I am reviewing the travel agent side of this business…read more
I did not have a good experience using them as travel advisors. Admittedly they suggested good bars and restaurants, but aside from that, using them to book my 40th birthday trip was nothing like I had hoped.
Communication was sparse and unclear.
There were some extenuating circumstances that resulted in my agent having to change, and I was fully amenable to that and understood. But it was weeks of no contact, no confirmations, no forward progress or word on the status of my trip before this transfer of agents happened. This weeks-long delay resulted in higher flight costs and (as and I only found out today) the ONE excursion I was clear I really wanted to do, not being booked. And it was not even communicated that it was not booked. I requested they book me a train ride experience, but what was booked was a tour to watch the train go by. Not to ride it. I did not find out until the day-of that this was the case.
Huge disappointment.
But so many other things were wrong, in addition to this.
The intinerary provided me cannot be trusted AT ALL.
Examples - itinerary for first hotel said breakfast was bundled into the rate (I requested it to be,) but once I arrive I was informed at check-in that no, it was not booked to include breakfast.
The second hotel on our itinerary said it was on Princes Street. But no, we walk there and find we have no reservation there. Turns out I am actually booked at their location on York Street.
My city/hotel transfer day was booked to take place on my birthday, which I initially questioned, but ultimately accepted and did not ask them to change it, so I cannot knock them there - Only myself, for accepting this timeline. But the hotel location confusion resulted in a less than enjoyable birthday overall.
They DID book my birthday dinner at a great restaurant, and THAT confirmation on the internet was actually correct. Giving credit where credit is due.
Today was a Jacobite train disappointment.
Next, our itinerary says our tour for tomorrow is "CONFIRMED" for 9:30am. But after all these prior inaccuracies I made sure to look ahead and open the tour ticket tonight - just in case - and see no, it's actually scheduled at 12:15pm.
This is the first time we've ever used a travel agent. I'm still on this trip, and am beyond done with this so-called intinerary they've provided. I cannot trust anything it says. I have to confirm everything myself, directly from the source.
Maybe that's on me, being naive and trusting want the agent tells me. I thought I could. If I can't, why do travel agents even exist?
Basically all I paid for was a years worth of access to travel stress, confusion, miscommunication, apologies, and a few dining recommendations I likely could have just gotten from Google for free.
My husband has two other international trips later this year we initially thought would go through Voyage by Wren, but after this experience he will be booking it all on his own instead.
I recommend planning your trips yourselves before trying to plan anything special with Voyage by Wren
