A question for TA's

[Chuck & Phyllis]

If a couple suddenly couldn't go on the cruise and didn't have insurance (and in penalty phase), could they find another couple, sell their sailing to them and just request a name change? Seems like this could solve some problems for some people in this situation. Seems to me that the cruise line should have no objection. What's the answer? (Just a question to educate myself, doesn't apply to us right now)



Chuck & Phyllis

Doing Voyager on 5/21/04

Doing Empress on 9/18/04

[Diane&4girls]

Well, sometimes, the cruiselines will allow 2 name changes, but usually, it's just 1.

I've been able to convince tham a few times, so it doesn't hurt to ask.

Wait a minute... I thought you used to be a TA or had a friend that was one.

Diane
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[Chuck & Phyllis]

Yes I do have a friend that's a TA, but never asked him that and as far as being one, it was very brief and I never got into selling cruises (sold a lot of cheap airline tickets with a five buck commission). Just thought about this question and will ask him next time I talk to him. BTW, was your answer a maybe? Can the cruise line refuse and apply a penalty?

Chuck & Phyllis

Doing Voyager on 5/21/04

Doing Empress on 9/18/04

[cruiseco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Can the cruise line refuse and apply a penalty?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The cruise line can, at its discretion do one of three things:

1) They can refuse any name changes once you're in the penalty period. They usually are not this strict about it unless you're just days from sailing.

2) They can allow one name change (passenger substitution). This is the most common situation. Depending on how close to sailing you are they may charge a fee for he change.

3) They can allow substitutions for both passengers. Takes an act of God for this to happen.

[Diane&4girls]

yes, my answer was a maybe...

Yesterday I was able to change 2 names with NO fee for a May 22nd sailing.

Today, one of my clients was charged a $50 name change fee for a cruise in August!

It really depends on a who you get on the phone AND how nice you are to them.

Diane
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[cruisesick]

does anyone here work at mytravelco? I've had bad luck with him.

[Chuck & Phyllis]

Thanks for the answers Diane and cruiseco. Seems to me like this could be an interesting lawsuit if the cruise line outright refused and applied a penalty, since the premise for the penalty is the loss of business. However, if substitute passengers who wouldn't have booked that particular cruise anyway, cruised in place of the original couple, where is their loss? I know this might seem a little far fetched, but if people were able to do this even if they had to discount the price to replacement passengers to avoid penalties, I think it would be a good thing. Not talking about losing deposit here, talking about last 7 days when everything is lost. OK tell me I'm nuts, but it is an interesting idea, isn't it? Chuck

Chuck & Phyllis

Doing Voyager on 5/21/04

Doing Empress on 9/18/04

[suziehmkr]

If you are talking the last 7-14 days, remember that the cruise line needs to submit passenger manifests to all ports prior to them arriving.... It could be a nightmare for the cruise line if they allowed people to just substitute at last minute ie: selling your cruise on ebay at the last minute. Not to mention, we have no idea what else goes on behind the scenes.... Just a thought.

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[cruiseco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chuck & Phyllis:
Thanks for the answers Diane and cruiseco. Seems to me like this could be an interesting lawsuit if the cruise line outright refused and applied a penalty, since the premise for the penalty is the loss of business. However, if substitute passengers who wouldn't have booked that particular cruise anyway, cruised in place of the original couple, where is their loss?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There's more to it than a simple loss of business. the cruise line's greatest fear is loss of control of their inventory and subsequently their pricing. If passengers were free to sell their bookings on the "black market" anytime they wished it would be chaos. There would be nothing to stop independent promoters from buying up huge blocks of inventory and selling it on eBay with no accountability.

As the system works now, the cruise lines have a policy of no name changes. But they also have the ability to make exceptions to that policy in exceptional circumstances. That seems like a reasonable balance.