I purchased a holiday package over the phone US$598 (BIG mistake) it seemed quite attractive as the sales person said it consisted of 5 nights in Calypso Cay Orlando, 2 nights in Daytona, nights at Cancun, Mexico and South Florida and a 2 night Bahamas cruise on Imperial Majesty's, Regal Empress with the proviso my wife and myself attend a 90 minute presentation about time share resorts while staying in Orlando.
The Paper work took about 6 weeks to arrive and when it did finally arrive there were forms to fill in for Cancun, Bahamas, South Florida, Daytona and Orlando but the letter stating Details of Package only included Bahamas, Daytona and Orlando.
My Wife rang customer service to try and sort out what we were entitled to and spoke to a guy Miguel who seemed confused as well and promised he would get someone to ring us. No-one rang or answered our many e mails so again my wife rang and was told by Lisset (from customer service) that we could book 5 nights in Orlando, 2nights in Daytona and if we paid another $398 Port taxes we could go on the Bahamas Cruise.
This was a shock I told her we didn't know there was more to pay and she said to read Terms and Conditions which we did with a magnifying glass as the typing was so small. The only mention of taxes was hotel taxes not included. On ringing again she played a tape with my voice saying "I agree" to all sorts of things which I certainly don't recall saying other than agreeing to the basic package.
Anyway $398 seemed an incredible amount for port taxes on a 2 night cruise so I logged onto the website for the Regal Empress and discovered the base price for this cruise is $358 for 2 people INCLUDING port taxes. I rang Amerisuites once more and spoke to supervisor Ms Michele Jasa and asked why they were charging $398 and claiming this is for Port Taxes when it is obviously the cost of the whole cruise. She stated that $398 had to be paid for Port Taxes... And hung up on me.
Well I really do feel ripped off. The cruise is obviously a marketing tool and you end up paying for it.
I have filed a complaint with Consumer Services for the State of Florida. After checking the statues for Telemarketing and Sellers of Travel I believe Amerisuites Vacation Club are in breach of regulations. They are telling 1/2 truths at best and hiding actual costs in terms and conditions that are ambiguous and too small to read. When you pay $598 for this so called "great deal" you certainly don't expect another cost of $398 disguised as Port Taxes.
Apparently they are targeting Australians thinking we are too far away to be able to anything about their dodgy deals.
Heather
Melbourne
Australia
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