I live in Ohio. I am just offering what information and my experience I know so far about this company. There was a message on my answering machine from Diamond Holidays Travel Agency, located in Clearwater, Fl. The man mentioned how I entered a contest at my local shopping mall for a chance to win a new car.
He said I didn't win the new car, but I won a secondary prize of a trip for two to the Bahamas. He left a confirmation code and phone number. I called the number he left.
It was a recorded message saying all the details about what I had won. It said I had to pay $77.50 per person for admin fees, and $99.00 per person for port taxes and fees. It also stated I had the option to pass this off to a friend or family member, and I had up to 1 year to take the trip.
The catch being I had only 4 days to pay the admin fee for one person to "make a reservation". Then I would have 30 days after that to pay the other admin fee. I feel they force people into the 4 day admin fee so that the person has to a credit card or check by phone. Which leaves the company open to make charges on your account at any time. Thats kind of alot to ask out of someone you never met, who your trying to supposedly trying to give away a free cruise to.
At the end of the taped message it says that cruise lines do these contests to fill their cruise ships with passengers. Hense there being customers for their gift shops and casinos aboard the ship.
The recorded message then left another telephone number where I could talk to a real person. So I called, and spoke with a woman who was very polite. I inquired about the details again, she reiterated what I had already heard on the taped message.
I asked her "Did I really win a contest?" She said "Well, its a PROMOTIONAL offer from the cruise line. They need to fill their ship with passengers. So that they have people to go to their casinos, gift shop, and tour the Island. I asked her why they only ive you 4 days to make a decision, and that it kind of forces someone to make the payment over the phone.
She said "We have to fill the rooms on the ship asap, and make all the other reservations in advance." I guess that made a little bit of sense, but I still didn't like giving out my personal info over the phone. They should atleast give you 7 business days to give enough time for a mailed payment to arrive.
I did call back a few more times, and every person I spoke with was soft spoken and polite. Each time I was asking for info about their company, and every person was willing to give me their company address, and email. I am hesitent as to whether or not I will do this.
Aside from the fees already stated above, everything else is paid for for the 4 day 3 night trip. Hotel accomodations, and all meals aboard the ship are supposedly included. It doesn't seem like a bad deal, but I don't know if I will do it.
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