Unfortunately, I am here to describe the traumatic experience, and financial loses caused by poor operation of this company. I want to warn you: NEVER BOOK ANYTHING with EXPEDIA CRUISES in STATEN ISLAND!!!! You can read y story below:
I was looking for a cruise trip to Alaska for my parents who came from another country to the US. I was particularly interested in the cruise through the Canadian waters, because my parents wanted to visit Canada as well. It was my father's dream to go to Alaska. When I saw suitable dates and time for Alsaka cruise on expedia.com, I decided to make reservation. Once I selected this option on website, the consultant of the travel agency, - "Expedia Cruises", Ann Maclver contacted me and confirmed the reservation. My main question to her was if my parents as non US citizens need Canadian visas to sail to Alaska. She promised me to check this information. I also did a little research and found that my parents do need Canadian visas. So, I was about to call her back and cancel my reservation, because visa requires more than a half of the year to receive. To my biggest surprise, she said that they didn't need it, and I should not worry at all. I was still not convinced, but she sent her google search, assuring that citizens of my country are actually allowed to be in Canada without any permit, if the trip is less than 30 days. I thought she probably, as a travel agent, could know better than me and trusted her words. Apparently, that was my biggest mistake. On May 4, 2024 (Saturday) my parents flew to Seattle for a cruise trip without me, as I had to work in NY. As I did not want them to wait for a long time, they arrived to Seattle 3 hours before their cruise trip. Once they get there, the cruiseline company manager (Norwegian Cruiselines), told them that they could not sail, due to the absence of necessary Canadian visas. When I learned that, I was in NY and I called Ann, asking her to sort this situation out, and tell the cruiseline company exactly the same thing she told me, when I asked her about the visas. Apparently, when she called to the Norwegian Cruiselines company, she was told to fuck off. (My parents actually needed visa to sail) When she realized that she screwed up, she assured me that the company's owner, Mr. Verde, would solve this situation. Which was another her bullshit, as Mr. Verde could not change the international law and issue visa to my parents immediately. Mr. Verde contacted me (already knowing that my parents would not sail at that day) with a suggestion to apply for electronic visa for a trip which will start in 2 hours. When I asked him to help me, he refused. (he already knew by that time that it was not a working solution) I was desperate, and tried to apply for electronic visa for my parents, but ofc it did not work.
After that situation, Ann does not take my phone calls and respond my emails. On my request to provide me a full refund, she said that it was only my responsibility, insisting that she was not guilty. Mr. Verde, the travel agency owner, does not take my calls as well. I did not receive neither refund, nor financial compensation and even apologies.
Meanwhile, the trip to Alaska for my parents was totally ruined, my parents who are 60 years old experienced high blood pressure. I received a great portion of anxiety, and lost more than $4,000.
Conclusion: PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE! NEVER USE THEIR SERVICE! Harold Verde as an owner of the franchise company is not a responsible person. He hired travel agents, who gave misleading recommendations to its clients, such as Ann Maclver. She made a mistake which cost me a ruined travel experience, mental health issues, and financial loses.
P.S: Expedia Cruises company is a franchise of the bigger company. I am currently in communication with it's main office customer service. I also found other clients who became victims of the agency's poor service. For now PLEASE DONT' USE THEIR SERVICE! read more
