work out. Unless the Agent is planning on throwing away all of his/her hard work ! …if final payment isn’t made, his/her commission goes ~~POOF~~ PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisefam86 Posted December 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 He finally responded and posted payment! His power went out. I feel bad I went a little crazy. But when you have that chance of your cruise being cancelled it’s makes you a little crazy! Pattycruise, jbrinkm, RCIfan1912 and 6 others 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 24 minutes ago, cruisefam86 said: He finally responded and posted payment! His power went out. I feel bad I went a little crazy. But when you have that chance of your cruise being cancelled it’s makes you a little crazy! Don't worry. Travel agent final payment panic is a real thing, even with plenty of buffer. RCIfan1912 and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingSteve Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 1 hour ago, cruisefam86 said: He finally responded and posted payment! His power went out. I feel bad I went a little crazy. But when you have that chance of your cruise being cancelled it’s makes you a little crazy! I own a small business and have an app on my phone that rings both the biz line and my cell phone app at the same time on every incoming call. Sounds like someone is behind the times on technology. What's going to happen if the agent is on a 7 night cruise and a client needs the agent right away with a problem? Not saying your agent isn't good but I use one that works for a company with multiple travel agents so if I need someone in an emergency situation, someone else can help me. I also have my agents cell phone number and I know he buys the internet package for every cruise so he is reachable. PPPJJ-GCVAB and WAYNO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 3 hours ago, cruisefam86 said: He finally responded and posted payment! His power went out. I feel bad I went a little crazy. But when you have that chance of your cruise being cancelled it’s makes you a little crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 9 hours ago, cruisefam86 said: He finally responded and posted payment! His power went out. I feel bad I went a little crazy. But when you have that chance of your cruise being cancelled it’s makes you a little crazy! Totally understandable, but you can see even in this situation he came through within hours and his built in 10 day cushion on final payment was protecting you the entire time. You're going to have a great time! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharla Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 I always tell clients final payment date is several days before it's actually due. Because anything can happen on either end. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 We always just keep on final payment and do it 2-5 days before. Never had an issue. Definitely don't wait till the last day that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted December 9, 2023 Report Share Posted December 9, 2023 My MEI agent checks in about 10 days prior to confirm credit card info and does the payment. USCG Teacher and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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