Sunkissed Adventures will never charge you a cancellation, change, or processing fee. We don’t believe in charging hard working families extra money just to book with us or because they need to change their plans. Have I ever mentioned why I became a travel agent? Mostly because I am passionate about travel, but the secondary reason was because of one of the agencies listed at the end of this report. I won’t name names, but I will say that after my experience with this particular agency I felt scammed. Let me explain.
Over five years ago I went to book a cruise with my mom for our annual mother/daughter trip. I found a great price through an agency. It was listed lower than the cruise line’s website and offered some onboard credit. Score! The quote I was given had stated that it included all taxes and port fees. I contacted an agent at this company and said I wanted to place a deposit. The following day I received an invoice from them showing an entirely different price. It showed the same price that was advertised on the cruise line website. They had left the taxes off the previous day. When I disputed this with them I was told I was more than welcome to cancel, for a $75 fee!
Moral of the story… Make sure you get the FULL cost of the trip before placing a deposit and clarify the cancellation policy and fees assessed by the agency you are booking with. Keep in mind, websites are still considered agencies. So along with this lovely story here is a breakdown of some of the most common websites that people book through and their associated fees. We’re certainly not advertising for them, as we’d rather you book with us, a real live person who will work on your behalf to get the best trip possible without ripping you off.
BJs Wholesale Club
Cancellation Fee: $100 per reservation
Costco
Cancellation Fee: Undisclosed amount listed as “Administrative Fee”
Change Fee: $25 per change
Cruise.com/ CruisesOnly.com
Cancellation Fee: $100 per room reservation
Change Fee:
Cruises and More
Cancellation Fee: $75 per room/reservation
Change Fee: $75 per change
Processing Fee: $29 per reservation
Orbitz
Cancellation Fee: $75 per room/reservation
Change Fee: $50 per change.
Priceline
Cancellation Fee: $100
Change Fee: Undisclosed
Processing Fee: $24.99 (on all cruise reservations)
I certainly don’t have time to visit every travel web page out there. But I am sure you get the idea from the information I have provided here. Even though some of these sites seem like “great deals” they aren’t. You have to do your research. Be an informed consumer.
Over five years ago I went to book a cruise with my mom for our annual mother/daughter trip. I found a great price through an agency. It was listed lower than the cruise line’s website and offered some onboard credit. Score! The quote I was given had stated that it included all taxes and port fees. I contacted an agent at this company and said I wanted to place a deposit. The following day I received an invoice from them showing an entirely different price. It showed the same price that was advertised on the cruise line website. They had left the taxes off the previous day. When I disputed this with them I was told I was more than welcome to cancel, for a $75 fee!
Moral of the story… Make sure you get the FULL cost of the trip before placing a deposit and clarify the cancellation policy and fees assessed by the agency you are booking with. Keep in mind, websites are still considered agencies. So along with this lovely story here is a breakdown of some of the most common websites that people book through and their associated fees. We’re certainly not advertising for them, as we’d rather you book with us, a real live person who will work on your behalf to get the best trip possible without ripping you off.
BJs Wholesale Club
Cancellation Fee: $100 per reservation
Costco
Cancellation Fee: Undisclosed amount listed as “Administrative Fee”
Change Fee: $25 per change
Cruise.com/ CruisesOnly.com
Cancellation Fee: $100 per room reservation
Change Fee:
Cruises and More
Cancellation Fee: $75 per room/reservation
Change Fee: $75 per change
Processing Fee: $29 per reservation
Orbitz
Cancellation Fee: $75 per room/reservation
Change Fee: $50 per change.
Priceline
Cancellation Fee: $100
Change Fee: Undisclosed
Processing Fee: $24.99 (on all cruise reservations)
I certainly don’t have time to visit every travel web page out there. But I am sure you get the idea from the information I have provided here. Even though some of these sites seem like “great deals” they aren’t. You have to do your research. Be an informed consumer.
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