On August 8 we received a post card in the mail that stated that "You havebeen selected to receive a complimentary8Day / 7 Night Cruise for 2, leaving from any major port in the U.S., including Los Angeles, CA." The post card went on to say "We have been tryint to contact you! (This IS NOT A TIME SHARE Or LAND SALE OFFER)"."CALL TOLL FREE: 1-855-336-5964"
I called the above telephone number and was informed that my wife and I must attend a short 90 presentation conducted by Worldwide Travel in Velencia, CA. We attended the sales presentation on August 29 and purchased an "Explorer Membership at a cost of $1,543.00. Along with the membership we received a letter requesting that we send $298.00 to Ultimate Executive Travel to register for our "complimentary" Cruise Certificate. On September 1 we sent, by a regestered return receipt, $298/00 to Ultimate Executive Travel. Approximatly a month later I recieved a letter from Ultimate Executive Travel stating that they had received the $298.00 and they were no requesting an additional $49.00 per person for processing fees along with the completed reservation form. On January 20 I completed the reservation processing form and sent another money order in the amount of $98.00. On the reservation processing form I was ask to complete two preferred salling dates with the port of departure, destination and length of cruise. On February 2 I called Ultimate Executive Travel to ensure that I had completed all of the requested information correctly and was informed the I had completed the reservation request form correctly and would be contacted regarding my request.
On March 13 I received a call from Ms. Terri (Last Name Unknown) stating that there would be a charge of an additional $1,185.00 for an entry-level inside cabin with upper and lower bunks and any additional requests would be at an added cost. I told the travel coodinator (Terri) that we just wanted the "Complementary package" as orginally promised. She stated that the only salings to Alaska from Seatale for the complemantary package were for the months of October, November and December. I as her what openings were available in October and she said that I need to give her an exact saling date before she could work on the request. I then called up a local travel agent and was informed that the only cruise ships sailing to Alaska were form May 8 through September 15. I called Terri back and informed her that there were no cruise to Alaska available in Octomber through April. She stated that may be we would like a 3 day cruise to Ensinada, Mexico or to the western Carabian. I then ask he how could we get a refund on our $348.00 and she said we needed to send a letter to their Accounting Office.
This has be an ordeal in false advertising. Now we are wondering about the $1543.00 we gave to Worldwide Travel.
Submitted by: Ron & Thea Hull
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